Reaching back his room out of frustration, he walks towards the window, opening it to let the cool breeze enter the room and calm him down. Standing there, resting his upper arm against the side wall of the window, his lower arms folded against his chest, Rajveer remembers a moment he shared with Naina! He remembers how he went to Naina's room to talk about his engagement with Dr. Mishra but because of the photographs his plan of talking to her about Dr. Mishra and his engagement went on a toss!
*Flashback*
Naina finds Rajveer standing at a corner, resting his elbow on the side table. She notices how he is looking at the proceedings of Christmas party but is really not enjoying it. She doesn't understand why she gets an urge to reach him. She doesn't have anything important to talk, but this feeling of him drifting away from her, is killing her slowly. She fails to understand why is she feeling so, may be it is just her illusion and he is not exactly ignoring her. But something inside her doesn't let her drift her mind from this issue. He certainly is ignoring her!
The only way to get out of this chaos is by asking him directly. With a determination to ask him; mingled with a lot of nervousness, Naina walks to Captain Rajveer.
Rajveer who had been trying to ignore her this long, could see this situation coming. His heartbeat picks up pace. He realizes that now he has no other way to ignore her.
No! it's not that he is hating the fact that she is here. In fact only he knows how he was trying to keep his emotions under control. How he uptil now refrained himself from reaching her. But deep down he was sure, even if he controls himself, she would reach him by some means. Unable to meet her eyes, while she walks towards him, Rajveer tries to look anywhere but towards her, trying to distract his mind. But how hard he tries, he fails to bring his feet to move to the opposite direction and hence ignore her altogether! But yes he certainly wanted her to stay away from him because he knows the eyes of so many, especially few pairs of devil eyes wouldn't escape from hunting them down the moment they get together and this is exactly what he doesn't want. He wants to keep her safe, away from their eyes and he wants the same for himself.
She ends up reaching him anyhow. Taking a deep breath, he greets her, smiling,
"Cadet Naina Singh, how are you?"
His eyes on their own accord lower, as he utters the words. Of course it is not that it irks Rajveer to look towards Naina. Not at all! Well if asked, he can look at her the whole day long. Then it would rather turn out to be Naina who would lower her eyes every now and then, feeling extremely shy and uncomfortable under his constant gaze.
But at this particular moment, and the tension that's prevailing in KMA because of them, he doesn't want to encourage it by any means. He rather would go to whatever extent needed to calm the on going gossips down, only if everything would have been in his hands!
But how hard might he try, he cannot refrain from accepting the fact that as much as she is enjoying his presence, he is enjoying her presence around him too. He cannot deny that had she chosen to ignore him, it would have hurt him!
"Good evening Sir, I am fine!",
greets Naina, standing next to him, completely oblivious to what her standing near him is doing to his insides!
Rajveer chooses to look straight ahead, a measure to keep an eye on everyone who might be noticing them together. And at the same time it secretly serves his another purpose, he knows that these days, it's getting difficult for him to look towards her and keep his ill mannered thoughts at bay. They rather cloud his mind the moment he rests his eyes on her. Only god knows how he is going to spend the rest of his days in KMA, this way!
"Ahmmm.... I am really sorry Sir!"
Her sudden apology drags his attention. He looks towards her for fraction of seconds but as he finds her staring him, he quickly diverts his eyes back in front of him, looking at the procceeding of the party, while enjoying nothing but her presence around himself at this moment.
He does understand why she is apologizing and this makes him to mentally roll his eyes whilst Naina continues with her apology,
"Apko yunhi meri wajah se...",
she trails off, unable to understand how to put her feelings into words.
When will she learn to understand him, without him telling her everything verbally?
"Cadet Singh! Inn.. inn baaton mein kuch nahi rakha!",
he tells her, looking towards her.
His words pierce her heart. This wasn't the reply she was expecting from him! That means he doesn't feel anything about her!
But only he knows how he has controlled the flood of emotions filling his heart while uttering those words. How big a stone he has kept on his heart before uttering those words! How could he say inn baaton mein kuch nahi rakha? When his whole life revolves around this single talk - Naina and his bond? Their relationship? His love for her?
No! That's true that he doesn't give a damn to what the world thinks about him. But what it thinks about her, means the world to him!
"Aur waise bhi Christmas ka season hai. Tum jao jakar apne friends ke saath enjoy karo. I am perfectly fine",
he assures her, looking towards her, smiling.
He understands that she is concerned about him and he needs to assure her that he is fine, just the way he needs to be assured that she is fine! And he won't let her go unassured and hence leave her anxious, by any means. After all his war is not with her but with the evil ones and himself!
A war that he is fighting with himself is the one where his heart pushes him to Naina and his mind drags him back and minds him to restrain himself from doing anything which might turn out to be disastrous not only for himself but for Naina too! Naina, the innocent one, who doesn't have the slightest idea about what's hidden in his heart, for her!
"Sir, aap bhi please ab inn sub baaton ke barey mein soch kar apna mood aur apna waqt kharab mat karna",
suggests Naina, almost like ordering him, inside her heart breaks while saying so!
This involuntarily brings a smile on his face, her concern towards him. This skips his heartbeat as no one before her has ever cared about him ever! How can he not get affected? How can he be smart enough to hide the affect, the deep affect that her words had on him, when he knows that in front of her, all his smartness go in vain?
While simultaneously it hurts him too! His smile turns sarcastic, but she fails to understand. She would never understand!
But he doesn't realize how his smile might affect not only Naina but few others too who are noticing them! Naina might have enjoyed seeing him smiling. Taking it as a positive sign, that he is fine. Hell might, she surely has enjoyed his smile, but the same cannot be said about Dr. Mishra and Huda!
Taking the smile as an encouragement, Naina for the first time holds him by his upper arm, a measure to pull him along her to take him to her friends so that they can enjoy together. But in her innocence, she fails to understand how those who are keeping a check on them, might read this gesture of hers!
But Rajveer, being the more mature one between the two, when it comes to matters like these, quickly scans that no one has caught her holding him that way and with in moments, frees his arm from her hold, scolding her mildly,
"Cadet Singh behave yourself!"
This scolding her, more than behaving her down, is to show to anyone, if noticing, that he is not encouraging this by any means. No! he is not being selfish here, it is rather a measure to save both of them from further embarrassment and hence leading their careers into danger.
Rajveer doesn't fail to notice how his sudden withdrawal of his arm from her hold, affects her negatively. Her smile vanishes with in moments. By the serious look on her face, he could make out that if he touches her face right now, her cheeks must be emitting heat at a higher degree. But of course unlike other times, when he makes her to blush and feel shy, this heating up of her cheek isn't a pleasant scenario for Rajveer. This contracts Rajveer's heart but he chooses to ignore. He keeps reminding himself that this he is doing for their own good! This way he tries to minimize his guilt of hurting her, which doesn't really get minimized anyhow.
His heart beats at a tremendous speed as it hurts him to hurt her and at the same time he becomes conscious of everyone's presence around, hence the consciousness leads him to hurt her!
Shaking his head in disbelief, at her childish attitude, he leaves, leaving behind a heartbroken Naina.
As the party ends Naina reaches Rajveer in his room.
"I don't understand what's your problem Cadet Singh?",
shouts Rajveer after opening the door for her, pissed off.
