Rajveer stood frozen long after Soham left, the weight of the conversation pressing down on him like an unbearable burden. The cadence of the cadets' drills in the distance became a distant hum, their synchronized movements a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling in his mind. He was still digesting the bombshell that had been dropped, and though he had kept his face blank during their conversation, his heart raced with an anger he had not felt in years.

Lala Gehlot, the man who had given him everything-his career, his name, and the confidence to rise through the military ranks-was now accused of being a puppet master of corruption. And Naveen... his best friend, a man whose loyalty had been questioned by the nation, had been innocent all along. The betrayal cut deep, but Rajveer had to hold back. Soham wasn't to be trusted, not yet. Despite the burning desire to lash out or confront Lala Gehlot, Rajveer knew better. His training taught him patience, and his experience told him to be cautious.

Rajveer clenched his fists, the knuckles turning white as the weight of realization settled on his shoulders. Who was he kidding? The moment he had been on the run, hunted by his own comrades, and then the subsequent unveiling of Major Nair as the traitor, it had become crystal clear to him-Lala Gehlot was the mastermind behind it all. It was Gehlot's hands pulling the strings, weaving a web of deceit and corruption that had cost Naveen his life and had nearly destroyed Rajveer's career.

He had told Abhimanyu the truth-about Gehlot's treachery-because he knew, deep in his gut, that the man was responsible. But even then, some part of him, the part that still clung to the ideal of Gehlot as his mentor, had prayed he was wrong. Perhaps the dots didn't connect the way he thought. But with Soham's revelation, the last remnants of denial shattered.

There was no turning back now. No more illusions.

Rajveer let out a slow, shaky breath. If Soham had been undercover this entire time, it meant the military wing had known something was amiss. They had suspected Gehlot for a long time-longer than Rajveer had realized. That also meant Soham wasn't the only one posted undercover. There were others. Other officers, silently watching, gathering evidence, waiting for the right moment to strike.

He clenched his jaw, his thoughts darting back to the red box-the one Soham had so cryptically mentioned. It was with him, stashed away in a place no one could find. Naveen had trusted him with its secret in the days leading up to his death, but Rajveer had never been able to find it. The code was a mystery, and at the time, Rajveer had been too consumed by grief and anger to even think about it. Now, the box holds more significance than ever. It was a key-perhaps the key-to expose the truth about Naveen's death and Lala Gehlot's involvement.

But Rajveer wasn't ready to hand over that key to Soham, not yet. He needed more. He had to be sure of Soham's loyalty before taking any action.

---

Rajveer sighed, watching Col Shakti Chandra pace the small room with an expression that was both pensive and troubled. The colonel, known for his unshakeable calm, was clearly rattled, which only added to Rajveer's growing unease. After everything they'd been through recently, to have Major Soham Agnihotri suddenly stationed so close to them was, at best, unsettling.

The problem was twofold. Either Rajveer and Chandra were being watched closely, or someone thought they needed protection. Considering the chaos of their current situation, Rajveer was leaning toward the latter. But knowing the full truth still felt impossible.

"Major Shekhawat," Col Chandra finally spoke, stopping mid-stride, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation. "I honestly don't know whether we can trust Agnihotri or not."

Rajveer let out a deep breath, one that carried the weight of a hundred doubts. "Neither do I, Sir."

There was a brief silence between them, a shared understanding that things had grown more complex than either of them had anticipated. Major Agnihotri's sudden admission about being undercover had been a curveball. And while it was tempting to take him at face value, neither Rajveer nor Chandra could afford to make that mistake.

"But his coming out like that," Chandra continued, his voice more measured now, "it means we have to let the higher-ups know that we've found the red box. Either they already suspect something, or they want us to find it."

Rajveer nodded slowly. "So, what do we do now?"

Chandra stopped pacing and met Rajveer's eyes, his tone firm. "It's imperative that we decode it as fast as possible."

"And we need the cypher for that, Sir."

Chandra paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully before a shadow of a smile crossed his face. "I think it's time we called in a favour from an old contact."

Rajveer arched a brow, curious but also wary. Chandra was a man with a network, the kind of officer who knew how to play the long game, but even Rajveer didn't know all the strings Chandra could pull. If he was suggesting reaching out to someone from his past, then it must be serious.

"And Raj," Chandra added, his voice lightening just a little as if trying to break the tension, "get ready for a thorough check-up before you report for active duty again."

Rajveer blinked, incredulous. "Sir! No!" he groaned. "I can't handle another check-up by Dr. Shalini. Last time, she hounded me like I was a science experiment."

A rare smile tugged at Chandra's lips, but he didn't miss a beat. "Don't worry," he said, walking toward the door. "I'm getting someone else to do it this time."

