In the car :
Abhi was tightly holding Raj's arm...as if someone would again take away his Best friend from him. All the time he was just trying to make Raj say someting or other...just to hear his voice...
Naina was sitting on opposite seat.( It was Abhi's one of the Luxury Car...which had seats like a couch facing opposite to each other.)
Abhi observed Naina. She had not looked up even once. He smiled. He knew she was feeling guilty, atleast this much he knew her...
But he was not at all annoyed with her or had accused her for even a second...Infact...he considered it his repentance.
He shook his head and
" Naina" , Abhi said as she looked up ," Kya baat hai? Aap itni chup?Kamse kam ab toh aap hass sakti hai...Chinta mat kijiye...yeh Doctor toh bass formality hai...maine judge ki baat..."
" Sir...", Naina said hesitantly .
" Boliye Naina."
" I...I'm Sorry. I really am...I know main maafi maangne ke laayak nahi hoon...mujhe aapki feelings ko...iss tarah sabke saamne...I'm really sorry. I know aap mujhmein aur Captn. Salve mein koi fark nahi dekh rahe...bhale hi Captn. Nandini ne mujhe maaf kardiya but I know ki aap..."
" Naina...pata nahi aap hamare baare mein kya sochti hai. Parr hum apni dost ko itna toh jaante hai. Hum Naveen ki behen ko jaante hai. aap ne aisa soch bhi kaise liya ki hum aapko Captn. Salve ke barabar samjhenge? Believe me...Hum ek pal ke liye bhi aapse naraaz ya gussa nahi hue. Kya hum nahi jaante ki aapne yeh sab Raj ko bachane ke liye kiya? Infact...ek tarah se hamara guilt thoda halka hogaya. Kyunki humne hi aapke aur Raj ke jhagde ke baare mein aur baaki cadets ke baarein mein Captn. Salve ko bataya tha..."
There were tears in her eyes.
" Naina aap...", Abhi said to diffuse the situation.
" Believe me Abhimanyu, agar mere paas koi aur raasta hota toh main ye kabhi nahi karti. Captn. Salve ka muhh bandh karne ka koi aur Rasta nahi tha. But still...that doesn't justify my guilt."
" Toh aap nahi manengi? theek hai...toh hum aapko punishment dete hai...shayad isse aapka guilt kam hojaye..."
Naina looked up to him.
Abhi once looked at Raj and smirked. Raj was confused.
" Well Naina...How about a date?" , Abhi asked all of a sudden.
" WHAT???" , Raj and Naina said in unison.
And Abhi broke out in laughter.
" Look at your face Naina ! Oh god ! come on Naina! Humne kaha naa...aap hamari dost ho...aur humne aapko bilkul bhi galat nahi samjha toh saza kis baat ki?"
" Abhimanyu parr mujhe nahi lagta aap mujhe dost samajhte ho." , Naina said seriously.
" Aap kehna kya chahti ho Naina?" , it was Abhi's turn to get stunned.
" Aur nahi toh kya? Apni dost ko itniii severe punishment?" , Naina said with a twinkle in her eyes.
Abhi stared at her for her words to register and it was Raj's and Naina's turn to burst out laughing.
Abhi too joined them...
" Aahhh...thank god! So... after long time...Cadet Naina Singh Ahluwalia is Back!" , Abhi said smiling.
Raj looked at her inquisitively.
" Can I use your Cell Abhimanyu?" , Naina said to change the topic , " Woh...Aalekh ko..."
" Why not Naina?"
" It has been ages I've spoken to them!" , Raj said.
" So what about a conference call?" , Abhi said grinning ," Hum phone speaker mode par rakhte hai taaki aap bhi unse baat kar sake!"
And he handed cell to Naina.
She dialled Pooja and,
" Pooji kaha hai tu?" , This was the first thing Naina asked.
Here pooja panicked hearing this...
" Oye Naina kya hua? main hamare room main hoon. Tu aur Shahrukh? sab theek toh hai naa? kahi peechli baar ki tarah...oye bol naa? main abhi sabko leke nikalti hoon...saare missed calls yahi baithe hai...tu fikr..."
