![When Two Men Came Knocking](https://cdn.magzter.com/Outlook/1718173027/articles/DgR6JmDV81718195181671/WHEN-TWO-MEN-CAME-KNOCKING.jpg)
WHILE looking through the window in the early hours of dawn, I watched closely the tree that had started to bloom. It was midspring and the trees had started to flower.
From the Islamic pattern carved out at the entrance of the gate, I remembered a loud thud that I heard on a Saturday in 2009. It was evident that I had to open the gate and see if my mother had already come from work. To my surprise, I welcomed two army personnel to a party I never hosted.
I was in the ninth standard. We usually had Saturdays off. I was reading a book which was gifted by my aunt. I knew my mother would come back at 3:00 pm. It was a time when cellular mobile phones had not yet come into the market, and we still used landlines for communication.
She would call at 2:00 pm and ask me to do the daily tasks. The times in Kashmir were marked by protests and a slight chill. In the evenings, the protests took place after the Maghrib prayers, and I remember looking at the silhouette of the birds at sunset. The picturesque Kashmir looked morose that day.
While waiting for my mother, I used to spend time reading and writing. The best part of my day was reading story books bought by my family and myself. I remember reminiscing about childhood and playing day and night.
This story is from the June 11, 2024 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 11, 2024 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Lost In The Rat Race](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/yQJj0cNnT1719485452859/crp_LOST-IN-THE-RAT-RACE.jpg)
Lost In The Rat Race
The NEET exam is mired in multiple controversies. Will this medical entrance exam fiasco discourage future aspirants?
![The Rise Of 'Ravan'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/S92CRzy5e1719483315657/crp_THE-RISE-OF-RAVAN.jpg)
The Rise Of 'Ravan'
Chandrashekhar Azad ‘Ravan’, ‘The son of Saharanpur’, is raring to bring a new brand of Dalit-Bahujan politics to Parliament
![Unquiet Flows The Tawi](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/D2SdMTF5z1719484932978/UNQUIET-FLOWS-THE-TAWI.jpg)
Unquiet Flows The Tawi
The recent attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district spotlights Jammu’s increased vulnerability to militancy
![Rebel With a Cause](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/x69LoYols1719484847404/REBEL-WITH-A-CAUSE.jpg)
Rebel With a Cause
Congress rebel candidate Vishal Patil fights as an independent, defeats the BJP candidate and sitting MP by over one lakh votes and rejoins the Congress
![Winds of Change](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/aBlTGEZqX1719484611586/WINDS-OF-CHANGE.jpg)
Winds of Change
Ethnic questions and local dynamics make the Bharatiya Janata Party lose ground in the Northeast
![The Giant Killer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/agaasAgQw1719484501016/THE-GIANT-KILLER.jpg)
The Giant Killer
The election campaign of Geniben Thakor, the lone Congress MP from Gujarat, was as impressive as her victory
![Chak De Change](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/ABUTp_Ue_1719484341951/CHAK-DE-CHANGE.jpg)
Chak De Change
There is a new churning in Punjab politics and the Bharatiya Janata Party is diving in with an eye on the 2027 assembly election
![Minority Mantra](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/n8KSjk5nQ1719484223459/MINORITY-MANTRA.jpg)
Minority Mantra
The elevation of George Kurian, long serving Party functionary, to the Union cabinet is part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ongoing “Christian project” in Kerala
![Art of the Possible](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/oi5xyy5HS1719484126421/ART-OF-THE-POSSIBLE.jpg)
Art of the Possible
Youngest Dalit MP Shambhavi Choudhary plans to focus on connectivity to schools, colleges and hospitals, women and jobs
![Red Revival](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/9mcw3ZvmQ1719483946473/RED-REVIVAL.jpg)
Red Revival
On his way to the hallowed chamber of Parliament, OBC leader Sudama Prasad defeated a BJP stalwart in Arrah and ensured CPI-ML’s entry into Parliament after more than three decades