It was a cold evening. He was sitting near his tent,
shining his gun. In a split second a heavy snow boulder fell on his head. He
saw his fellow soldier losing his balance and falling down the cliff. He felt
dizzy, images around him were blurry. All he could sense was numbness that were
transforming into scathing pain.
******************************************************
" Hi, I think I like you Rajiv"
" I am honored, because not many women would
take the first step to say this to a man. I like you too"
" Glad you said that. I was thinking how you
would react"
" Actually I am very happy today Sonia"
******************************************************
The snow ball almost fractured his neck. He could not
move his neck. His hands went in search of the gun that he was holding in his
hand a minute ago. He could not stand on his feet any more. His knees started to
shiver and he fell down on the snow-capped mountain top
******************************************************
"I think It is high time that you got married"
"I need two more years amma. I might be posted in Siachen"
"Do you really have to go all the way to Siachen?"
" Siachen is a challenging place amma and only the fittest can survive
there. I have to be there for our country"
" I am proud and at the same time scared. But marry Sonia first and then
go to Siachen"
******************************************************
His broad shoulders suddenly became numb. He searched for
his gun. It was buried somewhere around him on the snow. He could not lift his
left hand. He felt something break inside. He coughed a little and saw blood
dripping from him mouth on to the snowy ground.
******************************************************
" You look lovely tonight"
She was silent which was so unbecoming of her. It was her first night after her
wedding with Rajiv.
" Can I see that smiling face of yours?"
It was a different feeling for her. She was thinking to herself how a first
night can suddenly change her. She was actually the first one to propose to
Rajiv. But tonight, she felt different.
“Why this silence? Don't you like me"
She tried to respond. But words did not escape her mouth. She just looked into
his eyes. Their glances spoke the language of love. The romantic vacuum was so
thick that one could actually cut it with a knife. He understood the language
and pulled her towards him and she just sunk into that heavenly embrace that
ignited their journey of love after their marriage.
*****************************************************
He was a brave man. But the sight of his own blood
terrorized him. He coughed again and almost a liter of blood came out. There
was silence all around. He did not even have the strength to cry out loud and
ask for help. He could not move his head too.
*****************************************************
“Do you really have to go now?”
“Yes Baby! Our country needs me”
“As if you are the only person who is going to defend our
country”
“Yes! Darling… Your Maamaa only saves our country from
the terrorists”
“But I don't want you to go now. Stay for some more time"
“I already told you about my situation. I can't leave the army now."
******************************************************
He tried to move forward; but
his body was not cooperating with him. He could only roll over and lie on the
snow capped mountain. All he could see was the sky. Snowflakes were falling on
his face. He could not lift his hands and wipe them off from his face. His eyes
were filled with tears.
******************************************************
“I don’t want my
husband to risk his life in that dangerous place"
“There is risk involved in every job. Aren't you proud
that I am defending the country?"
“I am proud. But I love you and I am scared"
He pulls her towards him, gives her a long hug says “Where
is the boldness that made you to first approach a guy like me?"
Somehow a small hug brings a smile on her face. Her
smiling face evoke a mixed emotion of happiness and sadness. As he slowly
walked away into the distance, the first tear drop fall from her eye.
******************************************************
He wanted to live. He could feel
pain all over his body. He could feel pain inside him. Images of his wife
flashed across his thoughts. The last time he received a mail, she had hinted
of divorcing him. He wanted to talk to her now and explain his situation. As a
husband he had failed to be by her side. As a son of the soil, he had tried his
level best to safeguard the country. "I
should not die now. I want to fight for my country" - His thoughts did not communicate with
his vocal cord. "I won't
shut my eyes. I want to see the world". Another
boulder of snow fell on him and it was all over. Under the snow, the heart was
still beating; but there were no one to feel that heart beat that was slowing
down.
******************************************************
Hundreds of Kilometres away from him, Sonia was writing a
letter, not aware that there was no need for one now…
“I can't take this anymore. I
wanted to build a life with you, a home where we had fun and laughter. But I
only have pain and regret. I don't feel that you love me anymore. I never
wanted you to leave me and fight for the country. If you can't be with me, why
did you marry me in the first place? I know you cannot live without me. But I
need a family. I need to be loved. I need a child. I want to be like every
other family. I know I am not greedy to ask these basic things in life. My
parents have asked me to marry my cousin. I have finally agreed because I know
it is of no use writing letters after letters to someone who does not care. I
am sending the divorce papers. At least sign them and return it to me. I don't
hate you. But I know that you would not be able to live with me. I hope you
understand. Sorry and Bye
Regards
Sonia"
When she finally folded the letter,
she began to cry out loud.
******************************************************
Sixty feet under the snow, another
heart hardened, froze and rested.
- Chronicwriter
Dedicated to Lance Naik Hanamanthappa and hundreds of
soldiers who have served our country. The idea for this format of storytelling
is based on an Inspiration from the narrative style of Manoj. Thanks to him for
making me write this.