As Sabeena lay in bed , critical and without any hope ,her teenage daughter Saba was inconsolable. "Ammijaan if you go away to Alalah's home , abbu wont be sending me to school anymore, " With utter difficulty Sabeena held her daughters hand and said ,have faith in allah, he will do what is best for you.Abbu will do as per orders of Allah." These were the last words the then fourteen year old Saba heard from her mother who then breathed her last. Saba's father Ahmed was a carpenter ,worked hard to make two ends meal, was an orthodox to the third degree. He believed that girls are just to carry the progeny . He doted on his son Gulzaar and Rafiq
This is what exactly happend .After the last rites and related ceremonies ,about a week later when Saba was getting ready for school, Ahmed came , held Saba's hand and affectionately told him that she wont be going to school anymore as there should be some one to look after the house hold and more over he believed that girls have other priorities than education. Saba cried and cried and pleaded"Abbu i am just in class sixth, let me study upto class tenth atleast, please abbu ,I will do all the domestic wok before going to school and after coming back, please abbu ,please." Her tears had no effect and "No "said Abbu ,"what I have decided is final"
Months passed and Sabba, a chirpy and ambitious girl tranformed to a serious working machine. Doing domestic chores, preparing food, packing Tiffin's for her brothers who attended school, washing, mending their dresses .She had a keen desire to study , and only remebering her teacher and class would make her smile When ever the boys were out to play she did take out her brothers school bag and go through the books and note books, mugged up what ever she found interesting, tried her hands on Mathematics, learned Hindi poems, at times studied the atlas . Her brothers ,the younger one who was in class five and the elder in class eight eight, pampered as they were ,would bribe Sabina and tell her that they would give him some money from their pocket money if ahe does their home work or writing part of it. It was a win win situation for Saba as she loved to study and more over got five rupees for two days home work. Gradually Rafiq and Gulzaars friend came to know that their sister was so fond of studying and helped her brothers so well .Their immediate neighbour, and best friend was ten year old Rizwan .His parents were illiterate, mother a housewife and father a bangle seller. Rizwan had two small sisters ,Rubina and Hina. aged five and eight. Now Rizwan at times came to Saba and ask for help in Mathematics or English. As he was in class five and Saba had left the school in class eight she could guide him. Some time Hina and Rubina also came with their note books and usual work of A,B,C or one,two three .They would bring her two three bangles as a return gift.
Khalida Appa who lived next door, and was a mid wife, had come for Sabeena's delivery when Saba was born.She had a liking for Saba and would often come and ask her about her well being. Khalida Appa also tried to convince her Abbu to send her to school but this is what Abbu said"Motarma ,what are you talking, Saba is thirteen and I have started looking for a groom for her, intend to marry her off once she is sixteen and then would think of getting a begum for myself to look after the boys and the household" Khaleeda was shocked at Ahmeds future plans. She left with a heavy heart ,but her concern for Saba was true.
Eid was near,and there was hustle bustle on the streets. It was Sunday , early morning after breakfast when Saba was busy doing the dishes, Ahmed told her to get ready and accompany him to the market to get new clothes for Eid. It was first Eid after Ammi and Saba recalled how last year Ammi got her that green shinning sharara with golden dupatta and glittering bangles. How happy she was on Eid, flaunting her new dress , how she had enjoyed with her friends and even asked her mother to buy a small Eid gift for her class teacher Madam Gayatri , who never failed to wish her on Eid and present her either a pen or a tiffin box in class just before Eid. Now the school story was over . As she was lost in thoughts , the voice of Khalida Appa shook her. Saba get ready soon, your Abbu has asked me to bring you to the shop, he has left for namaaz with the boys, hurry up ,I have to go for some other work after leaving you in the market."O.K ok Appa, I am getting ready, but you help me in selecting the dress, I have never selected it by my self, Ammi always used to decide which dress will suit me most. And saying this she handed a fifty rupees to Appa"why are you giving me this money", said Appa in dismay, Shhh Appa , this is the money I have earned from Rafiq and Gulzaar. Please buy a small gift for my class teacher Madam Gayatri, and go to school and give it to her, please appa, do this for me, I miss her ,she taught so lovingly". "O.K, O,K I will go ,but you please hurry up", said Appa.
They went to the market, were a bit late , in the Zunaid cloth House,from where they purchased clothes every year there was a lot of rush, Why are you late shouted Abbu , I ve already purchased clothes for boys , hurry up and chose a dress soon and see it must not be very costly. Saba hurriedly saw a few dresses and finally settled for a Yellow Pakistani suit, as Hina and Rubina had lately got her few yellow bangles. "Ya its good that you chose a suit, can be worn later too", said Ahmed sternly.
"OK ,Saba I am going for my other work" said Saba Khalida Appa, "Ok Appa but do remember my request" Saba whispered in her ear.
It was Eid morning. Every one at home was happy. Saba got up early morning and keeping her Ammis tradition started preparing Seviyan, Meethe Chawal . She was missing her mother badly , as she remembered how on her request Ammi would keep some seviyan and dry fruits aside for her to take school next day for her favourite teacher Gayatri Mam and her tiffin. She looked up towards the sky and a tear drops made her vision hazy. "Saba di are the things ready, come out from the kitchen soon and get dressed up, lets sing the song Ammi used to sing"teri hai zameen ,tera aasman, tu bara meherbaan,tu baksheesh kar."It was a tradition in their home that all used to dress up and sing this song on Eid .Ammi was an average singer but Ahmed and Saba had a very nice voice , it was on Eid the family sang together and wished Eid amongst themselves and to the neighbours . This year also they sang and every one felt Sabeena's absene so strongly. Lets go and see why Khalidda Appa didn’t join us today, she used to come early morning every year.. They were surprised to see that Khalida Appas house was locked.Surprised the three children asked neighbour Rubina and Hina's mom. "No idea, Appa was seen early morning, she was dressed up in new clothes" said Rubina's mum. Saba was sad, Khalida appa was affectionate and loved Saba so much. Anyways, the celebrations had to go. Abbu ,Rafiq and Gulzaar went for namaaz and came back in routine. Therewere some guests, some neighbours all happy and chirping and enjoying, sewiyan and meethe chawal cooked by Saba.They taste so good, Sabeena must be happy in heaven to see you Saba said Rubina's mum, you have arranged everything so perfect,May Allah bless you .Even Abdul hugged and kissed her daughter ,perhaps for the first time after Sabeena's death. Saba was nostalgic. Just then there was a knock at the door. Who could be at this hour, almost every one is here. Saba opened the door and was more than surprised to see her Gayatri Mam with Khalida Appa .Oh mam, what a surprise , she hugged her teacher and tears rolled down. "Eid mubarak Beta, and guess what I have as Eidi for you",said Mam Gayatri,"It cant be a tiffin or pen as i dont need it now, what could it be" Close your eyes and open when I say yes" Mam Gayatri laid all the stuff she had got on the table , called Abbu , Saba's abbu near and told Saba to open her eyes. "OH my God, school bag, school dress and books , why why this mam"."This is your Eidi beta, I have convinced your abbu that you need to go to school and have sponsored your schooling through a fund. Oh Allah, the merciful, Saba couldn't believe her eyes and ears. This was a collective eidi from ammi in heaven and appa and mam here. Sabba hugged Abbu and could feel his wet cheeks.
