Guys I'm so sorry I haven't updated for so long, there's really no excuse for it and I owe you all a big apology! From now on I'll be updating very often as it's nearing it's end and I've actually completed writing the fic. The next part should be posted in a few days time!
Chapter Thirty Nine
By the time Republic Day arrived, all of the arrangements had luckily been completed as the cadets went into overdrive trying to get everything done on time. While most cadets were quite excited at the idea of seeing their parents again after such a long time and proving themselves to them, there were some who were more nervous than the rest... such as Ali and Pooja.
It would be the first time that they were introducing each other to their families, and they were hoping that nothing would go wrong. While they weren't ready to tell their families about their relationship just yet, both of them knew how important it was to make a good first impression. In fact Pooja had been practicing what she would say to any of her friends who would listen, which after she'd done it the first twenty times was not many. Even when everybody else was sick of it, Naina still listened to her sympathetically, providing helpful hints.
Now as they stood in the entrance hall waiting for almost everybody's parents to arrive, Aalekh lounged against one of the pillars looking decidedly disinterested. He had nobody coming for him, he knew that. In many ways he had accepted Naina's mother as his own, but he didn't expect her to come here today, he knew it would've been too painful for her. Beside him, Sherry started kicked the pillar absentmindedly with her boot, muttering under her breath. He didn't say anything about it, he thought it was probably best not to.
"Oy don't worry Qaidi," Huda announced cheerfully to him, "When my mummyji comes she'll have brought more than enough sweets for all of us. Just wait until you meet her, my mummyji is so..." As he kept rambling on about his mother, Aalekh rolled his eyes. At least somebody was happy today.
As the first car pulled up, Pooja squealed, rushing down to meet her parents, while Ali turned whiter and whiter.
"Don't worry Ali, they'll love you." Yudi tried to reassure him, "You're exactly the type of seedha saadha guy that all parents want their daughters to marry."
As soon as Pooja and her parents had finished hugging each other, she dragged them up to introduce them to her friends. Huda was charming as always, while Yudi greeted them politely and Aalekh was silent. Sherry managed a smile even though she felt sick to her stomach. Finally the moment they had all waited for arrived, as she gestured to Ali to introduce him.
"And this is Ali, Ali Baig... do you know, he's the third generation of his family to go into the army? Actually he's very patriotic, he's been responsible for organising the march past today... and he has five sisters too, so you know he's always very respectful to women, and..."
Luckily a car horn interrupted Pooja's very long introduction speech as Ali very nervously greeted her parents. Yudi sighed as his parents stepped out of the car, his mother sniffing at the outside of the academy to show she didn't approve of it. He sighed once again as Neelu stepped out behind them, now here was trouble.
Aalekh almost fell back when he saw her, except that he had the pillar for support. She hadn't warned him that she was coming... she should've told him something at least. She winked at him as they grew closer, making him feel even more nervous. Yudi didn't know yet, and if he found out...
"Relax..." Sherry told him under her breath, "You look like you want to run away right this minute, I thought that she was your girlfriend."
"She is... that's the problem." Aalekh replied.
Yudi also introduced his parents to everybody, although they didn't seem very interested except for when he introduced the girls, obviously hoping that one of them was his love interest.
"Hi Aalekh," Neelu said with a smile, coming to stand next to him while he gave her a slightly warning look.
"How do you two know each other?" Mrs Sahni asked suspiciously.
"Oh we went to the fresher's ball together," Neelu replied casually, before grinning at Aalekh when her mother turned away. Despite himself, he couldn't help but grin back.
Huda's mother soon arrived, hugging everybody and promising them lots of sweets, after which Ali's mother and sisters arrived in an autorickshaw. He introduced everybody, saving Pooja for last, who immediately befriended his sisters, chatting away to them like she'd known them for years. Everybody was quite impressed that she was able to limit her use of mobile language so much.
It was then that Raj and Naina arrived, and were quickly surrounded by the rest of the cadets who wanted to introduce their families to them, the only ones who hung back were Sherry and Aalekh for obvious reasons, and Neelu, who had already met both Captain Rajveer and Naina, and was now chatting with Aalekh even as he noticed that Yudi was giving them curious looks.
