Chapter Eighteen

"So have either of them said anything or not?"

Huda shrugs. "Not that I've seen. I tried to push Naina into it by making her jealous but I don't think it worked."

Aalekh fixes him with a hard stare. "What did you do, Huda?"

He holds up his hands in surrender. "Nothing! I just told her that the Major has a lot of admirers and maybe she should stake her claim before one of them tries to."

"Shaana, If you've ruined things..."

"Then I swear to god I'll punch you in the face myself!" Riddhi breaks in. "I didn't go through all of this just for you to scare her off at the last moment."

"Oy, Qaidi ki girlfriend, Huda has never failed in a single mission yet. I bet you that they'll be planning their wedding within a month."

At their sceptical looks, Huda rolls his eyes. "You don't believe me? The only reason it's dragged on this long is that they've never been in the same city since graduation. You should see the looks he gives her photo, there's no way she can't work it out if she spends even a week here with him."

Aalekh hopes that Huda is right, but privately he thinks that there's every chance Naina will still manage to find reasons to doubt it.

/

Since her release from the hospital, Naina has been placed on light duties at the base as she slowly recovers from her injuries. Her stitches itch as they heal and it's a good thing they're still beneath light bandages to keep them clean so that she can't disturb them.

It is a relief to finally be back to a proper base, to a routine where she doesn't have to fear for her life at each and every moment. Naina has called her parents twice in the past week, trying to catch up on lost time. They had both cried with relief to hear her voice and Naina had found herself shedding tears too. They have talked about many things, but for once neither of them have mentioned Rajveer or asked her if she has made a decision. Naina knows that in their own way they're trying to give her space.

Rajveer himself has been solicitous and kind. His duties keep him busy, but when he's on base he seeks her out, making time to spend with her. Seated with him in the cafeteria or in the grounds, Naina has found herself opening up about the past six months, about everything that they saw and did and the friends that they lost. In return, Rajveer has told her about some of his own missions, and what he had faced to get through them.

They understand each other better than they ever have, but they still haven't spoken about their relationship. Naina is afraid to, because no matter what the right thing to do is, she doesn't want to lose him. Is it better to remain in this holding pattern than to find out once and for all that he doesn't want a future with her? Naina still doesn't know, but she knows she can only draw this out for so long.

Today she heads towards the grounds, intending to meet him as he heads off shift. It has become a habit when their downtime manages to match, and Naina finds herself looking forward to it, counting the hours until they can meet once more.

Naina is so absorbed in her thoughts that she almost bumps into a Captain headed in the opposite direction. She gives him an apologetic smile, "Sorry Sir, I'd better watch where I'm going."

"You certainly better had, Lieutenant." He tells her shortly, looking at the name tag pinned to her uniform. "Naina Singh Ahluwalia."

It has been a long time since Naina has heard a tone like that. "Yes, Sir?"

"You're that traitor's sister aren't you? I heard they'd let you in the army and could never quite believe it, then I heard you were on our base. What were they thinking, allowing you to stay? Who's to say you haven't been waiting all this time and those losses that your unit faced weren't your revenge?"

Naina reels back, her mouth already open to respond to him, but before she can speak he's already been grabbed by the collar, wrenched around to face the man who has come to stand beside them, without Naina noticing his arrival.

"You had better apologise to the Lieutenant this instant, Captain." Major Rajveer's tone is dangerous, the look in his eyes no less so, and for a moment Naina can only stare.

"Sir!" The Captain struggles to compose himself, his collar still held tight in Rajveer's grip. "I was just testing her, Sir. Traitor's relatives shouldn't be allowed in the army, and after the circumstances she's been involved in..."

