HARINDERSIKKA

CALLINGSEHMAT

PENGUINBOOKS

Contents

Prologue

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EpilogueAcknowledgementsFollowPenguinCopyright

PENGUINBOOKS

CALLINGSEHMAT

HarinderSikkaiscurrentlythegroupdirector,strategicbusiness,PiramalGroup.AftergraduatingfromDelhiUniversity,hejoinedtheIndianNavy.HewascommissionedinJanuary1981andtookprematureretirementin1993asaLieutenantCommander.Herecentlyproducedafilm,NanakShahFakir,whichwonacclaimatthe

internationalfilmfestivalsinCannes,TorontoandLosAngeles.Thefilmwonthreenationalawards,includingtheNargisDuttAwardforbestfeaturefilmonnationalintegration.CallingSehmatishissecondbook.Itisbeingmadeintoafilm,Raazi,by

MeghnaGulzar,scheduledforreleaseinMay2018.SikkalivesinNewDelhiwithhisfamily.

Prologue

Inthesemi-darknessofdawnthemuezzincalledout,‘AllahuAkbar,AllahuAkbar...’Hispassionate,full-throatedappealtotheAlmightybrokethestillnessofthenewdayandslowlyMalerKotlabegantostir.Asifoncue,thesungaspedthroughthehorizon,flushingtherapidlybrighteningskywithredness.Yetanotherdaycreptintothelivesofitsresidents.Exceptforone.Standingtallandinfullglory,thewhitemarblehavelisurroundedbylush

greenlawnshadlostitsmainoccupantintheweehours.Forthevillagers,especiallythewomen,itwasnotamerestructureofstonebutasymbolofpeace,ashrinewhichtheycouldvisitanytimeandbeheard.Withthearrivalofthenewday,theimposingbungalowofSehmatKhan

quietlyslippedintomourning.TejKhan,theelderlymatriarch,andnowtheonlyotherpermanentoccupantofthesprawlinghouse,tookonelastlookatherdaughter,blissfullycalmindeath,andquietlyclosedthebedroomdoor.Blinkingbacktears,shemadeherwaytothetelephoneandfumbledthroughthepainstakingeffortofcallingupSamarKhan.Assoonasshewasgreetedwithacurt,‘Yes?’shesaid,‘Ammipassedawayinhersleep.Comehome.’SheheardthefaintsoundofatorturedsighfromSamar’sendbeforehehungup.Itwasproofofthehugeshockhehadreceived.Shetooputthereceiverbackintothecradle.Ontheotherendoftheline,SamarKhanwasshroudedwithasorrowthat

seemedtochokehisverybeing.Twodaysago,hehadcometoDelhiondutyfromhisfieldstationinAmritsarandhadrequestedaweekendleave.HehadrecentlybeenpromotedtotherankofCaptainandhadexcitedlyorderednewuniformandbadgesinwhichheintendedtopresenthimselftohismother.Sehmathadalwaysfeltproudandhappytoseehersondressedsmartlyinmilitaryuniform.Gasping,heshookhishead,tryingtoclearhismind.Hewouldhavetotakeontheresponsibilityofalonesurvivingson,butitwaseasiersaid

thandone.Hismindwasinanguish,hisvisionblurred;tearswelledupasiftodistancethemselvesfromthegriefthatravagedhisbody.ItseemedalifetimebeforeCaptainSamarKhancouldcollecthimselfandcall

hisCommandingOfficer,BrigadierParthasarthy,toseekpermissionforanemergencyleave.AsSamarKhanpackedhisbagswiththeessentialsneededforthemost

poignantbattleofhislife,hisCommandingOfficercalledupthatonefamilymemberofSehmatKhanwhomshechosetoliveawayfrom.Oneofwhomnoonewasaware...Meanwhile,SamarKhan,dressedinhisnewuniform,gotintohiswhite

MaruticarandwassoonmakinghiswaythroughthebarrenstreetsofDelhitoNationalHighway1thatwouldtakehimtothedestinationthatwasstillanenigmatohim.Foronce,theyoungCaptain’ssensitiveminddidnotregisterthevividtapestryoflifeinIndia,asvillageaftervillageandsmallandlargetownsmeltedaway.Instead,hismindranthroughakaleidoscopeofimages,soundsandfragrancesassociatedwithhismother...SehmatKhan.Shewasanenigmaticbeautywhocameintohislifewhenhewasmerely

seven.Ammi,withherserene,almond-shapedeyesandtiny,softhands;Ammi,withherwhitechiffondupatta,edgedwithfinewhitelace;Ammi,whomadeafacewhenheteasedherabouthermesmerizinglooks;Ammi,whogrinnedimpishly,assheheldoutkeystothecarshehadgiftedhimtwoyearsago;Ammiandhergods,headyonfragrantsandalwoodincensesticks;Ammi,whostubbornlyignoredhimasheyelledathertoshiftoutfromhergodforsakenMalerKotla;Ammiandhersoothing,softvoice;Ammi,themostbeautifulIndianspywhosingle-handedlyravagedPakistan’ssecuritysystem...

Fourandahalfhourslater,turningsouthwardsfromLudhiana,SamarKhanmanoeuvredhiscarthroughthedusty,narrowroadsthatbroughthimclosertohismother.ApproachingMalerKotla,hewasstruckfortheumpteenthtimebyhowlittlethetownhadchangedoverthepasttwodecades.Hismotheroftenmentionedthatthetownhadnotchangedinthreecenturies.‘Thewomenofourvillagesmustbeeducatedifourcountryhastogrow,’sheoftenremarked.Samarcouldn’tagreemore.AfewhoursfromDelhi,andheobservedthechanging

profileofwomen,fromoffice-goerstotheoneslivinginabjectpoverty,becomingslavestothesystem.ButwhydidhismotherchoosetosettledowninMalerKotlaofallplaces?Heknewtheanswerdeepwithin,evenifitwouldneverconvincehim.HerememberedSehmattellinghimthehistoryofMalerKotlaandwhyitwassoprotectedbytheSikhsofPunjab.TheprincelystateofMalerKotlacameintobeingin1454CEwhenthe

GovernorofLahoreandSirhind,SheikhSadruddinSadr-i-Jahan,marriedthedaughterofSultanBahlulKhanLodiofDelhiandwasgivenaclusterofvillagesindowry.Intheearlyeighteenthcentury,thepredominantlyMuslimregionhad

witnessedasurgeinthepopulationofSikhsandHindus,wonoverbytheteachingsofGuruNanak.TheGovernorofSirhind,NawabWazirKhan,capturedtheyoungsonsofGuruGobindSingh,thetenthSikhguru,afterthebattleatAnandpur,andagreedtoreleasethemononecondition:theyembracedIslam.Withaconvictionthatbeliedtheirage,ZorawarandFatehSingh,thenineandseven-year-oldsonsofGuruGobindSingh,expressedadesiretoembracedeathinstead.Baffledandamazedattheaudacityofthetwoyoungboys,WazirKhandid

nothesitatetoorderthattheproudboysbewalledinforslowdeath.Aghastathiscruelty,SherMohammedKhan,thenawabofMalerKotlaandadistantrelativeofWazirKhan,protestedvehementlyandwalkedoutofthecourt,buthisprotestswereinvain.SherMohammed,however,earnedblessingsfromthetenthSikhguruforhisdisplayofhumanityandcourage.SincethenMalerKotlahadremainedundertheprotectiveumbrellaofthe

Sikhsandhadprospered.SuchwasthepoweroftheblessingsofthetenthSikhguruthatevenduringthebloodiestoftheHindu-MuslimriotspostIndependencein1947,MalerKotlawaspeaceful,evenastherestofthenationwasnearlytornapart.Manoeuvringthroughthesleepytownflankedbytheprosperouscitiesof

Ludhiana,PatialaandNabha,SamardroveintoMalerKotlawithoutevenglancingatthevastfieldsofcotton,aniseed,mustard,paddyandwheat.Atalmosteverypassingmilestone,hesawonetallstructureortheotherintheshapeofagurdwara,templeoramosque,anindicationofhowdeeplyspiritualthepopulationwas.Andalmostoneachoccasion,onethoughtoverpoweredhis

mind,firstslippingininsidiously,fadingaway,andthenreturningwithdisturbingvengeance.‘Whycan’ttherestofthecountrylearnfromthesepeoplewhatitmeanstobeanIndian?’hemutteredunderhisbreath,asiftogiveventtohisbridledanguish,hisfingersgrippingthesteeringwheel.‘Howlongwillwesufferthiscasteandreligiousdivideatthehandsofourpoliticians?’Hehadanswerstononeofthesequestions.Hisonlyhopewashismother,butshehadlefthimwithoutevensayinggoodbye.Withthis,histhoughtsturnedtohismother.Eversincehewasborn,Samar

hadwitnessednumerousproblemsthatshehadtofaceduetothecastedivide.Eventhoughheremainedamutespectatoroneachsuchoccasion,hismindrecordedeveryincidentandcarrieditforwardlikearecurringdepositinabank.Thefinallegofthejourneywasthemostdifficultyet.Theintenseheatofthe

summerandthegriefintheatmosphereweretellingonhishandsomefeatures.Ashisvehicleclosedthedistance,oftenreducedtoanearcrawlbecauseofthepotholedroadsanddirttracks,Samarbegantofeelthesametighteningofhischestthathadgrippedhimwhenhehadheardthenewsofhismother’sdeath.Curiousvillagewomeneyedhimfrombeneaththeirbrightdupattas.ThedestinationofthiswhiteMaruti,bearingaDelhiregistrationnumber,wasprobablyobvioustothemashismotherwasaknownfigure.Samarbroughthisdustycartoahaltinfrontofthegatesofhismother’s

homeandhonkedforthegardenertoopenit.Throughthebarsofthegates,hecouldseehisgrandmothersittingonacanegardenchair,motionless,waiting.Shelookedcalm,afadingsmilebelyingthesolemnityofgrief.Noonecouldtellthatshehadlostheronlydaughter.Samarslowlygotoutofhiscar.Somewhere,abrainfeverbirdwasmaking

incessantcalls,imploringthesummertohasten.Awarmbreezesweptthrough.Samarlookedeverybitanarmymaninhiscrispolivegreensandpeakedcap.Helookedupandsmiledruefullyastheonlynationalflagintheregion,perchedatopacivilianhome,flutteredalmostsurreallyinthesuddenswirlofbreezeanddroppedtoinertnessjustasswiftly.ThenativesknewlittleofSehmat’spast.Manywerenotevensureofher

religion.Yet,shewasadoredbythewomenforthemannerinwhichshehadfoughtfortheirrightsandhelpedthemgaintheirself-esteem.Thementooheldheringreataweforherfar-reachinginfluence.TheSarpanch,villagehead,

almostfearedherbecausebeneathherextremelyhelpfulandmeekexterior,hehadwitnessedhersteelyresolve,heruncannyintelligence.Hewasoftensurprisedbytheinnovativemethodswithwhichshesolvedmanyofthevillageissues.Shewasanintegralpartofthevillagepanchayat’sthinktank,someonewhohadreadysolutionstoalltheirproblems.Samarquicklywalkedtohisgrandmotherandhelpedhergetonherfeet.He

gazedintohereyes,wellawareoftheemotionsthatwerebuildingup,waitingfortherightmomenttopourout.Shedidnotspeak.Hersmilewidened,butquicklychangedintoagrief-filledexpression;rheumyeyesleadingtoaneventualavalancheofemotionaloutpouring.Samarhadanticipateditallandtookherintohisstrongarms,lettingherheadrestclosetohischest.ShebrokedownforthefirsttimesinceshehadlastseenSehmat.Therewaslittlethathecouldsayordotoconsolehisgrandmother.Therealityhadsunkinbuttheacceptancewasyettocome.Thesoldierinhimbattledbravelytokeephisownemotionsfromsurfacing.Hehelpedhergentlysitinthecanechairandpulledanothercloseby,sittingbesideherwithoutlettinggoofherhand.Thetwosatmotionlessforsometime.ThentheoldwomanlookedatSamarwithpoolsofsorrowinhereyes,gentlycaressedhishairwithhertremblingfingersandsaid,‘Sheisupstairs.Goandseeher.’Samarnodded,andstoodup,swallowingthelumpinhisthroat.‘Thankyou,

BadiMa,’hesaid.Asheclimbedthestepsofthehouse,anauraoffamiliarityassailedSamarKhan.Everyinchoftheplaceechoedwithhismother’spresence.Evenasthelife-sizeportraitsofthelegendaryBhagatSingh,Sukhdev,Rajguru,RamPrasadBismilandKhudiramBosehungontheouterwalls,aselfless,courageouswomanlayinsideonherbedineternalpeace.Shehadpassedawayintotheunknownworld,unsung,justthewayshehadwished.Pushingthebrasshandleofthedoorverygently,lesthedisturbherpeace,Samarsteppedingingerly,throwingawaythesure-footednessofmilitarytraining,onlytobetakenabackbyhismother’sshysmilespeakingtohimfromasimpleblack-and-whitepicturehangingonthewall.Sehmatlayonthebedthatoverlookedthefrontlawns.Theroomwasairyand

openthoughshadowedbythenationalflag;thedeathlyserenityonherfacereflectingtheshadowsoftheflutteringflag.Samarwassuddenlystruckwiththeawarenessthatshewouldneveropenhereyesandarmstohim.Shelaycovered

inasheet,headdrapedwithachiffondupatta,thetextureofwhichwaspermanentlyetchedonhisheartandmind.Wispsofsmokefromherfavouritesandalwoodincensestickstrailedtowardsthehugewindows.Sunlightstreamedgenerouslyintoherroom,illuminatingherlifelessbodyandface.SehmatKhanhadsharedherprivatespacewithonlythosewhoweremost

deartoher—hergodsandherson.Allah,Ganesha,Krishna,JesusandWaheGuruwereallaccordedaplaceofworshipinhersanctum.TheotherwallhadnumerouspicturesofSamaratvariousstagesofhisgrowingup.Samarwatchedasthesmokefromtheincensesticksformedacloud-likecloakoverthemetallicfiguresrepresentingtheMuslim,theHindu,theChristianandtheSikhfaiths.Athickwoodenplatesupportedthemall,thebaseofwhichcarriedanencryptedmessageinboldcapitals,EkOnkar—thereisbutoneGod.Herememberedhowproudhismotherhadbeenwhenshehadfirstseenhim

inhismilitaryuniform.‘Respectthisuniform,son,’shehadsaid,runningherhandsonhisshoulders,enjoyingthefeelofthemetallicstarsontheuniformofthenewlycommissionedofficer.‘Andyoursoulwillrespectyou.Don’tbeafraidtoencounterrisks.Itisbytakingchancesthatyouwilllearntobebrave.Youhaveadutytowardsyournationandyoumustneverweighitwiththematerialisticpittancethatyoumaysometimesreceiveinreturn.Thereisnogreaterrewardthantoliveanddieforyourcountry,knowingthatyouhavedoneyourpart.’Tuckinghispeakedcapunderhisleftarmpit,CaptainSamarKhanclickedhis

heelstoattention.TearsescapedfromhistightlyshuteyesasheofferedprayersfortheunsungheroineofIndia.HestoodproudlyasSehmatwouldhaveexpectedhimto.Flatteningtherightpalmatthepeak,hesalutedsmartly.Thenlightlytouchinghismother’sforeheadhewhispered,‘Iwill,Ammi...Iwill...’Hiswordshungintheroomasheslowlywalkedout.Holdingthebanister,hesteppedoneachwoodenstairasgentlyashecould,

lookingatthepictureframesofthenumerousheroes.Andashewalkeddown,astrangefeelinggrippedhim,asifSehmatwereinallthoseframes,smilingathim,blessinghim.Whenheemergedthroughthemaindoor,helookedatthelawns,whichwere

nowbeginningtofillupwithvillagerswhohadcometoinquireabouttheir

saviourandguide.Onseeinghim,theyrushedtowardshim.Samarknewmostofthempersonally.Hehadspenthischildhoodwiththem,andrespectedandlovedthemfortheirsimple,uncomplicatednature.Hecouldreadtheirexpressionsandrealizeditwastimetorevealthetruth.Withoutexchangingcourtesieswiththelocalpoliticianswhohadmanagedtotaketheirpositioninthefrontrow,hewalkedbackafewstepsandclimbedthestairstotheportico.Turningtowardsthecrowd,hefoldedhispalmsinagestureofgreeting.‘Deareldersandfriends,’hebegan,‘SehmatKhan,mymother,wasno

ordinaryperson.Shewasasoldierwholivedwithonlyonemission—ofsafeguardingthecountry’sinterest.Andshecontinuedtodosotillshepassedawaythismorning.’Samarhadbarelyfinishedwhenthesoundofgaspswithlooksofdisbelieffilledtheair.TejKhanwho’dbeenlisteningintentlysatdownimmediately,tryingtobalanceherself,andshuthereyes,hopingforamiracletoundotheruthlesscertaintyofnature.Asifoncue,thecrowdsatdowntoo,stunnedatthenewsofwhotheythoughtSehmatwas.Nowtheywereinquisitivetolearnmore.Theirfacesreflectedsympathyandpain.Seatedontheirhaunches,theyinchedforward,inordertocatcheveryword.Asifdividedbyafineline,thewomensatwiththeirchildrenononesideofthelawnwhilethemensatalittledistanceaway.Theireyesweremoist,someweresobbing.Sehmatwastheirmessiahwho’d

alwayshadtheirbackandhadtransformedtheirlivesaswellasMalerKotla.Thetownhadtransformedintoacleanerplacesinceshe’dmadeitherhome.Thegovernmentmachineryhadsetintomotionamasscleaningprocess.Perpetuallyblockedsewersbeganflowingfreely,powersupplydidn’tgetinterruptedatregularintervalsandevenlocalliquorshopsadheredtospecifictimingswhileconductingbusiness.Thelocalofficialscouldn’tunderstandherstatus,butwerewaryofthemysteriousaurathatsurroundedher.Thereasonwas:Sehmatnevercametotheforefront.Thepeopleingeneralandwomeninparticularhadsensedtheimportanceandthecloutthattheirnewnext-doorneighbourcarriedabouther.Theyweretouchedbyherpoliteness,warmthandhelpfulattitude.Hercasualvisitstothelocalmarkets,residentialareas,healthcarecentresandschoolswereinvariablyfollowedupbydifferentofficialsscurryingabouttosettheprevailingproblemsinorder.Mostwomenwerealso

indebtedtoherforthemoneytheyreceivedintimesofneed,adebttheyneverpaidback.Sehmatwasknownforwritingoffsuchloans.Thetricolouraboveflutteredagain,takingSamardownmemorylane,helping

himrecallhismother’sgloriouspast,thethingsheknewfirst-handandthosethathe’dheardonlyfromothers.Hecouldnowpiecetogetherherbrilliantlifeasaspy...

1

SehmatwastheonlychildofTejashwariSinghandHidayatKhan,asuccessfulandrichKashmiribusinessmansettledintheValleyformanydecades.Tej,asTejashwariwasfondlycalled,belongedtoarichDelhi-basedPunjabiHindufamily.HidayatandTejfellinloveduringhervisittoSrinagar.Onacoldwinter

afternoonTejwaswalkingaroundtheserenesurroundingsoftheHimalayanparadiseand,onanimpulse,enteredoneoftheboutiquessellingpashminashawls.Thebeautyofthedesignswassuchthattheypulledhertowardsthemselvesandsoonshewaslookingthroughthemanythatweredisplayedinsidetheshop.TejwaswonderingwhattotakebacktoDelhiforherfriends,whenapleasantvoicedrewherattentionfrombehind.‘MayIhelpyou?’Turningaround,Tejfoundherselflookingintothelight-browneyesofa

stranger.Hewastall,aboutaninchortwoabovesixfeetandworeanoff-whitePathanisuit.Shewasstruckbyhisopennessandsimplicity.Smiling,TejaskedhimaboutthefamedKashmirishawlsondisplay.Theman

movedabouttheshopwithaquietauthority,whichmadeTejbelievethathewastheownerofthesprawlingemporium.Afterselectingafewdelicatelywovenpashminas,Tejmadeforthecashcountertosettleherbills.‘AreyouvisitingKashmirforthefirsttime,Ma’am?’Hisvoicewasnowsoft

andinquiring.Shestoppedtorespond.‘No,Ihavecomeherebeforeanditisalwayspeacefulandsoothing,’Tej

replied,aslightsmileplayingonherlips.Wantingtohearmoreofhisrichvoice,

TejwentontotellhimaboutherholidayandhowshelovedtheValley.Conversationbetweenthetwoflowedeasily.Soon,theyintroduced

themselvestoeachother.‘I’mHidayat,’hesaid.‘AndIamTejashwari.MyfriendscallmeTej,’sheresponded.‘CanIcallyouTej?’hewasquicktoask.‘Pleasedo,’shereplied,clutchingherpacketofshawlsandmovingtowards

thepaymentcounter.Sheglancedatthebill,lookedatitagain,andthenatHidayatquestioningly.‘Can’tmakeprofitfromfriends,canI?Hencethediscount,’heresponded

smiling.Hesitantly,Tejpaidthemoney,thankedherhostandheadedforthelargedoor

oftheemporium.Aslowwarmthfilledherheartasshewalkedout.Somewheredeepinside,shewassurprisedthatabriefmeetingwithacompletestrangercouldarousesuchstrongfeelingsinher.Withasinkingheart,Tejrealizedthatthiscouldbethelasttimeshewouldseehimorhearhisalluringvoice.Hidayatstoodatthedoorofhisshopwithabemusedexpressiononhisface.

Hecouldnotholdhimselfback.Headdressedheragain,thedoorchimetinklinginthebackground.‘Canwemeetintheevening?Icouldtakeyoutosomeinterestingshopstoselectsouvenirstotakebackhome.’Tejfoundhervoicecaughtinherthroat.Sothiswasnotthelasttimeshewouldmeethim?Silently,shenodded.Herheartwaswildlybeatingasshewalkedaway.There

wasastrangeexcitementinherheartandadesiretomeethimagain.Shewalkedsomedistance,thenstoppedandturnedbacktolookattheboutique,onlytofindHidayatstillstandingattheentrance,wavingather.Sheliftedherhandinacknowledgementandmovedon.Themelodiousdoorchimewasstillringinginherearswhensheenteredherhotel.Thatevening,Hidayatrushedthroughhisdailychoresofbalancingtheshop

accountsandlockinguptheemporium.HearrivedatthehotelwellbeforesundownandfoundTejreadingamagazineintheplushhotellobby.Thatshewassurprisedtoseehimatthehotelwasvisibleonherface.Knowingthatherparentswouldnottakekindlytoastrangertakingtheirdaughteronaguidedtour,shehurriedlywentuptohimandaskedhimtowaitwhilesheconvinced

herparentsaboutashorttriptothemarketplacebyherself.ShewasabletodothatandinafewminutesTejwasbackinthelobby,herfaceslightlyflushed.Slowlythetwomadetheirwaytothemarketplace.Theytookaleisurelywalk

aroundthelake,dodgingtourists.Theirslow-pacedwalkwasofteninterruptedbylocalswhogreetedHidayat,someevenaskinghimforhisadviceoninvestinginbusinessandpersonalmatters.ItseemedstrangetoTejthatamansoyoungwassosoughtafterbynotonlythosehisage,butbyolderpeopleaswell.TejrealizedthatHidayatwasnotonlyrespectedbutalsolovedbythefolksinthecity.Theyspokeaboutmundanethingsatfirst.However,witheachpassingminute

theybecamemoreandmorecomfortablewitheachotherandtheinitialawkwardnessdisappeared.Thesunwasbeginningtosetandknowingthatitwouldsoonbetimeforhertogobacktothehotel,Tejpickedupafewscarvesatrandom,paidforthem,andtheycontinuedontheirwayback.Sheknewshewouldhavetoshowsomekindofpurchasetoherparents.Inthebrieftimetheyspenttogether,theyexchangedmuchmorethan

conversation.LookingintoTej’seyes,Hidayatcouldfeelthatshewasnotindifferenttowardshim.Hisheartwascryingouttoconfesshisfeelingstoher,buthedidnotwanttoscareher.Couldhedaretotellherhowshehadcapturedhisheartwhenshehadwalkedintohisshopthatmorning?Wouldhefrightenherbyhisadmission?Whatifshedislikedhim?Engrossedinconversation,theydidnotrealizethattheyhadwalkedalong

distanceandleftthemarketplacebehind.TheywerenowatthefarendofthefamedDalLakethatlayblissfullyplacid,awayfromthehustleandbustleoftheshops.Theskyhadspreadariotofcoloursinorange,pinkandhuesofpurple.Thetreesarounditstoodlikemutewitnessestothebeautyandbeyondthemstretchedthehills.Achillintheairaddedtotheromanceofthesurroundings.TejhadvisitedKashmirseveraltimesbefore,butonthisoccasion,Hidayatseemedtohavetransformedthelakeintoapoet’sromanticverse.Whentheyparted,theyfeltasiftheywereleavingsomethingbehind.Thatnight,asTejpreparedtogotobed,shereplayedtheday’sincidentsinher

mind.ShefeltthatshehadconnectedwithHidayatataveryspeciallevel.Notwantingtoloseafriendshipthathadjustbegun,shedecidedtorequestherparentstoextendthevacation.Thenextmorning,overbreakfast,Tejconvinced

herfathertostayonintheValleyforafewmoredays.Then,pleasedwithherself,sheslippedoutofthehotelandquicklywalkedtowardsHidayat’sshopaswasagreedbetweenthemthepreviousday.Thiswasthefirstoftheirseriesofsecretrendezvous.WhenTej’svacationdrewtoanend,theyexchangedaddresses,andHidayatpromisedtovisitherinDelhi.Itwasdifficultforthemtostayapart,andTejwasoverjoyedwhenshe

receivedaletterfromHidayatinformingherabouthisvisittothecapital.Shebegancountingthedaystohisarrival.Soonthatdayarrivedandtheymet.Fromthenon,thetwometeverydayand

talkedformanyhours.HidayatdiscussedhisbusinessandDelhi’sfast-pacedlifecomparedtotheidyllicandsimplelifeinKashmir.WhenheleftfortheValley,thebondwithhislady-lovehadstrengthened.Thetwocontinuedtoexchangelettersthatseeminglyspokeofonlytheweatherandotherunimportanttopicsaseachtriedtoreadtheunsaidwordsbetweenthelinesandinterpretthem.

ItwasscorchinghotinDelhiwhenTejandhermotherleftforKashmirthefollowingsummer.Thistimearound,TejandHidayatspentmoretimewitheachother,sharingtheirdreamsandaspirations.Theyhadknowneachotherforalittlelongerthanayearandwordsbetweenthemflowedeffortlessly,sodidtheirfeelings.Butbothkeptquietandavoidedtheall-importantissueastheywerenotsurehowtheotherpersonwouldreact.Kashmirwasalivewithcoloursandbirdsongfortheyoungcouple.Even

Hidayat,whohadlivedmostofhislifeintheValley,beganadmiringKashmirthroughtheeyesofapoet.Thedayspassedswiftly,andherealizedthatsoonhewouldhavetorevealhisfeelings.Ithadtobenowornever.Soaweekbeforeshewasduetoleave,HidayattookherforaboatridearoundDalLake.Hewasnervous,lookingfortherightwordsasherowedtheboat.Helookedatherandfoundheradmiringtheview,oblivioustowhatwasgoingoninhismind.‘Youlovethisplace,don’tyou?’heasked.Shenodded.‘Iamsadthatthisvacationiscomingtoanend.’‘Howaboutstayinghereforever?’Tejlookedbackathimquestioningly.

Hedidnotanswerimmediately.Whenhespoke,therewasaquiverinhisvoice,‘Iwantyoutostay.Iloveyouandwanttocherishourbondfortherestofourlives.Tej,Ihavelovedyoueversinceyouwalkedintomyshoplastyear.Pleasedon’tmisunderstandme.HaveIscaredyou?’Notknowingwhattosay,Tej’seyeswerefixedonthewoodenplankatthe

bottomoftheboat.Shewasstunnedintosilence.Hidayatimmediatelybegantofeelguiltyandwishedhehadnotsaidwhathe

did.Panicking,headdressedheragain,‘HaveIsaidsomethingtoupsetyou?Pleasedon’tbeangry.It’sjustthatIhaveneverfeltanythinglikethisbefore!Pleasedon’tmisunderstandmymotives.IjustknowIloveyou.’Tejlookedintohiseyes.Somewheredeepinsideshehadfeltthesame

attractionandwashappythathefinallyspokeabouthisfeelings.Clearingherthroat,shewhisperedsoftly,‘Ifeelthesamewaytoo...’Herfaceturnedpinkassheblushed,shylysmiling.Ittookalotofself-controlonHidayat’spartnottowhoopwithjoy.Insteadhe

lookedather,hisfacefilledwithexpressionsofjoyandrelief.Takingherhandsandclaspingtheminhis,hesaid,‘Thankyou,Tej,forfillingmyheartwithsuchlove!’Tejcouldonlysmileinreturn.Shehadalsobeguntoworrybythen.Beingtheonlychild,herparentshadpinnedlotsofhopesonherandhadbeenlookingforasuitablematch.ShewasawareofhowherparentswerefocusedonfindingamatchonlyfromthePunjabicommunity.Andhereshewas,courtingaMuslimboy,thattoofromatrouble-tornstatelikeKashmir.ObliviousoftheensuingbattleinsideTej’smind,Hidayatrowedtheshikara

withease,enjoyingtheboatridemorethaneverbefore.Eachtimetheoarcutthewaterataperfectangle,itgentlypushedtheboatahead;thewaterdropletsfallingfromthewoodenbladebackintothelake.Seatedinfrontofher,itwasimpossibletokeephiseyesawayfromTej’sbeautifulface.‘Iloveyou,’hesaidrepeatedlyuntilTejtoomusteredhercourageandacknowledgedherfeelings.

2

Theirloveblossomedandculminatedinmarriage,muchagainstthewishesoftheirfamilies.Bravingboycottsfrombothsides,theyoungcouplesettleddowntomarriedlife.Sehmatwasbornaftertwoyearsandbroughtalongboundlessjoy,laughterandwarmthtothealreadycontenthousehold.Consciousoftheraisedeyebrowsduetotheircross-culturalalliance,bothTejandHidayatworkedhardtobringuptheirdaughter,teachingandinstillinginhertherealmeaningofsecularism.Beingeducatedandsensible,HidayatandTejkeptthemselvesawayfrom

unduereligiousinfluencesanddictates.Neitherparentforcedanyreligionontheirdaughter.Instead,theyencouragedhertounderstanddifferentfaithsandappreciatetheimportanceofhumanity,integrity,patriotismandhonour.Sehmatgrewupwatchingherparentspractisetwodifferentreligionsyetlive

incompleteharmonyunderthesameroof.Neitherinfringedontheother’schoiceofreligiousduties.TheroomsetasideforprayersandmeditationhadpicturesofMecca,Hindugodsandgoddessesaswellasothersaintsandsufis.SehmatwasparticularlyfascinatedbyMeerabai’shymnsandoftenjoinedhermotherinsingingthem.‘Godisone,’herparentstoldherrepeatedly.‘AndHeisnotsomeonewhocan

besummonedbymerelyholdingtheHolyQuranandGitaorwearingatilakontheforehead.Heiswithoutapredefinedformandresidesinsideyou.Heisomnipresentandcanonlybeseenbythepurityofone’smindandheart.’Littledidsherealizeatthattimethattheseveryvalueswouldmakeheroneofthemostrespectedandtrustedcitizensofhercountry.

Sehmatwasgreatlyinfluencedbyherfather.Hidayat’sgenerosityandpositivethinkingwerelegendaryinSrinagar.Oneparticulartraitofherfather,whichnotonlyappealedtoherbutalsomadeherwanttoemulatehim,washisundyingloveforhiswatan,hiscountry,India.Fatheranddaughterwouldgoonlongwalksamidsthugechinartrees,oneoftheirmostcherishedpastimes.SehmatwouldlistentoherfatherwithraptattentionastheywouldtrekonthenarrowpathwaysintheValleyandlearnbyheartlessonsonpatriotism,cultureandtraditions.ItwasduringoneofthosewalksthatHidayat,totallyconsumedbywhathe

wasteachingher,stoppedabruptly,tookherhandsinhisandsaidinavoicewroughtwithemotion,‘Wearewhatwearethankstoourmotherland,Sehmat.Nothingcanbemoredisgracefulthantobedisloyaltoher.IwasbornhereandImustgivemybesttothissoil.WhenImergeintoit,myconscienceshouldbeproudofhavinglivedanhonest,faithfulandgratefullife.’ThateveningtheyoungSehmatsawadifferentHidayat.Shemetamanwho

waspassionateandemotivebeyondherimaginationandrespectedhumanitymorethananyreligiononearth.Forthefirsttimeinherlifesheunderstoodwhatwatanreallymeanttohim.Thisobservationwastoplayacrucialpartinherlifeintheyearstocome.Asshegrewup,Sehmatlearntofherfather’sroleineasingtensionsbetween

HindusandMuslimsandhiseffortstowardsspreadingharmonybetweenthecommunities.Hidayatwasthefinalwordinsettlingdisputesandconflictsandwouldalwayshelpthoseinrealfinancialneed.ManyKashmiriPanditswouldnarratetoherincidentswhereHidayat’sinterventionhadhelpedinbuildingbridgesbetweenfollowersofthetwofaiths.ThereafterhighereducationtookSehmatawayfromtheValleytoDelhi,

where,besidespursuinghergraduationandplayingtheviolininhersparetime,shealsolearntIndianclassicaldance.WhenshewouldreturntoKashmirforavacation,shewouldberegaledwithmoretalesofherfather’stimelyinterventionandbothcommunities’indebtednesstoherfamilyforspreadingpeaceandharmonyintheValley.ThenumberofsuchstoriesincreasedeachtimeSehmatvisitedKashmir.Meanwhile,Hidayat’sreputationandgoodwillasanhonestandupright

businessmanspreadfarandwide.Hewasaniconofsortsintheregion.His

enterpriseandlarge-heartednesscatapultedhimandhisbusinesstotheothersideofthebarbedwire,which,byvirtueofthedemarcationsmadepostPartition,wasnowcalledPakistan.Hidayatwentacrossregularlytoattendtohischores,andaddmorefriends,contractsandbusinessestohisstrength,blissfullyunawarethathisactionswerebeingcloselymonitoredfarawayinaplushofficeinthecapitalofIndia.ThiswastheIndianintelligenceagencyRAW(ResearchandAnalysisWing).Someseniorofficialsapproachedhimandsoughthishelptoestablishaninformation-gatheringnetworkinsidePakistan.Apartfromhisextensivenetwork,itwasHidayat’slegendaryloveanddevotiontowardshiscountrythatmadehimanidealcandidateforthepurpose.Hisflourishingbusinessestablishmentsacrossthebordercouldprovidetheperfectfoilneededfortheiroperations.Hidayatreadilyagreedtotheproposaleventhoughhewasmadeawareofthe

risksthathisacceptancecouldinvite.Heevenwentastepfurtherbysuggestinginnovativeideasforgatheringinformation.Hismerchandise,especiallyliquor,usedtobeshippedacrosstheborderduetotheprevailingprohibitioninPakistan.Heproposedtodecreasethequantityofeachshipmentbutincreasethefrequency,thushelpingreducethetimegapinretrievinginformationfromacrosstheborder.Usinghisbusinessacumen,hepainstakinglyspreadhisnetworkintothecitiesofLahore,IslamabadandMultan,andalsomadeinroadsintothePakistaniarmybrass.Duringthe1965Indo–Pakwar,Hidayat’snetworkbecameamajorsourceofinformationgathering.Despitetheunsophisticatedcommunicationsystemsofthoseyears,histrustedteamdevisedinnovativetechniquestotransferhugeamountsofconfidentialdocumentsmanuallyintoIndia,therebysavingthelivesofhundredsofIndiansoldiers.WhilePakistanexperiencedhumiliatingdefeatatthehandsoftheIndian

armedforcesinthiswar,HidayatwontheheartandconfidenceoftheIndiangovernmentbyrenderingcommendableservices.Strangely,hewasabletomaintainhiscredibilityacrossthebordertoo,and,despitethedefeat,thePakistanigovernmentdidnotsuspecthisinvolvement.Growingfromstrengthtostrength,hefurtherexpandedhisbusinesschainanddeepenedthepenetrationintoPakistaniarmycampsbystrengtheningthesupplychainandprovidingfreeliquortotheGenerals.Prohibitionacrossthebordernotonlyaddedtohisprofits,italsohelpedgrowhisbusiness.

Thedawnof1969,however,broughtinitswakearudeshockfortheKhans.Duringaroutinemedicalcheck-up,alumpinHidayat’sneckwasdiagnosedtobecancerous.Furtherinvestigationsandtestsrevealedthatthedeadlydiseasehadspreaditstentaclesbeyondcontrol.TejwasshatteredbythenewsbutHidayatseemedunperturbedandindifferenttothedevelopment.Hismindwasfocusedelsewhere.Troublewasbrewinginthearmycampsacrosstheborder.Hidayathadbeen

steadilyreceivingreportsconfirmingthattheothersidewasplanningaconfrontation.HekeptgrumblingtoTejabouthowunhappyhewaswiththebadtimingofhisailment.MuchtoTej’sconsternation,insteadofpayingattentiontohisfailinghealth,HidayatputallhisenergiesandeffortsintoaccumulatingdataandtransferringittotheintelligenceofficersinIndia.EastPakistanhadbythenbecomeasorepointforPakistan.Eggedonby

misguidedwarlordswithvestedinterests,Pakistan’sleadershipaccusedIndiaoffomentingtroubleinthestate.Tejwasprivytothenewdevelopments,havingherselftransferredvitalinformationtoNewDelhionseveraloccasions,butherhusband’sindifferencetowardshisillnesstormentedher.TheverythoughtoflosingHidayatwithoutmakinganyeffortsoftreatinghim

medicallyweighedheavilyonhermind.Besidesthis,watchinghiminextremepainunnervedher.Finally,TejgatheredthecouragetodialacontactinNewDelhi.Thegovernmentmachinerybegantomovequickly.Twenty-fourhourslater,whenHidayatwalkedintohisoak-panelledstudyafternamaz,hefoundtwoimmaculatelydressedofficialswaitingforhim.Bothmenwerehigh-rankingofficialsfromtheIndianintelligence.Havinginteractedwiththemformanyyears,Hidayatknewthemwell.Yethewassurprisedbytheirvisit.ManavChowdhary,code-namedMir,wastheheadofRAW.ItwashewhohadfirstapproachedHidayatadecadeagoforsettinguptheinformation-gatheringnetworkinPakistan.Bothmenhadgrowntoadmireandrespecteachotherimmensely.Thetwomencontinuedtolookateachother,neitherknowinghowtobreak

thesilence.ItwasMirwhofinallybrokethespell.HereachedouttoHidayat,claspedhishandinhisownandlookedathisoldfriend.Anticipatingthepurposeoftheirvisitandpickingupontheunsaidwords,Hidayatglancedathiswife.Heknewwhatshe’ddone.AsoftflushofguiltreflectedonTej’sface.

Mir’svoiceshookslightlyashestruggledtocontrolhisemotions.Hidayatwasnotonlyanimportantlink,hewasamanofhonourandadearfriend.‘WehavearrangedforappointmentswithdoctorsinAmerica,Hidayat,’Mir

began.‘Theywilltreatyouand...’Hidayatcuthimshortinapolitebutfirmvoice.‘Iknowmychancesof

survivingthisillnessarenil,Mir.Andyouarealsoawareofabigdisasterthatisapproachingournationevenaswespeak.’HidayatwithdrewhishandfromMir’s,walkedtothewindowandpointedto

anobjectinthedistance.Theotherthreeintheroomquicklylookedinthatdirection.Hidayat’sgazewenttothenationalflagthatwasflutteringgentlyinthesoftbreezeinhisneatlymanicuredlawn.‘Mir,youseethatbeautifultricolour?Iwanttoseeitflyinghighwhendeath

comesknockingatmydoor.IhaveservedmymotherthebestIcouldandIwishtodieinherlap,inmyhomeanddefinitelynotinaforeigncountry.Letmefadeintothecorridorsofhistoryinpeace,intheoblivionofmycountry’ssoilandnotinanalienland.Besides,thereisstillawholelottobedone.WhileTejcanhandletheoperationsfromtheIndianside,someoneveryreliablehastotakechargeinPakistanandsettledowninthegroovesacrosstheborderbeforeit’stoolate.Wehavelittletimeforanythingelse,leastofall,myhealth.’AcceptingacupofteafromTej,Mirlookedathisfriend.Heknewhow

importantHidayatwastoRAW.HewasalsoawareofthevacuumHidayat’sdeathwouldcreate;tofindsomeoneascredibleasHidayatonsuchshortnoticewasanimpossiblefeat.HewantedHidayattogetbettersohetriedtopushhimfurtherinthehopethathewouldgototheUSfortreatment.‘I’mafraid,Hidayat,wedonothaveanyonewhocanreplaceyou.Besides,thePakistaniswouldnottrustanyoneinahurry.They’llsmellaratimmediately.Inyoursupervisiontheoperationwillremainundertheguiseofyourbusinessumbrella.Evenasmallmistakeatthispointwouldmeantheendoftheentirenetworkthatyouhavesopainstakinglybuiltoversomanyyears.Itwouldalsomeangraveriskstothelivesofthenumerouscontacts,whichwecannotaffordatthisstage.Itisbestthatweletthematterbeputonholdwhileyougoforyourtreatment.Youhavedonemorethanyourshareforthecountry.Nowletushelpyoufightyourbattle.IhavespokentothebestdoctorsintheUSandtheyhavesuggestedimmediatesurgery.Wehaveanoutsidechanceandwemusttakeit.’Mir’svoice

appearedsteadybuthecouldnothidethestrainofmaintainingequanimity.HehadworkedcloselywithHidayatforsomanyyears,they’ddevelopedtrustandfriendship,anditwashardtobelievethathewasdying.HidayatseemedoblivioustowhatMirwassayingandcontinuedtobeina

differentworld.Healsoknewthathischancesofsurvivingthedreadeddiseasewereslim.Atthesametimeitwasbotheringhimthattherewassomethingbrewingacrosstheborder.Hewonderedhowhecouldfindasolutiontoallthis.Hehadadistantlookinhiseyes,hismindracingincircles,searchingforaviablecandidatetofillhisshoes.Foryearshehadpainstakinglytoiledtobuildaneffectivecommunicationsnetwork,andhewassimplynotpreparedtoletitgodownthedrain.Asolution,however,cametohimoutoftheblue.HidayatwalkedtowardsTej.Heplacedhishandsonherdelicateshouldersandlookedintothedepthsoftheeyesoftheonlywomanhehadeverlovedwithsomuchintensitythatitfrightenedher.Tej,terrifiedoftheconsequencesofhisillness,alsoinstinctivelyrealizedthatHidayathadsomethinguphissleevethatmightnotbetoherliking.Breakingthebriefsilence,Hidayatsaid,‘Iknowit’sriskyTej,butitisby

takingchancesthatonebecomesbrave.YouknowthegravityofthepresentsituationaswellasIdoandyouwillthereforeappreciatetheseriousnessofwhatisdevelopinginPakistan.Havingcomesofar,weneedtocontinuewithourtaskandnotstopinoureffortstothwarttheirplans.Myillnesshascomeasacruelshockbutwehaveanevenbiggercrisisathand.Wecanstillsavehundredsofinnocentlives.Andtoachievethat,weneedsomeoneabsolutelyreliablewhocantakemyplaceimmediately,withoutrousingsuspicionintheenemycamps;someonewhocantakethebatonfrommeandcontinuethegoodwork.’AsHidayatpausedforbreath,Tejcouldseethathewasstrugglingwithhis

conscience.Herchestsuddenlyconstrictedandherheartbeatquickened.Shewasalmostcertainthatherhusband’snextsentencewouldcauseherendlesspain.Thetensionintheroomwastangible.MirsensedittoobutwasunabletoevenremotelyfathomwhatHidayathadinhismind.Hethusremainedamutespectator.HidayatmovedclosertoTejwiththeintentionofcomfortingherfromtheblowhewasabouttodeliver.Inasoft,almostchokedvoicehesaid,‘DoyouthinkourSehmatwouldfitthebill?’

