"Rajveer sir ko goli Dr. Ritu ne nahin Naina ne mari thi."

Aalekh's words reverberate in their ears. All 4 are extremely shocked to say anything would be an understatement. Yudi whispers with lot of strength, "What are you saying Chief.. Naina ne shoot kiya tha Rajveer sir ko? Lekin kyu?"

"Lekin Rajveer sir ne toh kaha tha ke unhe Dr. Ritu ne goli mari thi.." Ali says immediately after Yudi finishes with his questions.

"Sach mein Ali, aapunko ye batana padega ke Rajveer sir ne aisa kyu kaha tha..?" Aalekh asks Ali instead of giving him answer. Ali chooses to stay silent on this question. Everyone knows the answer. "Lekin Phoolan ne aisa kyu kiya Qaidi..?" Huda asks, confused.

"Kyunki mission pe jane se pehle Rajveer sir ne Naina ko ye bata diya tha ke uske bhai Naveen ko unhone mara hai." Aalekh tells them calmly. "Shahrukh ne khud ne ye kaha tha Naina ko...?" Poojs is still not ready to believe this bitter truth. Suddenly she remembers hers' and Naina's conversation in Rohit's house where she asked Naina that what she did when she came to know the truth that Rajveer sir killed her brother. Now suddenly she started feeling guilty on her own words. "Haan.. sir ne khud bataya.." She comes out from her thoughts with Aalekh's words.

"Ab mujhe sab samajh mein aa raha hai. Kyu Phoolan Rajveer sir ko sir tak kehke nahin bulati thi.. Unko dur se dekhte hi unke pass daudkar janewali Phoolan unke opposite direction me jane lagi thi... kyu uss geet gata chal banjare ke sath uski dosti ho gayi thi." Now things are fallen on the place for Huda.

"Guys, I think issi duri ne Sir aur Naina ke rishtey ko aur majboot kar diya. Unke pyar ko aur.. aur.. whats that word...hmm.. haan, GEHRA, Unke pyar ko aur gehra bana diya." Finally Yudi completes his sentence.

"Oye hoye Yudie, gehra pyar.. koi janani mil gayi kya tujhe posting pe.. badi pyar vyar ki batein kar raha hai.. waise tujhe koun milegi.. Madona...?" Huda teases Yudi in his own Huda style.

All are smiling now. After a long time they all are witnessing Hudagiri. Even Yudi also smiles secretly but purposely retorts back, in order to lighten the mood, "Huda watch out, don't dare to talk with me like this." "Oye nahin toh kya karlega be Yudie. Academy me ek janani toh pata nahin saka. Mujhe dekh.. aaj bhi jananiyan mere piche pagal hai. Meri personality hi aisi hai.. Tu baith tere iss tuntune ko pakdke.." Huda continues with his tease.

"Dude, not my guitar.. mere guitar ko kuch mat bolo. Ladkiyon se ache hote hai musical instruments. Hamesha hamara sath deti hai. Jab hum happy hote hai tab bhi aur jab aise sad hote hai tab bhi.. Music always heals our all wounds. Music ki jadoo tum nahin samajh payoge." Yudi says dreamily while hugging his guitar.

"Tu achanak geet gata chal banjare jaise kyu baat kar raha hai?"asks Huda "Dude, you..." Yudi smiles and continues, "Leave it.. tum nahin samjhoge.. lekin ek baat kahu.. tum aisehi hudagiri karte hi ache lagte ho.. aisehi raha karo.. yeh hudagiri hi tumhara oxygen hain.. aaj kitne mahino baad mujhe achi neend aayegi.. tumhare chidhane ki bhi aadat ho gayi hain."

Huda gets emotional after hearing Yudi's words. He gets up from his place and hugs Yudi tightly. All are cherishing each other's friendship all over again. "Kya karu Yudie, mai kuch bhi karu sabko acha hi lagta hai.. aakhir meri personality hi aisi hai.." Huda repeats his Takiya Kalam and all laugh wholeheartedly apart from Pooja.

Ali observes Pooja. Pooja is still thinking about the incidents which happened on that day when she met Rohit. "kya hua Pooja, kahan khoyi hain aap?" Ali asks her worriedly. "Kuch nahin Ali, bas.. aisehi" Pooja avoids to say anything. "ab kuch bhi bol mat tu Pooja. Apun bhi dekh raha hai tu bahot der se kahi khoyi hui hai. Huda aur Yudi ki bakbak mein bhi tu shamil nahin huyi. Kya chal kya raha hai tere dimag mein?" Aalekh insists her to share her thoughts with them.

