In the evening

Reaching Rajveer's room, Abhimanyu walks to the bar and fills himself a glass of water and Raj walks towards the sofa. Whilst filling his glass, Abhimanyu says,

"Waise I must say, I am very impressed with Naina!"

His words succeed in dragging Raj's attention. He looks towards Abhimanyu. Jealousy surges through him yet again but he refuses to acknowledge. The smile on his face fades, but he refuses to acknowledge!

"Ahmm... bohot clear headed hai! Bohot focused hai!",

says Abhimanyu, smiling as he thinks about Naina.

Rajveer although bearing a constant smile, a fade one, on his face, controls his anger on hearing Abhimanyu's words.

The little smile on Raj's face doesn't let Abhimanyu to get acknowledged to the real feeling surging through Rajveer!

"I think she is your... best student!",

smiles Abhimanyu.

Smiling sarcastically, sarcasm which Abhimanyu fails to acknowledge, looking away on hearing his words, Rajveer walking towards the center table, and whilst picking up a pen from the table says,

"Haan Chauhan Sahab..."

"...yeah she is my....",

he continues, picking up the pen, thinking about Naina constantly.

Drifting his eyes towards the pen, he completes his line,

"Best cadet!"

Thinking something, he adds further,

"Lekin maine uske liye kabhi kuch nahi kiya!"

This drags Abhimanyu's attention.

"Usne jo kuch bhi kiya hai uska sara credit; uska sara shrey, khud Cadet Singh ko jata hai",

says Rajveer.

"Haan lekin meri pehchan, mere cadets hi hain, that's it!",

says Raj, looking towards Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu smiles at this, looking towards Raj.

"Thanks Raj, humare saath kuch pal bitaney ke liye. I really needed this",

Abhimanyu shows his gratification towards Raj.

"Chauhan tum jante ho mere room ke aur mere dil ke darwaze tumhare liye humesha khule hain!",

reminds Raj, pleading Abhimanyu through his words to return back to him and end this war.

Lowering his eyes, smiling, Abhimanyu places the glass on the centre table. Looking towards Raj, still smiling, he walks to him. Holding him by both of his upper arms, he says,

"Raj, mere dost jung ek taraf aur dosti ek taraf. I told you mera tumse koi personal issues nahi hai. Ye meri khud se jung hai..."

"Aur iss jung mein kahin main apne dost ko na kho dun!",

says Rajveer, looking towards Chauhan, expectantly.

"Zindagi mein haar-jeet; khona-pana to laga hi rehta hai na Raj?",

smiles Abhimanyu.

Raj stares him.

"Chaliye ab hum chalte hain, next drill ki taiyari bhi karni hai. Kal band jo bajani hai apki",

winks Captain Abhimanyu.

Raj stares him, almost like glaring him.

Smiling, Abhimanyu extends his hand and says,

"All the best nahi kahoge dost?"

(Abhimanyu's tune begins in the background)

Rajveer doesn't react and glares him.

Smiling, Abhimanyu pulls back his hand.

While Captain Abhimanyu exits the room, Naina enters, hence they almost collide with each other. Rajveer doesn't fail to notice the change in Naina's and Abhimanyu's expressions. Where on one hand Naina looks flustered, in a dilemma about how to react - whether to smile politely or cascade down her eyes, there on the other hand Abhimanyu keeps his constant gaze on her, smiling throughout. Rajveer burns out of jealousy.

"Naina mere medicines de do please!",

he says, as Naina and Abhimanyu's stare becomes unbearable for Rajveer.

"Ahmm... jee Sir!",

says Naina.

Smiling hesitantly one last time towards Abhimanyu, Naina turns to give Rajveer the medicines.

Smiling, Abhimanyu leaves the room.

Nothing goes unnoticed by Rajveer. Jealousy hightens inside him.

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)

"Tum hairan thi na jab maine 'dushmani' ki baat ki thi? Dekh liya kya ho raha hai? Dekh liya Chauhan ka junoon?",

says Rajveer, pissed off. But what's exactly irritating him - Chauhan's sudden change in behaviour or his growing friendship with Naina, his Cadet Naina Ah Singh?

