Huda finds her coming towards them. " Phoolan aa rahi hain. Humne jo mission haath mein liya hain uske baare mein abhi toh usse kuch naa kaho. Bhagwanji naa kare par agar hum fail ho gaye toh usse sambhalna aur bhi mushkil hoga." Huda whispers to all. All 4 shake their head in Yes'.

Aalekh calls Naina. "Naina, Kahan gayi thi? Aapun log kabse tera wait kar rele the. Chal aa ja. Purane din yaad karte hai." He removes his hand from Yudi's shoulder in order to make some space for Naina to enter in their group hug. Naina joins them. Even she feels happy. She is cherishing company of her dear friends after a long time. Now they feel complete, their hug gets complete. Genuine smile is playing on everyone's face. All are gaining the sense of togetherness.

When they break their hug, Naina asks them, "arre tum log abhi tak idharhi ho. Mujhe laga so gaye honge. Kya kar rahe the? Instead of giving her answer Pooja asks her, "Yeh toh humein tujhse puchna chahiye missed call? Kaha out of range ho gayi thi? Thik se bataya bhi nahin ke kaha jaa rahi hain. Humme kitni chinta lagi rehti hai teri. Tu kabhi sudhregi nahin naa Naina?"

"Pooja, main koi choti bachhi hun kya jo kho jaungi? Kya post pe tu aati hain mera dhyan rakhne?" Naina questions her. Naina's words hurt Pooja."Pagal hain tu. Tujhe kya pata ke mujhe kitna tension hota hain. Mera mobile hamesha hi tera signal search karne mein laga rehta hain. Lekin tujhe usse kya farak padta hain? Hum toh koi nahin hain naa tere?

"Tu aisa kyun bol rahi hai Pooja? Ab tum sab aur maa baba hi toh ho jinko main apna keh sakti hu. Mujhe samjhne ki koshish kar Pooja. Main kitna bhi try karu main jhooty smile nahin la sakti aur mujhe dekh ke tum sab bhi khul ke has nahin paatey toh mujhe aur bhi guilty lagta hai aur isiliye main..."

"... Aur isiliye tu aapun sabse bhagti rehti hain. Aapun ke saath time nahin bitati. Akeli rehti hain." Aalekh interrupts Naina. All this time, all the boys are listening this so called "girls emotional talk" and getting bored when Aalekh starts confronting Naina. "Lekin tere se yeh kisne kaha ke tu aapun ke saath nahin hoti toh aapun khush hota hain. Yaa saare khulke hasate hain."

"Are Qaidi tu bhi kisse bol raha hain. Phoolan ki ye purani aadat hain khudko jyada importance dene ki. Usse lagta hain ke isse aise dekh kar hum bhi iske jaise jeena chod denge. Jaisa wo soche waisa hi sach ho. Lekin ye galatfaimi hai thari Phoolan." Huda continues after Aalekh.

"Huda bhai aap jara shant ho jaiye. Ab jaane bhi dijiye. Unhe bhi unka waqt chahiye hoga... yaha... KMA mein." Ali utters last sentence with proper care. He takes Naina's side for comforting her in the atmosphere in which she might be start feeling uncomfortable and if still not then surely she will, if they continues with their confrontation. Ali realizes the situation and tries to change the topic. "Ab jab Naina aa gayi hain to unhe apne plan ke baarein mein toh bata dijiye."

"Are haan Naina.." Yudi says getting excited, "Hum kal nahin balki 4 din baad apne apne ghar jaayeng. And we are gonna enjoy this 4 days together. Hum kal mere ghar shift ho jayenge and then time for picnic. Waise Huda tune bataya nahin ke hum kaha jaa rahe hain for picnic? Yudi suddenly remembers that they are still left with planning of their picnic.

"Yudie, hum yahi najdik hi Ambala Resort jayenge. Waha mera dost hain woh hamari bookings kar dega. Dhamal karke parso wapas aayenge aur phir tere ghar ka bhi toh huliya badlna hoga. Uncle aunty aaye toh unhe pata toh chale ki yaha rakshshonki sena aayi thi." He laughs.

