Salvation

"Sir, you have been immensely successful at whatever you laid your hands on to. What do you feel is the primary reason behind it"?

He looked down a bit and then his jaws tightened. There was a glint in his eyes that was visible to the group of patient onlookers. He cleared his throat a bit & replied in a firm tone "I always took everything head-on & never shied away. Be it at the battlefield or in life, I have never opted for the easy route".

There was an array of thunderous claps felicitating the owner of Calcutta Sons Security Services. The chamber which was already resplendent with decorations, flowers, trophies was now galore with hoards of admiration for the top boss, Colonel Rajendra Mohan Datta. Very few people achieve plenty in this World; Colonel Datta was one of them. He had a wonderful career in the army where he rose to the ranks of Colonel and post-retirement he joined his Father in Law's Firm. At that time, Calcutta Sons was a mid-sized agency. From the time he took the reins, the business grew leaps and bounds and today it was the largest Security Firm in the Country. He enjoyed a tremendous reputation among all the top corporate honchos, media houses & celebrities. Datta possessed a fascinating persona, he was tall, well built, and had very prominent features. His sharp nose & broad face with pointed chin reflected his self-esteem & arrogant nature. His hair was completely white & was back brushed and his trimmed moustache bore marks of sophistication & elegance typical to an army man. By nature he was a strict disciplinarian, a quick decision-maker & his robust leadership qualities had paved the paths of glory for him throughout. In the personal front too he was blessed. His wife Neeta was strikingly beautiful and even at this age she didn't appear a tad worn out. His daughter Sunita was the state lawn tennis champion and was married to a wealthy engineer settled in London. His son Rohan was studying architecture in France. Life had given Rajendra M Datta everything a man can boast of – a rewarding career, money, fame, and a happy family but today it was something even more special. The National Association for Security Services (NASS) had adjudged Calcutta Sons as the best Security Agency in the Country. After two decades, an entity from Eastern India had bagged this award and hence Mr Datta's joy knew no bounds. Journalists did flock to his office just to interview him; hundreds of congratulatory messages were jamming his phone since last night and he did receive near about a hundred phone calls till now. Every famous name in the city lauded his achievements. He was taking time off once in a while to order his PA to finalize the arrangements for the evening reception to be held at the Bengal Club. After finishing rounds of interviews & exchanging pleasantries, Mr. Datta decided to head home just to freshen up a bit before the evening party. It was already 4:30. He didn't even get the time for a proper lunch today. "That's the penalty you owe for being rich & famous" he thought to himself. He was just about to shove his laptop inside the bag when the peon walked in.

"Sir, a man is waiting for you since morning".

"Ahh these press wallahs" he scoffed. "Tell him to come tomorrow. I have to leave now" he remarked & hastily closed his drawer.

"Sir, he has given a handwritten note and told me to give it to you," the man told in a feeble tone. "Must be a reference" muttered Datta, "these guys just find out ways to sneak in". He took the note casually but it instantly shocked him. It took him a few seconds to decipher what was written in those plain & simple letters & numerals - "RAJU CADET No.1678". His mind was racing back to the early days of his military career. He was called "Raju" by peers just to avoid confusion with a Rajinder Singh of Sikh Battalion. His Cadet No during the training days was indeed 1678. How did the visitor know all this? The man who was waiting for him must be someone from his early days. For a second he forgot his busy schedule & told the peon to bring the man in. Old age cherishes nostalgia all the more. By the time the visitor walked in, Rajendra's mind was guessing wildly,

"Who could it be? Anthony Gomes? But he had severed his Kolkata connections & got settled in Goa.

Palash? But he was in the US undergoing kidney treatment & why would he come like that. He could have jolly well called him up".

The door opened & a lean & haggard man walked in. He was stooping a bit. He had salt & peppery hair and a freckled face. The man was gasping from exasperation & his forlorn look was indicative of his frail physical health. Datta observed the man minutely. He was standing near the entrance of the chamber. His leather jacket appeared rugged & had undergone handiwork at places. His trousers were dusty & fit enough to be kept at the museum. His heavy shoes were torn & tattered. The visitor had unkempt hair & beard & he was casting a still gaze at Mr Datta.

"What on Earth is such a creature doing in my office. My God!!! The guy looks worse than a beggar" thought he. He felt a bit agitated about his office staff. Why have they allowed this miserable fellow to meet him? He should have been straightaway driven out. He felt a bit uneasy. The man was still motionlessly staring at him. Just when he was about to call the guards, a thought flickered in his mind. Isn't this the same person who had written the note? How could this man know his nickname & cadet number? He again scrutinized his face. No, he had never seen this shabby person before. Nevertheless his curiousness prompted a statement -

"Yes....Do I know You"?

