" Nahin sir...Hum bhi aapke saath jayenge.", Naina held his hand as he began to leave the ambush site.
" Pagal matt bano guys...", Rajveer jerked his hand away, " Tum logo ke saamne tumhari poori zindagi padi hai...aur woh zindagi ab tumhari nahi rahi...woh desh ki hai."
" Please guys...", Rajveer pleaded, " Apni zindagi yunn zaya matt hone deejiye.."
As all cadets stared at him with tearful eyes...
" This nation needs you...", he touched her face, " Tum sab ki zindagi ki keemat bahot zyada hai...kamsekam meri zindagi se kayee zyada."
Naina stared on with shock...
" Please...", he pleaded again , " Understand me.."
Six overwhelmed cadets, choked with emotions and tears in their eyes stared at Rajveer as he began retreating, shooting at the same time.
While other cadets engaged themselves in the ambush, Naina followed him and held his hand..
" Sir, lekin aap jayenge kahan?", she stopped herself from crying with great difficulty.
" Naina, maine apna poora career intelligence mein nikala hai...wohlog mujhtak nahi pohoch payenge. Haan, magar main apne maksad mein kamyab nahi raha, toh mujhse wada karo ki meri jaan tum logi ! ", he held her shoulders in firm grip.
As both stared at each other with overpowering emotions...
" Jo kuch bhi unhone mujhse cheena hai...mera dost, mera career, mera py...", and he stopped...
But Naina understood the unsaid as it flowed through his eyes...she held his hand tightly as he began to leave and the next moment she was engulfed in a crushing embrace...
Raj and Naina held on to each other...their hug tightening every second...
Both of them never wanting to let go, but scared that they have to...
And then that bullet ...which hit his arm, but pierced her heart...
Naina jerked out of her reverie... she was sweating badly...
The cool breeze blowing from the windows of the bus did nothing to soothe her nerves...
Even staring out of the window didnt help...
The enchanting locations outside formed the canvas to replay the dreadful events those followed...
She saw her running towards the bridge along with her friends...
They all neared the reeling of the bridge and saw the site down...
She saw Rajveer's jeep burning...She felt him going away leaving her alone...
Her mind and senses became numb...
All she could see was the burning jeep...
All she knew now was, she wanted to go to him right then and embrace death along with him...
and she screamed,
"RAJVEER SIRRR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Everyone in the bus turned towards her...
She was sweating profusely...Her breathing irregular,heart beats increased...She was shivering badly...
Ali, who was sitting on the nearby seat, immediately rushed towards her..
" Naina...kya hua?", he asked with concern , " Aap theek toh hai...??"
Her nails dug in Ali's wrist as she held his hand tightly for support...
" Hum..hum inhe dekhlenge..", Ali turned to the fellow passengers, " Aap sab pareshan matt hoyiye."
Then he shook Naina a little.
She jerked towards him...
" Ali...Ali aisa nahi hosakta.."
" Naina...aap..kya?"
" Ali...Rajveer sir...", She whispered, " Rajveer sir ko kuch nahi hosakta..."
" Naina...", Ali didnt know what to say, " Sir...woh jeep...jalti hui..."
" Nahi Ali...", Naina cried , " Main sir ko uss jeep ke saath jalta hua imagine bhi nahi kar sakti..."
" Par humne jo dekha woh..."
" MAIN KUCH NAHI JAANTI...", She said firmly, " Kuch toh gadbad hai Ali...sir isstarah..."
Rajveer had said...
" Naina, maine apna poora career intelligence mein nikala hai...wohlog mujhtak nahi pohoch payenge. "
That strengthened her will even more...
" Ali...Ali humein sir ko dhundhna hoga...ABHI !! ", She moved her hand over her braid nervously, " Hum aur der nahi karsakte..."
" Naina..."
" Ali main ghar nahi jaa rahi..", she said determined," I have to look out for him..."
" Theek hai...toh fir hum bhi aapke saath aayenge."