First Yudi also laughs but then he understands what Huda has said. "Dude, you... agar tum log aisa karoge toh dad mujhe kisibhi ghar mein entry nahin denge. Aur dude tumhe pata hain na ke bas yahi ek property hain jo dad ne mere naam ki hain. Kyun mere future ke saath khel rahe ho." Everyone smiles at Yudi when he gives one of his best innocent look.

"Sorry guys, main nahin aa paungi." As Naina utters these words everyone looks at her. They all are expecting this answer of her and mentally all were prepared for it already. But this time they are not going to give up easily. "Par kyun Naina?" Pooja asks, unable to hide unhappiness in her voice.

"Guys aap sabko pata hain ke humein itne mahinon ke baad ab jaake badi chutti mili hain. Aur main ye saare din Maa Baba ke saath bitana chahti hun. Wo naraj ho jayenge agar kal main Nainital nahin gayi." replies Naina.

"Toh chali jaa na. Aapun sab ne kab mana kiya hai. Lekin 4 din baad jaa. 4 din se aisa kya farak padnewala hain Naina.?" Aalekh asks her in his demanding tone. "Aur rahi baat tere Maa Baba ke naaraj hone ki toh uski fikra tu mat kar. Aapun khud baat karega unse. Aur abhi tuneich toh kaha ke humein pehli baar itni badi chutti mili hai. Toh yahich din hain ek saath time bitane ke liye hamare pass bhi." Aalekh says firmly.

"Aur hamare family ke messeges hamare bhi inbox mein aaye hain Naina. Hum sabko bhi usse read karna hain. Par humein bhi toh ek dusre ke messeges padhne ka mouka iske baad naa jane kab mile. Mujhe aur Ali ko toh jaldi ghar jana hain. Hamari shadi ki date fix honewali hain. Par humein koi problem nahin hain." Pooja supports Aalekh. They are trying their level best to make Naina stay with them for next 4 days.

"Haan Naina, Maan jaiye naa. Itne dino baad sab ek saath hain. Purani yaadein taaja ho jayengi." Ali requests her. "Aur yahin toh main nahin chahti Ali.." Naina shouts loudly but she controls her emotions immediately and continues, "I am sorry Ali but please mujhe samajh ne ki koshish karo guys. Main nahin rehna chahti yahan, jahan meri saari yaadein taaja hoti hain. Main saans bhi nahin lena chahti iss sheher mein jisne mujhse mera sab kuch chin liya. Mera bhai, mera..." She halts and takes a deep breath. "...Mera Mentor." And she completes her sentence.

"Phoolan tu kab tak bhagegi iss sheher se. Tu khudhi soch kya iss sheher ne tujhe sirf buri yaadein di.. jo tu yaad bhi nahin karna chahti. Hum sab yahan miley, humari dosti hui jo har pal hamare saath hamari takad banke rehti hain, kya iss dosti ko bhi tu bhulna chahti hain? Yahi wo sheher hain jahan tu aur tera bhai officer bane, desh ke liye marmitne ki shapath tum dono ne yahin toh li.. kya yeh bhi tu bhulna chahti hain? Jis mentor ki tu baat kar rahi hai wo bhi toh tujhe yahin mile naa.. kya wo sab bhi tu..? He chooses to stay silent. He doesn't want to complete his own sentence.

Naina goes and sits on a rock. She places both her hands on rock as she needs some support even while sitting. She is unable to handle her frustration. She knows very well that she can not deny whatever Huda is saying. She speaks out frustratingly, "Tum samajh nahin rahe ho ke main kya kehna chah rahi hun. Please mujhe force mat karo." Everyone is looking at each other helplessly. They all know about extreme level of Naina's stubbornness. When Naina decides something then it is like white line on black stone which is impossible to rub.

