OS: A Day in the Life of Aman

A cool morning breeze came through the window of his bungalow. In Chandangarh, this breeze was highly cherished because it was so rare. The heat was usually unbearable, but today, with the breeze, came a promise of a calm and peaceful day. Officer Amandeep was pondering this as he was getting dressed for work. The BSD uniform, which was placed in a special spot in his closet, was now once again on his body. When he finished getting dressed, he ran a comb through his short black hair, grabbed his hat, and walked out the door.

Being unmarried and without parents, there was no one he had to bid farewell to. No one forced him to get up and get ready for work, or make him eat something before going on duty, or worrying about whether or not he was going to come back alive. He had lost his parents when he was eight, and his sister had died of cancer. This emptiness had tugged at his heartstrings, but not enough to affect him terribly. At first it hurt, but with time the pain and loneliness began to subside, only to gnaw away at him when life became difficult.

As he slid into the driver's seat of his jeep, Aman glanced at his wristwatch. It was 8:15 a.m. Sh**! He was already fifteen minutes behind schedule, and he knew that his boss was going to have his head on a silver platter. Without giving anything a second thought, he started his vehicle and drove away from his house. The drive would take thirty minutes, but if Aman sped through the traffic, he would make it in possibly fifteen. It had been his job to pick up his boss from his home since his boss's car was getting repaired for transmission failure. If there was one thing Aman knew, it was that his boss doesn't stand for tardiness. So he sped through the traffic, ignored the bystanders that asked for rides, and made it just before 8:30. Aman jumped out of the jeep and knocked on the door of the Ranawat Haveli.

A few moments later, the doors swung open to reveal a beautiful woman with a smile adorning her face. She was wearing a cream-colored sari with a red, long-sleeve blouse. Her sari was pinned up completely on one shoulder. The glimmer of her silver earrings peeked through her long brown hair, which cascaded in loose curls on both sides of her face. The dark, red sindoor in her hair matched the color of her blouse. Her only other jewelry was the mangalsuthra around her neck. Aman smiled at the face that had become all too familiar.

"Aman bhai-sa," she said. "Come in."

"Bhabhi," Aman replied. "Is sir ready?"

"Well he was...until..."

"Until what?"

Parvati gestured him in. They walked together towards the living room. There, sitting on the couch, was Aman's boss, Major Rudra Pratap Ranawat. His head was leaning against the back of the couch. His eyes were closed, and although there wasn't a smile on his face, it was clear by the atmosphere that he was happy. Aman's eyes then went to the small child asleep on the Major. The small bundle, dressed in a white kurta and pants, only covered half of Rudra's chest. The small arms held onto his boss's uniform, seeking a source of warmth. The child slept on its stomach, breathing evenly, with a smirk on his face, something that was obviously inherited from his father. Aman watched as Rudra silently stroked the child's back, comforting it as it slept peacefully. Aman didn't have the heart to ruin such a tender moment, so he continued to stand in the doorway.

Ever since, Rudra had gotten married, there was a different side of him that emerged. Aman noticed that his anger had calmed significantly when he wasn't at work. He found his boss smiling more often, and even joking with him on rare occasions. Everyone had known that the reason was Parvati. The greater happiness in Rudra's life came in the form of his son, Rajiv Pratap Ranawat. Now only six months old, the child was an irreplaceable part of the Major's life. The once unaffectionate man had transformed right before Aman's eyes. The gentle scene before him was proof.

Aman, who now came out of his thoughts, watched as Paro slowly went over and placed her hand on Rudra's forehead. His eyes opened and a smiled appeared on his face upon seeing his beautiful wife. She took Rajiv in her arms and looked towards the door, where Aman was standing. When Rudra followed her eyes and saw Aman in the doorway, he stood up and adjusted his uniform as if nothing had happened. The smile was removed from his face, and he looked away momentarily, as if he were embarrassed to have been caught showing such tender affection to his own child.

"You're here," Rudra stated the obvious. "It's a good thing you are on time."

"I know how you hate tardiness sir," Aman replied while trying to hide his smile.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes sir."

Aman smiled as he saw Rudra pat Rajiv's sleeping head, and give a smile to Paro before following him to the car. As they drove to the BSD Headquarters, the young officer observed his boss's exterior harden. The smile was gone, the glimmer in his eyes had vanished, and the soft expression was now replaced with coldness. This was the familiar face of Major Rudra Pratap Ranawat. They walked into the station together and the junior officers saluted their fearless superior. Without regards to them, Rudra walked straight into his office, while Aman went to begin work.

