Indeed it is one beautiful morning of February. Summer is approaching. Sitting on the tractor at the hill side, watching the day unfold, is something he is enjoying after many years. The sky is lit up with innumerable shades of red colour and sun is rising from mountains like a king. Birds are flying, passing through the rays of light. The rays illuminate everything they touch. Today, he also wants to rise higher and higher again in his life just like the sun.

Two days ago, when he visited vintage house, he enjoyed a lot. He felt very much loved. In fact, he met them first time but he felt as he knows them since many years. When they were leaving, he was short of words to express his gratitude for the love they showered, for the concern they showed. They all are his life saver. And the one, for whom he had immense respect in his mind, was proved his life taker.

As soon as he remembers him, he clinches his fists. But again he runs from that thought. He is running since Huda told him everything. He avoids it again and drives his mind back to that day. He remembers their journey from vintage house which now turns into his new home to Huda's house. That was not too long journey but for him surely it was. He can still sense weakness in his body and that short journey plus tiring day exhausted him. But as he enters in Huda's house or to say in his farmland he forgot everything. He inhales the pure and fresh air for which he was craving since long.

Again he experienced another warm welcome of that day, this time from Huda's mother. After the delicious and full of flavour dinner, there is no way for sleep to go elsewhere. In these two days, he recovered speedily. Leaving in between four walls is not his nature. Now, this much needed change makes him feel much better and energetic.

He woke up early today after a long peaceful sleep. So he decided to take walk with nature. When he reached at this hill top and saw the landscape of sky in front of him, he couldn't resist. He sat on the tractor which is parked there and witnessed the earth glowing in golden light. He can see his whole life unfolding in front of him. When he finally turns his gaze away from the sunrise and looks behind, his eyes set on Naina who stands behind the tractor, watching the same view. As Naina feels his gaze on her she looks at him. She comes forward and smiles at him.

"Good morning Sir." Wishes Naina.

He smiles back and gestures her to sit beside him on tractor by extending his hand. She astonishes by his silent behaviour but doesn't say anything. Smiling she places her hand in his and he pulls her. She settles beside him on tractor. He again starts looking at rising sun. For some moments, Naina stays quite. Then she places her hand on his shoulder. He shivers and swiftly turns to look at her.

"Bhool jaiye naa sab kuch." Says Naina softly.

He stares at her but then again turns away to look ahead. "Kya bhool jau?" he asks.

"Wahi sab baatein... jo subah subah, itne achhe atmosphere mein bhi aapko pareshaan kiye jaa rahi hain." replies Naina lifting her hand from his shoulder and she looks downwards in order to relax herself.

He again looks at her, "Kuch jyada nahin samajhne lagi hon mujhe?" he asks.

Raising her eyes she looks intently in his eyes and replies, "Aapko naa samjhne ki galti pehle kar chuki hun, woh main phirse dauhrana nahin chahti."

Pouring all his love through his eyes, he looks at her. Then he again turns and inhales deeply. He turns to go but Naina holds his hand and makes him sit again.

"Nahin sir. Ab nahin. Aap hamesha hi aise baat adhuri chodke uthke chale jaate the. Agar tab kuch bol dete toh..." Naina waits for him to react but he just stares at her. She continues, "Anyways. Ab aur nahin. Kabhi toh khudke mann ko halka karna sikh lijiye. Mujhe pata hain aap kya soch rahe hain. Yahi naa ke agar aap unpe blind trust nahin karte toh shayad yeh sab nahin hota."

Rajveer looks at her, astonished. He never thought that she would guess it this perfectly. "Tumhe kaise pata chala ke main yahi soch raha hun?" asks Rajveer out of curiosity

"Maine kaha naa Sir, ab main purani galtiyan nahin karungi." Naina says lowering her eyes.

He notices guilt in her eyes. He smiles at her to lighten her mood. "Naina, tumhe pata hain.. kabhi kabhi main sochta hun toh lagta hain ke jo kuch bhi hua thik hi hua. Mere medals le liye, meri uniform chin li, mujhe saja mili yeh sab toh honahi chahiye tha. Aur mujhpar hua hamla toh main deserve karta tha. Kyunki maine aise insan pe bharosa kiya jo mere desh ka sabse bada dushman tha." Says Rajveer. The ice in his mind starts breaking and melting. It is high time when Rajveer has to share his pain with somebody and who is better than Naina. Actually it should be Naina only.

Naina is able to see that pain in his eyes. He is deeply hurt because of that one man. The man in whom he believed, the man whom he considered as his mentor. She remembers that conversation when Ali said,

~~~~~

"Humein Captain Rajveer ko dekh ke saaf samajh mein aata hain ke unhe jo sanskaar mile hain wo lalaji se hain."

"Haan, agar Rajveer sir achhe officer hain toh Lala saab perfect gentleman." Replied Naina.

