A wanderer Episode 13

 

Hafeez Malik was also a resident of Meraj village. He moved out several years ago. His wife Halimah and Maryam were from the same village. Then they got married in the same village. After a few years of marriage, Halima also moved to Manchester Hafeez Malik. Haris Malik is the only child of both of them. Hafeez Malik passed away a few years ago.

Even while living in Manchester, Hafeez did not break his relationship with Miraj, he used to make half a round of Pakistan every year.

Years ago Haris had come to Mi'raj with his mother Halimah. During a wedding ceremony, Haris and Ashal saw each other and fell in love. Halima was also looking for a Pakistani girl for her son. He talked to his friend Maryam in this regard. Maryam also took the name of Ashal. Hakeem Sahib had liked another boy for Ashal. Ishal had requested Hakeem Sahib that she likes Haris, you should decide in favor of him.

In the same way Haris and Ashal's relationship was settled.

"Maryam, you have made a very good relationship. ... I was very worried ... about Harris's relationship. After Malik Sahib's death, I didn't understand what to do" Halima was chatting with her friend Maryam.

He had returned from shopping in Gujranwala some time ago. Momina was cutting mangoes and Harris was busy on his mobile.

"If I had a son...then I would have asked Hakeem Sahib for Ashal's hand in marriage"

"Aunty, then what would happen to me..." Haris said quickly, diverting attention from the mobile phone.

"This is also your son..." Halima looked at her son full of pity.

"That's why I have found a girl like the moon"

"Aunty, please explain something to my mother, and praise me." Momina said, placing the tray of cut mangoes on the table in front of her mother and aunty, and went to the kitchen to wash her hands.

"Come Haris, son..." Maryam Bibi gave Haris a reward of mangoes. Halima laughed after hearing this while Maryam Bibi was shocked.

"Why doesn't Mary praise our doll?" Halima said before eating the mango.

After the mango party, Haris went out, now Momina was washing dishes in the kitchen.

Maryam Bibi and Halima were sitting together on the sofa.

"Mary! Let me tell you one thing, Ashal is beautiful to look at. Sharif is also Just seeming a little arrogant. She doesn't talk much, she keeps quiet," Halima expressed her apprehension.

"Quiet...and proud...not you too...hey, he is very sarcastic...don't worry, he has very good manners...!"

"Well, I haven't seen him talk much, so I got an idea."

"You have always seen her in front of Hakeem Sahib. She is very afraid of him."

"Well, how many years has it been since Hakeem came here?" Halima asked.

“It has been about twenty-four to twenty-five years. In these years, the respect that Hakim Sahib has earned in this area is something that even the big landlords of the region have not achieved. People hold Hakim Sahib in high regard. In major decisions throughout the area, people call upon Hakim Sahib. Honestly, after the passing of Master Sahib, he was the only support we had, after God.”

“Don’t Chaudhry Shamshad and Shamoan ask about him…?” “They don't care… Shamoan doesn't value friendship and Lala Ji is busy with his pigeon flying… Both father and son are sitting back and enjoying the fruits of the land.”

“What about your land…?” “No, not anymore… Shamoan sold 5 acres of land alongside the road… Lala Ji was insisting, saying, ‘Uncle, you should divide all your land.’ I don’t know what came over Lala Ji, the very next day he had separate registries made in everyone’s name. Now, five plots are in Maham’s name and five in Momena’s name.”

“Is there nothing in your name…?” Halima said in surprise. The next day, as usual, Morgan performed the Fajr prayer. Descending the mosque stairs, he glanced around. Maham's face bore a look of worry, which made Morgan anxious as well. Instead of heading to the factory, he sat in his car. After thinking for a while, he started the car and set off towards Lahore. The fields were desolate after the wheat harvest. There was no sign of greenery for miles; he hadn't seen such worry on Maham's face in the past six months.

Morgan checked the rearview mirror. He saw Maham's anxious face. Today, her face seemed as dry as dried fruits. Morgan himself was like dried fruit—full of energy yet dry. The energy was in his feelings and thoughts, and the dryness was part of his temperament. He wasn't rude, but he wasn't exceptionally polite either.

