Chapter 4
Yudi crosses by the room of Dr. Shalini and hears her crying and halts on his way.
"Ma'am are you fine?",
he asks, knocking at the door.
"Yes, yes Cadet! I... I am fine",
she replies somehow, gaining her composure for fraction of seconds, before she breaks down again, and whispers,
"I am fine..."
Yudi, who is standing outside couldn't hear her last words, but he understands without fail that something is amiss. Knocking the door impatiently, he pleads,
"Ma'am please darwaza kholiye".
The desire to look at her; to make sure she is fine, is clearly visible through his gestures and words.
"Yudi, please, mujhey kuch der akela chor do",
pleads Dr. Shalini, disturbed.
"Nahi Ma'am, main apko akela nahi chorunga! Kabhi nahi!",
states Yudi, clearly.
His words have it's affect on her. Her throat chokes, out of too much emotion. Gaining her composure, acting to be strict, she scolds him mildly,
"Maine kaha na Cadet, just leave!"
As she raises her voice while uttering 'just leave', it breaks her again.
But Yudi, being Yudi, is determined! Unable to understand how to convince her, he thinks of something which might convince her to open the door. With a determined look on his face, he utters the words at last,
"I desire to see you Shalini!"
And it does the magic! A knot forms in her throat, as she hears those words. And on the other hand Yudi waits for her decision, holding his breath. Did he offend her by not using the suffix 'ma'am' after her name? Has he spoiled everything? But it's too late now, he can't take his words back. He doesn't want to!
After what felt like eternity, Dr. Shalini opens the door. The moment their eyes meet they read each-other perfectly. Where on one hand Yudi's face, his eyes, his expression tell her that he was nervous and is feeling relieved after seeing her. He was eager to know how exactly she is feeling right now. There on the other hand Dr. Shalini's gestures and expressions give the signal to Yudi that how torn off she is feeling right. How she needs someone to hear her, understand her!
"Ma'am!",
he calls out, in a hushed voice, afraid that if he'll raise his voice, it might scare her. He notices how her eyes have turned red and gets the hint that she had been crying for a while now. Turning away, she walks into the room quickly, thinking for a reason to give Yudi, so that it satisfies him and he stops asking further questions.
"Abhi... Abhi ek friend se baat hui thi. Kuch purani baatein... isliye...",
she sighs. Getting back her composure, she turns and tries to assure him,
"I am fine Cadet",
and plasters a smile on her face. They keep staring each-other, before Yudi asks,
"Kya wo dost Sameer tha?"
And the mention of his name brings back many long lost memories and she breaks down again, sitting down on her bed, she cries.
Taking his seat next to her, he stares her, while she continues crying. Getting into a conclusion, without giving a second thought he utters the words, almost like a command,
"Divorce him!"
Shalini stares him, astonished by his bold command.
~*~*~*~
Naina pushes the door open of Brigadier Chandok's room and starts speaking without even confirming Brigadier Chandok's presence.
"Excuse me Sir, mujhey apse Major Nayyer..."
and she halts as she realizes that Brigadier Chandok ain't there in his cabin, instead someone else is present there, Captain Rajveer!
Her voice at first skips his heartbeat as it came as a total surprise! He creases his brows out of surprise, then turns to look towards the door, where she is standing as perplexed and shocked as he is! He notices how her chest is expanding and contracting at a quick succession and he somehow understands that it has nothing to do with the speed she adopted to reach there. A soldier is used to such kind of minor speed, so it cannot be the reason of her heavy breathing. It has to be something else... It is something else... or is it someone else? Someone who is the reason for her present state!
They keep staring each-other. Desire visible in their eyes!
(Rajveer-Naina slow tune begins as they stare each-other)
Standing at her place, although feeling vulnerable under his scrutinizing look, she gives herself the freedom to get a little bold and starts scanning him, his wounds to be particular.
The first wound at the left corner of his forehead, around his left brow. She creases her brows unable to stand the truth that someone had hurt him! Then her eyes rests on the scar on his left cheek, bigger than that around his left brow! She turns her hand into fist, as she desires, she aches to touch it soothingly. She notices further and finds one around his lips. Oh his lips! How desirable they look! Many thoughts crosses her mind as she rests her eyes on his lips! The thought hitches her breath! Rajveer notices everything, ever reaction of hers but doesn't say anything. He maintains his calm composure. Inside, he is fighting a war. A war without any destiny. At least he cannot see one right now! He knows she is holding the power to change the direction of war at anytime; to end the war at anytime. Only if she bears the guts to take the step. Only if she desires to take the step.
