New LRL fic: ’Fated’ updt pg 14 - Page 3

hey pl continue

sorry for posting so many times

arss: Actually I've never read that, who's it by?

Yogini: Update will be up tomorrow! Sorry it's taken so long, but it will be more frequent from now on!

Chapter Six

He sat in yet another hospital room, trying to remember how many times it had been now.

Five.

Almost two a year.

In three years he had received the call five times and all five he had rushed to her side, sat by the bed, and waited for the moment she would open her eyes.

And he wondered, whether the time would come when he would be called here for the last time, whether one day she would never open her eyes at all.

"Tell me something, Naina." He asks her, "Each time this happens, when you open your eyes and find that you're still alive… are you relieved or disappointed?"

And Naina's expression is all the answer he needs.

"I managed to keep alive without you
And didn't kill myself for the shame of it."

She quotes to him.

At Aalekh's enquiring glance, she smiles sadly. "Ghalib." She tells him.

"Since when did you start reading poetry?" he asks her. It's a stupid question. So he decides to ask an even stupider one.

"How many more times will I get this call, Naina?" he asks her desperately, "How much longer will this continue for?"

And Naina's sad smile falters, and when her eyes meet Aalekh's there is a quiet determination in them.

For the first time he really understands what the answer is.

As many times as it takes.

**

In the twenty one years since Naina's death there has never been a moment that Aalekh hasn't missed her. In fact he's missed her even longer than that, he's missed her for twenty-five long years, because ever since Captain Rajveer died she was hardly Naina anymore, but only ever a shadow of her former self.

And in the twenty one years since her death, never once have the five of them who remained felt that they were only a group of five.

No, rather they were six minus one.

And there was never a single minute when they didn't feel her absence, like a great gaping hole in each of their hearts. The wound that had been caused by Rajveer Sir's death had only been widened by Naina's, and there was nothing that could ever heal it.

There had been times, not often, but still… when Aalekh would wake up in the morning and not remember that she was dead.

But then he would walk out of his room and see her photo hung in the most prominent position next to Captain Rajveer's and he would remember all over again.

Remember every single moment of her slow death, a death which had taken four years to finally be complete.

Aalekh's first reaction when he had seen them both again, was to want to call Neelu up and pour his heart out to her, tell her everything, tell her that they were back.

But something stopped him.

Aalekh didn't doubt for even a second that they really were Captain Rajveer and Naina, there could be no other possibility.

But he also knew that neither of them remembered anything about their past, that they didn't have any clue about who they really were.

And the more he thought about it, the more he thought that it would be best not to tell them.

How would they react if he was to come out and say it? He doubted that either would believe him, and the last thing he wanted was for the tragedy of their past lives to have an effect on their presents.

And so Aalekh prepared to hide the secret deep in his heart, hide it from his best friends, from those who had suffered just as deeply as he had for the past twenty five years.

And he just hoped that in the end they would forgive him for it.

**

For an entire day he doesn't even know what her name is.

She will always be Naina for him, just as Captain Rajveer can never be anything but that.

But just as Rajveer Sir's name has changed, he knows that Naina's will have to.

But how could he find out? How could he ask about her without seeming suspicious?

Luckily his dilemma was solved when he saw her heading out with Captain Shergill for a patrol. Aalekh forced himself not to rush, instead he walked slowly to where the lists were, and trying to remain calm, checked them with a rapidly beating heart.

It was easy to figure out which one she was, as the only female officer apart from Captain Shergill in the group.

Lieutenant Asha Dutt.

He wondered if he would ever be able to think of her by any name other than Naina.

He wondered if he would remember to call her by the right name when they finally met.

And most of all, more than anything else, he just wanted an opportunity to talk to her, to spend time with her.

But the patrol she had left on would take three days to return, and Aalekh knew that he would have to be patient.

And so as often as possible, without making it seem too obvious, he tries to spend as much time with Rajveer Sir… with Dhiraj as possible.

Every time the young man speaks, the earnestness in his voice, the conviction, brings all of the memories flooding back. He is a true patriot, and Aalekh knows that in this life too, he would die for his country without a second thought.

But there are differences too, Dhiraj has an edge to him that Captain Rajveer didn't, he's far less diplomatic and far more likely to speak his mind. He's also less serious than Captain Rajveer was, happy to joke around with his best friend Samir. And Aalekh wonders whether that's what Rajveer Sir used to be like… before Navin died, before he lost somebody to laugh with.

And while Captain Hassan leaves for a patrol the day after Naina's patrol has left, Dhiraj is going to be on base for the rest of the week helping with planning and official tasks.

But there is one thing, that no matter how long it takes, Aalekh will never become used to.

And that is Dhiraj saluting him, behaving respectfully around him.

And Aalekh wishes that it was the other way around instead.

But for now… he will bide his time, he will keep the secret to himself.

And as much as he can, he will try to ensure that no such tragedy ever happens again.

**

The day after she had arrived back from the latest three day patrol they had been sent on, Asha waited for Amiya to return. While their schedules matched most of the time, there were times when one would be off base while the other was on it. Asha was just glad that she wasn't scheduled to leave on patrol again for another week, it was exhausting to be constantly alert, on the look out for anything out of the ordinary. For the moment everything in the border regions was still calm, and she was thankful for that.

