Started 10.9.2020

Out of frustration Rajveer sits on his sofa resting his head against the back of the sofa such that his face is facing towards the ceiling, his eyes closed, Rajveer remembers his encounter with Naveen when he got punished for reaching late to the academy with Naina, after the mentorship programme.

*Flashback*

Placing his palms on the wooden table, he stretches his body behind and starts doing push ups. On his each push up he remembers the moments he had spent with Naina during mentorship programme. The feelings that he realizes for the first time that he developed for Naina during the mentorship programme, send shivers to run down his spine. Though sweating out of physical work, but the shivers do run down his spine.

He shakes his head to a 'no!' in anger, his eyes shut tightly out of frustration. The workout was already leading to the increase in his heartbeats, and his thoughts about Naina make his heart to beat at altogether a different level.

Opening his eyes he keeps glaring towards the mirror in front of him, his speed increasing out of anger. The adrenaline rush is not helping him to calm down.

"Nahi!",

he shouts, stopping, almost like scolds himself for thinking like that about Naina.

"Ye such nahi hai!",

he exclaims to himself, holding back his tears.

He gets up. His heart beating at a tremendous speed less because of the workout more because of the anxiousness he feels on his sudden realization about his feelings for Naina.

"Main Naina se pyar nahi karta!",

he states immediately, innocently. As if his saying so will mean that he really doesn't love Naina. As if he never lies to himself. As if he has never lied to himself.

He walks up his frustration and anxiousness increasing with each passing moment, thinking about his feelings for Naina. He walks towards the long mirror kept in front of him.

"Aisa nahi ho sakta!",

he states, getting determined.

"Jhoot hai ye!",

he raises his voice, as if minding his heart.

But nothing helps! His frustration increases. He entwins his fingers together holding his hands together, making a fist out of them, and out anger he was about to beat the mirror and hence turn it into pieces, that someone's voice holds him back.

"Kya jhoot hai Raj?",

asks Naveen. His voice drags Raj's attention.

He turns to look towards him immediately, drenched in sweat.

"Naveen!",

he exclaims, knitting his eyes, seeing his best friend after so so long! His heartbeat picks up pace on seeing Naveen. He needs to tell him a lot of things, he needs to ask him so many questions, he needs so many answers, he is craving to hear him properly, hug him, fight with him over stupid things, laugh with him, cry with him.

"Naveen... mere dost!!!",

But the only thing he ends up doing is hugging his best friend tightly. Out of too many emotions brewing inside him, it becomes difficult for Raj to choose which should he show first, therefore he ends up hugging him as he knows it's the best gesture to make him understand all his feelings. Naveen smiles as Raj hugs him.

But before Naveen could wrap his arm around Raj, Raj gets back, still holding on Naveen's arms. With too much affection he stares at Naveen. Raj's eyes brim with tears.

Naveen keeps staring Raj with a little smile on his face. Raj, too much excited on seeing his best friend after such a long time, stares him back with watery eyes.

Still holding him by his arms, Raj asks Naveen,

"Aise kyun dekh raha hai mujhe?"

"Dekh Naveen... wo... wo such nahi hai!",

Raj quickly starts explaining himself, smiling hesitantly, shaking his head into negative, anxious to make Naveen understand the truth.

Feeling shy and embarrassed, Raj places his right palm on Naveen's right cheek, with a mixture of smile and laugh on his face, Raj tells him,

"Pagle main janta hun ki wo teri behn hai. Main uska..."

"Main uska mentor hun yar!",

he says, looking towards Naveen, smiling, to make him understand that he is not taking the speculation seriously and he should also not think anything of that sort.

"Main sirf... main sirf uske upar koi aanch nahi aane dena chahta.",

he says, looking straight into Naveen's eyes.

"Main usse sirf...",

he lowers his eyes for fraction of seconds before he continues, this lowering of eyes, Naveen understands is out of hesitation.

"Bacha raha hun yaar.",

he completes, looking back towards Naveen.

Naveen with a constant smile on his face, keeps staring Raj.

"To fir tu ne ye saza accept kyun ki?",

Naveen asks, ever so calmly.

His question succeeds in skipping Raj's heartbeat.

Raj lowers his eyes unable to look towards Naveen, Naina's brother.

"Nainsafi ke khilaf tu ne awaz kyun nahi uthayi Raj?",

Naveen asks, testing him.

This skips another of Raj's heartbeat and Raj looks towards Naveen, his face warming up as a guilt fills his heart afresh.

Unable to endure this anymore, Raj gets up and turns away from Naveen. Shoving his hands into his trousers' pockets, he says, raising his voice, a measure to hide his guilt,

"Mujhe fansya gaya hai yaar!"

"Tu janta hai achi tarah se Major Bhargava ko!",

he adds further, his anxiety increasing.

Getting up behind him, shoving his hands into his pockets, Naveen says, calmly,

"Haan janta hun!"

This calms down Raj to a certain extent. But Naveen's next words skip his heartbeat again, Raj turns to look towards Naveen, blood drained out of his face out of guilt,

"Lekin kya tu bhi khud ko gunehgar manta hai Raj?"

"Naveen... please yaar!",

Raj says, looking away out of guilt and awkwardness. Guilt about his feelings for Naveen's sister and awkwardness of discussing it with Naina's brother; his best friend.

Smiling, understanding his state, Naveen lowers his eyes. Placing his hand on Raj's shoulder, Naveen tries to make him understand,

"Dekh Raj..."

"Naina tujhe trust karti hai.",

Raj raises his lowered eyes but doesn't turn to look towards Naveen.

"Wo sirf tujh pe bharosa karti hai.",

Naveen tells Raj.

Raj looks towards Naveen at this. Feeling all the more guilty. Knowing this fact very well that Naveen is sharing with him.

Turning towards Naveen, Raj holds him by both the shoulders, all serious and drowning into the pool of guilt, Raj says,

"Main janta hun Naveen. Aur isiliye main uske trust ka koi faida nahi uthana chahta."

"Believe me yaar! Believe me!",

Raj says, softly, pleading.

"I believe you Raj! I believe you!"

"Lekin fir tu kis baat se bhaag raha hai haan?",

asks Naveen.

Thinking for some moments, Raj looks towards Naveen, considering to share his heart's content with his best friend.

Turning back, as it becomes impossible to say what he is about to say, looking straight towards Naveen, out of awkwardness, guilt, he says,

"Yahi ke.... ke main teri behn se pyar karta hun."

