Mountain Warriors
(Part 1)
It was a beautiful summer late evening on roof top of Marina Restaurant in Bombay. It was going to be full moon night. The dim lights on roof top and surroundings of restaurant had switched on. Cold breeze from nearby ocean made the weather very pleasant on roof top. Moon reflection in water presented an attractive view.
Dev Kumar sat along his young wife and a small boy enjoying food and the environment. He had got married four years ago and had come to Bombay for first time to attend marriage ceremony of his cousin. They were to return to New Delhi next day and so had decided to take their son for an outing. He while listening to the gossips of his wife with their small son, thought of his days when he served in Singapore as a Head Cheff. The restaurant in which he worked there had become very famous because of his delicious Indian dishes. He was earning a lot there and had no worries. He used to enjoy weekends with his friends along ocean.
He had all those golden days in his thoughts when he noticed that a man sitting on a nearby table looked at them with regular intervals. He got conscious but remained seated there with his family. Some minutes later, that man got up and stepped towards them but then stopped in mid-way.
Dev on seeing him standing in between tables and facing towards them, understood his intentions to talk with him. Dev got up and went near him. That man in a very soft and polished tone said, “I think, I have seen you somewhere but do not remember. I am Rahul from United States.” Dev simply smiled but was happy to have met a person who had come from abroad. He in a friendly way told him his name. Rahul trying to concentrate asked, “Do you work in some foreign country?” Dev being impressed by his way of talking replied, “No not at present. I worked abroad two years ago.” Rahul realizing that they were standing disturbing other guests, invited him to sit with him for a while. Rahul while talking said very confidently, “It looks to me that we met in Singapore in a Restaurant. Were you there?” Dev got happy that the gentleman knew him and thus replied, “oh yes;” Then Rahul praised the dishes he ate there and informed “I at present am in USA having four restaurants in different states. I have come here just for two months for sale of a property.”
Dev’s wife got tired of sitting alone and so signaled her husband that she would be spending some time in nearby departmental store. Dev was very happy that he had met a person with business overseas and could be helpful for him in future. Rahul getting frank asked,” Where are you now? I really wish to eat vegetable cooked by you.”. he replied, “At present, I am working as Head chef in Prime Minister’s house in New Delhi.” He lowered his voice and in a sad tone spoke, “When I worked in Singapore, a government official offered me this job which I accepted as I already wanted to return because of family problems but it is not less than a jail.” Rahul joyfully said, “It means that I will now eat vegetable in PM house.” He at the same time added, “Regarding your desire of going abroad, it is not a big problem.” Dev was very happy to hear that and immediately invited him on dinner at his home on Sunday. Rahul thought for a while then opened his diary to check his schedule. He then with a pleasant smile said that his work in Bombay was about to finish and in next two days and then till return to America, he had to be in Delhi. Dev before leaving gave him his home address and telephone number. Rahul promised to contact him on reaching Delhi.
Dev was very happy that he had met a person who knew him and could arrange his job abroad. Before entering in elevator for going down to ground floor, Rahul whispered in his ear, “Do not tell anyone about your plans of going abroad as the government will never allow that. Make sure not even tell anything to your wife.” Dev smiled and shook his head.
Dev was over joyed during journey and back at home. He did not feel like going to official kitchen and always had plans of his going abroad. He eagerly waited for Rahul’s telephonic call-in next days and badly cursed himself for not taking his any contacts. Rahul called him on 4th day after sunset just to inform that he was busy and they will meet on Sunday at his home. Devwas thankful to him for taking out time for him from his busy schedule.
On Sunday, Dev woke up early in happiness and cooked special dishes for his new friend. He told his wife that a very old friend of his was going to visit him. He waited whole day and then when it was dark, he saw Rahul coming towards his house. They both met like old friends and Rahul handed a big pouch of sweets to Dev’s wife for their son. He stayed there till late in night and openly praised the quality of food. He while leaving in stairs looked around and then in low voice said, “Despite my commitments, I have talked and done arrangements for your foreign travel. You do not forget to give me your passport during our next meeting after three days.” Dev could not sleep that night because of joy. He could not believe that things had suddenly started moving so fast.
Dev waited for the day when they met in lawns of Taj Mahal hotel. Rahul said that he was staying there but wanted to shift to some other hotel. Rahul immediately on taking seat gave Dev a pouch having a nicely packed packet and ordered dinner. They discussed matters relating to his foreign job and travel. Rahul said, “I have told my manager in California to send sponsor letter for you. I hope that he will be able to complete its documentation in a week. A friend of mine in American embassy has promised that he will complete procedure in a month. It looks that you would be there on job before I return.” Rahul gave whole plan in a breath and Dev could not believe that. He once again stressed on not to share your desire and the strategy being adopted for his overseas job.