Asha had just left her room and was walking towards the mess when she smiled, spotting her friend in the distance as they climbed out of the jeep they had taken to reach their patrol spot.

As soon as the officers had all climbed out, Asha saw Captain Hassan dismiss them from a distance, and the other two walked off while Amiya remained, appearing to be asking him something. They began to walk, and Asha noticed that Captain Hassan was limping slightly.

Concerned she walked towards them, saluting him before she asked the question. "Are you alright, Sir? What happened to your leg?"

"Nothing, I'm perfectly fine." Samir replied, gritting his teeth as he took yet another step on it.

"You know Sir, now that Asha is here, I'm sure that we could both support your body weight." Amiya offered helpfully, but Asha noticed the small smile on her face she was trying to hide, "We could help you to the infirmary."

"Thank you very much Lieutenant Chatterjee, but I'll be fine to reach the infirmary on my own." Samir replied, "You can go now."

"But Sir, we can't let you walk like this by yourself, you'll end up injuring yourself more." Asha protested, "What happened, anyway?"

"Captain Hassan tripped over a tree root." Amiya explained, not bothering to wait for Samir to reply himself.

Samir turned to glare at her slightly, "Yes thank you very much for letting Lieutenant Dutt know that, Lieutenant Chatterjee." He told her.

"Well it wasn't your fault, Sir, you were trying to explain something to us at the time." Amiya told him.

"Like what?" Dhiraj asked, having spotted them standing there and walked up to join in the last part of the conversation. "That a soldier should always be alert?"

And he gave a definite smirk in Samir's direction.

"Great Dhiraj, here I am in pain and you're making jokes at my expense." Samir told his friend, "You really are a wonderful friend, aren't you?"

Grinning, Dhiraj moved forward, and slinging Samir's arm over his shoulder, gave him enough support.

"I'm just wondering…" he commented then, "If you're falling over tree roots then how do you ever expect to be able to defeat the Chinese Army?"

"Oh I don't know," Samir replied sarcastically, "Maybe I'll grab their ankles while I'm lying on the ground."

And before she could stop herself, Amiya let out a short laugh, while Asha tried to hide a smile. And for a moment, Dhiraj grins at her, and Asha becomes distracted, finding herself smiling back. And she probably would've continued to stare at him if Samir hadn't chosen to speak again.

"Lieutenant Chatterjee, stop laughing, and Lieutenant Dutt… please don't think about starting. You're both dismissed." Samir told them, trying to sound as strict as possible as he began to limp towards the infirmary supporting himself on Dhiraj's shoulder.

"So what had you so distracted that you began tripping over tree roots?" Dhiraj asked him, eyebrows raised, "Or should I be asking who?"

"Don't even start with me, Dhiraj," Samir told him, "Before you start accusing me of things, take a look at yourself first."

"What are you talking about?" Dhiraj asked him, for some reason suddenly becoming nervous.

"I'm talking about your distraction," Samir tells him, "I think it might be some sort of a record if you could go for five minutes without staring at Lieutenant Dutt while in the same room with her."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Dhiraj replied, trying to pretend that he really, really didn't.

Seeing the look on his friend's face, Samir decides that it's best he drops the topic for now.

"And anyway, it seems like you're determined to embarrass me in front of our junior officers." Samir continues, shaking his head slightly.

"Are you afraid of being embarrassed in front of all the junior officers or one in particular?" Dhiraj teases him.

Samir just shoots him a look that says he doesn't find the comment very funny, and laughing, Dhiraj continues to help him towards the infirmary.

***

"I can't believe you actually laughed at your superior officer." Asha tells Amiya, shaking her head, "I know you love teasing people, but really…"

"Yes, poor Captain Hassan," Amiya says, trying to look serious. "Actually he was trying to explain some tactics to us in detail at the time and I think he was just a bit too distracted and I think he really was quite embarrassed at it happening… he wouldn't accept any of our help to get to the infirmary."

"Well at least it's not too serious." Asha replies, "He's probably just twisted his ankle, they should be able to fix that up easily."

"So how was your patrol?" Amiya asked her, "Less eventful than mine?"

"Much less, Captain Shergill is a great officer," Asha tells her, "She was also giving us tips and advice. I just keep wondering how much longer this calm will continue for, because if hostilities start properly then we'll really miss these days."

And it as at this moment, that turning a corner, they run into Aalekh.

"We're really sorry, Sir!" Amiya explains after they both snap him a salute.

Aalekh's eyes are glued to Naina's face, and for a moment he sees an expression pass over it, a mixture of recognition and confusion, but just as quickly as it has come, it disappears.

"That's quite alright," he reassures them, forcing himself to stop staring at her. Wanting to continue the conversation, he thinks of something else to say. "You're both recent pass outs, aren't you?"

"Yes Sir," Asha replies seriously, "Lieutenants Asha Dutt and Amiya Chatterjee, graduates of Barrackpore Military Academy."

"I've heard that it's quite a good academy." Aalekh replies, as for the first time he is able to observe her properly, and it's not just the dedication and spark that he can clearly see in her eyes, it's the tone of her voice, it's the pride with which she mentions her academy.

She is his Naina, there can be no doubt about it.

