Long drives are more fun when you are into adventure; the thrill of going to a new city by car was magnificent. When we crossed our city border we drove further, my dad wasn't sure of where we were heading until he spotted Military Quarters. We all got down. My elder sister and my dad are the only ones in my family.
Getting down our open jeep we inquired about the place. It was Jhalawal in Rajasthan. My father asked about the officer who was posted. He was astonished to know it was his classmate. Dad often narrated his tales from school, this chap was never good at studies, my dad often helped him in clearing the exams. I had a feeling that my dad hated him, it was once in school when the teacher discovered similar answers and called both of them to the staff room. This fellow denied it and my dad was too meek to take a stand and then he was suspended for a week which resulted in his parents changing his school.
Coming back to the present, we were now outside Ram Mohan’s office. My dad was excitedly waiting to meet him, "33 long years now.." he said with a grin. I somehow felt no point in meeting him. My sister never really had a stand but I kept on insisting on going back to our adventurous track.
We were now called inside the office, we were told “Sahab is on a call, he will be back in ten minutes”, cell phones didn't exist then and when someone was on a phone call, it really implied something very important and urgent unlike the calls we get now. He had a spectacular office, there was an image of Mahatma Gandhi on the left hand side. A list of officers posted since 1923 towards the right. And then, my eyes fell on a small casket, something that changed my life.
It was a wooden casket which was kept right in the center of the table. I had a feeling that it had some of those deadly war secrets and the urge to check it once kept on haunting me. My dad was called outside to fill in the visitors book, my sister accompanied him. Being all alone was added pressure to check what lies inside the beautifully engraved casket.
I took the privilege of taking it in my hands and the moment I did, footsteps of someone behind me scared me to death, without any second thoughts I kept the casket in my bag. How can I let go of something like this without checking what’s in!
“Good Evening!” the hoarse voice said. It must be my dad’s friend I thought. Before I could respond to the greeting, my dad entered the chamber. There was a lengthy conversation, something I was least interested in, I was too nervous to think of anything beyond the box. They had tea and now it was the time to say Good bye…
I didn't have a single clue of their conversation and what went on there after till I found myself in my jeep. I had no idea as to when I will come back and return the little casket that lied unattended in my bag. We were now in our jeep, heading towards the unknown…
I was too scared to share this with my sister, sharing with dad was out of questions. I believe irrespective of how kind the father is, children often regard them as devilish especially as kids.
Now I was sitting on the rear seat, the thing I never liked and something that made my sister happy.
The adventure of discovering the unknown kept on enticing me. I couldn't wait further.
(...to be continued)
