Monday 21 April 2014

Whispers of Spring.....Chapter 25





Chapter 25



“Colonel Rajveer Rathore, isn’t there something you have to say to me?”

Raj turned off the ignition and faced Naina. He was so close that she was momentarily mesmerized. His nearness always intoxicated her. It surprised her…to be so aware of this man, when she had spent the past seven years deliberately maintaining her distance from the male fraternity. Even when she was this irate with him, all he had to do was look at her with that enigmatic smile and every fiber of her being would come alive. There was no denying the sheer magnestism that radiated from him, and which had captivated her for life. His beauty rolled off every inch of him, like dew drops across silk. It was not only his dark eyes, eyes that held in their depths the profundity of life itself, or his chiselled face and sharp jawline, or his sensual mouth, but his entire aura that pulled her. Even the scar added to his allure…to the perfection of his charisma. Yet, this man was so much more than his persona. There was something about him that seemed to immediately connect to her soul. She loved him, and he divined her love.

Naina had to struggle to remember that she was upset with him. Nevertheless, she was… upset and somewhat disappointed. She thought that after that meaningful night they had made a pact. Yet, here he was, concealing things. She gathered her wayward thoughts and glowered at him.

Her mercury shot up more when he smiled lazily and drawled, “Oh Naina! I have always so much to say to you…about you. For instances, your eyes….I love the way your eyes dazzle when you are furious. Like, they are now.”
“Raj!”                                                                                
“These eyes…” He reached out to lightly brush his fingers across them.
“Raj! What are you doing?”
“…they are like mists in woods…like sprays over oceans. I look at you and I drown in them. I…”
“RAJ! Stop flirting. I am serious.”

His wandering fingers settled on her cheek as he cupped her face, a seriousness creeping into his eyes, “So am I, sweetheart. I would never joke about your eyes. They are the doorway to your heart where love flourishes…for everyone…and for me. There is something about these soulful eyes that hold me in place. They see right through me, yet I am not afraid what they will see. When I am worried…they blanket me in a cocoon of warmth and comfort, and love, freeing me of all doubts. They are my strength.”

That was it. Moisture flooded Naina’s eyes. She reached up and covered his hand with hers, and just held his gaze, her anger forgotten.

Raj caressed her jawline with his thumb and whispered, “These eyes cradle my soul in this stark, gray world and show me the other side of life…the one that is brightly lit. Since the day I looked into them, they have been for me the command to obey, the sacred commandment. I know what they command now.”
“Liar!” A lone tear escaped her eye. Raj’s lips swooped down and kissed it away before it passed her cheek. He pressed his lips on her eyes, and then rested his forehead on hers, a position that was fast becoming her favorite, “No, Naina. This is how I feel. These eyes have spoken to me when you could not. Call me crazy, but I even revel in the blaze of anger in your eyes, especially when I know that fire is all for me…all mine.”
“If you know why I am angry, then why did you keep me in the dark?”
“I didn’t want to worry you, sweetheart.” He tucked her head in the crook of his neck, “You have just rejoined your work. Your physical recovery is still ongoing. You have too much on your platter right now than to sit and worry about some minor mishaps. None of them were serious.”
“But they could have been.” She mumbled.
“Yes. That’s why I am getting them investigated. So far nothing has been found that would show that they were deliberate acts of sabotage.” He didn’t tell her that the crane driver was missing since morning and that the name that he had entered at the mahal’s gate was false, as no driver of that name was registered with the hauling company. In addition, a groom in the stables had confirmed that he had seen the crane driver the previous day standing behind the hedgeline of the stables. The groom was on his way to work his shift when he had noticed the man loitering around. On inquiring, the man had said that he was a crane driver and had come to deliver a message from his manager to the festival superviser. Obviously, that was a lie, since no such message had reached the superviser. Raj had sent someone to Chahal to make inquiries in the garage where they had their flat tire repaired. So far, everything was circumstantial. He wanted to be sure before seriously thinking who would want to harm him in Palampur. In the meantime, there was no point worrying Naina.

Raj tilted her face up with his hands and kissed her forehead, “I am sorry I upset you, Naina. Please don’t be angry.”

