4 yrs later

She inhaled chilled air of leh........ As her thoughts went merry go round ....
The ease and familiarity with which he handled the technicalities of how to do things, still struck her, gave her that familiar rush of wanting to learn new things. From him.

What he was unprepared for, was how accomplished she had become in her chosen field.
Yes, he had kept tabs on her, known how she had gone from strength to strength, always had been a message/ letter away.
Yet, communication between them was rare, both knowing that the other watched over themselves, both at peace with that knowledge.
Seeing each other in person, after so long, was like a pleasant jolt to both..... A forgotten feeling of euphoria which was always contained, which suddenly burst.
It felt awkward, somewhat tense, each not knowing how to act, what exactly to say, and yet at the same time, each feeling absolutely at home with the other.
When Raj spoke to her for the first time in the presence of their seniors, instructing her on how best to avoid the mines to reach her target, she felt as if KMA was just yesterday. As if absolutely no time had passed since the last lecture she attended, him going on and on regarding some codes, her listening attentively, yet her heart actually wishing something she did not herself know at that time.
When Naina came back that day, her mission accomplished, mostly due to a combination of her skills and the tricks he had taught her, and stood in front of him, explaining to her exploits excitedly, it was as if Raj was back in his quarters in KMA listening to Naina excitedly telling him something she and her friends achieved or angrily complain about something to him.
The work was done and the team had that evening off.

She entered the closed space to be used as room.....
With just a single bed a chair and a small closet
Sometimes she gets frowned upon by her fellow mates for having 'luxury' facility being a girl.....in a group with mostly men......
But she doesn't care anymore.....
It's not the first time something unfair is happening .....

But what concern her is that he is here ...
After all this time
There they stand again.....

She played that last moment they shared in kma for the thousand time in her head again
His half baked confession....
When the veil between them was so thin as if almost it's not there
And she had seen right through it....
His feelings his emotions
In that weak moment she had asked him to wait for her.....
Followed by the kiss .....

But he never came to see her again
And after a long wait she just accepted the fact that they can never be a thing

She is some kind of omen may be ....
He would have realised that what a bad idea it is .....
She decided to respect his decision...and maintain the distance.
Pretending as if that night never happened.
He never kissed her

But couple of weeks were enough to clear all the confusion
As they managed to survive together in this red alert zone....
She felt the warmth again
That home like sensation with him
The safe space
Where you know that you will be accepted unconditionally....
His threshold for her still so low...
Making her safety the priority was still a reflex for him.

And she knew that soon they will resume what was left incomplete
Everything happens when the time is right...

------------

The ease and familiarity with which he handled the technicalities of how to do things, still struck her, gave her that familiar rush of wanting to learn new things. From him.

What he was unprepared for, was how accomplished she had become in her chosen field.
Yes, he had kept tabs on her, known how she had gone from strength to strength, always had been a message/ letter away.
Yet, communication between them was rare, both knowing that the other watched over themselves, both at peace with that knowledge.
Seeing each other in person, after so long, was like a pleasant jolt to both..... A forgotten feeling of euphoria which was always contained, which suddenly burst.
It felt awkward, somewhat tense, each not knowing how to act, what exactly to say, and yet at the same time, each feeling absolutely at home with the other.
When Raj spoke to her for the first time in the presence of their seniors, instructing her on how best to avoid the mines to reach her target, she felt as if KMA was just yesterday. As if absolutely no time had passed since the last lecture she attended, him going on and on regarding some codes, her listening attentively, yet her heart actually wishing something she did not herself know at that time.
When Naina came back that day, her mission accomplished, mostly due to a combination of her skills and the tricks he had taught her, and stood in front of him, explaining to her exploits excitedly, it was as if Raj was back in his quarters in KMA listening to Naina excitedly telling him something she and her friends achieved or angrily complain about something to him. It felt same old way but with altogether different intensity. For This Naina was not cadet Naina now. She was now lieutenant. A working soldier yet Rajveer could feel a student in her. A little curious kid who has so many questions, so many complains addressed to him. Not for a second he could feel that missing one year from their lives...

The work was done and the team had that evening off. Somehow they ended up joining team dinner. Everybody discussing their experiences and having fun. A light chat breaks and soon everybody was engrossed in themselves. But In between talks Rajveer could feel a pair of eyes on him. Those doe eyes he could recognize them anywhere. He looks at Naina and their eyes meet. A brief moment but it feels like everything has been said and done. He loses interest in dinner.

'Sorry. Gentlemen..I have to go. Important call he. You people enjoy. Good night' He stands up and rushes out.

Not a minute passes when he hears footsteps in lobby where he has been standing. He glances at her. Naina Ah Singh. His former protégé, Now an officer, Donned in formals. When he looks at her he reali There has been something which has not changed since that night. That gaze is still tender. That eyelock is still meaningful. The steps she is taking starts filling the gap between them. He waits impatiently for her to come close. She stops before him and looks at him with so many emotions. It doesn't take him another second before he kisses that precious mouth of her. It is a sudden peck. Not a proper kiss but still a proper start for him and her. Naina' gaze turns colors but soon its back to mushy affection and trust. This time when he aims for her lips he does it properly. Little bit tongue and her lower lip caged between his. He could hear his heart matching hers. Both keep on standing in that deserted lobby for some time. None of them speaks a word. The kiss which was left improper four yeats ago is done properly now. He holds his hand and pulls her close. Suddenly he feels there is no need to set up a preamble and explain everything to her. He could see it in her eyes she had understood everything. He for a second does wonder What was there left to say?

That he loves her very much?

Why he didn't visit her when she was in army detention centre?

Why they took so many years to come this close?

Why he never gave her a proper confession?

There are so many questions he can expect from her. After all she is his cadet naina ah singh. But none comes for the time they stand there next to each other. Instead she leans to him. Resting her head on his shoulder while standing beside him thus telling him that she has taken the cue. They lost four years already. Now every moment matters and counts. Somehow all those eye locks and encounters have done the deed.

He takes a deep sigh and turns to her.

'Naina...'

And she looks up melting his heart..

'Wanna have dinner with me.....
.
At my place?'

His heart races fast when he asks this question. However her nod races it more. Both go out to parking and soon are off to his place.

Written by khadeeja and mona