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Monday, October 28, 2013

Will Love Forever


The journey had been very tiring for Col Shekhar who limped as he walked on the Chennai station as the train entered the crowded platform. His misty eyes spotted Aishwarya and his daughter, Priya standing in wait for him. Her silver hair fluttered and Priya had grown into a young maiden, resembling the beauty of yesteryears of her mother! How the time had flown!
His thoughts drifted back in time!
Ravi was traveling from Ahmedabad to Chennai by Navjeevan Express. The train had left the previous morning where a few of his friends from army and a school friend who was studying at the IIM had come to see him off. Capt Ravi Shekhar of Indian Army had completed a three year stint at Ahmedabad and was on transfer to Chennai and was due to take charge in the next week. He had been among the most eligible bachelors and was tall lanky and had an athletic built. He had slept well in the first class compartment and the co- passengers occupying the berths next to his had disembarked at Warangal in early morning hours. The commotion created had woken him up from the deep slumber. He looked at the watch and it was almost 9 AM in the morning as the train slowly pulled into the platform at Vijaywada junction. It was crowded with passengers and vendors! As the train halted, a middle aged man and his wife boarded the compartment. Following them was a bewitching beauty, which was holding a small suit case and guided the couple, presumably her parents. They settled into the berths which were vacant .Ravi bought coffee from the platform and glanced at the family and found that the elderly couple was engaged in a conversation while the girl who was sitting on the adjoining seat was flipping through the pages of a magazine. She was about 20 years old and was draped in a blue color kurta with a white churidar. A small tuft of hair kept falling from her forehead towards her face every now and then as if playing with her rose colored cheeks! A small trinket shone from the corner of her ear!

After, finishing coffee Ravi struck a conversation with the elderly man and learnt that the family was heading to Chennai and their daughter, Aishwarya was accompanying them.
He looked at Aishwarya and asked her, ‘Are you studying?

‘I have just finished my graduation, and am going for holidays to spend time in Chennai’ she replied. Aishwarya was a voracious talker and soon Ravi was engaged in a tete-a tete with the pretty damsel. Ravi was enjoying the conversation and asked her about her interests and asked if she would like to play a game of ‘Scrabble’ with him. She was game and soon both of them were bent over the board to test their prowess.
 
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Aishwarya was impressed by the wit of the Army man and his ability to strike interesting impromptu conversation. They did not realize how the time went by and it was almost lunch time. The couple opened the huge steel tiffin carrier and spread out the lunch and asked Shekhar if he would like to share with them. After an initial hesitation he agreed and enjoyed the mini feast with the family. They chatted for some more time till the couple closed their eyes while Shekar and Aishwarya continued with the gossip. They exchanged notes and Shekhar asked if he could meet her once they reached Chennai.  Around 4 PM the train reached Chennai and Shekhar helped the family with their luggage as they all disembarked and headed for their destinations.

In the following months both Shekhar and Aishwarya met few times before, Shekhar proposed to Aishwarya. Initially there was an opposition due to different family backgrounds, the parents of Aishwarya agreed as they found Shekhar to be a caring man with no demands! Six months later, they tied a knot.

 Two years later Priya was born and the war broke out! Shekhar was called for the emergency and on one fateful night when rockets were blazing the sky he felt  sharp tinges of pain in his leg as he passed out and there was darkness all around.  When he woke up, he found his leg bandaged and a hospital bed where he lay! He was then moved into a prison where the life played hide and seek and he remained isolated with the rest of the world for many years!
Aishwarya got the message that her husband was missing in action and the long wait started! She raised Priya and each day agonizingly waited for Shekhar to return!

One day, Shekhar was marched into the prison ward and was handed over his clothing and money and exchanged with other soldiers on the border! He could not believe that he was once again able to breathe in fresh air! He was finally free! For the next three days he ran from pillar to post before boarding a train to Chennai once he learnt about the whereabouts of his family! The train came to a halt and as he stepped out on the platform he was mobbed by his wife and daughter with an unending stream of tears marking the beginning of yet another Platinum Day of Love in their lives!
PS: 1.Written for ‘Platinum Day of Love’ contest sponsored by Indiblogger and Precious Platinum(Platinum Day of Love)
        2. Picture kind courtesy Facebook

98 comments:

  1. Respect for men in uniform who sacrifice their life and dreams for the sake of our country.

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    1. Thanks Purba, for liking the story ! There are many men who have made big sacrifices and they do deserve all our respect!

