Dhoka - A story;new link-pg147;pts 1-22 pg-148&149

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Esha

@esha143

Rocker

+ 7

Posted: 15 years ago

#1111

ahha............I caught u at the moment of ur update.... I don't believe this..................come on yaar jaldi.......... jaldi..............jaldi..................ab aur wait nahi hotha mujhse..................😛

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Esha

@esha143

Rocker

+ 7

Posted: 15 years ago

#1112

yeti 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡 ...............
agar tu jaldi update nahi dethi......
toh main tujhe kachcha khaathi ....
fir baad mein tu dekhthi..............

ab toh aa jaa yeti.......😡 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡

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luvraj4ever

@luvraj4ever

Dazzler

+ 5

Posted: 15 years ago

#1113

arrrreeeee ye few minutes "itneeeeeeeeeeee few" kaise ho gaye????????😭😭😭

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himalayanyeti

@himalayanyeti

Voyager

+ 4

Posted: 15 years ago

#1114

oyeeeeeeeeeee...
I updated last night only!!!!! didnt I say the update will be in a new thread??
here you will get the update...

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/1388360/dhoka-2-a-raj-naina-story-part-28-page-35

I havent had the time to include the new link here lekin yaaro... search the forum before giving me gaali 😉😉 😆😆

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Vertika Srivastava

@Vartika07

Stunner

+ 3

Posted: 15 years ago

#1115

HEY YATI,

I THINK U COULD POST ONE PART OF UR FIC HERE AS IT HAS SOME SPACE AVAILABLE.

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himalayanyeti

@himalayanyeti

Voyager

+ 4

Posted: 15 years ago

#1116

Originally posted by: Mahak Sinha
HEY YATI,

I THINK U COULD POST ONE PART OF UR FIC HERE AS IT HAS SOME SPACE AVAILABLE.

I think I was just too excited to open a new topic for Dhoka and didnt want to wait longer... 😆😆😆

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himalayanyeti

@himalayanyeti

Voyager

+ 4

Posted: 15 years ago

#1117

Hey everyone,
I finally managed to reply to all comments for part 22 which was in this thread... if I have left somebody out, PM me... I might have missed it in a hurry...

The new thread for Dhoka has part 23 and the link is in my post a couple of ones before this.. I will soon get to your comments on part 23 but part 24 will have to wait for at least 2 more weeks.. I have an exam!!!! (can you believe it? I am working and I have an exam to pass!! 😕)

and I hope you guys give me the same encoragement and support that you have always given me in the future too (even when I am tardy in updating 😆😆😆)

~yeti

PS: since we have some space in this thread I may compile together the 22 parts in this thread into 1 single loooooooonnnnnnnggggggggggg post and post it here.. for uninterrupted reading.. 😉😉 but if someone wants to do it on my behalf, you are welcome to... 😉😉 (thats lazy me delegating work!! dont I make an awesome manager? 😆😆😆)

Edited by himalayanyeti - 15 years ago

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Sumi_162710

@Sumi_162710

Rocker

Posted: 15 years ago

#1118

Oh wow....wat a part!! But I am late....*sigh*....however I loved the way Raj realized his feelings n the whole wid Shalini was awesum!! The flashbak was even gr8er!! Chitraji kitni intelligent hai na?? Lekin Navin ki beti Naina me bilkul akkal nahi hai....actually Raj aur Naina dono ki akkal ghas chadne gayi thi....Raj ki abhi bhi wapas ayi hai....Naina ki akkal thodi late hai...hehe. Waise I loved the flirty convo of RN....was that just wonderful?? Nah....it was....umm....cant find words....but I just loved it the most!!

And Neelu brought Karan wid her to make Aalekh jealous....well nice plan....lekin Karan ki jaan ki bhi fikr karni chahiye thi na usse....I loved Karan's expression when he said Jail n Murder...lolz.

A very nice part Yeti....will be commenting on the next....after a while.

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Esha

@esha143

Rocker

+ 7

Posted: 15 years ago

#1119

Originally posted by: himalayanyeti
Hey everyone,
I finally managed to reply to all comments for part 22 which was in this thread... if I have left somebody out, PM me... I might have missed it in a hurry...

