*** Trigger alert! Mention of Blood & gore.
... - ...
Lala Gehlot, who is the defense minister, was having a very important meeting with other ministers that morning. Suddenly, the door of the conference room opened forcefully, and Mr. Basu, Lala Gehlot's personal secretary, rushed in with a frightened look on his face.
Lala Gehlot, feeling upset and frustrated, angrily questioned Mr. Basu, "Basu, why are you interrupting our important meeting? Don't you understand that we are busy?"
"Sir... Sir..." Mr. Basu gasped for breath, his eyes wide with shock.
Observing the distressed expression on his secretary's face, Lala Gehlot realized that Mr. Basu wouldn't have acted so urgently unless there was something really important that had happened. Lala let out a sigh and decided to step away from the meeting, excusing himself briefly. He instructed Mr. Basu, "Come with me," and led the way out of the conference room, heading towards his own office. Lala realized that the matter that had unsettled his secretary needed to be discussed in private.
Once inside his office, Lala closed the door and turned to face Mr. Basu, crossing his arms over his chest. He displayed his annoyance as he asked, "Now, tell me what happened."
"Sir... Col. Bajaj and Major Nair's dead bodies were found this morning. Along with them, there was another letter... for you." Mr. Basu informed his boss before handing Lala his phone. He had the photo gallery already open.
Lala's eyes widened in shock as he registered what he was seeing. Major Nair and Col, Bajaj's torn bodies were in some kind of table like contraption. Their limbs were chained to four corners of said table. There was a roller type something on the top of the table. It seemed like the roller was rotated until every joint and muscle of Nair and Bajaj's bodies were torn apart. Their eyes were still wide open, gazing up hollowly into the the sky. Their entrails were hanging outside their bodies. Blood pooled underneath them, painting a horrible picture. Lala knew for sure that this scene would haunt him for many years to come. He felt nauseated. Handing the phone back to Mr. Basu, he rushed to the washroom and vomited until there was nothing left in his stomach.
After washing his mouth and face, Lala came out. He inquired, "What it the same people... who killed Bhargav, Col. Handa, and Dr. Ritu?"
"Yes, sir. So it seems. Their bodies... um the table type contraptions were discovered a few miles away from the military headquarters. Like the last times, there was a card left behind... addressing you." Mr. Basu reported before handing his phone again to Lala to show the picture of the card found with the bodies. On the card, it said:
"In shadows I lurk, unseen by sight,
A whispered breeze, a shiver of fright.
With every step, the echo of dread,
Beware of my arrival, Eagle
For I'm coming ahead."
Lala experienced a shiver down his spine. Initially, he believed his subordinates could handle the situation, but the relentless and brutal killings persisted. Each time, a threatening card was left behind, warning him of the perpetrator's impending arrival. Unsure of how to respond, the once formidable leader of the anti-national group quivered with an unfamiliar fear.
"Inform all our personnel, especially my guards. I sense that it may now be my turn," Lala instructed his personal secretary. "Basu, thoroughly investigate all our transactions and determine the specific incident involving Ritu, Bhargav, Handa, Bajaj, and Nair. It must be that event which will unveil the true identity of my adversary," he added, narrowing his gaze. A mixture of terror and anger surged within him.
"Understood, sir," Mr. Basu acknowledged with a nod and departed to carry out his instructions.
Lala gazed out of the window, deep in thought, and directed his question to the vacant room, "Who are you? What is the reason behind your pursuit of me?"
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Conference room,
Military headquarters,
Delhi
That morning, a meeting was convened at the military headquarters, attended by Colonel Shakti, Captain Rajveer, their entire investigating team, the arresting officers of Major Nair, and Captain Gunny and Brigadier Chandok. They were summoned to discuss the discovery of the lifeless bodies of Major Nair and Colonel Bajaj. The officials were questioned about the circumstances surrounding Nair's escape and their subsequent search efforts in the forest. However, since none of the officers or their teams had any prior connection with Colonel Bajaj, the motive behind his murder remained unclear. The attendees were then shown photographs of the grisly crime scenes.
As the room fell into a heavy silence, the occupants visibly flinched at the disturbing images before them. Wary glances were exchanged, conveying the collective confusion and uncertainty prevailing in the room. Their attention was then drawn to the menacing card that had been left at the scene, mirroring the pattern observed in previous incidents.
"These cards appear to be the sole link connecting these incidents," Gunny surmised, breaking the silence. "It suggests that the five individuals who were brutally killed must have been connected in some way. Someone is seeking revenge."
