Author's note

This is my take on the scene when Rajveer and Naina meet first time after the red saree incident. Initially the dialogues and story will be same as shown in the serial, where I'll focus on their feelings but gradually the story will change.

Hope you all enjoy the read. 😊

Stay blessed!
😇

~*~*~

Rajveer exits his room for some work. As he locks the door of his room and walks to his right to climb down the stairs, Naina's voice arrests him, skipping his heartbeat. Deep down he tries hard to resist turning back, but Naina's eager steps towards him turn out to be quicker than Rajveer's decision!

As Naina ends up standing in front of him, happy as ever on being around him, she puts a break to her excitement on discovering his expression. It was nothing less than bewilderment! Bewildered to find Naina there, is he? But where else will she be if not in KMA?

She notices how instead of looking into her eyes, like always, he is gauging her up to down just like the last night! What was that? When has he started staring girl cadet(s) in such an inappropriate way? Or is it just about Naina? Hell she is sure, it's only about her!

But then last night was... ahmm... different! Why today?

But do you really mind him seeing you this way Naina? Okay, let's skip this question!

Meanwhile Rajveer enjoys or rather gets disappointed on discovering Naina in her uniform! Is this the same Captain Rajveer who finds pride in wearing his uniform? Who teaches his students to feel the same? His heart breaks a little. So were you expecting her to be roaming around in KMA wearing the red saree? But why would you? Probably not! Let's shrug it off, can we?

"Oh!",

comes his first word, after a long gap since the moment they met.

And the mere word 'oh' and the way he exhales the breath along with the utterance of the word, the breath he had been holding since the moment he heard her, tells Naina how nervous he must have been this whole time. But nervous, Captain Rajveer and that too on talking to a mere cadet? Like seriously? What is wrong with him? Where is that bold Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat? How can a mere cadet make him hold his breath for this long? Mere? Well... forget it!

"Cadet Naina Singh tum!",

he says rather than asks.

Gauging his each reaction, secretly knowing the reason of his each reaction, controlling her blush which confirms that she understands! She knows it all! She knows what's that look for on his face! She understands what made him to take a silent deep breath. Oh trust me Captain, she knows it all! But she asks, although shyness and nervousness mingled together in her utterance of the question,

"Kyun Sir apne pehchana nahi?"

But trust me Captain, she gets the upper hand here, she is less nervous right now in front of you than you are right now in front of her!

What's that nervousness for Rajveer? As if you are afraid that the crime you did last night and by god's grace, escaped without getting caught, has come back in front of you, and now nothing or rather no one can save you from getting arrested?

Oh arrested you will really get, by no one else or rather nothing else other than Naina's eyes! But then aren't you habitual to it? Isn't this your best punishment so far? Isn't this the punishment you enjoy the utmost?

"Nahi... a...",

says Rajveer, cascading down his eyes for a few seconds then looking back towards her.

Are you afraid that if you escape looking towards her, you'll get caught by her? Oh come on what am I saying, Rajveer never gets afraid of anyone right?

"Wo... actually kal tum unn kapdon mein thi to...",

hesitates Rajveer.

"Aaj tum... thodi pehchane mein gadbad ho gayi!",

blushes Rajveer, feeling stupid in front of her, for the second time!

Naina cascades down her eyes out of shyness.

"Sir wo... main aap hi se milne aa rahi thi!",

says Naina, gaining back her composure gradually.

At this moment Rajveer wishes that even yesterday if it could have been him rather than Huda whom she was rushing to meet to!

"Mujhey apse kuch puchna tha...",

she says.

Rajveer looks at his watch, getting late to reach somewhere. Is it really that you don't have much time to spare or is it that it's becoming difficult for you to stay with her after having visualized her wearing the red saree for the umpteenth time since last night? This time in front of her!

"I am sorry Cadet Singh, iss waqt to main jaldi mein hun",

he says, after checking out the time.

And as he notices a frown on her face, he feels like thrashing himself for having said that.

"Ahmm... I guess it can wait?",

he asks, a means of apology.

Naina stares him understanding his urgency to leave.

Suddenly he gets serious, turning and walking a little towards his right, he tells her,

"Lekin main bhi tumse kuch kehna chahta hun!"

Naina grabs the seriousness in his voice and turns to look towards him, giving him her full attention. She herself turns serious, sensing his mood.

"Naina main chahta hun ke tum aur baki sabhi cadets, Captain Abhimanyu Rai Chauhan se jakar maafi mango!",

he tells her, all serious.