The new thread for Dhoka has part 23 and the link is in my post a couple of ones before this.. I will soon get to your comments on part 23 but part 24 will have to wait for at least 2 more weeks.. I have an exam!!!! (can you believe it? I am working and I have an exam to pass!! 😕)

and I hope you guys give me the same encoragement and support that you have always given me in the future too (even when I am tardy in updating 😆😆😆)

~yeti

PS: since we have some space in this thread I may compile together the 22 parts in this thread into 1 single loooooooonnnnnnnggggggggggg post and post it here.. for uninterrupted reading.. 😉😉 but if someone wants to do it on my behalf, you are welcome to... 😉😉 (thats lazy me delegating work!! dont I make an awesome manager? 😆😆😆)

Well ma'am.........I'm going to take u seriously and posting the compilation of all the parts from 1-22 in this thread.......Hope you don't mind........and if u do.....well then keep it for urself....... because I don't mind ur minding 😆 😆😆(see how mind-full girl I'm 😉).......

okay,on a serious note if u want to have something added to the parts then tell me when u get back.......I'll edit it or otherwise I'll delete the entire post and then u can post ur own compilation.....
that won't be a problem for me........I'm just posting this to make your work easy and since I've always copied your every post in to my system......and I'm already having all the posts at hand.......

Have a nice time and ALL THE BEST for ur exam dear.............😃

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Esha

@esha143

Rocker

+ 7

Posted: 15 years ago

#1120

DHOKA-SHILPA(YETI)

...........................................

NOTE:

In the year the story is happening ie.2007, these are the ages of the characters in Dhoka............

Raj - 29
Naina - 23 (turning 24 soon)
Shalini - 28
Huda, Pooja, Ali - 22
Yudi, Alekh - 24 (Yudi came to KMA after doing MBA)
Neelu, Sameera - 20
Navin - 40 when he died eight years ago
BC - almost 60
Chitra - mid-fifties

***************

Prologue:

December 21, 1999; 2.20 am

Somewhere in the pine forests of Ladakh, Kashmir, India

It was a cold winter night. Like any other night in December in Ladakh. The crescent-shaped moon peeking through heavy clouds now and then, casting a ghostly pale light on the earth below. The wind howling through the gaps between pines and acorns heralding the onset of a blizzard. Nothing unusual. It was like any other night in December in Ladakh. But the night was nothing normal for a few people. Some people lost something that night, while some gained something. A few lives were altered that night but apart from that, it was like any other night'

The snow was falling with rapidly increasing intensity, adding to the few feet of snow already piled up on the ground. Two shadows passed rapidly through the forests, stopping once in a while to check the direction in a small hand-held compass. The blinding snow did not really help in visibility but the two shadows plodded on, unmindful of the fierce snow-storm raging around them. The two shadows ran through the snow a repressed hurry but there was no panic or frenzy in their actions. They stopped at times to hide behind solid tree trunks whenever the moon decided to grace the earth with a piercing white light. They were being pursued.

There was only silence surrounding the two men being pursued, apart from the howling winds and their own soft footfalls. Their pursuers were either too far behind or too stealthy. But there was no time to ponder about it. They ran through the forest alongside each other when one of the men tripped over a fallen branch covered in snow and went rolling down the hill. The other man tried to stop his companion's fall but only succeeded in sliding down beside him, at least more controlled was his fall. The fall of both men was broken when they crashed against a few trees near the edge of the slope that they had travelled down so ungraciously. The two men sat up, breathing hard and immediately checking their surroundings. One of the men was clearly older than the other, inspite of his boyish looks. He was probably in his late thirties or just stepping into the fourth decade of his life. The younger man was in his early twenties, still innocent-looking, inspite of having faced many a battle in life, though not on the war-field.
The older man checked the direction again in his compass and pointed east. "That way cadet. I hope you haven't broken any bones." "I am fine sir. Shaken but fine", he replied breathlessly. "Let's go then", he urged the cadet. The two men once again started on their journey, wading through snow, not really caring about leaving behind footprints for their pursuers, for they knew the fierce snowfall will cover their prints before they cross a few feet of distance. The men were clothed in heavy winter clothes but there was no mistake identifying the camouflages they wore. They were dressed for battle. They had only travelled for a few minutes when the older man froze in his tracks. Terror passed through his features for a moment before calm descended. The other man had not noticed his partner lagging behind yet. "Cadet, one minute", he called out. The young man skidded to a halt before returning to his superior. He was puzzled for a minute looking at his mentor who was standing like a statue before he let his gaze drop down, and a look of horror dawned on him. The older man was standing on a live landmine!

