“So it all begun here…‘Operation Blue Star, one of the most controversial military operations to happen in Indian soil came to an end today 32 years ago. Security has been strengthened all over the country and the Reserve Army have been called to be at bay at Sikh dominated areas to prevent any mishaps. Now for Sports, Former Indian Captain silences Critics….’ announced the radio, as my father’s face turned pale when he heard the news broadcast. Even a toddler could make out that he was really tense, let alone an eight year old like me could. I mean who wouldn’t feel restless being reminded about the horrible things that have happened. I couldn’t imagine being in the shoes of my father who was just seven years old at that time. To be even more precise, the streets of our country grew intolerant to Turbans, the same way the Americans have grown intolerant to the Muslim Taqiyah and Burquah. A decade of violence that soon followed was triggered by fury and lead bullets. Merely exclaiming that growing up under these conditions was intense, would be an understatement.

Dusting an old book, his face turned blue as he was clearly not happy to find it. But from judging from the things that happened next, it is normal to assume that he was looking for it in the first place. But one might wonder why a rational person would drop all his other work and look for a book that he doesn’t even want to open in the first place? What’s inside that book that is so significant? And why wait till this long to take it out from the attic?

Needless to say, the iron box fell right on my dad’s head and that bring us to the problem at hand…”
“Finally…What happened?”
“Well...he was in the hospital all day yesterday and surprisingly he was conscious the entire duration. Mother was a rock but my Grandma was a little hard to manage. At the end of it, we were a little relieved when he was all stitched up.”
“Only a little relieved? The man just survived. What was holding you back?”
“He is acting odd, Doctor. Quite frankly, I don’t recognize my own father anymore.”
“Changed…? Did you see any changes in behavior?”
“It was much worse. He…he started behaving like a kid! He’s having trouble adjusting to the fact that it has been a long time since he was seven years old. But the real trouble isn’t that.”
The young kid continued, much to the real patience of the doctor was being tested, “He has been muttering the same sentence over and over again. We have no idea on what to make of it.”
The look on the Doctor’s face was pretty evident as he wanted the girl to cut to the chase. She continued, “He has been repeating the same thing over and over again, ‘I had to do it’. I wish I could understand what that meant, but I can’t. And to make things worse, he believes that he is in some kind of jail. What do you think might be the problem, Doc?” asked the young man, who was weirdly matured for someone his age.
“I can call it out only when I examine the patient. Did you bring him with you?” asked the Doctor.
“No, he was pretty adamant on not leaving home and when we tried to drag him out, he screamed in a fit of rage, ‘No…I belong inside this jail. Don’t you dare let me out! Who knows who I will harm next?’ We had no idea on what to do next. So the only option left was to bring you to him. Prakash Kaka suggested your name and we came running.”
“She being an adult chose to let you come inside and explain the situation? Are you sure that your father is the only one who has a problem?” joked the Doctor which had no reception at all with the girl, only for the Doctor to nod in silence that he will tend to the patient.
A few hours later, “Mr. Singh, Can I have a moment with you?” asked the Doctor, as he preferred to...