Naina takes a deep breath, unable to understand what to do - whether to go or should she wait here, standing at the same spot where she is right now; or... or taking her seat next to him! His scrutinizing look forbids her to move an inch, to even look at him.
But what can she do about her desires? Her ill-mannered desire, to look at him for once, without any barrier! Her desire to listen to her name 'Cadet Naina A Singh' through his voice! Her desire to sit next to him!
And as if he could read her thoughts perfectly, he pushes the rotating chair next to him, with his feet, his eyes transfixed on her, all serious, and waits for her to occupy the seat.
Not having the heart to refuse him, and in no mood to fight with him, she slowly walks forward. The moment she walks forth, Rajveer sighs inaudibly, as if he was afraid and eager simultaneously to know her decision.
(Slow Rajveer-Naina guitar tune begins)
She walks forth, her eyes transfixed to the floor Rajveer notices her each step and reaction. Slowly, she takes her seat and rotates the chair, so that she is facing him, her head bowed down, nervously. At last Naina's one desire got fulfilled because of Rajveer! Rajveer keeps staring her, unable to decide how to begin the conversation. The same was the situation and condition of Naina as well.
Rajveer takes the intiative of beginning the conversation. Clearing his throat, and looking anywhere but at her, he tells her,
"Main Brigadier Chandok se milne aya tha"
and pauses to check if she wants to say anything. When she doesn't reply, he adds further,
"Unhe sub kuch bata raha tha. Jo kuch bhi hua, sub kuch. Apna...",
as he was about to continue, his eyes unconsciously rests on her and he finds her staring him, her eyes giving away her feelings, her desires, which she is trying very hard to hide from him but is failing miserably.
"Apna...",
she prompts in a husk voice. When he doesn't reply, and continues staring her, admiring her beauty silently, she stares back and tells him,
"aaj aap fir, 'apne' par ruk gaye!"
And her bold words, succeed in skipping his heartbeat as he completely understands, as to what she is referring to! And that moment, those words come rushing back to them, as they remember together, staring each other...
"Naina... iss system ne mujhse mera sub kuch cheen lia - mere ranks, mere medals, mera..."
(Rajveer-Naina slow tune begins as they stare each other sitting at their place)
Suddenly, they start sweating in a fully air- conditioned room.
"Mera...?",
she prompts. Her eyes turning tearful gradually, so are his!
"I am sorry Captain, main...",
ushers Brigadier Chandok into his office, oblivious to the fact that he is disturbing Rajveer and Naina's private moment. A moment, they were secretly desiring to have since the moment Captain Rajveer came back to KMA!
"Cadet Singh aap yahan?",
asks Brigadier Chandok. Feeling extremely shy and guilty about the moments that passed between Rajveer and her, especially in Brigadier Chandok's cabin, she gets up quickly, her eyes lowered. Rajveer notices her each movement quietly. She says,
"Ahmm... Sir apse kuch baat karni thi. But I think that can wait. I'll... I'll take your leave Sir"
Without waiting for a reply she turns and starts walking towards the door.
"Ek minute Cadet Singh!",
she gets stopped, and to her horror, it wasn't Brigadier Chandok, but Rajveer!
Still facing away from her, Captain Rajveer gets up and looks towards Brigadier Chandok who is standing to his right.
"With due respect Sir, but meri protegee hone ke natey Cadet Singh ka pura haq hai ki wo bhi mere barey mein sub kuch jaaney. With your due permission I would like ki Cadet Singh bhi yahin rahein humare saath aur humare conversation ko sunney, uska hissa banney",
says Captain Rajveer, looking eye-to-eye at Brigadier Chandok, without any regrets or hesitation.
"Alright Captain, permission granted!",
permits Brigadier Chandok. Then looking towards Naina he asks her,
"Cadet Singh, come join us".
(Rajveer-Naina tune begins)
Naina shifts her attention from Brigadier Chandok to Captain Rajveer. Nervous to take the next step, she waits for his confirmation. Understanding how nervous she is right now; and how she needs him, his assurance right now, Rajveer nods his head a little in affirmation, looking at her. Taking it as a cue, she walks forth and sits back next to him.
