8. Soldier leaves

CHAPTER 8

Soldier leaves

Soldier was sitting outside the hut. All were standing and sitting around him. Chandra Naik came with Rupali and Rupla. He had a walking stick in his hand.

Hakeem was giving some bottles to soldier who was ready to leave. Keeping bottles in front of soldier, Hakeem said, “This oil is to be rubbed on painful hands.”

Pointing to another bottle, Hakeem said, “When you have cold, if you take this, your cold will be cured in one day.” 

Lifting another bottle, Hakeem said, “Take this when you have fever.” 

He put all the bottles in a small bag.

Soldier smiled. “Hakeemji, you have given me all the medicines need to live whole life without any health problem. Now I am sure that I will live for 100 years.”

Chkka said happily, “You must live for 100 years. Do you know why? Because you are a brave soldier, who is protecting our country from enemies.”

Giving the walking stick, Chandra said, “Soldier, this is a gift from me.”

Soldier smiled. “Hakeemji has cured my leg so well that I feel like running to my village from here. Now why do I need this stick, tell me Chandra Naik?”

Chandra felt sad because he had prepared the stick with so much effort. “As soon as Hakeem touched your leg, I knew that you will not need a walking stick. I prepared four for you. But you did not use any of them. But this is a gift from our forest. Please take as remembrance.”

Taking the walking stick, Soldier said, “Thank you very much. I will take this as your remembrance.”

Looking around, Soldier asked, “And where is Jamali?”

Rupali said, “She has gone to the forest goddess to bring kunkum for you. See she is coming.”

All looked in that direction. Jamali came with arti plate.

Looking at soldier, Jamali thought, “How shall I tell him about the bad omen in front of the elders? I must tell him to cancel his program and leave tomorrow only.”

She took kunkum and applied it on soldier’s forehead. She closed her eyes and prayed, “Oh goddess, you are protecting the whole forest. Please forgive him if he has committed any mistake and protect him.” 

Giving kunkum packet to soldier, Jamali said, “Soldier, just think of forest goddess and apply this in the morning as soon as you get up. The whole day will go fine.”

At the same time a 14 year old girl, Durga was entering the village with her uncle and grandma. 

Soldier looked at Hakeem and said, “I will remember Hakeem when ever I walk.”

Hakeem was very happy. “What have we done? It was all with the grace of Allah.”

Looking at Chikka, Soldier said, “I will remember you whenever I am eating meat.”

Chikka felt excited. “It was the dharma of our forest to treat our guests well.”

Soldier looked at Jamali and showed the kunkum packet, Soldier said, “I will remember Jamali when ever I put kunkum.”

Jamali was excited to hear this. 

Poiting to the walking stick, Soldier said, “I will hang this in my house so that I will remember Chandra Naik when ever I see it.”

He got up. He hung the bag on his shoulder and took the walking stick in his hand ready to go.

At the same time, the new comers saw the group of villagers.

Uncle said, “You go to the village to keep the luggage. I will join those people.”

Granny and Durga went towards the village. Uncle moved towards the group of tribals.

Soldier moved a bit ahead. He looked at the villagers with folded hands. “I am leaving now.”

Chikka said, “We have prepared a bullock cart to take you across the forest.”

Pointing to a villager, Chikka said, “This fellow is a very good driver of bullock cart. He will cross the forest in just half an hour.” 

With humility and folded hands, Soldier said, “Forgive me; I was thinking of walking alone and enjoying this wonderful green forest because I don’t know when I will get such an experience again.”

Smiling and shaking his head, Chikka said, “True, our forest is amazing. Very good. Do as you please.” 

Chikka pointed to a path.  “This is the path to go by walk. If you go by this path, you can cross the forest easily.” 

Doing namaskara to all, Soldier said, “Bye.”

All do namaskara to soldier. Chikka said, “May god bless you.”

Soldier started moving away from the group. All were watching and waving.

Looking at soldier, Jamali thought, “Mother, forest goddess, you only must to protect him.” 

At the same time Durga and her grandmother joined the villagers. They did not get a chance to see his face as he had already gone far.

Holding Jamali’s hand, Durga said, “Aunty,”

Surprised, Jamali asked, “When did you arrive?”

“Just now.”

Pointing to the soldier who was moving ahead, Durga asked, “Aunty, who is that?”

Jamali looked at Durga with excitement. “He is a soldier. He is a soldier who is protecting our forest. If you had come just five minutes earlier, you could have met him.”