4. Chikka Naik meets soldier

CHAPTER 4

Chikka Naik meets soldier

Chikka Naik was working in his plantation. Old man and the boy approached him with folded hands. Bending his body with respect, old man said, “Ram, Ram.”

With his hand on his moustache, Chikka said, “Ram ram.”

Seeing the excitement on their faces, Chikka asked, “What happened? Why have you come to see me?”

Excited, Old man said, “Chikka Naik, one new soldier has come to see Hakeem. He has wounded his leg. That is why Hakeem is calling you.”

Hearing about a stranger, Chikka Naik was shocked. He asked suspiciously, “Soldier? I am coming. Bring others also.”

Chikka Naik left in one direction. Old man and boy went back towards Hakeem’s hut.

Hakeem was looking at Soldier’s leg. Jamali was wiping soldier’s face with a towel. Soilder was in great pain. But the love of the villagers was making him forget his pain.  The old man and boy joined the group.

After some time, Chikka Naik came with 4 other villagers.  

Looking at them, Jamali told Hakeem, “Hakeemji, Chikka Naik is coming.”

Hakeem and Soldier looked in that direction. Seeing the elders, Hakeem immediately got up with respect.                    

Moving towards the elders, Hakeem welcomed them. “Salam vale kum.”

Acknowledging the welcome, Chikka Naik said, “Ram ram.”

All others also wished Hakeem happily. Then they turned to look at the soldier lying on the bed. He tried to get up as the elders approach. Chikka Naik looked at the soldier with love and pride.

As the soldier tried to get up, Chikka Naik put his hand on his shoulder to stop him saying, “You lie down.”

Lying down, with folded hands, Soldier said, “Namaskara to elder.”

Sitting down on the bed opposite to the soldier, Chikka asked, “Ram ram. Where are you from?”

Looking into Chikka Naik’s eyes deeply, Soldier replied, “I am from Jharkhand.”

Happily, Chikka said, “Very good. Why have you come so far? What had happened to you? You have come to our forest. What do you want?”

Sadly, Soldier said, “My name is Jaidev Yadav. I am a jawan in the army. While fighting against terrorists in Kashmir, bullet entered my leg. I am a sugar patient. That is why doctors at Army hospital could not remove the bullet.”

He lifted his leg to show Chikka Naik.

All looked at his leg sadly.

Soldier said, “One man, Gopal from your forest is working with me. He told me about Hakeem. That is why I came here thinking that may be the bullets can be removed and my leg can be cured.”

All look at Chikka Naik’s face wondering what he was going to say. 

Chandra Naik said, “We are all proud of brave soldiers. But when ever a stranger comes to our forest, we make all enquiries before allowing Hakeem to treat him.’

Hearing this, Soldier removed his identity card from his pocket and showed it to Chikka Naik. “See this.”

Chikka Naik looked at the photo and then glanced at Soldier. “I cannot read. Jamali, you have studied up to 7^th standard. You read and tell us.”

Jamali took the card and read it. Then she looked at Soldier’s face. She was excited. The she looked at Chikka Naik.

Jamali said, “Yes, Chikka Naik. He is a brave soldier.”

She returned the card to Soldier, who put it into his pocket.

Patting soldier’s back, Chandra Naik said, “Our tribals are full of respect for brave soldiers who are fighting for our country.”

Ramla Naik looked at the soldier with pride. “And that too you are fighting against terrorists and that is why we feel so proud.”

Ramla looked at Jamali with sadness. Tears appeared in his eyes. He put his arm over her back and said, “Daughter, I can understand your sadness. When I think of it, my blood boils. I feel like cutting them into pieces.”

Chikka Naik approached Jamali and wiped her tears. Consoing Jamali, he said, “No use of remembering old wounds and feeling sad. First let us look after this soldier.”

All were silent.   

Looking at Hakeem, Chikka ordered, “First you remove the bullets from this brave soldier’s leg.”

Hakeem was most happy to do as the elders. “I am ready. I was just waiting for your permission.”

Hakeem sat down beside the soldier with instruments to remove the bullets. All were watching curiously. As he put the instrument into the skin and removed the bullet, the soldier screamed with pain. All feel sad for the soldier.

Jamali had tears in her eyes. Yet she picked up courage and patted his shoulder saying, “It is over Soldier.”

The soldier felt the pain reduced as the bullets come out of his leg. She too felt sad seeing the soldier in pain. After three bullets came out, the soldier felt relaxed. Hakeem showed the bullets to everyone. All were relieved.

Hakeem said, “It is over. All the bullets have come out.”

Jamali also relaxed. Hakeem squeezed out the juice of some leaves and applied on the wound. Then he tied a bandage. Looking at soldier and giving courage, Hakeem said, “Just watch, soldier, within 20 days you will be walking.”

Soldier felt a new hope coming in spite of the pain and smiled.

Patting soldier’s head, Chikka said, “Soldier, from today I will send non-veg three times a day for you from my house. Do you know why?”

Soldier smiled silently. Then he looked at Chikka Naik with love.

Smiling and looking into soldier’s eyes, Chikka said, “I will make you a strong man before you go back to the border to fight.”

Soldier looked at him with a new spirit. He felt happy that he came to this tribe for treatment. He felt sure now that he will be cured soon.

Ramla was filled with fire thinking of the terrorists. He looked at the soldier seriously and said, “I want to drink the blood of those terrorists who fired bullets at you.”

Looking at his face, soldier was shocked and shaken.  Seeing this, Chikka Naik patted Ramla’s back to calm him down.

Chikka said, “Don’t speak of them again and again.”

He looked at Jamali, who was feeling bad. Chikka said, “With Jamali the whole forest feels sad.”

Looking at Jamali, Chikka said, “Jamali, it is your responsibility to look after this soldier.”

Looking at him, Jamali said, “Ok, Chikka Naik.”

Jamali thought, “I will consider it my luck.”