The Next Morning
By dawn, news spread like wildfireâthe British officer who was about to pass the law was found dead. It was announced as an 'unfortunate accident,' but Karan knew better. The mission was successful.
Yet, despite the victory, Karan was still fuming. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't erase the image of Naina in Richard's arms from his mind. He hated that it affected him so much, but he couldn't shake it off.
Naina, on the other hand, was unaware of Karan's jealousy. Her world had just crumbled.
She sat inside the trainees' tent, holding a crumpled letter with trembling hands. The words written by her father burned into her heart.
Naina,
Tumhari Daadi ab nahi rahi. Tum unki aankhon ka taara thi, unki chhoti Nanhi... par yeh duniya chhodne se pehle bhi woh sirf tumhara naam le rahi thi. Tumhe dekhna chahti thi ek baar. Par tum toh jung mein thi na...
Her vision blurred. She had missed it. She had missed seeing her Daadi one last time. She couldn't even be there for the funeral. She was fighting wars while her family was burning in grief.
She clenched the letter, her jaw tightening. She wouldn't cryânot here. Not now.
Just then, a trainee ran inside, panting. "Naina! Ratan gir gaya jogging karte waqt! Uske seene par gehri chot lagi hai!"
Naina quickly wiped her eyes and got up, grabbing her medical kit.
She kneeled beside Ratan, who winced in pain, his chest wound still bleeding. Without thinking much, she reached for the antiseptic and applied it.
The moment the liquid touched the wound, Ratan screamed in agony.
Before she could react, a rough grip grabbed her wrist and yanked her away.
"Tum pagal ho gayi ho?!"
Karan's voice thundered through the tent. His eyes blazed with fury.
Naina froze, her heart pounding. "K-kya?"
Karan held up the bottle she had just used. "Yeh galat antiseptic hai, Naina! Yeh zahar hai jo chot aur bigaad sakta hai!" He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "Tum dekh bhi nahi rahi ho ki kya kar rahi ho?! Agar maine roka nahi hota toh iska haal aur kharab ho sakta tha!"
Naina clenched her fists, her already broken heart aching even more. "Mujhse galti ho gayi, bas! Isme itna chilane ki kya zaroorat hai?!"
Karan stepped closer, towering over her. "Zaroorat hai, kyunki yeh jung hai, yahan galti ki koi gunjaish nahi hai! Agar yeh jungmaidan hota toh tumhari ek chhoti si bhool kisi ki jaan le sakti thi!" His voice was sharp, cutting through her already wounded soul.
Naina swallowed, her nails digging into her palm. "Kya tumhe bas mujhe hi daantna aata hai? Tumhe kabhi laga ki shayad mera dimaag kahin aur tha?" Her voice cracked slightly.
Karan didn't back down. "Agar tumhara dimaag kahin aur hai toh tumhe iss jagah hone ka koi haq nahi!"
Her chest tightened at his words. Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Karan's own breath was heavy, his anger blinding. But when he saw her turn away, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, something in his chest clenched painfully.
But before either of them could say another word, a messenger arrived with a sealed letter.
"Commander Karan Thakur! Aap aur Naina Rao ko Britishers ki ek colony ka inspection karne jaana hai Jaipur ke paas. Wahan British log gaon ki ladkiyon ko zabardasti shaadi karne ke liye bech rahe hain."
Karan exhaled sharply, taking the letter and stuffing it into his pocket. He turned to Naina.
"Tayyari karo. Raat ko Jaipur ke paas pohonchna hoga," he ordered, his tone still tense.
Naina didn't argue. She just nodded stiffly, avoiding his gaze.
That Night - Abandoned House, Jaipur Outskirts
By the time they reached, the sun had set, leaving the sky in hues of dark blue and orange. The village where Britishers sold women was nearby, and they couldn't risk staying anywhere noticeable.
Karan led Naina inside a deserted, half-broken haveli. The walls were cracked, cobwebs hung in corners, and the air smelled of dust and old wood.
"Yahin tikna padega," Karan muttered, dropping his bag on the floor.
