Chapter 9
"Lt. Naina Singh reporting Sir !"
Naina enters in Col. Rastogi's cabin. Col. Rastogi gives her a warm smile and says, "At ease Lt. and seat."
Naina takes her place on chair. Col. Rastogi continues, "I must say Lt. Singh, you impress me with this work of yours.. Agar jaisa aapne aur Lt. Aalekh ne plan out kiya hain waisa ye mission execute hua toh we have 99% chance of success.
Khair abhi toh aap dono ko holiday grant kar di gayi hain. Aur phir bhi aap dono ne ye initial stage complete kiya. I am proud of you both. Agar ye abhi nahin hota toh high command se permission milne mein der ho jati. Ab jab tak aap resume honge tab tak permission mil gayi hogi. Ye mission aap dono ke command mein hi execute kiya jayega aapke resume hone ke baad. Philhaal you enjoy your vacation. Waise Where is Lt. Sharma?"
"Sir, wo team ko kuch instruction de rahe hain. Thodi hi der mein aapko report karenge." Replies Naina.
"No, no. Uski koi jarurat nahin Lt. Tum dono ab jaa sakte hain. Apni chutti resume karo." He laughs and Naina also gives him smile.
"Thank you Sir." Naina gets up from her place and salutes Col. Rastogi.
-----
He is trying to open his eyes but unable to open. Every time he tries, a big torrent of light enters in his eyes which his eyes are not able to take it and he shuts them tightly. It is becoming harder and harder. But he has to do it. He never ever had learnt those two words in KMA- Give Up.
-----
Naina is coming out from lift when he sees Aalekh at entrance of Head Quarters. She runs towards him and asks, "kaam ho gaya tera sab?"
"Haan.. aapun ne sab ko sab kuch samajha diya hain. Tu yahich ruk aapun sir ko report karke aata hain." Aalekh turns to go when Naina holds his hand. He halts and looks at Naina.
"Uski koi jarurat nahin hain Aalekh. Sir ne permission de di hain humein nikalne ki. Ab jo kuch bhi progress iss mission mein hogi wo hum dono ke resume hone ke baad hi." Naina informs Aalekh.
Aalekh smiles. He knows very well the reason behind Naina's desperation.
"Kya dekh kya raha hain. Chal jaldi." Says Naina impatiently.
"Tu ja Naina aur tera saaman leke aa. Aapun dono idhrich milenge." Says Aalekh.
Naina almost runs to pick her luggage. Aalekh dials Huda's number and heads to his quarters.
-----
Huda's mobile flashes Aalekh's number. Yudi picks up the call. "Hii Chief. Yudi here. Wo Huda Sir ke room mein hain. Aur uska mobile yaha neeche pada hain." Laughs Yudi.
"Kuch nahin Yudi. Aapun ne bas ye batane ko call kiyela hain ke apun dono abhich nikal rele hain. Sham tak pahonch jayenge. Huda ko bata de. Aur Sir kaise hain?" Asks Aalekh.
"Sir toh abhi bhi coma mein hain Chief. But you don't worry. Tum dono thik se aana. Main ya Huda tum dono ko lene aa jayenge. Main Huda ko inform kar deta hun. Bye." Yudi cuts the call and runs towards upstairs to inform Huda about Aalekh's call.
He reaches at Rajveer's room and starts talking looking at Huda "Huda, wo Aalekh ka call aaya tha. Jaisa hume inform kiya tha kal, wo aur Naina abhi nikal rahe hain and evening tak wo..." and Yudi looks at Rajveer and forgets his sentence.
Rajveer looks at him and gives him one small smile. Any movement is difficult for him at this moment. "Apne Sir uth gaye Yudie. Apne Sir uth gaye." Huda has tears in his eyes while saying these words. "Tu doctor ko phone laga jaldi."says Huda and looks at Yudi. Yudi is still standing at bedroom's door. Huda calls him once again, "Oye Yudie.. Yudie"
"Hmm.. haan... bol Huda." Replies Yudi wiping his tears.
"Are kya kar raha hain Yudie. Sir abhi mushkil se uthe hain. Tu behosh mat hona." Laughs Huda.
"Nahin bro, ab behosh hone ka waqt nahin hain. It's a party time. Main abhi sabko ye good news deta hun." Yudi says happily.
"Pehle tu doctor ko phone kar. Aur sabko matlab sirf Ali aur Pooja ko. Abhi qaidi aur Phoolan ko kuch mat bata. Main Phoolan ke chehre ki khushi khud dekhna chahta hun. Aur wo Qaidi usse kuch chipa nahin pata. Kyun sahee kaha na maine Sir?" Huda looks at Rajveer and asks. Rajveer just smiles.
Yudi also laughs and agrees with Huda, "Yes Bro. Main doctor ko call karta hun." Yudi exits the room.