Naina sighed and said, “It’s not my anger that is the issue here Raj. It is you treating me like some porcelene doll. I am not. And you of all the people should know that. You are my best friend, and I believe I am yours…which means there should be no secrets between us. If there is a problem, we should be solving it together…and not have you go on the silent, protective mode on me. How can I be there for you if you won’t let me?”
“Naina…” he tried to cut in but she wanted to deal with this once and for all.
“No Raj. Let me finish. Today I realized how you must have felt when I kept such a huge part of my past from you, even though you kept on giving me the latitude to open up. That’s why that night I promised you that I would never ever keep anything from you. I had thought that we made a deal that night. Obviously, I was wrong.”
“No Naina. You are not wrong.”
“Then, what is this “I didn’t want to worry you Naina” all about? Raj, I need you to know that if are concerned about something, you can come to me. That you can trust me enough to help you.”
“Shshh! Calm down love.” Raj took her hands in his and said, “I trust you sweetheart. Never doubt that. I am so sorry I hurt you. You are right, I was being overprotective. It’s just something I have always done….taking care of people I love. However, I do understand where you are coming from. I shall never keep anything from you.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
“So, now tell me what you kept aside when you were telling me about the accidents.”
Raj stared at her and then threw his head back and laughed aloud, “Nothing goes past you, does it?”
“Nah!” She scrunched her nose cutely and smiled, “You forget that I head a school. I have learnt to see beyond the smokescreen. You’ll be surprised what stories little kids can concoct when they are asked to explain a wrongdoing.”

Raj smiled and then paused for awhile before telling her what he had kept from her. Naina listened quietly and then asked, “No Raj. Whatever you say, my gut feeling is someone wants to physically harm you. These incidents cannot be put down to coincidences. They seem too pat…in fact, very much premeditated.”
“Right. I have considered everything. Still I need proof before I go to the police. I need a motive. I can’t be crying wolf everytime a little mishap occurs.”
Naina thought for awhile and then looked up, “You saw that crane driver. Can you recall his face?”
“Hmm! He was high up, but I remember he had a thick moustache and something glittered in his ears…probably ear studs. He looked….” That’s when his phone rang, “One moment, Naina.” He checked the screen and glanced at her, “It’s Amar. Hello Amar! All OK buddy. We are running a little late. We’ll be there in ten….Yeah…sure….OK.”
“Naina, we’ll do this later. OK? Amar and Aastha are waiting. I’ll get the flowers. “

She nodded pensively, biting her lips….her mind whirring with speculations. Raj had not been in Palampur for long. In the short time that he was here, he had only done good for the town. People genuinely respected him. He had earned that respect, not because he was Ranima’s grandson, but because of his own background and his vision for the future of Palampur. Naina looked out of the window, watching Raj shake hands with the florist and laugh at something the man said. She found it hard to believe anyone from Palampur bore any grudge against Raj. Something Raj had said flashed through her mind. Before she could dwell on it, Raj was back. He put the flowers on the back seat, and extended a single red rose to her.
“What’s this for?”
“No reason. Just for you.”
Her face broke into a smile. How could she not love this man!
****************************************

Naina held the guitar in her hands, her head bent at an angle as she tweaked the strings to her requirement and then brushed her fingers over them in satisfaction. She looked up, her eyes searching for and finding Raj, who stood next to Amar, his eyes on her. She smiled shyly as he raised his glass to her in a subtle gesture.

Most of the guests had left after dinner. Just a few close friends of Amar had stayed behind for a nightcap. This was a group of friends who had been together since childhood. Whenever Raj visited, he was imbibed seamlessly into their friend circle, notwithstanding the fact that there would be months of gap between two visits. Someone mentioned that he had heard Naina sing in a school function a couple of years back. Within no time, Amar’s forgotten guitar was fetched from the loft and planted in Naina’s hands. She was not given any choice. A chair was placed on the lawn for her and everyone made themselves comfortable around her.

Naina bit her lips as she saw Vimi come out of the house and stand beside Raj. She held Raj’s elbow and tiptoed to speak something in his ears. Raj shook his head saying something and very gently removed her hand. Vimi’s mouth tightened into a thin line and she glared at Naina. Taken aback, Naina wondered what that was all about.

As the hum of the conversations ebbed, Naina said, “This is a song from the movie Guide. Of late, I find myself humming it a lot. I guess the movie title and the song both hold a lot of significance in my life at the moment.” She looked at Raj for a moment and then lowered her head. Her fingers moved, the strings struck a soft rhythm, and Naina sang….

kaanto se khinch ke ye aanchal 
tod ke bandhan baandhee paayal
koee naa roko dil kee udaan ko,
dil wo chalaa…aa…aa…aa
aaj fir jeene kee tamanna hai
aaj fir marne kaa iraadaa hai

She concentrated on her guitar while singing, but when she came to the final stanza, Naina lifted her eyes and met Raj’s. Her lips moved in harmony with the brushing of her fingers, and her eyes conveyed her feelings…..

kal ke andheron se nikal ke,
dekhaa hain aankhe malte malte
phool hee phool, jindagee bahaar hai,
tay kar liyaa..............
aaj fir jeene kee tamanna hai...

