by Pran Kishore
Doctor Arvind told Vijay Kumar that if Ghulam Qadir was insisting on going to Kashmir, he should be allowed to go. But he must undergo some precautionary tests before going there. Then he said to him, ‘Ghulam Qadir might get re-energized in Kashmir and find the strength to fight his condition.’
Reeny’s doctor consulted Doctor Arvind Koul and both of them agreed that since Ghulam Qadir’s cirrhosis had spread and his days were numbered, it would be sensible to send him back to Kashmir where he could spend the remaining days of his life in the company of his family.
Reeny entrusted the business to her general manager and started preparing to leave for Kashmir. But Vijay Kumar was still at a loss as to whether he should keep the secret to himself or tell his father. He sought Ghulam Qadir’s opinion. ‘Now it is no secret. We must inform Lala Sahib that we are returning to Kashmir. But—’ Then he fell silent, but Vijay Kumar knew why he could not complete the sentence. ‘Why are you silent? If I tell my father, he will surely pass on the news to Haji Uncle.’
‘That is the trouble. I don’t want to seek sympathy from anyone. I have been dead to them for a long time. They should not come to know about my disease.’
‘So should I tell my father or not?’
Ghulam Qadir shivered and said, ‘Oh God, what a terrible quandary you have put me in! Can’t you let me live even my last days in peace?’
‘Okay. I will not tell them. Although you do know that the secret cannot remain hidden for too long.’
‘So—’
‘So we must divulge it to Lala Sahib at least. Don’t worry, I will entreat him not to tell Haji Sahib.’
‘All right. I will also implore him to help me get my boat out of this whirlpool.’
The news was such a shock to Narayan Joo that he lost his balance and almost fainted. Vijay Kumar was frightened. ‘Lala Sahib! Lala Sahib! Why don’t you speak? Lala Sahib!’
After regaining his consciousness, he muttered, ‘What can I say? Does Malla Khaliq deserve to bear another tragedy now? You have left me shattered. I am not able to move even a step.’
‘Sorry, I am sorry. But I had promised Ghulam Qadir that I would call you in the morning. Lala Sahib, there is very little time left. Ghulam Qadir wants to spend his remaining days in Kashmir, that too on the banks of the Dal.’
‘He is not the first to desire this. Whoever was born in this paradise has yearned to dedicate his last moments to this land, especially if they were distanced from it.’
‘He wants to be in Kashmir as early as possible, but he does not want anyone to know about his illness, especially Haji Uncle.’
‘How is that possible? Tell me, how is it possible. Oh my Mother Goddess! What a dilemma! Today we had decided to go to Nigeen Lake after visiting Hari Parbat to offer condolences to the Shoga brothers whose mother just died. How will I spend the whole day with Malla Khaliq and keep such news from him.’
‘We have to do something about it. Qadir longs to beg his family for forgiveness. But he doesn’t want anyone to know. He told me that he would also like to talk to you.’
‘No, no. I don’t have the strength to talk to him. Let me see if my omniscient Goddess shows me some way out.’
Having said this, Narayan Joo put the phone down.
He decided not to go to the Parbat, but was at a loss about the excuse he could use to convince Malla Khaliq. If he told him that he was not feeling well, he would immediately come to see him. Therefore, with the Devi’s name on his lips, he got up and went to Hari Parbat. While they turned towards Kathi Darwaza after coming out of the Devi’s temple, Malla Khaliq cast a glance at Narayan Joo, who languidly ambled towards the car waiting outside the gate. ‘Why are you so silent? Is everything all right? You look weary.’
Narayan Joo was struck mute. In order to evade further inquisition, he said, ‘This is nothing but age. A minor trouble.’
‘But you are younger than me! Don’t lie to me. Tell me the truth. Is all well with Vijay Kumar and his family in Bombay?’
‘They are absolutely fine.’
‘What is it, then?’
‘I told you, this is just my old age giving me trouble, nothing else. I was pondering how long my legs would be able to support me. It will be absurd to leave at the end of autumn, and stay away from mother Kashmir for the whole winter.’
‘This going and coming is of your own accord. I suggest you don’t leave this winter.’
‘Yes, it has been long since I won a Nav Sheen bet. Yes, I seriously think I won’t go to Bombay this year. One cannot be sure about one’s life. I was born here, I grew up here, and now I wish to die here.’
