Taxi driver Abdul was waiting at the airport. He was asked to pick up John traveling from Gulf to his home town which happened to be the same as that of Abdul's. At a time when there were no phones or mobiles, he used to get his customers from word of moth.
He knew John and it was his duty every two years to receive him at the airport and also to drop him back post his month long vacation. Being worked in Gulf himself as a driver for few years, Abdul was familiar with the hardships behind the exaggerated pictures painted by the Gulf returnees for their family and community during their short stays. Yet, John was different as he had few words and very respectable. There was nothing flashy or inauthentic about him.
Finally, John arrived and Abdul could recognize him from a distance. Once the luggage was placed in the boot, Abdul and John exchanged greetings and a short conversation. Knowing how eager John must be to meet his family, he left him to ponder and take note of the recent developments as they passed by.
Once the car reached the house, Abdul could see the house helpers coming ahead of the family to unload the stuff. It was no surprise to Abdul as usually the women would not show too much eagerness in front of strangers to come forward and greet despite waiting for that moment for months on end. The kids too will have mixed feelings about a stranger who they have to call "Dad" coming to stay for such long period. So, they were hiding and watching this whole thing unfold.
After taking his fare and wishing John happy vacation Abdul left. In all that hurry and excitement, John did not forget to handover a box of chocolates for Abdul's children.
As John's house was on the main road, occasionally Abdul would catch a glimpse of John and salute and move on. He could see every vacation there would be more construction work taking place at John's place. Fresh sand and stones would be brought in and he could see men engaged in either building a compound wall, digging a well, building a toilet etc. As John's wife had her hands full with taking care of the family farm, aged in-laws and the young kids, this was his best way of spending his vacation.
As they say time flies, it was time to drop John at the airport. This time, John was accompanied by his wife and kids and there was chatter and fun. Yet, he could feel how John and his wife may be feeling now that there was the gap of two years till they saw each other. He was glad to have company of John's family on his return trip.
After an hour he could see John's wife come out with the kids. Youngest kid was inconsolable and wanted dad to come back. Abdul kept wondering what magic that serious looking man would have created to get this scared little kid who was hiding on the day of his arrival, to be so attached. He tried his best telling the kid that he would go back in a few days time and fetch her dad as soon as he gets replenishment's for the chocolates that they so loved. Thank God, the hint of chocolate worked and the kid was soon looking out of the window and counting the trees outside. He could see a sign of relief in John's wife's face from his rare view mirror.
Years have passed......both Abdul and John's families have evolved and after about 40 years from that first incident this second scene is playing out.
Taxi driver Hameed is waiting in his car outside John's house. Hameed is Abdul's son who inherited Abdul's taxi and his profession after Abdul passed away 20 years ago. Hameed too knew John and his family as they were the only service providers for the family over the years. Though number of taxis has increased, John's family was loyal to Abdul's and were preferred over others.
Seeing John's daughters come out with loads of luggage, Hameed got out of the car and went to their veranda to get the luggage. He knew John's daughters who had settled outside and were occasionally visiting home. Hameed would usually pick and drop them to airport or to catch the bus at night. John would sometime accompany them and waited till the bus left. He would take extra care to ensure the safety of his daughters though they were all now grown up and had families of their own. He had remained the same serious man with few words and Hameed would hardly mind it.
Today, for some reason the mood of John's household was sombre. His wife would usually come out and draw Hameed into some conversation. He did not see her. Finally, John came out supported by one of his daughter and his wife followed. Knowing the family for long, Hameed knew something was amiss.
Of lately, John used to be sick and Hameed had accompanied him on his hospital visit to the city. As the family had all daughters Hameed would physically support John in case of difficulty. Somehow there was a silent bond between Hameed and John's family.
In the car, John was accompanied by two of his daughters and rest of the family said good bye to him and they shared the destination. Hameed's heart skipped a beat. He knew the place well, it was just 4 KM from John's house. His mind raced, while he had to focus on the road, he kept wondering why a man like John with resources, house and property of his own and caring children would be heading to a "Old age home". No one spoke in the car. John had a serious face as usual, but was looking more pale could be due to the long time ailments or the dread of having to live in a old age home.
For once, he wanted this journey to last forever. He wanted to defer the time of John's drop off. Car is just a machine and had no feelings and it reached in the usual 15 minutes time. At the Old age home, they were welcomed by people. Stuff was unloaded and moved. Out of curiosity, Hameed accompanied John inside of the institution.
For a change, he felt peaceful in the clean, green and serene environment of the institution. It was a paid facility and John had a nice big room with attached bathroom and toilet for himself. John's daughters quickly started arranging his room. Hameed finally asked John if he would be living here for now. John nodded and said this is the best the family could think of as his condition required constant care and hospitalization. As his wife had a delicate health condition and children had their career and families to care for in the distant cities, he would be looked after well in this facility. He could rest, do his prayers and get 24/7 medical care. This comforted Hameed and he left the room for John to settle in fully.
Outside, he was offered tea and snacks and could see several old people engaged in their own activities, some were enjoying in the garden, some were in the chapel praying and few were sitting and chatting. He saw the in-charge of the centre entering John's room and he could hear laughter and the environment change completely.
Sitting on the bench outside, Hameed kept at his thinking. When he was given the destination, he had felt bad for John yet now after seeing all this he felt this place may be better for John. He said a silent prayer for John to get the best services in this new place and recover. John's daughters approaching steps woke him up and he opened the door for them.
On the way back he could see tears rolling down the cheeks of John's daughters yet no word was spoken between them. He knew this decision must have been tough for them. Yet, he was not happy. He kept thinking what would have been the best solution for a man like John who toiled for his family in the faraway Gulf....finally they arrived at John's house. He had no courage left to face anyone of John's family at this point and left taking his fare quickly.