Raj coloured slightly on him being called Shahrukh!
" POOJA!!" , Naina yelled to shut her up, " Main theek hoon. Sir bhi theek hai...Mujhe Aalekh se bhi baat karni thi aur tum sab se bhi..toh..."
" Oye bina Network ki tower " , Pooja glowered while Raj and Abhi stiffled their laughter, " Toh aaram se hello nahi bol sakti thi? seedha pooji kaha hai tu?"
" Ok ok sorry...yeh bata Aalekh kaha hai..."
" Woh bhi ajeeb missed call hai ! kabhi baat nahi maanta ! Usse itni chot aayi hai parr.."
Pooja was cut by Huda...( Since it was Naina's phone and pooja had panicked, they also put the phone on speaker mode.)
" Phoolan ek baat bata...kahi tu aur woh qaidi kumbh ke mele mein beechde huye bhai behen to nahi? Dono ek se Ziddi !"
Abhi and Raj were feeling difficult to control their laughter.
" Parr mujhe toh ye tere baare mein lagta hai Huda ", Naina said annoyed on being called 'Ziddi' ," Dekh naa...tu mujhe irritate karte rehta hai aur main hote rehti hoon."
" Oye naa phoolan...main tera koi bhaai waai nahi hoon." , pat came his reply.
All his friends broke in laughter.
" Bakwaas band keejiye Hudabhai..", Ali intervened, " Naina, aap hi samjhaiye Aalekh bhai ko. Woh sirf aapki baat manenge."
" Aalekh !" , Naina called.
" Eh Naina...khali phili tension mat le. Apun ekdam fittam fitt hai. Tu bass apna khayal rakh.", Aalekh said.
" Tu abhi waha se jaayega shalini ma'am ke paas aur dressing karwayega...samjha?" , Naina said in mock stern tone.
" Haan meri maa. tera phone rakhte hi main jaaonga. promise."
" Aalekh woh aadmi..."
" Tu yahaa aane ke baad sab batata hoon."
" Hmm. theek hai."
" Lo ...Phoolan ne kaha aur yeh khadoos ek pal mein maan gaya!"
" Haan toh?" , Aalekh said.
" Tum dono jhagadna bandh karo." , Naina said, " Huda...tu apna kaam kar bhi raha hai yaa..."
" Oye phoolan Do not fear when Huda is here!"
" Ussi ka toh darr hai !" , Aalekh said.
and everyone including Raj and Abhi burst out in laughter.
" Chup kar qaidi. Phoolan tu fikr naa kar, main Naye tau ka bahot achchese khayal rakh raha hoon. Safe jagah transfer kar diya hai unhe. Jab tak woh Captain Sir ko ' Ba-izzat bari ' nahi kar deta, unhe kuch nahi hone dunga...Ekbaar Sir ko innocent declare karde, bass!! phir mujhe unse koi lene dena nahi! Abhi toh mere mummyjee ke parathe aur sureeji ki lassi ke maje le raha hoga tau! "
Raj and Abhi were laughing...
" Parr tune unhe tere saath aane ke liye convince kaise kiya?"
" Ab Phoolan...Huda ka charm hi kuch aisa hai..", getting back to his oldself, " Sirf tere pe nahi chalta!"
" Huda..", Naina said laughing ," tu nahi sudhrega."
"Parr phoolan zara sambhalke...mujhe iss chudail ke iraade theek nahi lagte."
" Iraade theek hai bhi nahi Huda. Parr tu chinta mat karr, Dr. Keerti bahot hi reputed Dr. hai...unki reports ko challenge karna itna aasan nahi. Aur jaha tak maine cross medical checking ke baare main padha hai, Sir ka sirf physical check up hoga at the most."
" Aur agar chemicals use kiye gaye toh? Mera matlab investigations ke waqt...", Pooja asked worried, " Tujhe yaad haina Appraisals ke waqt Sir ki drink ko poison kiya gaya tha?"
" Don't worry Pooja...aisa kuch nahi hoga." ,Abhimanyu said.