3

Everyoneintheroomwasshockedintosilence.Tejburstintotears.Theverythoughtofpushingheronlychildintoaventurethatwasfilledwithdangerateverypossibleturnwasheartbreaking.Shecontrolledthesobsthatthreatenedtorackherbodyandwipedhertears.Shefeltdrainedofallstrength.ShehuggedHidayatandheldhiminatightembrace.AsamothershehadequalrightsbutadecisioncontrarytoHidayat’swasboundtoinflictenormousinjurytohisself-esteemandpride.Atthesametime,itwasdifficultforhertoseeherdaughterprecariouslyplacedattheveryheartofdanger.Shealsoknewthatthisdecisionwasnotaneasyoneforherhusband.Fightingtheirownbattleswithin,thetwoclungtoeachothermotionlessly,fullyawareofthepaintheotherwasundergoing.Duskhadbeguntocreepupoutsidethewindow.Thebrilliantlightwasnow

meeklysubmittingtothevelvetydarknessofnight.‘Thankyou,Tej,’Hidayatcontinued,supportingherfrailbody.‘IknewthatI

couldcountonyou.’Thevisitorswerestunnedintodisbelief.InhisentirecareerMirhadneverwitnessedacommitmentsuchastheone

thatwasbeingdisplayedbytheKhans.Speechless,hesankintotheplushleathercouchandstaredinbewildermentattheheadoftheKhanfamily.RightthenHidayatwalkeduptohim.SeeingHidayatapproach,herosejerkilybutstoodrootedtothespot.Heseemedunsureofwhattosaytothemanwhowaswillingtosacrificehisonlychild,hisverybeloveddaughter,fortheserviceofthenation.Hidayatembracedhisoldfriend.However,whenhespokeagain,hisvoicewasdevoidofsadnessandemotions.‘PleaselookafterSehmatasyour

owndaughter,Mir.Fromnowon,Ileavemymostpreciouspossessioninyourcare.Wehavebroughtherupwithalotoflove.Wehavetaughtherwhatwehavealwaysbelievedin.Itwouldberiskyforayoungwomantotakeupsuchamissionbutwehavenochoice.SheistheonlypersonwhoIthinkcantakemyplacewithoutattractingundueattentionfromtheauthoritiesacrosstheborder.Andsincesheismydaughter,itwillbereadilyacceptedthatsheisrunningthebusinessduetomyfailinghealth.Deathanddangerwillshadowher,buttheshowmustgoon.Wehavealongroadaheadandwemustkeeponrunningtillwereachourdestination.’Hidayat’svoicehadafirmnessofpurposetoit.Mircouldseeamaninahurry

toseehismissionaccomplished,asoldiersopossessedbyhisloveforhiscountrythathewaswillingtosacrificehisonlyoffspring.Tej’smindwasalsoinawhirl.Lookingpastthemen,shegazedatthe

darknessthathadsettledoutsidethewindow.Shecouldnotvisualizeherbeautifuldaughterbeingthrustintotheenemycamp.Sehmat’schildhoodunfoldedinhermindlikepicturesinanalbum.Thebabyshehadgivenbirthto,thecurioustoddler,theanimatedgirl,bubblingwithexcitementandenthusiasmeachpassingyear.HowSehmathadcharmedeveryoneshemetandhowshehadgrownintoabeautiful,yetmodestyoungwoman!Tejwasawareofthebondthefatheranddaughtersharedandwascertainthat

Sehmatwouldacceptherfather’sdecisionwithoutprotest.Butwouldshebeabletostandthevigoroustrainingnecessaryforthejob?Whatifhersecretoperationswereexposed?Tejshiveredatthethought.Hermindracedinmanydirectionsbutshecouldnotcomeupwithastrongenoughexcusetoargue.Deepwithin,themotherinhervisualizedtheworst.Andasshedid,herheartachedevenmore.

Meanwhile,oblivioustothesedevelopments,hundredsofkilometresaway,inthebustlingcityofNewDelhi,ayoungwomanwassprawledonthebed,herhairspreadacrossit,readingabook.Sehmatwasrelaxing.Shehadjustcomebackfromcollegeafteragruellingsessionofdancelessonsandwantedtodonothingbutread.Sehmatglancedatthealarmclockbyherbedsideassheturned

apageofthegrippingbook.Asoftgroanescapedherassherealizedshewaslateforhereveningwalk.Swingingherlong,shapelylegsoffthebed,Sehmatslippedherfeetintoher

slippersandmadeforthebathroomthatshesharedwithherroom-mate,Mitali.Bothwomenwereclassmatesandclassicaldancewasacommoninterestbetweenthem.Butthatwaswherethesimilarityended.WhileMitaliwasanaccomplished

dancer,drivenbytheambitiontoachievefameandrecognition,Sehmatdancedbecauseitwasherpassion.Herhandsandfeetmovedindeftcoordinationwiththerestofherbodybecausehersouldirectedthemto.Dancewaslikeadailyprayerforherthatmadeherfeelcomplete.Thoughthegirlssharedthesameroom,theywerenotascloseasmostroom-

matesinacollegehostelare.Mitaliwasmoreofanextrovert,whileSehmatwasanintrovertandtookalongtimetoopenuptopeople.Mitaliwasofmediumheightandhadaperfecthoneycomplexion;Sehmatwastallandhadfair,translucentskinthatturnedbeetredattheslightestprovocation.Butthatshepossessedasupremeconfidenceaboutherselfwasevidentfromherdeep-blueeyes,whichreflectedcourageandresolve.WatchingSehmatwaslikewitnessingpoetryinmotion.Herpeachesand

creamcomplexion,combinedwiththesharpfeaturescommontothosefromtheValley,wasbreathtaking.Hermovementswereeffortlesswhichgaveanimpressionthatshewasglidinginsteadofwalking.Tothemenwholookedather,sheseemedlikeshehaddescendedfromtheheavensanddidnotbelongtothisworld.Herbiggestassetswereherbig,doe-shapedblueeyes;theyshonewithwit,intelligenceandoccasionalmischief.Quitenaturally,Sehmatwasthemostsought-aftergirlincollege.Whilemenviedforherattention,thewomendidnotknowhowtoreacttosuchbeautyandhumility.Shewasnotvaindespitethefactthatshewasthemostbeautifulwomanformilesaround.Ifanything,shedownplayedherbeautybyblendingintothecrowd.Sheconsciouslydressedinsimple,loose-fittingclothestoavoiddrawingundueattention.Shealsorefrainedfromsocializingandrestrictedherselffrommakingtoomanyfriends.Manyspeculatedthatshehadaboyfriendbackhomesinceshedidnot

encouragethemen.OnlyherclosefriendsknewthatSehmatdidnothaveanymalefriends.Lookingatherparents,sheknewthattruelovewassacredandit

existed.Shewasalsoconvincedthatitwouldcrossherpathsomeday.Inhermindshewasveryclearaboutthekindofmanshewouldfallinlovewith.Shewouldseehiminherdreams,approachingherandfillingherlifewithmeaning,loveandstrength.Sheknewhewouldsweepheroffherfeetandtakeherawayfromtheordinaryworldtoparadise.Thoughshehadaperfectpictureoftheattributesofherdreamman,hisfaceeludedher.ButSehmatwaswillingtowait.Herfriendsoftenjokedaboutherfantasy,but

shebelievedhewouldarriveatthedesignatedplaceatthedesignatedtime.Littledidsheknowwhatdestinyhadinmind.ItwasduringtheannualcollegecelebrationsthatfateintroducedhertoAbhinav.Aby,ashewasfondlycalledbyhisclosefriends,belongedtoawealthyand

influentialDelhifamily.Tallandathletic,helookedlikeaherofromaromanticnovel.Womentriedtoattracthisattentionbutfailed.Whilesomeadmiredhisdrop-deadgoodlooks,therewereotherswhoweremoreattractedtohisheftybankbalance.Eventhoughtheentirecampusswoonedoverhim,hekepttohimselfandoftensatonthelastbenchoftheclassroom.Noone,however,knewthatinsteadoftakingnotes,Abyoftenpenneddown

hisheartfeltfeelingsintheformofpoetrythathadonlyonetheme—thebeautiful,unattainableSehmat.HewasincompleteaweofheretherealbeautyandoftendescribedherasaKashmiriprincesswhohadlostheridentityinanaliencity.Helovedhisprincessdeeplybutcouldnevermusterenoughcouragetoapproachher.Instead,hepouredouthisfeelingsinhispoems,which,byhisthirdyearincollege,hadbecomeanimpressivecollection.Sehmatoftencaughthimlookingatherstrangely.Whileothermenmadeher

uncomfortable,Aby’sglancesweredifferent.Hiseyesboreintohersoulandseemedtosearchforananswer.SehmatwasinstinctivelyawareofAby’sinterestinher.Shefeltthesame,butwasdeterminednottorushanything.Oneevening,nearingsunset,Sehmatwastakingherregularwalkinthepark

nearby.Theorangesunwasspreadingitshuesaroundthegrey-bluesky.Shewasinhertracksuit,walkingbriskly.Abystoodunnoticedbehindatree,hisusualspotinthepark,watchinghisprincessasshewalkedalongherroutethroughthejoggers’track.Suddenly,Sehmatstoppedandbentoversomethingshehadstumbledon.Abyleanedovertogetacloserlooktoo.Itwasababysquirrelthatshewasabouttostepon.Shegentlypickeditupandlovinglyplaceditnexttoa

bushawayfromthepathoftheotherwalkers.Hereyesshonewithloveandtenderness,asherfingersdelicatelyhandledthecreaturewitheaseandcomfort.Theconnectionmusthavebeenintense,forthebabysquirreldidn’tshowanysignofstruggleeither.ForAby,whathesawwassurreal.Histhroatconstricted.Thefadingsunrays

reflectedbrightlyonherdeepmahoganyhair,givingherthelookofanangel.Hefeltasifhewereunderaspell.OnmanyoccasionsinthepasthehadponderedaboutSehmat.Herreligionwasverydifferentfromhisandcouldhaveserioussocialconsequences,sincehecamefromastaunchHindufamily.Butatthatmoment,heputeverythingasideandbecameawareofthetruth.ItwasthenthatAbydecidedhewouldeithermarrySehmatornotmarryatall.

4

Allstudentslookedforwardtotheannualfunctionatthecollegeandplannedextensivelyforit.Oneofthefunction’smainattractionswasthedancecompetition.Overtheyearsthiseventhadgainedpopularityamongstthestudents.Judgedbywell-knownpersonalitiesofthecity,theeventhadbecomeasymbolofprestigeandprideforthecollegeaswellastheparticipants.Eachyear,acommitteewassetupbythecollegeadministrationtooverseethe

participationandinter-collegerepresentations.Judgesfortheeventwerechosenwithgreatcare.Thecollegeprincipal,RamNareshMathur,wasunderstandablyflustered.Itwashislastyearasprincipal,andhewantedtheeventtoexceedeveryone’sexpectations.Ifhesucceededincreatingamegasuccessoftheshow,hehopedhisrequestforayear’sextensionwouldbeconsidered.Mathursatattheheadoftheconferencetable,flankedbythetrusteesofthe

collegeandtheirnominees.Hetookaquickglancearound,notingthedifferentexpressionsplayingonthefacesofthetrustees.Theslightlybuiltfifty-seven-year-oldprincipalknewhewasnomatchforthelobbyworkingagainsthim.Forthesakeofhisdaughter,whowasinherfinalyearofgraduation,hehadtoworkoutastrategytocontinueasprincipalforanotheryear.Hewasknownforhisstraightforwardandsincereapproach,buthealsoknewthathonestyaloneneverpaidthebills.Tomakemattersworse,RavirajSingh,themostpowerfulofthemalland

someonehecouldcounton,wasabsentfromthiscrucialmeeting.Manytrusteeshadtriedtomanoeuvretheadmissionprocesstoaccommodatetheirrelativesandsimultaneouslymishandledthecollegefunds.Mathurhadinvariablyacted

asaroadblockintheirschemesandhadthereforemadeenemieswithinthecircleofboardmembersandtrustees.Knowingfullywellthatmostofthetrusteeswerepredominantlynarrow-

mindedHindus,hetactfullychosethethemeoftheuniqueloveofRadhaandMeerabaitowardsLordKrishnaforthemaindanceevent.Amidstapplauseandmurmursofapproval,hefirstreadoutthenamesofotherparticipatingcollegesandthenthenamesofparticipantsrepresentinghiscollege.HeadingthelistofparticipantswasMitaliasRadhaandSehmatasMeerabai.HewasabouttotakehisseatwhenA.V.Shastri,oneoftheoldestandmosttroublesometrustees,interrupted.Hissharpnasalvoicewasfilledwithsarcasm.‘Isn’titafact,MrMathur,thatSehmatcomesfromaMuslimfamily?’Mathurstraightenedupslowlyandthoughtfully.‘Yesshedoes,MrShastri,’he

said,hisvoicetingedwithrespectandfear.Herewasoneofthetroublesometrusteeswhocouldmakeorbreakhischanceofanextension.‘Thenhowhasshebeenshortlistedfortheall-importantroleofMeerabai?

Thiswillhurtthesentimentsofallthestudentsandisquiteunacceptable.ManyHindustudentscouldbeoffendedandmaytaketothestreetsinprotest.WemustselectsomeonewhobelongstoaHindufamily,whocanrelatetothecharacterofMeerabai.CanaMuslimgirldothat?Wemustshortlistsomeoneelse,otherwisewestandtheriskofbecomingalaughingstockintheeyesofourownpeople.’Mathurlookedaroundand,tohisdismay,sawthatallpresentwereechoing

theoldman’sopinion.Smellingdefeat,Mathurwasquicktosalvagethesituation.‘IfallthetrusteesagreewithMrShastri’sviews,thenwehavenochoicebuttolookforanotherstudenttoplaytheroleofMeerabai.’‘Youdo?Well,thankyou,MrMathur.Itisnotoftenthatyouagreetoour

suggestionsandopinions.’MathurfeltatwingeofpainthinkingofSehmat.Hehadattendedthe

auditions,andnoneofthehopefulscameevenremotelyclosetoSehmat’sperformances.Whilehewasstrugglingwithhisconscience,thetrusteeswerewolfingdowntheremnantsoftheirteaandsnacks.Therewasacollectiverustleofpapersandscrapingofchairsastheypreparedtoexittheconferenceroom.Suddenlyayoungvoice,politebutresolute,calledout,stoppingthemintheir

tracks.‘Andwhyshouldwedothat?’

StandingtallinbluejeansandaT-shirtwasAbhinavRajSinghwhohadcomeunannouncedasanomineeofhisfather,RavirajSingh,andhadstoodquietlyinthecornertillthen.Besidesbeinganinfluentialbusinessman,Ravirajwasalsoanimportanttrusteeofthecollege.Hisideals,principlesandphilanthropicactivitieswerelegendary.Hewasrespectedandfearedbyalmostallinthecommitteeequally.MrMathurwashopingtocountonhimduringsuchameetingaswellasforhisownextension.Thecommitteememberswerenotamusedbytheyoungman’saudacityin

questioningtheircollectivedecision.ButtheywerealsoawareoftheconsequencesofincurringthewrathoftheheirtoRaviraj’svastempire.Shiftingtheirstance,theywelcomedtheyoungmantothemeeting.Abyapproachedthefirstavailablechair.Hisfacewasexpressionless,hiding

thefactthathisheartwasbeatingwildlyagainsthischest.Hisbodylanguagedisplayednosignsofnervousness.Buthiseyeswerecold.Theygavetheimpressionthathewaspresentinthemeetingforapurpose.Bowingslightly,heglancedatallthemembersbeforecontinuingwithhisimpromptuspeech.‘Sincewhenhavewestartedcreatingculturaldifferencesinsideourcollege?

Don’tyouthink,Sir,thatbydamagingthesecularfibreofthisveryfineeducationalinstitutionwecouldbeinflictingaseriousblowtoitsreputation?Shouldwebeseenpoliticizingsuchmattersandriskadivideonreligiouslines?’Therewasamomentarysilenceinthehall.ThosewhoknewtheseniorSingh

couldhaveswornthatitwasthefatherspeakingandnottheson.Theslowwhiroftheceilingfansechoedthroughthesilencebuttheywerenoteffectiveenoughtodrythesweatonthebrowsofmostofthetrustees,especiallyShastri’s.Aby’sinsightwasstrong,sensibleandlogical.Hiswordshadputthetrustees

inanembarrassinglydifficultposition.Shastrigatheredhimselftomakeastatement.Heknewhecouldnotoffendhisbenefactoreventhroughhisson.‘Well,Ijustmadeasuggestion,Abhinav.IfthecommitteethinksthatSehmatcandojusticetosuchavitalandglorifiedrole,sobeit.’Asifstungbyavenomoussnake,Shastri’svoicehadlostitspowerofconvictionandinfluence.Mathurwasquicktonoticethechangeandgrabbedtheopportunity.‘SodoweselectSehmat?’Theprincipal’svoicehadregainedsomeofits

authority.Thoughhesoundedunbiasedanddetached,hesecretlyfeltrelieved

thatadeservingstudentwouldbeabletoshowcasehertalent.Momentslater,thehalf-heartedgruntsfromthetrusteessealedthedecisioninSehmat’sfavour.Asifonacue,theprincipalstooduptoconcludetheproceedings.Hisguilt-

filledconsciencehademergedclean.Hisvoicewasfilledwithtracesofvictoryashespokewithreliefandease,‘GoingbySehmat’sconductandperformanceinthepasttwoyears,heracademicexcellenceaswellashercontributiontowardsthecollege’sculturalachievements,itisonlyfairthatshebegivenachancetoenacttheroleofMeerabai.Byselectingagirlbelongingtotheminoritycommunitywewould,infact,besendingastrongandpositivemessagetoallaboutthesecularcharacterofourinstitution.IamalsoawarethatshehasperformedtheroleofRadhaonmanyoccasionsinthepastandhasrepeatedlyexceededourexpectations.Wethereforeneednotworrythatshewillnotunderstandthenuancesofthethemeorwillnotdojusticetothisimportantrole.IamsurethatbothMitaliSharmaandSehmatKhanwilldousproudandbringhomethecovetedtrophy.’Afterfinishinghisshortspeech,theprincipallookedupforreactionsand

noticedtheraisedhandofMrBajpayee,oneofthetrustees.Mathurpaused,givinghimanopportunitytospeak.‘Iagreewithyou,MrPrincipal.AbhinavhasmadeavalidpointandIsecond

theproposal,’saidBajpayee,inatonelacedwithsycophancy.HetooowedhisexistencetoAby’sfatheranddidnotwanttomissanopportunitytodrivehomehisloyalty.Themeetingendedwiththeusualformalities.AbydecidedtoremaindiscreetabouthisroleinSehmat’sselectionand

walkedoutofthecommitteeroomwithoutwaitingtobeservedtea.

SehmatKhanwasawareofthenotesofdissentfromthestaunchKashmiriPandits.BeingaMuslim,shedidnotexpecttobeselectedforthekeyrole.Itwasonlywhenshesawthenoticepinnedonthebulletinboardwithhernameprintedontopinboldfortheleadrolethatshejumpedwithjoy.Shewasecstatic.Atearescapedhereyes.Herfriendsclappedandhuggedherinatightembrace.Intheshortcelebration,SehmatdidnotnoticeasmilingAbystandingbehindthecorridorpillar,takingineverybitofherjoy.Feelingelated,he

watchedherwalkawaywithherfriendstillshereachedthefarendofthecorridor.

5

SehmathadseenhermotherpraytoLordKrishnaandsinghymnsofthelegendaryMeerabaisinceshewasalittlegirl.PerformingRadha’sroleatschoolandcollegewaseasy.ButtobeinMeerabai’sshoes,andalsogiveabefittingreplytohercritics,wasachallengethatshewaskeentotakeon.Inordertoenterintotheskinofthecharacter,Sehmathadspentmanyhoursinthecollegelibrary,readingalltheavailableliteratureonMeerabai,andrehearsedherpartlikeonepossessed.D-Dayapproachedandwithbutterfliesinherstomach,Sehmatwalkedonto

thestagedressedinthejogan’s,devotee’s,attire:inapaleorangecottonsari,holdingasmalldotara,atwo-stringedinstrument,inherhand.Mitalienteredfromtheothersideofthestage,aptlydressedasRadha.IncomparisontoSehmat’ssimple-lookingattire,Mitaliwasdeckedoutinabrightcostume,jewelleryandmake-up.Withfoldedhands,formingthetraditionalnamaskar,thetwodancersfacedtheoverpackedhall.Amidstcatcallsandwhistles,theaudienceeruptedinloudapplauseandcontinuedtoclaptillthetwowomentooktheirdesignatedplacescentrestage.Thebackgroundmusicbeganslowlyandswelledintoahighpitchasthetwo

dancerspickeduprhythm.Thestrainsofthebhajan,devotionalhymn,flowedintothehall.Bothcompetitorspickeduppace,synchronizingtheirmovementswiththepoignantlyricsofthesong.Itwasplainforalltoseethatboththegirlswereleavingnostoneunturnedtocastalastingimpressionontheaudienceandthejudges.Withhernear-professionaltouch,Mitaliletitbeknownthatshewas

performingtowinthecompetition.Thecrowdwasmesmerizedbythedelicate

movementsofherhandscuttingthethinair,appealingtoLordKrishnatoblessherwithhisdivinegrace.Holdingaflute,Mitalimovedartisticallyonhertoes,encirclingKrishna,pushing,nudgingandcajolinghimtosuccumbtoherdemands.Shedancedwithperfectionandelegance,swayingtheentireaudiencewithhercaptivatingperformance.Hercolourfulcostumeaddedtoherperformanceandkepttheaudienceontheedgeoftheirseats.ThechallengewastougherforSehmatthanshe’dthoughtitwouldbe.Even

thoughshewasthemoregracefulofthetwo,Mitaliwasflawlessinherperformanceandsuccessfullydrewmoreapplausefromboththejudgesandthecrowd.ButSehmatdidn’tgiveup.Beinganaturaldancer,hermovementsdisplayedanamazingdexterity.Shemergedwiththecharactereffortlesslyasthesongprogressed.Asiftransformedbyheavenlypowers,shebecamethelegendaryMeerabaiwho’ddevotedallofherselftoappeaseLordKrishna.ShedisplayednoanimosityorjealousytowardsRadhawhoseKrishnaenjoyedplayinghide-and-seekwithher.UnlikeRadhawhodemandedloveinreturn,Sehmat,nowtransformedasMeerabai,onlydesiredaglimpseofthelord.Mitalikeptpacewithhercompetitor,fullyawarethatshehadtheupperhand.

ShewaspitchedagainstSehmat,aMuslimgirlwhowasplayingthepartofalarger-than-lifecharacter.Shehadtowin,nomatterwhat.BeingaHindugirlfromatraditionalBrahminfamily,shesimplycouldn’taffordtocomesecondtoSehmatKhan.Astheshowprogressed,Mitalifeltsomethingstickybeneathherfeet.She

lookedclosely,whilemaintainingherrhythm,andrealizedthathertoeswerecoveredwithblood.Herconcentrationfalteredforabit.Shethoughtitwasbloodfromherownfeetandabruptlystoppedherdancetolookdown.Toherrelief,herfeetborenotraceofinjury.HereyesthenfollowedthebloodtrailtoSehmat’sfeet.Andwhatshesawleftherdumbstruck.Sehmat’srightfootwassoakedinblood,whichwaspaintingthewoodenfloorred.Hereyeswereshut,oblivioustothecommotionshewascausingonthestage.Theattendantstoostartedlininguponeithersideofthestage,watchingSehmatindisbelief.Theycouldnotmusterenoughcouragetostopherfromcontinuingtheperformanceofherlifetime.Filledwithaweandadmiration,theystoodtogether,notknowingwhattodo.

Sehmathadbeendancingonawoodenframeonthestagefloor,fromwhereanironnailhadprotrudedduetotherepeatedstampingofherfeet.Herconcentrationwassointensethatshehadneitherfeltthepainnornoticedtheblood.Mitaliwasstunnedintodisbelief.LookingatSehmatstilldancingwithabandon,shefeltanoverwhelmingdesiretogouptoherandbowdownindefeat.Instead,shewenttothespotfromwherethewoodenplankhadbrokenlooseandkneltdown,coveringthenailwithbothherpalms.ShesattheregazingwithadmirationatSehmat’sperformance.Andwhatshesawfromclosequartersconvincedherthatthiswasdivinegraceondisplayandnotacompetitivedanceshow.Volunteerssneakedtothewingsofthestagetoinvestigate,wonderingwhat

hadmadeMitalistopdancing.Theaudiencetoosensedthatsomethingwasamiss.Momentslater,thewordspreadinthehalllikeajunglefire,makingtheentirecrowdstandupandholditsbreathindisbelief.ManystooduponchairsinanefforttotakealookatSehmat’sblood-stainedfeet.Butsuchwasthegraceinhermovementsthatnooneevenmadeanefforttostopthemusic.Sehmatcontinuedtodance,herfeetstampingthefloorinrapidsuccession.

Herbodyandherdotaraswungrhythmically,keepingpacewiththemusic.Thevolunteers’faceswerebeginningtochangetothatofhorror.TheytriedtocatchSehmat’sattention,butsheappearedtobecompletelyoblivioustotheworldaroundher.ItwasasifMeerabaihadreincarnatedasSehmatKhan,takingthesarcasm,tauntsandabusesofsocietyinherstride,callingouttoherbelovedlordtotakeherintohisfold.Therewaspassioninhermovement,loveonherfaceandpleadinginherexpressions.Herattirewassimple,buthermovementsweredivineandsoothing,touchingtheheartsofeveryonepresentinthepackedauditorium.Sehmat’sperformancewasatitspeakasthemusicreacheditsfullcrescendo.

Herbraidedhairmajesticallyswayedtoherlithemovementsassheendedherdancebykneelingdown.Shehadtearsinhereyes,notbecauseofherinjuredfeet,butfortheloveofKrishnatowhomMeerabaihadgivenherself.Hereyeswereshut,asiftakingintheblessingsthatwerebeingshowered

uponherbyanunknown,heavenlyforce.Sheopenedhereyestodeafeningapplause,onlytorealizethatshewasonthecollegeauditoriumstage.She

hurriedlyturnedtowardsMitaliandthentowardstheaudiencebeforebowinginacknowledgement.Itwasthenthatshenoticedherbloodstainedfeet.MitaliwassmilingatSehmatwithtear-filledeyes.Shewasdefeatedhands

down.Butinherdefeatshehadwontheapplauseoftheentireaudiencewhohadinstantlyrecognizedhergesture.MitaliwalkeduptoSehmatandheldherinatightembrace.Thehallbrokeintoanotherroundofapplause.Theroargrewlouderasthetwosteppedtowardstheseatedjudgesandbowedbeforeleavingthestage.WhenSehmatreappearedonthestagetoreceivethetrophy,theglowonher

facewasbrighterthanthegleamofthetrophy.SehmatrequestedMitalitostandwithherwhilereceivingtheaward.Thetwodancersstoodtogether,handinhand,holdingthetrophyhighwithpride.Thecrowdcontinuedtoapplaudwellaftertheyhadleftthestage.Itwasevidenttoallthatboththegirlshademergedvictorious.Theyhadwonsomethingmorevaluablethanameretrophy.GoddessRadhaandMeerabaihadbeenunitedwiththeirLordAlmighty.TheonlypersonwhodidnotjoininthefrenzywasAby.Hiseyeswere

transfixedonthefacethathadbewitchedhimforsolong.Herenthrallingacttouchedhimasdeeplyasmostofherotherattributes.Hehadneverseenherdancebeforebuthadimaginedshewoulddancebeautifully.Herperformanceerasedthefinelineofreligiousdivideandstrengthenedhisconvictionthatshewasanexceptionalwoman,worthyoftakingonasalifepartner.Whilethespectatorsinthehallcontinuedchattingaboutwhattheyhad

witnessed,Abyslippedawayunnoticed.Hismindwasnowracinginalldirections,lookingforameanstogetclosertoSehmat.Hewasdeterminedtoremovethesocialbarriersofcasteandcreedthathadkepthimawayfromher.HehadnowbeguntodreamofalifewithhisKashmiriprincess.Shuttinghiseyeseversobrieflyhemurmuredandthenamidstanotherroundofdeafeningapplauseemergingoutofthehall,lookedskywardsandsaid,‘Ihopeyouwillhearmyprayer,dearKrishna.’SehmatandMitaliwereinvitedtothebackstageroomspeciallymeantfor

guestsimmediatelyaftertheperformanceandshoweredwithmorepraise.WithhisdecisionofselectingSehmatvindicated,theprincipalfeltelated.HeputhisrightarmaroundhershoulderandintroducedSehmattotheboardmembersandthejudges.ThesametrusteeswhohadearlierwantedSehmatoutofthe

competitionwerenowgivinghercompliments.ItwasthenthatshelearntfromarepentantShastriaboutAby’sinterventioninensuringherselection.TouchedbyAby’sgestureandemboldenedbyhervictory,shedecidedtopersonallythankhim.

Later,holdingMitalibyherarm,Sehmatwalkedbackwithaslightlimptoherhostelroomwithherbagsandcostume.Filledwithasurgeoftrustinhernewfriend,SehmatsharedwithherwhatShastrihadsaidaboutAby.‘Youshouldmeethim,Sehmat.Youareawareofthefactthatheisattractedto

you,aren’tyou?’‘Idon’tknow,Mitali.Ihaveseenhimlookatmeattimes,butIhaven’tgiven

itmuchthought,’Sehmatsaidhesitantly.MitaliplacedherhandsonSehmat’sshoulders.‘Idonotknowhowyouwill

react.Buteveryoneintheclassisawarethatheismadlyinlovewithyou.Infact,itiscommonknowledgeintheentirecollege.Butareyouattractedtohim?’Sehmatflungherselfacrossthebedwithasigh,‘Idonotknow,Mitali.Heis

indeedhandsome,andIthinkadecentmantoo,buttherearetimeswhendoubtsovercomemeandIcannotdecide.’‘Thereisonlyonewaytofindout,’Mitalisaidandpickedupabunchofroses

fromoneofthebouquetsthatwerepresentedtoher.HandingthemtoSehmat,shewinked,‘Youcanthankhim.Whatbetterwaythantosayitwithflowers?AndIwillhelpyoulookforthishandsomeyoungman.’

6

Thenextmorning,atthecollege,Mitali’sdetectingskillswerestretchedtotheirlimitsintryingtolocatetheelusiveAby.ShefinallyfoundhiminthelibraryandrushedtoSehmat.However,onhearingthis,Sehmatbecamesonervousthatitlookedlikeshewasabouttobreakdown.Mitalitriedtoencourageher,‘Goonandmeetyourhero.Iwouldliketolisten

toyourconversation,butrightnowIneedtogetbacktomyclasses.I’vemissedsomanyforthisdance!’Andwiththat,MitalileftanagitatedSehmattoherowndevices.SehmathesitantlywalkedtothelibraryandlookedaroundforAby.

Somethinginhertoldherthatsincehewasbehindhersuccess,itwasonlyfairthatshethankedhim,nomatterhowawkwardshefelt.Shepeeredintothesemi-darknessofthelibrary.Forasfarashereyescouldsee,therewasnosignofhim.Shefeltdisappointedandwasabouttoturnaway,whenshespottedhimseatedatthefarend,hisheadburiedinalargecoffee-tablebook.Slowlysheinchedtowardshim,thinkingaboutwhatshewouldsayandhowshewouldstarttheconversation.Assheapproachedhistable,shefoundhimengrossedinacolourfulbooktitledMeerabai.Hedidnotnoticehertillshewasstandinginfrontofhim,andwhenhefinallysawheritlookedlikehehadbeenstruckbylightning.Hestooduphurriedly,tookherhandgentlyandshookitwithtendernessandcare.‘ThatwasthebestdanceperformanceIhaveeverwitnessedinmylife.You

weresimplysuperb.Heartiestcongratulations.’Wordsdidnotfloweasily.AbylookedvisiblyshakenyetpleasantlysurprisedbySehmat’ssuddenappearance.

Sehmatsmiledinreturn.ShecouldseethatAbywasdumbstruck.Sehmatquietlyextendedthebouquet.Hegraciouslyacceptedtherosesfromherandthenpulledupachairforher.Sehmatsatdownself-consciously,butnoticinghisdiscomfortdecidedtodothetalking.‘HowcanIthanksomeonewhodoesn’tevenwanttoacknowledgewhathe

hasdoneforapersonunknowntohim?Pleaseacceptmydeepandheartfeltgratitudeforhelpingmeout.WithoutyoursupportIcouldnothaveachievedthegreatestmomentofmylife.Thankyousomuch.IhopeIwillbeabletoreciprocateyourkindgesturesomeday.’Sehmat’ssoft,comfortingwordsliftedAby’sspirits.Hemadeuphismind

thenandtheretotellherabouthisfeelingswithoutmakingapretenceoffriendship.Hesmiledather.ItwasthemosttendersmileSehmathadeverseen.Hestoodupandgentlyplacedtherosesonthetable.Themomentbetweenthemwaselectrifying.Allthestudentspresentinthelibrarylookedinquisitivelyintheirdirection.AbylookedintoSehmat’seyesforthefirsttime.Thewarmthinthemwasencouragingenoughtodispelhishesitation.Drawingclosertoher,hebentslightlytolookstraightintothehypnotictwinpoolsofthedeepest-blueeyes.‘Youhaveneverbeenunknowntome,Princess.Wehavenevermetformally,

butyouhavealwaysbeeninmythoughtsandinmyheart.Ihaveknownyourightfromthedayyoufirstenteredthecollege.Iwantedtospeaktoyoubuttherewasneverarightmoment.Youaredifferentfromtherest.Thewayyoucarryyourself,thewayyouspeak...Youhavealwaysbeenapartofmydreamandthecentreofmypoetry.’Sehmatgotupfromherchairandstoodrightinfrontofhim.Theywereso

closethattheycouldfeeleachother’sbreath.Abypausedforamoment,hiseyeslockedontoSehmat’s.Eventhoughhewasspeakingsoftly,allearsinthelibraryweretunedtopickupeverywordthatwasbeingexchanged.Butthiswashismomentandhewasdeterminedtoopenhisheart.Itwasnowornever.‘WhatifIsayIlikeyou,andthatIloveyou?ThatIhavelovedyourightfromthemomentIfirstsawyouandthatIfeelincompletewithoutyou?’ItwasSehmat’sturntobeshocked.Shewasunpreparedforsuchareaction

fromAby.Shehadalwaystriedtostayawayfromrelationships.Nowhisdeclarationoflovehadthrownheroff.SheknewnothingaboutAby,hisfamily

orhisbackground.Shestoodlookingathim,takingineveryfeatureofhisface,everyfleetingexpression.Shethoughtaboutthetimesshehadcaughthimlookingatherwithadmirationandpassion.Suddenlyshehadafeelingofdéjàvuandtherealizationknockedthewindoutofherlungs.Themanstandinginfrontofher,professinghisloveforherboreastrikingresemblancetothemaninherdreams!ThatiswhyshehadbeendrawntoAbyinthefirstplace.Hewasthemansheusedtothinkabout.WhendidshefallinlovewithAby?Whyhadn’tsherealizedthatshewasinlovewithhimtillthisveryminute?Shewasgrapplingwithherownfeelingsandtryingtocometotermswithhowshefelt.Meanwhile,forAby,Sehmat’ssilencewasdeafening.Hecouldnot

understandwhatSehmatwasthinking.Whatifsherejectedhim?Thefeelingwouldhaunthimforever.Fearingarefusal,hisheartnearlystoppedbeating.Sehmatdecidedtoletheremotionstakethelead.Shehadwaitedsolongto

feelthiswayandwasnowreadytotakeachance.Sheshookherheadinanattempttoclearherfeelings.Tearsbeganstreamingdownherfaceasshebarelywhispered,‘Yes.’‘Yes,what,Sehmat?’heaskeddesperately.SehmatlookedatAby.Hereyesheldtheemotiveresponsethathewashoping

for,butSehmatwentastepfurther.‘Iloveyoutoo.Itjusttookaverylongtimeforittosinkin.’RelieffloodedAby’sface.Asifguidedbyaninvisibleforce,hishandsmet

hers,herfingersclaspinghispalmswithpassionandexcitement.Thewarmthflowedeasilybetweenthembutthetwolovebirdspreferredtostayquiet,lettingtheirexpressionsdothetalking.Afterafewmoments,Abybrokethesilence,‘Whenyoushookyourhead,Ithoughtyouweregoingtodenyusachance.’Sehmatsmiledshylyandrestedherheadonhisshoulders.Ifitwereadream,

shedidnotwishtobewokenup.Herfeetwerebandagedbutherhearthadhealed,completely.Theirmomentwasinterruptedbyasuddennoisearoundthetable.Onlookers,

relievedthatthesuspensewasover,werethumpingthedesksandcheeringthenewcouple,whohadjustexchangedvowsofcommitmentintheirpresence.AbyhelpedSehmatwipeawayhertears.Herfacehadturnedpink.Shewasblushing,smilingandcryingallatthesametime,leavingtelltalemarksonAby’sshirtforalltosee.

‘We’dbetterleavethisplaceorwewillbefinedforcreatingaruckus!’Abysaidtakingherhandfirmlyinhisandescortingherout.Theymadearemarkablepair—thebeautiful,delicateSehmat,handinhandwiththehandsomeandprotectiveAby.TogethertheywalkedtowardsAby’scar.Onceinthecar,Abyturnedtoherandsaid,‘Ihopethisisnotadream.I

promiseyou,Sehmat,thatIwillalwaysloveyou.Youmaythinkitistoosoonformetosaythis,butIhavefeltlikethissincethetimeIfirstsawyou.’Sehmatwastouchedbyhiswords.Shewantedtosavoureverymomentofit

andnotworryabouttheuncertainties.Sherememberedwhathermotherhadoncesaid:‘Lovecanonlyhappenonceandwhenitdoes,yourheartwilltellyouthatitistheonetruelove.Allowthattohappenwhenitdoes.’ShevoicedherthoughtstoAby,whosmiledbackatherwithalopsidedgrin,

enjoyingthewarmthofherheadrestingonhisleftshoulder.Afterhoursofaimlessdriving,Abyturnedthecartowardsherhostel.‘Let’sgetyoutoyourhostelbeforethewardendecidestothrowyouout,’hejokedgood-naturedly.‘Thesetwodayshavebeentrulythebestdaysofmylife,andIowethemto

you,Aby.First,mychancetoperformandnow,yourlove...’Sehmatsighed.‘Nowthattheladyhashadenoughexcitementforoneday,herchariotdrops

heratherpalacesoshecanrestandwakeupfreshinthemorning,’Abysaidwithasmileasheappliedthebrakes.Heopenedherdoorgallantly,andSehmatgotoutandwalkedtowardsthehostelgate.Assheturnedaroundtowaveathim,shesawasadlookcrossAby’sface.Sherushedbacktohim.Touchinghischeek,shetriedtolightenhismood.‘Wewillbemeetingeachothereveryday,Aby.Whoknows,youmightgettiredofseeingmesooften.’‘Ah,theladyhasasenseofhumour,’Abysaid,brighteningup.‘See,Ipicked

themostamazingwomanonearth.Butfornow,returntoyourpalaceorthestepmotherwillbanishyoufromherkingdom.’Stillsmilingwidely,Sehmatrantoherroom.Mitali,withherheadproppedontwopillows,wasreadingabook.Assoonas

shesawSehmat,sheloweredherbookandgaveamischievouswink.‘Thatwasquitealongthankyou,don’tyouthink,Sehmat?’sheteased.ThewordaboutSehmat’smeetingwithAbyinthelibraryhadspreadlikewildfire.ButMitaliknewshewouldheartheentirestoryindetail,first-hand.

SehmatwentuptoMitaliandhuggedher.‘You’llneverguesswhathappened,Mitali.Ihadgonetoconveymythanksand...’‘Iknow,Iknow,yourlovestoryisquitethehottopicatthemoment.ButI

won’tletyouoffwithanincompleteversion.IwanttheentirestoryrightfromthemomentIleftyoutillthetimeyoucamewaltzingintothisroom.Westillhavehalfanhourbeforedinner.Sowhydon’tyoushowerandchangefirst?’MitalilookedatSehmat’sfoot,whichappearedtobefineexceptforaslightswelling.Sehmatdutifullyobeyed.Clutchingafreshchangeofclothes,shedisappeared

intothebathroom,toemergefromittenminuteslater,scrubbedandrefreshed.Herfootwasbeginningtothrobbutherheartwasfartoojoyoustoworryaboutthepain.WhileMitalitookhershower,anexhaustedSehmatlayonthebed,hereyesclosed,thinkingoftheday’sincidents.BythetimeMitalisteppedoutofthebathroom,Sehmatwasfastasleep.Mitalilookedather.ShehadwitnessedSehmat’sreactiononafewoccasions

whenissuespertainingtowomen’srightshadbeendiscussed.Thatwaswhentheshy,reservedmaidenfromtheValleyhaddonnedthemantleofanactivistandspokenpassionatelyonissuesrelatingtothefreedomofwomen.Buthereshewas,vulnerableanddelicate,lostinherdreams.Herinnocentfaceradiatedwithanamazingglow.Therewasasenseofdeepsatisfactioninherbodylanguageasshesleptincompletepeace,perhapsdreamingofAby.TheMeerabaiinherhadfoundherKrishnaatlast.