‘You are scaring me with such words. Why are you jinxing the day by talking about such sad things early in the morning? If, God forbid, anything happens to you, I shall die before you. Don’t talk of death and dying.’
After offering their condolences to the Shogas at Nigeen lake, Narayan Joo dropped Malla Khaliq at Gagribal and went straight to his office. His manager Ahmedullah was amazed to see Narayan Joo coming directly to office after visiting the Parbat.
He asked, ‘Is any special party coming today that you came here so early?’
Narayan Joo trusted Ahmedullah. And his mind was heavy with anguish and he wanted to unburden himself. He also wanted to seek counsel. He took Ahmedullah to his room and asked him to close the door. Narayan Joo’s face was pale. Very cautiously Ahmedullah said to him, ‘Have I committed any mistake?
Narayan Joo reassured him warmly, ‘Ama Saeb, it is I who always commit mistakes and you are always there to set everything right. I am terribly sad today. Khaliq Sahib’s son Ghulam Qadir is very ill. Vijay Kumar phoned me early in the morning, and told me that Ghulam Qadir wishes to spend his last days on the banks of the Dal Lake next to his own family and houseboats. He has entreated us not to divulge this secret to Malla Khaliq or anyone else in the family. This is tormenting me. I think that Malla Khaliq and his family should somehow know about this. I am entrusting this secret to you so that you can give me some advice on how to handle this situation.’
Ahmedullah looked stricken. He sighed and said, ‘This is all God’s dispensation. He lifted him up from the dust, carried him to such heights, and see now—’
‘This is what torments me. He became a millionaire, and now he craves for a little patch of earth.’
‘This is the essence of life. Well, what have you decided to do? If you allow me, I can gently break the news to Haji Sahib.’
‘If that were the solution, I would do that myself.’
‘You are right. Let us call Noor Mohammad in, and you tell him everything.’
‘Yes. This is what I also want to do.’
Ahmedullah then phoned Noor Mohammad and asked him to come collect the details of the season’s accounts of the travel agency so that he could file for income tax returns.
Noor Mohammad reached Narayan Joo’s agency. Ahmedullah was impatiently waiting for him at the door. Seeing him so anxious, Noor Mohammad sensed something was up. Ahmedullah led him straight to Narayan Joo. When Narayan Joo told him about Ghulam Qadir’s illness, he was left speechless. And when Narayan Joo told him that Ghulam Qadir wanted to live his last days in Kashmir, Noor Mohammad could no longer contain his grief. He cried and said to Narayan Joo, ‘Is this the last nail in the coffin? Lala Sahib, how broken my father will feel! And Zeb, who has just started her new life, will again get engulfed by gloom.’
Narayan Joo consoled him, ‘Look here, my son, you are the only one who can support your father as well as everyone else in your family.’
‘So you have abandoned us, left us to the mercy of God!’ Noor Mohammad exclaimed.
‘Yes, my son, all of us depend on God’s mercy. How can I tell you about my suffering since this morning? While driving from the Parbat to Gagribal, I was about to break the news to Malla Khaliq, but my courage failed me.’
‘Do you think I have the courage to convey this to him? No, I cannot do it.’
‘Someone ha
s to take the onus. Whatever happened is now in the past. Ghulam Qadir is your blood brother. He has played in my arms as well as a child. Whatever he did, right or wrong, he is bearing its consequences. We must forget everything and forgive him so that he can live his last days in peace.’
‘I am at a loss as to what to do now.’
‘There is no other option but to be brave. You have a word with Ghulam Qadir. Your voice may alleviate his pain.’
‘What about Abba?’
‘I will convince him. Shall I connect you to Ghulam Qadir?’
‘Not yet. I will talk to him later. Ghulam Ahmed will have his number.’
‘I don’t think it is proper to phone anyone else right now. I have Ghulam Qadir’s number; let me write it down for you.’
Noor Mohammad reached Doctor Nisar’s house in a daze. Doctor Nisar had just returned from his night duty in the hospital. When he saw the pallor on his father’s face, he anxiously asked him, ‘Papa, what has happened? Why do you look so pale?’ Noor Mohammad shut the door and told him about Ghulam Qadir’s illness. Nisar sank into the chair in shock. Then he pulled himself together and told Noor Mohammad, ‘Let me talk to Vijay Kumar.’
