Ghunchah

By Sabir Mirza

When Mahnaaz saw Aftaab, he said to her:

When I see you I get lost in you. I feel how lucky am I, whose sweetheart is a girl like you? You seem to me like a fairy -- extremely beautiful or pari paikar, with angelic and innocent face, eyes as blue as that of very deep and a clear lake, pure like water flowing over the falls originating from the hilltops. In the garden of the world you are beauty of the garden, and all the beauty of the world is with your presence. God has created you in His own image in a majestic and artistic manner. You are a unique creation of the Creator with no parallels in the entire world. You seem to me as if you are daughter of the moon or binat e- mahtaab, who has come down to the earth to play with me

The girls working in the guesthouse were Yati, Nessa, and Sundri. The most beautiful was Sundri. Someone very correctly gave her a nickname, Ghunchah, meaning the bud of a rose flower. But she was very unfortunate. Her husband died just two years after the marriage. Most of the women who visited her for condolence advised her to have patience. But she knew how difficult it was and only that one knew who had gone through it.

When I saw my bride for the very first time I said to her, Zarina! If you like that our married life may be comfortable and enviable, please try to be obedient to my dear mother just like me. And also love my younger brothers and sister, and keep them happy.

Chewing paan (betel leaf) and looking at Saleem Rekha said, Shehzadae! Merhaba (welcome Prince). Nargis, Bunto, Nina, Bulbul and Kasturi are since long waiting for you.

The very first song, which Nargis sang while the other girls were dancing, was a very popular Punjabi Folk song which means: Oh! My sweetheart where had you spent the night? My heart was lost in your thoughts throughout the long and tiring night.

Sunil proposed to construct a new Town to be named as Soergnagar (a town in paradise) to help the poor and needy to fulfill their basic needs: Rooti (bread), Kupra (clothes) aur (and) Makaan (home). And there would be no restriction, whatsoever, to shooders (untouchable). They would be treated equally and fairly as all others.

After waiting for two hours and making several rounds of the Accountant Generals (A. G.) Office building in Lahore, Gul Khaan, Bacha Khaan and Shair Gul Khaan were tired. Shair Gul said, Yeh khanzir ka bachha, Bhatti kahaan chupp gia. Yeh zalil to soodh khoor Pathanoo ko bhee dugha dae gia. This son of a pig, Batti, where did he hide himself? This mean fellow succeeded in cheating even the money lender Pathaans who eat the interest earned. That borrowed money Bhatti used to spend on hiring model girls for his nights. He told me, He is doing so to take revenge from the women, because my entire life has been ruined by a woman my stepmother (Soteeli Maan).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 30, 2008
• ISBN: 9781462838172

Sabir Mirza

none

Book preview

Copyright © 2008 by Sabir Mirza.

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4363-4230-8

                  Softcover                                 978-1-4363-4229-2

                  Ebook                                      9781462838172

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

39148

Contents

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

ONE

BINATA-E-MAHTAAB

Aftaab and Mahnaaz were next-door neighbors. Their houses were adjacent to each other. Roofs of their houses had the same level, about 11 feet higher than the ground level. Almost all the houses of their village, Nurpur were similar and had common roofs. There were some twenty streets in Nurpur. All the houses were of mud-bricks, reinforced with chopped wheat straw and baked in the sun. All the houses had roofs of sarkanda (cane) and pilchi (straw mattress), and cow-dung plaster. There was a big diara (large guesthouse type structure) for daily gossiping in the evenings, and for the village meetings. In the outer compound of the diara was a gigantic banyan tree, which used to give thick cooling shade. In the burning sun of summer the villagers used to relax under its cool shade at noon. They also used to have their lunch under that tree. Opposite of the diara, and about 500 feet away was the village pond to collect the extra water during the monsoon heavy rains. The animals used to drink water from this pond. Also they could swim and bathe in that pond. The women generally washed the family clothes at the edge of the pond. Also this was a news media center. All the village news were mostly originated from the pond or the diara. All the secrets were open secrets. News used to spread rapidly like the wildfire.

