THE SON OF HAIFA, a short story
Benjamin, after completing two years of compulsory military service in Israel, was free to live his life in his own way. Like many of his friends, he also wanted to travel, but he was not sure which country he should visit. At that time, his elder sister advised him to visit India, especially Goa, for the best holiday experience. Aziza, Benjamin’s elder sister, after completing two years of compulsory military service, continued with the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) as a professional. Benjamin was always proud of his sister, as she was extremely daring and a proud Jew.
Benjamin arrived in Goa in 2010 and explored the city, and soon he found Goa was the place he always wanted to visit. He loved Goa for everything. The natural ambiance, the city, and the friendly people of Goa won his heart right away. After spending a few months, Benjamin understood that after the US, if there is any country where Jews are welcomed, loved, and respected, then it is only India.
Benjamin had a tremendous interest in music. It was not only his passion, but music was in his blood. His father, Abraham, is a big name in the field of music in Israel. After retiring from the IDF regular service, Abraham started a music training center in Haifa. His father made news headlines in Israel when he received Israel’s most prestigious ACUM (Union of Composers, Writers, and Publishers in Israeli Music) Awards for his extraordinary ability to play over two dozen musical instruments. Even at the age of 70, Abraham was a popular name in Israel, and his ability to play several musical instruments has been uncanny and out of the imagination of many musicians. He could play over two dozen musical instruments with extreme perfection.
Benjamin joined a musical band in Goa. Its name was the Anemone Musical Band. The majority of the band members of Anemone were Jews. Ganesh, Rishi, and Shiva were the only Hindus in the band. The members of the musical band had traveled many countries, including Israel. The band stayed in Israel for one month. During this time, they toured many major cities of Israel, including Haifa, the hometown of Benjamin. Abraham also joined the band for a guest appearance in Haifa. The crowd turned crazy when Abraham, even in his 70s, demonstrated his special skill by playing several musical instruments all alone.
Benjamin got married to Laxmi. She was the younger sister of his band member, Ganesh. The marriage was solemnized according to Hindu tradition. The marriage party was organized in Haifa, Israel, and Goa. It was absolutely a happy marriage.
Benjamin had only one son, and the couple agreed to give a Jewish name to their son. After much deliberation, Benjamin decided on a name, and it was Ethan. When Laxmi asked the meaning of Ethan, Benjamin said its meaning was strong. “I want my son to become as strong as any Israeli," said Benjamin proudly.
The musical band was a huge success. The band used to be busy almost all the year. Its popularity further spread when the president of India honored the band in 2020 for disseminating the message of goodwill through music.
Everything was going very well. Benjamin and his small family were living a perfect life in Goa. Their five-year-old son was going to school. Then suddenly, everything changed when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. They performed atrocities in Israel. It was utterly a cowardly act of Hamas when they broke into the houses of civilians and opened fire on children, women, and elderly people. They mercilessly killed as many as 1400 innocent people and wounded at large. Among the dead were mostly women and children. They kidnapped many civilians at gunpoint and hid in underground tunnels.
Israel is notorious for taking revenge. Therefore, Israeli enemies are not safe as long as they are not dead. Israel has retaliated hard, and its forces are already in the heart of Gaza. The IDF operation is not going to stop anytime soon until it achieves its fixed target. It is certain that Israel will take its revenge at an unprecedented level. I can swear that Hamas and its sympathizers will now see what they have not even thought of in their wild imaginations. The battle against Hamas is the battle against terrorism. Now the time has come for the world to be united to uproot terrorism from the world. A collective effort should also be taken against those countries that regularly support terrorism.
One by one, all the Jewish band members of Anemone left Goa for Israel. They were committed to ferreting out all those dirty Hamas rodents who were hiding in tunnels. What an irony! We have seen how Ukrainians fled the country to avoid joining the army, and so did Russians. However, in the case of Israel, it is entirely a different story. Israel never called on its citizens to join the war, but all the Jews across the world returned to Israel to protect their motherland. This is called patriotism, and the world should learn from the Israeli people about the meaning of patriotism.
Benjamin, too, felt a strong urge to go to Israel to defend his country from the Hamas Jihadists. But Laxmi said that the situation had not yet turned so bad that Israel could easily deal with those cowardly Jihadists. Laxmi wanted Benjamin to stay in Goa and watch the situation. He should go to Israel only if it is necessary.
“Israel has already defeated all its enemies all alone. But now Israel has a strong friend, the USA, and don’t forget India too. If needed, then all Hindus in India will definitely join hands with Israel. I know how Israel has always stood with India in every difficult time, and our friendship is based on mutual respect and a deep love for each other", said Laxmi proudly.
“I agree with you. In the past, Israel had defeated its enemies all alone. Every new battle is different. Today’s battle is going to be more challenging and bloody too. I think I should go to Israel now to protect my country, said Benjamin with a sense of responsibility.
“In a situation like this, I cannot be selfish enough to stop you when Israel is under attack. But now Israel is not only your country, being your wife; now Israel is my country as well, and defending Israel is also my duty," said Laxmi strongly.
“No, no, not. This time, Israel is at war. There is no place safe unless you are in the bunker. In a situation like this, I cannot risk your life. You see how Hamas jihadists fired over 6,000 rockets randomly across the country, especially targeting civilians. I will go and fight the enemies. I promise you, I will be back in one piece for sure.”
“You did not understand what I told you. Israel is not only your country. It is mine as well. I mean to say that both of us will go to Israel and fight. You will go to the front, and I will treat wounded soldiers and civilians. What do you say now?”