"Lekin kyun Sir?",

she asks, innocently.

Turning to address her, he says,

"Naina tumhe nahi lagta ki..."

Walking past her, he continues,

"Tumne aur baki cadets ne... koi line cross ki?",

he asks reaching a pillar, resting his right hand on it.

"Captain Abhimanyu Rai Chauhan ke personal musical equipments todna, it was absolutely uncalled for! Uski kya zarurat thi?",

he asks her, standing behind her at a distance, all serious.

"Ahmm...",

Naina turns to address Captain Rajveer,

"Apne sahi kaha Sir, humein mafi mangni chahiye!",

she says, earnestly.

"Good! To main chalta hun!",

he says, his tone conveys how he is not very happy to leave. As if, if she prohibits him from leaving, he would submit to her demand without giving a second thought!

They stare each other. Conveying everything which they are unable to verbally!

"Good day...",

he wishes, almost holding his breath.

And at this particular moment, his these two simple words 'GOOD DAY' yet again remind them of the moment they enjoyed last night, at the same place where they are standing at this moment! Only that the words were slightly different, instead of good day they were good night!

*Flashback*

Staring at her for sometime, he realizes that he must stop this right now or he might end up doing something that he shouldn't! Lowering his eyes out of shyness and hesitation for fraction of seconds, he again looks back towards Naina and says,

"you know... I have got to go..."

and stares her for few seconds then continues,

"but... good night... and...",

he tries to find words, staring her throughout this time. Naina bends her head a little, gesturing him to continue what he wants to tell her. Her eyes focused on him, enjoying his each reaction and word. Waiting for him to say something! Something she wants to hear, although she isn't sure what exactly she wants to hear from him!

On the other hand, deciding that it isn't a right moment to say anything of that sort, and also he has no right to speak to her that way, he ends up saying, blushing, raising his shoulders,

"have a good night!"

Holding his breath, he shakes his head a little, looking at her, indicating her that he is leaving now. He adjusts his collar, sometimes looking at her, sometimes lowering his eyes out of sheer shyness.

"Main... chalta hun...",

he says at last. His mind says he should leave before it gets too late, and his heart requests him to stay and enjoy few more moments with her and scolds him that it is indeed too.. late, he must confess here and now! He finds it difficult to get away from her, although he wants it desperately to distance himself from her, not because he hates her presence but because he knows, if he stays with her for few more moments he might confess what he doesn't want as for yet to let her know!

*Flashback Ends*

Looking towards him hesitantly, she wishes him,

"Good day Sir!",

and lowers her eyes.

"Good day!",

wishes back Rajveer, hesitantly.

And controlling their throbbing hearts and holding their breaths, they cross each other, resisting too hard from looking towards each other. Their eyes cascaded down, out of shyness and hesitation but they don't refrain themselves from feeling the bliss of looking at each other through their peripheral vision.

(Rajveer-Naina trumpet tune begins in the background as they cross by each other)

As Naina walks away at a distance, her speed decreases as if she doesn't want to get away from him this soon. The smile; the blush, had Rajveer witnessed them at this moment, he would have certainly known how much this sudden encounter and their conversation are affecting her. As much as they are affecting him!

But as always, Naina fails to understand what's this feeling culminating in her heart these days for her mentor; her teacher; her Rajveer Sir! Whatever it is, she cannot deny that she certainly is enjoying this new emotion.

Although moving away from him, she gets this strong urge to run back to him. Why? She knows not! She turns her hands into fists as a measure to control the turmoil of emotions. No! She needs to control herself. She cannot always keep him in front of her eyes; or stay in front of his eyes for that matter. She silently makes herself to understand this mere thing. Determined that she will maintain distance from him, she takes a deep breath and moves for exiting the corridors and stepping into the main hall of KMA. And as she does that a sight brings her smile and blush back to her face!

Rajveer tired of thinking about Naina; fighting with his feelings; calming them down, walks towards the tap situated in the main hall of KMA and washes his face in order to clear his mind.

Naina's feet on their own accord walk towards him. At this moment she has nothing to share with him - no problem; no worries; no happiness - nothing! Yet this urge to be around him, try how hard she might, but she cannot just let go this idea; this feeling!

Reaching the tap placed adjacent to the tap he is using, Naina keeps staring him whilst he washes his face. What's that stare for Naina? Haven't you seen someone washing his/her face before today? Or is it that seeing him doing so is a sheer pleasure to you? Can you be bold enough for once and choose one of the above options?Your real feelings?

