Rajveer knocks on the door of her quarter, they were going to army ball, she requested him to pick her up in evening,knowing his shy nature that he will not be able to ask her himself. She opens the door and he was left awestruck by her beauty. She was wearing a black net saree, which was making her look alluring.

Naina was trying to supress her smile and trying hard not to blush watching his reaction, his mouth was left hanging open. He was gaping like fish which amused her. He tried saying something but words didn't left his mouth.

"Naina.. Tum..  cadet singh.. Ahh no, I mean lt. Singh .. Tum.. Naina You look.. Wo.. " He was fumbling while trying to complement her.

"I know.. " She smiled amusingly "ye saree mujhpar, mein iss saree mein, hum dono milkar, ache lag rahe hai.. Thanks for the compliment" She teased him while he shyed sheepishly, looking around in embarrassment for not being able to compliment her properly.

"Ahh.. Chale, der ho rahi hai," He asked trying to escape embarrassment. She nodded.

@@@

"Major Rajveer, to tum bhi yaha ho" Rajveer turns around and greets BC.

"Brigadier Sir! Good Evening Sir, it's a pleasure to meet you again." He genuinely said.

"Same here Major, by the way, congrats for the promotion.. You deserves this" He proudly said.

"Thank you sir," Naina comes there and said without notice.

"Rajveer sir, ab chale? Mein bahot thak gayi hu" She said tiredly. Rajveer conveyed her to turn around through his eyes, she turned confusingly "sir... App yaha... Good evening sir". She was surprised.

He was amused " Good evening cadet singh.. Ahh sorry lt. Singh, to tum bhi yaha posted ho.. Just like Major" He said looking at rajveer with a hint of amusement.

She looks at rajveer happily then said "yes sir, aur wo mere commanding officer bhi hai" Her eyes shined.

"That's very fortunate" BC said looking at Rajveer with hidden meaning which Rajveer tried to dodge.

"Matlab sir.. Mein samjhi nahi" She was confused.

"Matlab ye ki you are looking very gorgeous lt. Ye saaj sringaar apke liye hi bane hai, and the man who will have your heart will be very fortunate" He teasingly said while Naina blushed and looks at Rajveer as if mocking him for not able to compliment her.

"Naina tum.. Parking me mera wait karo mein ata hu.. " She nodded and left wishing brigadier a good night.

"Well Major, I am also calling it a night. And best of luck with her" He said looking at Naina's direction.

He was flushed "ahh.. Sir ap  mein kuch samjha nahi.. " He said trying to act innocent...

"You very well know what I meant  young man... There is no boundry now, don't be late. Good night" BC left patting his shoulder while he was lost in thoughts.

@@@@

She came in his quarters to give him briefing about a mission the discussion went on for about 2 hours when he realised that it was past their dinner time and they were late.

"Oh shit, am so sorry mujhe yaad hi nahi raha ki dinner time nikal chuka hai  tumne mujhe roka kyu nahi" He was feeling guilty.

"It's alright sir, ye bhi zaruri kaam tha. Mein apne quarter me kuch bana lungi" She assures him with a smile "I'll take your leave, good night" She was about to go when he calls her.

"Naina.. Ahh.. Mein khana banane hi ja raha hu so, why don't you join me.... If you want" He asked hesitantly. She remains silent for few seconds then smiles nodding her head.

He was cooking with deep concentration after all it's first time she is going to have his cooked food, it should be proper and presentable. Whereas Naina was sitting comfortably on couch playing game on her mobile.

"Dammit" He Exclaimed, she looks up at him in concern and reach near him "it's alright, bas dal gir gayi hai.. Ek kam karo tum isey chalati raho, I'll just come back after changing" She nodded as he went inside his room.

She was stirring dal which was almost cooked "sir ne isme namak dala ya nahi... Abhi puchti hu" Old habits die hard, and the same case was with Naina. She entered his room without knocking and saw his bare back, her breath hitched in her throat.

His body was chiseled with perfect bulge and cuts at right places, sharp shoulder blades, his back muscles reflexes as he moves his arms. Her throat was drying up looking at his sinful body. Her eyes the travels on his chest which was displayed through mirror, his six pack abs.. They seems hard and tough. But soon she woke up from her reverie when her eyes caught an ugly bullet mark on his chest... Gifted by her.

She silently came out of his room without making any noise. A few minutes later he came out in fresh t-shirts while she was standing there lost in her thoughts. Throughout the dinner she remained silent while he talked the whole time and she just nodded in reply.

"Kya baat hai Naina, achanak aise chup kyu ho gayi ho? Koi baat jo pareshan kar rahi hai? You can tell me you know...like always" He asks in concern trying to comfort her making out from her expressions that she is in dilemma.

"Aap aise kyu ho?" He was startled "koi insaan itna selfless kaise ho sakta hai.. Always giving,  Bas chup chap sab kuch sehte jana, kabhi koi shikayat nahi... Chahe koi apko kitna hi bhala bura kahe apke sath kitna hi bura bartav kare. . Aapne kabhi uff tak nahi ki" Her eyes misted remembering the wrong happened with him, the every moment he was let dow, his character, his dignity his, his honour was questioned.

