Embracing His Glory

In 1999, Devesh and Aarti’s wedding was fixed. The groom, Devesh was supposed to return in May from his duty for the ceremony, but his return got delayed.

Being a Subedar in the Indian Army, he was posted at the Line of Control in the Kargil district. Some insurgencies had been reported at the border and there was a sudden state of war in the cold, mountainous north of the country. The families had to postpone the wedding and expected Devesh to be back in a few days. But the unfortunate Kargil war began taking India by shock, leaving every Indian praying for our country’s victory against the infiltration.

Aarti was a pretty-looking, simple village girl who had just finished college. Her parents wanted her to tie the knot and had arranged her marriage with the most well-known, young, muscular, and handsome bachelor in their village, whom they were immensely proud of due to his duty as an Army man. His courage and valor were known to everyone around the locality. Devesh was charmed by Aarti’s looks at the first glance, and even more by her thoughtful and undaunting nature as he began to know her. Aarti was elated to enter the everlasting bond of marriage with the man she had fallen in love with.

The news of the war was all over the television and in the newspapers. Aarti prayed for Devesh and did all the fasts she could for his long life and patiently waited for him to come back safe from the war, so the two could unite forever.

The war ended in July and India proudly emerged as the victorious nation. After a few months, the soldiers were known to be returning from their posts to their hometowns. Many were welcomed with a sense of joy and victory, with garlands and crackers bursting throughout their cities and neighborhoods; whilst many were sent home wrapped in the Indian Flag. Devesh’s family had received a letter that Devesh was fine and would return to them soon.

On the day Devesh was scheduled to return, his house was decorated with garlands and lights in his honor. All the relatives and neighbors were waiting at the doorsteps to greet the victorious hero who was back from war.

Aarti was waiting for him decked up as gorgeously as a bride. She had worn a beautiful magenta suit, with dupatta covering her head. She had gold jewelry adorning her pretty face and her bright pink bangles echoed with every movement she did. She recalled how much Devesh loved this look of hers- all decked up in traditional attire and she had been imagining the moment when the two would come face to face today after the long wait. All the other women teased her that only a mangal sutra and red sindoor were missing from her attire, “but don’t you worry”, they laughed and said, “Once he is back, he will put those himself on you”. Aarti again got busy with the preparations as she assisted her would-be mother-in-law for the welcome ceremony. And finally, it was time. The army vehicle entered the front yard of Devesh’s house.

Devesh was carried down the van by his colleagues. As they approached the crowd waiting with dhol and garlands, everyone was shocked to see Devesh.

Amidst the sudden silence that had taken over the joy of the surroundings, Devesh entered the front yard in his wheelchair. His facial skin seemed burnt, his right ear was missing, his scalp was scarcely haired, he had wounds all over his body which seemed to be recovering but above all, his right hand was amputated, and his knees were damaged. He was partially paralyzed and could not speak clearly.

“This is what the war has done to our dear friend”, his colleague said sorrowfully hugging Devesh’s father. His mother sobbed uncontrollably looking at her son’s condition. She hugged and kissed him on the forehead, but he was not able to reciprocate anything. He too had tears running down his cheek, but he had no words of comfort for his weeping parents.

Aarti came ahead with a ‘puja thali’ in her hand but stood there in shock as her eyes fell on Devesh. He was unable to face the beautiful girl he deeply loved, who was silently shedding her tears.

Devesh and Aarti shared a glance at one another, and the unspoken words echoed in their hearts.

The engagement was immediately called off by Aarti’s parents and they started to pull Aarti back home, declaring that they can’t give their beautiful daughter to an unworthy wheelchair-bound man.

 But Aarti stepped back and strongly refused to obey her father, for the first time in her life.

In front of all the people, she proudly hugged the disheartened Devesh.

“Papa, I have made my choice. The army man you were so proud of, has truly proved his worth. He fought for our country with courage and is back alive. I have no reason not to marry him. In fact, his resilience in this horrific condition is giving me so much more strength. I proudly declare that Devesh and I will get married soon”, Aarti proclaimed her love fearlessly.

But Aarti did not take any time to move into Devesh’s household and nursed Devesh day and night. She

cared for his parents too and took up all the responsibilities of the household. She took a keen interest in Devesh’s Physiotherapy, speech therapy, and other treatments. She encouraged him to regain his inner strengths and become the same old Devesh everyone was proud of.

The couple got married in a simple, humble ceremony with just close relatives.

Though wheelchair-bound for life, gradually Devesh recovered and was even able to speak after a year. The first words he spoke were “Thank you, Aarti, for accepting me, for being my strength, for embracing the ruins of my body”.

“My dear husband, you are my Hero! I have embraced your Glory and Victory!”