The Path Less Travelled.

Mission Confession.

Naina smiled.
Raj finally smiled too.

........

Nobody knew what Naina said, to make Raj agree, but agree he did, and everyone, including Abhi, was in awe of Naina.

The final trial was set for the next day, and everyone was relaxing around Huda in the hospital, filling him in with the details.

Huda : Oye Phulan, ye to bata tune sir ko pataya...umm....mera matlab hai, manaya kaise?

Naina shrugged. She was sitting on the sette, eating a chocolate bar that Abhi had bought them all.

Since the last two days, Naina had finally started sleeping and eating properly, after weeks.

Naina : "Huda, guys, hogaya na .....ab choro na ye sab..plz.
Guys, I forgot...mujhe ghar call karna tha. Main aati hoon ok."

Saying this, she left.

The five are left, as the captains have left for KMA.

Huda's eyes followed her leaving. As soon as she left :
" Guys, tumlogo ko nai lagta, we need a plan?"

Yudi : "Ab kis baat ka plan dude?"

Alekh guessed shrewdly.
"Bole to...Sir aur Naina ke baare me baat kar rayela hai na? "

They were all lounging relaxed in different parts of the room. Everyone gathered around Huda.

Huda : "Sir to Naina ko bolne se rahe.
Aur Naina...usse badi bewakuf maine nai dekhi hai, is maamle me."

Pooja : "Tu sai keh raha hai Huda, hame hi kuch karna hoga."

They all look at Huda expectedly.

Huda frowned.
"Kya? Meri taraf kya dekh rahe ho?
Hadd hai yaar, main abhi abhi to thik hua hu..." he began dramatically, but was cut by Alekh.

"Abbey Nautanki. Sedhe se bolna.
Sab milke sochte hai."

......

Raj was aquitted at the trial.
His posting is to continue at KMA, for a few more months.

They are all gathered in KMA's mess, drinking the free lassi Suriji has provided.

The 6 Lts have each received their postings letters, and are swapping gossip, while heckling Raj for a final party, before they leave.

Huda : "Sirji, dekhye, ek party to banti hai! Ab sochye, ham agar yuhi chale gaye, to ham par kya asar padega?"

Raj raised an eyebrow, amused at his drama.
Raj : "Acha hi asar padega. Officer ban chuke hai aap. Discipline ki adat daal lijiye."

Pooja :" Sir, aap ko accha lagega, agar ham yu,...sadly jayenge yaha se to?"

Raj is controlling his smile.

Alekh (Patting Pooja and Huda's heads) : "Ab sir, maasoom baccho ka dil toroke aap?"

Raj looked at him surprised at Alekh doing drama like Huda, when Huda sprang up.
"Maasoom kisko bola be?"

Abhi and Shalini and Gunny are watching the drama, from the doorway.

Finally unable to control her laughter, Shalini steps forward, before choas ensues around Raj.

"Calm down guys.
Captain Rajveer zaroor party denge."

Abhi joined in.
"Ha, zaroor denge, kyu Captain?"(To gunny)

Gunny (with a straight face) : "Yes ofcrs!"

Shalini : "To its decided.
Hmm...lets see... Pizza?? Theres a new place here nearby. Nice and expensive." She said, with an evil grin.

Huda : Done!
Everyone else : Done!
Shalini : "Cool, eveyone be ready by 7"

Raj was sitting there, open mouthed, as everyone decided his party, without consulting him once.
Raj : "Um...hello? Maybe, mera bhi opinion lena chahiye?"

Shalini : "Nope, not meeded Captain, just your wallet."
She grinned at him
He frowned.
Then broke into a smile.

Raj : "Fine, your way. I do owe my life to you guys."

Raj soon left from there, as he had to report to BC.
So did Shalini, Abhi and Gunny.

Huda signalled to Yudi, who turned to Naina.

"Naina dude, I wanted your help.
Please mere saath library chalna.
Tu wo book padh rahi thi na ek baar, I remember. ...on numismatics?
I need to refer it...I may have a priceless coin."

He smiled innocently.
Naina (not suspecting anything) : "Thik hai chal....dekhte hai."

They left.

Everybody sighed in relief and gathered together.

Huda : "To guys, remember!  After the party, plan to anjaam dena hoga.
We don't have time now.
Dr. Shalini and Abhimanyu Sir ye baat ho gai hai.
They are in.
Sab ko apna apna kam yaad hai na?
Good!"

They all put their hands together.

Huda : "Mission Confession begins!"