"Ahmmm... I am sorry Sir. I won't take much of your time I promise.",
pleads Naina hesitantly.
Her pleading pierces his heart but he makes sure that she remains oblivious to it. Hence shutting the door, Rajveer walks away from her, looking away and scolds her,
"Kahiye Cadet Singh. To apne mujh tak pohonchne ka raasta dhundh hi liya."
Turning to look towards her, he asks her, scolding her,
"Kahiye, kya shikayat hai apko?"
A hesitant and nervous Naina, lowers her eyes and says,
"I am very sorry Sir...",
but she gets intervened by his scolding,
"Enough of sorrys!"
"What sorry Cadet Singh? I am tired of these sorrys!",
he scolds further, frustrated.
"Sir main, iss samay iss tarah apke kamre mein nahi aana chahti thi par mujhe lagta hai shayad kahin na kahin koi galat fehmi hai!",
Naina states clearly.
Walking closer to her out of anger he shouts at her asking,
"Kisko galat fehmi hai apko ya....",
he looks away, afraid of uttering the next words, because he knows the possibilities of them being true, nevertheless he completes his words,
"Ya fir mujhko?"
Naina lowers her eyes for fraction of seconds, then looking back towards him, she completes,
"Sir, dono mein se kisiko bhi ho par fark to iss baat ka padhta hai ke galat fehmi hai!"
Rajveer out of anxiety looks away.
"Sir, aap to jante ho ki main apko kitna manti hun!",
says Naina earnestly.
This touches Rajveer's heart. His breath hitches. But he immediately turns away as a measure to shield his true feelings from her which he worries might reflect by his eyes.
"Sir... Bhaiya ke baad agar koi sahara hai to... sirf aap hain Sir!",
says Naina, earnestly.
Her each word pierces his heart. How hard it is being for him at this moment to portray a pissed off and angry Rajveer in front of her, only he knows.
Out of anxiety he walks forth and away from Naina. Whilst all this Naina continues,
"Aur KMA mein aap sirf mere teacher nahi, meri prerna hain!"
Rajveer pays attention to her each word and why wouldn't he, after all her every word; her every gesture means the world to him! Only if he could say that to her...!
"Meri wo shakti hain jisse main manti hun. Jo mujhe har waqt; har samay motivate krte rehte hain.",
Naina shares her emotions for him with him.
Anxious Rajveer walks forth, changing his position and stands.
"Aur Sir agar apko... aise lagne lag gaya hai ki... main apse pyar karti hun..."
This skips Rajveer's heartbeat. His ears start emitting heat out of anticipation of her reaction to this.
Does she really? Would she confess? How would he react if she does?
So many questions cloud his mind with in moments.
"Yakeen maniye Sir aisa bilkul bhi nahi hai!"
There with her these words she succeeds into shattering his heart into million pieces within seconds. And irony is she doesn't have even slightest idea about what she has done to him by uttering those words!
"MAIN APKO BILKUL PYAR NAHI KARTI HUN SIR!",
she makes it clear. But there is no hatred or the joy of victory of having hurt Rajveer, in her voice. In fact she is completely oblivious to what is she doing to Rajveer right now - break him bit by bit! Breaking his little faith of happening of a miracle in his life through Naina; because of Naina.
Walking in front of him in desperation, Naina continues with her explanation, her anxiety increasing with each passing moment,
"Aur agar kabhi bhi meri kisi harkat se apko laga ho, ya koi galat fehmi hui ho, to Sir...".
Rajveer immediately turns away, shocked, hurt! Not in a state to look towards her. At this moment he is sure, if she looks towards him properly, he might reveal something unintentionally, unuttering. Something he might regret later.
"Sir... I am really very very sorry!",
she apologizes earnestly.
Meanwhile, Rajveer tries to fathom everything he heard from Naina herself.
"Aur Sir, agar kabhi bhi mere dil mein apke liye aisi koi feelings aati bhi hain to... main apne liye apka career museebat mein nahi daal sakti Sir!",
says Naina, earnestly.
All of her words frustrate Rajveer. He takes a deep breath, calming down his nerves. His eyes turn teary, but he controls somehow.
"Mujhe bus itna hi kehna tha Sir apse!",
says Naina.
Realizing that he needs to say something now. Rajveer gets hold on his emotions. Taking a deep breath, he says,
"I completely understand Cadet Singh."
"In fact mujhe bhi aisa lagta hai ki...",
he pauses a little, breathing, releasing his anxiety in the process.
"Ya to apko galat fehmi hui hai ya...",
he finally looks towards her and adds,
"Kisi ne apko behkane ki koshish ki hai.",
his tone all serious.
"Kyunki...",
he pauses for fraction of seconds, his eyes transfixed somewhere on the ground, he silently gains confidence to utter the further words!
He turns to look towards Naina, because what he is about to say now is what he believes is true! Because unintentionally, he has finally for once got the chance to speak his feelings in front of her, even if keeping a lot of it hidden!!! He understands that she won't understand the juxtaposition hidden in his words, but if not anything he at least has the right to bring out his frustration about the fact of loving Naina unconditionally and not receiving it back even a little, through some means, doesn't he?
And this is exactly what he does by saying, knitting his brows, looking straight into Naina's eyes,
"Mujhe bhi aisa kabhi nahi laga..."
Although he began with full confidence, assuming that he would be able to complete his words looking into her eyes constantly and hence prove to himself that it's fine! It's fine if Naina could not reciprocate Rajveer's feelings. But alas! he couldn't do that for long. Walking ahead, looking away again from her, he controls his ill mannered tears and utters the words with all his grief and betrayal and love that he does to her mingled together,
"... ki apko mujhse pyar hai!"
Naina who is too engrossed in feeling guilty about the on going fiasco in the academy misses to realize the agony in the tone of Rajveer. Her eyes are transfixed somewhere on the ground feeling shy about discussing such a matter with her teacher!
And on the other hand Rajveer is feeling heart broken about saying this not to his student; but to the person he loves!
"Kabhi nahi laga aisa!",
repeats Rajveer, his voice dreamy as he drowns into the pool of grief and heartbreak.
Getting hold on his emotions yet again. He continues, changing his tone!
"In fact... kuch nahi badla!",
he tries to sound casual.
"Humare beech mein... na to koi problem hai aur...",
he realizes that he needs to get out of his grief and stay strong in front of Naina. He realizes how he is getting flowed away with his emotions, he needs to hold the rope of his emotions tight, especially in front of Naina.
And hence with a new determination, keeping his hurt, sorrow, frustration at a bay for some moments, he turns with new confidence in his voice. This again he is doing for Naina, to make her realize that it's all fine, she now needs to get going - away from him!
But along with that he also realizes that if he needs to save himself from further heart breaks in her hands, he needs to stay away from her! And hence that's another reason for the confidence in his voice.
"Main apko yakeen dilata hun... na kabhi hogi!",
he promises, looking straight into Naina's eyes.
Naina gets taken aback as she doesn't understand why but the way he uttered the last few words, the look in his eyes wasn't of understanding but of anger, loathe, pity all mingled together!
So finally for once she succeeded in reading his eyes! Wish you could have done that earlier Naina!
"Kuch nahi badla hai!",
Rajveer changes his tone.
Naina realizes that there is still taunt mingled with his tone. But why is that, she fails to understand!