"Naina.. Achanak kaisi batein karne lagi ho tum, kya ho gaya hai tumhe" He was concerned. What happened that all of sudden she turned this vulnerable.

"Apke sath hamesha na-insaafi hui hai sir, hamesha apki honesty ko question kiya gaya hai.. Apki imandari par shak... Apki wafadari par ungli uthayi gayi hai fir chahe wo Maj. Nair ho, Cadets ho, apke dost, puri army ya fir.... Mein" His confusion got cleared when her eyes rested on his chest as a tear rolls down from her eyes, where she shot him years ago.

He takes a deep breath and sits beside her. He took her hand in his "meri taraf dekho... " She turns her face away as tears rolled by "I said look at me lt. Singh" He commanded as she looks at him with tears, it breaks him whenever she cries and specially the reason is he himself.

"Why sir, apne ek bar bhi shikayat nahi ki. Kyu apne mujhe kuch nahi kaha.. Kyu apne mujhe mere bina mafi mange hi mujhe maaf kar diya.. Aap aise kyu ho? Apki achai... It's.... it's too much for me.". She cried lowering her head.

"Kisne kaha ki achai sirf mujhme hai, tum bhi to meri hi tarah ho" She was perplexed why is he comparing her with himself even after her ill deeds. "Tumhari achai tumhare dill mein hai.. Jo tumhare mann mein hai wahi tumhari zuban par bhi hai.. Tum mein koi dikhawa nahi hai aur na koi chall kapat. Tum apni batein lafzo mein bayan kar jati ho ......... *aur mere jazbaat Dill mein reh jate hai*" He said last line in whisper.

"Mujhse ye guilt bardasth nahi hota.  Mein apne apko kabhi maaf nahi kar paungi" She cried bitterly as he wipes her tears.

"Ek baat btao Naina, kya tum ab bhi mujhe Naveen ka katil manti ho?" She shook her head in denial "aur agar mein kahu ki mein ab bhi guilty feel karta hu ki meine Naveen ko kyu mara to? "

"Nahi sir, apne bhaiya ko nahi mara, apne sirf unhe unki takleef se azadi dilayi thi.. Halat hi aise kuch ban gaye the ki" He cuts her in between

"Exactly, halat hi aise ban gaye the ki ek behen ke andar ke saalo ka gubaar phoot pada.. Jis chehre ko wo na jane kabse talash kar rahi thi wo ek din achanak se uske samne akar khada ho jaye.. To ye hona swabhavik tha.. Or me uske liye pehle se hi taiyaar tha"

She saw him astonishment as he blinks his eyes "haan Naina, mein janta tha ki tum kya karne wali thi, meins tumhare pas pehle hi gun dekh li thi".

Some fresh batch of tears again escapes fro.. Her eyes " Apne roka kyu nahi mujhe... Kyu karne diya apne mujhe wo gunah".

"Selfish ho gaya tha... Meine Naveen ko to uske dard se azadi dila di thi... Lekin khud apne hi guilt me kaid ho gaya tha, azad hona chahta tha mein uss ghutan se.. Or fir jab meine tum mein apni rihayi ka zariya dekha... To rok diya khudko tumhe rokne se" He said looking in her eyes with gratitude.

"Agar uss din apko kuch ho jata to..fir kya hota, how can I be so stupid" She had fear in her eyes.

"Aise kaise kuch ho jata.. Tumne puri shiddat se jo mujhe marne ki koshish nahi ki, kyunki tumhare andar ki achai janti thi ki kya sahi hai aur kya galat.. Bas tumhe realise hote hote thoda waqt zarur lag gaya.. But der aye durust aye, cadet Naina ahhh singh" He said to lighten the mood. "Apne dill se ab iss bojh ko utar do"

She smiles lightly through tears and placed her hand on his chest where she shot him near the heart "am so sorry.. Am so sorry. Am sorry..sorry..sorry" She  cried chanting sorry. "Sorry" He was about to say something when she placed her head on his chest, soaking his tshirt with her tears. She fell asleep while mumbling, he keeps on hearing his heart beating loudly. She was so close to him. He wants time to stop and stay in this moment for forever. He didn't woke her up and let her sleep as he also went into the most blissful slumber of his life which was full of calmness.

___________________________

Naina's parents went to a wedding and after returning from there they thought to meet their daughter for few hours but Naina insisted them to spend the night at her quarter and leave in the morning. They even talked to Rajveer and was delighted to meet him after long. They again thanked him to prove Naveen innocent and always being supportive for Naina out of his humble character, he said that he did nothing it was always Naina who had this potential to reach here crossing hurdles for her brother.

They were having dinner in mess when Naina's father asked him to join them.
"I hope mein app logo ka personal space intrude nahi kar raha hu".

"Tum bhi family ki tarah hi ho beta.. Isme personal space kaisa"  Naina's mother said out of affection.

He smiled emotionally, for being called  part of their family. They talked some more while eating when His gaze falls on Naina's plate "ye kya.. Tum dahi kha rahi ho? "

"Ha wo.. Bahot mann kar raha tha, aur sabzi bhi kuch khas nahi hai.. Isiliye" She sheepishly said.

