Part 40
~~ Knock Knock ~~
" Come in!"
Naina entered.
" Sir aapne mujhe bulaya?"
" Yes, Cadet Singh. Please have a seat."
" No...I'm fine Sir. Actually mujhe class keliye jaana hai..."
" Cadet Singh,Puhleeease. Have a seat." , Raj said in no nonsense tone.
Naina sat down.
" Naina, tum kya chupa rahi ho mujhse?", Raj said with his back towards her.
" Nahin toh Sir, kuch bhi toh nahin...", she said looking quite disturbed.
He turned to look at her.
" Naina,tumse jhooth bola nahi jaata. So, stop all that and tell me what actually the matter is."
" Maine kaha na sir, koi baat nahi hai...", she said becoming desperate, " I have to go now...I have a class..."
Meanwhile she got up and was half way through the door.
Raj had had enough, he was furious...his jaw tightened and he grabbed Naina and pushed her to the wall, pinning her hands on the wall by gripping them tight by her side and going closer, he asked,
" Naina, tumhe kiska phone aaya tha? Kaun kya nahi karsakta? "
They were very close. This closeness was making her lose her senses. His breaths were falling on her face. Her mind, judgement getting clouded.
She blinked and looked away to compose herself.
" Naina, kya tumhe threats aa rahi hai? Answer me ! Main kuch puch raha hu tumse."
" Sir, aisa...aisa...kuch..kuch bhi nahin hai...why don't you believe me?"
" Believe you? BELIEVE YOU???", he left her abrubtly and raised his voice , '' Belieye you ?dammit! kis se jhoot bol rahi ho? Maine khud apni aankho se tumhe phone pe baat karte dekha hai...!"
" Agar aap yakeen nahi karna chahtein toh woh aapki problem hain." , she too raised her voice.
" Why don't you understand, dammit !! ", he shouted and in fury pushed away the crockery on the table top and hurt his hand in turn.
His hand was bleeding badly and he was seething in pain. Par usse kuch hosh nahi tha.
Naina was horrified at seeing him bleeding.
She rushed forward and grabbed his hand.
" Sir...Sir aapko toh chot lagi hai! See, it's...it's bleeding...", she said in fright.
Raj jerked out his hand.
" Woh sab chodo and ans..."
But uska Raj ki baato par koi dhyaan nahi tha.
" Oh God ! Sir, bahot khoon beh raha hai...", she said, again taking his hand in hers.
" Listen Naina..."
" Sir, aap samajh kyun nahi rahe..." , she pleaded.
Raj saw her eyes brimmed with tears... He wanted to calm her down and console her, as usual...but he controlled himself. He need to get to what she was hiding and for that he has to be firm.
By then Naina, had started cleaning his wound.
He removed his hand from her grasp.
She looked at him questioningly.
" Kyun takliff ho rahi hai tumhe itni?", Raj asked looking into her eyes.
She averted her eyes and again started treating his wound without answering him.
" Batao Naina, kyun takliff ho rahi tumhe itni?"
" Kyunki aap mere Mentor hai...aur...mujhe aapki fikr hai...I..I..think it's..it's my duty..", she said lamely.
" Mentor ! Duty ! right ! Right you are Cadet Singh..." , Raj chewed his words, " Thank you very much for your concern, now please leave !"
But she didnt pay any heed to it and continued doing her work.
" Naina, leave my hand." , he said simply.
But it fell on deaf ears.
" I said LEAVE MY HAND, NAINA. ", he said jerking it out of her grasp again but she held it firmly.
" NO !!! I WON'T !! " , she too raised her voice , " Now just Shut up and let me do it !"
Raj gave up and watched her as she tended his wound. He wondered why she had such effect on him. He cursed himself for always letting her have her way with him.
After she was done and was about to get up, he caught her wrist.
" Jab tak tum mujhe nahi batati ki baat kya hai, tum iss room se bahar nahi jaa sakti." , he said sternly ," Am I clear, Cadet Singh?"
" Sir, maan kyun nahi lete ! Koi baat nahi hai!!"
He smirked.
