A holiday! Fragrance! Oh gosh! today, today is holi! How the hell could Naina forget that it's holi today? And this explains where Pooja could be. All must be preparing for the holi celebration. The thought succeeds in giving tickling to her. Unwrapping herself from the blanket, she quickly runs towards the door. But as she was about to unbolt it, she remembers someone - 'Rajveer Sir'! Glancing towards the mirror from where she is standing, she checks out herself. 'No! I won't go like this! No!' she mentally scolds herself. Quickly, she runs towards her wardrobe, fetching a white salwaar kameez she heads towards the bathroom.
"Oye puttar aaj holi special lassi sub ke liye Suriji ki taraf se, hain ji", declares Suriji, standing at his counter, wearing white kurta-pajama along with white turban."Yahoo...!" shouts all the cadets in joy. "Yaar ye holi party kab shuru hogi? Seriously man I am getting restless now!" says Yudi, getting impatient, moving back and forth around the table they have occupied in the mess. "Oye nautanki tujhey kaye ko itni jaldi hai? Shalini Ma'am ne tere saath holi khelne ke liye haan kar dia kya?" asks Alekh, sipping his coffee.
"Did I just hear Dr. Shalini's name?" asks Captain Rajveer, joining them. Alekh gulps the hot coffee, surprised to hear his voice. Turning back, he finds Captain Rajveer approaching him from his behind. As he reaches Alekh, he holds the rod of Alekh's chair, which is touching Alekh's back, and places his right hand on the table, and bends a little to address them all."Happy Holi Sir", wishes Pooja, hoping that this will divert Captain Rajveer's mind and he won't embarrass Alekh. Looking towards Pooja, Captain Rajveer wishes her, "A very happy holi to you Cadet Ghai!" Then he turns back his attention to Alekh, "So Alekh, aap kuch keh rahe the Dr.Shalini ke barey mein?"
"A Sirji kya apse kisi ne kaha hai ki aj aap badey handsome lag rahe hain?" Huda's comment drags Captain Rajveer's attention. "Thank you so much Cadet. I hope main apke barey mein bhi ye keh pata", he replies back keeping a straight face. Pooja tries to hide her laugh but it doesn't miss anyone's eyes, sitting on the table. Captain Rajveer looks at her, trying to control his laugh, seeing her nervous expression.
"Ahmm... Sir hum holi kab khel payenge?" asks Yudi, afraid that if they don't start with another topic, Captain Rajveer might return back to his enquiry. "Well Cadet Yudi, I think kuch hi der mein apko inform kar dia jayega", smiles Captain Rajveer. Taking pity on them he turns to leave. All of them sigh inaudibly. Turning back suddenly, he warns them mildly, "don't think main main topic bhul gaya hun!", winking at them, with a smile on his face, he turns again to leave. This time without turning he asks them, "well I can see you are five! Where is the sixth one?"
"Ahmm.. Sir wo Naina ji apne room mein hain. Unhe aney ka mann nahi kar raha tha" replies Ali. Turning he looks at Ali, creasing his brows. Nervous by the change in his expression, Ali quickly adds, "wo hum Pooja ji ke saath yahan aye hain, tab unse pucha tha Naina ji ke barey mein". Pooja sitting next to Ali glances at them nervously. Ali's nervousness makes Captain Rajveer to smile. "Relax Cadet! Holi pe miltey hain", smiling one last time he leaves.
Soon the holi party starts. Pooja picks up the yellow gulaal from one of the plates being placed on the corner table and runs to Ali. Reaching him from his behind, Pooja rubs the color on his face and shouts over the loud music, "happy holi Ali!" "Pooja ji, aap... aap rukiye hum... hum abhi dikhate hain apko! Chorenge nahi apko!" smiling, he runs to pick a handful of gulal then turning towards her, he starts chasing her."Aa... Ali. Nahi! Main nahi lagaungi colors" shouts Pooja, laughing as she tries to escape from him. "Nahi hum to apko rang laga kar rahenge ab" shouts Ali, laughing, as he runs after her. Soon he gets hold of her hand, dragging her to a corner, Ali puts the color on her face. Smiling, they enjoy an eye lock. Pooja wishes him, "happy holi!", blushing. Ali greets back, "happy holi Pooja ji!" blushing too.