"Lekin...",

he turns to explain but finds Naveen gone! He is standing all alone! Raj realizes that he came here just to make Raj realize and confess about his feelings for Naina! His heart skips a beat on finding no one there but himself to deal with the situation all alone! He tries to search him all around, still sticking to his place and deep down he realizes that since Naveen had a purpose to visit him, now he is gone as he has accomplished his motif.

His heart starts beating again at a tremendous pace. He didn't want to confess about his feelings for Naina even to himself and here he has confessed it in front of her brother; his best friend! Or rather he forced him to confess!

"Shayad karne laga hun!",.
he says, helplessly, looking heavenwards for a brief moment and then cascading down his eyes out of guilt! His eyes turned teary out of so many emotions - love, guilt, awkwardness.

"Wakayi karne laga hun!",

he says looking heavenwards, addressing to Naveen. And shuts his eyes tight feeling extremely sorry and helpless about his feelings for Naina.

Opening his eyes, he slowly looks heavenwards again and apologizes, crying still,

"I am sorry Naveen!"

"Pata nahi kab aur kaise!",

his voice shaky, his eyes teary. He shuts his eyes, bows his head, feeling regretful.

*Flashback ends*

Rajveer opens his eyes and stares the ceiling, all serious.

*******

Frustrated herself, Naina reaches her room, resting on her bed, her back resting against the pillow, she starts thinking about few moments that she had spent with Rajveer. She feels uneasy about the fact the he is getting married to Ritu.

Her mind suddenly wanders towards the conversation he once had with Alekh.

*Flashback*

Naina becomes restless, she needs to talk to him right now. His anger; his silence is becoming intolerable for her now. Getting up she leaves for his room!

As Naina gets out of her room and walks to reach Rajveer's room, Alekh pats her on her shoulder from behind, and asks her,

"Kahan ja rahi hai?"

"Captain Rajveer ko milne!",

she informs him, and tries to slip away.

As she walks to a certain distance, Alekh controlling his amusement, halts her from behind by saying,

"Sirf milne ka..."

Naina holds her waist from either sides, out of frustration and takes a deep breath.

Still controlling his laughter, Alekh walks towards her, and warns her,

"Baat-waat nahi karne ka!"

"Kyun?",

she asks, plastering a smile on her face, trying to irritate him just like he is irritating her right now.

"Kya?",

asks Alekh, melodramatically.

Naina lowers her eyes, embarrassed, as she is completely aware what he is pointing towards.

"Bhul gayi? Shart har gayi hai tu!",

reminds Alekh, showing himself off, as he is the winner!

"Aur Captain Rajveer, Vice Principal nahi baney!",

reminds Alekh.

Naina's face falls and heart stops beating altogether. She lowers her head.

"Haan agar tujhey gungon ki bhaasha aati hai.... to try maar!",

teases Alekh, smiling lovingly.

Knowing that she can never disobey Alekh, she looks towards Captain Rajveer's room one last time, with sad eyes, and turns to return.

As she turns, Alekh hits his back head playfully, and runs to stop her. Holding her by her back arms, he stops her by saying,

"Arey Naina... Naina... baith ja baith ja baith ja baba...",

he makes her sit on a sitting area at the main hall of KMA. Naina obliges silently.

She keeps staring him, disappointed.
Alekh looks towards her, gauging her reactions.

"Bhul ja ussey!",

he orders more than says, like a true brother.

Laying back, Alekh teases her further by saying,

"Waise... apun ko ek kahani yaad aa rahi hai - 'Raja ki jaan totey mein...'",

looking at her through the corner of his eyes, he says,

" 'aur tera.... Captain Rajveer mein!'",

he quickly looks away.

Naina turns to look towards him, shocked.

Alekh turns to look towards her too, holding his amusement.

"Kyun, galat bola?",

asks Alekh, teasingly.

Naina smiles slowly, and shakes her head into negative. This makes Alekh to smile too. They both as always succeed in understanding their silent, hidden conversation!

Smiling, Alekh gestures her to go and meet Captain Rajveer, giving permission. Setting her free from the condition that he laid.

*Flashback ends*

A lone drop of tear rolls down Naina's cheek as she feels frustrated after remembering this incident.

Getting up Naina walks to her cupboard and brings out the photographs of Dr. Mishra's and Naveen's.

Sitting on her bed she starts checking them out.

Rajveer happens to reach her room at that particular moment to talk to her, opening the door of her room without knocking out of frustration.

This startles Naina. Her heart skips a beat. She quickly hides the photographs behind her. But not before Rajveer's eyes fall on them.

"Sir... aap...",

she says out of shock and surprise, quickly shoving the photographs behind her in between her shirt and skirt.

Rajveer closes the door, never taking his eyes away from her. His face expression changes to serious as he realizes that she is having the photographs.

"Sir... aap yahan pe...",

says Naina, after catching her breath, calmer than before.

Rajveer walks into her room, slowly his eyes glued on to her, all serious.

Very calmly, holding back his anxiety and anger, completely aware that they are to indulge into an argument in moments, because he is very well familiar with Naina's adamant nature, Rajveer extends his right hand forward and asks her,

"Wo photographs mujhe do Naina!"

Naina acts to be innocent, knowing nothing about what he is indicating towards, knitting her brows out of fake surprise and confusion she asks,

"Ahmm... photographs Sir? Ahmm... konsi photographs?"

Rajveer stares towards her belt area, waist area, completely aware where she is hiding the photographs, his eyes dark out of anger and frustration.

"Dimag kharab ho gaya hai tumhara!",

he says, ever so slowly, holding back the volcano of anger and frustration that's bubbling inside him because of Naina's childish nature.

"Akal se kaam lo!",

he scolds her, raising his voice.

Naina's heart skips a beat and she lowers her eyes.

"Kyun nahi samjhti ho Major Bhargava ki ye... wo kuch sabit karna chahte hain... ye sazish hai.",

Rajveer tries to explain her, raising his voice.

"Saazish? Ahmm... aap kya baat kar rahe ho Sir, mujhe kuch samjh mein nahi aa raha.",

Naina acts to be innocent, wanting to get more information from him.

Rajveer realizes that he is wasting his time in explaining her because she already knows and is being stupid enough to not accept the fact. Hence he focuses on the much more important stuff at the moment. Extending his hand, his eyes dark still, out of anger, controlling his anger, hard, he says,

"Naina ye... photographs mujhe do!"

