Next Morning

An orderly reaches Alekh's room in boy's hostel and says,

"Cadet Alekh apko Captain Rajveer ne ground par bulaya hai!"

Huda, Ali, Yudi were also with him.

"Abey kya baat hai qaidi, Captain Sir kafi khush hain tujhse aj kal? Aisa kya kar diya tu ne?",

asks Huda, teasingly.

Alekh rolls his eyes.

"Apun ko kuch karne ki zarurat nahi hai. Wo kya hai na, Captain Rajveer apun se pehle se hi impressed hai!",

saying so he raises his collar, showing off.

"Ye to bohot achi baat hai Alekh Bhai. Humein behad khushi hoti hai jab koi apki tareef karta hai.",

says Ali, encouragingly.

Yudi rolls his eyes.

"Haan haan ja ja... dekh dekh tauhfe mein konse daru ki bottle de rahe hain Captain Rajveer.",

teases Huda.

Alekh glares him.

"Waise pata nahi daru ki bottle de rahe hain, ya darun ki bottle pakdi gayi hai!",

teases Huda.

"Teri problem kya hai?",

asks Alekh.

Resting his elbow on Alekh's shoulder,

"Abey Qaidi, problem Huda se koso durr hi rehti hai.",

says Huda, smiling.

All of them shake their heads.

Removing his shoulder with a jerk, Alekh says,

"Tu bhi apun se durr hi reh!"

Saying so he turns to leave, whilst saying,

"Apun abhi aata hai!"

"Abey Qaidi sunn to, tere bina main kahan jaunga?",

says Huda, mockingly and bursts out into laugh.

~*~*~

Reaching him, tired out of running, Alekh asks, in between catching his breath,

"Apne apun ko bulaya Sir?"

"Yes Cadet Alekh!",

says Captain Rajveer, his back facing Alekh, his hands tugged into the pockets of his trousers; his eyes cascaded down; his right foot busy rubbing the mud leisurely.

"Five rounds, now!",

orders Captain Rajveer, ignoring to look at Alekh.

"Kya?",

asks Alekh, wondering - has he misheard.

At this Rajveer looks towards him! His both brows raised up.

"Yes! Kya hua sunna nahi?",

he asks, smiling sarcastically.

"Par kyun...",

Alekh trails off as he remembers something.

While Captain Rajveer waits for him to continue, he gets surprised by his next word,

"Yes Sir!",

says Cadet Alekh, loudly and begins with his punishment, unaware why he is getting punished.

This brings a smile on Rajveer's face!

"That's why you are my favourite cadet, Cadet Alekh!",

mummers Rajveer, smiling proudly as Alekh leaves.

~*~*~

As he completes his rounds and reaches Rajveer, exhausted.

Rajveer embraces him by his shoulders, placing his right arm around his shoulders. They walk ahead together. Alekh feeling tired, exhausted and Captain Rajveer all calm!

"Cadet Alekh tumhe yaad hai kuch waqt pehle tumhare aur mere beech mein Naina ko lekar ek baat hui thi?",

asks Captain Rajveer, sarcastically.

"Sir apki to har baat ya to Naina se shuru ya Naina par khatam ya Naina se shuru aur Naina par hi khatam hoti hai. Ab apun ko kya pata aap konse baat ke barey mein baat kar rele ho?",

says Alekh, honestly.

This makes Rajveer to widen his eyes out of surprise and embarrassment.

He looks towards Alekh sheepishly.

Lowering his eyes, he clears his throat and say,

"Mera... mera ishara uss baat par tha..."

*Flashback*

"Yaar ye tumhari dost ko ho kya gaya hai?"

Alekh finds it amusing, he purses his lips and controls his laughter bubbling in his stomach. Acting to be serious, he places his right hand horizontally over his abdomen and his left hand standing erect on his right hand, such that the fingers of his left hand is touching his lips, he knits his brows melodramatically, turning his head towards Rajveer, as if seriously addressing him, he asks,

"Kyun kya hua?"

"Tabse ajeeb ajeeb harkatein kar rahi hai!",

says Rajveer, concerned.

This gives Alekh another fit of laughter which he controls by a great effort.