"Captain Duggal!" Rajveer's voice is almost a shout, and his gaze is furious. "Lieutenant Ahluwalia has already been through her trial of fire, and judged by people far worthier than you, whose decision it was to allow her to complete her training. Not only did she kill two terrorists while still a cadet, since the time of her graduation she has acquitted herself honourably and commendably in the army, including saving the lives of her comrades during this latest mission by taking charge after both of her commanding officers were incapacitated. So you will apologise to the Lieutenant right this instant, and if I ever find you questioning her right to be here again I will have you up on disciplinary charges. You should pray that you can ever become even half the soldier that she is."

The Captain mutters an apology and Rajveer shoves him away, fury still visible in his expression. He watches the man go and then turns to Naina. "Are you alright?"

"I... I shouldn't be surprised I guess. Just because it never happened before it doesn't mean people don't think that about me. We never did prove Naveen Bhaiyya innocent, and his reputation still stands like this because we couldn't. Why should I expect to be treated any differently?"

"Listen to me, Naina, I still haven't given up. I was working on his case while you were gone, chasing down leads and... Naina, we can't give up."

Naina looks back at Rajveer, to the earnestness in his face, the dedication that she sees there. She knows that he'll never give up, and in doing so, in trying to protect her as well, his own career and reputation are going to suffer. Captain Duggal will talk about Rajveer's actions today and it's only a matter of time before he's pulled down because of it.

And Rajveer... his anger had reminded her of long ago, of the way that he would react to Major Bhargav's taunts and insinuations during the mentorship camp. If he continues to lose his temper like that, for her sake, then it won't be good for his reputation.

Naina can see a lifetime of taunts and humiliation ahead, of constantly needing to prove herself again and again, and she can see Rajveer being pulled down into it alongside her the minute their engagement becomes public knowledge. Naina knows that the time has come, she can no longer put off taking her decision.

"No, no of course we won't give up. I could never give up on proving Bhaiyya innocent." She tells him quietly. "But I was coming to see you for another reason today, Sir."

"What is it, Naina?"

She takes a deep breath. "I think, Sir, that the time has come for us to finally take a decision on our engagement."

Rajveer stands completely still for a moment, his expression frozen and then he nods, almost woodenly. "Would you like to come to my quarters to discuss it?"

"No, I... I think it would be better if we were to sit somewhere here."

They find a spot out of the way, where there's no chance of them being overheard. Naina finds herself twisting her ring around and snatches her hands back, placing them beside her instead.

"What is your decision, Naina?" Rajveer's tone is cautious, his expression closed off. Naina closes her eyes for a moment, gathering her strength.

"We had always planned that the engagement would be temporary," she begins, "Only until we were sure that there were no more rumours and my parents understood it wasn't necessary anymore. That time has now come. You were forced into this to protect me, and it wasn't fair on you. We can both resume our lives as normal now."

Rajveer gives her a searching look. "Is that really what you want, Naina?"

Naina has to clench her fingernails into her palms just to keep her calm enough to respond. "Yes, it is."

"Well then, I guess... I guess we tell your parents, and our friends."

"And you... you should change your records in the army database, Sir."

"Yes, I suppose I'll need to do that."

For a moment, Rajveer looks lost. His jaw clenching, he abruptly looks away from her, down at the ground as he stands. "Well, Naina, I'm glad it all worked out in the end. I wish you a very happy life ahead."

"I wish you the same, Sir."

He walks away, still not looking at her, and Naina fights against the wave of emptiness that threatens to drown her. There's no going back now, she's done what she needed to and Naina reminds herself that he didn't want to marry her anyway, she's lost nothing in ending the engagement.

Nothing at all.

/

"I swear this wasn't my fault." Huda's announcement causes the other two to look back at him from where they've all been staring at Major Rajveer, methodically going through the motions of eating his dinner as he stares blankly at the far wall. "He looks like he's been utterly destroyed."

"Well something has happened," Aalekh comments, "And I bet whatever it was, neither of them actually admitted how they feel."

Riddhi makes a sign, and they stop talking, waiting as Naina approaches, a tray of food in her hand and a stony expression on her face. The moment that Rajveer spots her he loses interest in the food he's been pretending to eat and stands, heading towards the exit.