Abhimanyu arrived shortly after that, also greeting the cadets' families before he came to stand with Aalekh, Sherry and Neelu. Watching him pretend not to look at Sherry worriedly, Aalekh quickly decided that it was time for him and Neelu to make an exit.
"Ah, we'll go and catch up with Yudi." he announced quickly before tugging her forward, making Neelu give him a curious look.
"Are you alright, Sherry?" Abhi asked her quietly after they were gone, "I know you're not looking forward to seeing him..."
"That's an understatement," Sherry replied, "I feel like throwing up at the thought of seeing him. I've been praying all week that there'll be some sort of emergency with the government that will prevent him from coming."
"It will be fine," he tried to reassure her, placing a hand on her shoulder before he could stop himself, "He's only coming for a day... and you'll be so busy with the ceremonies that you won't have to spend much time with him if you don't want to."
Sherry nodded and seemed like she was about to say something else when seeing an official car pull up she suddenly froze. Shrugging Abhi's hand off her shoulder she moved away from him quickly, going to stand with Raj and Naina, who were deep in conversation. Naina looked quite pale, and Sherry realised how nervous she must be.
"Don't worry Bhabhie, it will be fine." Sherry tried to reassure her, "If he doesn't like you then it's his loss."
Naina didn't have time to reply, because at that moment Lala Gehlot stepped out of his car, surrounded by his bodyguards. Sherry hung back as Raj went forward to greet him, touching his feet and then hugging him. Naina stepped forward shyly, also touching his feet before standing there nervously.
Gehlot placed a hand on her head as if in blessing.
"I have to admit Raj, that when I first found out that you had married her, I was very angry at you." Gehlot told him sternly, "But now that I see her for myself, I can understand why you did, your wife is lovely."
"Thank you, Sir." Raj told him, very relieved that it seemed like he had accepted Naina. Naina smiled, some colour finally coming back in her face.
Sherry just shook her head, she could see right past all of his pretenses.
"And where's my daughter?" Gehlot announced loudly, probably for the benefit of the crowd that had gathered. "I can't wait to see what KMA has made out of her."
Sherry stepped forward reluctantly, and saw his eyes widen slightly on seeing her changed appearance before he nodded. "Excellent." he said, and hugged her, ignoring the fact that she was stiff in his arms. The moment he let go of her she stepped back, going to stand next to Naina.
It was then that Abhimanyu stepped forward, also touching her father's feet before Gehlot hugged him. "I can see you still haven't cut your hair," Gehlot commented humorously, and Abhi gave a half smile in return.
"Well, I'll go and greet Brigadier Chandook now," he announced, leaving with his bodyguards.
Naina let out a long breath. "Well that went better than I expected it to." she announced, and Raj put his arm around her shoulder, hugging her to him.
"How could he not like you?" he asked her, "It would've been impossible... and Lala Saheb has more sense than to blame you for things that are not your fault."
Naina nodded, hoping that it was true.
"Well, shall we move inside?" Raj asked them, taking his arm from around Naina's shoulder to place it on the small of her back instead. "The ceremonies will start soon, and you in particular have to be in the right place, Sherry."
She nodded, he was right.
After all, she would show her father what he had made out of her.
Whether he had intended to or not...
**
The ceremonies went smoothly, everybody's parents watching proudly as they marched past. Naina tried to suppress her disappointment when the names of the martyrs were read out and her brother's was not among them. She couldn't have expected... there was no way that they would've, and yet still she had wished. But looking at Raj standing beside her, Naina was confident that it was only a matter of time, they would prove Naveen innocent eventually. No matter what happened, Raj would keep his promise.
She had been relieved that his godfather had been so welcoming to her, and yet it confused her too. He had seemed nice, if a little formal, but the fact that his daughter hated him so much, surely it meant something. All Naina hoped was that today could maybe bring some understanding between father and daughter, that they might somehow repair their relationship.
She didn't realize exactly how impossible that would be.
**
"Hey Punjaben…" Aalekh muttered to her when the ceremonies had finally concluded, "Exactly where are those photos that Mucchad has?"
"Why?" Pooja had asked him, surprised, "What type of talktime are you planning?"
"Don't worry about that, just tell me where I can find them."