But Aalekh is not ready to accept defeat. He retorts back, " Tu aisi nahin thi Naina. Aapunko toh ladhnewali aur jitnewali Naina malum hain. Yeh aise sabse, zindagise bhagne wale Naina ko aapun sab mein se koi nahin janta. Aur jis Mentor ki tu baat kar rahi hain naa ussi ne shayad tujhse kaha tha ke jab tak aakhri saans chal rahi hai tab tak umeed hain."

"Maine umeed nahin chodi hain Aalekh..." Naina tries to explain but Aalekh snaps her, "Lekin tune jung toh chod di hain." Naina looks everywhere but of her friends and says, "Maine keh diya naa ke mujhe kal Nainitaal nikalna hain. Aur kisi bhi picnic pe aane ka mera koi mood nahin hain. Lekin tum sab jao. Enjoy karo. Main nahin aana chahti."

They all tries to find a way out to make Naina understand that how badly they need her and how badly she needs change. She has to come out from her stupor. But all of a sudden they hear one voice and the source of the voice is none other than Yudi. He starts playing his guitar and singing,

Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak Zapak hooo...

All figure out in a second that what Yudi tries to do.. They all start singing with him..

Heyyy... Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak Zapak hooo... hooo...

Naina looks at them. She feels sad because she hurts her friends who are trying everything to change her decision. But she is also unable to make her heart understand that she has her duties towards them also.

Yudi comes near her and sings.

Hum ki toli, aee dil ki story

Humse hain, nahin hain auronse

Then Huda joins Yudi while walking towards them from behind.

Everyday ki, Hain Today ki

Lena dena kya Tomorrow se

Pooja takes Naina's left hand in her right hand and sits besides her. She joins Yudi and Huda in mission Manao Naina'.

Gummon ke haath mein, hain tej ustra

Ali keeps his left hand on Naina's right shoulder and holds Pooja's left hand by his right hand. Ali and Pooja sing together.

Karenge mushkilonse hum parej kis tarah

Aalekh, who has his back towards Naina, turns to look into Naina's eyes and sings,

Hamari aur hi, hawan ko mod ke

Jeeyenge jum ke jeena chahe jis tarah...

All 5 sing together..

Oh Yarra... Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak Zapak hooo...

Heyyy...Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak Zapak hooo... hooo

Yudi is playing guitar and everyone is listening that notation.

Aalekh comes near Naina and sits to her right and sings

Sar jhuka ke, Muh Phulake,

Khali baithna fijool hain

Ali kneels down at her and sings

Apna mauka khud banao

Apna funda hai usool hai

Pooja, who is sitting Naina's left side, gives her a big smile and sings

Khushi ki daal se uchlke tod le

Huda also kneels down near Ali and sings with Pooja

nichod zindagi hain taja ek santra

Yudi comes near them and keeps his hand on Aalekh's shoulder and sings determinedly while looking at them,

Hamari aur hi, hawan ko mod ke

Jeeyenge jum ke jeena chahe jis tarah...

Oh Yarra... Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak Zapak hooo...

All 5 sings together while holding each others and Naina's hands,

Heyyy...Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak Zapak hooo... hooo

Pooja gets up from the place and also takes Naina with her. They come near the lake. She takes Naina's both hands in hers and make distance between two and push herself little back as if she wants to cherish that friendship.

Aalekh sings looking downwards,

Hooo... Koi yaara, sathi pyara

'gar jo dildaara ban jaye

Pooja comes near Naina and hugs her. She has tears in her eyes. She sings emotionally while looking back at Naina,

saath yunhi chalte chalte

Kismat ka tara ban jaye

Ali comes towards Pooja and sings,

Miley jo humsafar, haseen ho safar

Rahenge ek dusre se dur kis tarah

Huda approaches them and sings while giving Pooja's hand into Ali,

Hamari aur hi, hawan ko mod ke

Jeeyenge jum ke jeena chahe jis tarah...

Oh Yarra... Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak hooo...

All 5 sing together,

Heyyy...Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak hooo... hooo

Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak hooo...