"Sub kuch bilkul waisa hai jaisa ki pehle tha. Aur humesha aisa hi rahega.",
he says, walking past her.
Inside his mind thousands of feelings and thoughts are juggling and he is fighting with them to stay calm, but in vain!
"Haan agar kuch badla hai to sirf itna ki main nahi chahta ki aap har kadam meri ungli pakad kar chalein.",
he says, turning to look towards her. His eyes constant on her. And Naina's eyes are cascaded down trying to understand why is this happening!
"Apna raasta khud banana seekhein!",
he says, spitting all his anger and frustration through his words.
Anger as she failed to understand his feelings for her. Anger because she thinks if ever she falls in love with him, she wouldn't let him know!
But isn't this exactly what you are doing Rajveer? You are hiding your true feelings from her. So why is the expectation of being aware of her true feelings for you all the time? Why this disappointment about the fact that she won't share it with you if she ever gets to fall in love with you?
Longing are you, for her? To hear 'it' from her?
What's this frustration for?
Is it because despite saying everything; despite sharing every thought with you, she fails to tell you what you crave for each day to hear from her? The words from which despite running away all the time, you crave to get collided with?
But why is it that she has to be the one to unravel her feelings first every time? Why can't you be bold enough to let her know your true feelings for her without being asked? Is it for the fear of her reputation in the academy? Or is it that you are afraid that she might betray your feelings after getting acknowledged with them? If so, so why is this longing and crave for? Why this anger and frustration for? Why can't you just let it go?
He stares her in anger.
Hearing him, Naina lowers her eyes out of guilt and humiliation. Rajveer continues staring her. His eyes filled with rage. The crease in his forehead relaxes as Naina lowers her eyes as he realizes that finally Naina succeeded in getting his point. He nods his head lightly, glaring her throughout as a gesture of indicating her that 'yes you got my point! I won't talk to you now!'
"Aur agar ab aap mujhe excuse karengi to...",
he utters, glaring her throughout and turning he walks towards the door of his room and opens it for her. Holding the handle with his right hand and shoving the left into his jeans pocket, he stands there with his eyes cascaded down, not having the courage to look at her after hurting her so much.
Naina walks out of his room, her eyes cascaded down out of nervousness and guilt but she fails to go away without looking towards him one last time. And hence, turning to look towards him, she greets softly and nervously,
"Good night Sir!"
Rajveer walks away horizontally, such that his back is facing her, shoving his free hand into his jeans pocket, taking a deep breath, he greets her back trying to sound normal but his anxiety is palpable,
"Good night Cadet Singh!"
"And Happy New Year!"
"And...",
he looks heavenwards, trying to control his tears from spilling and with a shaky voice, he wishes her formally,
"And wish you a great life!"
This he really wishes for! Because he might go through hell in his life because of her, but this he is sure about that he would always want the best for her, no matter what!
Although he is turned away from her but his mind is constant on her. He is fully aware of her reactions behind him. As he feels her going away.... gone... Rajveer finally gradually permits himself to release his pent up emotions.
Not that it is a spontaneous reaction. No! He rather tries to forget it and let the feeling go, and hence he shuts his eyes as a measure to control his frustration but alas! he fails to do that.
Slowly, holding all his emotions, releasing them in a slow pace, with his eyes closed, he walks towards the door of his room and slowly shuts the door. Of course he is fully aware of every corner of his room that he could walk there with closed eyes too! With the door of his room; he shuts the door of his heart as well, as he realizes there is no reason to keep it open because for whom it had been kept open, won't reach there ever!
*Flashback ends*
Unable to control his frustration any longer, Rajveer decides that he will confess his feelings to Naina. After the conversation they had about the engagement, he could read her eyes, there is surely something that she feels for him!
Yes, this would be the best option he needs to tell her everything!
A determined Rajveer turns to leave for Naina that suddenly he remembers one conversation that he had with Dr. Shalini once, it succeeds in skipping his heartbeat, arresting him at his place.
*Flashback*
"Apka time over ho gaya hai!",
informs the orderly reaching the solitary confinement.
Getting up from his sleeping position, Captain Rajveer says, almost like mummers,
"Ye bhi bata dete, bura time ya acha!"
"Chalo...",
saying that, he gets up to leave the cell, that Dr. Shalini enters.
Getting surprised, Captain Rajveer asks, creasing his brows,
"Dr. Shalini aap?''
"Hi Captain! Apka kuch regular check up karne ayi hun",
tells Dr. Shailini.
"Kyun?",
asks Captain Rajveer, creasing his brows.
"I am absolutely fine doctor",
smiles Captain Rajveer.
Smiling a little, almost like an apologetical smile, feeling sorry that he had to face the solitary confinement, Dr. Shalini informs,
"Captain it is necessary. Solitary confinement ke baad check up karna zaruri hota hai. It won't take time",
she assures him. Indicating towards the cell, Captain Rajveer asks,
"Yahan par?"
Dr. Shalini smiles a little and nods to a 'yes'!
"Chaliye ayiye baithiye",
smiling, Captain Rajveer invites Dr. Shalini to sit on the slab where he had been resting and himself sits next to her. He notices how serious Dr. Shalini is, of course he doesn't have to guess the reason! It's obvious that she is not liking it, seeing her best friend here in the solitary confinement, who has now got the permission to leave after facing the punishment of coming too late from then mentorship programme with his protegee Cadet Naina Singh.
Captain Rajveer notices that she is tensed. Knowing that he is the reason behind her worries, he tries to make her smile and forget her worries by asking casually,
"bataiye kya lengi aap - chai ya coffee?",
as if she is visiting him to his room than in the solitary confinement.
Smiling at his try to make her feel relaxed, to cheer her up, Dr. Shalini says,
"just your B.P. Captain!"
Captain Rajveer smiles and forwards his arm so that she could measure his BP.
Rajveer reads the measuring as the mercury level goes higher and says out of surprise,
"arey koi roko issey!"
Shaking her head out of disappointment, Dr. Shalini closes her BP machine and says,
"ye sahi signs nahi hai Captain, apko apna khyal rakhna hoga. Apke body jaise work kar rahi hai ussey mujhey ye signals mil rahe hain ki ye sahi nahi hai. Mujhey aisa lag raha hai jaise apke dimag mein koi baat chal rahi hai. It's as if aap koi jung lad rahe hain apne aap se",
Dr. Shalini gets frustrated, unable to bear seeing him like this.
Turning away from her, so that she cannot read his eyes as he lies to her,
"aisi koi baat nahi hai doctor. Main... Main kya soch raha hunga"
"Aisi koi baat nahi hai?",
asks Dr. Shalini, creasing her brows, almost like taunting him.
"Kya main nahi janti Captain ki aap iss waqt kis barey mein soch rahe honge?",
asks Dr. Shalini, getting irritated that he is not talking to her openly.
"Purey academy mein apke aur Cadet Singh ke barey mein jo baatein ho rahi hain...",
she trails off the sentence, shaking her head.
Putting his hands into his trousers' pockets, still turned away from her, he says,
"I think you are right doctor. You don't have to be an Einstein to understand that much!"
"Waise apko kya lagta hai jo sub keh rahe hain wo such hua to?",
asks Captain Rajveer, still not turning to look at her. But this time the reason is entirely different for not looking towards her! He doesn't have the guts to face her, afraid, that she might read his eyes! She might understand what's hidden in his heart.
