It has been exactly 69 hours since we heard the news and 75 hours since they were abducted. Three school students in their late teens were abducted en route to a national math olympiad. Like many other proud parents, we were elated to learn that Rahul was selected to the represent the state at the national math Olympiad. One amongst thirty from a pool of infinite competition is an achievement to savor. But little did we predict what followed. The thoughts of losing a dear one at the heights of personal satisfaction is a feeling that we can seldom understand and comprehend. We were for sure holding up pretty well considering the trauma we were going thru.
There were two other sets of people who were sharing our implausible restlessness. I dont even remember what their names are. We had payed the ransom money in full about 2 hours ago and it was en route to the abductors. A peek at the boys in a two minute video was all that we were privileged to. But since then we had been treated to a concoction of hope and fear. We were clearly told by the police that paying the ransom money was a big risk. But as parents, thats the only thing we could have done. I could sense the restless ness in my wife's eyes. She silently said a prayer once again for the umpteenth time and slowly rested on my shoulders. Even without the exchange of words, the emotions in the room were flying high. When you envision a future, working hard for it, its instances like this that actually make us wonder if it is worth all the effort we put in.
Interestingly its not only 'hope' that we all shared. A sense of belief in a power thats beyond the realms of human understanding and something that gives a sense of security however trivial and anti- nonchalant it might sound. Most of us live with a hope that, this omnipotent power can magically ward off most of the evils that we encounter. And here each of us were invoking the Almighty's attention in our own way. Every passing minute was like an eternity and the hope of meeting our beloved starting melting away.
In this midst, there started a commotion in the building. I looked at my wife confused and she reciprocated back with the same look. All the officers were getting nervous/excited and started moving here and there. Couple of officers were shouting instructions in their walki-talkies. One of the other concerned parents walked upto to us and said, "Do you have any idea what they are upto? I am not sure if we would be briefed continuously"! "No we also have no idea. I guess we have to wait a bit longer. Lets always hope for the best." By this time the other set of parents also joined us. Three sets of strangers connected by a string of hope and fear. We caught hold of one of the guys in uniform who was running past us with a bunch of files. "Sir, whats happening. Give us some updates please!!" "I am not sure if I can say anything. But I think you people deserve to know. It seems that the exchange of ransom did not go as planned. There was a shootout between the police and the abductors. The causality is still unlear. I dont know what is the exact situation." I was numb with anxiety. Some how the internal trauma was well disguised in the stoic exterior. I could sense that a couple of people were beginning to lose their composure. I instinctively asked "Do you know anything about the kids. Please tell something!!" After a couple of refusals and he reluctantly said, "One of the boys were caught in the cross fire. We are trying to confirm who exactly it is." Though he tried to be diplomatic, the implications were clear to me. They are trying to identify the dead boy. One of the three is dead.
As this information slowly sunk into us, the glances exchanged started becoming hostile. And so started a deluge of prayers.The supreme power has a task at hand. Thankfully I am not making not that choice and can pray my heart out hoping that he will not pick us. It would be interesting to know the how he makes this choice.
There were two other sets of people who were sharing our implausible restlessness. I dont even remember what their names are. We had payed the ransom money in full about 2 hours ago and it was en route to the abductors. A peek at the boys in a two minute video was all that we were privileged to. But since then we had been treated to a concoction of hope and fear. We were clearly told by the police that paying the ransom money was a big risk. But as parents, thats the only thing we could have done. I could sense the restless ness in my wife's eyes. She silently said a prayer once again for the umpteenth time and slowly rested on my shoulders. Even without the exchange of words, the emotions in the room were flying high. When you envision a future, working hard for it, its instances like this that actually make us wonder if it is worth all the effort we put in.
Interestingly its not only 'hope' that we all shared. A sense of belief in a power thats beyond the realms of human understanding and something that gives a sense of security however trivial and anti- nonchalant it might sound. Most of us live with a hope that, this omnipotent power can magically ward off most of the evils that we encounter. And here each of us were invoking the Almighty's attention in our own way. Every passing minute was like an eternity and the hope of meeting our beloved starting melting away.
In this midst, there started a commotion in the building. I looked at my wife confused and she reciprocated back with the same look. All the officers were getting nervous/excited and started moving here and there. Couple of officers were shouting instructions in their walki-talkies. One of the other concerned parents walked upto to us and said, "Do you have any idea what they are upto? I am not sure if we would be briefed continuously"! "No we also have no idea. I guess we have to wait a bit longer. Lets always hope for the best." By this time the other set of parents also joined us. Three sets of strangers connected by a string of hope and fear. We caught hold of one of the guys in uniform who was running past us with a bunch of files. "Sir, whats happening. Give us some updates please!!" "I am not sure if I can say anything. But I think you people deserve to know. It seems that the exchange of ransom did not go as planned. There was a shootout between the police and the abductors. The causality is still unlear. I dont know what is the exact situation." I was numb with anxiety. Some how the internal trauma was well disguised in the stoic exterior. I could sense that a couple of people were beginning to lose their composure. I instinctively asked "Do you know anything about the kids. Please tell something!!" After a couple of refusals and he reluctantly said, "One of the boys were caught in the cross fire. We are trying to confirm who exactly it is." Though he tried to be diplomatic, the implications were clear to me. They are trying to identify the dead boy. One of the three is dead.
As this information slowly sunk into us, the glances exchanged started becoming hostile. And so started a deluge of prayers.The supreme power has a task at hand. Thankfully I am not making not that choice and can pray my heart out hoping that he will not pick us. It would be interesting to know the how he makes this choice.