Aalekh comes near Naina and softly hits her shoulder with his and makes a face as if he is pleading her and sings,

Ho Lapak Ho Zapak Ho Lapak Zapak Zapak

Heyyy...Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak Lapak zapak hooo... hooo

Everyone look at her expectantly. She looks at each of her friend's eager faces, eager to know her decision. She thinks and says, "Okay guys, ab tum zindagi bhar ke liye mere piche pad hi gaye ho toh mere pass koi choice nahin. Main tum sabko join karungi. Lekin..."

All 5 faces again turn pale which have started brightening up because of her previous words. Naina continues, "... lekin meri ek shart hai." "Kya?" All ask her in unison. ".. Ke tum log phir kabhi gana nahin gaoge." All 5 look at her with frown on their face for moment but then at next second they all burst out into laugh with Naina. They laugh so much but then they realize that after so long Naina is laughing honestly, wholeheartedly. They feel so glad that they succeeded at least in their one mission.

----

The dawn brings different melody with him. Their heart hears that melody which their ears could not. A new day has come with new possibilities and new possibilities signify new hope. A fresh page yet to be written.

Aalekh dials a number on his mobile. After 3 rings he hears one male voice, "Hello..!" "Wo, aapun Aalekh. Bole toh, Good Morning!" Replies Aalekh.

"Ooo, Aalekh beta, Good morning, bitha diya Naina ko Nainitaal ki bus mein?" Naina's father asks Aalekh. "Nahin uncle, wo.., actually aapun ne yeh batane keliye phone kiya ke Naina chaar din baad ghar aayegi. Wo aisa hai ke aapun sab dost log bahot dino baad miley toh chaar din eksaath masti karne ka programme banaya hai." Aalekh explains their plan.

"Dekho beta, mujhe toh koi problem nahin hai. Hum dono toh chahte hain ki Naina phirse tum sab ke ghulmil jaayein. Lekin kya Naina iss baat ke liye maan gayi?" He knows his daughter very well, so he asks his doubt to Aalekh.

"Pucho mat Uncle. Badi mushkil se manaya hai aapun sab ne milkar use." Aalekh remembers last night's drama which they had to do for Naina.

"Acha hain beta. Tum sabke saath rahgi. Man laga rahega uska. Yaha aati toh akelehi rehti. Tum sab uske dost ho. Kuch samjhao usse." Naina's father requests him.

"Aapun sab bhi toh yahi chahta hain uncle ke wo pehle jaisi ho jaye. Aapunko thoda waqt dijiye. Aapun aapse wada karta hain ke aapun puraniwali Naina ko wapas laake rahega. Auntyji kaisi hain?" Aalekh makes a promise to him but he himself not sure that this is possible or not.

"Tumhari aunty mandir gayi hain beta. Ab hum dono akele thik hi hain. Ek dusre ka saath hain. Bas ek baar humari beti ki zindagi sawar jaayein. Usiki chinta hain." Concern is evident from his voice.

"Aap kyun chinta karte hain uncle. Aapun sab hai na. Aap bas aapka aur aunty ka khayal rakhiye. Naina ko aapun sambhal lega." Aalekh tries to make him feel relax.

"Thik hai beta. Aap sab apna khayal rakhna. Baki bachhon ko bhi pyar bolna mera. Waise kal sabse mulakat toh ho hi gayi thi Delhi mein. Aur chaar din baad tum bhi Naina ke saath yaha aa jana." Naina's father invites Aalekh.

"Dekhta hai uncle. Wo Huda bhi piche pada hai. Lekin aapun ye holiday khatam hone se pehle aapke yaha jarur aa jayega. Aapun ab rakhta hai." "Thik hai beta. Khayal rakhna. Rakhta hun." They both end a call.

He comes back to the room where they all are ready to make a move in Yudi's house. "Waise guru, hum yaha bhi toh reh sakte hain chaar din. Brig. Chandok hume mana thodi karenge. Toh hum Yudi bhai ke ghar kyun jaa rahe hain?" Ali has a doubt.

