Sophia's Freedom

Chapter 94 : A Surprise for Master Daa.

I have decided to inform mom that I am leaving. My face is still stinging from the slap from mom this morning. As I was going towards her room, I happened to see her in the hallway.

“Where are you going, mom… You need any help?” I asked.

“Oh no no… I was just coming out to meet you. I guessed you might be with Monika and Aamaya…” she stopped a little and continued “You’re going somewhere…”

"Oh !!! No no mom..., I wanted to give them time to rest and besides I guess Aamaya is excited about someone... besides we thought you might be tired, so we decided to let you take some rest. Jessica needs to have a counseling session with Abhinu because, after what he had suffered in the past, he has difficulties trusting people especially when any ladies are around him, besides all these years living like a girl has altered his body language to such an extent that he is getting difficult to try to act like a boy again... I have been trying my best to fix his body language so that he remembers that he is no longer a girl and can start living his life as a normal human being..."

"And do you see any improvements?"  

Well, mom, we have seen improvement but it's slow... After quite a few sessions he has slowly gained confidence but I feel that it would take time... Jessica has a long struggle ahead of her.”

 Mum raised her hands and gave me a hug and said “I am really proud of what you are doing for Abhinu. There are very few people who would give up his career for the sake of someone he barely knew.”

“Thanks, Mom. But Abhinu is not someone I barely knew…” I replied.

“What do you mean…?”

“Actually Mom, since 1992, there has been a lot of occasions when I met Abhinu, probably god wanted me to know him well so that when the time is right, I could come for his aid… however over the years my achievements have elevated my confidence to such an improper level that could be termed as arrogance.”

“This might have been the very reason why I barely registered the people I encountered and could not recognize or record Abhinu from our earlier encounters. I should have been able to recognize or recollect Sophia and realize Abhinu and Sophia were the same person, the day we had the basketball match. This realization made me take a hard long look at myself and realize my flaws.”

“Son, there is a saying ‘It comes late but when it comes, it is flawless’ everything happens for a reason, maybe your vanity helped save a life.” Mom replied.

“Does that mean you forgive me for everything…”

“Forgiveness… You must be joking right… we are not done yet…” She paused a few seconds and then continued “We nearly lost Monika, but thanks to Koushik and his friends she is standing safe in front of us…” replied Mom.

“I heard about Monika’s k********g and Koushik getting nearly killed while trying to protect her. However, I was strictly f*******n from sharing the new location with you.”

“You should be thankful to the lord that she is safe…” she continued.

“Let’s go to our room you dad wants to talk to you…”

As we entered the room, I saw dad was sitting on the bed.

“Jairus… It's time…”

“Aki… we had discussed this… please stop it…” replied dad…

“No… he should know the truth about his future…” Mom replied

The way they have started behaving… It was freaking me scared. Before dad could say anything, I asked “Mom… dad… please tell me what’s wrong… what happened…”

I saw dad looking at mom in a displeased way. It felt as if he doesn’t want mom to tell me anything. “It’s nothing, Son…”

“I know something is wrong dad… please tell me what it is?” I requested… Their secretive nature was scaring me.

“Well, you know… once everything is all settled with Colonel Banerjee’s son, you cannot return back to Sainik School again…”

I knew this was bound to happen, in this current situation, I know I will never be able to return to Sainik School anymore. Purulia is not safe for me right now until we are sure uncle has been taken care of. I decided not to react and replied “I am sorry dad… It was always your dream to see me don the uniform, and it had always been my dream too, getting my stars handed by you. I guess things are pretty messed up…”

“Son… you have not messed up anything… there is only one person in a million who would risk everything including their career to help others…” replied dad.

I could feel that dad was trying to say all this with a heavy heart. He always wanted to see me in a uniform one day. Dad continued “Here… give this to your friend Jessica… she should see this” he hands me a CD and further continued “You can also tell her that we did what she has suggested… and now it’s up to her how she want to take this further…”

As mom was about to say something, dad gestured her to stop the conversation...

