When the cadets and their mentor returned to the academy, BC awaited them at the entrance, casting a stern glare at Bhargav as he scolded him for endangering a cadet's life. Concerned about Alekh and Ritu's well-being, BC noticed Naina's absence among her friends and inquired about her whereabouts, as well as Captain Rajveer's. However, nobody had any information to offer, except for Pooja, who mentioned that they had all left for the route march together and Naina and Rajveer were last seen at that time.
Major Bhargav explained to BC that he had sent the orderly with maps to inform everyone about BC's order. Perplexed by Naina's failure to return, BC speculated that perhaps they had ventured further away, resulting in the delay. Seizing the opportunity, Bhargav decided to play his own game. He adopted a concerned expression and shared his suspicions about Rajveer with BC. Bhargav claimed to have witnessed instances where Rajveer would flirt with Naina, causing her distress and prompting her to distance herself from him. He also alleged seeing Naina leaving Captain Rajveer's room in a distraught state, with Rajveer attempting to stop her. Furthermore, Bhargav highlighted Rajveer's behavior during the trust drill. Overall, he painted a picture portraying Captain Rajveer as either an insincere Romeo or a lecherous pervert.
Naina, being the top student in her batch, held a special place in BC's heart. The revelation of someone harassing and attempting to disrupt her focus on her studies angered Brigadier Chandok. "Then why did you assign Captain Shikhawat as Cadet Naina's mentor?" he questioned Bhargav with intensity.
"Sir, at that time, I considered it from an academic perspective. I believed that he would be a good teacher and she could learn a lot from him. But then..." Bhargav's disappointment was evident on his face. "I witnessed Captain Rajveer speaking to an orderly and instructing him to place a letter in Cadet Naina's room. I couldn't confront him openly, so I decided to stay back while everyone went to the camp, hoping to search her room. However, I found nothing," Bhargav explained, his expression reflecting his frustration.
"We'll wait until Captain Rajveer and Cadet Naina return to the academy. I want to hear everything directly from Cadet Naina's account," BC declared, dismissing everyone. He instructed the orderly to inform him immediately upon Raina's arrival.
"This Bhargav guy needs to be kicked out of the academy as soon as possible. How dare he accuse our Rajveer sir like that?!" Huda exclaimed angrily.
"Absolutely, man. Let's gather evidence against him and expose his lies," Yudi suggested, his determination evident.
"I'm with you guys. He accused Rajveer sir of eve-teasing Naina. We would never tolerate such behavior if it were true," Ali chimed in, equally outraged.
"Let's find the perfect antivirus for that virus," Pooja chimed in, rubbing her hands together in a mischievous manner.
"Let's do it, but we will submit it only after discussing this with Naina first," Alekh affirmed, leading the way back to their hostel.
They all gathered in Ali and Alekh's room, determined to document the various wrongdoings they had noticed Bhargav committing since his arrival. They decided to draft a formal complaint against Major Bhargav, considering it was Ali's idea. The logic behind it was that by issuing a formal warning to Bhargav, they would have a stronger case to disprove his accusations, even with circumstantial evidence. Nodding in agreement, the group began outlining the instances where Bhargav had violated rules and regulations, meticulously building their case against him.
... - ...
Naina and Rajveer made their way to a nearby lake, about a mile away from the mud pool, to wash off the mud from their bodies. The cool water had drenched them, leaving their clothes clinging to their frames. After they finished washing, Rajveer took the initiative to light a fire, knowing they needed to warm up before heading back to the academy. He positioned himself near the fire, rubbing his hands together as he awaited Naina's return.
After waiting for half an hour, Naina finally returned to the fire. Rajveer couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked with her wet hair and uniform clinging to her skin. He found himself lost in the way her eyes sparkled in the firelight and how her lips curved into a smile as she approached him. As Naina sat down beside him, Rajveer tried to regain his composure. They sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the warmth of the fire and each other's company. But Rajveer couldn't stop thinking about how breathtaking Naina looked, even in her damp state.
He had always found her attractive, but seeing her like this made him realize how much he cared for her. He wanted to hold her in his arms and never let go, to protect her from any harm that might come her way. As they sat there, Rajveer knew that he was falling deeper in love with Naina with each passing moment.
After removing her shirt, Naina was left with only a sleeveless t-shirt, which clung to her damp skin as she tried to dry her uniform. She seized the opportunity to search for the remaining blood bottles and quickly finished them off before heading to the lake to wash up. Rajveer's wet skin was amplifying his blood's aroma, causing Naina to feel more cautious. Sensing his gaze upon her, she arched an eyebrow inquisitively.
Rajveer flashed a grin at her and quipped, "Just admiring beauty."