Rajveer enjoys the whole scene between Pooja and Ali, blushing throughout, careful that no one is noticing him. Scanning his surrounding, he asks no one in particular, "kahan ho tum?" He turns to give her a visit in her room. As soon as he turns, his eyes catch her sight. Dressed in the same white suit that she had been wearing to Point 1857, brings back many cherishable memories and as a result a smile creeps onto his lips.
Unconsciously Naina's eyes meet his. The look on his face makes his ulterior motives clear to her. She shakes her head slightly, to stop his approaching steps towards her. But today Rajveer is in no mood to take a 'no' from her. She pleads again gesturing with her eyes, softening them. But it doesn't seem to have any affect on him. After having visited Point 1857, a week ago, this is the first time he has got time to set his eyes on her properly. He wouldn't listen to any excuse of her now. He had been starving to hear her, talking to him privately. He had been craving to touch her blushed cheeks, now that he is getting the opportunity, he'll make her learn how dominant he is!
He walks towards her, taking each step achingly slow, making her to wait, trying to increase her tension.
(Rajveer-Naina tune begins in the background)
Her heartbeat increases with his each step that he takes towards her. She rolls her eyes towards their surrounding, trying to indicate him that they are not alone but in the middle of thousands of people, who know them. But he is in no mood to pay heed to their surrounding today. She starts stepping back, in order to maintain distance from him. Soon she becomes oblivious to her surrounding, his constant gaze succeeds in grabbing all her attention towards him.
She doesn't realize when they enter the premises of KMA main hall and her back touches the pillar. Rajveer places his left hand on the wall, so that he is hovering her. Although he hasn't made any effort to put his right hand on the wall as well to ensure that she is pinned up at the place but he is sure she wouldn't dare to escape him until and unless he permits her. Although they haven't verbally said anything, but they both are mature, they are fully aware how their relationship works. They know who has to dominate the other and when. It's not that it's always Rajveer dominating Naina, he loves to give chance to Naina too, her dominance (when required) makes him feel alive. No one has ever dominated Rajveer, and he certainly enjoys this new feeling.
Rajveer brings out a handful of color off his kurta's pocket, red color. He doesn't end the eye contact, which makes her cheeks to turn crimson red out of shyness. He takes his hand towards her face. As a result Naina's chest moves up and down too fast. As soon as he reaches near her face, Naina whispers,"yahan nahi please... koi dekh lega!" Her eyes, pleading. "To kya hua?" whispers Rajveer. Naina shakes her head, still maintaining the eye contact. "Naina koi nahi hai yahan", Rajveer tries to assure her. But she shakes her head to a 'no' out of shyness and nervousness. Sighing he says, "theek hai, mere room mein chalte hain" "Par sochlo, yahan to fir bhi kisi ke aney ka darr hai, main koi shararat nahi kar raha isliye. Wahan to..." Naina interrupts him quickly, not ready to feel more shy. And her gesture makes him to laugh, but he keeps it under control. "Shararat karna aata hai apko?" asks Naina, mockingly, trying to control her laugh. And her comment was enough to get him determined to make her learn whom she is talking to! Holding her hand, he pulls her with him to his room.
"Arey main mazak kar rahi thi!" says Naina, blushing, as she walks with him towards his room. "Suniye, please apke room mein nahi koi dekh lega", says Naina, nervously. Turning he tells her, "koi na dekh paye isliye mere room mein ja rahe hain". He again starts pulling her with him, "Sir please, yahin rehte hain. Apke room mein nahi please", she pleads. Reaching the door of his room he stops, turning he looks towards Naina, creasing his brows he asks, "waise, I was just wondering, kisi ne dekh bhi lia to kya hoga?" This shocks Naina, she stares him wide eyed. "Ek teacher apne student ke saath holi nahi khel sakta kya?" he asks, acting serious, emphasizing on teacher and student. Listening to his words, Naina's face drops. She becomes serious, she tries to pull away her hand from his hold, her eyes casted downwards.
