Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Three days later it was the moment they had all waited two years for, their graduation day.

The cadets woke up early, not wanting to waste a single moment of the day. They both got ready carefully, making sure that their uniforms were spotless and not a single hair was out of place. After all, this would be one of the most important moments of their lives.

"Can you believe we're finally graduating?" Pooja asked Naina excitedly, "I can't believe that we finally made it to this day after everything that has happened."

Yes, everything that had happened… Naina couldn't feel as happy as the others at the prospect of graduating. Despite her vow she hadn't been able to prove her brother innocent yet, and now she was bout to leave KMA. But as she had once been told, 'While breath remains there is still hope,' and Naina wasn't going to give up yet.

"So your parents will be coming, Pooja?"

"Of course! They would never miss it, Papa is planning to take lots of pictures of me on his new phone. And they're finally going to meet Ali's parents properly, I'm so nervous!"

"Don't worry Pooja, it will go fine with yours and Ali's parents."

Pooja nodded in agreement, both of their parents had finally given in and decided to get the two of them married. Now they just had to sort out the details.

"So Naina, your parents will be meeting Huda's mummy and daddy too, won't they?"

Naina was silent for a moment, a far away look in her eyes. "Yes Pooja, they've already talked on the phone but they'll be meeting each other for the first time."

"So what's going to happen with the engagement?"

"I think they've decided on one week after graduation," she smiled slightly at Pooja, "I'll be able to tell you a date by the end of the day, you'll come won't you?"

"Of course! Do you think I'd miss it? After all, it's my best friend and room mate's engagement!" Pooja became serious then, looking into Naina's eyes to try to guage her feelings, "You are happy about it, aren't you Naina?"

Naina gave a short laugh that wasn't exactly happy. "Why does everybody ask me that? Why else would I have agreed to it?" But she avoided looking in Pooja's eyes as she said it.

Pooja continued gazing at Naina, trying to see beyond the act that she was currently putting on. "Dekh doost, if you ever need to talk then my network will always be ready to connect with yours."

Naina nodded, "Thanks Pooja, but there's nothing like that."

**

Finally graduation time arrived and the cadets lined up to say their oath, watched over proudly by their parents and the faculty members.

"You know what would have made this perfect?" Yudi asked Alekh, "If Captain Rajveer had been here when we graduated, kash he…" But seeing the look on Naina's face, Yudi suddenly became silent, unwilling to say anything else.

The ceremony itself was relatively short, as BC limited his speech to about ten minutes. The cadets didn't even mind listening to him, they were so proud to be graduating. Then finally it was over and they were all finally lieutenants within the Indian Army. Ali's parents were perhaps the proudest of the lot, overjoyed that their son had finally fulfilled their dream and become an officer.

"Oy Phoolan," Huda said, approaching Naina after the ceremony, "Ah, hello Auntyji, Uncleji." And he touched their feet respectfully. "I am Amardeep Huda, I wanted to introduce you properly to my Mummyji and Daddyji." Naina's parents smiled at Huda, he was obviously in love with their daughter, and they were relieved that Naina had agreed to settle down. They had accepted that Naina may never be able to prove Navin had been innocent, and had been worried that she wouldn't move on with her life until she did.

"Sure, Beta" Naina's father said, "Let's go meet them."

Huda led the way and soon they were standing in front of his parents, both of whom were beaming with pride and happiness.

"Oy hoy," Huda's mother started "Kitni sohni guri hai, now I know why my son has been so desperate to marry her." Naina touched Huda's parents feet and put a small smile on her face. "It's very nice to finally meet you properly Uncle and Aunty."

Huda's mother then immediately started on Naina's parents, "Well let's get down to business, I think we should set a date as soon as possible, I want this girl to be my son's fianc before she changes her mind and rejects this naughty boy!" she joked.

"Mummyji, don't say that!" Huda scolded her, but Naina didn't laugh at the joke, or even smile. Instead she mainly looked down at the ground as if she was shy.

Within five minutes everything was settled, the engagement would be held in one week at Naina's house. When they began to discuss a date for the wedding too, Huda stopped them, remembering Naina's request to him. "I think it's better if we both settle into our careers first, the wedding can come later." Naina looked at Huda gratefully, she was glad he hadn't forgotten his promise. "Come on Phoolan," Huda told her, "Let's go tell our friends the date so that they don't make any other plans. I would hate for Ali and Pooja to get engaged on the same day!" He grabbed her hand and the two left.

Huda's mother watched them go thoughtfully, the girl was pretty and well mannered, but awfully quiet. It didn't seem like the typical quietness of a shy bride to be but something else…

She silently scolded herself for being too imaginative and got back to the business of planning an engagement.