The frail-looking man smiled. It appeared as if a famished soul did finally get hold of food. He kept on smiling and advanced towards the table where Datta was seated. Then with a jolt, he pulled the chair and sat. Datta was still managing a hard look but the quirky visitor was continuously smiling at him.

Datta cleared his throat & asked again "Excuse me. Do I know you"?

The man stared down and picked up a paperweight from the table & then after a brief pause a deep voice emanated "How are you Raju"?

Datta was taken aback. The voice had something in it. It was coarse, deep & it was very unusual. He was staring at the man all the more. The visitor's smile had faded but there was a tinge of mischief in his eyes. The eyes, there was something about those eyes akin to that of carnivore fixing on its prey. He had seen them before. "Where... Where.." he wondered.

The visitor leaned back on the chair & kept playing with the paperweight. Datta was feeling grossly uncomfortable but tried to hide it by maintaining his composure. He took a deep breath & asked "How do you know my nickname & cadet no"?

"You don't recognise me Raju?" the man replied coolly. "Well, I don't blame you for that. 25 years is quite a long time" he chuckled.

For a second it seemed to Mr. Datta that the floor beneath his feet had slipped & he had fallen into a bottomless pit. His whole existence seemed to be crumbling. He started sweating profusely. Somehow he gathered himself & uttered "Benoy....".

"Ahh. Bingo" the man exclaimed euphorically. "You are correct Brother".

Mr. Datta started stammering almost "Hhhow.. When...How are you"?

Benoy slouched a bit forward and replied with a smile "much better than I was, when you left me".

There was a deep silence permeating across the room. The air became heavy and Datta found it difficult to breathe. He took off his glasses & wiped them with a tissue almost as an excuse to buy time. It seemed Benoy had all the time in the World. He waited patiently for his opponent to make a move.

"Look, Benoy we thought you were dead," he said in a somber tone.

"Or you hoped I was dead" Benoy replied furiously.

"No. We searched" Datta tried to explain.

"RUBBISH" shouted Benoy. His voice made the room tremble. "You misguided the unit. Only three of us defied the orders & went to Churchpoint just to free those hostages. You took the team to Kapilnaari & naturally they couldn't find us".

Benoy started panting. Datta wasn't even able to utter a word. It seemed he was living a nightmare. The evening was gradually descending. The wall glass just behind the table was the outlet to the outside which seemed to convey a mood of melancholy. Benoy calmed down a bit & asked politely "How's Neeta"?

Datta looked up helplessly at Benoy but couldn't manage a reply. Benoy continued "In all these years I have lived in hell. After I told you to report to the base & call for help, the insurgents started increasing numbers. Rehman was lying dead beside me. I was wounded having conceded a couple of bullets. I couldn't even move but I kept firing till the time my body permitted. Then all I remember was, I woke up in a dimly lit dungeon. All I could fathom was an excruciating pain. There were moaning sounds coming from the adjacent rooms too. Men carrying machine guns were guarding me. I realized I was taken captive by the rebels along with a few others of the Burmese Army".

Datta was sitting like a statue in his chair. Benoy continued "We were disconnected from the outside world. We couldn't even figure out when it was daytime & when it was night. The rules were simple as long as your body can withstand the torture, it's fine. When you get knocked out, it's time to rest. We were beaten mercilessly, made to crawl & even consume piss sometimes. A lot of the prisoners died due to the infliction of this wanton torture. I still wonder how I survived so long".

Kunal, Datta's PA suddenly entered the room just to remind him about the evening party but Datta told him to leave them alone & not to disturb them no matter what came up.

Bneoy stood up and walked towards the right side wall & looked up at an imitation of a French style portrait - "Renoir. Impressionism. Neeta still paints?".

"Sometimes" - Dutta replied in a guilt-laden voice.

"You & I had so many things in common. We were both in the same high school. Both were good at games. Two of us got enrolled at the Academy in the same year. Got posted as Lieutenants in the same units. We also fought in so many conflicts together - 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, 72 Pakistan, 73 Assam Mutiny, 74 Siachen, 75 Seychelles & then Burma 76" - said Benoy.

"Then we had another thing in common" he continued. His eyes lit up with a wicked smile & he uttered "Neeta".