"Jo sabzi hai wahi khao., par tum dahi nahi khaogi" He said picking up curd bowl from her plate.

"Are.. Ye kya baat hui, mera mann hai mujhe khane dijiye" She cried.

"Jee nahi.. Raat ko dahi khane se tumhari tabiyat kharab ho jati hai or subha gale se awaz tak nahi nikalti hai". He strictly denied her while her parents exchanged looks.

"Maa.. Dekhiye na sir ko" She complained.

"Mein to khud bhul gayi thi ki Naina raat ko dahi nahi kha sakti, uski tabiyat kharab ho jati hai...magar tumhe yaad tha" She surprisingly said.

"Rehta kaise nahi, ye puri duniya ka beeda apne kandho pe utha ke chalti hai lekin apni bilkul parwah nahi hai isey. Army officer ban gayi hai magar apni bari me ekdam careless." He scolds her "To being her mentor and commanding officer mujhe hi iska dhyan rakhna padta hai" He sighed dramatically.

"Acha ji, or ap jaise bade tees maar khan ho. Pata hai Maa ye khud itne bade laparwah hai ki pucho mat.. Jab kam me doob jate hai to na waqt ka hosh na khane ka... Ek bar to ye breakfast or lunch karna hi bhul gaye. Wo to mein hu jo inko zabardati khila deti hu.. Warna mere bina inka kya hoga" She complained back.

Their banter continued as the husband-wife duo looks at each other, asking through eyes if the other person is thinking the same thing.

Next morning they were leaving. "Beta abki tum bhi Naina ke sath zarur ana.. Tumse kuch zaruri baat karni hai".

"Kya baat hai hai Sir, sab theek to hai na" He asks in concern

He smiled "tumhare rehte sab theek hai beta... Bas kuch faisle hai jisme tumhari raye chahiye... ".

"Baba.. Bus ka time ho gaya" Naina calls them.

"acha beta ab chalte hai, magar ana zarur" He again insisted while rajveer nodded.

__________

He was returning back to his quarter after 2a.m. from his night patrolling that's when he saw her walking around in ground.

"Naina itni raat ko kya kar rahi ho" She got startled.

"Ahh wo sir, mujhe na badi hi zor ki cravings ho rahi hai.. Paneer masala khane ki isiliye mein yaha tahalne agayi" She replied.

"Hume cravings hoti hai to hum usey fulfil karte hai.. Lekin mujhe nahi pata tha ki cravings raat ko ghumne se bhi puri hoti hai.. Thanks for the info" He teased her.

She pouted "mere pass pure ingredients nahi hai kitchen me warna bana kar kha leti, or yaha tehel isiliye rahi hu ki shayad thak jane par neend ajaye or mein so jau".

" Nice trick lt. naina.. Ahh singh. Agli bar agar mujhe aisi cravings hui to mein bhi try karunga" He joked "but wait a minute.... Are you on diet? " He asks doubtfully.

"Nahi toh" She defensively said.

"Jhuti, mujhe Naveen ne bataya tha, ki jab bhi tum ye dieting ka jhanjhat palti ho to tumhe aise oot patang ke cravings uthti hai.. Wo bhi aadhi raat ke baad". He caught her.

" Ye bhaiya bhi na... Koi baat apne tak rakh nahi sakte the" She murmured as rajveer smiled.

"Naina.. Kya zarurat hai isski, you are alright".

" Kaise alright. Yaha koi kaam hi nahi hai, itni light duties hai. Koi workout hota nahi... Bas baithe baithe office work karo aur mote hote raho..mujhe to soch soch kar hi tension ho rahi hai" She complained cutely as if it's a national problem.

He smiled at her "tum jaisi bhi ho...mujhe pasand ho" He said getting lost in her innocent beauty.

She saw him with surprise, he said it.. Almost. Her heart skipped a beat, she was gavi goosebumps the way he was looking at her. She knows that his feelings not different from hers, they both feels for each other but hearing something like that from his mouth were giving her jittery feeling.

He realised later about his abrupt confession "ahh nahi mera matlab.. Tym thik hi.. Itni bhi moti nahi" She raised her brow in offence "nahi mera matlab tum moti nahi ho.. You are fine.. Good.. Excellent.. Amazing.. Mind blowing... Breathtaking.. Sizzling.. Hott" She blushed hard lowering her gaze "shittt" He cursed closing his eyes "i mean.. Nahi.. Matkab gott.. Good.. Good night" He left hurriedly before he makes more fun of himself.

Naina was still blushing and wated to laugh loud "ye hamesha mujhe.. Compliment karte waqt.. Itna sharmate kyu hai?" She shook her head "tarif karne me itna sharma rahe hai.. Proposr kaise karenge.. " She giggled at the thought "silly girl".

On the otherside, rajveer enters in his room hurriedly and takes deep breath " Maj. Rajveer Singh Shekhawat. You seriously deserves court martial" He sighed "Naina..... I Love You. Kab keh payunga tumse" He shook his head in disappointment.