And yet… now she is Asha, and he needs to remember that.

And really, in so many ways she does represent all the hopes that he ever lost.

"Which academy did you pass out from, Sir?" Amiya asks him.

"Kanchanjunga Military Academy in Ambala." Aalekh says, unable to keep the pride out of his voice.

"It's the best academy in India." Asha says, almost automatically and then looks surprised at herself.

"It definitely is," Aalekh agrees.

"I wanted to go there but my parents wouldn't allow me to," Asha tells him, "They preferred me to attend an academy closer to home."

And at that moment Aalekh can't help but think her parents made the right decision. Because he wonders what Asha's reaction would have been the moment when she saw Shahid Naina Singh Ahluwalia's photo on the wall of fame, or the way everybody else would've reacted to her when she turned up.

"Well I'm sure that you've received a more than adequate training at Barrackpore," he assures them, "I've heard good things about both of your performances from your senior officers."

"Thank you very much Sir," Asha tells him, and the fact that she calls him Sir… Aalekh isn't sure how to respond. "I heard that there are some new soldiers arriving today, is that true?" she asks him.

"It is," Aalekh confirms, "I haven't checked the list yet, but I believe we have about a hundred more transferring here today. I was actually just on my way to welcome them."

And that is the exact moment when the vehicle which has transferred them from the landing field arrives. The three of them turn to watch as the newest batch of soldiers climbs out, chatting amongst themselves.

And it is then that Aalekh spots a familiar figure, who waves and hurries over.

And he curses himself for not checking the transfer lists, but really, somebody should have told him, he should've been sent a message…

And as a rather tall young man with a very open and honest face comes to join them, Aalekh realises that he hasn't spotted Asha yet, which is just as well.

Finally reaching them, he smiles warmly at Aalekh before reaching down to touch his feet.

"Nobody told me you were coming," Aalekh protests, "Couldn't your father or mother at least have sent me a message?"

"Actually I wanted it to be a surprise, Uncle Aalekh." The young man tells him, and it is then, that he finally notices both Asha and Amiya standing there, looking at him curiously.

And the moment that he sees Asha, he begins to stare at her, as if he's seen a ghost.

Aalekh realises that he has to do something to rescue the situation before it goes too far.

"It might be okay to call me Uncle Aalekh while you're off duty," he announces, giving a slightly pleading look as if to tell him not to say anything, "But remember that you're a soldier, and while on duty you should behave like one."

"Of course…" the young man murmurs, turning away from Asha despite the curiosity and shock which is now in his eyes.

Then he snaps to attention giving his best salute.

"Lieutenant Hussein Rajveer Baig reporting for duty, Sir!"

**

omg.. totally blown away.. what an awesome story.. u write so so so well.. plz do continue as soon as u can.. u've got a nail-biting story goin on.. i've just caught up with this one after a long time.. u described aalekh's reactions to seeing rajveer n naina really well.. fabulous writing.. i feel like i'm actually watching the story unfold infront of me.. plz continue soon..

Chapter Seven

They had been waiting to meet him as soon as the graduation ceremony had ended, and immediately his Abu had hugged him warmly, tears in his eyes, while his mother cried openly, kissing him on both cheeks.

"Today you continue a proud family tradition." His Abu told him, "Whatever you do, remember that your country's honour and safety always comes before your own. You are an officer in the Indian Army now, your country must always come first."

Hussein had nodded seriously, feeling every word of his father's advice.

"But most of all, never forget that you are upholding the beliefs of the man you were named after." His father had continued, "And that no matter what the cost, you must fight for truth and justice, you must support what is right."

And Hussein had looked up at the photo hanging on the wall of fame, the photo which had watched over him every day of his two years at KMA, which had always given him strength in difficult times.

He will uphold the traditions of Captain Rajveer Singh Shekawat, he will bring glory to his namesake's memory.

And he will never, ever let his parents down.

Because he knows that for them, keeping the principles and beliefs of their lost friend and mentor alive is all that's allowed them to survive all these years without them.

And because more than anything else, he feels the weight of the responsibility attached to his name upon his shoulders.

He will uphold the traditions of Captain Rajveer Singh Shekawat, he will bring glory to his namesake's memory.

He will prove to his parents that he is worthy of his name.

**

There are two days of the year when Hussein's mother does not stop crying, from the time she wakes up to the time she finally falls asleep, exhausted and still sobbing. On these days Hussein's normally calm father will cry as well, even as he tries to comfort his distraught wife.

When he was small, Hussein had never understood the reasons why his mother wept. He would hug her, placing his small arms around her comfortingly, while she would kiss him repeatedly and try to tell him that she was alright.

On these two days, Hussein's Abu and Ammi always took the day off work. Some years Husseins aunts and uncles would also join them, depending on where they were all posted at the time. On these days the first thing that his family would always do without fail was to visit both the mosque and the gurudwara, to offer prayers and give charity.

It was when he was eight years old that his father finally told him the truth.

"For only two days of the entire year, your Ammi allows herself to truly feel her grief." His Abu had told him, "For the rest of the time she stays strong for the sake of all of us."

"But why does Ammi cry?" Young Hussein had asked his father, "What is she so sad about?"

