"Ise kahte hain..jaisi karni vaisi bharani...," Ali gave a final remark for the whole scene
Flashback
In the early morning when Shalini was going to Rajveer's room to check his condition after her conversation with Naina, she saw BC leaving probably for morning walk. May be he also woke up little early today than the usual routine. She thought that it's the best chance to fill him with her information about Capt. Rajveer before Maj. Nair takes advance of the opportunity.
So she decided to talk to him first. For the purpose as she crossed the gallery to reach the compound, her gaze fell on Maj. Nair's frame who was sleeping in a connected corridor near Rajveer's room, leaning between its wall & one of the poles.
Her eyes popped out for few seconds but later shined brightly.
"Isse achcha mauka mujhe phir ni milega..Main is golden chance ko
apne hanth se jane nahi de sakti..
Maj. Nair ko sabak sikhana jaroori hai..," She muttered & cautiously moved to BC.
"Good Morning, Sir..," She wished him
"Good Morning, Dr. ...," He wished her back enthusiastically because he didn't notice her expressions
"Sir, Plz come with me for a minute..I have to show you something very important..," She spoke directly without saying the things in a rounded manner
"Kya baat hai Dr. All is well..?..," BC asked now narrowing his brows
"Pahle aap mere sath chaliye, Sir..phir main apko sab batati hoon..," Shalini said in a grave voice
Her facial expressions were saying that the thing is crucial so without any delay he moved with her.
"Look at there, Sir..," Shalini indicated through her index finger standing in the compound itself
BC saw at the direction & his eyes widened seeing Maj. Nair sleeping
like that in the corridor.
"Ye..Maj..Nair..yahan..is tarah kyun..," He couldn't form the sentence due to shock
"Neend poori nahi hui hogi na Sir to yahin so gaye...," Shalini muttered in a low voice
"What do you mean Dr.?..,"BC asked with astounding expressions on his face
"Sari raat Capt. Rajveer ke room
ki peharedari jo kar rahe the..," This time she stated sarcastically
"Dr. Plz..paheliyan bujhana band karo aur saaf saaf batao ki baat kya hai..ye sab ho kya raha hai..," He questioned flabbergastingly
"Sir, baat ye hai ki kal raat Capt. Rajveer ko unke room ki window se KMA ke south gate ki taraf kuch un usual activities hote nazar aayi..," She turned & started telling moving away a little from the place
"Whatt ?..," BC uttered listening another shocking news
"I am telling you everything, Sir
Plzz.. allow me just two minutes..," She requested in meaningful tone on which he nodded
"So he went there to check but
ahat pakar wo jo bhi teen char
log the, tried to run away by their conveyance. Capt. Rajveer wapas aakar kisi ko inform karte tab tak to wo log bhag hi jate so he had to handle the situation by his own..," She was sounding deep
"Phir..," BC asked realizing the gravity of the situation
"Phir..Capt. Rajveer followed
them by his jeep & prevented them bravely. Thodi fight bhi hui Capt. ki un logo ke sath & they blurted out the truth..,"
"Whatt..," Came out from BC's mouth in shock
"So who were they..?," BC asked with his bigger eyes
"Petty goons..," Shalini uttered now looking at him
"Whatt but KMA ke gate par wo log kya rahe the ?..," one more question came from his side
"Unki daru ki mahfil jamane ki taiyari..KMA ka north gate thoda sunsaan rahta hai na so...," She spoke shaking her head
BC took a sign in relaxation that there was not a big issue.
"But..," Shalini's word again made him worried
"But what..," BC asked contracting his brows
"But..KMA lautte wakt Capt. ka ek minor sa accident jaroor ho gaya.," She uttered making a sad face
"Whatt..," He sounded worriedly
She tilted her head in a 'yes' making a sad face.
"How..," He asked with tensed expressions
"Aap to jante hi hain..raat ke wakt truck drivers aksar kaise drink karke truck chalate hain.. carelessly..," as she voiced out this, BC' face got paled
"Don't worry, Sir..Capt. is okay..by God's grace koi bada hadsa hone
se tal gaya..truck se bachne ke liye,
as he took a turn, gadi ped se ja takrayi so thodi chotein aayin hain but ek badi unhoni hone se jaroor bach gayi..," She narrated the whole scene
"Thank God..," He resonated closing his eyes
"Anyhow he managed to come back in KMA but kal raat ki tez barish ki vajah se baad mein fever aa gaya..," She told further
"Why did he not inform about all this to anyone ?," He questioned with concern
"Capt. ka kahna tha ki jab koi
itni serious baat hui hi nahi to kyun raat mein bewajah kisi ko pareshan karna..you know about his habit.. apne liye kabhi sochte
hi nahi..," She spoke with little smile
And he nodded meaningfully.
"Well..how is his condition now ?..,"
"It was stable in the night but abhi ka can't say..bus wohi check karne ja rahi thi aur yahan inhe dekha..