Pooja quickly described exactly where they were within the room and gave Aalekh a curious look, she didn't have much time to worry about it though, because all of the parents were already approaching them, and she was quickly swept up in hugs by hers before they started clicking pictures of her on their phones.
Aalekh found Neelu in the crowd, and gesturing to her, asked her to come aside to talk to him.
"Will you come to the ball tonight with me?" he asked her, causing her to look surprised.
"So you really don't care if Yudi finds out about us?" she asked him, "I thought we were still hiding it…"
They had always had a very casual and carefree type of relationship, seeing each other when they had the time but also giving each other space. Aalekh liked it that way and he knew that Neelu did too, but there was a part of him that thought maybe one day, when he was more settled in life…
"We'll tell him whatever you want… but I need your help with something." He told her, and she nodded. If there was one thing that Neelu loved, it was excitement, and Aalekh's words seemed to promise that.
**
Sherry was not surprised when immediately after the ceremonies, the press descended, wanting to take pictures of her with her father. She stood stiffly beside him, refusing to smile, as he placed his arm around her shoulders and plastered a proud expression on his face. Once again she resisted the urge to throw up, barely waiting until the photographers had left to shrug his arm off her.
Immediately she headed for Naina and Raj, both of whom hugged her warmly, congratulating her on organizing the march past so well. Abhi also approached her, wishing that he could hug her as well but knowing it would be inappropriate. Instead he gave her a warm smile, trying to show how proud he was of her. She returned it cautiously, before glancing worriedly in her father's direction. He walked up to meet them slowly, and she could tell by the look on his face that he was annoyed at being shunned by her so obviously.
It was then that her friends came over to join her, as Pooja hugged Sherry happily. "Oh Sherry, it's all going so well! I've made such a good connection with Ali's parents and sisters, and I think that my parents network is joining well with his too!"
"I'm so happy for you," Sherry told her genuinely, "See, I knew everything would work out."
"Are you going to come and join us in the canteen?" Yudi asked, "We might as well see whether Huda has a career as a bawarchi or not."
Yudi quickly dodged Huda's angry movement, hiding behind Aalekh who muttered "Nautanki Saala…" under his breath.
"I'll be there in awhile," Sherry told them, "You guys go ahead…" Nodding, they all left, still chatting and laughing amongst themselves.
"So what's planned for the rest of the day?" Gehlot asked, looking at his watch as he approached them.
"Well the rest of the day is free for the cadets to spend with their families, and then there's the ball in the evening." Raj told him, "Are you staying for that, Sir?"
"I'm not sure… it will depend on whether I receive any calls." Gehlot replied, "Well since now is family time… perhaps my daughter would like to spend some quality time with me?"
The look that he gave her showed that she clearly didn't have a choice. All that Sherry could do was nod, and follow him as he headed in the direction of the main building.
**
"Well… you seem to have settled in here quite well." He commented once they were settled in one of the VIP rooms, Sherry sitting stiffly in her seat.
"I've decided that my future is with the army." She told him in a very no nonsense tone, "I've always wished that I could protect my country… from whoever tried to hurt it."
He smirked at the hidden meaning in her sentence, knowing exactly what she was hinting at.
"And are you sure that you're ready for such a challenge?" he asked her, "You should be aware of what happens to those who challenge the wrong people… exactly how much they can lose. Just like poor Navin Singh Ahluwalia…"
He stopped on seeing the stiffness of her body, the sudden expression of shock in her eye, she hadn't known… she had hoped that maybe it hadn't been… because now… Anger rose in her as she faced him, because she knew very well, exactly what it was that he had just hinted at. There was no fear in him, no fear of exposure, because he knew very well exactly how much power he had over her.
"And what if I tell you that I don't care what happens to me… that I'll protect my country anyway because I've got nothing to lose." She tells him challengingly, knowing that it's impossible, but not wanting him to get away with it.
"Then I would remind you…" he says in a quietly dangerous voice, "That everybody has something to lose… and I think that you have rather a lot, don't you?"
She refuses to answer, refuses to be afraid, looking him straight in the eye. She doesn't believe that he would do anything to her, but even if he did… maybe it would be worth it.
"You've made quite good friends here, haven't you?" he asks in a seemingly casual tone, "You seem quite close to them… at least that was the way it seemed when I saw you together just now."