~*~*~*~
Rotating his course book on his finger, Huda walks towards his next class, when he meets a bunch of female cadets on his way and holds his books down abruptly, in order to flirt with them.
"Haye... kahan bhagi ja rahi ho kudiyon? Kuch samay humare saath bhi bita liya karo",
says Huda in his flirtatious tone, smiling.
"Huda, agar inn course books se time miley to hum tum par dhyan de na!",
replies one of the girls, acting innocent.
"Itne sarey assignments, projects uff...",
replies another.
"Bus itni si baat? Assignments complete karne mein konsi badi baat hai? Ye to Huda ke baye haath ka khel hai",
Huda swipes his index finger with thumbof his left hand in air, to show his tashan. The girls eye each-other while Huda was busy appreciating himself, looking anywhere but at them, out of shyness. They giggle silently as an idea strikes them.
"Huda, agar aisa hai to, kya tum humare ye chote-chote assignments complete kar dogey please?",
asks one of the three girls, in a sugar-coated voice. Huda gets nervous as he feels that he has got trapped in his own trap!
Slapping his back, Alekh comes and stands beside him to his right, along with Ali, who is standing to Huda's left, smiling, his eyes lowered.
"Kaisi baat kar rahe ho tum log?",
asks Alekh, all serious, looking at the girls. His mere using this line swells Huda's chest, feeling relaxed that they are here at his rescue.
Creasing his brows, plastering a serious look, Alekh stares at the girls and asks,
"Tumne socha hai agar wo tum logo ka kaam kar dega to uska kya hoga? Huda se itni mehnat karwaogi tum teeno?"
Huda shakes his head to the right once, as a gesture to indicate how innocent he is and all the girls of KMA are such opportunists! Always ready to exploit him, because of his innocence.
"Apko pata hai Huda Bhai apne kapde tak khud nahi iron karte!",
blurts out Ali.
That comes as a total surprise for Huda, he suddenly turns red out of shyness. Turning to look at Ali, he stares him widening his eyes. Unable to bear his insult in front of the girls, he quickly hands over the books to Alekh, who is laughing like anything. And without wasting time Huda runs after Ali! Ali who knew this is what is coming next, who was ready for the chase, starts running away from him in no time, laughing.
(LRL tune begins as Huda chases Ali)
Sometimes Huda succeeds in reaching close to Ali but as he extends his hand to catch him, he escapes. On the other times Ali looks far away from him. Standing at his place, Alekh laughs out aloud. In the end Huda succeeds in catching Ali, but instead of beating him, they both end up laughing harder, falling on the floor.
~*~*~*~
At Brigadier Chandok's cabin as Naina takes her seat next to Captain Rajveer, she moves her chair closer to his. She understands that the tale he is going to recite now, won't be a fairy tale! It would rather be a tragedy! And whatever situation is prevailing between them, that's their personal matter and they can deal with it later. But right now she won't let him feel all those pains that he has already felt, once again, all alone. When she is here now with him, for him, she'll make sure that he is not fighting with his pains and sorrows all alone! She would equally feel all of them. May be the magnitude of pain and sorrow that she'll feel would be much less than what he went through but at least her involvement might divide his pain; might help him to cope up with all the miseries he went through.
At that particular moment Naina desires to hear him, desires to know each and everything he went through without skipping even a minute detail. Desires to make him believe that she won't leave his side again. Desires to if not end all together, but diminish his pain.
Taking a deep breath and assuring himself that she is there with him, Captain Rajveer begins with dictating about what had happened with him.
"Mujhey pata tha ke mere ye che (6) cadets mujhey akhri pal tak akela nahi chorenge",
saying that he turns to look at Naina and gives her a sorrowful smile, Naina reciprocates the same.
(Slow Rajveer-Naina tune begins as they stare each other)
Then quickly he turns towards Brigadier Chandok, fully aware that if he continues staring her, he can continue it till the eternity! But he knows he has an important situation in his hand right now.
"Maina kisi bhi halat mein inki jaan khatre mein nahi daal sakta tha".
Sitting at her place Naina creases her brows.
"Jab mujhey shift kiya ja raha tha, mujhey tabhi ye mehsus ho gaya tha ki main iss jaal se kabhi nahi bach sakta. Wo jaal jo Lala aur uske admiyon ne badey hi chalaki se mere liye buni thi".