7

Sunlightstreamedintothemodesthostelroom,kissingthefaceofthegirlsleepingnexttothewindow.Stretchingluxuriously,SehmatwokeupandglancedaroundtofindMitali,herroom-mate,stillasleep.Sheslippedintoherbathroomslippersanddecidedtogotothehostelmessforhermorningtea.Shewentdownstairstofindthatthecookwasn’tthereyet.Sehmatdecidedtostrollaroundthehostelgroundsasitwasapleasantmorning.Theairwasfreshandthebirdswereflyingabout,insearchofscrapsoffood.

Apigeonscamperedinfrontofher,focusedonsomethingontheground.Impressedbythelushgreensurroundings,thelonebirdsoonbeganmarkinghisterritoryonthevastgrassycarpetbypumpingairintohisneckandgoingaroundincircles.Asifoncue,morepigeonsjoinedin,challengingitsauthorityandstartingabeakfightintheprocess.Sehmatsatonthestepsandbeganobservingnatureatitsbest.Herfacebroke

intoasmile,whichsoonturnedintoaloudgiggle.Itwasnotthepigeons’tapdancebutthememoryofhowAbyhadadmittedhisloveforheratthelibrarythepreviousdaythatmadeherlaugh.Whatshecouldnotseewastheradianceonherownface,anaturalglowwhichnocosmeticsintheworldcouldhavebroughtout.EvenasSehmatwasengrossedinherthoughts,thecookhadcomebacktothe

kitchen.SeeingSehmatatpeacewithherself,hecouldn’thelpadmiringher.Shewasblushing,henoticed,butdidn’tunderstandwhy.Buthecaredforherandwaspleasedtoseeherinsuchgreatspirits.Heapproachedher,holdingahotcupofteaonatray.

‘Goodmorning,MissSehmat.Iheardaboutyourexcellentdanceperformanceyesterday.Congratulations.Mayyoualwayscomeoutwithflyingcolours!’Sehmatlookedattheagedchefandsmiled,‘Thankyou,DheerajKaka.That’s

sweetofyou.BythegraceofGod,itwentoffverywell.Yourgoodwisheshelpedindeed.’Thecookwastouchedbyherhumility.Extendingtheteatraytowardsher,hepointedtotheskyandremarked,‘He

doesnotmakesimpleandwarmpeoplelikeyoueveryday.TobeinMeerabai’sshoesisnomeanfeat.Andwhichiswhyheselectsspecialpeopleforspecialroles.’Sehmatgracefullyacceptedhiscomplimentsandthetea.Therewasabig

lessoninhisplainwords,shethought.Takingaquicksip,sheraisedhereyebrowsinappreciationandrequestedanothercup.Thechefobliged.Holdingbothcups,shebeganclimbingthestairstoherroom.Onthestaircase,shebumpedintoafewearlyriserswhoweremakingabeelinefortheirmorningteaaswell.WhileAnjali,asecond-yearstudent,congratulatedher,Helen,herclassmate,lacedhersentencewithsarcasm,‘Youseemtobetheluckyone,winningtwotrophiesinasingleday!’Sehmatsimplysmiledinreturnandcontinuedclimbingthesteps.Shepushed

openthedoortoherprivatesanctuaryandfoundherroom-matestillasleep.Mitali’smagnanimousgestureduringthecompetitionhadremovedthewedgeofmistrustbetweenthemandhadbroughtthetwodancerscloserthaneverbefore.‘Wakeup,sleepyhead,itistheroomservice,’shesaid.Gettingnoresponse,

shecontinued,‘Oh,don’tyouwanttoknowallthedetailsofyesterday.Theofferexpiresintenminutesandafterthatnomatterhowmuchyouplead,Iwon’ttellyouanything.’Mitalisprangupfromherbedasifjoltedbyanelectriccurrent.Smilingand

yawningalmostatthesametime,sheacceptedhercup.Themischiefinhereyesshowedthatshewasreadyandwideawake.‘Iflovemakesyougetmeacupofteaeachmorning,Iprayyouneverfalloutofit.’‘Justthismorning,dear.Iwokeupearlyanddecidedtobenicetoyou,’

quippedSehmat.Shethenpickedupherpillow,putitonherlapandsatdownonMitali’sbedtoregaleherwithdetailsoftheentireincident,endingwiththecommentsfromHelenonthestaircase.

MitalidismissedHelen’scommentswithanelegantwaveofherhand,fullyawarethatSehmatwascapableofstandingupforherself.‘Thosegirlsarejealousforareason.Bothofyouarestunningcreatures.Abyhasbeentheheart-throbfromthemomenthejoinedcollege.Thenyouwalkedinandmanyofusbegantowonderwhenyouwouldcrosspaths.ItwasobvioustoallthatAbywasinlovewithyoubutwewereneversureaboutyourfeelingsforhim.’Thegirlschattedforanotherhourbeforepreparingforanotherday.Sehmatdressedslowlyandcarefullyasifitwereherfirstdayincollege.Thewomaninherhadbeguntotakecharge.Theyweregreetedwithbothpleasantandunpleasantlooksallthroughthe

longcorridor.Bemused,thegirlsgiggledtheirwaytotheclassroom.SehmatlookedaroundforAbyamongstthefewstudentswhohadarrived,hereyesscanningtherearbenchthatheusuallyoccupied.Mitaliwasquicktonoticeherdisappointment.‘Oh,sofromnowon,theladywouldprefertositatthebackforapanoramicviewandtakelessonsonloveratherthanattendthelecture?’Sehmatsmiledbackmeeklybutdidnotrespond.Holdingherbytheelbow,

Mitaliclimbedupthestepsoftheclassandwalkedtothelastrowofbenches.Theclassroombegantofillupasmorestudentsarrived.Thetwotookthefifthbenchfromtherear.MitalilookedatSehmat’sdisappointedfaceandsaid,‘He’llcome.Menoftenneedmoretimetogetready.Afterall,itishisfirstdaytoo!’ThefirstlectureonShakespearedraggedendlessly,eventhoughitwas

Sehmat’sfavouritesubject.Walkingupanddownthestage,theprofessordescribedRomeo’seternalloveforJuliet.HedescribedthescenewhenJulietappearsinthebalconyandRomeolooksather.‘Thou...’hebeganthedialogueofRomeo.Hewassoengrossedthathishandwentupcomicallyasheenactedthescene,leadingtoburstsoflaughterfromthestudents.ButSehmatwasnotpayingattention.Withherheadrestingonherarm,shewaswaitingforherRomeotoarrive.Hereyeswereclosed,andshewasblissfullyunawareofthecomicmelodramathatwastakingplaceintheclass.‘Thou!’sheheardagain.Onlythistimethevoicesoundedfamiliartoher.She

openedhereyesandlistlesslyturnedaroundtoseeAbysittingbehindher,grinningfromear-to-ear.‘Thou,’hewhisperedagain,winkingather.Sehmatblushedaprettyshadeofpinkandturnedherfacetowardstheprofessor.Almostatthesametime,thegongsounded,signallingtheendofthelecture.The

classroomemptiedoutinminutesexceptforthethreestudentshuddledtogetherasifengagedinaseriousgroupdiscussion.Mitaliwascentrestage,actingasthegroupleader,givingsermonstoAby.‘Fromnowon,MrRomeo,asimple“thou”won’tdo.Iexpectyoutopick

Sehmatupfromthehostel,drivehertocollegeandbebyhersidefortherestoftheday,eachday!ThoughIsincerelywonderwhatwouldhappenifyoutwodecidedtoskipafewclasses.Theskysurelywouldn’tfallorwouldit?’Abysmiledinreturn.‘Thankyou,MissMitali,forbringingustogether.AllI

cansayisIamdeeplyindebtedtoyou.’SehmatnoticedthegratitudeinAby’svoiceashespoketoMitali.Heisdifferent,shetoldherself.SheclosedhereyesmomentarilyandthankedGodinashortprayer.Mitalibrokethesilence,‘Itwasapleasureindeed.Youtwobeautifulpeopledeserveeachother.Ithadtohappenoneday.Nowwillyoutwopleasegetlost?’Thetriolefttheroomtogether,onlytobeseparatedagainatthecarparking.

MitalibidthemgoodbyeandstoodwatchingAby’scarrolldownthelongdrivewaytowardsthecollegegate.Sittingbyhisside,SehmathadinchedclosertoAby.Thetwoindeedmadeaninseparablepair.

Theirloveblossomedwitheachpassingday.Itwasrareforeithertobeseenalone,exceptintheclassroom.Evenwhileattendinglectures,Sehmatfoughthardtofocusonherstudies.Abymaintainedhisbackbencherstatus.Buthisvoluminouscollectionof

poetryonSehmatbegandryingup.Instead,hepassionatelyadmiredherandoccasionallyexchangedpaperslips,commentingonherclothes,hairandtheirmeetingplans.Everynotecarriedacoupletortwo,oftenleavingSehmatspellboundwithhisselectionofwords.Sehmatdedicatedlykeptthetinynotesasprizedpossessions,neatlypastingtheminascrapbookattheendoftheday.Thesenotessoonbecameherfavouritepastimeandsheporedoverthemwhenevershefoundherselfalone.Theymetregularlyevenastheannualexamfevergrippedthecollege.Aby

promisedtocarefullystudyhernotesbutfounditdifficulttofocus.Somewheredeepwithin,hewasworriedabouttheapproachingsummervacationthatwouldtakehissweetheartawayfromhim.

Perhapshehadasenseofforebodingoftheimpendingstormintheirlives.Onthedayoftheirlastexam,Sehmathadbarelysteppedoutofthehallwhen

anunknownpersonapproachedher.Heintroducedhimselfandgaveherasealedenvelope.ThinkingittobeoneofAby’spranks,shelookedattheenvelopecarefullyandfoundthesender’snameatthebottom.Shewastakenbysurpriseandhurriedlyopeneditandreadtheshortnote.MirhadrequestedhertoflybacktoSrinagar.Theenvelopealsocontainedanairticketforaflightthatwasscheduledtodepartthenextday.Sehmatinstinctivelyrealizedthatallwasnotwellathome.Shortlythereafter,

shewassittingintheprincipal’sroom,talkingtohermotheroverthephone.Abysatbyherside,maintainingastudiedcomposure.Tejtriedherbesttoallayherdaughter’sfearsandpretendthatallwasokay,butfailed.Abytoocouldn’tdomuchtobringcheertoherface.Theydinedinsilence,afterwhichAbydroppedheratthehostel,onlytoreturnafewhourslater,thistimetotakehertotheairport.InawaySehmatfeltguilty.Shehadn’treallythoughtaboutherparentsin

thesepastcoupleofweeks.Shewonderedifshe’dbeenunusuallyselfishinbeingabsorbedinlove.Theguiltandtheworrybegantoconsumeher.Abywaspatientbutalsoworried,‘Pleasecallmeassoonasyoureachhome.Ifyouneedme,I’lltakethenextflight.Areyoulistening,Sehmat?’Sehmatwaslostinherownthoughts.ShemerelyacknowledgedAbyasshe

lefthim.Ontheflight,worryconsumedherintheformofvariousthoughts.Whatcouldhavehappenedforthemtosendforherlikethis?Herfatherhadn’tspokentoher,washeokay?Shesighedtiredlyandlookedoutofthewindowassheknewshewouldhavetowaittillshegothome.

Onceathome,Sehmatslowlybecameawareofwhatwashappening.Shecametoknowaboutherfather’sailmentandspentadaycryingasshethoughtaboutthepossibilityofhimpassingaway.Hermotherwaspatientwithher,talkingandexplainingthingstilllateinthenight.SehmattoldheraboutAby,andthetwofoundsolaceintheirtears.TejtoldSehmataboutthepossibilityofherbecomingapartoftheintelligence-gatheringnetworkacrosstheborder.Eventhoughshehaddreadedtalkingaboutit,sheexplainedhowitwouldhappen.

‘Abyisbutasmallsacrifice,’shesaid.‘Yourfatherhastoiledhardandtakengraverisksforthesakeofourcountry.Hewouldlikeyoutotakeoverfromhereandhelpincontrollingtheotherend,especiallyinlightofthegrowingbattlecriesfromtheoverconfidentPakistaniGenerals.Besides,wehaveknowntheSayeedsfordecades.Iqbalisaveryfine,well-manneredandeducatedboy.You’llbeveryhappyandsafe,’shesaid.SehmatwastobemarriedtothesonofaPakistaniBrigadier,SheikhSayeed,inaboldmovetounderstandtheoperationbeingcarriedoutagainstIndia.Deepinherheart,Tejfeltastabofpainforherdaughter.Thisisnothowshe

hadimaginedherdaughter’smarriage.SheknewSehmatwouldobeyheranddoasshewastold.Butshealsorealizedtheconsequencesofsendingheronlydaughterintotheenemycamp.SehmatfoundtheshockoflosingbothherfatherandAbyunbearable.She

weptandsoughtexplanationsfromtheAlmightyintheprivacyofherroom.Ifitwereatest,shewouldratherfailthanbeawayfromherfamilyandAby,shearguedwithhim.Swingingbetweenangeranddespair,shesoughtanswersthatnoonecould

provide.Thedarknightreflectedherstateofmind:asenseofdoomreverberatingallaroundthestillness.Itwasanomenofthingstocome,Sehmatthought.HerthoughtsflewtoAby,whowaswaitingforher.Herangerwasdirectedtowardsherfate.Shecouldn’tletherfatherdownbutshealsowantedtobewithAby.Andtherewasnomiddleground.

HidayatKhanhadalongtalkwithhisdaughterinthestudythenextday.Hetalkedatlengthabouthisloveforthecountryandhowhehadmanagedtosetupthenetworkwhichnowneededsomeonetotakeover.Heexplainedhowhecouldn’ttrustanyoneotherthanher.Sehmatwatchedtheemotionscomeandgoonherfather’sface.Shecouldliterallyfeelthepainhewasgoingthrough,andsheunderstoodthegravityofwhathehadhandedovertoher.Howcouldshelethimdown?Howcouldshewalkawayfromthis?Shewouldberiskingtheentireoperationifshedefiedthegroundrules.Herfamily’shonourwasatstake.Shewouldhavetomakethesupremesacrificeand,withoutlookingback,burythe

memoriesofhertrueloveinthesandsoftime.Thatwashowitwouldbe,andshehadtodecideveryquickly.Sehmattooktheentiredaytothinkaboutherdecision.Herparentsdidnot

disturbherortrytoinfluenceherbuttherewasanticipationintheireyes.Shewasrestlessduringthenighttoo.Thenextmorning,Sehmatmadeherwaydownstairstotellherparentsofherdecision.Insteadofservantsofthehouseattendingtotheirchores,shewasmetbyneighboursandfriendsofthefamilyassembledinthedrawingroom.Foramomentshewasdisoriented.Withasinkingfeeling,sherushedtoherparents’room.ThereshesawTejkneelingbyHidayat’sside,weepingsoftly.Hidayatwaslyingonhisusualsideofthebed,withhiseyesclosed.Fearingtheworst,Sehmatquicklyreachedherfather’sside.Sensingwhather

daughterwasthinking,Tejshookherhead.‘Hesuddenlydevelopedacomplicationthismorning.Thedoctorhasbeenintoseehimandhasadministeredsomeinjections.Heneedstorest,’shewhispered.SomethingwasdifferentaboutSehmattoday.Therewasnotraceoftearsontheyoungwoman’sfacewhoselifehadtakensuchadrasticturn,withoutbeinggivenachancetoreactorrecover.Later,Sehmattalkedaboutherdecision.Shewoulddoasexpected—get

marriedthreemonthslater—butnotbeforemakingatriptoDelhi.Herparentswererelievedbutalsoworriedforher.WithaheavyhearttheylethergotoDelhi,onelasttime.ThefirstpersonSehmatmetwashersoulmate.Abylistenedtoherinshock

andbewildermentassheoutlinedherdestiny.Sehmattrustedhimcompletelyand,againstthestrictadviceofMir,unveiledthereasonsandsecretbehindherhurriedlyplannedmarriagetothePakistaniCaptain.‘Myfatherhassacrificedhimselfforournation,Aby,andtheleastIcandoisgivehimpeaceasheapproachesthelastphaseofhislife.Besides,itwouldbeanhonourtobeabletoserveourmotherland,’shesaid,talkingaboutherdecision.Abywasn’tconvinced.NotonlywashegoingtoloseSehmattoanotherman,

healsoforesawseriousconsequencestoherpersonalsafety.‘Doyourealizethatyouarenotcutoutforsuchadangerousoperation?Areyouevenremotelyawareofhowspiesaretreatediftheyarecaught?’

Sehmatdidnotrespond.Shesawtheunbearablepainhefeltinhiseyes.Sinceshehaddecidedtobebetrothedtoanotherman,shewashonour-boundtoendherrelationshipwithAby.Butherheartwasnotresponding.Itwasinsteadrevolting,forcingSehmattomergewithAby’ssoul.Forthesecondtimeinherlife,sheallowedherselftobeledbyheremotions.MovingclosertoAby,shewhispered,‘Pleaseholdmeinyourarms.Whoknowswhatwillhappentomorrow.I’lllivewiththememoriesofyourlovefortherestofmylife.’Theirfacesstreamedwithtearsastheyclungtoeachother.Abywasfindingit

hardtobreathe.HecouldnotimaginehislifewithoutSehmat.Hertinklinglaughter,hersmileandhersweetfragrancewereengravedineveryporeofhisbeing.Butnowhehadtoletgo.Helookedintohereyesandsaid,‘Ihavelovedyou,Princess.Ialwayswill.Remember,Iamhereforyou.Allyouneedtodoisreachouttome.Andnomatterwhat,I’llbethere.’Sehmatnoddedthroughhertears.Scaredthatanothermomentwithhim

wouldweakenher,shepulledawaygently,wipedhertearsandwalkedawayfromhislife,andherstoo.

8

Hidayatpassedawayamonthlater.Hediedashehadwished,watchingthetricolourflutteringinthegentlebreeze,hiswifeanddaughterbyhisside.Inashortspanoftime,Sehmatlosttheonlytwomenshehadeverloved.She

wasdrainedofallemotions.Whatmatterednowwasonlyhermission,tomakeherfatherandthecountryproud.SehmatspentthenextonemonthinsidetheRedFortintheheartofthe

capital,wheresheunderwentintensivetwelve-hourtrainingatthehandsofintelligenceofficers.Theagents,hand-pickedbyMir,trainedSehmatintheartofsettingupandusingmicrolisteningdevicesforthefirsttwoweeks.Thesecondhalfofthemonthwasevenmoregruelling,asshelearnttophysicallyhandlesmallarms,explosivesanddetonators.Sehmatdisplayedanamazinganduncannyknackforespionagetechniques

andworkedextrahardsoastoexhaustherselfbytheendofeachday.However,shefailedtoremoveAby’spicturefromhermindandspenthoursporingoverherscrapbook.Thoseweretheonlymomentsthatmadeheremotional.Bythetimehertrainingcametoanend,shehadbecomeanexpertonnumerousspyingtechniques.WhenMirmetherattheendofthemonth,helookedatherproudly.Thegirlwasherfather’sdaughterallright.Amonthlater,SehmatwasmarriedtoCaptainIqbalSayeedofthePakistani

LightInfantryatLahore.Iqbal’sfather,SheikhSayeed,wasaservingBrigadierinthesamebranchandwasknowntobeclosetothetopbrass.Hehadverycarefullycultivatedfriendsinhighplacesashehadclimbedupthemilitaryladder.Shrewdandcalculating,he’devengonetotheextentofgettinghiselderson,MajorMehboobSayeed,marriedtothedaughterofanArmyGeneral.This

inturnensuredthattheBrigadierwasfavouredduringthecrucialpromotionperiod.GiventhePakistaniarmy’spenchantformartiallaws,itsGeneralswereknowntovaluepersonalloyaltiesoverrulebooks,codesandethics.EventhoughBrigadierSayeedwasmediocreinstrategicplanning,hemade

upforitbybeingsmartandquickontheuptake.Heunderstoodthefactthatthosewhodisplayedbrilliancealsoposedbiggerthreatstothetopbrassandwerethereforequicklysidelined.Tosavehisskin,hepreferredtoplaytheroleofa‘yesman’.Wheneversummonedforadvice,hefirstresearchedwhathissuperiorswishedtohearandthenadvisedaccordingly.HeandHidayatKhanhadstudiedtogetheratLahoreCollegeandwereclose

friends.PostPartition,SayeedhadhelpedHidayatexpandhisbusiness.Inturn,HidayathadassistedSayeedinarrangingexpensiveliquorandfancygiftsforseniorarmyofficialsinhisparties.MarryinghissontoanIndiangirlwasarisk,butsuchwasSayeed’sinfluenceinthearmythatHidayatwassureofhimovercominganyconsequentproblems.Sayeedhadanotherreasontobehappy.HehadaneyeonHidayat’sbusinessempireofwhichSehmatwastheonlyheir.MirknewthatSehmatwouldbesafewiththeSayeeds.Healsosawabigger

roleemergingfortheIndianintelligence.HehadfailedinpersuadingHidayattowithdrawSehmatfromthisdangerouscourse,sohetookituponhimselftoensurethesafetyofhisfriend’sdaughter.HedeputedhismosttrustedandefficientofficersintheIndianEmbassyatIslamabadandspreadhisnetworkaroundSehmattoprovideherwithanalternateescaperouteasandwhenthesituationdemanded.Aftertheweddingceremonies,Sehmatsettledintothenewenvironment

quickly.Itwasimportantforhertoovercomeherpastandfocusonherassignment.TheopenandfriendlyatmosphereattheSayeeds’distractedherfromthememoriesofAbytoanextent.Butatthesametime,shefounditdifficulttoadjusttotheverythoughtoflivinginanalienlandthatwasbecomingmorehostiletoherowncountrywitheverypassingday.UnlikemostPakistanifamiliesthatlivedbehindtheconservativewallsofa

religiousmindset,theSayeedshadamodernoutlook.Theirwomencouldspeakupinfrontofmalemembersandwerefreetomakesignificantdecisionsonimportantissues.AlmosteverymalememberofthefamilywaseitherservinginorhadretiredfromthePakistaniarmy.Consequently,theyenjoyedenormous

politicalclout.ItsoonbecameobvioustoSehmatthattheSayeedsweremorefearedthanrespectedinthesocialcirclestheymovedin.Sehmatlostnotimeinacquaintingherselfwiththetraditionsandcustomsof

hernewhousehold.Asaquietobserver,shemadementalnotesaboutthefamily,itsdynamicsandinternalpolitics.Beingtheyoungestdaughter-in-law,shewasshoweredwithloveandattentionbyallthefamilymembersandservants,whichhelpedSehmatestablishherownidentityandpositioninthehousehold.TheSayeedsappreciatedthefactthatdespiteherpersonalloss,Sehmatwasonlyspreadinggoodcheerallround.Shewasalwayssmilingnomatterhowheavyherchoreswere.Sehmatsoonearnedtheconfidenceofthemenofthefamilyonthebusiness

frontaswell.Whileconductingherfirstbusinessmeeting,shenotonlyshowedmaturitybutalsoskilfullynegotiatedthedeal,leavingbothherhusbandandfather-in-lawincompleteawe.AlargeshipmentofspicesbelongingtoanimporterwasconfiscatedattheKarachiPort.Unabletopaythehighpenalty,theimporterrefusedtopickuptheconsignment.Sehmatmadeagreementswithafewbuyersataprofitandpaidfortheentireconsignment.ThisbroughtawindfallprofittotheSayeeds’home.Withgoodmoneypouringin,BrigadierSayeedbegantolookuptoSehmatforadviceonvariousissues,includinghisownofficialones.Sehmatremaineddiligentlyfocused,inspiteofthesmoothsailing.Atevery

opportunity,shesearchedforsafelocationstoinstalherlisteningdevices.Twolargephotoframesinherfather-in-law’sroomwereherfavouriteandmostimportantspots.Eachafternoon,whilethemenwereatworkandthewomennapping,Sehmatpainstakinglyandmeticulouslymountedthetinypiecesofequipmentandconcealedthemthewayshewastaught.Thesedevicescouldthenbecontrolledbyherfromthesafetyofherbathroomthroughaportableunit.Thebathroomsoondoubledupasanoperationsroomfromwhereshecould

sendanSOSmessageorevenmakeanemergencycall.Usingmicroscopicheadphones,shealsobecameamutelistenertothemeetingsthattheBrigadierheldatthehaveliwithhisdeputies.ThoughMirhadcategoricallywarnedherfromdoingso,shewentontoinstal

andcommissiontheMorsecodeequipmentand,underthecoveroftherunning

water,transferredvitalmessagestotheothersideoftheborder.Shegavenoreasonforanyonetosuspectheractivities.Withhercharm,love,

opennessandfriendlybehaviourshehadwontheheartsoftheSayeeds.TheonlyflyintheointmentwastheelderlyAbdul,aservantoftheSayeedswhohadservedthemforovertwentyyears.Behindhisthickgreybeardandwrinkledface,Abdulhadasetofpiercingeyesthatmissedlittle.AbduldidnottrustSehmat.Eventhoughshetried,Sehmatcouldnotwinhistrustandconfidence,whichmadeherextracautiousallthetime.AbdulservedtheSayeedswithfanaticloyalty.Hehadcometobetreatedasa

memberofthefamilyfromanordinaryhouseholdservant.Ononeoccasion,hehadriskedhislifetosafeguardthatofhismaster’s.AsnakehadattackedtheBrigadierwhilehewastakinghismorningwalkonthefrontlawns.Abdulhadthenshownexemplarybraveryinpickingupthereptileandtossingitaway,butnotbeforegettingbittenbythevenomoussnake.AbdulhadsurvivedtheattackbuttheSayeedscarriedthedebtofgratitudeontheirconscienceandtreatedhimasarespectedelderlymemberofthefamily.AbdulhadnurturedinhisheartanirrevocablehatredforallIndians.Andhe

hadhisreasons.PostPartition,whilehehadmanagedtoescapetoPakistan,hisentirefamilyhadbeenslaughteredinfrontofhiseyesduringtheHindu-Muslimriots.HavingunsuccessfullyvoicedhisoppositiontoCaptainIqbal’smarriagetoSehmat,Abdulcouldneverbringhimselftoreposefaithinthenewbride.TheSayeedswereawareofAbdul’sdeepscarsandhisprejudiceagainst

Indians.Heheldtheentirenationguiltyforanactofviolencethathadmadehimunderstandablybitter.ButtheSayeedshadhopedtoerasehispainfulmemories.Inthebubbly,innocentandfun-lovingSehmat,theyweresurethattheyhadtherightprescriptiontohealhiswounds.Sehmattoolookedforwardtoanopportunitytoremovesomeofthebitternessinhisheart,andalsowinhistrust.Herfirstchancecameduringtheannualinspectionofunitsunderthe

commandofherfather-in-law.AmirKhan,theGeneralOfficerCommanding(GOC),wasknownforhisruthlessness.Hewasn’tamantocrossswordswith.SincetheGOCwasinthelastlegofhislongservice,hishigh-handednessandhaughtinesshadreacheditspeak.ForBrigadierSayeed,itwastimetopressallbuttonstoensurethathisunitsmetwiththehigheststandards.

Pacingupanddownthelawnsofhispalatialhaveli,anervousSayeedwasathiswits’endthinkingofvariouswaystoappeasetheGOC.Sehmat,whohadbeenobservingherfather-in-law’squandary,sawagoldenopportunitytoproveherselfworthyofhisconfidenceandtrust.OnthepretextofgoingtotheJamaMasjid,apublicmosquesomedistance

fromtheirhouse,Sehmatcoveredherselfwithaburka,gotintohercaranddroveaway.Beforeenteringthemosque,sheslippedintoatelephoneboothandhurriedlydialledanumbershewasmadetomemorizeaspartofherimpromptutrainingbyMir.‘Yes,’cameasharpvoicefromtheotherside.‘ThisisRomeo221022Zulu.LieutenantGeneralAmirKhan,GOCLight

Infantry.Urgentlyneedcompletedetails,familybackground,hobbiesandweaknesses.Shallcalltomorrow.’Therewasamomentarysilenceattheotherend.SehmatinstinctivelyknewthatshehadtakentheFirstSecretarybysurprise.Therecognitionandrecoveryontheotherside,however,wasquick.‘Okay,’cametheshortreply.Sehmatreplacedthereceiverandpickeditupinstantly.Shedialledadummy

numbertoensurethathercallcouldnotbetracedandplacedbackthereceiver.Duringhershorttraining,Mirhadrepeatedlyimpresseduponhernottoleaveanythingthatcouldbetracedback.Sehmatwentbacktoadifferenttelephonebooththenextdayandwassoon

smilingunderherburkaassheheardthebriefonAmirKhan.‘Thanks,’shesaidsoftlyasshereplacedthehandsetandrepeatedthedrill.Shethendrovestraighttoherhusband’sofficeand,dismissingtheguardswithcheerfulsmiles,perchedherselfonthethicklycushionedgreensofa.CaptainIqbalSayeedwasissuinginstructionstohismenwhenhewas

informedofhiswife’sarrival.Amazedandsomewhatshocked,herushedtohisofficetofindSehmatcloselyobservingthemaponthewallandencirclinglandmarksinredink.‘Whatareyoudoinghereatthishouroftheday,Sehmat?Andwhyareyou

messingwiththismap?Thisisnotimeforjokes,youknow.TheGOCisinspectingunitsinfifteendaysandIhavenotimetoevenbreathe.AbbaHuzoorwillbeveryangryifhecomestoknowaboutyoursurprisevisitinsuchatimeofemergency.’

‘IamgoingtomeetAbbaHuzoor,butwantedtoseethismapbeforeIdid.Sowillyoupleasedrivemetohimrightnow?’Therewasasoftcajolingplaytohervoiceasshedrewimaginarycirclesonthethickleatherofthesofawithherlongshapelyfingers.Iqbalwasspeechless.Whatcouldhiswifepossiblywanttosaytohisfather

thatapparentlycouldn’twait?SheknewtoowellthattheBrigadierwastenseandinillhumourandyetshewastryingthisstunt.Butbeforehecouldsayanythingtoher,SehmathadalreadylefttheofficeandwasopeningthedoorofIqbal’scarwhichwasparkedinthedriveway,whilesimultaneouslyorderingthedrivertotakehertoBrigadierSayeed’soffice.Iqbalbarelymanagedtositinsidethecarasitspedtoitsnewdestination.And

beforetheconfusedandvisiblyshakenhusbandcouldstartwithhisroundofrapid-firequestions,thecarcametoahaltatSayeed’soffice.Sehmat,whowaswithoutaburkabynow,keptherselfapaceaheadofIqbal.

Bowingslightlyandgently,acknowledgingthesalutesoftheamusedguards,shestoodatherfather-in-law’sofficedoorandknockedsoftly.‘AbbaHuzoor,humandaraajaain?[Respectedfather,mayIcomein?]’Therewereaboutfifteenofficersseatedaroundthetablewhoinstantlystood

upandsmiledatSehmat.Herunexpectedpresencehadaddedcolourtothedullanddrabroom.TheBrigadierwasn’tpleasedthough,and,withgreateffort,stoppedhimselffromsnappingathisdaughter-in-law.‘Ofcourse,pleasecomein.Itisindeedapleasuretoseeyou.Ihopeall’s

well?’hesaidandsimultaneouslygaveahardstaretoIqbalwhotriedhisbesttowearanot-guiltylookandfeignedignorance.EscortingSehmattothesofa,heturnedtowardshisofficerswhoquicklyscrambledawayfromtheroomafterexchangingpleasantries.Holdingherfather-in-lawbyhisarm,Sehmatwalkedhimtothewallthathad

alarge-scalemilitarymap.‘Thisiswheretheinspectionwillbeginandend,AbbaHuzoor,’beganSehmatwithconfidenceandpoise,pointingherfingeratthelakesiteearmarkedonthemap.TheBrigadierlistenedtoherincompletesilenceforthenexthalfhour.Asshebegantorevealherideas,histensefacebegantorelax.Escortingherbacktothecar,hesaid,‘Ihadheardthatbridesbringluckto

theirin-laws.Iammorethanconvincedofthatnow.’Iqbalcouldonlymarvelat

hiswife’sintelligenceandguts.Shehadnotonlycomeupwithanamazingplan,butalsohadthenervetobargeintohisfather’sofficeunannouncedandgetawayunscathed.

Forthenexttwoweeks,SehmatandtheSayeeds’trustedservant,Abdul,carriedfishfeedtothelakeanddroppeditataparticularpoint.Whiletherestofthefamilywonderedwhatwasgoingon,Sehmatsmiledunderherbreathandwaitedforthefinalday.Onthedayoftheinspection,theGOC,alongwiththeguardofhonour,was

walkingbackwithhisdeputywhentheBrigadier,asinstructedbyhisnewtutorSehmat,madehismove.‘Sir,wehavemadeaslightchangeinthedrill.Teawithofficersisbeingheldatthelakesiteinordertogiveyouapicturesqueviewofthecoreheadquarters.’‘Butwhydidyoudothat,andwhydidyounotinformmebefore?’roaredthe

GOC.‘Sir,themenfeltthatwithyourvision,foresightandideas,theunitcouldgoa

longwayintermsoffutureplanning.Theyweresurethatyoucouldseewhatweallcan’tandwantedyoutohaveamacroviewoftheentireestablishment.Besides,Sir,Ihappenedtonoticethatthelakeisloadedwithpossiblythefinestfishwaitingtobehooked.Ifyoulike,maybeyoucouldspendsometimefishing,whiletheofficersassembleatthelakesite?’suggestedSayeed.TheBrigadier’sheartwasinhismouth,whileAmirKhanconsideredthe

politicalcorrectnessofthesituation.Butlikeallanglers,Amircouldnotresistthelureoffishing.Hewasatthefagendofhiscareerandwasinapositiontomakeaminorchangeintradition,afterall.‘WellSayeed...’hecontinued,‘Idon’tlikesuddendeparturesfromthestandarddrill.Butnowthatyouhavedoneit,let’sgoahead.Besides,onehastorespectthefeelingsofourmen.Bytheway,areyousurethere’sfishoutthere?Whyhaven’tIheardofthislakebefore?’Whiletheofficerssippedteaatthelakeside,theirGOCbusiedhimselfin

countingthenumberoffishhehadcaughtwithinhalfanhourofdroppingthehook.Likeamuch-desiredtrophy,heliftedthelargestfishand,exclaimingwith

joy,lookedathisdeputy,‘IsaySayeed,haveyouseenhersize?Sheweighsnearlyaton!’Sayeedwasabouttosaysomethingwhenherememberedhisdaughter-in-

law’swords.Lookingphilosophicallytowardsthelakehesaid,‘Sir,Idon’tknowmuchaboutfishing.ButIknowforsurethatitiscaughtnotwiththehookbutwiththepowerofone’smind.’Sayeed’sresponsewasmusictotheGOC’sears.Hiseyeslitup.Thiswas

exactlyhisphilosophyandhowrightlyput!Heglancedattheassembledofficerswhowereonlywaitingtobreakintoapplause.Feelingontopoftheworldbecauseofthemassagedego,heturnedtowardsSayeedandsaid,‘Ididn’tknowyouaresodeepintobooks,Sayeed.Isay,Iamimpressed,veryimpressed.’‘Thankyou,Sir,butthiscallsforcelebrations.Thislaketoodemandstobe

honouredintheannalsofhistory.Itwouldthereforebeappropriateifyoucouldaddressthemenfromthisverysite.’‘Ithinkthatisaverygoodidea.Iamveryhappytoseeyourunitsinsuch

greatshape.Yourmenmustbecongratulatedforalltheefforts.Tellthemnomoreinspection.TheycanrelaxnowandI’llmeetthemintheevening.Also,err...sendsomefishtomyhouse.Therestshouldbecookedfortheeveningfunction.’TherestofthedaywasspentdiscussingtheGOC’sfishingabilities,witheach

officeroutweighingtheothers’estimateinordertopleasethemoodyoldman.Hisaddresstothejawanstoowaslacedwithfishinnuendoes.SohappywastheGOCwithhisanglingskillsthathereferredtotheenemyasafishwaitingtobetrappedbytheforceofthemind.DinnerwascarefullyplannedbySehmat,keepinginviewtheGOC’smorning

successatthelake.Everythingpossiblewasmadetoresembleafish.Fishingnetswerehungaroundthebuffettableswithfishhooks,showcasingThermocolreplicasandcut-outsofthemorning’scatch.SehmatevengavenewnamestococktailsandcarriedthefirstdrinktotheGOCherself.Dressedcarefullyandstrategicallyfortheoccasion,shelookedstunningly

beautiful.TheGOCcouldnottakehiseyesoffhertheentireevening.Shehaddrapedherexquisitebodyinblackcrepe.Thesubtlelinesofherlongflowinggownaccentuatedhercurvesandtheneckline,andthoughdemurelycut,itwassensational.

HestoodupasSehmatapproachedhimwithabearerandacceptedthedrink,lookingcloselyatthecolourfulcocktailpresentedtohimbysuchalethallybeautifulwoman.Onthebrimoftheglasssatatinyfishermanrestingundertheshadeofapaperumbrella.Asmallpieceofpineapple,cutintheshapeofatinyfish,hungattheedgeofthehook.‘It’syourday,General.Allthefish,itseems,foughtamongstthemselvesto

grabyourhook.Withsomuchcatch,wedidnotfeeltheneedtobuymorefromthemarket.Wishyoumanymore,’Sehmatsaidandraisedatoast,hersensualandmesmerizingeyesdoingthetalking,watchingthehaplessGeneralfallintothetrap.AmirKhantookalargesipandrolledhistongueoverhislips,tastingthe

liquorandsimultaneouslygulpingdownSehmat’swell-rehearsedcompliment.‘Youlookverybeautiful.Thankyouverymuchforsuchmagnificentarrangements.Yesindeed,whataday.NeverinmylifehaveIbeensosuccessful.Istillcan’tbelievemyluck.Andnowyoubringmethisartisticallydesignedcocktail.Ihopethere’snofishinside?’‘Oh!Nothingfishy,General.It’scalledtheGOCSpecial.’Andwiththat

Sehmatwalkedaway,diplomaticallyavertingwhatcouldhavebeenafauxpas.Amirdecidedtotakeawalkaroundthehugelawns,admiringandrepeatedly

complimentingSehmatoneachdetail.Everywhereheglanced,henotedandacknowledgedtheeffortputinbytheSayeedstomakeitamemorablenight.Walkingcloselybyhisside,SehmatensuredthattheGOCsawthefishinghooksthatwereusedasbuttonsontheflowingknee-lengthcoatsofthewaiters.‘ItwasallIqbal’sidea,General.Hefeltthathemightnotbeabletomatchyou

infishing,butwouldsurelyoutnumberthemorningcatchbythehooksondisplaytonight,’Sehmatgushed.‘SoitwastheCaptainteamingupwithhiswife?Ishouldhaveguessed.Well,

letmeadmit,BegumSahiba,howdeeplyIamtouchedbythismostheartfeltwarmwelcome.Yourfamilymustbesuitablyrewardedforallthehardwork.AndI’llensurethatithappenssoonerratherthanlater.Where’sIqbalpostednow?’‘HeiswiththeLightInfantry,basecamp.Perhapshecouldjustifythepower

ofhisthinkingifhecouldworkwithhisGOC.’

SehmatknewthatmostofficersdreadedworkingunderAmirKhan.ButshewasalsoawareofthemanylayersofofficialswhowouldactasasafebufferforanofficerofIqbal’srank.Besides,sheneededherownsourceattheGOCHeadquarters.TheGOCtoowasawareofhisownreputationandwastakenabackbySehmat’scomments.‘Ithinkyouareright.Thereisindeedashortageofthinkersinmyoffice.

Perhapsthatwillalsoensurethatwe’llhavethepleasureofyourcompanymoreoften,BegumSahiba?’‘Itindeedwouldentirelybemyhonour,General.’‘Good.ThenletIqbaljoinfromnextMonday.I’llissuetheorderstomorrow.

HecancomeinplaceofMajorHusseinwho’sgoingforanadvancedcourse.’Iqbalwaswatchingnervouslyfromadistance.Theeasewithwhichhiswife

washandlingtheentiresituationwasmakinghimsweatevenmore.ThemomentarrivedwhenSehmatsubtlygesturedtohimtocomeandjoinherandtheGOC.Afterstandingmomentarilyatattention,hegreetedtheGOC.Heprayedthathisshakylegswouldnotgivehisnervousnessawayashestoodinfrontofthemanwhowasinfamousforhiserraticbehaviour.BeforetheGOCcouldsayanything,Sehmatreachedoutandexcitedly

grabbedherhusband’shand.‘TheGOCisimpressedwithyourperformanceandhasdecidedtopromoteyou.YouwillnowworkunderhiminplaceofMajorHussein.’BoththeGOCandIqbalweretakenabackbySehmat’scomments.Noticing

thechangeintheirexpressions,sheinquiredinavoicedrippingwithinnocence,‘DidIsaysomethingwrong?’AmirKhanquicklycametoherrescue.‘Wellnotexactlyapromotion,Iqbal,

butyoucanperhapsbeappointedasanactingMajorsinceyouwouldbereplacinganofficerofthatrank.’‘Oh,thankyou,Sir.I’lldomybesttoliveuptoyourexpectations,’Iqbalsaid

andquicklycametoabriefattentionposture,hisshoesclickingattheheels,acknowledgingthegoodnews.TheGOCshookhandswithhimandlookedoverhisshouldersattheapproachinggroupofofficers.Evenwithouttheextraperksandhigherpay,Iqbalknewthathewouldbeabletoweartherankandbeeligibleforapromotion.Helookedathiswifeinawe,knowingthatheowedittoher.

