"I can't believe Mr. Rajveer, aap bilkul thik ho gaye and that too only in 8 days. Aapki ichhashakti toh wakayi badi majboot hain." After checking Rajveer, doctor converses with him.

"Aisa kuch nahin hain doctor. Bas inn sabka pyar hain. Inhone itni sewa ki hain meri ke mujhe toh thik hona hi tha." He replies while looking at all of them who are standing near his bed.

"I completely agree with you. Sach mein, inhone aapka bahot khayal rakha. Toh main ab ye keh sakta hun ke aap puri tarah se thik ho gaye hain. You are completely fine. But phir bhi ye vitamin aur calcium tablets aap continue rakhiye. Agar aage kabhi bhi meri madat lage toh I will be there for you. All the best." Smiles doctor.

He gets up to go when Ali says, "Hum aapko kaise shukriya karein humme nahin pata. Aapki sab fees toh de di par wo sab kam hain kyunki aapne jo bhi kuch hamare sir ke liye kiya wo inn paison se nahin tola jayega."

"Ye Ali sahi keh rela hain." Aalekh supports Ali. "Agar uss waqt aap dadaji ko help nahin karte aur Sir ko army se nahin chipate toh shayad sir aaj hamare saath nahin hote."

"Mr. Aalekh aur Mr. Ali, actually aap sab log, maine jo kia wo mera farz tha. kuch chand publicity ya paison ke liye imaan bechna mujhe gawara nahin. Jab Mr. Rajveer ko Malhotra uncle leke aaye the tab unki haalat bahot buri thi. Woh coma mein jaa chuke the, aise mein unko army ke hawale karna aur wo bhi tab jab humein lag raha tha ke unki jaan ko khatra hain, ye mere doctor ethics ke khilaf tha. Uss waqt mujhe jo sahee laga maine wahi kia. Aur mujhe yeh bhi pata tha ke Malhotra uncle kabhi kisi galat ka saath nahin denge. So, relax guys and take care of Mr. Rajveer and yourself also. Bye."

Yudi and Ali go with doctor. Naina and Pooja head to kitchen to prepare dinner. Now, there are only Rajveer, Aalekh and Huda in the room.

Aalekh hugs Rajveer. Rajveer surprises with his this gesture. Rajveer hugs him back and asks, "Kya hua Cadet.. aahhh.. sorry.. Lt. Aalekh?" Aalekh gets separate from him and wipes his tears. Seeing his this state, Rajveer laughs and says, "Yeh kya Aalekh, tum kabse rone lage? Iss Aalekh ko toh main nahin janta tha. Mera Cadet Aalekh toh rulane pe yakeen karta tha."

"Sir, aaj bhi aapun aapka cadet hi hain aur hamesha rahega." Aalekh says. " aapne ye halat kar di aapunki. Aaj aapko aise aapun sab ke saath bilkul pehle jaisa dekh ke aapun bahut khush hain."

"Oye Qaidi, control kar yaar khud ko. Sir kya sochenge. Unhone toh humein har situation mein bahadoor bane rehneki training di thi. Hum aise fail nahin kar sakte yaar apne sir ji ko." Huda teases Aalekh.

"Tu aapun ko mat bol. Sir pata hain, jab humne aapko pehle baar waha dekha toh sabse jyada ye roya hain woh bhi bachhon jaise. Isse dekh ke toh Pooja bhi chup ho gayi." Aalekh gives Huda back.

"Oye Qaidi ye kya bol raha hain. Meri image ka thoda toh khayal kar. Mummy ji ko pata chalega toh wo kya sochengi?" says Huda.

"Chuppp.." shouts Rajveer. "Sab kuch badal sakta hain par tum log aaj bhi waise hi jhagdte ho. Lekin sach guys, aapne mujhe naya janm diya hain.. main aap sab ka shukriya..."

"Bas Sir, kar diya na paraya shukriya kehke." Huda interrupts Rajveer. "Aapko nahin balki humein aapko shukriya kehna chahiye. Aaj hum jo bhi hain aapke karan hain. Phirse agar aapne aisa kuch kaha toh yeh Huda naraj ho jayega."