"She cries because today is the anniversary of the day her best friend, your Aunt Naina died." His Abu had explained.

"And what about the other day that she cries?" Hussein had asked.

"That was the day that Captain Rajveer Singh Shekawat died, Rajveer Singh Shekawat who you were named after and who made Pooja and I what we both are today."

Up until this point, Hussein and his sister had always heard stories of their parents' academy days, their friends, pranks and fun. But it was the first time that death had ever been mentioned.

Every year from that point onwards, his parents had revealed more and more of the story to their children. And Hussein and his sister Anjali had asked to be told the stories again and again, slowly memorising them by heart.

He had never met either Naina Singh Ahluwalia or Rajveer Singh Shekawat, having been born after both of their deaths. Yet he had felt as if he knew them, as if they were friends and guides whose example he could look to in order to show him the right path in difficult times.

And their faces… he could picture their faces even when he closed his eyes because every day their faces had been one of the first things he saw in the morning. Their photos had hung prominently in the pride of place on the living room wall, and every day he would pranam these photos with folded hands, taking their blessings before leaving the house. They had been with him throughout his academy days too, where they hung on the wall of fame as if watching over him.

And today when he had seen that face in front of him, it was as if the dead had come to life.

Which, Hussein supposed, they really had.

"It really is her, isn't it?" He asks Aalekh, "The moment I saw her…"

"Yes," Aalekh replies quietly, "It really is."

They're sitting in Aalekh's room, drinking coffee. Hussein closes his fingers around the mug, allowing himself to feel the warmth. He thinks he might be in shock, because he's having trouble working out what he should be doing or saying or feeling. He can't even imagine what Aalekh would have felt when he saw her… what he would've gone through.

"When you saw her…" he starts to say, and Aalekh smiles sadly.

"She was the second one that I saw." He tells Hussein.

"Then he… he…."

"Yes." Aalekh tells him, nothing more needs to be said.

It's a miracle, there's no other way to describe it. Hussein thinks of all those years of his mother and father crying and praying for the souls of their friends to be given peace, to be given happiness.

"Ammi, Abu…" he starts to say, but Aalekh cuts him off.

"I haven't told anyone yet," he tells Hussein, "I don't know if I should or not. If they know then they'll want to come and see them… it's only natural. And I don't know how either of them would cope if they found out the truth."

Hussein thinks about this deeply, considering Aalekh's decision not to tell anybody. He thinks of the pain that his parents try to hide, the pain that all of those who were affected try to hide.

And yet he understands.

Because it shouldn't be about what's best for those who were left behind, now that they know those they lost have a second chance, they should do their best to protect them. Even if it means keeping the truth from them.

Hussein nods, wishing that it could be different, but agreeing with Aalekh's decision.

"Whatever happens Uncle Aalekh, I'm with you." He tells him.

And Aalekh closes his hands over Hussein's, feeling as if at least part of a burden has been lifted off his shoulders. Because the pressure of keeping a secret like this has nearly crushed him under the weight of his loneliness… and at last there is someone else who understands, someone else to keep the secret with him.

And he knows, that Hussein Rajveer Baig won't let him down.

He has always been true to his name.

**

Entering the mess that night for dinner, Hussein looked for a free place to sit and spotted one opposite Asha and Amiya. Hesitating for only a moment, he headed for the table and sat down opposite them.

"Hi," he told them, feeling a bit self conscious but making an effort to appear normal.

"Hi," Asha told him, sticking her hand across the table and Hussein shook it. "I'm Asha Dutt, it was Hussein, right?"

"Yes," Hussein told her, shaking her hand with a smile. In many ways she was how he had imagined her for so long, and in many ways completely different.

"And I'm Amiya," Amiya shook his hand too, "If I'm remembering correctly, Hussein Rajveer Baig… now that's an interesting name."

"Amiya…" Asha half scolded her, "Don't be so nosy."

"Hussein doesn't mind, do you Hussein?" Amiya asked him with a grin. "And is Colonel Sharma really your uncle?"

"No," Hussein told them, laughing. "Uncle Aalekh is actually a friend of my parents from their time at the academy."

"Oh so both of your parents are in the army then?" Asha asked, "You're continuing a family tradition."

"You have no idea…" Hussein told her, "I'm the fourth generation on my father's side. Both my grandfather and great grandfather were in the army."

"So what are your parents' names?" Amiya asked, still trying to get more information out of him, and Asha gave her another stern look.

"Colonel Ali Baig and Major Pooja Baig," Hussein told them, and Amiya grinned as if she had just won a prize.

"I knew it," she exclaimed, "With a mixed name like yours, your parents had to be different religions. It must have been a love marriage, right? How did they meet? Was it difficult for them?"

"Amiya!" Asha scolded her yet again, "You know you don't have to answer that if you don't want to." She told Hussein.

"It's alright," Hussein replies, "I'm happy to tell you their story if you'd like to hear it."

"Of course I do," Amiya told him, "What do you think I've been trying to find out from you for the last five minutes?"

Asha laughs at her friend's behaviour and then nods, "I'd like to hear it too." She tells him.

