Recap---Well I will take this letter to the town to get this handwriting checked. You all try to solve this" He said handing Huda the paper with the writing. With that all 7 of us exited the office, with determination to find out what is happening.
That night Pooja and I were sitting on our beds, facing each other. Like she has been doing for the past few days, Pooja was lost in her own world. I finally decided to ask her what is wrong.
"Pooji, I have been noticing for the past few days, you seem lost. What is wrong?" I inquired, but got no response. I waited a few minutes and said "Pooji, Pooji." I still didn't get a response, so I went down on my knees in front of her and violently shook her.
"What, Naina what has gotten into you? Why are you shaking me like a mobile vibrating?" She responded coming out of her trance. I shook my head at her comparison and sat back down on my bed.
"Pooja, I called your name multiple time, you didn't respond. Where are you lost nowadays? Thinking about Usool Bhai or what?" I teased her.
"Yeah Naina. You know, he doesn't have even a single romantic ring tones. All of his ring tones are polite, stupid, and full of his Usool'." She complained, pouting like a little child who didn't get their favorite toy.
"So what is the problem? Just talk to him." I suggested.
"It's not that easy Naina. When Capt. Rajveer was here, than he used to solve all of our problems. I am just not use to talking to Ali about all this, you know..." She said. I got lost in my own dream and world and said.
"I know what you mean Pooja. Just walking into his room between classes and talking about everything and nothing. Sharing every happiness and sadness with him. Troubling him with every little problem. I can still imaging the little smile that appeared on his face whenever we talked. The way..."
"You really loved him na?" Pooja Questioned, or rather stated, bringing me out of my lala land.
"That's not the point." I said walked toward her, sat next to her and put my hands on her knees on a sympathize manner. "The point is, he would want us to be independent. He would want us to solve our problem, and I'm pretty sure he would break if he had to see us needing someone to solve our problem for us." I said.
"You are right Naina. Thank you so much." She said hugging me.
"You are welcome. Now sleep before Lolita ma'am comes to check on us again." I said smiling and walking toward my bed. I got in my cover, and within a few minute I could hear the peaceful breathing of Pooja, but Rajveer sir's thought haunted my mind all night, making sure sleep didn't come anywhere near me.
The next morning around nine, all of us walked, or rather dragged our sore body, to the mess from Maj. Nair's morning drills. We all seated down on the table, while suriji bought us our food.
"Putter ji, eat it. You will need the energy. You have two more drills with Maj. Nair lined up for today." He said and left, while we all groaned
"Did you talk to him yet?" I whispered to Pooja, who was sitting next to me. She just shook her head in negative and starting eating as if she has nothing more interesting to do, while I just sighed in disappointment. A few minutes of silence followed. After a few minutes Alekh spoke up.
"Have anyone figured out the clue yet" He questioned. A bunch of nos and not yets were heard around the table. I turned hopefully to Huda and asked "Huda?"
"Sorry yaar Phoolan. I can't understand anything. "He replied looking desperate.
"We just have about 13 hours left. I wonder if Capt. Abhimanyu found out anything." Alekh said.
"He did "came a voice that came from the door. We turned around to see Capt. Abhimanyu walking toward us and his expression said all about what happened in the town. He came, sat down and said "Suriji, I need some chai of your hand." He took a deep breath, turned toward me and said "The handwriting doesn't match Raj's.
"So someone has been playing us?" Alekh stated/questioned.
"This stops here. I am not going running around some psychopath, who has no respect for other's feeling." Ali said, while Huda and Pooja agreed.
"But, I want to" I said earning a glare of question from around the table. "Whoever is doing this knew the code. Only Rajveer and I knew, and before anyone of you suggest, no Rajveer sir couldn't have told anyone about this. Whoever is doing this knows something...about Rajveer sir, and I want to uncover every single one of his secrets. This might lead us to some clue that will us prove Bhaiya and Rajveer sir innocent. I am not going to give us this easy." I stated and left for our next class...Strategy and Communication, now taught by the great Maj. Bhargav.
The class took forever to finish. After class we all standing in the hall, chatting. I slightly poked Ali and motioned him to follow me. We now stood a little further from the rest of our group.
"Any problem Naina. Why did you bring me aside like this?" He questioned.
"Don't worry Ali I am not going to rape you. It's just that Pooja..." He didn't let me finish and said "Pooja? What happen to her? Is she ok? He fired at me.
"Let me finish. She is fine, but not at the same time." I said and looked at the confused face staring down at me. I took a deep breath and said "Pooja thinks you are too unromantic" I didn't even know if he heard me or not, but he starting coughing violently, clarifying to me that he hear loud and clear. It took him a moment to gather himself, and when he finally did he just muttered "Naina what...you..."
"Calm down Ali, I am just asking you to break your principles nor to become physically intimate with her. Just show her some affection. Be a little romantic and little less dull." I said.
"Romance, and in KMA, but where" He questioned, stuttering.
"I don't know, and I don't care what you do. Set up a date on a abandoned class room, Send her flowers or gift her a dozen mobiles or hell you can even buy her a pink teddy with you are in my every breath' I figured I said a little louder, as Pooja turned toward us, blushing a crimson red. I lowered my voice and said "Look Ali, girls like it when their love shows them affection. They like to treasure little, meaningless moments, so just give her those moments to cherish. Plus I think she is a little insecure after Rohit."
"You are right Naina, but Romance in KMA. Where? He questioned, a little uncomfortably. Before I could control what was happening, I said "Point 1857". I heard Ali saying something like "Where is that?", but my mind was totally out of control. How could I be so stupid? I held Ali soldiers, jumped and screamed "Point 1857" multiple time. I must have been totally out of control, because the gang walked over to us and Huda asked me "Phoolon you ok?"
"Captain Abhimanyu's office...now" I ordered as I ran down the hall.
I entered Capt.'s without knowing and breathless.
"Naina. You ok?" He questioned looking up from his files. I just kept breathing and didn't answer. "Cadet please calm down. You are scaring me"
"Phoolan" Huda said as he and the rest of the gang entered.
"Cadets, what is happening?" Capt. asked. Before anyone could say anything I said "Point 1857"
"What? Naina how do you know about Point 1857? Capt. asked looking even more confused.
"Save the questions for late...The code. It is Point 1857" I said. "What?" Was the reply of captain Abhimanyu. Now everyone in the room looked confused.
"Yeah. Just think about it. A place where wishes come true."the wishing pole. Someplace right in front of you but you cannot see---Point 1857 is right in front of KMA, but you can't see it without binoculars, because it is the highest point of KMA. A place that is open to all with hearts---It is the lover's point of KMA. The place where people get connected for life, and finally. A place where even after you leave, you stay---The beauty of the place and the echo point. It is said that even after you leave the sound of your voice keeps echoing from the echo point, and the beauty of the place forever craves itself a place in your hear." I explained myself as the expression understanding was clear on the face of Captain Abhimanyu. He grabbed his jeep's keys from his desk, and said "Let's go" I was on his tale and the rest of the gang followed me having no clue as to what just happened and where they were going.
My note
I just want to request the silent readers (if there are any) to please leave at least one comment to let me know you are reading and enjoying this book. A big thanks to all those who have been liking and commenting on my posts. It means the world to me.
Lots of Love
Misha
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