Chapter 17
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Chapter 16:
"Work more and talk less." Aalekh said threateningly to Yudi.
"No way chief! This is your job, so you do it! You didn't help Kamran and me with putting the lights all around KMA, why should I help you and Ali now?" Yudi asked fiercely. His personality had opened up in the right places after almost being on the run with Captain Rajveer. Now, rather than being open with words but empty with action, he mostly said things he meant truly.
"I didn't ask you to help me, I told you to do it!" Aalekh replied. "Drama King…" he muttered.
"OK, stop arguing, I'm doing it." Ali cut in, picking up the decorations. It was the evening before the Ball, and the first year cadets were blessed with the job of giving the finishing touches to the decorations all around KMA.
*Flashback*
… Brigadier Chandokh holding an assembly to the honor of the cadets, even though Captain Rajveer's innocence wasn't proved yet…
… Aalekh being rewarded for his help in Rajveer's case (details undisclosed to other cadets) with the last chance at proving his abilities as a cadet…
… Cadets and faculty members praising the six cadets for their bravery and strength…
… Senior cadets leaving the first year cadets with the task of finishing off the preparations as soon as the faculty members were out of range…
*End of Flashback*
Now the six cadets, Cadet Kamran and Cadet Sai (two other first year cadets) were gathered at the courtyard, after finishing the preparations of the rest of the academy. Yudi and Kamran were paired to do the lightings; Aalekh and Ali for the other decorations; Naina and Pooja were in charge of making sure the food arrived all right; and Huda and Sai were supposed to be making sure everyone did everything properly and helping them when they needed it.
Huda and Sai, though, were now sitting comfortably, with him leaning back and spread out, and her in a slightly curved pose beside him. He was making bets with her, in such a manner that it had captured her attention right away.
"You know, I can bet you that tonight you'll go to bed with the thought of this Jatt!" he whispered, blowing away a lock of hair from her face. The others, seeing this, just sighed or shook their heads at his 'Huda-ness'.
Aalekh stepped forward threateningly, towering Yudi, and Yudi took a step back nervously, but still holding his determination. Naina walked through them, taking the decorations from behind Huda and started climbing the ladder. "Pooja, could you hand me the tape?" Pooja glared at the boys and Sai, and helped Naina.
After half an hour of more arguments, jokes, work and flirting (mainly Huda and Sai), they were done and sitting around the small area right in front of the stairs. Aalekh and Huda had asked Suriji to have some food sent over for them, even though it was only 7:00 PM. Suddenly, Aalekh started choking, looking at something at the gates. Yudi looked over and had the opposite reaction; he jumped up nearly dropping the food by mistake, and grinned happily to Neelu and Orni.
"What are you doing here?! You should be resting now!" Aalekh said in a worried tone.
"Hey, no one tells me what to do! I know how to take care of myself. I'm not a kid you know!" Neelu exclaimed, carefully sitting down, now that she was in her 6th month of pregnancy.
"But you're going to have one, so you should be careful. Plus, Qaidi here is just making sure his beloved wife and future-child's connections are clear!" Pooja informed her with a smile.
"So what are you guys doing here again?" Yudi asked Orni.
"Well, you haven't been out after coming back, which made us realize that none of you have proper outfits for the Ball, and needed experts on these things," she pointed to Neelu and herself, "to help you guys out!" She grinned at Yudi.
"In other words, we're going shopping!" Neelu exclaimed, holding her stomach since she had made a sudden movement. Aalekh hurriedly went over to assist her in getting up again, not letting go after doing so though. "Oh, by the way, Mom sent you and Aalekh sherwani's." She informed them
"Too bad sis; BC said that we're wearing formals, to give us a taste of what life could be like when you reach a high status position in the Army, since there are so many Balls like these. But are you sure you can go shop-" he stopped on his tracks, seeing his sister's murderous glance.
"OK… let's go then! I'll go tell Surii." Huda disappeared with Sai to the mess.
"His network is busy, I don't think he'll come back to share ours!" Pooja declared. "Let's go."
~*~*~
"Chauhan Saab, how are you doing?" Rajveer asked, trying to hide his nervousness, from his friend, and from himself.
"Raj, relax. You know Ms. Virani better than I do, and when she says your chances of winning the case are sky-high, she means it! So sit back, relax, and enjoy life! By the way, all the cadets and Naina wish you best of luck and are always going to keep supporting you." Abhmanyu said in a slightly teasing tone.
"Naina is my cadet as well; there is nothing different in her from the others, except for the fact that I'm her mentor Chauhan Saab." It sounded so fake, even to himself! Abhimanyu was about to bring the truth out with words, but realized Rajveer was already too stressed without Abhimanyu teasing him. He held himself back, grinning at the thought of attacking his friend with this when the trial was over.
"Well, best of luck my friend! Though you don't need luck when you're on the side of the truth… oh, and don't think about her too much; it might distract you from the trial!"