" Baat toh hai Naina. Tum mujhse kuch kehna chahti ho...par keh nahi paa rahi ho. Par kya? aur kyun?"
" You know what Sir, actually you are right. Main aapse kuch kehna chahti hoon par samajh nahi paa rahi hoon ke kaise kahoon."
" Naina...just tell me.", he said finally calming down and getting back to his old self , " Hum uska koi na koi solution jaroor nikalenge, but just tell me what is troubling you?"
" Sir...", she said getting up and turning back to him, " Sir main nahi chahti ki ab aap mere bhaiya ke mission par kaam kare."
" WHAT??? ", he got up with a jerk.
" You heard it right, Ab main nahi chahti ki aap iss case mein involve ho. Mera bhaai toh nahi raha, now I don't want you to endanger your life and career for him." , she said in plain emotionless voice.
Raj turned her towards him.
" Pagal ho gayi ho tum? Tum jaanti bhi ho tum kya keh rahi ho? I don't care a damn about my life and career.I just.."
" But I do. Aur main nahi chahti ki aap mere bhaai ki wajehse apna career aur life barbaad kare."
" Tumhara bhaai ? Naina, woh mera bhi kuch lagta tha..woh.."
" Aapke best friend the...I know...par aap bahot kuch kar chuke unke liye. Aapne apne career ke peak years unhe innocent prove karne mein laga diye, unki behen ko..i mean...mujhe academy mein itna support kiya, apni jaan tak gavane waale the...I think you have done enough to repay your friendship."
" Are you out of your mind Naina? yeh kya bakwaas kar rahi ho tum? hum Naveen ki case ko solve karne ke kareeb pohoch rahe hai...aur tum chahti ho ki hum yeh case bichmein hi chod de? Kya tum nahi chahti ki tumhara bhaai innocent prove ho? Uspar laga daag..."
" Let me correct you Captain Shekhawat ", Naina said as he looked at her with shock, " Maine kaha ki, main nahi chahti ki AAP ab ismein involve raho. Maine yeh kab kaha ki main bhaiya innocent nahi prove karna chahti?"
" Kya matlab hai tumhara?"
Naina looked down as she didnt want Raj to see the pain in her eyes while she said all that.
" Main yeh kehna chahti hoon ki main bhaiya ko innocent toh prove karke hi rahungi. Aakhir... wahi meri zindagi ka maksad hai. But I don't want you to be involved in this anymore. pehle aap apne aap ko bhaiya ki maut ka zimmedar samajhte the...aur aapne unhe innocent saabit karne keliye apni jaan ki tak parvaah nahi ki, it's okay. But now, the things are clear. My brother was being slow poisoned and you dint kill him. You set him free. So why are you feeling responsible for his innocence? Mere bhaai ko innocent prove karne keliye main..."
But she couldnt continue further as Raj held her shoulders tight. She looked into his blood shot eyes...it pained her but she can't fall apart. She can't let him be in danger because of her. She looked away and he tightened his grip.
" TUMHARA BHAAI!!! Right Cadet Singh?" , Raj gritted his teeth ," Tumhara bhaai...isn't it?"
" Aaah..! It's hurting me...sir ", Naina winced but he hardly paid any attention to that and further tightened his grip.
" You know what Naina? I think you are right somewhere..."
She looked at him stunned.
" Pehle main Naveen ko innocent prove karna chahta tha, kyunki main apne bhaai jaise dost ki shahadat ko insaaf dilana chahta tha. Uski bravery aur patriotism par lage daag ko mitana chahta tha...apne dost ko...yeah..apne DOST ko..!! par ab..."
He looked into her eyes...
" Ab main Naveen ko innocent prove karna chahta hoon, uski sabse badi wajah hai ki woh TUMHARA bhaai hai Naina..."
Naina was shocked.
Her eyes welled up of tears and she looked down immediately as she didnt want to fall weak in front of him. She had made her decision and...but...
Raj pulled her closer.
" Haan Naina...kyunki woh Tumhara bhaai hai...Kyunki TUMHARI khushi Naveen se judi hai...Kyunki TUMHARI zindagi ka maksad uski begunahi hai..."
