Part 11 (1/2)

'Shahbash,' said the colonel.

He beckoned me inside.

The officers, in proper uniforms and black boots, looked at me in relief as if I had just saved them. The captive lay on the bed. He was a she. The first enemy I ever saw was a she, and already I had apologized to her moments ago on two counts. The first thing I noticed was the unconscious movement of her head. Rapid breathing. Terror in eyes. Peasant feet. The toe ring gleamed in flourescent light. There was a cut on the left foot.

The colonel asked me to occupy the chair next to the enemy's bed. I took a deep breath, then the interrogation began. It was my first time as an interpreter. I asked the questions slowly, she stammered her responses. I do not recall the many unintelligible things she brought to her lips. But the essence has stayed with me.

Name?

Nav?

Irem.

Father's name?

Moul sund nav?

Maqbool b.u.t.t.

Citizens.h.i.+p?

Shehriyat?

Kashmiri.

Colonel: Ask again.

Citizens.h.i.+p?

Shehriyat?

Kashmiri.

Married?

Khander karith?

Awaa.

Yes.

Husband's name?

Khandaraas nav?

Raza Nomani.

Any issues?

Kahn mushkil?

Khandras manz che mushkilat aasani . . .

She says, sir, all marriages have problems.

No, what we mean is, does she have children?

Bacchi chhoi kanh?

Na.

No issues, sir.

There was a pause.

Mrs Irem, why are you in India?

Irem, tse kyazi koruth border cross?

Khooda yi chhum guanha sazaa.

She says, G.o.d is punis.h.i.+ng her for sins.

The enemy woman started breathing more heavily. The colonel muttered something. She was gasping for breath. The nurse offered her a gla.s.s of water. But.

The woman fainted.

The doctor held her wrist for a few seconds, then let it go.

In that entire ward (especially on her bed) my eyes could not locate Chef's red journal. Small insects were climbing up the wall by her bed. I antic.i.p.ated a trial, a long court martial, at least an inquiry. Empty-handed I returned to the General's kitchen, and my spine s.h.i.+vered with panic when the ADC phoned me: 'General Sahib would like to see you, Kirpal. Report right before golf. Fifteen-thirty hours.'

With great anxiety I walked to the golf course. I had committed a serious crime. But the General looked in a beautiful mood. He was dressed in civilian clothes. He asked other officers to leave us alone. He was holding an expensive golf stick, and he picked up a white ball.

'You see this, Kirpal.'

'Golf ball, sir?'

'Good.'

'Sir.'

'You see the dimples, Kirpal?'

'See them, sir.'

'Why is the ball dimpled?'