I finished reading the long letter, the contents were disturbing. I could gather from the letter that warlike situation was round the corner. Probably the unit was moving to a unknown destination. I folded the letter and with a heavy heart placed it on the table. The last line of the letter said “My annual leave is cancelled, sorry. will see you some other time,” and the words echoing in my ears made me more sad. I had by now resigned to the uncertainties of the Army life. Just as I was moving away from the table, I heard a knock on the door. “Hey, am home” said the voice behind the closed door. The voice was familiar, I said to myself “am I dreaming.” The voice was definitely of Major Surendra Deo’s only. I opened the door to see him standing infront of me in his battle dress and heavy boots. Could’nt believe my eyes and could’nt believe my ears when he told me that his commanding office had sanctioned his leave, had roared like a lion ‘Go Man Go”. His arrival had shaken up all, the otherwise peaceful audience was overflowing with cheer and laughter. Didn’t you receive my telegram informing my arrival?

 

A big No from all of us. and what about the letter that said, your leave was sanctioned. Ohh! Surendra told me that it was simply unbelievable to hear his Co’s orders. “Deo, your leave is sanctioned, March on,” they were standing on a roadside due to heavy rainfall and land slides. Amazing, the order came in such dire situation, we heard him praising his Co and his ability to deal with his men. This batman had packed his bare minimum and in no time surendra found his travelling in one tone, with great difficulty he reached the Rail head to catch a Nagpur bound train. Finally, “I made it for our sons 1st birthday.” By now the mood was upbeat and so we found ourselves planning for the dual celebration of home coming of a soldier and 1st birthday of our son, Ashwin. In the month of august, it was ‘Diwali’ for the family. Soon, the house was packed with relatives visitors to meet surendra, it used to be extended hours of narration of his Army life which kept all of us glued to our seats. Days rolled on with cheer and love and chatter till wee hours, Surendra was relectant to go out as he wanted to be with Ashwin all the time. “Does he know that I am his father was a question out of the blue. This only activity during the day was listening to the hourly news bulletin. Akashwani? was he expecting something untoward, I found him restless within. I was unable to read his mind.

 

I used to be pothering around the house trying to figure out his restlessness. On 6th september 1965, when we were listening to the Radio news in english. Melville Demello in his impeccable english and resounding voice said “All the defence officers and men are recalled from leave and are ordered to join their respective unit forthwith. Before, I realised the seriousness of the situation, Surendra had to put on his uniform in time. Packed up his bag and was ready to leave the destination known to him only. He had no words to console me and our son. He was a true soldier and he responded to the call with full atrocity, befitting the military training, he had undergone. He knew his duty towards the nation and his country men, the family had taken a back seat by now. He boarded the crowded train at 1300 hours ridding us ‘Good bye’. As the train steamed off the station, I could see his waving hand probably he avoided looking at us. This departure had saddned us, left confused beyond order.

 

I was listening to the news without fail. The news of ongoing battle in various sectors was always the main news. Time was ticking and so was my restlessness surging incessantly. There was a long silence, unbearing. I feared the worst. My tears and unspoken anguish became a reality when on 10th day, I received a telegram from our regiment, under the commanding officer’s signature. ‘Repent to inform the sad demise of Major surendra Deo in a fierce battle in Sialkot sector. I said further “He died as a Hero’s death, died with his boots on”. Today as I write this real part of my life, my chest fills up with pride to tell the world. He gave his today for your tomorrow, The soldier had returned where he belonged to. (The author is a war widow, Indo-Pak war of 1965.)