18. Stepping out of Bihar.


We had never been to Delhi and Ajmer Sharif before. Four of us made the plan to visit Delhi and Ajmer under the team leadership of Reyaz Bhai. These were Hassoo, Kajjoo Aapa, I and Talat. The train tickets were booked. Going to Purnea also could not have been missed. We left for Purnea early in the morning with Talat, Shahnaz and Nikhat and reached there after sunset. Next day was the aqueeqa of Hena and Mobina's son which was all   celebrated with fanfare. Mobina was all praise for Nuzhat. Even after coming from the hospital she used to manage the kitchen to the extent possible. She had knitted sweaters for all the children and done some stitching too despite her hectic schedule. It was heartening to hear such good words.  I am grateful to Allah that all my daughters have been well accepted by their in-laws. Even Shahnaz ever since her marriage was the favorite of her in-laws. She had the lead role in the marriage of Niamat’s sister Matina. She is still consulted for any major decision in the family.

The next day, we had to leave Purnea as the journey to Delhi commenced the day after. We could not manage to leave very early and during the day the weather got nasty. Little Pinky was there with us in the open Jeep.  Somehow, we managed to reach till Barh when heavy rains and storm came in. We couldn’t move further in that Jeep. Somehow we managed to reach Patna by mid night to the relief of everyone there, who were worried not only due to the weather but also for the train ticket to Delhi that would go waste .

Finally we boarded the train to Delhi and also went to Agra and Ajmer Sharif. We had a nice trip and returned happily with a sack full of Chappals from Agra and tons of Petha ka murabba that was then Rs.2/- a kilo there. As we came back, the petha and sweets from Ajmer were distributed in the entire colony. It was like having performed the “Mini Haj” as everyone teased us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NextChapter
------------------------------------
Go to INDEX.

            ------------------------------------      

                                                

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

38. Epilogue

Image
  Addressed to Doctor Saheb The responsibilities which you had left behind for me, to the extent possible, with all my efforts, I have tried to fulfill them. You had a desire to go for Haj after Nikhat’s marriage. As your intent for Haj was there, I am sure it will be treated as accomplished in the eyes of Allah. As for me I have done my own Haj as well as on your behalf. Hope Allah accepts both. Reyaz is married to a lady doctor and their son Sheeraz is also in final stages of adopting the same profession as yours. Next to Sheeraz is their daughter Ayesha who is in the early stages of college education. Neyaz had already been a graduate when you were there. He is married to the daughter of your favorite little sister. Both the brothers were married within a gap of few days and combined reception held. Neyaz had even got a job here in India but the vagaries of life compelled him to migrate to America. He is also blessed with two children. The elder one is son Danish and next to...
Read more

36. Hena's Wedding.

Image
I should be ever grateful to the kindness of Allah for giving me everything I have ever desired for. Nearly fifteen years back, when Azfar has come over to India, and when I had first seen him,  I had desired for his alliance with Hena. I recall an incident when Hena was still very young and they had just come back from England. Azfar too must be a school kid when he then visited India. When he came to meet me, I got an instant  liking for him at the very first sight. I teased him and asked if he would prefer to get married with an Indian girl or English to which he replied Indian. He was perplexed when I asked him whether he would like to marry my girl. He looked around in astonishment and asked where the girl was. I explained to him that he girl has gone to school as you do there in England. I found the boy immensely likable. Nuzhat and Tarique both had similar views as mine. For their marriage, however, both of them had to undergo series of traumatic experiences...
Read more