Delhi. She was back at her workplace, after a brief and overly cheerful goodbye to Alekh. She knew Captain Rajveer would be returning soon, and she did want to keep her promise but at the same time she didn't want to hear him talk about Ritu. Muddling over her thoughts, she decided to help him find out where Ritu was. But for that, she had to know what had happened and she knew just the person who would tell her.
****
The phone was ringing, and he felt complied to pick it up. Slowly he trudged to the phone, but couldn't keep the grumpiness out of the voice for the person who had decided to call at such a time.
'Hello.'
'Naina here.'
'Major Singh! Pray tell, what can I do for you?'
'Well..' her voice was embarrassed, 'I was wondering if I could come over right now. I'm not very far from your place.'
His eyebrows rose up significantly, part of him wanting to tell her that it was an ungodly hour for discussion, the other part wanting to know what had happened.
'If you must.' He replied.
Half an hour later saw her sitting on the couch in his living room, sipping coffee from a hot mug.
'Nice place you have here.' She said conversationally.
'Major Singh! I am sure you have not come to discuss my taste in interior decoration. Please come to the point.'
She looked away embarrassed, still not used to his blunt and often truthful nature.' I need your help.'
'Is that so?'
'Yes. I believe you live with Captain Rajveer?'
He nodded.
'And I believe he is divorced?'
'No.'
His simple reply caught her off guard, and she raised her eyebrows, her mind returning to a previous conversation on the plane.
'And how is your wife. You mentioned you share an apartment with Bhargav, but surely..'
'I'm divorced.'
'Oh. And ..' but she was cut off..
'How did that happen, Madam? Well, let's just say we weren't happy together. And I also doubt that not divulging my personal information will earn me a demotion, will it Madam?'
So that meant he had lied? He clearly loved Ritu, then why had he said he wasn't happy? And why had he said he was divorced?'
'No?' she repeated.
'No.' he affirmed, ' They had some very serious.. problems, if you will. And then she left. He received a note a few days later asking him to cut off all contacts with her, because she was unwilling to contact him. But she never sent divorce papers, and he was too heartbroken to even consider it.'
'Oh, so they're still married?'
'Technically yes.'
She sat down, not knowing what to do or say. He was married! That crushed her hopes even more. She cursed herself for being weak, and had to literally bite the inside of her cheek to restrain from crying.
'But why do you need to know about it?' Bhargav asked.
'No—No reason.' She hastily replied, refusing to blink so that he couldn't see her tears.
He stared at her for a long moment, and she could see the emotions passing through him. First confusion, followed by surprise, distrust, anger, a sudden realization and then pride.
'You're in love with him, aren't you?' She didn't deny it, his simple question broke free all the emotions she had been carrying. Her chest tightened as she cried freely not caring where she was at the moment. And showing a rare act of kindness, he came forward and wrapped his arms around her, letting her cry on his shoulders.
'I – I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wet your shirt.' She blubbered at last, her face still blotchy from crying.
'Of course.'
They sat together for a long time, neither of them speaking a word, but she leaned on him, trying to get some support a fatherly figure.
'Imagine Navin's reaction.' He said at last, 'His best friend and his sister.'
She laughed softly. 'He would've flipped.' She replied, half crying and half laughing.
Then she stood up, preparing to leave, as it was already quite late outside.
'Thanks, Major Bhargav… for listening to me.'
He nodded, and called her back when she was moving towards the door, 'Major Singh.'
'Yes?'
'Don't forget our spying tactics. Sometimes they come in good use.'
She laughed, 'I don't intend to, Major. And manipulation as well. They come in handy.'
He smiled back at her, 'Manipulation was always the thing I did best, Major.'
Her laughter could be heard as she walked down the corridor.
****
'We have to act fast. Stupid woman broke free from our clutches. Cannot let the Army know the truth. I'm coming down tomorrow. Meet me 6 p.m. Army Headquarters, HER office, sharp. Kill her if you have to.'
Yours etc.
Preview for Part 13
'Not the details, no.'
'And she is on friendly terms with Capt. Shekhawat.'
'I presume so.'
'Jesus Christ.'
Ali was bewildered. What was his superior getting to? 'I beg your pardon, sir?'
'Major Baig, Major Singh is in fatal danger.'
And then he hung up.
Cricket
Kumkum Bhagya
Tum Se Tum Tak
Sampoorna
Jhanak