"Abhimanyu bhi apko apna dost mante hain, theek ussi tarah jis tarah aap mante hain unhe apna dost!",

Naina tries to make him understand. Rajveer looks towards her, his jealousy increases at her comment!

"Kuch hi palon mein kafi achi tarah samjh gayi ho tum Chauhan ko!",

taunts Rajveer, glaring her.

"Mujhse frankly baat karne mein tumne kafi waqt lagaya tha. Mujhey laga tha ki shayad ye tumhara nature hai, kisi par itni aasani se trust nahi karti!"

Naina's cheeks start warming up as she feels his each word!

Smirking, he adds,

"Ab to lag raha hai shayad mujh mein hi koi kami rahi hogi jo tum mujh par trust nahi kar payi!"

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins as they stare each other - Rajveer out of anger; and Naina out of guilt)

"You know Naina what hurts me the most?",

asks Rajveer, his eyes cascaded down.

Naina's heart picks up pace as she anticipates something negative coming her way.

Looking towards Naina intensely, he says,

"Main apni ankhon ke samne tumhe khud se durr jatey hue dekh raha hun aur main kuch nahi kar pa raha!"

(Fast Rajveer-Naina tune begins)

Naina's heart clenches at hearing this. How can he even think this way?

"Main apse durr ja rahi hun?",

she asks, shocked, deeply hurt.

"Avoid aap mujhey kar rahe hain, aur aap keh rahe hain ke main apse durr ja rahi hun?",

asks Naina.

"Avoid Naina? Appraisals ke baad ghar tum jana chahti ho aur tum mujhse keh rahi ho ke main tumhe avoid kar raha hun?",

retorts back Rajveer.

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

Suddenly they realize what they are doing, they are literally fighting like a pair; like husband and wife! Quickly they look away.

"I.... I am sorry...!",

apologizes Rajveer.

"Ahmm... kal subah jaldi uthna hai, apki tabiyat bhi theek nahi hai, jaldi so jayiyega warna aap jaldi uth nahi payenge",

suggests Naina, her eyes cascaded down out of hesitation.

Rajveer looks towards her, feeling guilty but tends to remain silent.

(Slow Rajveer-Naina flute tune begins)

Looking towards him for the last time, when they enjoy an eye lock, where Rajveer through his that one look pleads Naina to come closer to him and Naina keeps her stand that she won't, Naina turns away, although unwillingly, and leaves.

~*~*~

Next morning in Captain Rajveer's room

Preparing his gun, Captain Rajveer all set for the test, explains Naina about the final test they are heading towards.

"Cadet Singh ye final test, faculty members ke sirf skills ka hi test nahi; balki ye faculty members aur cadets ke beech trust ka test bhi hai!",

explains Captain Rajveer.

"Tum par kisi bhi tarah ka pressure nahi hai. Agar tum chaho to opt out kar sakti ho!",

says Rajveer, earnestly.

"Haan agar uske bawajud bhi tum participate karna chahti ho to ek sawal khudse zarur puch lena...",

suggests Captain Rajveer.

"Kya tumhe mujh par bharosa hai?",

Captain Rajveer completes his line.

Turning to look towards Captain Rajveer, while Rajveer's back is turned towards her face, Naina instead of giving a direct answer, asks him,

"Apko yaad hai Sir, mentorship programme par janey se pehle apne mujhey apne room mein bulaya tha?"

*Flashback*

Author's note

Kindly go and read my OS : Rajveer-Naina Palchin as I want to show exactly that scene here. After having read that return back here for this story. 😊 Thank you! 😊❤

*Flashback ends*

"Ab aap bataiye Sir, kya main aap par bharosa karti hun?",

asks Naina, dragging Rajveer out of his reverie.

(Rajveer-Naina happy tune begins)

Rajveer looks towards her with his twinkling eyes and heart filled with happiness on listening to her reply. Naina smiles too with all her heart, seeing him smiling.

Smiling, she, for his ultimate satisfaction, at last words her feelings,

"Mujhey aap par pura bharosa hai Sir!"