"Oye usool, main naa reh payunga yaha. Yaha ke har ek kone mein captain sir ki yaad aati hain. Masti toh chod koi baat bhi nahin karega ek dusre se. Aur Phoolan, itne mushkilse manaya hai humne, lekin agar yaha rahe toh phirse udaas hoke hi baithe rehna hai usse." Huda explains Ali.

"Sahi bola tu Huda. Hum sabka Yudi ke ghar rehna hi thik hoga. Lekin ye Naina aur Pooja kaha reh gaye? Aalekh asks them.

"Wo chief.." Yudi replies, "wo Pooja ka sms aaya hain ke hum sabko entrance gate pe milna hai. Hum sab bus tumhara hi wait kar rahe the."

"Toh chalo, niklte hai." Aalekh moves out of room with his bag while conversing with them.

"Kidhar kho gaya tha tum logon ka signal? Kabse main aur Naina yaha waiting mode pe khade hain." Pooja starts with her blabber as the boys approach entrance gate of KMA.

"Oye punjaben, thand rakh. Subah subah kya tera mobile leke shuru ho jati hai. Good Morning toh bol de kam se kam." Huda tries to explain her a need of normal talk.

"Good Morning all. Toh chale hum?" Naina knows that if Huda and Pooja start with their argument then they all have to forget about their vacation. So she takes control in her hand. " Chalo." Says Ali.

All sit in jeep which Brig Chandok has offered them for their picnic. They are about to start the jeep when orderly comes there and informs them about Brig's order, "Lt. Naina Singh Ahluwalia, Brig. Chandok ne aapko abhi bulaya hain." And orderly leaves,

"Ye tau bhi naa. Kya problem hain yaar uski?" Huda gets frustrated.

"Guys, tum log ek kaam karo, mera saaman leke Yudi ke ghar pohonch jao. Main aati hu. Phir sab saath mein niklenge picnic ko." Naina suggests them.

"Pakka Naina, aap aa jaogi?" Ali asks her.

"Haan Ali, tum log chinta mat karo. Main aa jaungi. Main kahin bhaag ke nahin jaane wali." She smiles and leaves for Brig's office.

They all are feeling sad. No one wants to go without Naina. But they know that they can't challenge her decision. So they leave from KMA.

They all have been waiting for Naina since two hours. They reached at Yudi's house within 5 min. Then they have settled his house and their luggage. After that they have informed their parents that they are not coming home today. And since then, they are waiting and waiting.

"kaha jam ho gaya Naina ka signal?" Pooja murmurs. "Humari picnic ki toh band baj gayi. Ab kab niklenge?" Yudi frowns.

"Mujhe pakka yakeen hai. Ye tau Phoolan ko aaj sham tak chodnese raha. Chahon toh shart laga lo. Oye Qaidi, jara Phoolan ko phone toh laga." As soon as Huda completes his sentence, Aalekh's phone starts ringing.

Aalekh takes out his mobile from his pocket and sees his screen which is lightning due to incoming call. "Naina ka hai. Main speaker pe dalta hun." Aalekh informs them.

"Hello, Aalekh. Sun. Mujhe naa yaha bahot der ho jayegi. Brig Sir ka bahot jaruri kaam hai aur woh mere department se related hain. Toh mujhe apne higher authorities ko bhi contact karna hoga. Unka kaam thoda urgent hain. Aaj ke aaj hi ho jana chahiye." Naina explains everything in one breath without giving him chance to reply. Huda looks at everyone with an attitude which clearly states that I already told you all.

"Iska matlab picnic cancel?" Yudi asks not specifically to anyone.

Naina hears him. "Nahin Yudi, picnic cancel nahin hogi. Ek kaam karo tum log resort pahuncho. Mera kaam sham tak toh ho hi jayega. Main uske baad 1 hour mein waha pahonch jaungi."

"Kya Naina, tu nahin hogi toh hamara toh mobile hi discharge honewala hai." Pooja is not ready to accept Naina's decision this time.