Aftaab was three years older than Mahnaaz. The other children of their street were: Sheeda, Pheeka, Rahimo, Hidat, Allah Ditta, Jeeja, Ghani, Wahid, Shafih, Jeera, Rani, Peeno, Khurshaid, Rahematae, Barkatae, Neelo, Zanib, Aasia, Fehamida, and Ayesha.

Boys used to play: Kabbadi, Gulli Danda, Shitapoo, Rasa Kashi, Kushti, and Lattoo.

• Kabbadi: This game is popular in Punjab (Pakistan), and all over the south Asia. The game is played between two teams. A line is drawn between the two teams. Each team sends a player across the line. If the player after crossing the line is able to touch any player of the opposite team and came back without being caught, the team doing so would win a point which would be added to its score. This process by the player crossing the line and shouting Kodi, Kodi, Kodi—has to be performed in a single breath. The team with higher score would be the winner.

• Gulli Danda: This is basically a game for the boys. It is the simplest version of the cricket. It is played with two wooden sticks—one long one with one pointed end (called danda), and the other small one with both ends pointed (called gulli). Two teams divide themselves—one throws the gulli, and the other team uses the danda to strike it.

• Rasa Kashi: (Tug of War): The game is played by two teams. A line is drawn between the two teams, each having one end of the rope in its hands. The team, which is able to drag the other team to its side, is declared as the winning team.

• Kushti: (Wrestling): Two boys wrestle in an Akhara (a place in the center of the ground ploughed and dressed). Also new and young wrestlers practice wrestling while learning from an Ustad (Guru or instructor). Whosoever, can drop the rival is a winner.

• Latto (yo-yo): It is about four to six inches diameter circular conical wooden toy. The top and circumferential edges are painted with deep colors. The conical side has grooves to wind a string. At the bottom of the cone a needle about 0.125 inches thick, which is driven with about one inch projected out, which turns on the firm ground. A carpenter manufactures it on the lathe machine as a custom made toy.

The girls generally entertain them with: trinjan, kikli, khidu, wedding of guddi (female doll) and gudda (male doll), and fetching of water from the well or wash clothes at the pond. Also they used to help in planting of the rice and weeding of the crops.

• Trinjan: This is one of the most popular entertainment for the girls and women, where the girls spin and sing. Also some girls start dancing. In singing and dancing the girls express their sorrows and happiness i.e. joys of meeting with their lovers and the pangs of separation. The spinning wheel plays a significant role in the lives of girls and women of all ages. It is sort of a companion and a counselor in distress, and a friend and guide in happiness. An example of a song of a married girl in Trinjan:

Chrkha mera rangla Vich sone dian mekhan

My spinning wheel is colorful Studded in it are nails of gold

Ni mai tenu yaad karan Jad charkhe wal dekhan

Oh mother! I remember you When I look at the spinning wheel

• Kikli: This game is basically for the girls and young women. Two girls or women clasp their hands and move fast in circles. It is played by two or four players and multiple of two. While moving the girls sing. An example of their song is:

Kikli kleer dee

Kikli kleer dee (these words are just for musical sound

And these have no special meanings)

Pag mere vir dee

Turban of my brother

Dupatta mere bhabi da

Head cover of my sister-in-law

Phitte mun jawi da

To hell with the son-in-law

• Khidu (Ball): The girls sing while playing with the ball made of cloth. In fact the rhymes and this game are suitable for the children (small girls). There are one to ten rounds, and with every round is a song.

There were a few games which the boys and girls used to play together. Those included: Lukkan Meeeti (hide and seek), Shitapoo, Kokla Chhapaki, Chicha Chich Ganerian, and the celebration of the wedding of Guddi (female doll) and Gudda (male doll).

