A wanderer Episode 15

 

Mumtaz Begum went to visit Morgan's factory after finishing her breakfast. After that, she headed to Lahore with her entire team. The years of bitterness between the two families had melted away. Now, Hakim Sahab had also started coming to Model Town. Haris had returned to Manchester after preparing Ishaal's necessary documents. Both Baazlah and Momina were admitted to Fatima Jinnah Medical College. A deep friendship had also developed between them. After Shamaal's wedding in Malakwal, she was living a decent and happy life. Sitara's mother was also searching for a good match for her daughter.

  Chaudhry Shimoon was busy trying to woo Simble with the help of his friends. A beautiful son had been born to Banish and Basset. The monsoon arrived, and despite the torrential downpours, there was no change in Morgan's routine. December had arrived. Before they knew it, a year had passed. When Morgan would come out after praying, she would watch him, and Morgan would walk away with his head down. There wasn't a single gap in either side. One day, as usual, after all the worshippers had left, Morgan got up, and Hakim Sahab stopped him. “Beg Sahab…! Please sit down,” Hakim Sahab said affectionately. “You will find the window closed today.” Morgan looked up at Hakim Sahab. There were many questions in his eyes, but he remained silent. He thought to himself, “Who told Hakim Sahab?”

 “Beg Sahab…! Love and musk cannot be hidden…!” Hakim Sahab dispelled the astonishment spread across Morgan's face. Speaking reassuringly, Hakim Sahab continued, “Maham’s appendix surgery was last night. She is currently in the hospital.” The astonishment on Morgan's face was replaced by anxiety. “Is she okay now, Morgan beta…! Don’t worry,” Hakim Sahab tried to alleviate the anxiety on his face. “Did she have surgery?” Morgan asked gently once again. “Morgan beta…! Come with me; it’s not appropriate to talk here in the mosque,” Hakim Sahab took Morgan to his lounge.

 As soon as Hakim Sahab called Ishaal for breakfast, Morgan immediately spoke up: “I will have tea; I won't have breakfast.” Hakim Sahab signaled Ishaal to leave. She went away and returned shortly with breakfast. After finishing the meal, Hakim Sahab started the conversation himself: “I have come here personally from Beg Sahab to Morgan beta, and from you to you, so that you may understand my words. Maham is engaged to Shamoone, the son of my brother. In my opinion, this is an unmatched relationship. Master Mahmood was not in favor of this marriage himself; if Maham's grandfather hadn't made that decision, this marriage could not have happened. Master Mahmood respected his father. That's why he agreed. The same goes for Maham; she respects her grandfather more than her father. Look, Morgan beta…! My conversation has become quite lengthy. In no way can your marriage happen with Maham. So, you should marry another girl,” Hakim Sahab explained everything in detail and also offered Morgan some advice.

 

"Hope burns in the dark," Morgan replied, “Hope is like water that can rain down from the clouds of mercy at any time. I value your affection and sincerity. I have known all this since the day after Bossat's wedding. You might remember the day I performed Fajr prayers here for the first time; from that day onwards…” Listening to Morgan's words, this time Hakim Sahab was astonished. For a while, Hakim Sahab remained silent, then began to speak: “Beta…! If I were narrow-minded or fanatic, I would have perhaps labeled your worship as hypocrisy… then I would have asked whether you come from Lahore to pray or to see her…?” Hakim Sahab asked while looking at the arch on Morgan Beg's forehead. “I have been praying since the day it was made obligatory. I have many flaws, but I have never abandoned my prayers.” Morgan fell silent while speaking. Hakim Sahab still had not received an answer to his question. He was looking at Morgan's downcast face. Silence lingered for a few moments from both sides. Morgan wanted to respond, but then he gathered the courage to say: “Hakim Sahab…! You have asked a rather tough question. When I leave Lahore, I head towards the mosque out of the thought of praying. Allah knows the state of hearts. When I climb the mosque stairs, I never think of her. Yes…! When coming down, my gaze lifts. I can't control it. I make a vow to myself every day and break it daily. My gaze only lifts for a few seconds; how do you and others know…?” Morgan’s surprise kept increasing.

Hakim Sahab was aware of his past and present. “No… no… beta…! No one knows except me. In small towns and villages, very few things are hidden from barbers, midwives, and hakims. In the villages, people still sit together. Everyone knows about everyone here. All day long, women gossip about each other at my shop and tell news. I've prohibited it countless times, but to no avail… Morgan beta…! Good things spread like perfume, and bad things like foul odor. Both spread, my son…! It's easy to say big things, but acting is difficult, indeed very difficult. What did you say? Hope is like water that can rain down from the clouds of mercy at any time.

 It felt good to hear such significant words from your mouth. Now remember one of my words…! Mangoes and love only ripen when they burn.” Hakim Sahab had explained in detail, which was contrary to Morgan's temperament. He said somewhat irritably: “Hakim Sahab…! I am neither your disciple nor a patient. I am a businessman. I don't believe in this love nonsense. My parents loved each other. I am the ashes of their love.” “You talk of hope and call yourself ashes. Beta…! If you must speak, say dust instead of ashes; there is despair in ashes, and humility in dust. Love is a traveler down the path of humility.” This time Hakim Sahab explained with a hint of humor.

