Sophia's Freedom

Chapter 25: Journal: God-Speed

Losing your loved ones can be devastating.

The entire experience of reading through Abhinu and Aarohi’s sincere effort to help their injured companions on that disastrous day, the 14th of July, was emotionally excruciating. I shuddered to think what my dear sister Monika must have gone through during this entire ordeal. I felt annoyed at myself for failing as a brother to notice and come in her aid during those difficult days. I could not continue reading the journal and kept it down, instead, I made up my mind to check on Vikash and Master da.

For some reason, things felt really strange. First the death of Lt. Col Banerjee then the Death of Aarohi... these things feel too strange to be a mere coincidence. I am getting the feeling that the death of these 2 people might be a part of a bigger conspiracy. I just hope Abhinu doesn't land up in some conspiracy and ends up dead too.

I had no strength left in me to keep reading the journal any further as I was slowly feeling dejected at myself. I began to move slowly through the hospital yard. At around 7 a.m. I caught a glimpse of the person I saw in Sophia's room the other day. He was reclining on a bench placed a few rooms away from the ward where Sophia was admitted. I was curious and wanted to meet him. As he noticed me approaching him, he got up and left the spot. I tried to follow him but he managed to ditch me near  the exit of the hospital and I lost him.

I felt both disturbed and perplexed at what was happening around me. Last few days were quite turbulent. Military Police, Cops, Naxalites, Castiel Foundation, who knows what will follow next, perhaps the Marcos, FBI, CIA, FSB, KGB, or maybe Mossad?

What the hell I am thinking. As I kept walking with all the thoughts in my mind, I never realized that I had reached the parking where Vikash had parked his beemer. I peeped through the glass and found that the 2 of them are still asleep. 

I decided to walk back into Sophia's room instead and not disturb their sleep. I guess I entered the room at the right time. Sophia was awake, and Miss Sengupta was trying to adjust the bed in a reclined position to help Sophia sit comfortably. Miss Sengupta told me that Aunty had gone out to fetch some tea.

I placed my hand on Sophia's head and said "Kiddo, it’s time to get well soon. I want to see your expertise in the basketball field again. I want to watch you in your best form."

She smiled and responded, "I know who you are Joe dada, I have met you a long time ago, back then you couldn’t defeat us. Let's find out if you can still manage to defeat me now in my diminished form."

I couldn't remember which match she was referring to, however, last few days I have received quite a few surprises that made me seriously question my ability to remember or recognize past incidents from my own life. Considering this, instead of contradicting her, I conceded and replied in a challenging tone, "We will see about it?" and winked at her.

Deep down, I rooted for her to win if ever we get a chance to play a match. At least that would bring a smile to her face.

She smiled again and I continued, "Bye dear, I will be back in the evening. I didn’t go home for almost 2 days now, I need to go and see my parents."

"Besides, I am stinking really bad.  Monika is going to make my day miserable, you know, if she finds out that I have not bathed for 2 days"

She excitedly looked at me with a smile and raised her left hand and waved her fingers indicating a goodbye and see you later. 

I only hope that she would be able to continue with this smile forever. After what she had suffered, a smile would bring happiness and a sense of relief to all her well-wishers.

 I left the room and Miss Sengupta decided to stay put. Before leaving the hospital, I went to meet Master da and Vikash. They were still resting in the beemer, however, they were awake now and I found them talking over tea. I informed them that I was going home and left.

Before leaving, Vikash told me that he had called Koushik to be with Sophia and keep an eye on her. They will be leaving too once Koushik reaches the hospital.

I reached home in 20 minutes; mom was awake. I came home after two days, but I must admit, with all the unexpected happening during the past two days, the time appeared much longer. My mind was already in a state of confusion with the turn of events. Everything appeared like some incident out of an Agatha Christie novel, the only difference is the performer and the consequences, they are real.

I exchanged morning wishes with Mom. Her resolute appearance is enough to soothe almost all my anxiety of the passing days. I had my breakfast and went to my room.

Without wasting any more time in contemplation, I took a quick but refreshing shower and continued reading the rest of the journal.

                                                         17th July 1993

Today I was called to the training center. We were informed that there will be a candlelight tribute to the 9 players who lost their lives in the crash.

One of the basketball grounds was designed to resemble a shrine and photographs of all those players whose lives were lost in the tragic accident were kept in ascending order like a pyramid. 9 basketballs bearing their individual signature were placed next to the photograph. Signing a ball is a tradition practiced by the basketball player fraternity before they play the first crucial match of their career.

I got a hearty welcome and was deeply touched by the endearing sight of all the sub-junior players from different states of India gathering and coming together to pay homage to the lost souls.

Before the ceremony started, a policeman got up in the podium and introduced himself as Mr. Nishi Nath, IG Crime Branch Kolkata Police. Monika's brother Joe who accompanied me and standing next to me said that Mr. Nath liked everyone to call him N.N.

I.G sir said that he was deeply distressed for the 9 brave kids who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident when on a mission to make the state proud and how special they were. He informed me that the state government has announced a bravery award for me and Aarohi.

I saw him coming down the podium and proceed towards the court, he bent down a little and placed a medal on Aarohi's photograph, stood up, and saluted looking into her picture. He turned around, got on the podium once again, and called me up.

As I walked up to him, he presented another medal to me and gave me a salute too.

After this, players from various states went to the shrine and started to light candles there. I saw Father John whom we met in Shillong. He came to me and told me that what I and Aarohi did for those 8 children, was remarkable and a significant act. The first reaction of anyone during such an accident is to ensure one's safety. It’s an implicit and undeniable urge that cannot be ignored but, in our case, we did ignore our personal safety and decide to save the remaining team members from the wreckage. This requires a lot of courage.

He also told that the blessings of all those parents will always keep me safe. He further added, ‘Of all the good things we do during our lifetime, there is one deed which the Good Lord would always hold dear to him, and in our case, he believes that this deed stands out from the rest.’

He took out a chain from his pocket and placed it on my neck. He told me that the chain has a pendant of Mother Mary and it has been blessed with holy water. Mother Mary will always protect me. He further advised me not to let the pendant of my neck, irrespective of any adverse situation.

He finally concluded with, “no matter how sad you are, try to smile yourself and make others smile all your worries will disappear."

*** Wow... that's nice...  it seems like Father John is a wonderful man but I am not going to express my desire to meet him someday, lest I find out that I had already met him but lost track of him. Besides, it was established beyond doubt that I am a certified stupid and forgetful baboon for the last time. 

It feels like God had given me a lot of chances to meet this boy, Abhinu, but I am still unable to recall how he looks like or connects with any of the incidents mentioned in the journal. A strong feeling was generated from within to discover where this journal was leading to, and where does Sophia come into the picture in his Journal ***

                                                       TO BE CONTINUED...

                                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~