Looking straight into Brigadier Chandok's eyes he says,
"Yakeen maniye Sir, agar mujhey thodi si bhi asha nazar aati ki main iss jaal se nikal sakta hun, to main ye kadam nahi uthata jo maine uthayi",
as he reaches the end of the line, his eyes turn teary. It breaks Naina's heart to see her teacher, her mentor, her Rajveer 'Sir' in that state and the fact that she misunderstood him at a point of time, just adds in her guilt.
Then he continues,
"Tabhi ye che (6) cadets wahan pohnche aur..."
"Aur agey ki kahani ye log humein pehle hi bata chuke hain",
interrupts Brigadier Chandok.
"Fir kya hua Captain?"
And as Brigadier Chandok asks this, Naina bends forward, resting her crossed hands on the desk, fully alert, fully prepared to listen to the further story.
"Court mein trial ke dauran ek baar mujhey Chaubey se baat karne ka mauka mil gaya. Maine ussey uss din do (2) situations jin mein se koi ek situation mere saath hoga, kahin na kahin mujhey iss baat ka ehsaas tha, ussey bata diye the. Samjha diya tha sub kuch".
As he ends up with this line, all serious, Naina's chuckle takes him by surprise. He turns to look at her, his brows creased, unable to understand what made her to laugh! Unable to control himself, Brigadier Chandok laughs too! Getting the second surprise, Captain Rajveer turns to look at Brigadier Chandok, bewildered! Confused, as to why are they laughing? What joke has he cracked? He asks, looking first at Brigadier Chandok then towards Naina, in quick succession.
"I don't understand, aap dono hans kyun rahe hain?",
slightly pissed off. Naina lowers her eyes when he stares her, waiting for an answer. Laughing, Brigadier Chandok says,
"Captain, you are born to be a teacher of 'Strategy and Communication'"!
Still not getting, what made him to say so, Captain Rajveer turns to look at Brigadier Chandok and asks,
"Matlab?"
"Strategies banana is in you! Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat bina strategies banaye koi kaam nahi karte, right Captain?",
smiles Brigadier Chandok. His words make Captain Rajveer to blush as he realizes how true it is!
"Haan, itne strategies banate hain ki kabhi-kabhi communicate karna hi bhul jate hain!",
mummers Naina, which Captain Rajveer hears perfectly. He turns to look at her.
(Slow Rajveer-Naina tune begins as Rajveer stares her)
"Kuch kaha apne Cadet Singh?",
asks Brigadier Chandok, smiling, who missed her uttered words. Plastering a smile on her face, she looks towards Brigadier Chandok and says,
"Nahi, kuch nahi Sir!"
Rajveer keeps staring Naina.
"Ahmm... Captain, please continue",
Brigadier Chandok's voice wakes Captain Rajveer up from his daze, turning to look at Brigadier Chandok, he smiles; and decides that he'll deal with her later. Then he continues...
"Wo do (2) situations ye the , pehla ki mujhey ussi jail mein rakha jayega jahan main hun. Ya dusra, mujhey shift kiya jayega".
~*~*~*~
All the first year cadets head towards the next class. A new course has been introduced in their syllabus. A written notice had been issued a week ago. A class on 'Weapon and Modes'.
Huda enquires,
"Abey ke hai ye naya subject tau jiski class mein hum ja rahe hain?"
"Dude, it is called 'Weapons and Modes'!",
tells Yudi.
"Kisaan ka beta hun hathiyar nahi, katayi se khela hun bachpan se main. Ye army waley bhi pata nahi iss Huda se kya-kya karwayenge!",
sighs Huda.
"Mummy ji, aakar dekho apke ladle ke saath ye log kya-kya kar rahe hain!",
says Huda, melodramatically.
"Huda Bhai, KMA mein hum yahi sub seekhne aate hain, admission form parh liya tha na apne?",
smiles Ali, sarcastically.
"Abey oye Usool parh bhi lia tha, samjh bhi lia tha",
replies Huda, not ready to digest the humiliation silently. Then continues,
"par tab mujhey kya pata tha aise ajeeb-o-gareeb subjects ye log beech mein aise daal denge",
his face expressions reveals his worry perfectly.
As they enter the class, they discover Pooja has already occupied a seat and chatting with a friend.
"Abey Naina nahi dikh rahi!",
asks Huda. Then suddenly it strikes him,
"Arey dikhegi bhi kaise? Uske favourite, uske mentor Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat jo wapas aa gaye hain!",
says Huda, smiling mischeviously. This angers the other four.
