IV
But as she approached the others, she hid her smile, she was determined not to share her secret with others , at least not now.
"Hai main to bhool gayee, mere parents to is waqt Delhi main hai. Main ab kahan jau?
The others looked at each other .
Suddenly Neelu said, " To kya? Humare ghar hai na. You can stay with us till your parents return."
"Yes why not?" Yudi added.
So it was decided that Ali would take Pooja home. And the rest will now stay in Yudi's place. Once it is Huda's time to go back home , Alekh will accompany him.
They got up on the car. Ali and Pooja took lift up to the Bus-stand. Rest went to Yudi's place.
All four of them – Yudi, Neelu, Alekh and Naina stood there apprehensively as Neelu rang the bell . They were received at the living room with raised eyebrows. Yudi's parent were already aware about the incidents at KMA and were sorry for the sad demise of Captain Rajveer. Mr. Sahani was certainly not in sympathetic terms with Major Nair.
Yudi's Mom, being the simple person she is, at once felt sorry for poor Naina and warmly invited her to stay with them as long as Naina would need.
Well, Alekh's presence was taken with a pinch of salt and agreed upon that he would leave with Huda after seven days.
The cadets were invited to a simple dinner of roti , sabzi , rajma and dahi. Yudi's Mom observed that Naina was not eating, she was just putting the spoon to her mouth and down. "Naina beta , tum bahut thak gayee ho, , ja ke araam karo,. " said Mrs Sahani.
After dinner, Naina was packed off to Neelu's room and Alekh to Yud's.
.
As Naina went to bed she already had made a plan of action. She was sure Rajveer wanted her to find out Lt. Chaubey who might have the link to Rajveer's current whereabouts.
So she must first get Chaubey's contact number. But how?
Before she realized, Naina was fast asleep.
It was twilight time. The sky had a lovely shade of orange and blue. The western side seemed to be on fire but the light that fall on Naina's white sareee was a soft shade of pink and gave the sari a hue of pink and orange . Naina was sitting under a tree , her hair all lose and swinging in the light breeze. She had someone close to her bosom on her lap. He was tired and had his eyes closed. Maybe he was in a deep and peaceful slumber. One sleeps like that when for days one is deprived of sound sleep and closeness to near and dear ones.
Naina was lovingly passing her fingers through the tangles of soiled and unwashed hair which were earlier always perfectly groomed and gelled . Her fingers moved over the closed eyelids, and the slightly crooked nose. She loved that nose. The way he flared his nostrils when upset with her. Naina smiled thinking of many such incidents at KMA.
She felt the rough stubble on his face and rubbed her palm and back of hand against them. The tingling she felt on her hand was at once transmitted to her brain like an electric shock, in turn bringing the tingling sensation to every part of her body.
She outlined the lips with her fingers The lips were now dry and cracked , but that did not stop Naina from planting a small kiss on them.
Rajveer woke up and tried to get up balancing on his elbows. He turned around and hugged Naina closely . They remained still like that for long.
The pistol shots were sharp and clear and hit Rajveer on his back , three of them , he fell over Naina , who shrieked aloud………….."Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir……….."
But it was Huda who had taken the bullets aimed at her!! It was HUda who was still in the KMA.
Naina was fully awake. She was panting , her chest moving up and down . Drops of sweat appeared on her forehead . She looked around the dark room, faintly lit by a nightlamp and Neelu was sleeping peacefully on her bed.
Naina got up and helped herself to a glass of water. What a nightmare !!
But she knew that HUda could help her to get the contact number of Chaubey .
She went to bed again, determined to ring up Dr. Shalini next morning and ask about HUda's condition.
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