rajveer naina - fated

chapter12

Another mission, and once again they are together.
He watches her apply the war paint expertly, check her gear, her rifle.

She really is the perfect soldier, focused, determined, professional.Aalekh wonders how many of the soldiers under her command know the real secret for her dedication, that it's her only purpose in life, her reason for living.

Her soldiers respect her, he can see it in their eyes. They respect her for her capabilities and also because they know she'll do her best to get them back alive.

Naina looks up, her eyes meeting his and her lips form something that is almost a smile.

"Ready?"she asks him and Aalekh nods.Because just as she will do her best to bring her team back alive, he will do his to ensure that she also returns with them.

Whether she wants to or not.

/Aalekh stands at attention as they formally farewell Brigadier Kumar while welcoming his replacement, ensuringthat his face doesn't betray his emotions.

It is difficult to hide the sense of relief he has from the familiar presence that has just arrived.
It is only once the formalities have ended and Brigadier Kumar has departed that Aalekh allows himself to smile, saluting his new base commandant.

"It's good to have you with us, Sir." Aalekh tells him.

"What's this 'sir' business, Aalekh?" Abhimanyu asks him,

"We've known each other for so long and you still won't call me by my first name."

"Don't mind it, Abhimanyu Sir." Aalekh replies, "But while I'm on duty you're Brigadier Chauhan to me."

"I still can't get used to the sound of it… It reminds me of Brigadier Chandook, in fact according to my initials, I'm alsoBC."

He grimaces slightly at the thought and Aalekh struggles not to smile.

"We have quite a few things to discuss, Sir." Aalekh tells him, wanting to bring up the topic as soon as possible.

"Yes, fore most of which is this missing officer, Captain Dhiraj Kapoor. We'll have to begin efforts to rescue him as soon as possible. Has any mission been launched yet?" Abhimanyu asks as they walk towards the officers' quarters.

"Sort of." Aalekh tells him, not quite sure how else to phrase it."
'Sort of'? What on earth are you talking about, Aalekh?"

"Well when Brigadier Kumar announced that no rescue operation would be launched immediately, four lieutenants took it upon themselves to rescue him and left the base without permission late yesterday."

Aalekh informs Abhimanyu, waiting for his reaction.

"Oh god, this is the last thing that I need as soon as I arrive on base." Abhimanyu groans,

"Tell me something, are they KMA pass outs by any chance?"

"Well… one of them is."Abhimanyu looks at Aalekh's face and then sighs.

"Hussein is with them, isn't he?" he asks.

Aalekh just nods.

"He's exactly like his parents." Abhimanyu comments, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Yes, he is." Aalekh remarks, unable to keep the pride out of his voice.

"Well don't think that just because he's Ali and Pooja's son he's not going to be punished along with the rest of them." Abhimanyu remarks,

"I can't be soft on him just because he's the son of friends, now get a proper rescue prepped and I'll see these lieutenants once they're back on base."