"Well when Abu and Ammi met, they were cadets Ali Baig and Pooja Ghai at Kanchanjunga Military Academy." He tells them, watching Asha's face carefully. Her face changes at the mention of his parents' names, almost as if there's a twinge of recognition. "They first became friends and then fell in love, but it took them a long time to admit how they felt about each other. When they finally did, they agreed to keep their relationship secret until they could convince their parents."

He pauses to see the girls both nodding, and then continues.

"Their friends guessed anyway and supported them… and when they graduated from the academy, Ammi and Abu told their parents, but my grandparents weren't happy about the match. They told my parents that they should forget each other, and choose somebody more suitable."

"That's terrible!" Amiya exclaims, "Thank god that things have changed somewhat since those days."

Hussein glances at Asha and finds her concentrating hard, waiting for his next words. He wonders whether while she doesn't remember his parents, she still feels something listening to their story, still wishes for the happy outcome she never got to see.

"For four years they waited… and tried to convince their parents." Hussein tells them, "Nothing worked, both sets of parents threatened to never talk to their children again if they got married."

"So what happened?" Asha asked quietly, unsure of why she felt so attached to the outcome, why the love story of these strangers mattered to her so much.

"Their best friend died… was martyred in a terrorist attack." Hussein admits, "And her last request was that they not waste any more time because life is too short to be wasted. So two month later, Ammi and Abu eloped. It took my grandparents awhile to give in, after I was born they started talking to my parents again, and then when my sister Anjali was born they forgave them properly."

"What a beautiful story," Amiya tells him sincerely, "Honestly somebody should make your parents' love story into a movie, right Asha?" And she looks over at her friend to find that Asha now has tears in her eyes.

"Look at you," she tells her with a smile, "Becoming emotional over love stories… this is not the Asha Dutt that I know. Are you sure you're in love yourself?" she teases, trying to lighten the mood.

"You never stop joking do you?" Asha asks, shaking her head with a smile on her face. "That really was a beautiful story Hussein, one of the most beautiful love stories I've ever heard."

And Hussein smiles, trying to hide the sadness that he really feels. Because she has no idea that the most beautiful and tragic love story he's ever heard is actually hers, and there's no way that he can tell her.

And it is then that the world stops turning for a second time in one day, because it is then that Rajveer Singh Shekawat walks into the canteen.

Except he's not Rajveer Singh Shekawat anymore, and Hussein needs to remember that if he's going to keep this secret.

And the look on Asha's face when she sees him… lets Hussein finally understand why his mother cries as much for the loss of their love as she does for their lives.

Dhiraj makes his way towards them along with another officer that Hussein hasn't met yet, and he watches as Dhiraj looks up, his gaze searching for Asha, resting upon her and then moving away again.

And as they're about to pass by, Asha, surprising even herself, speaks up. "Why don't you come and join us, Sirs?" she asks them both, "There are a couple of spare seats here."

And Dhiraj, as surprised by this offer as Asha herself is that she made it, for a moment forgets himself and continues to just gaze at her, his eyes upon her face, the tray he's holding forgotten in his hand.

It is Samir who speaks, rescuing the situation. "Thank you very much, Lieutenant Dutt." He tells her, "Of course we'll join you." He nudges Dhiraj slightly as he walks past him, breaking his friend's daze, and as Samir takes a seat on one side of Hussein, Dhiraj takes the other, sitting opposite Asha.

"I don't believe we've met," Samir tells Hussein after he's sat down, "Captain Samir Hassan."

"Lieutenant Hussein Baig." Hussein introduces himself, leaving out his middle name on purpose not sure how Dhiraj would react to it, "I only transferred in today."

"Welcome to Tawang," Dhiraj tells him, "I'm Captain Dhiraj Kapoor."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." Hussein tells them, knowing that Dhiraj could never guess exactly how much it means to Hussein to be sitting here with him eating.

And as they eat their dinner, making conversation about the current military situation, Hussein notices that Dhiraj glances at Asha so often that it would be hard for anybody not to notice it, although two of the other people sitting at the table certainly seem to be doing their best to pretend they haven't.

"So is your sister in the army too?" Amiya finally asks him when there's a break in the conversation, "Since it's such a family tradition."

"No, she's taken after Ammi though, she's a brilliant hockey player, plays for the Uttar Pradesh state team… I wouldn't be surprised if she's selected for the national team next year." Hussein tells them proudly.

"So your Ammi played hockey too?" Dhiraj asks him, "I quite like hockey… would I recognise her name?"

"No… Ammi joined the army otherwise she probably would've become a famous player." Hussein tells them, "My mother is Major Pooja Baig."

And a look crosses Dhiraj's face for a moment, a spark of recognition, of almost… happiness.

"Have you heard of her?" Samir asks him.

"I don't know…" Dhiraj replies, frowning now, thinking about it. "The name seems familiar."

But Hussein won't tell him where he knows the name from, not now anyway. Not until it's the right time.

And observing the two of them while he eats his food, his resolve strengthens even more.

He will do everything he can to fulfill his parents unfulfilled wishes.

Whatever happens, he will try to ensure that the two of them stay alive… and that they find happiness.

And maybe in this way he will be able to finally stop his mother's tears, his father's quiet sorrow.