Realizing how she must be feeling, Rajveer assures her in a low voice, "hey Naina!", he takes his hand towards her cheek in order to put a little color on her face to make her smile. But Naina holds his hand in mid-air, not allowing him to comfort her. Rajveer tries to push her hand to make his way towards her face, none of them utters a single word. The only audible sound is that of the chiming of her bangles as he tries to push her hand away.
Rajveer remains determined to put the color on her face, but Naina gives him a tough fight. This increases the speed of blood flow inside Rajveer's body. Naina seems affected too! When none of them seems to win, Rajveer warns her, "Naina, ya to mujhey ye rang tumhare gaal pe lagane do, ya main ye wahan lagaunga jiske baad tum regret karogi ki tumne mujhey kyun roka!" warning her, Rajveer looks towards her maang. The anticipation of what he could do makes her to shiver. "Please..." she pleads, looking anywhere but into his eyes. "I am serious Naina!" warns Rajveer. "Apko kisne ye haq diya ki aap meri zindagi ka faisla karein?", Naina tries to tease him. And it successfully irks him. But what Naina wasn't prepared for was what follows it! Staring her for sometime, Rajveer pulls her with him towards his room.
Getting into his room he quickly puts the gulaal he had been carrying into a dish, placed on the side table, then bolts the door. Naina keeps standing at the same place, inside his room where he dropped her hand, and notices his each move. After assuring that no one could disturb them, Rajveer turns towards her. Still standing at their place, none of them taking any step towards the other, they enjoy an eye lock!
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune begins in the background)
Ending the eye contact, Rajveer walks towards the side table to get the color. Naina's eyes follow his each step. Picking up a handful of color, Rajveer walks towards Naina, maintaining the eye contact.
Reaching her, he stands in front of her. Naina waits for him to put the color on her face. But to her surprise instead of putting it on her face, Rajveer rubs the color on his face.
He pays attention on the change in her gesture and breathing rate as he does that. He smiles gradually, on noticing her accelerating breathing rate. It confirms that she is remembering exactly what he wants her to remember!
He starts taking steps towards her. And as if it's a reflex action, Naina starts taking backward steps, her eyes glued to his! Rajveer enjoys her vulnerable condition throughout. "Nahi!" she whispers, still continuing with her backward steps. "Kyun?" whispers back Rajveer. Their whispers make Naina's heart to beat at altogether different pace. Her cheeks start burning out of excessive blush, as she remembers the prior situation and the present situation together.
Reaching her, Rajveer wraps his left hand around her waist so that they get the closest to each other. Naina takes her hand behind her to untangle his hold on her waist but instead, they end up tangling her hand to his, which is basically forced by Rajveer than by her! They keep staring each other.
Reaching her left cheek, he rubs his right cheek on it, slowly, unlike the last time! Because today he knows she won't stop him, and he doesn't want to punish her for anything today. He just wants her to enjoy along with him, which at the current moment he knows that she certainly is doing!
In the process, Rajveer could feel her cheeks emitting the heat, which makes him clear about her state. Her legs turn jelly out of excessive emotion. Had it not been Rajveer holding her firmly, she would have collapsed on the floor any moment now. With her other free hand, Naina tries to push him away. The loud sound of the drum beats succeeds in increasing her already racing heartbeats. But of course her strength is nothing in comparison to his!
Straightening himself a bit, Rajveer stares her, all serious. Naina stares back, still engulfed by him. "Koi aa jayega, please mujhey janey dijiye" she pleads in a hushed voice. Rajveer doesn't answer for few moments and keeps staring her. The silence and the stare make the emotions to flow inside them with more force. Reaching her left ear, he whispers, "mujhey phirse 'Point 1857' jana hai! Iss bar Cadet Naina ke saath nahi, meri Naina ke saath". Naina tries to push him away, but Rajveer pushes her back with full force, then resumes, " 'Point 1857' ko 'Point 185'8' ' banney ke liye!"