"I – what are you – Chauha-" But Abhimanyu had already hung up. Rajveer laughed quietly to himself, feeling a large lump of tension leaving his body. He sat back, trying to relax, and enjoyed life, which was quite peaceful with no sound except for the raindrops lashing against the window. After a while he walked over to the window; he really couldn't wait to get the trial over with!
~*~*~
"Aalekh, that's so… I don't know what to… you're… thank you!" Neelu told her husband as he showed her the set of three wrist bands. One was baby pink with Neelu's initials, the second was baby blue with Aalekh's initials and the third was white, silver and gold with the initials of their to-be-born son. Yudi had helped him with the initials, since they were in English, at the shop they had stopped on their way to KMA.
"There's nothing to thank me for… they're only wrist bands, not keys to our own house or anything…" Aalekh said uncomfortably. Neelu hit his arm, rolling her eyes.
"Shut up. They're wrist bands, but with the love that's going to hold us three together! Keys to our own house couldn't do that. Now, what do you think about that suit?"
Nearby, Ali, Pooja, Yudi and Orni were having a 'guys vs. girls' argument. The guys picked any random, simple clothing whereas the girls wanted it to be dashing, handsome and outstanding. Finally after a long time of arguing and looking, they came to a mutual agreement on outfit choices. The difficult part wasn't over though; they still had to shop for the girls!
Naina, Sai, Kamran and Huda were roaming around in a sort of unattached group. Naina wasn't interested in buying anything for herself, planning to wear the dress she wore to the Freshers' Ball, but was looking for the sake of Sai, who seemed desperate for help, since her family was a traditional one and she didn't own anything formal. When asked, she admitted she borrowed a dress from her roommate. Since both Sai and Naina were there, Huda had obviously been following them, and Kamran following Huda for his fashion advice.
After they were done shopping, they were on their way back to KMA. Pooja's cell phone rang on the way, and after talking a bit she passed it on to Naina.
"Naina? I hope you haven't bought your dress yet! Am I too late?" Dr. Shalini asked breathlessly.
"Uh no Ma'am… why do you ask?"
"Well, since someone has already sent one for you. I think it's from your parents… and don't worry, no one is going to open it except for you. Are you guys on your back now? The lights are going to be out soon!"
"Yes Ma'am, we're on our way. We're nearly there… and thank you for informing me. Bye." She hung up, wondering if her parents' choice would be hers too. She'd have to wait to find out.
"Work more and talk less." Aalekh said threateningly to Yudi.
"No way chief! This is your job, so you do it! You didn't help Kamran and me with putting the lights all around KMA, why should I help you and Ali now?" Yudi asked fiercely. His personality had opened up in the right places after almost being on the run with Captain Rajveer. Now, rather than being open with words but empty with action, he mostly said things he meant truly.
"I didn't ask you to help me, I told you to do it!" Aalekh replied. "Drama King…" he muttered.
"OK, stop arguing, I'm doing it." Ali cut in, picking up the decorations. It was the evening before the Ball, and the first year cadets were blessed with the job of giving the finishing touches to the decorations all around KMA.
*Flashback*
… Brigadier Chandokh holding an assembly to the honor of the cadets, even though Captain Rajveer's innocence wasn't proved yet…
… Aalekh being rewarded for his help in Rajveer's case (details undisclosed to other cadets) with the last chance at proving his abilities as a cadet…
… Cadets and faculty members praising the six cadets for their bravery and strength…
… Senior cadets leaving the first year cadets with the task of finishing off the preparations as soon as the faculty members were out of range…
*End of Flashback*
Now the six cadets, Cadet Kamran and Cadet Sai (two other first year cadets) were gathered at the courtyard, after finishing the preparations of the rest of the academy. Yudi and Kamran were paired to do the lightings; Aalekh and Ali for the other decorations; Naina and Pooja were in charge of making sure the food arrived all right; and Huda and Sai were supposed to be making sure everyone did everything properly and helping them when they needed it.
Huda and Sai, though, were now sitting comfortably, with him leaning back and spread out, and her in a slightly curved pose beside him. He was making bets with her, in such a manner that it had captured her attention right away.
"You know, I can bet you that tonight you'll go to bed with the thought of this Jatt!" he whispered, blowing away a lock of hair from her face. The others, seeing this, just sighed or shook their heads at his 'Huda-ness'.
Aalekh stepped forward threateningly, towering Yudi, and Yudi took a step back nervously, but still holding his determination. Naina walked through them, taking the decorations from behind Huda and started climbing the ladder. "Pooja, could you hand me the tape?" Pooja glared at the boys and Sai, and helped Naina.