"To?",
asks Dr. Shalini, knitting her brows, unable to believe that he is actually asking her that!
"It can be disastrous Captain!"
Listening to this Captain Rajveer laughs sarcastically.
"Sirf apke liye hi nahi balki KMA ke liye bhi!",
at this he laughs even more, sarcastically.
His laughing irks Dr. Shalini,
"How... how can you take it so lightly Captain? Aap please jakar subse keh dijiye ki wo jo kuch bhi keh rahe hain unn mein se koi baat such nahi hai!"
His sarcastic laugh turns his eyes teary. Getting serious on listening to Dr. Shalini's last line, he says, his eyes still teary,
"Haan... haan ek baat such nahi hai! Nahi hai such ek baat!"
"Kaunsi baat?",
Naina's voice takes both Captain Rajveer and Dr. Shalini by surprise. They turn to look at her. Naina keeps staring him.
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune begins)
"Cadet Singh! Aap yahan kya kar rahi hain?",
asks Captain Rajveer, creasing his brows. His words reflects his anger towards Naina.
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune continues)
Standing with him, Dr. Shalini notices how Captain Rajveer's whole demeanour changed on seeing Cadet Singh. It didn't escape her eyes how on listening to Naina's voice, for fraction of seconds the vibes of satisfaction ran throughout his body. His otherwise tensed muscles relaxed for that particular moment. But he is back to his normal self - tensed! But for some reason his tension has minimized. Dr. Shalini looks at Naina then back at Captain Rajveer, and finds both of them staring each-other, like two departed souls are meeting each other after having kept away from each other for far too long!
Walking into the cell she says,
"main permission le kar ayi hun",
her eyes not ready to leave his even for fraction of second, she doesn't want to miss anything. Dr. Shalini begins to say something but before she gets time to voice her words, oblivious to her try, Captain Rajveer asks, still staring Naina, raising his voice a little,
"apko kisne diya permission?"
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune continues)
"Mujhey dekhna tha aap theek hain ya nahi!"
"Aap kisi se puch sakti thi! Abhi Dr. Shalini aane hi wali thi bahar, aap unse puch sakti thi!",
scolds Captain Rajveer.
"Maine kaha na mujhey apko dekhna tha!",
replies Naina, with full determination, not ready to lose this argument. Dr. Shalini tries to hide her smile, but of course none of the both present in front of her were aware of her presence any more, so it didn't matter anyways.
Clearing her throat, Dr. Shalini says,
"I am sure Captain, Cadet Singh ko apse baat karni hogi. After all ye punishment sirf apko hi nahi mila, balki Naina ko bhi mila hai!"
Rajveer looks towards Dr. Shalini, knitting his brows, unable to understand why did she say that. Had Naina also got some kind of punishment which he is unaware of? The thought of her getting punished that too when he knows he is partially responsible for their coming late, makes him nervous and tensed!
Oh yes, he could have avoided being late, had he not gone flown away by her presence, by the fact that they were all alone. Of course, of course he didn't do anything which is unacceptable but imagining something, something your heart desires, is it also considered a sin, just like a teacher-student relationship? Hold on, relationship between a teacher and a student? What kind of a relationship is he thinking about? How does it fit with Rajveer-Naina?
Unable to understand how should she react, Dr. Shalini clears her throat to bring back the attention of the both standing with her towards her.
"Ahmm... I think mujhey ab chalna chahiye",
saying that, she looks towards Captain Rajveer then towards Cadet Naina, smiling a little out of politeness, she leaves.
As she leaves, Rajveer looks back towards Naina and turns back to collect his shirt from the slab. Crossing her arms on her chest she asks him,
"kaunsi baat such nahi hai?"
Still busy in collecting his shirt, he says,
"apko aise chup kar kisi ki baatein sunni nahi chahiye Cadet Singh"
"Main chup kar nahi sunn rahi thi, main yahan ayi thi to sunna",
she tells him confidently, raising her voice a little.
"Well I guess main sahi time par aa gayi thi yahan warna...",
she trails off the sentence. Turning to look at her, raising his brows, he provokes her,
"warna?"
Creasing her brows, raising her voice, she asks him again,
"konsi baat such nahi hai?"
"Warna kya Cadet Singh?",
Captain Rajveer asks her back.
Naina turns her face towards left, out of anger.
"Aap mere mentor hain iska matlab ye nahi hai Sir ki apka jab mann karega aap mere saath waise hi behave karenge!",
says Naina out of frustration. Moving a step closer to her, he asks her, looking into her eyes intently,
"kaise behave kia maine Cadet Singh?",
his voice turns soft suddenly. The sudden change in his voice makes Naina to look towards him, they enjoy an eye-lock.
(Rajveer-Naina tune begins)
"Jitna main apko janti hun, aap anyay ka saath kabhi nahi dete. Jhoot, galat ka saath kabhi nahi dete. Fir aaj aapne chup -chap ye punishment kyun accept kia Sir?",
her sudden bold question takes him aback. He keeps staring her out of surprise, out of shock.
(Rajveer-Naina tune continues as they keep staring each other)
Suddenly an orderly comes to inform,
"aap ko Brigadier Chandok ne abhi report karne ko kaha hai".
Lowering her eyes on listening to the orderly's voice, Naina waits for the orderly to leave. As he leaves, Naina stares back at Rajveer. Knowing that he won't answer, Naina shakes her head a little and leaves.
*Flashback ends*
"Kya ho gaya tha mujhe? Kya karne ja raha tha main?",
he asks himself, scolds himself, feeling angry on himself.
*Flashback*
"Ye tumhare haath mein kitab kaisi hai?",
asks Captain Rajveer, walking away from Huda, diverting his mind yet again towards polishing his shooting skills.
Smiling, walking towards Captain Rajveer, Huda lets him know,
"Sir ye... apka wo... hatke wala mission hai!"
Impressed and excited, Captain Rajveer looks towards Huda, who by now is standing in front of him, and says,
"Good! Pura ho gaya?"
"Ji Sir, main wohi apko dene aya tha!",
smiles Huda whilst forwarding his hand, holding the copy, towards Captain Rajveer.
As Captain Rajveer was about to take it, Huda pulls his hand back. Smiling shyly, but looking straight into Captain Rajveer's eyes, like a true 'jatt', Huda asks him,
"Par Sir, mission ki kamiyabi par... jawan ko medal to milega na?"
Laughing lovingly at his Hudagiri, Captain Rajveer turns and walks towards a table whilst saying,
"Cadet Huda agar tumhara matlab 'medal' se hai, ke main tumhare exam mein tumhe zada number de kar tumhe pass kar dun, to t bohot galat soch rahe ho!",
as Captain Rajveer completes with this line, he reaches the table and fills a glass of water for himself.
Smirking, Huda walks towards Captain Rajveer but halts at a certain distance and says,
"Cheating to chichore log karte hain Sir. Main jatt hun; kisaan ka bacha; mehnat se kabhi nahi dara hun!",
completes Huda, reaching a bit more closer to Captain Rajveer.
Captain Rajveer who has drunk the water by now, turns towards Huda and says,
"To yakeen mano cadet, iss mission ke liye tumne jo mehnat ki hai, wo hi tumhara medal hai",
Captain Rajveer pats on Huda's upper arm.