2.35 am

Both men dropped down wearily, taking care not to disturb the foot on the landmine. The young man glanced at his partner but was surprised to see no fear on his handsome face. He looked deep into the other man's hazel eyes and found peace there. There was determination in those eyes, along with a pride that he will achieve his ambition at last. He will lay down his life for his country. It was his dream since he was a teenager, to serve his Motherland and if it comes to that, to give up his life for Her. The older man looked at his protge admiringly. He had already proved he will be a great soldier but today he had showed signs of a good leader. There was no fear of death in the young man's gray eyes. The only sign of his inner turmoil was the storminess that clouded his usually clear gray eyes, eyes that have seen a lot in his short life till now; eyes that now held admiration for his mentor along with a strong determination. He knew the score now. He will have to finish the mission single-handedly now. His friend, philosopher and guide, his mentor will not be with him to see the end of this mission. His jaw was set, lips thinned and devotion glinting in his eyes as he gazed at his superior, waiting for his orders. This man who was sitting in front of him with such calm was the reason he is what he is today. The man took him under his wings when he came to the academy a year and half ago, a bitter young orphan whose aggression bordered on violence. This man helped him channel his energies, taught him in the workings of the world, made him discover a new man within him. In turn, the older man was not disappointed. The young man in front of him required some guidance and he was happy he has helped shape a promising young soldier in service to his country.

The older man reached into his heavy winter jacket and drew out a red box. It was a nondescript rectangular box, weighing a few pounds but the contents were capable of starting or ending a huge war! The nuclear triggers that were kept on a ready state at the Ladakh forward base to protect the country if it boils down to that. Thankfully there was no need for that and the battle was stopped before it blew out into a full-fledged war between two strong nations of South-East Asia. Tension simmered just below the surface even months after the conflict at Kargil ended, making it necessary to keep the triggers in its place until now. The triggers were being shifted to its original home under the protection of very able officers of the Indian Army, before they were ambushed about 30 miles south of the Ladakh forward base. Clearly out-numbered, the two men were the only ones able to escape with the triggers and flee into the forests. It was upto them to get the triggers safely to its home at the cantonment at Ambala, until the older man stepped on a landmine. It was now the duty of the younger cadet to make sure this mission is a success.

The younger man silently received the package before placing it carefully inside his jacket, in the specially lined compartment that was designed specifically to minimize vibrations that may disturb the delicate contents of the box. The older man then looked at his partner and quietly commanded, "You know the procedure, cadet. Go ahead with what you have to do." The young man hesitated a second before stripping his superior of his identifications, his wallet and military badges. He knew he will return with reinforcements to get his mentor or his body. But these procedures were necessary to prevent identification of the person or his military rank if he, unfortunately, gets captured by the enemy. He older man removed his chain from around his neck and the young man watched a flicker of emotion as the older man gazed at the locket for a long time before handing it over to his cadet. The young man pocketed all his mentor's belongings safely before drawing out a small pocket knife hesitantly. Seeing his protge not prepared to take the next step, the older man took the knife from his hands and peeled the skin off the finger tips of both his hands. The young man knew it is part of procedures to prevent identification but still couldn't help his eyes getting moist. The calm determination on his mentor's face forced him to blink his eyes; his mentor hated soldiers who get emotional in the battle-field!

2.40 am

Once all the 'procedures' were completed, the older man looked at his favorite student. "Leave", he said. The young man stood still, unable to stomach the fact that he may not see his 'sir' after this. The older man's face softened for a minute before he said, "That is an order, cadet!". The young man saluted his superior, looked at his mentor for a few seconds and turned on his heel. "You will be a good soldier. Have a good life, cadet!", he heard his mentor say softly. The young man knew his duty. He turned, saluted the man again, turned and ran into the night. That was the last time Cadet Rajveer Singh Shekhawat saluted Captain Navin Singh Ahluwalia!

***************

Part 1

May, 2007

Ambala, Haryana

She made her way up the temple steps, her payal chiming gently. She had on her a pale yellow chudidhar-kurta, the kurta reaching almost to her knees and the chudidhar gathered tight around her ankles, with the dupatta covering her hair in respect to the Lord. Holding the pooja thali in one hand, she bent down and touched the threshold of the temple with her right hand. She went near the deity of Lord Shiv and looked around for her one relation in the world. "Arey beti, poojariji ko doond rahi ho? Unhohne paani laane keliye abhi gaye. Atha hi honge", informed Naren Kaka. Naren Kaka was the mukhya of the small village of Panjokhra, bordering the Ambala Cantonment, on the outskirts of Ambala. As part of his duties, he always initiated the morning aarti at the Shiv Mandir in the village.

