"Major Bhargava I guess apko jakar rest karna chahiye. Kal apko jaldi bhi uthna hoga" suggests Brigadier Chandok, all serious. This brings a smirk on Captain Rajveer's face, hence Captain Rajveer lowers his eyes. Standing at attention position, Major Bhargava informs Brigadier Chandok, in a sarcastic tone, "yes Sir. Maine socha janey se pehle Captain Shekhawat se dil khol kar baat kar lun" Captain Rajveer, looks back at him and Major Bhargava glares back too. "Well I guess ab apki baat puri ho gayi hogi. You shall get going" says Brigadier Chandok. This makes Captain Rajveer to smile more, secretly. "Sir! Have a good night Sir", Brigadier Chandok nods his head and Major Bhargava marches towards his room.
Next Morning
All the faculty members along with the cadets assemble in the main hall of KMA for bidding farewell to Major Bhargava. Brigadier Chandok shakes hand with Major Bhargava and wishes him lucks for his future, "All the best Major. Thank you so much for staying here. I hope apka stay yahan acha raha aur KMA ne apko kabhi koi shikayat ka mauka na dia ho". Plastering a smile on his face, Major Bhargava replies, "Oh not at all Sir! In fact mera yahan ka stay kafi acha tha. Thank you. I shall see you soon!" as soon as he ends up saying this, Captain Rajveer enters the place and intervenes. "Uski zarurat nahi hogi Sir!" His words takes everyone by surprise. "Sir I would like to inform you that during our mentorship program humein jo tasks assigned hue the wo first year cadets ke syllabus level se high the. Sir main manta hun ki tasks konse diye jayenge uski zimmedari puri tarah se Major Bhargava ke upar thi, unhe pura haq tha koi bhi task choose karne ka. Par iska matlab ye nahi ki wo students ke practice, unke knowledge ko nazar andaz kar ke koi bhi task de de", says Captain Rajveer, his voice reflecting his confidence.
"Excuse me Captain, ye aap kya keh rahe hain?'' asks Major Bhargava, getting angry. "Main bilkul sahi keh rah hun Major Bhargava", Captain Rajveer answers back, turning to look towards him, unable to bear his anger any longer. "Captain agar ye cadets aise chote-mote tasks se darr jayenge to agey kaise badhenge?'' intervenes Major Nayyer. Turning to address him, Captain Rajveer says, "Excuse me Sir! But I think ye kisi bhi school ka rule nahi hai ki jin students ne abhi tak theek se pencil pakadni bhi nahi seekhi, unhe pen pakda dia jaye. Aur agar hum step skip karenge to aise kaise chalega?'' "Ye Cadets doodh peete hue bache nahi hai Captain!" shouts Major Nayyer. "To ye certified soldiers bhi nahi hai Sir!" answers back Captain Rajveer. "Enough!" shouts Brigadier Chandok. Then addressing to Major Bhargava he says, "Major, Captain Rajveer bilkul sahi keh rahe hain. Apko koi haq nahi hai ki aap first year cadets ko koi difficult task dein. I think you should apologize". Controlling his anger, Major Bhargava turns to address the cadets, "I think mujhey apko wo difficult tasks nahi dene chahiye the. I apologize for my mistake", saying this he turns to look at Captain Rajveer.
Right then, one first year cadet whispers to his fellow cadet, but it doesn't escape the ears of the teachers and the five cadets, "inhe to saza mil gayi par Captain Rajveer aur Naina jo apne romantic date se ho kar aye hain, unhe koi saza nahi mil rahi, kya baat hai!"
Dr. Mishra glares at him first, then suddenly she realizes that there is no harm if something as such is happening. If this misunderstanding
prolongs then it would be easy for her to elope with the nuclear triggers.
This grabs Major Bhargava's attention as well for sure and a sarcastic smile comes on his face.
