Chapter 14
"Maine kaha tha tujhe, Sirji ko bulane Phoolan ko mat bhej. Dekh, Time hone ko hain aur woh dono ka abhi tak kuch pata nahin." Huda shouts at Aalekh, feeling irritated.
"Aapun sorry hain Huda." Aalekh accepts his mistake guiltily and continues, "Aapun ko laga issi bahane dono ko thoda samay bhi saath mil jaayega, waise toh har time aapun sab saathich toh hote hain unke." He stares at his friends. "Iss Naina ki toh. Aane de usse ab. Aapun dekh lega usse. Iske karan aaj iss dedshane ko sorry bolna pada aapun ko." Aalekh mutters to himself.
"Kuch kaha tune Aalekh?" asks Huda suspected. Aalekh shakes his head in quick succession innocently.
"Tu bhi naa qaidi, tujhe bhi galat time pe galat phone mein message bhejne ki aadat ho gayi hain. Agar yeh dono missed calls time pe nahin aaye toh..? Asks Pooja not specifically to anyone.
"... toh kya? Pure plan ka band baj jaayega." Answers Yudi.
"Aap sab shaant ho jaiye. Waise bhi woh dono time pe nahin aaye toh bhi jo hona hain woh hokar rahega. Aaj waqt kisi ke liye rukne wala nahin hain." Ali says while calming them all.
"Phir bhi Ali, Rajveer sir needs to be here today. Main Naina ko call karta hun." While saying Yudi has already dialed Naina's number.
"Koi fayda nahin." Says Aalekh and everyone looks at him. "Naina apna phone idhrich chodke gayeli hain. Woh dekho." He ushers them to the direction of dining table.
Pooja smacks herself on her head. All feel frustrated now. They are thinking of some another way when Ali says, "Naina apna phone yahan bhul gayi hain. Rajveer sir ko humne naya mobile gift kiya hain. Toh iss ka matlab hain ke ab unke pass bhi mobile hain. Woh jarur leke gaye honge."
"arrey haan." Pooja almost shouts in excitement. "Main toh bhul hi gayi thi ke ab Shahrukh ke pass bhi mobile hain. Dekha mere raanjhe ka kamal. Oye, Yudie tu dekh kya raha hain, Shahrukh ko phone laga aur Naina se connection mila."
All sigh in unison at Pooja's over-excitement. Yudi dials Rajveer's number muttering,"yaa man".
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Rajveer and Naina are seating there holding each other tightly, inhaling each other's scent and relishing each other's warm embrace when Rajveer's phone starts ringing. Not breaking their precious hug, he takes out his phone out of his pocket by one hand unwillingly and sees at the caller's name. The screen flashes Yudi's number.
Feeling irritated by this disturbance, even Naina opens her eyes and looks at his mobile screen. As she sees Yudi's name at screen, she bites her tongue and shuts her eyes tightly. "Naina, tera kuch nahin ho sakta. Aaj yeh log tujhe chodenge nahin. Tu kaise bhul sakti hain ke tu yahan kis kaam ke liye aayi thi." She mutters to herself when Rajveer picks up the call.
"Haan. Bolo Yudi." Answers Rajveer.
"Woh Sir.." but before Yudi would say anything to Rajveer, Naina snatches mobile from Rajveer and says, "Haan Yudi. Hum aa rahe hain."
"Par Naina..." again he couldn't say anything as she already cuts the call.
Rajveer looks at Naina quizzically. Whatever just happen, he doesn't understand anything. Yudi called, spoke nothing but Naina has understood everything. Naina understands what he wants to ask.
"Aise kya dekh rahe hain aap mujhe? Humein wapas bulane ke liye phone kiya tha. Chaliye." Naina informs him while standing and wiping the soil from her dress.
"Yudi ne kuch bhi nahin kaha or to be specific, tumne usse kuch bhi kehne nahin diya aur phir bhi tum samajh gayi ke usse kya kehna tha?" Asks Rajveer still seating on the rock.
"Har baat analyse karna jaruri hain? Issi liye aap ko intelligence department diya tha army ne." Rajveer laughs hearing this. Naina pouts but then blushes while remembering something.