Raj couldn’t take his eyes off Naina through the entire song. He listened to her sweet voice ride the waves of melody and fuse with the words that reflected the meaning of her own life. He knew she sang it for him…to convey to him that she was ready. This was the first time his Naina had voiced her feelings…even if in a roundabout manner. She had enthralled everyone…her rendition had enticed everyone’s senses. God, she was perfect!

He saw her accept all the applause with a smile. He lifted a finger to flick off a tear that was lingering at the corner of his eye and looked up to see Amar lifting his brow.
“What? Something…”
“Don’t Raj. You and I both know nothing went into your eye.” He looked at Naina and then back at his friend, “She loves you, you know.”
“I know.”
“So what’s holding you? Why haven’t you proposed yet?”
“I plan to…on her birthday. That’s about a week away.”
“Good luck buddy! You both deserve this happiness.”

The two friends clicked their glasses on that note.

Naina helped Aastha carry glasses and dessert plates to kitchen. Although she had formally met Aastha in school, this was the first time she was meeting her on personal level. She had loved the perky, elfish looking girl on first sight. Aastha greeted her as if they were long-lost friends. She didn’t ask questions and was certainly not judgmental. Naina looked forward to spending more time with Aastha. She hadn’t realized how much she had missed having a good girl-friend.

In the kitchen, Aastha got busy putting the leftovers in fridge and turned to Naina, “Do me a favor Naina. I saw some guests having a discussion in the family room. There must be some glasses there. Would you fetch them please? Those crystals are from Amar’s favorite set. He’ll freak out if we lose even one.”
“Sure. It’s that room at the end of the corridor, right?”
“Yup. Thanks Naina.”

Naina smiled and went to get the glasses. She entered the room and stood rooted. The room had a Rajasthani décor. Aastha was from Jaipur, and the room evidenced that fact. There were pictures, pottery, paintings, quaint furniture, and exquisite curios. On the sidewall, there were a series of miniature paintings depicting Devisar and its culture. In the center of the collection was a painting of a young couple in front of a temple dressed in typical Devisar attire. Naina had seen a similar painting at Rawin mahal. She guessed these must be a gift from Raj. The woman’s face was hid behind a veil. She wore a bright, multi-colored lehenga and had on stunning jewellery. Naina stared at the picture of the man. He wore the traditional dhoti-kurta, cut in a typical Devisary style. He sported a thick mustache, like majority of Rajasthani men. He wore a turban, and the ear lobes peeking out showed a pair of gold studs. Naina stared…and stared…and suddenly she had to get to Raj immediately.

She rushed out and ran into Vimi near the lawn, who stopped her with a hand on her arm, “Hold on Naina. I have to say something to you.”
Vimi seemed a little flushed. Naina realized she was tipsy and said breathlessly, “Not now Vimi. I need to talk to Raj urgently.”
“Why?” Vimi slurred, “You think he is interested in you? You foolish woman, you are nowhere near his class. He is a highly decorated soldier and a royalty to boot….And you? You are nothing but a woman with a suspicious background who surfaced in our town out of nowhere. On top of that you killed a man.”
“What are you implying Vimi?”
“Just that Raj deserves better…He deserves a woman of impeccable background and a clean conscience…not a damn murderer.”

“Stop right there. Stop this bloody nonsense. One more word against Naina, and I won’t be responsible for what happens next.” Vimi swirled around to find Raj stare daggers at her, the icy coldness in his voice conveying his rage.

Naina was stunned for a moment at the venom spewed at her. Vimi whimpered, “Oh! Raj darling. You misunderstand. I was only telling Naina what everyone thinks of her. If you are associated with her, people will…”
“Shut up Vimi, and apologize to Naina.” Aastha stepped forward, Amar right behind her.
“What? Why should I?”
“You have five seconds Vimi. Apologize or none of us will have anything to do with you ever again.” Amar threatened.
“Are you serious? We have been friends since ages. You will leave me for her?”
“In a beat Vimi. The only reason you are still here is because of that friendship. We all respect Naina a lot, so does everyone in Palampur. I am guessing you know that, and the only reason you are turning on her is because Raj rejected your advances. Grow up Vimi!” Amar’s tone didn’t mellow. Others had closed in on them, all agreeing with Amar.
“Raj?” She looked to Raj for help, but Raj was only looking at Naina, “Oh OK! I am sorry Naina.”
Vimi stomped away. Amar was extremely contrite, “I am sorry Naina. She was always a bit crude when drunk.”
“You need not apologize Amar. I am fine…Really. I understand why she is so against me. I’ll have a talk with her some day and clear things. You better go and ensure she has someone to drive her home. In her state, she shouldn’t be driving.” Vimi was last of Naina’s worries at the moment.
“Yeah! I’ll do that.”
 Once Amar left, others too said their goodbyes. Aastha went to see them off. 

