One Last Wish

2nd largest country in the world by population and area. One vacancy announced. 5 days of interview. 150 people in the spot. 25 cleared the prelims. 10 passed the group discussion round. Final round emerged. No race. No caste. No creed and no color. The Service Selection Board had nothing to do with these for selecting an officer in charge of jawan in the Indian army.

There stood the most confident only woman among 5 in a proud camouflage on her. It was second attempt for her. Yes! Juhi Aafrin who was named after her father read a book titled ONE WOMAN ARMY, a historic book in which JUHI AAFRIN made her own country survive from the enemy countries as a single woman. Juhi father was a good reader. He read newspapers and so many trending novels of that time. Age is just a number for him. He brought up his daughter like the Queen in THE ONE WOMAN ARMY. He was more tensed than Juhi for the interview results. The 5 people in the interview were now best friends more than competitors. Jafar, one of them almost fell in love with Juhi. But he did not let his mind out of control that he concentrated purely on the selections.

Juhi’s power was the fire in her eyes! It burnt the bad views that others had on her. Jafar had a charm in him. He was charming enough to solve anything by his charm. It was time for the results. The SSB announced the officer in charge is selected inspite of being there a tie between Juhi and Vickey, another strong competitor. Juhi was appointed for she was a strong woman.

The person hearty congradulated other competitors. The were ready to get back to their cities. Jafar wanted to leave at least with the success of his own love story.

Everybody returned to their assigned rooms. Inspite of everybody’s sadness of rejection, they were all happy for Juhi’s victory. Juhi cried for she was scared of getting disconnected. When everybody were busy packing bags and consoling Juhi, Jafar stood trembling to express his feelings for Juhi. When everybody were laughing for they were celebrating farewell Jafar sweated and finally had guts to express himself to Juhi.

Everybody were busy doing preparations mentally to come back again the next time. Jafar went closer to Juhi. “Juhi I’ve got deeper feelings for you. Your everything is perfect for me. Will you marry me?” Juhi stood bewildered. She trembled to even talk back. She had her own stories to overthink on it. But Juhi already had feelings for him. He had already attracted her. Juhi told her father. He as an atypical Indian dad left it to her decision. All these happened in half an hour. She got back to Jafar, hugged him tight and told him that she loves him too. Their other friends around celebrated like it was their victory of their interview.

15 days post to the extreme happiness of life, Jafar heard from the officer who interviewed that Juhi had a 7 bullets in her chest on the very first day of her duty along with 5 of her colleagues and had left the world. Jafar felt as if his whole world was lost. The 4 best friends met again within a short span of time. This time with heart full of sorrow and a pride in their eyes.

After the funeral, Juhi’s dad walked towards Jafar and told, “20 years ago when Juhi’s mom passed away, we were into love for 5 long years with an angel of 4 years. Our love was intimate,Jafar. We had every happiness together. We both lived alone in our own home. Every nook and corner of the home was my wife. Every part of me, I had her. Love got its new meaning in both of ours life. We travelled every edge of the city. Trying every restaurants around the city. In short, each and every part of my day was my wife and my daughter. She on her death bed, asked me to promise something. Guess what? I should never cry in my life. Seems to be silly! Haha! Jafar, this is the toughest promise I have made. I stand here, at my one and only’s funeral unable to cry. I would die for the promise I’ve made for my dream. A DREAM TO DIE FOR! If you ask me what I would die for, I would die for my dreams. I was ready to die for my daughter and my wife. Prior to which they were ready to do anything for their country: THEIR DREAMS TO DIE FOR.

Juhi was photo copy of her soldier mother. Yes! I had the bad news just like you did! The last time I cried was on the death of my love. I’m happy they died for their own dreams amidst being in a patriarchal society. My dear son, get on. Love your life and live your dreams. Life is too short for us to sit and worry I know you dream of being a soldier. Come on son! You now have a man waiting for your victory. You are the only person left in the world for a man seeking pure love”.

Jafar hugged and cried aloud for the last time in his life.

After all dreams chase the true chaser.

Life isn’t about chasing dreams we can’t achieve. It's all about finding means to do. Because impossible is just a myth.