‘He has left for Goa. He might be staying at Ghulam Qadir’s hotel. Lala Sahib has given me his Goa number.’
When the receptionist at the hotel heard that he wanted to talk to Ghulam Qadir, he wanted to know who he was. He exasperatedly said, ‘I am his elder brother, Noor Mohammad from Srinagar.’
The operator uneasily dialled Ghulam Qadir’s room and Reeny answered the phone. She eagerly shook Ghulam Qadir awake and said, ‘Darling, wake up, it’s your brother!’
‘Who, Ghulam Ahmed?’
‘No, it is Noor Mohamamd.’
Hearing this, Ghulam Qadir snatched the receiver from her. His hand trembled. He tried to stay calm, but his heart was about to burst with grief and sorrow, and the pent-up tears flowed from his eyes.
Noor Mohammad, too, could not utter a word. Having collected himself, he said to Ghulam Qadir, ‘Look here, Ghulam Qadir. Please talk. You just see how God will take away your pain and sorrow. Come to Kashmir, come home. Everything will be absolutely fine.’
With a shudder, Ghulam Qadir said, ‘What home do I have left after you forced me to leave in the dead of night? Not once but twice. You did not even have pity on my innocent child. To you I am already dead. Are you now going to let my corpse in through the door from which you threw me out when I was alive? It cannot be, never. I had entreated Vijay Kumar not to divulge the secret of my illness to any of you.’
‘He is blameless; he told only Lala Sahib who did not tell anyone but me, even though he was with Abba this morning.’
‘I know. God has made you a pious human being, who means everyone well. If there is still some love left for me in some corner of your heart, I entreat you – book me a houseboat far from your houseboats, so that I can breathe my last in the soothing breeze that blows over the Dal.’
Noor Mohamamd started to cry. He tried his best to persuade Ghulam Qadir, but he did not yield. Finally Doctor Nisar took the phone from his father and said to Ghulam Qadir, ‘You need not worry. You may stay wherever you want. We shall arrange for that. No, we will not tell anyone else in the family. I alone will visit you there.’
‘Thank you. You have lessened the burden on my heart.’ He put the receiver down and told Reeny, ‘Now in perfect peace I shall—’
Reeny silenced him by keeping her hand on his mouth. There was a knock on the door and Reeny opened it to see Vijay Kumar standing on the threshold. Ghulam Qadir sat up against the pillow and started complaining. ‘You see, the news has been broadcasted everywhere. I had requested you to tell only Lala Sahib and nobody else. Noor Mohammad called up.’
‘Don’t you trust me? I have not spoken to anyone, except Lala Sahib. I will call up Lala Sahib and you can talk to him yourself. I have not told anyone, understand?’
Reeny could see that Vijay Kumar was getting upset, and she said to Ghulam Qadir, ‘Relax. You know Vijay Kumar so well. He can never lie. He has talked to Narayan Uncle, and Uncle did whatever he thought wise. Besides, everyone will hear this sooner or later. It cannot be kept hidden forever.’
‘Thank you. Lala Sahib might have thought it was the right thing to do. Yet I request you that if they wish to make my last moments easy, they should not forcibly take me to Abba’s house.’
‘That has already been decided,’ Vijay Kumar assured him. ‘I will ask him why he told Noor Mohammad in spite of my insistence.’
Reeny was trying to make out what they were saying in Kashmiri. But when she could not understand much, she asked Vijay Kumar, ‘What is he saying?’
‘He is saying that he will not go home no matter what.’
‘Tell me, how could someone with any shred of self-respect go back to the home that threw them out?’
‘I agree with you.’
Vijay Kumar went to his room with the intention of calling his father. While he was dialling his number, Jankinath of Dhars, his cousin, was with Narayan Joo. He had come with the proposal of Hradaynath’s daughter for Vijay Kumar’s son. Though Narayan Joo was distressed, he did not think it feasible to reject the proposal outright, and so he said instead, ‘Look here, my dear Jana, times have changed. I cannot order Vijay Kumar’s son to get married to the girl I point out to. The boy has come back from Switzerland only day before yesterday. I don’t yet know what he plans to do now. Tell me, how can I give you his horoscope?’