They got down from the bus...midway...
Both of them joined their money and rented a bike.
They raced towards the ambush site...
Every passing minute increased Naina's anxiety...
Rajveer was injured...if not dead...
Chances of getting medical help were grim..
If Rajveer had managed to save himself from being a captive,and if Rajveer was free, then Naina knew that the Boss might also be looking for him...
They got down from the bridge and neared the burnt carcass of the jeep..
Naina and Ali minutely surveyed the jeep to look for any evidence. The chances of finding something were very rare, as the place already had been surveyed thrice by Abhimanyu and the team...
As they were landing in the darkness of disappointment, Ali suddenly saw something that ignited a new hope in him..
" NAINA !!! " , he screamed.
" Kya hua Ali?", She rushed towards him.
" Yeh dekhiye..", he literally pulled her towards the petrol tank, " kuch samajh aaya?"
Naina looked in confusion at Ali's enthusiastic face...
" Offo Naina...yaha dekhiye...", He pointed to the hole in the tin, " iska matlab samajhti hai aap? Kisine isse shoot kiya tha..."
Ali continued as Naina stared on...
" Sochiye...Rajveer sir pe firing ho rahi hai...Sir ke paas ample ammunition nahi hai...Aur saath hi mein unhe hamari safety ki bhi chinta hai...isliye woh jald se jald uss jagah ko chodna chahte hai...Kyunki Sir unka target hai...Agar woh chale gaye, toh humlog bhi safe hojayenge...Aise mein Sir kya karenge?"
Realisation dawned upon her and she looked at Ali in surprise...
" Aise mein...Sir ki jeep bridge se neeche girti hai...", Naina continued, " Ya phir...PURPOSELY girayi jaati hai...by an ace driver like Captain Rajveer ! Aur kyunki unke paas ample ammunition bhi nahi hai aur unka prime objective filhaal underground hona hai..."
" Sir apni death fake karte hai.", Ali completed, " Most probably, Sir girti hui jeep se pehle hi jump karlete hai..."
" Aur being a sharp shooter that he is ", Naina took over, " he shoots the petrol tank."
" Jisse blast hota hai...aur...", Ali stopped...
Rest was to be understood...
" Naina...humein jald se jald sir ko dhundhna hai...", he said when suddenly firing started..
Ali and Naina ran to cover themselves...
" Ali...istarah yaha firing hona...yeh point out karta hai ki ho na ho, Rajveer sir yahi kahi hai..."
" Par Naina...", he whispered, " Yaha rehna khatre se khali nahi hai...hum karein to kya karein..."
" HOOTIE AND THE BLOW FISH ", Naina said, " yaad hai? Rajveer sir ka woh code??"
Ali nodded...
" Ali...tum yaha se nikal loge..." , Naina said..
" Naina...nahi...hum yeh nahi manenge...aapko yaha akela chodkar..."
" Ali samajhne ki koshish karo !! Iswaqt hamara mission hai Rajveer sir ko dhundhna..!! humein woh har haal mein accomplish karna hai ! Tum inhe distract karoge..", Naina said the plan, " Aur yaha se safely nikal loge...Main jungle ke andar jaungi..."
" Naina..aapko iss tarah danger mein dhakel kar hum safe hojaye? Aap aisa soch bhi kaise sakti hai?"
" Agar tumne kabhi bhi Sir ki strategy aur communication ki class dhyaan se attend ki hai, toh pucho apne aap se...", Naina said, " Ali...Army ko bewajah apne saare soldiers ki life danger mein nahi daalni chahiye...jaruri nahi ki humesha aage jakar sacrifice kiya jaaye...agar bachenge tabhi toh aur bhi ladenge...Agar mujhe aaj kuch ho bhi gaya, toh main jaanti hu ki tum sab iss ladhayi ko aage continue karoge..! Please Ali...samajhne ki koshish karo..."
Ali hugged Naina briefly, tears flowing from both of their eyes...