~~~~~

Now she is annoyed on herself after remembering her words and that talk. They compared their Rajveer sir with that man who is the reason of all their sufferings. But at that time how they would have known that Lala is the man for whom they are hunting. This same case is with Rajveer. In his darkest dream also he couldn't even think that Lala could be a traitor.

"Kya soch rahi ho? Tumhe bhi yahi lag raha hain na?" Rajveer's these words make her come out from her world.

"Nahin Sir, mujhe aisa bilkul nahin lagta. Uss waqt koi bhi yeh nahin soch sakta tha ke Lala iss sabke piche tha. Woh toh aapke mentor the. Aap unn par shak kaise kar sakte the? Dhoka toh aapke saath hua Sir. Aapke trust ka uss insan ne fayda uthaya." Naina tries to make him understand that he was not at fault.

"Mere saath dhoka hua kyunki maine wo hone diya. Naina humein training ke dauran sikhaya jata hain ke jab baat desh ki aati hain toh koi apna nahin hota. Main Army Intelligence mein tha. Mujhe pata tha ke system mein koi hain. Uss waqt kisi par bhi blind faith karna poor soldier ki nishani thi. Brig. Chandok ne mujhe kaha tha ke wo report main unhe submit karun par main wo Lalaji ke pass leke gaya. Yeh jaante huye bhi ke Dr. Ritu ko political help mil rahi thi main kaise nahin jaan paaya? Main red box lene jaa raha hun yeh baat sirf teen log jante the. Khud Col. Shaktichanda, Chauhan aur Lala saab. Tab Col. Shaktichanda gayab ho gaye, mujhe bhi maarne ki koshish ki gayi. Jahir hain ke Chauhan ne yeh sab nahin kia tha. Phir bhi main samajh nahin paaya. Bache Maj. Nair, toh wo bhi kisike help ke bina yeh nahin kar sakte the. Aur main, Captain Rajveer Singh Shikhawat, jo khud ko Indian Intelligence Bureau ka kaabil officer samjhta tha, woh apne mission mein fail ho gaya kyunki wo apne dushman ko bhagwaan maanke khud uske jaal mein phas chukka tha..."

Naina is only listening to Rajveer. She let him talk. She understands that once he will speak out his heart he will feel better and free. It is indeed very necessary for Rajveer. After all this is Rajveer's old habit to take responsibility of all those things which he never did.

"... apni duty naa nibhane ki aur ek traitor ko support karne ki yahi saja hoti hain army mein. Court-martial. Jo Navin ko bhi mili. Usse bhi yahi galti huyi thi ke usne galat insan se pyar kiya. Wo pyar mein yeh nahin samajh paya ke saamnewala uske pyar ka fayda utha raha hain. Aur army mein aisi galtiyaan maaf nahin ki jaati. Navin ne khud ko toh mere haathon aazad karwa liya iss guilt se. Kaash main bhi uss din tumhari goli se..." Naina places her hand on his lips. Suddenly all the guilt overpowers her body. Suddenly, She hears the sound of that shot of bullet which she triggered for Rajveer. She shuts her ears keeping her hands on them and closes her eyes tightly.

At first he couldn't understand her actions but then he realizes. Rajveer slowly removes her hand. "Aise aankhein mat churao Naina. Atleast tumne apne mentor pe mujh jaisa blind faith, andha vishwas toh nahin kia." he puts forth his point.

She slowly opens her eyes and looks in his. "Jo mujhe karna chahiye tha. Main hamesha bhaiya jaisi, aap jaisi soldier banna chahti thi. Par naa aap jaisi soldier ban paayi, naa protegee..." a lone tear escapes from Naina's eyes. "..agar aapko kuch ho jata toh main zindagi bhar khudko maaf nahin kar paati." says Naina turning her gaze downwards.

Rajveer wipes that tear from her eyes. They stare at each other. "Nahin Naina. Mujh jaisi soldier tum naa hi bano toh achha hain. Main har baar haara hun. Naa main mere dost ko bacha paaya naa khudko. Mere dost ko mere saamne maut ki bheek mangni padi jo maine usse de di. Aur main khud apnon ke jaal mein phas gaya. Main toh mere desh ke liye bhi kuch nahin kar paaya. Ek murderer banke reh gaya. Yaha tak ke bhare court mein sabke saamne mere pyaar ka tamasha ban gaya, mere feelings sabke saamne bayaan ki gayi lekin wo bolnewala main nahin koi aur tha. Uss waqt bhi main kuch nahin kar paaya. Mat bano mere jaisi soldier Naina, mat bano." Says Rajveer, feeling frustrated. His annoyance for himself is evident from his voice.