Everyone nodded in agreement. A look of concern settled on Colonel Shakti's face, and his brow furrowed deeply. He was aware of the incident in which all five individuals had been involved, and a troubling thought crossed his mind. His gaze shifted towards Captain Rajveer, accompanied by a hint of suspicion. "Could Captain Rajveer be capable of such actions?" he pondered silently. "I understand the significance of Captain Naveen in his life, but could he truly go to these lengths? Before confronting him, I must investigate this matter further." Determined to find the truth, Colonel Shakti resolved to delve deeper into the situation.
After the meeting concluded, Colonel Shakti motioned for Captain Gunny to stay behind. The younger officer stood at attention, his arms rigidly placed behind his back as he awaited further instructions.
"I have a task for you, Captain," Colonel Shakti began, his tone serious. "I want you to review the timelines of all five murders we discussed. Specifically, I need you to examine Captain Rajveer's whereabouts during those periods."
Gunny's brows furrowed in confusion as he processed the request. "Captain Rajveer? Are you suspecting him, sir? May I ask why?" he inquired, his voice tinged with bewilderment.
"These five individuals were directly involved in Captain Naveen's case," Colonel Shakti explained, his gaze focused. "If my memory serves me right, they were the ones who falsely accused Captain Naveen and labeled him a traitor, despite his unwavering dedication to our nation. I fear that Captain Rajveer's anguish and anger over his best friend's unjust treatment may have driven him to commit these murders. He is one of my finest officers, and it pains me to entertain such suspicions. However, the circumstances have left me no choice but to investigate. Please conduct a thorough examination and report your findings to me as soon as possible."
"Understood, sir," Gunny acknowledged, his expression reflecting his commitment. With a respectful nod, he turned to depart, fully aware of the gravity of the task assigned to him.
Alone in the room, Colonel Shakti let out a heavy sigh. His gaze lingered in the empty space as he whispered to himself, "Captain, I sincerely hope that these incidents have nothing to do with you."
... - ...
Rajveer stepped into his room to find Naina engrossed in her work on the laptop. He closed the door behind him and joined his girlfriend on the couch. "Hey," he greeted, a hint of surprise in his voice as Naina hadn't acknowledged his presence yet.
Naina spared him a quick glance before returning her focus to the laptop. "Hey, love. Where did you and BC go this morning?" she asked, her fingers typing rapidly on the keyboard.
"To the military headquarters in Delhi. They called us in after discovering the bodies," he replied, leaning his head back against the couch's backrest.
Naina turned to give Rajveer a thorough once-over before a frown formed on her face. "Did you have lunch?" she inquired, concern evident in her voice.
Rajveer grimaced, his complexion turning slightly pale. "After seeing the photos of Nair and Bajaj, I couldn't stomach anything," he confessed honestly.
Rajveer's response piqued Naina's concern. She closed the laptop and shifted her attention fully to him. "I understand. Those images were undoubtedly disturbing," she empathized, reaching out to gently caress his cheek. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Rajveer."
He leaned into her touch, grateful for her understanding. "Thanks, Naina. It was a lot to process even though I was already expecting something like this."
Naina gave him a comforting smile and pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around him in a warm embrace. "I'm here for you, Rajveer. Whenever you need to talk or just be held, I'm right by your side."
He sighed, feeling a sense of relief in her presence. "I'm glad you're here," he murmured, nuzzling his head against her shoulder.
Naina pressed a gentle kiss on the top of his head. "Always, Rajveer. We'll get through this together." They sat in silence for a moment, finding solace in each other's presence. Rajveer's tense shoulders gradually relaxed as Naina continued to hold him, offering him the comfort he needed.
Rajveer then shifted the topic, trying to lighten the mood. "So, what were you working on before I came in? It seemed like you were really focused. And where did this laptop come from?"
Naina let out a chuckle, feeling the tension in the room slowly dissipating. "It's my laptop. Jeremy dropped it off last night," she informed him. "Me and my friends have been searching for the activity center for the past few days, but we haven't found anything yet. So, I thought I'd try hacking into Naveen's old laptop and the PC he used at home, just in case he left any clues about this 'hub' in them," she explained.
"Yeah, that's actually a good idea. So, did you find anything?" Rajveer asked curiously.
Naina let out a sigh of disappointment. "Nope, nothing so far," she replied, her tone reflecting her frustration.
Rajveer reached over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Naina. We'll figure it out. We have a great team working on this. It's just a matter of time."
