1. Rajveer-Naina Pyar Kyun Ho Gaya
Naina finds Rajveer standing at a corner, resting his elbow on the side table. She notices how he is looking at the proceedings of Christmas party but is really not enjoying it. She doesn't understand why she gets an urge to reach him. She doesn't have anything important to talk, but this feeling of him drifting away from her, is killing her slowly. She fails to understand why is she feeling so, may be it is just her illusion and he is not exactly ignoring her. But something inside her doesn't let her drift her mind from this issue. He certainly is ignoring her!
The only way to get out of this chaos is by asking him directly. With a determination to ask him; mingled with a lot of nervousness, Naina walks to Captain Rajveer.
Rajveer who had been trying to ignore her this long, could see this situation coming. His heartbeat picks up pace. He realizes that now he has no other way to ignore her.
No! it's not that he is hating the fact that she is here. In fact only he knows how he was trying to keep his emotions under control. How he uptil now refrained himself from reaching her. But deep down he was sure, even if he controls himself, she would reach him by some means. Unable to meet her eyes, while she walks towards him, Rajveer tries to look anywhere but towards her, trying to distract his mind. But how hard he tries, he fails to bring his feet to move to the opposite direction and hence ignore her altogether! But yes he certainly wanted her to stay away from him because he knows the eyes of so many, especially few pairs of devil eyes wouldn't escape from hunting them down the moment they get together and this is exactly what he doesn't want. He wants to keep her safe, away from their eyes and he wants the same for himself.
She ends up reaching him anyhow. Taking a deep breath, he greets her, smiling,
"Cadet Naina Singh, how are you?"
His eyes on their own accord lower, as he utters the words. Of course it is not that it irks Rajveer to look towards Naina. Not at all! Well if asked, he can look at her the whole day long. Then it would rather turn out to be Naina who would lower her eyes every now and then, feeling extremely shy and uncomfortable under his constant gaze.
But at this particular moment, and the tension that's prevailing in KMA because of them, he doesn't want to encourage it by any means. He rather would go to whatever extent needed to calm the on going gossips down, only if everything would have been in his hands!
But how hard might he try, he cannot refrain from accepting the fact that as much as she is enjoying his presence, he is enjoying her presence around him too. He cannot deny that had she chosen to ignore him, it would have hurt him!
"Good evening Sir, I am fine!",
greets Naina, standing next to him, completely oblivious to what her standing near him is doing to his insides!
Rajveer chooses to look straight ahead, a measure to keep an eye on everyone who might be noticing them together. And at the same time it secretly serves his another purpose, he knows that these days, it's getting difficult for him to look towards her and keep his ill mannered thoughts at bay. They rather cloud his mind the moment he rests his eyes on her. Only god knows how he is going to spend the rest of his days in KMA, this way!
"Ahmmm... I am really sorry Sir!"
Her sudden apology drags his attention. He looks towards her for fraction of seconds but as he finds her staring him, he quickly diverts his eyes back in front of him, looking at the procceeding of the party, while enjoying nothing but her presence around himself at this moment.
He does understand why she is apologizing and this makes him to mentally roll his eyes whilst Naina continues with her apology,
"Apko yunhi meri wajah se...",
she trails off, unable to understand how to put her feelings into words.
When will she learn to understand him, without him telling her everything verbally?
"Cadet Singh! Inn.. inn baaton mein kuch nahi rakha!",
he tells her, looking towards her.
His words pierce her heart. This wasn't the reply she was expecting from him! That means he doesn't feel anything about her!
But only he knows how he has controlled the flood of emotions filling his heart while uttering those words. How big a stone he has kept on his heart before uttering those words! How could he say inn baaton mein kuch nahi rakha? When his whole life revolves around this single talk - Naina and his bond? Their relationship? His love for her?
No! That's true that he doesn't give a damn to what the world thinks about him. But what it thinks about her, means the world to him!
"Aur waise bhi Christmas ka season hai. Tum jao jakar apne friends ke saath enjoy karo. I am perfectly fine",
he assures her, looking towards her, smiling.
He understands that she is concerned about him and he needs to assure her that he is fine, just the way he needs to be assured that she is fine! And he won't let her go unassured and hence leave her anxious, by any means. After all his war is not with her but with the evil ones and himself!
A war that he is fighting with himself is the one where his heart pushes him to Naina and his mind drags him back and minds him to restrain himself from doing anything which might turn out to be disastrous not only for himself but for Naina too! Naina, the innocent one, who doesn't have the slightest idea about what's hidden in his heart, for her!
"Sir, aap bhi please ab inn sub baaton ke barey mein soch kar apna mood aur apna waqt kharab mat karna",
suggests Naina, almost like ordering him, inside her heart breaks while saying so!
This involuntarily brings a smile on his face, her concern towards him. This skips his heartbeat as no one before her has ever cared about him ever! How can he not get affected? How can he be smart enough to hide the affect, the deep affect that her words had on him, when he knows that in front of her, all his smartness go in vain?
While simultaneously it hurts him too! His smile turns sarcastic, but she fails to understand. She would never understand!
But he doesn't realize how his smile might affect not only Naina but few others too who are noticing them! Naina might have enjoyed seeing him smiling. Taking it as a positive sign, that he is fine. Hell might, she surely has enjoyed his smile, but the same cannot be said about Dr. Mishra and Huda!
Taking the smile as an encouragement, Naina for the first time holds him by his upper arm, a measure to pull him along her to take him to her friends so that they can enjoy together. But in her innocence, she fails to understand how those who are keeping a check on them, might read this gesture of hers!
