.... "lt singh... Be careful..."

A shriek came followed by an explosion... And everyone felt panicky...

And there she was... Unconscious in the flames....

He ran in the blaze without once caring about anything else..

"naina...naina...lt.singh...open your eyes dammit.."

"major... Watch out..... There are more active mines.... At 120 degrees...

Captain hussain shouted... But his complete attention was towards the unconscious figure in front of him

Somehow he rescued her and carried her to the infirmary...

She was still unconscious

God knows for how long had he possibly stayed in her vicinity... But moved out eventually as he met curious eyes of all the people at the base

"minor injuries he.... She will be ok"

Captain hussain although curious... Reassured him... Sensing his tensed state...

"tell her to report in my office after she gets well..."

He ordered coldly and went off leaving a curious captain hussain behind..

He proceeded towards the tent....

"hey baby..."

"tum kab aai nandini....."

"alright major.... Shayad kisi ko mere aane par khushi nai hui... Na koi welcome, hug  na koi smile..is this how you welcome your wife after six months... Col. Shakti se request kar kar ke to meri posting karvai yaha... And now u look upset..... Irada kya he major... Koi aur to nai mil gai yaha.. "

" tum bhi na... Drama queen ho ek dam"he kissed her cheek... And they shared a soulful hug..

".." he still looked tensed...
"tum kab pohochi... Mujhe keh deti... I would have picked u from the station..
" agar bol deti to surprise kese hota... "
She pouted..
"u look so terrible.." she caressed his stubble
"no... Just a bit exhausted..." he fell on the cot.... And she sat beside him...

She lie down next to him...

"kya baat he kuch huakya.."

"nahi to.."
He was still lost....
"don't worry major... Aapki sari thakan dur kar dungi... Me aa gai hun na.." She  whispered hovering on her.. Kissing his chin..
"not now... Yaar.... We r supposed to be on duty.."
He sprang up from the bed..

"tumi na.. Ek dom boring... Pata nai kya ho jata he baar baar.... Wife romantic mood me he... Aur ye aadmi apni hi duniya me khoya hua..." she kept blabbering and finally went to freshen up... While a single face was stuck in her mind...
Her face... Her eyes... Not letting him to function...

Just then he heard someone barge in..

" i m extremely sorry sir... Wo captain hussain ne kaha tha... To report to u.... I should  have knocked..."

She got conscious while his eyes were glued to her with a familiar longing... And some other unreadable emotions... And suddenly she remembered how she hasn't ever followed the protocol of knocking before entering his room...
She tore her vision gazing down...

He came out of trance..

"cadet sing... Kya mai puch sakta hun... Aap ne landmines diffuse karne ke liye kyu voulenteer kiya... Despite not knowing how to do it in person...."

"actually sir..."

"cadet singh.... Ye army base he.... Academy ka training ground nai...where u can test your skills on trial and error basis.... Jab aap skilled nai ho... To aap us kaam ko na kare isi me samajh dari he.."

His stern and cold tone.... Was disturbing her...

" its lt. Singh sir.

And i apologize.... For what happened..... Par i assure i won't disappoint you hereafter... "

" do heck with your rank... Agar aaj tumhe kuch ho jata to... "he blurted as he couldn't bear her replying to him in same fervour....

She was both flustered and angry....

" so...  Naina..

You are here too..
. Tumhe aur tumhare gang ko academy me dekha tha.... And now here.... Such a pleasant coincidence... "
Nandini came from behind....

"its nice meeting u mam." she smiled... With a. Great difficulty...

"ye tumhare commanding officer he na... Ek no. Ka khadus insaan he.... You guys are here aur isne mujhe bataya bhi nahi..."
They shared a look.... And she went off...
Pain unable to hide itself in those hazel orbs..somehow reflected his...

She ran to her tent... And cried as hard as she could... To vent it out...

At dinner..

" you are ok... "
Lt. Shergill.. Who had been hitting on her since day one... Greeted her... Offering her a plate...

"yupp, thanks.."

"be careful around those mines beautiful... Agar tumhe kuch ho jata to is bechare ka kya hota..." he acted out... In a flirty way.... 

She smiled... And they kept talking.... He was observing her all along....
Nandini was busy telling him about her last mission..
His restlessness increasing every passing second....

Her presence disturbing him....
Its hard to acknowledge your mistakes.... When they are shoved right on your face.... Isn't it...

She noticed his gaze... But kept a poker face... Not letting it show any obvious effects .... Somehow shoving a havoc being created inside her...