"Acha? Kyun Sir aisa kya kiya usne?",

asks Alekh, acting to be concerned.

"Matlab thodi der pehle mere room mein ayi thi...",

shares Rajveer.

Alekh stares him with full interest, his heart almost in his mouth, is his teacher going to share with him his personal stories? Like seriously? Wow!

Suddenly Rajveer remembers the moments he spent with her, his heart skips a beat. Widening his eyes as the realization dawns upon him, he thinks what was he going to do just now? He was about to share his feelings about a sister to her brother? How can he forget Alekh and his relationship status?

Rajveer looks towards him sheepishly. As their eyes meet the look away immediately, feeling shy - Rajveer on realizing what blooper he was about to make and Alekh on realizing what a situation he would have gone through had Rajveer made the blooper! He of course has no interest in knowing what goes on between Captain Rajveer and Naina behind the close doors!

But then he is her brother, he needs to make Rajveer learn that. So what if he is his teacher? Their teacher-student relationship is other thing and this relationship is entirely another thing. Alekh won't compromise when it comes to being Naina's brother, this he needs to make Rajveer aware of!

"To?",

asks Alekh, with voice bearing the dignity of a brother.

Now it's Rajveer's turn to escape from Naina's brother - Alekh's eyes.

"Nahi... Nahi mera matlab...",

says Captain Rajveer, stammering, as he senses that he has walked into a lion's den!

"Matlab usne kuch nahi kiya...!",

Rajveer tries to defend her.

"To fir kisne kiya?",

Alekh glares him.

It's then Rajveer realizes how while trying to defend Naina, he is putting himself into danger. Dealing with traitors, criminals is a different thing, a thing which Captain Rajveer never feels afraid of, but dealing with a brother of a girl, is altogether a different thing. And no denial it's a first for Rajveer, so he is nervous.

Holding his breath, Rajveer tries to explain,

"Dekho! Dekho Alekh, jaisa... jaisa tum soch rahe ho, waisa... waisa kuch nahi hai!"

Then suddenly he realizes what exactly is he doing? He is the teacher and Alekh is his student. Why is he getting afraid of his student? But then he is not only his student but Naina's brother too! That too over protective one.

Thoroughly in dilemma with his emotions, Rajveer shuts his eyes and sighs. Noticing his reactions, Alekh purses his lips, thoroughly enjoying this new side of Captain Rajveer. Alekh quickly changes his expressions to prior one, as Rajveer opens his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Rajveer looks towards Alekh, and warns him,

"Mera bhi din ayega! After all Neelu meri bhi kuch lagti hai",

winking, smiling teasingly, Rajveer turns and walks away.

Alekh's amusement flushes away and he stands there dumbstruck. When Captain Rajveer has said that, he will do that! And this Alekh knows very well.

Getting afraid, Alekh calls him nervously from behind,

"Sir... Sir... Sir..."

Rajveer, who is turned away from Alekh arches a brow and a smirk of victory comes on his face. Plastering a serious look, he waits for Alekh to reach him.

Reaching him, Alekh stammers whilst saying,

"Apun... apun to mazak kar raha tha. Aap bhi kya...!"

Smiling sarcastically, Rajveer bends a little towards Alekh's ear and whispers,

"Lekin apun mazak nahi kar raha tha!"

Getting away, Rajveer winks, smiling infectiously, and leaves, leaving behind a dumbstruck Alekh.

*Flashback ends*

"Haan to Sir? Apun... apun ko kuch samjh nahi aa rela!",

says Alekh, eyeing Rajveer, nervously.

Slapping his neck from behind, Rajveer says,

"Acha tumhe kuch samjh nahi aa raha?"

"Aaa... Sir... Sir...",

cries Alekh, as Rajveer twists his ear.

"Kya kaha tha tumne Naina se ke agar main haar gaya to usse punishment ke taur par mujhse baat karna band karna hoga?",

asks Rajveer.

"Aa... aa... aa... apun ne aisa kab kaha?",

asks Alekh, crying in pain as Captain Rajveer twists his ear.

"Acha aisa nahi kaha?",

asks Captain Rajveer leaving his ear and narrowing his eyes on to Alekh.