Addressing to Brigadier Chandok, he says, "Main yahan se chala jaunga but Sir main bus ek baat puchna chahunga...and please I request you, mujhey mere sawal ka jawab dia jaye", and gives another sarcastic smile, looking straight into Captain Rajveer's eyes. "Ijazat hai!" says Brigadier Chandok, "Puchiye kya puchna hai?" Turning towards Cadet Naina, Major Bhargava says, "Cadet Naina, Cadet Naina Singh, kya aap please apne barey mein kuch baatein share karengi humse?'' asking that, he smirks secretly. Bloods drain out of Rajveer's and Naina's face.
"Ye kya batameezi hai Major?" scolds Brigadier Chandok, getting angry. "Batameezi kahan Sir, ek simple sa question hai, I guess Cadet Singh iska answer asani se de sakti hain", intervenes Major Nayyer. "Tum bolna kya chahte ho Major Nayyer?'' asks Brigadier Chandok."Aap khud Cadet Singh se hi kyun nahi puch lete! Waise to such main bhi nahi janta. Par jab Major Bhargava itne confident hain, so I guess there is no harm Cadet Singh se puchne mein", says Major Nayyer, determination could be clearly seen on his face.
The sudden change in the conversation drains the blood out of the faces of Naina as well as Captain Rajveer. He keeps staring the trio in front of him in shock and anger. Realizing that it's time to take charge of the matter, Captain Rajveer intervenes, "Sir, Cadet Singh...", and he is cut short by Naina, "Captain Naveen Singh Ahluwalia ki behn hai!" She declares, looking straight into Brigadier Chandok's eyes. With no regrets in her voice, her posture doesn't shake, even a little. All of them standing there look at her in shock, but Captain Rajveer. Because more than shock it was pride and faith on Naina that reflect in his eyes.
Major Bhargava gives them a sarcastic smile. He certainly enjoys the change of event. Suddenly the spot light is on Naina, at the exact place where he wanted it to be. On the other hand, Major Nayyer gets surprised on knowing the truth. "No wonder Cadet Singh kyun itni secretive rehti thi" says Major Nayyer, getting angry.Giving a sarcastic smile, Major Bhargava says, "ek suchha desh bhakt hone ke natey ye mera farz tha Brigadier Chandok ki main apko bataun ki humare beech ek deshdrohi ki behn hai". Naina keeps glaring him, Captain Rajveer gives him a disgusting look. All the cadets, especially the five stare at Naina in shock.
Not able to bear it anymore Naina blurts out, "Naveen bhaiya deshdrohi nahi the. Unhe fasaya gaya tha". Rajveer looks at her sympathetically (Rajveer-Naina tune begins in the background)."Oh really Cadet Ahluwalia, to kya aap investigation team ko galat keh rahi hain? To kya aap ye keh rahi hain ki unhe apna kaam karna nahi aata?" asks Major Nayyer.
Turning to address him, Naina says, "yahi pata lagane main KMA ayi thi!" Captain Rajveer closes his eyes, realizing that she shouldn't have used this line. "See, didn't I tell you Sir? Ye yahan sirf apne deshdrohi bhai ki begunahi prove karne yahan ayi thi. Iska koi lena dena nahi hai apne desh se! It wouldn't be a surprise agar ye bhi apne bhai ki tarah ek traitor ho to!" Unable to resist, Captain Rajveer blurts out in anger, "Major Nayyer I don't think so Cadet Singh ne ab tak kuch bhi aisa kia hai ki aap ye prove kar sakein ki wo deshdrohi hai. Aur agar aap prove nahi kar sakte to apko koi haq nahi hai ki ek sachey deshbhakt ko bina sabut ke deshdrohi karar de" On the other hand, having realized the double meaning of her words, Naina addresses to Brigadier Chandok, "Sir mujhey apne desh se bohot pyar hai. Haan ye such hai ki main yahan Naveen Bhaiya ki begunahi prove karne ayi thi, par iska matlab ye nahi hai ki main apni parhai, apne tasks par dhyan nahi deti. Main ek achha soldier banna chahti hun. Iss desh ke liye ladna chahti hun""Ek deshdrohi ki behn ek deshbhakt kaise ho sakti hai?'' asks Major Bhargava, getting angry. Turning to answer him, with too much anger, Naina tells him, "Main apne desh se bohot pyar karti hun!" At this Major Bhargava replies, "aap desh se nahi, sirf apne mentor, apne teacher, apne Captain Rajveer se pyar karti hain!" (Rajveer-Naina tune begins in the background as Rajveer and Naina, both stare at Major Bhargava, shocked).