Suddenly he senses someone's presence around him or if I may say her presence around him!

As he turns to his left, his heart skips a beat on discovering Naina there. Tell me something Rajveer, is it really shock that you are feeling at this moment or is it a surprise for you? Surprise because something you couldn't ask her verbally, like always, surprisingly, she is acting accordingly this time! Can you show the guts for once to accept the fact that you really wanted her to stay with you for longer period, only that you couldn't word your feelings, like always?

While he keeps staring her, Naina drinks the water from the tap. Although not at all thirsty, but this is nothing if it's helping her to enjoy few moments of his presence around her. Unable to understand how to react further, she stands up, looking towards him, she smiles. Inside, she waits, craves for him to say something, anything! Not that he doesn't want to talk. But knowing that if he starts now, he might not be able to stop himself from saying that he must not say, he leaves quickly before she shoots a question on him because with her, you never know!

As Rajveer enters his room, he gets surprised on discovering Lala Gehlot in his room.

"Sir aap?",

he asks, surprised.

A smile stretches on his lips after the intial shock and realization.

Smiling, Lala Gehlot looks towards him and asks him,

"Kyun ab kya hum apne bete se milne bhi nahi aa sakte?"

Blushing, lowering his eyes, sitting next to him on the sofa, Rajveer says,

"Kaisi baat kar rahe hain aap. Zarur aa sakte hain. Jab marzi aa sakte hain. In fact apko aney ki kya zarurat thi, mujhey bula liya hota, main aa jata!"

"Ab Raj tum indirectly humein yahi samjhane ki koshish kar rahe ho ke tumhe humara yahan ana, tumhe bina bataye, acha nahi laga?",

says Lala Gehlot, acting to be hurt by Raj's words.

Blushing, feeling guilty, Raj apologizes,

"Ab aap mujhey sharminda kar rahe hain Sir!"

This makes Lala Gehlot to laugh. Which in return makes Raj to blush harder.

"Kya lenge aap chaye ya coffee?",

asks Raj.

The sudden opening of the door drags the attention of both Lala Gehlot and Raj.

To Raj's surprise he finds Naina standing there such that her hands are on the handles of the doors of his room, holding them. Is he hallucinating?

Her sudden appearance there where on one hand surprises Lala Gehlot there on the other hand skips Rajveer's heartbeat. This is really happening!

"Yes?",

asks Lala Gehlot, in his authoritative tone.

Lala Gehlot's presence in Rajveer's room doesn't look welcoming to Naina. As if some outsider has stepped into her territory; her home!

Had it been someone else say Major Nayyer, Naina would certainly have looked towards Rajveer, apologetically, for having interrupted them. Although being fully aware of the fact how Captain Rajveer and Major Nayyer can not bear each other's presence, still Naina would have given them the space they needed. But she doesn't understand why, she feels so right to be here at this moment. As if she belongs to this place, she belongs to him! As if she is the only one here who is his well wisher.

To Rajveer's utter surprise, he doesn't feel Naina trespassing any boundary. As if she has all the rights to be here.

"Ahmmm.... Cadet Singh...",

addresses Rajveer, trying hard to hide his feeling of utter surprise on discovering her there.

"Ahmm... Sir... wo mujhey puchna tha ke kya aj aap class lenge? Wo sub wait kar rahe the to!",

asks Naina, hesitantly.

Rajveer at first knits his brows a little completely aware that he doesn't have any lecture with her class.

Standing at her place, Naina looks towards Rajveer nervously, afraid that he might blurt out that he doesn't have any class with the first year students that he needs to attend.

She does get a little nervous, not because of Lala Gehlot's presence there. No it doesn't affect her a wee bit. It is rather the thought of how Rajveer might react now or may be later? Will he feel that she is trying to poke her nose in his personal matters? Will this lead to an argument between them? She of course doesn't want that by any means.

Rajveer and Naina keep staring each other, Naina holding her breatg, as Rajveer's calm demeanour confuses her, is he really calm, or is this the calmness before the storm?

"Haan... haan Cadet Singh, aap chaliye main aata hun",

says Rajveer, looking straight towards her.

Of course she wasn't expecting a scolding in front of Lala Gehlot but she is still not sure about what to expect as Lala Gehlot leaves.

But as for now, she doesn't want to leave!

Standing at her place, she starts fidgeting with her ring, looking straight towards Rajveer. How to make him understand that she doesn't want to leave him alone with Lala Gehlot?

