" Cadet Naina Ah' Singh..." , Raj called out, and as she looked up she saw the same smile which melted her heart again and which she longed to see all these months.
" I'm simply amazed by the way you defended me Naina...and that too against that shrewd Salve...", Raj said genuinely.
" Thanks..." , she managed to say,controlling herself and finally smiled.
" I never knew tum Army law ke baare mein itna jaanti ho! Tumhara study dekhkar toh main bhi hairaan hoon! How come?", he asked curiously.
" Sir, jab meri age ki ladkiya romantic novels padha karti thi,tab maine Army law ki kitaabe muhzubaani rati hai...and I'm glad aaj woh sab kaam aaya...", she smiled at him.
As he was about to say something, the door opened and a Doctor entered followed by Abhi.
" MEMNI !!!! " , the doctor screamed.
Naina spun around in shock !
" Akki TUM??? YAHAAN??? "
He immediately shut the door, while Abhi and Raj looked at each other in surprise.
" Memni !! I don't believe this! Tu...yahaan? oh my God! am I dreaming?" , he asked very excited and happy!
" Akki tum yaha kya kar rahe ho?" , Naina asked.
" Oh come on yaar peachie ! Kya yeh tareeka hota hai apne long lost Boy friend ko greet karne ka?" , he asked.
Raj was shocked ! He gripped Abhi's hand tightly, while Abhi calmed him.
" Kuch toh unique karo yaar ! " , he said about to hug her...
when Naina gave him a tight slap,which stunned all the three men present in the room.
" What the hell?" , He asked,his hand on the cheek.
" Mera unique tareeka ", Naina smirked ," Apne long lost so called boyfriend ko greet karne ka."
" Yaar, tu toh mera kachra karke hi dum legi."
Naina laughed and hugged him tight.
" Memni I can't tell you, how happy I am!"
" Me too Akki."
He at once separated.
" Hold on! Tu yaha kya kar rahi hai? Tujhe pata hai yaha kisi accused Captain ka cross medical examination honewaala hai ! Maine suna hai usse guilty prove kar diya gaya tha,par uska case reopen hua hai."
Naina tried to intervene but...
" Aur woh Captain Salve prosecution lawyer hai. She suggested my name to do cross examination.What a beautiful lady...haaiii..." , he said dreamily.
Naina shook her head and Raj and Abhi looked amused.
" Patanahi kaun Cadet Singh hai, jo meri uss beautiful lady ko tashan de raha hai. "
"Akki..de raha hai nahi...", but she was again cut in between.
" Aur by the way, tum in ajeebo gareeb kapdo mein kya kar rahi ho? Don't tell me India ke management schools ka yeh uniform hai...maine pehle hi kaha tha, US aaja...par nahi ! Tu aur woh Navi...mera bharat mahaan. I mean even I am patriotic...but that doesn't mean ki hum achchi jagah se education na le? Ab dekh na, main US gaya padhne, but abhi aa gaya na, apni country mein waapis!! Tu kab se muh bandh karke kyun khadi hai? woh kya kehti thi maasi...ummm...saap sungh gaya kya?"
" Tu apni chabar chabar bandh kare toh main kuch bolu."
" How mean is that dummo! Maine sirf ek sawaal kiya tumse aur tum itni bhadak gayi. oh ya! I forgot...jhaansi ki Rani se aur kya expect kiya ja sakta hai."
Before Naina could say anything, there was knock on the door and Captain Salve entered.
" Oh Dr. Aakash, you are here? I was searching for you throughout." , she said with such sweetness that shocked Naina and Raj to the core.
" And Cadet Singh, behtar hoga aap bahar jaaye aur doctor ko apna kaam karne de. Waise bhi yaha Captn. Chauhaan hai hi."
Aakash was shocked to know that Cadet Singh was none other than his Naina. But he appeared normal from outside.
" Sorry Captain Salve, Captn.Chauhaan is arresting officer. And as he said earlier, someone need to be present from side of accused. And when I have the permission of the presiding officer, I don't understand by which authority are you saying all this. Just don't waste our time...and let the formalities be completed. You see me and whole of the KMA,except some shrewd ones are dying to hear his innocence being proved." , she said smugly that flared Salve's anger more.
