Anukriti Soni

Tragedy Inspirational

4.2  

Anukriti Soni

Tragedy Inspirational

Border!

Border!

11 mins
582


It was another dry and hot day at the Indo-Pak border at Rajasthan. Solider Veer Singh Rajput was marching along the fences, keeping one eye on the other side of the border and sipping water from his mug.

"As-salaamu alaykum Janab!" He heard from the other side, and his sharp ears immediately understood that although the voice was from an enemy nation, it was a friend's voice. 

He turned around to see Solider Karim Khan on the other side of the fence. He had a friendly smile on his face.

"Mualaikumsalam Bhaijaan. " He exchanged greetings wholeheartedly. 

"Happy Diwali Bhaijaan," He said extending his hand for a handshake. Solider Veer was shocked to know that this man knows about Diwali, he extended his hand for a warm shake.

"I know its the Diwali festival today at your side of the earth. You must be missing your family?"

"Yes, Karim. It's a holy festival to celebrate the win of good over evil. Thanks for your wishes. Speaking of my family, I believe the whole country is my family, and everybody else a friend. So I am happy and at home wherever I am in my country." Veer Singh said proudly.


Its been years since both Veer Singh and Karim Khan had become friends marching along the same fences which the world calls Line of control or LOC. They never felt that they are against each other, for them, they both were doing their duties to serve their countries, They are against nobody but just on the side of their respective countries.


Veer knows that Karim shares same passion and devotion towards Pakistan as he himself has for India, and for Karim, Veer was like an elder brother who would sometimes give him advices on how he can keep his newlywed wife happy by writing letters to her. They share a special bond, which was levelled up from all the differences of caste and country. The destiny chose them to be enemies but their hearts chose each other to be a friend.


Days passed, One day due to some political pressure the Pakistani military decided for the violation of ceasefire act and to indulge in a fight with Indians. Karim knew about the plans, but due to his loyalty with his country, he kept quiet. The same morning he wished Veer good morning in an awkward tone, he could feel guilty and was very upset as he knew that his very great friend, whom he admires so much and his other fellows have done nothing wrong with anyone on a personal level, still, they are all set to take revenge of something that makes no sense.


He was quiet the whole day and Veer sensed his sadness. He tried to ask him but he didn't give a satisfactory answer. Although Veer first thought that Karim must be missing his family, as he knew Karim was a very sensitive person and he always talks about his Badi bi, his Bebe, his newlywed wife Rukhsar and his sister Reshma, his loving Abbu Shahbaaz. But deep down he felt there is something else as Karim was reluctant to share anything. Before night he prepared his team to be extra vigilant in case of any unusual activity.


And finally, that happened about which Karim was worried. The fight broke off at around 3 AM. Thanks to Veer's alertness, everyone was well prepared in advance, and the Indian army also moved in full power. After about 1 hour of riots, Karim and Veer were in front of each other with guns in their hand. 


The dawn was about to break and it was the darkest time of day. The desert's coldness was on its peak. With cold cheeks and misty mouth, Karim said - "Shoot Bhaijaan, or I will."

Veer shot with tears in his eyes. He felt his hands become cold and hard like a rock, but he had no other way out. He knew his life was important for his motherland. 


In a blink, Karim fell on the ground with blood dripping off his mouth. Veer sat next to him.

"Maaf kar de yaara" He said, his voice choking.

"Bhaijaan, aap se hi seekha hai, jeena marna sab apne desh k liye." ( Brother, I have learnt this from you, living dying everything for our country.) "You have done the most right thing, don't be sorry," Karim said in a painful voice. "I can... I can sense your dilemma. I am lucky you shot else I would have been in the same dilemma as you were, and a sensitive person like me would have been as judicious as you behaved," He added.

"Chote..." Veer said; he was out of words. 