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  2. Beautifully written Rahul . Wish you all the best for the contest ! :)

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  3. Its wonderful how you focus on every small detail, the lone years in the jail, meanwhile aishwarya raising her daughter alone, the normal cloths when stepping out of prison in far off nation for years, the joy of meeting, the pain of separating, the courage of fighting and the strength to struggle,...Its amazing how to pull everything together and present it in such beautiful manner...:)

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    1. A big thanks, Jemina for having related to the story so well and analysed so beautifully:) Am so happy to have a reader like you:)

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  4. A happy ending in deed. Hats off to all the men who sacrifice their lives for the nation.

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    1. Thanks a lot Latha and so many men like these deserve all our respect and gratitude:)

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  5. Beautiful story.Choice of words is as always amazing.Best wishes for contest.This one surely deserves to win :)

    BTW I have completed 195 posts already.I remember i requested a blog post.Kindly please revert back on sunakshi.25@gmail.com if you're still willing to contribute.I had to delete facebook because of some reasons. :)

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  6. Ah - how romantic!

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  7. What a beautiful story! Hats off to the men in uniform.
    Good luck for the contest, Mr Bhatia :)

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    1. Shilpa, many many thanks for that heart felt sentiment for the men in uniform!

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  8. What a beautiful story Rahul. I adore love stories about men in uniform, especially with happy endings. Good luck for the contest.

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    1. A huge thanks Rachna and it feels good to know that there are still some people who love the uniform and tales around their lives:)

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    2. Wish you a very Happy Diwali too, Rachna:)

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  9. Beautiful story...and I really enjoyed the flow in narration, Rahul....:)

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    1. Coming from an accomplished writer like you Panchali, do not have enough words to thank you:)

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  10. That cute story, true love! ;D

    Kisses,

    Benedetta

    http://www.daddysneatness.com

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    1. A big thanks Bendetta for your visit to this blog and also having liked the story!

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  11. Lovely positive story, good luck with the contest!

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  12. What a wonderful story!! So passionate, so sweet and so profound. It touched the very chord of the heart. Perfect for the contest. Good luck, Rahul.

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    1. It feels so good that the story could strike the right chord, Ushaji! A heartfelt thanks for those words!

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  13. I am wondering as to why I haven't visited your page earlier. Wonderful story Rahulji. :)

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    1. It is a delight to see you here ,Pooja and thanks a lot for your kind comment! You have a lovely blog too!

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  14. Wonderfully written. All the best for the contest.

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  15. A wonderfully written story. Such a story can be scripted into a blockbuster movie. Good luck, Sir.

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    1. Saru, thanks a lot for that real peppy comment:)

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  16. Beautiful story. It 's nice that objective writing is at the beginning and getting into love. I was relieved at happy end.
    Good luck, Rahul.

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  17. Thanks Sarah! Most of us like happy endings:)

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  18. Very touching and heart warming. Beautifully penned Rahul Ji !

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    1. A big thanks Rama and best wishes for Diwali to you and family:)

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  19. Nice story sir.. Respect the men in uniform! Its because of their selfless sacrifice that we are what we are...

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  20. Beautiful story. I like to read things like this. And love is forever!

    Hugs,
    and Happy Halloween!

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    1. Everyone likes love stories, Camila and thanks a lot for that sweet comment! Best wishes for Halloween:)

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  21. Beautifully written Mr. Rahul.. really enjoyed reading this!! :-)

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  22. This is a beautiful love story that truly did last the test and trails of time. In this day & age, its something thats quite difficult to find but your story tells of new hope, everlasting love and with patience and resilience, a happy ending can be guaranteed. Wonderful read!

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    1. Thank you, Sam and am happy you liked the story!

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    2. Hope you had a wonderful and memorable Diwali!

