Anshuman was treated kindly and not as a criminal at the BSF chowki. This was the usual response he received, wherever he went. He was always treated with respect, by default.
One of the main reason for this was that he gave respect and commanded the same by his attitude and behaviour. He was always well spoken, respectful to the agencies, co-operated with all the procedures, never misbehaved or displayed an arrogant air around him. If he was asked to follow them, somewhere, or do something, he quietly followed and waited to talk to a senior official. Once he met a senior, his confident personality, his poised voice, and polished English, the way he stood and talked, the fact that he was a doctor and working with PBB, a humanitarian organisation, the fact that he had served in Indian Army, and the fact that his father was an ex-armyman – every single thing went in his favour and people generally didn’t misbehave with him.
They gave him due respect, because he never came across as a threat to them, whether in India or Pakistan, or Afghanistan, or any other part of the world that he had worked. He knew how to present himself.
Again, at BSF chowki near Barmer in Rajasthan, he went through thorough checking without making a fuss about it and without being forced for the same. He had only his passport with him.
Before crossing Pakistan border, he had Junaid’s visiting card, in case he was caught inside Pak territory. Once he crossed the border, he had memorised Junaid’s contact numbers and email id and tucked the card in the camel’s seat, which he let go near Ransingh ki Dhani. He also sent back the empty water bottle.
The Officer on duty flipped through his passport. There wasn’t much light in the chowki, as it was right in the middle of the desert, and they were maintaining some visibility through a single lantern. Anshuman kept talking to the officer, trying to distract him from examining the passport carefully, worried that the officer might notice that a page was carefully torn – the one where it had a stamp of entry inside Pakistan. Since there was no exit stamp, he could have been caught by the forces, and he had carefully removed it on Junaid’s advice. He tore it in multiple small pieces and blew them in the air in the desert so that no one can ever retrieve them.
Thankfully, the officer was listening to him attentively, awestruck at the work he did, turning pages amused at the number of stamps on his passport, how he worked with different countries, for epidemic, and terror stricken areas, how he had left army because he was injured, how he was in Kashmir… and Anshuman didn’t fail to mention every single senior or batchmate he remembered so that the officer could know that he was not lying and speaking the truth.
The officer was immensely impressed. But he had his doubts, and he asked, “Why do you have only your passport? Where are the other things? No phone? No wallet? No water bottle?”
Anshuman replied, “It was in my car. I lost my way and got down at a place and climbed up a small sand dune to see around if I could spot the village that we were about to visit, when someone stole my car and everything else, phone, wallet etc. Only my passport was in my shirt pocket so it was saved.”
“Why do you look familiar?” he asked, “Have I seen you before?”
Anshuman was worried. There might have been some news running about him, 3-4 months ago, when his arrest had brought about some fresh discussions. Thankfully, the social media had an overload of information and he was sure that the officer won’t remember the exact details as it was not his job. Anshuman quickly replied, “Maybe. Our organisation is featured widely. And there are several interviews and articles on youtube as well. Maybe you saw me in a post on facebook or any other social media.”
The officer shrugged, “Maybe.”
They talked to him for a long time, and slowly the conversation turned from interrogation to common sentiments about serving the army and country. They remembered their training days and officers they remotely knew. They discussed politics and how their nature of work was similar as Anshuman was also braving the odds fighting an enemy, surviving bomb blasts and gunfire, and had been actively involved in world affairs.
By morning, RajSingh and his wife Madhu arrived, with two other officials of Rajasthan regiment. And they smoothly conversed, checked Anshuman’s identity cards, Aadhar card, and every single document which said that he was speaking the truth.
Both RajSingh and Madhu didn’t behave like they were relieved on seeing Anshuman after a long time. Army life had hardened them both and they knew that they shouldn’t let out their emotions at this time.
But once Anshuman was allowed to go, he sat in the car with them, and they were the only ones, Madhu hugged him and let her tears flow.
“Are you fine? Oh God! How did you cross the border? Did they let you? Who was the angel that helped you? I can’t believe it. Did you not eat well? You have become so thin.” Madhu kept blabbering in quick sentences, unable to believe that Anshuman was finally with her. She continued, “We were on the verge of losing hope.”
Anshuman didn’t reply to any of the questions. For this moment, he simply hugged her, tightly, and closed his eyes. His eyes were moist too, and heart overloaded with surging emotions, ready to flow out. He was back to his motherland, safe and sound. He had never felt like this ever before. Though he had always felt like a soldier would do. This feeling of belonging to this sand resurfaced every time he was in India. Partly because of his mother, and his father. Partly because this feeling was ingrained deeply in every individual during the army training.