" Waise tum logoki security bhi important hai. Tumhe bhi khatra hai...", Naina said.
" Tu Khali fokat apun ki tension mat le." , Aalekh said.
" Chief is right Naina. That shrewd Lala is behind you and Sir...", Yudi said.
" Aur woh hume chod gaye Muchchad ke hawale !", Ali said.
" Aur uss muchchad ka network jam karne ki toh mujhe achchi khaasi practice hai...sach kahun toh aadat hogayi hai !" , Pooja completed.
" Haan...", Huda said teasing pooja ," Phoolan...yeh apni Punjaban bada miss karegi Muchchad ko!"
" Oye mere mobile ka software kya bigad gaya hai jo main uss Virus ko miss karoon?" , Pooja asked angrily!
Here, Raj, Abhi and Naina were laughing hard.
" Naina...aap chinta mat kariye. waise bhi, ustaad hai na?"
" HAAN...", Said his all friends together ," USTAAD HAIN NAA !"
Naina too laughed at this.
Ali was a big Gunny fan...for which his friends used to tease him sometimes.
" Tum sab log waha kar kya rahe ho?",Naina asked.
" Well we were thinking of some party!"
" Yudi??"
" Listen Naina...We finally have got our happiness after ages! "
" Naina theek keh rahi hai. Agar BC ko pata chala na...",Ali said
" Arrey yaar... BC toh Naina pe fulltoo fida hai...", Aalekh said.
" Aur isske pehle ki unki settings fir badal jaaye, hume mauke ka faayda uthana chahiye."
Raj shook his head...his cadets were not gonna change!
" Parr hame lagta hai..."
" Arre yaar... punjaban tu hi samjha tere ranjhe ko.", Huda said.
" Oye Ali...tu hamesha teri permanent settings me kyun rehta hai? kabhi hamari range bhi pakad liya kar." , Pooja said.
" Theek hai."
" Arre waah!" , Huda teased ," Tu toh abhi se Punjaban ke ishaaron pe chal raha hai!.."
" Chup oye unwanted caller!" , Pooja snapped.
" Parr Huda agar BC ne ...", Naina said intervening.
" Ab tu zhaag bikherna bandh kar...ke karlega tau? Detention de dega..."
" Ab Tension kisko hai?", Aalekh supported.
" Aur nahi toh kya? Captain Rajveer is Back...!" , Yudi completed.
" Thank you Cadets!" , Raj said smiling though tears were rolling over his cheeks.
He was touched by the confidence his cadets had in him...
The efforts they took and the help they provided Naina to prove him innocent!
" Shahrukkkhhh"
" Sir!!!!"
" Captain Sir!!!"
" Rajveer sir!!!"
" Sirjee!!!"
All of them screamed at once!
" Sirjee aap jaldi waapis aajao...", Huda said ," Dher saari baatein karni hai aapse!"
" Haan...yeh call se kuch nahi hoga! Hume toh ab aamne saamne baat karni hai aapse."
" Okay...cadets. Main bass aa hi raha hoon. tab tak aap apna khayal rakhiye." , Raj said.
" Huda, Woh Dr. Keerti?" , Naina asked.
" Unse hamari mulaqat nahi huyi. Unhe Mother India apne saath le gayi hai."
" Chal theek hai. main ab rakhti hoon. Bye."
When she hung up, she faced Raj and Abhi who were looking at her with raised eyebrows.
" What?" , Naina asked.
" Mother India?" ,Abhi asked.
" Oh woh! Mother India matlab Dr.Shalini." ,Naina clarified and Raj and Abhi burst out laughing.
" Dr. shalini? Mother India...yeh kya chakkar hai?" , Abhi asked still laughing.
" Chauhan saab, yeh cadets ke diye nick names hai."
" Cadets ke?"
" Ah...actually Huda aur Pooja ne diye hai..", Naina said.
" Cadet Huda hame kya bulate hai?" , Abhi asked frowning.
" Woh sir..." , but Naina stopped.
Raj smirked.
" Haan Naina batao. Cadet Huda chauhan ko kya bulaate hai?"
" Sir...woh..."