But Rajveer, being the more mature one between the two, when it comes to matters like these, quickly scans that no one has caught her holding him that way and with in moments, frees his arm from her hold, scolding her mildly,
"Cadet Singh behave yourself!"
This scolding her, more than behaving her down, is to show to anyone, if noticing, that he is not encouraging this by any means. No! he is not being selfish here, it is rather a measure to save both of them from further embarrassment and hence leading their careers into danger.
Rajveer doesn't fail to notice how his sudden withdrawal of his arm from her hold, affects her negatively. Her smile vanishes with in moments. By the serious look on her face, he could make out that if he touches her face right now, her cheeks must be emitting heat at a higher degree. But of course unlike other times, when he makes her to blush and feel shy, this heating up of her cheek isn't a pleasant scenario for Rajveer. This contracts Rajveer's heart but he chooses to ignore. He keeps reminding himself that this he is doing for their own good! This way he tries to minimize his guilt of hurting her, which doesn't really get minimized anyhow.
His heart beats at a tremendous speed as it hurts him to hurt her and at the same time he becomes conscious of everyone's presence around, hence the consciousness leads him to hurt her!
Shaking his head in disbelief, at her childish attitude, he leaves, leaving behind a heartbroken Naina.
As the party ends Naina reaches Rajveer in his room.
"I don't understand what's your problem Cadet Singh?",
shouts Rajveer after opening the door for her, pissed off.
"Ahmmm... I am sorry Sir. I won't take much of your time I promise.",
pleads Naina hesitantly.
Her pleading pierces his heart but he makes sure that she remains oblivious to it. Hence shutting the door, Rajveer walks away from her, looking away and scolds her,
"Kahiye Cadet Singh. To apne mujh tak pohonchne ka raasta dhundh hi liya."
Turning to look towards her, he asks her, scolding her,
"Kahiye, kya shikayat hai apko?"
A hesitant and nervous Naina, lowers her eyes and says,
"I am very sorry Sir...",
but she gets intervened by his scolding,
"Enough of sorrys!"
"What sorry Cadet Singh? I am tired of these sorrys!",
he scolds further, frustrated.
"Sir main, iss samay iss tarah apke kamre mein nahi aana chahti thi par mujhe lagta hai shayad kahin na kahin koi galat fehmi hai!",
Naina states clearly.
Walking closer to her out of anger he shouts at her asking,
"Kisko galat fehmi hai apko ya...",
he looks away, afraid of uttering the next words, because he knows the possibilities of them being true, nevertheless he completes his words,
"Ya fir mujhko?"
Naina lowers her eyes for fraction of seconds, then looking back towards him, she completes,
"Sir, dono mein se kisiko bhi ho par fark to iss baat ka padhta hai ke galat fehmi hai!"
Rajveer out of anxiety looks away.
"Sir, aap to jante ho ki main apko kitna manti hun!",
says Naina earnestly.
This touches Rajveer's heart. His breath hitches. But he immediately turns away as a measure to shield his true feelings from her which he worries might reflect by his eyes.
"Sir... Bhaiya ke baad agar koi sahara hai to... sirf aap hain Sir!",
says Naina, earnestly.
Her each word pierces his heart. How hard it is being for him at this moment to portray a pissed off and angry Rajveer in front of her, only he knows.
Out of anxiety he walks forth and away from Naina. Whilst all this Naina continues,
"Aur KMA mein aap sirf mere teacher nahi, meri prerna hain!"
Rajveer pays attention to her each word and why wouldn't he, after all her every word; her every gesture means the world to him! Only if he could say that to her...!
"Meri wo shakti hain jisse main manti hun. Jo mujhe har waqt; har samay motivate krte rehte hain.",
Naina shares her emotions for him with him.
Anxious Rajveer walks forth, changing his position and stands.
"Aur Sir agar apko... aise lagne lag gaya hai ki... main apse pyar karti hun..."
This skips Rajveer's heartbeat. His ears start emitting heat out of anticipation of her reaction to this.
Does she really? Would she confess? How would he react if she does?
So many questions cloud his mind with in moments.
"Yakeen maniye Sir aisa bilkul bhi nahi hai!"
There with her these words she succeeds into shattering his heart into million pieces within seconds. And irony is she doesn't have even slightest idea about what she has done to him by uttering those words!
"MAIN APKO BILKUL PYAR NAHI KARTI HUN SIR!",
she makes it clear. But there is no hatred or the joy of victory of having hurt Rajveer, in her voice. In fact she is completely oblivious to what is she doing to Rajveer right now - break him bit by bit! Breaking his little faith of happening of a miracle in his life through Naina; because of Naina.
Walking in front of him in desperation, Naina continues with her explanation, her anxiety increasing with each passing moment,
"Aur agar kabhi bhi meri kisi harkat se apko laga ho, ya koi galat fehmi hui ho, to Sir...".
Rajveer immediately turns away, shocked, hurt! Not in a state to look towards her. At this moment he is sure, if she looks towards him properly, he might reveal something unintentionally, unuttering. Something he might regret later.
"Sir... I am really very very sorry!",
she apologizes earnestly.
Meanwhile, Rajveer tries to fathom everything he heard from Naina herself.
"Aur Sir, agar kabhi bhi mere dil mein apke liye aisi koi feelings aati bhi hain to... main apne liye apka career museebat mein nahi daal sakti Sir!",
says Naina, earnestly.
