Love and Loyalty
No Compromise
(Part1)
Hashmat Khan was a small farmer with
only few acres of land but lived a happy life with his beloved wife. She loved
her only son Hashim too much as he was born after eight years of their
marriage. When Hashim was only some weeks old, she died because of a stray
bullet. Hashmat Khan did not marry again for the sake of his only son.
Hashim heard of tragic death of his
mother in his very childhood so became fond of hitting targets with ball &
stones. His father paid full attention to his studies & tried to fulfill
his desires despite limited resources.
During the vacations he used to take
Hashim to his relative’s home in Swabi where Hashim got interested in shooting.
The ammunition & bullets were available in ample quantity. He in very early
age became familiar with different types of rifles, guns. At early age, he was
considered to be a good shooter in town.
After passing FSC he cleared ISSB exam
and joined Pakistan Army. On noting his talent & interest in shooting he
was sent to Special Services group (SSG).
It was a fine pleasant morning in
village of Hashim. Slow breeze was blowing which had made the weather very
comfortable. Voice of drum beating was heard all around. Hashim was very happy
as he had managed to reach on time on wedding of his old friend Ali. It was
start of his fifteen days’ vacation after successful completion of mission
across the border. His father & his wife Romana were too pleased to have
him at home on that occasion. He had brought new clothes for them. The couple
got ready early as they were to take care of other guests. They looked very
nice & prominent among other villagers.
Hashim sat in van arranged for Ali’s
friends whereas Romana was in other bus with ladies. In all there were four
cars, one van & two buses which left for bride’s home. They reached there
after a travel of more than three hours. It was a beautiful valley near
Peshawar amidst green mountains & tall trees. Ali was very happy on getting a warm welcome
and finally getting his love. He had struggled hard to convince his parents
while Tanawush had rejected many proposals for Ali in last many months.
A heavy lunch was served to guests after
Nikah ceremony and followed by traditional green tea.
At around 3pm Ali’s father took
permission from hosts for leaving. All the ladies &gents started gathering
near their vehicles. The bride & bride groom walked towards decorated car.
all of a sudden, a young boy from the crowd shouted loudly “An important
formality still remains to be completed.” It was followed by heavy clapping
from many boys and men. All guests got
attentive towards noise.
Ali’s father-in-law Basharat Khan
immediately sensed the problem. He called Shamshad and started talking to him
in low voice. He tried to make him understand that the bridegroom & his relatives
belonged to Punjab so they were neither aware nor could meet their traditions.
All the villagers & guests stood silently and waited for the conclusion of
the discussion. Some elder persons joined the discussion as it prolonged. Ali
stood with his bride and close relatives near the car. He could see that
Shamshad Khan &his fellows were reluctant and were misbehaving. Soon loud
voices from discussion were heard and it looked that the discussion may convert
in a quarrel. No one knew what was going on and what would be the outcome.
Ali’s wife always had this fear and so got worried.
After several minutes Shamshad Khan came
out of discussion with a rifle high up in air. His body language clearly showed
that he & his fellows had refused any compromise. He called a boy in loud
voice to place a mirror at some height in mountain. Ali got further worried on
seeing Shamshad Khan approaching him with a rifle on his shoulder. On coming
close, he spoke in a loud and heavy voice “oh Mr. you cannot take Tanawush with
you without fulfilling our tradition.” Al did not like his style but found
himself helpless. There were mixed
feelings among people present over there. Guests settled in their respective
vehicles started coming out. Shamshad Khan enjoying situation loudly announced
“You or any of your relatives will have to smash that mirror in five bullets
from the spot specified. Remember to select the shooter carefully because once
a bullet is fired then you will not be able to change the person.” He kept
quiet for some moments which increased suspense there. With a peculiar smile on
face he spoke, “If shooter fails to break mirror in five bullets, then you will
have to return today without your bride.” He the laughed like some robber and
gave another blow to Ali “To take your bride you will have to come tomorrow
again and repeat process. Shooter will remain same.”
Ali’s father-in-law at once reacted “No,
No, they can change shooter on 2nd day.” Shamshad and his fellows
collectively rejected it. Ali’s father looked towards his son with annoyed face
which added to worries of Ali.
