Dr. Ritu prepared herself for the day, dressed in a vibrant saree paired with a backless blouse. As she pondered her next course of action, her phone abruptly began to ring, indicating a call from Col. Handa. She promptly answered the call, extending a polite greeting. However, the smile on her face vanished as Col. Handa informed her about the unsettling events surrounding Major Bhargav and the letter addressed to Eagle and his associates.
Although their boss, Eagle, seemed unfazed by the situation, Col. Handa and Col. Bajaj were deeply shaken to their cores. The gruesome sight of Bhargav's lifeless body had haunted their sleepless night. Consequently, Col. Handa instructed Ritu to take immediate action and retrieve the triggers. They were unwilling to risk their lives before obtaining control over those crucial components.
"Understood, sir. I will swiftly take action," Ritu assured, her voice laced with determination.
"I will send you a photograph, Ritu. I hope it will make you understand the gravity of the situation. Whoever is behind this... they are a dangerous adversary. A predator on the hunt," Col. Handa cautioned before ending the call.
Ritu anxiously awaited the arrival of the photograph from Col. Handa. However, when she finally laid eyes upon Bhargav's bloodied, lifeless form, a horrified scream escaped her lips. Trembling like a leaf, she was overwhelmed by the realization that someone was capable of inflicting such brutality upon others, raising concerns for her own safety. Yet, this chilling revelation only fueled her determination to complete her mission swiftly and escape from this treacherous environment as soon as possible.
"Tonight. I will make my attempt tonight," she murmured to herself, resolute in her decision to accomplish her task swiftly and secure her freedom from this perilous place.
... - ...
... - ...
As soon as the morning drill concluded, Naina hurriedly made her way to Rajveer's room, urgency evident in her voice as she called out, "Rajveer sir?"
Startled by her presence, Rajveer emerged from the bedroom, a wave of relief washing over him. "Thank goodness you're here. There's something I need to tell you," he expressed, his words laced with frantic urgency.
Naina responded, "Yes, I have something to share as well."
"But let me go first," Rajveer insisted.
"No, Rajveer sir, please. Allow me to speak first," Naina persisted.
"Trust me, Naina... it's better if I tell you first," Rajveer assured her.
Annoyance flickered in Naina's eyes, but she relented and said, "Alright, go ahead."
Taking a deep breath, Rajveer disclosed the news with a pained grimace, "Colonel Shakti is coming here today... to meet you."
Naina's reaction halted at this unexpected revelation. "Wait... why is your commanding officer coming to meet me?" she questioned, her confusion apparent.
"Um... well," Rajveer began hesitantly, grappling for the right words as he recounted his earlier conversation with his superior. "And now, he's coming to speak with you personally," he concluded with a sheepish shrug.
Naina fixed her gaze on Rajveer, her expression a mix of disbelief and concern. She posed a crucial question, her tone laced with incredulity, "Why are you blushing? Bhargav's dead, and your commanding officer suspects me of being a spy. What's there to blush about in either of these matters?"
Rajveer stuttered as he attempted to explain his dilemma, his blush deepening with each passing moment. "N-Naina, he's been my commanding officer for over five years. What impression would he have of me now that I'm involved romantically with one of my own cadets?" he rationalized, his embarrassment becoming more pronounced.
"I'm an adult, Rajveer sir. Not a thirteen-year-old school girl that you're having an affair with! I'm sure he understands that sometime relationship develops between two consenting adults." She told him, exasperated.
Rajveer had to cup his own face to hide his red cheeks which had darkened at the thought of him having an affair with a thirteen-year-old Naina.
Naina took a deep breath before raising her eyebrows at him, finding amusement in his blushing state. "Rajveer sir, you're so adorable," she said, gently moving his hands away from his cheeks and cupping them herself. She hoped that her cool touch would help return his flushed complexion to normal.
"Why don't you ever call me by my name? Do you always have to add the suffix 'sir' at the end?" he asked, feeling more at ease with her comforting touch.
Naina smiled and nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, avoiding his gaze. It was evident that she would have been blushing if she could.
Noting this observation in the back of his mind, Rajveer leaned down to meet her eyes and noticed the playful smile on her lips. He felt a teasing remark forming on his own lips. "Is my always-in-soldier-mode Naina feeling shy?" he playfully teased.