Rajveer observes her amusingly. "Ab kya hua?" he asks again.
"Woh kuch nahin... Hua yeh tha ke Aalekh ko aapse kuch kaam tha toh usne mujhe aapko bulane bheja tha aur main yahan aake.." She doesn't complete her sentence.
Now reality dawns upon Rajveer and he smiles. "Aur tum bhul gayi. Waise kya main puch sakta hun ke tum mujhe yeh batana kaise aur kyun bhul gayi? Just asking kyunki jitna mujhe yaad hain Naina Ah Singh toh kabhi kuch nahin bhulti." Says Rajveer cocking his head at one side and blinking at her. Now he seats more relaxing on the rock while waiting for an answer from her.
Here Naina who is already getting late, listening his words widens her eyes. She was not expecting this question, atleast not from Rajveer because she knows very well that once she reaches home her friends are going to ask her same question and that too not so calmly but angrily. And now she has no answer to give to Rajveer nor to her friends. She calms herself down and says, "Iss ka jawab main aapko jarur dungi. Achhese explain karungi but abhi nahin. Abhi chaliye sab wait kar rahe hain."
She holds his hand and pulls him to her in order to make him stand. He doesn't want to leave from there. So instead of making him stand, Naina lands on him because of the jerk which he just gives to her hand. He holds her protectively by her waist. They stare at each other. He places her hair tendrils back to her ear.
"Nahin chalna mujhe yahanse Naina. Yahan kitna achha lag raha hain. Khuli hawaa hain. Chaand apni chaandni ke saath aasmaan mein hain aur meri zindagi mere baahon mein hain. Mujhe ab wapas uss kamre mein nahin jaana. Main bore ho gaya hun."
Listening to his words, Naina gives him one emotional smile and kisses his cheek. He closes his eyes to feel the touch of her on him. Naina looks at him. "Kya pata, abhi toh zindagi aapke baahon mein hain, agar abhi mere saath aap aa gaye toh shayad kadmon mein hogi." She winks at him.
Rajveer opens his eyes and looks at her shockingly, "Kya karnewali ho tum Naina?" he asks while getting little afraid. She laughs at his state. "Arrey, aap ki ek hi zindagi thodi naa hain." replies Naina.
Observing confused face of Rajveer, she says, "Chodiye mujhe aur chaliye mere saath. Saare sawalon ke jawab mil jaayenge." Reluctantly he leaves her and gets up from that rock after Naina. He sighs looking at her. She easily figures out that how reluctant he is to leave the place at this moment. Holding his hand in her she smiles and directs him to their goal.
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Yudi sighs and cuts the call while shaking his head. Everyone is staring him creasing their eyebrows. He looks at them. "What? Aise kyun dekh rahe ho?" he asks.
"Abbe Yudie, tujhe bhi samajh aaya ke tu kya bola? Waise sach kaha jaaye toh tu kuch bhi nahin bola. Bhul gaya kya baaware ke tune sirji ko kyun phone kiya tha?" asks Huda.
"Yes bro. Mujhe acchese yaad hain. Par tumhari woh Phoolan devi mujhe kuch bolne de tab naa." Yudi gives them one frustrated look.
"Sir ka phone Naina ne uthaya?" Asks Pooja.
"Nahin. Phone Sir ne hi pick kiya par Naina ne naa mujhe kuch kehne diya naa unko. Bas kaha ke hum aa rahe hain." explains Yudi.
"Aapun ko lagta hain Naina pakka bhul gayi hogi aur tera number dekh ke usse yaad aaya hoga." Aalekh explains them what might have happened,
"Yes Chief. Even I am thinking so." Yudi supports his doubt.
"Toh ab?" asks Pooja.
"Ab kya Punjaban, aa jayenge woh log. Hum hamara show nahin miss karenge." Says Huda getting up from the sofa to switch on the TV.
"Haan Huda bhai. Aaj ka din hum sabke liye bada din hain. Bas Naina Sir ko leke waqt pe pahonch jaaye."says Ali looking at the open door of house.