Naina too realizes that there is no good to beat around the bush and hence taking a deep breath, getting serious she comes to the point and states clearly,

"Nahi Sir!"

Rajveer walks towards her slowly. Naina who is standing with her back facing the wall of her room, her rate of heartbeat increases as Rajveer walks towards her out of anger. The anger; the diminishing of the distance between them, altogether make her legs to turn jelly slowly, but she still tries to stand erect not wanting to lose this battle against her Rajveer Sir.

"Academy se expel hone ka irada hai tumhara?",

he asks whilst walking towards her, slowly.

"Wo photographs mujhe do Naina!",

he demands, seriously, trying to keep his anger under control.

Naina who is feeling uncomfortable by his closeness, immediately diverts her mind, looking away she shakes her head into negative.

Looking back towards Rajveer with new determination, Naina states,

"Nahi Sir, wo photographs main apko nahi de sakti!"

"Waise bhi aap to Dr. Mishra se engagement kar rahe thein na. To apko ab inn photographs se kya matlab?",

she accuses him, not looking towards him.

"Aur kaise keh sakti ho tum ye ke mujhe koi matlab nahi inn photographs se? Kya jawab dogi tum faculty members ko agar unhe ye pata chala ke tumhare paas ye photographs hain? Jab tumse wo ye puchenge ke tumhare paas ye photographs kahan se ayin? Kyun ayin? Kya jawab dogi tum?",

scolds Rajveer, raising his voice.

Naina feels all the more uncomfortable. Initially it was for his closeness and now his questions. She just wants to escape from this situation, but alas it seems to be impossible for her at this moment.

"Kya keh sakogi, ke Brigadier Chandok ki warning ke bawajud, tumne apne bhai ke barey mein investigation karna band nahi kiya hai?",

asks Rajveer, scolding her, staring her out of anger.

"Ye photographs mujhe do Naina!",

he asks and commands both at the same time.

Naina gets determined again, yet feels uncomfortable,

"I am sorry Sir main ye pictures apko nahi de sakti!",

she says, her anxiousness increasing, her awkwardness increasing.

Rajveer skips Naina's heartbeat by shouting at her,

"Give me these photographs dammit!"

She has never seen him this angry. It does hurt her but she doesn't have time to pay attention to her feelings at the moment.

"No Sir! Please! Excuse me!",

she states clearly, looking towards him. But his angry glare makes her to lower her eyes immediately.

Naina gets all the more anxious realizing that he won't give up easily, she still has to deal with him.

Rajveer walks closer to her, trying to speak to her calmly again,

"Naina tum please samjhne ki koshish karo!"

He turns a little soft, calming himself down a little to make her understand,

"Agar tumne ye photographs apne paas rakhe to...",

he feels sad even while uttering the further words, concern audible in his voice,

"To tumhe academy se bahar phek diya jayega!",

he doesn't want that at all!

Naina too understands his concern for her.

"Give me the pictures please!",

he says finally, not having anything else to explain her.

Naina takes her hand away, seriously saying,

"Nahi Sir, I am sorry!"

"Naina try to understand! Mera dimag kharab mat karo!",

Rajveer says, getting all the more frustrated, angry.

Naina shakes her head into negative.

Rajveer knowing that she is being adamant moves forth, closer to her and tries to snatch the pictures from where she has shoved them.

"Sir...",

she scolds mildly.

Rajveer stares her frustrated and tries to ask her again,

"Photographs..."

whilst saying further he again takes his hand behind her to take away the photographs from her, adding further,

"Mujhe do!"

Naina who was ready for his move, takes her hand behind her shielding the photographs from him, in the process Rajveer holds her hand. Naina could feel the clenching of her heart at the sudden skin to skin contact with Rajveer, but she chooses to ignore the feeling at the moment. The same happens with Rajveer too, he too chooses to ignore it. His anger overpowers his other emotions, and hence making it easy for him to proceed with taking away the photographs from her.

They stay quiet but wrestles with each other where one tries to take away the photographs and the other tries to save the photographs from him, not wanting to give them away.

In the process Rajveer's face reaches the nape of her neck, her fragrance intoxicates him, suddenly stopping him in his process as his heart skips a beat on realizing in what a position they are! He realizes if anyone happens to reach them at the moment, he or she will surely think all gross things about Rajveer and Naina.

He slowly looks towards Naina, who is already staring at him. This skips the heartbeats of both of them, the moment their eyes meet. Naina quickly averts her eyes out of hesitation. Rajveer notices how her breath is coming frantically and in an uneven rhythm. He understands he is the reason for that.

"Excuse me Sir!",

she says, her voice low, her eyes cascaded down out of hesitation.

Not in a state to say anything after the last situation he shared with her, with his eyes cascaded too, he moves away, giving her space to leave. Naina without giving him another glance walks away, leaving him alone in her room.

As she leaves, Rajveer feels all the more frustrated and angry on himself and to vent out his pent up anger, he kicks the wall of Naina's room. Holding his waist from either sides he looks heavenwards out of frustration.

*****

Naina realizes that even during dinner time when he reached mess to collect his dinner, he ignored looking towards her. She realizes that he is angry on her. She notices how he didn't accept the sweet that was served in the dinner tonight.

"Ahmm... main... main room mein dinner kar rahi hun.",

she informs her friends and doesn't care to stop even after being called by her friends.

Her eyes stay fixated on Rajveer who walks away from the mess.

Running to him with her dinner in her hand, she calls him from behind,

"Sir...."

Rajveer halts immediately upon hearing the call.

Naina's heart clenches on discovering him stopped on her one call. She stares him without blinking, as she walks to him.

Rajveer turns to look towards her as he realizes she has reached him.

Both of them stare each other.

Rajveer doesn't say anything and waits for her to speak.

Cautiously, Naina asks,

"Ahmm.... kya aaj main apke saath apke room mein dinner kar sakti hun?"

Rajveer stares her, all serious, but inside, his heart flutters hearing her.

(Rajveer-Naina tune begins)

Taking a deep breath, he says,

"Chalo!",

and turns to leave for his room, as if he is doing a favor on her by permitting her to have dinner with him. 

Where as truth lies deep in his heart! Truth lies in the fluttering of his heart upon hearing her request! 

Would you care to throw light on that Rajveer?