But today, he had learnt the value of freedom.
RajSingh didn’t hug him. But his look, his behaviour, his warm solid handshake, and his pat on Anshuman’s back was nothing less than a hug. It was ‘his’ way of showing how much he cared.
After a few minutes in the journey, after Madhu had told him about Dadi and Preksha, and how everyone was doing, Anshuman asked her about Manasvi. “Mom, did you call Manasvi?”
“Yes, we did. But her phone was switched off. It was middle of the night. So we thought that maybe she is asleep, and we’ll talk to her in the morning.”
Anshuman tapped his finger tips on the back of his hand and then, after a moment, he said, “It’s morning, already. Give me the phone, I’ll call her.”
Madhu chuckled, “God! Are you the same Anshuman who would refuse to talk about her, and never asked anything about her. Look at you. You have changed so much. Asking your mom impatiently for her phone to call your wife?”
Anshuman swayed his jaw, “Really?! You will never stop melodrama, right?”
Madhu giggled, happy like a blissful mom, finally relieved for her son was changing for good, and for love, she took out her phone from her bag and gave him, “Manasvi’s number is saved.”
Anshuman scrolled through the contacts and pressed his lips, raking his hand in his hair, to rest them at the nape of his neck. He couldn’t wait.
But her phone was switched off.
Madhu understood his concern, and grinned, “We can call her in the afternoon, after we reach Delhi. Or you can also take the first flight from Jaipur to Mumbai.”
Anshuman rolled his eyes at the tease and sighed, “Come on, Ma! Please!”
“Arrey!! I’m serious!” Madhu laughed.
“We’ll go home first. I need to meet Dadi and Preksha. By that time, maybe she switches her phone on.”
RajSingh said, “I’m booking you a flight from Delhi to Mumbai for tomorrow, early morning. Even if you are able to talk to her, why wait more… go and meet her… and bring her home, if possible.”
Anshuman couldn’t stop smiling, secretively though. He tried his best to avoid displaying before his parents how a subtle smile was slowly making its way on his lips, leaving him thrilled, and grateful.
He was finally in India, breathing in the free air and he couldn’t stop feeling like fortune was smiling at him. He was finally with his parents, and going home.
He would finally be able to meet the girl of his dreams. The only girl in his life. The only girl, apart from his mother and sister, that he had ever thought about so deeply, found strength and solace in, admired and revered. The only girl who made him take decisions he would have never thought about otherwise. The only girl who stayed in his mind twenty-four-seven. The only girl who had the power to make him think emotionally and not rationally. The only girl he wanted to see happy and safe.
The only girl he had ever loved.
…………………………………
Flip slip dance joy jump I’m soooooo happppyyyu 😍😍😍😘😘💘💘💘🤍🤍💟
I hope Manasvi is fine.
And the last line….the line we readers yearned to hear from Anshuman.. finally he realised his love for her.
This chapter was so beautiful. Finally, he is going to his home.
But I am worried for Manasvi, her cell phone is switched off, which is not a good sign,.
And I hope she is completely fine there.
Missed Manasvi in these updates.
“The only girl he had ever loved !!!”❤❤❤❤
The only thing will ring in my mind till next monday🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
I could see him secretly smiling😍
But on a serious note, i am nervous about the meeting more that they themselves..i am having a bad feeling about the Krish’s mom wala scene😔😔😔
I really wish they do meet in peace😌😌
“The only girl I ever loved” ❤️❤️ happy tears!!! Finally he accepted that he loved, loves and will always love only her!
Cant wait for their re-union. She will be pissed, angry and hurt for sure! But that will be a smaller battle for him now that he is back in India. He will have to earn her forgiveness. But I am sure Manasvi is strong enough!
This is a very very very happy update!!
and oh! I loved how you explained his demeanor! Calm, composed, patient which automatically extracts respect towards him from anyone just in one glance.
The desert, camels, smuggling reminded me of Aamir Khan’s Sarfarosh movie. Its an awesome movie, if you haven’t watched it.
Atleast he is in India now.Rest needs to be seen how much more patience and time it will take for them to be together!!
Awesome update it was…I liked some statements I should say like …Anshuman commanded respect..by default..what a beautiful way to put it .I am yet again blown away by your writing Manita..I also like the pains you take in explaining the minute details in crossing borders…and the research that needs to be done in every story of yours…Truly amazing.. Love you loads …❤️
Thank you Prabha.
I’ve tried to research and wrote as close to reality as possible. People do cross borders illegally and smuggle substances that are otherwise banned on both sides.
