Rebecca was dusting the wall hangings. Her tired eyes showed the lack of sleep. Her headache was so severe. Mithran was helping her in piling up the magazines and books from the shelf. He touched every book with so much love and pain. Rebecca called out to Mithran. “Mithran, can I have a cup of strong coffee, please?”
“Why don’t you take some rest, Rebecca?” Mithran asked her concernedly.
“It is fine, da. I have to finish by tonight. The Packers and Movers will be here by 9.00 AM sharp. Can you please get me a cup of coffee, please?” Rebecca looked determined to finish the packing that night despite her tiredness.
“Do you want to leave this place, Rebecca?” Mithran could not bear the sight of Rebecca relocating to the village.
“Yes, Mithran. I have to go to be with Arjun’s parents.” Rebecca was confident.
She looked around the beautifully decorated room. There was a TV in the south-east corner of the room. The TV stand had many photos. Every photograph explained the special moment Rebecca and Arjun have had, all these days. The first was a group photo. A photo, taken during their college cultural event. Arjun won first prize in singing and Rebecca won first place in poetry. They were standing next to each other along with the office bearers of the cultural association and their professors. Arjun’s innocent smile attracted her even now. In the next picture, Arjun and Rebecca were among the office bearers. Arjun was looking at Rebecca from the left end. He was trying to do funny faces to her. The photograph brought back all those beautiful memories. The other was their wedding photograph. Rebecca was sitting on the royal chair with Arjun standing behind her and engulfing her in his arms. Their eyes twinkled with joy. They were smiling. They both were in love, deep love. Rebecca took the photo frames one by one. She dusted them and placed them in the box.
Thud. A tiny cute little polar bear fell from behind. The fur doll was in dirty white colour indicating it has been hidden behind the frame for ages. Rebecca starched out to get the little card too. Arjun had written for her. It was dated ten years ago. Rather, dated seven months after their wedding. She remembered the day. She recalled every incident and every word that her Ajju said to her.
It was their first visit to the doctor. She was expecting to be pregnant. They went to the doctor happily. But, the doctor’s reports stated some hormonal imbalances and declared she was not pregnant. On their way back, they went to Hotel Ashoka. They had a romantic candlelight dinner. After dinner, Arjun took Rebecca’s hands and said, “It too early to think about the third one. Two is romantic and three is a crowd.” Arjun winked. Rebecca felt guilty. She apologized for giving a ‘fake joy’ to Arjun. Arjun said, “Rebs, we took a marriage vows to stand by each other during tough and happy times and at all times. Let s face everything together. As long as you love me and we are together, I will be strong and brave.” He finished with a kiss on her forehead. His fingers brushed her tears away. “Promise me, you shall never cry again. Because, I will be around you till eternity.” Arjun said.
She opened the small card that had a torn tag. It should have been tagged to the polar bear. His beautiful cursive handwriting read,
Hey Rebs,
I know you are expecting. Thanks for promoting me as a father. We are pregnant. I will give you all strength to face this beautiful phase of womanhood. Yes, WE are pregnant. You have always been asking for panda fur doll. Before the little one comes to compete with you, enjoy your time with this doll.
Lots of Love,
Ajju.
PS, I guess this is the panda or the polar bear that you longed to have for.
Rebecca was motionless for a minute. She stayed still and shell shocked. ‘He has got it before going to the doctor. But never gave me. He did not want to hurt me.' Rebecca thought to herself.
Mithran stood there with the coffee cup. Rebecca drank coffee and let out a sigh. Mithran looked at his sister battling with her emotions. She smiled at him, faintly.
“I will go and buy us some dinner. In the meantime, will you take some rest?”, Mithran asked.
“Yes, you can go. But, I won't take rest. I will finish packing Ajju’s dresses in this suitcase.”, Rebecca told him.
“If I say that I will come to help, you won’t pay heed to. So,do it. But do it slowly. Consider your health. I will be back soon.” Mithran left through the hallway to the entrance. In few minutes, Rebecca heard the ignition of the bike. She smiled and stood up, walking to the bedroom.
There were two cupboards. One had his dress and the other hers. She packed all hers, leaving just a couple of dresses for the upcoming travel. When she opened his cupboard, she smelt him. His strong Eau de Cologne smelled dresses reminded him to her. As she folded every dress of his, she visualized him in each dress and remembered how he had loved her with all his heart.
Mithran came with food packets. He made her eat until the last morsel of food left in the food packet. As they finished a quiet dinner, Mithran cleaned the place and made the bed for his sister.
“Rebecca . . . “Mithran called out. Rebecca looked at Mithran. His eyes were red. He was crying. “Rebecca, how would you be living with out Arjun?”, Mithran broke down. He sniffled and tried to control himself.
“Arjun was never prepared to leave me alone. Neither was I prepared to battle the strife all alone. He taught me to be brave and made me to listen to him every time, when I felt low. He never made me cry. So, I forgot now, what tears signify. He will never let me feel alone.” Rebecca touched her growing belly. Her shirt fell in folds around the bump in her belly. “He will never let me feel alone”, she said again.
Mithran helped her to get up and walked her to the bedroom. When she lied down, he kissed her forehead. “Not only HIM, I will also never let my baby sister feel alone. Good night.” As he said, he switched on the fan and helped her to pull her comforter. He smiled painfully and walked away.
In the dark loneliness of the night, the tired, exhausted brave lady, gently crawled up to the pillow next to her and kissed it. “Good night, Ajju.” She whispered. She held the fur doll in her hand and slept.
The next day morning, the packers and movers came home. Mithran was overseeing the men’s work. She walked around the empty house. She realized, ten years ago, when she moved in with her Ajju, this was how the house looked. The house was empty but filled with lots of memories with which she was supposed live her life time. She saw her Ajju in every corner of the house.
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| Mrs. Salma Shafeeq Ghori, W/O Major Shafeeq Khan Ghori Courtesy:Senthil Kumar Credits: Being You |
“They are ready to move, Rebecca”, Mithran interrupted her thoughts.
“Okay, I will be out in a minute.” Rebecca said as she gazed the empty house for one last time. She silently prayed for the couple who would move in after she left. and blessed them, silently. She went to pick up her bag. Next to it was a red velvet box which had a silver disc with a five-pointed heraldic star embossed on the observe with circular centre-piece bearing the gilded National of India in the centre. The Mahavir Chakra was awarded to Major Arjun Sharma, posthumously for his exemplary brave and selfless deed in protecting the nation from the terrorists. Major Arjun Sharma’s supreme sacrifice made him more than being her Ajju. He was the nation’s child. He was god and saviour of the people whose lives he saved. He was long gone. But, he was a man of honour. He was a man of valour. He was a man of pride in pain. Her husband, her Ajju, her world had become a model Army Officer to the Nation. And this very thought comforted her. The growing child in her solaced her. She held the red velvet box close to her chest and walked outside.
As she locked the door, the name board, Maj.Arjun Sharma caught her attention. As she slid her fingers through the encarved letters, her eyes shed the tears which she had been hold up for the past ten years. She started her journey with the strong will and unaltered love, towards Major.Arjun Sharma’s native, where his parents resided.
Dedicated to Major Mukund Varadarajan & Mrs Indu Mukund, Major Padmapani Acharya& Mrs. CharulathaAcharya and many many more brave women out there who have sacrificed their love for peace!
