Getting closer to her, he whispers to her,
"Tumhari ankhein tum mujhey padhne kahan deti ho?"
Naina holds her breath as he comes closer to her. But realizing that he is creating havoc in her mind and she needs to steer clear of him to implement what she has planned, she takes a deep breath, determined not to lose this battle.
But whom exactly is she fighting this battle with - Rajveer or herself?
Naina lowers her eyes, afraid, that he might read something!
Taking a deep breath Naina looks towards him and with her eyes blazing with anger, she declares,
"Na mujhey apse kuch kehna hai, na sunna hai!"
"Nai...",
Rajveer softens a little.
"Agar apko ek baar bhi iss baat ka khyal nahi aya ki main kaisi hongi? Mujhse ek baar aap baat karlo? Ek baar mujhey bata do ki aap kaise ho?...",
her eyes reaches on the verge of welling up.
Taking a deep breath, she shouts out of frustration, but keeping her voice under check,
"To ab bhi aap chup hi rahiye! Mat kahiye mujhse kuch! Nahi janna mujhey kuch!",
she somehow manages to say, controlling her emotions. The fact that she needs to keep a check on her voice so that no passersby hears her, hurts her even more.
"Agar aisa hai to mere rokne par tum ruk kyun gayi Dr. Shalini ke cabin mein?",
he asks her.
(Fast Rajveer-Naina tune begins as they stare each other intently)
It becomes difficult for her to control her emotions. Hurt to the core, she says, looking anywhere but towards him,
"Jaane dijiye mujhey..."
"Mere sawaal ka jawab do pehle...",
he demands.
"Nahi dena mujhey koi jawab!",
she states clearly, looking towards Rajveer.
Softening his eyes, he says,
"Naina please I really don't wanna fight. Tum..."
Stopping him in between, she says,
"Neither do I! Agar abhi hum saath rahe to argument ke siwaye kuch nahi hoga. So please..."
Rajveer stares her for sometime.
(Fast Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)
Knowing how stubborn she is Rajveer gives her way to go.
Naina leaves, not before wishing him to stay safe and take care of himself.
~*~*~
Picking up his phone, Captain Randhawa starts fidgeting with it. He hates these moments when he gets bound to call Major General Gaur. Deep down he knows, he would never mind him calling him, even at the wee hours of the day, but this seed of hesitation never cease to break free!
Taking a deep breath, Captain Randhawa finally decides to call him. With a stiff face, his hand turned into fist, controlling his emotions, he mentally fights between two possibilities. He hopes that he wishes him in the first way than the second.
Major General Gaur receives the call,
"Hello Major Gaur speaking!"
His choosing the midway somehow succeeds in causing an irritation to Captain Randhawa but at the same time he sighs in relief that he didn't have to bear hearing either of the possibilities he was thinking about.
"Sir I am extremely sorry for disturbing you but I need to talk about something, it's urgent",
says Captain Randhawa, maintaining his strict voice.
"Sure Captain go ahead...",
permits Major General R.S. Gaur.
"Sir as per the rules mid term admissions are not allowed, but here we are getting a new admission of someone named Vidya Saxena. I mean why are we permitting it?",
asks Captain Randhawa.
"Captain I completely agree with you. Rules ke mutabik admission close hone ke baad, new admissions are not allowed. But Miss Vidya Saxena ko especially mere kehne par admission diya ja raha hai",
tells Major General Gaur.
"That's my point Sir, why?",
asks Captain Randhawa, eager to know the reason.
"Maine unhe dekha hai Captain. I know uss ladki mein kuch baat hai. Wo ek soldier bann sakti hai, I am sure",
says General Gaur.
"But Sir, aise to kayi honge jin mein soldier banne ka guun aur jazba dono hi hai. Hum subko to admit nahi kar sakte iss year? Because rules are rules",
says Captain Randhawa.
"Captain kuch baaton ko hum future ke liye rehne de to hi acha hoga. As for now I want you to take special care of Cadet Vidya Saxena. Unhe agar koi problem hui so please do help her. It's not a command but a request",
says General Gaur.