Naina was trying hard to control her tears.
" Jaanti ho kyun ?"
Naina understood that the moment which she was avoiding has come...but she cannot let that happen...she has to stop him before...
" jaanti ho kyun, Naina?" , his voice husky ,he stared at her for awhile and then sighed, " Kaash ki tum mujhe kabhi samajh paati..."
As he stared at her, Naina could no longer tolerate the pain and accusation in his eyes and turned her gaze down... but as she looked up, Raj was nowhere to be seen.
Se caught her head in her hands and collapsed on the couch.
Frustrated, she ran her fingers on her braid...she wasn't able to decide...She thought for a while and then finally decided something and got up determinedly and went searching for Raj.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Raj came on grounds to cool down himself...
When Naina too came there, she saw Raj doing the target practice.
Her heart started beating faster.
She wanted to go to him and...and... but what was she gonna tell? How was she gonna tell? what should she do now?
Then she saw an orderly fidgeting with a rifle. Raj came near him and asked the problem.
And as he explained, he took the rifle, did something with it and aimed at the target.
Naina's eyes widened...and before she could stop or yell , he had already aimed and ...
" Aaah!! ", a moan escaped his mouth and he stood there holding his shoulder.
Naina came there running, " Sir...are you alright?"
Raj though happy that she came, but was still angry with her.
" I'm fine Cadet, thanks for your concern."
Naina could make out the sarcasm in his voice.
But she was annoyed with his carelessness.
" You are most Welcome Sir! ", she said smiling tightly , " Filhaal, Dr.Shalini ke paas infirmary chale?"
Raj was about to deny,but...
"Waise bhi pehle hi strong recoil waali rifle use karke ek mahaan kaam toh kar hi liya hai, ab infirmary na jaakar koi aur record banana hai pain tolerance ka?"
He was stunned by the way she was talking with him,but... he liked that...
He shook his head and quietly followed her to the infirmary.
Shalini was exiting the infirmary when they both arrived.
" Kya hua Naina?"
Naina looked at Raj.
" Yeh Captain ke shoulder ko kya hua? Aur kaise?"
" Aur kaise? Carelessness..." , Naina said in a very disapproving tone.
" Captain, aap bhi na!"
" Kuch nahi hua hai Doc..."
" Haan...maam. Kuch nahi hua hai...bass...rifle ka recoil! ", Naina informed and Raj looked at her sternly but she ignored.
" What??? Rifle !!! Oh god! Captain !! aapko kuch din strong recoil waali rifles se dur rehne ko kaha tha na?" , Shalini said shaking her head , " Naina, actually mujhe BC ko dekhne jaana hai..."
" Kya hua Doc? Is he okay?", Raj asked concerned.
" Yeah...just fever or someting...have to go and see. Tabtak main aapko ek injection deti hoon, pain se aaraam mil jaayega.Aur aakar thik se aapka shoulder examine karungi."
He nodded.
After injecting him, " Naina, you stay with him. Make sure he doesnt move his hand or it will make matters worse."
" But she'll be having her classes...", Raj said.
" Nahi...mera free time hai.",Naina said.
" Doc, what if I wait in my room?"
" Yeah, sure.I'll see you there."
As soon as they entered his quarters , Naina made him sit comfortably on the sofa, such that he should not move his shoulder and then went to get some water.
" Toh kya keh rahi thi aap Dr.Shalini ke saamne Cadet Singh?"
" Wahi jo sach hai Sir. Jab aapko Dr. Keerti ne strictly mana kiya tha, ki strong recoil waali rifles se ya aisi cheezo se aapko kuch waqt door rehna hai, that could hurt your already injured shoulder, toh aapko kya zaroorat thi woh rifle chalane ki? "
" Sorry." , he said and Naina couldn't help but smile.
Then she decided to tell him everything.
" Sir, woh actually...mujhe aapse kuch kehna tha..."
Raj was surprised.
" Actually sir, mujhe peechle kuch dinose...infact jabse main hospital se aayi hoon tabse phone calls aa rahe hai."
