Rajveer turned to Naina, his gaze fixed on her as he posed his question, "When you asked me not to address you as 'Naina Singh Ahluwalia,' what did you mean?"
Meeting his gaze with her vivid red eyes, Naina responded, "I meant that the heart of Naina Singh Ahluwalia ceased to beat at the age of 18. Since then, I have become Naina Campbell."
Curiosity shining in his eyes, Rajveer asked, "Do these eyes, the speed, and the enhanced hearing come with everything that is Naina Campbell?"
Naina's smile softened as she replied, "There is so much more to me than you can even fathom. However, you haven't asked me the real question," she pointed out, a playful smirk on her lips.
Rajveer's smile grew wider. "I never encountered Naina Singh Ahluwalia. So, when I fell in love, I fell in love with Naina Campbell. And remember, I once told you... Love means jumping off a cliff and trusting that a certain person will be there to catch you at the bottom," he reminded her. With a mischievous smirk, he added, "I trust you, even though I know you're probably quite angry with me right now, enough to potentially kill or hurt me."
Naina chuckled as they began walking back towards the truck. "The 'Naina Singh Ahluwalia' side of me is securely locked away, ensuring she doesn't cause you harm. For our kind, our sole purpose is to protect our mates, even from ourselves if necessary. You could say I'm in my supernatural mode now," she explained, deliberately keeping the explanation vague while conveying the underlying message.
"So, there is a part of you that wants to kill me?" Rajveer questioned.
"The God of death has lingered near you since the day we first met, Rajveer, sir. It is only through your luck that you turned out to be my mate, and that is what has kept you safe. Furthermore, if I were to lose control of my strength even for a moment, you would have perished. To me, you are as delicate and vulnerable as a soap bubble," she stated matter-of-factly, devoid of any smugness or warning. It was as though she were describing the weather.
"What do you mean? Why from the first time?" he asked, seeking clarification.
Naina glanced at him briefly before urging him to the back of the truck. "I'll explain later. They're here," she said, a sense of urgency in her voice. "Make sure to aim for their heads. We can't let any of them escape alive," she instructed.
Utilizing her speed, Naina stacked up the boxes near the opening of the truck, creating a makeshift barricade. She directed Rajveer to hide behind them, while he handed her an additional gun. Seeing Naina's amused expression, he explained his rationale, "You... sparkle. I don't think we should let them see that in case one of them manages to escape." He continued, his curiosity getting the better of him, "How were you able to conceal this for so long?"
"Some of our kind possess unique powers or heightened senses. Some can read minds, some can perceive relationships. As for me, I possess two powers: the power of illusion and the power of imitation. I am more familiar with my first power, as it has been with me since I awakened to this existence. The second power emerged recently. My power of illusion has aided me and my family in self-preservation. It's like hiding in plain sight, manipulating what others see or concealing what I don't want them to see. I've been using this power to maintain a human facade until today," Naina explained honestly.
Curiosity evident in his eyes, Rajveer questioned, "Why didn't you employ your power today? Why reveal it?"
"I lost control of my powers because the human side of me is currently engulfed in grief over her brother's death. I am barely holding onto what control remains, resisting the urge to lash out and harm you," she replied.
"Harm me?" Rajveer's voice carried a mix of surprise and concern.
Naina responded with a knowing smile. "Well, you see, I am still adjusting to this new existence, and I haven't fully accustomed myself to prolonged proximity with humans. Moreover, your blood... it smells..." Naina inhaled deeply, her smile growing. "It smells rather enticing," she finished, shrugging nonchalantly.
*** Blood & Gore Alert ! Skip if you want.***
Rajveer wanted to inquire further, but the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted their conversation. Naina swiftly retrieved a pocket mirror from her backpack and handed it to Rajveer. He opened it to observe a group of men dressed in black uniforms approaching their truck. Armed with rifles, there were more than ten of them on this side. Naina and Rajveer exchanged nods, and as the men reached the opening of the truck, they opened fire.
"MOVE BACK! IT'S A TRAP! DR. RITU ISN'T HERE!" one of the men shouted, alerting his comrades. Those who were still uninjured and positioned behind the initial group hastily retreated to seek cover.
"Shit! Naina, we need to stop them!" Rajveer urgently conveyed to Naina.
"I'll take care of them. Just ensure that none of the ones here escape alive," Naina asserted firmly.
With an understanding nod, they separated. Naina, utilizing her incredible speed, dashed towards the group attempting to flee the scene, coming to a sudden halt before them. She greeted them with a smile, exclaiming, "Hello!"