"Pooja, tu aisa kyun sochti hain. Main aa rahi hu naa sham ko. Acha suno guys Brig sir bula rahe hain. Tum sab niklo. Main yahan se niklne ke baad tum sabko inform kar dungi. Sham ko milte hain. Bye." She disconnects the call.

All look at eachother. Again they do not have any other choice. They locks Yudi's house and start their journey.

Huda drives a jeep. Aalekh sits near Huda at front. Ali, Yudi and Pooja settle themselves at back. No one is in a mood to talk or enjoy. Yudi breaks ice as usual, "Ye BC ko kya jarurat thi Naina ko bulane ki. Hum log ab chutti pe hain na at least I think so."

"Yudi bhai Naina ne bataya na ke Brig sir ka kuch important kaam hain. Wo aa jayengi shamko. Aur ek sipahi kabhi chutti pe nahin hota. Usse hamesha har chunauti ke liye taiyar rehna padta hain." Ali explains Yudi their duties as soldier.

"Oye usool, thaare ye usool thare pass hi rakh. Mujhe toh lagta hain yaaron ke hume Naina ko akele waha chodna hi nahin chahiye tha. Mujhe uski koi guarantee nahin hain. Kahin usse koi aur bahana naa mil jaaye." Huda states his doubt.

"Nahin Huda.Usne iss baar sachhe dil se haan kaha tha. Aapun ko yakeen hai ke Naina aayegi." Aalekh's faith on Naina palpable from his voice.

"Waise bhi BC hamesha Naina ka number dial karte hain toh ye Huda jalta hain. Isse koi puchta nahin hain na isiliye." Pooja teases Huda intentionally in order to change the topic and mood both.

"Punjaban, kya bol rahi hain tu. Main Phoolan se jalta hun? Tu bawari toh naa ho gayi. Maine toh kal bhi tujhe kaha tha aur ab bhi kehta hun ke tere se jyada akal toh mere bhainson mein hain." Huda says angrily.

"Oye Huda tune phirse mera sim teri bhaisosnse joda. Teri himmat kaise huyi?" Pooja hits Huda from behind on his shoulder.

"Punjaban teri toh.." and Huda turns behind to hit her back.

"Are shant baitho tum dono. Huda bhai aap driving pe concentrate kijiye. Aur kya Pooja aap bhi. Wo gadi chala rahe hain na aur aap unhe tang kar rahi hain." Ali tries to control the situation.

"Lekin Pooja is right." Now Yudi starts. "Kya galat kaha Pooja ne. Yeh Huda toh aisa hi hai. Academy days mein mujhe ullu banakar badi sharte jeeta hai."

"Are Yudie tujhe ullu bana ne ki kya jarurat hain." Huda teases Yudi. "Itni mehnat kaha kabhi tune mujhe karne di. Kyun Qaidi? Huda wants supports from Aalekh to prove his statement.

"Nautanki saala" Aalekh murmurs and chooses to stay silent.

"Chief.." Yudi yells. "dekho ye Huda kya bol raha hai. Huda tu bhool gaya ke Madona ko bhi khass mehnat nahin karni padi thi tujhe fool karne mein. Sirf tujhe kyun, Naina bhi toh phasi thi." Yudi laughs on that memory.

"Yudie, saaley teri toh.." Now it's Huda's turn. "Mujhe lagta hain ke tu bhool gaya Valentines night ke baad kya hua tha." Huda smiles wickedly.

That is not at all one good recall for Yudi. Now Yudi turns serious and says, "That was cheap Huda." And he also hits Huda's backhead from behind.

"Oye, agar wo cheap tha toh tune kounsa acha kaam kiya tha. Madona ke bachhe ka baap bana diya tha mujhe meri Phoolan ke najaron me." While saying these words Huda turns back to catch Yudi.

At that moment, Ali screams at his highest voice, "Huda bhai, saamne dekhiye."

After hearing what Ali has yelled, Aalekh looks at front and shouts while trying to take control of jeep in his hand, "Huda jeep sambhal."

Huda also sits straight and applies break by using his all strength. Jeep stops with a huge jerk.

*******