" Humse waada keejiye Naina...", Ali said , " Aap apne aap ko safe rakhegi...hum...aur aapke saare dost aapko kho nahi sakte."
" Koshish karungi.", Naina choked, " Tumbhi apna khayal rakhna."
" Jai Hind.." , Ali said.
" Jai Hind...", Naina replied.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Naina walked through the creepy jungle .
The silence of the jungle was giving her Goosebumps.
The swinging of the trees made her insides turn.
She knew this was dangerous and there could be a lot of obstacles but she had to try.
She saw something that instantly rejuvenated her spirits.
There laid her handkerchief which she gave it to him.
It was definitely hers the only difference being that it was stained with blood. Her heart winced at the thought that he was so badly injured.
She now was sure that he was nearby.
With renewed determination she walked'walked for god knows how long, but now she did not fear anything, her destination was clear.
Finally.
She finally found him, clothed in blood, lying beside a bush in an effort to protect him from the wild animals and also any intruders.
Her heart cried out at the pain he had to suffer.
She ran to him .
He had his eyes closed...Naina's heart missed a beat..
" What if...", she went closer and checked his wrist for pulse...
Her breathing became normal as she felt his pulse...but he still was unconscious...
She took out her water bottle and sprinkled some water on his face...
He moved a little...but...
" Rajveer Sir..", She was shaking him impatiently...
" Naina'.", he coughed, " NAINA !!! "
He was very weak and tired...
He dreamt of her innumerable times ...
He was sure that, even this was an illusion...
He smiled painfully, but nevertheless raised his hand to touch her, like always...
But this time...She didnt Vanish...
" NAINA !!! ", he screamed in shock, " Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho?"
He was tired to the core...but it seemed like , the shock of seeing his Cadet Singh in front of him, triggered a new source of energy in him.
He was unable to react...when the touch of soft hair on his face brought him back to senses...
Naina was hugging him tightly, sobbing.
"shhh'Naina'." , he tried to quiten her, hugging her closer to himself...reassuring both of them at the same time.
After a while, when she was calm and composed, he disentangled himself from her...
" Naina tumhe yaha nahi aana chahiye tha...Istarah apni jaan khatre mein dalkar...", Rajveer scolded, " Kya tumhe ek baar mein koi baat samajh nahi aati? it's dangerous, Cadet Singh!! Kyun aayi tum yaha??"
She was hurt to the core...
How can he say like this?
How can she not come there when he is badly injured??
Seeing that she was hurt Rajveer raised his fingers to touch her face. He caressed her cheeks with his blood stained fingers turning her attention towards him. He was startled to see the tears in her eyes.
"Naina ... tumhe mere liye khatra mol lena nahi chahiye thaa'.You shouldnt have put your life in danger ! "
" Aap aisa soch bhi kaise sakte ho Sir? Aap yaha museebat mein ho aur main na aau? "
" Naina...",He held her hand tightly, " Yeh emotional hokar sochne ka waqt nahi hai...be practical, dammit !! "
This angered Naina to the limits !
" PRACTICAL !! right Rajveer Sir??" , Naina raised her voice, " Toh iss waqt practicality yeh kehti hai ki aap ek injured soldier ho...aur aap chup chap wahi karenge jo main kehti hu...yeh bekaar ka discussion hum fir kabhi continue karlenge."
Rajveer looked at her in shock..
" Nai...", he started to say something.
" EK AUR SHABD NAHI ! ", Naina said menacingly, " Agar aapne fir se mention kiya na ki mujhe yaha nahi aana chahiye tha, toh I swear, main yeh sticking aapke muh pe laga dungi...fir aap chahkar bhi kuch nahi bol payenge ! "
Rajveer looked at her open mouthed...
" Aur Sir,ek baat hamesha yaad rakhna.. aap chahe duniya ke kisi kone mein kyun na ho, jab jab aap kisi museebat mein fasoge, tab tab aapki yeh Cadet Naina Ah' Singh aapkeliye jaroor aayegi...har khatre se ladkar..." ,She said, " AAP CHAHO..YA NAA CHAHO..."