Unable to bear the humiliation anymore, Naina leaves for her room, her face fuming with anger. This angers Rajveer even more, shaking his head out of disgust, he comments, "Mujhey to apko apna senior kehte hue bhi sharm aa rahi hai", saying this Captain Rajveer leaves for his room.
Brigadier Chandok declares that it's time for Major Bhargava to leave.
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune begins in the background)
Captain Rajveer goes to the games room in anger and starts playing darts. His each dart striking the exact point at the center. Throughout this time, all the moments spent with Naina during the mentorship camp starts flashing in front of his eyes in a row.'Sir mujhey na neend aa rahi hai' followed by the way she laughed seeing him in the keechad. The trust he witnessed in her eyes. The way Naina cornered herself from him, getting angry during the keechad incident. Then gradually the scenes change, the concentration game, in spite of her challenging nature, she gave up so easily. He knew then also, he knows even today, had it been someone else, she would have won the game. But he knows she feels uncomfortable, more of a shy, to look into his eyes, this became the reason that day that she gave up! She didn't want others to witness her increasing rate of heartbeat, the blush on her cheeks; both of which Rajveer did witness that day but tried to ignore them, knowing that it wouldn't be a good idea to point them out in front of everyone.Not able to bear it anymore, he stops. Putting away the remaining darts in his hand, he leaves the games room and goes straight to Naina's room.
*****
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune begins in the background)
Reaching her room, he straight away pushes the door open, forgetting to knock in haste and anger. But as he flings the door open, he finds no one but her fragrance lingering in the air. Her fragrance makes him restless, he clenches his fist in frustration. He scans her room, not actually knowing himself what exactly is he searching for. Getting into her room, he stands in front of the mirror and stares at his reflection into the mirror in anger. He notices how neatly she has kept her dressing table. There is everything there, which normally a girl uses to get ready - a comb, variety of body lotions, kajal, few pairs of earrings and lipstick ! Although there were a few shades, but he needed only one, the exact one!
Then again Captain Rajveer and Naina are forced to join all others and see Major Bhargava leaving KMA. Not that it is hurting them, seeing him go! But according to them, he is not worth bidding farewell to! Even if it means merely standing there. Thankfully they didn't have to wait much, he soon leaves KMA.
Later it is declared that all classes have been cancelled for the day.
Captain Rajveer calls Naina to his room. Wearing an orange kurti paired with yellow leggings, she decides to tie her hair later, in a haste to meet him, she keeps her hair untied.
Reaching his room she knocks the door and asks for permission to get inside. "Come in Naina", he stares her as she enters the room. "Aao baitho", he gestures her to sit on his bed, while he himself remains standing.
Rajveer takes his time to decide where should he start from, then says, "Naina aaj jo kuch bhi hua, nahi hona chahiye tha!", he waits and notices her reaction. "Main nahi janta ki sub ke dimag mein ye sub baatein kaise ayin!", at this Naina looks into his eyes, with too much pain in hers.
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune begins in the background).
Finding her staring at him, he stops and keeps staring her. Closing her eyes, taking a deep breath, she opens them, "apne theek kaha Sir, pata nahi ye sub baatein kyun hui!" Rajveer realizes that she is angry, hurt by his words. "Naina main..." he starts, but is cut short by Naina,"Rehne dijiye Sir. I think ab iss topic ko yahin khatam kar dena chahiye" "Naina please meri baat to sunno..." "Kyun sunu Sir? Main janti hun ki ye baatein aise nahi honi chahiye thi, but hui! Galat hi sahi, but hui! Apne mujhey yahan ye batane ke liye bulaya tha?", she asks in anger. "Naina I think humein academy mein ek dusre se ab kam baat karni chahiye kyunki..." he is again cut short by Naina, "kyunki apko aisa lagta hai ki agar apne mujhse baat ki, kisi ne apko dekh lia, to aap humiliate hoge, right?" "For god's sake Naina, mujhey apni fikar nahi hai, mujhey tumhari fikar hai", unable to bear it any longer, he also raises his voice. "Meri fikar? Yeah right! Agar apko meri fikar hoti, then at first place aap kabhi ye suggest hi nahi karte ki humein ek dusre se baat nahi karni chahiye!", as soon as she says this, a smile comes on Rajveer's face.