Naina smiled at his reassurance, appreciating his support. "You're right," she said, leaning into his touch. "We won't give up. We'll keep searching until we find the answers we're looking for."
Rajveer squeezed her shoulder gently. "That's the spirit," he replied, his voice filled with determination. "We'll get to the bottom of this mystery together."
Naina leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you for always being there for me," she whispered, grateful for his unwavering support.
Rajveer smiled warmly. "Always," he replied, his gaze filled with love and devotion.
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Next day
11:00 hours
Gunny dedicated the entire day and night to investigating Rajveer's whereabouts during the timelines of each incident. He felt a sense of relief as he discovered that Rajveer had solid alibis for all five of the incidents. Gunny had developed a genuine admiration for Rajveer, not only because he liked him as a person, but also because of his close friendship with Naveen. Gunny had a special fondness for Naveen and was relieved that Rajveer was innocent.
Picking up his phone, Gunny dialed Col. Shakti's number.
"Hello, Captain Gunny! Did you find anything?" Col. Shakti got straight to the point.
"Yes, sir. I have thoroughly investigated everything. I reviewed the CCTV footage during the time of each murder and found that Captain Rajveer had strong alibis for almost all of the incidents. He was either attending classes or participating in teacher's meetings at the academy, retiring for the night, or engaging in early morning jogs around the training grounds. The only time he was not at the academy was during the search for Major Nair. However, I can vouch for his whereabouts during that time as I was with him throughout those 12-hour shifts," Gunny explained.
"Oh, thank God! You have no idea how relieved I am! He's one of my best officers, and I didn't want to believe that he was responsible for the murder of those corrupt officers. Thank God, he's innocent," Col. Shakti sighed with relief. "Thank you, Captain Gunny," he added gratefully.
"No problem, sir. I'm also relieved that I was able to provide concrete evidence of Captain Rajveer's innocence. I wasn't able to help Captain Naveen, but I'm grateful that I could be of assistance to Captain Rajveer at least," Gunny stated, a slight smile forming on his face.
Col. Shakti smiled back. "Have a good day, Captain. Goodbye," he concluded, and ended the call.
...-...
...-...
Rajveer had just finished his class for the first year cadets. As he was wiping the blackboard, Naina hurriedly entered the classroom. Rajveer gave her a quizzical look but refrained from asking any questions until all the cadets had left. Naina closed the door behind them, causing Rajveer to flash a mischievous smirk.
"Cadet Naina, what mischief are you up to? Have you forgotten that public displays of affection are not allowed at the academy?" he teased.
"I wish that was the reason why I closed the door," Naina replied with a stressed expression.
Noticing the distress on her face, Rajveer approached her and gently cupped her face. "Is everything alright, Naina? Why do you look so worried?" he asked tenderly.
"While passing through the faculty corridor, I overheard Gunny's conversation. It seems that Col. Shakti had suspicions about you because all five of those individuals were involved in Naveen Bhai's case. Fortunately, Gunny was able to find alibis to prove your innocence," she informed him. Holding his hands in hers, Naina apologized, "I'm truly sorry. My actions have caused suspicion to fall on you. I never anticipated that anyone would connect you to those incidents. I apologize deeply."
Rajveer rolled his eyes playfully. Pulling her into his embrace, he scolded her, "Don't be silly! They deserved whatever came to them. After hearing their confessions, everything you did was justified. I will never regret it. And never say 'sorry' to me again. We are mates, which means everything that belongs to you belongs to me, and vice versa. Understood?"
Naina nodded obediently, like a good girl. "I love you," she expressed sincerely.
A smile illuminated Rajveer's face at her proclamation. "I love you too, Naina. Very, very much," he replied before leaning down to capture her lips in a tender kiss.
As Rajveer deepened the kiss, the intensity between them grew. Their lips moved in perfect harmony, conveying their love and desire for each other. Naina's arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, while Rajveer's hands gently held her waist, drawing her in. Lost in the moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. All that mattered was the electric connection between their lips, the way their bodies molded together, and the overwhelming love they shared. Time seemed to stand still as they continued to explore each other's lips, savoring the taste and the warmth that ignited a fire within them.
This marked the first time Naina allowed Rajveer to enter her mouth without the slightest hint of fear that she might unintentionally harm him. With the knowledge of her true nature, Rajveer navigated the depths of her mouth with his tongue, mindful to avoid any contact with her teeth. The taste of her, intoxicating and irresistible, captivated him entirely. Lost in the moment, he found himself pondering how he could possibly resist the temptation to indulge in deep, passionate kisses with her from this point forward.
