LRL - Chronicles of Divya

Prologue: Stepping Into A New Life

"I'll be fine Abbu, don't worry! Mom, tell him not to worry!" she said in an irritated voice, not letting her contentment of being loved and grief of parting show.

"Take care ma, these places can be dangerous!" her father warned her again. Throughout the journey he had been warning her about all sorts of things while her mother kept giving her tips for what to do when in feminine-related trouble.

She knew that she would not miss anything too much though, if not at all, because in a way life had taught her not to do so. She was certain that she would fit into the new way of life just fine, with some uneven places here and there.

Taking a final glance at her parents, wishing her sister was there to bid her goodbye as well, she walked towards the gate that was open till 1800 hours sharp. She took a deep breath and stepped foot on the ground of Kanchanjunga Military Academy.

~*~*~

Hi guys, I know this is short, but I won't post Chapter 1 till Friday. It's about a new character, Divya, who is a batch-mate of Rajveer, Naveen, etc. Please tell me what you think about this non-RN fic.

No one is interested in it, huh? Oh well... I'll still post Chapter 1, in hopes of getting at least ONE reader... here it goes:

Chapter 1: Leaving Behind a Life

Earlier that day:

"Appi! Get my white shirt from the balcony; I'm sure it's dried by now!" I called out to my sister. She huffed and got up from the sofa, leaving 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' on the table. I heard my mother calling me from her room and groaned. More instructions or orders!

"Did you pack-"

"Yes Mom!! You've asked me that millions of times already!" I answered knowing what she was going to ask.

"OK fine, then did you pack your sandals?"

"Uh... no... but what would I need sandals for?!" I tried defending myself, feeling extremely foolish. My mother jumped up at the chance of enlightening me with a small telling off.

"Well you can't wear sneakers everywhere! They're not hygienic anyway. Now go pack your sandals, and don't forget to call your Abbu, he should've been here by now!" I sighed and went to the living room, picking up the phone lazily as my sister threw my shirt at me. With surprisingly improved reflexes, I caught the collar.

After most of the things were done, I stood still in the middle of my cramped room, breathing the dense air that I would not miss at all. I picked up my bag and held the trolley. My father came into the room, trying to take the trolley from me, but I resisted. It was about time I started doing my own work instead of letting others do it while doing others' work... wow, that thought didn't confuse me! Maybe I am getting sharp! Or... I'm just used to the thought.

I walked out of the room, trying to have a good image of the small messy apartment without any important reason. Maybe I was going to miss this place. Maybe. But now, I had a future ahead of me, and that's what I will focus on.

pls cont with ur fic. Its interesting

hey plz continue but whose pair is it then?

Chapter 2: Life Midway

Four months later:

Divya was sitting uneasily outside Brigadier Chandokh's office. What if he had found out that she was the one who started the food-fight? She hadn't meant to! It was just that she wanted Rajveer to be her friend, and the only way that would happen was if they were comfortable around each other and had fun. She scolded herself; she really should get over the crush she had on him. Obviously there were no chances for them… well… being 'them'. Even if there were, she knew she would have to avoid it, since it was against her principles. The orderly's call broke her train of thoughts, and she sighed in relief, momentarily forgetting she was being called by the principal.

She stepped into the office, heart beating loudly against her chest. It was almost the same as the first time she had been there, five months ago, for her admission into Kanchanjunga Military Academy. The files were neatly stacked on one side of the table, the tray holding Brigadier's (she found it mean to call him 'BC') lunch on the other side, and Brigadier Chandokh himself sitting up straight while looking down at a file (which seemed quite odd to Divya) behind the desk. She stomped her foot to the 'attention' position with her hands behind.

"Ah, Cadet Tripathi, at ease." Brigadier's voice didn't seem commanding like it usually did; in fact, it almost sounded like a host welcoming his guest into the house and telling her to make herself comfortable. "Take a seat." Divya had an urge to giggle in a girly way, but knew that she would never bring herself to do that, in front of Brigadier or not. That was probably the result of growing up with university professors as parents, surrounded by more of the similar people. She sat down carefully.

"Cadet Tripathi, I must say, I'm quite disappointed in you. When I took your admission, I did have doubts, but I was still confident that you had it in you, just needed the training. But seeing your marks, I - just don't know what to say... you tell me, Cadet." He said, looking directly into her eyes, which made her uncomfortable. She had never been able to look at someone straight in the eye for a reason she didn't want to recognise.

"Sir... I honestly don't know why I'm doing so badly. I guess I didn't concentrate on anything that much, I never had." She felt guilt well up inside her. She was here to be a soldier, not for some guy! The thought infuriated her; she took a deep breath and opened her mouth to confidently tell him that she'd concentrate fully on her studies and drills from now on, but he interrupted her.