All of her words frustrate Rajveer. He takes a deep breath, calming down his nerves. His eyes turn teary, but he controls somehow.
"Mujhe bus itna hi kehna tha Sir apse!",
says Naina.
Realizing that he needs to say something now. Rajveer gets hold on his emotions. Taking a deep breath, he says,
"I completely understand Cadet Singh."
"In fact mujhe bhi aisa lagta hai ki...",
he pauses a little, breathing, releasing his anxiety in the process.
"Ya to apko galat fehmi hui hai ya...",
he finally looks towards her and adds,
"Kisi ne apko behkane ki koshish ki hai.",
his tone all serious.
"Kyunki...",
he pauses for fraction of seconds, his eyes transfixed somewhere on the ground, he silently gains confidence to utter the further words!
He turns to look towards Naina, because what he is about to say now is what he believes is true! Because unintentionally, he has finally for once got the chance to speak his feelings in front of her, even if keeping a lot of it hidden!!! He understands that she won't understand the juxtaposition hidden in his words, but if not anything he at least has the right to bring out his frustration about the fact of loving Naina unconditionally and not receiving it back even a little, through some means, doesn't he?
And this is exactly what he does by saying, knitting his brows, looking straight into Naina's eyes,
"Mujhe bhi aisa kabhi nahi laga..."
Although he began with full confidence, assuming that he would be able to complete his words looking into her eyes constantly and hence prove to himself that it's fine! It's fine if Naina could not reciprocate Rajveer's feelings. But alas! he couldn't do that for long. Walking ahead, looking away again from her, he controls his ill mannered tears and utters the words with all his grief and betrayal and love that he does to her mingled together,
"... ki apko mujhse pyar hai!"
Naina who is too engrossed in feeling guilty about the on going fiasco in the academy misses to realize the agony in the tone of Rajveer. Her eyes are transfixed somewhere on the ground feeling shy about discussing such a matter with her teacher!
And on the other hand Rajveer is feeling heart broken about saying this not to his student; but to the person he loves!
"Kabhi nahi laga aisa!",
repeats Rajveer, his voice dreamy as he drowns into the pool of grief and heartbreak.
Getting hold on his emotions yet again. He continues, changing his tone!
"In fact... kuch nahi badla!",
he tries to sound casual.
"Humare beech mein... na to koi problem hai aur...",
he realizes that he needs to get out of his grief and stay strong in front of Naina. He realizes how he is getting flowed away with his emotions, he needs to hold the rope of his emotions tight, especially in front of Naina.
And hence with a new determination, keeping his hurt, sorrow, frustration at a bay for some moments, he turns with new confidence in his voice. This again he is doing for Naina, to make her realize that it's all fine, she now needs to get going - away from him!
But along with that he also realizes that if he needs to save himself from further heart breaks in her hands, he needs to stay away from her! And hence that's another reason for the confidence in his voice.
"Main apko yakeen dilata hun... na kabhi hogi!",
he promises, looking straight into Naina's eyes.
Naina gets taken aback as she doesn't understand why but the way he uttered the last few words, the look in his eyes wasn't of understanding but of anger, loathe, pity all mingled together!
So finally for once she succeeded in reading his eyes! Wish you could have done that earlier Naina!
"Kuch nahi badla hai!",
Rajveer changes his tone.
Naina realizes that there is still taunt mingled with his tone. But why is that, she fails to understand!
"Sub kuch bilkul waisa hai jaisa ki pehle tha. Aur humesha aisa hi rahega.",
he says, walking past her.
Inside his mind thousands of feelings and thoughts are juggling and he is fighting with them to stay calm, but in vain!
"Haan agar kuch badla hai to sirf itna ki main nahi chahta ki aap har kadam meri ungli pakad kar chalein.",
he says, turning to look towards her. His eyes constant on her. And Naina's eyes are cascaded down trying to understand why is this happening!
"Apna raasta khud banana seekhein!",
he says, spitting all his anger and frustration through his words.
Anger as she failed to understand his feelings for her. Anger because she thinks if ever she falls in love with him, she wouldn't let him know!
But isn't this exactly what you are doing Rajveer? You are hiding your true feelings from her. So why is the expectation of being aware of her true feelings for you all the time? Why this disappointment about the fact that she won't share it with you if she ever gets to fall in love with you?
Longing are you, for her? To hear 'it' from her?
What's this frustration for?
Is it because despite saying everything; despite sharing every thought with you, she fails to tell you what you crave for each day to hear from her? The words from which despite running away all the time, you crave to get collided with?
But why is it that she has to be the one to unravel her feelings first every time? Why can't you be bold enough to let her know your true feelings for her without being asked? Is it for the fear of her reputation in the academy? Or is it that you are afraid that she might betray your feelings after getting acknowledged with them? If so, so why is this longing and crave for? Why this anger and frustration for? Why can't you just let it go?
He stares her in anger.
Hearing him, Naina lowers her eyes out of guilt and humiliation. Rajveer continues staring her. His eyes filled with rage. The crease in his forehead relaxes as Naina lowers her eyes as he realizes that finally Naina succeeded in getting his point. He nods his head lightly, glaring her throughout as a gesture of indicating her that 'yes you got my point! I won't talk to you now!'
"Aur agar ab aap mujhe excuse karengi to...",
he utters, glaring her throughout and turning he walks towards the door of his room and opens it for her. Holding the handle with his right hand and shoving the left into his jeans pocket, he stands there with his eyes cascaded down, not having the courage to look at her after hurting her so much.
