As she looked up to garland Prithvi, Suman knew that this was the guy who the angels had sent down for her. She thanked the stars for the day when her dad got the proposal of Prithvi for her. That day was 4 months ago and she remembered every second of it.
Prithvi’s uncle was Suman’s father’s family friend. One day when Suman’s father was discussing with him about his daughter’s wedding, he brought the proposal of Prithvi. Prithvi is an intelligent, young, smart guy working in the Indian Army recruited through NDA. He was presently posted in Assam. Prithvi was a Captain and was in Infantry. As a child he always dreamed of becoming a soldier. And he worked towards it to realize it. He is a caring, loving, understanding and a responsible person, just any woman would want her soul mate to be. Suman’s father was impressed with his profile, but the only thought that bothered him was his profession. How could he give away his daughter to a boy who is not sure if he would live the next minute of his life, who was not sure if he will join his family for dinner that night. But with a positive mind and with the thought that everything happens for a reason and for our good, Suman’s father agreed for Prithvi and his family to come over to see his daughter.
Suman is a simple, fun loving and a person who loves life. She felt she was not ready for a marriage yet, but when she heard about Prithvi and his views and opinions from her dad ,she it was worth giving it a shot at least. And the day finally came and there they were sitting in front of each other. The parents were all sitting in the living room and laughing over some jokes. Suman and Prithvi were sitting in the garden talking about their favorite subject: Mythology. They talked and talked and didn’t realize when they moved from mythology to politics, to education, movies and finally about life. Suman felt awesomely comfortable with him right from the word go. Prithvi explained to her about her passion to his work and how Subhash Chandra Bose touched his heart when he was a little boy and how he grew up idolizing him. Suman’s respect for him grew by each word he spoke. And finally it was her turn to tell about her passions and expectations. Suman explained that she was a girl who believed in mutual respect for each other and her wish to god has always been for world peace. Her thoughts and individuality was very impressive and even before Prithvi realized he was drawn towards her.
And just when they were going to end up their conversation, Prithvi popped the question “Suman, Will you marry me?”
Suman was surprised but she knew what she wanted.
“Yes I will” she said blushing.
And as expected both the parties mutually agreed for the alliance. The date was fixed and Prithvi reported back to his battalion in Assam. Suman and Prithvi exchanged letters every week. They grew close to each other with the letters. Suman dated, numbered all those letters and saved them in a old wooden jeweler box.
Soon the 4 months were over and today she stood in front of him with a garland in her hands. They looked into each others eyes and knew that this was for real. The marriage was a huge affair with all their loved ones around. They danced, sang and ate to their hearts content all night. Suman was finally given off to Prithvi and went to her new home. New life, new hopes, new aspirations and new place, Suman took it all in very well and proved to everyone that she was a highly matured and intelligent woman. She quickly got into her new role as a Army officer’s wife and understood her role and responsibility. She was a huge hit with the ladies at the Officer’s club. She soon started a charity group and started organizing fund raising activities. She would councel the wives of the soldiers who were out in the borders. She understood their pain and stood by them like a pillar. Any casualty in the battalion, Prithvi and Suman would do all it would take to help the families emotionally and financially. They cherished each and every moment of their life. People around them thought they were the perfect couple.
One day when Prithvi came home and Suman was beaming with joy. Prithvi jumped with joy when he heard that Suman was pregnant with their first child. Life looked so much more beautiful with the new life growing in her. Days became weeks and weeks became Months and soon Suman was in her ninth month. She was glowing with the little life in her and her happiness was obvious on her face. She was a week away from her due date when Prithvi got a call from his chief about an ambush attack on the nearby villagers. Prithvi left immediately with his team. Suman was apprehensive about his not being around when the big day was fast approaching.
It was 3 days after Prithvi left and after having a light dinner, Suman settled down to read a book. Her thoughts wandered around Prithvi. She was wondering how he was and what was he doing at that point. She started talking to the baby as she always did.
In the 9 months, Suman spoke a lot to the baby, about the country he was going to be born in, his future parents, friends he was going to meet soon and lot more. That night was no different. As she started slowly running her hand on her tummy and talking to the baby, she experienced her first contraction. And in another 5 minutes came the second one. She knew the time had come. She quickly called Shekhar. Shekhar was Prithvi’s best friend and he and his wife Nikita were Suman and Prithvi’s best friends. As soon as they heard Suman’s voice over the phone, they quickly dressed and were home in ten minutes. Nikita quickly packed Suman’s bag and rushed to the hospital. She was immediately taken into the labor room. The pain had increased by many folds and was unbearable. Suman was bravely fighting through every contraction and was beautifully progressing into her labor.
While she was battling to bring her little child into the world, 100 miles away Prithvi was in the jungle fighting the terrorist. Prithvi got a tip off from a local villager that he heard some strangers taking a loot into the nearby jungle. Prithvi got his men and slowly headed to the creek where the terrorists set up their calm. In the calmness of the night, all they could hear was the rustling of leaves and the serene sound of water flowing in the creek. At a distance Prithvi could see the fire torches and a camp fire. Prithvi signaled his men and they slowly started moving around the men and surrounding them. The men slowly took their positions and the aim. All they needed from their captain was order. One last breathe before signaling, Prithvi thought once about Suman.