His last words succeed in striking her at the right place, tears start oozing out of her eyes. By then Rajveer had loosened his hold on her. Naina hugs him tightly and before he could hug her back, Naina tells him, still hugging, "mujhey nahi pata mera iss tarah se apko achanak hug karna apko acha laga ya nahi, par agar acha nahi bhi laga to mujhey koi farak nahi parhta! Ab main apni feelings aur nahi chupaungi!" Her words succeed in making him emotional too, he hugs her tightly. They both enjoy the feel of each other, their eyes closed. They both try to figure out the heartbeat of one-another, over the loud music.
After some moments, they get away from each other. "Chalein?" asks Rajveer, smiling. Smiling back, Naina nods her head to a 'yes'. Holding hands, like teenaged lovers they head to join others.
As they reach there, Naina tries to let go off his hold. But without looking towards her, Rajveer tightens his hold. His eyes checking out what's going on in front. He enjoys looking at people enjoying holi. A smile comes on his lips, knowing that Naina is staring him and wants him to look back at her, so that she could make him understand that she wants him to let go off the hold. But that is exactly what he doesn't want!
Realizing that Pooja is heading towards them, Naina tells Rajveer, nervously, "Pooja aa rahi hai" "Haan to?" asks Rajveer, raising his right brow, with a smile on his face. Naina looks at Rajveer, nervously."Mera abhi kisi ko kuch bhi batane ka irada nahi hai" blushes Naina. Her comment makes him to laugh. In between his laugh, he asks, "kya... kya batane ka... kya batane ka shok nahi hai Cadet Singh apko?" as he asks this, Pooja reaches them, Naina quickly gets away from him.
"Naina tu yahan kya kar rahi hai? Chal na!" shouts Pooja over the loud music to make herself audible. "Aur ye kya... tujhey kisi aur ne rang laga dia mujhse pehle!" says Pooja, disappointment evident in her voice. Naina and Rajveer stare each other. Where on one hand Naina feels embarrassed and blushed, there on the other hand Rajveer stays calm as if it's just another casual chat between two friends. Unable to understand how should she reply, she starts explaining any how, "ahmm... Pooja wo..." "Haan Cadet Singh ye kya, apko Pooja se pehle kisi aur ne rang laga dia?" intervenes Rajveer, creasing his brows to show his disappointment and towards Naina in front of Pooja and simultaneously he controls his laughter. Naina gives him a warning look and tries to control her own laughter and blush simultaneously.
Realizing that it's not a good time to stare at Rajveer, Naina starts explaining again, "Haan wo..." but before she could explain herself, Pooja gets drenched with colored water. And all the three - Pooja, Naina and Rajveer go motionless, trying to understand and accept what just happened! Suddenly Huda and Alekh shout from the first floor of KMA building, "Happy Holi Pooja!" and Rajveer and Naina burst out into a laugh.
Looking up towards Alekh and Huda, Pooja points her index finger towards them and warns them, "ab dekhna tum dono ke connection aj maine kaat nahi diye to mera naam bhi Pooja nahi!" At this Huda replies back, laughing, "Abey oye Punjaban pehle tu humein akar pakad to sahi, fir dekhte hain kon kiska connection kaat ta hai!" teases Huda.Listening to his words Alekh turns towards Huda, laughing, he says, "solid bola Huda!" and gives him a high five! Then turning back to address Pooja, Alekh says, "Waise Pooja, madad karein kya apun dono? Acha ye bata de apun dono neechey ayein ya tu upar aa reli hai?" teases Alekh, laughing. Pooja glares at him. "Nahi wo ab tujhey aisi halat mein yahan aane mein dikkat agar hui to..." Pooja doesn't let Alekh to complete his line and runs inside with a motive to catch him.