" Dr. Aakash, carry on with your work.", Salve asked.
" Excuse me Captain...It's not possible to examine a person with all the crowd. I respect Cadet Singh's plea that someone is needed from the side of accused,but I don't see any need for you two...", Aakash said.
He wanted to clarify with Naina. With the confidence she was defending the accused he was sure, that the person was innocent and he didnt miss the hatred in her voice when she spoke with Salve. He was curious who exactly the person was. And he understood by then that Salve was a Villain material. That much understanding he had about Army,living with Naveen all the way through.
" But I'm the prosecution lawyer.", she reasoned.
" Well Captain, when you chose me as a doctor in charge, you should have faith in me. I won't betray my profession,atleast. And if you are still unsure, you can consult any other hospital."
Aakash didnt want her to be present there and he used his power for the purpose as he was in-charge of the hospital temporarily as, the senior doctor in-charge there was unwell and the original head, Dr. Shashank was in abroad since 5 yrs.
" Fine. But Captn. Chauhaan will stay here. Kya pata Cadet Singh firse apne Rajveer Sir ko bhaagne me madat kare?"
Naina spranged towards her but Raj held her hand tightly,preventing her from doing anything like that.
Salve purposefully made Abhi stay there as she knew Raj will never do anything that will put his friend in trouble. She had hopes that her charm has worked and Aakash will surely make a report in her favour.
As she left, Aakash heaved in relief.
Raj was amused to see the composed and firm way Aakash was behaving in front of Salve, as the way he was behaving previously was completely out of this world...!
" Tu...tu...Cadet...?wahi jaha Navi tha? " ,he asked.
" Bahot lambi story hai Amy.Aaram se sunaungi. "
" Par kisine mujhe batana bhi jaroori nahi samjha? Main US se aaya...seedhe Almora gaya.Pata chala tum sab waha se jaa chuke ho...actually galati meri thi. Navi ke antim sanskar ke baad gaya aur padhai mein aisa ulajh gaya ki...khair...par tu toh mujhe inform kar sakti thi na memni ?", he asked teary.
" Akki, bhaiya ke saath woh sab hua...aur phir waha Almora mein rehna mushkil... logoke taane...woh sab..." , she started sobbing.
He hugged her.
" Shshh. Ro mat yaar ! Tu rulate huye jyaada achchi lagti hai. Rote huye nahi. Aur woh Navi hamein dekh raha hai. Agar usne dekh liya na ki maine tumhe rulaya, toh woh mujhe zindagi bhar haunt karega."
Naina laughed a bit.
Aakash looked upwards.
" Ab khush ! Dekh teri princess ko hasa bhi diya." , he said as if talking to Naveen.
" Akki !! "
" Naina !! " , in the same tone.
And he headed towards Rajveer and made him lie down,preparing to examine him.
" Tum yaha?" , Naina asked.
" Poor you ! Kabse ek hi question pe atki ho ! Chalo...lemme answer ! I, Dr. Aakash Khanna, acting in-charge of Life -Line hospital, Mohali ! "
" Great !! " , Naina said happily.
" Waise bahar kuch commandos baat kar rahe the ki tu case almost jeet gayi hai...badi taareefe ho rahi hai teri!"
" Tujhe yeh sab sunke hairaani ho rahi hogi, hain na?"
" Nahi toh ! Jab teri bakwaas ke saamne Navi aur main haar jaate the, toh woh bechari Salve kya cheez hai ?"
" Hippo ! Agar aur kuch kaha na,toh bahot maar khayega!"
" Izzat se baat kar ! Yeh mat bhool ki report mere haath main hai!"
" Agar tune Sir ki report mein kuch bhi gadbad ki na,toh..."
" Arey nahi meri maa! Mujhe pata hai tu sahi hai..."
" Waise what's your name Captain? Sorry, but I was attending an emergency case so couldn't read your file and then as this examination was to be completed by a stipulated time, I only read your reports and health profile and in hurry missed out your name."
" Hi..! I'm Rajveer Singh Shekhawat."
" Rajveer Singh shekhawat?" , He said with wide eyes, " you mean Veer? Navi's roomie and best friend?"
" Yes..", he replied with a smile.
