Sunil RP Sethi
Nafeesa was attached to daughters Sahiba and Nadira though not as much as Anwar . Both these girls were married by Drabu when they were about 18 years and 17 years respectevily. Drabu didnt even think it necessary to discuss the marriage with her. She was just informed at the last moment of impending marriages of both daughters in a single function with nephews of Drabu and given money to do marriage shopping . Both girls wanted to study and pleaded with her to talk to their father but she remembered the face of Drabu on that day when he killed her family. And she remained mum . Her only respite was that Anwar was equally attached to her and for him whatever his mother ordered was to be complied with as a command of God. Anwar was good in studies and passed secondary school in first grade . He always wanted to join army . Though Nafeesa was fearful of Anwar going to army but she never wanted to see disappointment in eyes of her only reason to live . She smilingly gave her consent . Drabu opposed and scolded Anwar and even raised his hand but Anwar was stout young man of 18years and Drabu was not as strong as he was 30 years back. Consent of mother was what mattered for Anwar. Drabu didnt have guts to ask her to stop Anwar .
When Anwar got selected for Army Defence Academy the whole locality came to congratulate her. It was there she met Nahid for the first time. She was almost of the same age as Nafeesa and was working as a teacher in a local primary school. Her husband had died and she had one daughter who was studying in Matriculation. In short time, they became close friends. Nafeesa got a friend for first time in life. Nahid ‘s story was no different either. She was only seven years old when her whole family was murdered before her eyes on the bridge of River Chinab . And person who murdered her whole family was just a boy of may be 17 or 18 years of age . He was of course part of a crowd . All captured persons including females were made to stand on bridge and then after beheading, the bodies were thrown into the river to go to their Pakistan. She had never heard of Pakistan before. She alongwith whole family was taken from their village in Reasi for “safe and secure place “.
And this was done by the village Numberdar Jaipal Singh whom she had always called and treated Chacha and her family was murdered on bridge by the son of same Chacha Jaipal Singh . When her turn came for being butchered the hands of her murderer must have shaken. She got a big slash of Sword on her shouldér and was thrown into river Chinab. Ice cold water of Chinab washed her wound and froze her blood before she fell unconscious only to regain her consciousness in a refugee camp in areas under control of Pakistan. She heard in camp itself about number of headless bodies coming from river. Inhumanity everywhere .
But then she saw face of God. Molvi Tari adopted 13 hapless children who arrived from river alive and took them to local Masjid where a part was then converted as their residence . Molvi was father figure to all and was full of compassion . Because of his reputation and conduct there was never problem in funds gathering for upbringing of the kids. She studied and got her graduation and then was married to Zaman who was working as Engineer in Mangla Dam . Her life was smooth now but never a day passed when she was not woken from sleep from nightmare of horrific incident on the Bridge . She again saw kindness of her God when she was blessed with daughter Anjum . Life had taken a full turn and she thought nothing bad can happen to her now .
But destiny had its own plan. Zaman, who had been very kind and loving to her, met with an accident and died when Anjum was only 4 years old . She was shattered but had to stand strong atleast for Anjum. She was given a job as teacher because of death of her husband while on duty . And this started her struggle to sustain life with self respect . Living alone with minor daughter was not easy in male dominated society . As widow she was taken as easy prey by males and it was difficult job to save herself from these vultures . She put up a strong face and after initial problems she came out as a strong woman . When getting her became impossible then group of males spread rumour that she was having an affair and that was reason she did not marry again . She wondered as why a woman is thought of in particular way only. Didn’t she have heart and a body which felt pain and self respect which got trampled . So the life continued. And then she met Nafeesa. Two bonded like sisters or may be more than that . Pain had met pain . Their time used to pass in each other’s company discussing about their lives. The dam had broken and emotions had flooded out. Nafeesa at times failed to decide that whose agony was more. One thing she was sure. Animal in man sees no religion. It appears everywhere .
Anwar got commissioned in army and came home in uniform to seek blessings of his mother . When he came home Nafeesa was not there . Enquiring he reached house of Nahid to find his beloved mother. His heart came to mouth when he saw his mother bitterly crying as also Nahid . He was full of rage when he asked his mother who was reason of tears in her eyes . She avoided answer . Nahid couldn’t. He came to know each and everything what had happened to his mother. He was full of hatred for his father . And then he came to know everything about Nahid too from Nafeesa. Nafeesa told him to forgive his father as it was different times . He asked a simple question ” Can you forgive him ” . Nafeesa was speechless . Nahid held her closely to allow her to cry .
Nafeesa liked Anjum who was now in college. She was ordinary looking girl but was full of respect and mannerism . Anwar was very good looking and Anjum was no match to him . For that reason Nafeesa didn’t say anything to him though she confided with Nahid that she would have liked the relation . One day Drabu came home very happy. Nafeesa had never asked him anything and in fact she had made it a habit to only answer in minimum words whatever was asked . He himself told her that minister Hayyat Khan had asked about marriage of Anwar with his daughter who was a very good looking daughter . She didn’t say anything. Telegram was sent to ask Anwar to come home . He was posted in Karachi and came within 2 days with worried looks about her . When Anwar was told about proposal he was also happy .
Next day when Nafeesa had gone to residence of Nahid as was daily routine for her, Anwar went there to take Nafeesa for shopping. It was there he overheard Nafeesa and Nahid talking about him and he came to know that her mother wanted him to marry Anjum. Ordinary looking Anjum suddenly became extraordinary in his eyes as she was choice of his mother . Back home he waited for Nafeesa to come back . He then called his parents together to announce that he was interested in marrying Anjum and not daughter of minister . Drabu shouted and cried and pleaded but Anwar had no regard and concern for him. For him decision had been taken by person who mattered. Nafeesa had tears in her eyes. How can a son be so sacrificing . She had a son who had treated her as God whose decision was final . She couldn’t sacrifice happiness of Anwar. So she pleaded with him to change decision but Anwar remained rock solid on his decision and had simple marriage with Anjum who came to household as fragrance from fresh flowers . Drabu didnt like to see face of Anjum but couldn’t do anything .
Anwar was blessed with a son after 3 years . She went to stay with Anjum in Rawalpindi where Anwar was posted as Major in army . She remained there for about three months. First time she had travelled out of Mirpur . Anwar insisted upon her not to go back and live with him only but she had to go as Drabu had fallen sick and had nobody to look after. So Anwar came to drop her back as her word was command for him. It was winter time and water of dam had receeded. She asked Anwar to take her to old city . She was going their for first time after 50 years .
Reaching old city she saw ruins of her Haveli. She could still see Haveli and it’s Varandah were her father and brothers were butchered by Drabu. She fell down on Verandh and was lifted by Anwar and Nahid who was accompanying. She identified the place to Anwar where his grandfather and uncles were killed . She put soil of age on her head which was repeated by Anwar . She then went to ruins of Shiv Temple where miscreants had written offensive things on Temple walls . There was no idol, now but she sat in prayer while Anwar and Nahid waited out . Her life had come full circle.
(The author is a Senior Advocate)
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