PART-2
TWO MONTHS BACK!!
Those fingers were working on the keyboard of a laptop. They were running at a good speed that was paused by a knock at the door.
"Come in." She answered.
Three gentlemen walked into the room. They all were clad in army uniforms. She knew one of them but the other two were complete strangers. She got up from her chair looking at them in complete surprise. She turned to the man she knew.
"Yes Lieutenant Sharma?"
"Ma'am, meet Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat and Captain Amardeep Huda. They have been deputed by Army Headquarters here. And sir she is Captain Naina Singh."
"Hello Gentlemen. Please take a seat" She received both of them warmly and turned to Lieutenant Sharma.
"Thank You Lieutenant Sharma. You may leave now."
"Right ma'am"
"So tell me gentlemen. What brings you here?" She asked the officers.
Captain Rajveer took out an envelope and handed it over to Captain Singh.
"What's this?" She enquired.
"This is an order for a surprise inspection of the Army base here at Simla."
"Inspection... But what calls for an inspection here. Everything here is just fine."
"I am sure it is, Captain Singh. It is just a routine." Captain Huda Answered.
"Exactly and since Major Rastogi is on a leave, you are supposed to be the in charge of this Army Base. We will need your co-operation." Captain Rajveer explained.
"Of course. Ab orders issue ho hi gaye hain to they'll have to be followed. So... when would you like to start?"
"Right away." Replied Captain Rajveer.
"Okay. That won't be a problem. So where do you want to start from?"
"I think lets start from Ammunition Room." Captain Huda suggested.
"Alright. This way." She guided them to the ammunition room. But when they reached there the room was found locked and the keeper was missing. Naina immediately called for the in charge of ammunitions room. Within next 5 minutes, Subedaar Khan reported.
"Subedaar Khan where is the guard and why is there no one outside ammunition room."
"Ma'am he must be somewhere around."
"Then look for him. Do you have the keys?"
"No ma'am. It's with the guard only."
"Oh great. Subedaar Khan, just look for him and get me the keys in next 10 minutes. Am I clear?" Naina was fuming.
"Yes ma'am"
"I am really sorry about this officer but do you mind starting from somewhere else. Or how about getting some refreshments meanwhile? "
"No captain Singh. It's Okay. Let's move towards records room then." Captain Rajveer insisted.
"Okay"
Captain Rajveer and Captain Huda were going through each and every record minutely. They were checking the records as if they were looking for something specifically. Though they didn't show any signs of suspicion.
"By the way Captain Singh may I know when exactly were you posted here?" Captain Rajveer enquired.
"8 months back."
Captain Rajveer and Captain Huda kept asking her questions about herself, the other officers at the base and their operations. It has been around half an hour and Naina realized that she has not got the keys yet.
"I think you will have to excuse me. I'll just be back."
"Okay." Captain Huda answered.
As she left Lieutenant Sharma came there.
"Captain Singh has asked me assist you till she comes back."
"Lieutenant Sharma…Tell me about Captain Singh. I mean what kind of person is she?" Captain Rajveer was inquisitive.
"Sir Captain Singh is a very charming person….helpful, motivating and sincere. But a workaholic to the core."
"And in her personal life?"
"Sorry sir she does not share her personal life with anyone."
"And what about Major Rastogi?" Captain Huda asked.
"Major Rastogi is a very strict disciplinarian. He likes it only when everything goes according to the protocol. To tell you the truth we generally fail to summon up courage to confront him even if we believe it is the only option with us. But in those situations Captain Singh handles him well."
At that very moment Captain Naina Singh returned.
"Thank you Lieutenant Sharma. Dismissed."
"I have got the keys. So would you like to inspect Ammunition Room now or later?"
"I think later. We have already started our work and I don't think we should leave this in between." Captain Huda answered her but he himself needed an answer from Captain Singh.
"By the way Captain Singh, I am really surprised to know that you don't have a copy of the keys with you. As far as I know, you, as the in charge of this base are supposed to the have that."
"Of course I have it. Major Rastogi did hand it over to me before leaving. It's just that I don't carry it all the time."
"Don't you think Captain Singh that this callous attitude can land you up in a problem some day?"
"Problem…what problem? I know what happened today gave you a bad impression about our work but believe me things like these don't happen here generally. Oh, by the way, I have made arrangements for your stay in the Army Guest House that is just 5 minutes walk from here."
"Thank you Captain Singh." Captain Rajveer said.
"Don't mention that. Besides since two of you are gonna be our guest for a few days now I would like to invite you for dinner tonight. There's a Thai restaurant in the heart of the city that is famous for its amazing food. I hope you like Thai cuisine."
"Of course... And Thanks again." Said Captain Huda.
"Pleasure is entirely mine Captain."
They continued with their work. It went on very smoothly. Everything was properly organized and filed. Everything was in place. It was around 1930 Hours when Captain Naina Singh asked them to wind up their work for the day.
"I think aaj ke liye this much should be sufficient. Leave something for tomorrow as well."
"I think so Captain Singh." Captain Rajveer agreed.
"So chaliye I will show you the Guest House."
Captain Singh herself escorted them to their accommodation.
"Aap dono fresh ho jaaeye. I'll pick you up at 2030 Hours. See you."
"Sure" Captain Shekhawat said.
She left the place for her own Quarter that was on another 5 minutes walk from there.
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
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