" Oh my God ! Today is my lucky day it seems! Pehle Naina aur ab aap ! Navi jab bhi academy se aata tha,aapki hi baatein karta tha! Bahot chah thi aapse milne ki! Navi ne aapko mere baaremein jyaada kuch shayad hi bataya hoga...usse apni princess ki taareef karne se fursat mile toh na!"
Raj let out a laugh ," True!"
" Akki,tu Sir ko kaise jaanta hai? Aur bhaiya ne tujhse kab kaha? Unhone mujhse toh kabhi kuch nahi kaha? Main toh yeh tak nahi jaanti thi ki Bhaiya aur Sir friends hai..."
" Uss bechare ko tu kabhi kuch bolne ka mauka deti?hamesha nonstop terihi bakwaas chalti rehti thi."
She glared at him as Raj and Abhi laughed.
" Ab tu chinta mat kar dummo ! Aisi report banaunga tere Sir ki,peechle 6 months toh kya,agle 6 months tak bhi duty mein koi gadbad karega na,toh saara blame inke health par aayega! Inpar nahi."
They all laughed.
" To tell you the truth, this is all formality.I very well know Dr. Keerti Mehra. Challenging her reports and her experience is... well...you know... but I have to do my duty."
" Hmmm. By the way Akki, how come Salve chose you and trust you so much?", Naina asked.
" Charm dekha hai mera?"
" Oooh! but...I'm so scared ! ", Naina pretended to be scared.
" And why is that?"
" Pehle toh sirf stupid girls par chala karta tha, ab bhoot aur chudailo par bhi chalne laga hai."
" oh yeah...you want me to repeat the dialogue your stupid Shahrukh says...'main ladkiyon ke peeche nahi,ladkiya mere peeche bhaagti hai..', shahrukh ki deewani !"
" Not at all...kyunki mujhe pata hai, tumhi ladkiyon ke peeche bhaaga karte the!"
" Naina ki bachchi ! ruk...tujhe main..."
" Ah...doc...hum pehle yeh kaam karle? Raj might be hungry,you see." , Abhi intervened.
" Yeah...it's almost done. Aap uss chudail ko bulaiye, while I make my report."
Aakash went to his cabin to finish with his report, while Salve, Raj, Naina and Abhi waited for him.
When he came with the report, Salve smiled and went forward to take it, but Aakash pulled out his hand.
" Ah...excuse me Captain...no offense, but this report is supposed to be sealed in front of you and Cadet singh and then will be handed over to Captn. Abhimanyu."
" Oh Sure Aakash, but can I have a look?", She asked sweetly.
" I told you isn't it? I never betray my profession.So...I'm extremely sorry,but I can't let you have a look at it.I hope you understand Captain. And then what is there to fear,when you know that truth is on your side.Isn't it?"
" Uh..uuh..Oh yes."
" Well here you go, you need to sign first and then the defense lawyer,followed by arresting officer. Captn. Chauhaan,please check the seal..."
All the formalities were done and they didnt drop a hint that Akki and Naina knew each other.
During their return journey Salve made it a point to sit with the three of them as she didnt want to take chances with Abhimanyu and the report.
The scene was Raj and Abhimanyu on one couch and Salve sitting besides Naina,in front of them. The journey was silent as they chose not to converse in front of Salve and were not at all eager to initiate conversation with her.
Naina all throughout the journey had a disgusted look on her face, on which Raj tried not to laugh as he very well knew how much she hated her, at same time both Raj and Abhi pitied her for having such a dreadful person to share her seat with.
Then Naina said, " Abhimanyu Sir, I think Rajveer Sir should have something...considering his health,it's not good to stay hungry. I don't think he had anything since morning."
" I think you are right. Hum abhi kuch intezaam karte hai."
" Apne Sir ki bahot fikr horahi hai Cadet.", Salve said smugly.
To which Naina casually turned and stared at her for a while before,
" I shall see you in the court." , she said with a straight face and got engrossed in serving food for Raj which Abhimanyu had gotten.
Raj had this urge to pat her back proudly for the tight answer she gave, but controlled himself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Soon they reached KMA and Raj was made to wait in a room adjoining courtroom ,till the proceedings of court are started.