Naina smiles throughout as she follows him to his room.

Opening the door of his room, he lets her in.

They walk towards the sitting area.

"I'll just get my hands washed.",

says Rajveer, placing the tray on the table and leaves for the washroom.

Closing the door, Rajveer stands against it and controls his exhilarating rate of heartbeat.

The whole incident that took place gets reeled up in his mind.

"Ek pal bhi mujhe chain se jeene nahi deti teri behn!",

complains Rajveer to Naveen, looking heavenwards.

Shaking his head, he smiles and blushes.

He washes his hands and face. His mind stays occupied with Naina's thoughts whilst wiping his face with the towel.

As he opens the door of the washroom to exit it, he gets shocked on discovering the darkness in the room. As his mind registers that Naina was also there in the room before he left, he gets tensed to know about her existence in the room.

"Naina!",

he calls out in desperation, even before trying to look for her.

Gradually, his mind gives him liberty to think beyond Naina and he notices, the new change in his room, other than the darkness!

He notices Naina igniting the last candle that is standing unignited on the center table of his room.

(Rajveer-Naina slow flute tune begins)

A smile of satisfaction and something else stretches on his lips upon finally resting his eyes on her.

Staring her throughout, Rajveer slowly walks to her.

"Ye sub kya hai Naina?",

he asks, smiling a little, his heart fluttering inside his chest.

Smiling, focusing on the candle, Naina tells him,

"Wohi jo mentorship camp par janne se pehle tha."

That clenches his heart.

He stares her lovingly.

Naina looks up towards him. They enjoy a heart warming stare.

Naina's stare vanishes gradually. Getting up, she apologizes hesitantly,

"I... I am sorry Sir. Mera maksad apko naraz karne ka nahi tha."

(Rajveer-Naina slow tune begins)

Rajveer stares her possessively. 

He smiles at her innocence.

Naina's heart throbs on seeing him smile.

Her throat chokes out of emotions she finds herself unable to decipher.

Rajveer smiles looking towards Naina, his eyes twinkling but he says nothing.

Turning to look towards the table with appreciation filled in his eyes, Rajveer asks her,

"Ye sub karne ki kya zarurat thi Naina?"

Naina stares him, all serious.

"Nahi samjh aa raha tha ke kaise maafi mangu apse."

Rajveer turns to look towards her.

"Socha shayad iss chote se surprise se apke chehre par muskurahat la paun!",

confesses Naina, staring him possessively.

They stare each other, conveying their emotions for each other through their eyes.

(Rajveer-Naina slow flute tune begins)

"Kyun? Kya meri muskurahat itni maiyne rakhti hai?",

Rajveer surprises Naina by his question.

Naina keeps staring him, taking her own sweet time in replying to him. Torturing him by the delay in her reply.

"Apki jo tasveer mere dil mein bani hui hai, uss mein thodi si bhi daag lag jaye na, chahe wajah uski main khud hi kyun na banu, wo mujhse bardasht nahi hoti!",

confesses Naina, not caring what hidden meaning could her words imply.

"Fir apki narazgi kaise seh pati main?',

asks Naina, staring him innocently, guilt filled in her eyes.

(Rajveer-Naina slow tune begins)

Smiling, Rajveer explains her,

"Naina mujhe yakeen hai ke tumhare dil mein meri jo tasveer hai wo utni hi saaf hai jitni ki tumhari tasveer hai mere dil mein!"

Naina's heart flutters hearing that.

(Rajveer-Naina fast tune begins)

*****

"Ahmm... now if you don't mind, mujhe bohot tez bhookh lagi hai.",

says Naina, softening her eyes, smiling.

Rajveer laughs a little and shakes his head, staring her.

"Chalo.",

smiles Rajveer and gestures her to move forth.

"Naina!",

calls out Rajveer as she turns to occupy her seat. His heart throbbing. His eyes dancing in excitement in the tune of love.

Naina turns to know what is it that he needs to say.

"Ahmm... lemme....",

Rajveer trails off, out of hesitation.

Naina's heart skips a beat as she realizes what he is indicating towards. She cascades her eyes out of shyness, smiling, blushing.

Rajveer walks to her and drags the chair for her.

Naina doesn't understand how to react to it as she didn't see it coming.

Something she did as a token of apology, would turn into their first secret date, she never imagined before entering the room.

Her mind wanders towards her friends who are having their dinner at the mess and guilt grabs her immediately.

"Naina!",

calls out Rajveer, to drag her back out of her thoughts.

Naina looks towards Rajveer for a brief moment and immediately cascades her eyes out of shyness.

Rajveer smiles understanding her state and waits patiently for her to sit.

Naina occupies the seat and the sudden closeness she feels; the warmth of Rajveer behind her, makes Naina to turn her hands into fists in order to control her emotions. She could feel her all other senses numbing apart from the sense of his being this close to her. Not that he hasn't been this close to her earlier, for god's sake they have even hugged each other. But something about this closeness tonight is... different!

Rajveer lets the closeness to persist for some more moments, turning her vulnerable on purpose. Enjoying witnessing her rapid expansion and contraction of chest. Naina's ears get blocked out of nervousness on feeling him this close to her.

Smiling, Rajveer finally takes mercy on her and walks to occupy his seat in front of her.

Naina cascades her eyes immediately, in order to control her rate of heartbeat and her flustered self. 

Rajveer doesn't miss witnessing any of her reaction.

"Ganey sunti ho tum?",

asks Rajveer, to drag her out of her focus on her feelings.

Naina's head churns on hearing his out of usual question. She wanted to focus on what he made her to feel just now, but she has to focus on his words. She looks towards him and shares a bit of information about herself,

"Ahmm... ghar par bohot sunti thi.",

smiles Naina.

Rajveer smiles looking towards Naina and asks her,

"Kaise ganey pasand hain tumhe?"

Naina laughs a little, blushing, and confesses,

"Mostly romantic."

That brings a big smile on Rajveer's face.

She for the first time used that word in front of him, without caring to dodge the word by hiding her taste. That swells Rajveer's heart.

Getting up Rajveer walks to the side table, picking up the remote, he plays the music player and the chords of a melodious and romantic song fills the room.

'Humein tumse pyaar kitna, 

yeh hum nahi jaante.

Magar jee nahin sakte,

tumhare bina.

Hume tumse pyaar.