Unable to understand, what brought the sudden change, she asks, "Kya hua?" "Apni...apni shakal dekho Cadet Singh, tumhe kitna gussa aa raha hai. Lal ho gaya hai tumhara chehra", laughs Rajveer. "I don't believe this! Aap mazak kar rahe the? Apko pata hai ki..." "Ki tum nervous thi? Ki tum actually inn sub baton ke barey mein soch rahi thi? Come on Naina, I don't think so that you should give heed to all these discussions", saying this Rajveer walks towards the bar area of his room and fills a glass of water for her. "Sir I think humein such mein ek dusre se kam baat karni chahiye".
Turning to look at her, creasing his brows, Rajveer stares her for sometime.Then walking to her, he offers the glass of water to her, which she accepts. "Naina humne kuch galat nahi kia!", he declares. Naina looks into his eyes. Sighing and getting more angry he says, "for god's sake Naina, tumhe such mein inn baton se farak parhta hai?" "Ab jab bhi main apke aas-paas hogi, sub batein karenge humare barey mein!" Creasing his brows he asks, "to kya tum mujhse baat karna chorna chahti ho?'' Naina looks into his eyes, trying to decide her answer. Knowing the look of her eyes, he warns her before she could even say anything, "don't you even dare to answer that question of mine!" "Aap samjh kyun nahi rahe..." "Tum kyun nahi samjh rahi?" he shouts at her.
Getting scared by his voice and his anger, she decides to remain quiet. Unable to maintain the silence for longer, she speaks up in a low voice,"bus kuch dino ki baat hai, dheere-dheere sub theek ho jayega!" "Naina..." he shouts again out of frustration. Then suddenly something strikes him, and he asks, "kya tumhe iss baat ka darr hai, iss baat se sharm aati hai ki tumhe tumhare teacher ke saath sub...?", he creases his brows. "Nahi! Bilkul nahi. Teacher hone se pehle aap mere bhai ke dost hain", the truthfulness in her voice and her eyes, doesn't leave any scope for him to doubt her.
Shutting her eyes and shaking her head, she says, "aap samajh kyun nahi rahe..." "Theek hai Naina!", his words take her by surprise, she waits for him to speak further. "Agar tumhe guilty feel ho raha hai ki log tumhara naam mere naam ke saath jodenge, wo bhi tab jab humare beech koi rishta hi nahi hai... then I think, I can rectify the situation right now!" Unable to understand what's going on in his mind, Naina stares him doubtfully.
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune begins in the background)
Without even bothering to give it a second thought, Rajveer brings out something from his jeans' pocket. Naina realizes that it is her lipstick, red in color. Unable to understand what is it doing with him; what is he up to, she keeps staring him in shock. Without giving her time to decide anything, Rajveer quickly removes it's cap. Rubbing his thumb on the lipstick, he looks deeply into Naina's eyes and fills her maang with the red color, the red lipstick. Naina keeps staring him in shock!
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune keeps running in the background)
Naina's cheeks turn red, her gaze fixed on him. She doesn't realize when her eyes suddenly gets filled with tears. She doesn't even understand why is she in that state - is she upset, angry, frustrated or 'overwhelmed'!
" 'Strategy aur Communication' ka teacher hun Naina, koi bhi kadam uthane se pehle strategy bana kar chalta hun, par pata nahi kyun tumhare samne na koi strategy yaad aati hai aur na hi jab by chance koi strategy bana bhi leta hun to tum par apply kar pata hun.
Jab bhi lagta hai ki main tumhe achi tarah samjhne laga hun, tum humesha kuch aisa kar deti ho ki main sochne par majboor ho jata hun ki kya main tumhe such mein achi tarah janta hun?