Maj. Nair ko..," She uttered in an irritating tone
"Yesss, what is he doing here ?..," BC asked anxiously
"Pata nahi Sir..Maj. Nair ki Capt. Rajveer se kya dushmani hai..
mauka hi dundhate rahte hain un par ungali uthane ka..aur ye baat to KMA me kisi se bhi nahi chipi hai..aap khud bhi to jante hain..
kitni baar unhone aisi koshish ki hai Capt. ko defame karne ki..bus aise hi kisi mauke ki talash mein wo kal raat me bhi the isliye Capt. ke room ke bahar pahra de rahe the..do baar to maine hi dekha jab main Capt. ko medicines dene gayi.
aur abhi kuch der pahle Suri ji ne bhi yahi baat boli ki kal sari raat Maj. Nair Capt. Rajveer ke room ke aas paas hi tehal rahe the..,"
Shalini exclaimed in a disgusted tone
looking at BC through her peripheral vision
"Hmm..," He vibrated gritting his teeth which was not hidden from Dr.Shalini
"Thanks Dr..You go now & check Capt. Rajveer..I'll handle Maj. Nair ," He said managing a small smile on his face
Shalini nodded & left but not before seeing the result through her eyes, hiding herself behind a piller.
While returning to her room, Naina also witnessed the whole scene from a corner & smiled through her heart.
⌛
Maj. Nair's eyes opened when someone patted on his shoulder three times but as his vision got cleared & he saw the person is none other than but BC himself, ground slipped from beneath his feet.
He got up with a jerk all sweated.
"Lagta hai bahut achchi neend aayi hai Maj. Kaho to tumhara bistar hamesha ke liye yahin lagwa doon..
isi corridor mein...," Though BC said with smile but the hidden sarcasm & anger in his tone was not unnoticed by Maj. Nair
"Wo..Sorry..Sir..Main apko..batata hoon...," Nair spoke in fumbled voice wiping the sweat from his forehead
"Just..Shut up..Maj. Nair..main yahan koi tamasha nahi chahta..
so go & get ready first aur uske baad tum seedha mujhe report karoge..Office mein.. Understood..," BC said in a strict tone this time
Anger was clearly visible from his face.
Maj. Nair nodded silently with his pale face & BC left.
⌛
Approx after an hour & half.
BC's Office
"Ek baar meri baat to suniye, Sir..," Nair tried to speak but cut off by him
"Bahut sun chuka hoon tumhe Maj. lekin ab tum mujhe suno dhyan se..
Capt.Rajveer ko tum kuch khas pasand nahin karte ya yun kahoon ki pasand hi nahi karte, ye to main bahut pahle se janta hoon aur iske chalte tumne kai baar koshish bhi ki hai Capt. ko defame karne ki lekin apni nafrat aur jalan me tum itna gir jaoge ki ab uski sari raat jaag jaag kar jasoosi bhi karne lag jaoge, ye nahi socha tha maine...," BC spoke in a hoarse voice
"Sir, main apko batata hoon..kal kya hua tha...," Nair again made a futile attempt
"Meri baat abhi khatam nahi hui hai Maj..," BC spoke with angry face this time & Nair became silent while he continued,
"Aur rahi baat mere kuch janne ki to main pahle se hi sab kuch janta hoon Maj. aur aaj to khud apni ankhon se tumhe dekh bhi liya Capt. ke kamre ke paas wale corridor mein pade hue to ab tum kuch na hi bolo to tumhare liye behtar hoga. Ek akhiri baat..ise meri warning samjho ya advice lekin agar maine phir se tumhe Capt. ke khilaf koi sazish karte pakad liye ya yun befizool ki jasoosi karte dekh liya to is baar main rok nahi paunga khud ko tumhare against koi action lene se..I think I am clear enough..," He completed with a very meaningful gesture but carrying the same strict tone
"Yes, Sir..," Nair could utter only in a low voice
"You may leave now..," BC said
and Nair left the office with disappointment & anger from inside.
As he came outside his office, he heard whispers of two/three random Cadets,
"Ab Rajveer Sir se kabhi pange nahi lenge..,"
"Achcha sabak mila hai aaj..,"
"Sahi kiya Capt. Rajveer ne bilkul..,"
They didn't know the actual matter
but guessing through the rumours & seeing the current scene.
Nair glared them in anger & they immediately went away from there.
-------------------------⌛⌛-----------------------
Present
On One Hand
Outside BC's Office
"Tune Shalini ma'am ko kal poori baat kyun nahi batayi..kyun chipa liya wo sach..," Naina asked Aalekh in a whisper
He understood what she is talking about here.
Others had already left by now for the class.
