Incomplete Goodbye

- Rudransh Mukherjee

I stood at the bus stop with a tear in my eye,

Only a few days ago did I bid him goodbye,

He kissed me on the forehead and added an embrace,

I budged not for he came to visit only for a few days.

His face looked hardened since I last got to see it,

But the warmth in his eyes still made my soul feel sunlit,

He winced a bit as he walked but the reason I knew not,

Whenever asked about he would say that “It’s not a lot.”

He mumbled in his sleep and woke up with starts,

Said he had nightmares about failing his sweetheart,

I would always cajole him into sleeping each and every time,

But knew not why for I was his and my dear husband, mine.

Merciless time sped even faster when I was with him,

Hence the last day of his vacation left me very grim,

After a year, we spent time together only for a week,

And so, I left to drop him with tears cascading down my cheeks.

In my hall I sat repenting, ignoring him when I bid him adieu,

It saddened me even more how he was without even a clue,

I decided to call him as soon as he reached and apologize heartily,

Never felt I’d call myself naïve for assuming he reaches there safely.

After an hour of incessant calls, I decided he must be busy,

Smiled to myself remembering how travel made him lousy,

An unknown contact called me just then and I answered bewildered,

In a single sentence I was told that my husband,

The valorous Major had been martyred.

Then it dawned to me what his nightmares were about,

His sweetheart would always be his country, no doubt,

And hence I stand here at the bus stop hoping to apologise,

Hoping to see the battered face and the warm eyes,

Assuring him, his nightmares were not true,

And hoping I could complete my incomplete goodbye.

A tribute to all the brave hearts and the jawans whose sacrifices enable us to lead the lives we lead today.

Jai hind, Vande Matram!