Captain Randhawa finds him odd tonight. But knowing what's the best to do, he accepts his command.
"Sir! I'll help her in any way and every way possible",
promises Captain Randhawa.
"That's like a real Captain!",
says General Gaur, feeling proud of him.
"Anymore question Captain?",
asks General Gaur.
"No Sir!",
replies Captain Randhawa, hesitantly.
"Ok!",
saying that Major General Gaur was about to end the call that Captain Randhawa's voice stops him.
He senses hesitation in his voice when he asks him,
"Sir... when are you joining KMA?"
His question touches General Gaur's heart. He creases his brows out of love for Gunraj.
"Abhi Brigadier Chandok se baat hui thi meri. It might take some more time",
General Gaur keeps it short, but his question succeeds in bringing a smile to General Gaur's face.
"Sir!",
replies Captain Randhawa, as a gesture that he has got it.
"Anything else Captain?",
asks Major General Gaur with a smile on his face, secretly wishing him to continue the conversation.
"No Sir, there is nothing left to be said!"
Captain Randhawa's words hurt him.
"Maine kabhi tumhe kuch bhi kehne se nahi roka. Tumhe jab jo kehna ho tum keh sakte ho!",
says Major General Gaur.
"Ab itni der ho chuki hai ki ab kuch kehne ka faida nahi hai... Sir!",
replies Captain Randhawa, trying desperately to hide his emotions. He adds 'Sir' at the end, forcefully. His heart aches on doing so, but he doesn't care.
"Kaise ho tum?",
asks M.G. Gaur.
Knowing that where this conversation might lead to, Captain Randhawa chooses to end the conversation.
"I am sorry Sir, but I have an urgent work to accomplish. I shall talk to you later".
"Will you?",
asks M.G. Gaur.
Captain Randhawa stays quiet, knowing that he'll understand.
Taking a deep breath, realizing that it's of no use, M.G. Gaur, greets him and ends the call,
"Take care Captain"
"Sir!",
and he was about to end the call, when M.G. Gaur asks him out of blue,
"Kya laun apke liye Captain?"
His sudden question skips Captain Randhawa's heartbeat. His heart flutters with joy, like a small kid being asked if he could be brought a chocolate or some special gift?
Calming down his excitement, he replies,
"Kuch nahi Sir!"
But this time he somehow fails to maintain the stiffness in his voice.
He adds further, lowering his voice,
"Bus aap aa jaiye..."
His words succeed in welling up M.G. Gaur's eyes. But he chooses not to show his feelings to him.
"Hmm...",
was the only crisp answer he manages to utter at his given state.
"Have a good time Sir!",
wishes Captain Randhawa.
"You too!",
wishes M.G. Gaur, the politeness still intact in his voice.
As they end the call, M.G. Gaur talks to himself saying,
"Apka gift apko bohot jald milega Captain. Maine intezaam kar liya hai!",
his voice reflects his emotions for Captain Randhawa.
After ending the call Captain Randhawa rests back on his arm chair. Staring the ceiling, he thinks,
'But Miss Vidya Saxena ko especially mere kehne par admission dia gaya hai'
*Flashback*
Gunny gets a tight slap across his face.
"Apne khana kyun nahi khaya?",
he asks getting angry at him.
"Mujhey bhook nahi thi!",
says Gunny looking straight into his father's eyes.
"Gunny! Kya matlab apko bhook nahi thi? Rules are rules. You need to have your breakfast, lunch and dinner at the right time!",
shouts his father.
"Aap hi kehte hain na ki mujhey badey ho kar soldier banna hai apki tarah? I need to be strong, right? To kya ho gaya agar main ek din khana nahi kha raha?",
Gunny dares to shout at his father.
"Problem ye nahi hai ki aap kha nahi rahe. Problem ye hai ki aap zid mein aakar nahi kha rahe!",
scolds his father.
Gunny glares his father out of anger.
