9. Soldier is a changed man

CHAPTER 9

SOLDIER IS A CHANGED MAN

Soldier was dissolving into the forest. The villagers turned to go to the huts.

Soldier was moving through the forest. He turned to look at the huts. The villagers were moving towards the huts. Soldier moved ahead. At the same time Krishna Naik was approaching from a bit distance.

Soldier was moving through the forest. He turned to look back. The villagers had disappeared. Even the huts could be seen now. No one was there. Now the soldier changed his character. He tightened his face “Kauphers.”

He tightened his whole body. He moved a bit ahead. Krishna was watching from far. He was shocked to see the soldier. He hid and watched. Soldier was becoming serious. He looked around seriously. Then he threw the walking stick in disgust.

Krishna was watching from behind a tree. He was shocked.

Soldier said, “Bastards.”

He removed the kunkum packet from his pocket with his left hand and threw it. Then he removed a kerchief from his pocket and wiped his forehead to remove the kunkum. He spit on the ground in disgust. Now he removed the medicine bottles which Hakeem had given him. He threw them in disgust. Then he removed the tiffin and looked at the chapatti. He thought of throwing it but then changed his mind.

Soldier said, “I will need this when I feel hungry. Let it be.”

Putting the tiffin in his bag, he moved ahead.

Krishna was watching from behind a tree. He was shocked.

Soldier said, “All are mad people.”

Soldier moved ahead in high seed and crossed the area where Krishna was hiding. Krishna watched shocked. After soldier moved ahead, Krishna came out of the hiding. He picked up the kunkum packet thrown by soldier. He applied the kunkum on his forehead and suddenly he remembered who that soldier was. He was shocked. He looked towards the soldier seriously biting his teeth. He pointed angrily. Then he picked up the medicine bottles and walking stick and ran towards the village.

Meanwhile villagers were sitting on rocks and talking about the soldier.

Chikka said, “Brave Soldier was with us for around one month. Now it is so sad to see him leave.” 

Happily, Hakeem said, “Do you know how happy I am feeling that in my 30 years of medical experience I got the chance to cure a soldier who is fighting for our country and send him away?”

All shook their heads seriously.

Jamali thought, “Whenever I saw that brave soldier, I used to remember my husband. He found a place in the heart of all the villagers.”

Suddenly Krishna came running towards them. He went to Chikka and others and told them everything with actions. Villagers gathered around him. All were ferocious to hear about the soldier.

Chikka said angrily, “Tie up that fellow and drag him here.”

Rupla took the stick angrily. “Naika, I will peel his skin there itself and bring him.”

Chikka said, “Don’t do anything there. Just put him at my feet. I will decide what to do next.”

All the youths ran behind Rupla. They ran towards the forest.

Soldier was moving slowly through the forest.

Rupla and other youths were moving fast through the forest with sticks and swords.                                     

Rupla said, “We must catch him carefully. You go from that side. You go from this side.” He put the rope over his shoulder. He had a stick in his hand.

Meanwhile everyone was talking angrily in the village. One man was beating the drum hard. Ladies, children, all were coming to the village centre. All were waiting for the soldier to be brought.

The youths surrounded the soldier and caught him. He was shocked.

“Who are you? Why are you catching me?”

Rupla Naik tied his hands behind his back. “Ask our leader why we are doing this to you.”

Recognizing Rupla, Soldier asked angrily, “Rupla, are you mad?”

Angrily, Rupla said, “You are the one who lit fire to the forest. Drag him.”

He pushed him by his collar. The youths dragged the soldier away.

Soldier was shouting. “If Chikka Naik comes to know, he will bury you all.”

Rupla said seriously, “Let us see who he is going to bury.”