And she curses herself, curses herself for breaking her own rules, for becoming attached to people when she shouldn't have. The walls she had built up so carefully around herself came down so easily here at KMA, and she should've had better self control, should've just refused all their kindness.
"And then there's your dear Bhaiyya and Bhabhie, isn't there?" he asked in such a fakely sincere tone that she once again felt sick, "Your bhabhie has had so much trouble in her life already, the poor thing… wouldn't you hate for her to experience any more?"
Sherry tries to control her hands from shaking, clutching the arms of her chair. He has her right where he wants her, he knows that she won't be able to speak against him, won't be able to tell the truth. He's known for years.
"Stay away from them." She tells him, her voice trembling, "I swear if you do anything to any of them…"
"Then what?" he asks her, openly mocking now, "You'll expose me? With the little that you know and no proof? Grow up Sherry, and stop trying to play this game. You'll never beat me."
"I hate you." She tells him, spitting the words out even as she trembles, "I hate you so much… I wish I'd been an orphan rather than having a father like you. Maybe not now… but one day you'll get what you deserve."
He laughs at her, laughs at her hatred. "Maybe I will, but you won't be the one to do anything to me… you don't have the strength. After all, what do you think all these new friends would think about you if they know the truth? Who would stand by you when they know what you really are?"
She knew what she was, the daughter of a traitor. She also knew, that none of the people she cared about could ever find out… not for her sake, but for theirs.
"Well I think I might go and spend some time with your brother and his wife…" Gehlot announced, standing up, "Why don't you go and sit with your friends? Enjoy them while you can…"
Saying this, he stood and left the room without a backwards glance. Sherry tried to follow, to make her way to her own room but her legs wouldn't carry her, trembling so much that she could barely move. The corridors were deserted with everybody celebrating and she sank to the ground, leaning against one of the pillars heavily.
She was a fool… she had always been a fool. She couldn't beat him, couldn't challenge him, because he would always take advantage of her weaknesses.
**
While the cadets had been celebrating happily with their families and teasing Huda about his food making skills, Abhi had been waiting worriedly while he sat with Naina, Raj and Shalini. Naina looked much happier now that the introduction to Lala was over, and was currently listening to stories about the Republic Day celebrations that Raj and Naveen had taken part in while they were in the academy. When Lala walked back into the room, Abhi automatically looked behind him, waiting for Sherry to appear but she didn't. The older man took a seat with them, greeting Shalini charmingly and Raj sighed.
"Did you and Sherry have another fight, Lala Saheb?" he asked him, noticing his sister's absence.
"Maybe I should…" Naina started to say, about to stand up from her seat as if to go and find her sister-in-law.
"No, everything is fine." Lala reassured them, "We had a real heart to heart and Sherry became quite emotional, I don't think she wanted anybody to see her in that state so she's taking some time for herself. Please sit with me and we'll get to know each other better."
Naina sat back down, nodding uncertainly, and Abhi tried not to frown, thinking that the words didn't ring true. "Shalini, why don't we leave them alone?" he suggested, "They must have a lot to catch up on."
"Definitely, I'll go and meet the cadets' families, I haven't had a chance yet." Shalini told him, as Abhi hurriedly stood up. Naina gave him a look almost as if she knew where he was headed and approved.
He didn't have any idea where to look for her but it turned out that he didn't have to look far at all, because half way to the cadets hostel, he found her half collapsed against a pillar, a far away look in her eyes, her whole body trembling.
"Sherry," he called out to her, kneeling down beside her, but she didn't respond. "Sherry, what happened?" With no response, he began to get desperate, reaching out he touched her cheek lightly and she looked at him, as if shocked to see him there. "What happened?" he asked her quietly, looking down he saw that her hands were trembling and without thinking he took them both in his, but she just kept on shaking.
"Come on," he told her, knowing that he had to get her out of the hallway before somebody saw her like this. Pulling her up, he put one of her arms around his shoulder, winding his around her waist to support her. She leaned on him heavily, still appearing to be in a state of shock. He thought about taking her to her room, but doubted that she would make it that far, and his was closer. Pausing to open the door, he momentarily let go of her and she slumped against the wall, almost as if she no longer had the will to hold herself up.
