Defenders-Sons of the soil

Physically present in one of the highest post in highest battlefield of the world his mind was roaming the streets of the cantt where he spent his childhood. He was playing with his friends, pretending to be soldiers, defending the motherland. That’s the thing about life in cantts; the first virtue you learn is the immense love for the country which is further increased by brought up by a military father. From the blurred window of his memory he clearly saw the moment when his father, while going on a mission told him to take care of his mother and behave well. He never knew those would be the last words of his father. He remembered seeing his father’s coffin draped in the national flag with armed men carrying it. He was pulled back to the reality by the wave of pain in his arm, which was by then soaked in the blood which had dried overtime.

He was a Captain officer of NLI. It was his third month of deployment in Siachen. Things were going normally- regular rounds of firing from both sides of the border. But from past 4 days situation caught up the fire. All his fellowmen were martyred in the outburst of fire 3 days back and he also got injured while trying to save his troops. His food supplies have ended and due to poor weather there was no possibility of food or troops being transferred there.

In these three days he got to live a life he always dreamed of. A life of courage, spirit , challenges , will power and the passion to die for the motherland, after all these were the reasons he joined army for. Whenever he got in touch with his CO he asked him how his morale was, to which he replied with all the strength left in his body “SKY HIGH SIR”.

He read letters of his fiancé. She was a daughter of an army officer too and she tried to compose herself at his see off and did not say a word but her teary eyes reflected the fear of loss. She must be preparing for their wedding but the nature has something else in store for them.

The radio caught up some signals and he heard national songs being played at the other end. It was a transmission of defence day. People were there to commemorate the sacrifices of the defenders but most of the people despite of listening to the war heroes were more interested in watching the performances of the singers. He felt agonized, he was there dying for the people who didn’t even care about the sacrifices the men in uniform have made. The wireless again got connected with the headquarters and the CO asked “How is the morale Jawaan? “ He repeated his question but Captain Inshal was busy in reflecting upon his life. On the fourth repetition, with blurred eyes he replied with a faint voice of a dying man, “Don’t know sir”.

Two hours later when the troops arrived he was found dead in his barrack with a gun still in his hand. 

A Worldwide Audience

The soles of her red rubber boots splashed water all around as she kept her pace on the pavement flooded with a puddle of rainwater. Struggling to keep her papers dry from rain. Reena held her black leathered handbag in a tight hug while managing to cover herself under the dripping umbrella. “God, I love rain!” she said to herself with a deep satirical scowl. She had been working all day just to get her chunk of work done so that she could finally let herself slip into the newly purchased feather bed lying at her small apartment. The thought of her new comfortable warm bed made her drown into a sea of unfathomable relaxation that her life lacked so much. An abrupt twist in her boot followed by an ugly splash, brought Reena back from all her sweet thoughts. Reena cursed and clenched her teeth with a frown on her face. She was back in the rain, soaked and the paperwork in her arms was still incomplete. She wanted to cry on the thought of another sleepless night full of hard work waiting ahead of her.

 Reena was an analyst in a small media firm. The firm was trying to coup up with the giants in the media market. It was a hectic battle that every employee had to fight. Reena was one of them. Still she was happy as it was the only source that kept her busy after the tragedies that struck her one by one. She had lost her boyfriend to a better girl and his little gift had died inside her womb. So she was contended in her life and it brought her closer to her dream of making her way to the worldwide audience.

                With a smile that her future brought on her face she finally stepped into her regular bus. She kept staring blankly at the passengers surrounding her. A teenage boy with shabby jeans and lean figure standing next to her sparked some interest. She went back to her youthful days at his sight. A smile stretched across her face and the boy noticed it. “What is it madam?” he inquired with a strange confidence. “Oh! nothing just smiling on an old memory. How old are you?” she asked. “I am seventeen,” He replied with a smirk. “That’s cool. Young and proud.” she winked. “You are not that old too,” the teenager smiled. “Well I am old enough for you,” Reena remarked with an imposing tone. “Seems like you are some office lady,” he said gesturing towards her bag. “I am a media person,” she replied. “So you are a TV girl,” he played along. “Well not exactly that but someday I would be,” Reena replied wishfully. “I should get an autograph then. Someday you would be famous and rich,” he fumbled for something in the pocket of his jeans. Reena laughed at this,"You are tricky.” He pulled his arm in front of her and pointed at his wrist with a red face,” I guess I have no paper, why don’t you do it here.” Reena laughed again a bit harder this time,"You know your game too well.” She took out her pocket pen and autographed his pale skin. “You just made your first fan. I am Samuel Harris,” he turned his wrist and extended his hand. She shook it with gratitude and a stupid smile on her face. She had to admit that she blushed a little too.