Naina just nodded silently. She hadn't spoken much since their argument. She had withdrawn into herself, her usual fire missing.
Karan set his rifle down, his eyes lingering on her for a second.
She was still hurting.
And for the first time, Karan realizedâhis anger had hurt her more than anything else ever had.
The air inside was thick with silence, broken only by the occasional hoot of an owl outside. A small lantern flickered, casting shadows on the cracked walls.
Karan sat against one of the stone pillars, cleaning his rifle, his sharp eyes darting toward Naina, who sat quietly near the old wooden table, staring at nothing.
She had barely spoken since they arrived. Usually, she'd be the one to talk first, tease him, or challenge him in some way. But tonight? She was... silent.
Karan clenched his jaw. He hated it.
Taking a deep breath, he stood up and walked toward her. "Tumne kuch khaya?" His voice was gruff but held a tinge of concern.
Naina didn't look at him. "Bhook nahi hai," she murmured.
His brows furrowed. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes, the grief she was trying to hide behind that blank stare. She was hurting. And a part of him knewâhe was responsible for some of it.
He exhaled. "Naina."
She blinked but still didn't look at him.
Karan sighed, sitting across from her. "Mujhse baat bhi nahi karogi?" His voice softened, and that caught her attention.
She looked at him, her brown eyes filled with emotionsâanger, grief, exhaustion... and something else he couldn't quite name.
She didn't respond.
Karan rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling awkward. He wasn't good at thisâat fixing things with words.
So, he did what he did best. He ordered.
"Chalo, uthho."
Naina frowned. "Kyun?"
Karan grabbed her wrist, gently but firmly. "Mujhe nahi pata tum Daadi ke liye dukhi ho ya uss gadhe Richard ki wajah se pareshan ho ya phir mere daantne se... par tum apni bhookh maar kar yahan chup-chap nahi baith sakti. Tumhe energy chahiye kal ke kaam ke liye."
Naina stared at him for a moment. "Aur agar maine mana kiya toh?"
Karan crossed his arms. "Toh main zabardasti khilane wala hoon."
She rolled her eyes. "Tum hamesha zabardasti karte ho."
He smirked. "Aadat daal lo."
For the first time since receiving the letter, a tiny smile twitched at her lips. She quickly hid it, but Karan caught it. His chest felt lighter.
"Thik hai," she sighed dramatically, standing up. "Aap jeet gaye, Commander Thakur. Ab kya khilayenge?"
Karan led her toward the small sack of supplies they had brought. He pulled out some dry roti and a small tin of jaggery. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.
"Roti aur gud. Jungle ka maharaja khaana." He raised an eyebrow. "Pasand nahi toh bhookh se mar sakti ho."
Naina shook her head, taking the food from him.
They quietly ate under the dim lantern light.
For the first time in the entire day, everything felt normal again.
The lantern flickered, casting long shadows on the stone walls of the abandoned haveli. Outside, the distant howls of stray dogs and the rustling of leaves filled the otherwise silent night.
Karan sat cross-legged on the floor, his back leaning against the wooden table. He had meant to stay awake, to plan for the next day's mission, but fatigue had settled deep in his bones. The constant battlesâboth in war and within himselfâhad drained him.
Naina sat beside him, absently staring at the dying flame of the lantern. She had noticed how exhausted he was, even if he never admitted it. His strict demeanor, his relentless training, his constant watchfulnessâit took a toll on him too.
She heard a light shuffle and looked down.
Her breath hitched.
Karan's head had slumped sideways, landing gently against her lap.
Naina stiffened. For a moment, she didn't move.
His face was peaceful, far from the usual hard-edged, commanding expression he always carried. His brows, which were always furrowed in deep thought, had relaxed. His breathing was steady, his body completely still.
Commander Karan Thakur, the man feared by every trainee, was asleep in her lap.
She didn't know what to do. Wake him up? Push him away? Or just... let him be?
Her fingers twitched.
A strange warmth spread through her chest.
Slowly, cautiously, her hand lifted and hovered over his hair. The rough strands curled slightly near the edges, untamed just like their owner. He had always seemed like a man made of iron, but right now, in this moment, he seemed... human.
