THE WAIT-II

As Abbas passed his higher secondary exams his parents wanted him to go abroad for higher studies.Abbas protested,he didnot want to go leave the city fearing that he would miss meeting his baba.But his protests were ignored and he was sent to study.On the day he left he went to meet his baba.They hugged each other and cried.Abbas promised to write letters to Abdul every month and promised to take him back once he finished his studies.Abbas left and with him the world seem to come to a stop for Abdul.He kept waiting for him every saturday as he used to but Abbas never came.Abdul recieved letters from Abbas every month which he was unable to read.He asked the care taker of Sahara to read it for him.Once the letters were read,Abdul stored it safely.He took the letters out every night and smelled them wishing for Abbas.Tears rolled down his cheeks as he slept.He woke up dreaming of Abbas and cried for the rest of the night.
In all these years,Mushtaque never came to see Abdul.His health started to detoriate and he emaciated.He could barely walk but that never stopped him to lie down on the hammock staring at the gateway on saturdays.5 years has passed since Abbas left but Abdul waited for himfor he believed that one day hewould surely come.
It was monsoon time and Abdul felt as if this was the last monsoon of his life.He not keeping well since months but with the onset of monsoon his problems aggravated.The lack of proper care at Sahara added fuel to the fire and left Abdul bedridden.He was too weak to get out of his bed so his saturdays were spent waiting,lying on the bed staring at the door.


It rained heavily that day.Abdul lied on the couch in his room and watched out of the window.The water droplets dancing on the leaves of the trees.He seemed to be in a never ending reverie.He himself couldnot figure it whether he was asleep or awake.He could hear the ticking of clock in the room still time seemed to have stopped for him.He prayed to God for mercy,for his death,for relieving him of this pain.He wept silently and prayed.Abdul didnt know what time of the day it was when he heard a soft whisper in his ears........'BABA'. He made no effort to turn around as he thought it as just a dream.'Baba' the voice called again.Abdul didnot move.He kept lying with eyes closed when he felt a hand touching his shoulder.The touch was familiar.The touch infused such energy within Abdul that he immediately turned around.With his blurred vision he saw a young handsome man smiling.The man said again.'Baba,its me Abbas.' Abdul couldnot believe his eyes and ears.He thought its another prank that the old age is playing.He thought he was hallucinating.The man said again 'Baba,your Abbas is back.You dont worry at all.I am here to take you with me.' It was not a dream,neither a reverie nor hallucination.Abbas has kept his promise to come back.When Abdul realised this he threw his rickety arms around Abbas.He wanted to say something but his voice chocked.Struggling to stop his teras Abdul stared at Abbas who has grown up into a young man in these years.He kissed Abbas on his forehead and broke down into a loud cry.Both of them hugged each other and cried.The tears washed away all the pains of this long wait which finally got over.