"Kaun humare bare mein baath kar rahe hain", came a voice from behind. She turned around and smiled widely at the frail old man who was making his way up the side stairs with a pail of holy water. She kept her thali near the deity and went to the old man. Taking the pail from him, she chided him softly, "Kya Nanu, humne tulsi pooja karne gayi thi aur aap yahaan aagaye. Humne kaha tha na, aapka tabyat teek nahi hai. Aap humari aane tak intezar nahi kar sakte?". The old man smiled at his granddaughter and accepted her scolding silently like a child does. He knew she can never be mad at him for long. "Dher ho raha tha. Isiliye.. Ab tum aagayi na, meri madad karo aarti shuru karna hai", he said, keeping his right hand on her head and blessing her silently in his heart.

"Chaliye".

After the aarti, she and her grandfather returned to their modest dwelling by the side of the temple and she helped him to recline on the rocker. "Nanu, Hume Chitra Aunty se milna hai. Unko prashad dena hai. Aaj patha nahi who kyun nahi aaye aarti keliye. Can I go to KMA to meet her?", she asked him once all work was completed at home.
"Kyun nahi, beti. Zaroor. Magar jaldi aana", he replied closing his eyes. He did not know that it was the last time he was going to see his beloved granddaughter for a long time!

She drove her compact car towards the main gates of Ambala Cantonment. Although the distance could be covered on foot, she always went in her car, as she wanted to return early. Today especially, as she had promised her Nanu that she would return soon. If she had gone on foot, she knew she will return only at dusk but she had to help her Nanu with the evening aarti and make the prashad. With just the two of them, they were not lacking in material wealth. She was well educated and is capable of landing a plum job if she wished so. Her Nanu only worked as the pujari as he wanted to spend his life-time serving the Lord and his dream was to breathe his last while serving his Shivji.

Ambala cantonment.. One of the most important bases of the Armed Forces, which housed a huge Indian Army base as well as an Indian Air Force base. Alongside these famous establishments was the Kanchenjunga Military Academy, the nation's best training ground for young soldiers in the making. Highly selective and secretive, the cadets of this academy get trained by facing adversities like any soldier would, on the battle-field. The KMA never recruited cadets directly. The best talents that were recruited in other academies in India were hand-picked after few months of careful and detailed monitoring and were given a chance to complete their training at the best military academy of India, the KMA. Most, of course, accepted and turned out to be able, dedicated and successful officers of the Indian Army, with a few opting to pursue further training to be commissioned into the Indian Air Force. Cadets spend close to two years at this academy, honing their skills both theoretically as well as practically. The most important training method of KMA was the mentorship program where each incoming cadet is assigned to a staff member, the staff being distinguished officers of the Indian Army themselves. The secrecy surrounding KMA is due to the importance it holds in war-time strategies of the Armed Forces. Only a few senior-most members of the Armed Forces and the Parliament know the reason behind this secrecy. The KMA is the home of the highly sensitive nuclear triggers, which boost the nation's power on the defense map of the world.

She paused before the guard-house of the Ambala cantonment, furnishing her identification before entering. Ganesh Ram, the havaldar who patrols the main gates greeted her warmly, "Aao beti. Aaj kya tum khud yahaan chali aayi? Kya baath hai?"

"Namaste chacha. Bas yuhin.. Chitra Aunty ko milne aayi..", she replied smiling at him. "Leejiye prashad. Hum KMA jaa rahe hai. Aapka log book mein entry karna math booliye", she reminded him before driving towards the second guarded compound within the boundaries of the cantonment. Presenting her identification again at the gates of KMA, she thought about her life at Panjokhra the past couple of months.

Her grandfather and she had moved to Panjokhra just a couple of months ago, when her grandfather took up the position of the temple pujari at the Shiv Mandir. Due to his failing health, she had also accompanied her grandfather to Ambala and assisted him in his daily temple duties. Her Nanu never agreed that he has to slow down now that his body and his organs were slowing down but still continued in his service to the Lord. She knew she can never talk him out of it. So she did the next best thing... staying with him and making sure to the best of her abilities that he was comfortable. In the past two months, she had come to love the peaceful life of the village and often spent her time in the temple in holy service. She also taught kids Mathematics and English every weekend at the temple and the people of the village loved her for it, although most were puzzled as to why such an obviously well-to-do duo have decided to stay in their modest little village and work at the temple.

In the two months, she had also come to love Chitra Aunty, "the First Lady of KMA", the wife of the commanding officer of KMA. Having lost her parents at a young age, she found an emotional anchor in Chitra Aunty in a very short duration. Although her grandfather had stayed by her side throughout, she was more concerned about his delicate health and could never confide in him her insecurities in growing up an orphan in a strange place. She always looked forward to spending a couple of hours with Chitra Aunty when she came for the morning aarti everyday. And it was not unusual for her to go to KMA on the days Chitra Aunty could not make it to the temple due to work or poor health. As she passed through the gates and parked her car in the visitor lot, she hoped to God that there should be nothing wrong with Chitra Aunty's health.