Four days later, Dev had just reached home in evening when telephone buzzer was heard. Dev’s wife picked the phone and was pleased to hear the voice. She thanked for the gift sent by him for her few days back. Dev came near to telephone set as he had understood that Rahul was on other side. She after having a short pleasant chat handed over phone to her husband. Rahul on hearing Dev’s voice immediately wished to meet him in park near Indian Gate. Dev was tired but could not refuse him. In few minutes his bike was running towards their meeting point. Slow breeze was blowing and many families had come there to enjoy weather.
Dev brought cold drinks along packets of biscuits and potato chips. Rahul while opening lid of cold drink said, “The friend of mine in American embassy called me today to inform that his boss had gone on leaves for few days so the completion of procedure will take some more days.” He stopped and then said, “Not much. Just now around two months. You would be knowing that the task is not so easy but he has taken this responsibility just because of my old friendship with him. I know him from the days when he was in American foreign office many years back.” Dev looked at him with grateful eyes. Rahul after some moments continued, “I have taken your full responsibility and have made him realize that you are not stranger to me. That is why he stamp a typical visa on your passport which will enable you for Green Card soon after landing and your family would be eligible to move there.” Dev could not control his smile and thanked him with the words that he never thought of such a help.
Rahul then while discussing the weather suddenly said, “My American friend in embassy was very pleased to know that you cook delicious Indian dishes and are serving in Prime Minister house. He has wished to taste your food. Should I give hope of any such sitting?”. Dev came out of deep thoughts and abruptly said, “Why not. My pleasure.”
Rahul continued the discussion by saying in a strange tone, “One thing I have failed to understand that the American guy has asked me to request you for guests list that visit PM house.” With that he looked at Dev’s face whose facial expressions were changing with eyes wide open. Rahul then asked, “do you receive any such list in kitchen? There would surely some reception counter.” Wrinkles on Dev’s forehead was quite visible and his foreign job dream had gone far away within seconds. Rahul trying to make things easy for him said, “It looks to me that these people are just fond of collecting papers otherwise there seems nothing else. You simply write down the names along date and that’s all. Even then if it is difficult for you then leave it. I will try to explore some other channel for your visa.” Then he thought for some seconds and said, “but that channel would not be so strong.” Dev did not want to disappoint or lose his new friend so said in a low voice said, “I will do something.” He then again started thinking how to manage and collect information.” He then after few moments said, “This would not be possible without taking in confidence Prianka. She is very smart educated girl and assists Personal Secretary to Prime Minister.” Rahul got alert on hearing that. Dev then bringing himself close to Rahul asked, “Would it be possible to get her visa arranged also. Her boyfriend is in United States and. She is eager to go there for him and for her career.” Rahul thought for a while and then said, “It would be difficult to get signed two documents at a time. I am not sure but I do not want you to be degraded. I will do something.” dev got happy and ensured that all information will be with him. Rahul while leaving told in a bit strict way that he would not be in a position to accommodate anyone else. Dev all the way to home thought and finalized his plans of collecting and the way to provide information.
In the next day’s Dev started sharing information with Rahul whenever they met. The information used to be date wise and with names of persons along their designation. Rahul during those days showed him his sponsor letter along other document on his name. All the measures taken by Rahul in preparing documents brought Dev mor close to Rahul.
One night, Rahul called Dev and asked the reason of not meeting on that day as well as even a day before also. Dev said, “yes sorry could not inform you. Actually, I have come home just now after two days. Some heavy and sensitive meetings were going on. I will visit tomorrow. Tell me the place.” Rahul got anxious and invited him in a very polite voice, “oh no worry, you just come here. we will relax in room.” He then slightly laughed and repeated words “Relax in room.” Dev thought for a while and then agreed. Rahul told him that he would be waiting downstair in lobby.
In next hour, Dev sat in Rahul’s room on 5th floor. Dev while taking sip of imported wine said, “A heavy meeting continued whole night and then relevant meetings all the day today. I and my staff were told not to leave kitchen. We served dinner, breakfast and then lunch also. In between tea and coffee along snacks were served many times.” Rahul while taking interest asked in a friendly way “Such a heavy schedule. What was the problem?” Dev looked at bottle of wine and said, “PM Mrs. Ghandhi herself was there all the time. Army chief, Secretary Defense, DG RAW, Two Core Commanders, Secretary Defense, col Vijay and three other important army officers were there.” Rahul poured more wine in his glass with ice cubes and asked “Did you not hear anything?” Dev thought for a while and then replied, “I think, I had to go inside four times. They were all the time giving briefing on maps. Prianka told me that some attack on hills of Siachen was being planned. She also told that it is going to be a major and sudden attack on Pakistan’s hills and enemy is not prepared for it.” Rahul got restless and tried to wind up sitting. He knew that that nothing more could not be gathered from Dev and moreover Dev was getting drowsy . . . H soon after Dev leaving room, he picked up paper which Dev had brought. It was really heavy meeting. Dev was shocked to read long list. He carefully folded the paper, kept in hidden pocket of trouser and left room.
(To be Continued)
