The Diary.
Rajveer was acquitted in the Col.Shakti case, due to lack of evidence.
However, the court found him guilty of immoral conduct and of negligence in his mission ( in part due to a animated speech on the subject by Capt. Salve.)
A mission which involved national safety.
He is demoted to Lieutenant.
His posting is to be changed.
And even though this is not said in court, but he soon receives a memo, stating he is no longer a part of Indian Intelligence.
The general sentiment is extremely against him.
The tales that Capt Salve sensationalised during the trial, regarding him and Naina, are on everybody's tongues.
He is to return to KMA, till he gets his new posting orders. He finds that cadets there have lost respect for him.
Naina is having an equally hard time.
(Huda has never forgotten what Major Bhargav told him, and has been against Raj since then. He hasn't respected him since a long time.)
Pooja and Ali, having their suspicions confirmed, are also behaving aloof.
Alekh and Yudi are the only one who support Naina, and aren't speaking bad about the Captain.
Nobody is ready to believe, that there isnt, never was, anything between them.
On the other hand, in the faculty, only Dr. Shalini and Suriji are with Raj.
Raj and Naina have hardly spoken since the trial.
Days pass, as tensions remain as they are.
Raj recieves his new posting orders.
Siachin.
.....
Naina, is surprised, when the orderly tells her that Capt Shikhawat wants to see her.
The orderly is smirking in a disgusting way, while saying this.
Naina, wanting to talk to Raj, ignores the orderly, and runs to his room, and as usual, rushes in, without knocking.
She finds him standing near an open cupboard, which is almost empty, folding a shirt and putting it in the suitcase at his feet.
He looks around as Naina enters, who stops short, both standing where they are for almost a min, staring at each other.
Raj is the first to recover. He breaks the eyecontact, as the ghost of a smile comes to his face.
"Cadet Singh"....he begins, and Naina knows he is trying to keep his voice normal.
He stops, evidently fishing for words.
While he is still collecting them, Naina's voice break through his thoughts.
"Sir...aap...ke...posting orders, aa gaye?"
Her voice extra soft, as if she was not trusting herself to speak.
Rajveer has composed himself by this time, and comes to where she is standing, and for the first time in weeks, a true smile comes to his lips, just because he wants to assure her, that all is well.
"Yes Cadet Singh".. he continues, in an attempt at his usual cheery manner. "New posting, new adventure..."
He smiles at her again.
Naina stands there, unable to speak.
Raj's face is grave again.
"Wo...mujhe tum se kuch..baat karni thi...Raj continues, as if nothing has happened. As if this is a normal talk between them, as if this is usual.
He turns away from her, unable to say what he wants to, while looking at her.
"Cadet Singh, us din trial me jo kuch bhi hua, aur....subsequently tumhe..meri wajah se..jo kuch bhi face karna pad raha hai...uske liye..uske liye... I am extremely sorry.
He turns around, to face her.
I..believe me....I..
I..mean...meri wajeh se...jo bhi embarrassment face kar rahi ho...
Naina...Mai bata nahi sakta, mai kitna sharminda hu.
Naina : Sir...aap ku sorry keh rahe hai, isme aap ki kya galti hai.
Raj turns around, and gives her a deep look, a look which Naina is unable to understand.
Raj is convinced however, that his secret is safe. He is convinced, and relieved, that Naina dosen't believe what Capt Salve declared to the world.
He is also a little disappointed, but quickly checks himself, reminding himself that this is probably the best.
Raj : Yes, main...main aaj sham Siachin ke liye nikal raha hu...
Tumse...I..actually wanted to give you something.
He goes over to his cupboard, removes a moleskin diary, brings it over, and hands it to Naina.
Raj : Ye...Naveen ki diary he.
Isme wo...he used to write advice to himself, for when things get hard.
I..it has been with me since..he died.
He gave it to me that..day.
Issw mujhe bohot help mili hai, and I think, this will help you too.
Aur..
He made her sit, and sat down besides her.
"Naina, I was your mentor, albiet a dreadful one I guess, ( he said, grinning sheepishly, Naina gave a small smile at his joke), par, is naate, tumhe ek baat kehna chahunga.
Dont throw away friendships because of misunderstandings. Shayad tumhare friends is wakt tumhe nahi samjh rahe hai, tum par ilzaam laga rahe hai, you must be worried by their attitude.
I...just wanted to tell you, when they realise their mistakes, and they will, forgive them.
Naina : Sir, aap ye kya keh rahe hai. Aap jante hai, aapke career ka jo haal hai, usme partly wo log zimmedar hai?
They did not support you in court, they...
Naina was finding it difficult to continue, in anger.
Raj : Yes, yes I know....but..it was circumstantial. And, you know abt Major Bhargav.
Its not entirely their fault.
You will need friends, the army can be a difficult place, sometimes.
Tumhe abhi realise nai hoga Naina, but,...trust me..for the last time?
Naina looked up to him, when he said that, her eyes were misty.
She wanted to say something, anything, but words, as always, failed her in front of him.
He took the diary, opened it to a certain page, and gave it to her.
Dekho, read this, this is how Naveen was, these were his ideals, and I expect you to follow them, and that an order.
Naina couldnt stop the tears now. She didnt stop them.
And when Raj turned around, she found his eyes were wet too.
I will only add, goodluck, and ...take care.
He extended his hand for a handshake. A final one.
She took it.
He left that evening.
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