PART-5
MESS
TIME: 19:00 HOURS
Naina sat on the window sill listening to a song. Suriji had been practicing with Pooja when she came. So not wanting to disturb them she stood quietly near the door watching their steps as she tried to learn it.
P: Bas, aur nahi hoga mujhse.
S: Oye tu sikh chuki hai puttar. Aur jarurat nahi hai sikhne ki. Kal ball me badhiya dance karegi tu.
P: (happily) Sacchi.
S: Oye bilkul.
Naina now came into the room. "Haan Pooja, maine dekha hai. Tu wakai acha dance kar rahi thi. Don't worry. Kal tujhe koi problem nahi hogi ball dance me.
P: Thanks Naina. Par tujhe toh Shahrukh dance sikhane wale the na. Who kahan hain?
N: pata nahi. Kaam me busy honge. Aa jayenge.
P: Thik hai, toh fir mai chalti hun. Ok.
Pooja had left some five minutes ago. Not knowing what to do alone, she started fiddling with the radio and a song began to ooze from it. She couldn't recognize the number being played, but liked it nevertheless for its slow but melodious tune.
N: (to herself) Wow, kitna khubsurat music hai. Dance karne ka mann kar raha hai.
She tried remembering the steps which Suriji had taught Pooja and started dancing alone. Unknown to her, Rajveer had been watching her since the time she had put the record on. Without disturbing her, he stood quietly, waiting for the piece to end. As soon as the song ended, Naina stopped in her tracks.
"Dance sikhne ka sabse acha tarika ye hai ki music band karke dance karo. Apne dil me chupi dhun ko suno aur uss par dance karo."
"Sir. Aap kab aaye. Maine dekha nahi."
Rajveer came forward with a slow smile playing on his lips. He put his left hand out, "May I ... have the pleasure?"
Naina for some unknown reason felt a bit shy. Hesitating a little, she gave her left hand in his palm. Rajveer smiled and took her other hand in his and made her place her left hand on his shoulder. Naina hesitatingly did so, but kept her distance from him. His free hand encircled her waist and she found herself being pulled near to him. Her heart thudded crazily.
Why was Rajveer having this sort of effect on her? She had never felt like this with any other man. In fact, she hated them either for their showy nature, or for their flirtatious behavior. But Rajveer sir ' Rajveer sir was different. He was her mentor, but she always felt a special bonding with him '.. and ''' it was not simply a mentor ' protge relationship. She felt she had a right on him, and he never questioned her right. She could smile, laugh, cry, scream, get angry, pout '... do anything with him and he always gave her a free rein. It was like as if he understood her every single thought, every single emotion ' as if '. as if he understood her better than herself.
She looked into his eyes and the softness in them cooled her. She felt that her unanswered questions were seeking answers in his eyes, and that her heart had got the answer. But why could she not understand it.
He was saying something, teaching her the steps. She listened unconsciously and did as he asked her to do. But her mind was not in it. She was completely confused trying to seek answers to her questions but getting none.
Raj knew that although she was dancing the way he was teaching her but her mind was not in it. So in order to divert her mind and bring her back to present he started the conversation, "Naina, ek baat batao."
"Ji sir, puchiye."
"Cadet Ali itne sharmile hain, unhe date mili ki nahi?"
Naina smiled broadly, "Mili hai na sir. Pehle mai bhi yahi soch rahi thi ki Ali itna sharmila hai, wo kisi ladki se kaise puchega ball me chalne ko. Magar mujhe kal raat ko hi pata chala. Usse date mil gayi hai."
Raj was surprised. "Acha, kaun hai wo jo Ali ke saath jaa rahi hai?"
Naina giggled and answered, "Pooja."
"Kya." Raj was genuinely shocked. Ali asking a girl out was shocking enough, now this piece of information was icing on the cake. "Cadet Beig Cadet Ghai ke saath ja rahe hain? Are you sure? Tumhe pakka pata hai?"
"Chaunkiyen mat sir. Kal maine suna toh mera reaction bhi kuch aisa hi tha. But its true."
"Aapko kisne bataya?"
"Khud Pooja ne. Aur aaj subah Ali ne bhi kahi ye baat."
"Oh! Acha. And what about Aalekh?"
"He is taking Neelu to the ball."
"Who is this Neelu? I don't think she belongs to this academy."
"No, she doesn't. She is Yudi's sister ' Neelu Sahani."
"And how did Aalekh meet her?"
"She had come to the academy on the day of Rakhi. That's how she met Aalekh. Then when the question of arranging the dates was raised, she herself said that she would like to come to the party. She asked Aalekh if he would take her and Aalekh agreed."
"Aalekh agreed? Just like that? He is not that type."
"Neelu and Aalekh are a perfect match for each other. They have the same nature, same temperament and all that. They also share a common disliking for Huda. Actually Huda was trying to flirt with her when she said that she would like to come to the ball, but she cut him to his size. Then she asked Aalekh if he would come with her. Aalekh didn't reply. Neelu simply left after telling him not to search for any date as she would be ready and waiting for him on the day of the ball."