Finally, with a gentle sigh, Rajveer broke the kiss, his forehead resting against Naina's as they caught their breath. Their eyes locked, revealing the depth of their affection and devotion.
"I can't imagine my life without you, Naina," Rajveer whispered, his voice filled with sincerity. "You're my everything."
Naina smiled, her eyes sparkling with adoration. "And I'll always stand by your side, Rajveer," she replied, her voice filled with unwavering loyalty. "We're in this together, no matter what challenges may come our way."
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...-...
Rajveer's phone rang, and he glanced at the caller ID, revealing it to be Col. Shakti. He regarded the phone thoughtfully before answering respectfully, "Jai Hind, sir."
"Relax, Captain," Col. Shakti said with a sigh, continuing with his message. "There's something I need to tell you."
"Yes, sir?" Rajveer replied, his curiosity piqued.
Col. Shakti proceeded to explain how he had initially suspected Rajveer for the five murders, but Gunny had managed to provide alibis for each incident, clearing Rajveer of any involvement. "I sincerely apologize for suspecting you, Captain. You're one of my finest officers, and I... I'm truly sorry. However, we have yet to find any evidence to prove Captain Naveen's innocence, which is why I considered..."
"Sir, I understand your suspicion, and if I were in your position, I might have doubted myself as well," Rajveer calmly addressed his senior officer. "In fact, there is a part of me that wishes I had been the one to carry out those murders. However, even with their deaths, Naveen's name remains tarnished. Their demise serves no purpose in proving his innocence. What I truly desired was to see them exposed and humiliated in front of the public, just as they had done to Naveen and his family. If you consider this perspective, you will realize that I had no motive to kill them," Rajveer explained, his voice tinged with sadness.
Col. Shakti fell silent, absorbing Rajveer's words. After a moment, he replied, "You have a point, Captain. Your loyalty to your friend is admirable. I apologize once again for any distress caused. We will continue our efforts to clear Captain Naveen's name."
"Thank you, sir," Rajveer responded gratefully. "That means a lot to me. Let's bring justice to Naveen and his family."
With their conversation concluded, Rajveer hung up the phone, a mix of determination and sorrow evident on his face.
Overwhelmed with grief, Rajveer covered his face with his trembling hands as tears streamed down his cheeks. The pain of not being able to prove Naveen's innocence after almost five long years became too much to bear. Heart-wrenching sobs escaped from his lips, filling the room with their anguished echoes. "Naveen, why? Why didn't you reach out for my help? Why didn't you call me? I would have abandoned everything to come to your aid," Rajveer cried out, his voice choked with sorrow and regret.
Rajveer's mind was flooded with haunting memories of that fateful day, replaying in his mind like a horrifying movie that he couldn't escape. The agonizing sound of Naveen's desperate pleas, begging Rajveer to end his suffering, echoed relentlessly in his ears. The weight of that moment and the unbearable guilt crashed down upon him, causing his sobs to intensify, wracking his entire body with grief.
Then, in a moment of despair, Rajveer found solace in the familiar embrace of Naina's cold arms, her comforting presence offering him a sense of stability amidst his turmoil. The gentle scent of blueberry and lavender enveloped him, calming his racing thoughts. Looking into Naina's eyes, filled with shared sorrow, he poured out his heart, his voice trembling with anguish.
"N-Naina... when... when will we be able to prove Naveen innocent? It's been so many years already," he sobbed, the weight of the unresolved injustice crushing his spirit.
"We will, Rajveer. We will bring justice to Naveen and clear his name," Naina said firmly, her voice filled with determination. "There is only one more person left who deserves punishment, and then the truth will prevail. Naveen will be remembered as the martyr he truly is."
Rajveer's tear-filled eyes searched Naina's gaze for affirmation. Her unwavering confidence gave him a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. He felt a flicker of strength returning to his heart as he held onto her words. "Really?" Rajveer questioned, his voice trembling with a mix of longing and uncertainty.
"Yes, my love," Naina affirmed, her voice laced with conviction. She pressed a gentle kiss upon his forehead, then tenderly kissed his closed eyes and finally his quivering lips. "Don't cry. Naveen wouldn't want us to be consumed by grief. We will fight for his justice until the truth prevails," she said, her smile tinged with sadness yet filled with unwavering determination.
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A/N:::