• Shitapoo: In a small court some rectangles and squares are drawn on the firm ground. A piece of flat circular stone is thrown. The player enters the court by hopping on one leg and strikes the stone in an effort to bring it out of the court towards its entrance. While striking out the stone if the foot of the player touches the ground then he is declared, out or dead.

• Kokla Chhapaki: The game is also popular amongst the children. Both boys and girls play it. Children sit in a circle. One child has a cloth in hand and he goes in around the circle giving a repeated loud warning to the children sitting in the circle, ‘not to look back’. The cloth is then dropped gently at the back of a child. If it is discovered before the child, who had placed it there, had completed the round, the child who discovered the cloth would run after him, and try to touch him with it, till he sits in the place vacated by the one, who had discovered the cloth. The boy who moves around with the cloth in hand sings:

Kokla Chhapaki Meeri Varri Ayi Eh

Koklal Chhapaki my turn has come

Jehra Agge Pichhe Dekhe

Whosoever will look forward or backward?

Odhi Shamat Ayi Je

He will be in trouble

• Chicha Chich Ganerian: This game is played both by boys and girls. It is generally played by two teams. It involves drawing as many vertical lines as possible in a specified time. The team who draws more lines within that time is the winner.

In Nurpur there were two village schools, one for the boys and the other for the girls. Both the schools were up to elementary level i.e. fifth grade. Besides those schools there was a Madrassa (religious school) attached to the village mosque, where the boys and girls used to learn recitation of the holy Qur’an. Imam of the mesjid (mosque) used to teach Qur’an, both to the boys and the girls (under 10 years). Some of the boys were 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 years old, who were also shagirds (students) of Imam. Also Imam used to teach the Islamic history and life of the prophets. Every villager highly respected the Imam, the Headmaster of the boy’s school, and the Headmistress of the girl’s school. They were invited to all the functions: birthday parties and all the weddings. Their attendance was considered as a mark of honor for the host.

Aftaab and Mahnaaz liked each other. They had very tender feelings and sentiments of innocent love for each other. But that love was never expressed, neither by Aftaab nor by Mahnaaz. They had similar likes and dislikes. Both of them were very good in their studies. Both of them were sober and gentle. They never fought with any boy or girl, even if someone had said something bad about them. They generally excused the faults and misbehaviors of others. Both were very respectful and obedient to their parents. Both respected all the elders of their street and other streets of Nurpur. Comparatively Aftaab’s parents were poorer than those of Mahnaaz. But she never bragged about it. She was humble like a sheep. Two of the boys: Sheeda and Jeeja were very arrogant and naughty. Many times they used to tease Aftaab and also to some other boys. Mahnaaz and Aftaab did not like them. They generally used to avoid them.

One day after returning from school, Aftaab finished his homework after the lunch, as was his daily routine. Late in the afternoon he went to the playground to play with his friends: Pheka, Wahid, Shafih, Rahimo and Ghani. They started playing volleyball. All of them were immensely enjoying the game. After about half an hour Sheeda and Jeeja also came there. They insisted that they also wanted to play the volleyball. Aftaab agreed to let them play as well. But they really did not like to play; they just wanted to trouble Aftaab and his friends. Sheeda insisted, Aftaab and his friends must stop playing, and start the game like a new game, with the addition of two more players. Aftaab objected to that proposal and said to Sheeda and Jeeja, If you like to play you must join us, but we would continue playing the same game, which we were already playing. But Sheeda and Jeeja insisted on their demand to stop that game which was started earlier. Aftaab and his friends refused to accept the unfair demand of Sheeda and Jeeja. Rather than agreeing with Aftaab, they started fighting with him. The game was ruined. Aftaab got some injuries from the punching of Sheeda and Jeeja. His nose was seriously hurt and it started bleeding severely. His friends rushed him to the village dispensary for dressing of his wounds. Later, when he returned home, his parents were shocked to learn the misbehavior of Sheeda and Jeeja.