Cadet Huda, forwarding his copy towards Captain Rajveer, smiling, says,
"Bilkul Sir, apne kaha, maine maan lia!"
Captain Rajveer takes the copy from him and opens it to check it out. While Huda continues,
"Lekin ye dil nahi manta Sir!"
With his eyes glued on Huda's copy, Captain Rajveer asks casually,
"Kyun tumhara dil kya chahta hai?"
Folding his arms over his chest, looking straight towards Captain Rajveer, Huda boldly replies,
"Phoolan!"
This comes as a complete surprise for Rajveer! No it is not that he was oblivious to Huda's feelings towards Naina but never had he ever expected Huda to become such straight forward and ask for Naina from him!
Then it is also that he has never thought about Naina being with someone else other than himself! He is fully aware of Huda's flirtatious nature and particularly his flirting with Naina but that's it he knows it is nothing more than innocent teasing and flirting between two friends. And the fact that the flirt is one sided relaxes him all the more! But what he is picturing at this moment after Huda's bold demand from him, makes his heart to skip a beat and beat at a faster pace!
But why is he surprised and disappointed? Is this not what exactly he wanted? Didn't he want Naina to go away from him and be with Huda instead? How can he forget the boxing match? Or was it that he was testing Naina? Testing her feeling towards him. How strong it is, if there is any! Was he trying to push her away from him or pull her closer to him by getting hurt? By accepting Huda's beatings as his punishment? Was it only because he wanted to give Huda the chance to bring out his pent up anger on him or was it also a test for Naina? A test that if she passed would be a win for Rajveer too and if she failed.... well, it wouldn't have been a surprise for Rajveer, he would have closed the matter there itself!
But alas... he WON!
"Mera matlab Naina, Sir!",
rectifies Huda, then continues,
"Sir academy mein sirf ek aap hi hain jo Naina ko achi tarah jante hain",
smiles Huda.
Rajveer stares him, shocked. He goes speechless and suddenly feels anxiety. He looks away towards the table in front of him and places the notebook on it, his mind occupied in repeating Huda's words. His heart not ready to accept this! In all he finds himself in a state of dilemma, what should he do now? How can he help Huda? How can he tell him tricks to win Naina's heart? But the main question is why can't he suggest Huda the tricks? Is the teacher of 'Strategies and Communication' facing loss of words? Is it that suddenly he is in need to learn himself what he teaches to all? Or is it the usual affect of Naina on him? But surprisingly this time it is not her presence that's bothering him but rather her mere name uttered by Huda in a way not acceptable to Rajveer. So does that mean that henceforth people should set criteria in which they can take Naina's name in front of Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat? Or is it that the denial persists even in his absence around them? Or may be it is just Huda, who sets his blood into rush when he takes Naina's name that way?
Huda's words,
'Sir academy mein sirf ek aap hi hain jo Naina ko achi tarah jante hain',
were they out of appreciation that he had the guts to talk to Naina without any fear, unlike all the male cadets including Huda; and other male faculty members or were they out of jealousy towards Rajveer that Naina gives so much importance to him, which Huda or anyone other has never received from Naina?
But at this particular moment, he doesn't care to pay heed to which of his thoughts is correct. The main point is asking from him something which is very difficult for Rajveer to give to Huda! Hell, right now he wishes he would have rather asked him for allotting him grace marks rather than this! At least in that case he could have punished him for asking so. But now in this situation, he can't even say a word against him, let alone punish him. What would he say by the way - that he cannot help Huda in winning Naina's heart because....
Because...?? Because what?
"Agar Sir aap... mujhey Phoolan ka dil jeetne ka koi ek tareeka bata de to... baki sub Sir main khud kar lunga!",
requests Huda, politely, smiling, standing behind Rajveer.
Rajveer who acts to check the papers, knits his brows and tries to think of a way to deal with this situation.
(Fast Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)
He gets anxious. His heartbeat picks up pace as he fails to understand what should he reply to Huda. Why is he making such a fuss out of it? Come on it's just a mere thing - winning Naina's heart for Huda! Can't Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat do this much? Is it that difficult a job for him? Surely it's not! Or is it that he doesn't want to do it! Of course, of course it's not the case. Why won't he want to do it? What could possibly be the reason behind declining Huda's proposal?
Huda's words drag an anxious and puzzled Rajveer's attention,
"Sir DEAL...",
he asks, forwarding his hand, smiling, looking towards Rajveer with his twinkling eyes. Then continues,
"Ya NO DEAL?"
The question that makes Huda to smile, snatches away Rajveer's happiness!
*Flashback ends*
"Kaise... kaise bhul gaya, ke wo kisi aur ki amanat hai?",
he scolds himself, his heart aching as he says this, thinking about Naina and Huda.
Rubbing off his tears, knowing that he doesn't have time for all this, he decides something!
*******
In her room Dr. Mishra sitting on her arm chair, swinging it, remembers the conversation she had with Naina.
*Flashback*
"Excuse me Ma'am",
calls Naina from behind.
Dr. Mishra turns to look towards Naina, holding a file in her hand.
"Haan Naina bolo.",
smiles Dr. Mishra.
"Mujhe apse koi bohot zaruri baat karni hai!",
she states, with no smile of pleasure on her face about talking to Dr. Mishra.
"Ahmm... yahan?",
asks Dr. Mishra.
"Mere office mein ja kar baat karni hai?",
suggests Dr. Mishra, politely, yet seriously.
"Abhi, issi waqt, yahin par!",
states Naina in a no nonsense way!
By her tone Dr. Mishra understands that this has to be very serious.
"Theek hai. Bolo.",
says Dr. Mishra politely, eager to know what is it.
Looking straight into Dr. Mishra's eyes, Naina declares instead of asking,
"Ma'am aap Rajveer Sir se engagement nahi kar saktin!"
This comes as a shock for Dr. Mishra!
"KYUNKI MAIN RAJVEER SIR SE PYAR KARTI HUN!",
she states without giving it a second thought. Her demeanor shouts how she really doesn't mean what she is saying. But her words are exact opposite, this confuses Dr. Mishra.
"I am in love with Captain Rajveer!",
she adds further, just to clarify all the more.
Dr. Mishra reads her expression, not a single think justifies what she is wording.
"Kya kaha tumne?",
she asks just to clarify.
"Wohi jo apne sunna!",
states Naina, clearly.
"Naina I think fir humein, mere office mein ja kar baat karni hogi.",
states Dr. Mishra, still shocked.
"Yeah sure! Chaliye!",
says Naina, all serious and determined.
In Dr. Mishra's cabin
"Naina tum ye sub mujhe ab kyun bata rahi ho? Aise! Yun achanak?",
asks Dr. Mishra
"Kyunki main nahi chahti ke aap mere Captain Rajveer se shadi karein!",
states Naina clearly, looking straight into Dr. Mishra's eyes.
"Simple!",
she says.
*Flashback ends*
*******
Next day Rajveer reaches Dr. Shalini's cabin.
"Dr. Shalini!",
he calls, entering her cabin in an urgency, without giving heed to manners of knocking the door.
"Yeah!",
smiles Dr. Shalini.
"Kya main apse baat kar sakta hun?",
he asks in an urgency, standing in front of her desk.
"Of course!",
smiles Dr. Shalini.
All serious, he shows her a ring,
"Ye engagement ring apne mujhe di thi!"
