The chair is rickety. But, I perch on it every day. 

Four months ago, I came here with three sets of salwar kameez and some thick cardigans packed in a small suitcase. Since then, this camping tent has become my home. Paapaji said coming here would be the greatest lesson of my life. And it has been.  

I started nursing school two years ago but left it mid way to come here. 

Beeji said it doesn’t matter if I am a doctor or a nurse. For a Canada-based Punjabi to marry me, I can have either. So, I chose the easier option.

That October evening, as the crimson sun was setting, paapaji strode upto me and said every Punjabi has a duty towards her ‘des’ and this is my time to payback the debt to my nation. I was the only nurse in the village and they needed me at the borders of Delhi

So I left home.
I travelled all night in a tattered mini bus along with most of our neighbours and friends to reach Tikri in Uttar Pradesh.