Three pairs of eyes watched her as she got down from the car, locked it and went towards the main building.

As was her usual routine every time she came to KMA to meet her Chitra Aunty, her legs automatically took her towards the place she considered holier than the inner sanctum of the Shiv Mandir - the Hall of Fame! She stopped before the pictures of men and women who had trained at KMA and given up their lives in service to their nation. Shahid, martyr, hero... She gazed at the faces looking down on her from every corner of the room, not realizing the single drop of tear that was about to drop from her left eye. She knew what she had to do..................

She did not realize she had been standing here for the past twenty minutes simply staring at the pictures and inscriptions when she was suddenly jolted out of her reverie hearing the second year cadets trooping towards the mess after yet another exhausting drill session with Major Nair. She had not met any of the staff members or cadets of KMA personally but knew most of their names and short character analysis, courtesy her Chitra Aunty. She knew that Major Nair was the 'Hitler of KMA', fondly called 'Muchad' by this batch of KMA cadets. She hurriedly blinked her eyes and smiled to herself thinking of all the pranks this particular batch of cadets had played on almost all staff members in their first year, as recalled by Chitra Aunty.

"Yaar, is Muchad ka koi biwi bhi nahi hain. Then whose anger is he taking out on all of us", complained a petite young girl with curly hair and a sharp nose. "Iski tho mein...", her words trailed off as five pairs of eyes wandered towards her.

The five cadets stopped shortly at the sight of an unknown face in their Hall of Fame. She was dressed in a pale yellow chudidhar-kurta and had a pooja thali in her hands. She was of medium height, curvaceous and quite fair, as if she had spent most of her time in hilly areas. Big eyes under neatly trimmed eyebrows but they could not decipher the eye color from that far; dark wavy hair left open and falling below her shoulders, pale pink lips, small bindi between her eyebrows and a simple gold chain around her neck, yellow bangles on one hand and a gold watch on the other hand.

"Yeh kaun hai yaar. Ekta ki heroine dikhthi hai, of course before her marriage. Shaadi ke baath tho woh hamesha sajke savarke ghoomthi hai", the petite girl commented in a sagely voice. Before she could go and inquire the unknown girl's history and geography, another guy standing next to her caught her hand.

"Pooja, hume dher ho rahi hai. Aapko yaad hai, mess bandh hone wala hai. Then Major Nair will make sure we don't get anything to eat until lunch time", he reminded. "Haan yaar Ali. Tum sahi keh rahe ho. And I am so hungry. Let's go guys", said another guy with a slightly pronounced accent.

Pooja looked at the second guy weirdly, "Yudi, tume humesha kaise khana hi yaad rehta hai? What are you made of?", while she kept talking the others pulled her and rushed towards the mess. The unknown girl can be met later.

She smiled to herself at the antics of these cadets. Chitra Aunty sahi keh rahi thi. Yeh log hai hi ithne lively. She then realized she had been standing for too long here and turned towards the staff quarters. She knocked on the door to Chitra Aunty's house and waited for someone to attend to her. The door was opened by an orderly who asked her to sit while he fetched his boss.

She was looking around the paintings hanging on the walls when she heard a booming voice, "Tum? Kya baath hai. Sab kuch teek hai?" She turned around to face Brigadier Chandook, the commanding officer of KMA. He was well-known as a strict disciplinarian who expects the best out of his cadets and staff and has ways of getting it too.
She noticed he was not dressed in his usual military uniform but in a pair of slacks and dark colored trousers, matched with dark colored blazer with the KMA logo over his heart area. She mused that the logo was placed at the correct place, as she knew very well his dedication and commitment to KMA and making its cadets the best officers of the Indian Army.

He was adjusting his scarf when he looked up and saw her gazing at him with a small smile. He then noticed the pooja thali on her hand and wondered from when she started to give prashad to him. Although she had grown quite close to Chitra Aunty over the past few weeks, she was always polite and reserved with the Brigadier and he seemed to reciprocate with the same level of politeness. That was the reason he was wondering about her arrival that fine morning.

"Hum Chitra Aunty se milne aaye hai, Brigadierji", she replied softly. She always found it a bit unnerving to stand in front of him but she guessed it was the same with almost everybody in KMA, with the exception of his wife, Chitra Chandook. She had heard rumors that though Brigadier Chandook may be the chief of KMA, the chief of his house is his wife, the ever-lively Chitra Aunty as she was well-known. The childless lady seemed to have decided to shower all the love and affection that a mother would shower on her kids, on everybody she comes across in life and she herself was no exception. She seemed to have some deep bonding with Chitra Aunty since the day she met her at the temple and looked into her kind eyes.