Huda switches on the TV and changes it to the news channel. Since last many days they are planning for this day, this moment and now they are waiting eagerly. They are turning their gazes from door to TV screen and vice versa at every mini second.
"Guys, hum logone jaisa plan kiya hain waisa hoga naa sab?" Yudi asks biting his nails.
"Oye Yudi, tu kyun har baar last minute pe call cut kar deta hain. Chinta mat kar. Hamara call achhese connect bhi hoga aur koi cross connection bhi nahin hoga." States Pooja in her own way.
"Haan Yudi. Ab kuch ulta ho hi nahin sakta. Tu kayeko fikra karta hain. Jabse hamare Sir wapas aayele hain sab kuch achha hi toh ho raha hain. Aage bhi hoga." Declares Aalekh.
"Lo yaaron. Yeh bulletin toh shuru ho gaya. Yeh Phoolan kahan reh gayi?" he gazes at the door impatiently when he sees Rajveer and Naina entering. "Jaldi aa Phoolan." He almost shouts at her.
They enter in living room when Rajveer notices that they all are busy in watching TV. "Kya baat hain? Humein phone karke bula liya aur tum sab ko ab humari taraf dekhne ko bhi time nahin hain." he says annoyingly.
"Sir, please aap abhi kuch mat boliye. Yahan baithiye aur humein join kijiye. Aaiye." Ali orders Rajveer while ushering him to take seat beside Aalekh.
"Kya din aa gaye hain Rajveer. Yeh log tujhe order de rahe hain." he mutters to himself but Aalekh hears him and turns to look at him. Looking his eyes at him Rajveer quickly takes his seat and turns his gaze at TV screen.
"Arre waa. Kya baat hain. Aaj sports chodke news channel dekha jaa raha hain. Tum log toh..." But he leaves his sarcasm in middle when he sees his photo on TV screen with the bulletin name, "We want his RESPECT back!"
He looks at them astonishingly while they smile back reassuringly and ushers him to watch. He turns his attention again to the screen. He can see Brig. Chandok and another army officer are there in news room as today's guest. He tries to recollect where he had seen this other officer when he realizes that he was the judge of his trial.
The journalist is saying,
"Aaj pure 5 din ho gaye hain Internet pe yeh petition launch huye. "We want his RESPECT back!" Hum apne darshakon ko batana chaahte hain ke yahi hain woh petition jo Manniya Rashtrapatiji ko ki gayi hain internet ke jariye. Yeh petition ek maang hain. Kisiski zindagi lautane ki maang, kisika sab kuch lautane ki maang. Ek fauji jo apna sab kuch desh ko samarpit kar deta hain kya usse hum uska samaan wapas nahin de sakte jo galtise hum ne chin lia tha? Kya uss galti ko sudhara nahin jaa sakta? Ek fauji ke liye uska uniform, uske medals, uski rank hi uska sab kuch hoti hain. Yahi unki zindagi hoti hain. Toh Kya hum Rajveer Singh Shikhawat ko unki zindagi lauta nahin sakte?"
Rajveer turns to looks at Naina meaningfully. She smiles back understanding his gaze. They again turn themselves attentively to TV screen. Reader says further,
"Yahi karan hain ke yeh petition banayi gayi. Aur Bharat ki janta ne aaj iss petition se ek naya itihaas racha hain. Yeh petition aaj tak ki sabse jyada sign ki gayi petition hain aur woh bhi sirf 5 dinno mein. Pura Bharat apne sainik ke liye nyay ki maang kar raha hain. Dedh saal pehle Col. Shakti Chandra ke murder ke iljaam mein Rajveer Singh Shikhawat ka court-martial kiya gaya tha. Lekin uske kuch hi mahino ke baad yeh sabit ho gaya ke Rajveer Singh Shikhawat nirdosh the. Phir abhi tak Army ne unhe unki uniform, unke medals, unki rank kyun nahin lautayi? Brig. Chandok maine suna hain ke Rajveer Kanchunjunga Military Academy mein jab se cadet the tab se aap unhe jaante hain. Unka court-martial bhi aap hi ne kiya tha. Jab Late Captain Naveen Singh Aahluwaliya nirdosh saabit huye tabhi Rajveer Singh Shikhawat bhi. Toh agar Captain Naveen ko unka samaan wapas diya jaa sakta hain toh Rajveer Singh Shikhawat ko kyun nahin?"