Mujhey nahi pata Naina ki ye maine sahi kiya ya nahi; main to ye bhi nahi janta ki tumhari zindagi mein koi hai ya nahi!", saying this, Rajveer looks at her with almost teary eyes, hoping that she wouldn't admit that she loves someone else. Her eyes remains transfixed to a point on the ground, tear rolling down her cheeks. With all his courage, Rajveer asks her, "kya tum... kya tum kisi aur se... pyar..."
The sudden stare of Naina after hearing this line, doesn't let him to complete his line. Out of frustration he says, "for god's sake Naina, jawab do!" Not even caring to rub off her tears, Naina answers, "kyun? Kya farak parhta hai apko? Aap jo chahte hain wohi aap karte hain humesha, aur ab puch kar bhi kya faida!" she utters her each word slowly, without any emotion, what so ever.
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune begins in the background)
"Tumhe sharm aa rahi thi na ki tumhe tumhare teacher ke saath... Tum ye kaise bhul gayi Naina ki main tumhara teacher hone se pehle Naveen ka dost hun? To humare beech sirf student-teacher ka rishta nahi dosti ka bhi rishta hai!
Bhaley hi hum miley ab hain, yahan, KMA mein par mera rishta tumse uss din hi bandh gaya tha Naina jis din maine Naveen se dosti ki thi. Ek baat batao Naina agar aaj Naveen yahan hota humare saath iss academy mein, aur tab ye sub hota to kya tab bhi tum yahi kehti ki main Naveen ka dost hun isliye humare beech koi rishta nahi ho sakta? Ki main tumhara teacher hun, tumhara mentor hun to humare beech koi rishta nahi ho sakta?" he waits for her to answer him, when she doesn't then he continues, "frankly I think Naveen khud chahta ki hum dono miley!" At this Naina meets his eyes, "Aap ye kaise keh sakte hain?" she asks, creasing her brows. "Main janta hun kyunki..." Naina waits for him to complete the line. Realizing what he was about to do, he takes a deep breath, closing his eyes he shakes his head, then opens his eyes again and completes his line, "kyunki Naina, Naveen mera dost hai. Main janta hun ussey!"
Unable to understand what more should he say to convince her, he shakes his head out of frustration. He looks at her for the last time, expecting her to say something, but she remains in a state of shock, tears roll down her cheeks non-stop, she keeps crying silently. Feeling it hard to bear looking her at that state, he leaves his room, giving her space and time to accept the truth. As much as he wants to stay with her, talk to her, comfort her, he also knows this very well that she needs to stay alone and think, ponder the situation. He needs few answers but decides that he'll ask them later, when she'll be in a state to think, decide and answer.
He even needs to explain her many things, make her understand many things but he needs to have patience. Even he needs to accept the new truth of his life! Although it's him only who brought this sudden change in her's as well as his own life, but of course he too wasn't prepared for this! It was a in the moment kind of decision. But he is sure he has done nothing that he'll regret in future because he knows if anyone fits with Rajveer, it is only Naina! If anyone can share Captain Rajveer's hard life, then it is only his Cadet Singh.
As he leaves the room, Naina quickly moves towards the door of Rajveer's room and locks it. Then turning to face the room, her back touching the door, she slides down, crying and sits down on the floor, her knees popped up. Naina hugs her knees and starts weeping hysterically. "Bhaiya...!" she says in between her weeps, looking heavenwards. She touches her maang and checks her fingers, which have the imprints of the red lipstick. Fresh tears roll down her cheeks, her whole body shaking out of fear and shock. Her heartbeats running at a high-speed, her cheeks radiating heat.
