Naina barged into his room as usual, about half an hour late.

Raj had been standing with his back to the door, fixing his belt.

Raj : "Lt. Singh, you are late."

These days, he had given up scolding her about not knocking.

Naina (eyes twinkling) : "Wo...Sorry Sir, but since you yourself entered about 5 mins ago....."

She did not complete her sentence.

Raj looked at her, one eyebrow raised.
She fumbled.

He extended his hand.
She handed him her notebook.
He sat down on the sofa, indicating her to do the same.

Raj (leafing through it) : "Hmm...fine.
He handed it back to her.

Her cell phone buzzed.

It was Yudi's msg.
"Duuude! Congo!! Finally!
Very happy for you."

She looked at the cell, then at Raj, and pocketed it.

Raj shook his head, and continued.

"But do you know this information by heart ?
You cannot expect to have resources everywhere."

Naina : "Yes sir, I have started learning it and I.."

It rang again.
Strange, she thought.
It was Alekh's call.
She cut it.

Raj : "I have given the final details to Colonel Bakshi.
The rogue officers will soon be apprehended.
This mission will soon end.
Just about a week more, for the paperwork.
Oh...and you are supposed to submit a detailed report to headquarters, regarding everything you have learnt in this mission.
Based on that, you will be assigned a new one."

Naina had just one question her mind.
And Raj obviously knew what it was.

For he added :
"It might, or might not be with me."

Naina opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again.
She couldn't think of anything to say.

Her cell buzzed now, indicating a message.

It was Huda.
"Wear red."

What was wrong with her friends, she thought exasperatedly.

Raj looked at her, face impassive, and extended his hand.
She gulped, and gave up her phone.
However, she was unable to swipe away the notification, as Raj was looking at her gravely.
She handed him the phone, and while taking it, his glance fell on it.

She gulped again.
He must have obviously seen the message.

His face did not change expression, as he merely switched it off, and pocketed it.

He continued to discuss some other details with her and questioning her about what she had learnt, in quick succession.
To her relief though, she had a satisfactory reply to most of his questions.

Raj : Right then, dismissed.
Start working on your report, and I will start working on mine.
And Col Bakshi wants to speak to you.
You can go see him now.

Its had been his professionalism, his work ethics that had drawn him to her.
His keeping of work and pleasure separate.

However, today, Naina felt a slight pang in her heart, as she lingered there a minute longer than necessary, hoping against hope, for him to acknowledge her....as Naina...as the person he loved, not his protégé.

She turned to leave, and was almost as the door, when she heard his voice.

Raj : "Your cell phone, Lt Singh."

She turned to to look at him.
He was standing there, an amused smile on his face, his hand extended, holding her cell.

She came forward, and took it nervously, not knowing whether he was angry or not, at her unprofessional behaviour.

Naina (in a small voice) : "Um...sorry Sir."

To her surprise, a small smile came to his lips.
Raj : "Its ok.
You are lucky to have friends who are so excited for you."
He smiled.
"Just...keep it switched off when you go to Colonel Bakshi."

She let out a breath in relief, that she did not even know she was holding.

Raj (his voice softer) : "8 o clk, Naina."
He smiled at her, in a way that she knew, it was Rajveer smiling at her, and not Captain Shikhawat.
It causing her heart to do a somersault.

A blushing smile came to her lips, as she took the phone, and walked out.

......

Pooja had obviously told the gang about Raj confessing to Naina, which was the reason she was bombarded with congratulatory calls and advice all day.

So when finally, it was 6.30, and she closed her file, to get up and get ready, it was a relief.
She had had so much advice, she was ready to yell at anyone who offered some again, on the subject.

......

There was a knock on her door just as the clock struck 8, and she looked nervously at Pooja, who was tgtere to help her get dressed.

Pooja went to open the door, to finding him standing outside, looking really cute in a black blazer, hair apparently recently trimmed neatly.

Raj : Hi Lt.Ghai.
Pooja (Leaning on the door frame, dreamily) : Hayeee...

Raj looked at her, amused.

Pooja : I mean...Hi Sir.
Leaving him standing there, she went to Naina, and dragged her to the door.

Raj stared at her, his mouth had turned dry suddenly.

Raj : Wo...tum in kapdo main...I mean ye..
He stopped himself.
Not again.
I mean..tumbohotkhubsuratlagrahiho.
He said in one breath, causing Pooja to break into giggles, and Naina to turn red.

Which meant her complexion matched her dress.
Which was, after all, red.