"Good heavens." Rajveer was truly surprised. "That girl must be something."
"She is. She is the only one who knows how to make Aalekh do what she wants. What's more she has ''.." Naina stopped suddenly. What was she doing? Agreed, she had noticed each and everything that was going around her, but that was not the reason why she should spill the beans in front of a teacher, howsoever good he might be.
Raj understood the reason behind her sudden silence. He smiled and said, "Why are you thinking that you are conversing with a teacher? Treat me as a friend and keep speaking. And I promise not to spill any beans, ok?"
Naina smiled. It was easier said than done. She decided to change the topic. "Sir, what '.."
Rajveer cut her short. "I told you to treat me as a friend. Now what is this?" He enquired angrily.
Naina was at a loss. What did she do? "What happened sir?"
"Again SIR? Start with my name. Call me Rajveer or shorten it if you wish to any form, but cut this Sir, will you?" He said sternly.
"But ''" Naina was confused. "How is that possible? I cannot possibly call you by your name in front of the entire class or in front of my batch mates and other faculty."
"Oh yes. You can. When I'm taking a class, I'm your teacher. You can call me sir. But once the class is over, I'm just your friend, is that clear?"
Naina wanted to protest, but somehow she found herself agreeing to it. She smiled and nodded though a part of her mind asked her not to agree to it. She added softly, "IT will take some time though."
"Why?" Raj wanted to know. "Abhi dance shikte hue aadat dalo. Warna tumhari khinchai ho jayegi.."
"Par mai aapko bulaun kya?"
"Jo tumhara dil kare. Samjhi."
"Ji." Naina said and then added. "Ab toh dance shikaiye."
Rajveer smiled and wrapped his right arm around her waist. This time Naina didn't hesitate. She was confident and felt content to be in his arms. They started dancing.
"Waise Cadet Huda ka kya hua? Did he get a date?"
Naina became serious at this question. Rajveer had been too busy with his work this evening. So he was not aware of the recent developments. Should she tell him? But then what should she tell him? That Huda was going to the ball with '.
"What happened to you Naina? I asked you a simple question and here you are lost?"
"Huda is going to the ball with '''."
"With ''with whom? Come on tell me."
"With Dr Mishra." Naina replied and closed her eyes as if expecting some sort of explosion to occur.
Instead she was pleasantly surprised to hear soft laughter ringing out in her ears. Raj was still teaching her the steps but was laughing as well. "That's very amusing." He remarked still holding her close to his chest as he tried to stem fresh peals of laughter.
"You don't mind in the least?" Naina asked surprised.
"Why should I mind?" It was Rajveer's turn to be surprised.
"Ummh ' uh ' well nothing." Naina looked down. She was too foolish even to believe it. For some unknown reason her heart soared in happiness. She suddenly started laughing.
"Are you crazy?" Rajveer asked her not able to comprehend her sudden change in attitude."Sometimes you go quiet at my questions and then sometimes you start laughing for no reason at all. Now what is the joke? Let me share your laughter as well."
Naina controlled her smile and said, "I'm sorry. I thought you would mind Dr. Ritu going out with Huda."
"Why?" Rajveer was honestly at loss.
"Because she gave the impression that she was seeing you."
Rajveer stared at her in surprise for a few minutes before he found his voice. "And you thought that she was right?"
Naina didn't know what to say. She looked up at him and met him in the eyes. "Do you want a frank answer?" she asked.
Rajveer smiled and nodded.
"I thought that probably you were planning to go to the ball with Dr. Mishra."
In a sudden movement, Rajveer separated from her. "You thought so?" he queried.
Looking at his stunned expression, Naina felt her heart go cold with fear. Had she done anything wrong? Maybe she shouldn't have said it. But ''..
Her chain of thoughts was broken by Rajveer's uproarious laughter. "Oh God. Please spare me Naina. I'm ready to skip the ball rather than go with Dr. Mishra. Dr. Shalini is already trying to make my match with Dr. Mishra. You don't start it please. I expect you to support me."
Naina burst into sweet laughter at this and both spend the rest of the time laughing at each other and at Huda and Dr. Mishra.
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The next day was the day of the ball. The faculty members were supervising the preparations being made by the senior students while the first years were given the day off and strictly forbidden to come near the venue.
Naina woke up earlier than usual. Somehow the idea of going to the ball with Captain Rajveer was not unnerving her anymore. And she had to agree to herself that she was not exactly unnerved when he had asked her to the ball. It was in fact an altogether different sensation, and she was afraid to face it that she actually was very pleased with the fact that she was going to the ball with Rajveer. "RAJVEER". So she had actually started calling him by his name. She smiled at herself and got up from her bed.
She knew she could lie to others but how could she lie to herself. She had wanted to go the ball but only with her Rajveer sir. But at that time it had been impossible because she had overheard Dr. Shalini asking Dr. Mishra about her date and Dr. Mishra had said that she wanted to go with Captain Rajveer. Hearing this, Naina had simply abandoned the idea of going to the ball until Rajveer asked her to come with him. And when he told her that he had no intention of going with Ritu Mishra she had felt so happy, almost on the top of the world.