"Kuch nahin, tum sab ka network badi mushkilse achi range me aaya hai. Mai usse phirse disturb nahin karna chahti." Pooja still tries to avoid. "come on Pooja, you have to tell us, share with us. Hum best friends hai, right?" Yudi tries to encourage her.

"Jabse mere Shahrukh ka connection hum sabse toota hai, mai kahin na kahin khudko jimmedar manti hu. Na uss din main red box Rohit ke ghar bhul aati aur naa baad mein koi Rajveer sir ko blackmail karta.. aur na Rajveer sir aise out of range hote." All are astonished after listening Pooja's words. All are oblivious from Pooja's thoughts until now.

"Aap khudko kyu dosh de rahi hain. Galti toh sabse hoti hain." Ali reacts immediately. "Lekin itni badi galti Ali, jiski kimat hum sabko hamare Rajveer sir ko khokar chukani padi." Pooja is now in denial mode.

"Oye bawari ho gayi hai kya tu Punjaban. Mujhe toh lagta hai tera pura handset hi kharab ho gaya hain.. tujhse toh akalmand meri bhainse hongi. Ulta maine toh uss din bhagwan ko shukriya kaha tha ke tu redbox Rohit ke ghar bhul gayi." With confused expressions they look at Huda.

"Haan bhaiyon, Na Pooja wo redbox Rohit ke yaha bhulti aur na hum sab udhar jate. Socho yaron, agar hum waha na gaye hote toh humein pata kaise chalta ke hamare Rajveer sir musibat mein hain. Shayad humne unhe ussi din kho diya hota." Huda again thanks their stars that Pooja forgot redbox their and they stuck in Rohit's home with terrorist. The satisfaction that they could help Rajveer, is clearly visible in his eyes.

"Jat, bol toh tu sahi raha hai.. lekin akhir mein hum sir ko bacha toh nahin paye aur jo bhi hua woh toh ussi redbox ke karan jo mari vajahse out of range ho gaya tha." Pooja is not in a mood to understand that whatever happened it was pure destiny of all 7.

"Dekh Pooja, apun toh itnahi kahega ke jo ho chuka woh beet gaya hain. Ab inn sab batonko sochne ka koi fayda nahin. Aur ek baat toh Huda ne sahi kahi ke agar tu wo lal dibba nahin bhulti toh shayad aapun logon ko kabhi pata bhi nahin chalta ke Sir ke sath kya hua. Tu ye soch ke tere ek galti se aapunko sir ka saath kuch jasti din mil gaya." Aalekh tries hard to make her understand that she was not at fault.

They all are going to stay only for that one night in KMA and next day going to head for their homes. They have only this night to open up their heart which they can't do in front of Naina. After Rajveer's accident, today is the day when they are sharing their emotions and guilt with each other. After that unfaithful day, their life was not that easy, first detention center and then they had to fight a big battle to expose Lala Gehlot. Then they passed out from KMA like shining stars and started to serve their country in order to complete the promise which they made to Rajveer. So they never had time to talk with each other, open up with each other. Fortunately Naina is not there with them today therefore they have full opportunity to share all which they all had kept locked up in their heart since so long.

After what all Pooja shared with them, the whole atmosphere surrounds by uncomfortable silence. Everyone wants to break that but no one knows how. Suddenly Ali asks, "Pooja, Naina kaha hai?"

The mere mention of Naina brings sorrow on faces of everyone all over again. It is true that today Naina's absence makes them more restful with each other but her presence always completes them. They are not able to see her in the condition in which she has been living since that day. They know very well that she is incomplete without him. They tried everything so that she starts living her life again but all their efforts went in vain. This is also one reason that they never shared their feelings for rajveer when she is there with them.

Everyone is wondering about Naina when Pooja replies, "Nahin pata Ali, uska network kabhi range me rehta hai kya? Jaise hi hum BC ke ghar se dinner karke room mein gaye wo agle 10 min mein hi bahar chali gayi aur mujhe boli ki hum uska wait na kare. Woh aa jayegi. Maine use kaha ke jaldi aaye. Hum sab yahan milne wale hai."

"Guys, kya humein hamari Naina kabhi wapas milegi?" Yudi concerns about Naina. He knows very well that Naina is the only one who can bring back life in their gang but alas Naina herself forgets to live her life. "Aapunko Naina ki bahot chinta hoti hai. Usne khudko pinjare mein band kar liya hai." Aalekh also expresses his concern.