Her eyes reflect her confidence in him.

Smiling, with a content heart, he asks out of formality,

"Sure?"

Naina smiling, arches a brow, daring him to ask again. Rajveer blushes and lowers his eyes, which in turn makes Naina to blush.

"Well I guess, it's the show time then!",

he tells her, looking straight into her eyes.

"All the best!",

wishes Captain Rajveer, smiling, setting his pistol.

"To you too!",

wishes Naina, smiling confidently.

~*~*~

The final round starts after Brigadier Chandok explains the rules to all. One by one all pairs perform.

Soon Captain Rajveer and Cadet Naina's turn arrives. They set themselves in their alloted positions. Captain Rajveer prepares his gun. Inside he has been fighting with thousand demons since last night.

The conversation he had with Naina in his room wasn't to calm down Naina's nervousness! It was basically a measure to calm down his own nervousness! After the chat he did feel slightly better. He did get confidence that he can do this. But now that he has reached the ultimate destination; he can feel the nervousness surfacing his heart again. The nervousness which never actually died!

It is surprising how Rajveer and Naina are facing a role reversal! Normally it has always been Captain Rajveer who has been boosting Cadet Naina at the time of need of boost ups. But today Rajveer is seeking boosts from Naina's confidence in him; will power and determination to perform this test. Although secretly; but he indeed is trying to gain confidence by witnessing Naina's confidence.

The fact that she is trusting the man with her life whom she was accusing to be her brother's killer uptil a few days ago; gives him confidence. But that confidence is minor in comparison to the amount of guilt he is carrying in his heart, of killing her brother. But is this the only reason for his nervousness? Or is there some other reason?

Is it that he doesn't want to lose someone again by his own hands? Someone whom he trusts; someone whom he considers to be near to him; someone he loves?

The one who has secretly vowed to save Naina from all the cruelty of life; is standing in front of her with a gun pointed towards her! How can this keep him calm? What if he misses the shot and the bullet strikes Naina instead? What would he do?

He understands that Naina has immense trust in him. The trust and confidence they share, he has no doubt about it. The confidence in her eyes, tells it all. Not that he needed any proof! Her confidence breaks and mends Rajveer's heart, both at the same time. Breaks, because he gets nervous, will he able to respect her trust? Mends, because her confidence in him, gives him all the power he needs to complete this challenge successfully.

*Naveen's voiceover*

Aaj ye pal Rajveer ke liye bohot bhaari hai. Kyunki Naina uske liye sirf uske mritak dost ki behn hi nahi, balki usse bhi kayi zada hai!

Clearing his head, he focuses on his goal. He succeeds in shooting the first goal. Naina's confidence in him increases. Rajveer shoots the second apple too, perfectly. Naina of course didn't have any doubt about his expertise. Her smile of victory widens. Now he focuses on the third and ultimate goal - the apple placed exactly at the centre of her head. As he was about to shoot, he discovers that despite of pressing the trigger, the bullet didn't come out! Or is it that his nervousness is taking a toll on him?

He gives another try, and discovers, Naina smiling at him with full confidence in him, she closes her eyes, just to make him realize how strong is her confidence in him! How nothing can shatter her confidence in him!

Her immense trust in him, instead of giving him courage, makes him to feel nervous. Without much force, the moments when he gave freedom to Naveen, by pressing the trigger, comes rushing back to him. But when did he ever forget that? When has he gotten over it? When has that moment not haunted him, since that day?

His confidence in himself shatters a wee bit. He lowers his eyes. The proper visibility of his jawline makes it clear how he is fighting inside and resisting himself from doing a lot of things, only if anyone would have noticed; thought in that way! Only and only Rajveer knows what exactly is he going through at this moment.

His blinking of his eyes, more than required is yet another proof of his nervousness! At this moment, he must be regretting the fact that he has already skipped a drill and cannot skip another, unless he wants to fail this whole test! That of course he cannot do, because with this drill not only his future is attached, but Naina's too! He cannot let her fail on his cost. No! So skipping it is not even a choice here.

