Countdown

Amal was a soldier in the army and was posted at the border check post. It was a very eventful posting because always there was a skirmish with the enemy on day to day basis. Just a couple of days ago a colleague of Amal, a fellow soldier laid down his life. He saw his colleague die in front of his eyes. It was a very dogged life. But, Amal knew that because of the hard work of the soldiers like him, his countrymen were leading peaceful lives. He felt pride in himself for being able to serve his motherland. Also, the compensation that the government was giving him for such hazardous work was very lucrative. Back home, Amal had two sisters who were not being married for want of Funds. But after Amal joined the services and barely completed two years when he had saved enough to bear the cost of the marriage of his two sisters. Because his farmer father could earn just enough to run the family expenses. Marriage was a luxury for his father.

So now Amal's mother wanted that her son should also marry. She had even selected a girl for him. Her name was Parul and she was beautiful and intelligent. But Amal was a little circumspect because of his perilous life. He was not sure if he could give a good life to his betrothed. But marry he must because he never disobeyed his parents.

Due to his impending marriage, Amal was transferred to a safer zone close to the civil lines.

The countdown for his marriage began. Both Amal and Parul were a little tense till their marriage ceremony was over. Parul was concerned about the safety of her would-be husband and Amal would think of Parul every night before going to sleep. Due to security reasons, they could not talk over the phone.

Two months before the marriage was scheduled, Amal made a short surprise visit to his native place. He could not bear to keep himself away from Parul for long. So they both met secretly without the consent of their families. Parul had made arrangements at a lonely temple outside the village and there they both exchanged garlands and the priest solemnised their marriage.

Then when Amal returned to his unit he found that Parul had secretly made the journey separately to give her husband company.

The unit came to know of their escapade and arranged for a grand marriage ceremony at the unit's temple. As a goodwill gesture, the unit allowed them to stay as a couple in a separate hut. Then Amal and Parul enjoyed marital bliss for a few months.

However, their joy was short-lived. Because in a couple of months there was a terrorist attack at the unit. All the unit inmates fought valiantly and most of the insurgents who had laid siege were either shot dead or captured wounded. But Amal had received a deep bullet wound and was hospitalised in a critical condition. Parul was in deep shock. Later, Amal succumbed to his injuries. Parul who couldn't bear the loss shot herself from Amal's service revolver.

The unit was reeling under the burden of double tragedy.