“One unit I will donate.For the rest, let me speak to a few staff members and parents from my school.Ask Mr Bhatia and see if any resort staff will come forward.”I reassure Sahil, but a tiny doubt is planted in my mind.What if we are not able to find donors?Sahil pushes off and scampers down the stairs.I take out my phone and type a message on WhatsApp, sending the urgent request to all my Almora staff.
“Aditya, Kumar sir wants one last word with you before he leaves.”The police station house officer accompanies Sudhanshu.He and Brian pulled a few strings to ensure the police took the attack on Jimmy as a priority.
“Did you find the other attacker?”I had provided the details to the sub-inspector an hour ago.
“No.But we traced the kerosene can and the gun the assailant used.We are still searching for the second attacker.”
The mention of kerosene makes me shiver.What if I had not reached on time?
“Look-out notices have been issued to all nearby police stations and check posts.We found the ID of the man with head injuries at the resort.Do you know a Yoginder Narwal?”The officer shows me a copy of the driving license.
My remaining strength drains from me as I read the address listed on the license.I turn to Sudhanshu; his forehead is also furrowed.“I never met either of the two men, but Jimmy is from Hissar, and the surname is the same.”
“Hmm, we have contacted Hissar police.They are on their way to the address.I will keep you posted.One final thing, please don't leave Almora without informing us.”The officer shakes hands with Sudhanshu and departs.
The information shared by the officer weighs on me.My legs give way, and I slump on the nearest wall.
“What have I done?”Did my foolishness thrust Jimmy on the front pages, putting a mark on his head for his relatives to find him?“But why will they want to kill him?”
Sudhanshu gathers me in his arms.“Aditya, the world is never kind to us.Jimmy's community is steeped in patriarchy.Honour killings are not new to them.”
“But Jimmy walked away.What more do they want?”I sob on Sudhanshu's shoulder.
“Shh.This is not the time to worry about Jimmy's family.We must fight for our Jimmy.”Sudhanshu consoles me.
“What if we fail?”
Sudhanshu takes a deep breath.“Our Jimmy is strong.God is with us.The bullet only went through the stomach.I am sure after the surgery, Jimmy will recover.”
Yes, Jimmy is the bravest person I have ever met.Despite the hardships in his life's journey, he never gave up.
“He has faced the world head-on, and I am a wimp.”The contrast in our lives is stark.I have lived a safe and privileged life.
“No, you are not.You saved Jimmy.Aditya, you fought off the attackers.”
“I am fake.A quitter who hides behind people.”I shake my head.
“Perhaps you had no one worth fighting for.”Sudhanshu squeezes me tight.
He is right.Until now, I had no one to come out for.But Jimmy is worth giving up on everything I have in my life.I must stop being a coward.
“I need to make some calls.”I break Sudhanshu's hold.“Will you keep watch?”
He nods.I walk down to exit the hospital.Finding an isolated place, I dial Priya.
“Thank God, you called.Jatin's message had me scared to death.How is Jimmy?”Priya bombards me with questions.She had sent a series of texts, but I did not bother to answer any of them.
“Priya, the facade I built has gone too far.We need to end the act.”I share my suspicions about the attackers with Priya.
“Oh, God.How can they do such a thing?”Priya gasps in horror.
“Hate makes people crazy.But we must stop them from causing more harm.I can't jeopardise Jimmy's life.”
“How will you keep Jimmy out of the limelight?We can cancel the book tour, but Jimmy's acting career is about to take off.I am receiving feelers from TV serial production houses.”
“Keep everything on hold.After he recovers, Jimmy can take a call on his modelling assignments and acting, but the book deal needs to end.”
“Are you sure?”The phone goes silent for a few seconds.“Aditya, you should have told me you were in a relationship with Jimmy.”