"Aap chaley jaiye yahan se. Nahi acha lagta mujhey jab aap aate hain mere ghar. Aap humesha mujhey aur Mummy ko rula kar hi jatey hain!",
shouts Gunny, holding back his tears.
His sudden outburst stuns his father. He looks towards Gunny's mother, his brows knitted out of sadness and regret. Then he looks back towards Gunny with sorrowful eyes.
Holding Gunny's hand he pulls him with himself, lightly and sits on the sofa. Gunny although stubborn about his decision, but his father's gesture melts his heart a little and why won't it, after all it is the heart of an innocent kid studying in 9th standard.
His father asks him to sit next to him, but he doesn't react. This makes his father clear that he is declining his proposal to sit next to him. But surprisingly he doesn't scold Gunny this time.
"Gunny, beta Papa aap se aur...",
he pauses and looks towards Gunny's mother, then continues...
"Apki Mumma se bohot pyar karte hain...",
says his father, earnestly.
"Jhoot bol rahe hain aap. Bilkul jhoot. Aap mujhse ya mumma se bilkul pyar nahi karte. Agar aisa hota to aap jab humare life gifts latey hain to apke bag mein kuch aur gifts jo hote hain wo aap kyun nahi nikalte bag se?",
he shouts at his father, weeping.
"Gunny...",
scolds his mother, standing in front of them.
Gunny turns to look towards his mother. His heart starts beating faster as his mother never shouts on him as such.
Turning to look towards his father, he shouts at him, pulling his hand off his hold,
"Bohot burey hain aap. Nahi karni mujhey apse baat",
and runs off to his room.
"Gunny...",
calls his mother after him.
"Gunny...",
calls his father too but in vain.
*Flashback Ends*
Gunny control his emotions, trying to forget the incident. He mutters sarcastically,
"Rules are rules! Aaj aap khud hi rules ko tod rahe hain..."
~*~*~
Reaching her room, Naina shuts the door of her room and ends up crying.
"Nahi ana chahti apke paas firse. Nahi aney dena chahti apko apne paas. Maine aj tak siwaye dard ke apko kuch nahi diya. Ab jab zindagi ne mujhey apse durr kar dia hai, to main uss faisle ka maan rakhungi. I won't ruin your life, again",
cries Naina.
"Aaj shayad apko wapas dekh kar, hum subke beech pa kar mujhse zada khush koi nahi hoga..."
She adds further, smiling sarcastically, whilst crying,
"Par mujhse zada dukhi bhi shayad hi koi ho! Kitni ajeeb baat hai, jis baat ko mere dil ne kabhi accept nahi kiya, nahi mana kabhi ke aap humare beech nahi hain. Aaj, jab mera bharosa; mera vishwas jeeta hai, to main apni khushi bhi kisi ke samne zaahir nahi kar pa rahi!"
Naina shouts, looking heavenwards,
"Kyun Bhaiya? Kyun humesha mujhey apni har feeling ko chupa kar rakhna parhta hai? Kyunnn...??"
"Jab academy ayi to apke barey mein yahan log kis hadd tak galat samjhte the, apka naam tak lena gunaah tha... wo saha! Fir jab mujhey pata chala ke unhe pata hai ke main apki behn hun, to unn sarey dard se firse guzarna parha jis dard se uss din guzri thi jis din apko khoya tha. Unn dard se guzar kar unhe face kiya, chilla kar bola ki main apki behn hun, Naveen Singh Ahluwalia ki...",
fresh new tears roll down her cheeks.
"Wo chup rahe! Kuch nahi kaha unhone...",
her voice turns low and soft.
"Tab nahi janti thi ke ye inki fitrat hai... apne emotions ko daba kar rakhna! Apne emotions ko daba kar rakhna!",
she repeats the line, shouting out of frustration.
"Kyun? Kyun kabhi kuch nahi kaha apne kyunnn???",
shouts Naina, crying out loudly.