Suna ghum judaai ka, 

uthaate hain log.
Jaane zindagi kaise, 

bitaate hain log.
Din bhi yaha to lage, 

baras ke samaan
Hume intezaar kitna, 

yeh hum nahi jaante.
Magar jee nahi sakte, 

tumhare bina
Hume tumse pyaar.

Tumhein koi aur dekhe,

to jalta hai dil.
Badhi mushkilon se phir, 

sambhalta hai dil.
Kya kya jatan karte hain,

tumhe kya pata.
Yeh dil beqaraar kitna,

 yeh hum nahi jaante,
magar jee nahi sakte, 

tumhare bina

Humein tumse pyaar kitna,

yeh hum nahi jaante.

Magar jee nahin sakte,

tumhare bina.'

While this song starts playing behind them. Rajveer walks to the bar and brings a bottle of champagne with him before he reoccupies his seat.

Naina stares him, smiling a little in shyness as he places the bottle on the table. 

Rajveer serves the food. None saying anything.

Naina rubs her right upper arm to calm the feeling down that the song gifts to her.

Rajveer fails to notice nothing! Smile stretches on his lips on realizing the affect of the song on her.

"This is one of my favourite songs."

Rajveer surprises Naina on mentioning about something her mind was occupied with - the song!

Blushing, Naina, taking it as her responsibility to surprise him too, tells to him,

"Main parhte waqt humesha ye gana sunti rehti thi ghar par. In fact truth be told aaj bhi yahi karti hun.",

Naina blushes, saying that, smiling in shyness.

Rajveer's smile widens on realizing the similarity in their taste.

"Kabhi kabar to Pooja tang ho jati hai agar ye gana main bina headphones ke on loop sunu to.",

laughs Naina.

"On loop!",

Rajveer widens his eyes to show his surprise, smiling wide.

Naina blushes further, laughing.

Rajveer fills the glasses with champagne.

Naina hesitantly lets him know,

"Ahmm... I... I don't drink."

Rajveer smiles hearing that, staring towards the glass that he is filling for her and says,

"I know!"

Blush creeps Naina's cheeks hearing that and she averts her eyes, unable to understand what else to say.

Looking towards her, smiling throughout, whilst placing her glass in front of her, he says,

"Magar jab main tumhare saath hun, so it's okay agar thoda sa kar logi to."

Naina blushes, smiles and nods her head into affirmative without complaining.

While Rajveer fills the glasses, Naina picks up the bowl filled with the sweet that he refrained from collecting from the mess.

Rajveer doesn't pay attention to her doing so, almost like not realizing it.

(Rajveer-Naina slow guitar tune begins)

Naina looks towards the sweet and a smile of hesitation stretches on her lips.

She, with the help of spoon cuts the sweet, preparing a bite and hesitantly looks towards Rajveer, who still is busy wiping the extra wine that got spilled on the table.

Done with the wiping, Rajveer places the bottle aside on the table, and finally looks towards Naina, smiling.

Her demeanor comes as a surprise for Rajveer which succeeds in skipping his heartbeat. Turning to beat at higher pace thereafter. They stare each other, where on one hand a sweet and shy smile adorns Naina's lips; Rajveer stares her all flushed up upon realizing what she desires to do further.

"Aap shayad ye mithai lana bhul gaye the. To socha main hi le aun.",

says Naina, softly, slowly, smiling at him. Never blinking her eyes whilst uttering those words, Naina chose her words cautiously.

But then does she really have to tell him that she noticed his declining the offer of sweet? He noticed her too; as much as she noticed him at that moment. Who says that to notice someone, one has to look directly towards that person?

Tasveer teri agar dil mein ho; to ankhon ki kisey zarurat?

Rajveer smiles sarcastically upon witnessing her gesture of carrying along with her, his share of sweet from the mess.

"Mujhe nahi khani Naina.",

says Rajveer, staring her possessively, smiling infectiously.

Despite that Naina stays determined, maintaining her posture, smiling at him sweetly, as if requesting him through her eyes to have at least a bite.

'Hume intezaar kitna,

yeh hum nahi jaante.
Magar jee nahi sakte,

tumhare bina'

Rajveer takes his own sweet time to react to her, testing her patience and determination.

"Kisi ko please humare beech ki mithas ko kadwahat mein badalne ki wajah mat banne dijiye Sir!",

Naina couldn't help herself from saying so.

Rajveer's heart clenches hearing that. He would never let anything of that sort happen, he is confident about it. But may be he needs to assure Naina too about the same, he realizes upon witnessing the urgency of getting a reply, in her eyes.

Without tearing his gaze from her, Rajveer haves the sweet that Naina offered. Naina blushes, smiles but fails to tear her gaze from him when he gives her this intimate stare. When Naina takes it as his reply to her words, Rajveer surprises her by saying, whilst taking the spoon from her and cupping her right hand with his left, which is holding the bowl, his eyes now staring the rest of the portion of the sweet in the bowl, whilst working on it, cutting a piece of it for her,

"Main aisa kabhi nahi hone dunga Naina. Magar kabhi kabar kadwahat ko katne ke liye khud karwa ghoont peena bhi parhta hai aur kadwah hona bhi parhta hai!",

saying so he offers the spoonful of sweet to her, staring her.

Naina stares back, thinking, not yet accepting.

Finally, staring him still, she replies,

"Agar aisa hai to.... main bhi ye kadwa ghoont piyungi apke saath!",

and before Rajveer could adjust to the clenching of his heart upon hearing her words, that comes as a sweet surprise for Rajveer, Naina chooses to surprise him yet again by holding his hand that is offering the sweet to her, and opening her mouth, she haves the sweet!

"Yahi to main nahi chahta Naina!",

confesses Rajveer, as much as her words sounded endearing to him, but he doesn't want her to get into all this.

They choose not to acknowledge the minute fact that they shared the sweet using the same spoon! A minute truth, but strong enough to bind them to each other all the more!

"Ek situation ki tasveer dil mein kaisi aanki jayegi wo insaan-insaan par depend karta hai Sir. Apke nazar mein mere Dr. Mishra ko expose karne se main subki nazar mein aa jaungi, iss baat ka darr hai apko. Magar meri nazar se dekhein to mere aisa karne se main Naveen bhaiya aur....",

she stares him, blinking her eyes ones, then continues,

(Rajveer-Naina slow piano key tune)

"Apki nazar mein.... charh jaungi, mujhe iss baat ki khushi hai other than the fact ke Naveen bhaiya ko insaaf milega!"