"Dr. ko attack nahi dena tha na isliye..ab agar unko hi attack aa jata to phir Rajveer Sir ka ilaaz kaun karta..," He grinned
Naina smiled a little, saying,
"But mujhe tujhse kuch jaroor batana hai...," She spoke looking at him meaningfully
"Aur tujhe lagta hai ki tujhe kuch bhi kahne ki jarurat hai..Tera chehra padh sakta hai apun...,"
He uttered looking away from her efforting to make the conversation easy for them
"Kuch kahega nahi..," She asked further & he took some time before answering her
⌛⌛
On Other Hand
Inside BC's Office
"May I come in, Sir...," Capt. Rajveer asked for BC's permission
"Aao Capt... Have a seat...," BC uttered with smile
"Thanks, Sir..," Rajveer said sitting on the chair passing the same smile
"I hope you that you are feeling better now..," BC spoke with a concerned voice
"Yes, Sir..much better..," He answered
"Good..," Bc sounded in a relaxing tone
"Actually Sir wo kal raat..," Rajveer opened his mouth to say something but couldn't complete
"No need Capt...Dr. Shalini ne mujhe pahle hi sab kuch bata diya hai..," He said carrying a mild smile on his face
As he took Shalini's name, her words rang in Rajveer's ears,
"...So Capt. is tarah maine already
sab kuch set kar diya hai to ab aapko apne side se kisi ko explanation dene ki koi khas jarurat nahi padni wali hai..aapko bus samajhdari se chup rahkar ya jyada se jyada 'Yes' or 'No' mein answer karke situation ko handle karna hai & I have full faith on you ki itna to ab aap asani kar hi lenge..,"
Rajveer shut his mouth remembering her words.
"I like your spirit Capt. But being your senior I want to give you an advice..Don't always try to handle everything alone unless it's the only option you have & in any critical situation, don't leave anywhere without backup or atleast inform someone.. jaroorat padne par kam se kam koi help to pahuch sakti hai..," BC got up from his chair & said meaningfully walking near the table
His words were showing his concern.
Rajveer nodded a little while he further said,
"Wo to achcha hua ki kal raat wo
log mamuli se goons hi the koi dushman nahi jinhe tumne akele handle kar liya & that accident was also not big one but har baar luck hamare sath ho..aisa jaroori nahi hai..I hope you understand what I
am saying..," He kept his palm on Rajveer's shoulder
"Yes, Sir..I understand..," Raj replied insightfully
BC smiled & said,
"So you may go now & take rest..,"
"No, Sir I have class..," He said with enthusiastic tone
"Are you sure Capt. You don't have
any problem now..?," BC asked in confirmation
"Yes, Sir..," Rajveer answered with smile
"Okay, then dismiss..," BC said & Rajveer came out of the office thinking in his mind,
"Yes, Practical approach is so easy
to follow & even far better than that of idealistic approach in which he had been living till now..,"
⌛⌛
"Tune kuch galat nahi kiya..bus apun ko ekhich baat par doubt hai..," Aalekh spoke this time
"Aur wo kya..?" Naina asked moving with him
"Yahi ki tu..Sir se ye sab chipa kar sahi kar rahi hai ya nahi..," He uttered turning to leave with her
Before Naina could say anything to him, they heard,
"Cadet Singh..wait a minute..," Capt. Rajveer called
Their legs halted on their places & they turned to the source recognizing the voice very well.
Naina saw him standing on some distance.
She scrutinized him thoroughly for few seconds. He was seeming better which gave her heart peace but his facial expressions were looking strict in the absence of that smile which is his most beautiful ornament.
Naina felt that her peace of heart minimized the next second as she noticed the lack of that precious thing in his face.
She looked at Aalekh through her peripheral vision & then again to him (Rajveer). Aalekh pressed her hand a little making her relax.
Rajveer slowly walked in their direction & stood before them.
Naina's heartbeat were increased but she was trying to hide it with her might.
"Thanks..," He spoke after few seconds making Naina surprise
She lifted her eyes up to see him.
A smile was lingering on his lips this time but it was not very familiar to her.
"Thanks for what, Sir..?," Naina asked in a low voice
"For the help..," He answered carrying the same smile
"Kaun si help, Sir..?," Naina asked deliberately with her thumping heart
"Help for the night..," He replied bluntly increasing Naina's heartbeat more
Aalekh took a step back thinking that may be they would need privacy & Rajveer also didn't stop him so he left the spot.
"Wo Sir..main akeli nahi thi..
Aalekh bhi tha mere sath apko.. KMA tak lane me...," She uttered in flurry
"Ohh..to Aalekh bhi tha tumhare sath..," He spoke raising his brows a little
She nodded.
"Tab to phir mujhe..usko bhi thanks bolna chahiye tha...," Rajveer said bringing back that smile on his face again
Naina passed a small hesitated smile unable to understand his behaviour.
"I will remember this..now you should go to your class...I am reaching there..," He said with the same smile checking the time on his watch
Naina gave a small nod & left from there with perplexed expressions on her face.
-------------------------⌛⌛------------------------
Precap- "Sir ko ab aap hi la sakti hain Ma'am nahin to Yudi ko bura lagega..," Naina uttered looking at Shalini expectantly
"Naina, I will try but I am not sure ki Capt. meri baat bhi manenge ya nahi..," Shalini said