*****
Rajveer walks through the corridor, thinking about Naina, that Dr. Shalini crosses him, "a Captain!" Her voice brings him out of his daze. He looks towards her all serious, "Yes doctor?" he asks professionally. "Apne Ritu ko dekha?" "Naina... a... nahi maine Naina ko nahi dekha" answers Captain Rajveer.Smiling in shock, Dr. Shalini says, "Captain kahan khoye hue hain aap? Main Naina ke barey mein nahi Ritu ke barey mein baat kar rahi thi! Dr. Mishra, humari colleague, remember?", smiles Dr. Shalini. Suddenly he realizes how stupidly he has just behaved. "Oh... I...ahmm... I am sorry... wo main kuch... anyways nahi, maine Dr. Mishra ko nahi dekha" he replies, suddenly trying to show that he is fine and nothing out of the way has happened in his life. "Kya hua Captain aap theek to hai na?" asks Dr. Shalini, concerned. "Ji doctor, I am fine. Mujhey kya hoga? Anyways I'll talk to you later"."Right!" smiles Dr. Shalini. Smiling back at her, Captain Rajveer leaves.
Dr. Shalini turns to search Dr. Mishra, that an orderly reaches her with an envelope. "Ma'am ye apke liye aya hai" "Thank you", smiles Dr. Shalini. Giving her a slight bow, the orderly leaves. Noticing that it's a letter from court she gets tensed. She quickly tears the top of the envelope, bringing out the letter, she reads the content.
As she starts to read the letter, her facial muscles tighten, gradually a mixture of nervousness and excitement starts building up inside her. At last a smile reaches her lips and eyes. A smile which is a mixture of happiness, sadness, anger, guilt, relief, joy.
Yudi notices her, standing at a corner. Somehow he feels she needs him right now and only him. Reaching her he holds her hand, taking her by surprise and almost drag her to her room. As they enter the room, Yudi locks the door behind them and asks her,"kya hua Ma'am?'' Unable to bear it anymore, Dr. Shalini hugs him tightly, taking him by surprise and cries hysterically.
At the same time Yudi pulls the letter out of her hand and reads it, while she is still hugging him and crying. Reading the letter behind her back, Yudi too gets emotional.Looking heavenwards he tries to control his emotions. Realizing that she needs him, the most, at this point of the hour, he hugs her tightly letting her to cry her heart out.
He doesn't make any effort to calm her down because he knows she needs to bring out her pent up feelings, frustration, anger, sorrow and this is the only way that she can. And he also knows, understands that right now his job is to comfort her rather than question her and that's exactly what he does.
At the mess Pooja asks Alekh,"Oye qaidi tu ne Naina ko dekha?""Apun abhi tujhse yahich puchne wala tha"."Yaar main to tabse Ali ke saath hi thi""Haan Alekh Bhai hum Pooja ji se kuch zaruri baat kar rahe the""Abey Usool hum jante hain ki tu Pooja se kuch 'zaruri' baat hi kar raha hoga. Waise bhi tujhey fizool mein waqt barbad karna nahi pasand, ye bhi hum sub jante hain", Huda winks Yudi.
Chaubey crosses by the counter of the mess, "Oye Putter sun!" calls Suriji. "Haan Suriji" "Tu mainu ae gal dus ki tu ne jo kal kheer banayi thi, kaise banayi?" "Kyun kya hua Suriji pasand nahi aya kya kisi ko?""Pasand nahi aya hai?Oye khoteya sub ne kal itni baar kheer liya ki pura stock khatam ho gaya, mere liye kheer bacha hi nahi", says a disappointed Suriji. "Ohho Suriji aap tension kyun lete ho, apke liye aur bana dunga special wala, sirf apke liye!" assures Bunty, with a smile. Putting an arm around Bunty's shoulder, Suriji says, "Putter kabhi kabar Suriji ke liye bhi extra sugar daal kar kheer bana diya kar", as he completed this line, Lolita Ma'am clears her throat, standing behind them. Recognizing the voice too well Suriji widens his eyes out of scare and embarrassment before turning to look at her. Then turning, he says,"ahmm... hello ji... Lolita ji..." "Hello Suriji!" , greets Lolita Ma'am, in her strict tone with a fake smile on her face, before asking, "Suriji, kya main puch sakti hun ki aap inse kya baat kar rahe the?", she points towards Chaubey. Chaubey enjoys the scene very much, smiling throughout.
Debate Mansion
14