After sometime, the Jury took their seat.
Abhi submitted Aakash's report to the jury and they began inspecting and comparing it with Keerti's.
The jury went to their chamber to take the decision as Naina nervously sat in her chair.She was tapping her foot impatiently and chewing her nails.
Same was the condition of Keerti,Cadets, Shalini,Suriji and Nandini.
while Abhi and Gunny were bit more confident about Naina winning the case.
Lala and Nair were scowling at Salve who was glaring in between at Naina and Raj.
The only person who was calm and composed amongst all of them was Raj. He though sure of his win, like a true soldier, was prepared for the worst. He gave a reassuring look to Naina and Keerti and signalled them to relax...
After an hour Jury arrived and Judge took his seat to announce the result.
Naina crossed her fingers...
The judge announced the final verdict,
" Due to the new evidences and opinions and the prominent witness,along with the medical reports,the Court now frees the accused of all charges and apologizes for the unpardonable offence it had caused. Mr. Shekhawat's rank in the army and his medals and credentials will now be reinstated and to compensate Army is to reward him for his bravery. He is now free to go with all dignity and self-respect restored. The court is adjourned."
As soon as he announced this, the room erupted into cheers !
Keerti immediately gave a tight hug to Shalini both controlling there tears.
Pooja couldn't control herself and began crying in happiness, throwing her arms around Ali and jumping up and down. Huda whistled loudly !
' Yes !' exclaimed Aalekh and Yudi standing up in reflex and Yudi kissed him in excitement while Aalekh pushed him away.
Abhimanyu turned to Nandini and hugged her, before awkwardly realising what he had done and letting her go.
Raj was on a roller-coaster. He was numb with happiness ! His Naina had single-handedly won the case!! His rank,credentials and honour returned!
While all this was going on, Naina was standing with her eyes tightly shut, tears rolling over her cheeks from closed eyes, fist clenched, and a small smile on her lips. She was unaware of the things happening in her surroundings, and was in her own bliss and contentment. She was standing there unmoved even as the jury left along with BC, Lala, and others . She didn't know when all her friends gathered near her along with Abhi,Gunny, Shalini, Suriji...all of them rejoicing !!! She didn't know when Keerti helped Raj out of the convict's cabinet and brought him near her chair...
He steadily gazing her silent,unmoved and content form with immense Love in his eyes... He too was emotional and was controlling his tears with great difficulty...
kaise mujhe tum mil gayi, kismat pe aaye na yakin
utar aayi jheel mein, jaise chaand utarata hai kabhi
houle haule, dheere se...
Keerti placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him...
As he came to stand in front of her and gazed at her as she stood with closed eyes, he wanted the time to stop and let him see her to his heart's content...
He experienced an unexplicable calm and peace as he saw the smile on her lips...
gunguni dhup ki tarah se tarnnum main tum
chhuke mujhe gujari ho yu
dekhu tumhe, ya main sunu
tum ho sukun, tum ho junun
kyun pehle na aayi tum
kaise mujhe tum mil gayi, kismat pe aaye na yakin
He thanked god for giving him his Naina...Who stood by her and fought against all odds to restore his honour.
main toh yeh sochata tha, ke aaj kal uparwale ko fursat nahi
phir bhi tumhe banaake woh, meri nazar mein chadh gaya
rutbe main woh aur badh gaya...
He wanted to talk to her but soon his cadets came clapping and screaming near them and he turned to them and couldn't help but grin at their enthusiasm.
Naina too recovered from her trance and was engulfed in a tight hug by Pooja and Aalekh.
" Apun ne kaha tha na? Tu karlegi !"
" Humne...humne kiya hai Aalekh,maine akeline nahi."
" Oye hum sab toh add-on cards the...parent sim card toh tu hi thi!"
" Yeh hui na meri phoolan waali baat !" , Huda came near her and he too hugged her followed by Yudi.
Meanwhile ,on the other side, Raj was in a tight hug of Abhimanyu. He cracked a light joke to make Shalini laugh,who was crying. Suriji blessed him and that old man hugged and cried out,as he consoled him.
Then Yudi screamed out,
" Three cheers for Captain Rajveer...Hip hip..."