Rajveer knits his brows lightly as he realizes her dilemma. What is up with her today? She is being different.

Quickly, deciding, he begins to introduce, and begins with,

"Ahmm... Cadet Singh please join us".

This skips Naina's heartbeat, is he really asking her? Rajveer gauges her state of dilemma and realizes that he needs to assure her that it's fine, he blinks his eyes as a signal to her to follow the suit.

(Rajveer-Naina tune begins)

Cautiously, Naina takes her seat in the sofa placed next to his.

"Sir, ye hai Cadet Singh, first year cadet!",

introduces Raj. Something inside him prohibits him from letting him add further that she is his best cadet, unlike other times; in front of other people.

And Naina who had been holding her heartbeat thinking, he might add the same that he didn't, sighs in relief. But why is it that? Why unlike other times, she wants him to keep it under wraps that she is his favourite, she fails to understand.

Is it fear or is it a measure taken for future security? For securing Rajveer in future? But why would she need to secure Rajveer from his own father? Or should we correct - from his so-called-father!

Smiling, Lala Gehlot acknowledges Naina,

"KMA ki honhar Cadet. Kafi suna hai apke barey mein".

Nothing of Lala Gehlot, neither his demeanour nor his words give Naina the positive vibes. In fact the appreciating words that she received just now sounds fake to her ears.

Understanding that she needs to react, she says,

"Ahmmm... thank you Sir!"

Smiling, Lala Gehlot focuses back his attention on Rajveer,

"Waise tumhe dekh kar hum ye soch rahe hain ke humne aisa kya kiya that I have been graced with your presence?"

Blushing, Rajveer shakes his head,

"Sir aaye aap hain yahan. It is rather the other way round".

This makes Lala Gehlot to laugh which in return makes Rajveer to blush further.

"Beshak! Lekin bhai tum bhi ek busy personality ho. Appointment lena to banta hai",

laughs Lala Gehlot.

"Aur dant humesha hum khate rehte hain tumse ke hum tumhare liye waqt nahi nikalte",

teases Lala Gehlot.

Rajveer blushes all the more.

"Arey bhai ek dusre ke liye waqt nikalne se hi to pyar barhta hai",

smiles Lala Gehlot.

"Ye aap keh rahe hain?",

asks Raj, looking towards Lala Gehlot in astonishment.

Now this makes Lala Gehlot to blush and he lowers his eyes.

Naina who had been gauging these lovey-dovey exchanges between the duo in front of her, in all serious tone, intervenes,

"Kon kiske liye fortunate hai, wo to waqt batayega!",

she smiles sarcastically, looking towards Lala Gehlot.

Lala Gehlot catches the sign, Rajveer too and knits his brows lightly, unable to understand why she said so.

Lala Gehlot smiles lightly, inside he tries to read her! Naina widens the smile, giving nothing away.

"Waise I am sorry Raj, bina appointment ke chale aye hum",

smiles Lala Gehlot.

Naina knits her brows further, where is he going with this?

Blushing, Shakimg his head, Raj says,

"Aap...",

unable to put his feelings into words, he blushes again, then continues,

"Apko appointment ki koi zarurat nahi hai Lala Sahab"

"Sir, Sir mujhey kuch important baat karni hai apse!",

says Raj, getting serious.

Naina gives her full attention too, gauging the seriousness by Rajveer's tone.

"Lala Sahab, mujhey Colonel Shakti Chandra ne phone kiya tha!",

says Raj.

Lala Gehlot narrows his eyes on Raj, giving his full attention. Naina gets restless, something inside her tells her - this is all wrong. This should be stopped. That Rajveer should not share this with Lala Gehlot.

"Unhone mujhse kaha hai ki main sirf apko akar report karun",

says Rajveer.

Lala Gehlot smirks secretly.

Colonel Shakti Chandra's words catch Naina's attention. She gets so engrossed pondering into his words, that she misses the glow in Lala Gehlot's face, which had she noticed would either have found weird or have got into a conclusion - a conclusion which would have proved beneficial for her!

"Ek minute!",

says Lala Gehlot.

His words drag not only Rajveer's attention but drags Naina too out of her reverie.

Lala Gehlot dials a number whilst saying,

"Ye zaruri hai, just gimme five minutes".

Rajveer obliges.

While Lala Gehlot busies himself in making the call, Rajveer's eyes happen to fall on Naina and he finds her staring him.