"Are you attempting to flirt with me, Captain Rajveer?" Naina teased.
"Absolutely. Is it effective?" he playfully responded.
Naina laughed. "Of course, it is." she retorted. "I wish we didn't have to return so soon. I wanted to spend more time with you." she complained, pouting.
"Don't worry, Naina. We'll have all the time we need." Rajveer reassured her, as he gently tucked a stray lock of her damp hair behind her ear, his fingers caressing her cheek. His gaze lingered on her soft lips, a yearning evident in his eyes. He longed to feel the touch of her lips against his own, a connection that went beyond words.
Naina's breath hitched as his touch ignited a surge of electricity coursing through her veins. A newfound craving began to consume her, tempting her towards a different kind of desire. She felt a tingling sensation as her eyes transformed, turning a deep shade of black. Swiftly, she exerted her willpower, suppressing her emotions and maintaining the illusion that revealed her usual reddish-brown gaze to Rajveer.
Naina sensed the longing in Rajveer's eyes, his desire to kiss her evident, but she understood the peril that such an intimate act held. The proximity of his blood would not only fuel her insatiable thirst but also jeopardize his life. She couldn't risk even a fleeting moment of losing control, knowing that it could harm her cherished mate. Protecting him was paramount, and she was unwilling to gamble with his safety.
So, she placed her palm over her lips causing Rajveer to pull back, a mixture of disappointment and anticipation shimmering in his eyes. Naina pulled back, a playful smile adorning her lips, leaving Rajveer longing for more. "We should head to the main meeting point." She reminded him with a smile. "How about we continue that sometime in the future?" she offered.
Rajveer's grin widened, the promise of their connection fueling his anticipation. "Oh, believe me, Naina, I'll be counting down the moments until then," he replied, their gazes locked, their playful banter lingering in the air as they prepared to make their way back, carrying the allure of their unspoken desires with them.
They followed their map diligently, trekking through the designated route until they arrived at the main meeting point. Their astonishment grew as they surveyed the deserted area, devoid of any signs of recent occupation. Naina took a deep breath, her keen senses detecting the lingering scent of abandonment in the air. With a pointed finger, she drew Rajveer's attention to the firepit. Curiosity piqued, Rajveer knelt down and carefully examined the remnants of the fire. Among the charred debris, he discovered a partially burned piece of paper. It bore the unmistakable markings of BC's order, urging all mentor-protégé pairs to promptly return to the academy.
"This note suggests that everyone else has already left and made their way back," Rajveer informed Naina, his voice tinged with frustration. "It seems Bhargav deliberately kept us in the dark. What could he be plotting now?" he pondered, his mind racing with possible scenarios.
Undeterred by the obstacles, Naina responded with a resolute smile, radiating determination. "We will handle Bhargav and his schemes, Rajveer. Let's not waste another moment here. We should make our way back to KMA without delay."
"Agreed," Rajveer nodded, his determination aligning with hers. They secured their bags, hoisting them onto their shoulders, and embarked on the journey back to the academy, their steps propelled by a shared resolve.
...-...
...-...
Four hours later.
KMA courtyard
As Rajveer and Naina stepped onto the grounds of the academy, an unsettling atmosphere hung in the air, signaling that something had transpired in their absence. Naina informed Rajveer that the gourd stationed at the main entrance had promptly alerted BC the moment they passed by. Rajveer's suspicions were confirmed, and he nodded in acknowledgment.
"Stay vigilant, Naina. The enemy may be preparing to strike," Rajveer cautioned, his voice laced with concern.
"You should remain vigilant as well. You're a more likely target than I am," Naina reminded him, her eyes reflecting her unwavering support and protective instincts.
Rajveer offered her a faint smile, appreciating her concern. Together, they proceeded into the courtyard, only to find Major Bhargav already positioned near the staircase, awaiting their arrival. Soon, the rest of Naina's friends, Brigadier Chandok, and the other faculty members joined them, converging at the same location. The tension was palpable as they all awaited the impending attack.
"Cadets, why are you all outside after lights out?" BC questioned Naina's friends.
"Sir, I called them out here. I wanted to assure my cadets that we will always support them and keep them informed. I don't want them to feel left in the dark," Bhargav responded with a hint of smugness.
"Captain Rajveer, may I inquire why you and your protégé were late? What explanation do you have?" BC questioned, directing his attention towards Rajveer.
"Sir, we encountered a mishap during the route march, which caused a delay of more than two hours. When we reached the main meeting point, we found it deserted and came across this burned letter," Rajveer explained, retrieving the scorched letter from his pocket and handing it to BC. "After reading it, we learned that the camp had been called off," he added truthfully.