Rajveer looked into her eyes...
A surge of emotions passed through him...
Abhi mujh mein kahin
Baaqi thodi si hai zindagi
Tears welled up both their eyes...
Naina looked away..so did Rajveer...
Rajveer felt a touch on his arm...
Jagi dhadkan nayi
Jaana zinda hoon main toh abhi
Naina was examining his arm which carried the bullet...
Kuch aisi lagan iss lamhe mein hai
Ye lamha kahaan tha mera
She pressed a little and he winced...Naina looked up at once...only to meet his eyes...
Ab hai saamne
Issey chhoo loon zaraa
Mar jaaoon ya jee loon zaraa
" Dard horaha hai?", her voice broke, " Sorry.."
Though in so much pain, he was the happiest person on this earth...because his Naina cared for him...She had come for him, notwithstanding the obstacles and dangers ...
Khushiyaan choom loon
Yaa ro loo'n :'( zaraa
Mar jaaoon ya jee loon zaraa
His throat was parched with thirst...Naina made him drink some water slowly...
He was continuously looking at her even while drinking water...
He felt like being alive...
Ho o.. abhi mujh mein kahin
Baaqi thodi si hai zindagi
She took out her first aid kit... she lit the spirit container to start some fire...
Then heating the scalpel in the flame, she looked at him...
He was observing her...
Just few days of separation from him and she was feeling bereft of her life...
Seeing him now, filled her with new life.
She took out the bullets...
Ho.. dhoop mein jalte huey tann ko, chhaya pedh ki mill gayee
It was paining like anything, but he didnt make any sound...it took whole of his self control, patience and tolerance to bear that pain.
" Sir...aapko itna dard horaha hai aur aapne uff takk nahi ki."
" Tum hi ne dhamki di hai na...", Rajveer said angrily and then mimicking her , "Chup chap baithe raho...Ek bhi shabd matt nikalna, warna muhpar sticking laga dungi !"
That annoyed expression on his face was sooo cute and endearing that...Naina laughed !!! Raj too joined her...
Roothe bachche ki hansi jaise, phuslaane se phir khill gayee
Kuchh aisa hi abb mehsoos dil ko ho rahaa hai
But didnt know how, suddenly tears began flowing from her eyes...
" Hey...", Rajveer cupped her face with other hand seeing her teary, " itna bhi dard nahi horaha..."
Tears trickled down her eyes...she knew, he was trying to pacify her...
She saw him smiling, though being in excruciating pain.
Little did she knew...her tears...her concern were the best medicine for him...
Barso'n ke puraane zakhm pe marham laga saa hai
Kuch aisa rehem, iss lamhe mein hai
Ye lamha kahaan tha mera
Looking at the her tearful form, Rajveer just wanted to hug her tightly...
Ab hai saamne
Issey chhoo loon zara
Mar jaaoon ya jee loon zara
" Offo Naina...jaldise apni aankhe pochlo...", Raj said, " Meri Cadet Naina Ah' Singh par, yeh Aansu suit nahi karte ! "
Naina smiled a little...
" Itni kanjusi?", he joked in a tiresome voice, " Do you want me to say like Rajesh Khanna? Pushpa !! I hate tears..."
Naina laughed openly !!
Raj smiled...a genuine smile...
Khushiyaan choom loon
Yaa ro loo'n zaraa
Mar jaaoo'n yaa jee loon zaraa
Naina carefully made him stand and took him to a secluded shelter formed by the boulders...Atleast they had a place to hide...
There was a river nearby too...
She brought water and help him clean the wounds and dress them up after applying necessary ointments and antiseptics...
She forcefully fed him whatever snacks she had and made him take painkillers...
Raj was feeling much better now...
Raj was always a loner...in some sense or other... and had no real friends except Naveen and Abhimanyu...