(Slow Rajveer-Naina guitar tune begins)

The heartbeats of both skip as their eyes contact. Rajveer witnesses how like always her cheeks are changing colour under his constant gaze, which relaxes Rajveer to a great extent, as if this is exactly what he waits for to happen each day! A little smile creeps on his lips which he keeps under control, fully aware of Lala Gehlot's presence around them.

Soon Rajveer realizes that Naina is tensed about something. The way she is looking at him, anxiously, explains that she needs to share something with Rajveer but Lala Gehlot's presence is prohibiting her from doing so. Only if he would have understood that her dilemma is regarding his own so called father! Naina for these brief moments completely forgets about her real reason of being there and her motif turns into making Rajveer somehow know that she is not very much in favour of letting Lala Gehlot know everything about Colonel Shakti Chandra.

She shakes her head in disapproval, looking towards him, indicating him - not to procceed with discussing about Colonel Shakti Chandra with Lala Gehlot. Naina herself feels weird about her feeling this way. But she concludes that there is no time to over think about her decision. But before she could give him more hints by her gestures, Lala Gehlot completes with the call and returns back his attention towards Rajveer.

Naina's heartbeat picks up pace, she feels helpless.

"Lala Sahab mujhey darr hai ke KMA ko koi, anti-national activities ke liye istemal kar raha hai!",

tells Captain Rajveer.

This comes as a complete shock for Naina.

Lala Gehlot knits his brows too.

"Aur inn sub mein, KMA ka koi ander ka vyakti bhi involved hai",

declares Raj.

This shocks Naina further.

After her initial shocks, Naina looks towards Lala Gehlot and gets surprised on witnessing that he is not much affected by this. She feels as if his getting affected is for altogether different reason. This gets Naina tensed.

"Koi sabut? Koi proof tumhare paas?",

asks Lala Gehlot, suspeciously.

Naina looks towards Rajveer, holding her breath, praying that he doesn't show him or tell him about the proofs even if he bears them.

And as this thought crosses her mind, her eyes by chance fall on an envelope kept on the side table next to her. While Captain Rajveer and Lala Gehlot exchange tensed looks, Naina deliberately pushes down a few files kept on the side table along with the envelope bearing the proofs.

"Oh I am sorry!",

apologizes Naina as the files fall with a thud dragging Captain Rajveer's and Lala Gehlot's attention.

"Oh that's absolutely fine! Tumhe chont to nahi lagi?",

asks Lala Gehlot, acting to be concerned.

Rajveer on the other hand really gets worried about Naina's well being.

Nervously, she quickly replies,

"Ahmm... no Sir! I am fine".

"Alright. That's fine tumhe wo uthane ki zarurat nahi main orderly se kahunga wo kar dega",

says Lala Gehlot.

"It's okay Sir, main kar deti hun!",

says Naina and quickly starts arranging the files.

Lala Gehlot turns back to Raj and finds him staring Naina. He could read his concern for Naina in his eyes.

"Raj!",

calls Lala Gehlot to drag him out of his trance.

"Ahmm... sorry Sir!",

apologizes Rajveer.

(Slow Rajveer-Naina piano tune begins)

"Are you fine?",

asks Lala Gehlot, showing his concern.

"Yes! Yes Sir!",

replies Rajveer, quickly.

It doesn't go unnoticed by neither Lala Gehlot, nor Naina!

And before he could say further, Lala Gehlot receives another call. Ending the call, he apologizes Rajveer and tells him his urgency to leave.

Where on one hand it gets him disappointed there on the other Naina takes a sigh of relief.

As Rajveer goes out to see off Lala Gehlot, Naina thinks deeply again about Lala Gehlot and she doesn't feel any regression for behaving the way she behaved.

Returning back from her reverie, Naina decides to leave. As she reaches the door of Captain Rajveer's room, Rajveer storms in at the same moment!

"Kahan ja rahi hain aap Cadet Singh itni jaldi mein?",

asks Rajveer, smiling teasingly.

(Slow Rajveer-Naina piano tune begins as they stare each other)

"Ahmm... wo meri class hai!",

says Naina, her voice low, never ending the eye contact.

Arching a brow, Rajveer asks,

"Class? Par apka teacher to yahan khada hai, so I am sure aap class ke liye late nahi hongi",

he teases her further.

Naina feels ashamed of her behaviour. Her heartbeat picks up pace, unable to bear his tease.

"Naina aise har choti-choti baat ke liye mere paas yun chale aana, tumhe nahi lagta tumhe aisa nahi karna chahiye?",

asks Rajveer, slightly pissed off because no denial he felt a little embarrassed in front of his god father - Lala Gehlot on Naina's sudden entry.