" Kaise phone calls? Is anyone threatening you?"
" Sir, threats mere liye nahi...aapke liye hoti hai. Matlab...threats aati hai ki agar aap Naveen bhaiya ko begunaah saabit karne ki zidd chod nahi denge, toh woh...aapko..."
she looked down.
" Aur issiliye tum woh sab keh rahi thi?"
She slowly nodded.
" Naina, I don't know what to say but aise childish behaviour ki mujhe atleast tumse toh umeed nahi thi. Aise threats toh aaye din aate rehte hai...usmein itna bada issue banane ki kya zaroorat thi? Bekaar mein khud bhi pareshaan hoti rahi, aur mujhe bhi pareshaan karti rahi."
" Bekaar me?" and she showed him the photos.
The photos had Rajveer and everywhere his face was circled and bore a mark like a red cross.
" Yeh kya hai?meri itni achchi tasveerein? par yeh toh academy aane ke pehle ki hai..tumhare paas kaise aayi? Don't tell me Maj.Nair ke collection mein..."
" Sir,Please stop it. " , Naina said ," Yeh koi mazak nahi hai."
" Mazaak hi hai Naina. Koi bhi kuch tasveerein bhej deta hai... aur agar tum istarah darogi toh kaise chalega? You are soldier, Cadet."
" Achcha? Toh agar meri aisi tasveerein aapke paas koi bhejta..."
" JUST SHUT UP WILL YOU !!" , he shouted and during that moved his shoulder and, " Aaah!! damn!"
" oh my god! I'm so sorry sir..." , naina rushed to steady his shoulder.
" It's okay...I'm fine Naina..."
" NO...! It's not okay, Captain!", Shalini entered.
" Doc!"
" Yeah...it's not at all okay! Galati aap kare aur daant mujhe pade! Abhi abhi Kittu se daant khakar aa rahi hoon ! Kehrahi thi ki main bilkul bhi aapka khayal nahi rakh sakti...!"
" Maam, par aapne bataya kyun nahi, ki Sir hamari koi baat maante hi nahi."
Raj looked at her amused.
" Bataya, par woh apne Veer ke baare mein kuch sune toh na? Ab usne tumhe kal hi Chandigarh bulaya hai. Tumhari routine check up ka bhi time hogaya hai. Toh kal aap Chandigarh jaayenge."
" Uskeliye waha jaane ki kya jaroorat? " , Raj asked.
" Yeh lo mera mobile...baat karo aur pucho kittu se."
" Ah...no...it's fine. Main chala jaaunga."
Naina tried not to laugh at that.
" Par kal mujhe BC ke saath KMA hospital jaana hai. Issliye main toh aapke saath nahi jaa sakti. Aap aisa keejiye...ummm..Naina ko saath le jaiye!"
" Main? main kaise..." , she trailed off as she saw a disappointed look on his face, " mera matlab hai, kya BC mujhe jaane ki permission denge?"
Raj's face lit up at once...'So she doesn't have any problem in going with me...'
" BC se main permission le lungi. Now you can go Cadet, I'll look after him.", shalini said smiling at Naina.
She nodded and left.
" So??" , shalini asked Raj.
" So??!!! ", Raj was confused.
" Come on ! Atleast thank me! Itni achchi setting ki hai maine?"
" You mean Keerti ne..mujhe waha nahi bulaya??", Raj asked surprised.
" Arey nahin...woh sab toh sach tha...woh BC ka kal KMA hospital ka visit maine set kiya hai."
Both of them stared at each other for a while and then began laughing.
" Thank you Doc!"
" Achcha mauka hai Raj...uske dil se yeh baat nikaldo ki woh tumhare suffering keliye responsible hai."
He nodded smiling...oh! He can't wait for tomorrow !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Raj was thinking about Naina's changed attitude...
Here he was thinking about ways to bring her to normal behaviour with him, but she was already acting normal...
The way she was showing a right on him... and even agreed to go with him...
He was not getting how come the things became that easy...
Then he was reminded of Naveen...