He knew John and it was his duty every two years to receive him at the airport and also to drop him back post his month long vacation. Being worked in Gulf himself as a driver for few years, Abdul was familiar with the hardships behind the exaggerated pictures painted by the Gulf returnees for their family and community during their short stays. Yet, John was different as he had few words and very respectable. There was nothing flashy or inauthentic about him.
Finally, John arrived and Abdul could recognize him from a distance. Once the luggage was placed in the boot, Abdul and John exchanged greetings and a short conversation. Knowing how eager John must be to meet his family, he left him to ponder and take note of the recent developments as they passed by.
Once the car reached the house, Abdul could see the house helpers coming ahead of the family to unload the stuff. It was no surprise to Abdul as usually the women would not show too much eagerness in front of strangers to come forward and greet despite waiting for that moment for months on end. The kids too will have mixed feelings about a stranger who they have to call "Dad" coming to stay for such long period. So, they were hiding and watching this whole thing unfold.
After taking his fare and wishing John happy vacation Abdul left. In all that hurry and excitement, John did not forget to handover a box of chocolates for Abdul's children.
As John's house was on the main road, occasionally Abdul would catch a glimpse of John and salute and move on. He could see every vacation there would be more construction work taking place at John's place. Fresh sand and stones would be brought in and he could see men engaged in either building a compound wall, digging a well, building a toilet etc. As John's wife had her hands full with taking care of the family farm, aged in-laws and the young kids, this was his best way of spending his vacation.
As they say time flies, it was time to drop John at the airport. This time, John was accompanied by his wife and kids and there was chatter and fun. Yet, he could feel how John and his wife may be feeling now that there was the gap of two years till they saw each other. He was glad to have company of John's family on his return trip.
After an hour he could see John's wife come out with the kids. Youngest kid was inconsolable and wanted dad to come back. Abdul kept wondering what magic that serious looking man would have created to get this scared little kid who was hiding on the day of his arrival, to be so attached. He tried his best telling the kid that he would go back in a few days time and fetch her dad as soon as he gets replenishment's for the chocolates that they so loved. Thank God, the hint of chocolate worked and the kid was soon looking out of the window and counting the trees outside. He could see a sign of relief in John's wife's face from his rare view mirror.
Years have passed......both Abdul and John's families have evolved and after about 40 years from that first incident this second scene is playing out.
Taxi driver Hameed is waiting in his car outside John's house. Hameed is Abdul's son who inherited Abdul's taxi and his profession after Abdul passed away 20 years ago. Hameed too knew John and his family as they were the only service providers for the family over the years. Though number of taxis has increased, John's family was loyal to Abdul's and were preferred over others.
Seeing John's daughters come out with loads of luggage, Hameed got out of the car and went to their veranda to get the luggage. He knew John's daughters who had settled outside and were occasionally visiting home. Hameed would usually pick and drop them to airport or to catch the bus at night. John would sometime accompany them and waited till the bus left. He would take extra care to ensure the safety of his daughters though they were all now grown up and had families of their own. He had remained the same serious man with few words and Hameed would hardly mind it.
Today, for some reason the mood of John's household was sombre. His wife would usually come out and draw Hameed into some conversation. He did not see her. Finally, John came out supported by one of his daughter and his wife followed. Knowing the family for long, Hameed knew something was amiss.
Of lately, John used to be sick and Hameed had accompanied him on his hospital visit to the city. As the family had all daughters Hameed would physically support John in case of difficulty. Somehow there was a silent bond between Hameed and John's family.
In the car, John was accompanied by two of his daughters and rest of the family said good bye to him and they shared the destination. Hameed's heart skipped a beat. He knew the place well, it was just 4 KM from John's house. His mind raced, while he had to focus on the road, he kept wondering why a man like John with resources, house and property of his own and caring children would be heading to a "Old age home". No one spoke in the car. John had a serious face as usual, but was looking more pale could be due to the long time ailments or the dread of having to live in a old age home.
For once, he wanted this journey to last forever. He wanted to defer the time of John's drop off. Car is just a machine and had no feelings and it reached in the usual 15 minutes time. At the Old age home, they were welcomed by people. Stuff was unloaded and moved. Out of curiosity, Hameed accompanied John inside of the institution.
For a change, he felt peaceful in the clean, green and serene environment of the institution. It was a paid facility and John had a nice big room with attached bathroom and toilet for himself. John's daughters quickly started arranging his room. Hameed finally asked John if he would be living here for now. John nodded and said this is the best the family could think of as his condition required constant care and hospitalization. As his wife had a delicate health condition and children had their career and families to care for in the distant cities, he would be looked after well in this facility. He could rest, do his prayers and get 24/7 medical care. This comforted Hameed and he left the room for John to settle in fully.
Outside, he was offered tea and snacks and could see several old people engaged in their own activities, some were enjoying in the garden, some were in the chapel praying and few were sitting and chatting. He saw the in-charge of the centre entering John's room and he could hear laughter and the environment change completely.
Sitting on the bench outside, Hameed kept at his thinking. When he was given the destination, he had felt bad for John yet now after seeing all this he felt this place may be better for John. He said a silent prayer for John to get the best services in this new place and recover. John's daughters approaching steps woke him up and he opened the door for them.
On the way back he could see tears rolling down the cheeks of John's daughters yet no word was spoken between them. He knew this decision must have been tough for them. Yet, he was not happy. He kept thinking what would have been the best solution for a man like John who toiled for his family in the faraway Gulf....finally they arrived at John's house. He had no courage left to face anyone of John's family at this point and left taking his fare quickly.