Huda again turns to Rajveer and says. "Sir, main bata nahin sakta ke ye Jat aaj kitna khush hain. Phoolan ka bahot bura haal tha Sirji aapke bina. Sabse jyada khush wahi hongi aaj."
Rajveer wants to ask him something but his voice not supports him. He tries to lift his hand but he is unable to do so. He has helpless expressions on his face. Huda notices all these and says, "Sir, khudko takleef mat dijiye. Mujhe pata hain aapke mann mein abhi bahot saare sawaal hain. Aur aapko aapke saare jawab mil jayenge. Par abhi nahin. Abhi doctor ko aane dijiye."
Exactly after 15 min, Doctor is there with them. "Oh.. Hello Mr. Rajveer. How are you feeling now? Aakhir inn logone karke dikha hi diya." He examins Rajveer. He checks his whole body and especially asks him for move his hands and legs. Indeed, it is one difficult task for Rajveer. But he does move it. "Mr. Rajveer, main aapko bata dun ke aapka accident hua tha aur pichle dedh saal se aap coma mein the. Baaki ka sab ye log aapko bata hi denge. Par ek doctor hone ke naatey main bas itna kehna chahta hun ke aap bilkul pehle jaise normal life jee sakte hain. Bas kuch aur dinno ki baat hain. Abhi khudko jyada takleef mat dijiye. See you tomorrow."
He turns to go and asks Yudi and Huda to follow him. They sit downstairs at couch. Huda asks eagerly, "Kuch problem toh naa hain na ab?"
Doctor places glass of water at nearby table and turns to look at them. "Absolutely not Mr. Huda. Dedh saal se body ki koi movement nahin huyi. Normally body stiff ho hi jati hain aise cases mein. It's just a matter of time and his physical and psychological strength. Aap abhi mere clinic aa jaiye main aapko diet and exercise ka chart de deta hun. Agar Mr. Rajveer humein support karein to max to max 10 days mein woh chalne phirne lagenge. Main toh roj aata rahunga. Ek physiotherapist bhi kalse morning session mein aa jayenge. I know, ye ladhai bhi aap jeet jaoge. Let's go" smiles doctor and ushers Huda.
-----
It is evening time. Yudi and Huda have lots of chat with Rajveer. Obviously, only one sided. Still Rajveer is unable to give voice to his words. Yudi and Huda are arguing as usual infront of Rajveer, he enjoys this argues after long time smilingly, that very moment doorbell rings. Yudi looks at the watch and says, "Oh man.. Huda.. tu bhul gaya na..? Tujhe Naina aur Aalekh ko bus stop pe pick karne jaana tha?"
"Oye haan .. Yudie.. aaj toh main shaheed honewala hun uss Qaidi ke haathon. Waise ye khushkhabri pata chalte hi Phoolan se toh bach jaunga. Par Qaidi?" asks Huda. Again they hear the sound of doorbell. Huda looks at Rajveer and says, "Lagta hain Sir, Qaidi aur Phoolan aa gaye hain." And he winks at him.
Both run at downstairs and open the door. Aalekh and Naina are standing at door. Huda takes their luggage and says, "Arrey.. aa gaye bhai tum dono. Itne jaldi. Main toh niklanehi wala tha. Mujhe ek phone kar diya hota main aan jata." Says Huda sheepishly.
Aalekh and Naina enter in house and Yudi close the door behind them. Aalekh looks at Huda and says, "Ek toh tu bhul gaya uparse jasti shaanpatti kar rela hain. Ab seedhe seedhe bol kyun nahin aaya?"
"Woh Chief, actually hua ye ke Rajveer sir..." Yudi started to explain but Naina cuts him off. She speaks out loudly, "Rajveer sir, kya hua unhe?" and without waiting for answer, she runs upstairs towards Rajveer's room. "Arey Phoolan, meri baat toh sun.." Huda tries to stop her but he is late. They can only see her running towards his room.
"Bata ab, Rajveer sir ka kya bata raha tha. Wo thik toh hain na?" Asks Aalekh. Instead of giving him answer, Huda just hugs him tightly and Aalekh understands exactly what Huda wants to convey.
-----
Rajveer is staring continuously at his room's door. He knows that at any moment Naina comes running. He wants to see his Cadet Naina ah Singh. He remembers their last meeting, their last conversation, their last hug, how she stopped him from going and hugged him, her frightened eyes when that bullet pierced his hand. Her eyes were asking him something, demanding something. But destiny had some other plans. Huda and Yudi had told him all.
His accident, Naina's condition, their battle, their postings, about old age home incident, they told him each and every incident in detail which he deserved to know. He thinks about all these when he hears her footsteps. As he expected, she comes running. At door, she shouts, "Rajveer Sir" and halts in her way. She looks intently at his open eyes which are already staring her.