Naina turned to Raj who hadn’t uttered a word after the initial outburst against Vimi. She walked up to him and held him by his arms, “Raj!”
“Blasted woman! How dare she?”
“Let it go Raj. I am fine. Honest. Whatever she said only shocked me for a moment. But it’s OK. I am not the least disturbed.”
“If she were a man, I would have killed him.” He still had not moved. And as she was contemplating what to say next, he surprised her by pulling her into his arms, “You OK sweetheart?” He whispered into her hair. His body was still shaking with the anger he had felt when he heard Vimi. Only Naina’s shake of head had stopped him from doing something drastic. Throughout the evening, Vimi had made passes at him, until he told her that she was wasting her time as he loved Naina.
“Calm down Raj. Forget the incident ever happened. We have more important things to think of. Hmm! I have something to ask you.”
“What?”
She pulled away, “Do all the men in Devisar wear ear studs? Gold ones?”
“Yes. Why?...Wait. Are you saying…”
Naina nodded, “Yes Raj. I think the attacks on you are by someone from back home.”
“The crane driver?”
Naina nodded.
Raj frowned, “I can’t see why anyone would want to harm me….especially since I have left that place for good. Still, I’ll go home and call Somsinhji. If your suspicion is right, he may have heard something. Let’s go.”
“I am driving.”
“Naina, my love, a couple of drinks do not make a man unfit for driving.”
“Maybe not. But I am not taking any chances. Besides it’s illegal to drink and drive.”
Raj chuckled, “OK sweetheart! Have your way. Come. Let’s say our goodbyes.”
***********************************************

They had just hit the main road when Raj stiffened and cursed under his breath, “Damn it!”
“What’s wrong Raj?”
“My gun is not in the car today. I took it out to clean it and forgot to put it back.”
“Why do you need a gun now?” Naina glanced at him with a frown.
“Naina, we are being followed.”
“Oh God!”
“Don’t worry. Just drive on. He won’t do anything stupid in traffic.” He picked up the phone and dialed a number. “Do you see it? A black Mahindra….Yes....Good….We are taking the next turning on the left and will take a detour from behind the Govt. college. OK?”
“Who was that Raj?”
“Our security. They have been with us since evening.”
“Oh!”
“Take the next turn to the left Naina. Be careful. This road has no streetlights.”
Naina took the turn, and a mile later she suddenly braked. Right in front there was a truck parked horizontally across the road.
Before Naina could put the car on reverse, there was a tap on the side of her window and a voice rasped, “Come out Colonel saab. No tricks.” Whoever that was obviously thought Raj was driving.
“Raj!” Naina looked to her left, but Raj had slipped out. She heard a shuffle and then a loud thud. She scrambled out to find Raj in a struggle with a man, trying to pry away a gun from his hand.
“Get inside the car Naina!” Raj shouted.
The man took advantage of the momentary distraction and kicked Raj’s good leg. Unable to maintain balance with the prosthetic, Raj stumbled.
Naina looked on with horror as Raj’s knee bent and he groped for balance. She had fraction of a second before the man pulled the trigger. She shouted without thinking, “You won’t get away with this. I know who your contact is in Devisar. The police have already arrested that person.”
The man froze and stared at her, “You are lying. I spoke with her minutes ago.”
“So call her now and find out for yourself.”
From the corner of her eyes Naina saw Raj get up. The man realized she was stallling him and shouted “You b***ch,” pulling the trigger at her at that same time as Raj hurled himself at him.
The next few seconds were a blur to Naina as a jeep screeched to a halt amd men jumped out. The man was pulled away from Raj’s iron grip on his neck. She stared across at Raj and saw his white shirt soaked in blood, “Oh my God! Raj, he shot you.”
She ran and touched his face, his chest, “Where? Where? Dear God so much blood.”
She didn’t even register Raj’s arms pulling her to himself, “Naina, listen…”
But Naina was out of control, completely panic stricken, “Doctor…I have to take you to a doctor…so much blood.”
“Naina…sweetheart…”
“I cannot lose you. I love you so much. I don’t know how to live without you anymore. I won’t live without you. Don’t leave me…Please hold on for me Raj.”
Raj cupped her face and made her look at him, “Look at me Naina. I am not dying. I am fine. It’s just a shoulder wound. The bullet only grazed it. A couple of stitches and I’ll be whole. OK! I am not going anywhere. I am right here with you.”
She stared into his eyes and felt calmness seep in. He was going to be fine. He was not badly hurt. For a moment there, she thought she had lost him. She never wanted to feel that way again. Naina raised her hand and touched his face, down to his lips that were smiling now, “Why are you smiling?”
“If I knew that all I had to do was take a bullet for you to make you say the words I had been waiting to hear for so long, I would have done that long back.” He grinned.
“Don’t even joke about it,” she whacked his shoulder lightly.
“Ouch!”
“Sorry…sorry.” She raised herself on her toes and touched her forehead to his, “I love you Raj. I may not have been brave enough to say it loud, but I still loved you…with the last piece of my soul.”
****************************************