                The bus stopped and she stepped out. Samuel stood there in a bow with gesture of hand, “ My lady, may I know your good name.” His accent became royal. “I am Reena Malik. Samuel it was nice knowing you. I would call your name on TV when I get my first show and you would know then where to find me,” she assured him. Samuel bowed further down,“It would be an honor." She smiled and made a goodbye gesture with best wishes on her lips and was returned with a thumbs up from Samuel.

 The warm feeling of home near here embraced her as she walked the block towards her place. Now the rain had stopped but still she was shivering a bit because of her soaked black coat. She hurried towards the building to get herself away from the night’s cold. Putting her forehead on the wall of her building she waited for the elevator with all the patience that was left in her. The building was mostly deserted now due to renovation but for Reena it was a sweet home. The elevator rumbled and the doors opened. She stepped in and pressed the button to her floor.  Just a moment before the doors were about to shut someone jumped into the elevator. “Hi!” he giggled awkwardly. “Hi!” she replied in a confused and surprised tone. It was Samuel. “So now you are following me too,” Reena said with a serious expression. “No Reena I just had to come here,” he said now more frankly. “I have never seen you here,”Reena remarked curtly.” I know someone here,” he replied coolly. 

 

    The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Reena stepped out and turned around to say something but she bumped into something. Reena looked up and realized that it was Samuel's chest.  “Oh! Umm well….” before she could finish her apologizes his hand covered her lips and she was whirled around by the strength of his arms and was then held in an embrace from backwards. She felt a cold thing burying into her neck. “If you speak I would pass a bullet right through here,”Samuel whispered pressing her neck with the same cold thing. She was shocked  but did not say a word. “Take me to your room,” he ordered and she obeyed silently. 

                He threw her on the bed and pointed the gun right at her face. She was sobbing now. “How could I be so dumb,” Reena cursed herself. “Why are you crying lady?” he laughed “I am not here to hurt you.” He walked back and removed his backpack from his shoulder. “Now listen carefully.” he said,“This bag here has a few fireworks in it. You move and the microchip that I planted near your neck is going to blow this baby up,” he pressed a button and smiled,“Now it is activated.” Reena was not breathing anymore. She wanted to choke but could not. He continued,"You wanted a worldwide audience Reena. Tonight I am going to give you a show." He kissed his wrist where Reena had scribbled with her pen. She felt so disgusted that she wanted to turn her face away but then she remembered the chip on her neck. ”Why are you doing this?” Reena asked looking down in shock and anger. He looked at her seriously and said, “You are not the only one who wants fame Reena.”

He reached over the bag and unzipped it. He looked up at her and smiled. Reena smiled back at him thoughtfully. He was confused. “What is it?” he asked with narrow eyes. “You are so weak,” said Reena wickedly. “How can you say that?” he said with a little anger showing up on his face. He had almost forgotten the bag in his hand. “You gave me the control over you boy,” she said firmly,“ I can blow you up right now.” “You won’t do that,” he said in a dark tone, “life is so happy with you and if you wish to die we can adjust you soon with the bag in the city.” “So you are a terrorist,” she said in a disgusted tone. “Well that’s one perspective,” he said with a smile. “There’s no fame in that,” she said clearly irritated now. Samuel chuckled,” My old dumb lady we are the people who control you people when you get famous. It’s an illusion.” She smirked at him, “Well Samuel it’s time to say goodbye. You know I just need a worldwide audience and I think the stars up there would get me that.” Before Samuel could speak Reena twisted her neck and rubbed it hard with her hand. All the cold and wet was replaced immediately by a hot sensation in an instance. The rain had stopped by then and the dark night was about to end. The next day a bag with papers was found with red ink all over it. Maybe the work on those papers had to be done with blood. Nearby a body was found on a burnt but new feather bed. It was mutilated but the looked as if it was more relaxed than ever. The story was all over the media and an audience through out the world watched it.

