The Return

The Return

He kept his promise

He returns finally

He kept country’s flag a top

He came drape in victory

Yes, he return soon

But bringing silence too my courtyard

He was an army man

                                                                  Who meets the death but never retire.                 

Seven years of marriage has taught me so many things because all these years I played multiple roles of being our house son and a daughter-in-law. My routine begins with putting on the best saari from my collection and getting dressed like a new bride as it reminds my old in-laws that their son is doing fine, I have played role of being mother and father together each day for our five years old son, Kabir. And at last I have been a dedicated wife who love her better half like anything and prays for his well being, who is living miles away from her. Yeah, being an army wife is a tough job, my own house and tasks makes me fell like I am on LOC and I have to combat any situations.

But today was very special day because he was returning from border after eight months, to add little love from my very gesture I decided to wore saari which he gifted me when he last visited us.

‘Next time when I will come, wear this for me Mishty’ he said stealing the glances from the rest family. Memories, I thought and smiled one last time while checking me out in front of mirror. All these years when he came from long breaks and then return, only his memories stays with me. His presence around me brings spring to my life but when he leaves, days are dry and nights are even more terrible; but the moon and our moments which we both created in short span of time reminds me he’s within me only. And today he was coming, I was elated that during night only I decided to make all his favorite dishes, even our little boy also helped me by finishing his homework and prepared a long list of toys he wants from his father. With every hour passed I was getting elated, blushed to look into those eyes and feel the warmth of love and longing.

“Ahem..ahem you look so beautiful mom” remarked our son, Kabir. “Bent down, mom”he further said, I knelt on my knees and combed his hair with my hand and then he plants a kiss on my cheek and hugged me. I understood from his extra love that he don’t wants to attend school today.

“Kabir, don’t you want to be like Papa..” I asked him politely.

“Fine.. mom I going to school but promise me I and dad will go to market in the evening only” Kabir said and pulling up his shocks.

“that’s my boy” I said planting a kiss on his head.” No.. Papa’s boy”he laughed.

“Sameer…”I prayed my love name in my mind and return to put last tough to the preparations.

~

THE NUMBER YOU ARE TRYING IS SWITCHED. PLEASE STAY ON THE LINE OR CALL AGAIN LATTER.

Sameer’s number showed the same response for the fifth time in last one hour. Hiding my worries I decided to make a call to his friend Paramjeet, but as soon as he told me they’re about to come, my worries fades away. All eyes were fixed on the main door.

After few seconds we heard hocking of a vehicle, the sight which we saw made our vision blur. Something pierced into our hearts that it bleeds within and suddenly the pain come out in the form of streams of tears. The ripples of my heart was absurd,  I felt as if my body had drained out all the blood and I’m turning into cold. My ears went deaf, I couldn’t hear anything nor I saw anything around. Just a blur vision or I was being paranoid, Sameer’s face, his voice, his touch and his fragrance was resonating around me as if he himself was trying to envelope me into his arms.

I have seen colors all my life but I am now see everything bright and white.

I decided to meet my fate, while rubbing my eyes I went straight to my Sammer who was sleeping silently, in his uniform in the coffin. All his achievements were right on his shoulder, his face didn’t lost it’s charm but it was reflecting glory, his faint smile was telling it’s own tale that he fought bravely his last battle and the blood which settled on his heart depicts his has not wasted even a single drop of blood and stood like a bulwark for his motherland. The pain within me was beyond any repair and I know it will stay with me forever and yes once again Sameer’s memories will be around me and they are more loyal than him because he didn’t  flip his eyes once to see me that I kept his promise. I looked at my in-laws who were broken and half dead for loosing their young son, I tried to tilt my head on left side, so that I can see the puja-thaal, which I and mom decorated for welcoming him. Excusing myself I rushed inside and looked at my own reflection on the bright and shinny surface of puja-thaal, my eyes looks shallow, my lips looks that they had sealed so many love notes but now they can’t be escaped, so much was their to tell him, so much love I wanted to shed on him but now I couldn’t. Taking a deep breath I carried the thaal in my hand and decided to welcome him home for one last time. The moment I went close to him to offer the prayers when someone dear comes back to home after a long, I heard the harsh and loud whining around me, I didn’t turn around because it will make me go weak.

Just then I saw Kabir running towards me and the coffin, he looked pale and horrified, zillions of questions were running in his mind but he decided to choose quiet and then he flung around my neck and cried and cried. Telling him to stand quietly I decided to go on with the prayers. The moment I opened my eyes I found, Kabir was wearing his father’s army hat and I realized I just saw Sameer in him. I smiled and cried within.

After few seconds one of the official came to me and told me about the rituals, Sameer was taken inside for the last rites and then he was taken to crimination ground and from their he never returned.

“Mommie..papa will never return na” Kabir begged and cried.

“Come with me.. Kabir..wear this hate”I said while taking him in my arms. He nodded and wore it.

“Tell me.. who you look like?”I asked him.

“Papa” he replied innocently.

“Then why are you crying beta.. he’s within you and with you..see there”I said crushing my own heart and seizing all pain within and showed him the most shinning star of that night. He understood and hugged me tightly.

“ You will like your dad Kabir one day” I thought to myself and mumble love to Sameer.

20 years later, Kabir was standing in front of his dad picture. He look, his father reflection with his own army uniform on his muscular body and his dad’s army hat.

Family got their Sammer back that day.

Story by: Aditi Srivastava