This chapter is devided in two parts..

RAJVEER.

Rajveer could feel himself lonely because his laughter had become distant. And then there she was....enjoying things and playing pranks. She and Shal had become the pranksters of KMA. Alekh was their ultimate target. Once Nair too got the privilege. And nandini.....Shal never left a chance to rile her up. But midst of all these reasons he didnt get any to smile or laugh.

He was busy in staring  at that particular person who days before had been a mess.

Perhaps shal and Alekh were always trying to bring her out of her shell and make her relish this time. Make her the old Naina..

But nobody dared do this for him!

Nandini was always over his shoulder to nag him, to bore him..

And then there was she who barely talked wih him. Who barely registered if he was in the room or not. Who except cooking and doing dishes never dis anything else for him.

When he was back to his room, she used to be talking with shal and then both always rushed to kitchen. Where as he could hear properly, a huge, imporatnt and sensitive discussion about what to cook took place. Every time it was she who won. And then experiments in kitchen....along giggling and a lot of talks.

It was not he was craving for her presence beside him, he just wanted someone to take care of him as Shal did for her. The way Shal had been protective of her since the day first, nobody had ever been of him. Neither his parents....nor his relatives.

He was only child hence a lot of pampering came. But expectations too came along. Hence he was sent boarding sooner than proper age. There he had barely a friend because he was shy and introvert.

After his senior secondary, he decided to appear for army which did everything to increase turbulence in his already disturbed life. Dad wanted him to join his businesses firm while mom wanted him to stay at home, in front of his eyes doing his job.  But he was crazy for his goal...hence nobody could stop him..

In academy days somehow fate was in his favour. He met Naveen who gave him all his love...as much as he could. Thats why He never thought twice before doing anything for Naveen. Their relation was more than that friendship which was labeled on their relation. They understood each other properly. They could give their life for each other. Belief was beyond extent.

During training he got other friends too. But Naveen always was special.

Nandini and he were in relation for three years. But she deceived him..she chose someone else over him. Even when he was about to leave this army duty and join his father's business, she left him for more rich guy....

And since that day he could not believe others except Naveen and his friends. He was friendly but he never dared to rely on others. He never dared to believe someone as blindly as he did with Nandini.

And somehow that  led him to face a bitter relation with younger sister of his best friend.

He never thought it'd happen. The day Abhi had given him that offer, he was outraged to think that someone'd stoop so low. He just thought about that woman only. He couldn't muster enough rational thoughts fpr blaming Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu seemed to be a certified asshole who could go any extent for his profit. But that woman....she'd choose something else.

She'd have options available for her. She could complain against Abhi if he was forcing her into this. She could ask for help but never did. Abhimanyu was supposed to stoop low but she was not.

And midst his dilemna he never got to know when he blamed her for whole fiasco. Abhi went uncharged but she was convicted with his hate.

He respected woman...but after Nandini he got suspicious of them...and slowly slowly this suspection caused a huge misunderstanding in his life....He was unaware of this.

Neither he tried to ask nor she tried to explain....whatever reasons were but misunderstanding turned into belief and their relation was at stake now. Hanging loose in air who could break any moment.

Raj had kept a tab on Naveen' case since the day annie had shouted on him. He wanted to meet Naveen and tell him everything. Naveen was supposed to know about her truth and a part of him who for the sake of Naveen wanted to believe there could be reasons for her prostitution, wanted to know her reasons via Naveen.

When she cried nonstop, he heard her cries daily. If she was crying, he was also not asleep. His sleep also was running away from him if she was wasting her nights in study doing every possible effort for sleeping.

If this relation was vicious for her, it never brought nector for him. He was also equally poisoned, equally suffocated.

Yes he hated her..yes he wanted break this relation...but because of his need of someone pure and innocent. He wanted love in his life, care in his life and she didnt seem to be the one who'd love him.

She was involved with others for money...she was opportunist.

When she began to smile, whether be it shal' efforts or her self-evolution, he grew jealous.

She had her revolution but his change was still far away. He wanted a release...which never came.