" Chalo main aapki mushkil aasan karta hoon" , Raj said still smirking ," Jin naamo se woh inhe pukarte hai, un mein se sabse achcha aur tolerable naam batao."
But Naina still hesitated.
Finally, Raj...
" Cadet Singh! It's an order!"
" Woh sir...Geet gaata banjara" , Naina said immediately.
" WHAT????" , Abhi Shouted.
Naina was not sure whether she should Laugh or not seeing Abhi's expression, but one look at Raj and she burst out laughing with him.
" Cadet Huda hume yeh bulaate hai?" , Abhi Asked.
And Raj and Naina laughed harder.
" Tumhe hi badi dilchaspi thi sunne mein chauhan!"
Abhi too joined them laughing.
After a while he asked...
" Naina aap kya keh rahi thi? Captn. Salve ka muhh bandh.??."
" Abhimanyu, kya aap jaante hai? Captn. Salve aur Captn. Nandini cousins hai?"
" KYAAA???" , Abhi and Raj.
" Haan...aur issiliye mujhe pata tha woh Nandini ko cross question nahi karegi aur ye 'crime for passion' ka raag bandh kardegi."
" Parr yeh tumhe kaise pata Naina?", Raj asked.
" Ali aur Yudi ne toh information nikaali thi sir, par jab Gunny sir ne bhi mujhe bataya, toh yeh baat confirm ho gayi."
" Yeh to bada Zhatka diya tumne mujhe. Tabhi woh Salve mujhse itni nafrat karti hai." , Raj said thoughtfully.
" Zhatka!" , Abhi said ," Bhaai...tumne mujhe uss haal mein pohocha diya hai jaha koi shock register hi nahi hota. Court mein questioning ke waqt you almost turned me into a dumb, confused person! Waise kal toh mujhe Lala ki fikr thi. Zhatke pe zhatke diye jaa rahi thi aap. Mujhe laga Kahi Heart attack se naa mar jaaye woh!"
" He is Heartless Abhi.", Raj said, his face hardening.
Abhi pressed his shoulder assuringly.
Raj composed himself quickly and turned to Naina,
" I'm really proud of you! I saw it on TV."
Naina was the happiest person today!
" Raj...jo maza Live dekhne main hai woh TV pe kaha?"
" Naina...woh hunger strikes...rallies...?" , Raj asked.
" Sir jab hum KMA join karne ke liye campaign kar rahe the, toh main families se jaakar milti thi...because bhale hi woh bahar hui baat bahar bhool jaaye, but agar ghar ki ladies ke mann mein yeh baat baith jaaye, toh woh itni aasani se nahi bhulayi jaati."
" Brilliant!" , Raj exclaimed.
" Aur ek din jab main waapis aa rahi thi, tab kuch ladke ek ladki ke saath zabardasti kar rahe the. main uss ki help ke liye waha daudi. Those were drunk,issliye unhe thikane lagane mein zyaada problem nahi huyi. Aur woh ladki ek jaane maane NGO ki secretary thi. Kal woh hunger strike aur kuch badi rallies ussi ke NGO ne organise ki thi. Baaki rallies were on their own...hamare itne din ke campaigning ka asar."
Raj smiled appraisingly.
" Aur Naina yeh admission ki itni bheed? Zaroor aap logone kuch toh kiya hoga!" , Abhi said.
" Woh sir...pooja ki hockey team...aur unke college friends...kuch Neelu ke college friends aur baaki students..."
" Yaani unhe admission nahi chahiye tha?"
" Jo log aage khade the ,almost 25 % , unhe sach mein interest tha..."
" Aur baaki?"
" Woh sab aise hi...nautanki..." , Naina said sheepishly and Raj laughed.
" Achcha hua Guards ne unhe nahi roka...", Abhi said.
" Guards ko Huda ne manage kar liya tha." , Naina informed.
" Woh Youth interviews?"
" Woh sab Yudi ne record kiye the aur uski CDs banake Romaji ke guidance ke hisaab se humne saare TV stations parr bhej diye the."
" Parr itni badi press conference kaise arrange ki?"
