Virgin Patiala Peg

by Gaganjeet Gujral

  4.

  Getting Derailed.....

  Life went on for Karamjit as he continued his normal everyday living; going to school; waiting to meet Riya desperately and looking forward to spare some good time with her. Meanwhile, he was spending lesser and lesser time with his friend Amrit now who was almost separated from him due to scarcity of time and changing of priorities in his life. His relationship with Amrit was getting affected as he couldn’t talk to him much now. But he wasn’t aware of it as he found a best friend cum lover in Riya whom he used to listen to talk in her soothing voice. He could have done it all his life if he wanted to because he was never tired of hearing her speak. So life seemed to him without any worries at this stage.

  But it’s an irony of fate that whenever he thought that life went by seamlessly for him, it was at that moment that a catastrophe would hit him with a huge blow. One day, while he was sitting on his study table trying to concentrate on the Nuclear Physics, he heard the landline telephone ringing. It was unusual for him as it was rare that someone would call at home on the landline telephone. So he stood up from the chair and went into the lobby to pick up the phone. But before he could do that, his uncle Gurtej Singh arrived there and picked the phone up. “Hello” he answered. “Gurtej Singh speaking?” the voice in the telephone asked. “Yes, who is this?” Gurtej Singh asked. He stood there for a minute sticking the telephone close to his face. His face started to grow faint with every passing second. Suddenly, the telephone slipped past his weary hands and he sat down on the couch like a sack of potatoes mashed up. “What happened Uncle?” Karamjit shouted as he saw his uncle distressed. He shook his uncle’s shoulders at once and asked him again if he was fine. “Are you okay, uncle? Whose call was it?” “It was from your father’s battalion” he said in a rather feeble voice. “Oh Great , so is he returning back from his posting. Well, that’s awesome. I can spend some time with him now. It’s been almost a year since he has visited here.” He looked at his uncle’s face which was elongated in an unusual fashion. “Aren’t you happy?” he asked. “Father is visiting us after a long, long time” “He is not visiting us.” Gurtej Singh said. “Why?” “Because he is dead” he wept out loud.

  Karamjit stood there shocked at what he just heard. He couldn’t believe it. “You are just kidding. Right?” he asked. Gurtej Singh grabbed him in his shoulders and started weeping. “He is no more” he cried out. “They said he died in an operation where one of the enemies bullets hit him at his right shoulder and the other passed through his stomach leaving him wounded. They took him to the military hospital as soon as they can, got him treated but the wounds were so deep that he couldn’t survive them.” He blurted out crying. Karamjit started weeping too as he hugged his uncle tight.

  Meanwhile, his aunt Jaswinder Kaur stood behind them watching them but did not even flinched. It didn’t even mattered to her whether his father died or lived. She pretended to cry and moved her hand over Karamjit’s face trying to be empathetic towards him. “How bad it is... Oh lord, how many troubles have you kept in account of this boy? Have some mercy on him.” She cried out loud.

  Life again took this sadistic turn for Karamjit. He, along with his uncle and aunt were invited to the military funeral of his father which took place in Khadakwasla, Pune. The crematorium was some few miles away from the National Defense Academy (NDA) of which Balkar Singh was a cadet and graduated in 1985. So they packed their luggage to visit the crematorium ceremony as it was the last opportunity for Karamjit to get a glimpse at his father.

  There were plethora of military figures in the crematorium and the silence of the day was broken by the beating of the drums. And the funeral service began with the beating of drums followed by a 2 minute silence for the dead soldiers and officers among which Balkar Singh was one. Then followed blowing the bagpipers, the firing of volley shots as a salute and giving away the guards of honor to the martyred soldiers and officers for the dedication and the commitment that they displayed in keeping the country protected even though they had to pay the price with their own lives.

  When the ceremony was finished, Karamjit went ahead to see the face of his father along with his uncle Gurtej Singh. His feet trembled as he was approaching the coffin with a bouquet of flowers. When he faced the glass coffin with his father’s face and eyes closed in tranquility, tears rolled down his eyes almost immediately and he fell on his knees crying out loud. Gurtej Singh felt tempted to pick him up but resisted the urge to do so thinking to let Karamjit outflow his emotions for a while. Gurtej Singh then tried to comfort him with a pat on the back and pick him up. Karamjit did not resisted, he turned his face up and gave a salute to his father for his absolute determination and sheer persistence to face and relish in times of adversity. He started moving away from the coffin, never looking back again with tears still rummaging through his cheeks.

  After the ceremony, Karamjit stood there standstill at the officer’s mess while Gurtej Singh had some conversation with some of his old colleagues and batch mates from the Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai. Meanwhile, Karamjit stood behind him lost in his thoughts and memories of his father. Some officers comforted him with their words while others just stood there with him in complete silence marking respectful demeanor for the martyrdom of a legend and a warrior that his father was. Some shared with him the stories of how his father had amazing military skills and leadership qualities which separated him from his followers. And how he always reflected the best in his team mates so that they could unleash their true potential.