Hakim Sahab’s gentleness and good manners left a profound impact on Morgan. “Hakim Sahab…! I don’t know why, but after my grandmother’s passing, I feel like telling you everything that’s in my heart,” Morgan felt a sense of closeness, thanks to Hakim Sahab. A smile spread across Hakim Sahab's face. “You can say anything; I am your own, not a stranger. That's why I called you beta instead of Beg Sahab. You can say everything; I’m listening.” “I hate… I intensely hate… my parents… both of them are happy in their own lives. If it weren’t for my grandmother…” Morgan's eyes turned red, and his veins bulged. “Whether they exist or not makes no profit… no loss…” Hakim Sahab handed Morgan a glass of water: “Drink this, Morgan beta…!” Morgan gulped down all the water. “How selfish they both were.” “Morgan beta…! You are truly a good businessman. Relationships are beyond profit and loss. You are viewing relationships the same way you view profit and loss. Maham's thoughts are different from yours.

 Sister Maryam came to me yesterday afternoon. Maham was having stomach pain. I went home. I told Sister Maryam to bring warm water. She went to get the water. I asked Maham: ‘Daughter…! Should I talk to your uncle to let Shamoone marry elsewhere and you marry that boy…?’ On hearing my words, sweat broke out on Maham's forehead. She sat silently, bowing her head. “My child! I testify to your dignity and chastity right in front of you. Maham daughter, whatever you have in your heart, say it clearly… I will support you.” “Hakim Chacha…! The blade of love cannot cut the neck of passion. I don’t know what this is. I like seeing him. I also wait for him. When he enters the mosque, I am also watching him. But he never lifts his gaze. I stand by the window, waiting for the prayer to end. When he comes out, he just takes a glance at me and then leaves with his head down. I have foolishly named this feeling love.” “Brother…! Here’s the warm water…” She fell silent at her mother’s voice. “I’m going to get tea for you,” Sister Maryam said before leaving. Maham remained sitting with her head bowed. “Maham daughter…! You can speak to me as if you are talking to your father.” “Hakim Chacha…! I consider you in place of Abbu, and that’s why I say the things I haven’t even told Ammi. I love Morgan, but I love my parents too. The greatest lovers are indeed parents… who endure all hardships with smiles for their children… No one can love more than parents…” “Maham daughter…! What is this love?” I wanted to understand Maham. “Hakim Chacha…! What can I say about love? In my opinion, love is only for parents towards their children. When Allah blesses with the gift of children, He descends the affection in the parents' hearts simultaneously. Love is a bestowed gift, and affection is prescribed. Allah does not command parents to love their children, as He has already granted it. Yes, He certainly commands the children to love.

I am among those who follow the command.” “Maham daughter…! There are some parents who do not love their children.” “Hakim Chacha…! I have not seen such parents until now.” “Maham daughter…! Just because you haven’t seen doesn’t mean the truth changes. There are such parents; I know a few of them.” “Brother…! Here’s your tea…” Sister Maryam placed the tea in front of me. “Brother…! Your medicine has truly worked wonders. Maham is completely fine now.” “Sister Maryam…! This is not stomach pain. I think it’s appendix pain. You should take her to the hospital.” “I will already tell Momina to call her uncle to send Shamoone,” Sister Maryam said as she left the room. “Hakim Chacha, do such parents truly exist who do not love their children?” “Maham daughter…! Call it love or affection. The love of parents for their children is placed by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala in their hearts. You were right; in this, there is no merit for human beings; this is a blessing from my Lord. However, If children love their parents like you do, that is remarkable. Without any… love and respect…”

 “Still, such parents exist,” Maham said in astonishment. “Yes… some unfortunate ones value their desires more than this sentiment. They abandon their children and pursue their wishes, longings, and greed.” “Hakim Chacha! Do you know such parents who have abandoned their children to fulfill their own longings and desires?” Maham asked me with an expression of unusual wonder. “Yes, I know. Maham daughter! Your father was a very good man. The whole world is not like him.” I patted Maham’s head affectionately and left. Hakim Sahab’s mobile rang, and he answered the call.

 “Morgan beta! A patient is in bad shape. I’m heading to Mairaj’s village. I’ll send Aroosa and Ishaal; make sure to chat with them. Yes, I bought some desi ghee for your aunt. I’ll tell Ishaal to pass it to you; make sure to take it.” Saying this, Hakim Sahab left the lounge. After a short while, Ishaal entered, pushing Aroosa’s wheelchair. A jar of ghee was in Aroosa's lap. Morgan chatted with Aroosa for a while. He only asked Ishaal: “When are you going to Manchester?” Then he took leave and stepped out of the lounge. It was cold and foggy outside. As Morgan walked past the stairs of the mosque, he lifted his head to look at the closed window. The jar of desi ghee was in his left hand. Today, due to Maham’s closed window, Morgan's eyes were devoid of light. Instead of going to the factory, he turned back to Lahore.