EPISODE-42

 

They turned back to see a man standing there pointing his rifle towards them. They looked at each other in despair. They knew that this man with rifle won't give them sufficient time to take their guns out.

"Hands Up!" The man told them and they reluctantly followed. Navin kept his hand on Alekh's shoulder for support. Suddenly Rajveer also felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and found that Naina has kept her hand on his shoulder. She was loosing consciousness. She was feeling dizzy and was on the verge of fainting.

"Naina." He cried. He held her by waist. Navin and Alekh turned to see what had happened. The man also looked lost because of this sudden confusion.

 

Naina was holding Rajveer's hand with her other hand. He felt like she was trying to move his hand towards her back. He left it free and allowed her to do what she wanted to. He could not figure out what she was upto. Suddenly his hand hit something hard. It was Gun!! She had kept her gun tucked up behind her back. He understood what she was trying to do. He looked at her and she winked making sure no one else see her doing that.

 

Rajveer held her waist firmly with both his hand taking out the gun with one and rolling her in his arms pulling her closer with another. She held him tightly as she heard the gunshot. The scream that followed made her tighten her grip around his shoulders. It all happened in a matter of few seconds without giving anyone a chance to comprehend. The man was dead. Naina was still holding Rajveer tightly and he had his grip firmly around her waist. They stood there holding each other for a few seconds. Finally they separated feeling embarrassed.

 

Navin and Alekh were smiling on their smart move and closeness. But seeing them feeling awkward they hid their smiles hurriedly.

"Kuch nahin ho sakta in dono ka." Alekh whispered in Navin's ears.

He nooded approvingly and whispered back to him, "Hopeless case hai yaar."

 

"Kuch kaha?" Rajveer asked Navin.

"Haan kaha na... Good shot."

"I think we should hurry up. Abhi to sirf ek aaya tha... poori fauj aa gayi to definitely marenge hum log." Alekh insisted to hurry up.

"Right. Lets get out of here fast." Rajveer agreed.

 

They continued their journey back towards their freedom and success. And this time they finally achieved it, without any further problem. As they crossed and entered into their own border their faces beamed and their eyes lit up. They huddled up and screamed with happiness.

"MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!"

 

They were finally back on their own land, in their own country. Their speed increased as they realized how close they all were to their home. Neeti was waiting for them at a distance of something hardly more than half kilometers with her jeep. This was the quickest half kilometer covered by them in this night.

 

They could see Neetika standing at a distance. Naina rushed towards her and gave her a warm tight hug. Both of them were in tears. Neetika was more than happy to see them all back safely. Navin, Rajveer and Alekh also came to her. She hugged Rajveer and then Alekh. Next moment she found herself standing in front of Navin. What Rajveer told her that day on phone was still fresh in her mind and the pain was still aching her heart. But it wasn't the correct time to talk about it. They could do it later. But Neetika failed to control her tears this time. Navin himself stepped closer and held her. Even he had missed her a lot. There were lot many things they wanted to talk about but they were quiet. They gave each other a prolonged hug. Even Navin was close to tears. But he held them back. They separated and looked at each other.

"Chalein?" Navin asked her softly. His throat was choked.

"Hmmmmm..... Maa-Baba intezaar kar rahein hain."

"Yahan?" He was shocked.

"Khem Karan mein. They insisted on coming and I asked them to. Even they wanted to welcome their son back and I couldn't have refused them for that."

 

They boarded the jeep and set out for Khem Karan.Alekh was on the wheels and Navin, Naina and Neetika sat behind him while Raj was on the co-passenger seat.

"Maa Baba ne tumhein kuch kaha to nahin jhooth bolne ke liye."

He asked Neetika.

"They were upset but kuch kaha nahin unhone."

"Great. Matlab main bhi bach jaaongi." Naina took a sigh of relief.

"Tu fikr kyun karti hai. Hum sab hai na tujhe bachane ke liye."

 

It took them around 2 hours to reach Alekh's place. It took them longer because they could not speed up the jeep because of bad roads. The speed had to be kept low to avoid jerkings that could hurt Navin. But finally they reached.

 

They rung the door bell and Navin's mother opened the door. They have been waiting without any news from any of them. They were still under the fear that Navin might not return. As she opened the door, she saw Navin. She took his face in his hands and gazed at his face adoring him without blinking. She was overwhelmed to see him back. His condition did not bother her. The only thing to matter her at the moment was that her son was alive and with her.

 

He hugged his mother and broke down sobbing. All of them were happy and their happiness was flowing out of their eyes as their tears. All of them stood there speechless. Navin's father also came and Navin hugged them both together.

 

"Welcome back son." His father said. His eyes showed that he was a proud father of a brave soldier. A big smile ran on Navin's face.

"Uncle Navin ko rest ki zaroorat hai. I think we should let him relax for a while." Alekh intervened.

His parents took him inside the room and lied him down. Naina entered the room in the last. She feared of being reprimanded by her parents. Naina's father looked at her. Her eyes were lowered and her fear showed up on her face. He went to her. She was still scared to look into his eyes. He lifted her face.

"Koi acha kaam karne ke liye humein kisi se nazrein churane ki zaroorat nahin hoti Naina. Be proud. Apne bhai ke liye jo tumne kiya hai woh har behen nahin kar sakti. I am proud to have children like you all... All of you.... Navin, you, Neeti, Raj, Alekh."

 

Naina was ecstatic to hear that. She could not believe her ears. He hugged him tightly.

"Aap mujhse naaraaz nahin hai na."

"Bilkul nahin."

"Thanks Baba."

She ran to her mother and gave her a tight hug. Now she could feel the happiness of her brother's home coming and their togetherness completely. She had found her whole world with him... well almost whole.

 

 

They all stayed back there for a day and set out for Delhi. Navin needed proper treatment. Rajveer and Neetika also decided to stay back with him at his place until his condition looked up.