Throughsheerplanningandmeticulousexecution,shehadbroughthimonaparwithhiselderbrother.Nowoncloudnine,heheadedtowardsthebarandorderedhimselfarumand

coke.Hetookalargesipandnoticedasmallplasticfishneatlyhookedbelowthewedgeoflimepeacefullyfloatinginsidehisglass.Hequicklygulpedhisdrinkandpulledouttheblueplastic.Finelyetchedunderthebellyofthefishwasthethree-letterword,GOC.

9

Twoyearspassed.WhileIqbalgrewfromstrengthtostrength,healsobecamecompletelydependentonSehmatforhisday-to-dayfunctioning.Thefather-in-lawtoofoundSehmatindispensableandearnedmanybrowniepointsfromdivisionalheadquartersbysharingoperationaldetailswithhisdaughter-in-law.Inordertobeappreciatedamongstthesociallyrelevant,thecrèmedelacrème

ofthePakistanisociety,Sehmatconvincedherfamilytoletherteachmusicinareputedschool.‘Thiswouldkeepmeproductivelybusy,’shestressed.Sincetakingupjobsbywomenfromhigh-profilefamilieswasnotconsideredverydignified,BrigadierSayeedtooktimetorelent,butgaveinafterhissonstartedlobbyingforhiswife.Sehmattooktimetoshortlisttheschoolssuitedforher.Sherealizedthatthere

wasn’tmuchchoicewhenitcametoprovidingqualityeducationinmusictochildreninupmarketschools.Shesettledforonethathadtherightmixofstudentsfrombothrichandpowerfulfamilies.Gettingajobwasnotdifficultasmusicteacherswerenoteasytocomeby.Theprincipalwasonlytoohappytoaccommodateher.Sehmatwentthroughtherecordsofpastmusicteachersandwassurprisedtoobservethatnoonehadlastedformorethansixmonthsatasinglestretch.Shewasdeterminedtobedifferent.Thefollowingweek,Sehmatfoundherselfstandinginfrontofabunchof

pupilsbelongingtothehighandmighty,whohadoptedformusiconlybecausetheirparentswantedthemto.Whensheenteredtheclassroom,accompaniedbytheschooladministrator,shenoticedthatinsteadofrehearsing,thestudentswerebusyfightingoverchocolates.Seeinganewteacheramidstthem,thechildrenstoppedbrieflybutsoonresumedtheirsquabblewithoutevenacknowledging

herpresence.Sehmathesitatedbutthenreachedforthebigbowlofchocolatesandpulleditaway.Therewasfirmnessinheraction,forcingtherichbratstoretract.Sheplacedthebowlgentlyontheshelf,turnedtowardsthemandwithoutevenintroducingherself,beganaddressingthem.‘Musiccomesfromdeepwithin.Itopensthewallsofthemindandhelpsin

removingmentalblocks.It’sagreatsteppingstonetoinnerpeace.Itcanhelpyouattainnameandfameandmakeyourparentsandcountryproudofyou.Ifyouwanttobesincereaboutyourgoals,youwillfirsthavetoliftyourselffromsmallattachmentsandgreed.Onlythenwillyourealizetheinnatestrengthofmusic.’Theclasswasstunnedintosilence.Thesestudentsbelongedtothemost

affluentpartofsociety.Moreimportantly,theyknewthestrengthoftheirinfluenceandmanywerenotaversetousingittotheiradvantage.Theadministratortoowasstunned.Hewasanoldhandandknewhislimitationswellasalsothefactthatnoonehadsurvivedintheschoolbybeingstrictwiththestudents.Sheadded,‘Anybodycanplaytheviolinbutonlythosesucceedwhofree

theirmindsfromthegreedofthesurroundingmaterialisticworld.’Havingmadealastingimpression,shelefttheclassroomfortheday.The

studentsremainedindeepsilence,ponderingoverthestrongmessage.Whilelockingthedoorsattheendoftheday,thepeonwasamazedtofindthehalf-filledchocolatebowl.Helookedaround,hisfacefilledwithsurpriseanddisbelief,beforestuffinghispocketswiththebooty.Sehmatcarefullyscannedthelistofherstudentsaswellastheirkithandkin

overthenextweek.Shewasgoodwithchildrenandknewthattheyhadfragileegos.Hersoft,mellowvoiceandtendermannerismswereinstarkcontrasttothepreviousmusicteacherwhowasmostlydisliked.Sheshortlistedayoungboy,AnwarKhan,tobegroomedastheleaderofthegroup.Muchyoungerthanmoststudents,Anwarneitherpossessednaturaltalentsnorhadtheabilitytopickupthefineraspectsofmusic.SehmatalsorealizedthatshewouldhavetoputinextraefforttobringAnwar

uptoevenbasicstandards.Butshehadmadeuphermindtotraveltheextramile.Forallhisdrawbacks,Anwarhadonestrongcredential:hewasthe

grandsonofthePakistaniarmy’ssecondincommand,LieutenantGeneralImtiazKhan.Astheannualdayfunctioncameclose,SehmathelpedAnwartodrawand

paintaninvitationforhisgrandfather.ShethenhandeditovertoBrigadierSayeedandaskedhimtopersonallydeliverittotheGeneralinIslamabad.‘Giveittohiminfrontofasmanypeopleaspossibleandexplaintohimthe

importanceofhisonlygrandsonplayinglivetoalargeaudience.Tellhimthathispresencewillboosthisgrandson’smorale.’Sehmat’svoicewassoft,butherconfidencewasnowatitspeak.Sheknewwhatshewassaying.And,moreimportantly,theBrigadiertooacknowledgedherauthorityonthesubject.BrigadierSayeeddidashewastoldandflewbackwiththeGeneralinan

armyaircraftwellintimeforthefunction.Sehmatandherstudentspresentedamemorableshowthatmesmerizedthecrowd.Sehmatstoodfacingherstudents,partiallyhiddenbythehugestagecurtain,softlymurmuringthesongbeingplayedonadozenviolinsinunison.SheknewthewordsbyheartforshehadsungthemhundredsoftimesaftercomingtoPakistan.

Ohwindspleasecarryamessagetomybelovedcountry.TellherthatIamlonelywithouther,ThatImissherandwishtobewithher,Tellherthatmylifeisnothingwithouther,AndonedayIshallreturn,Tosleeppeacefullyinherlapforever,forever,forever,forever.

ForSehmat,thelyricsofthesongstruckapoignantchord.ThoughitwasthechildrenofPakistansingingthesong,herthoughtsflewtoherbelovedcountry,itsbeautifulvalleys,snow-peakedmountains,itsfieldsoflushgreenmeadowsandthecoloursofitsfestivities.HerstrongloveforherparentsandAby,andthepainoflosinghim,waswovenintothisrichtapestryofmemories.Despiteherattemptstocontrolherfeelings,tearscourseddownhercheeksunchecked.Anwarbecamethecentreofattentionasthestarperformeroftheshow.The

sombrenotesoftheviolinsaswellasthedeeptimbreofthedrumreachedafeverishpitchandsodidtheyoungAnwarKhan’shands.Onacue,heturnedtowardstheaudienceandstretchedhishandssideways,bringingtheshowtoanabrupthalt.Therewasamomentaryhushinthehall.Thensuddenly,asiftofillinthesilence,thecrowdbegantoclap.GeneralImtiazKhanandhiswifewere

astoundedbywhattheyhadjustheard.Theyknewtheirgrandsondidnothaveanearformusicandyetherehewas.Forthem,Sehmathadbroughtaboutnothingshortofamiracle,makingtheirgrandsonandthemthecynosureofalleyes.Sehmat’syoungartistesgraciouslyacknowledgedthedeafeningapplauseand

thestandingovationbythepackedhall.Thestudentsstoodinformationandbowedlowwhileacceptingtheappreciation.Theythenturnedtowardstheright-handsideofthestagewhereSehmatstood,andkneltbeforeher,urginghertocomeout.Sehmatwasnonplussedandfeltcompelledtostepoutfrombehindthehugecurtain.Despiteherbestefforts,shecouldnothidehertears,nowflowingfreelyfromhereyes.Shesteppedforwardandhuggedthestudents,simultaneouslygivingventtoherpent-upemotions.Thedisplayofsuchdedicationbyateachertowardsherstudentsdeeply

touchedtheaudience,urgingthemtonowgiveherastandingovation.GeneralImtiazKhan,whoalsodoubledasthechiefguest,wassoimpressedbytheproceedingsthatheannouncedrewardsfortheschoolandalsohostedaspecialdinnerinSehmat’shonour.LittledidheknowthathewasopeningthedoorsofgreateropportunityfortheyoungSehmatKhan.Whilegoingtobedthatnight,Sehmatswitchedonthebedsidelight,pulled

outherdiaryandbegantoscribble.Sheappearedimmenselysatisfiedwiththeday’sprogress,but,deepinside,herheartached.Halfanhourlater,shereadaloudthecoupletsofherpoeminacontrolledandsoftvoice.Herversesfloatedfreelyintheclosedconfinesoftheroom,carryingtracesofherpain.

OhNature

Cagedinthewrapoftime,Surroundedbylustanddesire,Holdingontogreedformore,Abirdwithinmewishestoflyfree.

Farawayfromshores,Inthemiddleofnowhere,Amrowingmylife’sboatinmaterialisticcircles,Wonderinghowtofreemysoul,Hopingyettoflyfree.

Imisstheshineofsun,Thesongofbirds,

Thecloudshuggingthewinds,Thepurityofdewdropsandlove,Idesireyettoquenchmythirst,Iyetaimtoflyfree.

Ihaveemotionsthataremeaningless,Couragethatisworthless,Ihaveajourneyaheadthatisaimless,Idreamyettoreachmydestination,Iyetpraytoflyfree.

Inajungleofsteel,mudandconcrete,Packedwithscoreslikemeassardines,Tiedinknotsofsocialbonds,Andhopelesshopes,Iseemyshadowamidstmillions,Idonotlearnyetandchange,Istillyearntoflyfree.

Ohnature,dearnature,areyoulistening?

Asthelastlinesofherpoemmergedwiththestillnessofthenight,sheputthediaryaside,closedhereyesandsankintothesoftplushpillow.Iqbal,wholayasleepontheleftsideofthebed,wokeupasthelightswent

off.Hecouldnotmakemuchofthepoem,butthepaininhervoicewasevidenttohim.Hecouldneitherfathomthedepthofherpoetry,normustersufficientcouragetoaskher.Withdeepfurrowsbetweenhisbrows,hestruggledhardtofindameaningtoit,beforefallingasleep.

ItdidnottakelongforSehmattolearnthatGeneralImtiazKhanwasalsoagolfaficionado.Shemissednoopportunitytobuildbridgeswiththerestofhisclanandbeganfollowingthegameclosely.Inlessthanthreeweeks,shesucceededinfixingagameofgolfforBrigadierSayeedandsimultaneouslymadeaplantogetherfather-in-lawpromoted.Thenextfortnightwasspentintrainingasmalldogtorunawaywiththegolfball.Sehmatstudiedthegameatgreatlengthandporedovervolumesofbooks,

learningthesubtletiesandnuancesoftheelitesport.Andthemoresheread,themorefascinatedshebecame.‘Golfers’psycheiscompletelydifferent,’sheread.‘Theyareabreedapart.Itiscommonforagolfertopostponeanimportant

issue,overlookacommitmentorevenforgethiswife’sbirthdayortheirweddinganniversary.Butitisunlikelyforagolfertoforgethisvictoriesonthegolfcourse.Hecherisheseachwin,howeverfriendlythematchplay,andevendecadeslaterdoesnotmissrecallingitsminutestdetailoveradrink.’Shewasfurthershockedtolearnoftermslike‘golfingwidows’andhowatruegolferwouldprefertobeonthegolfcoursethaninbedwithhiswife.Armedwithadequateknowledge,SehmatscheduledSayeed’sgameduringa

routinevisittotheArmyChief’shouse.Shealsoincludedtwoservingjudgesaspartofthefour-ball.ShestrategicallyshortlistedthejudgesinordertogiveanupperhandtotheGeneralaftertakingintoaccounthisshortcomingsandstrengths.SayeedbecameGeneralKhan’snaturalpartner,andthefriendlyfour-ballgamebecameanunofficialmatchplaybetweenthearmyandjudiciary.ThiswasalsoanopportunityforSehmattogetclosertoAbdul.Sheaskedher

father-in-lawtoinvolvetheirmostfaithfulservantinthegameplan.‘WhocanbebettertrustedthanAbdulMianforthisvitaltask,AbbaHuzoor?’

sheforcefullyreiteratedinthepresenceofAbdulbutwithoutdisclosingthenatureofthework.ThegenuinenessinhertoneandrespectinhervoicewasnotmissedbyAbduleither.Hisfacewaswritwithelementsofsurprise.HisquestioningeyesfocusedontheBrigadier,searchingforananswer.ButSayeedremainedsilentandmerelysmiledinreturn.Shethenleftthetwomentothemselvesandwentinsidethehaveli.Minutes

later,thetwooldmenweretalkingtoeachotherinconfidence.Abdul’sheadwentupanddownatconstantintervals,noddingandacknowledgingthecommandsfromhismaster.Hedidn’tquiteunderstandthenuancesofthegamebutinteractedwithSehmatextensivelyoverthenextweekinordertomasterhisownpart.Sehmat’splantosoftenAbdul’sstancetowardsherwascomingtofruition.Sehmatblockedthecourseforthefirsthourofplaycitingsecurityconcerns.It

alsohelpedherrestrictthemovementofthespectators.Astheyteedoff,thefirstfourholesmatchedevenly,withthejudgesdisplayingexceptionalplaytokeepthearmyteamincheck.Thefifthteeoffwasapar-threehole.Itwasalsohiddenpartiallybytreesand

ahillock.Thegolferscouldjustaboutseetheflagonthegreenbeforeshootingtheballintheair.Sehmathadcleverlyplacedthesamebrandofballinthehole

beforethestartofthegameandletSayeed’strustedservant,Abdul,takechargeofthecanine.ImtiazKhanwasakeenplayer,butlikemostgolfers,hadneverhitahole-in-

one.Onthefifthhole,astheGeneralswungtheclub,BrigadierSayeedandthejudgesclappedinunison,acknowledgingthefinehit.Theballwenthighintheair,headingtowardsthegreen.Alleyeswerefocusedontheflightpath,anditwasimportantforSehmattodiverttheirattentionfromAbdultoletthedogcompletethedrill.Sensingopportunity,Sehmatfakedherownfallwhileattemptingtobalance

herselfontheunevenground.TheGeneralleapedforwardtolendahelpinghand,quicklyfollowedbytherestofthepartywhofussedoverher,inquiringifshehadhurtherself.ThediversiongaveampletimeforthetrainedcaninetorunonthegreenandvanishintothearmsofthepartiallyhiddenAbdul,withthewhiteballfirmlylodgedinhismouth.TheGeneralreachedthegreenandlookedforhisball,whileSayeedcasually

walkedtowardsthehole.Hisheartwasbeatingfast.HeknewfromSehmat’sexpressionsthattheplanhadbeenpulledthroughsuccessfully.Buthealsorealizedthatonemistakecouldmeancurtainsforhiscareer.BrigadierSayeedpretendedtolookhereandtherebeforewalkinguptothehole.Hepeepedinandliftedtheflagbyitssteelshaft,exclaimingwithjoy.‘It’sinthehole,Sir,’Sayeed’sexcitementnowreachedafeverishpitch,

leavingthebewilderedChiefdumbstruck.Hehadbeenplayinggolffordecadeswithoutcominganywhereclosetotheholeinhisfirstshot.Andherehewas,holdingtheballthatwassoontobecomepartofaglitteringhole-in-onetrophy.Thegamewascalledoff.Thegrandpartythatfollowedwasdedicatedto

Sehmat,sinceitwasatherinsistencethattheGeneralhadagreedtoplay,inturnfulfillinghislifetimeambitionofachievingthisfeat.Thatitwasachievedinthecompanyoftwohighcourtjudgeslentfurthercredibilitytohisachievement.‘Youhavebeenagoodomenforbothmygrandsonaswellasforme,Begum

Sahiba,’ImtiazKhansaid.‘Wearegratefultoyouforbringingsomuchhappinesstoallofus.IwonderifI’llevergetanopportunitytoreciprocatethefavour.’Sehmatsimplynoddedandinsteadofacceptingthecredit,thankedAllahforhisgrace.TheGeneralandhiswifefeltdeeplytouchedbySehmat’shumility.MrsKhanwentastepfurtherandofferedheranyassistancethatshe

mightneedinthefutureandalsogaveherpersonalcontactnumber.FortheyoungAnwarKhan,histeacherbecamehisgodmotherandraisond’êtreforhisgrowingconfidencelevels.Withintwoweeks,SayeedwaspromotedtotherankofMajorGeneraland

giventhecovetedpostofDeputyChiefoftheInter-ServicesIntelligenceorISI.WhileMajorMehboobhadamplereasonstosulk,feelingignoredandsidelinedbyhisownfather,Sehmatsoonbegantolookintothetop-secretassetsofthePakistaniarmy.EventhoughshegrewinstatureattheSayeedhousehold,Sehmatforesawher

brother-in-law’splight.Consequently,shedideverythingpossibletogetclosertotheMunira–Mehboobduo.SheaccompaniedMuniraforshopping,tookheradviceinrunningthedailychoresatthehaveliandpresentedherwithexclusiveperfumes,clothesandgifts.MajorMehboobbecamefondofhertooandappreciatedSehmat’scommitmenttowardsthefamily.HewasimpressedwiththefactthatSehmatgaveimportancetohiswifeanddidnotputherdown.Forsomereason,however,Abdulstillcouldnotbringhimselftotrustthe

youngestdaughter-in-lawandcontinuedtokeepawatchonher.Hisattitudetowardsherdidsoftenbuthedidnotletdownhisguard.AbdultookanysuggestionmadebySehmatwithapinchofsalt.Hewasasimplehumanbeingandsowashisthoughtprocess.SomuchsothatSehmatcouldpracticallyseethroughhim.Sehmatcouldnotbuildbridgeswithhimandhadtoremaincontentwiththefactthathehadbeguntorestrainhimselffromtalkingillofherbehindherback.SehmatwasalsoawareofAbdul’spryingeyesthatkeptaclosecheckonhermovements.Shewasnotperturbedsincesheenjoyedthecompleteconfidenceoftheentirefamily.Instinctively,however,shekeptremindingherselfthatshewasfarfromsafe.

10

BackinDelhi,MirfoundhimselfastoundedbythezealandenthusiasmwithwhichcrypticmessageswerebeingtransmittedatregularintervalsbyHidayat’sdaughter.Shewasworkingunderherownsteam,needingnomotivation.Hewasdeeplytouchedbytheeasewithwhichshehadmadethesacrifice.Itmustnothavebeeneasytowalkawayfromthemansheloved,especiallywhenshehadthechoicetodootherwise.Livinginanaliencountry,whichwasturningintoanarch-enemywitheverypassingday,wouldhavemadelifeevenmoredifficult.HeoftenwonderedifSehmatwaspurgingherguiltbygivingherallforthecountry.Buthisbiggerconcernwastheundueriskshewasbeginningtotakeintransmittingsignals.Shehadtobetoldtogoslowbeforeshegotintoserioustrouble.Sehmat’sassignmenttookoverherverybeing.Followingherfather’s

footsteps,herdutytowardshernationbecameherfirstreligion.Shewouldoftenspendtheentirenightplotting,scheming,strategizingandtryingtofindwaysandavenuestosecurevitalinformation.Herdayswerespentmakingnewcontactsandcharmingacquaintancesjustincasetheycouldprovideherwithsomethingsignificant.Sheneveronceforgotthefactthatshewasfromtheenemycountryandforgavethosewhowerewaryofher.Oneevening,asSehmatwasroutinelysearchingthroughherfather-in-law’s

top-secretfiles,shesawsomethingthatpulledthegroundfromunderherfeet.Sovitalwastheinformationthatshedarednotmakeanerror.TheinformationsuggestedthatPakistanisubmarineswerepreparingtosetsailfortheIndiancoast.Withtremblinghands,sheheldthedocument,herapprehensionrisingwitheverywordshescanned.‘KeepVikrantwithinstrikingrange,’wasthebrief

order.ThefilealsocontainedaphotographofINSVikrant,India’sonlyaircraftcarrier,andgavedetailsoftheweaponryandmanpoweritcarriedonboard.Realizingthemagnitudeandsignificanceoftheinformation,shetookthe

foldertoherbathroom.Shedidnotwanttomissoutonanydatasheintendedtotransmit.Thefilecontainedcomplexareacoordinatesofwherethesubmarinesweretobeinitiallystationed.Withherheartbeatingwildly,shewasintheprocessofsignallingthevitalinformationbyMorsecodedirectlytoMir,whenAbdulknockedonthedoor.Herfather-in-lawhadcomehomeearlyandwasdesperatelylookingforthesamefile.Sehmatwasnotsurprised.Theentirehouseholdwasemptyeventhoughitwasevening.Hersister-in-law

wasatherparents’home.Herhusband,brother-in-lawandfather-in-lawhadbeenextremelyoccupiedforthepasttwoweeks,returninghomelateinthenight.ThePakistaniarmywassecretlypreparingforanimpendingattackonIndia.Andunlikepreviouswarsthatwerefoughtonlybythearmyonbothsides,thistimePakistanwaspushingitsnavyandtheairforceintothebattle.Sehmathadneverseenasubmarineinherlifeandwasn’tevenawareofhow

itlooked,butfromtheclassifieddocuments,shecouldmakeoutthatthesewerespecialvesselsthatcouldsailunderwaterandremainundetectedbeneaththeseaforweekstogether.Appreciatingthegravityofthefile,shetriedtograspasmuchknowledgeasshepossiblycould.ButAbdul’spersistentknocksonherdoorandinquiriesaboutthemissingfolderweremakingitdifficultforSehmattocompletethejob.Shefinallyrespondedanddirectedhimtowaitforherinthelivingroom.Her

tonewascurtandvoicecrispenoughtocausehumiliation.Sehmatrealizedthatshewasleftwithnochoicebuttoputtheservantinhisplaceifshehadtocompletethejobathand.Abdulretreatedslowly,hisfacecloudedwithdeepanguishandhurt.Nooneinthefamilyhadspokentohiminsuchaharshtoneinmanydecades.Hisheaddroppedasheturnedslowlytowardsthelivingroom.Hurriedly,Sehmattransmittedtherestofthemessageandplacedthe

documentbackinthemanilaenvelope.SheconcealedthepacketinsidehershawlandmadeforSayeed’sstudy.However,inherhaste,shedidnotdismantlethetransmissionkeysinsidethebathroom.Butshelockedherbedroomdoorbeforerushingtotheanxiousoldman.Herfacewasremarkablycalm,maskingherinnerturmoilandnervousness.

Shedeliberatelyenteredthroughtherearendofthestudyandplacedtheenvelopeamongstthenumerousfiles.Then,brisklymanoeuvringthroughbookshelves,shereachedtheotherendoftheroomtofaceherfather-in-law.Onseeingher,hisfacelitup,andhedescribedtoherthepurposeofhisearlyreturn—hewaslookingforafile.Tactfully,Sehmatmovedhimtohisroomandadvisedhimtorelaxwhileshewentaboutthesearch.Shewasbackinfiveminutes,holdinginherhandthelostenvelope.Sayeedtookaquickglanceinsidetheyellowcovertosatisfyhimselfwiththecontents,thankedSehmatprofuselyforthetimelyhelpandrushedintothewaitingflagcar.Afterseeinghimoff,Sehmatwentbacktoherroom.Toherhorror,shefound

boththebedroomandbathroomdoorsajar.Withasickfeelinginthepitofherstomach,shenoticedthattheMorsecodekeymachinehadbeenuprootedandremovedfromitsbaseplate.Sherushedoutandsawafamiliarshadowmovingthroughthekitchentowardstherearlawns.Sehmatstoodatthedoorinadazeforawhile,watchingtheshadowvanishintothedarkness.Shelookedaround.Anarmyrationsupplytruckonaroutinevisitwasparkedneartherearentranceofthehaveli.Thatwasallsheneededtocarryoutherimpromptuplan.Barefooted,andnotevenbotheringtoputonslippers,shequicklysteppedintothemilitaryvehicle.Sheglancedoverhershouldertomakesureshewasnotbeingwatchedbyany

oftheservants.Shethenhastilyjumpedintothedriver’sseat,placedanoldhatlyingontopofthesteeringwheelonherheadandpushedtheignitionswitchwithallherstrength,prayingthatitwouldn’tletherdown.Shehadjustoneaim—toeliminatetheonlywitnesstoheractofespionage.Withashudderingloudnoise,thethree-tonvehicleroaredintoactionandbeganrollingtowardsthemainroad.Forthefirstfiftymetresthetruckmovedinazigzagpatternbutsoonsettledintoastraightline,withoutcausingunduesuspicion.Shesteadiedtheheavymachinewithherfrailhandsanddroveinthesame

directioninwhichAbdulhadsetoff,tillshereachedthebarriercheckpoint.Alonesentrysittingnearthetemporaryhutstoodup,anticipatingthatthetruckwouldstopforthemandatorycheck.ItwasreasonablydarkbythenbutSehmat’sfacewaslitwithfirmdetermination.Undernocircumstanceswasshegoingtolethermissionfail.Pressingthegaspedal,shepushedtheenginetofull

throttleanddrovepastthecheckpost,ploughingthroughthebarrier.Thesentryjumpedbackwardsinahurry,hurlingthechoicestabuses.AttheT-junction,SehmatturnedtowardsMajorMehboob’sofficewhichwas

situatednearesttothehaveli.GivenAbdul’sclosenesstoMehboob,Sehmatknewhewouldnotseekrefugeanywhereelse.Shefeltthathewouldnotpassthisdamninginformationandequipmenttoanyoutsider,andinturnputtheSayeeds’reputationatriskandridicule.Thevehiclewasgainingspeedanditwasbecomingdifficultforthepetiteand

delicateSehmattocontrolit,butsheremainedseatedinthedriver’sseat,hereyesfocusedontheroadahead.Thetruckrumbledonforanotherhundredmetresbeforeslowingdownconsiderably.Nottoofarahead,inthecentreoftheroad,wasAbdul,runningasfastashisagedlegscouldcarryhim.Onhearingthesoundoftheapproachingtruck,hestoppedbrieflytocheckits

identity.Hisnormallycoldeyesvisiblylitupnoticingthearmyvehicle.Hegaspedforbreathandstartedwavingfranticallywithbothhands,screaming‘stop,stop’atthesametime.HewaswearingarmyoverallsthatMajorMehboobhadgivenhimnottoolongago.ThetruckslowedfurtherasitnearedAbdul.Sehmat’ssteelyhandsgripped

thewheelandherbrilliant-blueeyesshone,lookingatthevulnerableservantlikeajunglecatlooksatitshaplessprey.Momentarilythough,shefeltweakinherknees.Herentirebodyshookwithanticipationandherbloodrancoldatthethoughtofwhatshewasabouttodo.Herforeheadwasbathedinsweat,whichshewipedwiththebackofherhandwithagestureofimpatience.ShehadalwaysadmiredAbdulforhisblindloyaltyandcommitmenttowards

herin-laws.Butshewasleftwithlittlechoice.IfonlyAbdulhadstucktohisdutiesasaservantandnotsneakedaround,shewouldnothavebeenforcedtotakesuchabarbaricstep.Hereyesweremoist,butsheknewshewouldhavetodestroytheevidencetogetherwiththewitnessifshewastoservehercountryformoretime.‘Iamsorry,Abdul,butyouhavetogo.Mycountrycomesfirst,’she

murmuredbeforepressingherrightfootonthegaspedal.Abdul’sfacewasaghastwithhorror.PerhapshehadrecognizedSehmat’sface

hiddenbeneaththeoldkhakihat.Thecrunchoftheoldman’sbodybeing

crushedbytheheavytruckmadeSehmatwanttogetoutandretch.Thesickeningsoundwouldstaywithherandtortureherfortherestofherlife.Shedrovethetruckforanotherkilometreorsobeforeturningitsharplyintoa

narrowlane.Bringingtheheavymetallicmassofdestructiontoanabrupthalt,shejumpedoutandrushedacrosstheservicelaneintoarowofbadlylitquartersbelongingtothejuniorstaff—mainlyhelpersandservantsofthearmyofficers.Usingtheeeriedarknesstoheradvantage,Sehmatwalkedbrisklypastafew

blocks.Shespottedaburkahangingonaclotheslineandquicklyslippediton.Itliterallycoveredherfromheadtotoe.Sheresumedherlongandtensewalktowardsthecantonmentandrefusedtolethermindbeswayedbywhatshehaddone.Shehadmemorizedeverydetailoftheareaandwasfamiliarwiththelanes,

bywaysandshortcutsthatwouldhelpherreachthehaveliquickly.Protectedbyherblackveil,shemovedstealthily,adarkfigureintheevendarkermoonlessnight.ButtoSehmat,itfeltliketryingtowalkawayfromtheunpardonablesinshehadjustcommitted.Afterwhatseemedaneternity,shereachedthehaveli.Sheapproachedthe

sprawlingmansionfromitsbackentryandsneakedtowardsthekitchendoor.Shethenpickedupastoneandbrokeopenasmalltileonthesideofthefirststepattherearentrance.Wrappedinaplasticsheetwasametallickeyneatlystuckunderthebrokentile.Sehmathadplantedthekeywithinaweekofherarrivalatherin-laws,inanticipationofsuchanexigency.Mirhadrepeatedlystressedtheimportanceofarranginganexitroutebeforesheundertookthemission.Openingthegatenoiselessly,shesurveyedhersurroundings.Thankfullyno

onewashomeyet,andsheranthroughtherearlawnspastthekitchentillshestumbledintothesafetyofherroom.Lockingherselfinthebathroom,shetookdeepbreathsandgaspedforair.Herhairwasamessandsowasshe.Someoneonlyhadtoseeherfacetofigurethattherewassomethingfishyabouther.Shesplashedwateronherface,undressedinahurryandthenwalkedintothedimlylitroom,leavingthebathroomdoorajar.Usingthebathroomlight,shesatattheedgeofthefireplaceandlititwithshakinghands.Shethenwentbackintothebathroomandturnedonthewatertaps.Sinkingintothebathtub,shescrubbedherself,cleansingtheevening’sincidentoffhermind.Butshefailedtowashoff

theguiltofthemurder,thecold-bloodednesswithwhichshehadtakenthelifeofanoldman.Theheavyburdenonherconsciencebegantopressuponherandshebegan

cryingevenasshetowelledherselfdry.Fifteenminuteslater,Sehmatsteppedoutofthebathroom.Sheusedthesameburkatowipeboththepassageandherroom,removingvisibletracesofmudandevidencethatcouldincriminateher.Minuteslatershewasbackinthebathroom,dismantlingthecommunicationlinesandlooselyhangingwires.Bundlingtheburkaandthehousegown,shethrewtheminthefirepitwithoutceremonyandsatnexttoittilltheevidencewascompletelyconsumedbythehungryflames.Herfeetwereachingandfatiguewasbeginningtotakeoverherwholebody.Hermindracedbackovertheentireepisodefromthemomentshe’drushedto

meetherfather-in-law.Ifonlyshehadbeenmorecareful,shewouldn’thavehadtodestroyalife.Returningtothesceneofthemurder,shevisualizedthechronologicalorderofAbdul’slastmoments.ShehadhitAbdulhead-on,crushinghimunderthewheels.Shewassurehe’ddiedinstantaneously.Shewasn’tbotheredaboutthetruckeither,itwouldhavebeenfoundbynow.Drinkingwasacommonpracticeamongstarmydrivers.Thetruck’spresence

nearthedrivers’quarterswouldmaketheoverworked,underpaidbabusdismissthecaseasoneofdrunkendriving.ButshestillhadanaggingdoubtaboutAbdul.Shehadnomeansoffindingouthisstatusandhadtowaitlikeasittingduckfordaybreak.Theonlybrightspotintheentiregamutofthingswasthatshehadfulfilled

herdutyandhadtransmittedsomeextremelyvitalinformation.Herfatherwouldhavebeenproudofherwork,thoughshewasnotsureifheractofdamagecontrolwassufficienttokeepherheadafloat.

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Forthehundredthtime,Mirreadthenote:PakizmovingtroopstoChumb.Warinevitable.Subssettingsailtoeastcoast.Attackonaircraftcarrierimminent.Monitorfollowingcoordinates.Theimplicationswereserious.Hestrokedhisjawindeepconcentrationashe

carefullyconsideredandanalysedthedeadreckoning(DR)positionswherethesubsweretobepositioned.Transferringthepositionsonthechart,heencircledtheareasandsteppedbacktotakeamacroview.AsperSehmat’sinformation,Pakistanisubmarineswerebeingstationednot

onlyintheArabianSeathatsurroundedtheheavilyguardedWesternCommandoftheIndianNavy,butalsointheBayofBengalthathousedwarshipsundertheEasternNavalCommand.Themoreheanalysedthereport,themoreclearitbecametoMirthatPakistanwasbentuponconfrontation.ReportsofsupportfromtheAmericanfleet,presentinthevicinityoftheArabianSeahadpossiblyskyrocketedthePakistanigovernment’smorale.Mir’sofficewaskeepingaclosewatchontherapidlyrisinggraphofred

pointersonthemap.Witheachpassingday,morePakistanitroopsmovedclosertotheIndianborder,withbattletanksandarmoury,indicatingtheimpendingPakistaniattack.However,expertsandwaranalystsontheIndiansideremaineddividedonwhethersuchagatheringoftroopswouldleadtoafull-fledgedIndo-Pakwar.‘Pakistandoesnothavethewherewithal,’theystronglyfelt.‘Pakistancannotopenwarontwofrontsandsurvive,’theyrepeatedlyopined.Andtheanalystsdidhavestrongreasonsinsupportoftheirarguments.Atthattime,Pakistanwasheavilyengagedwithitstrouble-torneasternstate

wherethepublicatlargehadcomeoutinrevoltagainstthestep-motherly

treatmentithadreceivedatthehandsofitsrulers.Tocurbtheuprising,thePakistanigovernmenthadstationedhugearmycontingentsandparamilitaryforcesunderaLieutenantGeneralatDhaka.Logisticallyhowever,itwasanightmareforthestate,separatedbythehugelandmassofIndiaononesideandanevenbiggerseafrontontheother,togoverneffectively.Poorcommunicationsystems,unmanageableexpendituresandprolongeddelaysinprovidinglogisticalsupporttoitsmassivecontingentwereenormouschallengesinthemselves.TakingonamuchlargercountrylikeIndiaandatthesametimemilitarily

curbingtheuprisinginitsownstatelocatedfarawayfrommainlandPakistanlogicallyappearednothingshortofsuicidal.Aseaward-boundsubmarineattackonIndianshoreswasevenmoredifficulttofathomfortheIndianthinktank.Besides,climatically,winterwasnotbestsuitedforwarastheprevailinglowtemperaturesinthenorthernregioncouldcauseuntoldmiseries.Theintelligencereportswerethusviewedwithsuspicionandnottakenatfacevalue.Despitetheirstronglogic,Mirwasn’tconvinced.Sehmat’sinformation,based

onherfirst-handknowledge,wastoopreciseandaccuratetobeignored.ItwassafertoassumethatPakistanwaslikelytoengageIndiainthethickestofwinters,muchagainstpastconvention.Thecounter-viewanalystsarguedthatthePakistaniforcescouldutilizethesurpriseelementandinflictmaximumdamageinquicksuccessionbeforeseekingthehelpofWesterncountriestoenforceceasefire.AndtherecouldbenobiggerdamagetotheIndianpridethanthesinkingofitsflagship,themightyBritish-builtaircraftcarrier,INSVikrant.Pakistanwasdisplayingitswilltogotoanyextenttoachieveitsaimby

sailingGhazi,HangorandMangrointoIndianwatersevenasitwasengagedinadialoguewiththecountry.Asifpropelledbyasuddenbrainwave,MirrushedtotheNavyChief.Helookedlikesomeonewhohadjustsolvedajigsawpuzzle.Anditwasallbecauseofonedaredevilwoman,Sehmat.‘IwouldgivedueweightagetotheinformationandpositionVikrantoutof

harm’sway,maybeoverhere,tillwearefullyassuredofhersafety,’Mirsaid,pickingupasmallmodelofINSVikrant,andplacingitattheCochinharbourwhichwaswellprotectedfromthepossiblesubattacks.HethenturnedtowardstheAdmiralwithraisedeyebrows,expectingtobecommendedforhisvaluablecontribution.

ItwasnowtheNavyChief’sturntogetinontheact.Afterall,theIndianintelligenceserviceswerenotsupposedtodecidewhereandhowthenavalfleetwouldmove.Analysingtheenemysubmarinepositionsonthechart,theAdmiralliftedthemodelfromitspositionattheCochinharbourandpositioneditattheAndamanharbour.Hisfacedisplayedtension,unhappinessandwrinklesofdissatisfaction.‘Ihopeyourintelligencereportiscorrect,Mir.Thecarrierhassomeboilerproblems.Thismovewillpracticallyputheroutofajob.’‘Theinformationiscorrect,Admiral,’repliedMiralmostimmediately.‘We

areluckytobeforewarned,forthesesubsarenoteasytodetect.’Mir’smindwasracinginalldirections,histhoughtsinvariablyhoveringaroundSehmat’ssafety.HewasalmostcertainthatSehmatwasingravedanger.Shecouldn’thavetransmittedsuchalongmessagesoaccuratelywithoutitgettingpickedupbyenemyreceiversaswell.Plusher‘doordie’attitudeoverthepastfewdayshadfurtheraddedtohisfears.Excusinghimself,heleftthewarroomandrushedtohisoffice.HetriedtoreachtheIndianEmbassyinPakistan,buteachtimethecallgotdisconnected.‘Bastards!’hespataloudandpressedtheintercombuttonashardashecouldwithhisrightthumb.Startled,Javed,hisassistant,camerunningin.‘CalltheIndianEmbassy.Tell

theHighCommissionerthatIamreachingIslamabadbythefirstflighttomorrow.’‘Yes,Sir,’JavedrepliedandtookthereceiverfromMir’shand,replacingiton

thecradle.Itwasraretoseehisboss,whoalwaysmaintainedhiscomposureduringtryingcircumstances,soshakenup.Withoututteringaword,helefttheroom.Momentslater,JavedwasbusycancellingMir’sappointmentsfortherestoftheday,includingthedinnerthathisbosswashostingforhisdaughter’sin-laws.Backinthebriefingroom,theNavyChiefwashuddledwiththeother

Admirals,brainstormingonthenumerousprobabilitiesandoptions.Incomparisontothearmy,theirswasayoungerandmoreinexperiencedforcethathadneverbeenputtothetest.Theloneaircraftcarrier,INSVikrant,wasoneoftheirmainweapons,capableoflaunchingairattacksfromthemiddleoftheocean.Butitwasalsovulnerabletosubmarineattackandthusneededtobeprotectedfirst.Anydamagetothefloatingairstripcouldnotonlyresultinthelossofthousandsofmenonboard,itcouldalsodemoralizeandseverely

embarrassthearmedforces.ForPakistan,ontheotherhand,Vikrantwasthecovetedtrophytheyaspiredtoacquire.Havingfaceddefeatineveryshowdowninthepast,itsdesperateGeneralswerepushinghardtolevelscoresatanycost.

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MajorMehboobstoodhelplesslybyAbdul’sbedsideatthemilitaryhospital.Bloodoozedfromhisheadandmostpartsofhiswreckedbody.Hisbreathingwasslowandlaboured.ThedoctorsattendingtohimhadgivenuphopeandsaidasmuchtoMajorMehboobwhenhehadrushedin,demandingtobeallowedavisit.‘It’samiraclethathehassurvivedthislongbutIamafraidthere’snohope.