"Chitra? Woh tho Delhi gayi hai. Apne bhai ke ghar. Uski bhatiji ka sagaai hai aaj aur mein bhi wahi chal raha hoon. Kya Chitra ne tumhe nahi bataya?" he enquired while taking his shoes from the orderly. "Unhone kaha ki who shaayad nahi jaayenge kyunki aapko kaam hai yahaan", she replied surprised. Chitra Aunty was quite close to her and she was surprised she did not inform of her change in decision. "Haan tha, lekin hum kal sham decide karliya ki hum dono do din chutti leke Delhi jaayenge. I asked her to inform you through an orderly. Shaayad bhool gayi woh", he said as he finished tying up his shoe laces and stood up before her.

She was puzzled, Aunty could not be so careless. She knew it is difficult for me to leave Nanu in his delicate state and come here and she also knew I will surely come here if she doesn't come. Deciding to question Aunty once she returns, she took her leave from the Brigadier and walked back to her car, seeing the Brigadier's car making its way out of KMA. She was thinking she will make her Nanu's favorite baingan bartha for lunch today and with a twinkle in her eye, opened her car and started from there.

She was half way to the main gates of the cantonment when she heard some commotion behind her. She looked into her rear-view mirror and saw two jeeps of soldiers coming out of KMA at full speed. Thinking they were on their way for some important mission, she pulled over the side of the road to give them way to pass.

But to her immense surprise, she found the two jeeps accost her, one at the front of her car and one at the back. Another jeep full of soldiers from the main cantonment stopped next to her car. Soldiers piled out of the jeeps and rushed towards her car with weapons drawn. She felt a shiver run down her spine and a sinking feeling in her stomach when she realized the soldiers were pointing their weapons at her and surrounding her car. She heard a knock on her window and rolled the glass down. She looked up to see Ganesh chacha looking at her with pain in his face. Was that sympathy in his eyes? "Aap andar hi baitiye. Aur please apna trunk kulye", he asked her in a formal tone. She knew for sure something was wrong; Ganesh chacha was never so formal with her, even during her first visit to KMA.

She reached down and opened her trunk, still looking at Ganesh chacha and trying to decipher the pain reflected in his face. She heard a few soldiers rummage around the contents of her trunk. A couple of minutes passed before she heard one of them call out, "Ji sir. Yahaan hai". What was there, she wondered. But before she could question Ganesh chacha what was going on, she heard his voice.

"Naina Singh, you are under arrest for engaging in espionage against the nation."

***************

Part 2

She heard the words but her brain refused to process the meaning of these words. She seemed to be dazed, just staring at Ganesh chacha's face, waiting for him to soon burst out laughing and tell her she had been made a bakri. But nothing of that sort happened. The door was opened and she was pulled out forcibly by another guard, even though she was not in any position to resist any of them. Her mind was numb and she felt like the connection between her brain and her limbs had broken. She felt like a third person watching all this happening to someone else and not to her. She felt herself being turned around and her hands handcuffed behind her.

"Naina Singh, you are under military arrest for smuggling weapons and ammunition from KMA in your car. You will be held here at KMA for interrogation before being presented at a military court after the interrogation is completed", the guard in-charge of KMA security informed her of her charges, like he was informing a goat that it was being led to be beheaded. Ganesh Ram winced hearing those words. He knew the odds, having served at the cantonment for over twenty years now. 'Interrogation completed' means once she has been made to accept her charges and 'military court' means she doesn't get to use the services of a lawyer to defend herself. It will not be a public court.

Naina was still dazed and looking around wondering what was going on here. Her eyes saw everything, her ears heard the charges read out to her, and she felt herself being handcuffed. But her brain processed nothing. It was like she had shut off her cognitive thinking switch. She did not know when she was led towards one of the jeeps and was taken back to KMA. She did not feel herself being roughly led towards an underground cellar just behind the staff quarters. She did not realize when she was pushed into a small, dingy room in the cellar and the door closed loudly behind her and locked. She saw but did not see the guard who pushed her in look in through the small opening in the door and inform her that she will be held here until her 'interrogation'. Her brain was still stuck at the point in time when she had pulled over to let the soldiers pass.