"I know that you just made up your mind to try harder, I can see it in your eyes. That is a good thing about you which is probably what kept me from rejecting you; your eyes and voice says the same thing, and on most cases, eyes don't lie. You will make an outstanding and sincere soldier someday, but you have to work hard to earn that status. I hope this warning and advice helps you get back on track, Cadet. You may leave."

She got up, feeling slightly proud that her genuineness could be seen through her eyes, her most favourite part of her body, but seven more guilty since she had told so many little white lies, lies nonetheless, in the past few weeks. It was mostly because of her liking Rajveer though, that she had slipped from her average marks in her studies and drills. She really needed to get rid of him from her mind till she regained stability. Seeing him and Naveen approach her, hastily turned around, pretending not to hear their voices calling them and walked quickly to the library.

Rajveer wondered why Divya was suddenly acting so strange; she was usually really eager to hang around with them, they liked her too. Why was she avoiding them now then? When he voiced his concern to Naveen, his friend replied that it was because BC had probably scolded her. He accepted the explanation, and went towards the gym. They were meeting Abhimanyu and Prakash there to plan the party outside KMA.

Chapter 3: Normalcy with Difference

Later on that afternoon:

"Hey Divya! How come you're not with Naveen and Raj?" Jassi, her batch-mate asked her. She smiled at Jassi and merely shrugged. "Fight?" Divya shook her head. She tried to focus on the history book, jotting down notes for the homework Lolita Ma'am had given them. Jassi understood that she didn't want to talk about it and quietly sat down beside her, opening her communication & strategies book and notes.

Suddenly the sound of laughter diverted their attention towards the entrance of the library. Rajveer had entered with Nandini's arm around his. Divya looked down at her book, not being able to concentrate, but trying nonetheless. She sighed and rested her left elbow on the table and put her head against her fist, blocking out the newcomers from her view and herself from theirs. She realised that her temperature was more than normal, and sighed in relief, getting a reason to get out of his presence. Jassi gave her an odd look which told Divya that she was sighing too much. She got up to go to the infirmary, finally getting a reason to get away from everything for a while.

She kept her mind busy with that thought as she tried to leave without catching anyone's attention, but failed. Rajveer was calling her, and it wasn't soft enough to ignore. She turned around, slightly amused but hurt at seeing Nandini's annoyed face. Friends or not, they were still roommates. She sighed again, almost laughing at herself for it, and gave Rajveer a look that clearly said 'hurry up!' despite the fact that she really wanted to talk to him.

Rajveer saw the look Divya gave him and just shook his head, not wanting to upset her. She turned away and walked outside, lost in her own thoughts. She felt her fever get worse from the drop in her mood.

"Hey Divya!" she heard Rajveer call her from behind. She unwillingly looked back. "Wait up... hey." He said awkwardly. "Are you OK? You've been acting strange since B – Brigadier Chandokh – called you to his office... what did he say? And you're not looking so well now either..." his attempt at making sure he didn't upset her and his concern cheered her up slightly. She stopped walking and smiled at him.

"It's nothing. Thanks for not calling him 'BC' by the way. I just have a fever... no big deal." They stood in silence for a moment, and then Divya started to walk again.

"Umm... maybe I could walk you to the infirmary? You never know when you might fall unconscious!" he teased, referring to the time she had nearly fainted after an entire day of non-stop drills of Major Nair. She sent him a fake glare, though with a small smile. "Have you finished the history assignment? I really don't get why we need to know history to be a soldier!"

"We need to know these because it helps us avoid mistakes made in the past, and remember and follow great deeds by even greater people!" Divya explained almost automatically, and Rajveer laughed. Realising she sounded like her father, she chuckled too.

"Wow... you're laughing? That too more than once within a few hours!" he teased again, remembering her joyful face and laughter during the food-fight.

"No no, you've got it wrong! That's not me laughing… it's the fever!" she replied with a grin. Laughing again, she gave him a slight nudge, getting a stronger one back. They reached the infirmary, and Rajveer knocked.

"I'm sorry, but I'm busy right now. Actually no, come in." Dr. Shalini's voice sounded sore. They went in cautiously, wondering what was wrong with the doctor herself. She was sitting behind her desk with her head in her hands, and when she looked up it was clear she had had a lack of sleep from the redness of her eyes.

"Uh Ma'am… it's OK if you're not feeling well... it's nothing serious, I'll just take the pills for normal fever and headache..." Divya said uncertainly, worried for the warm and cheerful woman they had come to know.

"Don't be silly Cadet. Thanks, for your concern, but I have a job to do here. Now tell me, what's wrong? Fever and headache? Have you eaten anything this morning or afternoon instead of throwing it around?" she asked with a small smile, but sounding sarcastic. Rajveer and Divya exchanged glances. She guiltily looked down at her feet.