While lost in thought, he reached his home in Model Town and then headed toward his grandmother's room. He knocked on the door and, after receiving permission, entered. As soon as he entered, he said to his grandmother: ‘You must be wondering why I didn't go to the factory today.’ ‘No, not at all...’ his grandmother replied with a smile. ‘You should ask!’ he said, a bit confused. His grandmother grew concerned upon seeing his unease. ‘Come here, sit with me…’ she said, pulling Morgan close and placing her hand on his forehead, which was hot with fever."

If you need any more help or additional translations, feel free to ask!

"You still haven't gone to Miraj..." he said like a stubborn child. His grandmother called Bazla and told her to phone the doctor. Bazla took Morgan to his room and came back to report: "Begum Sahiba! The doctor said the fever is due to fatigue. He has included a sleeping pill in the medicine; he will be fine if he rests." "There's no need to worry... how long will you play doctor?" Mumtaz Begum asked two different questions at once.

Hearing this, Bazla laughed and reassured Mumtaz Begum, saying, "Begum Sahiba, don’t worry... Morgan Bhai is absolutely fine, and I will soon become a doctor too." She comforted her like an old woman and left the room. Morgan slept all day. After Asr, when he woke up, his family was getting ready. Mumtaz Begum had prepared everyone to go with her.

When Morgan came down from his room to the lounge, Mumtaz Begum was already seated, ready with her entire team, waiting for Bazla.

Seeing Morgan, Mumtaz Begum’s worries vanished. "Come here to me," she said. Morgan went to her, and she quickly placed her palm on his forehead, making him smile. "Dada! I’m fine… why aren’t you all leaving?" Morgan said with a smile. "We're waiting for your darling," Balkis said dramatically. Morgan studied Balkis's face intently, as if searching for something. He moved closer, and his grandmother's words echoed in his ears: "Let me breastfeed the little one." He embraced Balkis. Banish and Basit were left in stunned surprise. Morgan rarely talked to anyone besides Bazla, Balkis, Basit, or Banish. He had never sat with them. Today, he had hugged Balkis. Tears welled up in the eyes of Balkis and Mumtaz Begum. Banish and Basit were still in shock. This emotional scene would have lasted longer if Bazla hadn't interrupted. "Morgan Bhai! You're here; I had brought food to your room," Bazla said absentmindedly. When she saw Morgan separating from his mother, she caught herself, stopping her words.

Morgan went to his room without saying a word. Balkis looked at Mumtaz Begum with questioning eyes, and she nodded in affirmation. Balkis understood everything. She wiped her silent tears and began to look at her daughter-in-law and son. Bazla was also confused, holding the food tray in her hands. She picked up the tray and headed back towards Morgan’s room.

The door to Morgan’s room was open. He was standing by the window that opened to the lawn. Bazla placed the food tray on the central table and stood behind Morgan, saying, "Brother! Have something to eat; you haven’t eaten anything since morning. I made mango milkshake and fruit chaat and kept them in your fridge. If you need anything else, just let me know." Bazla spoke quickly, like a TV reporter.

Morgan turned around and looked at Bazla closely. He walked over to her and gently placed his hand on her head. "I don’t need anything else… you can go." Bazla started to leave. She had taken just a few steps when Morgan’s voice stopped her. "Wait… Bazla…!" Morgan walked up to her again. He affectionately kissed her forehead and gestured for her to leave.

Bazla stepped outside the room. Walking down the corridor towards the lounge, she was heading for the stairs. She was in a dilemma, unable to unravel the puzzle despite all the interpretations and speculations. First, Morgan had hugged her mother, then showered her with love and affection. Morgan had always loved her like a younger sister. Today, his affection felt different. "Bazla, come here…" Banish’s voice reached her ears. She looked and saw she was standing alone in the lounge while everyone else had gotten into the car. The journey from Model Town to Miraj passed with Basit and Banish chatting silently.

On the back seat, Mumtaz Begum was contemplating how she would face Aaqil Ansari. Balkis felt that today she had reaped the fruit of her love. Bazla was wondering why Morgan had become so emotional today. She considered him a person above emotions. Her thinking was somewhat justified, yet today, Bazla was very happy.