He will prove that he is worthy of his name.

hey excellent

new concept

pl continue soon

This is really different...
update soon...

beautiful.. simply beautiful.. hussein is a brilliant guy.. so sensible at such a young age.. i luvd the line where he thinks that naina n raj's story was the most beautiful n tragic love story he'd ever heard.. lovely way to put his thoughts.. n the whole scene in the canteen.. where he meets asha n dhiraj.. n the ending.. the part abt his resolve n wiping away his parents' grief.. awesome writing.. plz continue very very soon.. i'm addicted..

Chapter Eight:

"I can't believe it's only three months until we finish our training," she had remarked, a spark in her eyes, "Just imagine, three months and we'll finally be proper soldiers, ready to begin our duty."

"I'm sure that's not the only reason you're waiting to finish the academy," her friend had joked, "After that, your line will be clear for making a new connection."

And she had blushed, "Tu bhi na, Pooja… that wasn't what I meant, you know that there's not… that we're not…"

And Pooja had smiled affectionately, and hugged her. "You don't have to pretend with me, doost, I know whose messages are in the inbox of your heart. Just wait and see, as soon as you're finished in the academy, he'll be sending his signal loud and clear."

There had only been three months to go… and at that time, she had honestly believed that she would have the rest of her life ahead of her, that there would be plenty of time to tell him how she felt…

But fate had had other plans.

**

Asha had been in a bad mood all morning. In fact she had been in a bad mood since the day before yesterday when she had arrived back on base to be informed she would be having a visitor on her day off.

"Don't worry, I'll find some way to get you away so that you don't have to spend too much time with him." Amiya told her as they walked into the mess in the morning. "I'll come and tell you you're needed somewhere."

"He'll just get suspicious about that," Asha tells her with a sigh, "Especially since it's the second time it's happening. It won't work."

"Well then… I'll send Hussein to tell him you're needed somewhere!" Amiya suggested, spotting the young man at a nearby table, bent over a sheet of paper. "He'll do it for us!" Hussein had only been on base for a couple of weeks, but both of the girls had grown to like him a lot in that time. As he was a few months younger than them, Amiya was constantly joking that since she was like his elder sister he should be listening to her.

Sighing, Asha slumped into a seat opposite Hussein and then on seeing him in front of her properly, suddenly remembered something.

"You know I had a dream about somebody called Pooja last night." She told him, "I think your story did affect me quite a bit."

And for a moment Hussein's eyes register shock until he gets himself under control, calming his emotions.

"So what was the dream about?" he asks her.

"I think we were in the academy together…" Asha tells him, "But it definitely wasn't my academy… anyway we were talking about how there was only a few months to go until graduation and…"

But Amiya, who has been peering over Hussein's shoulder at the sheet of paper by his hand, suddenly interrupts.

"Who are you writing to?" she asks him curiously, and Hussein hurriedly covers the sheet of paper, folding it over.

"Nobody." He tells her, "Actually… to my parents."

"You are not," Amiya tells him, "Hardly anyone bothers writing with pen and paper anymore when you could just as easily email them. Admit it, you've got a girlfriend and you're writing to her." And she grinned, proud at herself for figuring it out.

"Amiya stop being so nosy," Asha told her, "Hussein can write to whoever he likes and he doesn't have to tell us about it."

"Yes he does, he's our friend now." Amiya protests, "And therefore we deserve to know about his girlfriend."

Asha couldn't help laughing at that, momentarily distracted from the idea of Rajesh coming to visit today. Hussein looks terribly embarrassed, and Asha could swear that he's even blushing a little.

"Fine," he admits, "I am writing to my girlfriend."

"Oooo, seedha saddha Hussein Baig has a girlfriend." Amiya teases him, "Well come on, what's her name, where did you meet, how long have you been going out for?"

"We've known each other for a long time, been going out for about a year now and I'm not telling you her name." Hussein replies, a smirk on his face.

"Oh come on, why not?" Asha asks him, "In return I'll tell you all about Rajesh."

"Rajesh?" Hussein asks, a slight tone of shock in his voice. "You have a boyfriend?"

"No way," Asha tells him, "In fact we were just about to enlist your help to save me from such a terrible fate."

"Well I'm definitely ready to help," Hussein tells her, "Just tell me what you want me to do."

"Not so fast," Amiya tells him, "You still haven't told us what your girlfriend's name is."

"And I'm not going to either." Hussein says stubbornly, "If only because I know it will annoy you not to know."

"Oh come on," Amiya continues, "What are you afraid about, that we'll go tell her parents or something?"

"Knowing you, that's exactly what you would do." Hussein tells her, "So no, you don't get to know her name."

"Just think about it, Asha and I could send your proposal." Amiya jokes with him, "We'll have your Nikkah conducted in no time at all."

Hussein's stony gaze says exactly what he thinks of that idea.

"Fine, give us a hint then, we'll figure it out for ourselves." Amiya tells him, about to give up.

And for a moment Hussein appears deep in thought, his eyes momentarily drifting to rest on Asha.

"Let's just say… that it was very fated." He tells her, "I fell in love with someone very appropriate for my name."

"Hussein?" Asha asks, intrigued, "Come on Amiya, you should know this, what's an appropriate name for a girl for someone called Hussein to fall in love with?"

"Don't expect me to remember all that historical stuff." Amiya told her, "I know my parents sent me to religious school but most of the time rather than listening to the teacher I was looking out the window wishing I could be outside instead."