With that, Chandra left the room, a smirk lingering on his face, leaving behind a stunned and slightly flabbergasted Rajveer.

Rajveer sank into his chair, shaking his head. He couldn't even begin to guess what Chandra had up his sleeve, but knowing the old colonel, it was bound to be something unexpected.

One thing was for sure, though-between decoding the red box, navigating the murky waters of trust, and now dodging another invasive check-up, Rajveer's life wasn't going to get easier anytime soon.

---

The evening sun cast long shadows across the academy as Rajveer made his way back to his quarters. The brisk walk did little to calm his restless mind. His usual evening routine of reviewing cadet reports and lesson plans now seemed like a distant priority. There was only one person who could quiet the storm raging inside him.

Naina.

His thoughts drifted to her. Her laughter, her fiery determination, her bright eyes-she was everything he had tried to keep at a distance, and yet she was the one person who could soothe him in ways no one else could. But his promise to himself still stood firm: he wouldn't act on his feelings until after her graduation. It wasn't just his duty to protect her as her superior; it was a matter of principle. She deserved more than the mess he had found himself entangled in.

He walked toward the training grounds where he knew Naina would be finishing her exercises with the other recruits. The sun had dipped lower, casting a golden hue over the field. There she was, her hair pulled back into a tight bun, her face flushed with exertion as she led the younger cadets through their routines. She moved with confidence, and her every command met with swift obedience. Even from a distance, she radiated a kind of strength that made Rajveer's chest tighten.

He didn't approach her immediately. Instead, he stood at the edge of the field, watching her silently. His thoughts wandered back to the conversation with Soham. The weight of his secrets bore down on him, and yet, when he looked at her, he felt a brief flicker of peace.

As the session came to an end, Naina noticed him standing there, a small smile tugging at her lips. She dismissed the cadets, her eyes lingering on him as she approached.

"You're brooding again," she teased, her voice light but filled with concern. "What's going on, Rajveer?"

He exhaled slowly, not sure how to respond. His instinct was to brush it off, to protect her from the darkness he was about to dive into. But she wasn't just any cadet; she was Naveen's sister. And more than that, she was his Naina.

"I've got a lot on my mind," he said finally, his tone softer than usual. "Nothing for you to worry about."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "You always say that. But I can tell when something's really bothering you. You've been off for days now."

He looked down at her, those large, inquisitive eyes searching his face for answers he wasn't sure he could give. He wanted to tell her everything-about Naveen, about Lala Gehlot, about the red box that held the answers to questions that had haunted him for years. But he couldn't. Not yet.

"Naina," he said, his voice low, "there are things you're better off not knowing right now. Things I can't explain."

Her smile faded, replaced by a furrowed brow. "Rajveer, if this is about Naveen bhaiya..."

He clenched his jaw, the mere mention of Naveen's name hitting him like a punch to the gut. She had every right to ask-he had promised her that he would get to the bottom of what happened to her brother. And now that he was closer than ever, he found himself unable to speak the truth. Not until he knew exactly who was friend and who was foe.

"I'm working on it," he said, the words feeling hollow even to him.

She stepped closer, her hand brushing against his arm, sending a wave of warmth through him. "I trust you, Rajveer. You know that, right?"

The sincerity in her voice tugged at him, and for a moment, he almost let his guard down. Almost.

Instead, he forced a smile, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. "I know. And I won't let you down."

Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, as if she could sense the weight of his burden but chose not to press further. She gave him a small nod, accepting his words for now.

"I'm here if you need to talk," she said softly, turning to leave. "Always."

As she walked away, her figure gradually fading into the shadows of the evening, Rajveer felt an ache settle deep in his chest. There was so much left unsaid, so much he couldn't tell her. But soon, the truth would come to light, and when it did, everything would change-for him, for Naina, and for the memory of Naveen.

---

Later that night, as Rajveer sat alone in his quarters, his fingers hovered over the locked red box that rested in front of him on the desk. The mystery it held was almost within his grasp, yet the final piece of the puzzle eluded him.

He would open it when the time was right. But for now, he would keep it safe-away from Soham, away from Lala Gehlot, and away from anyone who might seek to destroy what little was left of the truth.

The shadows of the past loomed larger than ever, but Rajveer was ready. The game had begun, and this time, he would be the one holding the cards.

---

Author's Note :

Hello, my lovely readers,

Here I am, with the promised update,much earlier than what I had promised. Since I am running short of time, there is not much I would say other than this that please read, review and vote.

Your one click over the star mark can make my day. After all, I write because you guys love it. And what better means of showering your love than pressing the like button.

Ciao.

Love ~Flavia