Naina turns to address Rajveer, "to aap kya keh rahe the?" she asks. "Kya keh raha tha?" asks Rajveer, hiding his laugh, though fully aware of what she is talking about. "Kuch aisa ki subse pehle Pooja ko mujhey color lagana chahiye tha!" she reminds him, stepping towards him."Haan chahiye to tha!" jokes Rajveer. "Main tabse keh rahi thi ki mujhey janey di jiye aur aap mujhey janey nahi de rahe the" she says, stepping towards Rajveer. Rajveer steps back, enjoying the turn over of the event."Haan to?" he controls his laugh, as he steps behind. Rajveer doesn't realize that there is a small pool specially made for the day, filled with colored water, he trips and falls into it!Naina laughs out loud, "at last mission accomplished! Aur lijiye mujhse panga"!
"Naina..." , he shouts.After enjoying the scene for sometime, Naina forwards her hand towards him, "aayiye bahar aa jaiye, issey pehle ke koi dekh le!" laughing a little, Naina forwards her hand towards him. But feeling angry at being humiliated, Rajveer turns his face, not ready to accept any help, his face burning with anger.
Getting up he looks towards Naina and in anger he says, "Thank you so much! Mujhey apna dhyan rakhna aata hai!" Staring her for sometime in anger, Rajveer walks away. "Arey main to mazak kar rahi thi!" shouts Naina after him. "Oh god! Iss mein gussa hone wali konsi baat hai?" asks Naina to no one in particular, after he leaves in anger. "Yein mere saath jab marzi jaise marzi mazak kar sakte hain par maine agar thoda mazak kar dia to gussa ho gaye?" feeling irritated and slightly sorry as well, Naina shakes her head in frustration.
Captain Rajveer was standing at a corner, his arms crossed, looking at the cadets and faculty members enjoying holi, when Dr. Mishra wearing a white saree reaches him. "Happy Holi Captain!" she wishes him. "Happy Holi Dr. Mishra!", Captain Rajveer wishes her back with a smile. Picking up a pinch of green color from a plate, Dr. Mishra puts it on his face and keeps staring him. Smiling and lowering his eyes, as a method to end the eye contact with Dr. Mishra, Captain Rajveer picks up a pinch of red color from the plate kept on his just right and rubs it on her face, trying to make the procedure as quick as possible! But unfortunately Naina's eyes were quicker! They successfully catch the scene of exchange of colors between the duo. And that was enough to set her blood to boiling. 'Skin to skin touch', the thought comes unbidden into her mind!
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune begins in the background as Naina stares at them, jealoused)
"Oye Phoolan tu yahan kya kar rahi hai?" asks Huda, reaching her. Naina turns to look at him, "ahmm... kuch nahi Huda. Bus aise hi" smiles Naina. "Arey to aa na holi khelte hain", says Huda, smiling."Alright!", it is all she says that Huda pulls her with him. Reaching another table, he picks up a handful of color and rubs it on her face, Naina reciprocates the gesture.
Rajveer pays his full attention to the proceedings, careful, that Naina doesn't catch him staring them! Or her specifically, with pinches of too much possessiveness and jealousy in his eyes. Suddenly, Huda picks up a bucket of colored water with a motive to drench Naina. "Huda nahi!" laughs Naina, as she runs to escape from him.
Huda chases her and as he reaches at a favourable distance, he throws the colored water on her. "Huda!" she laughs. "Kya tu bhi!" she scolds him mildly, on getting slightly irritated. Huda throws away the bucket and walks towards her, his eyes indicating all the wrong motives of his, but Naina doesn't notice any of it as she remains indulged in adjusting her now drenched duppatta. Rajveer turns his hand into a fist as he notices Huda stepping towards Naina. He knows they are friends, just friends and never before today had he felt jealous on seeing them together. But somehow today Huda's each step towards Naina succeeds in building a hatred towards Huda.