Instantly, they pointed their guns at her. She chuckled and with lightning-fast speed, she moved towards the first bad guy and strangled him with his own rifle by bending the rifle and wrapping it around his neck. The other two men started firing at her, but Naina dodged the bullets effortlessly. She jumped onto the second bad guy, ripping his throat out with her fingers. The third man was terrified and tried to run away, but Naina caught up to him and slammed him against a tree. She looked at him with her red, glowing eyes and whispered, "You picked the wrong side to work."
She looked around with a smiled before she sank her razor sharp teeth into his neck, draining him of his blood. She did the same thing with other two. She had been feeling thirsty due to staying close to Rajveer's blood for long period of time without her usual control. On top of that, the heightened emotions of that day made it necessary. Once she was done drinking, she tore off their bodies as she didn't want any of them to turn into vampires and made a pile. She went back and found that Rajveer had killed the rest. She gathered those as well and took them back to the pile and started tearing their bodies as well. After making sure that she got all the parts, she lit them on fire.
*** End of Blood & Gore ***
Rajveer had attempted to follow Naina as she swiftly disposed of the bodies, carrying two at a time. However, by the time he caught sight of the distant fire, Naina was already making her way back towards him. He stared at her in disbelief, gradually comprehending the implications of her supernatural abilities. "Pale cold skin, heightened senses like speed and strength, strange colored eyes... drinking blood? Is she... like a vampire?" Rajveer's thoughts raced, his mind struggling to accept the seemingly impossible. "You've lost your mind, Rajveer. Vampires are creatures of legend, not a part of reality," he scolded himself. "Perhaps it's a medical condition of some sort. She did mention being in a coma for a prolonged period and experiencing various health issues since then," he attempted to rationalize.
Naina observed his perplexed expression and inquired curiously, "Why do you have such a peculiar look on your face?"
"Blood... there's blood... all around your mouth," he replied, his voice filled with uncertainty.
Naina retrieved the pocket mirror from the truck floor and examined herself. "Oh dear! I've made quite a mess. It's been a while since I hunted in a normal manner. These bottled feedings really affect my finesse," she grumbled with a hint of frustration.
"Naina... I'm having incredibly strange thoughts right now. Can you please explain? What's happening? What has happened to you? And how did you...," he gestured towards her bloodied mouth, "...become like this?"
She gazed at him for a few moments of silence before asking, "What do you believe I am? But I must caution you, once you say it aloud, it means you know my truth. There are only two official rules among our kind: One, do not turn children, and Two, keep our existence a secret. When a human discovers this secret, they are given two options. Option A: death. Option B: become one of us. Are you truly prepared to become one of us? Because in doing so, you must leave behind everything you know and love. Particularly the army. Are you certain you wish to know?"
Rajveer stared at her in astonishment before stepping closer. "You're in the army," he pointed out.
"Yes, but it's temporary. Once I complete my mission, I will vanish without a trace. I may not even return to India for the next hundred years or so. As long as I don't expose our kind, I will remain safe," she explained calmly.
"Hundred years or so?" Rajveer repeated, then gently grasped her shoulders. "Does this mean you will live for many, many years? You will be alright?" he felt genuine relief as the possibility of her symptoms being caused by a disease faded away. He was overjoyed that the woman he loved would have a long life ahead of her.
Naina felt a warmth in her heart at Rajveer's concern for her well-being. She gently cupped his face and smiled, "Since the moment I was turned, I haven't aged a single second. I will forever be 18... until the day I am killed. And trust me, it's not an easy task to kill me. I'm kind of indestructible," she added with a playful wink to alleviate his worries.
Rajveer's relief was evident as he smiled back. He traced his finger along her cheek and leaned in for a kiss, but Naina placed her palm on his mouth. Confused, he mumbled against her hand, "What?"
"Dear boyfriend, have you forgotten that I'm currently not in control of my other self? If you get that close to my sharp teeth, I might forget about your safety and attack you. Besides, I'm covered in blood. You'll ruin your uniform as well," she explained, her tone tinged with caution.
Rajveer let out a sigh of understanding and reluctantly nodded. "So, that's why you've been holding back from kissing me," he concluded, finally comprehending that her previous hesitance was actually her way of protecting him.
"Yes," she nodded in confirmation.
"By the way, what did you do with those men? I saw the fire," he inquired.
"I... had to take care of them properly. We don't want any unnecessary trouble," she replied with a hesitant smile.