Three pairs of eyes watched everything happening to Naina since the time she left the gates of KMA. Two of the men were hiding together behind some bushes a few feet from the gates of KMA, hidden by trees. They still had a good view of the scene unraveling outside the gates of KMA. The two men looked at each other and slowly one of them broke into a smile. "Mission successful partner!", he said grabbing the other man's hands in a firm handshake. The second man shrugged off his friend's hands and glared at him accusingly, "Tera kuch nahi ho saktha. Tuu aur tera mission. Bhaad mein jaa" and went inside towards the KMA mess. The other man smirked and he too went inside. He had an important email to send.

The third man was watching from behind a pillar near the staff quarters. "Damn, ab kya karoon". He did not see the two men behind the bushes. He cursed under his breath once again at the failure of his plans and went inside. He had an important email to send.

The day slowly moved towards dusk and before long, night had fallen over Ambala cantonment. He slowly made his way from the temple to Naren's house. He knocked on the door and waited until it was opened to reveal Sushma, Naren's wife. Sushma bent down to take his blessings and welcomed him inside the house. She helped him sit comfortably before questioning him, "Pujariji, kya hua? Aap ithni raat ko yahaan? Naina se kehna chahiye aapko agar kuch chahiye hota tho". "Beti, Naina abhi tak ghar nahi aayi", he replied worriedly. "Woh subah KMA gayi thi. Chitraji se milne. Lekin abhi tak vaapas nahi aayi. Uske jaane ke baadh hum so gaye aur jab jaaga, sham ki aarti ka waqt ho gaya. Humne socha woh mandir mein hogi. Lekin wahaan bhi nahi hai. Hum abhi abhi aarti karke aarahe hai. Kya tumne usse kahin dekha?" "Nahi tho. Hum usse subah aarti ke baadh nahi dekhi. Pujariji, aap pareshan math ho. Woh yahin kahin hogi. Shayad Chitraji se baath karte karte samay ka andaaza nahi tha usse. Hum abhi inko sandesh bhej denge. Naina ki patha lagane keliye", she consoled him. She was just about to get up and ask one of her sons to call his father when Naren walked in, looking grave.

He bent down and took Pujariji's blessings before turning to his wife and questioning her silently, even though he could guess the situation. "Naina ghar nahi aayi abhi tak. Aap KMA tak jaao na, aur usse bulao. Pujariji pareshan ho rahe hai", she requested her husband. Naren looked at both of them silently, wondering how to break the news to them. He had heard of Naina's arrest through one of the guards posted at the main gates of KMA. He cleared his throat and was about to open his mouth when a flash of white caught his eyes. He turned around to see his sister Malathy standing at the kitchen door, her face hidden under the ghoongat of her white saree. He grimaced wondering how she was going to take the news. Naina was like the sister she never had. They had become the best of friends in the past couple of months and now, yet another dhoka...............

He knew he had to inform Pujariji one way or the other, before he comes to know himself. He also knew that by now the entire village would know about Naina's arrest and the charges. Panjokhra was too small for such news to be kept a secret for too long.

He once again cleared his throat and kneeled down next to Pujariji. "Woh.. Naina..", he stuttered. "Naina kya?", questioned the loving grandfather with increasing anxiety. "Naina aaj nahi ayegi", he could not get the actual words he wanted to say, out of his mouth. "Kyun nahi ayegi? Usko patha hai, hum uske bina khana nahi khayenge", he was still confused. "Kab ayegi Naina?", he questioned Naren impatiently. "Woh.. Naina nahi ayegi.. Usko.. Usko girafdaar kardiye hai.. military waalon ne.. desh.. deshdrogh ke julm mein", words rushed out of his mouth in one go. He watched out of the corner of his eyes the horror on the faces of his wife and sister. They all loved Naina like a family member and he knew it was not easy for any of them.

But right now his concerns were with the old man who was still looking at him puzzled. "Beta, humne poocha ki Naina kab ayegi", he questioned again as if asking a child. Naren darted a glance at his wife before facing Pujariji again. He saw that the old man had not understood his words. He knew he had heard his words, but his brain did not agree with the words he had heard. He was still waiting for an answer, Naren realized. "Bapuji..", he started and the old man glanced at him surprised. This was the first time Naren was calling him Bapuji. Naren caught the old man's hands in his own and looked into his eyes. "Bapuji, Naina nahi ayegi. Usse girafdaar kardiye hai. Hum abhi abhi faujiyon ka baath sunke aarahe hai. Naina ko.. Naina ko deshdrogh ke julm mein girafdaar kardiye hai", he spelt out each word carefully and slowly and waited for the words to penetrate the old man's mind.