"What kind of mishap could have caused a skilled navigator like you to be late, Captain? Or was it a deliberate delay? Perhaps you were seeking more time with Cadet Naina, considering your apparent romantic interest in her?" Major Bhargav taunted, his tone laced with insinuation.
Naina frowned but maintained her composure, raising her hand to seek permission from BC, who reluctantly allowed her to speak.
"Sir, may I provide an explanation for our delay?" she asked respectfully.
BC nodded, giving her the go-ahead to continue.
"Sir, during our route march, I accidentally fell off a cliff, and Rajveer sir heroically jumped after me to ensure my safety. We both ended up in a mud pool, and it took some time to extricate ourselves from it due to the slippery conditions. Covered in mud, we decided to clean up at a nearby lake, which further contributed to our delay. While Rajveer sir was cleaning up, I realized that I had misplaced our map for the route march, so I retraced my steps to find it. Unfortunately, I got lost in the process," Naina explained calmly. "I spent an hour searching for Rajveer sir, and when I couldn't locate him, I eventually gave up. Luckily, Rajveer sir found me half an hour later, and we resumed and completed our route march before heading to the main meeting ground."
BC listened attentively, finding Naina's account to be plausible and logical. However, Bhargav wasn't willing to let go of the opportunity to cast doubt.
"Cadet Naina, I find it hard to believe that an experienced officer like Captain Rajveer took over an hour to locate someone. Perhaps he deliberately wanted you to rely on him," Bhargav retorted, trying to undermine Rajveer's credibility. He then turned to Brigadier Chandok. "And what about that letter I mentioned, sir?"
BC intervened, countering Bhargav's claim. "But, Major, you didn't find any letter, did you?"
Bhargav slyly requested, "Sir, I couldn't find the letter in Cadet Campbell's room. Can I have your permission to search Captain Rajveer's room?"
"Permission granted," BC replied. With a barely concealed smile, Bhargav left the room and made his way to Rajveer's quarters.
Rajveer and Naina exchanged puzzled looks, unaware of the letter Bhargav was referring to. The other cadets also exchanged glances, knowing that Rajveer would never send a love letter to Naina through an orderly when he could easily ask one of them to deliver it instead.
Major Bhargav returned, holding an envelope in his hand. He presented the envelope to BC and explained, "Sir, I found this in Captain Rajveer's desk drawer. It appears that he wasn't able to send it before departing for the camp."
"Read it aloud," BC ordered.
Bhargav opened the envelope and began reading the contents of the letter aloud. The letter said:
"My love,
Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to God every night since the day I found you. Prior to our meeting, my days were filled with silent contemplation, wondering what was missing in my life and why true happiness seemed to elude me. And then you entered my life, bringing with you a radiant light that illuminated my path through the darkness, and you have no idea.
The moment I first laid eyes on you, my heart performed somersaults. It felt as though Cupid had struck me with a bazooka instead of an arrow. I couldn't resist falling for your infectious smile and your laughter, which has an irresistible charm. And your eyes? They possess a magical quality, like two enchanting pools. Are you a magician? Because whenever I gaze into your eyes, everyone else fades away.
It feels as though you were sent specifically for me. Did it hurt when you fell from heaven? My love for you has made me realize that you are the best thing life has to offer, and with this realization, I know my life is complete. You and I together have the power to create magic. We are a perfect match. Believe me when I say this, because if you and I were socks, we would make an incredible pair. I want you to know that I love you with all my heart. Every moment, no matter how small, I yearn to spend it with you.
Yours faithfully,
Rajveer"
Everyone present there was left with their jaws dropped as they listened to the letter. However, before any faculty member could react, Naina and her friends raised their hands. Observing their gesture, BC inquired, "What is it, cadets?"
"Sir, Rajveer sir did not write this letter," Naina asserted angrily.
"How can you be so certain, Cadet? Major found it in his room," BC stated.
"Phoolan is right, sir. We do not know how it ended up in sir's room, but he did not write it," Huda informed.
"And how can you be so sure, Cadet Huda?" Bhargav asked, his annoyance apparent as they seemed to be defending Rajveer.
"Major is correct, Cadet. On what basis do you make this claim?" BC inquired, his brow furrowing.
"Because, sir, I personally wrote that letter," Ali confessed.
"And each one of us added at least one line to that letter," Yudi, Huda, Alekh, Pooja, and Naina chimed in simultaneously.
"What?" BC exclaimed, utterly bewildered by the revelation.
Bhargav's face turned pale upon hearing this revelation. He was stunned that his plan had backfired. As he opened his mouth to say something, Rajveer directed a question to Naina, "Cadet Naina, is this the same letter that Major Bhargav instructed Ali to write on his behalf, and you guys added silly pickup lines to it?"