"Bro please!",
says Yudi.
"Abey...",
begins Huda, but thinks otherwise.
"Chal chor!",
saying that he ends the topic. They all settle down.
"Waise Yudiye, humari ye 'Weapons and Modes' ki class le kaun raha hai?",
asks Huda, embracing Yudi by his shoulder, who is sitting next to him.
"Captain Gunraj Singh Randhawa!",
says Yudi, counting the four words with his fingers, in the air.
"Absolutely correct!",
smiles Captain Gunraj Singh Randhawa, as he hears Yudi speaking that line, as he enters right at that moment.
They turn to find a tall, well-built man, wearing a red full sleeves shirt, rolled up to the centre of his arms, tucked into his blue denim jeans. His hair - short, almost like that of Captain Rajveer, standing in front of them, all serious. All the cadets, along with Pooja sit straight, all alert.
Getting into the class, he faces all the students and introduces himself,
"Good morning class, I am Gunraj Singh Randhawa. Aaj se main apka 'Weapon and Modes' ki class lunga",
declares Captain Gunraj. All the students stare each-other, a bit pissed off by the sudden introduction of a new subject.
Bowing his head, shaking it thrice, smiling, Captain Randhawa says,
"I know! I know! Aap log yahi soch rahe honge ki all of a sudden iss new course ko introduce karne ki kya zarurat thi?"
Huda mummers to his friends, sitting at his seat,
"Oh na ji na! Hum to ye soch rahe hain tau, ki achanak tujhey yun bhej kar, academy walon ko humare dimag pakane ki kyun sujhi?"
Pooja gestures to remain quiet.
Picking up a white chalk, Captain Randhawa turns to write something on the black board when suddenly he turns his head and asks all,
"Koi absent to nahi hai na?"
Ali begins to answer,
"han wo Nai...",
Huda interrupts him in the middle,
"Na Sir, koi absent na hai. Aap karwao agey".
Huda's attitude alarms Captain Randhawa, he stares him for some moments then turning back he resumes with the class.
Seeing the right opportunity, sitting behind Ali, Alekh slaps him on his rare head. Alarmed, Ali turns to look at him.
"Kya hua Alekh Bhai, aap humein maar kyun rahe hain?"
asks Ali. Pooja roles her eyes, sitting next to Ali.
"Oye Ali, tere dimag ki battery aaj down ho gayi hai kya?"
Unable to understand what mistake has he committed, Ali asks innocently,
"Humne kya kia Pooja ji?"
"Humne kya kia Pooja ji?",
Alekh mimics him, out of anger.
"Oye Alekh main baat kar rahi hun na? Tu beech mein mat bol",
scolds Pooja.
"Abey thand rakh Qaidi. Abhi Usool bacha hai, humare usoolon ko samajh nahi pa raha, dheere-dheere seekh jayega!",
laughs Huda. Pressing Ali's cheek, laughing, he asks,
"Kyun Usool hoga na tu bhi bada?"
His words irks Ali. Pooja doesn't remain unaffected too!
"Mujhey kisi ke baat karne ki awaz aa rahi hai",
utters Captain Randhawa, facing away from them, writing something on the board.
Ali, Pooja, Yudi sit straight. Alekh doesn't look much affected as always. Huda doesn't shake too and mummers,
"Kaan badey tez hai tau ke!"
Now that line indeed reaches Captain Randhawa's ear. Without turning, he begins answering,
"Ek soldier ko apni ankhein, kaan aur naak humesha khuli rakhni chahiye Cadet!"
Making a face, Huda mouths the word 'naak?', unable to understand what is he saying. What good is a nose to a soldier?
Knowing it perfectly, as to why is he confused, Captain Randhawa turns and inculcates a little information in Huda,
"Goli kahan chali, ye hum humare nose ka use karke bhi pata laga sakte hain, apart from our ears".
Giving an expression, as if he is impressed by Captain Randhawa, Huda says,
"Waah! Maan gaye apko. Wakayi kafi jaankari rakhte hain aap weapons ke barey mein"
"Insaan ko apne lakshya ki taraf badhne se pehle puri tayaari kar leni chahiye Cadet!"
"Aur agar kisi ko apna lakshya pata hi na ho to?"
asks a young lady, standing at the entrance of the classroom.
All, along with Captain Randhawa turn to look who said that!
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