FLASHBACK
" Naveen...ek baat bata, kya tujhe kabhi darr nahi lagta, ki ladki tujhe na boldegi?"
" hatt...ladki aur Naveen singh Ahluwalia ko na bole?"
" Kal tak main teri iss baat ko shayad nahi maanta, par aaj...huh...woh kiran, 2 days pehle maine khud usse kehte suna ki woh tujh jaise flirt ko bhaav bhi nahi degi...aur aaj..."
Naveen laughed.
" Veeru, ek baat yaad rakh. Swami Naveen Singh Ahluwalia ka funda hai. Tu mera best friend haina issilye bata raha hoon...kisiko mat batana...Abhi ko bhi nahi. Kya hai na, saalo ke experience ke baad yeh develop kiya hai."
" kaisa funda?"
" Dekh Raj, agar tujhe kisi ladki ko patana ho, toh yeh soch ki tu usse patakar hi rahega! Yeh positive soch hi tere aadhe problems khatam kardegi aur bhagwaan aadhe raaste khol dega."
" Tu aur tere fundey!"
" Par tu yeh sabkuch kyun pooch raha hai? kahi tujhe bhi..."
" Jaa be...mere paas isse behtar kaam hai." ,he said and got up to leave the room and Naveen kept laughing,
" Arey veeru...sun toh...veeru...Raj!"
FLASHBACK ENDS
" Maan gaya saale! Swami Naveen Singh Ahluwalia ke fundey sach mein kaam karte hai!" , he said looking at his photo, " Kaash ke tere fundo pe dhyaan diya hota! Teri behen toh mujhe paagal kardegi! "
Here Naina too was very happy as finally, she was getting a chance to talk to him.
Next day, Raj was waiting for Naina at the gate.
" Kaha reh gayi yeh ladki? Kabse wait kar raha hoon. Kaha tha ki 700 hrs pe report karna...aur abhi...", he looked at watch, " huh...poore 700 hrs ho chuke hai !! abhitak nahi aai! badi achchi soldier banegi! No discipline at all."
Here Naina was hurrying out of the room when Pooja caught her hand, " Bye toh bolti jaa..."
" Haan..bye."
" Arey ruk ! Kya zamana aagaya ! Jab personal sim milgaya , toh friends groupcards ko tata-bye bye! "
Naina sighed.
" Sorry meri maa! Aur aisi koi baat nahi hai. Main already 5 min late hoon. Aur Sir hate late comers !"
" But he loves you.", she whispered in her ears.
Naina gave her a stern look.
" Ab main jaau?"
" Okay...jaa!"
Here Raj was getting impatient,
" Yeh Abhimanyu ka bhi koi aata pata nahi! Pata nahi kaise bhejne waala hai Chandigarh. Aur yeh Naina! Kahi iska mood toh nahi badal gaya? Aur ab woh nahi aana chahti! God Naveen! Teri behen ka koi bharosa nahi hai...! bachpan mein thoda pech kass diya hota toh..."
And he at once stopped his blabbering seeing Naina hurrying towards him.
She was dressed up simply in jeans and baby pink tee with a jacket, her hairs tied in a low ponytail, with absolutely no makeup except the kohl, enhancing her already beautiful eyes...
Yet she was looking very pretty...as fresh as a flower...just like a dew drop on a leaf...
Before he could say anything,
" Sorry, I'm late...but.."
" It's okay. Abhi tak Chauhaan saab ka bhi koi ata pata nahi hai.."
" Kya woh bhi hamare saath aa rahe hai?", Naina asked.
" Woh hamare saath kyun aayega?", and then realising what he said, " I mean.. ..nahi woh nahi aa raha...woh toh..."
" Sir, hum kaise jaa rahe hai?" , another question.
" God Naina! tum kitne sawaal poochti ho?"
" Main toh bass...",she kept quiet and looked away.
They both were waiting for Abhimanyu and it has been almost 10 mins since she kept quiet.
" Kya hua? Itni chup chap kyun baithi ho? Any problem?"
Naina looked at him once and answered,
" No..."