Jankinath was yet to answer when the phone rang. When Narayan Joo heard Vijay Kumar’s voice, he did not want to talk in the presence of Jankinath. He told Vijay Kumar, ‘My dear, there seems to be some problem, your voice is not clear. Please hold the line, I will talk to you from the next room.’
Vijay Kumar complained to his father, ‘Did I not implore you not to tell anyone about Ghulam Qadir’s illness? But—’
Narayan Joo interrupted, ‘How could I not tell them that Ghulam Qadir is terminally ill? This secret cannot be concealed for long. Besides, we should try and reunite Qadir with his family in his last days. You need not worry, Noor Mohammad, I am sure, will be able to handle Malla Khaliq better than you or me. You just tell me, is he in a position to travel?’
‘The joy of going back to Kashmir has revived him a bit.’
‘Yes, this is the miracle of the love for the motherland. Man, however far away he may have gone, finally seeks his roots.’
‘He has so much wealth here and everything that could bring a man happiness, yet he is unmindful of everything and is readying himself to reach Srinagar.’
‘Mother Kashmir calls him. This is her magnetism. Don’t you constantly hear that call?’
‘Now stop this, please. I have many urgent tasks to attend to right now.’
Narayan Joo let out a bitter laugh. ‘Everyone is running after tantalizing images of wealth and fame. But everyone will finally return and crave to be home.’
‘Lala Sahib, I am getting late. Tell me if you have booked a houseboat for Ghulam Qadir, or shall I request someone else?’
‘Noor Mohammad’s son Nisar is making all the arrangements without letting Malla Khaliq know. Tell me, when will he get here?’
‘I will tell you later.’
After hanging up, Narayan Joo returned to the room where Jankinath was waiting for him. ‘I am sorry, I don’t know why the phone in this room did not work all of a sudden.’
‘Oh no, you have hung up! I wanted to have a word with Vijay Kumar. I would have asked him to send the horoscope.’
‘How will he arrange for the horoscope there? I told you that we must first know what the boy wants to do. We can discuss this only after that.’
‘That is okay. But please don’t give his horoscope to anyone without letting me know.’
‘I give you my word. Now tell me is Nabir Kaka’s family well? It has been a long time since I saw them.’
‘You have almost stopped visiting us downtown. How
will you see them?’
‘This is due to my old age. Are they all fine there?’
‘Yes, absolutely fine. Do come to our side sometime.’
‘You keep rogan josh ready for me and I will surely come.’
‘That’s easy! I will take your leave now. But please don’t forget what I said. Namaskaar!’
Narayan Joo led him to the door. Then he returned to his room. He thought, Jankinath is right that I have stopped going downtown. But how could I make him understand how loneliness has drained my body and soul? Then Vijay Kumar phoned again.
‘Yes, my darling son, what is it now?’
‘Ghulam Qadir’s tickets have been booked. He, along with his family, will reach Srinagar airport at 1 p.m. the day after tomorrow.’
‘Okay. I shall arrange for their stay today.’
‘Nisar has already done that. He will be at the airport to receive them. Dilip will accompany them; I have a very important meeting to attend. I might come later.’
‘Okay, I will send them the driver.’
‘There is no need for that. He told me that he will come home only after seeing that they are settled in the houseboat.’
Doctor Nisar did not think it proper to meet Ghulam Qadir directly; he did not want Qadir to think that people were pitying him. At the airport, he introduced the son of the owner of houseboat Glacier, Abdul Jabbar, to Ghulam Qadir. He had imagined that they would have brought him in a wheelchair, but he was amazed to see him walking out of the airport with the support of Vijay Kumar’s son. Abdul Jabbar’s son went running, showed his card to Reeny, and made the coolie put the luggage in the car. Doctor Nisar watched all this while hiding at a distance. Satisfied that they had been properly received, he left for the city.
At home, Noor Mohammad was anxiously waiting for him. The moment Nisar entered the compound, Noor Mohammad asked him, ‘Has he arrived?’
‘Yes, he has.’
‘How did you bring him from there? You should have arranged for an ambulance.’
‘Actually, he walked to the car. Lala Sahib’s grandson has accompanied them.’