Unsung Hero

Mission accomplished, I crossed many states, cities, villages, mountains, ghats and forests to reach this beautiful place in spite of the toughest roads in this freezing climate.

The warm weather welcomed my presence and my black boy butkas gazed at me in wonder why am I here all of the sudden. He was my support system when I was frozen to death and also my guardian angel when I felt lost.

I unpacked my bag pack slowly and removed the brown packet which I carried safely from my motherland 3800 kilometers away.

Threads of red, yellow, blue were tangled. I knitted each one with my hands months ago keeping this day in mind. As I kept all the threads on a plate along with ghewar sweet, few riders looked at me in surprise.

The sun rose up brightly and I saw soldiers walking in wearing thier kaki uniform, looking straight and firm.

I stopped one of them and tied a rakhi. He looked at me in silence. Other soldiers came nearby and I disturbuted all the sweets I have bought for them and received thier blessings.

One among them asked if he can hug and I opened my arms to embrace his love.

HAPPY RAKSHA BANDAN ANNA, I whispered and he wished me the same in Hindi. As they bid adieu, I started my journey.

I lost my brother two years ago, in this same place. His only wish was to meet me on Raksha Bandan but accidentally he left us too soon. His last letter was to meet me on this day wherever I am and tie him a handmade rakhi. His diary which I received as his last Raksha Bandan gift described his everyday experiences protecting our motherland through his eyes. I made a note that I will visit here every year and I started saving.

You may wonder why butkas!

His diary read:

I saw a rider driving butkas wearing coolers and listening to music carefree. He had the freedom to do what he loved. I wish every woman on this earth has the same freedom and does what she loves. And, you Adhira, I want you to drive and come here and stop me on this road to wish me Raksha Bandhan.

Will you?

I did it brother, I said proudly igniting my engine.

It's all because of you baby!

Thank you:)

The sky cried as I started moving. I didn't stop but kept moving listening to the rhythm of my bike and watching the red color ribbon with golden design on its corner dancing to its beats.

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