Never Together Never Apart

By Vikas Sharma

Never Together Never Apart is an attempt to raise humanity above the thoughts of caste and communalism. Sabir and Chinta love each other, but time does not support them. Sabir is forced to marry Saira to support his failing business. Saira's father Tahir Hussein buys land in Khandala and Lonavala where Sabir plans to set up a university and medical college. Saira dies during childbirth, and Sabir returns to his first love, the widowed Chinta. How could he have struggled through the darkness alone? It was important to ignite a new spark, a new light. It is this hope that has been nurtured in the novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diamond Books
• Release date: Mar 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9789356844032

Book preview

1

I ask those people, who shout Hindu Muslim unity slogans—Where is the animosity between Hindus and Muslims in this pious land of India? Some Muslims came to India in the time of Prophet Muhammad, and since then, people of both the religions have been living together happily. I accept that Aurangzeb suppressed Hindus, but when did he encourage Muslims? Never! He didn’t spare Dara Shikoh’s friend Sarmad, a Sufi saint. He used to hate all equally. History praises the great Emperor Akbar, who established relations with the Rajputs, despite being a Mughal and even wore Hindu dresses. He rose in his glory by marrying Rajput girls. He tried to balance both religions by founding a new religion, Din-i-Ilahi.

The meaning of this is clear—that the soil of our motherland, India, has the quality which nurtures love not hate. Every day, in every corner of the country, Muslim workers work in Hindu factories. The brave martyr Abdul Hamid fought bravely with Pakistani soldiers for India’s safety. Bareilly’s Chunna Miyan built a Hindu temple which was inaugurated by the then President. Muslim doctors have Hindu compounders. The greatest miracle is that all the statues of Hindu temples are made by Muslim artisans. In Makrana, thousands of Muslim artisans make Jain Teerthankar’s idols daily. They bring these statues to life and earn their livelihood.

For every Aurangzeb, hundreds of Akbars were also born. So I can confidently assure you that there is no danger to Hindus from Muslims or vice-versa. Yes, there are disputes, but only among Hindus themselves and Muslims themselves. Shias and Sunnis fight, but Punjabi Hindus and Muslims live together in one community. They don’t have any fear of each other.

Everyone knows that communal slogan-shouting pollutes the country’s atmosphere, which is often because of the vested interests of political leaders. Political leaders provoke the innocent public at election time and spread communal feelings. Hindus ask for the Hindu vote and Muslims ask for the Muslim vote. Muslims have to take an oath in the name of Quran to vote only for Muslims. They shout out that Islam is in danger and declare Jihad against the opponents. The most interesting thing is that everything returns to its previous normalcy after the elections. They start to mingle, dine and entertain together as before.

But it’s not true that everyone falls prey to this communal epidemic.

The famous city of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh is world-famous for its beautiful brassware and utensils.

Every month utensils worth millions of rupees are exported to foreign countries. As the story goes, Rahmat Miyan and Lala Lakshmi Narayan were very close friends in this city. Rahmat Miyan lived in a big bungalow opposite Company Bagh outside the city and Lala Lakshmi Narayan in Gandhinagar. Both families had close relations. The situation was like this: Miyan Rahmat would take part along with his family in the Lakshmi Pooja during the Diwali festival and eat sweets and light diyas at Lalaji’s home. Similarly, Lala Lakshmi Narayan would visit along with his family to celebrate Eid at Rahmat Miyan’s house. They would embrace each other and eat seviyan cooked in milk and khoya. The intimate relation of these two families was the talk of the town.

Everyone thought of them as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity.

Rahmat Miyan had two children - Sabir and Farida. Sabir had completed his M.Sc. from Hindu College. And now he was helping his father in his export business of utensils. Farida was studying in M.A. English, second year at Gokuldas Girls College. Farida was 2-3 years younger than Sabir. She was ignorant of her bodily changes. She had a great interest in her studies. She developed her hobbies of singing and dancing. A teacher used to visit her home to train her in music.

Lala Lakshmi Narayan ran business of Zari Gota’s work. He had five children - three daughters and two sons. His eldest daughter was twenty-three years old. Her name was Chinta. Her face was like a fresh flower. She had bright eyes. She had a rounded body with all the advantages of youth. She was like a magnet. She used to attract stares of people who flocked around her. Her rose petal-like lips made people imagine the Dream Girl sleeping in a garden with flowers covered in mist. She had done M.A. in English and then B.Ed. Her friends used to sing songs praising to her beauty.