Rubbing his burning ear, Alekh says,

"Apun ne to ye kaha tha ke...",

whilst saying so he slowly gets away from Captain Rajveer,

"Agar Captain Abhimanyu jeet gaye to wo apse ek hafte tak baat nahi karegi!",

saying so he runs away.

"Teri to...",

saying so Rajveer runs after him and finally gets hold of him.

Both breathless! Rajveer embraces Alekh by his shoulders and says,

"Cadet Alekh wo mujhse baat nahi kar rahi thi!"

Alekh could sense sadness in Rajveer's voice.

"Haan to theek hai na Sir, aap kayeko tension lete ho? Acha hai na ab wo apke samne akar bak-bak to nahi karegi!",

saying so he through his peripheral vision tries to gauge Rajveer's reaction to his words.

After thinking for moments about what Alekh said, Rajveer looks towards him, all serious.

(Alekh's background tune begins)

"Kya hua Sir? Apne apun ki baat maan li isliye apun ko dekh rahe ho ya apko apun ki baat pasand nahi ayi isliye apun ko dekh rahe ho?",

asks Alekh, smiling lovingly at Rajveer.

Rajveer lowers his eyes.

Looking ahead, Alekh says,

"Iss saley dil ka locha hi apun ko samajh nahi aata! Jab Neelu apun ke paas hoti hai, apun usse durr bhagta hai. Wo apun se humesha baat karne ke bahane dhundhti hai aur apun... apun zadatar chup hi rehta hai."

Rajveer listens to him patiently, understanding what he is implying to him.

"Apun ke saath to na Neelu ka bhai hai na uska parivaar...",

says Alekh, smiling sadly.

Turning to look towards Rajveer he looks straight into his eyes and says,

"Apke saath to Naina ke do (2) bhai hain! Aap kayeko darr rahe ho?"

Alekh's words make Rajveer's eyes to brim with tears. He embraces Alekh into a warm hug!

"Jaiye jakar usse baat kar lijiye. Wo bhi apse baat karne ke liye utna hi tadap rahi hogi jitna ke aap tadap rahe hain.",

smiles Alekh.

Rajveer blushes. Hugging him, he leaves. Alekh smiles seeing Rajveer leaving happily.

"Kash apke chehre par ye muskaan yunhi bani rahe.",

blesses Alekh, smiling.

~*~*~

As Alekh was walking through the corridor, Naina runs to him and asks him in urgency,

"Alekh tu ne Rajveer Sir ko dekha?"

Alekh arches a brow, acting to be serious, he asks,

"Nahi to! Kyun kuch baat karni thi kya?",

he emphasizes on 'baap'!

Naina glares him. This makes Alekh to laugh.

"Kayeko tashion dikha reli hai? Ja jakar baat karle!",

says Alekh.

"Main tashion dikha rahi hun? Tu nahi janta Alekh such janne ke baad wo mujhse baat hi nahi kar rahe!",

says Naina, pissed off. Suddenly understanding the blooper made, Naina holds her tongue.

"Kya tu ne bata diya?",

asks Alekh, acting to be shocked.

"Haan to... unhone aise pucha ke...",

says Naina, lowering her eyes, hesitantly.

"Kaise pucha?",

asks Alekh, raising his right brow, hiding his amusement on finding Naina nervous.

"Nahi... matlab... waisa... waisa kuch nahi pucha...",

Naina tries to make him understand.

"To kaisa pucha?",

asks Alekh, holding his waist from either side, knitting his brows.

Pissed off Naina scolds him, looking at him, creasing her brows,

"Alekh main tere aur Neelu ke beech kya baatein hoti hain wo puchti hun kya?"

"Ek minute tere aur Rajveer Sir ke rishte se apun ke aur Neelu ke rishte ka kya lena dena?",

asks Alekh, teasingly, showing that he didn't really get how she is showing resemblance between the two situations.

This skips Naina's heartbeat.

"Nahi... nahi... lena dena kuch nahi... matlab... I mean wo tum dono ki personal baat hai to...",

Naina tries to rectify her words but fails miserably.

Alekh secretly enjoys witnessing this state of Naina.

Taking pity on her, Alekh acts to be really grateful to Naina and says, shrugging off her words,

"Theek hai... theek hai rehne de!"

