I am not Mahatma by Harshavardhan C (i am reading a book TXT) 📕

need to search for the PCM.We suspect he too might have received bullet injuries.We are still searching for him sir”He spoke in a bit of anxiety coupled with tension and also with mixed feelings, because of two causalities on his side.

“Congratulations to all my boys, but at the same time it is quite unfortunate to hear that there is loss of the precious lives of two of our officers. The PCM might have been unhurt, as he has just challenged me. I think he escaped to nearby village by shortest route from where he might have talked to me by using unmanned telephone booth through coin call. Anyway we will plan for him. In the meantime, if you feel that the place is safe and you have sufficient supporting staff, please start interrogating the two DCMs and try to find out landmines or claymore mines planted by them en route and also search for weapons if any in the den, left by those who are absconding. You need not repeat the same to Madam. Of course I will pass on up to date information to all the higher ups and we arealso coming probably we may reach the spot around 6 AM” The OSD disconnected the call.

The Assistant Commandant was thinking for a while, what to do with the two DCMs and their bodyguards, after his interrogation is over. He decided what to do, after fishing out all crucial information from them. He was given such a freedom by the senior officers, as he was one of the encounter specialists.

16

“Who is that male patient, I man the old man in black veil?”

Arjun asked Honey, while entering her bungalow.

Honey was staying in a bungalow, situated in a posh locality, as a paying guest to the grand old couple. They had an express necessity to maintain and safe guard their big bungalow. Their two sons along with their wives and children had settled in the U.S.A in software field. Their curtsies and affections could be known only whenever they call on their parents.

The old couple thought it better to keep someone, preferably a girl as a paying guest. They were not only impressed with the decent appearance, well-manners, and culture of the Medical University’s beauty, Miss. Honey, but also they loved her profession. The aged couple needed very often a doctor or at least a nurse for their medical attendance. Honey had been helping them.

Arjun reminded her again.

“Is it that important Arjun? I have been worried about you. And you have simply switched off your mobile phone.”

“Thanks for caring me dear; but it has made me to understand that you have no time even to come to me; may be you are taking personal care of that old man; I mean the patient in black veil.”Though he tried to control himself, but his voice sounded little irritation.

“I am sorry Arjun. I also don’t know anything about the old man. My mum has not revealed the old man’s story to me. But, I might have told you the fact. I accept that it is my mistake that I have taken liberty and misused our relationship. I have taken your help without even informing you the facts, and unwontedly involved you. I am extremely sorry.”

“Is that the end of his episode?”

“I left him near women’s hostel. He simply walked away in the dark. I didn’t know his destiny.”

“Then why haven’t you asked your mum about him?”

“I just informed my mum, that we both have brought her to the city safely, but I didn’t cause any enquiry about her antecedents and what for she came to city either for treatment or for any other purpose. When I have come to know that the person in black veil is not woman, but a man, she never gives me a chance to ascertain the facts. Time and again I have been trying for my Mum, but I could not get her. Her mobile is found to be switched off, and I am helpless, you know”

“Then why have you not gone to her?”

“Me?”

“Yes, I mean you only.”

“I don’t know where to go.”

“Strange! You may make me believe, but people will laugh at you Honey, if you say that.”

“It is quite true Arjun, I am not lying. Truly I am an orphan having mother. She justdelivered me, but I am quite unfortunate to be fed with diary milk in the Home for Orphanage. I don’t know what great sin I have committed?”She couldn’t control her emotions.

“I am sorry; I really don’t know all these things; nor would youhave ever tell me. Just you would have informed me that the patient in black veil is not a female, but a male. That much would have been enough, and the rest is of course the duty of the cop’s.

Still she could not come out from her past.

“I say sorry dear and if you are still not convinced, I have no any reservations to

Apologize myself; or do you expect me to touch your feet?”

“Please stop it Arjun; during twenty six years of my age I have never felt that I am an orphan. But, when you interrogated me as a criminal, just like a cop, even after I have apologized myself for the lapse and for causing embarrassed situation to you, and I have found myself really an orphan. Please leave me Arjun, and let me continue my remaining part of my life just alone like an orphan.”

“I too feel sorry Honey that I am humiliated and cornered by both the cops and by my mum. Please try to understand what the hell of interrogation, I faced both in the hands of the O.S.D. and also even with my mum”

She didn’t respond to him. Her attention is not drawn towards him. She became absent minded, and lost her mood.

“Still you are angry with me dear?”

She just nodded her head.

“Then please tell me what shall I do to please you dear?”

She seriously looked at him.

“Yes dear, I said sorry for my rude or harsh behavior, if any. And I think nothing wrong to touch your feet also as you are elder them me by a day” So Saying, he himself bent forward to touch her feet.

She was taken aback by his unusual behavior.