Rajveer realized he had ventured into a sensitive topic again. "Okay. I suppose it's time to head to our next meeting point and reunite with the others," he suggested.
"Good idea."
They climbed back onto the truck and resumed their journey. Naina informed Rajveer that they could pick up Alekh and the driver along the way, as they likely hadn't gone too far. As predicted, they found Alekh and the driver close to the meeting point. When the driver complained to Rajveer about Alekh's actions, Rajveer explained that Alekh had acted under his orders to ensure their safety while dealing with the enemy. The driver was pacified, and they all boarded the truck together, ready to continue their mission.
...-...
...-...
...-...
After completing their mission successfully, their two trucks met up at the third meeting point. Luckily, there were no further troubles awaiting them, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief. As they made their way back to the academy in the evening, Pooja, Huda, and Yudi expressed their desire to celebrate the successful completion of their first year as cadets.
Rajveer decided to take them to a dhaba, as it was the only eatery in the vicinity. The cadets were thrilled to have another hour of freedom before returning to the academy. The dhaba was a large establishment with plenty of seating arrangements. It bustled with activity, as people enjoyed their dinners and engaged in lively conversations over tall glasses of lassi and delicious food. The cadets smiled widely, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the place. They settled at a table and placed their orders, eagerly anticipating their meals.
Naina observed Alekh, sensing his contemplative state since he first saw her true nature. She anticipated the questions that were likely brewing in his mind, wondering if it was time to address them. However, for now, they were in the dhaba, and she decided to focus on the present moment.
"Oh, I'm so hungry! These look amazing! My battery really needed this to charge properly," Pooja exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Naina smiled at Pooja's excitement and the anticipation of a delicious meal. As the helper boy approached with their food, the aroma filled the air, making everyone's mouths water.
"You're right, Panjaban! Food is an absolute necessity at this moment. I feel like I might faint any second without it," Huda chimed in, emphasizing the urgency of their hunger.
Rajveer jokingly interrupted, "Excuse me! Can you guys stop making it sound like I starved you all?"
Yudi quickly clarified, "It's not that, sir. It's just... we only had bread, bananas, and milk for lunch today."
Ali joined in, "And we were so caught up in the excitement of the mission that we couldn't eat properly."
Pooja, ever observant, reminded them, "By the way, you didn't tell us why you three were late joining us at the meeting point."
Before Rajveer could come up with an excuse, Naina spoke up, "Dr. Ritu and her men attacked our truck. I believe she was attempting to steal the same thing she had targeted before with Captain Naveen. But don't worry, we took care of them and then joined you all."
Rajveer gave her a disbelieving look and whispered, "Did you really have to share that?"
Naina defended her decision, stating, "Otherwise, they would have asked about it anyway."
Huda and Yudi whined in disappointment, "Damn it! So, we missed out on all the fun?"
Naina chuckled and reassured them, "Don't worry, there are more people involved in this case. Just because you missed an encounter with Dr. Ritu doesn't mean there won't be more action to join later."
Her friends cheered up and returned to enjoying their meal. However, Naina noticed that Alekh seemed deep in thought, his face tense. Rajveer, noticing this as well, nudged Naina and whispered, "I think it's time for you to talk to him."
"I will. But let's find a quiet moment when there's no one around. It's too busy here," she replied, scanning the bustling surroundings. "How are you holding up?"
"I think... I need some time to process everything. It's a lot to take in," he admitted, his honesty shining through.
Naina nodded in understanding. "Take all the time you need. It's an important decision, and I want you to think very carefully. If you decide that you don't want to be involved in my world, it's okay. I promise to stay by your side until your last breath, and then... then I'll follow you," she said with a soft smile.
"What? Are you out of your mind?! Why would you even consider taking your own life?" Rajveer scolded her, his anger evident.
"Our kind... we have only one mate in our entire life. The purpose of our existence revolves around our mates. If something were to happen to our mate, many of our kind choose to end their own lives as well because there's no reason to continue living. The years of loneliness that follow... no one wants that. Most of our kind find their mate within our own kind, and they live together for hundreds of years in their own little 'happily ever after.' But a few, like me, find our mates among humans. These individuals either turn their mates into our kind or choose to follow them in death," Naina explained, giving him insight into the complexities of their supernatural existence.
"Does 'mate' mean 'soulmate'?" he asked, trying to shift the conversation away from the topic that was clearly unsettling for him.
"Yes, exactly."