"No Ma'am... and I really shouldn't have started that..."

"Relax Cadet. Oh, Cadet Singh, why exactly are you still here?"

"I – wanted to escort her till the infirmary... you never know what happens..." Rajveer stammered out the explanation. He glared at Divya who was silently shaking with laughter, sending him amused glances. She knew it was rude, she couldn't help it though; it was too funny, in a cute sort of way, to see him trapped like this. It occurred to her that Dr. Shalini was right, but she ignored it and smirked at Rajveer when the doctor spoke.

"Well, she's been in the infirmary for some time now, do you need anything else? Perhaps medications? You're not looking so well yourself!" Shalini's voice wasn't as sarcastic anymore, but had a touch of humour to it. He quickly shook his head and muttered 'bye', leaving his friend coughing with suppressed laughter.

He smiled and looked up once he was outside, running hand through his hair wondering if anyone would ever understand the female species. He knew he certainly wouldn't, not anytime soon at least. Heading towards the mess to find his other friends to discuss the party, he completely forgot about informing Divya of the party preparations, the reason he stopped her outside the library in the first place.

Chapter 4: A New Episode

The next day:

"All first year cadets assemble on the grounds immediately." Brigadier's voice boomed through the speakers as Divya was coming out of the infirmary. It was around 1500 hours, and most of the first year cadets were in the mess or the library, since they didn't have any drills that day. They all poured onto the grounds, standing in their lines.

"What do you think he called us for?" Nandini asked Rajveer from behind Divya, who was at the front. He shrugged, standing up straight when Brigadier, Major Nair and Captain Samar, the junior drill conductor, arrived.

"Cadets, every year the new batch has a very real drill to test their potentials and weaknesses, as well as to give them a glimpse of what war could be like. Since there are nine cadets in your batch, you will be split into two groups of four and five; each team will be taken to places completely different and you have to stay there for as long as needed. The two groups will be the Hawks and the Doves. In the later years of training in KMA, you'll have similar drills with these group titles, so remember your title clearly, because you'll be in these groups for the rest of your training here. Major Nair will be in charge of the Hawks and Captain Samar of the Doves. I'll let Major Nair take over now." Brigadier Chandokh stepped down, letting the senior drill conductor explain the rest.

Rajveer and Naveen grinned at each other after hearing about their drill; this was what they were here for! The drills till now were quite minor, but this one was exactly what they wanted. Divya felt a surge of excitement and confidence, already imagining what it would be like. She never thought she'd get the chance to prove herself so soon! The other cadets' reactions weren't much different either. The excited whispers abruptly stopped as Major Nair started speaking.

"There could be enemy attacks, or nothing at all. At all times though, stay alert, since anything could happen. This is to create the wartime atmosphere; battalions sometimes return without having anything done, after having waited for days or weeks. Now, Captain Samar and I will only be with you till you reach the destination; after that, you're on your own with the team. You'll be provided with the necessities at the site we're taking you to. We'll explain everything else on the way. Cadets Chauhan, Mittal, Virani, Joshi and Kalicharan come with me; you'll be the Hawks till you pass out of KMA... that is if you pass out successfully." He sneered at his team, especially the two girls (Nandini and Jassi).

The Hawks groaned. They were disappointed not only because they were with Major Nair but also because they weren't the closest of friends with each other. The Doves however, were overjoyed at having their favourite teacher as their leader and being with good friends. The Hawks left first, lead by Major Nair, who was barking out orders.

Captain Samar sat down on the stairs and stretched out; Rajveer, Naveen and Prakash getting the courage to follow, did the same on either sides of him. Divya stood against the pillar beside a half sitting Naveen. Seeing him doze off, she lightly kicked on his side, and he jerked up. He glared at her while rubbing his side; she just exchanged smirks with Rajveer, who was between Naveen and Captain Samar. Prakash looked longingly at them from Captain's other side, mostly because his ultimate dream was to be as cosy with Divya as the other two were... maybe even more.

"OK Doves, enough resting. It's time for us to start the mission in life..." Captain said dramatically as the cadets laughed. He pulled Rajveer and Prakash up in one pull, but Divya didn't even dare to try such a thing Naveen, who was still grumbling under his breath about his side.

"Oh come on Ahluwalia! That kick was nothing... I'm sure if Tripathi gave her best kick, you'd be in an ambulance on your way to the ICU of the Army Hospital!" Their teacher said, winking at Divya. She grinned back, giving an innocent look to Naveen. This drill would surely bring many adventures for them, and none of them could wait for it to start!

nice FF, great parts cont. soon