Naina sighs in relief.

Alekh enjoys witnessing Naina's current state.

"Wo apne room mein honge ja jakar mil le.",

says Alekh, showing attitude.

Naina blushes. Alekh smiles with all his heart.

"Baat bhi kar liyo!",

he adds, winking.

Blushing she shakes her head and says,

"Bye baad mein baat karti hun!"

Saying so she leaves.

~*~*~

As Naina rushes towards Rajveer's room she gets collided with someone. She would have hit the ground had two strong arms not saved her from the follow. No need to mention that her heart almost came to her mouth but it went back to it's place as she realized that she has been saved.

Two pretty eyes are staring her but they are full of rage! But the pair of eyes she is staring right now contains nothing but humbleness and could be a little more which Naina fails to acknowledge.

"Aap theek hain?",

asks Captain Chauhan, smiling politely, holding Naina still.

Naina getting out of her reverie, quickly nods her head into affirmative to get out of the awkward situation, unaware of the fact that the damage has already been done!

Captain Abhimanyu, sets her straight, smiling politely. Self consciously, Naina lowers her eyes and then looks towards Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu keeps staring her, smiling throughout.

"You seem to be in a good mood!",

says Abhimanyu, smiling.

Naina looks towards him and smiles.

"Aap kahin ja rahe the?",

asks Naina, politely.

"Haan aise hi bahar thandi taazi hawa khaney.",

smiles Abhimanyu.

Naina smiles too.

"Aap chalengi?",

proposes Abhimanyu.

"Ahmm... nahi abhi actually...",

as she was about to continue, Abhimanyu intervenes,

"Abhi nahi... fir kabhi... aaj busy hun...!!!",

saying so he looks towards her, smiling.

"Itna hesitation kyun? Itna sochna kyun? Kyun aap khush rehne se durr bhagti hain?",

asks Abhimanyu.

Naina looks towards him and lowers her eyes again.

"Dekhiye hum apko force nahi kar rahein. Par you hardly give yourself the freedom to enjoy the life!",

states Abhimanyu, politely.

"Kyunki meri zindagi ka ek maksat hai. Aur jab tak main wo pura na kar lun, mujhe khush hone ka koi haq nahi!",

she says, anger surging through her afresh.

May be this doesn't go well with the on looker and unable to control himself anymore he chooses to intervene.

"Kya haal hai Chauhan Sahab?",

asks Rajveer, walking towards them his hands tugged into his pants pockets; his face bearing a smile; his eyes on Captain Chauhan and ignoring Naina's presence there.

His sudden voice skips Naina's heartbeat. She turns to look towards Rajveer.

His eyes though were not on her but obviously he was noticing every move and expression of Naina.

"Itefaq ki baat hai ke hum teeno fir yahin miley. Almost same situation mein jaise pehle miley the?",

says Rajveer, smiling.

Naina could get the taunt yet again.

"Oh main apse puch to sakta hun na ye, after all aap ab Vice Principal bann gaye hain to...",

smiles Rajveer, sarcastically.

"Humein jalne ki bu kyun aa rahi hai Raj?",

asks Captain Chauhan.

Rajveer smiles sarcastically, bowing his head, closing his eyes.

He looks back towards Abhimanyu and earnestly says,

"Yakeen mano Chauhan tumhari jeet se main behad khush hun."

Looking towards Naina through his peripheral vision, Rajveer says,

"Log bhaley hi bhatak jaye, par mere iradein buland hain. Main kabhi raaste se nahi bhatkunga.",

he focuses back on Abhimanyu, smiling.

Naina could feel that he is directing his words towards her. She stares him apologetically.

"Waise I must say, apke cadets zarur apko bohot pyar karte hain, jo apki jeet mein; apki khushi mein apka saath de rahe hain.",

he adds sarcastically still.

Naina's heart skips a beat.

"I am glad aap unse apne dil ki baat khul kar bol pa rahe hain and they too are reciprocating equally.",

smile Rajveer.

"Warna hum to aj kal awaz sunne tak ko taras jatey hain!",

he says sarcastically again.

His each word has it's affect on Naina. Each word pierces her heart. But helpless she stays numb there.