Huda stares at her. "What did you do to him?"

"Huda!" Aalekh gives him a warning glance. "Naina, did something happen?"

"We're no longer engaged." Naina looks down at her food. "And I would prefer not to talk about it."

"You're still wearing the ring." Aalekh comments pointedly.

Naina reaches across to cover it with her other hand. "I hadn't even thought of it, I'll go and give it back to him now."

"Only if you want to push the knife you've put through his heart in a bit deeper."

This time it's Riddhi that kicks Huda under the table. "But did you tell him, Naina? Did you tell him the truth about how you feel?"

Naina shakes her head. "He's better off not knowing. He's better off not being engaged to me at all. I don't want to be the one that ruins him."

"I think you've done that already."

"Huda, would you shut up!"

Naina shakes her head, standing from the table and pushing her plate back, a sheen of tears in her eyes that she tries to blink back. "I'm not hungry after all, I'll see you tomorrow."

She walks away unsteadily and they're all left staring at each other.

"This is a disaster," Riddhi announces, "What are we going to do about it?"

"Lock them in a room together until they work things out." Huda suggests.

"You want to be court-martialled?"

"Alright, I volunteer Aalekh to go and speak to Sir."

"Why don't you go?"

"Aalekh is better at these things than me. He'll know what's gone wrong and how to fix it. I don't get it though, why didn't Rajveer Sir fight for her?"

Aalekh smiles sadly, he worked out the truth years ago, that Rajveer Sir struggles to believe he deserves any happiness at all. "He'll always fight for Naina, it's himself he won't stand up for."

Sighing, he stands up, the sooner he does this the better. His own food will have to go uneaten too.

/

When Rajveer opens the door his eyes are red, and Aalekh suspects he's been crying. "Sir, may I come in?"

"It's not really the best time, Aalekh, I hope you understand."

Aalekh steps forward as he tries to close the door. "It's the only time, Sir, before this gets any worse."

Sighing, Rajveer opens the door for Aalekh to step in, closing it behind him. "I don't know what good you think it will do to talk about it, Aalekh. Naina has made her decision and I respect it, just as I always planned to."

"Naina has made the wrong decision and she's made it believing that you don't love her."

"Does she really not know, or does she prefer not to?" Rajveer asks him tiredly, "I've tried to ensure she doesn't so that she could make her decision without any pressure, but I wonder how it would be possible for her not to know. "

"She doesn't." Aalekh replies shortly, "And she made her decision thinking that you wanted the engagement to be ended. She's thought it ever since you spoke to her father. I don't know what happened today, but she said to us that she wouldn't be the one to ruin you. She thinks if you remain engaged to her it'll be bad for your reputation."

Rajveer is silent as he thinks it over and then he nods. "One of the Captains said something to her today, I should have seen the connection. That doesn't change things though Aalekh, she still doesn't love me." His voice suddenly becomes rough as he looks downwards. "How could she ever love me?"

"I used to think you were the bravest officer I've ever met, how can you be afraid to tell her the truth?" Aalekh asks him. "You've told her far harder truths than this one."

Rajveer looks at Aalekh sharply, knowing that he's speaking about Naveen.

"Do you really want her to never know, Sir? Do you want her to go through the rest of her life thinking this engagement was nothing but an obligation to you? That's what she thinks now. Can you pretend that she means nothing to you? Wouldn't it be better for her to know, even if the engagement stays broken?"

There is silence as Rajveer thinks it over and then he stands, nodding decisively. "You're right, Aalekh. Whether she wants me or not, there's nothing to lose now that the engagement has been broken. She deserves to know that she is loved, and I want her to. She should know that none of this was done under obligation. She should know that I would do anything for her happiness."

He strides out the door and Aalekh can't help but smile. Maybe tonight things will finally work out for the two of them.

/

At the sharp knock on the door, Riddhi opens it, looking first to the man standing there and then to Naina where she lies on her bed, her arm thrown over her eyes.