"Okay. Fine. Nahin kahunga. Waise kya aaj main neeche aa sakta hun dinner ke liye. Iss room mein reh reh ke dum ghut raha hain mera. Mujhe ab bahar niklana hain. Iss room se, iss ghar se. Mujhe khuli hawan mein jaane ka mann kar raha hain. Naa jane kitne mahino se main ek kamre mein pada hua tha. Guys, kya tum kuch kar sakte ho?" Rajveer looks at them with hope.

"Aaj ke dinner ka toh thik hain par aapunko nahin lagta ke baki ka kaam ho payega?" Aalekh disappoints Rajveer with his statement. Rajveer looks at him pleadingly.

"Arey, kyun nahin ho sakta Qaidi. Sirji hi toh kehte hain ke nothing is impossible. Aap chinta mat kijiye sir. Main kuch naa kuch karta hun. Sabse bada jugad toh aapki Naina.. mera matlab hain Phoolan ko patane ke liye karna hoga."

Rajveer smiles at his last sentence. Smirking he says, "Then, all the best Huda. Waise baaki kisika toh pata nahin, lekin Huda ke liye jaroor sab kuch possible hain, kyun Aalekh? Rajveer winks at Aalekh.

"Sir, aap isse jyada ped pe mat chadhaiye. Girega toh aapun sab ko problem ho jayegi. Itna maska marne ki koi jaroorat nahin hain. Aapun bhi dekhta hain kuch. Philhaal aap thoda aaram kijiye tabhi aap ko dinner ke time pe aapun neeche aane dega." Aalekh orders Rajveer.

Rajveer lies on bed and says, "Rajveer, kya haalat ho gayi hain tumhari, inke orders manne pad rahe hain."

"Sir, aapke orders ke liye hum kabse raah dekh rahe hain. Par uske liye pehle aapko hamare orders manne honge. Aisa samajh jaiye ke agar humne aapko orders nahin diye aur aapne wo nahin mane toh aapki protegee humein aapke orders lene ke layak nahin rakhegi." Smirks Huda.

Aalekh winks at him and says, "Dinner taiyar hoteich aapun aa jayega. Tab tak aaram kijiye." Rajveer smiles at them and closes his eyes.

-----

"Aalekh, tu inhe neeche kyun laya? Main jaa rahi thi naa unka dinner leke upar." Naina shouts at Aalekh when she sees them coming down at dining hall.

"Aapunpe kyun chilla reli hain? Inse puch?" replies Aalekh, irritated. He knows that now on wards he is going to convert into sandwich between two of them.

She looks at Rajveer with angry look. Rajveer looks at Aalekh with pleading eyes. "Aapun ko kya dekh rahe hain aap, bol dijiye usse. Bhul gaye aap ab bhi uske senior hain. Aap darte hain usse?" whispers Aalekh in Rajveer's ears.

"Nahin.. main.. main kyun daroo? Abhi bol deta hun Naina ko." Rajveer whispers back.

All are trying to hear their conversation but couldn't. "Kya chal raha hain Aalekh?" Naina asks.

"Lt. Naina Singh." Rajveer starts, "Wo Aalekh ko maine kaha tha ke aaj mujhe sab ke saath dinner karna hain neeche.. toh you see Lt., He coudn't deny my orders."

Naina stars at him. Hurt is evident in her eyes. "Sir, aap Aalekh ko order naa bhi dete toh chal jata. Hum waise bhi aapke koi orders kyun deny karenge. Aap hamare senior hain. Hamesha rahenge." By saying this Naina goes in kitchen to help Pooja.

All looks at her direction. Slapping his forehead, Aalekh sits on chair. Rajveer also takes his chair with upset look placing his one hand on his cheek. "Kya sir, aapko kya jaroorat thi ye bolne ki ke aapka order tha. Dekho, naraj ho gayi Naina." Says Ali.

"Yeh sab iss Aalekh ke vajah se hua." Says Rajveer pointing towards Aalekh.

"Aapun ke? Aapun ne kya kia?" says Aalekh feeling confused.

"Tumhine mujhse kaha ke, Sir aap ab bhi hamare senior hain." Rajveer reminds him his words.