But what was the reason that he had conceded to go with her? Naina thought to herself. He was doing a favour on her. She didn't want to accept a favour. Too bad she hadn't cleared that point yesterday. No problem, there was plenty of time to do it now. It was 05:30 in the morning. In half an hour Rajveer would be returning from his jog. She could ask him then. She dressed and went down. Sure enough she had just reached the grounds when she saw Rajveer returning. She went forward to meet him. When Rajveer saw her approaching him, he sensed somehow that she wanted to ask him something. And he had a very shrewd idea about what she wanted to say. He smiled to himself. He knew his cadet Naina Ah Singh.
"Good Morning Naina." He said.
"Morning. You had gone for a jog?"
"Yes. And what about you?"
"Uh ' actually I didn't go today."
"Why? Wait, let me guess.Umm '. you overslept?" He said mischeviously.
"No sir." Naina laughed. "In fact I woke up earlier than usual."
"Oh! Umm '. Then there is something which is troubling you and you want to ask me about it. Am I right cadet Naina ' Ah ' Singh?" He winked at her.
Naina looked at him in surprise. How did he know what was bothering her? Rajveer sighed and said, "Oh Naina, stop being so surprised. I know you very well by now. And look here, I'm warning you, stop thinking as if I'm doing you a favour by escorting you to the ball. I have told you before and I'm telling you now once again 'It is my pleasure that you are my date for the ball. So please, stop twisting a simple fact into a complex one, will you?" He warned her gravely.
Naina smiled in return and nodded. Both of them went inside the building laughing and joking.
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Huda moved away from the window and sat down on the bed. He was burning with jealousy. True, he was going to the ball with Dr. Mishra, but that was because he wanted to score a point over Naina. He wanted her to feel jealous. But the fact that she really didn't care who he was going to the ball with was making him mad. How dare she ignore him? How is it that she hadn't succumbed to his charm? No girl had ever been able to resist Huda. And here this Naina Singh not only did resist him but had the guts to like somebody else other than him.
Rajveer Singh Shekhawat ' he was a competitor in his charm. Naina liked him a lot where as she fairly hated Huda. Huda really wanted to take some drastic step now. If Rajveer had been a cadet instead of a teacher he would have dueled with him ''..but then maybe he wouldn't have. Because he still remembered how Rajveer had cut Cheekha to his size and brought all of them back to the academy. Huda knew he would have lost the fight with Rajveer. Huda's mind was made up. He would have to find a way to revenge his insult.
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Dr. Ritu Mishra was seething with rage. She had returned from jog to find Rajveer and Naina laughing and talking with each other. She followed them inside and heard Rajveer invite Naina for a cup of coffee. They went inside the room leaving the door wide open and Naina elected to make the coffee disregarding Rajveer's protests. Rajveer flopped down on the couch with an indulgent smile on his face. Ritu burned with jealousy.
She knew that Rajveer had never shown any interest in her from the very first day, but she still had her hopes if attracting him. But when she found his attention on Naina, she couldn't take it. Rajveer had ignored her beauty and style, but what the hell did he see in Naina? Ritu couldn't understand what attracted Rajveer towards Naina. That girl was always in a uniform with no make up and decidedly no style sense and muddy, smelly and tired all the time. Ritu couldn't understand how Rajveer liked Naina so much. She had purposefully hinted to Naina that she would be going to the Fresher's ball with Rajveer, yet Naina had the guts to steal her date.
"You have challenged Dr. Ritu Mishra Cadet Naina Singh. I promise that you will regret this for the rest of your life. Ritu Mishra never compromises with her choice and Rajveer is my choice. Just wait and watch. Tumhara wo hashr karungi ki tum pachta bhi nahi paogi. I'll kill you Naina, I'll kill you." Burning with anger and jealousy, Ritu went away from there. Nobody noticed her.
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CUT TO RAJVEER ' NAINA:
"Coffee toh tum wakai acha banati ho." Rajveer praised her.
Naina smiled a little, "I'm glad you liked it."
"But this is not fair." Rajveer complained. "I had invited you for a coffee, so I should have made it. But here you chose to make it."
"Does it really matter who made it?" Naina asked him. "The intention was to spend some time together with each other. If that is fulfilled, I don't think the rest matters."
"Hmmh! I don't think I can win an argument with you."
"I normally like to have my own way."
"Always? You don't listen to anybody?"
"I listen to only those whom I can trust." She smiled at him knowing well that he had understood her meaning. But still for some unknown reason, she decided to make herself clear. "And I do trust you, so I listen to you. But as far as this coffee is concerned, I didn't listen to you because you just came back from your morning exercise and I didn't have mine. So it is only fair that I should make it."
Rajveer started laughing. "You always have the last word. I never seem to win any argument with you."
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So that's all for today friends. I had been away for a long time so I have updated an unusually long part. Hope the size is okay to make up for my 24 days absence from this forum and my fic. Now its your turn. Start to pour in your comments. The faster you all will be with your comments, the faster I'll update. Take care.
Love
Guglu
Edited by guglu088 - 15 years ago
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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