STORY TIME: Times do change

STORY TIME: Times do change- Mrs Sameer was showing off a beautiful diamond ring to her friend, Mrs Nasir, “You know Sara, this ring costs more than three lacs. See how much Sameer cares for me.” Rabia, Mrs Sameer’s new maid, who was dusting the other room, was hearing bits and pieces of their conversation. She was a person engulfed in poverty and was unpleasantly surprised at hearing about the expense Mrs Sameer boastingly talked about. With tears in her weak eyes, she kept cleaning with her rough, scratched and battered hands.

“Sell these earrings, only then we’ll be able to get something to eat,” quietly, Rabia handed the last piece of her jewellery to her husband, who took them away hesitantly. Their young children were crying with hunger. She looked at the boiling pot of water in which she pretended to cook something, in order to console her little ones.

God knows when Asjad will come back with the money. I don’t know what would possibly happen to these unlucky children. I should go to the mistress and ask her for some loan. This thought lightened her up as she wrapped a thin shawl around herself to keep warm. With a loving look at her children, she locked the door behind. On her way to Mrs Sameer’s beautiful house, Rabia kept praying for her children’s safety, whom she had left alone.

When she entered the bungalow she saw that everyone was getting ready to go to a party. Gathering her strength, she went to Mrs Sameer and asked her for money. All of a sudden she felt a stinging slap on her face. She tottered, and on regaining her equilibrium retired back a step or two from her. The insult brought tears to her eyes and she felt her heart break in pieces.

“You all are the same; first you steal my diamond ring and then you ask me for money. How dare you?” Mrs Sameer was bellowing on her.

“But I didn’t take anything,” she sobbed, choked and shocked at what she’d heard. “Ah! This is what every thief says. Don’t try to jest on me. I had left my ring in the drawing room. After you had dusted and were gone, I can’t find it.”

“Miss, miss please believe me. I’m not a thief,” she cried and protested but her plea fell on deaf ears.

Mrs Sameer dragged and pushed Rabia out of her house. Rabia started to walk back, very hungry, cold, weather beaten and heavily insulted. Her weak legs gave up and she felt herself falling into unconsciousness.

Rubbing her eyes, she woke up in a warm bed. She felt pain searing from her legs. She moaned, and was startled to find herself in a strange large room. A woman stood by her side. This was Mrs Ayesha, Mrs Sameer’s neighbour.

She was a tall and pleasant woman, who till then pitied Rabia’s condition. As she saw Rabia waking, she gave her some tablets and a warm glass of milk. “Rabia you must rest,” she said in her kind, sweet voice. But Rabia insisted on going home as she knew her children were alone. Before leaving she poured out all her problems to the generous women.

“So your husband has done M.Sc and can’t find a job,” she pondered thoughtfully. “Maybe my husband will be able to do something for you people. She handed some money so that Rabia could buy something for her house. Rabia went back home, filled with gratitude for the fine lady.

After a few days, Mrs Ayesha called for her and Asjad. Her husband had found a respectable and well paid job for Asjad. They thanked God for his mercy on them. After formalities, Rabia’s husband started to go for the job. Both Rabia and Asjad were happy and thankful for this change in their lives.

Soon they were able to move in to a new place. It was a beautiful small place which Rabia decorated with all her heart. They started sending their children to good English medium schools. She was happy that her children were coming up as well-behaved and well-educated individuals. Her relationship with Mrs Ayesha was very sisterly.

On the other side Mrs Sameer and her family were in huge trouble. While they were at a night party their house had been looted; their lockers had been opened, jewellery and cash taken away, and furniture had been broken. It was a heartbreaking loss for them. Then Mr Sameer began losing all his business transactions and his investments started going to loss. One after the other they had to sell things in order to keep up with their lifestyle but one day they had to leave their house too.

As Rabia got out of her car she saw a woman clad in tattered dress sitting at the street corner. She looked starved and sick. Naturally her heart filled with sympathy. Rabia stepped forward to ask her if she needed help. As she came close and had a close look at the woman’s face she was startled. In shock she clasped her hand to her mouth. A harsh truth lay in front of her. It was none other than Mrs Sameer….

thanx Ayesha Jamal thanx Dawn

STORY TIME: Times do change