Chapter 3

3 years ago

alina.b

@alina.b

*Shravan’s POV*

7 years Later…

I pulled Suman towards me and we danced under the stars in a forest as the cool air blew around us. Her giggles echoed with my own. Her eyes were so beautiful, doe-like, and easy to get lost in. Her smile was bright enough to light up the night. I felt at peace. Suddenly, I felt a burning creeping up my hands. I looked down and my hands were covered in blood. How did this blood get on my hands? I looked up at Suman as her face changed and she yelled, “You betrayed me! You aren’t worthy of my friendship”. All the trees around us caught on fire. Her eyes were full of tears and she pushed me away as I tried to grab her arm to stop her from running away. I ran after her but I tripped over something and fell hard onto the ground. Suman had disappeared into the fire. I outstretched my arm, “No! Sumo! Don’t go! Please listen to me!” Suddenly I started hearing chants around me,“Traitor’s Son”.

I woke up with a loud gasp, covered in sweat. I turned off my beeping alarm: 4:30 AM. I ran my hand through my hair, a habit that I could never get rid of despite cutting my hair short. It was the same dream every night. Why couldn't I forget everything and move on in my life? It’s funny that I asked that question to myself because I knew the answer to it also. I refused to forget and let go of everything...even if it causes me pain...because that pain has built me into who I am today: Major Shravan Devraj Malhotra. 

I got ready and went for a run in the exhilarating city of Dehradun. Words cannot describe how breathtaking this city is. I came back to my little apartment where I lived alone and walked up to my balcony to watch the sunrise. I took a sip of the hot coffee I made, with no milk and no sugar. I had developed a habit of getting up early to watch the beautiful sunrise over the chilly hills of Dehradun. I closed my eyes and listened to the birds chirp. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a letter. It was the letter from my father before he...it became a ritual for me since then to read that letter every morning. 

Dear Shravan,

I am so sorry to leave you like this. I want you to know that I am innocent and that I did not betray this country. But, I do not have the strength and courage to face this humiliation. I know I was always very tough on you but I wanted the best for you. You have a spark within you! You are meant to be a leader. The fearlessness in your eyes always gave me a sense of pride. I know that with some motivation and discipline, you will put your bravery to good use and make a good name of yourself. I could not redeem myself in the eyes of the world. But, I leave it to you, my son, to redeem my name. Dedicate yourself to this country and its citizens. Prove that your father was not a traitor and that you are not a traitor’s son. I will always watch over you and be proud of you. I love you so much, son. Take care of yourself and our family. I hope you can find the strength and love to forgive me one day.

- Your father

Although I knew the letter by heart, I could not stop the tears from escaping my eyes after reading the letter. This letter had been my motivation to finish army school in Dehradun and then go onto army training. With years of hardwork and dedication, I finally became a Major in the Indian Army. It was not easy though, everyone knew me as the traitor’s son and at every stage I had to prove myself. 

After my father’s death, my uncle was sent to jail for his fraud and deceit. Avni and my aunt moved to the United States to live with their relatives there. My mother stayed with me until I finished school but then moved to Vrindavan where her childhood best friend lived. Best friends are so special. It’s such a unique bond. You come across a stranger who becomes your solace. Yes...even after all these years, there wasn’t a single day when I hadn’t thought about my best friend.

For the longest time, I held Suman equally responsible as the others for my father’s death. She had humiliated him which caused him to take such a drastic step. I needed her when I was broken but she wasn’t there for me. After we had left Bhopal, I got a blank call after my father’s passing. I wasn’t sure if it was Suman but I tried to convince myself that it was her and she still cared about me. She never called me or tried to get in contact again in these last 7 years. Nevertheless, I missed her so much. I could have contacted her too but I didn't know what I would say. I eventually understood her anger and realized that we both went through the same pain and anguish. 

After moving to Dehradun, I did not make many friends. How could I? I could never replace Suman. She was the one person who changed me for the better. I spent the best days of my life with her. I wanted to spend my whole life with her. But now, I am no longer the Shravan she knew. I admit, I have changed. For the better or worse? That’s for you to decide. We started as strangers, became friends, I fell in love with her, and we became strangers again, unfortunately. Sometimes I wonder, if everything hadn’t gone wrong, how things would be today? Would we be married?

I snapped out of my thoughts as my phone rang. “Good Morning Maa. How are you?” She often called me in the morning as I head to the cantonment.

“Good Puttar! Are you taking care of yourself? Did you eat breakfast? Did you apply cream on your wound from last week?”

“Slow down! So many questions!” I laughed. Over all these years, a lot has changed except my relationship with my mother.

“I just wanted to let you know that Naina is coming to Dehradun. I think she will be part of your upcoming mission. She is a very nice girl! I told her to come to you if she needs anything”

“Uhh...who’s Naina?” I won’t lie. I was really bad at remembering people. After leaving Bhopal, I had no interest in making new friends.

“Uff ho! She’s Neelam Aunty’s daughter, my best friend’s daughter! You’ve met her so many times! She’s an Army doctor!” 

“Oh right...right! Well okay...I’ll meet her at the cantonment tomorrow with everyone else. I won’t give her any special treatment just because she’s my mom’s best friend’s daughter.” I remembered this girl now. When I went to Vrindavan to meet mom, she would be there sometimes. She was a quiet and studious girl but we never talked much. 

I arrived at the cantonment. I was known for my quiet and serious demeanor. I was focused on my serving my country till my last breath. No one would have believed that I was a chirpy and mischievous boy, 7 years ago, with no goal in life. I went into my office and my junior saluted me and told me that for our upcoming mission in Ladakh, we would be having different regiments joining us and I would be leading them. He handed me a list of regiments and their soldiers. This mission was going to be the most important mission of my career. I sat down with my team and started planning out our strategies and preparing a presentation for the regiments that would be joining us tomorrow. 

After working for hours, I finally decided to take a coffee break and was looking over the list: Army Medical Corps (AMC)...Dr. Naina Kapoor...Oh this must be the girl that mom was talking about. I flipped through the other lists and suddenly my breath stopped...Dhar Women’s Regiment - Led by Captain Suman Tiwari.