"Mujhe... mujhe zaruri baat karni thi!",

says Naina, hesitantly, never meeting his eyes.

"Acha?",

asking so he gets away a little from her and crosses his arms over his chest, never looking away from Naina.

"Bataiye, kya zaruri baat thi?",

asks Rajveer teasingly.

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

Rajveer gauges that she is more relaxed now and is not nervous of him. Taking a deep breath he decides to take her class!

"Naina tumhare paas koi reason nahi hai, to tum yahan ayi kyun? Lala Sahab kya sochenge - ke mere ek student ki itni himmat hui ke wo aise hi mere room mein aa gaya and allowed her to join us?",

scolds Rajveer, suddenly getting high on her.

Naina realizes the seriousness of the situation. But she gets irritated as she thinks - why is he not understanding her situation?

"Aap... aap Col. Shakti Chandra ke barey mein kya keh rahe the?",

she asks urgently.

Knitting his brows, Rajveer replies,

"What? Why are you interested in knowing?"

His question irritates her further,

"Sir... Sir please bataiye. I need to know".

"Par kyun Naina? Iss baat ka tumse koi lena dena nahi hai",

says Rajveer, sternly.

"I know Sir. But mere paas agar ek information rahe to iss mein kya galat hai?",

Naina raises her voice out of irritation.

"Galat hai Naina!",

Rajveer too raises his voice, then continues,

"Ek confidential information kisi ke paas hona, janti ho uski jaan ko kitna khatra ho sakta hai?",

he asks.

"Yani apki jaan ko khatra hai?",

panicks Naina.

Shutting his eyes Rajveer looks heavenwards.

Naina gets nervous on thinking about the fact that Rajveer's life might be in danger.

"Naina... Naina please... please don't panick. Mujhe kuch nahi hone wala",

assures Rajveer.

But nothing could relax Naina.

"Aap... aap kya keh rahe the unse?",

she asks again.

"Please Sir, I know mujhe koi haq nahi hai ke maine aap dono ke beech mein bolun but still I insist. Iske badle aap mujhe jo kahenge, main karne ko taiyar hun!",

she promises, her whole demeanour radiating tension.

"Relax Naina!",

says Rajveer, calming her down, as he feels concerned and frankly touched too, on seeing her concerned about him.

"Dekho Naina, main tumse wo baat share nahi kar sakta it's against the rules",

says Rajveer.

"Rules?",

blurts Naina, burning with rage.

"Apko lagta hai ke main apke aur mere beech ki baat kisi aur ko ja kar kahungi?",

asks Naina, raising her voice.

Rajveer notices how she is hurt by his words.

"Naina please mujhe galat mat samjho, mera wo matlab nahi tha!",

Rajveer tries to reason with her.

"Dekho you know main yahan ek secret mission par hun. Jin jin ko iss mission ke barey mein pata chalega unki jaan ko khatra hoga. And I don't want to drag anyone into this, least of all you!",

explains Rajveer, anxious that she gives up her idea of knowing about the issue.

Naina stares him in utter surprise.

"Are you serious?",

asks Naina, feeling ridiculous.

"How can you imagine ke main apko inn sub baaton mein akele rehne dungi?",

asks Naina, seeing him in a state of astonishment.

"Tum akele nahi rehne dogi isiliye nahi bol raha tha tumhe kuch!",

shouts Rajveer, losing his patience.

Naina does get scared, but keeps her stand!

Looking heavenwards, Rajveer calms himself down.

"Naina please samjhne ki koshish karo..."

"No! Aap samjhne ki koshish karo! First ye ki ab jo main janti hun ke there is something fishy going on I need to know everything. Okay if not everything but something!"

And as Rajveer was about to reply, Naina interrupts,

"And that 'something' kis hadd tak hoga wo main decide karungi. Otherwise I know you won't talk upto my satisfaction".

Shutting his eyes, cursing his lucks, he mummers,

"Pata nahi kis ghadi mein tumhe apni protegee banane ka faisla liya tha!"

Naina doesn't fail to hear him. Narrowing her eyes on him, she corrects him,

"Excuse me, faisla apne mujhey apni protegee banane ka nahi liya tha. Faisla maine liya tha apko apna mentor banane ka!"

Staring each other, challenging each other for fraction of seconds, they both burst into laughs.

