SEPTEMBER 2015, NEWTOWN, KOLKATA I was working in the office when Mr. Khanna summoned me, Pratik, Shivam and Sonal to his cabin. When we arrived, we noticed a tall, dashing man standing close to Mr. Khanna. He had silky shining hair and well-trimmed beards, and he was clothed in a full-sleeved baby pink shirt and grey trousers. His appearance was enhanced by his thick eyebrows.
‘Sonal, who is he?’ I inquired.
‘I didn’t know,’ she said in response.
‘Meet him, guys. Siddharth Khanna is my son,’ Mr. Khanna declared. ‘He will also be a new member of team 7 and its leader,’
he continued. Since he was smart and Mr. Khanna informed us that he had his own startup in Australia, I was actually very excited to work for him. He greeted us and we returned to our task after that.
Siddharth sat down next to me.
He said, ‘Hello friends, can we get together for coffee after work?’
‘Why not?’ we all asked.
We finished our task and then met in the cafe. For us, Siddharth requested five coffees.
‘So let me first give a brief introduction of myself. Siddharth Khanna here. You can call me Sid. I completed my secondary education in Pune before moving to the United States to conclude my undergraduate studies. After that, I went to Australia to start my own company. But my father told me that he requires me to be here. I’m here, then.’ He appeared to have a magnanimous heart. He lacked all forms of attitude. This trait appeals to me. We exchanged phone numbers, and I then go back to my apartment.
After finishing my work, I had dinner, went to bed, and scrolled through Instagram. ‘Hey, it’s Sid,’ said the WhatsApp message that appeared on my phone.
‘Hi,’ I replied.
‘Dinner?’
‘Just. You?’
‘Just,’ he answered.
On that night, we talked a lot. I won’t go into the remainder of it, though. I learned during our conversation that there were many things that were alike between us. We share the same birthday.
Numerous things about our tastes are comparable. But he did say that we could become excellent friends. Yes, I agree it.
The following day, while Sid had not arrived yet, I was the Café. In fact, he invited me to join him for coffee yesterday. I believed it to be a brilliant idea. We’ll get to know each other better. He seated down in front of me after entering the cafe.
He said, ‘I’m sorry for arriving late.’
I retorted, ‘No no, it’s all right.’
He enquired, ‘What would you like to order?’
78 In the Arms of a Soldier I simply said, ‘I’ll take vanilla ice cream.’
‘All right, I’ll take the same. Two vanilla ice creams,’ he ordered.
‘Inform me a little about yourself.’ He inquired, ‘What are your hobbies?’
‘Singing, dancing, book perusing, etc. Yours?’ I enquired.
‘Well, I enjoy writing poetry.’
‘Really?’ I pressed.
‘Yes, I write novels as well.’ He questioned, ‘Would you like to read it?’
‘Off course,’ I answered.
‘Okay, I’ll give it to you tomorrow.’
‘Thanks,’ I said.
‘You’re welcome,’ he retorted with a grin. We got our order.
‘I believe we were meant to meet,’ he said with a gentle grin.
‘How,’ I questioned.
‘See, our work is the same, and our interests and preferences are the same’
‘Yes, that’s true. We were meant to meet,’ I concluded with a smile.
He heard about my relatives from me. He shared some of his encounters with me. But I refrained from telling him about Vikrant, and he skipped the question. I went back home.
The following day, Sid gave me a copy of his book ‘Can we meet for one last time?’ After perusing the title, I was incredibly eager and impatient to start reading. But why the last time, I questioned.
‘After finishing this novel, you’ll know the answer,’ he said.
…
I was reading the book, Sid had gifted me which entitled, ‘Can we meet for one last time?’ There were only going to be 10 papers left. I began reading because I was eager to see how it ended.
Finally finished. It took me just 6 days. I phoned Sid to let him know I had finished the book and had enjoyed it a lot.
‘Can we get coffee tomorrow?’ Just the two of us?’ he questioned.
‘Sure.’
I was waiting for Sid at the Hard Rock Café, the following day. It is a well-known waterfront restaurant that offers delectable fare and beverages in addition to renowned music memorabilia.