Rubbing off her tears, she says with full determination,
"Apse durr rehna seekh chuki hun. Iss baat ka main puri tarah faida uthaungi. Nahi aane dungi apko apne kareeb. Nahi karne dungi apko mujhse baat. Nahi karungi apse baat. Nahi sunungi wo baat jo apne adhuri chor di thi uss din... Nahi sunni mujhey apki koi bhi baat!!!",
shouts Naina, as she reaches the last line.
"I don't desire to hear...",
how hard she tries, but she couldn't bring herself to complete the line.
On realizing this mere truth, she feels all the more frustrated, suffocated. She cries further.
"I deserve it! This pain... it's my punishment."
"Bolne ka mauka maang rahe hain na aap?",
she talks to herself.
"Nahi dungi apko mauka. Na kuch kehne ka, aur na hi aap mujhse wo sunenge jo aap sunna chahte hain".
her voice reflects her determination.
~*~*~
In his room, Rajveer very slowly rests on his bed, such that his back is resting on the pillow and his legs are straight, crossed one upon the other.
His mind is on Naina this whole time.
Taking a deep breath, he talks to himself, all serious, his brows creased out of tension,
"Naina, main janta hun ki tumhara gussa mujh par nahi, humare haalat par hai".
"Main janta hun ki tum mujhey khud se alag rakhna chahti ho kyunki tumhe lagta hai ki tumhara mere paas hona mujhey museebat, kathinaiyon se milata hai"
Knitting his brows, out of frustration, his heartbeat picks up pace as he gets angry on her. But the anger is not out of hatred for her, but out of possessiveness and a certain constant feeling towards her that attach him to her like he has never got attached to anyone before!
"Par tum ye baat samjh kyun nahi pa rahi ho ke tumhara mujhse durr rehna mujhey zada dard de raha hai. Kyun mujhse baat nahi kar rahi? Mujhey meri protegee Naina wapas chahiye; mujhey meri Cadet Naina Ah Singh wapas chahiye; mujhey...",
he shouts out of frustration, pausing a little, he continues, softening his voice,
"Mujhey meri Naina wapas chahiye...",
he completes, emphasizing on 'meri'.
"...tum kyun nahi samjh rahi itni si baat? Jab academy wapas aya to gate ke samne pohnch kar subse pehle tumhari yaad ayi"
*Flashback*
"Sir... Sir dhyan se. Main janta hun Sir ki apne manzil ke itne paas aa kar ab apse sabar nahi ho raha. Par Sir jaldi kya hai? Ab to apko yahin rehna hai. Main apko ab kahin nahi janey de raha",
warns Chaubey, his eyes moisten.
Smiling as if making fun of Chaubey, he looks towards KMA building, and says,
"Hunn... Chaubey mere absence ne tumhe emotional hona bhi sikha diya? I am disappointed in you Chaubey!",
Captain Rajveer fakes his disappointment by knitting his brows, but the smile remains constant on his face.
Looking towards him, still emotional, Chaubey says,
"Aaj na apko jo kehna ho keh lo. Jitni dant lagani ho laga lo; jitni gaaliyan deni hai de do, par mujhse ye expect mat karna ki main emotional nahi honga. Samjhe aap?",
he warns him, sternly.
"Arey baap re, mere absence mein mujhse ladna bhi seekh gaye? Sahi ja rahe ho bachu!",
jokes Rajveer to calm down Chaubey.
Chaubey blushes on hearing his words.
Sighing, he looks back towards KMA building. Getting serious, he unwraps his arm from around Chaubey's shoulders, which he had wrapped since the time he got off from Chubey's jeep. Chaubey doesn't stop him from removing his hand from upon himself, as he knew that how both emotional and patriotic, he must be feeling right now as they are standing in front of KMA, which is not only his area of work, but his home too. And his entire family now lies here. His eyes well up out of too much emotions for his academy, his home, his KMA, his family!
