Letting out a sigh of relief, Rajveer turned around and found himself surrounded by the Super Six. Alekh and Ali wore stern expressions, Huda appeared amused, Yudi seemed thoughtful, and Pooja looked excited. Rajveer understood that it was his turn to face the interrogation from his cadets.
"Um... Hey, guys! Haven't you gone back to your hostels yet?" he asked nervously, noticing Naina's absence. "Where did Naina go?" he inquired.
"Why? Didn't you just spend 40 hours alone with her?" Alekh sternly countered. "So, when were you planning to ask for my permission to date my sister?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"As Brigadier Sir mentioned, there should be no public displays of affection at the academy. You can hold hands and give her kisses on the forehead and cheeks, but anything more than that is not allowed before marriage," Ali stated firmly.
Rajveer stared at his cadets in disbelief. "Boys, I think you both took the fact that Naina considers you her brothers a bit too seriously. She is an adult, and I will only seek permission from her," he said with an amused smile. "Good night, everyone," he bid them farewell before making his way to his own room.
Alekh and Ali exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter. "Damn! He's got some nerve," Ali complimented.
"Good. He'll need it if he wants to date my sister," Alekh added, turning to his group. "Guys, let's head back to our rooms," he suggested. Nodding in agreement, everyone dispersed.
... - ...
Naina trailed behind Bhargav, determined to confront him privately. She knew he possessed vital information regarding her brother's case. Her plan was to kidnap him the next morning as he left the academy. Naina had already contacted Thomas, briefing him on the scheme. They assured her of their presence, waiting for Bhargav on the main highway, a mile away from the academy. Taking cover in the adjacent corridor near Bhargav's room, she eavesdropped on his phone conversation.
"Hello, sir. I apologize profusely... No, sir. I had thought this time the Captain would surely be expelled but..." Bhargav sighed deeply, "The situation took an unexpected turn. The cadets stepped forward, and he was saved," he reported. He fell silent for a moment, listening attentively to the voice on the other end. "No, sir. The Brigadier has threatened to file a report against me. There's no way I can remain here any longer," Bhargav replied. "Alright, sir. I'll see you at headquarters," he concluded before ending the call.
"Major Bhargav, you have sealed your fate. Not only did you harm my brother, but you also attempted to harm my beloved. If I don't extract every last drop of your blood while keeping you alive, then I'll change my name," Naina vowed angrily.
She returned to her room, finding Pooja already there. "Pooja, listen... I need a favor," Naina began.
"Oye, Missed Call! Friends don't ask each other for favors... they just demand them. Tell me, what do you need?" Pooja replied with a smile.
"I'm planning to sneak out of the academy for a while. If I'm late for the morning drill, could you please handle it?" Naina requested.
"Sure, no problem. Now, give me all the juicy details about what you and my Shahrukh did in the jungle!" Pooja demanded, pulling Naina towards their beds. Laughing, Naina settled on her own bed and began recounting the romantic moments they had shared in the jungle.
...-...
...-...
KMA main entrance, 4 am
An orderly carefully stowed Major Bhargav's bags in the back of his jeep, receiving a nod of acknowledgement from Bhargav. With that, Bhargav climbed into his vehicle and began driving away. Lost in his thoughts about the cunning cadets who had turned the tables on him, Bhargav was completely engrossed. Suddenly, his focus snapped back to the present as he noticed a figure with long hair standing in the middle of the road. Panic set in, causing him to react hastily. Although he couldn't brake in time, he managed to swerve the steering wheel. The jeep collided with a large tree at the roadside, resulting in Bhargav sustaining a head injury. Despite the impact, he remained conscious and turned his gaze towards the window to check on the person he had narrowly missed.
To his surprise, he observed that another man had joined the first one, and they appeared remarkably composed as if there was no accident occurring around them. Gradually, he noticed them approaching and conversing with each other.
"Is this Major Bhargav?" the second man inquired.
"Yes," the first man replied, pulling out his cell phone and showing him a photograph.
"Alright then."
Bhargav didn't recognize these men, but an unsettling feeling washed over him, sending shivers down his spine and filling him with a foreboding sense of dread. He felt an instinctual awareness that surviving this encounter was unlikely. Opening his mouth to question their identities and intentions, he was abruptly interrupted when the second man swiftly produced a syringe and forcefully injected it into Bhargav's neck. Within moments, darkness closed in on him, and he succumbed to its depths, losing consciousness.
... - ...
