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The swinging of the trees made her insides turn. She knew this was dangerous and there could be a lot of obstacles but she had to try. She had to try and be strong for him.
Various thoughts savaged thru her mind as to how could anyone survive here, lest he is hale and healthy and is strongly built. Rajveer was injured now and she was not sure as to in what state or how wounded he could be. She only wished that she could find him thru in this mess and bring him back. Not even for a sec did she doubt that he might be dead already.
Walking around for atleast two hours without a clue as to where this led finally she got her lead. She saw something that instantly rejuvenated her spirits. She knew that this was definitely a lead.
*****
the morning after they visited point 1857, they were to leave for their respective missions. Raj to find the red box and nail the culprit and the cadets on a special duty with captain abhimanyu.
Raj was sitting in his jeep and ready to take off when she came and stood in front of him.
Initially he was unsure as to why she was here but then naina quickly handed him a gift. He looked at her with so much adoration that she forgot to breathe for a moment.
She quickly handed him those and left.
But he called her.
She stood still closing her eyes as if she was caught committing a crime.
He then came near her and handed her something which she never imagined would happen. He gave her his watch. She was reluctant at first until he thrust it on her hand.
They bid goodbye after handing each other a valuable present. Raj was initially surprised at her sudden change.
She wasn't shy anymore but rather bold. She talked with a sudden maturity and raj sure loved this new naina'.well he had always loved her'but now she was exceptionally different.
****
Lost in memories naina quickly picked it up from the floor. There laid her handkerchief which she gave it to him. It was definitely hers the only difference being that it was stained with blood. Her heart winced at the thought that he was so badly injured.
She now was sure that he was nearby. With renewed determination she walked'walked for another hour, but now she did not fear anything, her destination was clear.
Finally.
She finally found him, clothed in blood, lying beside a bush in an effort to protect him from the wild animals and also any intruders.
Her heart cried out at the pain he had to suffer. She ran to him and took his head in her arms and placed it on her lap. He was dumbstruck at what was happening. Initially he thought he was hallucinating again like the same way he'd been doing for the past 2 days. But then it struck him that it was reality. Hardcore reality.
He wanted to ask her but words failed him. What should he ask? Should he be happy that she came for him or be angry at her for having put herself in so much of trouble, breaking rules to come for him.
With all these thoughts battling in his mind he asked her'.as she continued to bandage his wounds.
"naina'."
"shhh'sir'.kuch mat boliye aapko chot lagi hai'main patti baandh deti hoon'" and she quietened him.
"naina'tum'"
"kya sir'"
"tum yahan kya kar rahi ho'.tum yahan pe kyun aayi'" naina was lil heartbroken. How could he ask her that? Here he was battling with life and how can he expect her to sit idle? She was furious at his question but chose to ignore it.
Seeing that she was hurt rajveer raised his fingers to touch her face. He caressed her cheeks with his blood stained fingers turning her attention towards him. He was startled to see the tears in her eyes.
"naina I am sorry'.but tumhe mere liye katra mol lena nahi chahiye thaa'."
"nahi sir'" she cut in "main zaroor aati aapke liye'yeh saath usidin tai hua tha jab'" she couldn't continue but then again she controlled her emotions and said "'I am sure u would do the same for me'."
He laughed at her words. It is ironical that they just realized that they are made for each other and r each others life at this juncture when he is dying.
They stayed still for a few minutes comforting each other in silence when finally raj realized something. He handed her a bag and told her to be on guard, not to trust anybody and filled her with all the details about the traitor. She was not the least interested in listening to all this as she was more concerned about him.
He made her promise that no matter what happens she would carry out his task and bring justice, bring back the lost honour of navin and also him.
Naina saw that he was struggling to hold his breath and asked him not to strain himself. She began to panic when he smiled at her. This was the end and they both knew it.
They had to accept defeat b4 the law of nature, all had to die one day. This was his turn and she would have her turn one day.
He asked her one last promise and she couldn't refuse'.
"live ur life with no regrets naina'like the way I am feeling right now'no regrets'I know that u will fulfill my promise'"
"sir please'"
"nahi bolne do'.today I am confessing my deepest secret'I had burried this in my heart for long now'but today'today I have to tell u'I love u'.i have always loved u'." he couldn't continue as his breath was caught in his throat and he struggled.
"sir.." she panicked.
"naina'mere pass waqt nahi hai'jao yahan se'.look after urself...don't throw away ur life just like i did....be brave and live every moment...."
"sir aap mujhe akele chod nahi sakthe'.i need u'I love u'please.."
"nahi naina u r not alone'.i will always be with u'my soul will always be with u'to protect u'to guide u'.promise me that u will fulfill my unfinished task'promise me'promise me naina please'"
"yes sir'I promise'I ll try my best but I don know if I can'" she said which was nothing but a sob.
" u can naina'I know u can'always remember that I believe in cadet naina 'ah' singh'" and he stopped.
Stopped forever.
For a moment naina refused to believe that it was over. But then reality struck her. He was no more. His last words being her name and his belief in her.
For a moment she wanted to die right there with him'right in his arms, but that would be an insult to her love, insult to the promise that she had made to him, he had asked her to live her life, punish the traitors and bring back his honour, and she had promised'.
Breaking that promise would be equal to insulting him, betraying his trust, the trust that he held in her to that extent that his last words'..
So she decided that she would live'live even if her heart had died..live as nothing but a mere mortal, devoid of all emotions'.a zombie'living only to fulfill her promise'.
it was cruel that life had played this game with her'she had found her love only to lose it again'.
She cried hard'cried her heart out'..clutching his dead body which lay in her lap.
In the middle of the night among the silence of the forest there ended a journey, a journey of a beautiful soul'..
In this short lived period they had experienced everything'.friendship'doubt'hatred'trust'guidance'protection'solace and finally'.love'.
Their confession may have come in the most last moment but their's had been the most memorable love story ever'.
This might have been a unprecedented ending but certain things in life are meant to be so''
Some short lived stories go a long way''.
The End!
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