"Dekhiye, Captain Naveen ki baat alag thi. Unhe jo kuch bhi mila woh marnoprant, mera matlab hain posthumously mila. Lekin Rajveer Shikhawat missing in action hain..." Journalist interrupts Brig. Chandok and asks, "Iska matlab agar sainik ki maut nahin hogi toh woh samman ke patra nahin. Does he not eligible to enjoy his right?"
"Mera matlab woh nahin tha. But uss samay hamare pass declare karne ke liye kuch tha bhi nahin." Accepts Brig.
"Aap hi ne Rajveer Singh Shikhawat ke trial ka judgement diya tha." Journalist now turns to the Colonel. "Toh kya aap maante hain ke uss trial ke judgement mein army court se galti hui?"
"Haan. I present my sincere apology. Sirf mere taraf se nahin toh pure army court ke taraf se. aur humne yeh dedh saal pehle bhi bata diya tha ke humse galti hui thi. Dono trials mein." Col. Says.
"Toh kya ab Rajveer Singh Shikhawat ko unka respect wapas nahin diya jaayega?" he asks them.
"Humne aisa toh nahin kaha." Col replies.
Journalist gives both of them an understanding look and turns to look at camera. Army ki side toh humne jaan li ab waqt aa gaya hain unka paksh sunne ka jinhone yeh petition file karke saare desh ko ek kiya hain."
Rajveer who has been watching this bulletin without blinking his eyes asks suddenly, "Kisne file ki thi yeh petition? Tum sab ne?" this question breaks reverie of all. They look at him. "Haan bhi aur nahin bhi." Replies Aalekh. "Matlab?" Rajveer asks again.
"Matlab Aalekh kehna chahta hain ke idea toh hamara tha lekin petition file humne nahin balki..." Naina was going to complete her sentence when they hear their names on TV screens and watch them coming in news room. They all again turn their attention at TV screen.
"Aapka bahot swagat hain Mr.Malhotra aur Mr.Khurana. Toh aap hain jinhone Rajveer Singh ke liye yeh petition file ki hain. Aap dekh hi rahe honge ke aaj pura desh aapke saath khada hain. Kya kehna chahenge aap aur kya rishta hain aapka Rajveer Singh Shikhawat ke saath?"
"Pehle toh hum hamare desh ki janta ko shukriya kehte hain. Humein iss baat ki behad khushi hain ke pura desh ek sainik ke samman ki raksha mein hamare saath hain."Malhotra dadaji joints his hands in-front of camera while thanking the nation and then he turns to look at the reader and continues, "Hamara Rajveer bete ke saath kya rishta hain yeh toh hum aapko samjha nahin paayenge par yun samajh lijiye ke woh hamare liye hamara beta hain." Rajveer's eyes brim with tears when he listens Malhotra dadaji's words.
"Humne aazadi ki ladhai dekhi hain. Uss mein bhag bhi liya hain. Badi qurbaniyon ke baad mili hain Bharat ko uski yeh aajadi aur aaj tak tiki hain kyunki seema par hamare jawan desh ki raksha kar rahe hain. aur yahi soch kar hum chain ki neend sote hain. Woh jawan hamara ghar, pariwar, bachhe, dost sab chodke wahan hain kyunki unhe bharosa hain ke unke baad unke saath yaa unke pariwar ke saath koi anyay nahin hoga. Ek bharosa, trust hain jiske sahaare woh sab kuch jhel lete hain... goli bhi." Malhotra dadaji speaks without even taking a breath. Thus he is breathing heavily. The unsaid anger and concern for his country one can see in his eyes. The reader offers him a glass of water. Khurana dadaji puts hand on his shoulder and reassures him and continues where Malhotra dadaji left.