BC, in response to the question, glared at Bhargav and commanded, "Cadet Ali, explain everything from the beginning."
Bhargav attempted to intervene, but a menacing glare from BC made him realize that it would be wise to remain silent for the moment.
Without hesitation, Ali recounted the entire incident, and the other cadets joined in, revealing their contributions to the letter. As they explained their actions, Brigadier grew increasingly furious. How dare this officer make baseless accusations against one of his faculty members? "Major Bhargav, you sicken me! I hereby order you to leave my academy tomorrow morning before the first drill commences. Furthermore, the report you were supposed to submit to the military board should only contain positive remarks about this academy. Otherwise, I will submit a report against you that will contain nothing but disparaging comments," BC snarled at Bhargav in anger.
"Yes, sir," Major Bhargav muttered, feeling embarrassed. He couldn't believe that these cunning cadets had outsmarted him. How had he failed to realize the close bond between Captain Rajveer and these six cadets? And why had Cadet Campbell supported Captain Rajveer despite her apparent dislike for his advances? Bhargav was utterly confused, and it felt as if the ground had slipped from beneath his feet. As he turned to leave, Rajveer called out to him.
"Major Bhargav?" Rajveer called out, sporting a smile.
Bhargav turned, raising an eyebrow.
"Sir, perhaps you were unaware, but... I am an OSD, an Officer on Special Duty. That means the academy's rules do not apply to me," Rajveer explained, his smile growing wider.
Bhargav, annoyed, replied, "I fail to comprehend your point, Captain."
BC also looked at Rajveer with confusion.
Rajveer's smile turned triumphant. "It means, sir, that I am free to date whomever I choose without breaking any rules," he declared, his grin revealing his victory.
Bhargav's jaw dropped at Rajveer's bold confession. He couldn't believe that the Captain was openly expressing his feelings in front of BC.
"Leave, Major. You are dismissed," BC commanded. He waited until Bhargav had left before giving Rajveer an exasperated look. "What was the purpose of that statement?" he asked firmly.
Naina let out a sigh, amazed at Rajveer's audacity. He was confessing his love in front of BC. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she addressed BC, saying, "Sir, Captain Rajveer and I are in love, and we plan to get married after my graduation. My family is aware of our relationship, and they have no objections. If you wish, you can speak with them. I assure you that our relationship will not interfere with my training. During official hours, sir will treat me like any other cadet, and he will not evaluate my performance to ensure impartiality."
BC pondered over the points Naina had raised. "Cadets, what are your thoughts on this?" he inquired, turning to the rest of the cadets.
"We have no objections, sir," they replied unanimously.
"Very well, then. Captain Rajveer, you must maintain the integrity of your position. Public displays of affection will not be tolerated within the academy. You will assess their assignments and drills, but you must present them to me for final approval. Cadet Campbell, I will personally communicate with your parents regarding this matter. Rest assured, if I detect any shortcomings in your performance, I will not hesitate to expel BOTH of you from my academy. Remember, you have promised to earn the Best Cadet Award under my supervision," BC sternly conveyed to Naina.
"Yes, sir," Naina and Rajveer responded in unison.
With that, BC dismissed everyone and departed. Nair rolled her eyes, feeling disgusted, and walked away. The cadets gathered around Naina, offering their support, while the faculty members surrounded Rajveer.
"Captain, you turned out to be quite a sly fox!" Shalini teased, "While I was trying to set you up with Dr. Ritu, you were busy forming a connection with Cadet Naina. Not bad!"
Rajveer chuckled awkwardly. "It wasn't like that, doc. We started as a regular teacher and student, but somehow things evolved into something more... even we can't explain it," he explained bashfully.
"Well, whatever you say, Captain Rajveer, but you should know that you broke my heart," Ritu expressed with a sad sigh.
"I never led you on, doctor. I'm sorry that you're hurt," he replied firmly, recalling her involvement with someone from the Eagle gang. Rajveer wondered if she could be the spy who was attempting to steal nuclear triggers.
Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Shalini turned to Ritu and suggested that they return to their beds since it was the middle of the night.
Subedar Major Lolita stepped forward and addressed Rajveer sternly, "You are not permitted to be alone with Cadet Naina in her room unless it's an emergency."
Rajveer blushed, understanding the implication. He cleared his throat and nodded in agreement.
Suriji approached him with a beaming smile. "Finally, my Rajveer puttar is settling down. After what happened with Naveen, I thought you would never move on. But I'm so happy for you. Good choice, Captain Sahab," he said, patting Rajveer on the shoulder before leaving.
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.
...-...
...-...
...-...
A/N:::