Let's keep it simple

part 30

As the time passed by, the awkwardness fade away eventually.....
They gradually returned to their comfort zone with eachother.

It seems like a different world here.
Very few people know about all their history here....
And whatever prejudice few officers had for naina that to got cleared away with her performance and work.

The air here around is not so toxic.
People here are not so judgemental
Hence creating a sustainable ambience for them to come in terms with there feelings.

With no fear of doing any offence and being judge harshly
Their love was finally able to breathe.

Nowdays she so looks forward for tea and suppers.
They have never been assigned together for any work.
The mess is the only meeting point.

And her friends and Adil too make sure they get few minutes alone mostly leaving both of them last on table.

Very casually they even synchronised their night walks... Whenever off duty...
So many times he feel to break the ice and tell her
Many times she feels like taking his hand while they are walking.
Or sit a bit close on the bench near the lake.

Or that one time when he was about to trip while their night walk and she caught him by his collar and arm immediately..
Still it was funny
And they shared a good laugh.

Once alekh and Pooja bribed the cook and slipped in the kitchen to make noodles
And they had a slumber party in Adil 's room.

With coffee and Maggie....

Naina making sure to make his cup strong
She knows a lot about him now.

Like his favourite colour is grey
His favourite Bollywood movie is Andaz apna apna
He loves Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy movies.

He like classical music.
He had once suffered jaundice
And once had a fractured arm

He never wear branded clothes.... As he thinks it's overrated.
He wear topaz on right index finger... And never take it off.... Its his father's last sigh for him

He can cook very well
And he is suffering from OCD  about locking the doors ....
He is very ticklish... And can't handle even the thought of it....

He keeps photo of her parents in his wallet
And even of Madhubala....
Adil had leaked the information once and he had gone red in embarrassment.....

At the end of the day it's a treat to watch him smile
Without any fear or baggage

She wants to keep him like that ...

------------

"Captain shikhawat is Naina's mystery man right"?
Ajay asked alekh during one of their petrolling

And alekh was caught by surprise and was searching for an appropriate response when Ajay smiled

"It's ok
You don't have to answer it...."

Ajay said with a teasing smile...

"Although I have one question...
Why are they not together
Like they are clearly crazy for eachother...
To phir problem kya hai"

To which Alekh gave an exhausting sigh

"Iska jawab to NASA ke scientists bhi dhundh rahe hain
Jaise hi pata chalega tereko bata dunga"

____________

Adil and rajveer
In a base camp for three days.... Planning the field work for the next troop.
Discussing altitude and artillery....
Rationing and transportation....
Grooming the  platoon for advancing further..

It's a bit tense atmosphere
There has been a terrorist activity around the area.....

Rajveer was training the soldiers for land mines plantation and the location of mines
And how to detect one...
He was busy marking the mines position when Adil stood by his side and made sure no one hears them ... Signalling him to come closer .... And said in his ears.

"What's going on between you and Naina"

Rajveer got startled and saw three soldiers standing in front of him waiting for next instructions
And Adil was all serious

Rajveer have him an i don't believe you look and got back in maps ...

Later that night when things were safe
They lay  inside the tent in there respective bedding...

"I have seriously no idea how to approach her...
I mean i know everyone keep saying that her feelings are mutual but....
What if there is 1 percent chance that she doesn't love me and i will loose everything I have with her...
I am too scared.....
I have never been this scared in my life before.....
I mean now atleast I have hope that maybe someday things will work out....
But i am afraid to make that day today because if anything goes wrong....
I will be without hope...

It's the most terrifying thing for me
To be without hope..."

-----------------

"I am leaving tomorrow for Delhi"
He told her as they were walking out of the mess.... Their friends gone already

"You mean transfer "
She felt a mini attack....

"Nope"
He said and got amused watching her expression going from normal to dreadful and then relieved again.

"We have got solid leads against lala gehlot
I have to be there when we take it to the final step."
He saw her with promising eyes ....
And for a moment he felt as if she is about to hug him....
He quickly shrugged off the idea

"It's not dangerous right....
You will be ok"?
She asked for some assurance even if it's false.

"I will be fine Naina"

And he is gone again.....
This time only for a weak....

Wait over
Next part is confession  that too big one