To be continued………….

{Note: The song inspiration is from Riya. She always picks up appropriate songs to go with the chapters and writes down in her comments. Thanks Riya. :) }

Complete lyrics of the song Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai……………….

kaanto se khinch ke ye aanchal 
tod ke bandhan baandhee paayal
koee naa roko dil kee udaan ko,
dil wo chalaa…aa…aa…aa
aaj fir jeene kee tamanna hai
aaj fir marane kaa iraadaa hai

apne hee bas mein naheen main,
dil hain kaheen to hoon kahee main
jaane kyaa paa ke meree jindagee ne,
has kar kahaa…aha…ha…haaa
aaj fir jeene kee tamanna hai...

mai hoo gubaar yaa toofaan hoo,
koee bataaye main kahaan hoon
dar hai safar mein kaheen kho naa jaaoon,
rastaa nayaa…aha…ha…haaa
aaj fir jeene kee tamanna hai...

kal ke andheron se nikal ke,
dekhaa hain aankhe malte malte
phool hee phool jindagee bahaar hai,
tay kar liyaa
aaj fir jeene kee tamanna hai...


Monday 7 April 2014

Whispers of Spring......Chapter 24




Chapter 24


“I brought some dessert for you.”
“Thanks Raj. Cammy’s Chocolate cupcake!…Mmm….It’s my favorite.”
“I know.”
“Don’t tell me you have a dossier of me stored somewhere in your vault.”
“Yup. Right here…in this vault.” Raj pointed to his heart and glanced at her.

Naina turned sideways from where she was standing leaning against the railing post and stared at him. She had escaped to her pet spot after kissing beeji goodnight. Raj had found her at the same place where they were in the afternoon, staring at the mountains. He had stood a few moments in the dark. She looked divinely pretty beneath the glittering rays of the moon with her hair swaying lightly in the breeze and her angelic face tilted up to gaze at the mountains…. He recalled how the first glimpse of her beauty had knocked him off that first night he saw her. She really had no idea how beautiful she was, and that made her more alluring.

Now, he angled his head and appraised her with a grave look. Naina knew he was trying to read her expressions. She smiled tentatively and took a huge bite of the delicious cupcake. Chocolate melted on her tongue and her eyes closed for a brief second in sheer bliss, a soft moan of delight escaping her lips.
Naina heard a breathy groan and opened her eyes to find Raj staring at her with smoky eyes. Their gazes caught and fused even as their heartbeats struggled to find a common rhythm. Time stood still and the world around them ceased to matter in that moment. Then Raj leaned closer and lifted his hand. His fingers grazed her cheek softly as his thumb flicked off a tiny blob of chocolate that clung to her bottom lip. Naina stood mesmerized at the raw emotion reflected in his eyes, and every pore of her body came alive to his nearness. For the first time her senses imbibed the distinctly male aura that Raj exuded, separate from his quiet strength and intense persona. His warm breath, the clean masculine scent…a sensual blend of his cologne and soap and fresh linen and a fragrance that was just Raj. And those eyes…that missed nothing…that saw everything…that bared her soul with just a glance. She dragged her eyes down and stared at his neck, at the skin that shown through the slit of his kurta, and suddenly had this insane desire to lean forward and press a kiss there. Her wayward eyes traveled up to his lips and stuck. He had beautiful lips. She remembered the taste of those lips and craved for more. The tip of her tongue sneaked out to lick where his thumb had caressed her lip.

Naina felt Raj hitch in a breath. She came back to reality and released a loud gasp at her wanton thoughts. What was wrong with her? Just today she had revealed the dark secrets of her life to him, and now she was almost throwing herself at him.

