The Inseperables

Their entire home was ransacked. Like everyone else's in their neighborhood. Every single household item was examined. The ones which were of no material significance were destroyed. Even the sacred relics such as the Mezuzah and Menurah were desecrated. There were cries of women, children, and men, pleading with the Officers of the Reich for mercy. But the Officers were unrelenting and the SS troops had been briefed to round up every Jew in sight. And the ones who would resist were being shot point-blank invariably.

"The situation is beyond repair. It is wise to relent quietly" said Frank to his wife Sonia. They were led forcefully down the staircase of their home and put in a military vehicle, which was already teeming with people. The Star of David was put on each person to single them out as 'Unwanted', 'Vermin', and 'Enemy of the Reich'. It was the year of 1942, the 2nd World War was at its fiercest phase and the last of the Jews in Poland were being exterminated at the infamous concentration camp known as Auschwitz.

"I am scared," said Sonia. "Our days are numbered. Like the thousands before us, we too will be gassed to death. Everything is over Frank, everything is over". She was inconsolable and tears were incessantly rolling down her eyes. Frank tried to pacify his wife. But nothing that he said could ameliorate Sonia's feelings. In fact, even he knew that they were at a very precarious position and only a miracle could save them from death.

Soon the truck laden with these poor living souls reached its destination. The prisoners were alighted, each of them was engraved with a unique identification number. Then separate queues were formed for Men, Women, and Children. Pandemonium reigned at this juncture. Families were being separated with blatant force by the SS soldiers and their Officers were barking orders in rapid German. Two soldiers approached Sonia and Frank and shouted profanities at the couple. They were ordered unequivocally to separate and join their respective queues. "Whatever happens Frank, please do not let go of me. I do not want to be gassed to death. And I cannot imagine life without you. Please do not let go off me" said Sonia and embraced Frank with whatever strength she could muster. Frank too had put both his arms around her waist and thought to himself: "I am not letting her go. If this is our final act of defiance so be it. But I am not letting go of the person I love the most".

The soldiers tried to separate the couple with every ounce of strength that they possessed. But even their strong and robust selves were unable to separate the couple. They tried time and again. But the couple could not be separated. Their efforts were futile and soon they ran out of vitality.

"Halt!!" ordered a Nazi Official. "Step back, both of you!!". The soldiers moved away hastily. Frank suspected that the end was near. He took his wife's face in his hands and murmured; "I love you"!

The very next moment two gunshots were fired. The sound of the shots silenced everyone in the vicinity. Two bodies dropped to the ground, never to rise again. Their lives were cut short in a blink of an eye. Yet, the love that they had for each other was unaffected. And immortalized by the fortunate men and women, the survivors from the camp, who were lucky enough to have witnessed that final act of defiance.