Both of Chinta’s sisters were younger than her. Vaishali was seventeen and Savita was sixteen years. Both brothers of Chinta looked about the same age. The elder one was twenty-five years old and the younger one was twenty. Piyush had a muscular body, so he looked elder than his elder brother. Parul was a fourth-year student of engineering at Aligarh Muslim University. Piyush had done M.A. and B.Ed. from Moradabad only. Lalaji used to take care of his business himself. His wish was to hand over the shop to Piyush, but he was careless from the beginning. He was not interested in working at the shop. Till now, Lalaji hasn’t finally decided about his sons and what he had in his mind for their future.

Meanwhile, nobody knew that Chinta and Sabir loved each other. They had been playing together since childhood and studied together till intermediate. So it was natural for them to fall in love. Both never felt the barrier of religion between them. Both thought that they would tie the knot at the proper time. They wanted to strengthen Hindu-Muslim unity through their wedding rituals. However, they were greatly shaken by the Hindu Muslim riots of Ahmedabad.

Sabir had kissed Chinta many times. She had decided to marry Sabir only and nobody else. She would rather die than marry someone else.

Savita asked her, How can you forget Chinta that Sabir is a Muslim? A Hindu girl can be made Muslim, but Hindus……

I have nothing to do with Muslims. God has created humans and humans have made religion and rituals. My Sabir is much above these things. For me, he is a Hindu and for him, I am a Muslim. When we wish to be united then why would Papa not let us get married? She asked anxiously.

Savita answered, I know Sabir is a handsome man but it’s not as easy to cross the religious barriers as you think.

Savita, you are a coward. My love is not born out of hatred. I am moving forward with Hindu Muslim unity. When Akbar got married into a Rajput family then why can’t I marry a Muslim? My love is not ordinary. I will rest only after everyone accepts Sabir. I know him since childhood. How can one find such a groom who has nothing to do with religious narrow mindedness?

Sabir also wanted to be captured in Chinta’s sweet smile. They used to meet frequently due to the closeness of their families. And now, they had moved much ahead on the path of love.

❒

2

Chinta’s love was deeper than the ocean. She was very kind and her love for Sabir grew even more. Sabir also thought of Chinta as the Sun to his Earth. The Sun which removes the darkness of the night in one moment by rising in the East, lightens the world. What is the Moon? The yellow satellite of separation and his Chinta were more beautiful than the Moon. He thought that Chinta’s eyes could lighten the world in the night. Just as the lighted mercury bulb has no significance when placed against sunlight, in the same way, stars in the night have no value when placed against Chinta’s beautiful face.

Whenever Chinta used to sit with her hand on her cheek, Sabir wanted to be the gloves of her hands so he could touch her cheek.

It was the day of Sharad Poornima. A light winter was setting in. The market used to get deserted around seven o’clock. Sabir was doing the daily accounting, sitting in the office. He had missed Chinta the whole day. As he was busy packing the export parcels, he couldn’t go to her place. He was not able to concentrate on calculations. He was making mistakes repeatedly and so far he had already made seven or eight mistakes. It was 7:30 in the evening and this was his ninth mistake. Angrily, he switched off his computer.

At that very moment, Chinta called him. His face lit up. Chinta had called him over to her home. She was alone with Savita as the rest of them had gone for a movie.

Sabir gave the almirah’s keys to his father, started the car and headed for Gandhinagar. He would talk to Chinta about their marriage. They don’t have any complaints about each other. They understand each other very well. Now, what was there left to do? Their marriage should take place. They both didn’t care about caste and religion. He was born a Muslim. He truly loved Chinta. He can tell his father…. I am not proud to be born in a Muslim family..... I can cut off the Zaidi word from my name&x2026;. I am not a Zaidi from today&x2026; no more&x2026; I am only Chinta’s lover&x2026;. She is mine and I am hers&x2026;. If she can’t be mine because of religion then I would convert to Hinduism. I would take a Hindu name. There is no religion of the eyes, hands and legs. Rose is the name of the flower not the fragrance. If you call a rose by any other name still the fragrance will be there. I don’t want my name..... I can’t leave Chinta for the sake of my name. He was driving and kept thinking in his mind. He had decided that he would love Chinta.

Chinta wore a black kurta with black slacks in her eagerness to meet Sabir. There were pink flowers embroidered on her kurta making her appear even more beautiful. Her dry hairs were visible as she set them open. She was waiting for Sabir standing at the door. As she saw him, she said,

Aadab, dear.