Datta couldn't produce a sound. He felt someone was gagging him forcibly. Benoy was relishing his pitiful state & continued his account "You see Raju, both of us were good but I was always a touch better. I got better grades. I played better & even in the army I was liked more. You always played the second fiddle. Things would have gone this way only had Neeta not arrived in our lives. We were both smitten by her & neither of us could be blamed. You remember the Cantonment Shield Final? Neeta came with Ghosal Uncle to watch it. I was the lone goal scorer. You tried desperately that day but couldn't score. That evening Ghosal Uncle announced Neeta's marriage with me. We were overjoyed. I still remember the look on your face then. There was something dreadful about it. I tried to talk to you but you pretended in a manner as if nothing has happened".

Datta wasn't even able to utter a word till now. However, he mustered all the courage in the world and asked in a tone of empathy "How did you escape from the prison"?

"I didn't. Can anyone possibly escape?" he asked rhetorically.

"Then" Inquired Datta.

"There was some sort of a truce. A peace pact between the Burmese Government & the rebels & we the PoWs were released after such a prolonged period. Life after that wasn't easy too. I was devastated physically & mentally. I began as a volunteer in a Monastery in Lashio for 2 years. My memory did fade a bit. The Monks took care of me & I did recuperate slowly. It was the Head Lama who told me to go back to my roots in Calcutta. He gave me some money and after almost 22 years I did set my foot here. But this city had nothing in common with the one I left years ago. My parents were no more. The army records showed that I was long dead. I tried to get in touch with you but why would they allow a hobo to meet you. I read about you in local papers & magazines. I did all sorts of petty errands to make a living - working in a small inn, as a garage mechanic, a cleaner etc. Then one day by sheer stroke of luck I chanced upon Suryaveer".

"Suryaveer.....You mean Subedar Suryaveer Yadav" remarked Datta.

"Yes. At first, he wasn't convinced that I was Benoy Roy. But later when I described several past events immaculately, he was shocked beyond belief. It was he who told me that you did go back to the base on that day & informed that I & Rehman were fighting at Kailnaari. You didn't utter a word about Churchpoint. They tried to find us in the wrong location and naturally assumed we were captured by the enemy. This made everything crystal clear. I realized that I was a victim of your betrayal". The last few words gushed out of his mouth & he again seated himself in the chair. Benoy was breathing heavily again. After gaining a bit of strength he added "You destroyed my life completely. From that day, I was planning to meet you. After repeated attempts, luck finally shined on me today. I knew that today's the only day when outsiders can walk into your office. I waited patiently for the whole day & finally when my turn came, I handed out that note just to tickle your curiosity. It worked perfectly you see" Benoy grinned in satisfaction.

Datta sensed a bit of fear creeping on him & in a very apprehensive manner asked: "What do you want"?

"REVENGE" he yelled. Benoy then pulled out a revolver from his waist-pocket." You see, this is the only favour I asked from Suryaveer & he also agreed that a scoundrel like you should rot in hell" - his voice sounded firm. He then raised the gun and pointed directly at Datta.

Datta felt nauseating. His heart was pounding faster. He was guarding his face foolishly with his arms to avoid the bullet. He started blabbering "See See Benoy... Don't do this. See we can talk. I am sorry. I am sorry. ".

Benoy stood up, still pointing the gun firmly at the Owner of the Best Security Firm of the Nation.

Datta kept pleading "Look, Benoy. I can't make amends for everything but I assure you, I will look after you for the rest of your life. Please, please drop the gun. We can also establish your identity in Court".

"Life. Identity." Benoy smiled derisively. "How much of that remains for me Brother? I won't be able to drag this body for long. But I can't allow a serpent-like you to relish further. Crime doesn't pay off. It's payback time mate".

Datta closed his eyes & didn't move an inch. Benoy aimed all the more steadily at his forehead. Just when he was about to pull the trigger, he smiled a bit & uttered in a mild tone "My life is finished Raju. I have no one to live for. You have a family. They will mourn your demise. Your children will cry for you. Neeta... She won't be able to bear this loss. Throughout life I have won against you. How can I let you win this time? I will let you go as an act of mercy. You're listening to me. I am pardoning you".

Rajendra looked in dismay. Tears were trickling down his cheeks. Just when he was about to speak, Benoy interrupted "But I can't let you go like this. It won't be apt. Let me honor you with a spectacle which will haunt you for the rest of your life". Then after a pause, he uttered "Goodbye Dear Friend". Datta seemingly was in a trance as he noticed Benoy shifting his target towards his right temple. Then with a smile, he pulled the trigger and the spell was crashed with a loud bang. Blood splashed everywhere & Benoy's frail structure collapsed on the floor with a thud. Everyone in the office rushed inside the chamber. It was mayhem. Datta appeared frozen. He wasn't able to hear anything. The only thing he laid his eyes on was a small piece of paper consisting of the words "RAJU CADET No.1678" & which had drops of blood on it.