It’samatterofafewminutesinfact.Sameoldstoryofdrunkendrivingbytheserecklessjawans,Iamafraid.Weoughttodosomethingseriousaboutit.Theonlywordheutteredrepeatedlywasyourname.Ittookusawhiletofigureitoutandlinkittoyou.Itseemsasifhewantstotellyousomething,’thesurgeonsaidhelplessly.LeavingAbdulinMajorMehboob’scustody,thedoctorexitedtheroom,lamentingthegrowinglawlessness.‘Thanks,Colonel,’MajorMehboobsaidtothedepartingdoctorashebent

overAbdul,surprisedtoseethefaithfulservantstaringhardathim.Abdul’seyeswerestrangelygrippedwithfear,hislipsonthevergeofsayingsomething.Thenhetriedtomove,andfromundertheblanket,hemanagedtopullouthisrighthand.Itwascoveredwiththick,driedblood.Hepainstakinglyopenedhistightlyheldfist.Hisbrokenfingersmadecracklingnoisesashedidso,exposingtwosmallmetalpieces.Heemptiedthemontohismaster’shand.Mehboobgingerlytookthescrapsinhishands,tryingtofathomwhatthe

dyingmanwassaying.‘Yes,Abdul,whatisit?Tellme?’hesaidgently.Abdultriedashardashecould,gatheringeveryounceofstrength.Hislips

movedrapidlybutnosoundcameoutofthem.Hisheadhadsufferedthe

maximumdamage.MehboobbentdowntobringhisearnexttoAbdul’slips,simultaneouslyencouraginghimtospeak.Usingallhisenergy,Abdulmanagedtomurmurinaudibly,‘Hhh...hhh...

mat,mat,’andthenwithanagonizinggroan,gaveintothedarknessofdeath.Mehboobstaredattheeyesthatwerestillwideopenandgluedtohisface,

pleadinghimtosolvethemystery.‘Abdul,Abdul!Wait!Tellme,please,Abdul!’Mehboobshookthelifelessform,urginghimtocomebacktolifeandthrowlightonthebafflingshredsofmetal.Onhearinghimshout,thedoctorrushedinandpulledMehboobawayfrom

thedeadman.Balancinghimselfandshruggingthedoctoraway,MehboobwalkedbacktoAbdul’sside.Hethengentlyplacedhispalmoverhisforeheadandclosedhisaccusingeyes.TheMajortookoffhiscapandstoodinsilentrespectforawhilebefore

walkingbacktohiscar.Withthemetalshardsstillclutchedinhishand,Mehboobtriedtomakesenseofwhathadjusthappened.WhathadAbdulwantedtoconvey?Whateveritwas,Mehboobknewitwasvital.Abdulhadtenaciouslyclungontolife,demandingtoseehim.TherewassomethinghewantedtosaytoMehboob.WhateverAbdulwantedtosaywasseriousandconnectedtothemetalpiecesthatwerenowinhispossession.Butwhatwastheoldmantryingtosay?Andwheredidthepiecesofmetalcomefrom?Allthroughthejourney,Mehboobkeptlookingatthebloodstainedblack

pieces.Heturnedthemaround,pulledandpushedthetinymetallicrodsandeventriedtobendthem.Themoreheattempted,thefurtherhefeltfromsolvingthemystery.Asthecarhaltedatthehaveli’sportico,thedriverjumpedoutandranacrosstoopenthereardoor,onlytofindtheMajorstilldeeplyengrossedinexaminingthetwopieces.‘Sir,’thedriversaidrespectfully,breakingMehboob’sreverie.Mehboobslammedthedoorofthecarinfrustrationandwalkedpastthe

pryingeyesofservantsandjawans.Heappearedvisiblydisturbed.HisheadwassplittingwiththeeffortofdecipheringAbdul’slastmessage.Therewasnobeginningorend.Abdulhaddiedcarryingadeepsecretwithhim.Assoonasheenteredthemainhall,hesummonedtheservantsandbrokethe

news,keenlyobservingeachface,tolookforanysuspiciousreaction.Failing

theretoo,heaskedforSehmatandbriefedheraboutAbdul’sdeathandthetwometalpiecesthathehadmysteriouslyleftbehind.Sehmathadtrainedherselfnottoshowanysignsofreliefatthenewsof

Abdul’sdeath.HadtheMajorobservedherclosely,hewouldhavenoticedherlackofexpressionatthebadnews,buthewastoopreoccupiedtonoticethebeadsofsweatthatSehmatcleverlywipedoffusingherforearm.Recoveringquickly,sheexpressedshockanddismay,andfeignedignoranceaboutthetwopiecesdisplayedonthetable.However,itsoonbecamecleartoSehmatthattheMajorwasnotgoingtoresttillheunveiledthetruth.‘Abdulhasbeenmurderedincoldblood,’herepeatedlytoldhiswife,Munira,whotoourgedherhusbandtounravelthemystery.ShehadimmediatelyreturnedtothehaveliafterhearingaboutAbdul’sdeath.ItnowbecamecleartoSehmatthatshewouldsoonhavetodecideherbrother-in-law’sfateaswellifshewantedtoprotecttheoperation.Backinherroomlater,Sehmatsatheavilyonherbed,feelinganenormous

weightdescenduponher.KillingAbdulwasanecessity.ButshehadnowaytofindoutifMehboobreallyrememberedAbdul’sfinalwords.Sherealizedthatshecouldnottakeanyrisksatsuchacrucialhour.Herbrother-in-lawwouldprobablyrecalltheservant’sdyingwordsoncehegotovertheshock.Pacingthefloorofherroom,Sehmatconcludedthatshehadnochoice.The

incidenthadtriggeredachainreaction.Andtoprotecthercountry’sfate,shewouldhavetokillyetagain.Anhourlater,sheslippedintoaburkaandleftforJamaMasjid,announcingthatshewantedtoofferprayersforthedepartedsoul.Usingthemostcrowdedentrancetothemosque,sheslippedintothenearby

phoneboothanddialledanumber.Shestoodatavantagepointfromwhereshecouldseetheroadclearly.Oncedone,shereturnedtothecoolinteriorsofthemosqueandwaitedforareasonableamountoftimetopass.Halfanhourlater,shewentbacktothewaitingcar.Shewasabouttositinthecarwhenawoman’spleadingvoicemadeherturnaround.‘Madam,pleasebuythisumbrella.Itisverygoodandyouwillfinditvery

handy.Ineedthemoneytopayforfoodformyfamily.’Sehmat’sdriverimmediatelyrushedtoherside.HeblockedSehmatfromthe

womanandaskedhertogetinsidethevehicle.Sehmatcomplied.Hethenclosedthedoorandranbacktothedriver’sseat.HewasabouttostartthecarwhenheheardSehmattalkingtothesamewomanthroughthewindow.

‘Howmuchdoyouwantforthisumbrella?’‘Soverykindofyou,Madam.Pleasegivemewhateveryoulike.’Sehmatpulledouttwocrisphundred-rupeebillsfromherpurse,handedthe

moneytothewomanandtooktheumbrella.ThedriverwasabouttoadviseSehmatagainstpayingsuchalargeamountforsomethingsouseless,butstoppedhimselfshort.‘Theserichpeople,’hethoughttohimselfwithdisdain,andpressedtheaccelerator.Drivingexpertlythroughthecrowdedroad,helookedatSehmat’sreflectionintherear-viewmirror.Herfacewaspaleanddrawn,apictureofgrief.‘Youshouldnothavegivensomuchtoher,’herebukedherkindly.‘Theyare

alwaysbeggingaroundthemosque,’hesaid,hisvoicesofteningatthesightofherunhappyface.‘Itiscompletelyokay.IhavehelpedastarvingfamilyinAbdul’sname.May

Godgrantpeacetothedepartedsoul,’Sehmat’svoicewaslowandfilledwithemotionbutranglikethechimeofacuckooclockinthedriver’searsforalongtime.HewasvisiblymovedbySehmat’sgestureandrefrainedfromfurtherconversation.Sehmatsawalookofapprovalcrossthedriver’sfaceinthefrontmirror.SheanticipatedthatwordofhercharityinAbdul’snamewouldspreadtoeveryoneatthehaveli.Shewishedthattohappenbecausesheneededeverybitofsupportifshehadtopullherselfoutofthecurrentmess.Backinherroom,Sehmatlockedthedoorandplacedtheumbrellaonthebed.

Shethencarefullystudiedthehandleandlocatedatinypress-button.Sheunscrewedthehandlegentlyandtookoutacylindricalbottlewrappedinasmallpieceofhandwrittenpaper.Shereadthenote:‘Bypressingthisbutton,youcaninjecttinydropsofmercuryintoahumanbody.Thoughtheprocesswillnothurt,themercurywillactsoonandwithinhoursthepersonwillsufferaheartattack.’Sehmattorethepaperintotinypiecesandflusheditdownthetoilet.She

waitedtillthebitsofpaperdisappearedandthenscrewedthehandlebacktoitsoriginalposition.Afaintclickindicatedthatthemercurycylinderinsidethehandlewasprimed.Shethenplacedtheumbrellaatthebackofherclosetandturnedthekey.Anhourlater,thetelephonerangwithoneshortringanddisconnected.

Springingintoaction,Sehmatpositionedherselfnearthephone.Whenitrang

again,shesnatcheditfromitscradleandwhisperedbreathlessly,‘Yes,goon.Thisisme.’Forthenextcoupleofminutesshelistenedintentlytothecaller.Then,withoutsayingaword,shereplacedthereceiver.Shewentbacktothecloset,pulledouttheumbrellaandleftinthesamecar,carryinganordinary-lookinghandbag.‘PleasetakemetoMainBazaar.Iwouldliketobuyclothesforthepoorso

thatAbbaHuzoorcandistributethemwhenhearrivestomorrow,’shedirectedthedriver.Thedriveracknowledgedwithanodofhishead.Heshookhisheadsadlywhentheypassedthebrokenbarricade.‘Someonemusthavebeenabsurdlydrunktohavedonethislastnight,

Madam,’hebeganconversationally.Sehmatdidnotrespondandthedriverremainedsilenttilltheyreachedthemarket.Alightingfromtherearseat,Sehmatdirectedhimtotakethecartotheparkinglotandwaitforherreturn.Shethenheadedforthemarketcomplexanddisappearedintotheladies’toilet.Minuteslater,awomancladinablackburkaemerged.Shewascarryingan

umbrellainherhand.Walkingpastthecomplex,theburka-cladwomanhailedataxi.Fifteenminuteslater,shewaswalkingbrisklytowardstheofficeof‘BureauofInspections’.Shelookedatherwatchbeforeenteringthecompound.Sheclimbedthestairstothefirstfloorandthenwaitedforanagonizingtwentyminutesneartheopenwindow.Acarapproachedthebuildingandstoppedattheentrance.Thedoorofthecarflewopen,lettinganarmyofficercladinadark-greenuniformstepout.Hebeganclimbingtheporticostairs.Sehmatliftedherveiltowatchhimcarefullyforafewmoments,satisfyingherselfofhisidentity.Shethenpulledthethinclothbackoverhereyesandslowlybegandescendingthestairs.MajorMehboobwascomingfromtheotherend,climbingbriskly.Hehada

brownpaperpacketinhisrighthand,thecontentsofwhichwereknowntoSehmat.Shestoppedafewyardsawayfromhimandpretendedtostrugglewiththehandleofherumbrella.WhenMajorMehboobreachedwhereshestood,shetrippedanddeliberatelyfellonhim.Beingthegentlemanhewas,Mehboobheldherbyherarmsandsteadiedhertillsheregainedherbalance.‘HaiAllah!Iamsorry,’Sehmatsaidinahuskytonebeforesteppingasidein

mockembarrassment.

TheMajorsimplysmiledinacknowledgementofthestranger’sapologyandwalkedon.Sehmatturnedtoseeifherlittleoperationhadbeensuccessful.TheMajorcontinuedwalkingatthesamepace,lightlyrubbinghisarmatthesametime.Hehadnotimetolookatthetinypuncturewoundthere.Inamatterofseconds,hehadreachedtheendofthecorridor.Hedidnotlookback,butSehmatdidandturnedtowardsthebuildingentrancetotakeonelastglimpseofherbrother-in-law.Shestoodthereforawhile,lookingattherecedingfigureofthetallyoung

man.TearscourseddownhercheeksasshethoughtofhisprettywifeandthetragedythatwouldsoonbefalltheSayeeds.‘Icarrythepriceofyourbloodonmyhandsandinmysoul,MehboobBhai.IwonderifIwillbeabletolivewiththeguilt,’shesaidtotheretreatingfigure.‘Iamtrulysorry,butIhadtodothis.Mycountrycomesfirst.’Sehmatwalkedthebetterpartofthedistanceandhailedataxibacktothe

samemarket.Minuteslater,shere-emergedfromthesametoiletbutwithoutthecoverofthetraditionalburka.Instead,shenowcarriedalargepacketofclothesmeantfordistributiontothepoor.Theumbrellahadbeendisposedofandeveryinchofthetoiletwipedcarefully,leavingnofingerprints.Theremainingdropsofmercuryhadbeenflusheddownthetoiletandtheequipmentdiscardedintwodifferentgarbagecans.Twohourslater,shewassittingwithhersister-in-lawinthelivingroom,discussingthegrowingincidencesofdrunkendriving.

13

GeneralSayeedandMajorIqbalsatsidebyside,receivingthelongstreamofvisitorswhowerearrivinginlargenumbers.Thecompoundwaspackedwithpoliticians,bureaucrats,industrialistsandarmyofficerswhohadcometopaytheirlastrespectstoMajorMehboobSayeed.TheGeneralwasvisiblyshakenandlookedshattered.ThedoctorsattheMilitaryHospitalhadattributedhisdeathtoamassiveheartattack,butMuniralinkedittotheshockhehadreceivedduetotheaccidentaldeathoftheirmostfaithfulservant,Abdul.GeneralSayeedwastornbetweenhisdutyasafatherandbeingthesecondin

commandoftheISIthatwasinthemidstoffinalizingawaronitsneighbouringcountry.Hecouldjustaboutmanageashortleavetoattendthetwofunerals.Despitethedoubletragedy,hewasconstantlyengagedonthephone,takingbriefingsandaddressingcrucialissues.Everypartofhisbodyworethesignsofstressandfatigue.Hecouldnotcometotermswiththedeathofhiseldersonandthathadkepthimupthewholenight.ThesprightlyGeneralhadaged.WhileMajorIqbalhandledtheritesandformalities,GeneralSayeedshuffled

betweenthedrawingroom,attendingmostlytotheVIPs,andhisstudy,toberegularlyupdatedwithdevelopmentsontherapidlydevelopingwartheatre.SehmatremainedonthesidelinesandattendedtoMajorMehboob’swidow.Themomentwasripe,andsheknewthateveryscrapofinformationshecouldlayherhandsoncouldprovevital.Inhisgrief,theGeneralhadbecomecarelessand,onafewrareoccasions,hadevenleftclassifiedfilesonhistable,forgettingtolocktheminhissafe.ThiswasthemomentSehmatwaswaitingfor.TherewasnoAbdultokeepa

watchonher.Alltheservants,familymembersandrelativeswerebusy

attendingtotheunendingstreamofmourners.Utilizingtheopportunity,sherepeatedlyslippedintotheGeneral’sstudyandsiftedthroughtheclassifieddocuments.Onthesecondday,anexhaustedGeneralSayeedappearedtobeontheverge

ofcollapse.Seizingthemoment,Sehmatofferedtohelphim‘cleartheclutter’onhisdeskandpackhisbriefcasebeforeheleftforanimportantmeetingthenextmorning.TheGeneral,emotionallydrainedandtootiredtorefuse,readilyacceptedheroffer.Sehmatassistedhiminsealingtwosecretenvelopesthatweretobesenttothe

PrimeMinisterofPakistan,butnotbeforegoingthroughtheircontents.BothletterscontainedinformationontheIndianpreparedness,politicaldevelopmentsandmilitarystatus.ThepapersalsocontaineddetailsofsecretagentsbasedinNewDelhiwhowereprovidingvitalinformationtotheISIandneededtobeshiftedtosafety.Thistimearound,Sehmathadtothinkofabetter,morefoolproofplanto

transferherinformationtotherightears.Shewasexperiencedenoughtovaluetheinformationshehadjustacquired,andalsoawarethatalltelephonelinestotheIndianconsulatewouldbetapped.Anycommunicationthereforecouldprovefatal.Yetshehadtofindanalternative.Shewasdisturbedbythispredicament,butthegloominthehousewassuchthatshedidnotlookdifferentfromtheothers.Shekeptbrainstormingtillshecameupwithasolution.Thefuneralprocessionwaslong,butthemotorcademovedquicklytothe

burialgroundwhereboththebodieswerelaidtorestsidebyside.Aftertheprayers,asthevisitorsdeparted,Iqbalremovednameslipsfromthewreathsinordertosend‘thankyou’noteslater.Meanwhile,SehmatescortedMehboob’swidowtothewaitingcarandhelpedhersitontherearseat.HermindwasmorefocusedonthenewlyacquiredinformationthanonprovidingmoralsupporttoMunira.ShesatadjacenttoMunira,waitedforhertosettledownandthensaid,‘Canwegotoanearbymosqueandofferprayersbeforegoinghome?’Sehmat’seyeswerefocusedonMunira,hopingforapositiveresponse.InsteadMunirasaid,‘No,Sehmat,Iamfeelingverydepressedandweak.I

wouldrathergohome.’‘Asyouwish,Munira.Ithoughtwecouldofferprayersforthedepartedsouls.

Maybesomeothertime.’

Afterafewminutes,MuniraheldSehmat’shand,drewitcloserandwhispered,‘MaybeweshouldgotothemosqueandprayforMajorSahib’ssoul?’Sehmatwasquicktoreactandinstantlydirectedthedrivertothenew

destination,keepingacheckonherownheartthatwasbeginningtobeatatahighpace.Halfanhourlater,thetwowomensteppedoutofthecarandbeganclimbingthestairstothemosque.Cladinblackburkas,theywerecoveredfromheadtotoeandmixedeasilywithscoresofsimilarlydressedwomen.Whentheyreachedthelastflight,SehmatrequestedMuniratoproceedaheadwhileshewouldrunbackandfetchflowersfromafloristnearby.Withoutwaitingfortheyoungwidowtorespond,Sehmatturnedandbegan

climbingdownthestairs.Amidstscreaminghawkerstryingtheirbesttooutdoeachotherinsellingtheirwares,Sehmatorderedalargeflowerbasket,paidforitinadvanceandtoldtheeagersellertokeepitreadybythetimeshereturned.Shethenrushedtothefirstavailabletelephonebooth.Toherdismay,the

phonewasoutoforder.Unabletoseeanotherpublicboothinthevicinity,shelookedaroundforashopfromwhereshecouldmaketheall-importantcall.Shealmostchokedwithpanic,butthenspottedashopthatwasmannedbyanold,uneducated-lookingmanwhowasbusysprinklingwateronahugepileofbetelleaves.Helookedlikeapriestatthemosquewithhisattireandlongflowingbeard.Hehada‘couldn’tcareless’attitudeabouthimselfandwascurtandprecisewithcustomers.Sehmathadnochoicebuttodealwithhimandmakethebestoftheprevailingsituation.‘MayIuseyourphone,KhanSahib?’Thatshewasputtinganextraeffortto

appeasetheshopkeeperwasevidentfromtheveryfirstdialogue.Theoldmangaveahardstaretotheburka-cladwoman.Hisdisapprovalwas

blatant.‘Whereandwhodoyouwanttocall?’HistonewassharpandhespokeinchasteUrdu.‘KhanSahib,myhusbandwastopickmeupbutitisalreadyverylate.Will

youpleaseletmeuseyourphone?’shesaidandsimultaneouslywithdrewafive-rupeenotefromherhandbagandhandeditovertothekioskowner.Buttheoldmanwasn’tdoneyet.Acceptingthecurrency,whichwasmanytimestheactualcostofanordinarycall,heretorted,‘Givemethenumber,I’lltry.’

Sehmathadnochoice.Shehurriedlyfishedoutasmallpieceofpaperfromherhandbag,scribbledthetelephonenumberoftheFirstSecretarytotheIndianEmbassyandreluctantlyhandeditover.Theoldmandialledeachnumberattheslowestpossiblepacewhilekeepinganeyeonthenervouscustomer.Forafleetingmoment,Sehmatimaginedhimtobeapartofthecounter-intelligencenetworkandwonderediftheoldmanwasbuyingtimetogetherarrested.Shewassweatingprofuselybeneathherveilandithadbeguntoshow.Thewetthinclothwasstucktoherforeheadwithsweatbeadsseepingoutofthefabric.‘Hello,whoisspeaking?’theoldmansaidinaloud,boomingtonethat

attractedtheearsofnearbykioskowners.Sehmatflinched.Hewaitedandlistenedtotheresponsebutitendedabruptly.Replacingthereceiver,theoldmanmumbledharshwordsandstarteddiallingagain.Thistimehewasgreetedwithaharshertonewhichalsoendedabruptly.‘Whatasillymanheis!Startsshoutingevenbeforelisteningtome.No

culture,ethicsoretiquettes?Whatkindofahusbanddoyouhave,BegumSahiba?’‘CanIpleasetry,KhanSahib?Iunderstandmyhusbandwell.Hemustbe

underalotofpressureatwork.Buthe’lltalktome.’Sehmatwasspeakingsoftly,tryingtokeeptheconversationinaudibletopassers-by.Theoldmanthoughtforabriefmoment,scratchinghisbeardatthesametime.Afewagonizingmomentslater,hereplied,‘Ok,youmaytry,butdon’ttakelong.’Sehmatgrabbedthereceiverwithbothherhandsanddialledthenumber,

waitingpatiently.Thephonekeptringingandthebeadsofsweatcontinuedtopour,spreadingalloverthethinveil.Finallyavoicecamethrough.ItwastheFirstSecretaryhimself.‘Zulu405here.Thisisanemergency,’shesaidinrapid-fireEnglish,hoping

thattheoldmanwouldnotbeabletounderstand.Shesimultaneouslyturnedherbackandcuppedthemouthpiece,makingitdifficultfortheoldmanortheonlookerstoeavesdrop.Usingbriefcodedwords,shefixedameetingtime.Shethenhandedthephone

back,thankedtheoldmanandrequestedhimtokeepthebalance.Theoldmancouldbarelyrespond.Sehmatrushedthroughthecrowdedlaneandreachedtheflorist’skiosk,pickedupthebasketandranthroughthenarrowpathleadingtothestairsofthemosque,tofindMuniraimpatientlywaitingforher.

‘Whattookyousolong?’Muniraasked.‘Itwasverycrowded,’Sehmatrespondedwithahelplessgesture.Ontheirwaybackhome,Sehmatnoticedmanypolicejeepsarrivinginquick

successionandencirclingthecrowdedmarket.ItbecameobvioustoSehmatthattheintelligenceagencieshadmonitoredtheconversationandwouldsoongrilltheoldman.Butwhatimpressedherevenmorewasthespeedwithwhichthepolicewereabletohomeinonthesourceofthephonecall.Asthecarreachedthehaveli,Sehmatemergedfirstandrushedtotheother

sidetohelphersister-in-law.Boththewomenweredrapedinblackveils,butSehmat’sfaceworeallthesignsofnervousness.Mirhadcategoricallyrestrainedherfromthestepsthatshewasnowtakingatregularintervals.Apartfromthefearofgettingcaught,theguiltofhavingkilledtwoinnocentpeoplewasalsobeginningtotakeatollonher.Itwasafeelingofdissolution,andshedidnothavetheluxuryofpouringouthersentimentstoanyone.Hermindrepeatedlyraceddownmemorylane,tothesceneoftheoldmanrunningontheroad,pleadingtotheapproachingtrucktostop.Shetriedbutcouldnotremovehisdistressedfacefromhermind.Herconsciencerobbedherofeveryvestigeofpeace.OntheirwaytoMunira’sroom,Sehmatalmostfaintedwhenhersister-in-law

stoppedabruptly,turnedfullcircletofacehersquarely,andpointedlyasked,‘Whowereyouspeakingtoonthephonenearthemosque?’Hershockedexpressionwasplainlyandclearlyvisibleforevenablindperson

tosee.Thinkingquicklyonherfeet,shepulledherselftogether,steppedcloserandhuggedhersister-in-law.Sherecoupedhercomposureandsteadiedherbeatingheartbeforecomingupwithasuitablereply.‘Iamnotwell,Munira.PerhapsIaminthefamilyway.Iwantedtoseemydoctor,butcouldnotconfideinyouduetotheprevailingcircumstances.Idohopeyouwillappreciatemysituation?’Muniralookedsomewhatconvincedandrelieved.Thetwowomentookeachotherinatightembraceandwept.MinuteslaterSehmatwassittinginherroom,planninghernextmove.She

hadtopassontheinformation.Itwasvitalforhercountrytoidentifythetraitors.Aftermakinguphermindonthenextcourseofaction,shesatdowntoofferprayersbutcouldnotbringherselftofocus.Hermindwasnotatpeace.Sheopenedhereyesandmurmured,‘Iloveyou,dearMunira,butIhadno

choice.Mycountrycomesfirst.’Tearscontinuedtorolldownhercheeksasshefinishedpraying,unawarethatboththebetelsellerandthefloristhadbeentakenintocustodybyPakistaniintelligenceandwhiskedawaytoanunknowndestination.

14

IqbalwasoverwhelmedbytherushoffeelingsthatcameoverhimonhearingthenewsofSehmat’spregnancy.Theverythoughtofbecomingafatherexcitedhim.HeowedhisgrowthandrisetoSehmat.Hefeltlikehisprayershadbeenanswered.Yet,Mehboob’suntimelydeathhadremovedthesheenfromtheexcitement,castingaheavycloudofgloomthatrefusedtolift.Hecontinuedtowearasadfaceashereceivedanendlessstreamofvisitors.Thecourtyardwasfilledwithwreathsofallshapesandsizes.Seniorofficials,bureaucratsandahostofvisitorshehadnevermetbeforewerestilllininguptopayhomage.GivenGeneralSayeed’srankandpositionattheISI,everyonewishedtobeseendoingso.Sehmatwasrestless.Shehadanagendaonhand.Shewasalsoawarethatthe

FirstSecretarywouldnotbealone.Havingmonitoredthecommunication,thePakistanicounter-intelligencewouldtailhimandarrestwhoeverhemet.Yettheriskhadtobetaken.Sheonceagaindressedherselfintheblackburkaandpreparedtoleave.Shewentuptoherhusbandandsaidinahushedtone,‘Iqbal,Iwanttoseethedoctorrightnow.Canyoucomewithme?’Iqbalgaveheraworriedlook.‘Hopeyouareokay.Anythingurgent?’‘Iamfine.Ijustwanttobedoublysure.Ihavegonethroughawholelotof

tensionandstress.’‘ButIcan’tleaveAbbaHuzooralone.Ican’tleavethisplace.Unfortunately,I

can’tevenrequestMuniratoaccompanyyou.Couldyoupleasegobyyourself?’ThatwaspreciselywhatSehmatwasexpectingtohear.Respondingquickly,

shesaid,‘Iunderstand,Iqbal.I’llmanage.Pleasetakecarehere.Iwon’tbelong.’

Shesteppedoutofthehaveliandsurveyedtheprevailingpeaceintheneighbourhood.‘It’samatteroftime,’shetoldherselfbeforegettingintotherearseat.Noonerecognizedherashercarspedpastthevisitors.Sheorderedthedrivertoproceedwithoutgivinganydirections.AslamKhanwasanoldhand.HavingservedtheSayeedsforoveradecade,heknewthathewassupposedtofirstdriveoutofthecantonment.Sehmathadfixedanappointmentwithhergynaecologistbeforeleaving.The

blackcarcameoutofthemilitaryzoneandmovedatasteadypacetowardsthewholesalevegetablemarket.Sehmatusedhermake-upkitasarear-viewmirrortocheckifshewasbeingtailed.Satisfiedwiththissmalldrill,shedirectedAslamtostopneartheentranceofthebigbazaar.Shealightedfromthecarandwalkedstraightintoagroupofburka-clad

womensothatitwouldbedifficultforanyonefollowinghertocatchup.Sheemergedattheotherendofthemarketandhiredarickshawtoferryher

tothenewdestination.Thedriverwasasmartandrecklessyoungman,oblivioustotheworldaroundhim.Hedroveatbreakneckspeed,zigzaggingtherickshawwithdeftcontrol,andmanoeuvreditthroughthenarrowlanes,leavingbehindatrailofscreamingpedestrians.Withoututteringaword,hebroughtthevehicletoahaltnearagroceryshop,acceptedthemoneyandmeltedintothecrowdwithoutevencaringtolookback.Sehmatenteredalargeshopandlookedaround.Itwasloadedwithallkinds

ofdryfruits,stocksandrationsthatwereneatlystackedinscoresofshelves.Theshopwasfairlybiginsizeandhadmoreattendantsthancustomers.Shefound,tohersurprise,thatallofthemwerebusyrearrangingthestocksratherthanattendingtothefewcustomerspresentinside.Noone,therefore,paidattentionwhenSehmatdemandedchickpeas,8mminsize.‘No,Madam,wedon’thavethatvariety.Maybeyoucouldcheckatthecorner

shop.Chickpeasofthissizeareusuallynotavailableandcommandapremium.’Withoutwaitingforherresponse,theattendantresumedthejobathand.‘Ofcoursewehavethem,ifyouwouldpleasefollowme,BegumSahiba.’A

softbutfirmresponsefromagentlemanwhoemergedfromnowhereshookboththeattendantandthecustomer.Fromhisexpressionsitwasclearthathewastheownerhimself.Themiddle-aged,well-builtman,wearingatraditionalPathanisuit,politelygesturedtotheburka-cladwoman,directinghertotheotherendof

theshop.Sehmatdidasshewastoldandwaitedwhiletheownerduckedbetweenshelvesandfishedoutabagcontainingchickpeasthesizeofmarbles.Sehmathadnevermethimbeforebutrecognizedhimfromthephotographs

thatHidayatKhanhadshownher.HisnamewasSarfrazand,accordingtoherfather,hecouldbetrustedwithanyresponsibility.‘Couldyoupleasetellmehowmuchquantityisavailable?Ineedtoserveat

least444people.’444wasthecodethatHidayathadestablishedwithSarfraz.Sehmathopeditwouldhelpherinestablishingheridentityandwaitedforthemantorespond.Bynowtheattendanthaddriftedtoothercustomers.Hisfaceworean

expressionoffear.Notonlywasheunawareofthemerchandize,hewasalsocaughtshowingdisinterestinhiswork.Hehadacquiredthejobafteragreatdealofpersuasionandeffortandwasnowworriedaboutlosingit.‘Istheresomethingsoserious,Sehmat,thatyouhadtopersonallycomehere?’

Sarfraz’sonesentenceputSehmatateaseandrelieffloodedherface.‘Yes,SarfrazBhai,’shereplied.‘Ineedthispapertobegivento411.Ican’t

riskgoingacrossthestreet.Iwouldsurelybefollowed,butyou’llunderstandthatit’smosturgent.’Sarfrazhadhelpedtransferringmanysimilarmessagesinthepast.Butafter

Hidayat’sdeath,thiswasthefirsttimehehadbeencalleduponforsuchanerrand.Hetookpossessionofthefoldedsheetandstartedputtingchickpeasintoapaperbag.Ashewasdoingso,henoticedanotherburka-cladwomanapproachingSehmat.Sensingdanger,hehurriedlyshovedhisrighthandintohissidepocket,firmlygrippingtheconcealedpistolhecarried.‘HiSehmat,411hassentme.CanIhavetheinfo?Iaminahurryandneedto

getoutofhere.Itisgettingriskieraswetalk.’IttooksometimeforabewilderedSehmattounderstandthewoman’s

messageanddeduceherrealidentity.Sarfraz,though,wasquicktofollowthedevelopments.Heplacedthefoldedsheetofpaperwiththehandwritteninstructionsatthebottomofthepaperbagandfilleditwithchickpeas.Handingitovertothewoman,Sehmatsaid,‘Pleasedeliverthisinfourgently

andbecareful.Thesafetyofmycountrymenisinyourhandsnow.’‘Yes,indeed.Butyoutookagraverisk,Sehmat.Theyareallovertheplace.

Becareful.Ihavebeentoldtorequestyounottocommunicatewithusanymore

and,ifpossible,gobacktoIndia.Ifyouagree,thenleavethelightsofyourroomswitchedonaftermidnighttonight.’BeforeSehmatcouldrespond,thewomanhadalreadysteppedoutoftheshop

andwasintheprocessofsittinginawaitingrickshaw.Sehmatsawherdepartandheavedasighofrelief,whileSarfrazfilledanother

paperbag.Fromthewoman’svoice,itwasapparentthatshewastheFirstSecretary’swife,Anjali,whomshehadmetataparty.Sehmatsteppedoutoftheshopandboardedanotherrickshaw.Later,shewalkedbacktohercar.Astheyexitedthemarket,SehmatnoticedavehiclewiththeIndianflag

surroundedbypolicevehicles.WhenshelookedcarefullyshesawthatinthecentreofthecommotionwasGauravGhei,theFirstSecretaryoftheIndianconsulate,explaininghispresenceatthewholesalevegetablemarkettoalargenumberofPakistaniintelligenceofficialswholookednonplussedatthelonglistofgroceriesinhispossession.Sehmatsmiledunderthecoverofherveil.Shesoonreachedherdoctor’sresidenceandchattedwithhertillshewassure

thathertrackswerewellcovered.DrHumaSiddiquewasamiddle-agedwoman.Shewasrespectedamongsttheeliteforbeingasuccessfulgynaecologist.Shehadthecountry’swho’swhoonherlist.Thoughshedidnotmeetpatientsatherresidence,Humaknewthatshecouldnotignorethedaughter-in-lawofthesecondincommandofthedreadedISI.‘It’ssoverykindofyoutohavetakenoutthetime,Doctor.Iwasvery

nauseatedanduncomfortablethroughouttheday.Butitappearsmyworrieshavevanishedbyjusttalkingtoyou,’shesaidandslungherbagonhershoulder,indicatingthatshewasreadytoleave.‘Imustgetgoingnow.MyhusbandhastoresumedutytonightandGeneralSahibisleavingtomorrow.Thankyouonceagain,Doctor.Iappreciateyourpersonalcare,’shesaidsmiling.Humadidnothavemuchtooffer.AfterexaminingSehmat,shewassurethat

therewasn’tanyreasonforhertoworry.ButshewasalsosympathetictoSehmat’semotionalstresscausedbythetwounfortunatedeathsinquicksuccession.‘Iunderstand,Sehmat.Itisnoteasytocopewithwhatyouhavebeenthrough.Pleasefeelfreetocallmeifyouneedanything.’Backinthecar,Sehmatrestedhertiredandachingheadonthebackrest,

planninghernextmove.Shewasuncertainofherfutureandneededtimeto

introspect.Onceshewasinherroom,shethrewoffherburkaanddroppedonthebed.Buttheintercombuzzedbeforeshecouldclosehereyes.‘Sehmat,couldyoupleasequicklycometothestudy?’theGeneral’svoice

wasstainedwithalarm.Sehmatknewinstinctivelythattherewastrouble.Confidentthatshecouldnotbehomedinon,sherushedtothestudyandsawtwoofficialsstandinginfrontoftheGeneral.Onthetableinfrontlaysmallpiecesofwires,nuts,boltsandthetwometalpiecesthatSehmatknewwerethepartsofherlisteningdevice.Bloodstainswereclearlyvisibleonthepiecesthatwerewrappedincellophanepaper.AnotelyingonthesideaccuratelyidentifiedthepiecesaspartsofsomeMorsecodeequipment.Feigningignoranceandwearinganexpressionthatalmostdismissedthe

presenceoftheofficials,Sehmatgaveherfather-in-lawahardbutemotionallook.‘Youshouldn’tbeworkingatthishour,AbbaHuzoor.Youhaveanearlyflighttomorrow.Allthesemattersarenotmoreimportantthanyourhealth,especiallyafterwhatwehavegonethrough.’Shethenturnedherattentiontowardstheofficials.‘Woulditbepossibleforyoutomeethimsomeothertime?Hopefullyyou’llappreciatethathetooneedssomerest?’Sehmat’swordsweresoftbutcoldandtheofficersapologized.Theirfacesfell

andtheylookedembarrassedlyattheGeneral,expectingtobedismissed.Despitethetensemoment,Sayeedsmiledunderhisbreathandwaitedfortheirconversationtoend.Helookedattheofficers’tensefacesandthenatthemetalpieces.‘Ithinkthereisnothingthatcan’twaittilltomorrow.Anyway,Abdulisnot

alivetojustifytheexistenceofthesewiresandboltsinhisroom.Istillcan’tbelievehewasatraitor.Infact,Icanvouchforhisloyalty.Itneverthelessneedstobefullyinvestigated.Pleasecomeandseemeintheofficesometimenextweek.Andtakepriorappointmentwhenyoudothat.’GeneralSayeed’swordsweremusictoSehmat’sears,forcingthetwoofficers

tobeatahastyretreat.Shenoticedthatherfather-in-lawwasuncomfortableholdingthemetalpiecesinhishand.Herealizedthathisnamewasbeinglinkedtoapossibleactoftreason.Heknewforafactthattheintelligenceagencieswouldnothavecometohisdoorstepunlesstheofficialsweremorethansureofsomewrongdoing.Worried,helookedatSehmat.

‘DoyouthinkAbdulcouldhavebeeninvolvedinsomewayinthisespionageactivity?’heasked.Sayeed’seyesshiftedskywardsashespoke,thinkingofthefar-reachingconsequences.Sehmatnoticedthetracesoffearinhisvoice.HewasnotanordinaryGeneralandISIwasnorun-of-the-millorganization.TherewasnooneinPakistan,notevenpoliticians,whowasn’tscaredofthedreadedISI.Sayeedwasmorethanrespected.Beingthesecondincommand,hewasfeared.Andherehewas,shakenandworriedabouthisreputation.‘No,AbbaHuzoor.Itisimpossible.NotAbdul.Anyoneelse,butAbdul.Even

thoughhedidnotquitelikeme,Icanvouchforhisintegrityandloyalty.Besides,thesewires,nutsandboltscouldbelongtoanyequipment.Theseofficersjustwanttojustifytheirexistenceandearnsomebrowniepointsinthebargain.Youshouldhaveseentheirfaces.Theyknewthattheywerecaughtonthewrongfoot.Icanbetthismatterwon’tshowupintheirfilesfirstthingtomorrowmorning.’‘Ihopeso,Sehmat.Isincerelyhopeso,atleastforthesakeofourfamily’s

reputation,’Sayeedsaidandstoodup,puttinghishandsonSehmat’sshoulders.‘Ihavemyhandsfullalready.Hopefully,Allahwillsparemefromfurtherdifficulties.Thanksforallyourgoodwork.Youhavecomelikeablessingfromtheheavenstoourfamily.Ioweallthistomygoodfriend,Hidayat.Mayhissoulrestinpeace.’Sehmatwatchedhimleaveandthenwithdrewtothesafetyofherroom.

Enteringherbathroom,shecloselyexaminedthepanels.TherewereenoughtelltalesignstoputSehmatinatightspot.Sheopenedoneofthepanelsandsawelectricwirespassingthroughtheceiling.Amysterioussmileappearedonherface.Shewentbacktotheroomandboltedthedoorfrominside.Halfanhourlater,whensheemergedfromthebathroom,herfacelooked

relievedatwhatshehadachieved.Thescrewswerebackinplace,sealingthecavityfromwhereAbdulhaduprootedtheMorsecodemachine.Alongcableranalongthesidewall,theendofwhichwasfixedtoabracket.Asmallhairdryerwasfirmlyfixedtothebracket,positionedinsuchamannerthatithungparalleltothefrontmirror.Pleasedbyherhandiwork,Sehmatundressedandstoodundertheshower.She

thencommissionedthenewlyfittedgadgetbydryingherhair.Tiredandrelievedatthesametime,shefellasleepassoonasshelaydownonherbedforgettingto

switchoffthelightsinherroom.Shewasalsoblissfullyunawareofthesearchsquad,ledbysnifferdogs,scanningthebackyardofthehaveli.Outside,inthechillyautumnair,oneoftheofficersinchargeofthesearch

squadstoodatthereardoorstep.HewasholdingthebrokentilebeneathwhichSehmathadplantedtheduplicatekey.Withapuzzledlookonhisface,heinquiringlyglancedathisotherteammates,seekingananswer.Thatthetiledidn’tbreakonitsownwasevidentfromthemannerinwhichitwashammeredout.ThesquadhadcometoinspectthehouseoftheDeputyChiefoftheISIandthattoowithouthisknowledge.Andtheyallknewtheconsequencesoftheiractions.Aftertheirfutileattemptstofindanyotherclue,thesquaddirectedthedogs

backtothewaitingtruckanddroveaway.Minuteslater,ashadowemergedfromthebushesacrosstheroad.Thefigureloweredhistinybinoculars,scannedtheareaandflashedonce.Twolightslitbrightly,indicatingthatabigcarwasnowonitsway.Asitcamecloser,asmallflagflutteringonitsrightsidebecamevisible.Thecarstoppedneartheshadow.Withoutwastingamoment,themansatinthevehiclewhichspedinthesamedirection.Asthecarpickedupspeed,itsoccupantfishedoutasmallradiofrombelowtheseatandpressedabutton.‘Tangosierratango,sierrapapa,’echoedfromthetransmitter.Inthesafetyofahotelroominthecity,twomensatwiththeirheadphones,

listeningandjottingdownthetransmittedmessage.Whileoneacknowledgedthetransmissionbyreleasingashortbeep,theotherpickedupanintercomandpressedthebuzzer.‘Yes?’‘Tomorrowsametime,sameplace.’‘Thanks’.Switchinghissetoff,Mirsecuredtheradioandrestedhisheadonthe

headrest.‘Goeasy,Sehmat,goeasy.Youareingravedangernow,’hemutteredtohimselfasthecarexitedthecantonment.

15

Sehmatwokeuptothesoundofloudknocksonherdoor.Sheopenedhereyesandimmediatelylookedatthewallclockandthenatthebrightlyglowingbulbsshehadleftswitchedon.‘Ohmygod!’sheexclaimedandrushedtoswitchthemoff.Shethenunlocked

thedoorandpulledthehandleofthelatchtillitrestedagainstthewall.Hervisionwasstillblurred.Shehadn’tfullyrecoveredfromlastnight’sfatigue,andtherewascarelessnessinherbodylanguage.Rubbinghereyesgently,shelookedup.MajorIqbalSayeedstoodattheentranceinbattlegear,withtwocupsofteainhishands.‘Goodmorning,Sehmat.How’sthisforasurprise?’Iqbalsmiled,hopingtocheerherup.‘Whendidyoucomeandwhatareyoudoinginthisfullrig?’Sehmatdidn’t

seemimpressedbyhisact.Puttingonabravefront,hesaid,‘Ihavebeengiventwodaysspecialleave.

Havetojoinmybattalionthereafter.Wearemovingtotheborder.Warlooksimminent.MyCommandingOfficerhasgrantedmeashortbreakconsideringthetragedyinthefamily.AbbaHuzoorhasalsopostponedhisdeparturebyafewhours.He’snotgotoverallthisasyet.’‘Where’she?Hashewokenup?’Sehmat’smindsuddenlybecamealert,

exploringdifferentpossibilitiesofwhatcouldhavegonewrong.Iqbalobservedthatherfaceboreexpressionsofworry.Inanefforttoputheratease,hequicklyremarked,‘No,Ithinkhesleptvery

late.HetoldhisStaffOfficertodelayhisdeparture.Theyareallwaitingforhimtocomeout.’

‘Whoarethesepeople?’Sehmatwasnowstrugglinghardtokeephercomposure,fearingthattheinquiryonthemetalpieceshadresurfaced.‘Oh,it’shisstaffandsomeoutsiderswhomIhaven’tmetbefore.Butwhydo

youask?AndmayIenter,please?’‘Oh,sure.Andthanksforthis.Iamimpressed,’Sehmatsaidandmovedaway

fromthedoor.‘YesterdaytwopeoplecameoverwithsomefunnymetalpiecesandareportsuggestingthatAbdulwaspossiblyinvolvedinsomekindofespionage.’‘Involvedinwhat?Abdul?Aretheyoutoftheirminds?’Iqballookedvisibly

shocked.ButSehmatcouldnothelpnoticingthathisexpressionswerenotgenuine.SheinstinctivelyfeltthatIqbalknewmorebutwasfeigningignorance.Hermindbeganracing.Whatareyoutryingtohide,Iqbal?Butherthoughtsdieddownwithouttranslatingintowords.Instead,shedecidedtoplayalong.‘That’swhatIfeltandshooedthemaway.Iwonderiftheyhavecomeagain?’

