𝓛𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓕𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓑𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓼 [*Complete*]

Ch. 17 ⭐

Academy building hallway,
KMA

"So... what now? Should we inform Captain Rajveer about this?" Yudi asked his friends.

"And when he asks who told us, what will we say?" Naina pointed out, raising her eyebrow.

"Yeah, Shahrukh doesn't even have a clue about what we've done," Pooja added with a sheepish smile.

"I don't know about what, Cadet Ghai?" came a familiar voice from behind.

All six of them felt their eyes widen in shock, hoping and praying that Rajveer hadn't overheard their conversation. Swallowing hard, Naina turned around with a forced smile.

Rajveer took one look at her face and instantly knew that she was about to lie to him about something. Tilting his head and folding his arms across his chest, he raised an eyebrow at his super six as the rest also turned around, wearing identical smiles. These six cadets of his were clearly hiding something from him.

"I hope you realize that those smiles on your faces gave away the fact that you're keeping something from me. Now, be good boys and girls and spill the beans. What did you all do, and when?" Rajveer inquired, a smirk playing on his lips.

The super six were taken aback by his direct question. They exchanged silent glances, silently asking each other how they should respond to Rajveer's inquiry.

Naina cleared her throat, mustering up the courage to speak. "Sir, it's not what you think," she began, her words coming out in a rush. "We were... um... discussing a surprise for you, sir! Yes, a surprise to show our appreciation for all that you do for us," she improvised, her smile widening in an attempt to appear genuine.

Rajveer arched an eyebrow skeptically, clearly unconvinced by the hastily concocted excuse. "A surprise, you say?" he echoed, his tone laced with skepticism. "And what kind of surprise requires such secrecy?"

Naina sauntered up to him with a playful grin, causing Rajveer and everyone else to exchange puzzled glances. To their surprise, she began to toy with the buttons on his shirt, her tone teasing as she spoke, "The essence of a surprise lies in its secrecy, Rajveer... Let's not spoil it now. I can't wait to give you this surprise."

Rajveer felt a blush creeping up his neck at her bold gesture. He hadn't expected her to flirt with him in front of her friends and his cadets, yet a part of him couldn't help but feel flattered by her confidence in their relationship. Clearing his throat, he nodded in agreement and gently replied, "Alright then. It's time for all of you to head back to your hostels. It's about to be lights out soon," before briskly making his way towards his quarters.

Once Rajveer was safely out of earshot, the super six turned their attention to Naina. Huda, sporting a mischievous grin, couldn't resist teasing her, "Well, well, well... Who knew our fierce Phoolan had a flirtatious side? I thought you only knew how to spar and bicker with everyone."

The rest of the group struggled to contain their laughter at Huda's playful jab, while Naina responded with an eye roll, clearly unimpressed with his theatrics. "Oh, absolutely," she deadpanned, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Did you want me to tell Rajveer sir what we were talking about?" she deadpanned, her tone dry.

With a collective chuckle, the group made their way towards their respective hostels, silently agreeing not to continue their discussion in the hallways where prying ears could overhear them.

.... --- ....

.... --- ....

Early the next morning, 

Naina decided to visit Rajveer before going to the ground. She went into Rajveer's room like she usually did [without knocking], looking for him. She thought he might be in the kitchen making his morning coffee. But he wasn't there. She got worried and went to check the bedroom. Naina looked puzzled when she saw that even the bedroom was empty.