17. Shahnaz+ Nuzhat Wedding
As Reyaz passed out the MBBS course, he too shifted from the hostel to the
Rajendra Nagar residence. Plenty of proposals kept pouring for
him. We were, at this juncture, more concerned regarding
Nuzhat’s marriage. A number of offers had come for Nuzhat too but
none of them appeared to be suitably matched for her. How could anything else
click when the pair was pre-destined with Tarique. Tarique’s Khala
Amman sent the message through Naseem. I asked for some time to decide. Their
family was related us quite closely. Whenever I met Nayyara she was all praise
for Tarique. Still we consulted other members of the family. Everyone was
convinced about the gentle nature of Tarique and nobility of his
family. So we gave our consent. As soon as the final year result of
Nuzhat came out, Bitiya Bua and Najo Bua from Musallahpur landed with message
of congratulation and sweets. When Nuzhat’s opinion was sought in this regard
she left it to the decision of her father. The date was fixed for 14th August
1968. It has been a wonderful coincidence that Nuzhat was born in the month of
August and was married in the same month. Her daughter Hena too was born in
August and was married on 14th of August. Even Amir was born in
the same month.
Around the same time, Shahnaz was in the final year of graduation. Dr.
Mohsin’s eldest daughter was the same age as Shahnaz and the two used to go to
the college together. Niamatullah, who belonged to Gorakhpur, had come to Patna
for Bank training and was staying on the first floor of Dr. Mohsin’s house. In
the same locality lived Haider Saheb who knew Niamatullah’s
family. He might have seen Shahnaz and sent a message through Haider
Saheb. Prior to this one, offer had come from Mrs. Ali Ahmad for her brother
who was living abroad. Justice Ali Ahmad was Doctor Sahib’s cousin. Whenever
Mrs. Ahmad came to meet us, she would remind me not to go for anyone else. Her
brother, however, was just not coming back to India and the meantime this offer
came from Niamatullah. Mrs. Ali Ahmad asked for some more time. Before Niamat
left for Calcutta after the training, he resubmitted the proposal through
Haider Saheb for reconsideration. Reyaz was dispatched to Calcutta as no one in
the family had even seen Niamat till that time. Reyaz went and met him in the
office and came back on a positive note. I had slight hesitation as the other
two son-in laws were doctors. Doctor Saheb at that point of time was posted in
Patna Secretariat looking after the transfer and posting of doctors. He took
the stand that if the boy has himself expressed the willingness, it is a much
better proposition. Thus we sent the consent letter to Gorakhpur. In response,
Niamat’s Mamoo’s letter came that he along with Niamat’s mother would come to
see Shahnaz. Prior to this, no one was married in a totally unknown family and
hence the custom of putting the girl on display was not prevalent in our
family. They eventually landed up one day and had lunch with us. Excellent meal
was prepared by Nuzhat. Hassoo was there all the time. Shahnaz was brought in
for them to see. As they were about to leave, they said that they had a desire
to fix Niamat’ marriage with a doctor girl and hence they would prefer it with
Nuzhat. I told them instantly that her marriage is already fixed with a doctor.
Subsequently, Niamat’s father sent us a letter of consent for Shahnaz.
It was peak of monsoon when Nuzhat’s wedding took place in August. In those days, arrangements in the hotel were not in vogue. Due to the monsoon, arrangements were made in three different houses instead of the open ground. The “Bari” that came from Musallahpur, was elegant and the MIL’s jewelry was conventional and impressive. From my side I gave two newly purchased sets in addition to three of my own sets, to each one of the sisters.
On the occasion of Nuzhat’s wedding, for Shahnaz, I had prepared dark
green Kanjiwaram dress and tight pajamas, out of a brand new sari that I had.
She wore a kundan necklace on the occasion and was looking very pretty. In
those days, the Civil Surgeon of Patna was one Dr. Sinha who had come with his
wife for the function. She was one of those fashionable, high society ladies.
As she saw Shahnaz, she was so much charmed by her looks that immediately she
suggested for marriage with her elder son who was a doctor in America. For
a second didn’t believe my ears and gave a shocked expression. She
understood my hesitation and rejoined that inter-religion marriages are taking
place in the modern houses. I tried to explain her that the marriage for her
was already fixed elsewhere and even engagement ceremony is over, and there is
no point in taking the discussion further. As she asked about the occupation of
the boy and was told that he is in the banking service, she had a scornful
expression on her face. We never met again.