Naina walks out of his room, her eyes cascaded down out of nervousness and guilt but she fails to go away without looking towards him one last time. And hence, turning to look towards him, she greets softly and nervously,
"Good night Sir!"
Rajveer walks away horizontally, such that his back is facing her, shoving his free hand into his jeans pocket, taking a deep breath, he greets her back trying to sound normal but his anxiety is palpable,
"Good night Cadet Singh!"
"And Happy New Year!"
"And...",
he looks heavenwards, trying to control his tears from spilling and with a shaky voice, he wishes her formally,
"And wish you a great life!"
This he really wishes for! Because he might go through hell in his life because of her, but this he is sure about that he would always want the best for her, no matter what!
Although he is turned away from her but his mind is constant on her. He is fully aware of her reactions behind him. As he feels her going away... gone... Rajveer finally gradually permits himself to release his pent up emotions.
Not that it is a spontaneous reaction. No! He rather tries to forget it and let the feeling go, and hence he shuts his eyes as a measure to control his frustration but alas! he fails to do that.
Slowly, holding all his emotions, releasing them in a slow pace, with his eyes closed, he walks towards the door of his room and slowly shuts the door. Of course he is fully aware of every corner of his room that he could walk there with closed eyes too! With the door of his room; he shuts the door of his heart as well, as he realizes there is no reason to keep it open because for whom it had been kept open, won't reach there ever!
As Naina walks away, she takes her each step real slow. With her heart beating at a tremendous pace, she doesn't understand why is it that she is feeling so wrong to be going away from him and leaving him in his way!
What was that exactly? Where did she go wrong? She thought he would be happy to know that she doesn't have any feeling of that sort for him and it is pure respect that she bears for him in her heart. But what was that look for? Those eyes...! That betrayed his words. As if he wanted to say something else but didn't say that and said otherwise.
She while walking towards her room thinks about what could be that he wanted to say to her?
She ponders into his words. He said that he too doesn't believe that she has any feeling of that sort for him.
Her heart starts beating on remembering this. She gradually proceeds with her thinking... But he never said that he doesn't have any feelings for her!
The realization makes Naina go cold and as a result she gets stuck at her place.
(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)
She goes numb!
No! This can't be happening. No! No! No! He... He can't... How could he?
This is just the hangover of the tensed conversation they just had! It's making her to think irrationally. Tomorrow morning she surely will be able to think rationally. Yeah! She must stop over thinking. She must give him time. She must give herself time and relax. Everything will be fine tomorrow morning. This just a bad dream. A nightmare!
Getting into a conclusion about pondering into it next morning, Naina leaves for her room.
~*~*~
Inside Rajveer's room
Rajveer slowly slides down the door with his eyes closed. As he reaches the floor, he sits there in such a way that his knees are popped up and he is resting his elbows on his knees and his fingers are intertwined.
Tum se mujhe pyar kyon ho gaya
Tum na mile aur maine kho gaya
Tum mere khwaabon se jaa na sake
Tum meri baahon mein aa na sake
Tum se mujhe pyar kyon ho gaya
Tum na mile aur maine kho gaya
Tum mere khwaabon se jaa na sake
Tum meri baahon mein aa na sake
Rajveer remembers all the moments that they had spent together during the mentorship programme.
"Nahi karna chahta tha main Naina... Nahi karna chahta tha...!",
he mutters, tears welling up his eyes. He fails to utter what exactly he is indicating towards. That's the level of guilt he feels about loving her. And today her words have proved her once and forever that Rajveer and Naina is impossible!
Looking heavenwards he asks with teary eyes,
"Naveen... tu to sub kuch dekh raha tha na? Tu ne mujhe kyun nahi roka? Kyun Naveen kyun???",
he cries more.
"Aur abhi... khush tha main aise hi. Kya zarurat thi usse ye kehne ki wo mujhse pyar nahi karti? Kya zarurat thi???",
shouts Rajveer, crying bitterly.
Rubbing off his tear. With a desperation in his voice, he asks,
"Naina... agar meri bhawnaon ko na jante hue tumne meri bhawnaon ko yun rondh diya, to... to... tab kya hoga jab tumhe pata chalega ke... ke har raat tumhe apni khwabon mein dekhta hun main?"
(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)
He really gets anxious on merely anticipating the possibility.
"Mere bus mein jitna hai main utna karta hun tumse durr rehne ke liye. Ye mere bus mein nahi Naina!!! Ye mere bus mein nahi!!!",
he cries and cries and cries.
Tum se gila nahin mujhe,
kismat se hai gile.
Karta hai aasman kyon,
yeh dil ke faisle.
Rubbing off his tears, with a new confidence in his voice, he says,
"I know... I know, galti tumhari nahi hai. Galti halat ki hai!"
(Rajveer-Naina's revolt tune begins)
Standing straight, knitting his brows out of anger on the real culprits - Naveen's culprits, he promises,
"Main halat theek kar dunga Naina! Main sub kuch theek kar dunga!"
"Tum bhi ek aam ladki ki tarah zindagi jee paogi. Khush reh paogi."
Looking heavenwards, crying, he forces the words out of his choked throat,
"Pyar... Pyar kar paogi!"
(Rajveer-Naina's revolt tune continues)
He cries all the more as he utters the last line.