"Now, Aalekh sits in next chair of Rajveer and says, "Toh aap nahin hain kya? Ek toh Naina ko thik se jawab nahin dia. Uparse aapun ko bol rele hain."

Huda comes there and while taking his seat says, "Qaidi thik bol raha hain Sir, aap bas itna bhi toh bol sakte the ke aapka mann tha."

Yudi comes from behind and says, "Aap ye uske Mentor ke post se jara bahar aa jao naa sir, that will be good for you." hearing Yudi's words all try to hide their laughs.

"Kya chal raha hain ye?"asks Rajveer. "Meri madad karne ki jagah tum log mujhe meri galtiyaan dikha rahe ho. Yeh batao ab kya kiya jaaye?"

"Aapunse mat pucho ab. Nahin toh phir aapun ko bolenge." Aalekh denies to help Rajveer.

"Right Chief. Inki protge, ye dekh lenge." Yudi supports Aalekh.

Rajveer looks at all in utter surprise. He thinks that how tables were turned only in one and half year. In academy days, these same cadets of his came to him for his help and guidance for their every little problem. All boys are laughing silently at Rajveer's situation.

Rajveer thinks a bit. Taking empty jug of water he heads to kitchen. All get a shock when they understand his immediate remedy. "Yaaron, aaj bhi apne Rajveer sir ko hamare madad ki koi jarrorat nahin hain. Woh bilkul nahin badle. Unke pass har problem ka solution hota hain." Says Huda.

"Humein ye pehlese pata tha ke unhe hamari madad ki jaroorat nahin. Phir bhi hum unka kaam aasan karte hain." Says Ali and shouts for Pooja. Rajveer looks back at them and smiles wholeheartedly.

Pooja comes running out of the kitchen while cleaning her hands to napkin. She meets Rajveer at entrance of kitchen and looks at him with confused expressions, "Kya hua? Mujhe kyun aise dekh rahi hain aap? Ali bula raha hain aapko. Main toh paani lene jaa raha hun." Rajveer shows her empty water container in his hand.

Pooja heads towards dining table and Rajveer enters in kitchen. Naina is making salad for the dinner. Rajveer shows her water jug and says, "Issmein paani nahin hain. Kahanse bharlu?" Naina doesn't say anything. She takes that jug and starts to feel it from water purifier.

"SORRY" Rajveer apologizes. Hearing what he has said Naina looks at him and says, "Aapne mujhse kaha? Lekin aap toh mere senior hain. Aap kyun sorry bol rahe hain?"

Rajveer goes near her and starts explaining, "Naina mere baat ka wo matlab nahin tha. Main uss kamre se bahar niklana chahta tha. Mujhe uss kamre mein aisa lag raha tha jaise main kisi solitary confinement mein hun. Lekin mujhe pata tha ke..." Rajveer halts in middle.he walks toward side table where Naina was cutting vegetables for salad. He starts doing her incomplete work and continues, "matlab Aalekh ne kaha ke tum meri bahot parwah karti hon toh aaj ke aaj hi mujhe neeche nahin aane dogi. Toh mujhe laga seedhe seedhe bol dunga toh manogi nahin. Isiliye.."

Naina comes near him and takes knife from his hand. "It's fine Sir. Aap bol dete toh main samajh jati. Waise maine kuch kaha nahin iska matlab ye nahin ke aap ab saare kaam karne lage. Ye vegetables main chop kar lungi aur ye jug leke aur koi bhi aa sakta tha." Naina warns him indirectly that still he is not fit to do this house works.

"Main nahin aata toh mujhe ye kaise pata chalta ke tumhe meri itni fikra hain." Asks Rajveer looking at her. Naina looks at him. "Kya aapko yeh sach mein pata nahin tha aur Aalekh ne aapko bataya?" asks Naina instead of giving him answer.

Rajveer smiles at her question and searching for the words to answer her when Pooja enters in the kitchen and says, "Naina tera salad hua ke nahin ready. Unn sab ke pet miss call pe miss call de rahe hain."