The Little Girl!

Taking a final look at my sleek outfit into my car's shining blackness I slam the door and smile at the radiance of my tailored black suit merging into the color of the Bugatti. My next move comes as an instinct. I turn around swiftly and my arm protrudes out of my side bringing the Rolex at a reasonable distance from my face. Eyeing the lights and beaming ladies of tonight's party, I fumble for the iPhone in my pocket and a moment later check its luminous screen for any updates. After these ceremonial moves my steps fall into a graceful gait. With curious eyes I take yet another look at the people flocking inside the expansive mansion in front of me. Some wearing all their wealth, a few elegant like me and others eager to join the company of people like me. I throw charms at the people eager to greet me and prepare myself like a warrior for tonight's rituals. It is always an impression of my money on the table, a few drinks and then walking away with the most beautiful lady in the house. At the end of the night being me is always worth it. Something in the midst of these thoughts gets my attention. I stop in my steps with my neck tilting uneasily towards a small gate made of iron bars, on the side wall of the mansion. My smiling eyes forget their blinking instinct for a moment. A little girl holding a small piece of bread smiles at the lights and colors of the mansion. She is covered in rags too dirty for this place and so she stands on the other side of the gate. Unintentionally my whole body makes a turn over my black laced shoes in the direction of this girl. Rushing through the people I reach the gate in her front. She looks at me and giggles but something brings tears to her eyes. My eyes fix on a deep cut on her cheek that prevents her from giggling. I extend my hand towards her. We both hesitate. She looks frightened and I am uneasy about the dirt on her skin. Then I take off my Rolex and extend it towards her, making a gesture for her to take it. She takes it, awed. Then she smiles and giggles and sobs. My heart bursts into a thousand pieces. I fall to the ground on my knees and pass my hands through the bars, pulling her closer. She grasps my black necktie and plays with it. I kiss the cut on her cheek. She gasps a little and then smiles. Suddenly I am struck by a thought. I get up and with a serious look I tell her to stay in the same place. I run back towards my Bugatti not caring to look into its beauty for a moment. On my next move the engine springs to life and I reverse it towards the small gate on the wall. I open the car door for the little girl. She comes running and jumps into the seat. I close the door for her. The stench coming from her seems to be the best fragrance in the whole world. I steer the car towards the road and she instantly hugs me and giggles but this time she doesn't sob. Maybe she has forgotten her pain. I also play along with a little kiddish laughter. I stop my car in the parking of a mall. Coming out of the car, I open her door and pick her up in my arms. She puts her little hand on a white frock in the garments shop. My credit card sees the rest. I take her to the restroom and wash her all up. She makes her face as I help her get into the new dress and I kiss her again. Now I come out of the restroom with a little angel in my arms. She points towards the candies on a side stall. I let her go free and she runs towards them. I follow her in her small steps. She fills hers fists with all the candies and then my front pocket too. As she kisses me there, everyone around smiles and tells me that I am lucky to have the most beautiful girl in the world with me. After an ice cream and few chocolates, she rests her head on my shoulder and yawns tiredly. I bring her back to the car and drive towards my place. She falls asleep on the way. I take her in my arms along to my bedroom. I dismiss all the servants and carefully put her on my bed. While taking off her shoes a tear falls from my eyes. I am dumbstruck. Never had I cried in my life but then it all came as a flash. My luxuries and deeds. I reach for some wine but the Holy Call reaches my ears from a distant place. I put the wine back and open the window. A gust of wind with the sound of God's name in it, takes me over. I fall back on the carpet and sit with my head in my knees. With a few deep breaths I give myself in to my new life. Instantly I turn around looking at the sleeping angle and whisper 'Thank you!.......For enlightening me!.....oh little girl!'