Exactly fifty years ago, Parvesh two years senior to me, in engineering, a below average student like me but a Casanova of our city and a celebrity of sorts had finally managed to graduate. Stunningly handsome, fashionable, stylish and fun loving was a perfectly fit element for films. Though a talented standup comedian those days, he was twice rejected by Film Institute, Pune saying he lacked talent to generate required expressions and emotions. Finally, the ‘stick’ of his father Col Ahuja succeeded to make him an engineer. During my final year he came home on a furlough after training. He was a changed man, long flowing hairs replaced by nearly bald pate as he had just completed the coveted Commando course. Hawk eyed, he walked like a panther, his broad shoulders and menacing strong arms created an invincible aura with looks of some divine mythological character. A roadside fruit cart of a mild mannered middle aged, ‘Keshu’ a gym addict, always attired in white pajama and shirt, was the gathering joint of our college mates in Gwalior. Our institute’s entire cricket team, would be loitering regularly at Keshu’s cart. Most gathered every semester, after results, either to celebrate or weep on Keshu’s shoulders (if failed). Keshu was a mentor of scores of engineers from the city. But the most talked and magnanimous friendship was between Keshu and Parvesh Sir. Both from diverse background and age difference, gelled like twin brothers.

 

Keshu’s wife would pack tiffin box, enough for Keshu and Parvesh, she addressed as Chote, who after the college, would sit on a plank and eat before going home. In spite of his father Col Ahuja’s initial objections, Keshu gradually become their family. Once Keshu had invited our entire institute at his cart to garland Parvesh Sir, to celebrate his commissioning which literally caused a road blockage, for which police warned him later. I saw Lt Parvesh in his uniform for the first time. That day, in ‘Olive Greens’ he looked extraordinarily handsome. With abundant authority in his resonating, matured voice he thanked all and said ‘I am proud to serve my country and shall give my everything, none should condole or cry, if ever I don’t return home. Trust me that’s ‘My Dream’ and I shall be very happy to go that way’. Since we stayed close by, we met often before Lt Parvesh left on a posting. After graduation, I got busy except once through Keshu I got to know he was in town and met him. As if in a trance or possessed, he always talked of crushing the enemies in the battle. His jokes and funny frolics while talking about the city beauties had dried up and the high intensity of his military training had mentally prepared him to be on duty all the time.

 

Once Parvesh Sir invited Keshu with wife as his guests for few days. Keshu wore pant, shirt and shoes for the first time in life and had an unforgettable experience of staying and dining in the Officers’ mess, which kept him on cloud nine for a long time. With time, I lost touch with Lt Parvesh. During my home visit, once an excited Keshu with pride narrated how Parvesh Sir led a special force and tackled a weaponised group of infiltrators and almost single handedly eliminated them and now he was a Captain. I went home for Diwali that year and as a routine, went to Keshu’s cart. From a distance, Keshu with drooping shoulders didn’t look his usual self and seeing me, he burst into tears weeping like a child. Capt Parvesh was no more. When? What? Where it happened? Millions of questions exploded in my head. Numbed, I held Keshu’s hand. He was inconsolable and completely devastated and narrated the details of the encounter with terrorists. Capt Parvesh led from the front and in spite of grievous injuries, had refused evacuation. He commended his team for their bravery and while being airlifted, finally closed his eyes with a smile. Keshu had lost his brother. I wanted to meet his parents. But they had moved to Chandigargh after retirement. Standing together me and Keshu knew for sure Capt Parvesh was very happy and smiling. After all not many people get to live their ‘Dreams’.