“I am speechless. Today, I can say proudly that I have the most wonderful wife in the world. You feel and think this way because you are a Hindu. I salute India and all the Hindus living here.”
Laxmi had a tough time convincing his father, but eventually her parents agreed. Laxmi left her son with her parents, and the next week they boarded a plane to Israel. After having reached Israel, Benjamin immediately joined the IDF, and his team was stationed at the Israel-Lebanon border. Later, he was posted to Gaza, the front-line battle zone.
Israel was fighting on three fronts: with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas Jihadists in Gaza and Houthi outfits in Yemen. Now the situation is so volatile that a full-scale war can be broken out at any moment.
Under Laxmi’s constant pressure, Benjamin’s father, Abraham, took Laxmi to the Israel Army Medical Center, where he explained the whole story of Laxmi and his son Benjamin. All the medical staff and army officers were glad to receive Laxmi. Army officers were impressed with Laxmi’s medical education and her experience as a senior nurse in Goa, India. She was immediately inducted into the medical team.
With every passing day, the war intensified and became more dangerous. The IDF was regularly marching ahead, and their target was to complete the elimination of Hamas terrorists from Gaza. Laxmi was worried about her husband, Benjamin. As the IDF tightened its noose around the main Gaza city, the battle turned much bloodier. The IDF soldiers started receiving fatalities as more and more close combat ensued.
Laxmi had complete faith in God. She was a staunch devotee of Lord Rama, and she was praying to God for the well-being of her husband. “My Lord, please protect the life of my husband and every son and daughter of Israel."
Laxmi was busy serving the wounded civilians and the IDF soldiers. Hamas was down, but it was not out yet. Occasionally, they were still firing rockets towards major cities in Israel.
“Today night we are going to raid a hideout of the Hamas. They have held some hostages in the basement. It will be a massive operation”, said Benjamin to Laxmi.
“Take care of yourself and take calculated risks. I will pray to my god. Lord Rama will protect all of you," said Laxmi, and the phone line was disconnected.
Benjamin and his unit barged into the hideout at the heart of Gaza city and attacked with hi-tech weapons. This time, Benjamin’s team did use the latest weapon. They call them flying grenades. Israel’s secret weapon proved a game changer. It saved the lives of many Israeli commandoes during the special operations. This new weapon was a small, bird-sized flying grenade. It has a sensor and a powerful camera. These flying grenades will silently enter each room and blow near Hamas terrorists, killing everyone within five meters of the area. The world has never seen or heard about flying grenades. The operation was successful, and Benjamin and his team successfully rescued nearly 15 hostages and captured five Hamas militants. There was zero casualty, and the task was accomplished with complete success.
When Benjamin’s team reached the military headquarters, Benjamin noticed a streak of blood near his ear. When he took out his helmet, to everyone’s surprise, a bullet had pierced through it. The bullet had not penetrated the bone of his skull because a little part of the bullet could be seen clearly. Benjamin was immediately taken for a CT scan. The senior officer also informed Laxmi about the situation with her husband. Laxmi rushed to the hospital, where Benjamin was taken for a CT scan. Laxmi’s eyes were full of tears.
“Don’t worry, Benjamin is alright," said one of the
army officers.
“But I want to see my husband. Where is he now?” asked Laxmi earnestly. The army officer took Laxmi to an underground room, where Benjamin was taken for the CT scan. Benjamin was in the wheelchair, and he was being taken to the CT scan room. In the meantime, Laxmi shouted loudly and asked the medical assistant to stop. She embraced Benjamin with both of her arms.
“Please, mam. Mind his head. We are taking him for the CT scan",
said the medical assistant.
“Are you alright? What has happened to you? What is wrong with you?” Laxmi threw a barrage of questions at Benjamin.
“Your God, Lord Rama, has saved my life. Don’t believe it. You see, there is a bullet in my head right now, and I am still alright," said Benjamin with a broad smile on his face.
“What are you talking about? A bullet in your head?”
“Yes, you are right. I have a bullet in my head, and I am all right because it pierced through my helmet, and the bullet has just made contact with the outer part of the skull. I can even touch the bullet with my fingers."
“Don’t worry mam. You can wait outside until the CT scan is done. It is a matter of half an hour, and you will receive the CT scan report," said the medical assistant.
“Yes, he is right," said Benjamin, and he was taken for a CT scan. After about forty minutes, Laxmi was informed that a CT scan was done and Benjamin needed no surgery to take out the bullet. The bullet is just under the skin. The bullet had not made any impact on the skull.
“Mam, your husband will receive a few stitches, and you can take him with you. He has been granted a weeklong medical leave. After the week, the army medical unit will examine Benjamin’s physical condition," said the doctors to Laxmi.
Benjamin and Laxmi drove home, where Abrahim and Easther, Benjamin’s mother, were waiting to receive Benjamin.
On the way, Laxmi said, “I have two good news for you
today."
“Oh, really. What is that?”
“The first one is, of course, my Benjamin, who is in
front of me. This is a big thing for me. Can you guess another one?”
“It is too difficult for me to guess another one. I am
quite eager to hear the next one."
Benjamin was clueless and looked bewildered. Laxmi gently
lifted Benjamin’s right hand and placed it on her abdomen.
“I am pregnant."
“What?”
“Yes, you heard right."
Benjamin was too happy to say anything. He kissed all
over the face of Laxmi and said, if he is a boy, then his name will be Ram, and
if she is a girl, then her name will be Sita.
Laxmi, nodded in agreement.
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