"What about Alekh? What will happen to him?" he inquired, curious about the fate of their loyal friend.
"If Alekh wants to know everything, I will tell him. He will be given the same options, and he can decide whether he wants to be a part of our world or remain ignorant. If he chooses to stay ignorant, things will continue as they have been," Naina explained with a shrug.
Rajveer tried to lighten the mood with a joke. "Can I also choose to stay ignorant?"
"If that's what you prefer. Then all you'll know is that your girlfriend has a little extra in her system and has a unique diet," she replied, playing along. "It's perfectly fine if you don't want to be involved in this supernatural world. If you prefer to stay away from it, that's completely your decision," she reassured him.
Rajveer nodded, his mind filled with contemplation. He had a lot to think about, but for now, he was grateful for her understanding and support.
... - ...
After returning to the academy, Rajveer and the Super Six stood before BC to report the successful completion of their mission. BC commended their performance and granted them a well-deserved break of 10 days before their second year of classes began. He also informed them that their final exam results would be published in two days, and they were free to go home after receiving the results.
As everyone started making their way towards the hostels, Naina stopped Alekh and motioned for him to join her. The siblings walked to the lake, finding solace in the serene surroundings. They sat down and quietly observed the calm waters.
"Are you okay, Alekh?" Naina asked softly, her concern evident.
"I don't know what I am... You'll tell me the truth, right? You'll always be honest with me?" Alekh questioned, his vulnerability shining through.
"Yes, Alekh. I promise to always be honest with you," Naina reassured him sincerely.
"It's clear that you and our family are not human. Why did you choose me? Was anything you told me real, or was I just another..." Alekh struggled to find the right words to express his emotions.
Naina let out a sigh. "You were never part of my plans," she began. "After I was turned, I posed a great danger to the human population, so my family took me away. After spending four years in seclusion, I gained control over my supernatural abilities. During that time, I pleaded with Thomas to let me meet my family, especially Naveen... I wanted to know if he had a girlfriend or if he got married. I wanted to see if my parents missed me," she continued, her gaze drifting towards the sky. "Thomas loves me as his own daughter, so he agreed, and we returned to India. It was here that we learned of the terrible fate that befell our family. I never could have imagined such tragedy. So, I made a vow... a vow to seek revenge against those who harmed our family. That's how I ended up here. You... you started treating me like Naveen bhai would. Being near you made me feel connected to my brother. That's why I welcomed you into our family. I had no ulterior motives," she concluded. Taking his hand in hers, she added, "Alekh, if you choose to stay ignorant, that's perfectly fine. You will still have a family who loves you until the end, even if you have to accept our peculiarities."
Alekh nodded, his mind processing the revelations. He absentmindedly tossed small pebbles into the lake before finally asking, "And if I don't want to remain ignorant? What happens then?"
"There are two rules in our world. One, never turn children. Two, do not expose our existence to humans," Naina informed him. "If you learn the truth, you'll be presented with two options. Option one, you can choose to be turned, but in that case, you'll have to be separated from human civilization until you gain control over your abilities, as you'll be too dangerous for them. Option two, you can opt for the alternative, which is being killed," she explained.
Alekh raised an eyebrow in surprise at the second option. "Why killed?" he asked, seeking clarification.
"Remember rule number two? That's the reason. In fact, if the ruling family discovers that a human is aware of our existence and still alive, not only you, but our entire family would face punishment by death," she clarified.
Alekh's expression fell, and he nodded in understanding.
"You don't have to make a decision right away. Take your time. We are your family, Alekh. If you choose to remain human and know the truth, we will stand by your side. If we have to face the consequences, we will do so without hesitation," she reassured him with a warm smile.
Alekh stared at her in awe, unsure of what he should do. "I... I need some time," he told her honestly.
"Take all the time you need, brother. Remember, no matter what you decide, you will always be my brother. Goodnight," Naina said, getting up from her seat. She leaned down, planting a gentle kiss on the top of his head, and then walked away, leaving Alekh deep in thought.
...-...
...-...
...-...
Ritu was overwhelmed with fear, not because of the excruciating pain coursing through her body or the bruises covering her skin, but because of the breathtakingly beautiful men standing before her. She recognized them from the Republic Day event - Naina's family members. Her father, brother, and brother-in-law.
