Part 2
Raj: Naina I need time.
Naina: Two days. I'll be back. Do something right for once.
She stormed off. Gunny was standing outside Raj's office and was surprised to see Naina. He walked into the office and saw Raj looking distraught.
Gunny: Was that Naina?
Raj: Yes.
Gunny: I thought so. I wanted to stop her. Say something. But last time I called Naina after Naveen's death she made it very clear that she doesn't want me around her or her parents.
Ral: That's my fault. My confession of being Naveen's arresting officer has made them lose trust in everyone.
Gunny: Raj why was she here? What did she say? You look very disturbed.
Raj narrated Naina's demand and her plan to investigate Naveens' death from KMA.
Gunny: Hmm. And what are you planning on doing? It's a crazy strategy. But you say no to Naina she'll probably try something crazier.
Raj: I want to help Naina. Do anything to reduce her pain.
Gunny looked at Raj sharply.
Raj: I feel tempted to say yes because it gives me a chance to help her. I also know that she'll be safer from leering eyes if people think she is married to me. And I know she'll try something more dangerous if I say no.
BUT. She wants to live with me as my wife without getting married! IWhen the truth comes out, people will say all kinds of things about her and I can't tolerate that.
Raj clenched his fist and his jaws tightened.
Gunny: Then ask her to marry you.
Raj: Gunny she hates me. More than anyone else in the world. How can I ask her to marry me? She would never want that.
Gunny: Raj you two don;t have to be married forever. Tell her that you'll give her a divorce once her mission's over.
Raj thought for a while.
Raj: Gunny that actually sounds good. I can help her in her mission and if we get a divorce she won't be tied to me once we prove Naveen's innocence.
I'll talk to her.
Gunny: Good. By the way I need to point something out to you. In this whole conversation your only objection to getting married to Naina was the fact that she hates you and wouldn't want to be tied down to you.
Raj: Gunny don't misconstrue things. After being responsible for Naveen's death I have nothing left to live for. Except bringing happiness to Naina's life.. And of course her parents.
NAINA'S HOTEL ROOM
Naina sat on the sofa thinking about her conversation with Raj. She wasn't sure about her feelings for Raj. She hated him more than anyone else in the world because he had betrayed her brother, betrayed her. And yet she didn't feel the slightest nervousness in staying in the same room as him pretending to be his wife. Despite all her experiences in the last year, she knew that Raj would never cross the line with her.
Just then there was a knock on the door. She opened the door to find Raj standing there.
Naina: How did you find me? Oh, of course you have spent your entire life in intelligence haven't you? So what have decided Major?
Raj: I am ready to go ahead with your plan. But I have some conditions. And before you start your nonsense of how many nights I want to spend with you, that's not it. We will marry each other. For real.
Naina: OVER MY DEAD BODY! MARRY MY BROTHER'S KILLER?!
Raj: Stop yelling Naina. First I wasn't your brother's killer even though I am guilty about arresting him and sending him to jail. Second, we won't get married forever. I will divorce you the moment we prove Naveen;s innocence. But I can't in good conscience live with you under one roof without being married to you.
Naina: BUT
Raj: No buts. You agree to this condition or the deal's off.
Naina: Fine. But not a divorce, I want an annulment. I want to be able to remove every sign of us ever having been married. I cannot tolerate any connection with you.
Raj was stung by Naina's words. But he agreed.
FAMILY COURT
Two days later Raj and Naina were at the courts to sign their wedding papers. Gunny was their only friend in attendance. Before signing the wedding papers Naina took Raj aside and handed him another set of papers.
Naina: These are annulment papers. I need your signatures now. I'll get the dates adjusted depending on how long we take in our mission.
Raj: You don't trust me enough to keep my promise? Don't answer that. I realize that's a rhetorical question.
Thus started Raj and Naina's marriage whose end had been agreed upon before the beginning. They proceeded to sign the wedding papers.
Gunny was amazed by the two people in front of him.
Naina who hated Raj beyond comprehension and yet trusted him enough to ask him to join this mission.
And Raj whose life and world began and ended with Naina.
Cricket
Anupamaa
14