Asha and Hussein both laugh at this, and as Hussein folds up his letter and gets up to leave, he looks at them both thoughtfully.

"I never said it was that part of my name." he tells them, before walking off.

"Rajveer?" Amiya says confused, looking at Asha for help, "What would be an appropriate name for someone named Rajveer to fall in love with?"

And Asha is unable to reply, because she has the strangest feeling that somewhere deep inside, she actually knows the answer to that question.

**

At eleven am, Asha reluctantly went down to the gate to meet Rajesh, Amiya had promised to try to work something out to help her escape but Asha had told her not to worry, maybe it was finally time for her to tell Rajesh that she would prefer it if he just didn't visit anymore.

When he clears the security checkpoints he hugs her and tries to kiss her cheek, but Asha awkwardly moves her face aside.

"What's wrong?" Rajesh asks her, looking annoyed, "You're not happy to see me?"

"It's not that," Asha tells him, determined to be polite, "Rajesh I'm happy if you come to visit me as a friend, but you know that I'm not interested in getting married to you. I've told you this many times in the past. I have my own plans for the future."

And Rajesh smirks, "What plans?" he asks her, "This running around and fighting wars? How long can this really last for, Asha? You know that our families want us to get married, so why do you keep resisting? It has to happen eventually."

"No Rajesh, it doesn't have to happen eventually." Asha tells him, frustrated, "I have a right to make my own decisions in life, and no amount of emotional blackmailing by anyone is going to make me marry someone that I don't want to marry."

And Rajesh begins to get angry at this comment, "You know Asha your family has been very patient with you, they've allowed you to go and join the army and now you won't even do this much for them? Do you really think that you can find someone better than me? Do you think anyone else of our standards will want to marry a girl in the army?"

"What standards are you talking about?" Asha replies, also beginning to get angry and raising her voice, "This is exactly the reason I don't want to get married to you, your snobbish last century attitudes. I would prefer to never get married than get married to someone like you."

**

Dhiraj and Samir had already been seated outside going over some notes from recent patrols when Rajesh had arrived. Of course from the time that this had happened, their work had become increasingly disrupted as Dhiraj kept glancing at Asha and Rajesh with a frown on his face that became deeper by the moment, clenching his fist momentarily when Rajesh had tried to kiss her cheek. For his part, Samir dividing his time between watching the pair arguing in the distance and watching Dhiraj worriedly.

It was at this moment that Amiya and Hussein arrived, planning to put their plan into action to allow Asha to escape. Seeing the scene in front of them, Hussein steps forward ready to go and call Asha away but he's already too late, because ignoring Samir's protests, Dhiraj has gotten up abruptly from his seat and is striding towards the pair.

"Oh this is so going to be trouble," Amiya whispers to Hussein worriedly, "I don't think I can watch." And glancing towards Samir, she finds him staring with a similarly horrified expression. He looks around as if to see who else is watching and spots her with Hussein, both dumbfounded and stuck to the spot. For a moment they exchange a glance which says a lot, both of them realise that whatever is about to happen, it is not going to be good.

But it's like a car crash, and nobody is able to look away.

"And I don't know why women are needed in the armed forces in the first place," Rajesh continues, now increasingly angry at Asha's cold treatment of him and wanting to vent everything he's been thinking. "I mean it's obvious that they can't perform as well as men, so why let them in at all."

Asha is about to open her mouth to retaliate when she feels somebody come up and stand slightly behind her and to the side. Glancing around she sees Dhiraj standing there, an intense look on his face and instinctively takes a step backwards so that she is standing closer to him and further from Rajesh.

"Is everything alright, Lieutenant Dutt?" he asks her, his voice a mixture of anger and concern.

"Of course, Sir." She tells him, wanting to diffuse the situation, "We were just…"

"Discussing the role of women in the armed forces." Rajesh tells him sarcastically, and as he takes in Dhiraj's intimidating stance, the way that he has stepped forward even more so that he's now in front of Asha as if protecting her, Rajesh becomes even more angry. "And what do you think about this? After all, there has to be some reason for women to be in the armed forces, something they can do that men can't? Now I wonder if you would know all about that, Asha?" And it is the suggestive tone to his words that make Dhiraj see red, and before he can stop himself he has punched Rajesh, knocking him down so that he's sprawled on the ground, blood pouring from his nose.

At a distance, Samir swears and moves towards them, cursing Dhiraj's temper. Hussein looks worried, but Amiya just looks on, open mouthed before turning around to face him.

"You know, I think that Captain Kapoor is my new hero." She tells Hussein very seriously and he just stares at her unable to work out whether she's joking or not.

And as Rajesh scrambles to get off the ground and then gets up moving towards Dhiraj threateningly, Dhiraj takes yet another step forward so that Asha is firmly behind him. It is only the arrival of Samir who comes running, followed by Hussein and Amiya that manages to stop the situation escalating.

"That's it," Rajesh says, spitting blood onto the ground, "I want to talk to your superior officer right now."

**

And so half an hour later they all sit outside Colonel Sharma's office, while Dhiraj conspicuously avoids looking at Asha and everyone else avoids looking at him. The door opens suddenly and Rajesh comes storming out, shooting one last angry look at Dhiraj before walking towards the exit.