Rajveer's feet move towards them in their own accord but suddenly something comes to his mind and he stops abruptly. 'Agar tumhe khud koi farak nahi parhta, ye sub kuch galat nahi lagta, to main bhi tumhe nahi rokunga!' Giving them a last look - anger and disgust visible in his eyes, Rajveer goes away.
Naina's eyes fall on Suriji and a smile comes on her face. Quickly she reaches him leaving Huda behind. "Suriji!" she calls him sweetly, with too much affection. "Oye puttar happy holi!" shouts Suriji over the loud music, his face reflecting his happiness. "Happy holi Suriji!" greeting him with a smile, Naina bends down to apply color to his feet, as a gesture of respect. But Suriji holds her before she could reach his feet."Oye na na Puttar betiyan na pair nahi chutin, galey lagti hain, galey" says Suriji, patting his chest, implying her to hug him, smiling. Smiling wholeheartedly Naina hugs him. Seeing Naina, others also follow the suit.
****
Reaching his room, Rajveer quickly changes and leaves for the games room. Reaching the games room, he unbuttons his shirt and throws it at a corner. He walks towards a wooden table, wearing his dark blue inner.
Placing his palms on the wooden table, he stretches his body behind and starts doing push ups. On the first push up, he remembers Naina smiling at Huda. Thinking about this, his muscle cells tightens. On the second turn, he remembers Huda pulling her along to play holi. He creases his brows as he remembers this. On the third round, his mind shifts to Naina who happily agrees to play holi with Huda. He thinks, 'nahi Naina aisa nahi karegi!' and shakes his head to a 'no!' in anger. On the fourth push up, he remembers how Huda rubbed the color on her face! The workout was already leading to the increase in the speed of his heartbeats, and his latest thought makes his heart to beat at altogether a different level. Then on the fifth push up, he remembers how she refused to take his help when he extended his hand to her! 'Thank you so much, mujhey apna dhyan rakhna aata hai!' She could get so close to Huda but refused to take Rajveer's help! How could she?
"Kaisa hai Raj?" asks Naveen. His voice drags Raj's attention. He stands up immediately, drenched in sweat. "Naveen!" he exclaims, knitting his eyes, seeing his best friend after so so long! His heartbeat picks up pace on seeing Naveen. He needs to tell him a lot of things, he needs to ask him so many questions, he needs so many answers, he is craving to hear him properly, hug him, fight with him over stupid things, laugh with him, cry with him. But the only thing he ends up doing is hugging his best friend tightly. Out of too many emotions brewing inside him, it becomes difficult for Raj to choose which should he show first, therefore he ends up hugging him as he knows it's the best gesture to make him understand all his feelings. Naveen smiles as Raj hugs him.
But before Naveen could wrap his arm around Raj, Raj gets back, still holding on Naveen's arms. With too much affection he stares at Naveen. Raj's eyes brim with tears. "Main theek hun! Tu kaisa hai mere dost?" asks Raj in a hurry, trying to speak his each line as quickly as possible, so that he doesn't miss this opportunity and could tell him all his heart's content!
Instead of answering, Naveen keeps staring Raj with a little smile on his face. Raj, too much excited on seeing his best friend after such a long time, stares him back with watery eyes. Still holding him by his arms, Raj asks Naveen, "aise kya dekh raha hai?" Smiling, Naveen asks casually, "tu yahan kya kar raha hai Raj?" "Yaar main wo..." he starts, looking towards his left, still holding Naveen. Then he turns to look at Naveen, slowly and finds him smiling.