Rajveer sighs in relief. Naina sees that but doesn't react. "Haan Pooja, ready hain. Chal bahar leke jaate hain sab kuch. Aaj late ho gaya hain." Saying this Naina exits from there with plate of salad in hand leaving smiling Rajveer behind.

Pooja gazes at blushing and smiling Rajveer. "Oye hoye, kya najara hain." Rajveer comes out from his daze and asks her, "Kya matlab?" While taking food containers in hand, Pooja says, "kuch nahin. Waise Sir, aage se Naina ka call reject karte huye dhyan rakhiyega. Humesha aapko dining table pe ye jug khaali nahin milega." Rajveer smiles shyly. She gives that jug, now filled with water, in his hand. "chalein sir, woh sab bhukkad log intezaar kar rahe honge." Asks Pooja.

Rajveer laughs and replies, "Chaliyein."

Both comes at dining hall and take their seats. They all leave chair next to Naina empty intentionally. Pooja goes to sit near Ali. Rajveer has no option but only to sit near Naina. Aalekh winks at Huda. Yudi smiles at that. Pooja is busy in serving food to Ali and Ali is looking at her. Naina serves food to Rajveer. Both are looking intently into each other's eyes.

"Phoolan, humein bhi bhook lagi hain yaar." Huda says in teasing tone. Aalekh joins him. "Haan agar tu aapunko roj ke jaisa nahin parosne wali toh woh patella toh chhod. Aapun haath se le lenge."

Rajveer lowers his eyes towards his dish and starts with his dinner to avoid looking at others. Naina serves them all.

After some minutes of silence, Huda asks Rajveer, "Sirji, aaj aapko aur jyada acha lag raha hoga na?"

"Kyun?" asks Rajveer. "Aise kyun puch rahe ho tum Huda."

"Woh sir, jabse aapko hosh aaya hain, aapka har time ka khana Phoolan ke saath hua. Aap bhi bore ho gaye honge naa. Roj roj ek hi company. Ohh teri, ab main samjha, isiliye aapko sabke saath khana khana tha aaj."says Huda with nasty smile.

Rajveer looks horrifiedly at Huda and then looks at Naina who was already looking at him. Her eyes are demanding to give reply to Huda. Rajveer assures her through eyes and smiles at Huda. "Aur agar main ye kahun Huda, ke yeh ussi saare lunches aur dinners ka nateeja hain ke aaj main yahan, aap sab ke saath dinner kar raha hun, toh? Says Rajveer and then again looks at Naina, "Kyun, sahee kaha naa maine Lt. Naina ah Singh?" Rajveer winks at Naina.

"Ho gayi taslli Huda? Karwa li naa apni beizati?" asks Yudi laughing.

"Khaana khaa Yudie. Maine teri karna shuru ki toh problem ho jayegi tujhe sabke saamne." Huda warns Yudi. "Waise ye bata ke maine thaare ko jis cheej kaa intajam karne ko kaha tha wo ki ya nahin tanne?" asks Huda.

"Yes Huda. Wo kaam ho gaya. Kal 8 baje gaadi aa jayegi." Informs Yudi.

"Gaadi? Kis liye gaadi ko call kia hain tum logo ne?" asks Pooja impatiently.

"Oye Punjaban, ruk toh. Wahi toh batane jaa raha tha naa main. Dheeraj rakh kudi." Pooja gives him angry look. "Aise aankhein mat phad." Teases Huda.

"Nautanki. Ye kabhi nahin sudhrega." Says Aalekh. Everyone laughs. "Wo baat ye hain ke kal aapun sab baahar jaa rele hain. Aur jeep mein gaye toh sir ko takleef hogi isiliye iss Yudine iski badi gaadi repair ko di hain."Aalekh informs all about their plan.

"Baahar? Kaha baahar? Aalekh tu achhese janta hain ke sir abhi fit nahin hain travelling ke liye." Naina argues.

Aalekh motions her to ask to Rajveer. Naina turns to look at Rajveer. Rajveer pleadingly looks at her and says, "Mujhe jana hain baahar. Ghar ke baahar jana hain. Aisa lag raha hain ke pata nahin kitne saalonse maine baaharki duniya nahin dekhi." Naina stays silent. Her silence gives them permission to go ahead with their plan. Rajveer smiles and asks them, "Toh hum kaha jaa rahe hain kal?"