"hamare pyar ko aankhonke samne dur jate dekhna aasan nahin hota. Mujhse pucho yaron, mera pyar toh phir bhi mere samne hai lekin Phoolan, wo toh yeh bhi nahin janti ke woh sir se kabhi mil payegi bhi ya nahin. Mummyji ki kasam, jab maine sir aur Phoolan ko uss din gale lagte dekha aakhri baar, dono ke chehre pe darr tha, apne pyar ko khone ka darr. Dono ko bahot kuch kehna tha ek dusre se lekin kuch bol nahin paye bas dono hi waise rehna chahte the. Ek dusre se alag hona unhe manjoor nahin tha. Tab mujhe laga inn dono ko iss sabse dur, iss system se dur kahin chupake le jau. Jahan inko koi alag na kar paye. Mujhe mera pyar nahin mila Phoolan ko toh mile." Huda surprises everyone with his words.

"Sach bola huda tu, aapunko bhi tabhi aiseich lag raha tha ke sir aur Naina ko udake le jau. Apun ne Naina ko rote dekha tha jab sir ko punishment hui thi." Aalekh smiles at Huda. That smile exprsses his support to Huda. He assures Huda that he believes him.

"Sirf aapne nahin guru, hum sabne Naina ki halat dekhi hai. Huda bhai, apne thik kaha. Balki aaj bhi Naina ko iss system se dur le jane ki jarurat hain jisne unke bhai aur unke pyar ko unse dur kiya. Lekin khuda ka nyay dekho, woh aaj usi system mein kaam kar rahi hai." Ali who stays extremely calm and composed otherwise, today even he is not able to control his annoyance.

"Yaaron, Rajveer sir ko sirf Phoolan ne nahi khoya hai. Humne bhi toh khoya hai. Bhale uska gum humse bahot jyada bada hai lekin hamara bhi gum chota nahin." Rajveer's importance in his life is clearly evident in Huda's words. "Sirf farak itna hai ke hum Phoolan jaise dikha nahin pate. Uske liye humein hosla banaye rakhna padta hai aur mujhe meri Hudagiri karni padti hain. Wo chidti hai, ladhti hai, bura bhala kehti hain lekin main bhi toh Huda hu. Jat hun main. Itne jaldi haar nahin manunga." He wants to see Naina happy again which seems impossible in present condition.

"Kya Shahrukh ka connection kabhi humse phirse jud payega?" Pooja asks them expectantly. "Oye kyu nahin Punjaban, jaise Phoolan ko yakken hai waise mujhe bhi hain. Hum sabne pehle bhi unhe mout se ladhte dekha hai. Kyu lagati hai shart?" Huda replies her confidently.

"Khuda kare aur yeh shart aap jeet jaye Hudabhai." Ali expresses his hopes. "Aapunko bhi lagta hain ke sir hamare bich hai. Aur ek din jarur milenge. Bas aapun logonko intejar karna hoga. Wo Rajveer sir hai. Wo blast unka kuch nahin bigad paya hoga. Aur Abhimanyu sir ko bhi toh waha jeep ke pass koi lash ke nishan nahin mile the."Aalekh's words make their hope strong.

"Bingo, Kyu na hum Rajveer sir ko dhoondne ki phir se koshish kare. Jab last time humne search kiya tha tab hum just pass out huye the aur duty join karne se pehle ek chotasa try kiya tha. But now we all have our own sources. Guys hum phir ek baar koshish toh kar hi sakte hain." Yudi presents their old idea newly.

"Ye yudi sahi bol rela hai. Hamare Rajveer sir ne humein aise haar manna nahin sikhaya." Aalekh says firmly. "Haan Aalekh bhai, hum ye karenge. Naina ke liye. Hamare liye." Even Ali joins Aalekh now. "Ali tu sahi bol raha hai. Shahrukh ka network hum humare network se jodne ki koshish karke rehenge." Pooja already has taken her decision to bring her Shahrukh back.

"Yaad hai, ek din Phoolan ko academy wapas lane ke liye sirji ne hume aise motivate kiya tha. Aaj waisehi feeling fir se jag rahi hai tum sabki baatein sun ke. Tab Phoolan ko lana tha iss baar Captain sir ko wapas layenge. Jaisa ke maine sirji ko kaha tha, main yaron se kab alag raha hun. Main humesha tum sabke saath rahunga. Rajveer sir hain aur hume jarur milenge." There is new confidence, new hope in Huda's eyes which is clearly visible.

Not only Huda's eyes, but the whole atmosphere is changing now. Where there was sorrow and guilt sometime ago, now in that darkness, many rays of hope, confidence and promises are rising. Indeed, Hope is a bright star in a hopelessly dark universe.