Yes, she felt unburdened and free for the first time in years…as if the shackles that bound her to her past had fallen away at long last, leaving her feeling euphoric, almost like flying without wings. Even so, she should not let her desires overcome her like this. She had to give Raj time to absorb all the revelations regarding her. Will he still want her when he has given this more thought? Tomorrow? Day after? A week from now? She had to give him some time to process his feelings after her confession. The more she thought, the more confused she became. This play of emotions was new to her. She had no idea how to deal with them. And just like that, Naina felt the familiar, invisible armor engulfing her, shielding her from the attacks of temptation caused by his proximity. Abruptly she jerked away and turned her attention back to the mountains, drawing in deep breaths.

Naina?” Raj’s husky whisper floated to her. Then, she felt his lips brush her hair before he moved to stand beside her, “It’s OK, love. It’s only me. Don’t overthink. These feelings are natural. They are right. They are good. Let go, Naina. Set yourself free.” Raj was ecstatic. His Naina was going through the same emotions as he was even though she refused to accept them. Yet, he couldn’t help feeling relieved that though she might be denying him the pleasure of her acceptance, she was not denying herself. It was there in her eyes…her desire, her love, her hesitation. It was still too soon. But then Naina had always surprised him with the unaccepted. He never knew what she would say or do next.

He looked at her sideways when she didn’t reply and then stared where she was looking, at the dark silhouette of the mountains. “You love those mountains, don’t you?”

She replied after a long pause, “Yes, I do. They are the only constant in my life…from Dehradun, to that village, to here. They have been there with me in some form or the other. They give me strength when fear overcomes me and I become weak.”

“Naina, fear is not an expression of weakness. Fear is the face of rationale. Everyone tastes fear some time or the other in life. What matters is what one does in spite of that fear. And sweetheart,” he held her by the shoulder and turned her to face him, “by that measure you are the strongest person I know. You are my strength. Only a very strong person could have a heart to do what you did today: give words to your trauma. You need never feel ashamed of your past. It has made you who you are. More importantly, it has brought you to me. Just for that this soldier is ready to stand on his only leg and salute it for the rest of his life. I am so proud of you, and I revel in the fact that you are mine.”

Naina was amazed to see only pride and love in Raj’s eyes. Her insecure heart searched for hidden traces of revulsion, but there were none. That’s when Naina understood the poignancy of this moment. Life had broken her from within so that this man could step in and put it together all over again. She couldn’t fail him…not today, not ever.

Suddenly she smiled impishly, “Tell me something Colonel. Were you always this confident of yourself? Or is this a recently acquired trait?”
“Be specific Ma’am.” The corner of his mouth lifted. At the same time his heart soared…She was cracking jokes. She had been the same old Naina ever since she came down in the evening after her nap. She was being herself. God, she was incredible.
“Well, I don’t remember saying Yes.” She pouted.
“True. But your heart has spoken to mine, and they are very much in harmony.”
“Why Colonel? That’s very romantic. And I thought soldiering was all cut and dry.”
 “Oh sweetheart! I have so much to teach you. Didn’t you know true lovers make the best fighters? Centuries back they used to fight duels to win their love. Only a soldier has the heart to cherish the one he loves to the last drop of his blood, because he has seen how it is to yearn for his lover when he is deployed in a remote area, with months of separation and only a photograph to pour his love to….and how it is to bid final goodbye to that photograph, kissing it with bloodied lips and saying “I love you” before drawing the last breath. Naina, a soldier fights well when he has loved and when he knows he is loved.”

Tears welled up in Naina’s eyes. Slowly she raised her hands and encircled his waist and stepped forward to keep her head on his chest. A heartbeat later Raj’s stunned arms tightened gently around her as she whispered, “I am sorry Raj. I am so sorry for not trusting you enough. I must have hurt you so much with my assumptions.”

“Hush sweetheart! It’s OK.”

“No, it’s not OK. How can it be? I was so scared of losing you after you knew all about me that I kept pushing you away. I was only deluding myself that I wanted you as far away from me as possible, for your own good. I thought I was protecting you and me, whereas I was just being selfish. I deliberately dishonored your feelings and also what was happening between us. I have been so stupid. Forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Naina. Don’t be so hard on yourself. This is the only thing you are doing wrong. Cut yourself some slack my love, and be gentle with yourself, especially now. You have nothing to fear from. Whatever you felt earlier and whatever you are going through now, it’s all part of your healing. We shall take this as slow as is required and we’ll heal together. Just let me take care of you. You need time, and I have forever.”

