Major Vijay Singh
Major Vijay Singh watched Jamie Stewart staring at his sister as she walked toward the makeshift hospital in the back of the estate. He had known for a long time that Jamie had feelings for his sister, but Vijay could not imagine betrothing his beloved sister to a man going to war. Vijay liked Jamie and always thought Jamie was the best of men, but all men walking into this war were walking into a death sentence, and he did not want his little sister to become a widow at 22.
Vijay had thought long and hard about what type of man would be good for his sister. As her older brother and the only family they had left, it was his responsibility to make sure that she made a good match. As he walked into the map room, Vijay had considered many different men within the camp to be his sister's groom. These men were steady farmers and businessmen and were not going to war. Yet, he knew that his sister would never agree to whomever he picked. Sirita had a stubborn streak from a very young age. At 5, she announced at their older sister's wedding, that she would only marry for love. Subsequent beatings from their father did nothing to deter her. By 15, Sirita had to leave India or risk being killed, and Vijay, at 17, was sent to protect and guide his sister in England. Neither had ever returned home.
As he settled into his maps, tedious work but Vijay loved it, he thought about the event that brought them to England six years ago: His sister's last betrothal. At the age of 15, Sirita was betrothed to a man 15 years her senior. Vijay did not like the man at all. He was a disgusting, vile man, who wanted to make Sirita one of his wives. Vijay knew that his sister would live a miserable life. Sirita herself steadfastly refused to marry this man or even meet her intended. On the day of her wedding, she ran away with Vijay's help. She was found, and subsequently, Sirita was returned home. Their father kept her confined to her bedroom until arrangements could be made to have her stoned to death. The night before her death, their mother allowed them both to escape with the provision that Vijay would always look after his sister. They made it to England without a problem, but received a letter from their mother, stating that they could never return home.
Vijay turned over a map and sighed. He missed India—its sights, sounds, and smells, and of course, women. Still, he adored his sister, and England, despite their problems with racial prejudice, turned out to be the refuge they hoped it would be. Vijay checked the clock. He had three hours to work before he met with Sirita's potential mate, and six hours before he, Sirita, James, Jamie, and Charlie had their final dinner together.