'Mujhey aap par pura bharosa hai!',

her words ring in his ears, increasing his rate of heartbeat.

Shutting his eyes, taking deep breath, boosting himself up; calming himself down, Rajveer opens his eyes and looks towards Naina. Naina who was getting a bit tensed on witnessing his nervousness, smiles as he looks towards her.

"Come on Sir!",

she mummers, smiling, her eyes twinkling with confidence in him.

Focusing back on his goal, he shoots...!!!

While all including Captain Abhimanyu and Brigadier Chandok were so sure that he wouldn't miss the shot as he is an expert in shooting; there they get surprised when Captain Rajveer misses the last shot!

Standing at her place, Naina removes the apple off her head, never meeting Rajveer's eyes, as if she could see it coming. Rajveer craved to look into her eyes, to know what she is feeling. He already is fighting with his demons. Is it necessary for her to make it more chaotic?

When he doesn't get a chance to meet her eyes, he turns around with a heart filled with guilt and regret.

Guilt, as the past haunts him again. And regret, that the only scope of feeling relaxed, has been snatched from him, as Naina refrains from looking towards him. Is she upset that they couldn't excel the round? Is she angry with him? Will she understand him? Or worst, has she understood something?

Rajveer stares her expectantly but she doesn't look towards him at all.

The lines of disappointment on his favourite teacher's failure, becomes visible in Brigadier Chandok's face. Naina throws away the apple in anger and leaves. Captain Rajveer takes his seat, ignoring to look towards a pissed off Naina.

As Rajveer sits, and dares to look towards Naina, hesitantly, he realizes that Naina is not present there at all.

(Fast Rajveer-Naina tune begins)

He does get tensed, knowing how she can behave childish sometimes, when in bad mood. His heartbeat picks up pace, but completely aware of everyone's presence around, he keeps himself under check, turning his right hand into fist and the left hand holding the handle of the chair he is sitting on, tightly.

At first he decides to stay and wait for her to return, she must be out to use the washroom. But whom is he consoling giving these useless reasons? He knows exactly how much pissed off she must be right now on him and is surely out there somewhere, stay away from all; especially from him!

But is it her fault if she is doing this? She has all rights to do it! She needs answers to her questions. She needs to clear out her mind. And all that, only he can do!

Out of frustration, Rajveer gets up.

Taking permission from Brigadier Chandok, he leaves, of course he has done with his turn, so his presence is not that important.

An angry, agitated Rajveer, walks towards the way through which Naina just left.

The sudden increase in the pouring of rain, drenches his uniform in no time!

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)

"Naina!",

calls out Rajveer, almost like shouting at her. The shout is not only out of anger and irritation on her but also because he needs to make himself audible over the sound of drastic rain pour.

Naina of course hears him calling her out but she is in no mood to stop. And as for other KMA members present at the ground, Rajveer and Naina are now far away from their ear shots and thanks to the rain that's prohibiting them all the more to hear what's going on between Captain Rajveer and Cadet Naina.

"Meri baat to sunno",

calls out Rajveer, thoroughly pissed off.

Till now Rajveer was at ease, he wasn't using the power of a soldier. He has always tried to keep those powers at bay when he is in KMA, especially around Naina. But this situation is going out of his control. Who the hell does she think of herself, for reacting so rudely to Captain Rajveer? But wait if not she so who has the rights to get angry with him? And whom exactly is he trying to stop right now - his protegee Cadet Naina or Naina?

As the thought strikes him, his descending steps towards her freeze! Sticking to his place, getting drenched thoroughly, he looks again towards Naina, but this time with a new realization. The realization succeeds in giving an adrenaline rush to him.

Looking towards a walking away Naina, in anger, Rajveer walks towards her again, at a soldier's speed. In no time he reaches her side. When Naina thinks that he would say something, whilst still walking, he surprises her as he holds her by her wrist, not caring to look towards her to know how hurt she must be right now. If she is hurt, then he is hurt too - thanks to her reaction!