Dr. Shalini looks towards Captain Rajveer, her smile fading as she realizes where is he proceeding towards.
"Isse main wapas lautane ke liye aya hun!",
he states, forwarding the ring to her, looking straight into her eyes.
Dr. Shalini's heart breaks a little. But doesn't really comes as a surprise for her. She had anticipated quite early that this would happen someday.
Accepting it with a broken heart, she asks him,
"Kyun?"
Looking away, turning his face to his right, Captain Rajveer tells her the partial truth,
"Maine kisi se wada kiya hai ke main Dr. Mishra se engagement nahi karunga!"
Dr. Shalini, completely aware about whom is he talking, lowers her eyes and asks him,
"Apne kisse wada kiya hai Captain?",
and looks back towards him.
Captain Rajveer immediately looks towards her, knitting his brows.
He understands she knows it all!
Rajveer doesn't understand why he hesitates to look towards Dr. Shalini's eyes while speaking further, hence he looks away, walking forth such that his back is turned towards Dr. Shalini, he holds the chair's back out of frustration and says,
"Dr. Shalini mujhse Naina ki ye halat dekhi nahi jati."
"Uska dard mujhe sone nahi deta!",
he raises his voice out of frustration.
This line succeeds in skipping Dr. Shalini's heartbeat, nothing came as a big surprise for her though. She looks here and there out of hesitation. Realizing it that whatever she is thinking, whatever she has been thinking since the last few days, it's all true!
"Meri frustration mera gussa banke bahar nikalti hai.",
says Captain Rajveer, frustrated and desperate.
"Main uske liye kuch nahi kar sakta!",
he shouts turning to look towards Dr. Shalini. Scolding himself for his helplessness. He knows he can shower his pent up anger and frustration only in front of Dr. Shalini.
Dr. Shalini stares him serious. She could listen what his frustration is shouting.
"Kuch nahi kar sakta main uske liye!",
he says looking away, all calm yet angry.
"Just feeling so helpless!",
he says calmly yet frustrated.
Dr. Shalini understands that she needs to help him here to make him understand what his heart is indicating towards! His anxiousness is making his eyes to blurr, though not literally!
"Captain apko achi tarah se pata hai ke aap Cadet Singh ke liye kya kar sakte hain...",
she says, with her eyes lowered out of hesitation.
"...aur kya nahi!",
she finishes, itching the back of her neck, a gesture of showing her hesitation.
She understands that he would understand what she is indicating towards!
Rajveer tries to think of a way to get out of the chaos but finds no way out.
"Aur waise bhi... Ritu ji se engagement tod kar aap... Cadet Singh ke liye kya kar lenge?",
asks Dr. Shalini, looking towards Captain Rajveer.
"I know... that!!",
Captain Rajveer raises his voice out of frustration, turning to look towards Dr. Shalini.
He understands that he is raising his voice, but he doesn't make any effort for being polite, because he knows with Dr. Shalini, he doesn't have to fake. He can be him and she won't mind. He doesn't have to show courtesy always, this is what their friendship is like, he knows it very well! She knows it very well!
"Lekin main...",
he says looking towards Dr. Shalini, hesitanting to say that, looking away he says,
"Main Dr. Ritu se...."
He realizes he needs to say it clearly looking straight into Dr. Shalini's eyes to make it clear that he is not hesitating to state that. This he is clearing not only to Dr. Shalini but to himself too!
"I just DON'T love her!",
he states clearly, calmly, with not any hint of confusion and Dr. Shalini reads that well!
It does hurt Dr. Shalini and why won't it when she had stayed rooted to this pair since the beginning! Despite knowing what Captain Rajveer would say sooner or later, she looks hurt and shocked!
And not only that, his words also make her belief about his feelings for Naina, stronger!
Lowering his eyes as it hurts him to see the expression of hurt and sadness on Dr. Shalini's face, he gives her time to accept the truth.
"Main sirf unka ehsaanmand hun aur shayad isiliye...",
he states looking towards Dr. Shalini.
A shocked Dr. Shalini who had been staring him without blinking her eyes since the moment he declared that he doesn't love Dr. Mishra, finally lowers her eyes out of hesitation when Captain Rajveer looks towards her.
Anxious and frustrated, Captain Rajveer takes his seat in front of her, resting his elbow on her desk and massaging his forehead which has started aching out of thinking too much, he asks Dr. Shalini, his eyes closed,
"Go on Dr. Shalini..."
"Aur... Brigadier Chandok se kya kahenge?",
asks Dr. Shalini.
Captain Rajveer shoots up at her, glaring her, his anger is on Brigadier Chandok if he dares to do anything, than towards Dr. Shalini and asks, out of anger,
"Kya kar lenge wo?"
"Zyada se zyada meri posting karadenge na?",
he adds further still frustrated.
"Hone dijiye!",
he says, shaking his head a little out of frustration, indicating that he doesn't care a wee bit!
"Are you ready for that Captain?",
Dr. Shalini asks politely, tilting her head a little towards left, still standing.
Captain Rajveer looks up towards Dr. Shalini, still maintaining the same posture, such that his forehead creases when he looks up towards her.
Getting anxious he gets up turning away from her.
"Captain... aap yahan par students ko parhane ke liye aye thein!",
Dr. Shalini tries to put brain into him as she understands that frustration and anger are taking a toll on him. He needs a friend; a guide.
"And I don't think your job is done.",
Captain Rajveer ponders into her words as he finds her words always worth pondering upon and hence he is here, to seek her suggestion.
"You have to make a... a strong batch of soldiers Captain!",
Dr. Shalini's these words touch his heart, he looks up to her, considering her words seriously.
"Mujhe lagta hai ke... apko... Dr. Ritu ko saaf saaf keh dena chahiye!",
she states lowering her eyes, out of hesitation.
By now Captain Rajveer too has lowered his eyes.
"Tell her the truth!",
she states clearly, knitting her brows.
"Main unse keh chuka hun ki main unse...",
he says looking towards Dr. Shalini. He pauses taking his time, as he feels bad that he has hurt Dr. Mishra. Hurting someone, other than an enemy, traitor, is not in his nature.
"Pyar nahi karta hun!",
stating that he quickly looks away not wanting to see her reaction to his words. His heart beating at an alarming rate out anxiety.
Dr. Shalini does get hurt and lowers her eyes.
"Lekin wo mujhse pyar karti hain!",
he states, walking ahead.
"No Captain!",
Dr. Shalini says immediately, looking towards Captain Rajveer, realizing that he mistook her.
"Mera matlab tha ki aap...",
she says, tilting her head a little towards right, looking towards him.
Then lowering her eyes out of hesitation, she completes her line,
"Apko... Dr. Ritu se keh dena chahiye ki aap..."
Taking a deep breath she continues,
"Cadet Singh se pyar karte hain!"
This skips Rajveer's heartbeat. He turns to look towards her, shocked. His right hand holding the chair in front of him, his left hand resting on his waist.
He stares her. How does she manage to do it each time - understand him so well? Speak her heart out in front of him with such ease? Something even he cannot do to himself!
Dr. Shalini doesn't look away, because she knows she hasn't mistaken! Smiling a little, politely.
Rajveer gets anxious and feels awkward in front of her, both at the same time. Taking deep breath out of anxiety, he turns towards her and holds the chair in front of him with both his hands, still not looking towards her. Finally he looks towards her. His brows knitted lightly radiating his awkwardness, tension and surprise on hearing her. His cheeks warm up as if he has got caught red handed while doing something wrong!