Naina stares him, desperate to know his reaction to her words.

The warmth that her words succeeded to emit, how could he muster courage to put it into words in front of her?

(Rajveer-Naina flute tune begins as they stare each other, understanding the depth of Naina's words!)

In a voice so deep, and a stare so dark, Rajveer tells Naina,

"Meri nazar mein charhne ke liye tumhe kuch karne ki zarurat nahi hai Naina!"

And the way she shivers hearing his words, tells Rajveer that Naina has succeeded in understanding the hidden meaning of his words!

As shyness fills her, Naina slowly cascades her eyes. 

Rajveer too, after staring her for further few moments, tear his gaze from her.

Clearing her throat, Naina stares towards the wine and picks up her glass.

A smile comes on Rajveer's face understanding her dilemma.

Naina looks towards Rajveer in confusion.

Rajveer nods his head and encourages her by saying,

"Pehle thodi si sip lo. Adjust to the taste. Realize it ke tumhe pasand ayi ki nahi flavour. Then decide whether to continue or not. Main force nahi karunga.",

smiles Rajveer.

Naina smiles in gratitude, her eyes twinkling with love for him. She nods a little, staring him throughout then tastes it. 

Rajveer stares her, gauging her reaction as she takes it into her, drinks it.

She knits her brows lightly as she gets familiar to the bitterness of the wine.

Rajveer smiles further, enjoying.

As she adjusts to the taste, she realizes the joy in the bitterness. 

The way she takes another sip after just a short interval, and the way this time her brows don't get creased, Rajveer gets assured that she is getting accustomed to the bitterness and learning to enjoy it. Only then Rajveer tastes his wine.

They then dive into their food.

Naina notices that he hasn't been served paneer as well.

"Apne paneer nahi li?",

asks Naina, looking towards him.

Rajveer smiles in shyness and says,

"Haan wo mann nahi kar raha tha."

"Paneer to apko pasand hai na?",

says Naina, surprising him.

Rajveer looks towards Naina, widening his eyes,

"Tumhe kaise pata?"

"Jab paneer banta hai to aap usually two serves lete ho instead of one, I have noticed.",

smiles Naina.

Rajveer's heart swells hearing that, realizing that she notices!

He smiles staring her throughout, unable to understand what to say to that!

Smiling, Naina prepares a bite filled with paneer ki sabzi and offers it to him, taking it near to his mouth.

They stare each other. Their hearts expanding and contracting at quick succession.

Rajveer haves it, staring her throughout.

Naina cascades her eyes while he was in the process of having it into his mouth.

She slowly looks back towards him.

Rajveer then prepares a bite for her and makes her to have it mirroring her action.

The rate of heartbeat increases further as they resist touching each other, even though inside they crave to feel each other in their arms.

The process of having the food remains intact throughout, where Naina feeds him from her plate and Rajveer feeds her from his.

None of them care to mention to each other what they are doing to each other, other than feeding each other. They don't even care to acknowledge the truth that they are feeding to each other, which they would not do to anyone else for sure this way!They for once listen to their hearts without caring to put the desire into words in front of each other! 

*****

While enjoying his food from Naina's hand, Rajveer says,

"Well I can see what you have done to the flowers jo maine aaj subah hi mangwaya tha orderly ke through.",

looking towards the petals beautifully scattered all over the table.

Naina shuts her eyes, smiling, blushing. 

Rajveer laughs too, silently enjoying witnessing her blush.

Opening her eyes Naina, staring him, explains herself, still blushing and smile,

"Ahmm.... maine wo phool dekhein to socha ke aise saja dun. Jaldi mein zyada socha nahi ke mujhe ye karna chahiye ya nahi. Apko mera ye karna pasand ayega ya nahi."

Rajveer smiles wide, staring her throughout, and appreciates and encourages her by saying,

"Acha kiya! Kabhi kabar dil ki sunn leni chahiye bina hesitation ke. Bina ye soche ke jiske liye ya jiske saath tum ye kar rahe ho usse acha lagega ya nahi!"

(Rajveer-Naina flute tune begins as they stare each other, understanding Rajveer's words in more than one way!)

As he says this, Naina feeds him again. 

Rajveer smiles staring her. Naina smiles back. Both of them understands that she is just obeying to what he just said! That flutters Rajveer's heart and he blushes.

Unintentionally a bit of the curry gets on the corner of his mouth.

Before Rajveer could think of raising his hand to wipe it, Naina wipes it slowly with her thumb.

(Rajveer-Naina fast romantic tune begins)

Rajveer goes numb by her action, staring her throughout.

Naina tears her gaze from him in utter shyness and to distract him from staring her that way, says,

"Ahmm.... aaj lagta hai Suriji ne extra pyar add kiya hai apna khane mein."

That makes Rajveer to laugh silently, Naina laughs too.

"Bohot acha bana hai aaj khana.",

says Naina.

"Haan.",

smiles Rajveer.

"Aur aap apne gusse aur tension ki wajah se theek se apna khana bhi nahi laye.",

Naina stares him with accusation in her eyes.

Rajveer blushes, smiles and cascades his eyes, accepting his fault.

He looks back again towards her. 

Naina smiles and shakes her head. Rajveer smiles wide too.

*****

Rajveer brings out an album from his cupboard and shows it to Naina. Taking her seat on the sofa, in excitement she asks him, her eyes twinkling in excitement,

"Kya hai ye?",

she stares him up, who is standing to her side.

"Kuch tasveerein jo aj tak iss dil mein qaid thi, socha ke iss album mein sanjo kar rakhun.",

smiles Rajveer.

Accepting it, Naina gets up and surprises Rajveer by walking to his bed, occupying it, resting her back back against his pillow, the one he usually hugs to sleep. The one he sometimes imagine to be Naina, those days when Naina gives him moments when he gets desperate to show his affection for her right at that moment, by either hugging her tight, or doing all that his heart desires to do to her! Also days when he scolds her for her own good, and upon reaching his room vent his affection and emotions for her by hugging the pillow tightly. Had it been Naina for real instead of the pillow, Rajveer shudders to even think how would she had reacted to his tight hug; a possessive one; a desperate one!

Naina gets excited to enjoy checking out the memories that Rajveer has with him. 