Aadab, why are you standing here?

I was waiting for you. You made it so late.

Yes, I wanted to make the car fly but it didn’t… He replied, smilingly.

Let’s go inside.

Let’s go.

Sabir came inside holding Chinta’s right hand.

He said to Savita with folded hands, doing namaste, Would you please take the pain to make one cup of tea for me?

Why not, brother. She replied happily and went off to kitchen for preparing tea.

Sitting beside him, Chinta said, You are very clever.

It’s you who have made me clever. He replied, kissing her hand.

I have been missing you since morning but couldn’t call you. Mummy forced me to go along them for the movie but I didn’t. I thought when everyone leaves, I would call you.

Thank you, thank you.

Should I tell you one thing?

What?

I have one friend Sarla.

The one who lives in your neighbourhood?

Yes, the same. She was saying that Papa wouldn’t allow us to get married.

Why?

She said that it’s not easy to challenge the social norms.

Don’t worry. I am going to ask your father for your hand in marriage. The force of your love pulls me to your door. The destination may be far, but we could get there only with courage. Today is Sharad Poornima. I swear in the name of Moon…

Don’t swear by the Moon, Sabir! Chinta cut him off. The Moon gets smaller and bigger. Now it’s not that time. Scientists have found dust on the Moon. She said laughingly.

Then I will swear by your love, Chinta…

Don’t swear by anything. I know that I couldn’t live without you. Mere sight of you makes me happy. You cut off Zaidi from your name and take the name that wouldn’t be an obstacle in our love.

You know, Chinta, I don’t believe in religion and rituals. I believe that Allah and Bhagwan are one. My love’s aim is marriage and tomorrow morning I will talk with my father. You decide the marriage date and then we will be together. I want our bud of love to bloom into a beautiful flower by the grace of Sharad Poornima.

I like the way you talk. But first, you talk with your father.

Sabir was holding Chinta’s right hand. He was slowly stroking it. Both were enjoying the sensation as it gave them pleasure. She didn’t want to snatch her hand back. In this enchantment, they were sitting together.

Savita returned with tea.

All three of them had tea. After tea, Chinta said to Savita, Now you go to sleep.

No, Didi, I won’t sleep right now. Sabir Bhaiya has come after so long. And you are asking me to sleep. Today we will play carrom. Yes, bhaiya, would you play with us? Savita proposed, beggingly.

Compelled, Sabir said, Yes, why not? I enjoy playing carrom with you.

Chinta got bored. It was like as if they were stuck with Savita.

The game started. On the left side of Sabir, Savita sat, and Chinta on the right side of him. Sabir had been the carrom champion in the college. But he always lost while playing with Savita. His concentration was never on the game. Savita always felt very happy by defeating him as if she had won a medal at Olympics.

Savita was playing with full interest, but she always had to remind Sabir for his turn.

Sabir was looking into Chinta’s eyes, and his right hand was resting on her waist. Sometimes he pinched her on her butts and sometimes he stroked her hair. Savita was ignorant of all this. Her entire focus was on the game of carrom.

Savita was satisfied after playing two games. She was getting sleepy, and she went away to her room, leaving them alone there. Chinta took a sigh of relief. Sabir began showering her with kisses as soon as Savita left. Chinta’s heart was beating faster and she surrendered herself to Sabir.

They embraced each other till the return of Lala Lakshmi Narayan. They came to their senses with the sound of the doorbell. Sabir returned to the carrom board after opening the door. Chinta sat near the carrom board as if a game was going on.

With Lalaji, the other members of the family also entered the house. They questioned on seeing Sabir,

When did you come, beta?

I thought of meeting you after returning from the shop. I haven’t been able to come here for so long. Sabir answered while striking the carrom board’s queen.

You did the right thing.

Papa, I was not scared as Sabir was here. He was leaving but I asked him to stay back. Savita has been asleep for a very long time. Said Chinta.

I asked you to come with us but God knows why you didn’t come along. He said, looking at Sabir, Did you offer him tea and snacks or not?

Yes Papa, I gave him tea.

Taking off his coat Lala Lakshmi Narayan said, Tell me, beta. What is the program for tomorrow?

Whatever you say, Uncle ji.

Picnic, Papa?

Yes!

Yes, it will be best. Sabir, you tell uncle-auntie. Tomorrow, we all will go for a picnic. Chinta said excitedly.

It was planned that they would leave for picnic the next morning at 8 o’clock.