" Are you alright?"
She looked at him surprised, " Ab mujhe kya hoga?"
" Nahi...tum achanak aise chup..."
" Aapnehi toh bolne se mana kiya! "
" What?? Arey...maine toh aise hi keh diya...ek toh woh Chauhaan..."
" Lo...hum aagaye! " , Abhi came there in a car.
" Thank god! Warna mujhe toh laga ki hum aaj nahi, agle mahine Chandigarh ke liye niklenge!", Raj said.
" Kyun nahi...waise ek baat bataye? Aaj 31st hai!"
Raj was irritated but Naina was laughing.
" Tum apne yeh bakwaas jokes bandh karo, aur yeh batao ki hume jaana kaise hai? Tum keh rahe the ki tickets mil nahi rahi hai..."
" Aap iss car se jaayenge, hum jaante hai ki aap drive nahi kar paayenge...Naina, I hope aapko driving aati hai."
" Yes...par sir yeh car kiski hai? Ispar toh KMA ka logo bhi hai!"
" Yeh BC ki car hai..."
"What?? Chauhaan , tum...tum BC se car le aaye?"
" Ab hamari car thi nahi, toh hame jo mili hum le aaye."
Abhi said as a matter of factly and then turned to Naina, " Aur Naina, please...handle with care. Warna kahi lene ke dene na pad jaaye!"
They laughed and Abhi waved them as they left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The journey was silent...She concentrating on driving and he looking outside.
Raj was constantly stealing glances of her while she was driving.
" Naina, thanks for coming..", he said finally breaking the silence, " I mean...Shalini was busy and so it would have been impossible for me to go there alone like this and as chauhaan said flights were..."
Naina smiled at him, " You are welcome, Sir. But I just hope, aapki mere favour ke baaremein yehi rai kaayam rahegi. "
" Kya matlab?"
" Nothing...", she smiled again.
Raj could make out a mischief in her eyes and was wondering what was she upto when,
"Sir, hum Chandigarh pohoch gaye. Can you show me the way to the hospital?"
" yeah..sure."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As they entered the hospital, he was greeted by Shubhankar.
" Veer, you are here! " , he hugged him.
" Gosh! I'm seeing you after such a long time!", Raj said hugging him back.
As they separated, " This must be Naina...right?" ,he asked.
" Ah...ya..yes." , Raj said.
Naina smiled and he returned her gesture.
" Actually Veer, I've a surgery lined up...so gotta go. Will join you later and yes, it's almost lunch time, so have your lunch and pleeease make that adiyal ghodi have her lunch too."
" Sure...", Raj smirked , " I'll definitely pass on the compliment to her."
" Are you insane? Aisa karne ki sochna bhi mat!"
" Soch kaun raha hai...main toh karunga. "
" Veer...bro, tum nahi chahte ki main Surgery bina kisi tension ke karu?"
" Ohk...patient keliye chod raha hoon..."
" Thank you so much! okay then...see ya later, bye Naina."
" Bye."
They were walking towards Keerti's cabin.
" Sir, it seems like you and him share a very good rapport."
" Yes..", he smiled ," You know Naina, aaj main istarah tumhare saamne hoon toh in dono ki wajehse. Kisi bhi risk ki parvaah na karte huye unhone mera khayal rakha. But...ab toh main unhe thank you bhi nahi keh sakta. Kyunki I take Keerti as my sister. Aur jab main usse thanks kehta hoon, toh woh gussa hojati hai ki main usse apni behen nahi maanta."
They were about to knock the door, when the door opened and a junior doctor exited the room.
He looked at Raj and exclaimed,
" So this was the reason! Meri mistake ke bawajood maam mujhpar isliye nahi chillayi!"
" Excuse me?" , Raj said and even Naina was confused.
" How are you Mr. Veer? I mean...Captain Rajveer."
" I'm fine...thank you."
" Well thanks to you! Aap baar baar yaha aaya keejiye! Infact, main toh kehta hoon...aap yahin kyun nahi reh jaate?"
" Main kuch samjha nahi..."