Suddenly, Ritu's memory flashed back to the true identity of Naina. Naina Singh Ahluwalia... the younger sister of Captain Naveen Singh Ahluwalia. Ritu distinctly recalled reading about Naveen's sister even before she approached him. According to the information she had gathered, Naina, who was only 18 at the time, had been abducted while on her way home from college. Naveen, who was about to graduate from KMA, had never been able to find her. The return of Naina puzzled Ritu. If she truly was Naveen's sister, then who were these people she had introduced as her family?
As Ritu sat in the corner of the abandoned warehouse, she could hear the creaking sound of the door opening. A few moments later, Naina walked in. Dressed in black leggings, a loose black t-shirt, and white sneakers, she appeared completely ordinary, as if she were merely taking a leisurely stroll.
*** ~Mentions of Blood & Gore !~***
Naina greeted her family members before coming towards Ritu. "You don't seem like the kind of talk easily. So, tell me Dr. Ritu Mishra, should I waste my time by asking question first or can I just go ahead to torturing you?" she asked in a bored tone with her arms folded over her chest.
"Where were you? Where did you come from? My boss... he has lots and lots of connection and he knows nothing about you. Where did you come from?" Ritu questioned frantically.
"Your boss... what's his name? I know he's a politician, but I don't know his name. Tell me his name." Naina ordered.
"I-I can't. He'll kill me!" Ritu replied.
Naina chuckled. "Did you not see or hear about Major Bhargav? Did you think you'll be able to get out of here alive? No! Only your dead body will be leaving this place. Either way, you're going to die and I'll get to see the life draining form your eyes." she told Ritu
"B-Bhargav?!" Ritu mumbled, horrified as she recalled the gory, bloody status of Bhargav's body when he was found. "You... you did that?!" she asked, eyes wide with fear as adrenaline started rushing through her body as her heart raced faster.
"Yes, ma'am. With my very own hands, I pulled out each of his rib bones through his back. He made a beautiful blood eagle, don't you think?" Naina sneered.
Ritu started shivering. The meat hook she was hanging from started making rattling sounds from her shivers. Naina chuckled, enjoying her fear. She recalled her brother's letter where he had written how he was being tortured everyday. His nails were pulled off, he was being poisoned, he was being beaten, humiliated and so many things. Ritu deserved to go through at least some of them. Naveen had written in his letter that waiting for the next torture and wondering what it would be was the most scary thing for him than the tortures itself.
"You're a psychiatrist... and you used your knowledge to torture my brother in a way that he was forced to beg his best friend to kill him." Naina told Ritu sternly. She had heard the recording of her brother in that tape recorder on her way here. She could clearly hear the pain and helplessness in her brother's voice. Naina wanted Ritu to feel the same. "I think it's time to return favors." she stated before calling for William. "Dad, can you bring her down and tie her to a chair of something?"
"On it, baby girl." William told her. He took a leap and landed on top of the meat hook. Then without any care, he tore the ropes holding Ritu up. Since her feet were only two feet above the ground, she was that hurt when she fell to the ground.
"Naina, would you be here for a while? Jeremy and I are going to get Col. Handa." Thomas asked.
"No. I'll go back after in a few minutes. Dad is staying on guard here, right?"
"Yeah. I'll be here." William assured.
"Okay then. See you tomorrow night then." With that Tom & Jerry left.
"What do you intend to do?" William asked as he started trapped Ritu to a chair with iron bars by easily bending them the way he wanted.
"I don't want her to die yet. I want her to keep on watching the video I'm about to play on loop until Tom & Jerry brings that Col. Handa." Naina informed as she dragged a small table from somewhere and set a laptop on it.
Naina manipulated the video, slowing it down to stretch the duration from one hour to two. With a few clicks, she set the video in motion and turned the screen towards Ritu. Ritu's eyes widened in horror as she realized that it was the footage of Bhargav's brutal torture. The memories of the gruesome end result flooded her mind, causing her to panic and desperately not wanting to witness the process.
A sinister smile played on Naina's lips as she observed Ritu's reaction. "Enjoy the next few hours watching this scene. You deserve to experience the mental torment similar to what my brother endured," she coldly remarked. Turning to her father, she instructed, "Dad, ensure she keeps her gaze fixed on the screen. Do whatever it takes to accomplish that. And make sure Colonel Handa watches it as well until I return tomorrow."
"Aye aye, Captain!" William replied in a playful tone, showing his unwavering support for his daughter. He pulled her into a brief side hug, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. Anyone who made Naina cry or upset instantly became his enemy as well. "See you tomorrow," he wished her.
With a nod, Naina left for the academy, leaving Ritu to her torment.