" Abhimanyu woh toh Roma shetty ne apne contacts use kiye the. Aur jo usske Rivals the media me woh Sameera Shroff ko cover karne aaye the, joki KMA cadets ke support mein press conference mein aayi thi..."
They both nodded.
" Radio Mirchi mein woh RJ Aditi Pooja ki college friend hai...toh ussne woh topic start kiya aur baaki radiostations followed the suite...ab hot topic ko kaun chodega."
" Aur aakashwaani pe buzurgo ke interviews?", Raj asked.
" Sir, I knew, ki agar sirf Youth pe concentrate karenge toh yeh politicians yeh kehkar ignore karenge ki yeh andha josh hai...Iss liye maine pehle hi Aakashwaani pe phone karke yeh topic suggest kiya aur Huda se kaha tha kuch oldage homes mein aur gharo mein jaakar ...you know..."
" Aur Lala ke saamne bhi kya Nautanki ki tumne!" , Abhi commented, " Jaise ki kitniii izzat karti ho tum uski!"
" Brilliant Cadet Singh!" , Raj patted her back.
" Well sir...aapko kya lagta hai? who taught me Strategy and communications.?" , Naina asked, her eyes shining with pride.
And Raj smiled at that., " Phir I can say...tumne mere class mein kaafi concentrate kiya hai!"
Abhi smiled at both of them and suddenly turned sad.
" Chauhan saab?"
" Raj hum..."
" Ab kitni baar maafi maangoge?"
" Yeh guilt hume jeene nahi dega... har saza hamare liye choti hi hai...hum..."
" Chauhan saab saza toh hai...shayad usske baad tumhe poori maafi bhi milegi!", Raj's eyes sparkled!
" Kya saza hai? Bolo Raj bolo...hum har punishment ke liye taiyyar hai."
" well chauhan..", Raj said smirking ," Punishment toh tum jaante ho. Ek hi punishment ke baad Maafi milti hai..."
Naina started laughing.
" What? No!!!!" , abhi protested.
" Agar maafi chahiye toh yahi punishment hai!", Raj said grinning.
" RAJ!! Aap aisa kaise?...", Abhi said, " AB HUM VP HAIN RAJ ", Abhi pleaded.[ Raj was talking about that 'towel waala' punishment.]
And Naina and Raj laughed harder.
" Naina aap hassna bandh kijiye."
" Tum Naina ko kyun bol rahe ho? tum apni punishment ke baare mein socho."
" Raj...aap bahot bure ho."
" So toh main hoon."
" Raj..."
" No chauhan..."
" Chodenge nahi hum tumhe." , Abhi said giving up and getting nervous.
And Naina and Raj laughed even harder.
" Hum aage security check kar ke aate hai." , abhi said getting down the car.
" Waise Sir...aap ko kuch aur bhi batana tha.", Naina said controlling her laughter.
" Ab aur kya batana hai aapko?" , Raj asked.
She looked at Raj.
" Aap keh rahe the Sir ki Captn Salve shayad aapse Nandini ki wajahse nafrat karti hai..."
Raj, though wasn't comfortable discussing Nandini especially with Naina, nodded.
" Sir, phir Aapse aur mujhse combinedly beinteha nafrat karne ki ek bahot badi wajah hai !" , She said as if telling some mystery.
" Cadet Singh, kya aap batayengi bhi ?"
Here Abhi got down and checked each and every army jeep accompanying them and talked with all the commandos.
In the Car :
" KYA? kya matlab?", Raj asked suspiciously, " Tumhara matlab..."
" Yes sir...she is Maj. Bharghav's wife !"
Raj was shocked !
" Parr Naina...yeh information?"
" Sir...humne Army database check kiya aur waha Salve ke profile mein personal information section mein kuch blocked areas mile ?"
" Okay..." , Raj said and then wide eyed ," How come you access those?"
" Sir, jab unaccessed areas ko dekha aur woh bhi personal info. section mein toh mujhe shaq hua. shayad Gehlot ne unhe special permission dilaayi ho. Ab access karne ke do hi raaste the hamare paas." , Naina said as a matter of factly.
