The entire Valley was lush green. Birds were chirping a variety of songs, flowers were blooming and the sun was shining brightly on the horizon, spreading its warmth on the earth below. All through the hour-long drive, Bibi kept looking at the scenery around. It wasn’t different from where she had come from, yet it was. Peace seemed to reign supreme, untouched by the tragedy that had befallen so many just across the border. As the jeep sped towards the destination, the road curving under its heavy wheels, Bibi sighed. She didn’t know what destiny had in store for her, and she had no choice but to accept it.

As the olive-green military vehicles entered Tunda, Virk slowed down so that Bibi could take a closer look at the village life. He stopped the jeep at the small marketplace in the heart of the village. Shopkeepers rushed towards the vehicles, their faces radiant with joy. Bibi stepped out and looked around. Her expression changed when her eyes landed on a building at the far end. She suddenly grew excited. Virk noticed the sudden change in her mood, but before he could react, Bibi rushed to the nearest shopkeeper and pointed at a flagpole wrapped in an orange cloth. ‘Is that a gurdwara?’ she asked eagerly.

Without looking up to see in which direction she was pointing, the shopkeeper replied, ‘Yes. It is. If you like, my son, Kumar, can escort you there.’

Bibi’s face lit up with joy. Folding her hands together, she pleaded, ‘Oh, that would be great!’ Virk overheard the conversation and came rushing in. Bibi looked at him with questioning eyes. ‘I want to visit the gurdwara. Do I have your permission, Sir?’ Her softly uttered words in English both surprised and disturbed Major Virk. He understood the impact of what Bibi had gone through, the intensity of the violence she had witnessed.

Recovering quickly, he said, ‘Of course, Ma’am. It is your right. You are in Hindustan now. You don’t need anyone’s permission to pray to God, any God.’ He watched her, fascinated, as the look on her face changed from that of a grieving mother to childlike wonder.

‘Oh, thanks so much! I am sorry, Sir, it’s all so sudden.’ He laughed and nodded.