Dawning

Chapter 3

warning: has mentions of suicide, nothing graphic just what the movie showed.

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The next thirty days were stressful for Sukhi. His test was scheduled for the end of the month and a lot was at stake.
By association, it was stressing Hardy too. He had extended his leave, fortunately the army had let him. He was staying with Sukhi and his father and had gotten very close to them. He once even tried to connect with Jassi's parents to question them how they could live peacefully knowing their daughter was suffering, but the attempt was futile.

The only silver lining in all of this, was the bi-weekly call from London. Telephones were a novelty in India at the time. Owning one was a luxury Sukhi couldn't afford. PCO calls were cheaper, any incoming or outgoing calls post 10 PM were even more, they were 1/4th the actual cost. So he, the operator and Jassi had made an arrangement. Every third day, at 11 PM IST, Sukhi would recieve a call from Jassi. She would call him under the pretence of calling her parents. Some nights were good. Some, she could barely manage to speak amidst the sobs. Those days were especially hard for Sukhi.

Hardy was a silent observer to all of this. He would sit outside on the bench. He had never interacted with Jassi. Sukhi had mentioned his name to her once in the passing that's it. Unfortunately Sukhi didn't have any pictures of Jassi as well, all he had was her London address, that he was planning to visit the first chance he got.

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Sukhi had answered his IELTS interview last week. He had told Jassi that he would clear it and come and get her. But he was really anxious about the results, he didn't feel very confident. Sukhi could feel his hopes diminishing with every passing day.

His fears were confirmed when the results were put up outside the bar and he had failed. It was too much for Sukhi to bear. He did not know how he would face his father who had lost everything over this visa arrangement or what he would say to Jassi who was living in the hopes that he will come to save her. So, Sukhi took a drastic decision, the only solution he could see. He picked up the burning stove from the nearby food cart and lit himself on fire.

Hardy who had barely gotten himself free of the crowd that had gathered to see the results, caught sight of Sukhi. He came running towards him but it was too late. The damage was irreversible. He held Sukhi in his arms as he was taking is final breaths.

"T-Tell my baba I couldn't do it."

Those were Sukhi's last words.
Bad news travels fast. So did this. Sukhi's father could not bear the news of his only son committing suicide.
And that evening, Hardy found himself standing in front of two burning pyres.

Hardy's guilt was eating at him. He felt himself responsible for everything. If Sukhi hadn't met him that day, he wouldn't have missed his Asian games selection, his father in law wouldn't have called off the wedding, Jassi wouldn't have ended up in an abusive relationship. None of this would've happened. Maybe he could've done more to help them.

Lost in thoughts, Hardy was sitting outside the now empty house, trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol. He took another swig of his drink when the PCO operator came shouting his name.

"Hardy bhaiyya! It's Jassi!"

"Jassi?" Hardy slurred incoherently.

Jassi. His brain finally caught up. Tonight was the night. She was supposed to call as usual. Sukhi was supposed to tell her he cleared the exam and that he would come to get her. But destiny had taken a different turn.

Hardy sobered up quickly and followed the guy to the booth. He was prepared to tell Jassi the unfortunate news. He picked up the receiver,

"Hello-"

"Sukhi, sukhi please tell me you cleared the exam? I- I don't think I can take it anymore here Sukhi. He's a moster. He's going to kill me. Please take me away from here, please."

He heard Jassi's tearful pleads on the other end. Her voice was barely above a whisper and he could literally feel her pain gnawing at him. Something shifted inside him.

"Jassi are you hurt?" He found himself asking with concern.

"I- I don't know anymore. There was a fight. I can't move my left arm. It hurts everywhere." Jassi sobbed.

"Please take me away from here Sukhi."

Hardy could'nt find in himself to correct her, to tell her that he's not Sukhi, To tell her that maybe there would be no one coming for rescue. Instead, once again he found himself speaking before his brain could catch up.

"Don't worry Jassi. I'm on my way. Just hold on for few more days and I'll be there. Just hold on."

The line was abruptly cut after that.