Marriage of Shahnaz took place a month after Nuzhat’s. A good number of
baraatis that came from Gorakhpur stayed for 2 full days. The
suitcase of Bari was sent inside. The clothes were purchased by Niamat in
Calcutta and were nice. I had not yet seen Niamat. The first time
when the groom comes in to the ladies section, he is treated first of all with
a glass of Sherbet. I have seen many of them either accepting all the rituals
cheerfully and a few not budging to any such demands. Niamat fortunately
belonged to the first category. As the Sehra was lifted and he was offered the
Sherbet we all saw him and it was like an ideal son-in law. All smiles! He
followed all the rituals obediently which is an indicator of sweet nature of a
person. All the guests present there congratulated me. Within a short span,
Niamat was transferred to back to Patna. The other portion of Hassoo’s first
floor that was by chance vacant at that time, was taken by him on rent.
Niamat’s sister Matina was now getting married to Yaqoob who was related to her
Amman. Being the first marriage of their family someone from our side had to
attend the function. I sent a Sari for Matina and Salaami with Doctor Saheb. As
he returned, when we asked him about the family what he predicted “ the family
will rise to great heights”. His prophecy came true as
all the brothers and sister have done professionally well in their lives.
As early as we were still in Darbhanga, Nawab Bhai had suggested him to
buy a plot of land in Patliputra Colony and was even willing to lend the money
for it. Doctor Saheb had no inclination for such investments. Now again in
Rajendra Nagar when the plots were getting allotted, and a number of known
Muslim families got it in the same row including Jhabboo Bhai, Nawab Bhai
literally forced him to get a plot next to his own. While Nawab Bhai’s plot got
constructed, ours remained vacant for quite some time.
Ours was a big family and it was increasingly getting difficult for all of
us to adjust in that 4 room apartment that had just one toilet. A few times I
suggested for the sale of house in Bihari Lane as it was unlikely that anyone
could now stay there. He however, did not agree on that and asked me to hold on
to it. Our expenses were unchecked within the limited salary which must be less
than Rs.1000/- at that time. The major expenses for the marriages of
the daughters were somehow managed with the loan against Provident
Fund. Anyhow, the house construction started with a meager capital
in hand. He himself had drawn the blue-print of the house. Midway when the
funds proved deficient, he sold a portion of the land to Talat and Nuzhat.
Often he would say “Dr. Riyasat had become senile in the course of his house
construction and I will also meet the same fate”. My reply to him
was “everyone who has undertaken a house construction, has he gone mad?
Around this time, Shahnaz was expecting a baby. When she came
to Patna, the family obstetrician Mrs. Dr.Mrs.D.Singh was consulted. When the
labor pain started and we reached the hospital, Reyaz was with us and we were
seated in Mona’s room there who was then assisting Mrs. Raj Verma. Reyaz
introduced Mona as his classmate. Subsequently, the cabin was allotted to
Shahnaz. Still Mona kept taking care. The baby was born in July and was very
pretty and fair complexioned. I named her Pinky.
Next was the turn of Nuzhat. As she was completing the House job under Dr.
S B Singh, she remained under him for the delivery. Unfortunately she could not
get a special cabin at that point of time. In the general ward around her bed,
screens were placed for privacy. Till the time the baby was born, Doctor Saheb
kept strolling in the corridors of the hospital. The baby was born and weighed
three and a half pounds. Next day the cabin was allotted. Doctor Sahib knew that
once Nuzhat goes back home, she will hardly take any rest. He therefore
directed us to stay in the cabin for five days. Mona was a regular visitor and
at times she came with Reyaz. For both the baby girls, I thought of giving them
a pet name as the real name is the prerogative of the father and his family. I
asked Mona if she had any objection if I named Nuzhat’s daughter as Mona for I
could see a future doctor in her. Mona was too pleased at this suggestion and
thus the baby was also called Mona. At the time of aqueeqa, the full name Hena
Tarique was formally announced which was the choice of Tarique’s eldest sister
Mobina who loved this brother in an exemplary manner. After 10 days of birth,
Mobina came with many others from Musallahpur with clothes for both Nuzhat and
Hena. I had plans for a combined function for both Pinky and Hena together as
they were born within a gap of a month. At the exact time, Mumani Amman’s
younger brother, Hussain Ahmad alias Hasnoo passed away in Patna City. We went
to City with Mumani Amman who had lost her only sibling and who was
very close to her heart.
After this incident, I just didn’t feel like celebrating the function with
fanfare they way I had planned it. Just the clothes that were
stitched for the new born, were given. Thereafter, Nuzhat went to Purnea with
Hena as Tarique was posted there in the hospital. Later Nuzhat also got the
state Govt. job and was posted at Purnea in the Family Planning Centre. The
maid those days we had was Budhan’s mother as we called her, was shifted to
Purnea to take care of the baby as Nuzhat started going to the hospital. Mobina
wanted to have the Aquiqa ceremony there and invited all of us.
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Chapter
INDEX.------------------------------------
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