Chapter 53: The Shield of the Family
The morning after Colonel Rajvir and his wife arrived, the Singh household stirred gently with the first golden light of the sun.
In the backyard, the sweet smell of jasmine from the corner vines danced in the air. Naani ji, Kavita's mother, had wrapped her dupatta tightly around her shoulders and was sitting on the charpai under the guava tree, smiling down at little Meena, who was hopping over chalk-drawn squares of hopscotch on the patio stones. Ashok trailed her with a makeshift wooden sword, shouting "Jai Hind!" like a soldier in a battlefield, while Bharat observed the scene from a shaded step, sketching something in his small notebook.
Naani clapped softly as Meena jumped again and again. "You'll win the entire neighbourhood in hopscotch battles, Meena bitiya," she said, laughing. "But now come help your Nana make chai."
Inside, Colonel Rajvir Verma was already at the kitchen doorway, carefully slicing ginger for the tea. Despite his retired status, his bearing remained crisp — back straight, eyes sharp, and a slight commanding presence that was hard to miss. His khadi kurta was perfectly pressed. His moustache, still thick and jet-black, twitched occasionally with unspoken thoughts.
Vandana offered him a plate of hot poha and aloo pakora, and for a moment, they shared silence, the kind that exists between in-laws who deeply respect each other.
Ajay stepped into the room.
"Colonel saheb," he greeted, with both warmth and gravity. "Can we talk privately, before breakfast?"
Rajvir gave a small nod. "Let's go to the study."
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In the Study: A Strategic Conversation
The door clicked shut.
Ajay stood at the desk, still holding the early morning newspaper—barely read.
"Colonel saab," he began, "I won't pretend I'm not worried. The threats we've received, the murmurs from those who've lost influence—our family is becoming a target."
Rajvir folded his arms behind him. "You built something powerful. When that happens in this country, resistance follows. But fear doesn't help. Planning does."
Ajay continued, "I need your help. I want you to lead our new security agency. Officially. Not just for the business... but for our family. And I want to create a department for civil security and defense technology. Something that can evolve into civilian safety tech, but also support the army eventually."
Rajvir's eyes sparkled—part duty, part pride. "I retired from uniform. But not from service."
Ajay smiled faintly. "We've allotted funds. Five crore rupees, initial allocation. Salaries. Equipment. Infrastructure."
Rajvir nodded slowly, already calculating. "I will reach out to people I trust—retired colonels, intelligence officers, field specialists. Some lost their jobs due to politics. Some left in disgust. They'll join. But we must train young blood too. Some of your engineers can be molded into cybersecurity experts."
He paused, looked out the window where Ashok and Meena were still laughing under the sun. "And yes... we must protect them first."
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Formation of the Security Agency
Over the next few days, the Singh household slowly transformed from a bustling joint family to the nerve center of security operations.
Colonel Rajvir, now the official Chief of Security, recruited retired officers and men with clean records from military intelligence, special operations, and defense logistics.
Two rooms in the office complex in Aminabad were converted into command rooms. New radio communication systems, secure document lockers, and rotary encrypted phones were installed.
Surveillance of the family homes began quietly. CCTV cameras, still rare in India in 1984, were imported and installed in key locations—fitted inside brass lamp heads, behind wall frames, and atop gates.
Back at home, security men dressed in civilian attire now stood silently near the gates, blending with the neighborhood. A few walked with the children when they went to the park, pretending to be uncles or neighbours.
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Dinner and Reflections
On the third night after these developments, the whole family gathered for dinner again.
The meal was festive. Dal makhani, baingan bharta, and boondi raita shimmered on the steel thalis. Kavita's mother served hot rotis while Vandana brought in a bowl of steaming kheer, the smell of cardamom lingering in the air.
The children had changed into cotton nightclothes and were now curled up near Dadi and Naani, listening to stories about the days of freedom struggle and old kings who defended dharma.
Colonel Rajvir wiped his hands and looked at Ajay across the table. "The first ten security officers are ready. I've set up rotation at all company gates and factories. Even your textile agency in Kanpur has a backup plan now."
Vandana reached across and gently touched Meena's hair. "That's all I care about. Their safety."
Ajay said quietly, "Mine too."
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Kavita's Soft Moment
Later that night, as the children played near the swing on the front verandah, Kavita sat beside her father, a gentle breeze brushing through her braided hair.
"I always felt safe with you, Papa," she said softly, "and I want Meena and Ashok to feel that too."
Colonel Rajvir looked down at her with a rare tenderness. "They will. As long as I breathe."
Kavita's mother smiled and added, "And when your brother visits next month—his camera and all—you'll have a film director to make your memories immortal."
Kavita chuckled. "Yes. He wants to make films about army life. About the unseen bravery of jawans and the family left behind."
"That's good," Rajvir said. "Let India see not just the battles… but the hearts behind them."
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A Moment with Bharat
Later that night, Bharat stepped into the study where Ajay and Colonel Rajvir were finalizing deployment charts.
"Papa… Nana ji…"
Both men turned.
"I was thinking," Bharat said slowly, "we should also train our engineers in surveillance technology. Not just physical. But audio. Long-distance monitoring. You know… a think tank of sorts. Innovation in security intelligence."
Ajay raised an eyebrow, surprised by the clarity of Bharat's thought.
"You think we can develop this within a year?"
Bharat nodded. "Easily. With right guidance. And… maybe help from army labs too."
Colonel Rajvir smiled. "Then let it begin."
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The Final Words
As the house settled into sleep that night, the winds outside rustled through neem trees, and the moon cast long silver shadows across the lawn.
Ajay stood quietly at the window, watching the guards rotate positions outside the compound wall.
He whispered to himself, "We were builders. Now we are protectors."
And deep within the family home, behind the thick walls and warmth of tradition, a shield had been raised — not just of brick or bullet, but of love, loyalty, and vision.