Love stories are always beautiful. You can know its beauty only when you start loving. We might have read many love stories which were heart touching. We cannot predict how our life changes from day to day. A sad demise may strike us suddenly when we are living happily. Here is one such kind of story which becomes an inspiration for all those who are in love and who are going into fall in love. But it makes you weep at the end.
Beginning of the Love Story:
This is a love story between two Indian Air Force officers. This real story was taken from Fauji Life and Their Love Confessions page on Facebook.The Love story between Deepika Dadlani and Ronald Kevin Serrao began in January 2002. It was the time during which Deepika joined the second term of training in the Air Force Academy while Ronald was in the final term. Ronald noticed her name on the arrival list of cadets at the railway station. Their love story began with a game of charades and later it lead to the long talks about work, life, dreams and family during their way from cycle stand to mess. Love brought them closer to each other in such a way that Deepika used to skip the dinner as it was the only time during which she can talk with him.
Distance Between Them Brought Their Hearts Much Closer:
Things always don’t go as the way we think. Training days were completed very soon. Unfortunately, they were never posted at the same place. They used to meet each other on the holidays and weekends. ‘Distance makes the hearts grow fonder’ they used to say. They got engaged in December 2004 and in April 2006 they tied the knot. They were not posted in the same region even after their marriage.She visited him in Tezpur, Halwara, and Ambala and he visited her in Bangalore and Agra during the weekends and it’s sure enough those visits were some of the best moments of their lives!
Life Was Like A Fairy Tale:
“My life was like a fairy tale when Ron was around” recalls Deepika. He was her friend, philosopher, and guide. He taught her as a fellow pilot and he guided her in the tough situations of the life. Flt Lt Ronald Kevin Serrao! “When I got my captain ranking, he was the first person I called……and because he understood all the intricate details of the process, it made the celebrations much sweeter” Deepika proudly grows nostalgic upon saying about Ronald.
Things That Went Out Of The Plan:
Deepika had flown Ron and his squadron to Nal on the Jan10, 2007. They celebrated Ron’s birthday which was actually on Jan17 as they may be unable to meet on that day. On the 17th, they had a long talk and unfortunately it became their last conversation. He had told her that it was his best birthday ever. Deepika was in her room and trying to make a phone call to Ron on 18th as it was a day off for her. But it was unable to connect a call. She was obviously worried. She grabbed the rosary from under her pillow and began to pray. At one point the rosary broke. She knew something was not right. So, she came out of her room “Just then, I saw my Commanding Officer and the Flight Commander walking towards me with their spouses. I was not sure why they wanted to talk to me.” They made her sit and told the news of the air crash. The Jaguar combat jet in which Ron was flying had blown up mid-air over Jaisalmer district in Rajasthan a few hours ago.
The Unexpected Tragedy:
“My world came crashing down and my head began to spin when I heard the news,” says Deepika “and my life has not been the same since” she adds. Mortal remains were brought in IAF plane from Ambala to Mangalore.Rituals were done on January20 paying respects to the brave man. Deepika reveals the painful reality: “Frankly, I was in a state of trance that day and for quite some time thereafter. I had many sleepless nights and was put on medication.” She was given a new ID card and that has become her new identity as she was categorized under the war widow.
Life Goes On:
“I had to live for our families, for Ron’s dreams and for our dreams. So, I got back to work but could never set my foot in the cockpit,” she said. She tried for a whole year after the tragedy but could not fly. “It felt as though a part of me had died with Ron. My passion for flying and the joy of it all was dead. What else can I say? My wingman is gone” Deepika added. Many advised her to forget the past but it’s not easy as saying in the words. So, she requested a premature release from the Air Force, got back to studies and completed her MBA. Now, she took a job as a civilian in the corporate sector.
Tragedy Changed Her Life Forever:
Deepika says that the tragedy has made her more patient, more responsible but less alive. she moved back to New Delhi where she now lives with a dog and a full-time maid. Slowly things got better. “Early in life, I learned to respect knowledge and humility. My maternal aunt who is a spastic has been my role model. I have realized seeing my aunt that hard work and dedication makes nothing impossible” says Deepika. Her dream since her childhood was to become a pilot and military officer. So, she joined Air Force as it was the perfect combination of the both. Training years were very tough for women. “Ron was very proud of my accomplishments and the fact that I was a pilot in the Air Force made him beam with pride,” Deepika says and “Even today, I encourage all the parents to send at least one of their children to serve in the armed forces. In spite of the tragedy and the agony I went, though if I have a child in this life or the next, I will definitely want him or her to join the military and wear the uniform that made all of us proud” she adds.
Life is always trouble until you fear to face it. So face all the challenges.