Part 9
Naina lay sleeping on the bed while Rajveer sat next to her. He was supposed to be reading a book but he was too preoccupied with his thoughts to do any serious reading.
Naina's face looked relaxed. Sharing her story had helped her get a load of her mind. But in some ways it had transferred the load to Raj. He wasn't sure what aggravated him most.
The influence that Abhi had had on Naina - convincing her to do things she wasn't comfortable with.
The fact that Naina was still charmed by Abhi and felt the need to defend him.
Or the fact that she felt for Abhi what she had never felt for Raj.
She respected and trusted him. But she didn't love him.
And he.. He had been in love with Naina for 5 years now. He reflected on his relationship with Naina.
He had first met her when he was 18 and she was a bubbly, chirpy 15 year old. Soon she became a very close friend of his, second only to Naveen.
He first realized he was in love with Naina when he was 23. He had been posted in Arunanchal Pradesh and had been caught in sniper fire from rebels. He had received a bullet and had lost a lot of blood. He thought he would die. And as his eyes began to close, the only image that crossed his head was Naina's. He wanted to live for Naina. She had become his reason for being, the reason for his happiness, his everything.
He had survived. And had initially tried to run away from his feelings. He was young and Naina even younger. He didn't have much to offer her except his love. And he had a lot to lose if Naina didn't feel the same way. His relation with Naina, Naveen, the Ahluwalias everything was on the line.
He had remained silent to give Naina enough time to grow up and see the world. And after Naveen's death everything changed forever.
He had accepted that Naina may never love him. But knowing that she loved Abhi hurt him even more. Abhi stood for everything he wasn;t. Abhi was outgoing, brash, overconfident, charming. Naina choosing him felt like a rejection to Raj.
Raj (to himself): Naina it's ok if you don't love me. But I don't like the charm Abhi has on you. He makes you feel inferior about yourself. He convinces you to give up on your principles. and he has hurt you! I want Abhi to make himself worthy of you. If he doesn't I will never let him be a part of your life.
Naina turned in her sleep. She looked disturbed. Raj instictively started moving his hands over her hair to comfort her. She relaxed and held on to his hand.
Raj (smiling ruefully): Well at least she's beginning to trust me even if she can't love me.
Next morning Raj and Naina were having breakfast.
Naina: Raj, you really are an amazing cook. Bhaiya always used to joke that I'd need to marry a cook given how bad my own skills are. Looks like his wish came true. I mean at least for the duration of this mission - till we are married.
Raj: Why only the duration of the mission?
Naina: Raj.. umm.. we'll annul marriage won't we?
Raj: I don't need to be married to you to feed you. You'll always have this cook available at your service. Now, before I forget, the cadets really want us to join them for a hike this weekend. They are completely charmed by you.
Naina: Oh I'd love that. i think they are a special bunch. Also this evening can we carry forward our conversation on Dr. Ritu and Shalini? I want to make headway on them.
Raj: Of course. Now I should get going.
As he got up to move, Naina hugged him tightly.
Naina: Thanks Raj. For hearing out my story and not judging me. And understanding my feelings.
Raj: Nainu, I will never judge you and my only priority is your happiness. Nothing else.
Naina: NAINU. You haven't used that name in so many years. I always loved that name because you say it so sweetly. Anyways run along now. A teacher shouldn't be late for his own class.
Rajveer smiled and went for his classes. When he got back to the room, he saw Naina's note saying that she had gone to the nearby Army archives to find something related to naveen's case. He was worried for her. He knew she was capable of taking care of herself. But she meant far too much to him to feel comfortable with her playing with danger.
There was a knock on the door.
Raj: Come in!
He was taken aback to see Abhi walk in.
Abhi: Raj, my friend! I have been here one whole day. But you didn't come to see me. Well at least your wife did.
Wife and all? Congratulations on the wedding? I guess I didn't deserve an invite?
Raj: Chauhan saab, come in. Have a seat. It was a very small affair. No guests really. We didn't want to make it a big even given Naveen's death.
Abhi: Of course. So you know I like talking straight. Did you know that Naina is my girlfriend?
Raj: Was. She was your girlfriend. I know. And Chauhan saab, I'd appreciate it if we could all behave like adults on this matter. She was your girlfriend but she is my wife.
Abhi: Of course. So why did you two get married? I mean, how did you two get married? She was my girlfriend till after Naveen's death. So that means you two suddenly fell in love in a span of a few months and decided to get married?
Or maybe you two already had an affair raging on the side? I mean two-timing isn;t a big deal. Plus you were away in Siachen for close to a year. Naina probably turned to me in that period.
Raj: Abhimanyu. Enough. I don't need to answer any questions. And I will never let anyone talk about Naina like this. Don't make me forget we are batchmates and friends.
Abhi: Friends really? You know what, it's stupid of me to think that Naina and you were having an affair. Mr-holier-than-thou can't have an affair. I think it's much simpler. She was having a hard time dealing with the break up and turned to you on rebound. And of course you are used to second-hand things. That's what an orphan like you grows up on, isn't it?
Raj: Chauhan you have become a horrible human being. You are talking about a woman, your ex-girlfriend at that as a second hand object.
Get out of this room before i say or do something much worse.
And stay away from Naina.
Abhimnayu walked out in a huff and Naina walked in soon after.
Naina: Was Abhi here? What was he saying?
Raj: Some nonsense as usual. Let's focus on Dr Shalini for now. I went over the documents you have collected. I see the reason behind your doubts. But we need more evidence.
I am going to chat with her a few times to see if I can get more out of her.
Things moved along. Naina and Raj had a lot of fun on their hike with the cadets.
Yuda: You know Sir, Huda first thought Naina was your sister and wanted to flirt with her.
Huda choked on the water he was drinking.