Pulling her with him, his eyes blazing with anger, Rajveer walks towards a nearby tree as he assumes that he doesn't have patience to return back into the academy and into his room to question her, demand her the reason of her sudden change in behaviour towards her.

He pushes her towards the bark of the tree, as if he has full rights to do so with her. Had it been Pooja in place of her, would he dare to act so rudely to her? Despite the fact that she would have been his protegee?

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune continues as they keep glaring each other, anger evident in both the pairs of eyes. But with Rajveer, it is at a higher magnitude!)

While Rajveer expects Naina to maintain the glare, Naina lowers her eyes. This frustrates him all the more.

"Meri taraf dekho Naina!",

he orders.

At first Naina tries to resist, but the pressure he puts on her wrists, makes it evident that he is not taking a 'no' from her, right now!

Naina looks back towards him.

"Tum mujhse dur kyun bhaag rahi ho?",

he demands, as if it's becoming insufferable for him, to see her going away from him.

"Aap jaan bujh kar harey na?",

demands Naina.

His hold on her hands relaxes a wee bit on hearing her. His knitted brows relax too.

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)

"Naina...",

he begins to explain something, but what, he himself couldn't comprehend. Hence he trails off the sentence, expecting that she would understand his situation, because that's really very important for her, to understand his situation!

Understand she does, hence a knot forms in her throat as she realizes that there is something which is bothering him.

"Kya aap mujhse kuch chupa rahe hain Sir?",

asks Naina, suspeciously.

This takes Rajveer by shock.

(Fast Rajveer-Naina tune begins)

Rajveer and Naina keep staring each other. Rajveer nervously as if he has been caught doing something offensive and Naina determined to get a reply from him.

"Aisi... aisi... koi baat nahi hai!",

says Rajveer, ignoring to look towards her, out of hesitation.

"Apko darr tha ke aap mujhey kho na de, jaise apne Naveen bhaiya ko kho diya. Right?",

her question takes him by surprise yet again.

Yes, no denial that it was also one of the reasons for his nervousness. But was it the only reason?

"Aap nervous hue ye soch kar ke itihaas firse khudko dohra raha hai. Hai na?",

she asks him, hurt audible in her voice.

Rajveer cascades down his eyes out of guilt and nervousness. This hurts Naina to the core.

Her heartbeat picks up pace,

"Aap... aap aisa soch bhi kaise sakte hain Sir? Jab mujhey aap par pura bharosa hai, to apka khud par se vishwas kyun dagmagaya Sir?",

she asks, raising her voice out of frustration.

"Aur... kya hota? Zada se zada ek goli hi chalti na mujh par? Itni kamzor nahi hun ke ek goli se mar jaun!",

blurts Naina.

"Naina!",

shouts Rajveer, covering her mouth with his hand, refraining her to speak further; regretting that he couldn't stop her from uttering those words.

How dare she said that? Does she not know that she is his protegee?

Pointing an index finger towards her, with a stern look, he warns her,

"Aaj keh liya...",

shaking his head, his stern gaze never leaving her,

"Dobara ye baat mat kehna!"

Lowering her eyes, out of nervousness, on witnessing his possessiveness towards her, Naina looks back towards him with a new determination.

"Aaj apne apni zindagi ki uss succhai ko, apni duty, apne lakshya ke agey aney de diya hai....",

shaking her head, her stern gaze never leaving him,

"Dobara ye kabhi mat kariyega!"

This skips Rajveer's heartbeat. How could he forget how bold his Naina is? He stares her, his eyes wide open out of shock on witnessing this Naina.

Soon a smile stretches on his lips. Is he mocking her? She is damn serious!
Rajveer's eyes arrest her trembling lips. Trembling, not out of fear of him but out of cold and shivering.

"Chalo, ander chalte hain. Mess mein jakar coffee pitey hain. Tumhe thand lag rahi hogi",

suggests Rajveer, smiling.

Naina nods her head in agreement.

"Alekh aur tumhare baki friends bhi wahan aa jayenge ya may be wohin ho",

says Rajveer, thinking.

And the thought of Alekh, drains blood out of Naina's face!