"Sir!" she whined, seeking refuge in his embrace. Rajveer chuckled and enveloped her in his arms. The fact that Naina was supposed to tell him something seemed to fade away momentarily as they enjoyed their lighthearted moment together.
...-...
...-...
...-...
"Naina, wait!" Yudi called out from behind as she was heading to their next class.
She paused and turned around. "Yes, Yudi?"
"Remember those cameras you asked me to install?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, I managed to do that. I couldn't hack into her phone yet, so we're still working on that. But we did find something. The target received a call this morning, and it seems like she's planning something for tonight," Yudi informed in a hushed tone.
Naina furrowed her brow. "Hmm... Okay. Let's inform the others," she advised.
Nodding in agreement, they made their way to the classroom. As they entered, they noticed the rest of their group already gathered, engaged in a serious conversation. Yudi and Naina joined them and discreetly shared the information they had gathered.
It was Rajveer's class, and as he stepped into the classroom, his gaze instinctively fell upon his girlfriend and the rest of his beloved cadets. Their intense discussion hinted that they were planning something. Rajveer shook his head affectionately. "I wonder what they're up to this time. Will Naina break their pact and reveal their secret to me? Nah! She's fiercely loyal. But as their mentor, I can't help but feel curious about what my wonderful cadets are plotting," he thought to himself with a mischievous smile.
"CADETS! Yes, my super six, I'm talking to you. Please take your seats so that I can begin my lesson," Rajveer announced with a teasing smile, prompting his super six to give him sheepish grins before settling into their seats. Rajveer commenced his lesson, and soon everyone became engrossed in the material.
As the class concluded, he called out, "Cadet Campbell, stay back for a moment."
Naina nodded and remained standing by her seat until the other cadets had left. Then, she smiled and approached her mate. "Yes, sir?" she asked.
"Tell me a secret," Rajveer requested, his stern tone indicating that it was her mentor, not her mate, who was speaking.
"There are many secrets. Which one would you like to know?" Naina softly countered.
"What are you and your friends planning?" Rajveer inquired.
"Sorry, I can't disclose that one," she regretfully replied.
"Okay... Tell me one that you can share but choose not to," Rajveer ordered.
Naina stood beside him and, with a sigh, whispered in a low tone so that only they could hear, "I discovered last night that Eagle is using KMA as a front for his illegal weapon trafficking network. Col. Bajaj oversees the purchases and sales, while an insider from the academy manages the day-to-day operations. Naveen bhai uncovered the truth and may have also learned Eagle's true identity. That's why they trapped him."
Rajveer was shocked. He turned towards Naina and firmly held her shoulders, his voice filled with urgency. "What?! How did you learn all of this?"
Naina grimaced, hesitant to reveal the details. "I think it would be better if you didn't know," she told him reluctantly.
"Cadet Naina Campbell! I'm not in the mood for evasions right now. Answer me, how did you come to know about all of this?" Rajveer inquired, his anger evident.
She pouted before responding, "Major Bhargav confessed last night."
Rajveer felt as though everything around him had frozen in that moment. "Naina... please tell me... you didn't..." he trailed off, unable to complete his sentence.
"I did... with my own two hands," she replied, keeping her gaze locked with his. "And I will do the same to every person responsible for Naveen's condition," she added fiercely.
Rajveer stumbled back, horror reflected in his eyes. He stared at Naina as if seeing her for the first time. "How?! You aren't allowed to leave the academy. The guard at the main entrance would have stopped you or reported it," he tried to reason.
"I managed to sneak out," Naina replied. She continued to gaze at her mate, her mind filled with uncertainty. "He's horrified that I killed Bhargav. When he discovers my true nature, will he still be capable of loving me? Or will he run away?"
"Were you alone?" he asked, seeking further clarification.
"No, my family helped me," she replied.
Rajveer took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He couldn't comprehend how Naina's adopted family had agreed to support her in such a dangerous endeavor. "How did they agree to this?" he wondered silently.
"Are you afraid of me now, Rajveer sir?" she asked directly, seeking reassurance.
"I'm not afraid of you, Naina," he snapped, his voice tinged with frustration. "I'm worried for you. Do you realize the potential consequences for you and your family if anyone discovers what you've done?" he scolded her, his concern evident.
"Nobody's going to find out," she insisted firmly.
"They will find out... The truth has a way of coming to light," Rajveer insisted, his tone filled with worry.