It was when I heard the shocking report on the television in the restaurant.
“In a shocking turn of events, a well-known businessman in Delhi was found dead in his residence yesterday, sending shockwaves throughout the city. The incident has left the public in a state of distress, and the authorities are now investigating a potentially significant lead – the presence of a rogue soldier, Captain Prithvi, near the crime scene.
The victim, identified as Mr. Ramesh Kapoor, a renowned figure in the Delhi business community, was discovered lifeless in his upscale residence in the heart of the city. According to initial reports, Mr. Kapoor’s body bore signs of violence, and the cause of death is being treated as a homicide. This gruesome discovery has sparked an immediate police response, and a murder investigation is underway.
Crucially, nearby security cameras captured a figure believed to be Captain Prithvi, a former soldier who has recently been linked to several unlawful activities. In the surveillance footage, Captain Prithvi can be seen near the vicinity of Mr. Kapoor’s residence around the time of the murder.
Law enforcement agencies have not ruled out the possibility of Captain Prithvi’s involvement in the businessman’s murder.
80 In the Arms of a Soldier Although the exact nature of the connection between Mr. Kapoor and Captain Prithvi remains unclear, the circumstantial evidence is cause for concern.
Assistant Police Commissioner, Aparna Sharma, commented on the situation, stating, "We are treating this case with the utmost seriousness. Captain Prithvi is a person of interest in this investigation, given the evidence we have at this stage. However, we are exploring all possible leads and conducting a thorough inquiry."
The Delhi Police have issued an appeal to the public for any information related to the murder or the whereabouts of Captain Prithvi. Anyone with knowledge of the incident or Captain Prithvi’s current location is urged to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
The investigation into the murder of Mr. Ramesh Kapoor is still in its early stages, and the presence of Captain Prithvi near the crime scene has raised significant questions. As the authorities work diligently to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, the city remains on edge, hoping for justice and closure in this high-profile case.”
Captain Prithvi?
Who the hell is this guy?
As I listened to the news report about the gruesome murder of a prominent businessman in Delhi and the possible involvement of a rogue soldier, Captain Prithvi, a shiver of unease ran down my spine. Being an outsider to the city, I had no prior knowledge of Captain Prithvi or the victim, but the shocking revelation still left me with a sense of dread.
I was thinking about all this when I saw Sid approaching me.
He sat down and we placed a two-coffee order.
‘The novel is fantastic,’ I said, ‘Every scene moved my heart.’
I added.
‘Thank you.’ He inquired, ‘Can I tell you something?’
‘Of course’.
‘Actually, this is my tale,’ he said, shocking me. ‘When I was 18, I had a crush on a woman called Priya. She was a lovely but reserved young lady. Her innocence appealed to me. We became friends. We gradually grown close to one another. But after that, we began to love one another.
‘As I began to know her, I discovered that there were many things concealed behind her cheerful countenance. I told her that I would stand by her side no matter what and that I would always make her happy. She believed me.
‘Everything was proceeded well until my dad was informed about Priya. She was a destitute, lower-caste girl, and as you are aware, I come from a wealthy household. Her mother had her own finest parlour, and her father worked as a watchman. Dad warned me not to approach her. How then could I? I’ve always loved her. However, one day he discovered us in a field. My father struck me for the first time. He threatened to murder Priya if I ever tried to speak with her again. And I was absolutely certain that he could. How could I allow this to happen? So I instructed Priya to disregard me.
‘My promises and all her hopes were broken. I’ll never be able to forget that. She made a valiant effort to persuade me. “Please don’t leave me, I can’t live without you,” she pleaded. “We’ve had dreams about having children. Right, we’ve always wanted to be together. Why then do you leave me now? Sid, don’t give up.” I can still hear them in my ears: “I can’t live without you.”
“My father wishes me to pursue my education in America,” I told her. She wished to see me one final time. A final occasion. So,
“Can we meet for one last time?” is the title of the novel.’
I made a concerted to forget about her, but I couldn’t. I once received a call from Priya asking, “How are you Sid?”