Hence he began to make efforts for a small conversation with her......because for a first time he let that small part of him take over him....

She was a slut or not only tine will tell.

But he could not afford slipping in hell hole of solitude. He could not dare loose his sanity over her character. He needed to open himself up....and he did.

Shal wanted him to initiate...and he did.

So when he all of sudden entered in kitchen one day (specifically six days after movie-night), he got her taken aback. He was back after his classes and she was working in kitchen as usually. It was their routine. Away from each other, neglecting each other..

But soon silence began to crawl on his neck and scare him....threatening him to succumb whole...He at once ran to kitchen where she was watching YouTube tutorial...

'Umm....Can....Can I help?' He had offered.

Though he knew it was going to awkward but still he wanted it to happen. Because all bitterness in his life had begun from this relation hence first treatment was needed here.

She in reply just nodded.

He didnt also expect anything else. Neither he knew what she'd say nor she'd have words. There was nothing between them. This relation was free end as much as it' in loop.

In their relation there was no beginning no end...it was just hanging in between somewhere. Somewhere distant yet close...strangest yet simple.

He stood for sometimes wondering what exactly to do. She listening what to do with chicken while he standing at an arm' length sometime watching her, sometimes staring at the chef who was non stop talking about the recipe. While on the kitchen top there was chicken...covered with transparent lid in bowl.

For a second he felt he'd not be here..away from her...Away from the reason of all calamities in his life..but now a days his solitude was torturing him..Hence he watched her trying to learn how to make chicken..

His favourite...Which he used to cook with Naveen and Alekh back in KMA days..away from academy hostel near the lake..on bonfire, in a brick made stove..They used to make it. They mean he...only he. Naveen used to chop veggies while Alekh used to watch them over.

And here she was wasting time in listening nonsense cookery talk..

He knew how to cook!

Hence he himself took the chicken and began to wash..which surely caught her attention.

'Umm....I...I can.'

Subtle with words...here too.

'I know how to cook...In fact better than you. Tum...Tum waki dekh lo..Roti ya pulaav..what'll you prefer...Make it..'

There was no taunt involved and he hoped she'd take none.

She to his satisfaction nodded and got busy in preparing other stuff. While he marinated chicken and chopped onions. And other spices..Soon he got super buay in reminiscing his old days...more precisely  his chef days..

It was about time when Shal intruded and he anticipated a remark about what he was doing in kitchen...or what miracle brought him there...or how was it possible..or why she was doing all the work.

But none came and he happily checked his dish and searched for bowl to serve it.

When he could not find it, he had to ask.

'Naina...Wo..Bowl..Isko nikal kar bowl me rakhna he.'

She looked at well cooked gravied chicken which just sang songs in his praise....She was somehow impressed.

She opened second left cabinet and handed him one. He served it while she got busy in kneading the dough. He saw her struggling with almost liquid flour.

He saw her in horror! For months he was having good food. Not delicious, finger licking but good for his hunger. And the way she struggling in kitchen how she managed to prepare all those dishes for almost two or three months!

'Madam. Order karti thi...pass ke restaurant se. Ab aya samajh...me kyu daily timhare kitchen me ghus jaati hu!'

Shal enlightened him...easied his queries. Thank god! He came in today otherwise he'd never have known what was going on behind his back!

She was disastrous! Even worse than Naveen in kitchen.

He just asked her to hand matter over to him..which she with pale face did.

He soon kneaded dough properly and made round spherical chapatis..

Applaud came from Shal..

'Kya baat he! Jo aadmi kahana banana jaanta ho...uski biwi use double pyaar karti he..Naina...Dekho. aur kuch sikho..Pani bhi na ubala jata tumse..And how easily you fooled him! Matlab pichle do teen mahine se your feeding him restaurant food...aur captain ko pata nahi! Isiliye bolti hu...Biwi par najar rakho..Ab dekh liya...kitni skilled he aapki home-minister!'

With shal' every words a monster in him arose and began to ask him why he came here when this woman was filled with lies. She was same...no change. Why he was here...why he came here...why! Ahe was same..deceiver....who'd go any extent for her motives..for herself..