As he thinks about his family, Naina comes to his mind effortlessly. It is not that he is thinking about her for the first time since he met Chaubey today. In fact the rate of his heartbeat kept on increasing gradually as he kept realizing how close he is, to reaching KMA, and as a result reaching her, throughout his journey. He tried to keep his mind away from her thoughts by indulging into some or the other chat with Chaubey. Some chats were so useless that they didn't even feed to extinguish his anxiety a wee bit. But nevertheless he kept trying.
Reaching the gate of the academy with no support of Chaubey, looking straight towards the main board of the academy and reading silently the three magical words of his life in bold letters 'KANCHANJUNGA MILITARY ACADEMY' and also focusing on the tti coloured cloth shinning brilliantly in the three magnificent colours - Safron! White! Green! he with his pride of being a soldier, salutes the national flag and the academy - his home! His eyes brim with tears of joy
(LRL patriotic background music begins)
As he reaches the gate of the academy, he bends down, touching the ground he takes the soil and touches it to his forehead, as a gesture of immense love for his motherland. His eyes brim with fresh tears. This happened a lot of time today during his journey to KMA. The feeling was nothing less than a son returning to his home after a long time; a soldier returning back after fighting and winning a battle. For Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat his karmbhoomi and his home resides here at KMA, so indeed he was feeling elated! His feelings were at a greater magnitude than any other soldier.
And that's not all there's yet another reason that in spite of him being weak and not well, succeeds in giving adrenaline rush to him. It is Naina! He is going to meet her again! He is going to listen to her again! Does she remember the last line he said to her? Did she feel something for him that day? Was her concern only for her teacher; her mentor? Or was it for her Rajveer too? Even today the first person he thought about after reaching academy is Naina! But then when did he ever forget her?
On entering the academy he heads towards reporting to Brigadier Chandok. Chaubey proposes to go along with him to help him as he is not fit to walk but Rajveer denies.
"Chaubey yahan tak meri madad karne ke liye thank you so much",
he thanks him, smiling lovingly.
"Kaisi baatein kar rahe hain aap Sir? Apki madad karne ke liye ye banda humesha haazir hai",
smiles Chaubey sadly.
Sighing, Rajveer tries to joke with him to lighten his mood. Knitting his brows, in a serious tone, he says,
"Yaar waise main tumhe jald hi ek naya SIM lakar dunga. Kitna difficult number hai yaar. Tumhe bhi yaad kaise rehta hai pata nahi! Ek to pehle hi mujhey telephone booth kahin nahi mil raha tha. Fir mila to tumhara number yaad nahi aa raha tha."
"Aap bhi kamal hai Sirji codes crack karne mein minute nahi lagate. Mushkil se mushkil codes yun chutkiyon mein crack kar dete hain, aur apse mera ek aasan sa number yaad nahi raha?",
says Chaubey, surprised.
His reply makes Rajveer to blush.
"Bhai baat to sahi keh rahe ho yaar. Kahin main buddha to nahi ho raha? Yadasht ki problem to nahi shuru ho gyi meri?",
asks Rajveer, widening his eyes, acting to be worried about his memory.
"Kuch bhi? Rehne dijiye aap!",
says Chaubey, rolling his eyes.
His gesture makes Rajveer to laugh.
His next reply succeeds in skipping Rajveer's heartbeat, he listens to him dumbstruck,
"Abhi to apko pyar karna hai; shadi karni hai; bachey-wachey karne hai Miss Shekhawat aur Master Shekhawat ko duniya dikhani hai, aap bhi kahan buddhe hone ki baat kar rahe ho..."
Then he adds further,
"Jaldi buddhe ho apke dushman!"
Feeling awkward and wanting to change the topic desperately, Rajveer says,
"Chalta hun main ab. Tumse baad mein milta hun",
patting on his face lovingly, smiling Rajveer turns to enter the premises of KMA. With a big smile on his face, his heart beating at an accelerating speed out of anxiety and excitement, he enters the premises of KMA.
All the cadets look at him surprised, in horror! It becomes difficult for them to voice their feelings. Where on one hand some move away from his way and away from him, no not out of respect but out of fear - is he ghost? Is he a replica of Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat? Is he his some identical twin, they were unaware of till date?
