A couple of day back , met Ilm-deen again , he is now a skeleton of what he was , his shirt and pant appeared loose on his once athletic figure . there were dark spots around his eyes , and was obviously in a depressed state .
he looked at me , empty mindedly , perhaps not even recognizing me , I went over to his table at the usual Quetta Talash Hotel , where I would see him often , sat beside him and asked him how he was ...
his empty eyes , looked at me as if trying to remember , then a little glint of recognition and in a voice which did not revealed his inner state , cordially asked me to sit .....then without asking me , ...ordered a cup of tea ....and just stared at me ...without saying anything ...
I asked him how he was , and he without hesitation as if mechanically answered he is alright and in the same breath asked about me ....
Actually I had heard a news , a news about his third daughter getting married , I was wondering whether he knew it or not , for he did not knew , or probably he was not told ,when they married Off his second daughter , and when I told him about his second daughter's marriage , ............his eyes went blank ..and a small tear appeared in some corner of his eye ...said nothing , ...gulped his tea and stood up and just went away .... with as straight and upright as one can be......but when he was outside the Hotel ....his shoulders and head dropped he walked away ..... as a broken man....
It pained me ....so now with the news of his third daughter too getting married , and finding myself again in the same position ..... of that a messenger of doom .... I could not muster courage .... all I could do was ask him again ...how is he.....?
..He sensed something in my voice ....and just looked at me ....first empty mindedly ...then a shadow came into his eyes , his whole face depicted a pang of pain , eyes dropped ....and he stood up .... stood there for an eternity ....shoulders dropped .....so did his head , turned around ..and started walking toward the door .
then stopped , turned back to me......and looked at me hard ......and murmured .....' so they have married away my daughter ....' .....!!
a wave of fear , went through my spine .... sort of a jolt , and I too stood up ....and just kept looking at him ...a ragging storm filled my head , I felt paralyzed , a small bead of sweat must have appeared on my forehead , for I have not told him anything , not even a hint , .... he must have seen them ....for a wry cruel smile came onto his lips .... he just nodded his head as is he understand , then with a twist of face ....just turned back and walked out ....
I went after him , and saw his shoulders straightening and his head raised again , as if with an effort he is trying to control his inner turmoil .........and then melted into the scene .
I just stood there ....
..that night I cried , i cried so much that my pillow was soaked in my tears....
Aah Ilm-din ... when will his miseries end , and for what God , if any such thing exists , is torturing him
why ...why why....? and i have no answer
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