He knew that he had understood his words the moment he saw terror and fear flash across his face. Tears streaming down his eyes, he turned to look at Naren. "Nahi.. tum jooth bol rahe ho.. Naina.. nahi.. kabhi nahi.. joot bol rahe ho tum", he stood up suddenly and swayed with the movement. Naren caught him before he fell and held him. "Bapuji, kaash.. kaash yeh jooth tha.. hum faujiyon ke baath sunte hi aaye hai.. hume viswaas nahi hota.. lekin yahi sach hai.. bapuji, aap apne aapko sambaliye.. hum sab haina.. kuch nahi hoga Naina ko", even to his own ears his words sounded hollow. He knew they were powerless. He knew Naina was not that kind of a girl even if he had known her for only a couple of months. But it was long since he had lost belief in his ability to identify people for what they are. It had been seven long years...

Naren was brought back to the present when he felt the frail old man shrugging off his hands. "Naina.. nahi.. yeh nahi ho saktha.. Naina.. Naina.. hargiz nahi.. yeh dhoka hai.. nahi.. Naina..", he seemed to be telling it to himself that Naina could never be wrong. Events flashed before his eyes, he heard the same acid-covered words. Words that stung even now.

Woh deshdroghi tha...

Deshdroghi...

Aathankvaadiyon ke saath sambadh...

Naina ko girafdaar kardiye hai... deshdrogh ke julm mein...

He heard the words again and again.. Deshdroghi... Girafdaar... Deshdroghi... He took a couple of steps, his hands over his ears. His eyes wild, he looked here and there, trying to block out all sounds. History was repeating... "NAINAAA", he screamed before he collapsed clutching his head.

The man was rushing on NH-1, towards Ambala. He was alone, both literally and figuratively. He was driving his jeep at a high speed, hardly noticing vehicles and trees zoom past when he passed them. Even at this high speed, he was calm and controlled his vehicle expertly. He was always calm and controlled. Nobody could ever find out what he was thinking. His steel gray eyes were always piercing and steady, but nobody could read the emotions in them. Simply because they held no emotions. His intense eyes were neither blank nor dead; they held strength' just strength and determination. He was a man of very few words but his eyes saw all and understood all. But nobody could understand him. He was a man of steel; he never lost his composure even in the heat of the battle-field. He will never...

Two men waited in the shadows by the 'traitor bell', close to the compound of KMA, towards the back of the cantonment. This compound of KMA was also the northern boundary of the cantonment, beyond which rose the gentle slopes of the Himalayan lower ranges. They waited silently but cautiously, often looking around to make sure they were alone. Their work was of utmost secrecy and they wanted to prove themselves as able soldiers. One of the men was still angry at the other, inspite of numerous arguments of his partner to make him understand. The other man finally gave up and waited for their superior. He knew that he will understand.

The man reached the main gates of Ambala cantonment and presented his identification. He was impatiently tapping on his steering wheel while the guard checked his identification. He then drove towards the gates of KMA. His only home - KMA. He was returning after three months, after having served in an emergency peace-keeping force in Sri Lanka for three months. His troop was involved in helping in patrolling the north-western borders of Sri Lanka and thwarting any smuggling of weapons or illegal crossings. He had arrived in New Delhi just that evening and received the message. He could have stayed the night at his apartment in Delhi and taken the early morning train to Ambala. But he had to leave immediately. Matters required his presence here at KMA. So here he was now, back after having served the short stint. He had much more things to do here...

The two men were waiting. They knew they had to wait for a certain stipulated amount of time before they leave. If any one of them doesn't arrive within the buffer time, they knew they had to take it that one of them has been exposed or someone had become suspicious of them and they had to drop all plans and erase all traces of their involvement. The mission will have to be resumed later on when all suspicions died down. "Twelve minutes", one of the men said. The other just nodded and kept up with his lookout. They had to be careful.

Soon they heard soft footsteps nearing the traitor bell. They both hid themselves behind a thick cluster of trees to see who the visitor was. They soon saw the broad shoulders of the tall man and came out of hiding. All they could see was his back, but they knew him. He was their superior. "Sir", one of them called out and he turned around. All three took a couple of steps towards each other and stopped when they could see each other's faces clearly in the moonlight. The new man looked at the two men while they saluted him and stood in attention. They could see his clear gray eyes piercing them but as usual, they did not know what he was thinking. Nobody ever knew...

"At ease, cadets", came the commanding voice. He was silent for a minute before he opened his mouth again.

"Cadet Alekh and Cadet Huda, what the hell is happening here?" demanded Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat.

Edited by esha143 - 15 years ago

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Dhoka - A story;new link-pg147;pts 1-22 pg-148&149 - Page 112

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