  Some said his father was rude and sturdy sometimes, to some of the people citing the reason for this that it was to help others grow and become better than they were the day before. While others said he was kind and compassionate in his time off the duty and would treat everybody like his best friends. There were many storytellers at that day who were citing the stories of his father’s bravery, courage, and determination to serve the country to the best of his ability. But Karamjit was lost in his mind with the words of his father still resonating in his mind iteratively.

  When they came back to Patiala city, Karamjit couldn’t move out for several days and he would just keep sitting in his room staring at the wall for hours lost in his father’s memories. It was a big loss for him as there were only very few people in his life who actually understood him and his father was one of those very few. He would get calls from Amrit and Riya but he wouldn’t answer them and just sit crumbled up in his room quietly.

  He wouldn’t eat most of the times due to which he was shrinking and losing weight. Gurtej Singh was worried as he saw Karamjit’s condition which was getting worse day after day. He would urge him to eat something but all in vain. He was almost moving into a state of depression. And Gurtej Singh felt that it would be better for him if he could mingle with his friends and have some conversations which would allow him to throw off some of the burden from his shoulders that he is carrying for so many days of his father’s death and the regret of not being able to meet him for the last time.

  So he called Karamjit’s friend Amrit to their home so that he could talk to him and make him feel better. Amrit came immediately as a good friend would normally do. “Hey Karamjit, what’s up dude? How you doing? Long time, no see huh?” he said as he entered the room and jumped on his bed. But Karamjit kept sitting there rolled up and gave no reply. And Amrit could feel the pain Karamjit was going through just by looking at his face. “Hey, come on. Let’s go take a walk outside. That would make you feel better. Come on, let’s go” he said as he hold his arms and tried to get him off the bed. “No. I don’t want to go anywhere. Leave me alone please” said Karamjit. “Listen man. I can understand the loss that you have encountered of your father who was your mentor, your friend, and the person you looked up to as an inspiration for yourself. But now just leave what’s happened in the past and move into the future.” “It’s not so easy Amrit.” He said. “I know it’s not easy and I am not saying it’s easy at all. But what
I want you to understand is that you cannot change the things that happened in the past but you have the power to shape the future by choosing to plan what you do in the present. Don’t leave any regrets piling up in your mind that will consume your conscience. Get out of your rut and move ahead. You know, the worst way to drive is to look into the rear view mirror and if you do that, there could be nothing worse than that.”

  “ I understand that. But it’s difficult to see the whole picture when you are trapped in the box. And looking at my condition right now, I can say that I am that person trapped in the box right now. So it’s easy for you to look at things and formulate a good decision but not for me, not at least in this time.”

  “ Okay, I won’t persuade you to try and change your mind but let’s just go on a walk for some time at least. I can ask at least this much as a friend. Can I ? ” he asked. “ Alright. Let’s go on a walk in the park. Maybe, you are right, it will help me think in a clear and concise way.” He said as both of them got off the bed and took their bikes to go to the park. They did some running and then some stretching workout leaving them covered in sweat after which they sat down on the bench quietly without any of them saying anything. They were just staring at the grass and the ants carrying the sugar on the dump of sands. And Amrit finally broke the silence. “ Have you met with Riya recently?” “No, it’s been a couple of weeks since I last met her after my father’s demise.” “She actually called me a lot of time asking about you and your well being.” “ I actually feel guilty as I was not answering her calls. She called me many times too just like you did. But because I was so depressed that I could not think clearly of what I should do” “Don’t worry about that. She has a very understanding attitude and probably she knows it already by now that it’s naturally for someone to behave that way when they loose some loved one. You can get it sorted out by meeting her. She would get it” “ I will meet her tomorrow then.”

  Karamjit called Riya and asked her to meet him the next day as he didn’t have any plans to go to school. And they met the other day sitting all by themselves quietly when Riya asked, “So, how are you doing now? Is it better than before?” “I feel quite well now. Yesterday I had some conversation with Amrit and it made me feel better. Actually I had to apologize to you for not picking up your calls. I don’t want to make excuses but I was really depressed at that moment and couldn’t think in the right way. I hope you will understand it” he said. “Oh- no! No need to apologize. You have lost your father and I know how much I love my father. And if somehow, I lose my father, I would probably lose my mind because he is my world to me. So I don’t blame you for not picking up my calls. And moreover, we are back together again, so we will sort out the issues and you will soon get back to normal life. I promise you that. Just let me know whenever you need any help from me.” “Thanks a lot Riya. You are a true example of a best friend” “Or am I more than just a friend” she said wittingly. And they both started smiling. It was the first time that he smiled after his father’s death. As Karamjit started spending time again with Riya, he felt that he got out of this conundrum of depression finally.