" Yaaa toh password " , Raj said ," ya phir..." and he looked at Naina.
" Aur we used second way. Yudi hacked the website.", she said in undertone.
" I don't believe it...I just don't believe it!" , Raj said utterly amazed.
" Kya believe nahi karte Raj?", Abhi asked entering the car.
" Kya aap aur ek zhatka seh sakte hai Abhimanyu?" , Naina asked.
" I told you...I'm beyond that level."
" Kya aap jaante hai Captn Salve ka naam kya hai?"
" Captn. Smriti Salve.", Abhi said.
" Nope!"
" Then?"
" Captain Smriti Salve BHARGHAV." , Naina exploded the bomb.
And Abhi slumped on his seat...
" Naina...yeh information to hume...intelligence officer hokar bhi...phir aap cadets ko kaise?" , Abhi asked surprised.
" Sir...Rajveer Sir ke Cadets hai !" , Naina said proudly.
Abhi just nodded his head while Raj grinned, widely.
Lifeline Hospital , Mohali :
As soon as Raj got down from the car along with Naina and Abhimanyu, Captn. Salve headed towards them.
" Captn Abhimanyu ", Salve said venomously ," Shayad aapko yaad hoga ki ek Murderer ko hamesha handcuff karke lejaya jaata hai."
Naina clenched her fists...but Raj slowly touched her hand...
She looked at him and he gave her a reassuring smile...
He put forward his hands in front of Abhi. Though unwilling,he knew his duty. Thus Raj was handcuffed and carried to a cabin where he was supposed to be examined.
" Cadet Naina yaha kya kar rahi hai Captn. Chauhaan? Ask her to stand out." , Salve again spoke.
Abhi had had enough.
" Aisa kisi bhi rule book mein nahi likha hai ki woh yaha nahi ruk sakti. I am standing here as an arresting officer and it's only fair on her part to be here, as someone should be present from the side of accused also. Aur ab aap hume hamari duties samjhana bandh keejiye.Yeh mat bhuliye ki we are equal ranked. Have some leniancy in your speech, Captain."
Salve stormed out of the cabin.
" Cool down, Chauhaan saab ! ", Raj said patting him.
" Aap itna cool kaise reh saktein hain,humari samajh mein nahi aa raha. Aapko zara bhi tension nahi hoti Raj?"
Raj smiled.
" Chauhaan,jab se KMA aaya hoon, humeshahi museebaton se ghira hoon. Aur kai baar life threatening situations mein phasa hoon. Aur har baar, ek woh aasha ki kiran jal uthi...jo mere naseeb ke saare andhero ko mita deti hain aur mujhe har mushkil se kheench kar bahar laati hai...meri har haar ko jeet mein badal deti hai ! Toh jab woh saath hai, toh kaisa darr? Mujhe yakeen hai ki iss baar bhi jeet meri hogi, kyunki sach mere saath hai...aur agar main haar ki kagar par khada ho bhi gaya, toh woh jaroor mujhe waha se kheench kar jeet ke raaste par le jayegi."
Abhi and Naina were trying to figure out what he meant.
" Aur issiliye Chauhaan Saab, mujhe koi tension nahi hai...and I'm quite relaxed!", Raj said with a smile.
" Raj aap kiski baat kar rahe ho? aasha ki kiran?", Abhi asked confused.
Naina too looked at him for answer.
" Naina." , Raj simply stated.
Naina was stunned.Her heart began racing and breaths quickened. She was experiencing an involuntary shiver...shiver of a strange happiness. She always trusted him blindly, but she never knew Raj trusted her this much... Her eyes brimmed of tears and speech faltered...she was not able to express anything and just stood there, holding on to the edge of examination table for support and with tears in her eyes with her head downcast,so that Raj couldn't see her tears.
Abhimanyu smiled in agreement. He wished all the happiness for them.
" Raj, hum dekhte hai ki aap kuch khaa sakte ho ya nahi.Hum abhi puch kar aate hai." , and left to give them some privacy.
Naina still was looking down,trying to control her feelings.
" 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.
*****************************************************************
Book Talk
Cricket
13