Naina pressed her cheek against his heart and sniffled, “I promise never to distrust you again Raj. I promise I will never hide anything from you again. I am done with secrets. Friends should not hide anything from each other, and I was doing exactly that. No more secrets between us, unless….”
“Unless?”
“Unless it’s a birthday.”
“Or anniversary.”
At this Naina tilted her head back and frowned, “What anniversary?”
“Emm…to begin with, Today. It’s a good day to celebrate every year.”
“The day you brought me back to present?”
“Hmm! I’d like to put it differently. It’s a day of new beginnings…of a fresh start…of looking beyond the winter chill to embrace the warmth of Spring and welcome back the colors.”

Naina’s heart flipped in her chest, love for him consuming her soul. She was tired of denying herself, of fearing her own body, of trying to be in control. If only she could gather enough courage to say the words he needed to hear. Naina felt tears prick her eyes at her helplessness. She rested her forehead on his chest and sighed.

Across the valley and surrounding the mountains the enchantment of the spring night spread and drew them closer. High above the peaks the moon increased the swell of its golden glow in order to reach the couple and bathe them in its radiance. The garden with its lush lawns and trees and dancing ferns along with the sleeping flowers looked singularly peaceful and poetic in the silvery moonlight. A light breeze traveled through the garden, rustling between the leaves and petals, and kissed their faces with the fragrance of flowers.

Raj’s hand moved up to Naina’s cheek to brush back the hair unsettled by the breeze. He cupped her face and smiled down at her, the inky depths of his eyes trapping her, “Dance with me Naina.”
“Now? Here?”
“Yes. Now. Here. And don’t look at me with that utterly adorably befuddled look. It makes me want to….”
“Want to what?”
“Among other things, to kiss you senseless. I am hanging by a mere thread, sweetheart. So help me, here, OK?”

As he pulled her into a slow waltz, with the Spring night providing the music by way of blowing breeze, rustling leaves, chirpy crickets, and the gurgling of far-off flowing stream, Naina wished Raj saw her to be the girl who wanted to be swept off her feet and kissed thoroughly, and not the girl who was hiding behind a wall and needed time to come out. In his arms she realized that just words would never be enough to show him how much she loved him, and that he had to know that she fell in love with him long before this madness began. He was wary of hurting her…understandably so. After all, she had lived with her pain for seven years and was used to it, but for Raj all this was still fresh. He was hurting…because of her. He had been strong for her for the past so many days. It was time she was strong for him and show what he meant to her.

She snaked her arms around his neck and snuggled closer.

“Raj!”
“Hm!”
“Do you hear them?”
“Hear what Naina?”
“The whispers of Spring.”
“Of course. And you? Can you?”
“Yes, oh yes. Loud and clear.”
****************************************

Naina kept her pen down and leant back in her chair, exercising her neck to remove the cricks formed as a result of two hours of nonstop working at the pending paperwork. She flexed her fingers and looked around her office. She had been back to regular routine for about a week now. Nancy had done a remarkable job of holding the fort in her absence, but she was not in a position to take the important decisions. Good news welcomed her the first day she joined back. The Himachal government had accepted her appeal and sanctioned her land to build “Asha Jyoti,” a blind school. She waited now for the approval of the bank loan. With Manmeet gone, and along with him the impending threat, she was in a position to take a decision that she had wanted to for years: Get Bela and her parents here. She had already made up her mind regarding Bela’s involvement in Asha Jyoti. She needed to talk to Raj regarding her relocation.

Raj’s thought brought a smile to her face. She had relived that magical night a thousand times over the past week. The time they spent together on that moonlit night had all but obliterated the memories that had gushed back because of her narration earlier in the day. After ages, she had slept peacefully that night, and every night thence, with no nightmares chasing her. She had insisted Raj go back to mahal with Tanu the next day as Ranima was due back that day. Raj had reluctantly left, but not before making her promise that she would take proper care of herself. He called her every other hour throughout the day. They hadn’t had much time together as Raj had to first go to Delhi to take care of some academic issues of his cousins and then to Shimla to invite a few select dignitaries for the opening of the Palampur Spring festival, which was four days from today.