Dr. Shalini lowers her eyes, feeling awkward herself, but she had to say this because she cares for him.
Walking away to his right, considering her suggestion, Rajveer says,
"Shayad mujhe aisa hi karna chahiye."
"Inn haalat mein main academy nahi chor sakta!",
he states.
"Main kisi ko dhokha nahi dena chahta!",
he says. He understands that Dr. Shalini would understand his double meaning behind his words. First that he doesn't want to betray Dr. Mishra's trust by faking his love for her and second he doesn't want to betray Naina's trust in him. The trust she shows in him, taking him as her mentor, teacher. He knows or rather fears that if he conveys his true feelings to her, he would shatter her trust in him. He knows she doesn't love him and he is content with the fact that he is important to her as a mentor; as a friend may be. And he is not expecting much from her.
"Khudko bhi nahi!",
he adds this too and hence completing the triangle Ritu-Rajveer-Naina!
"Hmm...",
says Dr. Shalini, thinking, sadly.
"I understand Captain!",
she adds, still sad, not looking towards him.
"Dr. Shalini!",
he looks towards her, taking a deep breath, clearing his mind.
Both mature enough to understand what got exchanged between then without wording it clearly!
Dr. Shalini immediately looks towards him.
"Apne mujhe mera maksad kya hai iss baat ka ehsaas kara diya.",
he states looking straight into her eyes, his hands holding both the chairs in front of him.
Dr. Shalini lowers her eyes hearing that. Captain Rajveer follows the suit.
"Meri...priorities kya honi chahiye... ye bhi sikha diya!",
he states slowly, clearly, looking towards her hesitantly.
Dr. Shalini bows her head out of hesitation, smiling a little.
"Thanks a lot.",
he conveys his gratitude.
Dr. Shalini smiles.
Captain Rajveer leaves.
*******
Walking out of Dr. Shalini's cabin, Rajveer walks through the corridor, thinking about the step he took, calling off the engagement with Dr. Mishra.
He happens to meet Naina at the corridor coming from the opposite direction, she herself was in deep thoughts that her heartbeat too skips seeing him just like Rajveer's had skipped on seeing her.
(Rajveer-Naina slow guitar tune begins)
They walk towards each other slowly, staring each other throughout.
Naina looks towards his hand, his ring finger, expectantly.
Rajveer follows her vision then slowly looks towards her to know her reaction.
A silent sigh of relief she takes that doesn't go unnoticed by Rajveer. Rajveer's heart clenches on hearing that. He craves to embrace her into a warm hug especially after hearing Dr. Shalini's words.
Dr. Mishra happens to reach them at that particular moment from Rajveer's behind.
Naina and Rajveer turn to look towards Dr. Mishra.
Rajveer though stays calm but Naina knits her brows, narrowing her eyes on to Dr. Mishra, as fresh anger envelopes her heart.
Shivers run down Rajveer's spine as he remembers Naina's words...
'Nahi Sir wo... pata nahi mujhe kya ho gaya tha! Main bohot gusse mein thi aur jaise hi maine Ritu Ma'am ko corridor mein dekha, maine unko jakar keh diya ke aap unse engagement nahi karenge, BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!'
Shivers run down Dr. Mishra's spine as she too remembers Naina's words...
'Ma'am aap Rajveer Sir se engagement nahi kar saktin! KYUNKI MAIN RAJVEER SIR SE PYAR KARTI HUN!'
Rajveer then remembers Dr. Shalini's words...
'Apko... Dr. Ritu se keh dena chahiye ki aap... Cadet Singh se pyar karte hain!'
Naina remembers Rajveer's words...
'Tum dushman se puch rahi ho ki apne gunah ka certificate de.'
"Captain, can I have a word with you, privately?",
asks Dr. Mishra, emphasizing on 'privately', looking towards Naina.
This irks Naina. Glaring Dr. Mishra she waits for Rajveer to decline her proposal.
"Sure Dr. Mishra!",
says Rajveer, taking Naina by surprise.
Rajveer turns his face a little towards Naina to know her reaction but doesn't look directly towards her.
All this adds into Naina's frustration.
She realizes that she herself has to stop all this from happening.
As Rajveer walks forth to go along with Dr. Mishra, Naina quickly comes to a decision and without giving it a second thought, she walks to Rajveer, wrapping her arms around his arm, with her face turned towards Dr. Mishra and her eyes filled with rage, she says,
"Mujhe bhi Rajveer Sir se kuch baat karni hai, akele mein!"
Her yet another bold step that too in front of Dr. Mishra comes as a shock for Rajveer. He looks towards Naina, shocked.
Dr. Mishra glares her.
Naina adds further, staring straight into Dr. Mishra's eyes,
"Aur waise bhi since humara rishta abhi abhi bandha hai, to abhi I am sure mere paas zyada baatein hongi inse karne ke liye."
Ritu's rate of heartbeat picks up pace out of anger. Her brows knit together. Her eyes glaring Naina.
Naina ignores all that and continues with full confidence,
"Aur kyunki ab apka aur Rajveer Sir ka rishta raha hi nahi...",
she pauses to make her realize the fact that it us indeed over between Rajveer and Ritu.
Dr. Mishra's blood boils.
Rajveer too gets shocked on hearing that. He stares Naina, shocked!
"To I am sure aap dono ke beech an kuch nahi hai baat karne ko!",
saying so Naina keeps glaring Ritu.
Rajveer converts his hand into fist. His face straight out of anger. Neither can he go against Naina; nor can he tolerate this. His anger on Naina reaches heights.
Glaring Naina, Ritu turns to look towards Rajveer and says,
"Maine kabhi nahi socha tha Captain ke apki choice aisi impulsive, nasamajh ladki hogi. I must say I am disappointed Captain!"
Naina knits her brows tighter glaring her. Ritu smirks staring Rajveer.
Her words pinch Rajveer. Irk him.
"I beg to differ here Dr. Mishra!",
smiles Captain Rajveer, infectiously.
"Isse impulsiveness nahi possessiveness kehte hain!",
smiles Captain Rajveer.
Naina stares him shocked.
(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)
Ritu glares them both. Naina turns towards Ritu to know her reaction to it. She straightens up, smiling, looking directly into Dr. Mishra's eyes.
Feeling humiliated, glaring Rajveer and Naina for the last time Dr. Mishra leaves.
*******
As Dr. Mishra leaves, Rajveer glares Naina. Holding her hand tightly, he drags her to his room. Pulling her in he leaves her, turning he shuts the door, bolting it.
Turning to look at her, glaring her, he shouts at her,
"Kya tha ye Naina?",
indicating towards the door.
Naina looks away towards her left, not wanting to answer.
"Answer me!",
he shouts.
This skips Naina's heartbeat. She lowers her eyes. Slowly she looks towards him again, afraid of his anger.
"Mujhe jo sahi laga maine wohi kiya.",
she says, lowering her eyes immediately.
"Yun... aise... unke samne mere paas ana, tumhe sahi laga Naina?",
scolds Rajveer, glaring her.
This hurts Naina why, she fails to understand. Afterall they are just pretending.... no wait, she is just pretending isn't it? So why such effect of his words on her?