The first picture itself is of his and Naveen. That surprises Naina and she turns gloomy. She rotates her hand on Naveen's picture, while Rajveer walks to the bed, occupying space next to her, sitting in same position as Naina. Naina shifts a little to give him space, her eyes glued to the album.

Staring the picture, Rajveer gives insight to the situation when the photo had been clicked.

Chuckling he says,

"Iss din purey din isne mujhse baat nahi ki thi."

Naina looks towards him in eagerness to know the reason.

"Kyun?",

she asks, her eyes widened out of shock.

Chuckling more, Rajveer unravels the mystery,

"Meri wajah se iska breakup ho gaya tha ek ladki ke saath.",

and Rajveer laughs.

Naina laughs too hearing that.

Narrowing her eyes on him, she shows her fake anger to him by asking,

"Apko hansi aa rahi hai mere bhai ka breakup karwa kar?"

Rolling his eyes, Rajveer looks towards Naina and tells her,

"Naina tumhara bhai ek din bhi breakup karke rehne walon mein se nahi tha. Agar abhi breakup hua to panch minute bhi nahi hoga jab wo ya to ussi ladki ke saath usse manata hua milega ya kisi aur ladki ke saath dosti karta hua.",

laughs Rajveer.

Naina slaps her forehead, shutting her eyes, smiling, blushing hearing that.

Suddenly an idea hits her, and she looks towards him with twinkling eyes, asking him,

"Aap bhi aise the?"

That shocks Rajveer. He widens his eyes, the residue of the previous smile and laughter still left on his face.

Rajveer for once gets entertained by the idea of lying to Naina and enjoying witnessing her reaction to that. Hence, controlling his amusement, Rajveer ignoring to look towards Naina, while lying, says,

"Ahmm... actually.... actually mujhe ladkiyon ke peeche jaane ki zarurat kabhi parhi nahi Naina."

Naina smiles wide hearing that and her breathing rate returns back to normal.

But that stays that way only for a brief moment before Rajveer adds, looking towards Naina sheepishly,

"Ladkiyan khud hi mera attention paney ke liye mere peeche peeche ghoomti thi!"

(Rajveer-Naina tune happy tune begins)

Naina stares him in disbelief! Her eyes wide opened!

Rajveer purses his lips, enjoying witnessing Naina's state.

She looks away, knowing that it won't be right to word her disappointment in front of him.

Rajveer tilts his head to his left and asks her, smiling to tease her,

"Kya hua?"

"Kuch nahi!",

says Naina, still not turning to look towards Rajveer.

It becomes hard for Rajveer not to burst out into a fit of laughter upon gauging her reaction.

"Aap isliye mujhse durr bhaag rahe hain pichle kuch dino se kyunki main apko attention de rahi hun kuch zyada hi?",

Naina shoots the question on Rajveer, turning to look towards him with accusing eyes.

Colour of Rajveer's face changes upon hearing the accusation. He surely didn't see it coming.

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)

"Naina...",

Rajveer shakes his head into negative in slow motion, trailing off his words, as he doesn't understand what to say and how to explain. He allover again feels guilty.

"Nahi Naina!",

he says, staring her with guilt ridden eyes.

"Fir?",

asks Naina, immediately.

Rajveer stares her, saying nothing.

Naina averts her eyes as she understands that he won't tell. 

Taking a deep breath, Naina looks towards him.

Both stare each other silently. 

"Aap bohot ache ho!",

confesses Naina.

That comes as a surprise for Rajveer. Did she really say that after such argument?

Rajveer doesn't understand should he react to it or not.

It is only when Naina smiles sweetly at him that Rajveer gives himself liberty to feel relaxed and smile.

(Rajveer-Naina happy tune begins)

"Aur... apki ye photo mujhe bohot achi lagi.",

Naina gives him compliment, staring at him lovingly.

Rajveer's heart flutters with joy. 

He immediately gets closer to her, focusing on the album, and asks her, knitting his brows, as if very serious about knowing which photo is she mentioning about and says,

"Konsi photo dikhao!"

Naina laughs throwing her head back. Rajveer laughs too.

She then points towards her favourite picture of his.

"Ahmm.... chi... mujhe ye tasveer itni achi nahi lag rahi. Isse achi to wo...",

Rajveer begins to point towards other picture of his when Naina slaps him lightly on his hand and says,

"Maine kaha na ki ye tasveer achi lag rahi hai. So who are you to say ke nahi achi hai ye tasveer?",

she asks, knitting her brows lightly.

Rajveer stares her, widening his eyes,

"Baap re! Itna gussa?"

"Haan to? Apne aise kaise mere Rajveer Sir ki pic ki burai ki?",

asks Naina, showing her disappointment.

That flutters his heart. 

"Acha to tum kya chahti ho main chaubiso ghante tumhare Rajveer Sir ki tareef karta rahun?",

asks Rajveer, enjoying the sudden change in their conversation and witnessing her possessiveness towards himself. Provoking her to show her possessiveness towards himself, after all not many people do that for him.

"Aur nahi to kya? Wo tareef ke layak hai, karni to chahiye.",

says Naina, proudly.

"Hun... ghanta layak!",

Rajveer shows attitude.

"Kya kaha apne?",

asks Naina, narrowing her eyes on him.

"Wohi jo tumne sunna!",

says Rajveer, rolling his eyes, trying to hide his amusement.

By pulling him lightly by his collar, Naina surprises him all over again.

Rajveer widens his eyes in utter shock. His mouth forming an 'O'; his eyes opened wide. His heartbeat increases again.

"Agar apne mere Rajveer Sir ke barey mein kuch bhi kaha....",

she warns him, staring him throughout.

Rajveer holds his breath to know what would she say further.

She doesn't say anything but keep on staring him, with a warning look.

(Rajveer-Naina tune begins)

Smiling in enjoyment, Rajveer teases her,

"Tumhe nahi lagta tum kuch zyada hi agey barh rahi ho?"

"Main to fir bhi agey barh rahi hun, aap to wohin rukey hue hain....",

says Naina, her voice reflecting her state of melancholy.

Rajveer smiles a little, staring her throughout. He understands that it is the alcohol that is messing up with her brain.

"Mujhe agey nahi barhna Naina. Tum chaho to barh sakti ho!",

says Rajveer, challenging her, staring her throughout.

(Rajveer-Naina fast flute tune begins)

That irks Naina, his controlled self. Hence, she teases him,

"Kyun? Apke dil mein jiski tasveer hai usse bura lag jayega kya?"

