victory is sweet

His face was peaceful. He had a very good smile. Although he had few scratches on his face he looked as handsome as he had ever been. Looking at calm face one could not say that he had just returned from a ruthless battle field. He could have been suffering from the enduring battle but a smile after all has the power to hide anything. “How are you feeling son?” asked a rough, commanding yet empathic voice.

“At last I will be able to spend sometime with her.” he said. And shut his eyes again.

Last evening…

“Gentlemen!!! It is time for you to leave behind your ‘Gentleness’ , your ‘ruthlessness’ is eagerly waiting for you. They have seen how gentle you are trained be, but not how ruthless you are trained to not to be. This is time for you to show them that you are capable of being the most gentle of all men and at times the most ruthless too.”

“Remember that this is real life. You do not get a ‘take 2’ like one gets in moves. This is not like in movie where in a bullet knows who the hero is. In movie bullet always runs away from hero, or even if it hits him he miraculously survives, even if it has pierced his heart or head. Here if it hits you, it gets you. If you want to win, aim first and shoot first, before you become your enemy s target.”

“We have been taught to, work to win. I expect you to win the battle and be here right on time for breakfast tomorrow morning, or lose your life trying to win the battle. I shall not accept anything else. And I am confident to meet you all for breakfast tomorrow morning right on time. So meet you all tomorrow morning for breakfast then!!”

“Sir?” said a very confident, soft yet clear voice.

“Yes captain?”

“With your permission sir, may I ask the cook to keep a feast ready for breakfast?”

The tense had eased out of everyone s face. Everyone had a smile now.

“Yes you may, Captain. But I promise you one thing. After having tasted the sweetness of victory you will find tomorrow s feast very bland.”

The commanding office said to himself ‘that s my boy. Good going. I will be waiting for you for breakfast tomorrow.

The men did as they were ordered. “win the battle or lose your life trying to do so”.

Next morning, the occupants of few chairs at the breakfast table were missing. Few were in the infirmary and few others had…….

Our captain was in the infirmary, the commanding officer, his father sitting at his bed side, holding his hands, hoping that his son would come again victorious from the second battle - the battle of life and death.

Our captain sleeping peacefully, had a smile on his face. Looking at him one could easily say that he was having a pleasant dream. And wake up soon, and be on his feet. Someone beckoned him. He could not tell who that was. He was still. And then gradually the shape became clearer, he could not however see the face. But he was sure that it was a very familiar face. The figure was slowly moving towards him. Now it was bit more clear. He could not believe it. How could it be. He never thought he would see her again. Such a pretty smile she had. He forgot all his pain. All he could do was look at her and smile back at her. And then she said “Promise me that you ll never leave me again”. he reached for her. Held her gentle hands and said “No. I ll never leave you alone. From now we will always be together.”

The office had an envelope in his hand, addressed “mom and dad” by his son - our captain. It was a page from his dairy, last night’s date and time -

“Hi mom, hi dad

I wish that you never get to read this. But however if you are reading this, then it means that I am…. dead. Dad I promise you that I would have obeyed all your orders. And I hope to have made you proud of me.

Mom, Dad, I love you both. I will miss you a lot…………..

………………………………...........

………………………………...........”

At the end it said “now I can be with her forever”

As promised, the captain had followed the orders in all possible ways. Few of his companions were alive because of him. He had really made his father a proud father and a proud officer….

PS: This story might not be based on a real life story, but I am sure this resembles the story of many brave men. War is bad. War brings miseries to everyone. Yet they fight. As selfless as anyone can be..… A tribute to the brave men, defending their people, selflessly.

PPS: Felt like writing this after listening to this speech by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

What a man!!!