True Love

Posted by: Tanveer Rauf on: October 8, 2014

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Two years have gone by but not a single day passed I forgot that unbelievable experience of my life.

Sabiha Qaiser is my very dear and close friend. We served the same school for 10 years then I quit job but she continued. Our friendship bond elongates to 24 years now.  Sabiha is very serene, diligent and caring whereas I am happy go lucky carefree person.

We both happen to be widows so understand the ups and downs of life. I often spent weekends at her home. Her mother was a very kind lady and my friend too. I loved her twinkling eyes and sweet angelic smile always radiating her face.  She was an elderly lady but we enjoyed each other’s company. She would share her stories of youth.  She was not like other oldies who only complain of ailments and being ignored. She   was full of life. She had a sweet melodious voice so sometimes hummed old Indian songs. She was a very lively soul.

We chatted while Sabiha cooked and served us. I felt at home with them.

Sabiha’s parents were cousins. When to love opposite sex was considered sin, they fell in love. Fortunately they got married as well. Mr. Syed Muzaffar Ali and his wife Aquila Begum were born   in Gawalior India where the great singer TANSEN is laid to rest in peace. Hence love and harmony ran blood in them.

Sabiha’s father loved his wife like the love between the famous love stories we have read and heard, like Samson and Delilah, Romeo Juliet, Heer Ranjha, Leila Majnoo etc. This couple also exceptionally loved each other. They never parted in their life. They slept on the same bed till the end.

Sabiha’s mother got a severe heart attack on 3^rd December 2003. When her husband went to hospital to see his wife he couldn’t bear to see his love in such bad condition in ICU on bed no.13. He came home and prayed. His prayers were answered.

Mother’s condition improved so was shifted to a room. Whereas he got very sick and was taken to the same hospital where his wife was. It’s strange that he got the same bed no 13 where his wife lay a day before.

He went in coma on 5^th December and passed away on 13^th December 2003. He was born in 1924 died at the age of 80+.  They lived 58 years together.

That’s true love.

Sabiha’s mother lived ten years after his demise. She being literate and poetry lover often sang a song; Lambi judai ——- (lengthy parting—missing you)

in memory of her loving husband.

She got ill and went in coma on 5^th December 2012, the same date when her husband went in coma. She treaded to highway of heaven to meet her love on 21st Feb. 2013.

I have a very bad habit; I can’t see my dear ones in agony. I try to avoid as much as I can, so didn’t go see her when she was in hospital. She missed me, I know that!

But hearing that she’s in coma, I went to see her. Her daughters, daughters in law and grandsons along with Sabiha and the nurse were in the same room. Mother was in coma for days. Sabiha told her that Tanveer has come to see you. She was in blackout, didn’t move, and lay still. I went near her and wishing her said, “It’s me. I’m here” She turned her face slightly towards me, faintly smiled and back to the same pose of being in coma. It was surprising to see her response. Others present in the room called her but no movement no comeback. She just lay in bed motionless. It was astonishing for every one there in the room.

What was it! Was it power of love? The miracle or illusion—-

Sabiha gave me her mother’s white shawl and a small very old silver box as a token of love from her mother to me. It’s a treasure for life for me.

Tags: Agha Khan, coma, heavens, hospital, India, miracle, Sabiha, Tansen, true love