SehmatquippedwhilecarefullyobservingIqbal’sbodylanguage.Shewasbeginningtosuspectfoulplay.‘Inthatcase,wouldyoupleasegetreadyquicklyandmeetthesepeople?They

areallsittingintheoffice.Meanwhile,I’llchange.’WhileIqbalunzippedhisjacket,Sehmatwashedherfaceandbrushedher

hair.Justbeforeleavingthebathroom,sheswitchedonthehairdryerandleftthebathroomdoorajarsothatIqbalcouldobservethenewarrangement.Shethenwalkedout,takingbriskandlongstrides.Herheartwaspumpingblood,fastenoughtogiveherahaemorrhage.Sheenteredthelivingroomthroughthebackdoorandglancedatthefivepeoplepresent.Shewasrelievedtoseeunfamiliarfaces.‘Goodmorningtoyouall,’shesaidwhiletakingahardlookatallthose

presentaroundthelargeofficetable.Herfacewasstilltense,butshedidnottrytoputonanact.Shefeltjustifiedinbehavinglikeafamilymemberwhowasstrugglingtocometotermswithahorrifictragedy.Steppingclosertothetable,shecontinuedinthesamevein,‘Sorrytohavekeptyouwaiting.Iamafraidwearegoingthroughsomehardtimes.Hopeyouallunderstand.Istheresomethingseriousthatcan’twait?’Therewasasuddenmovementofchairsintheofficeastheofficials

scrambledtostandupatthesametime.

‘Goodmorning,err,Madam.Sorrytohavecomeunannouncedatthishour.TherehavebeensomedevelopmentsforwhichwewanttoseeGeneralSahibimmediately.We’llcomeagainifit’lltaketime.Onceagain,weareverysorry.Pleaseacceptourdeepcondolences.MayAllahgrantpeacetothedepartedsouls.’‘Thankyou.Idonotknowhowlongyoumayhavetowait.GeneralSahib

sleptverylatelastnight.Ifyouhavesomethingtohandover,youmayleaveitwithhisStaffOfficer.Iamsurehewillreverttoyouassoonashecan.’Thevisitorslookedateachother.Fromtheirexpressionsitwasclearthatthey

wereunabletodecidewhattodo.Topushherargumentfurther,SehmatlookedattheStaffOfficerwhosprangtoattention,waitingforinstructions.‘Maybeyoucouldhelptheminsomeway?’Sehmatlookedattheyoung

Captainwhowastryinghardtounderstandtheongoingproceedings.HismainrolewastoassisttheGeneralandbelikeamessengerofsorts.Hewasasmartofficerwhodidpreciselywhathewastold.‘No,no,Madam,’repliedoneofthevisitors.‘Wecanshowthisfileonlyto

GeneralSahib.Wehaveinstructionstocarryitbackafterhehasgonethroughthecontents.OurchairmanhasalreadyspokentotheGeneralinthisregardanditiswithhisconsentthatwehavecomehere.’‘Inthatcase,youcanwaittillSayeedSahibwakesuporyoucancomeagain

afteranhourorso.YoucanbeintouchwiththeStaffOfficerbecauseheisscheduledtoleaveinafewhours.Iamafraidhecannotbedisturbedatthispointoftimeasheisnotkeepingtoowellandneedsrest.’Sehmat’svoicewasfirmandleftanimpressionofauthorityintheair.The

menlookedateachotherandthenhuddledtogetherforanimpromptubriefing.Shortly,theoldestamongstthemsteppedasideandapproachedSehmat.‘Inthatcase,maywerequestyoutokeepthissealedenvelopeinyourcustodyandshowittohimthemomenthewakesup?Wearestayingattheinspectionbungalownotveryfarfromhereandwillcomeback.We’llkeepintouchwithCaptainSahib.’‘Yes,Icandothat,’shesaidandacceptedtheheavyenvelope.Shethen

quicklyexitedthelivingroomwithoutbotheringtolookbackattheofficials.Shecarriedthepaperbagtoherroomandstudiedtheseal.Sheglancedatthebathroomdoorfromwhereshecouldhearthesoundofrunningwaterand

decidednottoopentheenvelopeintheroom.Shewalkedbackintothestudyandboltedthedoorfrominside.Sheplacedtheheavypaperbagonthetableandcloselyexaminedthesealagain.Shecouldnotmakemuchofitsorigin,buthergutfeelingtoldherthatwhateveritwas,itcontainedvitalinformation.Shedecidedtotaketheriskandpulledanarmchairclosertothestudytable.

Withahairpinshegentlypushedthesyntheticlayerofgluetilltheedgesparted.Fifteenminuteslater,shewasgoingthroughthecontentsofthefile,hereyesgrowingwideindisbelief.Sheflippedthroughtheannexuretwiceandrepeatedlylookedattheenclosed

photographsbeforepushingthematerialbackintothepaperbag.Shetriedtogluebackthesealbutwasn’tverysuccessful.Sherealizedthatifanyonetookacloserlookatthere-pastedend,hergamewouldbeup.Buthernewworrywasbiggerthansimplygettingcaught.Shepulledopenherfather-in-law’spersonalcupboardandplacedthe

envelopeundertheweightofoldbooks.ShethenwentbacktoherroomandsawIqbalchangingintoanewsetofclothes.Helookedupandsmiledfaintlybeforecontinuingwithhisroutine.‘Whowerethey?’ThetoneofIqbal’squestionwasn’tconvincingenoughand

insteadincreasedhersuspicion.‘Idon’tknow.TheycametomeetAbbaHuzoorandwillcomebacklater.’‘Soyousentthemback?’‘WhatelsecouldIhavedone?Theycouldn’thavesatintheofficeforever.’‘AnyideaaboutAbbaHuzoor?’‘Stillsleeping.MaybeIshouldwakehimupaftersometime.Hemusteat

something.Hehadalmostnothingthewholedayyesterday.’IqballookedatSehmatappreciatingly,hisloveforhergenuinelyetchedonhis

face.Sehmattoocouldfeeltheflowofhisemotionsandsmiledinreturn.However,hermindwasstillracingtocatchupwiththepossibleconsequencesofwhatshehadjustlearnt.Theintelligencereportshadcategoricallystatedthattherewasasecuritybreachatthehaveli.Ithadreportedunexplainedtransmissionsandhadattemptedtolinkvariousjigsawpieces.ItalsocontainedphotographsofGauravGhei,theFirstSecretarytotheIndianhighcommission,talkingtosuspectagents,aswellasofhiswifewhowasextensivelycaptured

whiletalkingtopeopleatdifferentlocations.Whatwasmostworryingwasthatinoneofthepictures,shewasshownholdingaheavy-lookingpaperbag.SehmatrecognizedthebagastheonethatSarfrazhadhandedovertoAnjali

inherpresence.‘HasAnjalibeenarrested?Hasshespilledthebeans?IsSarfrazsafe?’SehmathadnoideabutrealizedthatthePakistaniintelligencenetworkhadprobablyuncoveredtheentireoperation.Manyliveswereatriskandsheneededtoact,andactfast.However,herjudgementwasclouded.SherecalledwhatMirhadrepeatedlyimpresseduponherduringhershorttraining.Asifbymagic,thewordsbegantoricochetinhermind.‘Wheneveryoususpectthatyourcoverisexposed,assumeitissoandactaccordingly.’Wasittimeforhertoleave?Shecouldnottell,butsomewheredeepinside,

sheknewthatsoonerratherthanlatershewouldhavetoseriouslyconsiderherescaperoute.Aftersacrificingherfirstlove,Sehmathadjustbeguntosettledown.Iqbalwasn’tthemostbrilliantofmen,norwashethesharpest.Infact,hedependedcompletelyonSehmat’sadviceevenforhisdailyaffairs.Buthelovedherdeeplyandgaveherallthespacesheneeded.Now,becauseofheractions,theentirefamilywasonthevergeofcollapse.Somewheredeepwithin,shewasashamedofwhatshehaddone.TearsescapedhereyesassherecalledAbdul’sface.Thesoundofhiscracklingbonesunderthetruckwheelsmadehersick.Intheprivacyofherbathroom,sheweptbitterly,givingventtoherpent-up

emotions,andthenwipedherfacedry.LatersheandIqbalhadlunchtogetherintheirbedroom,lettingtheGeneralcatchuponhissleep.ShethenhelpedMunirapackherbagsandescortedhertillthegate.Onheradvice,MunirahaddecidedtospendafewdayswithherparentsatRawalpindi.Anhourlater,bothIqbalandSehmatsatdownwithGeneralSayeed.Theyconsoledeachotherandprayedagain.Sayeedtriedhisbesttoputupabravefront,butSehmatknewthathewasheartbroken.Shedeliberatelydidnotmentionthesecretfilethatwasdeliveredinthe

afternoon.Someissuesshouldbebestleftforgotten,owingtounforeseendevelopmentsathome,shetoldherself.Soon,theGeneralalsoleft.Despitewearinghisuniform,hewasfarfrom

battle-ready.Thestarsonhisshouldersweighedheavilyonhim.Afterseeinghimoffatthegate,Sehmatwalkedbacktothehouse.Asshe

climbedtheshortstepstothelivingroom,shenoticedaconvoyofvehicles

slowlymovingtowardsthehaveli.Insteadofstoppingatthegate,thevehiclesmovedpastandsloweddownastheyreachedthebackyard.Alargearmytruck,fittedwithnumerousantennae,pulledoverwhiletheothervehiclesdrovewellpastthehavelibeforecomingtoahalt.Sehmatimmediatelysensedtroubleandrushedtothebathroom.Shelocked

thedoorbehindher,steppedontothebathtubandpeepedthroughtheexhaustoutlet.Therewerethreemenwithdogsonlongleashes,inspectingminutelythefootprintsandleftoversoutsidethehaveli.Therewereafewcivilianstoowhowerebusyunloadingvariouskindsofequipmentfromthevehicles.Ayoungofficer,dressedinacrispuniform,wassittinginthejeep,holdingawalkie-talkieclosetohisears.Carefullysteppingdown,Sehmatpulledtheflush,washedherhandsand

openedthedoor,onlytobestartledbyIqbalstandingoutside.‘What,Iqbal?Ifyouwereinarush,youcouldhaveknocked.’‘No,err,actually,Ierr,’Iqbalfumbledrepeatedlybutcouldnotcompletehis

sentence.‘What?Issomethingwrong?Youarebehavingstrangely.CanIbeofany

assistance?’‘Err,no.Actually,Iwanttousethebathroomurgently.Ifyou’llpleaseexcuse

me?’Sehmatsteppedaside,allowinghimtoenterthebathroom.Thesheepishgrin

onhisfacetoldSehmateverythingshewantedtoknow.Shelookedaround.Herheartwasbeatingatafastpace.Sheknewthathergamewasup.Hermindwasnowworkingonherescaperoute,ifatallitwasstillopen.ShepickedupIqbal’swalletfromthewritingtableandhurriedlywentthroughthecontents.Whilestuffingthecurrencynotesback,shenoticedasmallpaperbetweenthecrispnotes.Shepulleditoutandreaditscontents.Theseriousnessonherfacegavewaytoastrangeexpressionandthenshebrokeintoathin,ruthlesssmile.Sheplacedthewalletbackonthetableandwaited.Minuteslater,thebathroomdooropened.AdishevelledIqbalstoodatthe

door,hisfaceandhairwet.Hiseyessuddenlyfilledwithshockandhorror.FacinghimwasSehmat,holdinghisrevolverinherhand,itsmuzzlepointingtowardshisforehead.

16

‘Tellmeeverythingyouknow.Anddon’tinvolveemotionsorusethemasblackmail.Iamheretodoajobformycountry.AndIwillnotletanyonecomeintheway.Notevenyou.’Sehmat’svoicewascoldanddevoidoffeelings.Shakenbeyondwords,Iqbalstaredatthestrangerinfrontofhim.Herthreat

wasrealandhebegantovisualizehisowncorpseonthefloor.InstructedbySehmatandnumbwithshock,hedraggedhimselftowardsthe

chairandsatdown.Sehmattiedhishandsbehindhimwithnecktiesandstoodinfront,stillholdingthegun.Onlythistime,itwashalf-cocked.Iqbalwasstillinastateofstupor.Helovedherhopelessly.Despiteherchangedstatus,fromhiswifetoanagent,hestillcouldnotbringhimselftofeelotherwise.Hewasnotonlyinlovewiththewomanwhowasbetrayinghiscountry,hehadcometodependonherforhisveryexistence.HismindwassearchingforawaythroughwhichSehmatcouldredeemher

actions.Withadesperatelookofappealinhissorrowfuleyes,hepleadedwithherandtriedtopersuadeher.ButSehmatwasresoluteinhermission.Hereyeshadalookoffanaticismforhercountry.Andshewasn’tafraidtodie.Hetriedanothertactic.‘Youcannotgetaway,Sehmat.Theyhavetaken

Muniraforinterrogationbutverysoontheywillbequestioningyou.AbbaHuzoorhasalsobeentoldnottoleavethestation.Infact,hehassteppedouttogivetheseguysasafepassage.Andmyplightisthatdespiteallthesedevelopments,Istillcannotseeyouintheirhands.Whydidyoudothis?’Shattered,bothemotionallyandmentally,Iqbal’seyeswerewetandfilledto

thebrimwithunshedtears.Hisvoicewasheavyandhisheartwaspoundingagainsthisribs,burdenedbytheknowledgeofthelurkingdangerahead.His

facewasshroudedwithfearoftheconsequencesofbeingmarriedtoaspy.Theverythoughtofgettingcourt-martialledmadehimweakinhisknees.Sehmatknewtoomanysecrets.Perhapsmorethanhecouldeverimagine.ShehadaccesstoallsensitivefileswhichweremeantforthetopmostoftheISIhierarchyandthepolity.Ifcourt-martialled,theminimumpunishmentwouldbedeath.Andthefeelingoftheultimatepunishmenthadalreadybeguntosinkin.Unwillingtoaccepttheharshtruthstaringhiminhisface,hewasstill

desperatetosaveSehmatfromthehandsoftheISI.Ifonlyhecouldmakeherdisappear,hewished.ButthecounterwebspunbythePakistaniintelligencewastoointricateforSehmattoescape.Afterbrainstormingandnotfindingawayout,heblurted,‘Pleaseshootme,Sehmat.Andthenkillyourself.Atleastthatwaywe’llbetogether.’Sehmatwasn’tlistening.ItwascleartoherthatAbdul’sclosenessto

MehboobhadmadeMuniratheprimesuspect.Inanyothercase,shetoowouldhavebeenintheircustodybynow.PerhapstheISIwasinadilemmaonhowtotaketwomembersofthehigh-profilefamilyforquestioningandhaddecidedtofocusonMunirafirst.Shewasalsosurethatsoonthemilitarypolicewouldcomeknockingatherdoor.Reachingforthephone,shesnatchedthereceiveroffthecradle.Afterflippingthroughthearmydirectoryforafewseconds,shedialledthemostimportantnumberinthecantonment.Abriefpauselater,asmartandwell-trainedoperatorcameontheline.‘Goodmorning,thisisGeneralImtiazKhan’sresidence.’Thevoicewas

culturedandtheoperatorspokeinrefinedEnglish.‘MynameisSehmatSayeed.IamAnwarKhan’steacher.Iwanttospeakto

MrsImtiazKhan.Thisisanemergency.’‘PleaseholdthelinewhileIconnectyou,Madam,’respondedtheoperatorina

clippedtone.Havingconnectedherbefore,theoperatorknewthatSehmat’scallwouldbetaken.Ashortwhilelaterathin,sharpvoicecameovertheearpiece.‘Hello,Sehmat.Howareyou?Hopeeverythingisallright?’MrsSuraiyaKhansoundedhappytohearhervoice.ShewasoblivioustothelatestdevelopmentsattheSayeeds’.‘Iamfine,Madam,butIwantyourhelpurgently.CanIcomeandmeetyou

rightnow?’Sehmatwasextremelypolite,notwantingtoconveyhernervousness.

‘Ihopealliswell?Yousounddisturbed.’‘Yes,Madam.IqbalandIhavediscoveredsomethingswhichwefeelareof

enormoussignificance.Ihavetosharethemwithyouimmediately.Anydelaycouldmeandisasterforourfamily.’Therewasanuneasypauseattheotherendoftheline.Sehmatcouldsense

thattheolderwomanwasweighingtheprosandconsofwhatSehmathadsaid.Shewonderedifthewifeofthesecondincommandinarmywouldtakethebait.Shealsoknewthattalkingtothefirstladyinthestationwouldhelpherbuyprecioustimefromthemilitarypolicewhowouldbelisteningtoeverywordbeingsaid.‘Whereareyourightnow?’Sehmatcouldbarelyhearhervoice.‘Athome,Madam.’‘Okay,youmaycomerightaway.Doyouhaveanytransport?’‘Err,no,Madam.AbbaHuzoorhasalreadyleft.ButIthinkI’llbeableto

manage.’‘Pleasewait,I’llsendacaracrosstogetyou.Itwillreachyouinashort

while.’Sayingthis,Suraiyaputthephonedown.Sehmatwasthinkingquickly,planninghernextmanoeuvre.GeneralImtiazKhan’sbungalowwasn’tfarfromtheSayeeds’haveli,and

Sehmatknewthattherewerestandbycarsparkedoutside.ButshealsoknewthattravellinginImtiazKhan’sofficialcarwouldprovideherwiththemuch-neededinsuranceagainsttheISIhawks.Twentyminuteslater,SehmatandIqbalweresittinginaflagcar.Whileleaving,Sehmatnoticedmorecarsandtrucksemergingfrombehindthebarricadeanddrivingtowardstherearentranceofthebungalow.Thenoosewasbeginningtotighten.Wouldshebearrestedonherreturn,shewondered.‘Sofar,sogood,’shemutteredasshesatintherearseatandrestedherhead

onacushion.Iqbalwastenserthanever.Hehadnoclueabouttherolehewastoplayintheongoingproceedings.Goingtotheresidenceofthesenior-mostArmyGeneralwithoutbeingcalledwasacontraventionofmilitaryorders.HelookedatSehmatpleadingly,hiseyesfilledwithquestionsandfear,buthedidnotsayanything.‘It’ssimple,Iqbal,’Sehmatbeganassoonastheattendantclosedthedoorof

thecar.Thedriverwalkedtowardshisseat,givingherafewpreciousmoments.

‘Youdidnothaveanyknowledgeaboutthewholematter.WhateverIsaytoMrsKhanwouldbethegospeltruthforyouaswell.Remainsilentandspeakonlywhenspokento.Restrictyourselfonlytowhatyouwillhearmesay.Tostartwith,itwasAbdul,rightfromdayone.Therestishistory.Andremember,IwillnothesitatetotakeextremestepsifIamforcedto.’Afterfinishinghershort,well-rehearsedbrief,shepausedtoseeherhusband’sreaction.Iqbalunderstoodthemeaningofherthreat.Hehadseenherputtingthegleamingcoltinherhandbag.Minuteslater,SehmatwassittingacrossfromMrsKhan,confidently

explainingAbdul’spossibleinvolvementinthesuspectedespionageattheSayeeds’residence.SheforcefullystressedthethreattoMunira’ssafetyandrepeatedlyurgedMrsKhantointervene.‘Shehasjustlostherhusband,Madam.Sheshouldatleastbeallowedto

mourninpeace,’shepleaded,leavingstrainsofemotionfloatingintheair.MrsSuraiyaKhanwasaseasonedlady.Sheknewarmyregulationsasmuch

assheunderstoodherlimitations.Sehmat’srequestwasbeyondherpowerseventhoughshecouldconnecttoandsympathizewithMunira’splight.Besides,shewasunsureofwhomtospeaktoregardingthisunusualrequest.Ontheotherhand,Sehmat’sinitiativeathergrandson’sschoolconcertwasweighingonhermind.Shealsohadaninflatedegothatwouldsufferasteepfallifshefailedtoexerthercloutasthewifeofthemostpowerfularmyofficerinthecountry.PromptedbySehmat,shedecidedtotakeupthematterinhercapacityasthevicechairpersonoftheArmyOfficers’WivesWelfareAssociation.Shepickedupthereceiver,dialledanumberandaskedforLieutenantGeneral

IzazMirza,thechiefofISI.Mirzaquicklycameonthelineandexchangedpolitecourtesies.HeowedhispresentappointmenttotheclosenessheenjoyedwiththeKhans.TherewassomehesitationinMrsKhan’svoiceinthebeginning,butasthediscussionproceeded,shetookcompletecontrol.‘MirzaSahib,Iwouldliketobringtoyourattentionapossiblecaseofhigh-

handednessshownbythearmypersonnel.IhavebeengiventounderstandthatGeneralSayeed’selderdaughter-in-lawhasbeenpickedupbythemilitarypoliceonsomeissuesrelatedtoespionage.ItisindeedaveryseriouschargebutIwouldappreciateifyoucouldpersonallylookintoitandensureadequatesafetyforthelady.Asyouwouldbeaware,herhusbanddiedofaheartattack

justtwodaysago.Iamsurewecanbemorehumaneinourapproach,evenifthereisagenuinecaseagainsther.MayIrequestyoutoseethatsheistreatedwellandsenthomeassoonaspossible?’ShespokewithoutofferingabreaktotheGeneral.Thenshepromptlyhung

up,leavingthenot-so-amusedGeneralholdingthereceiverinhishand.Hermessagewasclearand,eveninhispositionofauthority,LieutenantGeneralMirzaknewthathecouldnotaffordtoantagonizethewifeofthemostpowerfulmaninthePakistaniarmy.Besides,GeneralImtiazKhanwasalsocloselyrelatedtotheArmyChiefandhehimselfhadbenefitedfromtheirrelationship.HeknewabouttheSayeeds’espionageepisodeandhadpersonallysignedtheorderpapersforinvestigation.Munira’sarresthadnotbeeneasyeither.HerfatherwasaretiredLieutenant

General,andshetoocarriedsufficientclout.Itwasonlyafterhisdeputy,GeneralSayeed,agreedtothelineofactionthattheISImovedfurther.HavingalreadyquestionedMuniratoacertainextent,theISIchiefdecidedtoputtheissueontheback-burnerforthetimebeing.Sehmatspentthenexthalfhourinamorerelaxedstateofmind.Having

achievedhershort-termgoal,shequicklydriftedtoothersubjects,easingthetensionthathadbuiltupintheroom.ItbecameevidenttoIqbalthatbothwomenhadenormousadmirationforeachother.SoonAnwarbecamethesubjectoftheirdiscussion,withSehmatoutlininghishiddenqualitiessuchasdeterminationandasenseoffocus.MrsKhanappearedpleasedandinturncomplimentedSehmatonhercreativeteachingstyle.Sittinginthecornerasamutespectator,ascaredIqbalwonderedaboutthe

extenttowhichhiswifehadmadeinroadsintothefirstfamily.TheeasewithwhichSehmatwieldedinfluence,eveninmattersconcerningnationalsecurity,shockedhim.Butinallthisdestruction,hecouldseeawayoutforSehmat.HeobservedthatMrsKhancouldnotevenbegintoseethewebthatwasbeingspunbyher.Yet,hewasalsohopingthatSehmatwouldbeabletopullofftheplanthatshehadinmind.Helovedherandshematteredtohim,evenifshewasanenemyagent.Iqbalacceptedtheteacupthatwasofferedtohimbyauniformedbutler.He

wasabouttotakethefirstsipwhenheheardSehmatseekingMrsKhan’spermissiontotakeAnwartotheirhaveliforashortwhile.Shocked,henearly

spilledthetea.Thefar-reachingconsequencesofSehmat’srequestwerecleartohimintheveryfirstinstant.‘Weareextremelydepressed,Madam,’heheardhiswifesay.‘Itooaminthe

familywayandmydoctorhascategoricallytoldmetoexercisecaution.Anwar’spresencewouldcheermeupagreatdeal,’Sehmatcontinuedcarefully,withoutahintofdesperationinhervoice.Iqbalwishedtoscream,‘No!’,butcouldnotmusterenoughcourage.Mrs

Khan,ontheotherhand,appearedpleasedbySehmat’srequest,happythathergrandsonwouldbeabletospendqualitytimewithhisfavouriteteacher.Anwartoowasveryfondofher.Whenasked,hejumpedattheideaofspendingafewhourswithhisteacheratherresidence.Tenminuteslater,theyleftinthesamecar.Sehmatnowhadawillinghostageinhercustody,justincase.Bythetimetheyreachedhome,Munirahadarrivedandlockedherselfinher

room.Thesoldiersatthehavelitoowerehastilyloadingtheirequipmentintothewaitingtrucks,whilethefleetofinspectionvehicleshadbeguntopullaway.Thedogswerenolongersniffingaroundthehaveliandthetruckwithsurveillanceequipmenthaddowneditsshutters.ItwasclearthatSuraiya’swordshadworked.However,Sehmatwasstillextremelyuncomfortable.Shewasn’tentirelysureofhowIqbalwouldreactandthereforekepthimwithinpistolrangeatalltimes.

17

Astheskydusked,aflagcarapproachedthenewlyerectedbarrierinthecantonment.Thedriverrolleddownhiswindowpaneandbroughtthecartoahalt.Thesecurityguardssalutedinunisonbeforeoneofthemsteppeduptotakeanidentificationcheck.‘MajorGeneralBashirAhmadSahib,’indicatedthedriverwhileflashinghis

IDcard.Theyoungsoldierhadbarelytakenalookatthecardwhenacrisp,huskyvoicefromthebackseatthrewhimoffguard.‘WhichroadwilltakeustoGeneralSayeed’sresidence?’itasked.Springingtoattention,theguardhurriedlyreturnedthecardtothedriverandpointedinthedirectionofthehaveli.Theguardwaswellawareofthereasonbehindthesuddenspurtinhigh-

profilevisitstothatpartofthecantonment.Sincethetragedy,excessiveVIPmovementhadkeptthemontheirtoes.Theguardsteppedbacksmartlyandcontinuedpointinginthedirectionofthehousewithhisrighthandwhiletheotherthreestoodtorigidattention.‘Firstturnleft,thenturnrightandagainfirstturnleft,Sir.It’sthelast

bungalow,Sir.’‘Thanks.’Thedriverchangedgearsandsteppedonthegaspedalalmost

immediately.Mir,whowassittinginthebackseat,readjustedhispeakcapandpresseda

tinybuttonbeneaththearmrest.Thiswasasignalforthecommandowhowashidinginthebootandholdinganautomaticrifle.Despitelyingcrouchedinthecrampedspaceandsweatingprofusely,hisfacereflectedsignsofrelief.Theguardsatthegatestoppedthecarbeforeallowingittomoveintothe

portico.Thedriversprintedoutandopenedthereardoor.Mir,smartlydressedin

aMajorGeneral’suniform,steppedout,holdingabouquetofflowersinhisrighthand.HewasawareofSayeed’sabsence,yethehadtakenprecautions.Headjustedthesmallpistolstrappedtohisankle.Hewaitedforawhileinthehallbeforetheservantusheredhimtothedrawingroom.AnemotionallywroughtandmentallydrainedIqbalreceivedMir,accepted

hiscondolencesandthankedhimforthekindgesture.Hehadtoomuchgoingoninhislifetoaskforthevisitor’sdetails.Instead,hewantedtheguesttoleavesoon.Thevisitor,though,didn’tappeartobeinanymoodtooblige.Afterpayinghiscondolences,theGeneralsurprisedIqbalbyrequestinganaudiencewithSehmat.‘Yousee,Iqbal,yourgoodladyalsohappenstobeoneofthefinestteachers

around.Iheargreatstoriesaboutherfrommygrandson.SinceIhavecomethisfar,IthoughtIwouldmeetherforawhile.Itisalossfortheschoolthatshehasdecidedtogiveupteaching.’Iqbalwasleftspeechless.HewasawarethatSehmatwaslisteningtothe

conversation.Theenormityofherinfluencewaspushinghimdeeperintodepression.Standingbehindthecurtain,Sehmatmonitoredtheconversation.Shehad

recognizedMirfromadistance.Shestuffedthegunintoherhandbagandsteppedintothehall.Poker-faced,shebowedgentlyandlookedatIqbal,asifseekinghispermissiontoremainpresent.Withoutwaitingforhisreply,sheoccupiedthechairthatwasplacedslightlybehindherhusband’s.ShecouldnowobservethetwomenwithoutbeinginIqbal’sdirectsight.Mirsprangoutofhisseatandbowed,keepinghiseyesfocusedonthecouple.Mirbeganhisconversationbyofferingcondolencesandwentontoappreciate

herworkasateacher.‘Itmightnotbetherightoccasion,Iamafraid,butIjustcouldnotstopmyselffromthankingyoufordoingusabigfavour.Notoriousashewas,mygrandsonhasreversedonehundredandeightydegrees.Iwouldliketocomplimentyouandhopeyouwillcontinuetoguidechildren,especiallyintheirformativeyears.’Mir’seyeswerefocusedonSehmat,tryingtoextractwhateverinformationhe

couldfromherremarkablycomposedface.Findingnone,hepulledoutasmallnotefromhistrouserpocketandhandeditovertoSehmat.‘Hehaswrittenasmallletterforyou,expressinghisgriefoveryourfamily’sloss.’

SehmattookthenoteandreaditscontentswhileIqbalwatchedherfacefromhisseat.Itwasasmallbutprecisenoteindicatingthestepsshehadtotaketofacilitateherescape.Afterreadingandabsorbingitscontents,SehmatfoldedthepaperandhandeditbacktoMir.‘PleasethankRiazforsuchkindwords.Itisverysweetofhim.Maybeyou

shouldhavebroughthimalong.’‘Oh!Hewantedtocomeandmeetyou.Butthiswasnotanappropriatetime.

Perhapsonsomeotheroccasion.Rightnowheiswithhisparents.’‘Riazisoneofmyfavouritestudents.IwonderifIcouldmeethimtonight?

IqbalandIaregoingtothecitywithanotherstudent,AnwarKhan,GeneralImtiazKhan’sgrandson.Wehopethatthecompanyofchildrenwillhelpusrecoverfromthedepressionandgloom.Hecouldcomewithusforashortwhile.’‘Thatwouldbegreat.Hewouldlovetospendsometimewithyou.ThoughI

amflyingbackinawhile,mydaughter-in-lawwilltakehimthere.Iamafraiditwillhavetobeforaveryshorttime.’SehmatlookedatIqbalwhoremainedmotionlessandnon-committal.He

wasn’tevenawareofSehmat’splantovisittheshoppingplaza.Presuminghissilencetobeaffirmative,Sehmatcontinued.‘Allright,General,inthreehoursfromnow,we’llmeetnear“CrossPlaza”.’‘Thanks,MrsSayeed.Youalwaystaketimeoutforthelittleones.That’swhat

makesyousospecialandlovedbythechildren.Andthat’showyouhavewonsomanyhearts.Thankyouonceagain.’Mirstoodup,causingIqbaltospringintoaction.HerushedtothedoorandflungitopenfortheGeneraltoexit.MirshookhandswithIqbal.Beforesittinginthecar,hetookaquickglanceatthesurroundingsandthensankintotheplushcushions.MirwasamazedatSehmat’sperformance.Shehadsurpassedhisexpectations

andhadcompletecontroloverthesituation.Therewasnofearinhervoice;shewasfullofconfidenceandwascallingtheshots.HerdecisiontomeetMirat‘CrossPlaza’laterintheeveningshowedtheauthorityshewieldedattheSayeeds’.Evenherhusband,Iqbal,appearedtobeinaweofherandwasreducedtoamerespectatoratthelargehaveli.‘Welldone,Sehmat,Godblessyou!’Miruttered.Heknewthatshewasveryclosetobeingexposed.Hisownvisittothehaveliwasadrasticstephewasforcedtotakeinordertoexecutethe

rescueoperation.HehopedSehmatwouldfollowhisinstructionsstrictly.Thetiniestofmistakescouldruintheplanandendangernumerouslives.Themarketslitupasdarknessbegantosetin.DressedinlocalPathaniattire,

Mirsatinasmallopenrestaurant,watchingthemovementofthepedestriansacrosstheroad.Afewofhishand-pickedagentskeptwatchatdifferentpositions,waitingforSehmattoarrive.Shewalkedinonschedule,wearingaburkathatcoveredherfromheadtotoe.MirwasabletorecognizeherasshewasaccompaniedbyanervousIqbalwholookedhandsomeinablueblazer.TherewasnosignofAnwar.Thetwostoppedoutsidetheshoppingareaand

brieflyspoketoeachotherbeforeenteringthewell-litmarket.SehmatwasscheduledtoexitfromtherearendoftheplazafromwhereshewastobepickedupbyMir’sagentsandtransferredtoasafelocation.Mirsighedwithrelief.Allwasgoingaccordingtoplan.Heliftedhisteacupandglancedatoneofhismen,signallingfortheescapecartopositionitself.SuddenlyhistrainedeyesspottedPakistaniagents.Inanefforttobe

inconspicuous,thePakistanicounter-intelligencepersonnelhaddonnedloose-fittingdark-colouredPathanisuits.Yettheystoodoutinthecrowdduetotheirphysique,shorthairandtheextraalertnessintheirbodylanguage.TheireyeswerescanningtheareaoccasionallybutremainedfocusedonSehmat.TherewasadistinctivepatternintheirmovementthatkeptSehmatandherhusbandwithinstrikingrange.Fromtheslightbulgeintheirshirts,itwasevidentthattheywerecarryingsmallfirearms.Observingtheirmovementscarefullyfromadistance,Mirnoticedmoreagentsforminganouterring,frequentlyconversingonwalkie-talkies.MirweighedtheprosandconsandrealizedthatSehmat’sescapewouldmean

losingmanyinnocentlivesand,therefore,hadtobeabandoned.Reluctantly,hethrusthisrighthandintohissidepocketandpressedthetransmitterbuttonthrice.Nottoofaraway,twoofhisagentslookedattheirtinymonitors.Theirorderswereclear;buttheylookedbewilderedandunsureandwalkedacrosstheroadtotakeaconfirmationfromtheirboss.Theysawhimnodimperceptiblyandquicklyreturnedtotheirpositionsattheexitdoor.Theythensignalledtheircontactinsidethemall.AsthePakistaniagentsnearedSehmat,asmallpoisonousdarthitherinthe

neck.Shefellonthespot,crashingintotheentirerowofgroceriesarrangedon

theshelves.ThePakistaniagentsstoppeddeadintheirtracks.Theywerestunnedandtookamomenttorecoverfromtheunexpectedturnofevents.Belatedlyscramblingtotheirsenses,theyscatteredaroundthecomplex,attemptingtotracethesourceoftheattack.Minuteslater,anexplosioninsidetheshoppingarcadeshooktheentirebuilding,causinganearstampedeasshoppersrantowardstheexitforsafety.TheensuingmeleehelpedMirandhisagentstoleavethesite.Beforegetting

intothecar,heturnedtowardstheshoppingarcade.ThebombhadexplodednearSehmat,sendingherflyingtowardstheshelves.Shemusthavediedinstantly,herealized,butcouldnotbringhimselftoimagineherbodybeingblownintounrecognizableshredsofflesh.Theverythoughtturnedhisstomach.Sehmatwaslikeadaughtertohim.Fightingasenseofdread,hethought

aboutTejandwhathewouldtellher.Hewentovertheentireexerciseinhismindandwonderedifhiswell-rehearsedplanhadleaksthathe,aseasonedintelligenceofficer,hadfailedtodetect.HemutteredabusesanddeeplyregrettedfailingtosaveHidayat’sonlychild.Theescapecarsconvergedinacolonyontheoutskirtsofthecity.Thelanesofthecolonywerenotwell-lit,andso,allowedthepassengerstogetintothesafehousewithoutbeingnoticedbyneighbours.Huddledtogetherinthelargelivingroomwithhisteamshortlyafter,Mirtook

stockofthesituation.Warwasinevitable.ThePakistanileadershiphadthesurpriseelementonitsside,andwasconfidentofcausingaserioussetbacktoIndia.Onthataccountalone,Sehmat’seffortshadbeenagreatsuccess.ButMir’smindwanderedbacktoTej.Whatwouldhesaytoher?Howwouldhebreakthenewstoher?Adarkgloomdescendedintheroom.Sehmathadbeentheirmostvaluable

asset.Shehadtobeblowntopiecesbyherownpeoplesothatshecouldbesavedfromfallingintoalienhands.Shehadservedhercountryselflessly,withoutraisinganeyebrow.Notoncedidsheflinchatthedangerandriskstoherlife.Sheknewtheimportanceoftheentiremission.Shehadremainedcommittedtothecauseanddiedunsung,soontobeforgottenbyboththenationanditspeople.Mirheldhisheadbetweenhishandsandshuthiseyestighttoblockthe

disturbingscenefromreturningtohismindbutfailedmiserably.Herimagekept

houndinghimagainandagain.‘Iamsorry,dearSehmat,butwehadnochoice,’hesaidtohimselfrepeatedly,hiseyesmoistwithtears.Therewasahushedsilenceinthehouse.Noneoftheofficerspresenthadever

seentheirbosssoclosetoabreakdown.Theyweresittingsilentlylikemournersbesideacorpse,unabletoutteraword.Suddenly,thesharpclangofthedoorbell,followedbyanother,threwthemoutoftheirseats,breakingtheirreverie.Theysprangintoaction,drawingtheirgunsandpreparingtoshootdownthe

intruder.Theywerenotexpectingvisitors.‘Whocoulditbe?’theyaskedeachother.Theyhadcarefullypickedthisparticularsafehouse,awayfrompryingeyes,inordertocarryouttheoperationswithoutbeinginterrupted.Mirlookedathismenandspokethroughclenchedteeth.‘Thiscouldbea

seriouscall.Killasmanyorshootyourself.Noonesurrenders.Ifyoufalter,rememberSehmatandhersacrifice.’Thedoorbellrangagain,moreurgentlythanthefirsttime.Itwaslouder,

indicatingthatthevisitorhadnointentionofleaving.Mirreachedforthedoorandlookedthroughthepeephole.Thegriponhispistoleasedandthegundroppedtothefloor.Histensefacedramaticallygavewaytoanexpressionofjoy.Removingthesafetychain,heunlockedthedoorandthrewitopen.Standingattheentrance,withtheblackburkaslungoveronehand,wasSehmat.LiketheMonaLisa,sheworeamysterioussmileonherface.Mirheldherbyhershouldersandpulledherinbeforelatchingthedoor.

Steppinginside,shegaveabemusedlooktothemenwhowerebeginningtoemergefromtheshadows.Shewasavision.Shewasalive.Shewasbackandsafe.MircouldnowgobacktoIndiaandfacehisdearestfriend’swife.‘Sothisiswhatyoucallasafehouse.Great.NowwhencanIleaveformy

home,myIndia?’Mir’sbeamingfacewaslikeastreamofsunshineinadarktunnel.Sehmat

lookedathermentor,herdark-blueeyessayingitall.Shewasherselfsurprisedtobealive.Shewasgladthatshehaddoneherdutytothebestofherabilityandsurvivedthetestoftime.Andnowshewantedtoreturntothesafetyandwarmthofherwatan.Mir’sexpressionsuddenlycloudedover.Howdidshemanagetocheatdeath?

Andhowdidshefindthem,especiallywhenshehadnoknowledgeofthesafe

house?SehmatreadMir’sthoughts.‘Well,’sheexplained,‘Ididn’taccompanyIqbal

totheplaza.ItwasMunirawhowentwithhim.ThiswasIqbal’sidea.HewasinformedbyhisfatherthatIwasgoingtobearrested.ButtheGeneraldidnotwantthearresttotakeplaceathisownhaveli.MuniraaccompaniedIqbalbecauseshewastoldthatMrsSuraiyaKhanwantedtomeether.Anwar’spresenceremovedanysuspicionthatshemighthavehad.Anwarwasleftbehindinthecarinthecustodyofthedriverwhowastoldtodrivehimbackhome.’‘WhenIqbalandMunira,whowascladinaburka,leftthehaveli,Ifollowed

themandsawtheexplosionfromadistance.Isawyouescapinginthegetawaycarsoonaftertheblast.Itwaseasyformetotailyourcar,butIfacedsomedifficultyonceyouenteredthecolony.Thereafter,itwasmyspyinstincts,somecommonsenseandabitofluckthathelpedmelocateyourso-calledsafehouse.Afterall,Iamnolessaspythanyou,amI?Nowwhencanyousendmetomywatan?’Sehmatendedhermonologueonatriumphantnote,tothecheerandsmilesofallpresent.Theywereastoundedbyherdisplayofgritanddetermination.Theirexpressionswerefilledwithhighrespect.Shewasoneofthem,yethadfarexceededtheirexpectations.Wordswereinsufficient.‘Soon,verysoonyou’llbehome,’wasallMircould

manageashegatheredherinatightembrace.Tearswerenowbeginningtorolldownhischeeks.Buthedidnotcare.

18

AnairforcetransportplanetoucheddownattheDelhiairportlandingstripandtaxiedtillitreachedtheVIPparkingbay.Securityforcescordonedofftheareaassoonastheaircraftcametoacompletehalt.Aredcarpetwasrolledoutwithalacritywellbeforethedooroftheplaneopened.Anarmybrassbandsmartlymarchedintotheenclosureplaying‘JaiBharati’andelegantlyhaltedbythesideofthedaisthathadbeentemporarilyerectedtofelicitatethearrivingVIP.Asifcontrolledbyaremote,theirheadsturnedleftinunison.Theirgleaming

bootsmovedrapidlytothematchingrhythmofthedrummerstilltheyallfellintoaformation.Theycametoahaltasthedrumbeatsstopped.Theirheadswerenowaligned,awaitingthenextorder.Thestagewassetwithmilitaryprecisionforthewarhero.Anaccommodationladderhadbeenmanuallypushedtowardstheaircraft.

Miremergedfirst.Hewaswearingdarkglassesandablackwoollenovercoat.Hestoodbrieflyontheladderandscannedthesmallgatheringofhigh-levelofficialsthathadcometoreceivethespecialguest.Spottingafrailladyamongstthecrowd,hewaved,encouragingthemiddle-agedwomancladinastarkwhitesaritostepoutofthehuddle.Sehmat,meanwhile,emergedfromtheaircraftandsawhermotherslowlywalkingtowardstheladder.Holdingthesiderail,shequicklysteppeddownandranintohermother’swaitingarms.Thetwoweptuncontrollablyandremainedinatightembrace.Thereweretearsofhappiness,ofreunionafteralongseparation.Loudclappingfromthewelcomepartyfinallyseparatedthetwo.TejcuppedSehmat’sfaceinherhandsandtookacloserlookatthebattle-wearyeyes.ShekissedSehmat’scheeksbeforeturningtofacetheofficialswhohadbythenlinedupontheedgeoftheredcarpet.