In the evening Aftaab’s father visited the homes of Sheeda and Jeeja. He complained to their parents about the misbehavior of their sons with Aftaab. They felt very sorry and they directed their respective sons to apologize from Aftaab, or they would beat them like devils. Sheeda and Jeeja expressed their sincerest apology to the father of Aftaab. They also promised that tomorrow they would personally apologize from Aftaab in the school. Aftaab’s father was pleased with the reply of Sheeda and Jeeja. After returning home he informed about the result of his visit to his wife and Aftaab. They were satisfied and pleased. Next morning in the lunch break both Sheeda and Jeeja met Aftaab and apologized from him for their misbehavior. Aftaab excused them. After that they became his good friends.

Aftaab studied hard and got scholarships in Vernacular Final (eight grade) and Matriculation (tenth grade) examinations of the Punjab University. On the merit basis he was selected to study pre-engineering in the most famous and well reputed Government College, Lahore. Aftaab got a single room accommodation in the New Hostel of the Government College. This was located at the corner of the Mall Road and Multan Road, and opposite to the Lahore District Courts. Anarkali, the most famous shopping center was only one block away from his hostel. In the evening most of the students residing in the New Hostel used to walk to Anarkali for window shopping, and seeing some pretty girls, who came to Bano Bazaar for eating fruit chaat (freshly chopped fruits mixed with spices), and buying bangles. Those girls included newly wed brides, students of the girls or women colleges in Lahore, daughters of rich and middle class, and sometimes some village girls, who were about to be married. Some of the boys used to chase and tease some pretty girls just for the sake of fun. There were some other attractive things as well-like samoosas, kulfi, fallooda, shami Kababs, Seikh Kababs, Jallunder mooti choor luddos, ras malai, tandoori chicken and roast mat of the famous NEEMAT KADA Restaurant. Also there was fried Rahoo Muchli (fish with scale over its skin, dipped in paste of powdered grams flour and deep fried in a big pan). Aftaab enjoyed tasting one or two of those delicious dishes during his daily evening walk with his roommate and some other friends residing in the New Hostel.

Once Aftaab, and five of his friends thought of some fun. They got their head shaved. In the evening they used to go to Anarkali. Wherever, they saw some pretty girls buying some cosmetics or some other items like bras and bangles. They asked that shopkeeper whether he had some fancy combs for their hair. Seeing their glittering shaved heads the shopkeeper and girls flocking the shop had a big laughter. At the entrance of the Anarkali there was a Chowk (crossing). There was generally a traffic police constable controlling the traffic. To any violator of the traffic rules he used to stop, and started to write a challan (penalty document). The violators generally offered small bribe i.e. Rupees five or ten. He used to direct the violators to give that money to a shopkeeper at one of the corners of that intersection, with whom he had already made arrangements to collect the bribe money for him. Once Aftaab and one of his friends were doubling on a bike and they wanted to enter the Anarkali. The policeman stopped them and imposed penalty of Rupees five to be given to the shopkeeper. Aftaab’s friend, Nazeer said to the shopkeeper, The policeman is saying to give all the money which you collected so far for him today. The shopkeeper handed over about Rupees 350/—to Nazeer. Aftaab and Nazeer then rushed and disappeared. That night they had a good dinner (with that illegal money of the policeman) with their friends in the famous restaurant, Nimat Kadda at the end of Anarkali.