Tum mere khwaabon se jaa na sake
Tum meri baahon mein aa na sake
Tum se mujhe pyar kyon ho gaya
Tum na mile aur maine kho gaya
Rajveer remembers Naina's laughter; her words, everything whilst crying.
He fears how would he be able to face her tomorrow?
He decides to avoid her all the more. As much as possible!
He wonders would she visit him again tonight in his dreams like everynight? He realizes the fear and worry about the same is more acute today than it had been ever before!
Initially it was indeed difficult for him to accept seeing her each night in his dreams as this forced him to accept that he really was in love with her! He would end up getting up in the middle of the night, sweating. But gradually, he got habitual to it. He realized, how hard might he try, he would never be able to force her out of his dreams. He realized that Naina is gradually after overpowering his life is overpowering his dreams. And the irony is he doesn't really want to stop her by any means!
But today she made him to realize that impossible is impossible! She made him to realize that he is being child like by waiting for her.
Barbad ho gaya main kyon,
yeh bhi na keh saka.
Roya main yun ki ek bhi,
aason na beh saka.
Aason na beh saka,
Aason na beh saka.
Tum mere khwaabon se jaa na sake
Tum meri baahon mein aa na sake
Tum se mujhe pyar kyon ho gaya
Tum na mile aur maine kho gaya
Tum mere khwaabon se jaa na sake
Tum meri baahon mein aa na sake
Suddenly he wonders, did he do it right by not confessing his feelings for her?
~*~*~
Naina walks into her room, feeling lifeless. The sound of the wind entering through the windows is the only sound in her room.
"Mujhe bhi aisa kabhi nahi laga..."
"... ki apko mujhse pyar hai!"
His words ring in her ears. They churn in her mind again and again. Although numb but the anxiety kills her with each passing moment.
She gets an urge to run back to him and ask him - 'How dare you? How dare you say that?' 'What made you to think that I have never loved you?'
Isn't talking to someone politely love? Isn't thinking about someone all the time love? Isn't getting eager to meet someone each morning despite knowing that they don't have anything to talk about love? Who is he to judge her that she isn't in love with him?
But wait! What the hell are you thinking Naina? You just moments ago confessed that you don't love him. You tried to make it clear to him so that he stops pondering into the possibility of it and hence you saved him from the torture of remembering again and again of the fact that you loved him, didn't you? So where are these additional thoughts coming from?
Her heartbeat picks up pace as she feels guilty that she is thinking about her teacher; her mentor that way! No she needs to stop thinking that way. She probably is too much occupied by him from all the sides and hence those feelings are fluttering in her heart. But let's get practical. This is not happening. She cannot be with him. They are not meant to be with each other in any other way, other than as student and teacher; protge and mentor!
But what exactly are you feeling more guilty about Naina - for thinking about your teacher; your mentor that way OR is the guilt out of the fact that you unknowingly lied to him!
Her stomach churns whenever she thinks about the fact that henceforth they are not going to share the same relationship as they used to! Something has changed between them drastically. And it's getting difficult for Naina to accept it.
'She lied to him!' Why this thought is sounding her to be wrong and right both at the same time?
Wrong because she shouldn't have lied to Rajveer. She had never lied to him before, so why did she do that this time?
And right because she is relaxed on discovering that she lied to him, as this proves that it is not that she doesn't love him! It is not that!
So how is it Naina? What exactly is the truth?
Her eyes well up as she feels frustrated. She feels as if someone is strangling her to death. Unable to bear this anymore, she again starts chanting her mantra like always -
"Main yahan Naveen bhaiya ke gunhegaron ko saza dilane ayi hun. Main apne maksad se bhatak nahi sakti. Nahi farak padhta mujhe ke wo mera saath denge ya nahi. Nahi farak padhta!"
Unable to resist herself anymore, she rubs off her tears and in frustration and anger reaches back into Rajveer's room in her usual style - without knocking, pushing the door open. Her eyes burning with anger. But what meets her eyes cools her down with in fraction of seconds!
Standing in front of her is a shocked Rajveer, as shocked as she herself is, wearing lower of his night dress and his shirt he had been wearing since morning, the only difference is that all the buttons of his shirt is undone, revealing his perfectly built up chest.
Naina for the first time feels apologetic about her audacity that she shows each time while entering his room.
(Slow Rajveer-Naina flute tune begins)
Frustrated and pissed off Rajveer looks towards her with knitted brows. His chest expands and contracts in quick succession as he feels angry on her.
His constant expanding and contracting chest drags Naina's attention.
"Tum?",
scolds Rajveer, pissed off.
Naina looks towards him, her eyes dark on him, for the first time. But Rajveer's irritation results in his skipping in noticing the change in her demeanor.
"Tum yahan kyun ayi ho firse Naina? Mujhe tumse koi baat nahi karni. Just leave!",
scolds a pissed off Rajveer.
Naina opens her mouth to speak, that suddenly she remembers that she must close the door before she continues with the conversation owing to his current state!
Rajveer anticipating her move quickly walks and hides against the wall which is along with the door of his room.
As she turns to close the door Major Bhargava happens to cross Captain Rajveer's room and he halts seeing Naina there. Naina gets shocked on discovering Major Bhargava there. Her head spins. She already was tensed regarding Rajveer's and hers ongoing status of relationship in the academy and then Rajveer's sudden withdrawal and here she collides with Major Bhargava, it's like topping on the bittergourd cake!
