If you want to read the story from the beginning, click here. (https://wp.me/p2b25R-fw)

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Spring 2015

I am back at the Washington Dulles Airport. As I come out of the international arrivals gate with my duffel bag, I see Mom, Dad, and Krishna waving at me. They have been waiting right in front of the gate to see people as they exit. 

Mom rushes to hug me, followed by Dad and Krishna.

“So good to see you back, Beta. It has been a long time,” Mom says. Her eyes are moist.

“It’s been a long time. We worried every day and prayed for your safety,” Dad interjects.

“Thanks,” I reply. “It feels good to be home.”

“Let me help you with your luggage,” Krishna says, walking towards me.

He takes my bag, and we all start walking to the parking lot. The ride home takes half an hour. I look at the familiar buildings along Route 28. Something looks different. Some of the lanes have been widened. I see signs of new restaurants. I feel nostalgic for the good old Fairfax.

Krishna is driving. Dad is sitting next to him. Mom and I sit in the back. We are all quiet for a while, still adjusting to my return from a deployment, I guess. I break the silence by asking about Lakshmi.

“How’s Lakshmi?” I ask. “The last I knew was that she was separating from Aakash.”

“Oh, Beta,” Mom answers. “She has moved to Seattle to be with Doug. That’s what she wants.”

“Considering everything, we think it’s the best that happened to her,” Dad interjects. “After all, it’s her happiness that is important. Doug has a successful business and shows a lot of promise for growth.”

“I agree,” I say. “They will be fine. I want to visit her and hug her. Poor girl has been through so much.”

Mom asks me to wait at the entrance when we reach home. Dad and Krishna wait behind me. She goes inside and returns with a lit wick lamp placed on a round copper plate called Thali. She waves the lamp around my face and puts the red vermilion mark on my forehead.

“We are thanking God for bringing you back safely and asking for his blessings in the future,” Mom says. 

Mom makes hot tea. She places a plate full of pecan cookies in front of me. She knows these are my favorites. It’s late in the afternoon. We are sitting around the breakfast table. I look around. Everything in the house looks the same as when I left two years ago. Dinner time is a few hours away.

“Tell us everything. Was it dangerous on the field? How did you manage every day?” Mom is anxious to know. She sits on a chair next to me.

“There’s a lot to tell, Mom. It’s not easy. Someday I’ll tell everything. I’m glad I stayed alive. Many others were not so lucky.”

“Arjun,” Dad starts to ask something. “I noticed something at the airport, but didn’t want to ask you there. What’s that mark on your forehead?”

Oh! Oh! I knew this was going to come out somehow. Was I wrong that I did not inform them when it happened? Mom and Krishna turn to look at my face. Maybe they noticed the scar on my face but didn’t want to say anything, or maybe they didn’t pay close attention.

“Oh! I was hit with a bullet. It just scraped the left side of my face.”

I try not to sound too concerned.

“Just scraped? You are kidding, right? It might have blown your brain out.” Dad shows his concern.

“Yes. I might have been killed. That’s what the doctors said. I was lucky, I think.”

“Why didn’t you tell us, Beta? When did it happen?” Dad looks worried.

Mom and Krishna are waiting for my response.

“When we were fighting the Taliban to prevent them from attacking the school. I didn’t want you and Mom to be worried. And the doctor said I will be okay. The mark will fade in a few months.”

“Still. You should have informed us.”

I don’t say anything. Dad has that look that tells me he’s not convinced. I guess he has accepted my explanation. I’m not sure.

A minute later, he starts to speak again. His tone indicates he had forgotten something and suddenly remembered.

“Your friend? What’s his name?”

“Logan.”

“Yes. Is he back home with you?”

I am quiet for a while. I look down as I wipe my eyes. Dad puts his hands on my back, softly rubbing it.

“That’s okay, Beta. We understand. You don’t have to say anything. Everyone’s fate is decided by his or her Karma. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

“And how’s Lily?” Mom is anxious to know. I can see the excitement on her face. She had walked away during our conversation and had come towards us from wherever she was.

“Lily’s fine. It was so nice that I could spend the last six months in Stuttgart. We could spend more time together and get to know each other.”

I did not elaborate on the matter anymore, nor did I mention my proposal to her and her dad’s response. There is no need to rush.