"Aapun kya bolta hain, kya tum sabka kalhi ghar jana jaruri hain? Do(2) din yaha ruk nahin sakte? Tum sabko toh pata hai apun ko koi thikana nahin. Isiliye yeh chuttiyan apunke kabhi palle nahin padi. Lekin ab milhi gayi hai, woh bhi aapun sabko ek sath, toh kya thoda time sath mein bitaye? Bole toh apun request karta hai."

"Oye Qaidi, tu kabse request karne laga. Army ne ache manners sikhaye hain tujhe. Main toh kehta hun do(2) kyun, hum char din baad ghar jayenge. Aur uske baad tu mere saath mere ghar chalega. Waise bhi tune mere mummyji pe aisa jadoo kiya hai ke tere siwa woh waise bhi apne puttar ko ghar ke andar nahin lenewali. " Huda puts his hand on Aalekh's shoulder who was sitting his left and smiles at him.

"Haan Guru, aap ko hum sabko binti karne ki koi jarurat nahin. 40 din ki lambi chutti hai. Ghar char din derse gaye toh kya farak padega." Ali comforts Aalekh and shakes his head to assure him.

"Aur kya pata, issi bahane hume Naina ke mobile pe thode dino ke liye hi sahi par happy wala ringtone set karne ka mouka mil jaye." Pooja says enthusiastically. She is missing her old best friend.

"Toh yeh final.. hum apne apne ghar kal nahin char din baad ja rahe hain. Sab apne apne ghar pe yeh baat bata do. Aur maine decide kiya hai ke kal hum picnic jayenge. Aise ek sath time bhi spend hoga aur yaron Phoolan ko bhi change mil jayega." All are happy with Huda's idea of picnic.

"Tum sab yeh aapun ke liye kar rahe ho na? Aapun kitna lucky hai."Aalekh exaggerates now, deliberately.

"Ohh Chief, leave it tumhe ye suit nahin kar raha. Band karo apna drama." Aalekh smirks at Yudi's words. "Guys, toh tum sab kal mere ghar me shift ho rahe ho. Waise bhi mere Mom, Dad aur Neelu Delhi mein hain. Ghar khali pada hai. Humein masti karne keliye kafi hona chahiye, nahi??" Yudi looks at everyone.

All seem to be excited for next 4 days. "Aur inn char dino mein hum yeh bhi decide kar lenge ke humein Rajveer sir ka search kaise shuru karna hai. Matlab kuch toh planning karni padegi naa? Apne sources ko contact bhi karna hoga." Yudi is all eager to commence with their mission.

"Hum unke phone ko trace toh kar payenge na?" Suddenly Pooja's heart asks her doubt and she shares it immediately with her friends. This question suddenly shoots through them like a piercing bullet destroying resistance. No one knows the answer. That incident took place almost 1 and half year before. After that day, many people tried to find out about what happened with him. Not only his friends and cadets but also his enemies. Neither they could trace him nor found any other clue.

When Yudi feels that, the confidence which he has seen some minutes earlier in his friend's eyes, is fading away now, He says remembering something, "I see, There is a problem. So the solution is.." He starts strumming chords of his guitar and whistles 2 lines of their favourite tune... and starts singing,

Bharat ke hum noujawan

He puts his guitar aside, gets up from his place and goes to Ali. Yudi gives Ali his hand and gestures him to join him. Ali sings further while getting up from his place.

Humme shakti aur samman

Now Aalekh joins them and sings while coming in between Ali and Yudi and puts his hands on shoulders of both of them.

Jeet hamari manjil hain

The whole atmosphere is now burning like fire due to the confidence and positivism which this young soldiers have inner them. How could this energetic atmosphere keep Huda away from them. He has to join them. He sings while walking towards all.

Mehnat se nahin darte hain

Now all put their hand on each other's shoulder and Pooja starts singing from behind,

Desh ke khatir jeete hain

Marne se nahin darte hain

All 4 boys turn backwards to look at Pooja and gesture her to come to them. She almost runs to them and joins them. They hug each other in group. All started singing together in one loud voice. Their voice is echoing in that night time at lakeside's mountains.

Bharat ke hum noujawan

Humme shakti aur samman

Jeet hamari manjil hain

Mehnat se nahin darte hain

Desh ke khatir jeetey hain

Marne se nahin darte hain

Humse jo takrata hain chur chur ho jata hain

Kanchanjunga ke sipahi are the best chillata hain...!!!!

They all shout loudly. Now they don't have any doubt that they are going to be successful in their mission. After all, they are student of Captain Rajveer Singh Shikhawat. They have no right to fail.

They are still standing, hugging each other. No one wants to end that hug. They can't even remember when they hugged like this last time.

But they all know that this hug is incomplete without Naina.

Huda murmurs in very low voice, "Phoolan, kaha hain tu?"

*******