Chapter 23

                              ***************CHAPTER-3***************

 

 

EPISODE-23

 

 

"Alekh??? Yeah sure…Alekh hamari madad karega….Why not? Neeti tum jaanti ho na he is absolutely useless aur…" Naina lost it completely as she heard the name.

"Naina just cut it out. Main jaanti hoon ki hamari engagement party mein tumhare aur Alekh ke beech mein kuch issues ho gaye the but right now it's neither about you nor about him. It's about Navin. Aur is waqt wohi ek insaan hai jo hamari madad kar sakta hai aur karega.......he has a good network working around and across LOC. And do not forget he is my cousin and he wont let me down."

"Posting kahan hai uski?" Rajveer asked.

"Khem-Karan."

After a small pause Rajveer said, "Pack your bags Neetika hum abhi isi waqt Khem-Karan ke liye nikal rahein hain. Aur Naina agar tumhein Alekh se itni hi problem hai to you may go back to Delhi." His tone was rather commanding.

"Nahin....I am coming with you two."

 

                                                     

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They reached Khem-Karan around 11 in the morning. Alekh wasn't expecting them but was very happy to see them there. He welcomed them warmly but his mood was somewhat spoilt to see Naina. Their behaviour towards each other was very cold. But none of them said even a single harsh word. They both understood the situation very well. So they choose to ignore each other.

 

"Waise what brings you here?" He asked Rajveer.

"We need your help."

"Help....what kind of help?"

"Alekh tumhara spy network border area mein bahut strong hai, right?" Neetika asked.

"Well you do know about that very well lekin baat kya hai?"

Neetika and Rajveer explained him the entire situation.

"Rajveer I hope you understand what exactly you are trying to do. It's very dangerous aur ek choti si galti and the consequences would be far-reaching."

"Alekh consequences ke bare mein sochne ka time nahin hai hamare paas. We need to get down to it ASAP. You tell me tum ismein hamari kya aur kitni help kar sakte ho."

"Theek hai if you have made up your mind then I will do whatever I can to help you."

While talking Alekh looked up at Naina who was standing there quietly. He was a bit amused because he knew Naina as a brash, impulsive and interfering kind of a person. Her silence was something very new for him. Besides he could not ignore her moist eyes. For the first time he didn't feel like bashing her.....Infact he felt Sorry.

 

"Rajveer you give me sometime. I'll find out where the POW's have been kept. And I will also make all the arrangements for you to cross the border."

"How much time will all that need?"

"Three to four days."

"Three days or four days?" Naina asked in a firm voice.

Alekh looked at her again. The sorrow was replaced by her determination. He got up and went closer. He looked at her and a smile came on his face. He shook his head.

"Some things never change." He thought. She still didn't trust him.... and he knew that.

"Three Days. Is that Okay?"

"Yes". She nodded and turned to Rajveer.

"Raj main ghar phone kar ke aati hoon."

"Sure. But is waqt unse kuch mat kehna."

"I know that Raj." Naina left.

 

"Alekh please don't mind her.... bahut tensed hai woh." Neetika tried to explain.

"Relax Neetu....I know and infact aaj pehli baar muje uske attitude pe gussa nahin aa raha...Dont worry. I can understand."

"Thanks."

"Now stop thinking so much. Main tum logon ke rehne ka arrangement karwa deta hoon. You take some rest. Night long journey ke baad you must be tired and especially that Navin's Princess."

"Just stop it Alekh." Neetika scolded him.

"Okay fine...I am just joking."

"Neeti...Alekh is right. You and Naina need rest."

Alekh made arrangements for their stay. Rajveer sent Naina and Neetika to take rest while he himself went with Alekh to make the arrangements of their escape.