(Rajveer-Naina happy flute tune begins)

Getting serious, she demands,

"Ab batayiye mujhe! Apne kaha KMA ka koi ander ka vyakti iss mein involved hai. How can you say that?"

Taking a deep breath, shaking his head while staring an adament Naina, Rajveer tells her...

"Naina KMA se kuch ammunition churaye jane ki koshish ki gayi hai. Aur ye sub kuch camera ne capture kiya",

saying that Rajveer shows her the file bearing the evidences of the same.

But as he opens the file he realizes the papers are missing.

"What....!!! Papers kahan gaye?",

asks Rajveer, exasperated, searching the file in vain.

Slowly, Naina produces the papers from behind her.

Rajveer gets utterly surprised. Getting angry, he shouts at her,

"Why did you do that Naina?"

"Aap par bhi humla hua tha na?",

asks Naina, suspiciously.

"Ye... tum kaise janti ho?",

asks Rajveer, surprised on discovering that she knows about it.

"Alekh ne bataya!",

says Naina, cascading down her eyes.

The fact that he didn't tell it to her, hurts her. Rajveer doesn't fail to realize her emotions.

"Naina... Naina it's just that I didn't want you to panick. I...",

Rajveer trails off, unaware of what he wants to say exactly.

"Panick? Yeah right! Aur apko laga ke ye baat mujhse humesha chupi rahegi?",

ask Naina, accusingly.

"Would you mind explaining me the reason of this mark on your left cheek?",

asks Naina, burning with anger.

(Rajveer-Naina piano and xylophone tune begins as they stare each other)

Rajveer's heartbeat skips a beat on realizing that she did notice the mark, although it was a minute mark.

Naina stares him, conveying him silently through her eyes that she doesn't need to go closer to him to know him, because she already knows him completely!

Naina lowers her eyes, feeling shy, feeling slightly afraid that has she crossed her limits?

Rajveer feels touched! His eyes soften.

"Agar apko kuch ho jata to?",

says Naina, looking towards Rajveer, afraid.

Before Rajveer could say anything, Lala Gehlot pushes the door open and intervenes,

"To tum humare paas nahi, hum tumhare paas hote!"

His sudden voice skips the heartbeats of both Rajveer and Naina. While Rajveer looks towards his mentor, his god father apologetically; Naina looks towards him suspeciously yet again.

'Why did he have to return?',

thinks Naina, giving him a piercing look.

"Lala Sahab aap gaye nahi?",

asks Rajveer, gaining back his equilibrium.

"Hum keys bhul gaye the yahan",

and he points towards his keys kept on the centre table.

Rajveer and Naina turn to look towards the keys. Rajveer smiles. Then turning back, taking a deep breath, he scolds Lala Gehlot lovingly,

"Apni cheezon ka bilkul khyal nahi hai na apko? Itne laparwah?"

Naina's creased brows and wrinkled nose crease and wrinkles all the more as she doesn't get good vibes from Lala Gehlot as usual.

"Har baat ki chinta hai humein. Har baat ka dhyan",

smiles Lala Gehlot, then turns to look towards Naina, smiling constantly.

Naina doesn't return back his smile and simply lowers her eyes.

As Lala Gehlot walks forth and picks up the keys, his eyes falls on Rajveer's hands which are hidden behind him, he discovers that Rajveer is holding a file in his hands. He doesn't stare long, as he didn't want to get caught, and looks away, waiting for Rajveer himself to mention about the file.

Hugging Rajveer for the last, inside waiting for Rajveer to say anything, he gets disappointed when Rajveer doesn't say anything and having no other choice, Lala Gehlot leaves.

"Naina mujhe Major Nayyer par shaq hai!",

says Rajveer after Lala Gehlot leaves.

"Major Nayyer?",

asks Naina, knitting her brows.

"Security cameras tak sirf wohi pohnch sakte hain. Aur kal raat security camera ki setting kuch der ke liye badli bhi gayi thi. Taki ghatna ke waqt wahan jo kuch bhi ho raha hai, wo record na ho sakey!",

informs Rajveer.

This comes as a surprise for Naina.

"There is something major happening!",

says Rajveer, concerned.

"Apko shaq hai ya yakeen?",

asks Naina.

Looking towards her, he tells her,

"Naina Col. Shakti Chandra ne mujhe bataya tha, ke KMA mein jo kuch bhi ho raha hai inn sub mein kayi senior officers bhi involved hain!"

This comes as another surprise for Naina.

"Bus ek baar... kisi bhi tarah main unn tak pohnch jaun!",

says Rajveer, taking a deep breath.

