We Valiant Few

Khan was 18 now, but neither he nor his family deemed his age only through the aspect of maturity. The time had finally come when he could opt for Army and assist his mother by taking the expenses into his own hands. He had always wondered how the strokes of time had been so cruel to his mother. How she remained steadfast when some young fellows arrived with a flag and his father Colonel Asher's uniform informing her mother about her husband’s death in an accident. He wondered what kind of accident could leave a strong and sturdy man like his father drowned in his blood pouring out of the three holes in the chest, apparently punctured by a Beretta 9mm at a point-blank. But that was all he could manage, to wonder. Now his Khanum’s hair had grown silverish grey at the temples and her shining face had lost its glitter over the years, but her love, affection, and feelings for her children remained unaffected. Three days past his 18th birthday, he found himself standing in front of a mirror, his moustache had grown, his cheeks slightly greenish after the fresh shave, and his hair smooth as ever with a slight brush past his forehead. Khan wasn’t excessively handsome but one couldn’t find the ruggedness of his face and clarity of his golden-brown eyes rather appealing. He smiled his wistful smile but the gap between the lips was enough to make him see his missing tooth. He was engulfed in his thoughts when a cough pierced through the silence of the dressing room. He needn’t turn to know that it was his sister. His Fatima. One could not comprehend her physical features in a single gaze. Up close her golden hair matched the brilliant rings that surrounded her pupils. By early adolescence, she had discovered that with a little sparkle and a little make-up her average features could easily match the extra-ordinary assets. ‘’It’s about time,’’ she said but there was no excitement in her voice. By saying this she leaped forward and found herself in his brother’s arms. ‘’I’ll be back soon’’ that was all he could manage to say. She shrugged and he smiled forcing his mood to alleviate as she stood up. In the courtyard he was being awaited by his mother, his Khanum. She hugged and blessed him and that is when he saw the pride in her eyes with a sense of hope that is carried along. ‘’My God is with you’’ she said, followed by a kiss on his forehead and he then moved out of the house. After gazing through moist eyes at his doorsteps where his sister and mother waved him goodbye, he managed to divert his thoughts and got focused somewhere else. He reached the picking point where a sergeant in army uniform was checking the documents and confirming individuals. Even in the din of the crowd he heard the shout, ‘’Jahan Khan, Roll# 56.’’ He hurried towards the desk, where a person with a thick moustache was sitting. As Khan arrived, he straightened up revealing his face and close-cropped chestnut hair. Khan fought the urge to get intimidated by his manliness and sharply carved face. ‘’That would be me’’ his words were coated in glorious excitement. The sergeant chewed on these words for some time perhaps waiting for him to hand over the required documents but after a too-long moment he finally spoke, ‘’Documents!!?’’ ‘’Ahh! Yes!” Khan replied ignoring the surge of embarrassment caused by this delay. The man read the document thoroughly and then gestured him aside. The sun was down and a siren rose to direct all the candidates towards the transporting vehicles that were supposed to carry them to the camp. The journey didn’t last long or at least for Khan as a surge of tiredness fell over and he fell asleep. ‘’If you have any lingering delusions then they will be dispelled very soon.’’ The man with a thick moustache had said. And now Khan stood perplexed on a vast ground considering the truth that lied in the sergeant’s words. The camp stretched as far as he could see. Everywhere he looked, he saw soldiers drilling, marching, doubling, crawling, wheeling, saluting, and presenting arms. Khan had never seen such a bustle of people. The air echoed with the din of barked orders and shrieked obscenities. That was when they first came across Seargent Masood who was to make their lives miserable. The following day was the longest and undoubtedly the most miserable one of Khan’s life. When he finally collapsed on the bed after the tiresome day. He couldn’t fall asleep, despite the exhaustion in every inch of his body. Shifting to lie on his side to ease his pain, he ran his hands over his face. Looking at the sidewall he rotated his raw burning joints and sighed contentment. He remembered how his mother tried to keep them silent when their father was resting. What a gallant soldier he was. People used to idealize heroes but to Khan, his father was the only inspiration he wanted. He recalled the promise he had made with his mother the day they received his father’s dead body. ‘’Your life isn’t yours but of those who you are responsible for! Promise me son you’ll never hesitate to embrace the same fate that your father did!’’ At then he had nodded instantly, but still, after those eight long years, he didn’t quite comprehend what his mother had said. ‘’Attention!’’ Seargent  Masood barked, ‘’Stand still! Look front! You horrible creature! Stomach in, Chest out Khan! Down on the ground! Roll over, get in that mud where you truly belong, you nasty worm! Down’’ Of all the people in the camp, Seargent Masood was the nastiest one. At the training camp, living cheek by jowl, he got to intermingle with other fellows. They got to know each other fast though not necessarily to like one another. He learned how to wear uniform, how to iron creases in and the wrinkles out, how to polish shoes, buttons, and badges, how to turn about, how to drill flawlessly, and how to salute. No matter how the sergeants and the corporals bellowed at him, he never paid any heed to it. They went on hiking with heavy backpacks and rifles and learned how to shoot straight. On the rifle range, he proved to be far and away from the best shot in the company. It was no surprise when he got the honorary badge. Time went by and he went on going up in the ranks. But the satisfaction didn’t last long for Khan received a letter from Colonel Mark about the insurgency at far west. Till now it hadn’t been a problem to suppress it but the rebels had managed to create havoc and unrest affecting the peace immensely. During his stay at the camp, his letters to his mother were seldom, he hardly had time to miss anyone let alone Fatima. Though he thought of her, they were only fleeting thoughts. But today he was submerged in those thoughts. Imagining the slightest glimpse of his mother’s face was enough to strengthen him up. He was asked to bring the reinforcements to the border. Khan was a lieutenant by now, and a well-acknowledged commander of his platoon. Before departure, he gathered his men and his courage to address them. It was autumn, the rain suddenly disappeared and cloudless brilliant skies stretched over them once again. ‘’I shall not beat about the bush soldiers!’’ he began, ‘’I shall not tell you that it’s a piece of cake out there, instead, I am telling you straight that it’s no picnic.’’ He confessed. ‘’It’s a hard slog and there is only one question to ask yourself, what would you rather see; your flag hoisted high or those merciless savages violating its glory?!’’ silence prevailed. ‘’They have broken our defenses and attacked our bases and I am here to tell you that unless we beat them at their own game, they will gobble us up as well!’’ His eyes ranked over the company that he was addressing. ‘’Do you want your dignity compromised? ‘’ ‘’No sir!’’ the soldiers broke out in unison. ‘’Do you want your compatibility questioned?’’ ‘’No sir!’’ ‘’then we ought to do something about it don’t we?!’’ ‘’Yes sir!’’ With a national slogan and raised morale, they boarded the  vehicles. During the journey, Khan couldn’t distract himself from the thoughts of his home. The lofty plains of his village, the soothing shade of the trees, the beckoning of the morning wind, the scenes of his mother busy in house chores and young Fatima running across the courtyard made his eyes tearful. But the picture of his father in the graceful scarlet dress and adorned chest came to his rescue and he became aware of the humming going on at the back of the truck. ''Home is behind, the world ahead And there are many paths to tread, Mist and shadows, clouds and shade, All shall fade, all shall fade'' The sun was almost down, drowning the cavalry into the darkness of the night. They had almost reached the required spot when mid-way they were ambushed. Khan didn’t take time to realize what had happened. He took his AR-15 in his hands and leaped out of the vehicle. A machine g*n opened up behind them and rifles fired. Khan could sense his guns answering now. He could hear the shell and know from the shriek of it that it was close. This blast threw him on the ground clouding his senses and plunging him into darkness. He woke up at the shout of another soldier, ‘’Get hold of yourself, Sir!’’ He shouted. ‘’We need you right now.’’ Khan regaining his senses shouted at the top of his voice ‘’Soldiers take cover!’’ The soldiers were infused with a new thrill after hearing the voice of their Commander again and their guns answered almost at once forming a titanic duel. Khan leaped forward and with a front roll stabbed a rebel in the heart. He then got hold of his rifle and got busy. The empty shells falling on the ground along with the bodies of the ambushers. After an encounter of forty-five minutes, the scenes finally quietened. After observing the surroundings for some time, Khan then assembled the soldiers for a final role. One of the soldiers made a witty remark. Khan grinned and as he turned to reply he saw the soldier’s expression turn from triumphed to blank and then to one of the utter horrors. As the soldier caught hold of his g*n, Khan turned but at that very moment three punches jolted his body. The soldiers fired, shattering the body of the remaining shooter but the bullets had done their work. Khan felt his hands shaking so much that he could hardly keep hold of his rifle. He tried to move forward almost in a trance then suddenly he found himself on his knees. Blood pouring down from his chest accompanied by burning pain . He felt as if he was being pushed into warm and all-enveloping darkness.  It was all too quick with the voice of his mother’s promise in his ears and his Fatima's  face in front of his eyes. Jahan Khan breathed his last...