Rajveer alighted from the jeep and stared at the hotel in front of him. 'Dinner Time' was one of the best hotels in the town, which boasted fantastic food and an even greater ambience. Added to it, it belonged to one of the royal families of Rajasthan, and Rajveer had a strong suspicion that it was owned by the Crown Prince of Barmer.

With a smirk threatening to break out on his face, Rajveer turned towards his friend and found him typing away on his phone.

"Saath to mere aaye hain Chauhan Sahab, fir ye messages kise kar rahe hain?"

Flustered, Abhimanyu looked up to find his friend smirking at him.

"Nahi to... kisi ko bhi nahi."

"Then to what do I owe this special honour of dining in a hotel which belongs to the Yuvraj of Barmer?"

"Because you can. After all, you know the owner of the hotel."

"I swear, Chauhan Sahab. I am extremely doubtful of your intentions."

"My intentions are as pure as snow."

Rajveer speared his best friend with a look that could have scared any other person. But Abhimanyu was used to this and didn't even flinch. With a wink, he led his friend inside.

As they entered the lobby, the scent of freshly cut flowers and soft jazz music set the tone for an evening of celebration. Abhimanyu, wearing a conspiratorial grin, guided Rajveer to the private section reserved for the special occasion.

The door swung open to reveal a lavishly decorated room bathed in warm, ambient light. The cadets, adorned in their military best, erupted in cheers as Rajveer stepped into the midst of the surprise gathering. Captain Dr Shalini Singhal, Cadet Naina, Cadet Aalekh, Cadet Huda, Cadet Ghai, Cadet Ali, and Cadet Yudi stood ready, their faces beaming with excitement.

Balloons adorned with congratulatory messages floated in the air, and a banner proudly proclaimed, "Major Rajveer Singh Shekhawat - Congratulations" The room echoed with laughter and camaraderie as the surprise sunk in for the guest of honour.

Abhimanyu, raising a toast, spoke with genuine warmth, "To Major Rajveer, a leader and a friend. May your journey ahead be as remarkable as the path you've already tread. Congratulations!"

The night unfolded with a symphony of joy and shared memories. A feast of delectable dishes graced the table, and the atmosphere resonated with anecdotes, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. The cadets, united in their celebration, took turns expressing gratitude for Rajveer's mentorship and leadership.

Captain Shalini, with a twinkle in her eye, handed Rajveer a small gift. "To mark this milestone, Major," she said, her voice filled with appreciation for his dedication and service.

"So this was the plan! Tabhi Chauhan Sahab mujhe academy se bhaga rahe the. Warna mai aap sabko dhundhne jata aur mujhe koi nahi milta. And his plan would have backfired." Raj accepted the gift with a smile all the while shooting daggers at his best friend who surrendered without a fight.

"Guilty as charged, Raj. But I am not the only one."

"And who exactly are your partners in crime?"

"Who else but your special six."

On cue, bouquets in hand, the six cadets approached Major Rajveer Singh Shekhawat with beaming smiles. The vibrant blossoms, carefully selected, represented a spectrum of colours that mirrored the diversity of their camaraderie. With genuine excitement, each cadet handed over their bouquet, a gesture of admiration, and congratulations for their newly promoted leader.

Cadet Naina, her eyes sparkling with pride, presented a bouquet of deep red roses, symbolizing respect and admiration. Cadet Aalekh handed over a mix of sunflowers and daisies, expressing the joy and optimism that Rajveer brought to their ranks.

Cadet Huda's bouquet featured vibrant orchids, embodying strength and fortitude, qualities that Rajveer had instilled in each of them. Cadet Ghai's bouquet, adorned with lilies, conveyed a sense of purity and dedication to duty, values they had imbibed under Rajveer's guidance.

Cadet Ali handed over a bouquet of tulips, signifying elegance and grace, traits that characterized Rajveer's leadership. Cadet Yudi's bouquet featured a mix of vibrant wildflowers, symbolizing the spontaneity and camaraderie shared among the group.

As the bouquets were received, Major Rajveer expressed his gratitude with a heartfelt smile. The exchange went beyond the floral arrangements; it encapsulated the deep bonds forged between mentor and mentees, a shared journey marked by growth, resilience, and a commitment to service. The room resonated with the fragrance of blooming flowers and the echoes of congratulations, painting a picture of celebration and unity in the wake of a well-deserved promotion.

"I am truly honoured today, Cadets that you all went to such lengths to make this day special for me. Kab kiya aap logon ne ye sab?"

"Aaj dopeher se lage hue hain aapke cadets, Major Shekhawat."

Brigadier Chandok, known for his stoic demeanour, broke into a rare smile as he stepped forward to congratulate Major Rajveer. "I am so proud of you, Major Shekhawat," he remarked, his usually stern expression softened by genuine admiration.

Rajveer, humbled by the unexpected praise from the Brigadier, acknowledged the wishes with a smile, exchanging a glance of surprise with his cadets. The presence of Brigadier Chandok at the celebration added an air of significance to the occasion.