Thank you🤗😘
Finally 🤗🤗🤗
Loved d way u explained everyone’s emotion ❤
Looking forward to their meetings Dii
Wow I’m sooo happy… lovely update ❤️..
Hug time was really sooo emotional 🥺..
🤗🤗🤗
“The only girl he had ever loved.”
Anshuman’s confession for the very first time☺❤❤
This is the first time in the story we have got to read Anshuman’s thoughts about loving Manasavi that too when he is happy about it, not guilty or regretful. Not about pushing her away. ☺🤗 So beautiful 💕
I am so happy for him and I have already read the chapter many times and feeling like reading it again and again.💟
He is going to meet Manasavi, but I’m sceptical about Mansavi reaction to all of this. I don’t think she will easily forgive Anshuman for what he had lied to her. And there’s no way that Anshuman will not tell her the truth. So that’s the other thing to wait for now. How will it go.😄😄
Thanks for this Happy update! 😋
God bless you for the same!🤗❣
One question di…do Anshuman parents know about him working for PBB and that he went to Pakistan for Mansavi?
Thank you, dear! Wishing you the same. May God bless you, always 🤗🥰
Reg your question- Anshuman’s parents don’t know about PBB but they know that he went to Afghanistan and Pakistan for Manasvi.
Anshman is back to India wohooo 💃💃 he was tensed and can’t wait to talk to her , I could literally feel the emotions he is going through 😍😍 happy to read that he is smiling finally and he couldn’t control that beautiful blush and smile knowing that he would meet his girl/ his beloved wife soon ❤
Glad it made you smile. Stay blessed 🤗🤗
Already a fan of Anshuman!! Damn!! his intelligence!! Already in awe of his aura
😍😍💗💗
Another beautiful update, heart touching as always.
Thank you 🤗🥰
Its interesting and good update and awesome update
Thank you 🤗🤗
Finally Anshuman admitt that he loves Manasvi.. Can’t wait for them to come face to face now …. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
They will meet… after some time… 😊
Everything is falling in place…please goddd let them be happy and together
😍😍🥰🥰
How m I going to survive till Monday without any update
🥰🥰
Part 62 – Glad that finally he was free and with his family. I was scared about what if they interrogate him deeply. He was lucky that they didn’t go in deep. But I am happy that he wished to see it talk first with Manasvi. I wished he listened to Madhu and went to Mumbai to meet her directly.
Why Manasvi’s phone was switched off? It never happens that she put her phone switched off. I am getting feeling that something might be wrong. Hope that everything is fine with her. Missed her in these two updates. Hope to see Anusvi meet.
She will be around soon… a few more hurdles to cross… before they eventually meet and be together ❤
His heart is beating for his only girl. My heart is beating for this one and only couple. Can’t wait for Monday . Thanks M!
Thank you, dear 🤗😘
Finally he is going back to his home!!😍😭he must be feeling so good:’)
Ah now I can’t wait for their meet😭😭
They will meet soon yay😭🕺🏻
But why do i feel ki something bad will again happen🤨
Hope it’s not true🙈
Yessss… they will meet… though after a few hurdles… and your gut feeling might not be completely wrong 😊
💞
Aw man😫
I hope those hurdles would go away soon, i really want them to meet soon and be together forever😭
Pls dont let manasvi marry that guy.. please let them meet peacefully.. let it not be a melodrama😭
I m eagerly waiting for them to meet🤩
Relax😊
Manasvi is already married. She knows that and loves Anshuman. She is too sorted in life. She won’t marry Krish just to make someone happy.
Thank god.. U made my heart easy… I thought when anshuman meets her fnally he may hear sad news like her marriage with krish.. And please get me a anshuman.. I am in love with him… Sooooo much..
Finally!!!
So happy that our only guy is safe n with fam now😜 hope both of them meet in next episodes…
Like always amazing update di😁
They will meet soon. They have to 😃
Why cant Sunday come after friday… Am waiting for sunday eagerly…. So tat i can read next chapter.. And will u please write a loooong chapter with their unity and I cant wait to see how they will be expressing their love and longingness to each other after such a terrible experience..
Update schedule is Monday-Thursday
Not Sunday 😊
And thank you 🥰🤗
Though I’m commenting for the first tym but di I was literally waiting for the update …thank I so much 😘😘😘😘n I realised I’m so dammm addicted to ur stories from fire and ice to beyond every border and I’ve joined wordpress just for ur stories and literally I don’t have any stories added to my feed except urs 😘😘love u so much di stay happy and healthy
Wishing you the same dear. Stay happy and healthy 🤗🤗
Thank you for reading and liking my stories.
Lots of love, sent back to you💖💖💖