"Trust me, they won't find out," she reassured him, reaching out to hold his hand. "Just tell me what you're thinking. Will you still be able to love me, knowing that I killed someone in such a brutal manner?" she asked, vulnerability and uncertainty in her voice.
Rajveer noticed a strange glint in her eyes, a mix of determination and something darker. He observed the emotions reflecting in her expressive gaze. "While I would have preferred for him to face legal consequences, I understand the pain and anger driving you. But why did you choose such a torturous method? Why not a simple gunshot or stabbing?" he inquired.
"It's a warning to Eagle and his men. I want them to know what awaits them when they face me. I don't want them in jail... I want to see their blood on my hands," Naina stated firmly, her eyes filled with intense hatred towards those who had harmed her brother.
"You can do that AFTER we're done proving Naveen's innocence." Rajveer pointed out.
"Yeah, okay whatever." she made a grumpy face at that.
Rajveer held Naina tightly in his arms, feeling a mixture of love and concern for her. He pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, silently vowing to protect her at all costs. "I have to keep her safe. If anyone even suspects her involvement, not only the criminals but the military police will be after her," he thought to himself, a sense of urgency gripping him. "Naina, we can't let Colonel Shakti find out about this yet. We'll find another way to inform him, but not now," he advised, hoping to buy them more time.
Naina nodded in agreement, understanding the situation. "Oh, wait! I remember... Bhargav also revealed that Naveen's relationship was a honey trap. She's the spy, sent to steal some triggers," she whispered in his ear, sharing another piece of crucial information.
"Damn! If Bhargav's news reached her, she might attempt something tonight," Rajveer speculated, his mind racing to assess the potential dangers.
"Yeah. I learned that she's planning to make a move tonight," Naina informed him, her voice filled with determination.
Rajveer nodded thoughtfully, contemplating their next course of action. "Should I even ask how you came to know this?" he inquired, already aware that Naina wouldn't disclose her sources.
Naina simply smiled in response, keeping her secret close to her heart.
...-...
...-...
...-...
A little after the lunch hour, an orderly approached Naina and informed her that she was required to report to Captain Rajveer's room immediately. As she approached the room, she could clearly hear the second heartbeat along with Rajveer's, which was racing so fast that Naina felt like he might pass out from the nervousness. The unfamiliar scent mixed with the distinct aroma of the person's army uniform made it clear to Naina that someone of higher rank was present. Therefore, she refrained from barging in as she usually would and instead knocked on the door three times, awaiting permission to enter.
Upon entering the room, Naina immediately saluted, maintaining a formal and respectful demeanor. "Jai hind, sir," she greeted.
Colonel Shakti scrutinized her with narrowed eyes, casting a glance at Rajveer. He understood why one of his finest officers had fallen for this young woman. Despite her youthful appearance, she exuded a sense of strength and discipline, evident in her soldier-like posture. Her neatly braided hair couldn't conceal its natural beauty, and her fair complexion would rival any fairness cream model. Colonel Shakti found her attractive, with her naturally pink lips and captivating reddish-brown eyes that held a mysterious aura, which would undoubtedly appeal to someone like Captain Rajveer, who was drawn to mysteries. "Jai hind, cadet. Please introduce yourself," Colonel Shakti ordered.
"Cadet Naina Campbell reporting, sir!" Naina responded with utmost respect.
"Have a seat, Cadet Campbell. I have a lot of questions for you," Colonel Shakti informed. Naina nodded and moved to the couch where Rajveer was standing. They both took their seats while Colonel Shakti settled in the armchair across from them. "I am Colonel Shakti Chandra, Captain Shikhawat's commanding officer," Colonel Shakti introduced himself.
"It's an honor to meet you, sir," Naina replied with a smile.
Colonel Shakti nodded. "So, Cadet Campbell, Captain Shikhawat informed me that you had your family investigate Major Bhargav. Is that correct?" he inquired.
"Yes, sir. Ever since Major Bhargav arrived at the academy, we noticed how he would taunt Captain Rajveer and insult him whenever he had the chance. As his girlfriend and protégé, I couldn't let him continue doing that. When I discussed it with Captain Rajveer, he shared how Major Bhargav's negligence had deprived Captain Naveen of a fair trial. I began to suspect that there might be something Major Bhargav had done wrong that could get him into trouble. So, I reached out to my older brother, Thomas, and asked for his help. My family is involved in the diamond import-export business, which has allowed them to build connections with people from various walks of life. And please don't take offense, sir, but the army has its own flaws. Just like Major Bhargav, there are other officers who are willing to do anything for money. My brother took advantage of this and had another army officer conduct a background check on Major Bhargav. That's how my brother obtained the information," Naina explained.