  He now continued his school and his studies normally meeting with Riya and Amrit who were still his only friends at that time. And in a time frame of few days, his life went back to normal. He got his time covered up in doing daily household chores as he also developed a keen interest in gardening which was a result of staying with Riya as she was also into gardening. She would give him the plants from the nursery and he would plant them in his own house garden.

  Meanwhile, Gurtej Singh was happy now as he saw Karamjit getting back to normalcy. But his aunt as always had no interest in seeking his happiness and would always seek ways in which she could get him into trouble. Most part of Jaswinder Kaur’s attitude towards Karamjit was because she had no son or daughter and she couldn’t bear in mind that Karamjit would be the one who would take all the possessions and property that they have. This was the reason that she imprinted this hatred for Karamjit so intense in her heart that she couldn’t resist herself from devising ways to do evil to him.

  And Gurtej Singh lately came to know about this and even warned her for her actions but still couldn’t get her in control as she behaved insolently to Karamjit.

  5.

  Big Moment

  Karamjit was now in his last semester and just two weeks before his final exams of the 12th standard when his uncle Gurtej Singh asked to meet him in his room. Karamjit went to him and as he entered his uncle’s room, he saw him sitting on his chair with some photos piled up on the table which he couldn’t recognize from a distance. “Come, sit here” said Gurtej Singh as he slid the chair towards him. He sat down and Gurtej Singh kept looking at the pictures for another 5 minutes and then spoke, “You know Karamjit, your father and I were not only brothers but also very good friends. When we were younger, we would play together, go to parties together to look for girls and have a lot of fun together in our friend circle.” he said as he paused for a second and then continued.

  “But I never felt that he would leave me this soon. I miss him now. I wish I had some more time to talk to him and live like a child again and have all the fun that we had together. And that’s why I have called you here, today. Because it’s your time now. You are still young and you have a glorious life ahead waiting for you. So, it’s not good for you to rely on things of the past and self-destruct in the process of doing so. I have made that mistake in my life and learned a lesson too which is the reason I am sharing this with you. Remember, it’s always better to learn from mistakes of others than to commit them all by yourself. You understand that?” he asked

  And Karamjit simply nodded his head in agreement. “So enjoy your youth to the fullest but make sure that you always consider the consequences before you make an important decision in your life. Because you don’t live with the decision. You only make it momentarily. But you have to live your whole life with the consequences of the decision that you make. So be wise in this regard and take heed of my advice as it is to your best interest. I know, your aunt is a bit rude to you sometimes, but don’t be bothered about that. She is getting soft with time and I have observed that. And you wouldn’t want to know how she was 20 years ago!” They both laughed out as he said that.

  “ I had to share this thing which I have kept in my heart for so many years now. And I think now the right time has arrived where I can share it with you.” “What are you talking about?” asked Karamjit. “It’s a secret that was held from you by your father and he told me not to tell it to you until you grow up. But since he is no more, so I have to reveal it to you.” “What is it?” “It’s a will that your mother made to your father when she faced the accident while counting her last few breaths. You were still very young at that time. She laid on her death bed and while she was about to die, she whispered in your father’s ears that she wanted you to grow up in The Bahamas.” “What?” he interrupted.

  “ Not just that. You don’t know this but your mother’s grandparents used to live in the Bahamas decades ago. Your mother also was born in Bahamas and took her education and Masters degree from Bahamas University. After completing her education, she came and settled here in India with her old parents as the living conditions in the Bahamas were becoming very difficult for them at that time due to lack of proper resources and facilities. That grave condition of Bahamas was due to the independence they got from British rule in 1973 leaving them with a government of their own but no funds to keep the island thriving. They started living here and adapted themselves to the Indian culture and soon became citizens here.

  She got a job in a consultation firm. Your father met her when he was deployed in a post in Pune. They got married and were living a settled and contended life when suddenly one day your mother met with a car accident while driving all alone by herself. She was hospitalized but the chances of her survival were scarce. And when she realized that her time on this planet was about to come to an end, she aske
d your father to let you visit the Bahamas and meet a person who teaches in the Bahamas University. Your father was listening to what she said but couldn’t understand why she was saying that. He asked her what she meant but it was too late. Those were the last words that he heard from her as she left him.

  “What did she meant?” asked Karamjit.“Well, I don’t know. The person that she wanted you to meet is Emmanuel Joshua. He was a Professor at the University at her time there and her mentor. That’s all what she said” “It’s eccentric” “ I know, I know. And your father told this information to me about 5 years back and I hold it back from you as he told me to refrain from telling it to you till the right time comes. But I believe the right time has come now for you to know it so you can handle it in your own way.” “So, does that mean, we are moving to the Bahamas?” asked Karamjit. “Not we..... but you” “What?” he exclaimed. “Yes, I have decided in a discussion with your aunt that since you are about to finish your 12th standard education soon, we will send you to the Bahamas on a study permit. You will do your degree there and that would also save us from any large expenses since you can get the degree without me spending plethora of money on your education. So it hits two birds with one arrow.”