“Son… there is something you should know but we will let you know at the right moment... by the way your friends are waiting for you outside… you should leave now… ”

I bid farewell to mom and dad and left the room. Deep down I was feeling bad but decided to ignore everything for now and give my heart and soul to make sure Abhinu is all healed up and ready for a fresh start.

Even though I tried to stay strong but the set of circumstances, as my dreams for which I have given my heart and soul is slowly moving away from my hands which compels me to end up feeling sad. I tried not to cry but could not help my tears from rolling out.

My eyes were still wet, as I reached the ground floor. I tried to control my emotions but couldn’t help it. Jessica and Abhinu were still waiting there for me. Master da was also there with a cup of tea in his hand. I have not seen master da for quite some time now.

“How are you doing Master da?” I asked…

He looked at me, and smiled “How do I look…? All fit and healthy… beside this cup of Darjeeling tea has risen my spirits…”

He suddenly looked at Abhinu and smiled “Hello young man… you look good today…”  and stretched his right hand to shake with Abhinu.

I saw Abhinu reciprocate by stretching his hands too… however I had to interrupt him so as to correct his posture. “Abhinu… buddy… that’s not the way boys shake hands… Remember what I taught you…”

I saw him correcting his posture and shook hands with master da in a proper manner. He smiled at him and replied “I am alright Sir… thankyou”

I, Vikash, and Jessica di have been trying to help Abhinu with his personality development so that he could live an independent life in the future. For all these years, he has been living the life of a fruitcake, and we knew very well that we cannot be there with him all the time, so we decided to teach him everything we know.

Suddenly Jessica reminded “It’s getting late, time to leave Abhinu.”

"Wait a minute Doc…”  master Daa looked at my face. I tried my level best not to make eye contact with him but then master Daa spoke up “Is something bothering you Joe… your eyes.... they are wet...?”

“It’s nothing dada… I am just happy that my sister’s dream to meet her lost love is finally fulfilled.” However, looking at master daa’s face, I was sure, he was not convinced.

“I WANT THE TRUTH JOE… not some c**k and bull story... I know it very well when you are lying…”

Tears began rolling down my eyes and I replied “I can never serve my country like my dad anymore dada…” I hugged him tight and continued “I can never ever don the uniform like my Mom or my dad…”

I felt someone patting my back softly and it was Master Daa trying to hold both my hands and disentangle. His face reflected as if he wanted to say something to comfort me but was not sure what to say.

“Joe…I can understand your grief but remember something if one door closes, God will always open another door for you. Right now, you are very young... if donning the uniform is what you always wanted… then work hard and motivate yourself... you can always be a super cop like Nishi Babu.”

“Joe… if you don’t mind… can I tell you something…” Jessica Interrupted

“Sure…”

Jessica Continued “Forget about being a man in uniform for once and try to think of everything in a different perspective. If it would not have been for you, knowingly or unknowingly, this” pulling Abhinu closer she continued “13-year-old child would never have seen the light of the day. Had it not been for your inquisitiveness, you would never have discovered the mystery of Abhinu Banerjee and that Doctor and his uncle would have ruined who knows how many children…” she took some time expecting me to react to her interpretation of the events and continued again “had it not been for you, Lt. Col. Banerjee’s murder would never be solved… everyone would have thought it was just another Naxalite attack…” at this point Master Daa interrupted.

“Son… I know you are still in a dilemma but please think about this... what you achieved in 14 days, it took your dad 7 long years to realize, and we still don’t know if he will ever be successful… remember something… Many a time a uniform never guarantees success… it’s the heart of a lion and the will to perform selflessly will make you a true soldier…”

I guess I might have understood what Master Daa meant, however it is still difficult to mend the wounds of broken dreams. I decided to let go of my misery and live in the present.

                                                             TO BE CONTINUED...

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