Hear The Cry

He was sitting alone praying to the Gods. “Prayers work” he thought. He could hear the loud screaming of his beloved. She was in immense pain. The loud screaming, the murmurs, the unnecessary muttering suddenly stopped. Hoping to hear his child’s first cry, he joined his hands for prayers and asked for a child since his wife’s previous endeavour failed. He’d lost his first child on the second day of his birth. The only day of his life he would never be able to forget. It still scares him.

Suddenly, there was utter tranquillity, absolute calmness. He got up panicky and walked dubiously towards the delivery room. On his way, he finally heard his baby cry, cry for the first time. Everything seemed perfect and joyous until he woke up.

Before he could feel the presence of his child, the warmth and love, before he could see its face, before he could take the baby into his arms, he suddenly returned to the truth of the world, the Reality. Facing his wife Arya, he thought “ Few more days and this dream will come true.” 

 

There was an abrupt knock on the door. Rajveer got up and opened the door to find his elder brother Ajit, his only brother and a brave soldier in the Indian army just like himself. “We lack the military resources, the winter clothing, and we are fifty Rajputs to be sent to the border. We leave in a fortnight. Prepare yourself my brother. A war is awaited.” said Ajit. “ Our victory is of paramount.” exclaimed Rajveer.

Rajveer had been to a war before. Still he had always despised the wars, the killings, the sufferings and the senseless fighting. He was a true soldier and hence ready to shed his blood for his country. Both brothers were prepared and well acquainted with the ramifications at the war. Ajit gazed steadily at Arya with a faint smile. He stood up and comforted her. When about to leave, he turned behind and said “ We will return home Arya” and closed the door behind him.

Rajveer could feel the pain in Arya’s eyes. Well, she knew this day would come, but this soon was what she wasn’t prepared for. “Take full care of yourself and the child till I return” said Rajveer. They loved each other and there was never a hint of strife between them. Arya turned away from him to face the opposite side, as if unwilling to confront the truth that soon they’d be miles away. He turned her head around and gave her a warm kiss. “ I promise that I will defeat them and will return home.” said he. Deep within he knew the possibility of his home coming.

Rajveer and Ajit with all other brave men survived the unwelcoming weather conditions and moved towards their destination. The enemy’s battalion emerged from their positions and quickly moved to form the attack. Every jawan fought fiercly, but were outnumbered and outgunned. 

Ajit was shot twice, one injured his neck and the other went somewhere near his heart. He was wounded badly. Rajveer was sure that Ajit’s death was certain and definite at the moment. He grabbed Ajit through his arms and took him to a safest place behind a huge rock. “Go away brother. I’ve performed my duty. Now you! Lift your head up and remember you are strong.” said Ajit. “ You shall defend. Our mates need you. You must be their strength”. With tears in his eyes, Rajveer said” as you are mine, brother.” Trembling while he spoke his last words “And please don’t get killed. Arya needs you”

Rajveer’s eyes were fixed at his brother. Tears rolled down his eyes. He stood up and marched back to his mates. He heard one of the commander say “Fire!”. A massive bomb blast in front of his eyes. Five of his men burned alive. Suddenly there was utter tranquillity and absolute calmness. A moment of déjà vu he thought. He couldn’t hear the bullets that were whizzing past him and injuring many. Dead corpses lay in front of him. He looked around, A place of brutality. Terrifying scene it was, Bombs exploding in his sight and not a single voice he could hear.  He fell on his knees. He screamed out loud for help and to declare an end to this war but even he couldn’t hear the sound of his own scream. He had lost the ability to hear. Wounded and shot, miles away from his home, there he lay covered in his own blood trying to make sense out of all this.

While he lay in his blood, trying to catch hold of breath, Arya too rested on her bed of blood. God blessed both of them with a beautiful boy. He cried for the first time in his mother’s arms while his father laid impaired at the border.

Rajveer with other Indian jawans who survived the attack were sent back unharmed. The news reached New Delhi that Indian Army has collapsed at the border. All the injured were admitted to the hospitals and given proper treatment.

Arya used to wait at the doorstep for days since he left. She never lost hope and prayed everyday for his return. Soon, she received the news of his husband. “Prayers work” she thought. Her prayers were the shield to protect her husband.

She, with the baby boy, reached the hospital room and saw her husband lying on a bed. A warm tear runs down her face. She’s been waiting for this day since the war started. Rajveer saw her come with the baby boy. His eyes too welled with tears. He took him into his arms. The baby cried as his daddy embraced him.

“I’m the happiest right now. I knew you’d come home.” said Arya hugging him. He said nothing. She ran her fingers on the bruises over his face which marked his bravery at the border. “Where’s Ajit?” asked she. He said nothing. All his emotions and memories were still intact but he didn’t know how to convey them. He was entombed within his body.

Soldiers, the most courageous people on the face of earth. They face their own fear piling up into a heap as the days pass with a constant question in their head. “Will they ever fight again?” And in their own heads they know that to dedicate oneself to this is worth a thousand lives.

Rtr Gauri Deo

Editor 2015-2016

RCUPG