"Captain Naveen aur Rajveer ke saath jo hua usse kahin soldiers ka vishwas iss system se uth naa jaaye. Hamare desh ke har soldier ko yeh pata hona chahiye ke pura desh unke saath hain. unke adhikaron ki raksha yahan ho rahi hain. Aur isiliye hum chahte hain ke Army apni ki hui galti sudhare aur apna adhura kaam pura kare. Rajveer bete ko unka samaan wapas kar de."
The newsreader looks at them and then turns his gaze at officers.
"Hum bata nahin sakte Sir ke civilians ka hum pe upar bharosa aur hamare liye yeh concern jaan ke hum kitna jyada satisfaction feel kar rahe hain. Ultimately, that's what needs one soldier. Trust of his fellow countrymen! Aapne bilkul sach kahan ke apni zindagi ke badle hum bas samaan mangte hain. Ek uniform ki ahemiyat main jaanta hun. Even I am a soldier." Brig. Chandok thanks them.
"Aur sach kahun toh humein bas aapse milna tha aur pure desh ke saamne yeh jaanana tha ke yeh petition kisne aur kyun file ki hain isiliye hum iss programme mein aaye. Hamare superiors ke order the ke aaj hum yahan participate kare." Speaks Col.
"Hum aapke bahot aabhari hain jo aap aaj aayein. Par kya iss petition ki jo maang hain woh puri hogi? Will he get back his respect?" asks reader.
"Iss sawal ka jawab dene se pehle main inn se kuch puchna chahta hun. May I?" asks Brig.
"Please go ahead." Permits the reader.
"Rajveer Singh Shikhawat ke innocent prove hone ke itne mahine baad aapne yeh petition file ki. Aap army ke pass sidhe bhi aa sakte the. Aapne yeh raasta kyun chuna? Koi khass wajah?" Asks Brig.
"Pehle toh humne intezaar kiya. Humein laga ke army khud hi apne soldier ko woh samaan de degi jiska woh haqdaar hain. Jab aisa nahin hua toh humein yeh raasta chunana pada. Woh kya hain naa Brigadier saahab, hamare yahan ek aadmi ko koi puchta nahin hain. aur ab iss umra mein kahan hum aapke offices mein chakkar marte rehte." Malhotra dadaji taunts them and smirks.
"Aur ek karan hain." Khurana dadaji continues, "Hum hamare jawano ko yeh batana chahte hain ke hum hamesha unke saath hain. Unka desh kabhi bhi unke saath kuch bhi galat nahin hone dega. Aur Waise bhi Rajveer beta wapas aata toh kya aap sab kuch aasani se lauta dete? Without any procedures?"
"Nahin. Agar Rajveer Singh wapas aate hain toh inquiry hogi kyunki bhale hi woh uss case mein innocent the but custody se toh woh bhaage the." Col. explains the regular procedure.
Hearing this Rajveer shuts his eyes tightly and smiles. He was expecting this. He knows all the military procedures very well on the other hand, others are watching the debate shockingly. They have not expected this. They have no idea that Rajveer would have to face one inquiry. They are listening what dadaji is saying holding their breath.
"Sab sach jaante huye bhi. Yeh jaante huye bhi ke Rajveer par attack hua tha. Woh mann se nahin bhaaga tha usse bhagna pada tha. Jab military board ko, government ko sab pata hain, tab bhi yeh inquiry kyun hogi?" asks dadaji.
"Sorry Sir, hum aapki baat samajh rahe hain par yakeen maniye procedures hain. Law needs every little thing in black & white. Humein har choti detail jaani hogi aur note karni hogi. Wahan Mr. Rajveer ko kisi katghare mein nahin khada kiya jaayega." Col. explains them.
"Aur waise bhi Sir, yeh toh tab ki baat hogi jab Rajveer laut ke aayega. Lekin abhi tak aisi koi khabar yaa suraag nahin ke woh zinda hain aur agar hain toh kaha hain. Toh phir abhi aise koi inquiry ka sawaal hi nahin uthta." Brig. puts forth his point.
"Aur agar main kahun ke Rajveer beta zinda hain toh?" Declares Dadaji.
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Edited by Mrumi - 8 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
14