But he needed to be here..It was his downpour after burning himself in raging fires for months long. It was his decision to live with character-less her because he had got nothing after ruining himself behind her stains.

He could not change her.....nor the reality he had to be with her....even for next few months....but he needed..

So.... he just smiled and put the monster aside. Time to live in present for himself..

After he was done, He, She and Shal the trio enjoyed his skilled chicken....and he could see her poking her tongue out at Shal who made fun of her..

Just like that....he smiled and resumed his food.

Gurudaspur

Military base..

BRIGADIER' CABIN

Naveen was sitting on the chair. It was after his tenth and final hearing he got evicted.

Only because of Annie again!

Annie was outside the cabin talking with the panel who heard the case. He was sent inside the cabin for signing few documents related his release from prison. He was happy.....but not happy at the same time.

Abbas had dared mention Naina! Though annie too had done her fair share of damage in enemy' image, but Naina'd not be mentioned..

He still remembered Captain Anmol' words..

'Batayiye Mr. Ahaluwalia...Sholapur base me hi convict huye the na...forged docs ke sath arrest huye the.. Tab aapki bahan bhi wahi posted thi...Phir aisa kya huya, ki further investigation me aapke against koi proof ni mila. Kya kiya tha aap dono bhai bahno ne!'

He was about yo choke anmol but annie had restrained him. She just stopped him by calling anmol and registering her protests...

Naveen knew who was master mind behind all these drama and lies.....but he could not afford same outcomes again...without enough power and proofs.

Brigadier Mukesh lal called him and asked him to sign few documents..

'I knew it from beginning...aapko fasaya gaya he. Now I am happy that your free. Aage se alert rahiyega. Sign these docs. Aap apni duty next month se resume kar sakte he. Abhi hearing panel ke sign me le lu...is ke bad you can go home ....or for celebrations...wherever you want..'

In repky naveen just nodded..

But In mind he called him names..

Sala. Khoosat buddha. Abhi teen mahine pahle sharm se dafan hone wala tha ki uske base ka captain arrest huya he...aaj dekho...juth aise bol raha he jaise me gazni hu! Mujhe kuch yaad hi nahi. Marega tu...dekh beta...Teri biwi ko teri captain leela ke sath chal rahi rasleela dikhaunga me....bas tu dekhta ja...sach me dafan ja kiya to nasm badal dena .

With a smile on his face he resumed his session but annie came and asked him to come along.

Her forehead was wet with sweat...and eyes were soccer...telling him he should asap come out with her. So he took brigadier' leave and came out.

When both were out, annie handed him a letter..

'Abbas ne diya he..And koi proof bhi nahi he ye. Typed letter he. Aur tumhe pata he...abhi do minute pahle kya huya! Abbas suicided. After verdict, tum idhar lal ke pas aaye aur udhar anmol mere sar par aakar khada ho gya...Congratulate kiya. Phir mene abbas ko dekha jisne mujhko ye letter diya...me yaha aayi...panel se aage ki procedure ke bare baat ki....abbas ko tab tak cell ki taraf le gaye where he snatched gun ftom a guard and shot himself dead. Mebe bola tha....is bar bahut bada jhol hoga....dekho...shuruaat ho chuki he. Ab ne kabhi us haramkhor safedposh ka kuch nahi bigad paaungi. Abbas was our last hope....now we are at dead end. Damn it!'

Naveen saw her...eyes blazing with fire..and forehead tensed..

He held her hand and pulled her to hinself...hugging her close to his heart. She always did more than she could for him..for his family...always she tried to turn every stone.

'Annie....Shadi karegi?'

To which he got a punch in his stomach..

'Me tension se mar rahi hu aur tumhe majak soojh raha he! Itni important baat ho rahi aur wo letter kaha he? Padna door tumhe meri shadi ki padi he..... Shadiram ghadjode ho! Tum jail me hi sado..'

Saying this, she turned to leave..

To be continued........

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Jawab do annie....warna next update ni aane wala........ annie22choudhary