Bhargav came back to his sense. His while body was aching but the rotator cuffs of both of his shoulders seemed to be on fire for some reason. He opened his eye with a gasp and started looking around frantically. He was in an empty mill, hung up by his arms to a large meat hook. He looked down and found that he was hanging a few feet above the ground. Major Bhargav couldn't understand what was happening to him. Then he recalled those two men who he saw before fainting.
"Who are you? What is the meaning of this?" Bhargav shouted furiously, his anger fueled by his confusion and the gravity of the situation. Threats of retribution escaped his lips as he contemplated the repercussions once he was free from his current predicament.
In response to his outburst, the sound of a door opening reached his ears, accompanied by the approaching footsteps of multiple individuals. After a few moments, Bhargav's gaze fell upon the two men who had approached him earlier. Their attire and demeanor indicated that they were not mere roadside thugs; rather, they exuded an air of affluence and privilege. However, what shocked Bhargav to his core was the presence of Cadet Naina Campbell, following closely behind the two men.
"Cadet Campbell? What's happening here?" he demanded aggressively, addressing Cadet Campbell.
Naina approached him, locking her gaze with his in silence. Bhargav observed in disbelief as her ordinary face transformed into an angelic visage, her pimples vanishing, and her once brown eyes turning a piercing shade of red. A sense of unidentifiable fear crept up his spine.
"Good day, Major Bhargav," Naina greeted.
"Cadet, what is the meaning of all this?" he growled, still skeptical.
Naina's smile widened. "The meaning... Four years ago, you served as the arresting officer for Captain Naveen Singh Ahluwalia. Motivated by the desire for promotion, you wrongfully convicted Naveen, disregarding compelling evidence that proved his innocence. You portrayed Naveen not as a patriot, but as a traitor. Am I correct?" she inquired calmly, pacing leisurely in front of him.
"Why is any of this your concern, Cadet Campbell? Or did the Captain send you to do his dirty work?" Bhargav sneered.
"Captain Rajveer... you know there were a million times when I almost killed you at academy?" Naina asked with a thoughtful look on her face.
Bhargav was taken aback as she intruded into his personal space, gripping his face firmly. The pressure of her grip left a bruise forming on his skin. "B-But you didn't like him," he managed to choke out.
"Wrong. I love him. He's my soulmate... and you attempted to inflict harm upon him. But you know what's most intriguing? You were completely oblivious to what was right in front of your eyes," she revealed, an evil smile blossoming across her face.
I'll keep quiet
You won't even know I'm here
You won't suspect a thing
You won't see me in the mirror
But I crept into your heart
You can't make me disappear
'Til I make you
I made myself at home
In the cobwebs and the lies
I'm learning all your tricks
I can hurt you from inside
I made myself a promise
You would never see me cry
'Til I make you
You'll never know what hit you
Won't see me closing in
I'm gonna make you suffer
This hell you put me in
I'm underneath your skin
The devil within
"W-What do you mean? What was right before my eyes?" Bhargav asked, feeling a bone-chilling sensation as he observed the unsettling smile on Naina's face.
"Dad?" Naina called out.
Bhargav glanced at the handsome older man in confusion. "Dad?! She involved her entire family in this scheme against me?!" he thought to himself, overwhelmed by fear.
William approached them, handing Naina an envelope. Naina took a step back, opening the envelope and retrieving a few photographs. She gazed up at Bhargav, her grin widening as she spoke. "These photos will reveal to you what was right in front of your eyes."
You'll never know what hit you
I'll be here
When you think you're all alone
Seeping through the cracks
I'm the poison in your bones
My love is your disease
I won't let it set you free
'Til I break you
You'll never know what hit you
Won't see me closing in
I'm gonna make you suffer
This hell you put me in
I'm underneath your skin
The devil within
Naina turned the first photo toward Bhargav, causing his eyes to nearly pop out of his skull. It was a picture of the Ahluwalia family, taken when Naina was around 15 or 16 years old. Yet, there was no mistaking that the face in the photo belonged to her. Bhargav finally comprehended what he was witnessing. He remembered reading a report about Naveen's background, mentioning that he had a sister who had been abducted years ago.
"Y-Y-You are... Cap-Captain N-Naveen's s-sister?" he stammered, his voice trembling.
