"Aaj jab achanak se mera naam announce hua to yakeen nahi aaya, Naveen. Mujhe pura yakeen tha ki humare pure batch me sabse pehla promotion tujhe hi milega. Par tu to hume chhod ke chala gaya aur piche reh gain hain to sirf teri Yaadein."

As Major Rajveer Singh Shekhawat closed the worn diary, a solitary teardrop marked the page. His emotions, etched within the confines of those private entries, surfaced with an intensity that even the ink on the pages couldn't contain. The weight of longing for Naveen, a cherished presence now absent, bore heavily on his heart.

In that quiet moment, the diary became a vessel for unspoken sentiments and the echo of memories shared. The tears were a silent tribute to a connection that transcended the uniform and the responsibilities that came with it.

Rajveer took a deep breath, collecting the fragments of his emotions. He steeled himself against the ache of missing Naveen, knowing that duty often demanded such sacrifices. The diary, filled with the echoes of their shared laughter and whispered conversations, held a cherished place in his heart.

With a determined resolve, Major Rajveer closed the chapter, securing the diary. The weight of emotions lingered, but he embraced it, for every teardrop was a testament to the enduring bonds forged in the crucible of service.

A knock on the door announced the arrival of someone. He put away the diary in the drawer and rose to meet the world. This was the only respite he was going to get before having to face the world.

"Kab tak yun kamre me band rahenge, Major Shekhawat. Chaliye, bahar chalte hain. Shaam ho aai hai."

"Chauhan Sahab... Hum aaj bhi Rajveer hi hain." Rajveer closed his eyes exasperated at his friend's teasing.

Abhimanyu gripped his friend's shoulders firmly, pride etched across his face, as he gave him a thorough once-over. The unspoken understanding between them resonated in the silence, a connection forged through shared experiences and a camaraderie that withstood the tests of time.

"Hum jante hain. Par jo mazaa aapko Major kehkar bulane me hai, wo mazaa, wo sukoon aur kahan milega. You don't know how proud I am."

At a loss of words, Rajveer hugged his friend hard, both letting their emotions seep through each other.

In that moment of unspoken understanding, Rajveer, at a loss for words, pulled Abhimanyu into a tight embrace. The strength of the hug transcended the need for verbal communication, allowing the depth of their emotions to flow seamlessly between them.

As they held onto each other, the unspoken language of brotherhood spoke volumes. The rigid constraints of military stoicism gave way to the vulnerability inherent in genuine connections forged through trials and triumphs. In that shared hug, Rajveer and Abhimanyu found a sanctuary where their emotions could intertwine, offering reassurance in the face of the challenges that lay ahead.

"Ab chaliye." Abhimanyu said after a while, "Let's go out."

"But Chauhan Sahab, where are we going?"

"It is supposed to be a surprise. Why should I tell you now? Chaliye, get ready fast. I will be waiting for you in the courtyard. "

"All right. Give me 10 minutes."

With a nod, Abhimanyu walked away, and Rajveer rushed to get ready.

~~~~~~°•°○●○°•°~~~~~~

10 minutes later, Rajveer found Captain Chauhan waiting for him near the army jeep.

"Chauhan Sahab, is it just the two of us?"

"Why, do you want to take others too?" Abhimanyu asked in confusion.

"Don't you think the other faculties and those 6 cadets deserve a treat as well? After all, it's your combined efforts that played a key role in the deliverance of justice."

"It was all your doing, Raj. Else, we would have never suspected Major Nair."

"Had I been alone in this, we would have still been grappling with the complexities of the case. And there was a huge chance that Major Nair and his boss would have won this round. It was our combined efforts that forced him to take action, thereby exposing Major Nair. More than me, this was all you and the cadets. You deserved this promotion as well, Chauhan Sahab."

Abhimanyu wondered how to face this emotional monologue of the man. He was not ready to give away the surprise even before it started.

"It's too late now for a change of plans, Raj. Let's get going today, and we will think of something for the weekend."

"But, Chauhan Sahab.."

"Come on, Raj. Humare liye itna to kar hi sakte hain aap. Chaliye bhi."

Unable to refuse his friend, Rajveer nodded in agreement and climbed into the jeep. The engine roared to life and within minutes had left the gated confines of KMA behind as it sped on the road towards the city.

~~~~~~°•°○●○°•°~~~~~~

The bungalow stood as a testament to power and influence, nestled in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi. For Lala Gehlot, the Defence Minister, it was a symbol of the privileges that came with his position. The ruling party's continued dominance had ensured his seat was secure for the past four years, yet the looming elections and optimistic exit polls stirred an undercurrent of anxiety.

However, it wasn't the political landscape that gnawed at Lala Gehlot's thoughts; it was the fear of his closely guarded secret surfacing. The corridors of power held not only echoes of political manoeuvring but also the weight of personal vulnerabilities. Lala Gehlot grappled with the looming threat of exposure, a shadow that casts a pall over the luxurious facade of his life.

"Sir, you called for me?" The man in his mid-forties, with a grey beard and a prominent scar, stood before Defence Minister Gehlot.

"I had asked you to set up a meeting with the girl who was dealing with Nair's case. Did you do it?" Gehlot inquired.

"I did, Sir. However, she is no longer handling Nair's trial," the aide responded calmly.

"What? When did it change? And why was I not informed about it?" Gehlot's frustration echoed through the room, but his aide remained composed, awaiting the storm to pass.

"How could it be changed without informing me?"

"Just this evening, by direct orders of the Prime Minister," came the concise reply.

With a dismissive wave of his hand, Gehlot signalled his aide to leave, and he leaned back in his chair, contemplative. The sudden interest of the Prime Minister in Nair's case raised a cascade of questions in his mind.

As the Defence Minister, Gehlot held a pivotal role in the case, and protecting his position was paramount. While he had no intentions of saving Nair, the potential threat of Nair exposing secrets that could jeopardize Gehlot's standing was a looming concern.

Nair, in the right hands, possessed the potential to unveil truths that could unravel Gehlot's carefully guarded facade. It became imperative for Gehlot to eliminate Nair, a motive that led to the entrapment of the Captain responsible for the evidence against Nair.

As Gehlot pondered the sudden shift in control over Nair's case, a determination sparked within him. Tomorrow, he resolved to visit both the Army General and the Prime Minister. If something was amiss, he needed to unravel the threads of secrecy to grasp the intricate machinations, taking place beyond his immediate influence.

In the realm of politics and power, where information was currency, Gehlot recognized the necessity of understanding the motives behind this unexpected interference. The upcoming meetings would serve as a battleground of influence, and he was determined to reclaim control over a situation that threatened to slip through his fingers.

~~~~~~°•°○●○°•°~~~~~~

Hello People,

The second chapter is here, and it is slowly picking up pace. As it was the second Saturday, I could write the second chapter.

Do read, review, comment, and vote.

Also, any ideas on what you want to see next? Maybe Raj Naina or more mysteries?

Enjoy this part. Till next time,

Ciao

Love ~Flavia