"Anyways, I have some work so... you guys carry on!",

says Rajveer, smiling infectiously, looking towards Abhimanyu and as he turns to look towards Naina, his smile vanishes.

Giving her a last look, he walks towards his room.

Understanding that he is angry on her, and she needs to sort out the matter, she calls Rajveer hurriedly, before he could get into his room,

"Excuse me Sir."

This comes as a surprise for Rajveer. Knitting his brows he turns to look towards Naina.

Walking to him hesitantly, Naina says,

"Ahmm... Sir actually mujhe apse kuch important discuss karna hai if you don't mind!"

Naina looks towards Captain Abhimanyu, smiling a little, politely.

"Mujhse?",

asks Captain Rajveer, surprised.

Naina stares him. Rajveer stares back.

Remembering Captain Chauhan's presence there, he quickly lowers his eyes and looks towards Chauhan to know his reaction. He finds him staring them quizzically. Trying to clear the air of mystery, Rajveer looks towards Naina and quickly says,

"Okay chaliye room mein chal kar baat karte hain!",

trying to clear the air of confusion that's prevailing amongst the three of them.

Smiling politely towards Abhimanyu, Naina leaves for Rajveer's room.

Giving a last look towards Abhimanyu, Rajveer leaves too.

~*~*~

(Slow Rajveer-Naina tune begins)

Naina enters his room first followed by Rajveer. Rajveer stares her while her back is turned towards him.

Lowering his eyes, he takes a deep breath and showing himself to be busy, locking the door and picking up a file from his desk, asks Naina,

"Kahiye Cadet Singh kya baat hai?"

Naina slowly turns and looks towards Rajveer.

"Ahmm... kya aap mujhse gussa hain?",

asks Naina, hesitantly.

Laughing sarcastically, Rajveer asks,

"Main tumse kyun gussa hone laga Cadet Singh?"

Naina lowers her eyes, knowing that he is lying.

She chooses to change the topic,

"Ahmm... wo kal... ghar ja rahi hun!"

(Slow Rajveer-Naina tune begins)

This skips Rajveer's heartbeat. He goes all serious. He doesn't turn to look towards Naina.

Nervous of his reaction, Naina stays quiet.

Closing the file out of frustration, Rajveer stays quiet.

"Ahm... socha apko bata dun....",

says Naina hesitantly, when she doesn't get his reply in words.

"Aap chalenge mujhe chorne?",

asks Naina, skeptically.

At this Rajveer turns to look towards Naina, his forhead bearing lines of anger.

"Bus ya aur bhi kuch kehna hai?",

asks Rajveer, in a straight forward way.

This skips Naina's heartbeat.

"Nahi... bus janna tha...",

says Naina, expectantly.

"Ahmm... main... main chalti hun.",

says Naina, hesitantly and quickly walks away to leave.

"Naina!",

calls Rajveer, never looking towards Naina.

Naina halts on her track.

"Kal subah 0800 hours par niklenge, jaldi pohnch jayenge.",

informs Rajveer, still not looking towards Naina.

Naina's heart skips a beat on hearing that and she turns to look towards him, her eyes brimming with tears of happiness. Rajveer too, takes his eyes away from the file and looks towards Naina.

Naina gets the urge to hug him, but controls her feelings, knowing that they don't really share such a bond.

Rajveer understanding her feelings, too looks towards her cravingly.

Rajveer gloriously walks towards Naina, never ending the eye contact. Naina's heart starts beating at a tremendous speed. Her breath hitches. As he reaches closer to her, she starts taking backward steps. Soon her back hits against the wall. Rajveer smiles a little and places his right hand on the wall, such that he is hovering her.

Standing so close to her, he could now see her chest expanding and contracting at a tremendous speed.
He doesn't say anything and keeps staring her. This he does on purpose. He understands she is eager to know what he has to say to her and hence get done with this torture. But this is exactly what he wants to do with her - torture her for a little longer period, by staying quiet and kill her bit by bit by anticipation.

"Kya hua? Itne time mujhse bina baat kiye rahi ho, aur ab khamoshi bardasht nahi ho rahi meri?",

teases Rajveer.

Naina stares him, her heart throbbing inside her chest. Slowly she lowers her eyes.