" Arey aaj aap aa rahe the, toh maam ka mood bahot achcha hai. Meri itni badi mistake ke baad bhi mujhe nahi daanta...infact pyaarse samjhaya."
Raj and Naina, couldn't help but smile at that.
" Waise who is this pretty lady?", He asked looking at Naina.
" Keerti andar hai, right?" , Raj asked sternly.
" yeah...she is..she is there...well i..gotta go..."
" Yeah,sure. Bye.", Raj said.
Naina laughed as soon as the doctor left.
" Ab tum kyun hass rahi ho?"
"Aise hi."
" Aise hi? Aise hi pagal haste hai."
" Dr.Keerti andar hai,right?" , she said mimicking him and without waiting for his reaction looked ahead and knocked the door.
Raj understood what was she hinting at and was embarrased by the way he over reacted when that Doctor asked about Naina. He slowly smiled looking away and followed Naina inside Keerti's cabin.
As soon as Keerti saw them, she was ecstatic. She got up from her chair with a jerk and ran to hug him.
" So...finally ! You are here!!! How mean ! mujhe tumhe yaha bulana pada...khud nahi aa sakte the?"
and then she turned to Naina and hugged her too.
Raj smartly shifted his accusation on Shubhankar.
" Arey, tum toh bade achche mood mein ho!"
" What do you mean?"
" Nahi...woh Shubhankar kuch keh raha tha...you know..let it be, I think he said it just like that." , he said, acting as if he was covering up for Shubhankar.
Naina was shocked to see this. She had never seen this mischeivous side of Raj. She smiled to herself.
Keerti was looking bit annoyed and Raj was enjoying that,
" That was really mean, Sir.", Naina whispered , " Unhone toh aisa kuch nahi kaha."
He just shrugged.
Naina was reminded of her antics...how she used to do all this and make her targets ( Naveen, Aakash and her dad) suffer...while she used to enjoy there situation.
She suddenly thought of something and looked at Raj mischievously, but he was talking to Keerti and didnt see.
" Keerti ji. Actually, main aap se milna chah rahi thi.Ab shalini maam se keh kar toh kuch hota nahi...socha aapse hi keh du..."
" First of all, cut that 'Ji'...and second, kaho. Kya kehna hai?"
" Kehna ? kehna nahi hai...complaint karni hai."
" Complaint? Kiski complaint Naina?", Raj asked.
" Aapki aur kiski?"
" Kya?"
" Haan...aapko pata hai Keertiji, Sir meri aur Shalini maam ki koi baat nahi maante. Unse jo kaho, barabar ulta karte hai.Exert hone se mana karo, jaan bujh kar 2 miles extra daudenge... aur to aur bechaare Cadets ka extra class bhi lenge! kal ki harkat ke baare mein toh aap jaanti hi hogi. Medicines to hamesha skip karte...khair...issmein koi nayee baat toh nahi, par yaad dilane par kehte hai, ki mere jaane ke baad khalenge! Agar main zidd karu toh mujhpar gussa ho jaate hai aur kehte hai ki I'm his cadet and I'm not supposed to command him."
Raj was looking at her with shock.
" Veer! Yeh Naina kya keh rahi hai?"
" Ek minute Keerti. Naina, tum jhoot kyun bol rahi ho? Main kab..."
" Keerti ji main koi jhoot nahi bol rahi. Actually, Sir ne mujhe warn bhi kiya tha ki main aapko yeh sab na batau. But, mujhe sir ki fikr ho rahi thi toh.."
" Tumne bilkul sahi kiya, Naina. Veer! I don't believe this...tumne isse warn kiya ki yeh..."
" Keerti, yeh sach nahi hai."
" Kya sach nahi hai? dekha..woh bachchi kitni dari huyi hai. You don't worry Naina. If he scolds you or something, just tell me. I'll look after him."
Naina meekly nodded, while she was suppressing her laughter seeing his shocked expressions.
" Now, you two wait here. I have to check on a patient. I'll be back soon and then we'll carry on with your check up.", Keerti said.
