Just Bliss

continued

On the other hand the passengers were curious to know the reason of this redundant stoppage of the train. Some popped out their necks from their windows to see the reason. But it was pitch dark and foggy so none could understand. Some thought burglars broke into the train. Loads of rumors spread among the passengers. One of the passengers who were looking out of the window saw Sadiq Hussein with a torch so he thinking it was the guard asked him, “What’s wrong Sir?” Why is the train not moving? Aren’t we getting late?  Moreover we can’t see any station close by or any reason of this halt.”  Sadiq Hussein was already troubled so he in firm and sternly voice asked the passenger to better shut his window. The passenger felt something weird in his tone so instantly he closed his window. Within no time Sadiq Hussein got on board and accelerating the speed of the train covered time lost. Hence was able to reach station on exact time. The moment the train came to a halt, Ashraf Ahmed got down the train shivering with freezing cold. The train stopped there for ten minutes.  Ashraf desperately wanted to sip a hot cup of tea. So he hurried towards the tea stall. After Ashraf descended the tomcat also jumped down.  But the tomcat did not land on the platform. He vanished. And a tall strong sturdy man wrapped in a blanket was seen walking on the platform. Some of the passengers also went to tea stall to kill the chill. Some opted for peanuts and chips etc.  That strange man looked aimlessly here and there. He saw a compartment which was open. He and got into it. It seemed as if    he was looking for that particular compartment.  He looked around then he sat on the floor with his face hidden in the blanket. Some part of his face and nose was visible only. He seemed to a labor from his appearance so no passenger took any notice of him. The compartment next to the one he tomcat sat in was reserved for a group of people going for a wedding ceremony.  Number of people tried to get into that compartment but they were all held back as it was reserved. The people in that bogie were divided into groups of friends. Each group enjoyed chatting singing and playing indoor games. It was decided that no one will sleep that night. And whoever tried to sleep was compelled to be awake and enjoy the company and party. Girls played the drums   so the drum beats didn’t let anyone sleep peacefully. They were having great fun together. A boy was on duty to check if anyone was sleeping and report. The elder and aged members like bride groom’s uncles and aunts were in a separate section of that compartment. Tales and life stories and experiences were shared among them. One of them suggested sharing any mind-boggling experience with any mystic being or jinn. Furqan Mamu was the first to share not one only but two genuine incidents.  He said he is the eye witness of those events. Akbar the groom overheard their talk. He was very fond of such stories. So when he heard that elders were sharing stories of jinns he left the young world and sat with elders. He asked Furqan Mamu, “Mamu have you seen jinns?” Furqan Mamu told Akbar that he has not seen them but heard their voices too. Furqan Mamu started, “I was in Aligarh and was about fourteen years of age. There was a pious old man named Sufi Amjad Hussein in our locality. He used to wake up people for morning prayers. He knocked every door with his staff calling the owner by name loudly asking him to wake up. He didn’t move forward unless someone answered back to him that they are all awake. He was well aware of those who prayed regularly. Those who were not practicing Muslims got irritated but out of respect didn’t mind and covering their heads inside their quilts slept again. . Sufi Amjad Hussein faced trouble in waking up Dr.Tariq for Dr. Tariq loved sleeping where ever and whenever he got a chance to sleep. He could easily go to sleep while sitting, while checking the pulse rate of his patients. Patient thought that doctor is too concerned about his health. He didn’t realize that Dr.Tariq felt snoozing. It was only known when his hands dropped from the patient’s pulse and when he started snoring. His snoring echoed in the street. to be continued