Standing in front of Naina, on the threshold of Rajveer's room, Major Bhargava gives her a devilish smile. Naina's heart sinks as she realizes how now this news that she was in Rajveer's room at this hour of the day would go around in the academy like fire in the forest. But she quickly gains back her equilibrium realizing that now is not that the time to go weak or look weak in front of Major Bhargava. And hence she stands straight looking straight into his eyes as if it is not Naina who committed mistake by coming into Rajveer's room at this hour of the day; it is rather Major Bhargava who is at fault here on roaming around in the academy after lights out.
His expression changes suddenly as he fakes to be thinking. He knits his brows, and with the index finger of his right hand standing erect, he indicates as if asking her to wait , and he looks up towards the board and reads,
"Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat!"
Then he looks back towards Naina and continues with his acting, and asks,
"Haan naam to wohi hai! Cadet Singh aap Captain Rajveer ke room mein kab shift huin?"
Standing at his place, Rajveer burns with anger and converts his hands into fists on hearing Major Bhargava's taunt.
Naina lowers her eyes, choosing to remain quiet and end this topic. But her expressions tell how pissed off she is right now on Major Bhargava. Her increased rate of breathing confirms that Major Bhargava's black magic is working on her perfectly! This brings a devil smile on Major Bhargava's face.
"Sone ja rahin thi kya aap?",
asks Major Bhargava, giving her a devilish smile.
His words pierce Naina's heart just the way Major Bhargava wanted.
His words go beyond Rajveer's tolerance power, he moves to get out and teach Major Bhargava a lesson but Naina anticipating his move, pushes him back lightly with her right hand which was holding the handle of the door and hence was hidden from Major Bhargava.
Rajveer gets shocked and stares Naina knitting his brows while Naina keeps her eyes constant on Major Bhargava.
"Sorry maine disturb kiya!",
Major Bhargava continues with his taunt.
Lowering his voice, whispering he says,
"Aap ghabraiye mat. Main ye baat kisi ko nahi kahunga!",
he places his index finger on his lips, acting to keep his lips sealed.
Rajveer bangs his back head on the wall, feeling helpless because of Naina.
Naina continues glaring him.
"Waise you must thank me Cadet Singh!",
says Major Bhargava, acting to be proud of himself.
Rajveer knits his brows all the more.
Naina tilts her head a little towards left, as a gesture of asking - what for?
Showing himself to be proud of doing what he did, he says with full attitude,
"Meri wajah se aap dono ko raat ko sunsaan ghaney jungle mein ek saath kuch waqt bitane ka mauka mila!"
His words increase the level of anger of Rajveer's and Naina's alike. Rajveer curses his lucks silently that he has been refrained by Naina to make any move.
With her piercing eyes, Naina glares Major Bhargava, and bearing that confidence in her voice as always, Naina tells him,
"Shukrguzar to main bohot hun apki Sir."
This surprises Rajveer and Major Bhargava alike. Rajveer, standing at his place stares Naina out of horror, where is she going with this.
"Mujhe ye to pata tha ki aap nirdayi hain, par apke uss kartut ne mujhe ye bhi bata diya ke apke paas dil hi nahi hai!",
says Naina, spitting venom through her each word.
Major Bhargava, hearing that smirks, as if feeling proud of hearing all that.
"Tareef ke liye shukriya Cadet. Par jahan tak mujhe samjh aata hai, to jo maine apke aur... apke Captain Rajveeer... ke liye kiya...",
taunts Major Bhargava, stretching 'Rajveer' purposely.
Rajveer looks away feeling disgusted. Naina's situation is no better.
"Usse ye samjh aata hai ke mere paas ek... chota sa hi sahi, par dil to hai!",
smirks Major Bhargava.
"Ab dekhiye na ussi dil ne hi to apke aur apke Rajveeer... ke dil ko tutne nahi diya cadet.",
taunts Major Bhargava, all the more, smiling sarcastically.
Rajveer finally shoves off Naina's hand and gets out of his hideout and facing Major Bhargava says,
"Dil kiska tutega aur kiska nahi, wo to waqt hi batayega Major Bhargava!"
Naina looks towards Rajveer hesitantly, feeling awkward on standing in front of Major Bhargava with Rajveer. She finds how confidently he is looking towards Major Bhargava. This in turn makes her all the more confident. Smiling confidently, she turns to look towards Major Bhargava.
Major Bhargava gives a victorious smile to Captain Rajveer.
"Captain Rajveer, finally apse mulakat hui! Warna ek pal ke liye to main ye samjh baitha tha ke main apke nahi balki Cadet Naina Singh Ahluwalia ke room mein hoon!",
taunts Major Bhargava, then looks towards Naina, giving her his devilish smile.
Rajveer glares him.
Naina lowers her eyes out of embarrassment.
"Tcchh... Tcchh... Tcchh...",
does Major Bhargava, mockingly, lowering his eyes.
Naina and Rajveer look towards him, knitting their brows, unable to comprehend his reaction.
Major Bhargava looks back towards Rajveer, smiling devilishly,
"Theek hai Captain agar aap yahi chahte hain to dekh lete hain."
"Lagta hai apko jo maine milaya...",
he emphasizes on 'maine'.
This irks Rajveer and Naina alike.
"Baat puri nahi hui thi apki tab.",
Major Bhargava completes his taunt.
Rajveer turns his hands into fists, looking away. Naina lowers her eyes feeling uncomfortable.
Major Bhargava continues,
"Ya fir shayad adhuri baatein puri ho gayi hain isliye baar baar milne ka mann ho rha hai aap dono ka! Wo kya hai na, koi misunderstanding nahi rahi hongi apke beech mein meri wajah se, nahi?",
he emphasizes on 'meri'.