"Woh toh hum aapko nahin batayenge Sir. Kal aapko pata chal jayega."says Ali.

"Sabse pehle kal shopping mall jayenge. Aapke liye dhang ke kapde lene hain. Ye aapke hospital ke kapde dekh ke main tang aa gayi hun." Naina says in one breathe. All starts looking at her. "mera matlab tha, hum tang aa gaye hain." She rectifies herself.

Everyone choose to stay silent. "But yeh toh plan mein tha hi nahin." Says Yudi.

"Par ab hain. Naina ke phone se ringtone baja hain aur wo sach bhi hain. Sir ko shopping karne ki jaroorat toh hain. Hain naa Naina?" Pooja winks at Naina.

Naina blushes and Rajveer observes that. "But Sir ke purane kapde jo KMA mein unke room se humne liye the unka kya. Woh toh Phoolan ke pass honge naa?" asks Huda.

"Oye miss call, tu sir ko dedh saal purane kapde pehne ko dega." Pooja scolds Huda.

"Aur wo saare kapde Nainital mein hain. Mere ghar pe. Navin bhaiya ke cupboard mein." Naina says this while looking at Rajveer. Then she turns to look at Huda and says, "Abhi mere pass unke uniform ke siwa kuch nahin hain aur..."

"Meri uniform?" Rajveer interrupts Naina. He already gets emotional when he has come to know that Naina has his cloths and other belongings and that too she kept all in Navin's cupboard. But when he hears that his uniform is there with her, his eyes brim with tears.

"Haan Sir, aapki uniform." Naina has already understood what he wants to ask and how he must be feeling now.

"Kya main dekh sakta hun?" Rajvver asks.

"Sure Sir, kyun nahin. Aap hi ki toh hain. Abhi dinner ke baad main de dungi aapko. Par Sir..." Naina halts in mid.

"Par kya Naina?" Rajveer asks impatiently.

"Sir, wo bas ... matlab uspar naa aapke medals hain. Naa rank. Wo aapko frame kiya gaya tha yeh toh saabit ho gaya par army ne abhi tak aapka samman nahin lautaya." Naina says while looking downwards.

Reality dawns upon everyone that they never asked army to return Rajveer's honor and to declare him innocent. Guilt is evident in everyone's eyes. Rajveer looks at them and to light the atmosphere he says, "No problem Naina. Mujhe bas meri uniform de do. Jaisi hain waisi. Acha yeh batao, tumne aur kisi ko bataya hain yaa nahin mere baare mein? Itne din ho gaye, koi milne nahin aaya KMA se?" asks Rajveer.

"Nahin Sir, aap laut aaye hain yeh abhi humare alawa aur koi nahin jaanta. Aur hum itne jaldi batane bhi nahin wale. Ab toh humein hamara adhoora kaam bhi poora karna hain. Phir bata denge." Says Ali determinedly. Rajveer understands hidden meaning of his words.

"Chalo oye sab log. Khaana khaake ho gaya naa. Kal jaldi niklana hain sabko. Sir ko bhi aaram chahiye." Huda changes the topic and says, "Aur apna saara saaman le lo. Ab hum yaha waapas nahin aane waale."

All boys help Naina and Pooja to post dinner work and later all head for their rooms.

-----

Rajveer is looking at his uniform which Naina has returned him some minutes ago. He caresses it. He can see his whole life in those two pieces of cloth. Yes. Without any rank and medals, it is only piece of cloth. His all important memories of life are connected with that cloth, his friendship, his love, his pride, his reputation and most importantly his country, his love for his country.

"Sagaai kya sir, meri toh kab ki shaadi ho chuki hain...apne army se, apni uniform ke saath, aur apne desh ke saath..."

He remembers his words which he told to Col. Shakti Chandra. Those were golden days in his life when he used to wear his uniform. He dose want to wear it again but with that same respect and honor. Now he wants his everything back...

His uniform, his reputation, his career and his LOVE...!!!

******