After half an hour of more arguments, jokes, work and flirting (mainly Huda and Sai), they were done and sitting around the small area right in front of the stairs. Aalekh and Huda had asked Suriji to have some food sent over for them, even though it was only 7:00 PM. Suddenly, Aalekh started choking, looking at something at the gates. Yudi looked over and had the opposite reaction; he jumped up nearly dropping the food by mistake, and grinned happily to Neelu and Orni.
"What are you doing here?! You should be resting now!" Aalekh said in a worried tone.
"Hey, no one tells me what to do! I know how to take care of myself. I'm not a kid you know!" Neelu exclaimed, carefully sitting down, now that she was in her 6th month of pregnancy.
"But you're going to have one, so you should be careful. Plus, Qaidi here is just making sure his beloved wife and future-child's connections are clear!" Pooja informed her with a smile.
"So what are you guys doing here again?" Yudi asked Orni.
"Well, you haven't been out after coming back, which made us realize that none of you have proper outfits for the Ball, and needed experts on these things," she pointed to Neelu and herself, "to help you guys out!" She grinned at Yudi.
"In other words, we're going shopping!" Neelu exclaimed, holding her stomach since she had made a sudden movement. Aalekh hurriedly went over to assist her in getting up again, not letting go after doing so though. "Oh, by the way, Mom sent you and Aalekh sherwani's." She informed them
"Too bad sis; BC said that we're wearing formals, to give us a taste of what life could be like when you reach a high status position in the Army, since there are so many Balls like these. But are you sure you can go shop-" he stopped on his tracks, seeing his sister's murderous glance.
"OK… let's go then! I'll go tell Surii." Huda disappeared with Sai to the mess.
"His network is busy, I don't think he'll come back to share ours!" Pooja declared. "Let's go."
~*~*~
"Chauhan Saab, how are you doing?" Rajveer asked, trying to hide his nervousness, from his friend, and from himself.
"Raj, relax. You know Ms. Virani better than I do, and when she says your chances of winning the case are sky-high, she means it! So sit back, relax, and enjoy life! By the way, all the cadets and Naina wish you best of luck and are always going to keep supporting you." Abhmanyu said in a slightly teasing tone.
"Naina is my cadet as well; there is nothing different in her from the others, except for the fact that I'm her mentor Chauhan Saab." It sounded so fake, even to himself! Abhimanyu was about to bring the truth out with words, but realized Rajveer was already too stressed without Abhimanyu teasing him. He held himself back, grinning at the thought of attacking his friend with this when the trial was over.
"Well, best of luck my friend! Though you don't need luck when you're on the side of the truth… oh, and don't think about her too much; it might distract you from the trial!"
"I – what are you – Chauha-" But Abhimanyu had already hung up. Rajveer laughed quietly to himself, feeling a large lump of tension leaving his body. He sat back, trying to relax, and enjoyed life, which was quite peaceful with no sound except for the raindrops lashing against the window. After a while he walked over to the window; he really couldn't wait to get the trial over with!
~*~*~
"Aalekh, that's so… I don't know what to… you're… thank you!" Neelu told her husband as he showed her the set of three wrist bands. One was baby pink with Neelu's initials, the second was baby blue with Aalekh's initials and the third was white, silver and gold with the initials of their to-be-born son. Yudi had helped him with the initials, since they were in English, at the shop they had stopped on their way to KMA.
"There's nothing to thank me for… they're only wrist bands, not keys to our own house or anything…" Aalekh said uncomfortably. Neelu hit his arm, rolling her eyes.
"Shut up. They're wrist bands, but with the love that's going to hold us three together! Keys to our own house couldn't do that. Now, what do you think about that suit?"
Nearby, Ali, Pooja, Yudi and Orni were having a 'guys vs. girls' argument. The guys picked any random, simple clothing whereas the girls wanted it to be dashing, handsome and outstanding. Finally after a long time of arguing and looking, they came to a mutual agreement on outfit choices. The difficult part wasn't over though; they still had to shop for the girls!
Naina, Sai, Kamran and Huda were roaming around in a sort of unattached group. Naina wasn't interested in buying anything for herself, planning to wear the dress she wore to the Freshers' Ball, but was looking for the sake of Sai, who seemed desperate for help, since her family was a traditional one and she didn't own anything formal. When asked, she admitted she borrowed a dress from her roommate. Since both Sai and Naina were there, Huda had obviously been following them, and Kamran following Huda for his fashion advice.
After they were done shopping, they were on their way back to KMA. Pooja's cell phone rang on the way, and after talking a bit she passed it on to Naina.
"Naina? I hope you haven't bought your dress yet! Am I too late?" Dr. Shalini asked breathlessly.
"Uh no Ma'am… why do you ask?"
"Well, since someone has already sent one for you. I think it's from your parents… and don't worry, no one is going to open it except for you. Are you guys on your back now? The lights are going to be out soon!"
"Yes Ma'am, we're on our way. We're nearly there… and thank you for informing me. Bye." She hung up, wondering if her parents' choice would be hers too. She'd have to wait to find out.
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