This hits Rajveer and Naina hard!
Rajveer glares Major Bhargava.
"Major Bhargava, aap apne hadd se agey barh rahe hain ek baar fir!",
warns Captain Rajveer, glaring Major Bhargava.
Then he looks towards Naina for fraction of seconds, then looking back towards Rajveer, he tells him confidently,
"Ye jo apki ankhon mein confidence hai na Captain, iss kadar chaknachur kar dunga iss confidence ka, ke aap sochne par majboor ho jayenge...",
saying so Major Bhargava looks towards Naina and says,
"... ke apko Pyar kyun ho gaya?"
His words pierce the hearts of both Rajveer and Naina alike. Naina glares him. Rajveer still glaring, tries to think of words to retort back.
Smirking, Major Bhargava turns to leave, only to get halted by Rajveer's words...
(Rajveer-Naina fast tune begins)
"Kyunki... kyunki apko pyar nahi hua kabhi Major Bhargava, to main apko bata dun..."
Naina looks towards Rajveer, shocked by the words chosen by Rajveer.
Rajveer, fully aware of Naina's eyes on him, doesn't care to look towards her. At this moment it is important for him to maintain the eye contact with Major Bhargava. He knows if he fails to maintain the eye contact for any reason, that would prove to be his failure in front of Major Bhargava.
"Pyar kamzori nahi hoti Major Bhargava, pyar humesha taqat hoti hai.",
says Rajveer confidently.
Naina knits her brows, staring Rajveer out of shock.
His each word touches her heart, as if he is addressing to her rather than to Major Bhargava.
"Pyar ki wajah se koi chaknachoor nahi hota, balki pyar ki wajah se tute hue dil judte hain!",
explains Captain Rajveer, looking straight into Major Bhargava's eyes.
"Par ye baat aap nahi samjhenge, kyun pyar hone ke liye dil hona zaruri hota hai.",
says Rajveer, spitting venom through his each word.
Naina stares Rajveer out of shock! Surprised to get such words from him.
Rajveer doesn't take his eyes away from Major Bhargava.
Major Bhargava who feels slightly offended by Captain Rajveer's words, whose constant devilish smile falters for some seconds, quickly gains back his equilibrium and smiles back devilishly.
Smirking, Major Bhargava says,
"Yani pyar hai?",
he arches his right brow, smiling infectiously.
His words skip the hearts of both Rajveer and Naina alike. They both go crimson red but there is no smile on their faces. Rajveer lowers his eyes. Naina turns to look towards Major Bhargava, as his words yet again skip her heartbeat. Then gradually even she lowers her eyes.
Smirking again, Major Bhargava taunts,
"Have a good night folks! Enjoy the night!"
His words 'good night' and 'enjoy' hit his targets well! Rajveer and Naina feel uncomfortable in front of Major Bhargava and also in each other's company.
Rajveer glares Major Bhargava, Major Bhargava smirks back devilishly.
As he leaves, Rajveer shuts the door behind him out of anger and turns to look towards Naina.
Naina and Rajveer enjoy a small and serious eye lock.
(Rajveer-Naina slow tune begins)
Walking past her, folding his arms upon his chest, Rajveer with his that authoritative tone asks her,
"Kahiye kya baat karni hai apko Cadet Singh?"
Naina who was pondering over Major Bhargava's words until now gets realized by Rajveer's words that she had come here to talk to him.
Naina remembers what she wanted to talk to him and she goes all serious again, this time the reason is different! She feels hesitant. She lowers her eyes. But she has come all the way to his room again, and also has dealt with Major Bhargava, after all this, would she dare to tell him that she had come her for nothing? Would he take her words just like that? Of course not! Never!
Hesitantly, Naina asks him, looking straight towards him,
"Aap mere teacher hain. Apke paas mere har baat ka jawab hona chahiye. Right Sir?"
Rajveer's heartbeat picks up pace. Where is she going with this? He knits his brows all the more, indicating her a 'yes'!
Naina understands his indication and proceeds,
"Ek insaan aisa kya karta hai Sir, jisse kisiko pata chaley ke usse kisi se pyar hai?"
Her question skips Rajveer's heartbeat. He could feel the adrenaline rush on hearing her. He stares her, shocked.
Rajveer after staring her for sometime out of shock, turns away quickly and scolds her mildly,
"Cadet Singh! Behave yourself!"
Naina doesn't mind his scolding.
"Kya hua Sir? Kya maine kuch galat pucha?",
asks Naina, trying to gauge his reaction.
Her each word increases the rate of his heartbeat.
"Mere paas apke kisi bhi faltu baat ka jawab nahi hai.",
he states clearly.
"Faltu baat? Kahan faltu baat Sir?",
asks Naina, her throat at verge of getting choked out of over flowing of her emotions.
"Abhi kuch der pehle apne hi to kaha ke apko kabhi nahi laga ke mujhe apse pyar hai!",
says Naina, gaining confidence with each passing moment.
Confidence because of Rajveer's reactions to her. He certainly is looking nervous. This is so unlike him.
With full confidence, Naina asks him,
"To bataiye Sir, kaise pata chalta hai kisi ko ke apko kisi se pyar hai?"
Rajveer looks towards her. Naina looks back confidently. His eyes indicating her to stop with this stupidity of hers. But she seems to be adamant!
