Chapter 62 : Nepal Dada
1121 Words
Things felt really strange as we stepped out of the hospital. Just a day ago, I was locked up in a dungeon scared and like a coward little girl. Even though I pretended to be brave, I never felt so helpless during those moment.
Those few hours of Imprisonment has answered one of the question that has been troubling me all these years. I felt the same level of helplessness Abhinu's during the past 6 years after uncle went missing. He is indeed a very strong human being.
My thoughts were interrupted when dad asked me to get into the car as it was getting late. Mom and I went and sat at the back. As I was getting comfortable, I saw a familiar face. It was Sanjay Dada. He was at our house the other night.
He was sitting in the driver seat. He turned around to look back and asked: "Hi dear, remember me? Hope you are feeling better?"
I smiled at him and replied "I am fine dada. How are you?"
"I am good dear."
Before dada could say another word, dad interrupted: "Let's not waste any more time and get back home."
Sanjay dada started the car. As we came out of the hospital, I saw him taking a left turn and crossing over Nepal dada's tea shop. It is one of the oldest shops in Purulia. No one knows Nepal dada's real name. Joe dada once told me that even though everyone calls him Nepal dada, the truth is he is not really a Nepali. A few of his friend called him Nepal dada for fun and in due time everyone began calling him by that name. His shop also became famous as Nepal Dada's tea shop.
About 5 minutes of driving and I could sense they were taking a different route than home.
Dad turned around, looked at me and said "You might be wondering that we have taken a different route. We are not going back home. We need to take you somewhere safe till we find that Banerjee."
Sanjay dada drove around for more than 30 minutes and finally, we stopped near a dilapidated building which looked like a broken down ancient temple. Right next to it was a muddy road which where we drove for another 10 minutes. It was a difficult drive but somehow, Sanjay dada drove through the patch as if he had driven through this road before too.
Finally, we reached near an old castle surrounded by huge walls around it. As we stepped towards the entrance, I saw a lot of green camouflaged tents around the fort. There were 3 tents which were larger than the rest of them. They were placed separately in a corner of the fort.
There were lots of men in uniform. By the looks of it, I deduced that we were in an Army Camp.
Dad interrupted my observation, "Honey, this is the place I was talking about." pointing his fingers towards the camp "This is one of the command posts of 42nd Rashtriya Rifles Assam Regiment. One of the most dangerous and highly decorated army battalion of the world and is currently a safe haven for all of us."
I saw a man coming out from one of the bigger tents. It was Uncle Shahi who was accompanied by my dear Captain Sagar.
As they approached us, he looked at dad and said, "Hello Commander!!!" and shook his hands.
Dad reciprocated by replying "Hello Brigadier!!!"
Capt. Sagar stepped forward and said "Commander…" pointing towards one of the tents which was next to the Brigadier's and continued "that tent is for you and your family."
Brigadier Shahi replied "Remember Commander… We are doing this for the sake of the Major. Once your son is reunited with you and Mr. N.N. hands over the custody of that fellow, Miss Sengupta was talking about earlier, Our job is done."
"Thanks a lot sir. I know as a regular army this doesn't comes under your jurisdiction, but right now this was the only safest place I could think of. Had I been posted around the coast; I would have taken them to INS Baaz." replied dad.
I saw Brigadier Shahi smiled and replied, "That's fine Commander. To tell you the truth, no offence but I don't even like to entertain you, Special Service guys. Let's stick to what we have agreed upon."
Did my dad work for the government?
Is he some kind of a James bond?
Why is Brigadier Shahi calling him Commander?
What did he mean by Special Service guys?
My thoughts were interrupted by Brigadier Shahi's next statement "I think your daughter needs some answers Commander. Why don't you go in and settle down? One of the orderlies will be there with you shortly."
As we went inside the tent, I found that it had 2 rooms in it, there was a large bed placed on one of the rooms, in one corner there was a folding table lying with 3 chairs placed next to it. There was nothing much fancy inside it. Suddenly dad told me "Honey, lunch will be served in a short while, why don't you take some rest in the meantime."
I was so hungry that I didn't feel like taking any rest and replied: "It's ok dad, I will have lunch and then take some rest."
Dad smiled and replied, "As you wish!!!" and went and sat on one of the folding chairs and started to read something which was lying on the table.
I looked at mom and said "Mom, can I ask you something?"
"Yes... tell me, honey... what's bothering you...?" Mom replied.
"Remember those people who were dressed up as women," I asked
"Yes, what about it." asked mom
"They said something about a guru and that they owed their life to Abhinu. When I asked them about it, they told me that you know about it."
"Hmmm!!!" she took a breath and continued "For that, I think you need to read a few pages out of Abhinu's journal."
I saw her opening the trunk and take out a bunch of papers. She gave me a few pages out of it and said "You might also be wondering if Aamaya kept her promise... isn't that right?"
I nearly forgot that before the ordeal I read how Abhinu decided to end his life and how Aamaya di promised him that he will take care of him. I looked at mom, smiled at her and replied with a "Hmmm..."
I almost forgot how exhausted I was, and took the journals from Mom's hands and decided to continue reading the entries.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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- Writer