" Hurray", they all screamed in unison as Aalekh, Huda and Ali lifted Raj on their shoulders as everyone clapped and screamed with joy.
As they all began to leave for mess, Captain Salve came to stand in front of Naina,blocking her way.
She was clapping in front of her face.
" Cadet Naina Singh Ahluwalia..", she said clapping, " Congratulations! Aap jeet gayi...! But I'm shocked...ek first year cadet yeh sab kaise kar sakti hai?"
" Captain Salve..."
" Oh sorry ! I forgot ! Isn't it obvious...aap apne Ashiq ko jo defend kar rahi thi! hmmm...aag dono taraf barabar lagi hai!"
Raj was furious and moved forward only to be stopped by Naina's raised hand.
" Captain Salve...", she said calmly , " Attitude, Arrogance...yahi buraiya batayi thi na aapne mujhmein? You too have them...par in sab ke saath saath, ek aur kami hai aapmein...FAULTY SELF CONTROL !! Calm down captain...calm down! Aur jo kuch aap mere aur Sir ke baarein mein sochti hai,well... as we live in free country,main aapki soch par toh rok nahi laga sakti! You are free to think as you please."
" You will pay for it Cadet ! Kya samjha tumne, tum yeh case jeet gayi toh tum bach jaogi? Kuch nahi kar paaogi tum...kuch nahin...Na apne gaddar bhaai ko innocent prove kar paogi aur naahi apne aap ko bacha paogi aur nahi tumhare Rajveer Sir bach payenge."
" We are soldiers...apne desh keliye jaan dene aur lene se nahi darte hum.Par aap yeh nahi samjhengi. Aur haan...Main kya kar sakti hoon aur kya nahi, yeh toh aap court mein dekh hi chuki hai. Par ek aur baat hai, jo aapne nahi dekhi aur naahi aapko pata hai."
" Kaunsi baat?"
" Well...aaj mauka bhi hai aur dastur bhi,toh bata hi deti hoon. You know Captain, aapne apni promotion keliye achchi khaasi fielding laga rakhi thi...sabhi board members haami bharne ke taiyari main hai aur achanak...achanak kahise ek phone call aajata hai, aur aapki accomplishments shak ke daayre mein aajati hai...kuch samajh aaya?"
" You Bl****...",
" Mind your language ! ", Naina thundered , " Turning hostile isn't going to help at all. I learnt these from you, remember!!?? And one more thing, you are perfect as life partner for Maj.Bharghav. He too had dirty mind and ways like yours...a compliment,you see..!"
Salve raised her hand to slap Naina,to be caught tightly in the air by Aalekh.
" Agar dubara aisa karne ki himmat ki naa? Toh haath ukhaadkar phekunga !", he gritted his teeth while twisting her wrist harshly , "Ab chal...raasta naap."
He shoved her hand away.
Yudi and Huda came to stand beside Naina and Aalekh on one side while Ali and Pooja on the other...
Naina gathered her friends in a huddle as she sang,
Nahin samjhe hai vo humein to kya jaata hai
Haari baazi ko jeetna humein aata hai
They all joined their hands together..
Hey vo sikandar hi doston kehlaata hai
Haari baazi ko jeetna jise aata hai
Niklenge maidan mein jis din hum jhoomke
Dharti dolegi ye kadam choomke
Salve was furious and she stormed away from there while all of them laughed and hooted for her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The atmosphere in the mess was no less than celebration.
As soon as Raj entered mess along with his 6 cadets and shalini and Keerti, he was welcomed by loud banging of tables with all the cadets giving a standing ovation to their Rajveer sir.
Raj had tears of joy.
He was overwhelmed with all the love and affection shown by cadets.
He wasnt able to move further and stood rooted at the door.
" Captain! ", shalini called him softly, " Chalein? Sabhi cadets apne Rajveer sir ka intezaar kar rahe hai..."
He nodded and as soon as entered , " Wait a minute !! "
They turned to the voice.
" Aapko kya lagta hai Captain Rajveer? Aap intni mushkilo se jeet kar itne dino baad yaha aaoge aur aise hi aap mess mein kadam rakh sakte ho?"
************************************
DONE !!!
Parineeti
Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan
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