Naina maintained a serene smile, her hands clasped behind her back. She responded with a gentle tone, "Hello, Major Bhargav. I am Naina... Naina Singh Ahluwalia. The biological younger sister of Naveen Singh Ahluwalia." However, her smile quickly vanished as she continued, her expression turning fierce. "The sister... whom you coerced into stabbing a dummy with her brother's face. Can you even begin to fathom the emotions I experienced in that moment? Do you have any inkling of what I yearned to do at that time? No, you don't. Because you were too preoccupied silently mocking my mate. Your actions had severe consequences, Major. You people not only tarnished my brother's reputation but also caused immense pain and suffering to our entire family. And now, it's time for you to face the consequences of your grave mistake."
You'll never know what hit you
I tried to be the lover to your nightmare
Look what you made of me
Now I'm the heavy burden that you can't bear
Look what you made of me
Look what you made of me
I'll make you see
You'll never know what hit you
Won't see me closing in
I'm gonna make you suffer
This hell you put me in
I'm underneath your skin
The devil within
You'll never know what hit you
The devil within
You'll never know what hit you
"How did I miss this? Why didn't they know about you?" Bhargav muttered to himself in a state of shock.
"Because everyone believed I was dead," Naina replied calmly.
"B-But they conducted background checks on everyone!" Bhargav exclaimed, still struggling to accept the reality. "You came out clean. They said you were Campbell's daughter."
"She is our daughter," William interjected proudly, placing his arm around Naina's shoulder. "She is Naina Singh Ahluwalia and Naina Campbell."
"No, no, no, no, no," Bhargav shook his head in denial, unable to comprehend how he had overlooked such a significant clue. If only they had known Naina's true identity, they could have caused even greater trouble for the Captain.
The man with long hair let out a frustrated sigh. "Baby girl, you need to return for your drill soon. It's almost 6 am," he reminded her.
"I need more time to investigate him," Naina complained.
"Darling, he won't be going anywhere, I assure you. You can continue your investigation tonight," Thomas assured her.
Naina pouted before turning her attention back to Bhargav. "You know, Major Bhargav, while you may have taken one of my older brothers away from me... see him?" She pointed behind her towards Thomas, who stood with his imposing figure and folded arms. "I have another older brother now. And let me tell you, this brother of mine is extremely dangerous. I pity you," she sneered before turning on her heel and walking away.
Reaching Thomas, she hugged him tightly and took a deep breath. "Ask him about everything he knows. Torture him if you have to, but don't let him die yet." she told her brother.
"He'll be yours to kill, I promise." Thomas told her as he hugged her back and patted on her back. He knew how affected she was form all these. "It's not too far away now, sweet girl. Be the strong girl I know you to be." he told her firmly.
Naina nodded before pulling back. "See you tonight. Bye dad." and then she left.
Thomas and William turned towards each other. "Let's interrogate... Campbell style." Thomas suggested. William smirked at that and gave out an evil chuckle while nodding his head.
...-...
...-...
...-...
Rajveer personally inspected each of the weapons required for the morning's drill. He had prepared a special drill for his cadets. As he turned around, he noticed the cadets approaching in a hurry. Taking their positions, they greeted him formally. However, he realized that his protégé was missing from the group. "Cadet Ghai, where is Cadet Campbell?" he inquired.
"Sir, Naina wasn't feeling well, so she will be arriving a little late. Here's her permission slip from Dr. Shalini," Pooja explained, handing him the paper.
Rajveer glanced at the paper and carefully tucked it into his pants pocket. He then turned to address the cadets, beginning to explain the details of the drill. This particular drill aimed to train the cadets to rely on their instincts in war-like situations. They were tasked with discerning whether the sand mounds concealed their enemies or allies and taking appropriate action. Some cadets had already completed their drill when Rajveer spotted Naina approaching.
Approaching her, he asked, "What happened? Cadet Ghai mentioned that you were unwell."
"Terrible cramps. Couldn't get out of bed for a while. But I'm okay now," Naina assured him.
"It happened because of...," Rajveer gestured vaguely towards her stomach, raising an eyebrow in silent inquiry.
Naina chuckled and nodded, barely containing her amusement. "Yeah, sometimes it happens," she responded.
"Okay. Will you be fine participating in the drill?" he asked, displaying concern.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks," she replied, touched by his worry and offering him a smile.
The drill continued, and Naina couldn't shake off the strange intensity radiating from Rajveer. He repeatedly emphasized the importance of not mistaking a friend for an enemy and causing harm. There was a pained expression in his eyes that intrigued Naina. She couldn't comprehend what was going on.
