Chapter 1

I was thinking about the precap, as well as the episode (06/08/07), and almost as if automatically I imagined a few scenes happening... so I decided to write out something after that. This takes place after the bus stopped and Colonel Shakti was shot.

They were stranded in the middle of a jungle sort of area beside a narrow unused road, where their bus stood motionless. The shortcut Abhimanyu had decided to use was actually the lair for a group of terrorists, who killed Abhimanyu's driver and damaged the engines of both vehicles from a distance.

Now the students, Abhimanyu and the bus driver were a few kilometres from where they were originally attacked; their bus and car was still there though, with most of their things. Abhimanyu had ordered them to take only the things that would be necessary, like food, camping needs, etc. He had tried to contact the headquarters and KMA, as did Pooja with her mobile phone, but the signal was jammed by the terrorist group.

"Sir, I could try to get through to KMA or the headquarters, whichever is nearer... I know a few things about these..." Yudi suggested. Abhimanyu thought for a while, and seeing this Pooja backed up her friend.

"I'll help him... with my knowledge of phones and signals and his experience with gadgets, I'm sure we'll work out something Sir."

"OK, but be careful. The terrorists might trace it and find us, or hear the conversation. Be extremely careful..." Abhimanyu warned them. They nodded and huddled at a corner, bent over Pooja's phone and Abhimanyu's walkie talkie. The rest just watched the while exchange, knowing they wouldn't be of much help. They decided to help in their own ways and make the place more comfortable.    

Naina, Huda, Aalekh, Ali and Kamran got busy in setting up the tents, leaving the job of dinner to Sai, who was experienced in that area. Abhimanyu watched the cadets coordinate excellently, knowing that his friend had been a big part of why they could work so well together. He looked down and smiled, sadly perhaps. wondering if he'd ever be able to make space for himself in the hearts and lives of these cadets.

The sudden sound of leaves rustling under a pair of feet, and of something being dragged stopped everyone on their tracks. Abhimanyu took out his gun, signalling Aalekh and Huda, who were nearest to the ammunitions, to hand the guns out to everyone nearby for their defence. The only sound that could be heard was of the rustling of leaves, which stopped after a few moments, quite nearby. Abhimanyu quietly approached the person, gun raised, ready to shoot. When he went outside the clearing they were in, the sight left a shocked expression on his face.

All this while, Naina's thoughts kept going around and landing on one person; who else? Her Rajveer Sir. She knew she was being foolish, but she prayed silently to God that Rajveer Sir was safe. She had had a premonition earlier that day, which became a possibility after she learnt about Pooja's cross-connection episode and the terrorist activities.

When she realised that everyone was heading towards where the sound was coming from, she followed, knowing her worries about Captain Rajveer wasn't as important as the situation they were in right now. The scene in front of her when she reached the others left her in utter shock, very much like the others, but the glimmer of hope and joy was something only she and her five friends were feeling.    

"Captain Rajveer!" Naina rushed over to support her mentor, who was about to fall from exhaustion. He let go of Colonel Shakti when Aalekh and Huda came forward, gratefully accepting Naina's help, forgetting his guilt and worries. "He needs rest, first and foremost!" Naina told ABhimanyu, who was about to question him. Their vice principal nodded and supported Rajveer's other side, taking him to the clearing.

While laying him down on the sleeping bag, Naina noticed the handkerchief she'd given him in the morning. She took it out of his jacket pocket and soaked it with water, placing it on his forehead lovingly. He shivered at the sudden coolness against his skin, and unconciuosly reached out to the only source of warmth; Naina.

She was at loss of what to do, but finally decided that it was to help his recovery, and sat as close to him as possible. Aalekh and Ali came in to check whether she needed any help or not. When they saw the two so close though, they were about to leave when Naina called them back.

"How's Colonel Shakti? He was losing a lot of blood when I last saw him..."

"He was shot in the stomach, and is still breathing, shallowly though. We don't know if he'll live..." Ali said in a worried tone.

"Naina, I know you want to be with Rajveer Sir now, but-" Naina cut Aalekh off.

"I'll go. Could you watch over him while I help Colonel?"

"Sure. Usool, get some hot water! Naina, you just worry about Colonel's health for the time being, OK? We're here for Rajveer Sir..." Naina nodded and left the tent. She knew she could depend on her friends about these things.

Precap - "Phoolan how's Sirji?" asks Huda, and stops suddenly in a shocked manner after seeing something ahead of him.

"It's a few kilometers away, at around a very small hill. But it's dangerous to go there." says Rajveer.