"Mujhe unhe yakeen dilana tha that we are together!",
she states, keeping her eyes lowered.
"Aur tum aise yakeen dilati ho?",
shouts Rajveer.
"Why do you care?",
asks Naina, knitting her brows, staring him.
"Bura lag raha hai apko, ke apki Dr. Mishra apse durr ho rahi hain?",
asks Naina out of anger.
This skips Rajveer's heartbeat. He didn't realize his saying so would sound like that.
Staring her, his voice turned softer out of guilt,
"Stop it Naina. You know I didn't mean that."
"So what did you mean Sir? Aap kyun iss tarah se react kar rahe hain fir?",
asks Naina, raising her voice.
Raising his voice, looking towards Naina, Rajveer asks,
"So kya chahti ho tum? Main subke samne jakar ye kehta firun ke main Naina se pyar karta hun?"
This skips Naina's heartbeat. She stares him shocked. Her cheeks warming up as she keeps repeating his words in her mind.
Rajveer's heartbeat skips too as he realizes what he said.
Rajveer then focuses on Naina's reaction. She looks shocked initially. Gradually she starts feeling awkward as she realizes that this is her teacher with whom she is being linked with! She lowers her eyes gradually.
Rajveer turns his voice low yet demanding.
"Batao Naina, ye chahti ho tum?",
asks Rajveer.
"Jis determination; jis confidence ke saath tumne Dr. Mishra ke samne ye kaha... agar ye baat subke samne aa gayi to kya tum ussi confidence ke saath; mera haath pakad kar; subki ankhon mein ankhein daal kar ye baat accept kar paogi ki tum mujhse pyar karti ho?",
asks Rajveer.
Shivers run down Naina's spine as for the second time she gets bound to think that way.
Rajveer keeps staring her, knitting his brows, anger gradually surges through him as he remembers the effect of the speculation on Naina.
"Arey kehna to durr, tum dusro ke samne mujhse baat karne se bhi katraogi!",
says Rajveer, spitting venom through his each word.
"Main katraungi?",
asks Naina, shocked.
Rajveer looks away, frustrated.
"I beg your pardon Sir, par katraungi main nahi, katrayenge aap. In fact iss waqt bhi aap wohi kar rahe hain. Ab jabki humare saath koi nahi hai. Katra aap rahe hain meri taraf dekhne se!",
scolds Naina, out of frustration.
This comes as a shock for Rajveer. He turns to look towards Naina, knitting his brows.
"Cadet Singh you are crossing your limits!",
scolds Rajveer, staring her out of anger.
His words pierce her heart. Limit? Where did this word come from between them?
Naina stares him with knitted brows, fathoming his
words. Rajveer lowers his eyes feeling guilty of having said that, he just wanted to control her, but didn't realize he himself has crossed the so called 'limits' between them!
With a new determination, smiling sadly, Naina looking straight into Rajveer's eyes says,
"Thank you Sir!"
This skips Rajveer's heartbeat. Why is she thanking him? He stares her with knitted brows.
"Ek pal ke liye main ye bhool gayi thi ki ye sub 'natak' hai.",
she taunts, looking straight into his eyes, emphasizing on the word 'natak'.
Rajveer's heart skips a beat. He realizes he has hurt her.
"Naina...",
he begins to explain, but trails off wondering what to say.
Anger surges through her afresh. Pointing her index finger towards Rajveer; her eyes blazing with anger for Dr. Mishra, she warns him,
"Par ye baat aap yaad rakhna ke main Dr. Mishra ko apki zindagi ke saath khelne nahi dungi!"
Her words instead of getting him angry, clenches his heart out of affection for her. Her possessiveness towards himself, touches his heart.
"Naina....",
Rajveer tries to explain.
"Excuse me Sir!",
she says strictly, asking him to give her way to leave. She knows he would start explaining her again, his tone shouts so. But she doesn't want that. She doesn't want to understand anything!
They stare each other, Naina adamantly and Rajveer helplessly. Helplessly Rajveer gives her way to leave. She walks away. Reaching the door, she turns again with full confidence, and says,
"Aur haan.... main taiyar hun!"
This skips Rajveer's heartbeat. For a moment it felt to him as if she is indirectly saying a 'yes' to his silent proposal. He looks towards her, shocked. Naina's heart skips a beat on realizing the look. She quickly rectifies, turning soft out of hesitation,
"Main taiyar hun academy ke logo ko face karne ke liye Sir. It would be better ke aap bhi ho jaiyein!"
(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins as they stare each other all serious)
Finally she turns to leave, when Rajveer's sarcastic laugh and words refrain her from taking further step,
"Tum mein khudko to such bolne ki himmat nahi hai. Dusro ko face karne ki himmat kahan se hogi?",
taunts Rajveer.
(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune continues)
Naina's heart skips a beat and her eyes get opened wide, hearing that. She could feel her cheeks turning warm.
Rajveer keeps staring her, challenging her silently to react to the words of his.
Naina turns to look towards him, shocked.
Averting his eyes, rolling them, he says,
"Rehne do Naina. I'll deal with the situation myself.",
and passes by her side.
Naina locks his wrist with the lock of her hand.
That skips Rajveer's heartbeat. He slowly turns to look towards Naina who was already staring him.
Naina pulls Rajveer to herself with a force and places her lips on his!
As her lips touch Rajveer's she hears the sharp intake of his breath, after a beat or two. She desperately wanted him to react or else she would lose it. She needs encouragement, doing it wasn't an easy task for her. But now that she has begun with it, she doesn't want him to make her feel regretful. She tightens her hold on his hand, as if pleading him to encourage her over discourage. Because his one discouragement today, would get her feelings for him to rest forever! She clings to him, as if some writhing fish, seeking for water and oxygen in the desert. Naina's life to her is that desert where Rajveer has given her hope for water and oxygen in the form of his love and trust.
Feeling him in a manner she was oblivious to until now, wasn't in her to do list when she entered the room, pulled by him. Bravery and boldness of getting intimate to him this way, is as much a surprise to Naina as it is to Rajveer. But she has done with over thinking! She is tired of calming her desires for this man whom she not only out of respect but also fondly calls 'Rajveer Sir'.
Where on one hand her inner conscious asks her to divorce herself from him at this very moment, there on the other, something that flutters inside her, encourages her to move ahead of the step she showed boldness in taking.
How she is sucking his upper lips at the moment, shall stay secret between them! How his hold on her has suddenly turned tight, pulling her to himself, this secret she shall not confess in front of anyone. How suddenly Rajveer is going all dirty trying to touch her down there, without using his hands though, she confesses silently to herself, that this secret is the most intimate secret they had till date.
Enough of secrets created together! Now is the time for secret confession!
In desperate need of oxygen, they finally let each other to end this precious contact, breathing deeply. Rajveer cups her face, resting his head against hers, he rubs his left thumb on her cheek, calming not only hers but his rate of heartbeat too. Assuring her that he approves of what got exchanged between them. Thanking her silently for the move she made! Naina calms herself upon realizing that he didn't go mad at her upon realizing what she did to him.
They smile wide and blush upon realizing the fulfillment of their secret desire.
And about confession.... well the confession stays secret! None confessing their feelings verbally. But then when have Rajveer and Naina needed voice and words to confess? Are their eyes not enough to do that?
-THE END-
(12.9.2020)