He got her inside quickly and settled her on the couch before shutting the door behind them, thinking it would be best for nobody to find out.
"I'll just make you some tea," he told her, knowing that at least something warm might help to break her out of her shock, "Just try to relax, take deep breaths and calm down."
He made the tea as quickly as possible, constantly glancing over at her to check if she was alright. However when he tried to press it into her hands she was shaking so badly that she almost dropped it, and he placed it on the coffee table in front of her instead, sitting down beside her and taking her hands in his, rubbing them. He forgets about everything he shouldn't be thinking and doing, because right now all he knows is that she needs to be comforted, to be helped.
"Can't you tell me?" he asks her desperately, letting go of one of her hands to tilt up her chin so that she has to look him in the eye. "What is it that you're so afraid of? What is it that makes you so upset? I want to help you Sherry… I… I can't bear to see you like this." Seeing the pain in his eyes as he looks at her is the last straw, and finally Sherry breaks, beginning to sob uncontrollably, so hard that her body shudders with it. He gathers her into his arms, hugging her as she cries and cries as if she'll never stop, her breaths coming in gulps.
He remembers once offering her his shoulder to cry on and how she had told him if she started then she might never stop. He only realizes today just how true that is. He rubs her back comfortingly as she continues to cry, trying to soothe her, to at least make her feel a little bit better, calm her down. He's not sure how long they sit like that, but the way her head rests on his shoulder, her fist curled up against his shirt as she cries, he realizes he would do anything to protect her, to try to take away her pain. She seems so fragile right now, not like the normally tough Sherry who isn't afraid to confront anybody.
Finally she stops crying, but still doesn't raise her head from his shoulder. He keeps his arms around her, as they sit together perfectly still as if both of them are afraid to move. She leans against him, takes a deep breath in, and allows herself to pretend for a moment that it's okay, that she could tell him everything, that she could stay with him, that he wouldn't just help her, he would accept her as well.
Then she breathes out, and pulls away.
He looks down at her as if confused about what he should say or do next, his hands now gripping his knees tightly as if he's afraid that he'll reach out for her again.
"I should go…" she tells him, "I shouldn't have… I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry about," he tells her sternly, "And you're not going anywhere until you drink that tea, you need it."
"It will have gone cold by now." Sherry tells him, trying to smile although it doesn't quite reach her eyes.
"Then I'll make you a fresh one," he says, not willing to give up just yet. He doesn't want her going out like this after she's obviously just suffered a huge shock, she at least needs something first.
"Don't worry…" she tells him, the mask now back on her face, "I'm strong enough to at least make it to my room, then I'll wash my face, go back to the mess and play happy families."
"I'm not going to allow you to," he tells her stubbornly, "Wash your face while I make you some more tea, then sit there and have it. After that you can go back to the mess."
She looks like she wants to argue with him, but just as quickly gives in, going to the bathroom to wash her face. When she comes out again she looks better, almost back to normal, and he passes her the cup, putting a plate of biscuits in front of her. She sips the tea slowly as he watches her, even taking a couple of biscuits at his insistence.
"What did he say to you?" Abhi finally asks, unable to control himself, "What did he say to make you so upset?" Her silence fills the room and he sighs, "I don't know why you can't tell me, but I just wish that I could do something… I can't see you in this much pain, I can't just stand back and watch."
She finishes her tea in one last gulp, pushing the cup away and then briefly touches his hand before she stands up. "You don't know how much that means to me," she tells him quietly, "But believe me when I say it's better if you don't get too involved… for both of us."
It's the closest she's ever come to admitting exactly how wrong everything is, and she realizes she'd better leave now before she reveals anything more.
"I'll see you later," she tells him, plastering a fake bright smile on her face, and leaving before he can reply, closing the door behind her.
He thinks about following her, also going back to the mess but he just can't do it, can't watch her pretend to be happy while he breaks inside. Can't sit there and be polite to Lala Gehlot while he knows that the man is doing something that hurts his daughter so incredibly much.
He can't do it because he loves Sherry, even if she won't allow him to.
Marathi TV
Cricket
Bigg Boss 19
Arjun
Hindi TV Shows
Aami Daakini
29