"Naina, you have a visitor." Riddhi announces, "I'll be with Aalekh in case you want me."

By the determined look in Major Rajveer's eyes, she suspects that Naina won't be looking for her anytime soon.

Naina removes the hand from her eyes and immediately sits up nervously, watching as Rajveer shuts the door behind him.

"I realised I forgot to give the ring back," she tells him, not sure why else he would be here. "It's just that I'm so used to wearing it by now I didn't even think about it."

"I'm not here for the ring, Naina. Two and a half years."

"What?"

"That's how long we've been engaged for, two and a half years. I think that after that long, we both owe each other the truth if we really are going to end things."

"And what truth is that?" Naina asks quietly, as he comes to sit on the bed beside her.

"About how we both really feel," Rajveer reaches out and takes her hand in his, his grip strong and warm, no hesitation this time. "I have struggled for so long to keep it hidden, thinking it was best that you didn't know but today I finally have nothing left to lose."

"Best that I didn't know what?" Naina's voice is almost a whisper now.

"Naina, the only reason I never spoke was because I didn't want to influence your decision. I wanted you to be free to choose and I knew you could never love me, but I always thought that maybe somehow, there was a small chance that we could be happy together."

His words are so gentle and he smoothes his own thumbs over her hand, soothingly, and Naina can't help the tears that come to her eyes. "I wanted that too, I hoped... Don't you see though? I can't be responsible for ruining you. I wanted to be brave and tell you, but what good would it do when nothing can come of it? You're right though, we should tell the truth." She takes a deep breath in, tears rolling down her cheeks now. "I know I should give you up, and that you only agreed to this because you had no choice but I love you. I love you, and I need you to know that even if you don't love me."

Rajveer stares at her in amazement. "Naina, how could you possibly not know by now?"

"Know what?"

He releases her hands to wipe her tears away, then very slowly leans in to brush his lips against hers, just the lightest touch before he pulls back. "I've loved you for the longest time. I've loved you since the academy, much before I should have. I've loved you and I've never dared hope that one day you might love me back."

Naina stares back at him. "You've really loved me all this time? Why didn't you tell me?"

Rajveer gives her a wry smile. "I must be better at concealing my feelings than I thought I was. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to feel pressured to marry me if it wasn't what you truly wanted. We've been through so much together since that day and for a long time I haven't dared to hope that we could ever be here together."

"Well I do love you, I love you so very very much." Naina raises her own hands then, one to his cheek and the other to his shoulder. She hesitates for only a moment before she leans in to kiss him, his lips parting beneath hers. It is the first time that Naina has ever kissed a man, and she has only the slightest idea of what she's doing, but Rajveer gathers her close, pulling her towards him and then sliding his own hands into her hair as he deepens the kiss. She can tell that he's restraining himself, his kisses deliberately kept light, and when he moves one of his hands to her hip, pulling her forward, he breaks off suddenly, removing his hand and starting to apologise.

"Rajveer." His name has never sounded so sweet as it does from her lips, and he easily allows himself to be pulled back into the kiss as Naina places his hand back on her hip, tugging him closer toward her.

"Naina, oh god, Naina." He breaks away again, looking down at her, unable to believe how lucky he is. She loves him, she really loves him, and he never needs to be without her again. This time Rajveer pulls her into a hug, crushing her against him and resting his head on her shoulder. They hold each other, both shedding tears, and Naina rests her head on top of his.

Circumstances and their own stubbornness has kept them apart for far too long. From now on he won't let anything separate them.

When he finds Riddhi an hour later, tracking her down to let her know she can return to her room, he's grinning. Such brilliant heartfelt happiness as Aalekh and Riddhi have certainly never seen on his face before.

"All good now, Sir?" Aalekh asks.

"It's better than good, Aalekh." Rajveer replies earnestly. "It's perfect."

A/N: And finally! No more miscommunication or misunderstandings from this point onwards, I promise!