AsSehmatwalkedpasttheofficials,shewasshoweredwithrosepetalsandofferedbouquets.Shedidnotpersonallyknowanyoneinthecrowdbutgraciouslyacceptedtheirgreetings.Holdinghermotherbytheshoulder,shemovedpastthegatheringtillshesawsomethingfamiliar.Sehmatwalkedawayfromthelaidpathandcameface-to-facewiththeflutteringtricolour.Withoutbotheringabouttheassembledpeoplewhowerewatchingherwithamazementandcuriosity,shekneltdownandplacedherheadonthetarmac.TearstrickleddownfromSehmat’seyes.Shekissedthecementedfloorandwhispered,‘OhmydearMotherland,howImissedyou.Thankyouforhavingmeback.’Thebandmasterwasanoldsergeantwhohadgonethroughthedrillof

accordingceremonialreceptiontohundredsofdignitaries.HedidnotknowSehmat’sbackgroundbuthisexperiencedeyeswerequicktorealizethatshewasunique.Asifoncue,heswunghisbatonsideways,bringingthebandtoanabrupthalt.Comingtoattentionsimultaneously,heswunghishandsintheairinquicksuccession,signallinghisbandtoswitchtoanewbeat.Momentslater,thebandwasplayingthenationalanthem.Sehmatstoodupslowlyandfacedthedais.Shewasaloneonthetarmac,standingtallandsalutingthetricolour.Shewasbackhome,amongstherownpeopleandinthesafetyandwarmthofherowncountry.Sehmatfoldedherhandsinacknowledgementasthebandfinishedplayingthe

anthem.Hardasshetried,shecouldnothidehertears.Shewentbacktothecarpetedtrackandbeganreceivingbouquetsandgarlandstillshereachedtheendoftherow.Shenoticedafamiliarpairofhandsholdingabunchofherfavouriteyellowroses.Sheinstantlyrecognizedthefingersthatwereholdingthestemseversogently.Shehadheldthosehandsbefore.Herheartbeatquickenedasshelookeduptofacethetallandhandsomefigure.‘Welcomehome,Sehmat,’sheheardAbysaying,hiswordsfilledwith

emotion.Thebouquetsfellfromherhandsandscatteredontheground.Sheburiedher

headinAby’sbroadchestandsobbeduncontrollably.‘YouhavenoideahowmuchIhavemissedyou,Sehmat.Iamproudofyou.

Thewholecountryis.’Aby’svoiceconveyedimmeasurablepride.Shesmiledfaintlybutfailedtocontrolhersobs.Memoriesofanotherlifecamerushingbacktoher.

AbyescortedhertothetableonthedaisforfelicitationsandcamebacktowhereTejwasstanding.Mirwatchedherfromadistancewithmoisteyes.HewashappytoseeSehmatgettingbackintothefoldofherlovedones.Takingthepodium,helookedatTejandwonderedifhecouldeventhinkofdoingwhattheKhanshaddoneforthecountry.Hefeltuncomfortabledeepwithin.Itdawnedonhimthatwhilehecouldsacrificehimselfahundredtimes,hewouldfinditdifficulttosendhischildrenintothejawsofdeath.‘Ladiesandgentlemen,’hebegan,‘Itismyesteemedprivilegeandhonourto

presenttoyouafamilythathassetthehigheststandardsofloyaltyanddedicationinserviceofourbelovedcountry.OrdinarymortalslikeuswouldfinditdifficulttoeventhinkaboutwhatmylatefriendHidayatandhispatrioticfamilyactuallydidforus.Hisdaughter,Sehmat,wentastepfurtherandnearlysacrificedherselftofulfilhisdreams.Ihavenowordstodescribetherawcouragewithwhichshesteadfastlyfulfilledherduty.’Mirpausedbriefly.Hismindwentnumb,hiswordsdyingonhislips.HecouldnotstophimselffromcomparinghissenseofloyaltywiththatoftheKhans.Clearinghisthroat,hecontinued,‘BeforeIproceedfurther,IwouldliketoinviteonstagethewomanwithoutwhoseencouragementandactiveparticipationSehmatwouldnothavesucceededinhermission.’MirstoppedbrieflyagainandturnedhisheadtowardsTej.AbyusheredTejontothestageamidstloudapplause.Steppingawayfromthepodium,Mirwalkedtotheedgeofthestageand

escortedTejtotheseatnexttoSehmat.Hewasabouttogobacktothepodiumwhenhenoticedsomethingunusual:Sehmatwasslidingfromherseat.Mirrealizedthatshewasfainting.HeturnedimmediatelyandcaughtSehmatbyhershouldersbeforeshecollapsed.HeliftedherinhispowerfularmsandrushedtoawaitingambulancewithTejandAbyintow.TheyweresoonontheirwaytothemilitaryhospitalattheDelhicantonment.Anhourlater,anarmydoctoremergedfromtheexaminationroomtofacethe

threetensepeople.HesmiledatthemreassuringlyandwalkeduptoTej.Hissmilewidenedashecamecloser.‘Yourdaughterisfine.Thereisabsolutelynothingtoworryabout.Itwasfatigue,nervousnessandexcitementthatcausedthebloodtorushtoherhead.She’llbefinesoon.Allsheneedsisrest.’‘Butdoctor,whydidshefaint?’Tejstilllookedworried,apprehendingbad

newsfromthedoctor.

‘Shedidnotfaint,Madam,well,notexactly.Butshehastobecarefuland,asIsaidearlier,sheneedsrest.Ipresumeyouknowthatsheispregnant?’Tejcoveredheropenmouthwithbothherhands,hereyesexpressingextreme

shock.Unabletoregaincontroloverheremotions,sheslumpedtowardsMirwholetherheadrestonhisshoulder.‘Howmuchmoresufferingwillmydaughterundergo?’shewonderedaloud.

‘Willshebeabletobearthiscrueltwistoffate?’Mirhadnoanswer.Abywasstandingnearby.Movingastepcloser,heputhisarmaroundTejand

gentlypulledherawayfromMir.Hewipedhertearsandmadehersitonabenchafewstepsaway.Squattingbyherside,heheldhertremblinghandsfirmlyandlookedatherasifnothingunusualhadhappened.‘Look,MrsKhan,thereisnothingtofeelbadabout.Shewasmarriedanda

childisalwaysablessing.Shehaslostherhusband,butifyouandSehmatagree,Iwillbehonouredtohaveherasmylifepartner.’Evenfromadistance,MircouldunderstandwhatAbywassayingbyreading

hislips.Hecamecloserandheldhimtightlyinanembrace.‘Imusthavedonesomethinggreatinmypreviouslifetoseethefinestdisplayofhumanspirit.Iamproudofyou,Aby.Iamreallyproudofyou,myson.MayGodblessyou.’‘Don’tmakemeamartyr,Sir.IhavelovedSehmatrightfromthedayIfirst

sawher.Istilldo,andhopethatshewillagreetobemywife.’TheexpressionsofdepressionanddefeatevaporatedfromTej’sface.Tearsof

happinessstreameddownherface.ShehuggedAby,clutchinghimwithherfeeblearms.ShewashappythatSehmatwouldbeabletopickupthepiecesofherbrokenlifeandstartafreshfromwhereshehadleft.Shedeservedanewchanceatahappylifewiththemanshetrulyloved.ThearmydoctorescortedTejtotheroomwhereSehmatwasrestingafterthecheck-up.MirandAby,meanwhile,satonthebenchoutsideandacceptedteaservedbyasmartlydressedorderly.Wipinghertears,TejpatteddownherhairandopenedthedoortoSehmat’s

room.Shewaslyingonthebed.Shewatchedhermotherenterandclosethedoorbehindher.Theireyesmet,andtheyexchangedbittersweetsmilesthatreflectedthepaintheyhadgonethrough.SehmathidthefactthatshealreadyknewaboutherpregnancyfromTej.Shewashappytobeamother,butthe

realityofhavingkilledsomanyinnocentpeoplehadbeguntotakeitstollonher.Tejcouldalmostreadhermind.‘Congratulations,’shesaidsittingbyherbedside.‘Iknowhowyoufeel,butI

havegoodnewsforyou.Abystilllovesyouandwantstomarryyou.’‘But,Mother,IamcarryingIqbal’schildandundernocircumstancesamI

goingtogetanabortion.’‘Heknowseverything,buthesayshelovesyouirrespectiveofthatandjust

wantsyourconsent.’Sehmatwasnonplussedforamoment.Thechanceofbeingwithherfirstlove

wasexcitingbutdeepwithinshewasdepressed.Wouldsheeverbeabletomarryagainandlivehappilyaftertakingsomanyinnocentlives?‘Ineedsometime,Mother.Atthemoment,Iamnotinastatetotakesucha

decision.AlsoIdon’twanttogobacktoSrinagar.CouldyouhelpmesettledowninMalerKotla?’‘MalerKotla?Whereisthat?Andwhythere?’Tej’svoicewastingedwiththe

samesurprisethatwaswrittenonherface.‘ItisAbdul’shometown,’Sehmatrepliedwithasorrowfulexpression.‘AndwhoisAbdul?’Tejbegantogetmoreworried.‘HewasthemostfaithfulservantoftheSayeeds.’‘ButthatwasinPakistan,Sehmat.Youarenowbackinyourowncountry.’‘Yes,Mother,butmyconscienceisheavywithguilt.MaybethiswayIshall

beabletoeasesomeofitsburden.IhopeAbdulwillforgivemeforwhatIdidtohim.’‘Andwhatdidyoudo?’‘Icrushedhimunderamilitarytruck.’TejwasshockedbySehmat’splainspeaking.Shebegantorealizetheextent

oftraumaherdaughterwascarryinginhermindandheart.SheheldSehmat’shandsfirmlyandkissedherforehead.‘Icanunderstandwhatyoumustbegoingthrough.Butremember,whatyoudidwasforthesakeofyourcountry.AndIamwithyou,always.’‘Thankyou,Mother,’shesaid,assheshuthereyesandpushedherheadinto

thesoftpillow.Tejcouldseethepainonherfacebutcoulddolittletoeaseheragony.‘Onlytimecanhealherwoundsandeaseherburden,’shetoldherself.

Asshecameoutoftheroom,shelookedatthetwomen.Theireyesweregluedtoherface,tryingtoreadherexpressions.Shesmiledandwalkedslowlytowardsthem.ShewasinadilemmaasshedidnothavethecouragetofaceAby.ShesatnexttoMirand,withoutlookingdirectlyatAby,asked,‘WhereexactlyisMalerKotla?’Mirimmediatelyrealizedthatallwasnotwell.TejtoldthemwhatSehmathad

saidandtheylistenedinsilence.IttookMirnotimetounderstandwhatSehmatwasgoingthrough.Anyoneelseinthissituationwouldhavebecomeanervouswreck.ButwhatsurprisedhimwasthecalmnessandfortitudewithwhichAbytookitallinhisstride.Ashewalkedtowardshiscaranhourlater,Aby’swordsstillranginhismind.

‘Don’tworry,Mom,Iamevenmoredetermined.AndI’llwaitforeternityifsoneeded.Ourfirstpriorityistogetherbacktonormality.Shemustbecheerfulinhercondition.’Hiscallingher‘Mom’wasn’tmissedbyTej.Itcheeredherupandalsokept

herhopealive.

19

AdmiralM.S.Chand,ChiefoftheNavalStaff(CNS)oftheIndianNavy,waspacingupanddowninthe‘operationsroom’atthenavalheadquarters(NHQ)inNewDelhi.Hisfaceworeaworriedexpression.Therewaspin-dropsilenceinthehallthatseatedmorethanadozenotherAdmiralswhowerewaitingpatientlyfortheirChieftospeak.Chandhadarrivedbeforethescheduledtimeofthemeeting,andhadwaitedforeveryonetoassembleandtaketheirseats.Onebyone,theofficershadenteredthehall,salutedtheChiefandoccupiedtheirrespectiveseats.EachofficerhadcheckedhiswatchtoconfirmifhehadarrivedontimebecauseitwassuchararesighttoseetheCNScomingmuchaheadofschedule.‘Gentlemen,’begantheCNS,aftertakingalonglookattheofficers,‘in

comparisontotheIndianArmy,thenavyisyettoproveitsmettle.Weareone-tenththesizeofthearmyandrelativelyuntestedonthebattlefield.Whiletheairforcehasrepeatedlydemonstrateditselfthroughsheerairpowerandvitalsupporttothecountry’sdefence,thenavymoreorlessstandsinisolationduetoitsperceivedlimitedrole.Somepeopleinthebureaucracytendtoaccorditstep-motherlytreatmentwhenitcomestoformulatingbattlestrategies.Andithurtsevenmorewhenthoseinpoweroverlookthenavy’sviewsathigh-levelmeetings.Iamalsodeeplyperturbedbytheirapprehensionsofthenavy’slimitedcapabilityinawar.ButIamdeterminedtopressourcasedirectlytothepoliticalleadership.Pleasebeprepared.Thenavyisgoingtoplayanactiveroleinsafeguardingtheinterestsofourgreatnation.’TheCNSpausedforabriefmoment.Hehadhisownreasonstopressthe

navy’scase.Intelligencereportshadcategoricallyconfirmedthepresenceof

Pakistanisubmarines,primedtolaunchanall-outattackonIndia’sloneaircraftcarrier,INSVikrant,inIndianwaters.CompoundingtheChief’sworrieswasthefactthatVikrantwasnotfully

operational.Havingdevelopedcracksinitsmainboiler,thebighulk’sabilitytocatapultfighteraircraftintoflighthadbecomesuspect.Moreover,theIndianNavycouldbarelyprovideenoughescortshipswhichwereneededforcarrieroperationsatseainahostilesituation.Chandwalkeduptothewallandbeganpositioningvariousmodelsofships

onthehugechart.HoldingVikrant’stinyreplicainhishand,heturnedtofacehisaudience.‘Anydamagetotheflagshipwouldnotonlycauseushumiliation,itwouldalsoadverselydamagethemoraleofourmen.ReportssuggestthatthereareatleastfourPakistanisubmarinesinourwaters,includingtheUS-builtGhazi.Theothersubsarejustasdangerous.TheyareequallyadvancedFrenchmachinesthatarecapableofeludingus.WhileononehandthenavyhastokeepVikrantoutofharm’swayfromthesubattack,ontheotherhand,wehavetoengageinadiplomatictusslewithourownbabudom.’Placingthemodelshiponthetable,theCNStookhischairandputhishead

againstthecushion.Themeetingwentontillmidnightandthemembersdispersedonlyafterthedatatobepresentedtothegovernmentwascompiled.ItwasrarefortheofficerstoseetheirCNSinvolvinghimselfintheminutestofdetails.Thefirstbattlewaswithinthesystem;toconvincethepoliticalleadershipofthenavy’sworthinesstotakeontheenemy.Itwasnotgoingtobeeasy,butChandwasnotonetogiveup.Armedwithstatisticsanddata,theCNSwenttotheDefenceMinisterthe

followingday.Thebureaucratsinthedefenceministrypersistedwiththeirversionoftheunfoldingscenariowhichwasshort-sighted.‘GiventhePakistaninavalstrength,’Chandwastold,‘theycandolittleatseathatcanharmIndia’svastcoastline.Over80percentoftheIndiantradecarriedovertheseaisconductedbyforeignshippingliners.PakistaniswouldthinktwicebeforeattackinganyforeignvesselandearningthewrathoftheWesternpowers,’thebureaucracyopined.Chandwasshockedanddismayedbytheircomments.‘Whatdoyouknow

aboutwar?’hewishedtoaskthembutdecidedtopushthematterthroughwithpersistenceinstead.Thestakesweretoohigh.Beingthenavy’sChief,itwashis

dutytostanduptothechallenge,bothwithinandoutside,andyetemergevictorious.Toanaudiencethatwastotakethefinalcall,Chandpresentedadetailed

reportonPakistan’sinventoryanditsintentions.HeplacedcopiesoftheintelligencereportbeforethePrimeMinisterinthewarroom,anddrewherattentiontothespecificsandstatistics.‘Madam,’hepleadedbeforethePrimeMinister,‘PakistanishaveGhazion

wetleasefromtheUSandDaphne-classsubsfromtheFrench.Inaddition,theyhaveacquiredmidgetsubmarinesandchariots.Theseunitsarebestsuitedforbothlong-drawnoperationsandforclandestineattacks.Wehavetoconsiderthefactthattheycanattackshipsinharbouranddamagevitalinstallations.IunderstandthatthePakistaniAirForceiscloselycoordinatingwithitsnavyforthesingularmissionofdamagingouraircraftcarrier.Wecannotletthishappen.Andtheonlywaytodefenditisbyallowingustocounter-attack.’ThePrimeMinisterheardhimpatientlybutdidnotrespond.Instead,she

lookedquestioninglytowardsthebureaucrats,seekinganexplanationfromthembuttheyseemedinnomoodtorelent.Eventhoughmostofthemhadneverventuredintothesea,theyfelttheywereexpertsinthefieldofnavalwarfare.‘But,Admiral,’oneofthemargued,‘givenPakistan’sstrengthontheWest

Coast,howdoyoufeelthey’dbeabletopenetratesodeep?Let’slookattheirfirepower.’Risingfromhischair,theseniorbureaucratwentontoreadapreparedtext.HefeltitwashistimetomakealastingimpressiononthePrimeMinister,whowaspatientlylisteningtothediscussion.‘Let’sexaminewhatthePakistaniNavypossessesintermsofnumbers,’he

continued,simultaneouslyplacingaleatherfoldermarked‘Secret’infrontofthePM.HethenwentontoreadthenamesofPakistanishipsandsubmarines.‘Madam,’hesaidgently,‘onpaper,Pakistanhasthefollowingonitswest

coast:

1. Onecruiser,theBabur2. Fourdestroyers,theShahJahan,theBadr,theKhaibarandtheAlamgir3. ThreeDaphne-classsubmarines,theShushuk,theHangorandthe

Mangro4. Onefrigate,TipuSultan

5. Onesurveyvessel,Zulfiqar6. Eightminesweepers7. Twomotortorpedoboats8. Twotankers,theAttockandtheDacca9. Onetug,anassortmentoftwelvemidgetsubmarines,twelvechariots

andtwoseawarddefenceboats.’

ThenheturnedtohisrighttofacetheCNS.‘Admiral,areyousurethat,withsuchlimitednavalcapability,Pakistanwoulddaretocomeanywherenearourcoast?Besides,doyouthinkthatbysendingournavyoutintothebluewaters,wewillbeabletostoptheBritishfleetortheUScarriersorforthatmattertheRussianbattleshipsfromoperatingoffourcoast?’HethenglancedtowardsthePMtoseeherreaction.Findingnone,helooked

athiscounterpartsfromtheministryandsawthemdirectingsarcasticsmilesattheCNS.Thebureaucratsasusualwereatwarwiththeiruniformedcounterparts.‘ButwhatabouttheGhazi?’theCNSwasabouttoaskwhenhenoticedthe

PMgettingup.ShelookedattheArmyChiefandthenglancedattheChiefsoftheintelligencebureau,homeaffairsandairforce.‘Doyougentlemenhaveanythingtoadd?’Herquestionwasanindicationthatshehadhadenoughoftheirwargames.Gettingnoresponse,shelookedatherwatchandthenattheCNS.‘Admiral,doyouhaveanythingtosay?’Bruisedandsnubbed,theAdmiralwalkedthroughthelongcorridorsofthe

headquarters,angerandfrustrationwritlargeonhisface.Hehadhistaskcutoutandheknewit.Thenavy’sisolationduringthe1965Indo-Pakwarhadleftthesailorsdeeplydemoralizedandhurt.Chandknewthatanyfurtherisolationwouldnotonlyaffectthemoralfibreofhismen,itwouldalsomakethemdespondent.Hewaswellawarethattheywerepreparingforawar,andfeltitwashissoledutytoensurethatthenavywasnotleftonthesidelineswhiletheothertwoservicestookbattlepositionsandfacedthefire.Thenavyhadtobegivenitsrightfulplaceamongstthemajoractorsinthiswartheatre.Enteringhisspaciousoffice,hecalledhis‘ops’teamtodiscusstheburning

issue.Theteamstartedwiththerealizationthatthegroundrealityhadchangedsince1965.HavingtasteddefeatatthehandsofIndiainthe1965war,Pakistan

wouldnowdoallitcouldtoinflictdamageontheIndiandefenceforces.InallsubsequentmeetingswiththeDefenceMinister,RAW’sconfirmationofthepresenceofPakistanisubmarines,Ghazi,HangorandMangro,inIndianwatersandthedamagetheycouldinflictonIndianpridewasrepeatedlystressed.TheDefenceMinisterwasamanofforesightandwaspracticalinhis

approach.Herealizedtheimportanceofhavingthenavyactivelyinvolved.Asthewarfevergrewstronger,thebureaucracytoorealizedthefar-reaching

consequencesofunderminingPakistan’sintentions.Itwassoonafterthatthenavy’sstrategistsweregivenagreensignalfortheirmission‘BombKarachi’.On1December1971,theIndianNavy,forthefirsttimeinitshistory,was

issuedsealedorderstoattackKarachi.Theplanwasimaginativelydrawnonthedrawingboard.Itlookedsimpleonpaperbutdrewitsstrengthfromthefactthatitwasunique,unheardofanduntestedbyanynationinthepastnavalwars.Ithadtheelementofsurpriseinitsarmourywhichisthefirstrequirementforsuccess.Aspertheplan,smallmissileboatsweretobetowedupto200milesoffthe

Karachiharbourbeforecommencementofthewar.Theseboatsweremeantforcoastalwatersonlyandconsideredincapableofoperatingathighseas,evenbytheirsellers,theUSSR.Thesemissileboatswerelaunchedbytheescortingshipswhenthewarbrokeoutonthenightof3December.TheirmissionwastohitKarachiharbourandtheshipswithin,andretreattothemothershipstobetowedbacktosafety.Thefirstmissileattack,‘OperationTrident’,wascarriedoutbythreemissile

boats,Veer,NirghatandNipat,onthenightof4December1971.TheresultingdevastationshookthePakistaniNavytoitscore.Takenbycompletesurprise,thePakistaniforcessufferedheavycasualtiesanddamage.Pakistan’smostimportantandwell-protectedharbour,Karachi,wasrenderednon-operationalanditsnavalforcedisarmed.Mostofitsshore-baseddefencebatterieswereabandoned.Thefewthatremainedinactionemptiedtheirammunition,firinginspaceatnon-existentaircraft.Dumbstruck,thePakistaniintelligencewasleftstruggling,unabletoevenlocatetheexactsourceofattack.Itsfrontlinedestroyership,Khaibar,sankwithoutatrace.Anearbyoiltanker

sankafteritcaughtfirethatlastedforoversevendays.Shakenbytheingenuityoftheattack,thePakistaniNavypanicked.Itrecalledallitswarshipstothe

safetyoftheharbour,removedalltheammunitiontoavoiditbeingblownupandabandoneditsnavalwarfareplans.Itthus,unwittingly,gavefreepassagetotheIndianmissileboatstoreturntothesafetyofBombayharbouraftercompletingtheiroperation.AsecondmissileattackonKarachiwascarriedoutbytheIndianNavy’s

frontlineships,Trishul,TalwarandVinash,onthenightof8December,destroyingKarachi’soildumpsandtankersaswellascripplingmanyshipsanchoredintheharbour.Pakistan’slackofpreparednesscouldbegaugedfromthefactthateventhoughitsnavywasawareofamissilethreat,theship-ledattacksweremistakenforanairraid.Theensuingfireblazedfordaystogether,throwingtheentirepanic-strickenKarachitownintodisarray.NewsofGhazisinkingwithallhandsfollowednext,leavingthePakistani

highcommandcompletelydemoralized.Ontheotherhand,theIndianNavyhaddoneitshomeworkratherwell.UnderstandingthefactthatPakistan’smainaimwastosinkINSVikrant,theIndianNavyassignedasmalldestroyer,INSRajput,whosedutywastopatroltheBayofBengalandactlikeitwasanaircraftcarrier.LieutenantCommanderSunderjeetSingh,theCommandingOfficerofINSRajput,playedhisroletoperfectionbyreleasingaseriesofmisleadingsignalsintendedtowaylaytheenemy.FromtheBayofBengal,INSRajputrelayedcodedmessagesofhuge

LOGREQs(logisticsrequirements)befittingthesizeofanaircraftcarrier.Messagesdemandingsuppliesof5000kilosofpotatoes,10,000kilosofvegetables,1,00,000eggsandhugequantitiesofpoultryandmeatconvincedthePakistanithinktankthatitwasINSVikrantsailingintheBayofBengal.Theyweresurethatnoothershipwouldneedsuchhugequantitiesoffoodsupplies.Theentireoperationwaskeptacloselyguardedsecret,somuchsothatwhen

theNavalOfficerinMadrasreceivedimmediatedemandsforunprecedentedrationsupplies,purportedlyfromINSVikrant,hewentintoaspinandpressedthepanicbutton.Musteringallthemenandsuppliersunderhiscommand,hedirectedtheprocurementofallavailablesupplyfromthemarket.ItwasnotlongbeforetheentiremarketwasabuzzwithrumoursofthepossiblearrivalofVikrantatMadrasport.IftheIndianNavy’sintentionwastomakethePakistanispiesinMadras

believethatINSVikrantwasintheBayofBengal,ithadhitthebullseye.

Monthslater,documentsrecoveredfromthesunkenGhazicarriedsignalssentbyPakistaniheadquartersconfirmingVikrant’slocationoffthecoastofMadras,anddirectinghertotakesuitablepositionontheeastcoast.LieutenantCommanderSunderjeetSinghwasasincere,dedicatedofficer

who,throughsheerdisplayofbraveryandhardwork,hadbecometheCommandingOfficerofINSRajput.Duringwar-roommeetingsattheEasternNavalCommandHeadquarters,hehadproposedadaredevilplantocountertheprevailingGhazithreat.‘Letmetakemyshipwithalimitedcrewtopatrolatthemouthoftheharbour.

IfIsightGhazi,Ishallrammyshipintothesubmarinewhenitsurfacestotakethefinalbearing,’heroared.Theplanappearedamateurishtomostpresent,butitneverthelessoutlinedtheyoungCommander’scouragetofacethejawsofdeath.Impressedbyhisrawcourage,hewasclearedtotakehisshipoutanddropdepthchargesatdifferentdesignatedspots.Thesewerecapableofcarpet-bombingunderwaterandcrackingthehullofasubmarinebycreatingsubstantialwaterpressure,takingadvantageofthefactthatmostconventionalsubmarinescannotwithstandthewaterpressureatthedepthof200metres.SuchwasthedesperationtodestroyGhazi.Thenextmorning,LieutenantCommanderSunderjeetSinghwokeupearly.

Withoutdisturbinghiswifeandson,helefttheroom,showeredandchangedintohisuniform.Afterfixingthenavalcrownonhisturban,helookedathimselfinthemirror.Hisfacewasfilledwithjoyandpride.Shortlybeforeleavinghome,heenteredtheprayerroom.Heclosedthedoorbehindhim,kneltdownandbowedbeforetheholyGranthSahib.Breakingthesilenceofthequiet,peacefulmorning,Sunderjeetaddressedtheholybook.‘Iamthankfultoyouforbestowingmewitheverything.Ihaveonemorerequesttomake.Havingbeenassignedthistask,pleaseensurethatIeitherfulfilmydutyordonotcomeback.Iwillpreferadignifieddeaththanfailure.’Endinghisshortprayer,Sunderjeetbowedagainandstooduptofindhiswife

standingbehindhim.Hereyesweremoistbutherfacewasglowing.Hissonalsopeekednaughtilyfrombehindhismother.Hedidn’tunderstandmuchbutwasawarethathisfatherwasgoingforanimportantmission.Hiswifeofferedhimprasad.‘MayWaheGurufulfilyourwishesandmayyoubesuccessfulinyourmission.Iwillwaitforyou...’shesaidastearsstreameddownherface.

Sunderjeetthankedhisbravewifeandhuggedher,andthenheliftedhissoninhisarmsandkissedhim.Theystoodbeforethelordonelasttimeandsaidtheirprayers.Sittinginthejeep,hedroveoffwithoutlookingback.Somewheredeep

within,notonlywashesureofasuccessfulrendezvouswithGhazi,butalsoofsailingbackwithhisship’scompanytotellthetale.Steppingonboard,thecheerfulCommandingOfficerorderedprimingof

depthchargesto15metresdepth.Thesailorssawauniquelookofconfidenceonhisface.Theywerepartofhiscoreteamandhadvolunteeredforthemission.BythetimeINSRajputleftport,theammunitionwasprimedandreadytobelaunched.Thewarshipmaderepeatsortiesintothesea,scanninganddroppingdepthchargesintheoceanwherevertheysawwaterbubbles.WhileleavingtheVishakhapatnamchannel,henoticedheavychurningofthe

seaattheouterchannel.Itwasanindicationofapossiblesubmarinedivingintotheoceaninahurry.Directinghisshiptothatspot,hedroppeddepthchargesandreportedtotheeasterncommandbeforeheadingintotheopensea.Ghaziexplodedafewhourslateronthenightof4December1971withallhandsonboard.Theshatteringexplosioncouldbeheardacrosstheharbour.ThePakistanisubmarinewaslateridentifiedfromitswreckageandflotsam.ThesinkingofGhazisentpanicwavesacrossthePakistaniforces.Inaddition

toalossofface,italsohadademoralizingeffectontheCommanderoftheforcesineasternPakistan.Further,its1,50,000-strongPakistanitroopswerecutofffrommainPakistanonallsides,includingtheopensearoute.ItwasnotlongbeforethePakistaniintelligentsiarealizeditsfollyoffallingintothesuperblyplannedIndiantrap.Butbythenirrevocabledamagehadbeendone.TheGhaziwasanadvancedsubmarinecapableofsustainedoperationsforlongdurations.ItsexplosionaddedtothereputationofIndia’sstrategicbrillianceandliftedthemoraleoftheentireforce.LieutenantCommanderSunderjeetSinghhadindeedachievedwhathehadset

outtodo.

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SuccessfuloperationsintheBayofBengalandtheArabianSeawerefillingtheIndianNavy’schestwithtrophiesofprideandhonour.Meanwhile,anotherdramawasunfoldingonthewestcoastofIndia.Hangor,thePakistanisubmarine,hadpatientlybeenwaitingfortherighttargettostrike.HavingarrivedclosetotheBombaycoastmuchbeforethestartofthewar,itsatontheoceanbed,waitingfortherightmoment.HangorhadmanyopportunitiestostrikeatIndianwarshipsleavingBombayharbourpriorto3December,butitdidnotdosoforfearofengagingtheenemybeforetheactualcommencementofthewar.Besides,italsohadtoensureitsownsafepassagefromanycounter-attack.Itthuswaitedpatiently,wellawarethatIndianshipsleavingandenteringtheharbourwereboundtoprovideitwithanopportunitytoattack.Meanwhile,Hangor’smovementofftheSaurashtracoastintheArabianSea

wasalsoreportedbylocalfishermen.TheFlagOfficerCommandinginChief,WesternNavalCommand(FOCINCWest),hadtwoshipsinharbouratthattime.INSKirpanandKhukriwerebothmid-sizedfrigatescapableofcarryingouthunter-killeroperations.ButKhukriwasgreatlyconstrainedinhuntingoperationsduetosonarproblemsandwasheavilydependentonitssistership,theKirpan,forsupplyofdataonunderwatertargets.Non-availabilityofanti-submarineairsupportfurtherhinderedtheiroperationandputthetwoshipsatgraveriskofasubattack.TheHangoralsohadthebenefitofoperatinginwatersthatofferedlittle

supporttoanti-submarineoperations.TheArabianSeaisknownforitsvariedtemperaturegradients.Anormalsonartransmissionisdesignedtotravelthroughunderwaterwavesandreturnafterhittingatarget,thusindicatingthepositionof

thesubmarine.However,intheArabianSea,insteadoftravellingstraight,thevariationinthetemperaturegradientatdifferentlevelsbendstheradiowavesdownwards,makingsubmarinedetectiondifficult.Thetwoships,therefore,facedanuphilltask.Theironlyhopewasto

physicallysightthesubwhenitsurfacedforchargingbatteriesorwasinsnorkellingmodetosendatransmission.Beforelaunchingthetorpedoes,asubmarineneedstolockontothetargetinordertosetthefinalbearingintheguidancesystemofthetorpedo.Thetwoshipshopedtocatchthetransmissionbeforetakingevasiveactionsandengagingcounter-attackmeasures.ButHangorwasalreadypositionedandsittingunderwaterinpassivemode,

conservingpowerandlisteningwithitsantennaeup.ItwasabattleloadedinfavourofthePakistanisubfromthewordgo.CaptainJitendraKumar,theCommandingOfficerofKhukri,wasthe

SquadronCommanderoftheoperation.Heknewhislimitations,risksandchallengeswhenhereceivedhissailingorderson8December1971.Hisordersweretosetsailintheweehoursalongwiththesistership.Thetwofrigates,shipsusedtoprotectotherships,KhukriandKirpan,hadabout600braveofficersandsailors.UnlikethePakistaniNavythathadrecalledallitsshipstothesafetyofKarachiharbourafterthedaringattackbyIndianmissileboats,thetwoCommandingOfficerswerekeentotakeupthechallengeevenundersuchadverseconditions.Onthenightof7December,CaptainKumarsteppedoutofhishouseinfull

battlerig.Hiswifewaitedoutsidewhilehelockedthedoor.Beforesittinginthecar,hehandedoverthehousekeystoher.‘Takecareandwishmeluck,’hesaidsoftly.Therewasmysteryinhisvoice.‘AndtellthechildrenthatIlovethem.’Takenbysurpriseatherhusband’sunusualbehaviour,hiswifelookedcloselyathisotherwisecheerfulface.‘Butthisisyourkey.Ihavemine.Andwherearewegoingatthistimeofthe

night?’‘Oh,wearediningtogetherattheTaj.’‘Wow!What’stheoccasion?’‘Everysoldierwaitshiswholelifeforanopportunitytotakeontheenemy

head-on.That’swhatwearetrainedforallourlives.Yet,onlyaselectfewget

chosen.AndbythegraceofGod,Ihavebeenpresentedwithsuchanopportunity.Thusthecelebration.’Hiswifewasnowworriedbutmaintainedhercomposure.Shewasawareof

theongoingwarbutalsoknewherhusbandtoowelltoprotest.Theydinedinsilence,withCaptainKumarmakingoccasionalcommentsonthehighmoraleofhiscrew.Afterthemeal,herequestedtobedriventotheouterbreakwaterwhereKhukriwasberthed.ThedrivefromthehoteltoLion’sGate,thefirstsecuritycheckpointtotheberthingareaoftheIndianNavy’swarships,barelytookfiveminutes.TheCommander-at-Armswaspresentatthecheckpointsincethenavywason

thehigheststateofalert.HepeepedintothecarandinstantlyrecognizedCaptainKumar.Movingastepbackandstandingtoattention,hesalutedsmartlybeforebendinghisheadagaintofacetheCommandingOfficer.‘Iamafraid,Sir,yourgoodladycannotaccompanyyoutotheship.Wearein

“PiranhaStateOne”atthemoment[immediatestateofdangerorawaralert].’‘That’sokay,’CaptainKumarreplied.‘Ihaveaspecialpassforher.’TheCommanderlookedatthecolouredslipthathadbeenissuedbythe

Admiral’soffice.Steppingbackagain,hegaveathumbsupsignaltotheguardatthefarend.Alongwhistlefollowedasthebarricadebegangoingup,clearingthewayforthewhitevehicletopassthrough.Thecardrovepasttheheavilyguardednavaldockyardtotheouterbreakwater

whereINSKhukriwasberthedbehinditssistership,theKirpan.TheQuartermasterstandingwatchontheforecastle,thefrontpartoftheship,wasquicktospothisCommandingOfficer’scar.Hepushedthesidepipeinhismouthandblewtwoshortbeeps,alertingtheDutyOfficerandtheCoxswain.Asthevehiclestopped,thesentrysmartlypulledopenthereardoorandstoodaside.Beforegettingoutofthecar,CaptainKumarheldhiswife’shandandlookedatherwithasmileonhisface.‘Don’tlookbackasyouleave.It’llmakemeweak.Itisaprivilegetoserve

thisgreatcountry.’Butshewasfarfromconvinced.Khukriwasnotfullyequippedforananti-

submarineoperation.Sheknewthisasshehadwitnessedherhusbandspendingmostofhistimerepeatedlyreviewingthestatusofrepairofhisship,evenonhis

shortvisithome.Pullingherselftogetherandmusteringupthecourage,sheasked,‘Butyourshipisnotfullyfit.Areyounotrushingitupabit?’CaptainKumarwasabouttostepoutofthecar.Stoppingmidway,heslid

backintotherearseatandshutthedoor.‘Cursingaflattyredoesnotfixit,dear.Thingswillgowrong.Theyalwaysdo.Thisisachancetomakethebestofwhatyouhave.Whetherwefailorsucceedisnotimportant.Itdoesn’ttakegreatmentodogreatthings,justthosewhoarededicatedtodoingthem.’HiswifemurmuredprayersasthecarraceduptothequarterdeckofKhukri

andturnedaroundtostopabreastoftheship’sbrow.Thesentryranbehindthecarandsteppedforwardtoopenthedoor.CaptainKumaremergedfromthecarandacknowledgedsalutesoftheguardssurroundingtheship.Withoutlookingbacktoevenbidgoodbyetohiswife,hebeganclimbingthegangway.KumarstoodattheendofthegangwaytilltheQuartermastersloweredthesidepipes.Bringinghishanddownfromthesalutingposition,hehurriedlyturnedrighttolookatthetaillightsofthedepartingvehiclethatcarriedhiswife.Somewheredeepinhismind,hewonderedifhewouldeverseehiswifeandchildrenagain.

21

CaptainKumarheadedstraighttothebridgetotalktohisExecutiveOfficer(XO).‘XO,areweready?’‘Yes,Captain.Allmenonboard,readyforsea.’‘VeryGood.Removegangway.Singleupallropes.’‘Ayeaye,Captain,singleup!’TheXOrushedtothestarboardwing,lifted

bothhishandssidewaysandraisedhisindexfingertotheForecastleandQuarterdeckOfficers.Likeawell-oiledmachine,themanyhandsonthedeckandjettyuncoiledtheropefromthebollards,whileasmallcraneonthejettyliftedthegangwayandplaceditonthetarmac.‘Allropessingledup,gangwayremoved,Sir,’reportedtheXOinacrispand

firmtone.‘Verygood,’acknowledgedtheCaptainwithoutliftinghiseyesfromthe

signalpadwhichwasbroughttohimbythesignal’sYeoman.Inthenavy,itismandatoryforeveryordertoberepeatedbyitsreceiverbeforeimplementingthesame.ItwasapracticestartedbytheBritishNavycenturiesagotoavoidmiscommunication.CaptainKumarthenturnedtowardstheEngineerOfficer(EO)whowas

standingwiththestatusreportoftheship’sengines.‘Readyforseainallrespects,Sir.’‘Verygood,Chief.Iwouldbeneedingquickresponsesfromtheengine

room.’‘Ayeaye,Sir,’saidtheEObeforevanishingbelowthedeck.

CaptainKumarglancedatbothsidesofthewingsbeforeslidingintohischair.Acoirhandle,shackledonthebulkhead,hunglooselyinlinewithhisrightarm.CaptainKumarslidhisfingersaroundthehandleandgrippeditfirmlytopushhimselfuptotakeaquickviewoftheshipinfront.Singledupandwithoutthegangwayinplace,Kirpanwasleavingatrailofthingreysmokefromitsfunnel,inanticipationofcastingoffatshortnotice.‘Signalpermissiontoleaveharbour.’‘Ayeaye,Sir.’TheSignalCommunicationOfficer(SCO)lookedathisChief

Yeoman.Asifoncue,theYeomangaveathumbsupsignaltothemanstandingonthebridgetopwiththesemaphore.Minuteslater,thetwosemaphoreflagsintheman’shandswentupanddowninrapidsuccession,sendingavisualtransmissiontothefleetofficelocatedattheentranceofthebreakwater.Soonafter,theSCOcamebacktoCaptainKumarandreadasmalltextfromtheFleetCommander.‘From:FOCINCTo:KhukriPermissiongranted.TakeKirpanunderyourcommandandproceedas

previouslydirected.’‘Verygood,’acknowledgedtheCaptain.‘Holdontotheheadspring.Letgoofalltheropes.Kirpantocastoffandtake

positioninfront.Ship’scompanytoremainon“actionstations’’untilfurtherorders.’‘Ayeaye,Sir,’acknowledgedtheXOandpressedthe‘actionstations’hooter.

RelayingthesamemessagetoKirpaninfront,hesimultaneouslytookoutawhistlefromhisfrontpocketandblewalonghoot.Thetugmaster,standingbytopulltheshipawayfromthejetty,movedasterntogiveroomfortheshipstomanoeuvre.Minuteslater,hewasagainstandinginfrontoftheCaptain.‘Stateoneexecuted,Sir.Alllinesremoved,forwardspringon.Kirpantoldto

actasguideship.Lookoutsplaced.Depthchargesinposition.’‘Verygood,No.1,’acknowledgedtheCaptain.Raisinghishead,helookedat

theOfficeroftheWatch(OOW)andspokeinapolitebutcrisptone.‘Slowaheadport.’ItwasnowtheChiefCoxswain’sturntogetintoaction.Holdingthewheel

firmlywithbothhishands,hebenttowardsthevoicepipeandrepeatedthe

order.TheOOWsimultaneouslypulledbacktherightleverontheengineroomrepeater.Theengine-roomteamsprangintoaction,acknowledgedtheorderthroughthe

voicepipeandsettherightpropellerintomotion.Theshipmovedaheadinitiallybutstoppedbecauseoftheforwardspring.Asaresult,itswungleftandtherearoftheship(quarterdeck)movedawayfromthejetty.Theship’snosewasnowalmosttouchingthejetty.MaintaininghiscomposureandkeepinghiseyesonKirpanthathadalsobeguntomoveastern,theCaptainwavedhishand.‘Letgoforwardspring.’‘Letgoforwardspring,’repeatedtheXO.Anticipatingtheorder,theXOhad

alreadyraisedhishandsintheair.Flappingthemonce,herecalledtheonlylinethatwaskeepingtheshipattachedtothejetty.WithoutwaitingfortheForecastleOfficertoconfirmcompliance,theXOturnedtowardstheCaptainyetagain.‘Alllinesonboard,Captain.Ship’sunderway.’‘Verygood.Stopport.Slowasternbothengines.Starboardfifteen.’BoththeOOWandtheCoxswainrepeatedtheirpartoftheorderastheship

pickedupspeed,movingastern.‘Bothenginesgoingslowastern,fifteenofstarboardwheelon,Sir,’saidthe

Quartermaster.‘Verygood.Midships.’‘Midships,’camethereplyasthebigwheelswungbacktoitscentreposition.‘Bothenginesgoingslowastern,wheelatmidship,Sir.’Fromtheportwing,theNavigatingOfficer(NO)visuallycheckedthe

distancefromtheMiddleGroundCoastalBattery.HelookedatCaptainKumarandthenattheclosingdistancebetweentheshipandthemiddlegroundwheretheshipwasslowlyheading.Therewerenotracesofworryonhisface,though.HavingsailedwithKumarmanytimesbefore,heknewthecapabilitiesofhisCommandingOfficeronlytoowell.‘Stopbothengines,’heheardtheCaptainorder.Asifputonbrakes,theship

slowedinstantly.Hesmiledinadmirationatthequickresponseoftheengine-roomteam.Workingmostlythroughmanualcontrols,theengine-roomstaffhadtobeexceptionallytrainedtoreceiveorders,acknowledgethemandpassthemfurtherdowntotheengineroomforittobeexecutedintheshortestperiodoftime.