Aalekh comes out of the office then, and for a moment he is silent, looking at Dhiraj with a strange expression on his face. If Dhiraj didn't know better then he would think that it's a combination of amusement and frustration.

Standing at attention, Dhiraj waits to hear what his punishment will be, after all, he has attacked a civilian who was on military grounds.

"The situation has been managed," Aalekh informs them, "Mr Bannerjee has been persuaded to drop his complaint." He doesn't mention that he had threatened to restrict Rajesh's television channel from certain areas and ensure they received no interviews with any army personnel if the complaint was not dropped. "And I hope Captain Kapoor, that you will control your temper in future."

"I'm very sorry about this, Sir." Dhiraj tells him sincerely, not wanting to disappoint a man he in many ways sees as a mentor. "I don't know what came over me, but when he insulted the female members of the armed forces…"

"Just don't allow it to happen again." Aalekh tells him, "You're one of our best officers here and I expect you to be able to control your temper."

Dhiraj nods, and after Aalekh dismisses them, he walks away quickly followed by Samir, consciously avoiding looking in Asha's direction.

"So was it him insulting all the female members of the armed forces that made you so angry or one in particular?" Samir asks him once they're out of earshot.

And Dhiraj glances at Samir in surprise before hurriedly turning away. "I don't know what you're talking about Samir," he tells him, "I already said why I lost my temper."

"Oh I think you know what I'm talking about." Samir tells him, "I've already tried having this conversation before. Dhiraj, I don't know what it is about Lieutenant Dutt that makes you go slightly crazy whenever you see her, but I do know you have to get your feelings under control."

"Feelings?" Dhiraj asks him, a mixture of disbelief and nervousness in his voice, "I don't have any feelings for Lieutenant Dutt, I barely know her."

"That might be true." Samir tells him, "But then what's the explanation for why you can't stop staring at her when you're in the same room, why you keep looking for excuses to talk to her and why you get so protective over her. Admit it Dhiraj, I think you're in love."

"In love?" Dhiraj scoffs at him, "You know I don't believe in that type of love, Samir. It's true that I might be… attracted to Lieutenant Dutt but it's certainly not love."

Samir sighed, knowing it would be useless to try to convince Dhiraj to admit it at this stage. As far as he knew his friend, this was a lot deeper than a simple attraction and this was the first time he'd ever seen him unable to control his emotions in this way.

"Fine," he tells him, "Well… just try to keep your attraction a bit more under control. No more punching anyone."

There's absolutely nothing more he can say at this point in time.

**

Amiya was also frustrated, after leaving Colonel Sharma's office she had tried to get Asha to talk about what had happened, but her friend had been avoiding the topic, telling her that it was over now and they should forget about it.

Annoyed with Asha's avoidance, Amiya headed to the mess instead, intending to get some chai to calm herself down. It was when she saw Captain Samir sitting by himself, staring into space with a worried expression on her face that she hesitated, trying to decide what to do. Finally deciding, she headed over and sat opposite him, knowing that if anyone would be able to shed some light on the situation it would be him.

"So, uh, quite an eventful day today." Amiya told him, "Life really never is dull in the army."

And Samir cracks a smile, shaking his head slowly at the memory. "You're right, never a dull moment." He tells her, "Actually you know Dhiraj is usually much calmer than that, I've never seen him react that way before." He knows he's trying to justify his friend's behaviour, but he does feel like he should defend him.

"Yeah well Rajesh deserved it," Amiya says with a shrug, "He's such an idiot, whenever Asha sees him she ends up getting into a fight with him. I don't know how their parents are stupid enough to think they could ever get married without Asha eventually cracking up and killing him."

Samir gives a short laugh at this, amused by the way the young woman can make fun of any situation, even the most serious.

"So, uh…" Amiya starts to say and then stops, unsure how to phrase her next sentence. "You're not going to take it the wrong way if I ask you something are you?"

"Ask me whatever you like," Samir tells her, "I don't take many things the wrong way."

"Well then…" And Amiya once again hesitates, before deciding to just come out and say it. "Have you ever noticed that Asha and Captain Kapoor tend to act very weirdly when they're around each other?"

And Samir stares at her because this was the very last thing he'd expected her to come out and say. He likes her honesty, the way she's not afraid to ask questions that she wants answers to and he decides that he might as well be equally honest.

"Yes," he tells her, "In fact in the more than five years that I've known Dhiraj, I've never seen him behave this weirdly before in my life."

"And I haven't been able to work out any explanation for it," Amiya tells him, "Except for drugs… and that doesn't seem very likely considering we eat exactly the same food."

"No, definitely not drugs…" Samir says, "So there doesn't seem to really be any explanation at all except for…"

And they stare at each other, neither of them really willing to say it.

Except for their friends having fallen in love.

Which was looking like an increasingly likely option right now.

hahaaa.. well atleast somebody figured it out if not the ppl in love themselves.. u shud write a bit more abt alekh n some of his thoughts on the dhiraj asha relnshp.. that wud be interesting.. i simply luv ur story.. its awesome.. i wish u cud update it everyday. but like thats possible.. anyways.. do continue sooooooon..