Part1:
It had been four years. Even then the shocking, heart wrenching events of that day were afresh in her heart. Every day, the wounds dug deeper indicating her helplessness. Suffocation threatened to empower and devastate her. But she knew she had to fulfill her promise and she did. Currently, she, Captain Naina Singh Ahluwalia, one of the much sought after soldiers of the country, having achieved quite an amount of credentials and medals of bravery had another mission to complete. She knew before she succumbed to her shortcomings, she had to show him ? her mentor, her luminary, her captain, her ?.. the colorful world of freedom. She had to restore his pride and self- confidence. She had one focus in mind ? to repay the man who had sacrificed his career and self-respect for his love ? for her and her brother. She knew she would always owe her present and future to him. His silence had spoken a lot. She at least had her pals and parents. But he had lost both his dear ones ? his best friend and the love of his life. She had always kept a low profile; she knew it would act as silent weaponry in her pursuit. And it did. It had played an astonishing factor in their victory.
?The dark, damp, dusky atmosphere could not have more affected the prisoner more than his past had. The twinkle in his eyes had long since vanished. His face unshaven and rigid masked all emotions but it was his eyes that spoke volumes. His voice rarely heard hinted his bitter past. Despite the darkness it was his heart that hoped, hoped that nothing had happened to her. His love for his country only magnified with time. Though, he was no longer a captain, but in his heart he was still - the faithful son of his motherland. Inquisitive and curious, he read the newspaper which was scarcely distributed and rotated within the bars for any information linked to his past. There were occasional tidbits about the accomplishments of all his cadets except one!! The one whom he could die for. There were 10 more years before he would be let free. The very thought that his staunch and impulsive cadet might have become a mother, wife and moreover a responsible young lady by now was enough to make him smile painfully with utter tentativeness. It was going to be a long wait before he could have a glimpse at her. But little did he know that his anticipated wait was going to be short lived.
Two months later:-
The jeep stopped with a screech. From it stepped out, a young lady draped in a pale lemon saree. Clutching a stack of files and carrying a handbag she walked towards the entrance of the bricked room which overlooked the vast stony compound wall which in turn enclosed the inmates. A few minutes of discussion with the guard and she was allowed inside. Two other old guards accompanied her. They were just about to turn around the corner when the guards? walkie-talkie rang. They told her to walk over to the forth cubicle on the left and they would be with her in a moment.
He had been dreaming about the trial when his eyes flashed open. It was intuitive. He had a weird feeling as if his life was once again on the edge of a turning point. He slowly walked towards the water pot placed at the corner of the cold, stony floor when his sharp years picked up the sound of footsteps approaching. They were soft like that of a woman?s but how was that possible. This prison housed only male prisoners. Unknowingly, his heart began to beat wildly. His back which was facing the bars gave an involuntary shiver. The footsteps stopped outside and then there was silence. Slowly, he turned around and his eyes captured the most beautiful vision ever. He was shocked. There she stood, gazing at him with a strange expression he had never seen. There were moments of complete placidness and then the most loving word ?Naina? escaped from his mouth.
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