(Song plays in background.)
Tumko dekh ke yoon lagta hai
koi bichhda khwab aaya hai..
She starts taking slow steps towards him. Their eyes get locked. Oh.. For how long she has been waiting for this moment. She recalls all their memories in that few seconds.
barson lambi raat se guzre,
subaha ka jhonka laut aaya hai
She is unable to believe that he is here and looking at her intensely. She is able to see immense love in his eyes. Her eyes brim with tears. Memory of his jeep in fire flashes in front of her eyes. She remembers all those days which she lived without him and waited for him.
bahot der jaagi,
bahot door aayi,
khwab ne chhodi na meri kalai..
She reaches near his bed and extends her hand to touch his cheek but then takes back and turns to go. At that very moment, she hears very low voice, "Nai...na." he is trying to call her. She turns again. Tears are flowing down from her cheeks. She places her head on his chest and cries silently; she is unable to control her emotions. He can feel her hot tears on his shirt.
kab se meri saans ruki thi
mujhe saans aayi..
saans mein teri saans mili to,
mujhe saans aayi,
mujhe saans aayi..
He places his hand on her back with too much of difficulty. Tears are flowing down from his eyes too. He almost lost his everything in that one moment back one and half year and today, he gets everything back in this one moment. It is one blissful moment for Rajveer.
Here, Naina also is in same condition. She is experiencing emotions alike him. She lifts her head from his chest and stands properly while wiping her tears. She salutes him and says, "Lt. Naina Singh reporting Sir."
At that moment, Rajveer looks at her properly. She is wearing an uniform of Army officer. Rajveer has mixed feelings. His Cadet Naina ah Singh has became Lt. Naina ah Singh. Looking at her in that uniform, he is proud of her. He is a proud mentor of her. He recollects that earlier on that day Huda told him everything about Naina's success and her mission's stories of those 9 months. He wants to express his all feelings, feelings of Mentor Rajveer and also of Rajveer, but only he could..!
They both are looking at each other's eyes and communicating many unsaid things when Aalekh enters in room. He looks at them and smiles. He wants to go back, he wants to give them some time alone but first time in his life he fails to control his emotions and says, "Aapun sorry hain."
Rajveer and Naina come out from their own world and look at him with puzzled expressions. Aalekh one by one glances at both and continues, "Aise kya dekh rahe ho aapunko tum dono. Aapun jaanta hain aapun ne tum dono ko disturb kiya." He smiles sheepishly and Naina starts looking anywhere but at them. Rajveer also lowers his eyes.
Aalekh starts taking steps towards Rajveer while saying, "Lekin Sir, aapun bhi toh kya karta. Jab Huda ne aapunko bataya tabse itni der tak aapun ne khudko rok ke rakhela tha. Par ab raah nahin gaya toh aapun aapko dekhne chala aaya." He sits near him and takes his left hand in his hand, "Kaise hain Sir aap. Aap jaante hain aapun ne aapko kitna miss kia." Aalekh asks with teary eyes. Rajveer smiles at him. He lifts his right hand with great difficulty and wipes a lone tear from his eyes. He shakes his head in no' to Aalekh.
Aalekh understands his feeling. He wipes his both eyes and make them dry and says, "Sir, aaj ke baad koi nahin royega." He glances at Naina with corner of his eyes. She also wipes her tears. Aalekh continues, "Ab aapun sab ek saath hasenge, masti karenge."
"Ye Qaidi ne bilkul pate ki baat boli." They all turn to look at door. Huda and Yudi are standing there. They smiles at them and starts walking towards them. Huda contuniues, "Aaj ke baad ye rona dhona band. Samjhi tu Phoolan. Ab toh masti karne ke din hain. Ab Sir aapko bas jaldi se changa hone padega."
"Yes Sir, ab kuch din tak you have to follow our orders." Yudi supports Huda. "Doctor ne kaha hain waise kuch excercise, diets yeh sab agar hum achese follow karenge toh Sir within a week thik ho jayenge. Kyun Sir, follow karenge na hamare orders?" Yudi asks him.
Rajveer smiles and says in very low voice, "Ya... Ya... Ye... sss..." All smile wholeheartedly when they hear one loud voice.
"Haaye mere Shahrukh..." Ali and all close their eyes tightly at Pooja's this comment. She bites her tongue. Ali and Pooja come near the bed where they all are standing.
"Mera matlab hain mere Rajveer Sir..." Pooja rectifies herself and continues with her same enthusiasm, "Aap uth gaye Sir. Pata hain humne aapko kitne calls kiye sab miss call jaa rahe the. Aaj jaake aapne call utha liya. Ab aapka number hamare contact se kabhi delete nahin hone denge hum."
"Haan Sir, hum behad khush hain ke aap hamare beech wapas aa gaye. Ab khuda karein ke sab kuch jaldi pehle jaisa ho." Ali gives his regards to Rajveer.