On the other side of the room, Major Soham Agnihotri, a figure unfamiliar to Rajveer, raised a toast in recognition of the newly promoted officer. Uncertain of how to respond, Rajveer reciprocated the gesture with a nod and a grateful smile, appreciating the camaraderie that extended beyond familiar faces.

The room resonated with a blend of formalities and genuine warmth, as the celebration unfolded with toasts, laughter, and the shared joy of Major Rajveer Singh Shekhawat's well-deserved promotion.

~~~~~~°•°○●○°•°~~~~~~

As the celebration swirled around him, Major Rajveer Singh Shekhawat sat back with a satisfied sigh, content with the camaraderie and joy filling the room. The dance floor hosted established couples, their movements synchronized to the rhythm of the music, creating an atmosphere of merriment.

Ali and Pooja caught up in their world and exchanged giggles while Yudi and Huda engaged in a conversation with Major Soham Agnihotri near the bar. To Rajveer's surprise, Captain Dr. Shalini had managed to pull Brigadier Chandok onto the dance floor, an unusual sight that drew smiles from those who witnessed it.

Aalekh and Captain Chauhan shared laughter as they discussed something, adding to the vibrant energy of the room. Yet, amid the festivities, Rajveer couldn't spot one familiar face-Cadet Singh.

A tinge of concern flickered in Rajveer's eyes as he scanned the room, wondering about the absence of Cadet Singh amid the celebration. His gaze lingered, searching for that distinct presence, but the space Cadet Singh once occupied remained empty. The question lingered in the air: Where was Cadet Naina Ah... Singh?

"Congratulations, Sir." A soft voice penetrated Rajveer's ears, and he turned around to find Naina standing behind him.

"Where were you?" His concern surfaced, the words escaping his lips without censorship. The realization that he had been back for six months yet spent little time with Naina weighed on him. The dynamics between them had shifted, and the girl who once made it her mission to disturb him at the drop of a hat rarely visited now.

Deep down, he understood it wasn't her fault, yet the feeling of being relegated to a place of secondary importance irked him.

"You were talking to Captain Chauhan, so I didn't think it advisable to disturb you," she explained with a smile.

"Since when has your presence disturbed me, Cadet Singh?" Rajveer retorted with a playful tone, trying to ease the tension.

She smiled but chose not to reply. He gestured for her to take a seat, leading her to a chair as they settled into a conversation that carried a subtle undercurrent of unspoken emotions.

"So, how are you?" Rajveer questioned.

"Good," came the soft reply.

"Don't you dare lie to me, Cadet Singh," he warned her.

"That's rich coming from a person who is one of the worst patients Dr. Shalini ever got," she retorted, and he smiled, a captivating expression that left her momentarily breathless.

"I am a trained officer, Cadet. I am used to handling such health issues."

"And I am training to be one, Sir. So you see, there is not much difference," she teased back.

"Training vs trained. That's the key difference."

Naina laughed, her gaze lingering on him as he ordered mocktails and starters for them. The unspoken moments stretched between them, creating a silent symphony of shared history and uncharted emotions.

"Honestly, Naina, kaisi ho?" He asked after a while.

"Theek hun..." She trailed off at the expression on his face and lapsed into silence.

"Aap kaise hain, Sir?" She asked him instead.

"Theek hun, zinda hun aur tumhare saamne hun, Naina. Jaisa bhi hun, jahan bhi hun, tumhari wajah se hun."

"Maine kuch nahi kiya, Sir. Ye sab to aap deserve karte hain."

"Sab kuch tumne hi kiya hai. Warna na to Nair pakda jata aur na hi mujhe fasne se koi rok pata." His voice was steady, but his eyes spoke volumes.

"Aisa nahi hai, Sir. Hum sab madad nahi bhi karte to bhi aap zarur jeet jate. You had everything under control. Aap strategy padhate hain Sir, par musibat me itni dare devil strategy banana, ye har kisi ke bas ki baat nahi hai." Admiration was plain in her voice and Rajveer shook his head to negate her praise.

"You don't get it, Cadet Singh."

"What did I not get, Sir?" She appeared as confused as she felt.

"Naveen ke jane ke baad mere paas jeene ki koi wajah nahi thi, Cadet Singh."

"Aisa mat boliye, Sir."

"But it's true. I came back because I couldn't bear the thought of you in pain. Kyunki mujhe tumhare paas lautna tha. I came back because of you, Naina. Only you!"

His voice was soft, but the declaration hung in the air. Naina looked at him in shock unable to comprehend or even properly answer him.

But what she didn't know but Rajveer noticed, was the glow in her eyes.

~~~~~~°•°○●○°•°~~~~~~

Hello Readers,

Here is the third chapter of the story. Phew, I never could picture how a person like Captain Shekhawat declares his feelings. But then, as I was rewatching the old episodes, it suddenly clicked. He was a straightforward man, and that's exactly how he would express himself - direct, to the point.

Do let me know how this part turned out.

Love ~Flavia