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    3. Thanks Sam! Memorable one indeed:)

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  23. Beautifully written story, and so romantic too.

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    1. Thanks Rama! Wish you and your family a Happy Diwali!

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  24. Loved the way the romance started. Being a prisoner of war must be hell. Wonder what makes people so inhumane, hardened and indifferent that they take pleasure in torturing another human being, both physically and mentally, just because they feel they can.

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    1. Thanks a lot KayEM! Life could be really hard for some but to face it with courage makes the difference:) Happy Diwali to you and your family!

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  25. I wish we lived in a world where soldiers were not required.
    Nice story.

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    1. True! We all wish for peace and a strife free world, Amit!

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  26. Happy ending to the story. Wish all war stories ended like this.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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    1. I too always hope that there are happy endings, Asamptha:)

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  27. <3 Romantic and good ending! I hope you have good luck in that contest!

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  28. Beautiful and touching story! I enjoyed reading this :)

    All the best for the contest :) :)

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    1. Thanks a lot Valli! Best wishes for the festive time:)

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  29. I often struggle to find the right word to thank you Ashwini, for such nice comments! Am lucky to have readers like you:)

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  30. Hello!
    Do you always write storys like this? I'm reading your old posts...
    I like to write a lot, but I don't have many time :/

    Nice november!

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    1. Hi Camila! Thanks a lot for reading my posts!I am happy you enjoyed the stories:) When it comes to time, we all are struggling for it to do so many things!Have a lovey time !

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  31. Stories of soldiers reuniting with their families are always so sweet and very touching. And you have written it so beautifully. I bet writing this piece was kinda nostalgic too :)

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    1. Nice to see you back Divya and am happy that you liked the story! What you say is right about the nostalgia sweeping my mind when I wrote this one:)

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  32. I have nominated your blog for the prestigious 'Liebster Award'. Kindly go through my post, Liebster Award dated 7.11.2013 for the rules. Congratulations, Rahul.

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  33. Thanks a lot Ushaji for the honor bestowed!

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  34. Heartwarming! Loved the story. Crisp narration, as always! Good Luck for the contest! I really hope you win :)

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    1. So good to read a nice comment like yours Akanksha, as always:)Hope you are enjoying your stay and a big thanks for your best wishes!

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  35. A poignant love story. Somehow reminded me of the movie Veer Zara. Good Luck Rahul.

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    1. A big thanks Alka for your kind comment and best wishes:)

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  36. Such a lovely story, Rahul! Wish you all the very best. Does the story have any shades from your real life?

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    1. Thanks a lot Rachna for your best wishes! The story has no shade of my previous life but now that you hinted may be I should write one:)

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  37. Thanks a lot Sunakshi for the awards . Am honored:)

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  38. Such a lovely read and well narrated! Best wishes for the contest :)

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    1. Thanksa lot Uma for your kind wishes and am happy you liked :)

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  39. I love happy ending stories...
    The picture hooked me at the start and I was reminded of the movie Border...

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    1. A big thanks Manjulika for reading the posts and your nice comments:)

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  40. Story full of love and pride. Best of luck! :)

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    1. Welcome to my blog Pankti, and thanks a lot for your kind comment!

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  41. I am late here, Rahulji! Loved the narration of the story! God bless men in uniform. We are nowhere without them!

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  42. It is never to late Sandhya and this space always cherishes the nice comments from you:) A big thanks!!

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    1. Thanks a lot ,Vinati for having liked and your best wishes:)

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  44. Thanks for your kind words and great insight, hope you have had a fruitful week!

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  45. Wonderful that you wove the life of the armed forces into this one. Really a sweet love story

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  46. I've shared the guest post here http://veiled-chapters.blogspot.in/2013/11/teenache.html :)

    Thanks a ton once again for sharing it with us.Looking forward to your response if i did justice to it in presenting the same. :)

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    1. I enjoyed doing that post for you Sunakshi and you have done full justice by adding superb pictures ! Wish your blog goes a long way and brings you many laurels in future!

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  47. Beautifully woven story! Best wishes for the contest!

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    1. Welcome to my blog Sindhu and thanks a lot for your kind comment and best wishes:)

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