That makes Rajveer's cheek to turn red out of awkwardness, shyness.

"I think you should leave Naina. Tum abhi hosh mein nahi ho.",

suggests Rajveer, looking towards Naina.

Smirking, she says,

"Mujhse baat na karke jo durri aapne mujhse banali thi na, wo mujhe hosh mein laney ke liye kafi thi Sir. So believe me, main purey hosh mein hun."

(Rajveer-Naina tune continues as they stare each other further)

Leaving him, Naina returns back to checking the album, staring him possessively one last time.

Rajveer stares her and gradually calms down his increased rate of heartbeat.

*****

"Wow! Apke bachpan ke pictures kitne ache hain!",

exclaims Naina in excitement, as she turns to the page which contains all his childhood pictures.

Rajveer smiles and blushes hearing that, looking towards the pictures.

"Aww... yahan kitneeee cute lag rahe hain Sir.",

smiles Naina, wide.

"Mere paas zyada pictures nahi hai apne bachpan ke. Bus yahi kuch hain, socha iss album mein daal dun taki kharab na ho jayein idhar udhar rakhne se.",

says Rajveer, smiling, staring at his pictures.

"Bohot acha kiya.",

smiles Naina, staring at the pictures lovingly.

As she turns the page of the album, Rajveer and Naina widen their eyes; their hearts skip a beat each. Their cheeks go flushed! They don't understand how to get out of the awkward situation. Their rate of heartbeat racing against each other. Rajveer looks towards Naina through the corner of his eyes to witness her reaction to it and immediately he covers his photo where he as an infant is wearing nothing at all!

"Ahmm.... wo main....",

Rajveer stutters in awkwardness, shyness. 

Naina stays blushed, not even being able to laugh or smile in such an awkward situation. Had it been someone else other than Rajveer, she would have burst out into a fit of laughter. But with Rajveer, her crave for laughing out loud gets over powered with the feeling of awkwardness and a lot more!

Naina realizes that she needs to help him in order to bring both of them out of this awkward situation. Hence, she, thoroughly blushed, keeping her eyes cascaded, but not smiling or laughing at all, says,

"Ahmmm.... apko... apko ye tasveer yahan nahi rakhni chahiye..."

Rajveer stares her, his eyes possessive and dark on her. Naina doesn't fail to notice his increased rate of heartbeat.

"Kisi... kisi aur ne dekhli to....",

she trails off, feeling extremely shy.

But what surprises Rajveer and Naina too, is the fact that not only is she shy, and concerned about him, but there is also another feeling that is mingled in her words. The feeling of being jealous!

She now and again within this brief moment shoos off the thoughts that get filled in her mind what if Dr. Shalini had seen this before Naina? - Naina widens her eyes as the thought hits her! What if Pooja had seen this before Naina? - she shuts her eyes, feeling uncomfortable upon thinking that way. Or worse what if Dr. Mishra has seen this already? Shivers run down Naina's spine and she covers her face with both of her hands, trying to erase the thought!

She pushes the album to him, as an indication to him that she doesn't want to look further pictures. Rajveer whilst staring her, all serious and regretful, pulls the album to himself. In the process his hands uncover the photo that he had been covering with his hands and unintentionally, Naina's eyes fall on that picture again, along with Rajveer's.

Naina stays silent.

"Main ye album subke saath share nahi karta Naina!",

says Rajveer, ever so slowly, his voice turned low out of awkwardness.

Naina's heart clenches, realizing that he never lies to her!

(Rajveer-Naina slow flute tune begins)

Realizing that he doesn't have anything further to explain her. Rajveer gets up closing the album, carrying it to put it back to its place, when Naina holds his hand, keeping her eyes cascaded. That skips his heartbeat. He turns to look towards her. Naina slowly looks up towards him, her eyes soft on him.

"Main aaj aur nahi dekh paungi. Kal zarur dekhungi....",

she cascades her eyes, before continuing,

"Agey...."

Rajveer's eyes turn dark on her. His feelings for her increases manifolds.

The fact that she isn't angry on him, makes him to sigh in relief, inaudibly. And the fact that she is ready to see the pictures further tomorrow, gives him hope...! Hope that she would return back to his room tomorrow. Hope that they would get lone time to spend in each other's company again. Hope that she ready to dwell into his personal life all the more and accept him as he is with no alteration.

The way she chose to break the words, makes his heart to beat at an altogether different rate. Her holding his hand, makes his condition all the more vulnerable.

Naina too stares him back, timidly, as the given scenario makes it impossible for her to understand how to react.

Rajveer doesn't react, except for staring her constantly.

Taking a deep breath, averting her eyes, Naina finally gets up and says,

"Ahmm.... main... main chalti hun. Bohot der ho gayi hai."

Rajveer nods, cascading his eyes.

Naina walks forth and gets closer to him, too close. They stare each other.

(Rajveer-Naina slow flute tune begins)

His eyes reflect how he doesn't want her to leave. But of course he would never force her to stay.

Staring him, Naina in a hushed voice, shows her courage and tells him,

"Ab aap iss barey mein soch kar guilty feel mat karna. Maine bilkul bura nahi mana!"

(Rajveer-Naina happy tune begins)

Naina finally gets to witness the tension being released from his body. Rajveer smiles a little, in gratitude, staring her throughout. Naina smiles back.

"Ahmm... bye!",

smiles Naina, getting away from him a little.

Smiling, Rajveer greets back,

"Bye!"

They walk together to the door of his room. Rajveer opens it for her.

"Ahmm... wo plates...",

Naina remember, and points towards them.

"It's okay. Main orderly ko keh dunga ke wo le jaye.",

assures Rajveer, smiling.

Naina smiles back.

"Good night!",

she greets.

"Good night!",

he greets back.

"Wo kya hai?",

asks Naina pointing towards a certain thing behind him, knitting her brows.

As Rajveer turns his face to know what is she pointing towards, Naina quickly places a kiss on his cheek, and runs away, placing her hand on her chest, blushing, smiling throughout.

(Rajveer-Naina tune begins)

Rajveer stares her in pleasant surprise, his eyes wide opened! His heart unable to control his feelings and emotions that Naina gifted him along with this sweet and surprising gift that he shall cherish forever! The tasveer of the whole scenario shall stay pasted on his dil forever!

-THE END-

(13.9.2020)