Huda: He's crazy Sir. He says anything! I said she's like my sister. Right Naina? I am like your brother, am I not?
Everyone laughed.
Pooja: So, Naina.. tell us about Sir. How is he as a husband and how was he as a boyfriend.
It was Raj's turn to choke.
Raj: Enough Cadet Ghai.
Naina: Stop it Raj. Stop bossing them today. Raj is my best friend and so he's perfect in every relation.
Pooja: Haye! My Veer and Zara.
The most touching part was Alekh taking Naina to side at the end of the trek.
Alekh: I can't believe i am saying what Huda said. But Naina you are my sister. I don;t expect you to feel the same about me. But I will always be there for you. You have constantly tried helping me to be a better person. Thank you.
Naina hugged him and Alekh had tears in his eyes.
Naina and Raj came back from the trek laughing and chatting.
Abhi saw them get intro their room and felt a huge surge of jealousy. He walked into his room and called up the lieutenant he mad put on task to find out the details of Naina and Raj's lives.
Abhi (on the phone): Naveen Ahluwalia's case? Hmm. things are finally adding up. Wait what? Annulment papers?! Perfect. That's a job well done.
Abhi (thinks to himself): I knew it Naina couldn't betray me. This is just a mission for her. Damn it if only I hadn't hurt her earlier she would have come to me instead of going to Raj. But it's never too late for love. And I am going to remind her exactly who she fell in love with.
CHANGE OF PLANS GUYS. ABHI WILL BE EVIL FOR THE FIRST HALF AND THEN TURN GREY LATER.
Abhi was sweet and supportive as possible. While Naina bought into it and felt more and more guilty, Raj became super suspicious of Abhi.
One day Naina managed to fit a tapping wire in Dr Shalini's room. She was rushing back to her room. Abhi's room was open. Without realizing she walked into Abhi's room.
Abhi: What a pleasant surprise Naina?
Naina: Abhimnayu i am sorry. Your door was open and I walked in thinking it was my room.
Abhi: Karmic connection I say. Come and have some tea.
Naina: I need to go.
Abhi: Why will your "husband" have a problem?
Naina: Of course not.
Abhi: Then tea it is.
Abhi kept brushing and touching Naina making her feel conscious.
Abhi; You have gone back to being the dowdy Naina.
Naina became conscious.
Naina's current outfit
Abhi: Does nothing for your beautiful body. Do you remember the dress I had bought for you for the New Year's Ball. Looked so gorgeous.
Just then Abhi's hands brushed Naina's and tea in his cup fell over her.
Abhi: I am so sorry Naina! You need to change out of this outfit immediately.
Naina: It's fine. I'll go to my room...
Abhi: Don't be silly Naina. Raj went out just before you came in. And he has the keys. He was just telling someone on the phone that he would be gone for an hour.
Naina: I am fine... AAAH...
Abhi: Naina,it's burning you. Go change.
Naina: But what will I change into?
Abhi: Naina go ahead. I'll pass something to you.
Naina was shocked at the dress Abhi passed.
Abhi: Naina I am so sorry. I only have this dress. I had bought this for you for the holiday we were planning on taking before Naveen's death... But I... Anyways I never had the heart to give it away.
Abhi's voice was full of pain. Plus she really needed to change. Her body was burning because of the hot tea. She wore the dress and came out.
Abhi: Naina I'll just go and see if Raj is back. Till then have this cooling juice I made. Will relieve a lot of the pain you are feeling. And the burnol is in my bedroom. You can apply it once you have had the juice.
Naina had the cooling juice. It tasted odd but she felt much better after. She felt conscious going to Abhi's room. But she needed the burnol.
Abhi had put on the tape with their favorite musical numbers in his room. The music made Naina emotional.
She opened the drawers and was overwhelmed to see them full of her photographs and letters. Her head felt heavy, she wasn't sure if it was because of the strong emotions she felt or something else.
Just then Abhi came back.
Abhi: Naina, Raj isn't back yet. I called his phone and it seems unreachable.
Naina: Oh ok.. abhi. The cooling juice had a magical effect on the pain but my head feels heavy.
Abhi: The juice is a miracle worker. Here have some more.
(The juice actually had heavy doses of vodka and rum - two drinks for which Naina had very low capacity)
Naina had it and then Abhi helped her sit down on the couch.
Naina (slurred): Abhi you still... have this tape...
Abhi: Naina... I am sorry... I often listen to it. I should have turned it off.
By now Abhi was holding Naina's hand and had his other hand around her shoulder.
Naina's head felt very heavy and he gently placed it on her shoulder.
Naina: Those ph...ph..otos.. and letters... you still have them...
Abhi: Of course. What else do I have to live for?
Abhi had tears in his eyes by now.
Abhi: Naina, why didnt you wait for me?
Naina didn't know what to say.
Naina: Abhi... I... am... so... sor..
Before she could complete Abhi's lips were on hers and he was giving her a deep french kiss.
Naina wanted to resist. But she wasn't in control of her senses and Abhi's words full of love and passion were hard to resist. Plus Abhi had cornered her in and she had no way to escape.
Abhi: Naina, say you don't love me and I'll let you go...
Naina: Abhi... I don't...
Before she could complete Abhi had moved to second base. He was gently kissing her cleavage and his hands were wrecking havoc on her body.
But Abhi got carried in his own over-confidence and broke his own spell.
Abhi: Do you love Raj?
Naina: Raj...
The moment she heard Raj's name she pushed Abhi away.
Naina: Raj, Raj is my best friend. No one... No... one cares ... for me more.
I am going...As she was getting up to leave the door flung open and Raj walked in.
Raj was horrfied to see Naina and Abhi in a dishevelled state. He didn't want to imagine what was going on before he entered.
Edited by paradigm - 8 years ago
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