“It is too much I say; you are known for your double standards; you always try to find fault with others, forgetting their practical problems and ground realities; so also you never think positively, if I am not wrong”

“I do agree with some of your comments about me dear, but not all and not all times dear”

“When you are in such a dangerous situation, why have you not informed the cops that you are innocent and I am only responsible? And why should you unnecessarily take the blame?”
“Sorry dear, if you are in my position will you speak a single word against me?”

“No!”

“Then how couldyou expect me?”

“You are absolutely right Arjun.Now I have understood how painful it is, though not experiencing, even to feel it also. But at least you would have informed me”

“My mobile phone was taken away by the Armed Squad. Later the pregnant ducks (cops with protruded abdomens) rounded up me and took me blind folded to a secret place and where they interrogated me just like a terrorist”

She laughed at him.

“When I am revealing my pathetic story, you are laughing at me. AmI looking like a joker to you?”

“I am sorry I have just laughed at your comparison of the cops with the pregnant ducks only”

“It is hundred percent right, and I speak only facts and I have no obligations you know? Because of this type of attitude, often people get offended by me.And knowing that you have never cared me even when I was caught by the militants”

“Sorry Arjun, it is not correct that I failed to call on you. In fact, when I have come to know the incident, immediately I have flown to Hyderabad and gone your home”

“Did you come to Hyderabad?When?”

“It would be nice, if you know it from your mum”

“Did you meet my mum?”

“Yes I did,”

“Did you not introduce yourself?”

“She doesn’t need any introduction. She is a professional Police officer. She knows each and everything about us.”

“Did she hurt you Honey?”

“It’s Okay.”

“Please tell me, what happened?”

“Leave it Arjun.”

“I am asking you, please tell me dear.”

“Sorry Arjun, I don’t want to hurt anybody.”

“I don’t mind to hear whatever it might be.”

“I am okay Arjun, please leave it” She tried to avoid.

He asked her again, but this time rather quite seriously.

Yet, she didn’t reply.

He stared his vehicle rashly.

“Please hear me Arjun” She tried to hold him back.

He stopped his vehicle.

“Do you want to reveal now?”

“No”

“Then what for you called me?”

“Arjun, please don’t lose your temper and irritate aunt; please don’t forget that I should come your home as daughter in law; Please see that there shall not be any misunderstandings crop up among us; I once again request you to drop the matter here itself Arjun.”

“Doesn’t matter dear, I decide the fate of our love once for all, instead of lingering years together. But, one thing I could not understand, why my mum was indifferent with you; and at the same time why should she ask me to invite both of you for lunch, if not for marriage proposals.”

“I don’t know, nor could I guess Arjun?” She was unable to explain.

“I think it might be for discussing about our matter?” He said.

“But I doubt, she may not be interested to invite me into your life.”

“Why do you come to jumping conclusions dear? Perhaps, mum might have been disturbed mentally due to heavy causalities among her officers in the recent bomb blasts. Further, I also failed to explain her about the old man.That might be one of the reasons for her to suspect both of us. Anyway, I will cool down my mum and take you to her soon.”

“I wish your dream may become true Arju, though it is my wish also, but still I doubt.”

“Of course, here is a great divide, and when once love affairs are concerned, the interference of the elders is quite common, especially in Indian society, being dominated by customs and traditions. But, I earnestly appeal to you dear, not to get disheartened, nor lose your hope”

“Yes, I too do agree with you. Let us hope for the best, bye Arjun.”

“Bye Honey.” He left her.

She was seriously thinking.

17

“Well doctor, I like you I mean your leadership and I have become fan you know?”

Mrs. Glady D’souza was not surprised or flattered by the complements of the Professor, as he was often habituated to go for extremities, either too good or too bad.

There was no any sort of expression on her face.

“Doctor, aren’t you happy with my complements?”

“Sorry Professor, we are comrades, we should be above human passions.”

“Excellent comrade that is the reason why I want to promote you as one of the member’s of the central committee.”The Professor had all praise for her.

“Thanks for your trust on me Professor, but I am notsuitable to hold the positionof Central committee member.Please let me continue as a commander of the arms squad.” Dr. Glady D’souza turned down his offer politely.

“Doctor, why are you hesitating to accept the highest position in the organization? I hope you don’t have any worldlybondages?”

“Sorry Professor, I couldn’t understand what are you asking for?”

“I mean, I am referring about your responsibilities andobligations to your family.”

“Sorry Professor, you have mistaken me. I have no family or attachments or personal life or personal agenda.”

“That is fine dear, and that is why I admire you Mrs.Glady. What I mean to say is that whether you have fulfilled your late husband Mr.A.K’s long cherished ambition of bringing upyour daughter as doctor or not?”

“No Professor, we never thought of anything about our daughter. Soon after delivery of the child, we got her admitted in the home for orphanage, least she should not come in our way for fighting against the state. Nowalso I have nothing to do with her or with her education.