‘Allyours,pilot,keepherbehindKirpan,’theCaptainsaid,withoutmovingfromhischair.‘Ayeaye,Captain,’acknowledgedtheNO.Hethenbentforwardand

announcedintothevoicepipe,‘Slowaheadbothengines.’Withoutwaitingforanacknowledgementfromtheengineroom,hetookthefinalbearingsbeforesteeringtheshipinthedesireddirection.Bothpropellersbeganchurningwatersimultaneously,pushingtheship

forward.Themiddlegroundbatterythattheshipwasthreateningtohitashortwhileago,beganfallingbehind.Minuteslater,thetwoshipswereunderway,leavingBombayharbourfortheirfirsteverhunter-killeroperation.Despitebeingajuniorship,Kirpanactedastheguide.Ithadoperational

sonar,theonlyequipmentbetweenthetwoshipscapableofdetectingtheenemyhidingbeneaththesea.Thesonarteamsentunderwatertransmissionsandmaintainedastrictvigil.Thecrewknewthatitwasnofriendlyexercise.Evenasinglemisscouldsendtheirshipto‘DavyJones’sLocker’,atermcommonlyusedbyseafarersforthebottomoftheocean.Thesonarteamalsorealizedthatincaseofatorpedoattack,theirchancesofsurvivalwereatbestremote.Withheadphonesgluedtotheirears,theywatchedthelargegreensonar

screenthatcontinuouslyscannedtheocean.LieutenantCommanderRana,theTorpedoAnti-Submarine(TAS)Officer,wasanexperiencedhand,havingdonehundredsofsimilarexercises.Listeningtotheechoofthereturningsignal,hecouldevenmakeoutthenatureoftheunderwaterobstruction.Despitetheshipbeingin‘actionstations’,hewasnotwearingthemandatorylifejacket.‘Itgivesconfidencetomyboys,’hemaintained.Withhiseyespartiallyclosed,hefocusedintentlyonlisteningtothesoundoftheechoes,basedonwhichhekeptpressingthe‘allclear’signaltothebridge.Inrealitythough,dangerwasnotfaraway.HangorwasanadvancedFrench

Daphne-classmodernsubmarine.Equippedwithsophisticatedgadgetsandsensors,itwascapableofdetectingtargetsmuchbeforefrigatescouldevenbecomeawareofitspresence.Movingatadepthof50metres,itcloselymonitoredthesearchpatternofthetwopatrollingwarshipsandrealizedthattheywerecarryingoutarectangularanti-submarinesearch.Anticipatingtheirmovements,Hangormanoeuvredtopositionitselftoattack.At1900hourson9December,itwasallsettolaunchitstorpedoes.

At1915hours,theCommandingOfficerofHangorsoundedbattlestations.Ashortwhilelater,hebroughtthesubtoperiscopedepthbutcouldnotseetheships.Itwasamoonlessnight.Eventhoughthefrigateswereunawareofthesubmarinebeingsoclose,asasafetymeasure,theymaintainedcompleteblackoutandweredifficulttosight.Hangordivedtoadepthof50metresandmadeasonarapproachinordertolockontothetarget.Itfiredthefirsthomingtorpedoat1957hoursatadepthof40metres.ThetorpedowastrackedbytheHangorcrewforafewtension-filledmomentsbutnoexplosionwasheard.ThetorpedowentpastKirpanwithoutexploding.Meanwhile,ontheKirpan,LieutenantCommanderRanajumpedfromhis

seat.Thesoundoftheechowasloudandclear.Yearsoftrainingandexperiencetoldhimwhatitwas.Holdingthemikefirmlyinhishand,heshouted,‘Torpedo,torpedo,torpedo,240degrees,closerange.’Butbeforethetwoshipscouldevenbreakthesearchpattern,thetorpedohadalreadygonepastKirpanwithoutexploding.KhukriwasstationedontheportofKirpan.Insteadofmovingawayfromthesubmarine’slineofattack,Kumardecidedtogoforthekill.Atthattime,Khukriwasdoingtwelveknots.Ittooksometimefortheengineroomtoprovideherwithfullpower.Andthisdelayprovedfatal.TheHangor,beinginatacticallyadvantageousposition,launchedthesecond

torpedoat2012hours.Khukriwaswithinrangeandmovingatmediumspeed,thusofferinganopportunitythatcouldn’tbemissed.Thetorpedotravelledforfivelongminutesbeforeithititstargetinthemagazinecompartment,blowingtheammunitionholdandalmostbreakingtheshipintotwo.Khukrisankwithintwominutesoftakingthehit.CaptainKumar,sittingfirmlyinhischair,ordered‘abandonship’butrefused

toleavehispost.AsKhukribegantosink,hevisualizedthetaillightsofhiswife’scarleavingtheouterbreakwater.Hewasabravemanandworenotracesoffear.Firmlygrippingthearmrestsofthechair,hemurmured,‘Goodbye,dear,abhumtohsafarkartehein[I’mmovingon].’INSKhukrisankatabout2019hours,killingeighteenofficersand176

sailors.ButHangorwasfarfromdone.Eventhoughitwasinanextremelyvulnerableposition,itfiredathirdtorpedoatKirpanbeforefleeingtodeeperwaters.KirpanoutranthetorpedoandlaterturnedbacktothesinkingKhukritorescuesixofficersandsixty-onesailorswhosurvivedtotellthetale.Havinglost

precioustimeinpickingupthesurvivors,shewasinnopositiontolaunchacounter-attackonthefleeingsubmarine.Forthenextfourdaysandnights,Hangorevadedextensivesearchand

counter-attacksofover150underwaterprojectilesanddepthcharges,butsomehowmanagedtokeepitselfatasafedistance.On18December1971,sheenteredKarachiharboursafeandunharmed.HavinglosttheirflagsubmarineGhaziandahostofothershipstothedaringIndianNavyattack,Pakistanhadmanagedtosalvagesomepride.

22

TejlocatedanoldhaveliinMalerKotla.AbypitchedinandgotitrenovatedquicklysothatSehmatcouldshifttohernewhomedirectlyfromthehospital.Eventhoughthenewtownwasdramaticallydifferentfromthequiet,serene,coolandpicturesquesurroundingsofherhomeinSrinagar,Tejwashappytofulfilheronlychild’swishes.ShewentastepfurtherandsoldoffallherassetsandbusinessesinKashmirtobecomeapermanentresidentofMalerKotla.WhileMirgotbusywiththeimpendingwar,Tejbeganhereffortsto

rejuvenateSehmatandnurseherbacktohealth.ButthemoreTejtriedtocheerherup,thedeeperSehmatsankintodepression.Shesoonbecameunawareofhersurroundingsandremainedhuddledwithintheconfinesofthefourwallsofherroom.ForTej,itwasextremelydistressingtoseeherdaughter,whowouldoncejumpinecstasyatthesightofabutterfly,nowsittinginthecornerofherroom,ignoringlifeandstaringintospace.Withthepassageoftime,Sehmatwithdrewfromallactivitiesofnormallife.

Shealsosteadfastlydeclinedtobehonouredbythegovernmentforherservicestothenationand,instead,preferredtoliveinisolationandseclusion.Herguiltentrappedherlikeaviceandrefusedtoletgo.Tej’sonlyhopewasthechildthatSehmatwassoontodeliver,buteventhatfailedtobringcheertoher.Sehmatdeliveredahealthy,cherubicboy,butfarfromfeelinggood,shenowsawherselfashisfather’smurdererandrefusedtoattendtothenewborn.Unnervedbythedisturbingpastthatflashedthroughhermindeverynowand

then,Sehmatbeganhallucinating.Abdul’sblood-soakedfacestareddownathermenacingly.Thesoundofhisbonesgettingcrushedunderthewheelsofthearmytruckbegantohaunther.Shedreadedgoingtosleep.Consequently,

insteadoftakingcareofherchildandbaskinginmotherhood,shebecamehysterical.ItwasAbywhoonceagaincametotherescue.HenotonlyadoptedthechildbutalsoshiftedhimtoDelhi,thuskeepingthenewbornawayfromSehmat.AgainstthewishesofTej,henamedhimSamarKhan.‘Ihaveadoptedthechild,’heargued,‘butIhavenorighttochangehisreligion.’AbycouldfeelhisheartshatterintoamillionfragmentsashedroveSamar

fromMalerKotlatoDelhi.Holdingthegurglingbabyclosetohim,hewhisperedemotionally,‘Youwillgrowuptobeawonderfulhumanbeing.Youareyourmother’sprideandjoy.It’sonlythatsheisabrokenpersonrightnow.Neverholditagainsther,Samar.Youhavenoideawhataremarkablewomanyourmotheris.Tillthen,wehaveeachother.’Daysturnedintoweeks,andweeksintomonthsandyearsbutSehmat’s

conditiondidnotimprove.Theinitialhysteriagavewaytoacalmacceptanceanddeadlyindifference.Shewaspolitetoanyonesheunwillinglymet,yetremaineddetachedfromtheoutsideworld.TheworriedmotherinTejhadalmostgivenuphopeofSehmat’srecovery,tillonedayamiracletookplace.ForSehmat,itwasaregulardaylikeanyother.Inherroomwithhermother,she,asusual,didnotnoticethegregarioustwitteringofthebirdsoutsideherhouse.Theskywasovercastwiththickclouds,promisingrain.Suddenly,thebirds

thatroutinelygatheredatSehmat’swindowflewawayinalldirections.Thetwofriendlystreetdogs,whohadoncefoundtheirwayintothehaveliandwerenowpartofthefamily,startedbarkingferociously,asiftochaseawayastranger.Afakir,anomadstoodinfrontofthehaveli.Dressedinatatteredblackgown,

hisbeardlongandunkempt,hewassinginghymnsfromholybooks.Sehmat’sroomwasonthefirstfloor.ShewassittinglistlesslyonthefloorwhileTej,sittingonachair,wasmassagingherhead.Sehmat’seyeslitupassheheardthesinging.ShelistenedforafewmomentsandaskedTejtostop.Then,suddenly,shesprangupandboltedoutoftheroomatlightningspeed,herhairflyingbehindher.TakenabackbySehmat’sunexpectedbehaviour,Tejattemptedtofollowherinpanic.Bythen,Sehmat’syouthfullegshadcarriedhertothedoor.Tejwatchedherinutterdisbelief.TherewasurgencyinSehmat’sexpressionsandaninexplicableexcitementinhereyes.Sehmatheldthebanisterbrieflyandrandownthewoodenstairs,jumpingtwo

stepsatatime,herrighthandeffortlesslyglidingovertherailing.Onreaching

thelaststep,shepausedbrieflybeforelungingtowardsthemaindoorandflingingitopen.Thefakirwasstillstandingthere,asifwaitingforthedoortoopen.Hiseyes

wereshut,oblivioustothestormhehadstirredintheKhanhousehold.HecontinuedsinginginpraiseoftheAlmighty.Hisfacewaspartiallyhiddenbyhislong,dustybeard.Hisclothesweretorn.Hisbodyboreinjuriescausedbystonesthatstreetchildrenthrewathimeveryday.Heheldasmallmusicalinstrumentinhisrighthandthatplayedinunisonbetweenhisfingerstothebeatofthehymns.Hismelodiousvoicehadenormousdepth,enoughtoelectrifythesoul.Hislyricsspokeofamanwhohadseentheworldinallitsmyriadhues.Buthisappearancewasscaryenoughtokeeppeopleaway.Sehmatwatchedhimforafewmomentsbeforesittingdownonthestepsof

thehaveli.Shuttinghereyes,sherestedherheadagainstthewallandlistenedintentlytothehymns.Tejwasshockedbythesuddenchangeinherdaughter’sbehaviour.Shestoodatthedoorstepandlookedatthestranger.Afterabriefmoment,thefakirstoppedsingingandturnedhisgazetowardsthewomen.‘Canyougivemesomewater,please?’hesaidandextendedhislefthand.A

containerslidfromhispalmuntilitsthinhandlenestledonhisfingertips.‘Yes,yesofcourse.Pleasecomein,’Tejsaidandmovedawayfromthe

entrance,eventhoughshewasunsureofherdecision.Itwasnowthefakir’sturntobesurprised.‘AreyousurethatIshouldcome

in?’‘Yes,ofcourse.Youmustbeanoblesoul,foritisthefirsttimeinaverylong

timethatmydaughterhasshownanykindofexcitement.’‘Strange.Verystrange.Theentirevillagehatesmeandhurlsstonesalongwith

thechoicestabusesatme.Andherewehavealadywhoinvitesmeintoherhome.Areyounotscaredofthewrathofthevillagers?YoumustknowthatIamconsideredabadomenbythewholevillage.’Tejnoticedamysterioussmileonthefakir’sface.Shefeltstressedand

frightened.BeforeTejcouldreply,Sehmatopenedhereyesandlookedatthefakir.Her

facedisplayedasenseofurgency,asifshewouldmissatrainifthefakirdidnotresumehissinging.Herhandswerestretchedopeninexcitementandeverypartofherbodywasfilledwithnew-foundlife.

‘Pleasedon’tstop.Canyousingmore?’Tej’sfacelitupwithhappiness.ItwasthefirsttimeSehmathadshown

interestinanythingaroundhersinceherreturntoIndia.Hervoicewaspleading,urgingthefakirtosing.ThefakirlookedatSehmatandsmiled.Hecarefullysurveyedthe

surroundingsandthen,withoututteringaword,walkedtotheotherendofthehallandstoppedinfrontofawallwhichhadapictureofLordKrishna.Heputhisinstrumentandcontainerdownandsatonthefloorwithhisbacktowardsthetwowomen.Theservantrushedinwithatrayholdingajugofwaterandtwoglasses.Hetoolookedbemusedtoseethevillageoutcastsittingcomfortablyinsidethehaveli.Tejfilledtheglasswithwaterandofferedittothefakir.Helookedupand

acceptedtheglassbutsaidnothing.HethengulpedthewaterinonegoandgesturedatTejtositonthefloor.ShedidasshewastoldbutSehmatkeptstanding,eagerlywaitingforhimtosingagain.‘Youshouldpray,lady...’thefakirbegan.‘Thisplaceisworthyofbecoming

atemple.You’llseeyourdaughterbecomehaleandheartyverysoon.Therewillbehappinessinyourlifeonceagain.Shehasakindheart.Hermindsuffersfromunfortunatedevelopments,butbythegraceofGod,she’llrecoversoon.’Tejwasinaquandaryabouttakinghimseriously.Shehadseenanumpteen

numberofsoothsayersinherlife,whohadscammedtheirwaytoriches.Hislooksandattiredidnotinspireconfidenceeither.Butthedoubtinhermindinstantlyvanishedwhenthefakircompletedhisnextsentence.‘Andthenyouwouldbeabletobringyourgrandsonhome.’Tej’seyeswidenedwithsurpriseandexcitement.Butbeforeshecouldreact,

thefakirpickeduphisinstrumentandbegansingingagain,muchtoSehmat’sdelight.Hissongbeckonedhertoaworldwhereselflessnessandsacrificeruledsupreme,whereloveconqueredhatred,wherehumanitywasthebiggesttruth,anduniversalbrotherhoodtheonlyreligion.Sehmatlistenedtohimwithraptattentionandcontinuedsittingatthesamespotforhoursevenafterheleftthehaveli.Sherepeatedlyhummedthelinesthatspokeofforgiveness,reflectingatthe

sametimeonwhethershehadreallyforgivenherself.ThefakirvisitedeverydaythereafterandsangforSehmatbeforevanishingintothedustylanesofthe

crowdedMalerKotla.Hisspiritualsongsworkedlikeamagicpotion,helpingSehmatimprovewitheachpassingday.ShebegantosleepwellandheroccasionallaughterfilledbothTej’sheartandthehaveli’steakwallswithhopeandjoy.Tejwasnolongerapprehensiveaboutthefakirandconvertedthelivingroom

intoaprayerhall.SeeingSehmat’smiraculousrecovery,neighbourstoostartedjoininginfortheseearlymorningprayers.Thefakirnowhadasmallfollowingofpeoplewhoaccompaniedhimthroughthestreets,singingwithhim.BothTejandSehmatmadeitapointtoreceivethegroupattheirdoorstepeachdayandservethemteaandsnacksintheveranda.Thoughthechangecameslowly,itmadeitspresencefelt.Itwasabrightearly

morning.TheraysofthesunwerebreakingthecoverofdarknessandenteringSehmat’sbedroomthroughthelargeglasswindowpanes.Sittingmotionless,Sehmatwasengrossedinmeditation,tryinghardtofocusinwards.Herinteractionwiththefakirhadbroughtheroutofdeepdepression.Shewasbeginningtoputhernightmarishpastbehindher.Abdul’sfacehadfadedfromhermemorytoanextentthatitnolongerhauntedher.Theglowonherfacewasreturning,encouragingSehmattoacceptlifeanditsgifts.Sheabruptlyopenedhereyesandwidenedthemasifawakenedfromdeep

slumber.Lookingfromlefttoright,shefoundnothingunusualbutherheartdidnotagreewithwhatshesaw.Sherealizedsomebodyhadinterruptedhermeditation.Shestoodup,rushedoutofherroomandstartedwalkingdownthestairs.Hereyeseagerlylookedaround,searchingfortheintruder.Shewaitedbrieflyatthelaststepofthewoodenstairs,grippingthebanisterwithherrighthand.Musteringhercourage,shewalkedtothefrontdoorandpulleditopen.Infrontofherwasafamiliarface.Hewasdressedinasparklingwhiterobe.

Hisfacewasglowing;hishairwascombedbackwardsandtiedneatlyinaponytail.Hishandswerefoldedclosetohischest.Hisfeetwerebarebutdidnothaveevenaspeckofdustonthem.Spellbound,Sehmatlookedatthevisitor’sface.Thefakirwassmilingmysteriously.Steppingaside,Sehmatlethiminandwalkedbehindhimlikeadutiful

discipletotheendofthehallwhich,overtime,hadbecomethefakir’sseatingarea.Shewaitedtillthefakirturnedandsatonthefloorandthensatatashortdistancefromhim.Therewasnotraceoffearorsuspenseonherface,buther

eyeswereinquisitive.Asifpromptedfromdeepwithin,Sehmatthenbrokethesilence.

23

‘HowdoIfindpeace?Ihavesinned,committedunpardonablecrimes.Ithauntsme,’Sehmatasked,impatiencewritlargeonherforehead.Withoutexchanginganypleasantries,thefakirbegansoftly,‘Beintouchwith

yoursoulifyoudesirepeace.Yoursoulispeaceful,sereneandwonderful,liketheraysofthesun.Thelight[aura]issobrilliant!Everythingcomesfromthislight!Energycomesfromthislight.It’salmostlikeamagneticforcethatweareattractedto.It’slikeapowersource.Itknowshowtoheal.Conflictisnatural.Itisnotnecessarilyadiseasetobecuredoradisordertobecurbed.Itmayevenbenecessarytosomeextentasitopensupopportunitiesforlearning.’‘HowdoIreachthisstate?’‘Travellingisagreatexperiencebyitself.Andwhenyouhaveopenskiesand

barrenlandtocommunicatewith,youlearnabouttheworldandeverythingbeyondit.Youhadamissioninyourownheart.Youthusoptedtotravelinthechosenpath.Afteraccomplishingyourgoals,youbegantoponderabouttherightandwrong.Theresultantanalysisputyouindeepdepression.ByHisgrace,youarebacktonormal.Butthat’snotwhatyouwant.Younowwishtotravelwherefewdare.’‘AndwillIbeabletoreachwhereIwishto?’Sehmat’svoicewasbarely

audibletoevenherself.Shewasmurmuring,asiftalkingtoherself.Thefakirwasatcompletepeacewithhimself,yetalert,pickingupeverywhisper.‘TheUpanishadssay,whenyouareinspiredbysomegreatpurpose,some

extraordinaryproject,allyourthoughtsbreaktheirbonds,yourmindtranscendslimitations,yourconsciousnessexpandsineverydirectionandyoufindyourselfinanew,greatandwonderfulworld.Dominantforces,facultiesandtalentscome

aliveandyoufindyourselftobeabiggerpersonthanyou’deverdreamed.’Hecontinued,‘Theknowledgeofhappinessalsobringswithitunhappiness.Materialismleadstomisery.Thereforewemustshedgreedandstaysimpleandcontented.Thisisthelaw.Andthisismaya.‘Everychildisbornwithdreams.Ashegrowshecarriesthisenergyof

dreamswithhim.Heissofullofyouththatitishardforhimtobelievethatthereissuchathingasdeath,suchathingasdefeatordegradation.It’sonlywhenoldagecomesandstartsthedeclineofthebodythathebecomesawareofdeath.‘Ourprogress,ourvanities,ourreforms,ourluxuries,ourwealth,our

knowledgehavethatoneend,death.Citiescomeandgo,empiresriseandfall,planetsbreakintopiecesandcrumbleintodust.Deathistheendofeverything.Deathistheendoflife,beauty,wealth,powerandvirtue,too.Saintsdieandsodosinners;kingsandbeggarsaredestinedtomeetthesamefate.Everythingaroundus—thestars,theplanets,themoon—ismovingatadefinedpaceandisdestinedtodie.Andyetthereisthistremendousurgetoclingtolife.Somehow,wefinditdifficulttogiveup.Andthatismaya.’‘Dowechoosethetimeandplaceofourbirthanddeath?Canwechooseour

situation?’Sehmat’sinterestinhiswordswasgrowingdeeper.Sheurgedhimwithhereyestogoon.‘Yes,weknowwhenwehaveaccomplishedwhatweweresentdownhereto

accomplish.Weknowwhenthetimeisupandwillacceptdeathwhenitcomes.Foryouknowthatyoucangetnothingmoreoutofthislifetime.Whenyouhavehadthetimetorestandre-energizeyoursoul,youareallowedtochooseyourre-entrybackintothephysicalstate.’‘Howdoweselecttherightpath?’‘Everybody’spathisbasicallythesame.Wemustalllearntobecharitable,

givehope,havefaith,sharelove—followthepathofthelordwhileweareinourphysicalstate.Someofusarequickertoacceptandlearnthantheothers.It’snotjustonehopeandonefaithandonelove.Thosewhofollowthepathdonotseekreturns.Theyknowthatfollowingthepathhasitsownreturns.Whiletherestofus,moreinvolvedintheworldlypleasures,lookforrewardsandjustifications.‘Youmusteradicateallfearsfromyourmind.Fearisawasteofenergy.It

stiflesyoufromfulfillingwhatyouweresentheretofulfil.Fearcan’treachyour

soul.Andthatiswherewemuststrivetoreach.’‘How?’Sehmatwasnowindeepmeditation,barelymurmuring,grabbing

everywordbeingutteredbythemastersoul.‘Haveyouseenamountain?Itlookscalmandsolidfromtheoutsidebut

withinitcontainsthevolcano,theenergy.Humanscanonlyseetheoutside,butthataloneisnotthetruth.Thetruthisalsotheinside,soyouneedtogomuchdeeper.Youhavetoseethevolcano.Tobeonlyonthephysicalplaneisnotthenaturalstateofbeingasweallimagine.Themostnaturalstateofbeingisbeinginaspiritualstate.’Thefakir’svoicewassteady,hisbodyinarelaxedframe.Exceptforhislips,

everythingelsewasstill,peacefulandserene.‘Islearningfasterinthephysicalstateorinthespiritualstate?Isthereany

reasonwhyeveryonedoesn’tstayinthespiritualstatewhich,asyousay,isthenaturalstateofbeing?’‘Peopledon’tstayinthespiritualstatebecausetheyarepulledbymaya.They

thinkthatistheonlytruth.Theydon’trealizethatwhatispullingthemisjustthephysicalworldwhichisonlyaninstrumenttogettothespiritualstate.’Sehmatprocessedtheinformationinhermind.Whathadhappenedwithher

andthoseconnectedwithherwasbecauseofherkarma,heractions.Theyhadledhertothisstateandthesolutionwastoseekspiritualanswers.Forafewminutes,shestayedabsolutelystillandcalm.Sheknewwhatshehadtodo.Shebeganreplayingwhathadhappenedtoher

inthepastcoupleofyearsinhermind.Thistimeshewasfearless.Whenshewokeupfromhermeditation,brightandclear,thefakirwasnowheretobeseen.

Thefakir’sprophecycametrueyetagain:Sehmatinquiredabouthersonthenextmorning.Exclaimingwithjoy,TejrantothenearestphoneandhurriedlycalledAby.Inherexcitementshedidn’tnoticethepanchayatmeetingthatwastakingplacenottoofarfromthehaveli.LiyaqatAli,thevillagehead,wasaddressingagatheringofMuslimclerics

andvillageeldersassembledunderthehugetreeoutsidehishouse.Hestoodontheraisedgroundaroundthetreethathadovertheyearsbecomeaplatformforthepanchayatleadertoaddressthegathering.‘Thisfakirismakingourreligion

lookinsignificantandirrelevant.Goingbyhishymnsandsongs,IamnotevensureifheisaMuslim.Hisgrowingpopularityisanevenbiggerconcern.Heperhapshasknowledgeofblackmagicwithwhichheisinfluencingthemasses.Iamafraidifwedonothingtostophisantics,hewillbecomeamajorthreattoourpeople.’Alistoppedbrieflytoseethereactionofhisaudience,knowingfullywellthat

mostofthemdidnothavethecouragetoopposehim.Theclericswerebynowshakingtheirheadsinagreement,urgingAlitocontinuehisspeech.‘AndthenthereisthisnewfamilyofhalfHindusthatisencouragingthisfakirandhisdisciples.Iamtellingmyson,Salim,andhisfriendstosuitablywarnthemonce,failingwhichtheywouldberesponsiblefortheirownsafety.’Ali’sthreatwasn’ttakenlightlybythosepresent.Hissonwasaknowngoon

oftheareaandfearedfortheviciousnesswithwhichhehadeliminatedhisfather’sopponentsinthepast.Alialsoenjoyedexcellentrelationswiththelocalcops.Itwasagiveandtakearrangement,wherethecopscollectedfixedsumseverymonthforturningablindeyetohisson’sillegalactivities.Hejumpeddownfromtheplatformonatriumphantnoteandwalkeduptohis

son.Holdinghimbyhisshoulder,Aliturnedhimtowardsthecrowd,gentlythrustinghimforwardlikeawell-earnedtrophy.‘Idirectmysontotakecareofthingsforthebenefitofoursociety,forourreligion!’Hethenturnedtowardstheclericssittinginthefrontrowandsmiledbeforewalkingtowardshishouse.Anhourlater,Salim,togetherwithhishandfuloftoughies,wasknockingat

thehavelidoor.

24

Mirwasholdingthereceiverandlisteningattentivelytotheone-sidedconversation.Hisonlycontributionwasaseriesof‘hmm...’thatheemittedatregularintervals.Fromhisface,however,itwasclearthathewasengagedinsomethingveryserious.Afteralongpauseandsilenceonbothsides,Mirspokeinacrispandfirmtonebeforeendingtheconversation.‘Getthemall.Confirmpost-haste.’‘Yes,Sir,’cameashortreply.Replacingthereceiver,hecalledforhis

assistant.‘IwanttoleaveforMalerKotlarightnow!’Theassistantwasanoldhand.HavingworkedwithMirforoveradecade,he

couldreadhisboss’smindlikethebackofhishand.HecouldsensetheurgencyinMir’stone.MalerKotlawasspecialandheknewwhy.Nodding,hevanishedintotheprivacyofhiscubicleandpressedintoactionthevariousinstrumentskeptonhistable.Hedialledafewnumbersanddeftlysynchronizedtheeventsthatweretounfoldlater.Onbehalfofhisboss,hesummonedofficersofvariedranksandprofiles.He

knewexactlywhowasneededandatwhattime.Minuteslater,hewasbackinMir’sroom.‘Sir,theairforcewillprovideyouthenecessarysortieattwohours’notice.I

haveconfirmedyourdeparturefor1500hours,twohoursfromnow.’Withoutwaitingforhisbosstoacknowledgethedetails,thePAcontinued,‘Ourdivisionheadswillreceiveyouatthesite.Ihaveaskedareapoliceheadstoreachthesiteaswell.TheAssistantCommissionerofPolicewillbepresenttoo.TheACPsoundedconfused,though,andwantedtoknowtheagendainadvance.Aspecialteamisalsobeingdispatchedtocarryoutraidsatthedesignatedplaces.’

‘Thanks.’Mir’sreplywasshortandcurt.OnecouldnottellifhewasimpressedwithhisPA’sperformanceornot.Afewhourslater,Mir’shelicopterwashoveringovertheoutskirtsofMaler

Kotlabeforelandingonthemakeshifthelipad.Mircameoutcoveringhiseyes,protectingthemfromthedustchurnedbytherotatingblades.Assoonashewasclearoftherangeoftherotorblades,thechoppertookoff,leavinghimandhistwodeputiesinthecompanyofnervousofficials.Mostinthereceivingpartyhadneverseenahelicopterlandatsuchclosequarters.InaweofMir’sofficialstatusandgrippedbyanunknownfear,theybegantremblingintheirshoesassoonastheysteppedforwardtoshakehandswithhim.Afterexchangingpleasantries,Mirsatinawhitecarfittedwitharedbeacon

onitshood.Apilotjeepwaspositionedinfrontwitharmedguardsprotectingthemotorcade.Ledbyascreamingsiren,thevehiclesspedaway,leavingbehindoverwhelmedfarmersandatrailofdust.Halfanhourlater,Mirwassittingacrossfromagroupofofficialswhowere

stillcluelessaboutthereasonbehindhisvisit.Helookedatthemcarefully,maintainingasternface.TheDistrictCollector(DC),beingthemostseniorinthehierarchy,satnearesttoMir.Hewasholdingapenandabunchofloosepapersheets,likeastenowaitingfordictation.Alltheotherssatinfrontofhim,wearingblankexpressionsandsearchingeachother’sfaceforclues.‘Areyoutheareain-charge?’Mir’sfirstpointedquestiontookthepolice

officialbysurprise.‘Yes...err,yes,Sir,Iam.MynameisSanjayNarula,Sir.IamtheACP.’‘TellmeaboutSub-InspectorMunnawarHussein.’Therewasunmistakable

angerinMir’svoicethatwasn’tmissedbyanyoneintheroom.TheACPwasdumbstruckandstammeredbriefly.Hewonderedwhat

MunnawarhaddonetoshaketheDelhihighofficestosuchanextent.Hewasalsoscareddeepinsideashetoowasarecipientoftheill-gottenwealththatthesub-inspector(SI)hadamassed.‘Sir,heisanordinarySI,justdoeshisjobandmaintainslawandorder.Ihave

notreceivedanycomplaintsagainsthim.Infact,thevillagersseemhappywithhimandhavegenerallyshownsatisfactionwithhisday-to-dayfunctioning.’‘Haveyoueverinteractedwiththevillagerspersonally?’

TheACPwastakenabackagain.HewasnowcertainthatMunnawarwasinvolvedinsomethingseriousthatcouldputhiscareerinjeopardy.Hissixthsensetoldhimtosticktobarefactsandsomehowsavehisownskin.‘No,Sir,Ihavenot.ButIdoregularlychecktherecords.Anditshowsthat

thecrimegraphhasnotrisen.’‘Howwillthecrimegraphrisewhentherearen’tanyrecords?Noregisters,no

logbooks,nothingwhatsoever?’‘Sir,I...err,Imean,Sir,I...willerrcheck...andrevert,Sir.’‘Checkwhat,when?Youmaywaitoutside.I’llcallforyoushortly,’Mirsaid

curtly.Hiseyeswerebristlingwithanger,ashedismissedtheACPfromtheroom.‘Yes,Sir,’saidtheACPashehurriedlystoodupandsalutedbeforemakingan

exit.HewasperplexedandwishedtospeaktoMunnawarurgentlytoascertainthefactsandpreparehisowndefence.Pacingupanddownthecorridor,hewasstillbrainstormingwhenhenoticed

alltheofficialsemergingfromtheroominquicksuccession.OnlytheDCremainedinsidewithMir.Thetwospentanothertenminutestogetherbeforeemerging.Theyheadedstraighttotheirrespectivecars.MirdidnotevenbothertolookattheACP.Thewaitingofficialsalsorushedtotheirrespectivevehicles.TheDCpositionedhiscarbehindthepilotjeep,leadingthemotorcadetowardsMalerKotla.Sittingaloneinhiscarandholdingawalkie-talkieoverhisears,hecontinuedtopassorderstillthemotorcadestoppedoutsidethepolicechowkiofMalerKotla.Thechowkiwasinashamblesandlookedlikeanoldstable.Thereweretwo

cowsandthreebuffaloesinsidethecompound,merrilygrazingonthewildgrassandhay.Theboardoutsidethechowkiwashangingupsidedown.Dozensofrustedbicycleswerelyingtotheleftofthegate,piledontopofeachotherinasmallmountainofcollectedjunk.Afewcotslayhaphazardlyunderalargetreesurroundedbyheapsofdryleaves.Fromthelookofit,onecouldnotbesureiftherewasanyoneinsidethepolicechowki.Thesceneinsidewasnobetter.Sub-InspectorMunnawarHusseinwasina

stateofdeepslumber,unawareofthetroublehewasabouttogetinto.Anemptyliquorbottlelayinfrontofhim.Hiseyeswerehalfshut,hismouthpartiallyopen,thesoundofsnoresfilteringthroughhisbetel-stainedlips.Hisshirtwas

open,hanginglooselyonbothsidesofhisnakedbellythatmovedupanddownwithhisloudsnores.Hisshoeslayupsidedownnearby.Thetablewasstackedwithnumerousfiles.Likeaheavypaperweight,hisfeetwererestingontopofthem.Theconstableondutywasinnostatetoraiseanalarmeither.Havingpolished

hisshareofthelocalbrew,hetoowasfastasleepwithhisheadrestingsquarelyontheattendanceregister.Anemptyglassandabrokenbottlewerelyingonthefloor,withpiecesofglassscatteredbeneaththetable.Histrouserswerewetwithsplotchesofliquor.Hisbeltwasunhookedandhangingaimlessly,swayinglikeapenduluminsyncwiththemovementofhispotbelly.Mirenteredfirst,followedbytherestoftheofficials.TheACPwasthelastto

stepinanddesperatelymutteredcursesonMunnawarHussein.Hisfatewassealedandheknewitwell.Files,dirtyteacupsandutensilswerescatteredallacrosstheroomwhichworeadilapidatedlook.Therewerecobwebsoneverywall.Thelock-uproomswereajar,anddirtylinenhunghaphazardlyonathinwire.Therewerenosentriesinsightbuttheboardonthewalldisplayedan‘onduty:6’sign.Mirglancedaroundandreachedfortheattendanceregisterthatwaslyingon

theconstable’stable.Thethickbookwasdoublingastheconstable’spillow.HisheadwentupasMirpulledthenotebookoutandslammeditonthetable.Thewoodentableemittedaloudthudbutthatfailedtowakeuptheconstable.Mirflippedthroughtheregister,thenturnedtowardstheACPandflungthebookathim.TheACPhadtodivetocatchthethick,flutteringregister.Holdingitinhishand,heglancedattheblankpages.Therewerenoentriesinthebookforoveramonth.HefacedMirsheepishly,notknowingwheretolook.‘Iamsorry,Sir...’wasallthathecouldmanage.‘Sorryforwhat?Forfillingyourowncofferswiththehelpofthischaracteror

forabettingcrimeandterrorizingpeopleinthenameoflaw?Takethesejokersintocustodyandhavethispostsuitablymanned.Takepicturesofthispolicestationinthisconditionandmakeadetailedreportofallthis.Sendittoyourheadquartersfirstthingtomorrowmorning,withacopytotheDC,’thunderedMir,sendingshiversdowntheACP’sspine.‘Yes,Sir,’camethemeekreply.Likeafrozenfish,theACPcontinuedtostare

attheregister.Thepageswereblankbuthecouldclearlyimaginehisown

suspensionorderwrittenonitinboldink.Mirsteppedoutofthechowkionhearingthesoundofanapproachingvehicle.Anofficerinplainclothesjumpedoutofthecarandstoodtoattentioninfrontofhim.‘Sir,allhavebeenarrested,includingthefatherandtheson.Theyhavebeen

takenforinterrogation.Theraidhasalsoresultedintherecoveryofillicitliquor,armsandmunitions.Thehavelihasbeendamagedfrominsideandisinabadshape.MrsTejiswounded,butherconditionisstable.Shehasbeenadmittedtothehospitalandisreceivingmedicalattention.MrsSehmatKhanhadamiraculousescape.Sheiswithhermotherrightnow.’Afterdeliveringhisstatementlikeawell-rehearseddialogue,theofficialwaitedforMir’sresponse.MirheavedamomentarysighofreliefonhearingaboutSehmat’swell-being.

‘WhataboutMrsTej?Howseriousisshe?’‘Sir,thedoctorsareexaminingher.There’snoseriousinjurybutshemayneed

tobeshiftedtoabetterhospitalforspecialcare.’‘AndhowhasSehmattakenit?Isshedoingwell?Howdidsheescapethe

attack?’Mir’sangry,tensefacewasbeginningtorelaxabit.Theofficialcontinued,‘Itwasamiracle,Sir.Ihearthatagod-manalso

reachedthespotwithhisfollowersatalmostthesametimeandconfrontedtheattackersinsidethehaveli.WhileMrsTejKhanstoodatthestaircase,lettingtheattackersdamagethepropertyatwill,thisgod-manstoodfirmlybetweenMrsSehmatKhanandtheattackersanddidnotletthemclimbtothefirstfloorwhereshewasresting.Iunderstandthatshewasmeditatingbehindcloseddoors.Amazingly,shedidnotevenhearthecommotionandappearedcalmonlearningaboutthedamagecausedbythegoons.Infact,sheispracticallyin-chargeatthehospitalandisevendirectingthedoctorsandnurses.She’sinhighspiritsandinfullcontrol.’‘Thanks.Pleasetakeustothehospital.’Mirwasnowsoundingrelaxed.His

facehadalookofreliefandhappiness.Theofficialjumpedontothefrontseatanddidashewastold.Mirsatbehind

andthemotorcadeagainspedtoitsnewdestination,leavingbehindacrowdofspectatorswhohadgatheredoutsidethepolicestation.TheirfaceslitupwithjoyonseeingahandcuffedMunnawarHusseinandhisdeputygettingshovedintothewaitingvan.Thevillagerskeptstandingthereevenafterthedustgenerated

bythespeedingcarshadsettled.ThetruthofMunnawarHussein’sarrestwastakingtimetosinkin.Anoldmanwatchedtheproceedingsfromadistance.Therewaspaininhis

eyes.HehadrepeatedlyfailedtolodgeacomplaintagainstLiyaqatAliandhisson,evenasthetwogoonshadforciblyoccupiedhissmallpieceoflandandmercilesslybeatenuphiswifeandson.ItwasasifMunnawar’sarresthadgivenhimanewleaseoflife.Hekepthiswalkingstickasideandbegantoclap.Hisweakhandscouldbarelymeet,buthisfacedidenoughtoelectrifytheatmosphere.Soonthespectatorsjoinedinandbeganapplaudinginunison.Asifwaiting

foranopportunemoment,thecloudstooburstopen.Bynow,thevillagershadgatheredinlargenumbers.Theapplauseturnedintoaroarandtheroarintoanimpromptudance.Theirtearsmergedwiththeraindropsthatfellrapidlyontheirfaces.Thesoundofthundercoulddolittletomatchtheirspiritedcheering.Theywerecryingwithjoyandreliefatthesametime.Theraindancecontinued,encouraginghundredsoffeettojumpinecstasyandsplashthewaterthatwasfallingstraightfromtheheavens.Therewasjustonepersonwholookedsadanddepressed.Holdinghisheadinshame,theACPwalkedpastthedancingcrowdandmeltedintothedistance.Farawayfromthecrowd,thefakirstoodallbyhimselfunderatree.Hisface

wasexpressionless.Hiseyeswerehalfshutbuttheinstrumentinhishandwasplayingtoanunsungtune.‘It’sallduetoSehmatBi.Go,thankher,’hesaidrepeatedly.Hiswordsdidnotreachthecrowdthatwasbecomingmoreandmoreecstaticandemotional.Butthevillagerswastednotimeingraspingthetruth.Sehmatwastheirsaviour.Shehaddescendedfromtheheavenstogivethemrespitefromtheterrortheyhadlivedin.ShewastobethequeenofMalerKotla.

Epilogue

GauravGheiandhiswifeAnjaliwereorderedtoleavePakistansoonaftertheirarrest.GeneralSayeedcommittedsuicideinsteadoffacingacourtmartial.Heshot

himselfintheheadinsidehishaveli.SarfrazKhanwentmissingformanymonths.Hisbodywaslaterfishedoutof

acanalnearLahore.TejashwariKhan(Tej)passedawayafewyearsafterherdaughter.Her

remainswerelaidtorestnexttoherbeloveddaughter,SehmatKhan.SamarKhanquittheIndianArmyprematurelyandbeganworkingforan

NGO,focusingonthedevelopmentandholisticgrowthofunderservedandunderprivilegedchildren,especiallyaroundMalerKotla.Abhinav,Aby,didnotmarryandcontinuestosupporthisfosterson,Samar,in

fulfillingSehmat’sdreams.

Acknowledgements

Iwouldliketothankthefollowingpeople:Myparentsfortheirblessings.MrAjayG.Piramalforbeingasolidpillarallthrough.Myfamilyforbeingagreatsupport.AdmiralS.M.Nandaforhisbook,TheManWhoBombedKarachi,AMemoir.

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Thiscollectionpublished2018

Copyright©HarinderSikka2018

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