Aftaab and Nazeer were neighbors. Also they were classmates and good friends. Both liked to play Soccer in the evening. That was their favorite game. Also they used to fly kites together. Nazeer had a motorcycle. Sometimes in the evening they used to go together to Nisbet Road to eat hot Samoosas and Gajer-Hulva (carrots desert fried in butter) and sweet daal (lintel) desert at the famous Butt Sweets shop in Shah Aalmi Cowk. On some evenings they used to go to Poorani (Old) Anarkali to have grilled spicy chops. When eating the spicy chops, Nazeer used to sweat heavily. Drops of sweat started dropping from his forehead and cheeks as soon as he swallowed the spicy chops. But Aftaab never had sweat by eating the same chops. On certain evenings in winter they used to go to Anarkali Chowk to eat boiled eggs. There used to be an old person selling the boiled eggs, wrapped with thick cotton cloth and placed in a small basket to keep those hot. Aftaab and Nazeer used to eat almost two dozen eggs. When that old person saw Aftaab and Nazeer, he always felt very happy and used to say, "Ha! Ha! Khair Howae ! Mairae baoo aa gai haeen." Oh! There may be peace. My educated boys have come. This he used to say because he knew that at least two dozens of boiled eggs would be sold so quickly, and those would be eaten by his good customers: Aftaab and Nazeer. On certain days they used to go to McLeod Road to see some Urdu or Punjabi film (movie). Before seeing the movie they always ate Gurdae Kaporay (Kidney and Testis), chopped on a big metal plate and fried in butter with spices. They generally ate those with Roogni Naans (buttered fluffy baked breads). Those were exotic and also tasted very delicious. Some times they used to go to Shah Aalam Market to eat mutton Tikka and Kababs (small cubes of fatty mutton and minced meat mixed with spices and rolled on square section iron bars and Bar-B-Quid over charcoal). Those they also used to eat with the fresh and warm Rogni Naans.

Aftaab worked very hard in his studies in the final year of his B.Sc. He always studied till midnight. In the final exam of B.Sc. he broke record of the Punjab University by scoring highest marks. He passed that exam with honor and distinction. The correspondents of daily News Papers, both English and Urdu visited him and interviewed him. He became very popular in Pakistan. He applied for a Colombo Plan Scholarship and he was selected for the post-graduate studies for six years to do Ph.D. in Computer Science in Imperial College London. All the friends and relatives of Aftaab’s parents visited them and congratulated them. Also all of them gave some gifts to Aftaab.

Mahtab’s parents also visited them and congratulated them on the outstanding performance of Aftaab. Mahnaaz also desired to congratulate personally to Aftaab, but she was too shy to express her sentiments to her parents. Luckily she got a chance to see Aftaab. One day he visited their home to express his thanks and gratitude to the parents of Mahnaaz for their nice gift. The parents of Mahnaaz had gone out for shopping and she was alone in the house. When Aftaab knocked at their door she opened it. That was a very pleasant surprise for Mahnaaz. With stammering lips and cheeks turned red she said, Congratulation from the core of my heart on your outstanding performance, and honor/distinction in B.Sc. final exam, and for breaking the record of the Punjab University. But I am worried that you will be gone for six years to London for your Post-Graduate studies. I do not know what will be my fate? Aftaab tried to boost up her morale. He said, Mahnaaz! Do not worry at all. In my summer vacations I shall be visiting Nurpur every year, and I will safeguard your interest. I will tell my parents that I love you and like to marry you. Mahnaaz was immensely pleased to hear those words. But she was afraid that her parents might not return and they would feel bad about her meeting with Aftaab alone. Also she feared that they might not insult Aftaab for meeting their daughter in their absence.

After three months and towards the end of August Aftaab left for London. Mahnaaz expressed her best wishes to him in her heart. She did not have the courage to say to her parents that she liked to accompany them to the airport to express her best wishes to Aftaab. By nature she was very shy, and also she feared too much from her father. Aftaab never smoked before his departure to London. Also he never drank beer or alcohol. He was very simple and modest boy. Also he never tried to mix up with girls. He loved to play with his boy friends and that only after finishing his homework. Both Mahnaaz and Aftaab had similar shy nature. Also both were humble and modest. Also both had similar taste, likes and dislikes. Those common qualities strengthened the bond of love between them. After nine months during his vacations Aftaab retuned to Nurpur. Those nine months were