Rajveer returned back with the two cadets, with Alekh supporting Naina. To say that the other cadets were shocked, would be an understatement. They had their jaws on the floor as they kept staring at the two of them. No one ever imagined for Alekh to be so friendly with Naina, especially when he never even looked at anyone.

Naina and Alekh noticed the reaction of everyone and they couldn't help but burst out laughing. Now, everyone looked at them with wide-eyes. Rajveer noticed Alekh and he was happy. Not only because Alekh now had someone with him but also because, he could trust Alekh with Naina's safety.

Wait.... Naina's safety...? Of course, she is Naveen's sister, so naturally I feel protective for her, Rajveer thought.

Alekh accompanied her to the infirmary as Pooja and Yudi rushed towards Naina. Shalini was busy arranging the medicine bottles when she heard commotion behind her. She looked at four young cadets, looking at her with slight hesitance. She smiled, realizing that the cadets were probably here for the first time. 

She smiled kindly at them as she said, "Hello cadets. So, who got hurt?" 

Naina realized that although Pooja and Yudi were trying to form a sentence, Alekh didn't even bother as his face was now, again expressionless.

"I think I sprained my ankle, Ma'am." Naina said and Shalini couldn't help but notice Naina from up-close for the first time.

She controlled her emotions as she nodded the others to go back to the mess as she brought Naina to the bed nearby.

Alekh peeped inside one last time as he said, "Take care." And that's it. He left.

Shalini couldn't help but say, "He speaks?" and Naina chuckled.

Shalini stared at Naina as she couldn't help but notice the similarities between Naveen and Naina. She took a deep breath.

She smiled gently at her as she checked her ankle. 

"Alright cadet, it's just a normal sprain but other than that, no permanent damage. I'll give you a pain killer and you'll be fine." Shalini handed her the medicines and Naina thanked Shalini for it. 

Naina was about to get off the bed when Shalini stopped her. "What are you doing? You need rest. Do not move your ankle for a few hours. Stay here for the night." She instructed her.

Naina looked at her shocked, "Uh.. but Ma'am, I'll be fine... really." 

"I am the doctor here, Cadet." Shalini said in a soft yet stern voice. 

Naina turned red with embarrassment as she ducked her head and mumbled a quick sorry.

Shalini couldn't help but chuckle slightly at her behavior. 'Naveen was so right about her. She is very out-spoken compared to her brother.'

So, Shalini decided to talk to Naina and to let her know that it was fine.

"It's alright, Cadet. No need to be so embarrassed. I know that cadets don't exactly love spending the night in an infirmary but to be honest, it doesn't mean that you are too weak for this life." Shalini said and Naina looked at her like child caught by her parent.

Shalini couldn't help but smile at her innocence. A part of her was happy that Naveen's Gudiya was still in her but she was a bit scared for the sister of Captain Naveen Singh Ahluwalia.

Naina was a bit comfortable with Shalini as she asked, "How did you know what I was thinking?"

"I've been a doctor in this academy for almost 6 years now. And to be honest, I've seen enough cadets landing in this infirmary within 48 hours of joining academy." Shalini answered truthfully as she giggled.

"Huh? 48 hours?" Naina looked her shocked as she couldn't help but burst out laughing herself.

"You see cadet, we do understand that you all are not used to this life, until now. And it's fine. So, there is no need to feel pressurized about anything. Take your time in adapting to the new environment." Shalini said to her in a gentle voice as Naina nodded.

It was way past the lights out and Naina was fast asleep in her bed. Rajveer was returning from the computer lab after completely some things. He decided to ask about Naina's health and turned towards the infirmary.

Shalini was adjusting Naina's blanket which she had thrown away in her sleep due to a lot of movement. Rajveer stood there leaning on the doorframe as he watched the two of them.

"She really is something, isn't she?" Rajveer asked in a whisper, careful not to wake-up Naina.

Shalini was startled at the voice but immediately relaxed seeing Rajveer there. "She certainly is..." She whispered back as both of them looked at the calmly sleeping girl.

"And Naveen used to say that she was his pampered princess. Look at her now." he said as he pointed towards her scraped knees and sprained ankle. He let out a sigh as he closed his eyes. 

Shalini could see him getting worried for Naina as she too, felt concerned for the girl. So, she decided to calm down the gossiper in her as she asked Rajveer. 

"You know, I was quite shocked to see that cadet (Alekh) speak..." She said in a hushed voice.

Rajveer chuckled but then replied, "I don't know what happened there. But I can assure you that both of these young kids have found a family in each other." He said as he looked at sleeping Naina with a smile. 

Just then, Dr. Ritu decided to enter the room and Shalini could swear she felt a shift in the atmosphere. Ritu glanced at Naina and furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at the two people in the room.

"Not fair, Captains. You both are having a conversation without me..." She slightly pouted and Rajveer groaned internally.

Shalini on the other hand, was now as excited as a teenage girl, trying set up her best friend with some other girl. She said, "Of course not, Ritu. Captain was just passing by and stopped to..." She paused and Rajveer looked at Shalini a bit taken aback. 

Ritu noticed the sudden pause in her voice as turned to look at Shalini, momentarily flicking her gaze away from the man in front of her. 

Shalini acted to get up and adjust Naina's pillow beneath her ankle as she said, "Ah.. I was saying, Captain was passing by and decided to ask about the cadet." Shalini lied confidently and Rajveer almost sighed in relief.

Ritu couldn't stop herself as she said, "Well, there is difference in wanting to do something and being capable of doing something. The girl may have been driven by her passion but it doesn't mean that she is actually capable of completing the tough military training. I mean, from what I have heard from other faculties, she was the pampered little girl in her household. I don't think she'll be able to complete her training... and not to forget that her brother was...." Ritu paused as she realized that she was sitting in the room with Naveen's friends.

Shalini smiled awkwardly while Rajveer averted his gaze. Ritu decided that it would be better to excuse herself, not to make things worse but she heard Rajveer's soft yet crystal clear voice, "But people do change, Dr. Mishra." 

Ritu left the room without saying anything as Rajveer got up and went near Naina's sleeping figure. He bent towards her slightly as Shalini looked at him, curious about the sudden change in Rajveer's behavior.

Rajveer gently wiped a tear that had escaped Naina's eyes as he too, retired for the night.

ALRIGHT GUYS. HOW ARE YOU ALL? WE DO SEE SOME PROGRESS HERE, RIGHT? *WIGGLES EYEBROW EXCITEDLY* ANYWAYS, WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK ABOUT THESE CHANGES I MADE. 

I'VE MADE IT CLEAR BEFORE AND I'LL JUST REPEAT IT AGAIN. I AM TRYING TO KEEP THIS STORY AS CLOSE TO REALITY AS I CAN. I DO NOT WANT TO WRITE THE DRAMATIC VERSION (JUST LIKE THE COLLEGES IN KARAN JOHAR'S MOVIES). SO, I AM CHANGING QUITE A LOT OF THINGS HERE.

DO LEAVE YOUR REVIEWS AND YOUR SUGGESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS. 

PS. I'LL BE TELLING THE ANSWER OF THAT PUZZLE IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.

UNTIL THEN. TAKE CARE EVERYONE.

NEXT UPDATE : WITHIN A WEEK

WORD COUNT : 1351 WORDS

DATE : MARCH 13, 2024