"Kabhi socha hai ke main kaise reh raha tha tumhari awaz bina sunne?",

asks Rajveer, his voice low but intense.

Naina stares him, feeling guilty.

"Bolo Naina I want to hear you!",

orders Rajveer.

"Ye sub apko harne se pehle sochna chahiye tha!",

she says, showing off her anger towards him, looking away.

Laughing silently at her innocent reply, Rajveer never looking away from her, teases her by saying,

"Tum mujhe pehle bata deti ke tumne shart rakhi hai Alekh ke saath to main harta hi nahi."

Naina glares him.

"Ab ye to galat baat hai na ek to haara main uske baad kahan tum mujhse baat karke, mere saath reh kar mera mind divert karogi, yahan to mujhe harne ki saza mil rahi hai.",

says Rajveer, acting to be deeply hurt.

Naina stares him unbelievably.
This makes him to blush.

"Ab agar maine ye keh diya ke tumne ye faltu ke shart rakhey Alekh ke saath, mujhe tumse baat nahi karni to?",

asks Rajveer, knitting his brows.

Naina stares him, shocked.

"Hum kya yahan dumsharas khel rahe hain?",

asks Naina, angrily.

"Ye baat to mujhe apse puchni chahiye madam!",

says Rajveer, narrowing his eyes on her.

Naina blushes.

"Aur tumne kya soch rakha tha? Hum tumhare ghar aise maunvrat dharan karke jatey?",

asks Rajveer, pissed off.

This makes Naina to laugh out loud.

(Rajveer-Naina happy tune begins)

"Maunvrat? Karwachauth vrat?",

she remembers his words and laughs.

Rajveer knits his brows all the more.

Naina laughs all the more.

"Apko pata hai aap kitne sweet lag rahe the! You were surely pissed off!",

Naina laughs all the more.

"The hell I was pissed off! Yaar tum baat nahi kar rahi thi. Do you even know mujhe kitna gussa aa rha tha? I was feeling so helpless!",

scolds Rajveer.

Naina shuts down, feeling his helplessness.

"I am sorry!",

she apologizes politely.

"Naina main ek baar pehle hi tumhari khamoshi seh chuka hun. It terrifies me!",

he confesses, earnestly, urgently, knitting his brows.

A knot forms in Naina's heart as now she could feel him all the more.

"I... I am really sorry. I didn't know main jane-anjane mein apko itna hurt kar dungi!",

she apologizes.

Rajveer keeps staring her, Naina stares back too, all serious and apologetic.

(Slow Rajveer-Naina flute tune begins)

"Par ab aap kyun gussa ho rahe hain? Ab to hum baat kar rahe hain na?",

asks Naina, smiling hesitantly.

Rajveer stares her, a bit frustrated about the fact that he can't touch her; hug her.

Naina craves for the same and gets frustrated too. She lowers her eyes and calms down her breathing rate.

Staring her for sometime, Rajveer, giving her an intense look, his voice deep, asks her,

"Tum shart ke liye haan bhi kaise bol payi Naina?"

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

Naina's heartbeat picks up pace.

The realization makes her feel guilty.

No other words are exchanged for further few minutes between them. Rajveer keeps staring her, breathing evenly and Naina keeps her eyes lowered out of guilt.

"Main khud se apko durr nahi kar rahi. Na hi shart ki wajah se aur na hi Captain Abhimanyu ki wajah se!",

she lets him know. Her voice low yet intense to make her point clear.

Rajveer stares her, knowing that she is being sincere, he smiles a little.

"Mujhse baat karna kabhi band mat karna!",

he says, looking straight into her eyes.

"I promise!",

she smiles.

"Ab main apse kuch mangu to denge?",

asks Naina.

"Anything!",

smiles Rajveer.

"Main bhaley hi Captain Abhimanyu se baat karti hun. But main humesha team 'Rajveer' mein hun. Iss baat par kabhi aap shaq mat karna!",

she says earnestly.

Rajveer blushes on that and accepts her words, nodding his head into affirmative.

This makes Naina to smile too.

"Ahmm... ab main chalti hun. And kal 0800 hours par milte hain?",

confirms Naina.

Rajveer nods his head into affirmative, smiling politely.
Giving him a last look she leaves.