"Oye... tum dono toh kal aane wale the na.. aaj kaise tapak pade? Asks Huda.
"Aapko aisa lagta hain ke Yudi bhai ke phone ke baad hum waha kal tak chain se reh paatey?" Ali asks him instead of giving him answer.
"You said it bro. Acha kia tum sab aa gaye aur Sir bhi uth gaye. Waise bhi pichle 13 dinose iss Huda ke saath akele rehke pak gaya tha. Maine kaise din nikale pucho hi mat." Says Yudi.
"Tumse koi puch bhi nahin raha Yudie." Huda replies Yudi with teasing smile.
"Bas, ab tum dono phirse shuru mat ho jao." Aalekh says in commanding voice. "Abhi aapun sab ka bas ekich mission hain aur wo hain Rajveer Sir ko jaldi se jaldi theek karna. Toh chalo, karke dikhate hain."
(LRL's fast tune starts in background.)
Aalekh extends his hand in air on Rajveer's bed. Yudi, Huda, Ali and Pooja join him. All look at Naina. Naina takes two steps forward and places her hand on their's hands. Rajveer also takes effort to place his hand. They bring their hands little down. Naina takes his hand and place it on hers. They all look at each other. They can read only happiness in each other's eyes.
-----
Within next two days, doctor removes all machines and oxygen cylinders from Rajveer's room. According to doctor, Rajveer doesn't need it now. Rajveer's health is improving rapidly with proper medication and most important with proper care. All his soldiers are taking immense care of him. His diet liquid food, his medicine's timings, his exercises all the things are getting taken care. They prepare one proper day schedule and also set goals for Rajveer's improvement.
Only on a 4th day, Rajveer is able to move his hand easily and can talk without much effort. But still his voice is very low and he is unable to talk for longer time. Now he can sit properly on bed without any help. They have came only half way. Still he is not capable enough to move his leg properly and stand or walk.
As everyone is doing their part of work, Rajveer and Naina are still unable to talk properly with each other. They do talk but not about their personal life. They both want to communicate many things with other, they want to share their emotions but every time they ended up with staring each other and they let their eyes to convey their feelings.
(Song starts in the background.)
Hmm... mm.. Hmm.. mm
Chhuteya na chhute mose
Rang tera dholna
Ik tere baajo dooja
Mera koi mol na
Bolna mahi bolna
Bolna mahi bolna
Hmm... aa...
They both are waiting for each other will take next step.
Tere liye aaya main toh
Tere sang jaana
Dholna ve tere naal
Jindri bitavaan
He remembers his all promises to Naina and his almost confession. How much he wants to complete his remaining work but voice and words both refuse to help him. He promises himself that now onwards he will not let Naina go. He will not suppress his feelings anymore. Naina will not suffer again anymore due to him.
Kadi naiyo chhodna
Ishq di dor na
Saare chhad jaayen maahi
Tu na chhodna
Naina helps him to stand on his own feet by giving him support. She holds his left hand in her right and gives support to his back by her left hand. He takes bedstead's support by his right hand to stand up properly. When he stands up properly he leaves his hold on bedstead. But he can't maintain balance himself without any support on right side. He falls on Naina but Naina holds him strongly and steadily by his shoulder to save them both from falling on ground. And all Again, They start to stare into each other's eyes intently.
He is requesting Naina to say something through his eyes. He is conveying silently all his promises to her. She also understands everything. She very well knows the state of their both. She breaks their eye lock and makes him sit properly on bed again.
Bolna mahi bolna
Bolna mahi bolna
Hmm...mm.. Hmm.. mm
Tere sang hasna main
Tere sang rona
Tujhme hi rehna main
Tujhme hi khona
Naina is feeding him his lunch. He eats silently staring into her eyes. After his lunch she gives him napkin to clean his mouth. She makes him take all his medicines after lunch. She turns to go when he holds her hand and says, "Naina..." She understands that he wants her to sit with him and spend some time though silently.
Dil mein chhupa ke tujhe
Dil naiyo kholna
Marke bhi maahi tosey
Munh na modna
She sits again near him on bed. Naina promises herself that henceforth she will always be there for him. She will not let him sacrifice anything. She will give all his honour and reputation back. Now onwards she will not let any rules and people come between them.
Bolna mahi bolna
Bolna mahi bolna
Still, both, Rajveer and Naina are not ready to pour their heart out to each other. All others already observe this. They come to know that still there is long way to go for both of them.
Chhuteya na chhoote mose
Rang tera dholna
Ik tere baajo dooja
Mera koi mol na
Bolna maahi bol na
Mahi bol naa
Hmm...hmm.. Hmm.. hmm!
******* Edited by Mrumi - 9 years ago
Udne Ki Aasha
Cricket
14