Smiling reassuringly, Naina says,

"Don't worry Sir, I am sure aap ye matter achi tarah solve kar lenge".

Rajveer looks towards her, the trust on him that her eyes reflect, touches his heart.

(Slow Rajveer-Naina flute tune begins)

Standing outside his room, Lala Gehlot overhears the conversation that took place between Rajveer and Naina and mummers to himself,

"Pohnch to tum jaoge... hum jante hain!"

And giving a last glare towards him, Lala Gehlot leaves.

~*~*~

"Alright Naina maine wo kiya jo tumne kaha. Bata di tumhe puri baat",

says Rajveer.

"Ab tum wo karo jo tumne kaha tha! Wada nibhane ka time aa gaya hai!",

says Rajveer, looking intently towards Naina with a naughty smile on his face.

"Wada? Kaisa wada?",

asks Naina, knitting her brows, blushing.

"Tumne kaha tha na ke agar maine tumse ye baat share kar di to tum wo karogi jo main kahunga? So taiyar ho waada nibhane ke liye?",

asks Rajveer, with the same expressions intact on his face.

Naina's cheeks turn deep shades of red and she lowers her eyes. Feeling utterly uncomfortable, she doesn't even smile at his tease. Her this gesture makes Rajveer to fall for her all the more.

"Kya hua? Agar darr gai to bol do!",

teases Rajveer, standing in front of her, holding his waist from either sides, staring her with a naughty smile on his face.

His challenge makes her determined to do whatever he demands for. Her heartbeat picks up pace. Taking a deep breath, Naina looks into his eyes with full determination.

"Boliye kya karna hoga mujhey?",

she asks, determined.

Smirking, teasingly, he taunts her,

"Rehne do! Nahi kar paogi!",

and starts walking away from her.

This ignites her anger and jealousy of being looked down upon. Raising her voice, she asks him,

"How can you say that?"

"I am sure tumse nahi hoga!",

smirks Rajveer.

His words puzzle Naina. Knitting her brows she looks towards the ground and mummers, thoughtfully,

"Nahi hoga?"

Then looking back towards him, her brows still knitted, she asks,

"Kya nahi hoga?"

Taking his time, staring her, enjoying witnessing her in a state of confusion, Rajveer taunts her on purpose,

"Rehne do Naina! Tum kar hi nahi sakti. Aaahh... forget it!",

and gestures with his hand, looking away, as if he is just dropping the idea altogether.

"Aap mujhe jante kitna hai ke aap ye faisla kar sakein ke main kya kar sakti hun aur kya nahi? After all humein mile hue waqt hi kitna hua hai?",

says an irritated Naina, knitting her brows.

This makes Rajveer to look towards her, smiling slightly, his eyes twinkling.

"Right! Abhi to bohot kuch janna baki hai!",

says Rajveer, looking straight into her eyes.

(Slow Rajveer-Naina flute tune begins)

"Himmat hai karne ki?",

he asks, looking into her eyes.

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

Getting nervous, Naina slowly lowers her eyes and places a strand of her hair behind her ear.

Smiling at her nervousness, Rajveer frees her by saying,

"Rehne do Naina. Nahi chahiye mujhe kuch tumse!"

(Rajveer-Naina guitar tune begins)

Naina looks towards him in surprise. Knitting her brows and with a constant smile on her face, she asks him, her voice low,

"Kyun? Kya hua?"

(Rajveer-Naina flute tune begins)

Staring her throughout, Rajveer shakes his head in slow succession.

Naina doesn't understand why she gets desperate to hug him! She feels embarrassed about thinking that way. Afterall he is her mentor how could she think that way about him?

"Shayad tum tayaar nahi!",

he says, smiling a little.

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

Naina's cheeks warm up under his constant gaze. She feels glad that he understands her situation. Smiling a little, nervouzly, looking at him, she promises,

"Mujhe thoda waqt chahiye".

Smiling, as his heart swells on listening to her words. Relaxed that at least she said something! Even this minute hint means a lot to him today. And about keeping patience, no one can beat Rajveer on that. For her he bears extra patience. Smiling, he assures her that she can take as much time as she needs. Smiling back at him, a smile that indicates her gratitude towards him, for understanding her, Naina shyfully asks his permission to leave. Rajveer nods into affirmative.

(Rajveer-Naina flute tune continues)

Enjoying the stare for little more, Naina smiles one last time and leaves.

-THE END-
(10.4.2018)