The stream of headlights, along with the sounds of blaring engines, woke him from his slumber. The wee hours were his favourite when a few lights were spread along a hundred-kilometer asphalt. Working twenty hours a day was tiresome even for him. So, anybody disturbing his rest time was certainly not welcome.

As the convoy came near with the dawn, the picture became clear. The fleet was not any political rally or some billionaire's cavalcade; it was of our national heroes, the army trucks. A sight he had longed to see for the longest time.

The air had turned patriotic. Everyone was overjoyed, clapping overtook all the sounds in the neighborhood. The trees waved happily, the gravel was exultant, and shops were eager to serve at their command. 

As the fleet was covering the asphalt, it was met with cheers, tricolor flags, slogans, and salutes. “Operation Sindoor “echoed in the air. The radio in the dhaba was playing the Prime Minister's address to the nation. The war had formally begun. Though the news was all over the broadcast, he never thought he would also get a chance to become a part of history again. Giving wings to the soldier's ride was his job.

He looked at himself. Though there were some rough patches, he could give the heroes a smooth ride. He smiled, ready to do his duty. Everything was going fine, but just when the fleet had reached halfway, one of the trucks got stuck in a hole, bringing the pride march to a halt. There was an absolute silence.

He was shocked and embarrassed. He felt as if he had betrayed his nation. He wanted to run away and hide from this humiliation. He was a disgrace for sure. The clock was ticking fast, raising his heartbeat with each passing second. He went blank. He did not know the solution. It has almost been three decades since he was last called for his duty. He was in a panic. But deep down, a voice echoed- ' You can do it, buddy'.

He took a deep breath, pulled himself up, mustered all the courage he had, and quivered himself a bit. It felt like there was a mild earthquake. The truck was released at that very instant. The fleet resumed its journey in style. Everyone clapped and waved at it.

He sighed in relief. A big burden was off his shoulders. He could never bear the shame of disrupting the journey of the nation's heroes. The trucks rode smoothly and were gone in a minute. He kept looking at them until they were out of sight. He saluted the men in uniform with pride.

Soon after he was back at his regular job. He looked at the display board on his left side carrying his name. The letters written on it were sparkling today- ‘NH 1111-The War Highway’.