It makes Rajveer to feel awkward - their expression of horror on seeing him alive; and frustrated that he is unable to see any of those who will succeed in bringing a smile on his face, relaxing him a wee bit. Any of his few favourite faculty members or his favourite bunch of five cadets plus one!
Wanting to get out of their sight desperately, he reaches Brigadier Chandok's cabin, blazing with irritation. Reaching in front of the door of Brigadier Chandok's cabin he takes a deep breath, to calm down his impulsive nerves. Knocking the door he asks for permission to get into the cabin but doesn't get any reply. He tries to listen voice of Brigadier Chandok granting him permission to get in, or may be he is talking to someone over phone or could be that he missed hearing the knock. But as he puts his ear on the door to hear, Brigadier Chandok drags the door open of his cabin for Rajveer. Rajveer, since bent to hear Brigadier Chandok's voice stumbles but Brigadier Chandok holds him right at the moment before he could fall. Rajveer feels ashamed of himself. His stumbling makes Brigadier Chandok to worry and laugh at the same time. His laugh adds in the embarrassment of Rajveer. He lowers his eyes out of embarrassment.
Holding him by his upper arms, smiling, Brigadier Chandok says,
"Tumhe yaad hai Captain, tum jab cadet the, to tum aur wo Naveen...",
Brigadier Chandok pauses as his heart fills with hatred for Naveen for the umpteenth time.
Rajveer doesn't fail to notice the hatred in Brigadier Chandok's eyes for his best friend, yet again. And it hurts him yet again to the core!
"Jab pehli baar mere cabin mein aye the, tab tum log itne darr rahe the mujhse, ke ander aney se pehle, in fact knock karne se pehle tum dono kaan laga kar ye sunne ki koshish kar rahe the ki main gussa to nahi?",
laughs Brigadier Chandok.
Blushing, Rajveer lowers his eyes and tells him,
"Ji aur aaj apne ye baat keh kar ye prove kar diya ke guru guru hote hain aur shishya shishya!"
Brigadier Chandok laughs at his comment followed by Rajveer.
"Rajveer such kahun to tumse dher saari baatein karni hai. Par main janta hun ki tum thake hue hoge and tumhari tabiyat bhi stable nahi hai so I won't take much of your time...",
says Brigadier Chandok, but Rajveer interrupts him in between, saying,
"Bilkul nahi Sir, I am absolutely fine. Aap please jo baat karni hai kar sakte hain"
His reply swells Brigadier Chandok's heart. He smiles, his eyes twinkling with pride for him and says,
"I know you are a tough soldier, but that's an order",
Brigadier Chandok fakes a strict voice, smiling.
"Sir!",
Rajveer without any argument accepts his teacher's decision.
Smiling, Brigadier Chandok says,
"I know Captain, you must be wondering ke agar mujhe tumse baat karni hi nahi thi so why was I waiting for you?"
"Captain, ankhein taras gayi thi tumhe dekhne ke liye!",
he tells Rajveer, earnestly. His voice turned even softer.
His confession touches Rajveer's heart. He lowers his eyes unable to put his feelings into words.
Brigadier Chandok understanding his dilemma, smiles.
"Main... main bhi apse milne ke liye...",
it becomes difficult for Rajveer to put in words what Brigadier Chandok means to him. How much he respects him.
In order to bring him out of his current state, Brigadier Chandok smiles and says,
"Come, let me welcome you back in front of everyone!"
Brigadier Chandok's heart swells as he declares this. He adds further,
"And let me tell all that you are one of my best cadets!"
The alteration in his words in comparison to what Brigadier Chandok said when he joined academy; the alteration in his feelings towards Rajveer, how displeased he was that Rajveer was going to join KMA as a teacher, brings a certain kind of joy and a feeling of pride in Rajveer. A pride that a student feels on winning a compliment or heart of his teacher through an amazing performance in his exams.
*Flashback ends*
Shutting his eyes, he rests back and a lone tear rolls down his left cheek as he remembers Naina.
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