I was busy in house cleaning while ago .As it is airy season everything gets dusty like never been cleaned since ages .I like air filling soul in views and making them alive and vibrant but bad part of it is that i have to spend half of my day in setting things free of dust cage. They look happy when find freedom though in summer months this freedom don't last for long. Despite of air double my house chores i like it being around .From June winds and dust storm will start and cleaning will extend till evenings .One way or other life like to keep us busy and business is considered best entertainment by wise .
My younger son called from Islamabad while ago and told his Sat test went good .He called me at 12 :15 noon after leaving the examination hall and first question from me was did you have your breakfast in the morning ? He said yes he had light breakfast before leaving for test center .Then he informed that test went good .Afterwards i found my heart filled with gratitude which brought tears in my eyes and smile on lips at same time like always.
Meanwhile cellphone rang again and picked it up immediately with thought may my son wanted tell something .But it was my sister in law (brother's wife) .She informed that one of my cousin who was sick seriously since some months has died yesterday.She told further that he was buried in the evening yesterday as his wife did not inform her their son who live and work in Dubai.Dubai is two hour 's flight away from Pakistan .But she said no need to bother son.When son of my cousin was informed by some other family member ,he wanted to come and say goodbye to his father last time but his mother forbade him strictly not to do so.Boy annoyed and cut off phone and did not saw face of his father last time through video call.
Waheed was son of my mother's younger brother.He and two of his sisters had Hemeralopia a disease which makes impossible to see during daylight.His other two brothers were normal though. I remember waheed more because of his shy nature in his childhood.He was 5 or 6 years younger than me.He was only male cousin to whom i would play or talk when i was little because he was cute and sweet and not bothering like other boy cousins.He would often take my side and tell truth to the mom when i was troubled by any of my cousins .Mom would love him so much and he was like little brother to us.Though due to differences between his mom and my mother he would visit us less. As we grew up we met less but mom would tell he was most content teenager she saw.
He was fourteen when i got married .We were never in touch after i left village .I would find fragments of happening through letter mom would send .After six or seven years of my marriage i learnt that Whaeed has got married with a stranger woman to whom he met in place where he was working as domestic helper .That girl was employed in same house along with her one sister and cousin .She belonged to northern parts of our country.She purposed Waheed and he refuse while explaining that he cannot afford luxury of new family because he cannot provide it with life's necessities .She insisted that things will work better if he will join her as life partner.He refused again and then girl threat him one day that if he does not agree she will infame him and accuse him that he tried hands on her. My cousin agreed inevitably.After marriage he asked new wife to live in his native home with other family and his mother. She refused in the beginning but agreed later when forced..Within less then month that quarrelsome girl made life tough for his family.She asked him to move to her area with her.She was with child so he had no choice.
After this departing with his family he hardly appeared in village for months .His mother and family was though bit satisfied that Waheed has started his own family at least and rest will be fine in time.Everything seemed smooth.But that girl who was married to him could never provide him comfort of "home" .He would tell good things about himself when visit to his mother .Like he has his own small moving shop of kids garments .It was true as he was earning for himself and enough sometime that he would visit few of his female cousin who did not have good earning resources and helped them with little money.That kind and kindred spirit that he owned was astonishingly selfless. He had family of two sons and one daughter.But what he lacked was love and care he deserved as life partner .His wife continued her job as domestic help until today .But it was not the issue that she never make home place of comfort for him or for kids.She could not learn having balance between life and work and chose and enjoyed being free of house responsibilities . He and kids always ate what they brought from outside.Quality of that food not good but harmful.His eye problem restrained from cooking and this made him terribly sick eventually .He got many health issues because of poor quality of food he took for more than 24 years .His both kidneys were damaged completely.Treatment started so late and so dialysis and so death took him away when he was in his early forties only!
When my sister in law told me that he is no more i felt something hold my heart in hands and pressing it. I was away from my village and my people who were lucky to mourn and say last goodbye to him. She told he had same childlike innocence on his face inspite of all the sickness! With these words of her his cute sweet smiling face came front of my eyes and made me cry .I did not want to but i could not stop myself .I went into room where my youngest son was studying .I hugged him and tears broke the berriers.My son was in shock and asked what is wrong ? I told him that one of my cousin has died.He hugged me back tightly and comforted me with his sweet words.
I wish i had photo of Waheed so i can share with you here but i did not have one .but i have shared the photo of his eldest son once in my here.
Life is bundle of happy and sad events indeed.Waheed of one of those people who may be are not bright enough to grab spark of attention .But he was like lantern who silently fight with darkness and provides light for those who seek.Light of goodness and kindness.He will be miss so many and it will be impossible to forget his amazing personality who inspired and touched many hearts quietly!
Blessings to all of you dear friends!