Feeling shy and embarrassed, Raj places his right palm on Naveen's right cheek, with a mixture of smile and laugh on his face, Raj tells him, "Pagle wo teri behn hai. Aisa kuch nahi hai!" Although when he starts with his explanation, he looks into Naveen's eyes, but as he reaches 'aisa kuch nahi hai' he casts his eyes downwards automatically. Still maintaining the smile, Naveen pricks him by saying, "agar kuch nahi hai, to tu yahan kyun aa gaya? Ja na jakar subke saath Holi khel!" Raj looks back at Naveen, sheepishly. Crossing his arms, Naveen acts to think, then says, creasing his brows "Oh han! Jahan tak mujhey yaad hai tu ne to mere aur Abhi ke janey ke baad Holi khelni chor di thi na? Fir aaj kaise?..." he asks, knowing that Raj will definitely understand what he is trying to tell and ask him. Looking elsewhere, leaving his hold on Naveen, Raj pleads him, feeling guilty, "Naveen please yaar..." "Main uska... main uska mentor hun yaar. Main sirf... main sirf uske upar koi aanch nahi aney dena chahta. Isliye... isliye..." . Still maintaining his smile, Naveen pricks him, "isliye tu ussey Huda ke saath nahi dekh paya! Right?" Raj looks at him feeling guilty.
Laughing a little, Naveen sits on a side bench and hangs his head down, still laughing quietly. Joining the tips of his fingers, placing his joined hands horizontally in mid-air, he asks, "Kissey bhaag raha hai Raj tu?" Thinking for sometime, deciding something mentally, Raj answers, "ye galat hai! Wo teri behn hai, meri student. Nahi! Nahi aisa nahi ho sakya, main aisa nahi kar sakta", says Raj, at last making a decision. "Ek minute, ek minute!" says Naveen, pointing his index finger, creasing his brows, "kya kaha tu ne? Wo meri behn hai, teri student, right?" asks Naveen. Raj stares him, his brows creased, unable to understand what is he trying to imply. Sighing, Naveen says, "hmm... exactly, yahi to main kehna chahta hun, ki wo pehle meri behn hai fir teri student! Meri behn, yani tere dost ki behn. Ab bata konsa rishta pehle juda tera uske saath?"
Looking towards Naveen, he repeats his words again, "main bus uss par koi aanch nahi aane dena chahta!" Smirking, Naveen says, "fir uske saath 'Point 1857'..." as Naveen mentions the name of the place, the whole demeanor of Raj changes. He feels and looks guilty. Smiling, Naveen continues, "I mean 'Point 185'8'", he emphasizes on '8', eyeing Raj, "kyun gaya?" asks Naveen, hiding his blush as he asks him the question. "Mana kyun nahi kar diya Raj tu ne wahan janey se? Jab hum students the, tab to koi ladki tujhey wahan janey ke liye convince nahi kar payi, to Naina ki baat kaise maan li tu ne?" asks Naveen. Raj turns away, not having the guts to face Naveen. "Usne zid kia tha yaar" Raj tries to make an excuse, looking anywhere but at Naveen. "Tu kabse dusro ke pressure mein aney laga Raj?" asks Naveen. Raj stays silent. Placing his hand on Raj's shoulder, Naveen tells him, "Dekh Raj, Naina tujh par trust karti hai. Wo sirf tujh par bharosa karti hai".Looking towards Naveen, with a concerned look on his face, Raj tells him, holding Naveen by his arms, "main janta hun Naveen! Aur isliye main uske trust ka koi faida nahi uthana chahta""Believe me yaar! Believe me!" pleads Raj.
Smiling, Naveen tells him, "I believe you Raj! I believe you!" Folding his arms, Naveen asks him, "lekin fir tu itne gusse mein kyun hai, Huda aur Naina ko ek saath dekh kar?" "Kis baat se bhaag raha hai tu Raj?" as Naveen asks this, Raj looks back towards Naveen, all serious. Turning away from Naveen, in frustration and jealousy, Raj accepts, shouting out loud, "yahi ki... ki main teri behn se pyar karta hun!" Turning to face him, he starts, "lekin..." but realizes that there is no one, but him in the playroom, alone! His heart starts beating in altogether a different pace, fast, too fast. But gradually it returns back to it's normal speed, as if he is relaxed after confessing his feelings to someone that too to Naveen. Looking in front of him with teary eyes, he says, "shayad karne laga hun!" Then staring heavenwards, he continues, "wakayi karne laga hun!" "I am sorry Naveen!" he apologizes. "Pata nahi kab aur kaise!" Closing his eyes tightly, Rajveer shakes his head.