He is looking ahead while talking. He said all impetuously. But Naina hears what she should have. Rajveer may have no idea about what he has just mentioned. Naina quickly wipes her tears.

"Sir, jo beet gaya usse ab bhul jaiye. Aap ek sachhe soldier the aur hamesha rahenge. Shayad isiliye aapko beta manne ke bawjood bhi wo aapse koi galat kaam nahin karwa payein. Unhein aapko raaste se hatana pada kyunki wo aadmi janta tha ke aap kabhi uska saath nahin denge. Koi bhi perfect nahin hota. Galtiyaan sabse hoti hain. Aapne bhi toh meri kitni galtiyon ko najar andaaj kiya hain. Agar aap aisa soch rahe hain ke aap sab kuch haar gaye toh zindagi ne aapko sab kuch phirse jeetne ka ek aur mauka diya hain. Phirse aap wo sab paa lijiye. Piche ka nahin aage ka sochiye. Naye din ka sooraj aa gaya hain. Nayi energy leke. Aapki nayi shuruwat. Aur mujhe pata hain ke Captain Rajveer Singh Shikhawat ke liye yeh bilkul bhi difficult mission nahin hain. So Captain Rajveer, just believe in yourself because I believe in Captain Rajveer."

A sweet smile comes on his lips. He looks at the sun and feels as if he is also giving his consent and support to what Naina has said by spreading his rays and light.

"Chalein Sir? Bahot der ho gayi hain." Says Naina. Standing from her sit she jumps from tractor.

Rajveer thinks a bit and a small smile crept over his lips. Naina looks at him and says, "Kya hua Sir? Kya soch rahe ho? Bhul jao sab kuch. Der ho gayi hain. Sab dhoond rahe honge humein aur dekho dhoop bhi aa rahi hain. Chaliye ab." This time she extends her hand. He places his hand in hers and jumps. She smiles and going to start her way back when she feels jerk at her hand. She turns back. He is still holding her hand and stands there. She creases her eyebrows.

"Wakayi bahot der ho gayi hain Naina." Says Rajveer. Naina is still staring him with questioning look in her eyes. He smiles and leaves her hand and motions her indicating at road to move.

"Achha Naina, Huda ne bataya ke badi kaabil officer ban gayi hon tum. Har mission successful kar rahi ho. I am really proud of you Naina." Moving ahead says Rajveer.

Naina blushes a little after hearing compliment from him. "Sir, jo bhi kuch main aaj ban paayi hun sirf aapke ke karan hun. Aapse waada jo kiya tha. Best cadet toh mujhe banana hi tha. Waise aapko hamari deal toh yaad hain na? asks Naina.

"Deal? Kaunsi deal?" Rajveer asks, confused.

"Toh Sir aap bhul gaye. Hamari deal huyi thi ke jab tak main aapki best cadet rahungi aap mere mentor rahenge." Naina makes Rajveer remember his promise.

Now they are in middle of farm. They have to move crops aside to walk. "Aur agar main kahun ke aaj mujhe ek aur deal karni hain tumhare saath toh?" asks Rajveer.

"mere saath deal? Kaisi deal?" now Naina asks him, unable to understand his intention.

"Jaise tum chahti hon ke main hamesha tumhara mentor banke tumhe guide karta rahun waise main chahta hun ke..." He halts in his way and turns to look at her. She also stops and looks at him intently. She is impatiently waiting him to put forth his deal. They both are standing middle of crops which are glowing with morning light. Air is waving softly but enough to give shiver to both.

"...main chahta hun ke mere zindagi ke har khass mauke pe, har mukam pe, har choti badi khushi mein aur gum mein tum mera saath do, mere zindagi ka pyaar banke, mera..." he inhales deeply and says, "mera pyaar banke." Tears well up in his eyes.

"Kya matlab?" Naina asks as she is unable to trust her own ears. She wants to reconfirm what she heard.

"Maine kaha na Naina wakayi bahot der ho gayi hain. Tumhe kya laga ke thodi der pehle maine jo kuch bhi kaha wo mujhe pata nahin chala. Jo baat tumse mujhe kehni chahiye thi, jo baat mujhse sunne ka tumhara haq tha wo tumhe kisi aur se sabke saamne sunni padi. Tab mujhe pehli baar laga tha Naina ke main haar gaya. Sab kuch haar gaya." Rajveer slowly walks forward in farm as he is searching for words but Naina still stands there watching his back. She has no words to say. She did not expect this at this time and this place. But Rajveer is right. It is already pretty late.

He turns behind and looks at her. "Yaad hain Naina, maine ek baar kaha tha ke wo kitni bewkoof ladki hogi jise mujh jaise complicated insan ke saath pyar ho jayega. Main bas tumse itnahi puchna chahta hun Naina, ke kya tum wo bewkoof ladki ho?"