"I must say, I am not pleased with the approach you took, but the information you gathered is truly concerning. Captain Shikhawat informed me about possible weapon trafficking occurring at the academy, as well as the threat of a spy," Colonel Shakti stated, frustration evident in his tone.
"Sir, is there no way we can hold Major Bhargav accountable for his actions? Can't we use the evidence my brother provided to at least suspend him temporarily or take some action?" Naina asked innocently, pretending to be unaware of Bhargav's demise.
Rajveer struggled to conceal his astonishment as he observed Naina's impressive acting skills. From her expression, one would never suspect that she was responsible for Major Bhargav's demise.
Colonel Shakti gave Rajveer a hesitant glance. "Um... Cadet, there's no need for that. You see, Major Bhargav passed away early this morning... he... he had an accident," he fabricated.
"Oh," Naina responded with a disappointed frown. "He escaped too easily," she remarked, pouting. Suddenly, she snapped her fingers and exclaimed, "I believe he may have suspected that someone was investigating him, which prompted him to stage the accident. He probably didn't anticipate actually dying in the process," she pondered.
Colonel Shakti stared at her, his mouth agape, realizing that her explanation made sense only if Bhargav had truly died in the accident. "Y-yes, that must be what happened," he reluctantly agreed. He cast an impressed glance at Rajveer. "I can see why you're Captain Rajveer's protégé. It's reassuring to know that you both prioritize your training alongside your romance," he commented with a smirk.
Rajveer, meanwhile, found himself gaping at Naina for an entirely different reason. He grew increasingly concerned about her ability to effortlessly deceive their superior. "Naina, what else have you lied about? How many more secrets have you kept from me?" he wondered to himself. Clearing his throat in response to Colonel Shakti's remark, Rajveer proudly declared, "Sir, Cadet Naina is one of the top cadets, if not the best in her batch. I am confident that she will be awarded the best cadet honor upon graduation."
Colonel Shakti responded, "That's good to know. Well, Cadet Campbell, I will certainly keep an eye on you. After all, we wouldn't want Captain Rajveer's future wife to be stationed far away from him, right?" he teased, a playful expression on his face.
Both Naina and Rajveer stared at him with wide eyes and started coughing widely.
"You ARE serious about your relationship, right?" Col. Shakti asked sternly. "Because, Captain Rajveer, you didn't tell me about this voluntarily. If you hadn't accidentally revealed it last night, I wonder when I would have found out."
Rajveer offered an apologetic look. "I apologize, sir. It's my mistake. I should have informed you as soon as our relationship became official. But sir, there's no doubt in our minds about this relationship. Naina and I love each other, and we're fully committed to it. It's the absolute truth for us," he stated confidently.
Naina affectionately smiled at him before turning to Colonel Shakti and nodding. "He's right, sir. He's mine, and I am his. There's no uncertainty about it. However, sir, we understand the distinction between love and duty. I assure you, our love will never interfere with our responsibilities. Duty will always take precedence for both of us," she asserted with confidence.
Rajveer took Naina's hand in his, beaming with pride. Naina returned his smile with reassurance.
Colonel Shakti observed the couple before him and had to admit that there was something truly special between them. Even a blind person could feel the love, trust, passion, and chemistry that radiated from their connection. "Good to know. I'm genuinely happy for you both. So, Captain, when do you plan on putting a ring on Cadet Campbell's finger?" he inquired with a teasing smile.
Rajveer blushed, while Naina shyly averted her gaze.
"No, no. I'm just suggesting that if you two are married by the time Cadet Campbell receives her posting, we could arrange for her to be stationed alongside you," Colonel Shakti clarified, realizing he may have unintentionally embarrassed them.
"Sir, my next class is about to start. May I be excused?" Naina requested. She would've looked like a tomato if she was still human.
Colonel Shakti chuckled, understanding their embarrassment. "Of course, cadet. You're dismissed," he granted. Without wasting a moment, Naina hurriedly left the room. Once she was gone, he turned to Rajveer and advised, "You've made a good choice. Just remain cautious and vigilant," he warned.
"Yes, sir," Rajveer replied, acknowledging the advice.
They proceeded to inspect the triggers and review their security arrangements.