He then signaled for firing. One bullet and then the second and then the countless ones started flying around. The terrorists were in state of shock but soon recovered from it and grabbed their guns and returned the firing. The shock came in when a group of terrorists came from behind and started firing at the army. Prithvi changed the strategy and shouted orders at his men to reposition and fire back. Soon the army got control of the situation.
While back in the base, Suman was fully dilated and started to push. She was running out of energy and breath with each contraction and push. She could feel the burn between her legs and pushed even harder. Prithvi got control of the situation but little did he know about what was in store for him. Suddenly a bullet from nowhere came and struck Prithvi on his chest. The impact of the bullet was so strong that Prithvi fell on his back few feet from where he was standing. Suddenly the earth around him was revolving and he couldn’t see anything. He laid there on the ground for a couple of minutes and mustering all his strength and courage stood up with great difficulty. He looked down at his wound and saw the blood trickling down. He felt the blood flowing down his pants, into his shoes and socks. He grabbed his gun and walked towards his men. And with all his energy and strength shouted “Vande Mataram”. This raised the hopes and spirits of his men who by now lost hopes after their leader was wounded. With new zeal and instinct the Army returned the fires and soon all the terrorists were floored. Lt Ram noticed Captain Prithvi in a pool of blood, quickly picked him up on his shoulder and ran towards his jeep. His jeep odometer was reading 100 KMPH in 15 seconds. As soon as he reached the hospital, he shouted for help.
Suman was looking down at a little baby boy bundled up and sleeping in heavenly peace. She couldn’t believe that he was finally here. She took the baby closed to her and kissed o his forehead. The tears never stopped flowing. She was now waiting for her husband to share this joy with her. Nikitha walked into the room with sadness in her face which was unexplainable. Suman did not know what to expect from her and then mustering a lot of courage she told her about Prithvi. The doctors said that there was a very vague chance of his survival. They said that Prithvi lost a lot of blood and that his blood group O- was very rare. They called all the blood centers but in vain. There was no hope. But Suman’s prayers never stopped for a minute. She was holding her new born and stood outside the ICU looking at her husband fight for his life. How strange she thought. There is this new life which I have in my arms and there is this life which is battling to live. Why do I have to choose between the 2 men in my life? There is this man without whom I cannot live and then there is this little baby who cannot live without me. Oh God, what is your wish? Why is this happening to me?
Suman had the courage of a mountain and there was never a weak moment where she gave up and cried. And just as a miracle, one of the blood centers called back with the information of a donor with O-. He was immediately called for. In half an hour, Suman saw a middle aged man being taken into the Lab for blood donation. He saw the gratitude filled eyes staring at him. After an Hour when he walked out of the lab, Suman approached him and said “Sir, I don’t know who you are, but I can say that you are no less than a god to me. You have done a great favor which I cannot return whatsoever”
The stranger smiled at her and said “I should thank you and your husband. Your husband risked his life fighting to save the country, the greatest mother of all. I just did whatever I could. You don’t have to thank me. I just helped my mother from not losing one of her valuable son who protected her every minute”
And then he walked away and disappeared into the darkness of the night.
Prithvi started recovering and was soon showing great progress. Suman stayed at the hotel with the baby and was recovering from her delivery.
After a couple of days, one morning, Prithvi opened his eyes and found Suman with a little baby in her arms. His eyes moistened and with a blink of his eyes, he asked her to come closer. Suman sat next to him and held up the baby to show him the new addition to the family. Prithvi saw this cute little boy who could barely open his eyes and snuggled with him. This was the greatest feeling he could ever have. They named him Subhash Chandra. Prithvi soon recovered and returned to Base. His Col was extremely happy with him and promoted him as major. Prithvi was also nominated for Gallantry award of Veer Chakra.
The one thing that kept Prithvi and Suman together was the belief that no man is superior than his country. And if they die serving for the country, they will pray god to give them a rebirth in the same country and give them one more chance to protect the country. Such was their patriotism. And this belief grew with every passing day. They instilled the same thoughts in Subhash.
17 years passed by and Prithvi was not Colonel. Suman was as usual busy with her social service and fund raising events. Subhash grew into a young, handsome and well mannered boy. One fine morn ing Prithvi and Suman were in their garden sipping their tea and enjoying the morning sun when Subhash joined them with a letter in his hand. Prithvi put on his reading glasses and Suman leaned on his shoulder to read the letter. When they finished the letter, their happiness knew no bounds. Subhash had been selected into the Indian Air Force through NDA and had to report in Pune in a couple of weeks. They were proud parents of a future Pilot and their happiness knew no bounds.
They hugged Subhash and congratulated them. “One more son going to serve the mother” were the only words of Suman.
On this Mothers day, I dedicate this story to the greatest mother ever: Our motherland India.
Maa Tujhe Salaam
1 comments:
Hi BAndham is an excellent story. Great!!!
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