"Kya karne lagey hain?" Naina's question startles Rajveer. He turns to look towards the door of the games room. Seeing Naina standing there makes him both nervous and also swells his heart out of too much love for her! But suddenly he remembers why he is here, her closeness with Huda, the scene flashes in front of his eyes and he turns away from her, out of jealousy and anger. His face blazing with fresh anger on remembering the incident. He doesn't answer to her question.
Picking up the towel, he starts wiping himself. Naina gets inside, nervously, "kya hua? Aap kuch bol kyun nahi rahe? Aur aap yahan kyun aa gaye? Aur holi nahi kheli apne?" Smirking, still wiping himself, he says, "Tumhe kya farak parhta hai?" Then with a pinch of jealousy in his voice, he acts as if he has suddenly remembered, "Oh han, main to puchna hi bhul gaya, kaisi rahi tumhari holi, Huda k saath?" He says the last words 'Huda ke saath' with too much bitterness in his voice. Those words does exactly what he wanted! Makes her feel exactly what he wanted her to feel!
"Aap aise kyun keh rahe hain?" she asks, scared on witnessing an angry Rajveer. "Oh! Sorry Naina, bura laga ki maine Huda ke barey mein aisa kaha?" asks Rajveer, spewing venom in his words. Tear threatens to fall off her eyes, but she controls herself any how. Taking a deep breath she questions back, instead of answering, "kyun, apko bura laga mujhey Huda ke saath dekh kar?" Rajveer stares back at her, jealousy and anger visible in his eyes. "But I wonder apko waqt mila kaise? Kitne occupied the aap Dr. Mishra ke saath!" and suddenly he understands why she was behaving the way she was! The realization makes him to relax his creased brows and a smile stretches on her lips. His eyes, which were bearing anger for her, suddenly gets filled with love and immense love!
Smiling, he asks her, in a hushed voice, "to tum isliye Huda ke saath thi, kyunki main... main Dr. Mishra...?" Laughing wholeheartedly, as if to bring out his pent up anger and frustration, he says, "I don't believe this!" Naina stares at him, feeling offended. "Oh God!" he says, looking heavenwards, then looks towards Naina, his eyes blazing with too much affection for her.
(Rajveer-Naina happy tune begins in the background)
Moving towards her, looking at her intently, throughout, Rajveer whispers, "Naina!" She looks up into his eyes. And the look into her eyes are enough to explain her feelings to him. In fraction of seconds, Rajveer moves forth to feel the softness of her lips on his! The mixed feeling of jealousy, anger, possessiveness and a demand and also the wait, makes it both painful and enjoyable.
Soon after they end their precious contact. Getting a little away from her, Rajveer waits for her to look into his eyes. As she does that with all the world's shyness, a satisfactory smile comes on Rajveer's face which makes Naina to blush and smile too! And Rajveer wraps her into a warm hug and confesses to her, "ye meri life ki best holi hai!"
His words bring a satisfactory smile on her face, as she hugs him back tightly. "Meri bhi!" she whispers. Her confession makes him to feel even more happy. They wish each other together, "Happy Holi!" and laugh! "And I really hope jis tarah aaj apko baat samjhane mein main successful hui hun, future mein bhi apko kisi baat ko samjhane mein mujhey apko zada convince na karna parhe!" says Naina nervously. "Oh wo to mushkil lagta hai" says Rajveer. Getting a little away from him but still wrapped by his arms, creasing her brows Naina asks, "kyu?" "Kyunki jab mujhey gussa aa jaye to itna asaan nahi hai mujhey manana" says Rajveer, smiling. "To fir aaj aap kaise man gaye?" asks Naina. Smiling he replies, "oh aj tumhe baksh dia!" "Acha? And why so?" asks Naina, smiling. "Hmm.. Well lemme think hmm... that's because... Because it's Holi!"
---THE END---
Jhanak
14