AFOVA New Letter 2 of Year 2021

Section 7 – Panorama CV 2 No. 02 / 2021 Page 253 of 332 “With the Intelligence Bureau,” I said. “He is attached to the Army.” The pride was evident in his voice as he exclaimed, “Oh! Saheb bhi fauj mein hain,” as good as Ashwani was one of his own. Next day when he arrived to pick me up for office, the vehicle was polished more than usual; the inside spotless. It was up to inspection standard. “Why Ram Singh?” I asked. “Why the special treatment?” Ram Singh merely smiled. It was his way of receiving my guest and honouring me. He couldn’t know my concern and anxiety for Ashwani travelling over the dangerous terrain. Yet I felt he did. Twice during the day, he reminded me gently. “Sahebji aaj time se jaana hai.” His reminders brought a measure of shared bond and peace to me. I left for home at cease work. I would be at the bus stand by six thirty almost an hour before the scheduled arrival. It was late afternoon. The Chinar trees were on fire. The leaves a blazing red. Dusk was soon to settle in. With it came a chill breeze. Mercury dipped suddenly. The bukharis had begun warming the insides of the houses for almost a fortnight. In a few days, the road from Leh into Srinagar would be closed with snow and avalanche. Ashwani’s return journey to Leh would be by Air. I hoped the bus would be on time. I’d be happy to return to the warmth of home. Ram Singh had lit incense inside the One Ton. The soothing aroma that wafted out seemed a good omen. “Sahebji,” Ram Singh called out, “Aap ne coat parka le liya?” The sweater I wore would offer little resistance to the biting night wind. I went back in and picked up my parka. Ram Singh stood in his woollens, his parka hanging inside the One Ton, his woolen gloves placed carefully on the dashboard. When Ram Singh parked the One Ton at the bus stand, there was still an hour for the bus to come. He went in to check with the enquiry office. It was dark now, but things were visible in the dull light of the large bus stand. I stepped out to stretch my long legs. The temperature had dipped and I hunched my parka-clad shoulders against the cold.