As if on cue, her phone rang. It was Raj.
“Hi, sweetheart. Working hard?”
“Not really. I was going through to the Asha Jyoti project papers.”
“I spoke with the bank manager today. He has received a verbal affirmation from his bosses. Loan papers would be ready in a few days. Naina, you know we don’t have to wait for this red tapism to delay us. If only you….”
“Raj, we have had this discussion. I won’t take any money from you. I wish to do this myself, for Bela and me.”
“Your wish is my command. I understand your sentiments. At least let me be the first donor to this cause.”
“You are incorrigible Colonel. I get what you are doing here.”
“You do?”
“Yup. I get you totally.”
“You got me the first time you laid your eyes on me, sweetheart.”
“Flatterer. Where are you? I needed to talk to you about Bela.”
“I am at the festival site at the moment. We’ll talk on our way to Amar’s house for dinner. I’ll pick you up at eight. Wear the saree you wore the day you came to the mahal for dinner that first time we had a party.”
“OK. And Raj...it’s their anniversary. We.…”
“Don’t worry. I have the gift with me. I did the purchases in Shimla. We’ll pick up the flowers on our way…..Damn!”
“What’s it Raj?”
“The crane driver seems to be a rookie. He was about to hit the decorator’s van. I have to go.”
“Be careful darling.”
A long silence and then….
“Naina!!”
“I…err…uh, I’ll see you at eight then. Bye.”

She kept the phone down, rubbing her temples. Gosh, that was some blunder. She didn’t want her confession this way…over phone. Raj deserved a special treat, a special ambiance, the right mood, the right setting. She had been working on it. The night before the festival opening she was going to whisk him away. Her thoughts wandered. She had no idea how long she was in her dreamland. She came down to earth on hearing a loud clearing of throat.
“You look like a cat that swallowed a canary. What’s going on?”
“Nothing’s going on, Nancy.”
“Then why do you look like Tarun of LKG?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the naughtiest boy of our school has exactly that look in his eyes just before his next mission.”
“Ha…ha…Very funny, Nancy.”
“OK. OK. Am I allowed one guess?”
“Nancy!”
“This is something to do with the Colonel, right? Pray, please tell. I swear I’ll zip up my mouth and throw the key away.”
“Timing, Nancy. Timing. Remember? So hold your romantic horses and file these papers for me please. I need to leave.”
“Oh, I came to tell you that Altaf chacha is here with the car.”
“God, Raj is so stubborn. I told him I have the jeep.”
“He worries for you. And rightfully so. You shouldn’t drive yet.”
“Thank you for your concern, Granny. Bye. Don’t forget we have a meeting at ten tomorrow with the architect.”
“Sure. Good evening Ma’am! Enjoy the dinner.”
“Thanks.”
******************************

Altaf chacha looked perturbed. Naina hated to see the otherwise cheerful old man looking so grave. After a bit of coaxing he sighed and said, “I am worried about Colonel saab. He listens to what you say betia. Please tell him to go to the Chamunda Devi temple and offer prayers there. I told him but he says he doesn’t have time now. ”
“He is rather busy chacha. Why do you want him to visit the temple now?”
“He told me not to tell you, but I guess you should know.”
“What don’t I know chacha?”
“That today’s was the third accident he escaped this week.”
“Accident?” She recalled her conversation with Raj and whispered, “The crane. Did it…”
Altaf mian nodded, “It was shifting wooden beams from the truck to the site. Colonel saab was going to have a talk with the driver, ask him to be careful, when a beam came crashing down at him. Colonel saab’s fast reflexes saved him today.”
“Oh my God! Raj.” Her blood ran cold thinking what could have happened.

The car came to a halt in front of beeji’s house. Naina turned to Altaf, “Chacha, you mentioned about other accidents.”

He nodded, “You know we drove down from Shimla. Colonel saab was driving. We stopped for a meal at Chahal. It’s all downhill from the dhaba where we ate. Just a couple of kilometers or so later, Colonel saab said something was wrong, and the very next moment the back tire came away and rolled ahead of us. It’s just his skill that stopped the car from swerving off the cliff. He said that a young boy had repaired our tire when we had a flat just before we stopped at the dhaba. Maybe the boy didn’t tighten the screws properly.”
“What about other accidents?”
“He rides in the mornings. Yesterday his saddle tore away when the horse was on a fast trot. He held on and had to come back riding bareback. I tell you betia, this is not good. First you and then Colonel saab. You two need to go to the temple and offer prayers.”
“We will chacha. I’ll take him. Thanks for telling me about this.”
*************************************

Raj picked up Naina and drove to the flower shop. He glanced at her and found her staring out of the side window. “You are rather quiet. Still mulling over the slip of tongue?”

That got her. She eyed him narrowly, “What slip of tongue?”

“You know what I am talking about...Darling. So don’t try to hide.” He grinned.
“I am not hiding anything Raj. Question is, are you?”
“Am I what?”
“Hiding.”
“Hiding what?”
So he wanted to play games. Naina was furious. She crossed her arms and glared at him as he pulled the car to stop in front of the florist, “Colonel Rajveer Rathore, isn’t there something you have to say to me?”
*************************************