Once the drill concluded successfully, Rajveer dismissed the cadets. Naina approached him and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. You take care, love. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help," he replied, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Naina smiled and nodded before leaving the training grounds. Since they had an off period, their group decided to gather in the game room to discuss their mission. However, a sudden interruption occurred when an orderly approached Pooja and informed her that Major Nair wanted to see her in his room. Pooja promptly left, while the rest of the group proceeded to the game room.
Ten minutes later, Pooja entered the room accompanied by two orderlies, each carrying boxes in their hands. The rest of the group stood up, their expressions a mix of curiosity and confusion. Pooja glanced at the orderlies, then turned to her friends with an exasperated expression, "Can you believe how much that Mustache piled on my plate? Sorting out all these photographs in just two hours! It's impossible!" She stomped her feet in a faux display of frustration. Suddenly, she stopped and grinned mischievously, "I have an idea! Please, guys, I need your help. It's the only way I'll be able to finish this task. Please, please, pretty please!" she pleaded.
Her friends chuckled at her antics. "Alright, fine, we'll help you," Naina agreed.
Huda approached Pooja, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "But, Panjaban, you have to make kheer for us in return," he stated playfully.
"He's got a point, Pooja. We won't offer our assistance without some benefits," Yudi chimed in, sporting a smirk.
"Haww... What kind of friends are you? Taking bribes in exchange for help?" Pooja responded in mock disbelief.
"Panjaban, remember, 'Har ek friend kamina hota hai' – every friend is a bastard," Alekh added with a smirk, causing the group to burst into laughter.
The orderlies chuckled and left the room, while Naina positioned herself by the door, keeping an eye outside for any suspicious activity. After a few minutes, she peeked out and confirmed, "They're gone, and they didn't suspect a thing." She smirked and added, "But Pooja, they're definitely looking forward to your kheer."
"If you guys know what's good for you, you'll help me cook this kheer. Assholes!" Pooja exclaimed, feeling frustrated that she had been roped into making dessert.
Ali chuckled and gave her a reassuring side hug. "Yes, we'll all pitch in and help," he assured her. "Alright, guys, let's get to work. We don't have much time to sort through those photos," he reminded them.
"Hey, Phoolan, did you manage to get Captain Naveen's photos from Sir Ji?" Huda asked Naina.
Naina nodded and pulled out her cell phone. She scrolled through her gallery and retrieved a photo of Naveen. Passing her phone to her friends one by one, she watched as they studied Naveen's features and committed them to memory. Alekh discreetly patted her hand in sympathy, understanding the emotional weight of these moments for her.
The group focused on their task, dedicating twenty minutes of diligent work before Yudi exclaimed, "I think I've found it!"
Everyone gathered around to look at the photo in his hand, confirming that it was indeed Naveen at the Alumni night. However, the girl accompanying him had a mask on. "Keep searching. There must be a photo of her without the mask," Naina urged them.
"Does anyone else think she looks somewhat familiar?" Huda asked, raising a question to the rest.
Alekh took the photo and furrowed his brow. "She does look familiar," he stated after closely examining it.
Naina took the photo from Alekh, and a sense of recognition washed over her as she studied the face. "Whoever this person is... I think I saw her just this morning," she commented, her tone filled with disbelief.
"If this person is here at the academy, could it mean she's seeking revenge for Captain Naveen?" Ali speculated.
"If that were the case, why didn't she approach Rajveer sir, considering he doesn't believe that his friend was..." Naina's voice trailed off as she made her point.
"That's a valid question. Let's focus on finding her first, and then we can speculate further," Alekh suggested.
"Um... guys? You need to see this," Pooja interjected after a few more minutes of searching. Her complexion had turned pale, and her hands trembled as she held up a photo.
The group gathered around Pooja, gasping in shock as they saw the photo of Naveen's girlfriend with her face visible. It was none other than... Dr. Ritu Mishra, the psychiatrist at KMA.
"Oh my goodness! Dr. Ritu Mishra?!" Huda exclaimed, his hand instinctively covering his mouth in disbelief.
"Wait, wasn't she flirting with our Shahrukh since the start of the year?" Pooja reminded them, her voice filled with astonishment.
"I don't think she came here for revenge," Alekh muttered, deep in thought.
Naina took charge and asserted, "We need to find out why she's here." With determination in her eyes, she snapped a photo with her phone and swiftly sent it to her family and Rajveer, accompanied by the text "Naveen's GF."
...-...
...-...
...-...
A/N::: Let me know what you thought of Bhargav's kidnapping.
Song: Devil within by digital daggers