Without thinking, she softly ran her fingers through his hair.
Karan stirred slightly, his brows furrowing for half a second before relaxing again.
Naina almost pulled her hand away, but then his breathing slowed, as if he had found comfort in her touch.
She swallowed.
She didn't understand why she was doing this. Why she wasn't pushing him away.
Maybe because, for the first time, she saw how much weight he carried on his shoulders.
Maybe because, despite everything, he was the only one who had looked after her when no one else had.
Or maybe because, for this one night, she wanted to let him rest.
The Next Morning â Into the Lion's Den
The first rays of sunlight crept into the abandoned haveli, casting a golden hue over the worn-out wooden floor. Naina shifted slightly, feeling the weight against her lap.
She looked down.
Karan was still there, his head resting against her like he had no worries in the world. His face, usually sharp with authority, was now calm.
But morning had arrived, and duty called.
Naina hesitated before placing her hand on his shoulder. "Uthiye, subah ho gayi hai," she said softly.
Karan stirred, his brows furrowing as if annoyed by the disturbance. His eyes slowly opened, slightly disoriented at first. Then realization struck.
He immediately sat up, his jaw tightening. Did I really justâ?!
He cleared his throat, standing up like nothing had happened. "Hmmm... Chalna hai," he muttered, avoiding her gaze.
Naina smirked. "Haan haan, par aap toh bade araam se so rahe the," she teased, standing up beside him.
Karan shot her a glare, his usual strictness returning. "Zyada bakbak mat kar. Nikalna hai jaldi."
With that, the two left the haveli, blending into the bustling streets of Jaipur.
The Inspection Begins
The marketplace was alive with noiseâvendors shouting, children running, and British officers patrolling the area. But beneath the everyday chaos, a darker business was being conducted.
British officers had been purchasing young Indian girls, forcing them into marriages with British soldiers. Families were either tricked or coerced into selling their daughters, believing they were securing a better future.
Karan and Naina, dressed in common villager attire, kept their heads low as they walked through the narrow alleys. They had already gathered intelligenceâa deal was to take place today, and they had to witness it firsthand.
As they neared a large courtyard behind the marketplace, their suspicions were confirmed.
A British officer stood in the center, dressed in an extravagant uniform, inspecting a line of young girls as if they were mere objects. Beside him, an Indian middleman negotiated with desperate parents.
Naina's fists clenched. She wanted to march in and stop this immediately, but Karan subtly grabbed her wrist.
"Abhi nahi," he whispered, his eyes sharp. "Pehle samajhna hoga ki yeh log kaise kaam kar rahe hain."
Naina swallowed her anger and nodded.
They stood hidden in the shadows, watching, waitingâknowing that before the day ended, this injustice would have to be stopped.
A Dangerous Gamble
As they stood watching from the shadows, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"And this one?" the British officer sneered, his cold blue eyes scanning Naina from head to toe.
Before she could react, a rough hand gripped her wrist.
"She looks good enough. Bring her in."
The Indian middleman, without hesitation, yanked Naina forward and shoved her into the line of trembling girls.
Karan's entire body tensed, his hand twitching toward his hidden dagger. His blood boiled at the sight of someone handling her like that. He was seconds away from snapping that Britisher's neck.
But then, Naina looked at him.
Her eyesâcalm yet firmâtold him everything.
"This is our chance."
Karan understood. As much as he hated it, this was the only way to get closer to their plan.
Slowly, reluctantly, he gave her the smallest nod.
Naina took a deep breath, suppressing her fury, falling into the act of a helpless girl.
The officer walked past the line, examining each girl like a product for sale. "Hmm... This one's too thin. That one's too dark... Ah, now this oneâ" he stopped in front of Naina.
She clenched her fists, keeping her face blank.
"Perfect. She will do."
The middleman stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Yes, sir. And the others?"
The officer's lip curled as he gestured lazily. "That one, that one... and her. Take them inside."
Four girls, including Naina, were pushed forward and led toward the back of the courtyard.
Karan watched, his jaw tightening.
She was inside now. But for how long? And at what cost?