Naina's twinkling eyes can't escape from Rajveer's eyes. She is staring him without blinking her eyes. He knows her answer. Their hug before his accident told her feelings to him at that day only. Destiny separated them and now love is uniting them. He is waiting for her reply. He wants to hear her feelings in her words. But as soon as she replies, his all smile vanishes.

"Nahin. Main wo bewkoof ladki nahin hun." Her reply hits him like wave of tsunami. He gets uttershock. Did all what he feel and see in Naina's eyes was wrong? Has she taken his care and her all concern was only because he is her mentor? In that one second many thoughts strikes his mind. He quickly turns and hides his tears.

A small smile crept on Naina's lips after looking at his state. She slowly goes towards him and turns him by his arms to look at her. He looks at her innocently as his teary eyes pleading her to accept his love. Naina hides her smile.

"Aapko bhi yaad hoga ke maine aapse kaha tha, wo ladki toh bahot lucky hogi. Aur main wo bewkoof nahin balki lucky ladki hun jisse aap jaise straight, jo bilkul bhi complicated nahin hain, jinki aankhein unka aaina hain, jo bina kuch kahe sab kuch keh jaati hain aise insan ke saath pyaar ho gaya hain."

He is still staring at her but now smiling wholeheartedly. Now he is promising her all the happiness in the world through his eyes. Naina looks at him surprised because after hearing her words he doesn't move or say her anything.

"Aise kya dekh rahe hain? Deal pakki hain mere taraf se Captain Rajveer. Bas yeh deal main kabhi bhi todne nahin denewali aapko." Warns Naina smilingly.

Rajveer's smile widens and he shakes his head in no. He wraps his arms around her. Naina was craving for this moment and for this touch since long. She closes her eyes to feel this moment and hugs him back.

"Do(2) second ke liye tumne toh meri jaan hi nikal di thi Naina. Mujhe laga maine tumhe kho diya." he says in her ears.

Naina laughs and says, "Aaphi ki protegee hun main. Mujhe aur mere pyaar ko bewkoof kehnewale ko aise kaise jaane dun, saja toh milni chahiye thi."

"Toh step one accomplished." says Rajveer still hugging her.

Naina lifts her head to look at him and asks puzzling, "Step one? Aap kya bol rahe hain?"

"Tumne hi toh abhi thodi der pehle kaha ke mujhe sab kuch phir se jeetna chahiye, paana chahiye jo maine kho diya tha. Toh you see, I accomplished step one of my new mission. Mujhe mera pyaar mil gaya." replies Rajveer, feeling delighted.

"Aapne mujhe khoya hi kab tha?" asks blushing Naina.

"Paaya bhi toh nahin tha." Smirking, Rajveer replies instantly.

Naina places her head contentedly on his chest. He also wraps his arms around her and closes his eyes. This is most beautiful moment of his life. He only had dreamt of this moment. He never expected earlier that it could happen in his life and when there were hopes, all events turned out against him.

"Aapne kabhi koshish ki?" Naina confronts him.

"Nahin ki Naina. Aur karta bhi kaise. Tumhari najar mein toh main tumhare bhai ka gunhegaar tha. Uske pehle bhi hamaare rishtey ko leke academy mein bahot kuch ho chuka tha. Aur jab mujhe laga ke shayad sab thik ho sakta hain tab yeh sab..." he doesn't complete his sentence.

Naina can hear his uneven heartbeats after remembering all those incidents again. She doesn't want to spoil this special moment of both. She wants to lighten his mood. She thinks a bit and blushes to herself.

"Rajveer...!" Naina takes his name lovingly. Now she can feel his raising heartbeats as they are dancing on tango rhythm inside his heart. He pulls her more close to his chest. Naina also tightens her arms around him. Rajveer rubs his cheek on her head.

"Rajveer, aapko yaad hain aapne uss din mujhse kaha tha ke apna aur apne waqt ka khayal rakhna. Toh aap apna waqt kyun barbaad kar rahe hain yeh sab sochke?" asks Naina.

"Mujhe achhi tarah se yaad hain Naina ke uss din kya hua tha aur maine kya kaha tha." He smiles and continues, "Aur tumhare haath ki ye ghadi mujhe kabhi wo bhulne bhi nahin degi."

"Toh aapne yeh notice kia ke.." but Rajveer interrupted Naina and continues, "ahan.. yeh abhi important nahin hain. Important hain waqt ka khayal rakhna. Main apna aur apne waqt ka khayal rakhna ab achhese jaan gaya hun. Aur isiliye I do not want to waste more time to say that...

Naina, I LOVE YOU...!!!"

*******