He cared for everyone but, none to take care of him really...
but now...
now Naina was taking care of him like a mother...acting stubborn like a girlfriend and showing right like a wife..!!!
Dor se tooti patang jaisi, thi ye zindagani meri
Aaj ho kal ho mera naa ho
Har din thi kahani meri
They were sitting facing each other...
" Kuch kehna chahti ho?", Raj asked looking at her.
She nodded.
" Toh fir kaho na...yeh jhijhak kaisi?"
" Sir, Jo aapka hai, woh aapka hi rahega...koi bhi usse aapse cheen nahi sakta.", Naina said slowly, " MAIN Cheen ne nahi dungi...Na aapka honour...na aapka career...aur nahi..."
she stopped and looked at him.
Raj stared at her, an anticipation in his eyes to hear further...
Naina braced herself and took a deep breath...
" Aur naahi AAPKA PYAAR...", She said looking straight in his eyes...
Raj's breath caught in his throat...
He got up from there, but she held his hand...
" Naina main..."
He turned to look into the eyes full of pure love and affection...
He was lost in them...all the inhibitions shedded on their own...
Ik bandhan naya peechhe se abb mujhko bulaaye
Aane waley kal ki kyun fikar mujhko sata jaaye
She got up and walked closer..
" Naina...", he said tenderly.
" Shshsh...", she put her finger on his lips, " Kya har baat kehna zaroori hota hai? Agar kabhi koi aapke ankahe shabd bhi sunle..toh?"
And she rested her head on his chest...while he held her close...feeling her to himself...
Ik aisi chubhan iss lamhe me hai
Ye lamha kahaan tha mera aa
" Jaanti hu ki ...jitna pyaar aap mujhse karte hai, utna koi bhi kisise nahi kar sakta..", Naina said looking deep in his eyes, " Parr..kya aap jaante hai? ki main aapse bahot bahot pyaar karti hu...bahot zyaada...apne aapse bhi zyada..."
"Naina...", his voice broke as he held her face in his palms, tenderly..
He crushed her to himself...hugging her roughly and with so much force...
Tears flowing incessantly from their eyes...
Ab hai saamne
Issey chhoo loon zara
Mar jaaoo'n ya jee loon zara
He cupped her face...his face had a big smile while eyes were welled up of tears...
He was mad with happiness...
Today he got his Naina...his Life...the love of his life...his only desire...
He kissed all over her face...while she let herself lose in his ocean of love...
Khushiyaan choom loon
Yaa ro loo'n zaraa
Mar jaaoo'n ya jee loon zara
His lips neared hers...he backed off a little to look into her eyes for consent...
Naina lowered her eyes...all shy...and slowly brought her face closer to his...
That was all he needed to know...
Raj instinctively pulled her closer to him and pressed his lips against hers.
Naina responded immediately.
Their eyes were closed, still they could see each other'feel the presence'not from their eyes, from their hearts'
Slowly, Raj deepened the kiss, locking her in his embrace'
the magic of love was spreading in them, all around them'
Naina's hands were moving feverishly on his shoulders, his back, his hair' messing up his already messy hair that she loved so much' the feeling of him under her palms, in her hug was of something she had never experienced before'
Raj tightened the hug' all the gap between them was now closed'
Their first kiss'full of passion, love, affection, trust, respect'.full of everything'
It was a symbol of what they felt for each other'
Tongues dancing in their mouths'the kiss became more n more passionate as the time passed, giving a feeling of completeness to both'
All the pain, all the tensions vanished the moment they became one' never wanting to be seperated' never wanting that beautiful moment to end' never wanting to live without each other' never imaging their lives without each other'
Because they knew that they were nothing alone' they couldn't do a thing alone now'and whatever the circumstances and challenges might be...they will face them together...
And when they are together, That means VICTORY !!!
Abhi...mujh mein kahin...Baqi thodisi hai zindagi...
*****************************************
