March 2018, Alsisar, Rajasthan
2 DAYS BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY :
The day of the mehndi ritual arrived. Mehndi had to be applied at night, so I was on the terrace with Nimrit and Sonal for a picture shoot. I imitated the positions Sonal suggested to me. That day, the temperature was extremely high. I noticed Vikrant approaching us. As soon as Sonal and Nimrit saw it, they decided to be nice girls and leave us alone so we could have some privacy. But I sensed Vikrant was having a problem. There was a shadow in his strides. He drew near to me and desperately wished to speak, but was unable to. I could tell he was at tensed.
‘What’s going on, Vikrant?’
‘Actually, I must leave.’
‘Where?’ I asked in a daze.
‘Kashmir, this evening.’ My legs slid across the ground. My mouth fell open. I was in utter disbelief. I have no words for how it made me feel. Does he mean it? I was worried about what he meant.
‘What? Vikrant, what are you saying?’
‘My commanding officer sent me an email asking me to report to Kashmir in two days. Which means I must leave tonight.’
When life sucks, it sucks from every corner possible.
The anticipation leading up to a wedding day is unlike any other, filled with dreams of joy and a future together. It’s a time when the couple is immersed in their shared journey and excitement. However, life is known for its unpredictability, and sometimes, the unexpected can strike, testing the strength of that commitment and the love that binds two people together.
In our case, that test came just two days before our scheduled wedding day. It was a moment that cast a heavy shadow over all our carefully laid plans and preparations, leaving us in a state of emotional turmoil and uncertainty. All the joy and excitement we had felt were suddenly put on hold, replaced by a sense of disarray and confusion.
The reporting call that Vikrant received shook us to our core.
It was a reminder that real life is not always a fairy tale. It forced us to confront the harsh realities that lay beyond the boundaries of our blissful ignorance or perhaps our conscious denial. The news was a stark reminder of the world outside, where duty and responsibility often take precedence.
My emotions were a tumultuous mix of disappointment, anxiety, and a sense of being adrift. It was an almost surreal experience, and it took a considerable effort to maintain composure and make sense of the situation. At that moment, I felt like time had come to a standstill, as if I were living in a haze of disbelief.
As I grappled with the situation, I reminded myself of the strength of our love and our unwavering commitment to each
234 In the Arms of a Soldier other. It was a grounding force, reassuring me that we would find a way through this challenging period. Still, words seemed insufficient, and I found myself lost in thought, trying to process the abrupt change of plans.
In such moments of uncertainty and upheaval, love becomes a guiding light. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, a couple’s bond can endure and flourish. While it was a tough pill to swallow, we were determined to face the situation together, drawing strength from our shared love and commitment.
Life often presents us with unexpected challenges, and we can never truly predict when they will occur. What matters most is how we face these challenges as a couple and how we support one another in times of need. In our case, this pivotal moment marked the beginning of a journey filled with uncertainty, but it was also a testament to the strength of our love and our readiness to navigate whatever lay ahead, side by side.
‘You ought to go, Vikrant. The nation needs you.’ I believe I was fully grown at that time. He fixed his eyes on me. I drew nearer to him and continued to rest my palm on his shoulders.
‘Vikrant, I recognise you. I am aware of the difficulties at the boundaries. The nation needs you now more than I do or our family. Therefore, you should help your country without hesitation. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of this issue. Although I am aware that our relatives won’t concur, I will make an effort to control the situation.’
I pretended to smile and said, ‘Now you should only concentrate on your missions.’ Vikrant gave me a bear hug.
That alone was enough to make me feel out of control. But I managed to restrain myself. I didn’t wanted to weep in his presence.
He swung around and began to drag his feet. My emotional dam burst, and I began to weep as he started to slowly vanish.
“I didn’t try to stop him. Why? Because I was facing an Indian soldier at the moment. And for an Indian soldier the nation is always first.”
Our family members attempted to halt him. His choice did not sit well with my parents. We had no other option, though.
Vikrant fled because he had to. I experienced disappointment, irritability, and melancholy. But I was also filled with a deep sense of pride at my partner’s dedication to serving my nation.
Being an Army soldier’s girlfriend on the frontier is a difficult, emotional experience, but it’s also one that makes you feel proud and admired.
…
Four months had passed.
He used to contact or message me initially to let me know about his good fortune. However, he hasn’t phoned or even emailed me in the past 30 days. I made the decision to continue to live with Vikrant’s mother since the day after he departed for a mission.
My parents urged me to travel to Mumbai with them. However, I wished to remain with Vikrant’s household. Our relations left gradually. Nimrit made the decision to remain with me with Shivam’s approval. She was really the only person at that moment who could understand me.
You might feel isolated and alone when an individual who was once a constant in your life leaves. In their absence, you discover that you are left feeling as though life has lost its meaning and purpose. You also struggle to sleep, eat, or concentrate, and you feel depressed, frustrated, and angry. It’s important to keep in mind that although loneliness can feel overwhelming and difficult to handle, there are ways to cope with it and ultimately find relief.