An understanding had been made between every officer that if anyone was to give any news to Major Ranawant, it would be Officer Amandeep. Since their days as beginning officers, the two men had stuck together through thick and thin. It was this bond that made Rudra trust Aman, and vice versa. It had been clear to the other officers when the Major had put Aman in charge of watching over Paro in his absence. That task would have only been given to someone whom Major Ranawat had the upmost trust in, and knowing this, Aman considered it the highest honor he could have possibly received. So when a file came from General Singh's office that needed Rudra's signatures, Aman received it in order to give it to his boss.

He walked into Major Ranawat's office with a file in his hand. Aman saw Rudra sitting at his desk, filling out paperwork that he had fallen behind on again. His furrowed brow was an indication that he was not pleased at having fallen so behind again. Officer Aman knew that if Major Ranawat wasn't here for a day, it seemed that the entire BSD force fell apart. Thankfully, he managed to keep it afloat while Rudra wasn't present. The Major's gaze lifted from the stack he was working on to see Aman walking up and handing him a file.

"What have you brought this time?" Rudra asked in a monotonous voice.

Before he could answer, a junior officer, named Sameer Sharma, ran into the office. He looked at Aman and said, "Aman, General Singh wants those papers now."

Officer Aman didn't have a chance to respond yet again. Rudra stood up and interrupted in an angry voice, "Officer Sharma, it seems that you haven't learned any rules. Show some respect. When entering my cabin you salute your seniors. And it's Officer Amandeep for you. Learn you place, or I will make you learn."

Aman looked from Rudra to Sameer. The poor officer stood rooted in his spot, sweat beading on his forehead. He looked at Aman, trying to silently explain what he meant, when Aman slowly shook his head, signaling that there was no need to explain. The look in his eyes meant you don't want to mess with Major Rudra'. Aman personally knew what it was like to argue with Rudra, and the more he could prevent confrontation, the better. Sameer nodded, saluted his officers, and walked out of the office without saying a word. Rudra sat back down in his chair and shook his head.

"Idiot doesn't understand the rules, and decides to barge in here," he muttered under his breath.

"Sir," Aman said handing him the file in his hand. "This is the final report on the Tejawat case. Once you sign this, the case will be officially closed."

"It's about damn time."

Rudra took the papers from Aman. He flipped through the files and was about to sign when the phone rang. He slammed the file on his desk. Aman knew all too well what his superior officer was thinking. It seemed like no one wanted him to finish his paperwork today. He watched as Rudra answered the phone, "Major Rudra Pratap Ranawat, speaking."

The angry look disappeared from his face, and Aman immediately understood that Paro was on the other end of the phone. He looked at the time on his watch. It was two in the afternoon. It was rare that she would call at such times, knowing that the Major was usually busy. Often, Aman would receive a phone call from Paro for little things, such as asking about his health and if he'd like to join them for dinner. Aman stood silently, and listened to Rudra's side of the conversation.

Rudra spoke softly, "No I didn't...well I've been doing some work...no...okay yes...I know again...I'm busy...no...no...I said no Paro...what...wait no okay okay fine...right now? Why can't you call him?...fine," he handed the phone to Aman. "Your bhabhi wants to talk to you."

Aman put the phone to his ear, "Hello? Bhabhi?"

"Aman bhai-sa," Paro said. "Please make sure Major Saab comes home on time today. You're invited for dinner also."

"I can't make sir do anything."

There was a pause, "...Tell him that if he doesn't come home on time I will be really upset. Same goes for you too."

"Okay. Will do. Bye."

"Bye."

Aman hung up the phone and looked at Rudra, who raised his eyebrow in curiosity.
"She said if you don't come home on time she will be really upset," Aman stated.

"This woman sometimes," Rudra replied shaking his head.

Rudra was going to be home on time. This was something Aman was sure of. If there was one thing he learned from his time with Parvati, it was that if she was upset, Rudra would have to grovel on his knees to even get her to think about forgiving him. Aman remembered the first time Paro was angry with Rudra. He had practically imploded with guilt and worry as she ignored him for three days. Aman had to be the messenger between the two of them, until he finally managed to convince his bhabhi to forgive Rudra, who was about ready to implode.

Rudra finally signed the papers of the Tejawat case and handed it back to him to give to General Singh. As he was about to leave, Aman's eyes caught a glimpse of the only accessory that adorned Major Ranawat's desk. It was a photo frame containing a picture of Paro and Rajiv. It appears to have been a recent photo, because of Rajiv's size. Parvati is holding him in her arms, with a hand placed on his head. Rajiv's small hands fisted with a tight grip on his mother's sari. His little cheek is pressed against her cheek as they both looked directly at the camera, their doe-like eyes capturing their innocence. It was truly a beautiful sight.

"What are you still standing around here for?" Rudra asked, causing Aman to break out of his thoughts.

Aman smiled and pointed towards the photo, "It's a beautiful picture of your family, sir."

Rudra looked at the picture and softly whispered with a smile, "My family."