“Fine. You?”
“I’m getting married to Vikas next month,” she said, shattering my heart into countless fragments. “Sid, please take action. I have no desire to wed him. But I’m being forced to do it by my family.
82 In the Arms of a Soldier Sid, I adore you. If you don’t take action, I’ll have to wed Vikas.”
Before me, the wrong thing was occurring. Nothing could be done by me.’ Sid was motionless.
‘What happened next?’ I questioned.
‘That’s it, she got married to Vikas,’ he said after pausing briefly.
‘And you done nothing?’ I asked, he casted a low glance that indicated “no.”
‘Sid, I’ve read this book. I am aware of your struggles. This is not someone’s fault, in my opinion. I believe you two weren’t meant to be together. She is now joyful. Therefore, the time has come for you to move on with your existence. You are a charming, astute, and wise man. I think that you will find someone unique waiting for you.’
However, one thing that continued to puzzle me was why he had chosen to confess his past relationship with me. We weren’t particularly close, not the kind of friends who typically share their deepest secrets. So, I couldn’t help but wonder why he had decided to do so.
…
The night was wrapped in a blanket of darkness, and I decided to reach out to Vikrant, eager to connect with him after a day filled with unsettling news. I dialled his number, and when he answered, I couldn’t help but inquire about his day.
‘Hey, Vikrant, how was your day?’ I asked, my voice tinged with concern.
His response was measured, ‘Good, I guess.’
His choice of words didn’t go unnoticed, and I probed further, seeking to understand. ‘I guess?’ I inquired, hoping for more insight into his day.
Vikrant’s voice carried a weight of responsibility as he explained, ‘Yes, I had many meetings today regarding the security of the city.’
I acknowledged his demanding schedule with a simple ‘Okay,’
recognizing the crucial role he played in safeguarding the city.
Curiosity then led me to bring up the news report I had heard earlier in the day. ‘Do you know about that rogue soldier, what is his name, Captain Prithvi?’ I questioned, wondering if Vikrant had insights into the matter.
Vikrant’s response carried a tone of familiarity and a hint of history. ‘Yeah, no one knows him better than me,’ he admitted.
Surprised by his assertion, I asked, ‘How?’ My curiosity was aroused, and I leaned in to listen.
Vikrant began to reveal the enigmatic past he shared with Captain Prithvi, describing him as a young, dashing, intelligent, and sharp soldier. They had been comrades, and Vikrant had thought of him as a kindred spirit. ‘It was always amazing to spend time with him,’ Vikrant reminisced, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. ‘We were friends, so I taught him everything I had learned.
I thought he would be one who would come between nation’s peace, and the terrorists of the nation.’
I listened intently, absorbing this glimpse into a shadowy past, but the narrative took a chilling turn as Vikrant revealed the shocking truth. ‘He killed 6 innocent Kashmiri civilians and betrayed us,’ he disclosed, leaving me utterly astounded.
My voice trembled as I asked, ‘What? What was the reason?’
Vikrant’s response was laden with the weight of the past.
‘No one knows. I tried to stop him, but I failed,’ he admitted.
The memory of their confrontation seemed to haunt him. ‘I still remember his cold eyes when we faced each other.’
My mind raced with questions, and I couldn’t help but wonder about the capabilities of this rogue soldier. ‘Is he more formidable than Vikrant?’ I pondered to myself.
Vikrant continued, offering insight into the ongoing manhunt for Captain Prithvi. ‘From that day, he began to be considered a rogue soldier. He was seen in different places in India, but we are yet unable to capture him.’
84 In the Arms of a Soldier He paused for a moment, his voice resolute. ‘And you know something, only I know how he thinks. That’s why the one who will capture and kill him is me,’ he asserted with conviction.
A moment of silence lingered between us, and I understood that the weight of his past experiences and the mission to bring this rogue soldier to justice weighed heavily on Vikrant’s shoulders.
As the call ended, I was left with a profound understanding of the complexities and challenges that Vikrant faced, a world shrouded in shadows and secrets, and the unwavering determination to confront his past.