Looking at his watch, Sabir said, Ok, Uncle, I would like to leave if you permit.

Sit, beta.

No Uncle, it’s too late. He stood up to leave.

Chinta came along to close the door. It was dark in the gallery. In the dark, Sabir took her in an embrace and kissed her. She felt crushed.

She put on the gallery light and said, Goodbye, good night.

I don’t want to go from here. I will keep on saying good night till morning.

Saying this, he took her leave.

❒

3

Sabir liked the picnic very much. He informed Farida of the plan for the picnic as soon as he reached home. Rahmat Miyan and his wife Shakeela also wanted to go for a picnic. So, the next day, Sabir reached with all of them at Chinta’s home.

Lalaji was all set to go for the picnic. He was very happy. Last night, his son Parul had come from Aligarh.

Sabir and Parul were childhood friends, but Sabir was shaken seeing Parul. He had imagined some freedom at the picnic with Chinta. But it would not be possible now in the presence of her brother. How could he propose in front of her brother? So he asked Parul, When did you come back from Aligarh, Parul Sahib?

Just now, a bit earlier.

Last night when I left from here, till there was no news about your coming, Sabir said with a dull smile.

Yes, there was no such program. Yesterday morning, I was getting bored sitting in the hostel. And it was long due to visit home. Then thought of coming home for one or two days.

You did very well. Sabir said, What else is new with you?

All is well by God’s Grace.

Are you coming along for the picnic?

Sure, if you take me along. There is nothing else for me to do.

Yes, yes. Why not? It will be great fun with you dear.

Sabir had to do this, feeling crushed like putting an elephant’s foot on his chest. He never wanted to take Parul along.

Sabir’s mother, Shakeela, had a lot of affection for Chinta. She loved her like her daughter Farida. But she never thought that she could become her daughter-in-law. Had she been from a Muslim family she would have tried to make Chinta her daughter-in-law. In the meantime, Lalaji’s driver got the car from the garage.

Farida sat in the front seat as soon as the car came out of the garage. Seeing this, Vaishali also sat beside her and closed the car door. When Parul saw Farida seated in the front seat, he wanted to talk with Farida. He also had feelings for her. He wanted to drive the car himself. So, he gave the driver a one hundred rupee note and said, Enjoy today as a holiday. I will drive the car.

On the back seat, Kamla and Shakeela sat. In the other car Lala Lakshmi Narayan and Rahmat Miyan sat on the back seat. With them Piyush also sat down. On the front seat, Chinta sat with Sabir.

Parul’s going and sitting in the other car seemed like a boon to Sabir. He thought, My life is saved. Chinta was seated by his side. What else could he ask for?

Piyush started reading a magazine. He was so involved in reading the stories of ‘Sarika’ that he didn’t care for anything else. Savita was lost in the outdoor scenery. So, everyone was busy on their own. Sabir felt safe. He drove the car with one hand and he placed his other hand on Chinta’s thighs. When he kept looking at her then, Chinta said, smiling, Mr. Driver, drive carefully. God forbid if an accident…

My jaan, when you are with me there won’t be an accident. And if it happens then I will fall upon you. He replied in a slow voice.

There is nothing about falling upon or down. The back seaters should not be harmed because of us. I am scared. Drive carefully.

Are you scared? He asked, laughing.

Yes, for the first time I am sitting with you in the car.

So you are scared of sitting with me in the car?

Till we do not tie the knot I am scared. What did your Papa say?

Sorry. I could not talk about this last night. When I reached home he was already asleep. He replied seriously.

Then when will you talk to him?

Don’t worry. I will talk soon. Anyway, it’s only for formality. Sabir replied assuringly.

They were talking all the way. If Savita asked anything, it was replied only in monosyllables like ya or yes. When Sabir used to pinch Chinta’s hand, leg or thigh, she said, Have some shame, Papa, Uncle and Bhaiya are sitting on the back seat.

Both cars had reached Garh Mukteshwar. All the way Parul was watching Farida’s beautiful face in the car’s mirror. Whenever he tried to talk to her, he got a boring answer.

The morning was very pleasant and beautiful. It was full of sunshine. The heat of the sunshine dried the pearl like dew drops. The wind seemed very cold when it touched Chinta’s cheek after touching the Ganges’ streams.

This time everyone was in ecstasy after getting freedom from Moradabad’s concrete jungle. Rahmat Miyan was fond of swimming. So, he took off his clothes to take a dip in the cold water of the Ganges.

Parul was the swimming champion in