That evening, Aman had dinner at the Ranawat Haveli. This wasn't anything new. After the Tejawat case, he had been invited over on multiple occasions. Either for dinner, lunch, or just for tea. Initially, he had denied, but knowing how good Paro's cooking was, he couldn't resist for long. Dilsher joked with him and openly told stories about what had been going on in current events. Being a BSD officer, Aman already knew what was happening in the streets of Chandangarh, but happily listened to the elderly man. Silently, he wondered how Rudra managed to put up with Dilsher's stories. They were endless, and often had no point to them. Aman was able to answer this question himself: Parvati. If Dilsher was unhappy, then Paro was unhappy, and if she was unhappy, Rudra would be unhappy. Therefore, any pointless, endless story that Dilsher had to tell would be heard with keen ears.

After dinner, they all sat down for tea, which Paro made. They made their way to the living room. Dilsher and Aman sat in the two chairs across from each other, while Rudra sat on the couch. Paro came out of the bedroom with Rajiv, who was happily gnawing away at his mother's mangalsuthra.

"Aman bhai-sa," she said. "Would you like to hold him?"

Aman nodded and took Rajiv in his arms. The child looked at him peculiarly at first, but upon recognizing the familiar face he smiled and thumped his hands on Aman's chest, letting out a giggle in the process. During Parvati's pregnancy, Aman had been Rudra's right hand man. If there was anything wrong, he would have to be on his feet and ready to go. If she needed anything, then it was Aman's job to help Rudra get it. Under their watch, Paro wasn't allowed to lift a finger. After Rajiv's birth, Aman remembered having to watch over him as Paro slept. She had overworked herself and was so exhausted, Rudra had practically self-combusted with worry. When Rudra had to watch over Rajiv, Aman was forced to stay with him because he wasn't really sure what to do in the beginning. Aman laughed as he recalled how he and Rudra panicked when Rajiv started crying, and they didn't know why. Two idiots and a baby, he thought.

Now that wasn't the case, Rudra was able to manage his son on his own, and Parvati somehow always made sure that she was there to help him, especially after Aman had told her the story about Rajiv crying. When Paro had told Rajiv that he was Aman kaka', Aman felt his heart smile. He had begun bringing gifts for Rajiv, playing with him, asking about him, even talking in baby talk like he had caught Major Ranawat doing on very rare occasions. Aman grinned watching Rajiv pat his chest like a drum, and let out hearty laughs that made him go into fits of laughter. He then looked at Paro and Rudra, who were sitting on the couch, staring at him with goofy smiles. He stopped laughing and raised his eyebrow, silently questioning them.

It was then that Rudra spoke in a serious tone, "Aman, we need to talk."

Aman gulped in nervousness, "About what?"

"Being a BSD officer, you understand that anything can happen in the line of duty. An officer, or his family, or both, could be killed in an instant."

Aman saw Paro flinch instinctively, but continued to listen to Rudra.

"And it can happen to anyone at anytime. So we have to prepare for things like this. And, well, Paro and I have talked it over and-."

Paro finished Rudra's sentence, "We want you to be Rajiv's guardian."

Aman's eyes widened in shock, "Rajiv's...guardian? Me?"

"If something ever happens to me and Major Saab, we want you to be Rajiv's guardian. If he's with you, then we'll know that he's safe and protected. Actually, it was initially Major Saab's idea. After all that has happened, you are someone we trust with everything. Even bapu-sa agrees with our decision."

Aman looked at Dilsher, who smiled and stated, "I couldn't have selected someone more suitable."

Rudra then spoke, "Don't get emotional over this. You're practically family. You call my wife bhabhi' and she calls you bhai-sa'. You even treat Rajiv like he's your actual nephew. It was inevitable that we would want you to look after him."

"Aman bhai-sa if you don't want to be his guard-," Paro began.

"No! I do want to be his guardian!" Aman interrupted. "I just never thought I-."

"Well you are his guardian, decision has been made. Now, can I have my chai?" Rudra said as he looked at Paro with pleading eyes.

Aman had never realized his value to the Ranawat family until that very moment. Unknowingly, when he was part of Paro's protection detail, he had managed to make a place for himself in their lives. Although unconsciously done, he didn't regret it. Aman had somehow managed to obtain the family he never had. He watched as Parvati came back from the kitchen with chai for everyone. She handed him his cup and took Rajiv from his hands. She went and sat on the couch next to her husband. Aman then looked over at Rudra, who was watching his wife hold their son to her chest. Rajiv had fallen asleep moments later, listening to his mother's heartbeat, and holding Rudra's finger in his entire hand. Aman then gazed at Dilsher, who was staring back at him with a grin on his face. It seemed at that moment, both men were able to understand the wonderful moments that were beginning to bloom.

"Enjoy it," Dilsher said. "Whether you like it or not, you are a part of this family."

Aman smiled.

He did like it.

He liked it very much.

**********

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