Rajveer taking a deep breath turns to walk towards the door to open it for her, whilst saying,
"Cadet Singh you need to leave...",
that he gets pulled by her, holding the collar of his shirt.
Rajveer's heart skips a beat. No, it isn't out of anger, it is rather out of surprise that she dared to do that.
As he gets closer to her, too close, staring her, nervous, Rajveer wonders what is she about to do next.
Naina's voice turns into whisper,
"Bataiye Sir, kaise pata chalega mujhe ke mujhe kisi se pyar ho gaya hai? Ya...",
Rajveer almost forgets to breath, waiting for her to complete.
"Ya... kisi ko mujhse pyar ho gaya hai?",
completes Naina, whispering.
Rajveer, as if it is a reflex action, lowers his eyes, unable to look towards her.
Then looks back towards her, his eyes at the verge of welling up.
"Apko kaise pata chala ke mujhe...",
Naina's throat chokes, her eyes well up.
"...mujhe apse... apse... pyar... nahi??",
forces Naina out of her choked throat.
Both of them try hard to hold back their tears.
Her closeness, her words increase the rate of his heartbeats.
"Main kaise pata lagaun ke mujhe... mujhe kisi se pyar ho gaya hai?",
asks Naina, forcing the words out of her choked throat.
Even her heartbeat rate has increased manifolds.
(Fast Rajveer-Naina tune continues)
Rajveer goes soft on her. His eyes soft on her. Naina starts feeling loved by him because of the softness.
Rajveer of course doesn't word anything. And as Naina realizes that he is not going to say anything, she asks softly, looking straight into his eyes,
"Sub kuch badal gaya hai na Sir?"
This skips his heartbeat again.
"Humare beech...",
she adds all the more softly.
(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune continues)
Rajveer looks into her eyes transmitting all his feelings through his eyes.
"Main...",
Naina takes a deep breath, and continues.
"Main aisa kya karun ke apko pata chale ke mujhe kisi se pyar ho gaya hai?",
asks Naina, desperate for him to make a move.
"Aisa kya karun ke apko samjh aye ke mujhe...",
she takes a deep breath, closing her eyes,
"Ke mujhe... apse pyar ho gaya hai?",
she breathes out as she utters the last four words, almost like a whisper.
Initially, Rajveer stares her shocked! Fathoming her each word. Releazing his breath slowly. Giving himself the privilege to feel her each word. Gradually, Rajveer looks into her eyes, a fresh disappointment and anger hit him, as he remembers her words, holding her hands that are holding his collar, looking straight into her eyes, he says, whilst jerking her hands away,
"Tumne khud kaha tha ke agar kabhi bhi tumhare dil mein mere liye aisi koi feelings aati bhi hain to... tum apne liye mere career museebat mein nahi daal sakti!",
reminds Rajveer, spitting venom through his each word, emphasizing on 'apne' and 'mere'.
Her own words pinch Naina's heart.
A small smile of satisfaction comes on Rajveer's face. Finally she could feel what he has felt multiple number of times because of her. She unknowingly had broken his heart a lot of times, today she could feel because of him, how it feels when your heart gets broken by someone you care for; someone you love!
Naina getting away from him a little, looks towards him in shock.
Rajveer certainly enjoys seeing her disappointed and hurt. She needs to realize!
But gradually it becomes unbearable for him to see Naina in pain, the lover Rajveer starts dominating Captain Rajveer yet again!
Turning a little soft, Rajveer advises her,
"Naina stay away please. Ye tumhare liye and mere liye, dono ke liye sahi hoga."
Naina looks towards him, hurt.
"I know... I know... tumhe abhi ye impossible lag raha hai. But trust me ye... ye sub kuch...",
he fails to continue looking into her eyes and hence turns away and continues,
"This is infatuation Naina!"
His words hit Naina afresh. She knits her brows, deeply hurt. Her heartbeat picks up pace afresh.
"Problem ye hai ke tum mere saath kuch zada hi time spend karti ho. You are too much involved with me Naina. Tum... tum sirf mere barey mein sochti ho. Kabhi kabhi jab hum kisi ke saath zyada time spend karte hain we start to develop feelings for them. It is not only about me, ye kisi bachey ke saath bhi ho sakta hai agar tum kisi bachey ke saath zada time spend karne lago. Ya... ya kisi friend ke sath? I am sure aisa hi tumhare saath bhi hua hai.",
says Rajveer, fully aware how much his words must be hurting her.
"Aur...",
as he was about to continue, he gets intervened by Naina.
Naina in a no nonsense tone asks him,
"Now what do you expect of me?"
This hurts Rajveer right! He goes numb. He doesn't look towards her. Naina waits for him to declare his decision.
Holding his emotions, ever so slowly, he says,
"I expect you to stay away from me!"
(Rajveer Naina revolt tune begins)
Naina although hurt, gets determined now! Nodding her head in a continuous succession replies,
"I expect the same from you!!"
This comes as a shock for Rajveer.
He turns to look towards her, all shocked. Naina looks back showing her determination.
"I want you to feel, to think... ke apko mujhse... pyar kyun ho gaya?",
says Naina, deeply hurt.
Her words make Rajveer to smile sarcastically.
"Mujhe tumse... pyar kyun ho gaya?",
he says, not really asking her, looking straight towards her.
"Good night Sir! Good night!",
says Naina.
They stare each other for moments and Naina turns and leaves.
Rajveer stares at retreating Naina, smiling sadly, lovingly at her.
- THE END-
(25.12.2018)
MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!
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