"Bhai...jaan...Bhaijaan, promise me one thing, you will go and meet my family, and tell them I am happy. And...while you visit them gift Rukshar and Reshma bengals of India and some Kesar Petha to Badi bee and Abbu, the same as you described to me. I have already told them about the taste in letters. Bebe se kehna unka beta aaya hai (Tell my Bebe her son has com)," Karim said and took his last breath. 


Veer sat numb, holding his friend's lifeless body in his hands. The dawn has broken but Veer couldn't feel his light, everything was still dark in front of his eyes with words of his friend circling in his mind. The Pakistani force has returned and everyone was relieved on the Indian side.


After completing the usual ritual of the funeral of the dead soldiers from both sides, Veer sat down to write to a letter to his wife Kusum, who was his life partner and best friend, stating his sorrows and confusion. This time in reply Kusum sent a box of preservative Kesar petha and 2 boxes of multicoloured Bengals, along with a rose. The indication was clear. Veer took 3 days leave and along with all his documents left for Pakistan via Samjhota express, Amritsar. On his way he didn't realize when the train crossed the India border and entered Pakistan, everything felt so similar to that of India.


He knew Karim lives in Lahore, Karim had once given him a chit with his proper address written on it. It was Karim's wish always that his family could meet Veer. As a young soldier, Karim used to admire Veer so much for his selflessness and dedication, and Veer was aware of this fact.


He reached Karim's place, a young lady opened the door. She was dressed in white, dupatta draped over her head and a small round nose pin. She must be Rukhsar, exactly the way Karim described. He told her that he was Karim's friend and was here to give condolences to the grieving family. 


Rukhsar let him in, Reshma offered him a glass of water and he sat with Abbu. He could see the sadness in Rukhsar's eyes, there was an emptiness. Reshma too appeared worried and insecure, probably the first unnatural death in front of her young eyes. 


Badi bee was sitting on a sofa, constantly murmuring some holy prayers, only if her prayers could bring her grandson back. Bebe was silent, nodding at everything with wet eyes, and Abbu seemed to crack jokes about Karim's childhood, trying to ease up everyone's mood, but his attempts were failing and he himself was under great turmoil. The family which seems so knitted in love has lost their only son that too at this young age, their misery was heartbreaking.


Veer offered the box of bengals and Petha to them, which made it clear that he was Karim's Indian friend. Karim had already told everyone about the taste of kesar petha and beauty of Indian bengals. 

"Oh...Karim used to talk a lot about you," Finally Bebe said something in a mild tone.

Rukhsar was crying with bengals in her hands. 

Veer wasn't able to handle all this and to overcome the guilt exposed the truth that he was the one who shot Karim.

 

There was a deafening silence. Nobody knew what to say. Rukhsar was relentlessly crying so Badi Bee gestured Rueshmaa to take her in. 

In the room, Rukhsar was beyond control and her tears knew no limits. It was her wish that her beloved Karim makes her wear these bengals since the day Karim told her about them. She had met him twice after their wedding but was immensely in love with him.

"Bhabhijaan sambhaliye khud ko. ( Sister in law, keep calm)," said Reshma. She was helpless, so she dialled Ashraf's number. Ashraf was Rukhsaar's brother and always cared for her as his daughter. Reshma thought that at this moment only Ashraf could handle Rukhsaar.

Heartbroken Rukhsaar told everything to Ashraf, which made him angry at its peak. His daughter like sister has lost her husband just because of the man sitting in their room, claiming to be his friend. No, he can't be a friend. He killed Karim and now he's here to mock Karim's family. These Indians...


He thought and in impulse decided to kill Veer with a plan. Without even seeing Veer, Ashraf had grown a hatred for him. He called the Pakistani cops and told them that he knows an Indian spy, he told them to stay connected near the lane where Karim's house was present. He will tell them when to enter. His plan was to steal Veer's visa and passport and present him as an Indian spy.


With his hateful intentions, he entered the Khan's house. Veer was seated there and Karim's Abbu was talking to him.