As soon as she left, Raj turned to Naina angrily , " Yeh sab kya tha Naina? Main kab tumpar gussa hua?"
" Aap toh abhi bhi gussa ho rahe ho Sir.", she said in low voice.
" Just wipe that fake fear. Achchi tarah se jaanta hoon ki kitna darti ho mujhse! Aur maine kab tumhe warn kiya? Yeh kya keh rahi thi tum Keerti se?"
" Toh Sir, kya aap abhi bhi 'Happy' ho ke main aapke saath aayi?" , she smirked.
Raj stared at her open mouthed!
" Muh bandh keejiye warna makhkhi ghus jaayegi!"
He quickly put his hand on the mouth and Naina burst out laughing.
Raj could no more supress his smile seeing her laughing like that and happy.
" So you were pulling my leg? hmmm. Very impressive. But mind you ", Raj said pointing a finger at her, " I'll get back to you for this, Very soon, Cadet Singh !"
" Aap firse mujhe warn kar rahe Sir? Dekha aapne keertiji?"
" Nahi Keerti,main toh...", Raj quickly turned to find no one, but making Naina laugh aloud again.
" Tumhe pata hai mujhe Aakash ki baaton par yakeen nahi tha. Par tumhari aaj ki yeh harkat dekhkar ab uspar yakeen ho raha hai. You are quite a brat, Naina."
" Bhaiya bhi yahi kehte the.", she said smiling, " But you know what, bullying you is far more easier."
" Shut up."
And they both started laughing, when Keerti entered.
" Veer, chalo. Ah...Naina, tum tab tak kya karogi? Tum toh bore hojaogi! Ek kaam karo, tum tabtak Tv dekho."
She nodded.
When Keerti was examining Raj...
" Batadiya Naina ko?"
" Itna aasaan hai kya?"
" What do you mean? Tumne abtak usse nahi bataya ki tum usse pyaar karte ho?"
Raj sighed and narrated everything.
" Ab tum batao, meri kya galati hai? Yeh ladki seedhe situation ko..."
" Veer, woh bhi toh uski jagah sahi hai. Khudko uski jagah rakhkar dekho. Yeh sab aasaan nahi hai uske liye. In fact I'm amazed by her will power. Aur phir, you are more matured...woh bachchi.."
" Tum phir shuru hogayi..."
Keerti laughed.
" Okay baba. woh bachchi nahi hai ! And you are going right! "
"Mera uski ore dosti ka haath badhana sahi hoga na?"
" Ofcourse , tumne Kuch Kuch Hota hai nahi dekhi kya? Pyaar dosti hai...so you are going right my dear. Aur aaj uski woh misunderstandings clear kardo..."
" Par kaise? Yaha pe tumhara check up hi khatam nahi horaha...aur car mein woh aise driving pe concentrate kar rahi hoti hai jaise ki car nahi, aeroplane chala rahi ho."
" Woh sab tum mujhpar chodo."
" Thanks...aur woh shubhankar ne woh sab nahi kaha tha..."
" I know...because, It was him who was mad at me."
" Yeh kaise hogaya?"
" Tumhari wajehse...He had a conference today, toh maine usse nahi bataya ki tum aa rahe ho and he got mad on me for that..."
" tum dono bhi na..."
" I know...", she smiled.
" Veer, tumhare reports kal tak aa jayenge. Better hoga tum yaha raho jab main unhe ek baar dekhlu... I hope you don't have a problem in staying here ,Naina"
" Ofcourse not."
" Good. It's almost dinner time. Let's have dinner somewhere out and then I'll drop you home."
" Aap ghar nahi aayegi?", Naina asked.
" No. actually aaj Shubhankar out of station jaa raha hai na? So, someone needs to be there in the hospital. There are few critical patients...toh..."
" ohk..."
Soon, Shubhankar joined them and they all went out for dinner.
Naina was very happy seeing Raj happy, laughing...playing pranks on Shubhankar...getting scolded by Keerti...
She just wanted him to be this happy and wanted that smile to remain on his face forever...
Done...
Edited by Sweet-Lioness - 13 years ago
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