"It's not your fault. Everything that happens is written somewhere, maybe we had Karim only for this much time. He was right, the country comes first. You were doing your duty and he was doing his. If only friendship matters then he must have also disclosed his countries plan to break into a fight. But he chose to hide it, for the sake of his country, so did you. Don't worry," Abbu said.


"These people are very innocent." Thought Ashraf. After introductions he also sat next to Veer, waiting for him to leave his bag alone. Bebe was in the kitchen preparing tea for everyone, and Badi Bee had gone inside to check on Rukhsar. Abbu went with Veer to show him the bathroom. That is when Ashraf decided to steal the Visa and passport of Veer. While he was doing Rukhsaar saw this but was too sad to understand anything.


Soon the police were there to catch Veer. Being proved as Indian spy would mean that he had to live rest of his life as a prisoner in Pakistani Jail with all the inhumane tortures there. But above all, he won't be able to serve his country. He would die without his country. It was like a punishment for a crime he never did. 


Veer was shocked and confused. He checked his bag and all his pockets, not even a single card was there.

"Alright. Let's go," said the Police officer

"But, I am not a spy. I am Karim's friend."

"Karim's friend? Huh? Khuda ka khof kro Bhaijaan ( Fear the god, brother)," Ashraf said. "Isn't it true that you shot Karim?" Ashraf added.

"Yes but..." Veer said but Ashraf cut his words,

"You killed my brother-in-law, these people are innocent to fall in your sugar-coated words, but I am not. What are you here for, giving all these small cheap presents? Do you think it will return Karim back?" said Ashraf, anger clear in his tone.

"No listen, I am here to fulfil my friend's last wish, and to tell his Bebe that her son is here. Whenever she needs anything she can call me. I am also like Karim to her," Veer said.

"Liar!" Ashraf commented.


The police handcuffed Veer and were taking him with them, he knew now what fate awaits for him. He closed his eyes and could see Kusum's face, hugging their daughter Suman. He could see the Indian flag flowing proudly. 

"Wait..." Suddenly a voice break. It was an unfamiliar but soft voice.

"Here are the Visa and Passport." The voice further said. Veer opened his eyes in surprise. It was Rukhsaar holding his identity proof in her hands. 

"Sorry for the misunderstanding," she said eyeing Ashraf, who was very angry. 


In a minute police had checked the ID cards and freed Veer. They gave warning to Ashraf for never again wasting Police's time and trying to defame an innocent man. 

"What nonsense Rukhsaar? He killed your husband, he is behind all your sorrows, he deserves hell!" Ashraf said.

"No Bhaijaan, I don't want another family to burn in this unfair hate like us. He too would be having his wife and mother like us. They must be waiting for him like we were doing for Karim. I don't want them to experience some confusion, fear and grief that we did." She said crying.

"But what about, what he did you to you all?" Ashraf asked,

"It wasn't his fault. It had to happen, if not today then some other day. We all are equally responsible for hate and tension between both these countries. We all, the citizens of both the countries, had to bear loses of our soldiers. It's not just about one home," she said in a mature tone, far more brave and bold than her age. 


Veer bid goodbye to everyone and left for India with a promise to keep visiting them, he was like another son to the family. They exchanged phone numbers and promised to stay connected. 


On his way back, Veer was in deep thoughts. Why do we create all this hate? War kills everyone, both the winner and the loser bleed, thousand of families become orphan. Why do we have to kill an utterly innocent person who has never hurt us? Why do strangers appear as enemies here? Why do we suffer from this loss? Can't the world live with peace and harmony?


The train's whistle broke his thoughts. He was back to India, he took his bag and a small parcel that Badi bee and Bebe had packed for his wife, it was warm Pashmina shawl. Kusum must be waiting. He thought and left for his home with the warmth of the fact that humanity still survives in the world.

 

(Dedicated to all the soldiers and their families. You guys are real heroes.)


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