A tall young man with a cunning smile on
face said “Tanawush will be remarried to someone else if your shooter fails to
smash mirror on 3rd day.” These were very embarrassing moments for
all. Ali took a step ahead to slap that boy but his cousin took hold of him.
The local young boys enjoyed the tension and anger on guest’s faces. elder persons present over there were
helpless
. Shamshad once again walked towards Ali
with rifle up in air amidst clapping and several bullets firing noise. He then forcefully handed over rifle to Ali
and said “this is our tradition and part of our culture for the last many
generations. and no one can break it.” Ali felt weight in his hands. His whole
body shivered and his face color changed. Shamshad further made environment
tense by saying,” If a mirror can’t be broken in five bullets, then what right
you have to take our beautiful girl.”
Ali saw towards his father with an
appealing face who went towards Basharat Khan. They talked for some minutes but
he was helpless and apologized. Ali’s father then stood with close relatives to
find some solution. They all were worried but helpless. There was no one in
their group to take that heavy responsibility in such sensitive environment.
Many gossips started in male and female.
Many of them started making fun of newly wedded couple.
Hashim stood on a side among other
friends but deeply concerned. He was aware that his friend had been through
hard tough period to get married with Tanawush He could very well realize that
his friend was standing at the edge, being insulted in front of whole village
and was about to return alone. He closely watched around and found his friend
in a very critical, nervous and embarrassing position. The bride was standing
near car and no one had not even given her any chair to sit. It was insult of
his friend and he could no longer tolerate it. He gave a final thought over the
whole situation and stepped forward.
Ali looked at him with worried eyes but
could suddenly feel some ray of hope. He was aware of his friend’s capability
and his job in Pak Army but had totally forgotten his presence in those tense
moments. Hashim could very well-read doubts, thought and questions on Ali’s
face about leaving ground without his loved bride.
Hashim took the rifle from Ali and
patted his back and whispered in his ear” Relax & pray. Allah will help
us.” Ali’s body relaxed and words of his friend brought some smile on his face.
Hashim while standing near Ali had a deep eye
on target and walked towards standing point. All eyes were set on him and once
again there was pin drop silence in ground. Some young boys started climbing on
buses to have clear view. Romana was astonished that her husband had taken
responsibility of securing Ali’s bride. The excitement on her face vanished at
once and she started shivering with fear of insult. It had become a matter of
honor or insult for her also.
On reaching the point Hashim called
Shamshad and asked to place two more mirrors near the first one. This call of Hashim astonished every one and
Ali was frightened. He thought that his friend was closing all doors for him
and had ensured his insult.
Shamshad laughed and ordered someone
else to place two more mirrors. He then shouted in joy “You are fool. Now you
will have to hit three mirrors instead of one.” Hashim kept quiet and cool.
Hashim checked bullets and returned one
bullet to Shamshad Khan. Now there were four bullets with Hashim and three
targets. Everyone was surprised and thought that Hashim was crazy & was not
serious. Ali also thought that his friend was playing with him.
Hashim before sitting had a close look
of breeze, distance and targets. Distance was around seven hundred meters.
Breeze was blowing a bit faster. He adjusted his position while sitting and
fired one bullet at a stone lying at foot of mountain. He had fired that bullet
to check accuracy & angle of rifle but three bullets were left in magazine
& three targets to hit. It meant that there was no space for any mistake or
error.
It added to fears of Ali and he just
controlled himself from falling. Shamshad & his colleagues enjoyed the time
and were sure that Ali would have to return without bride. Tanawush felt fast
heartbeat. She could neither close her eyes nor had the courage to see the
happenings around her. She was afraid of embarrassing days ahead. Romana at the
same time did not know where to hide herself as all females were seeing her
with strange eyes. She did not have any answer to questions raised by females.
Hashim took his final position and
measured the exact distance and angle. sun was on his head COVERED UNDER A
CLOUD & wind was a bit fast. He took his position like a professional and
closed one eye TO FOCUS ON TARGET. Some seconds later he pressed trigger. There
was a very low sound which the crowd did not hear but within a second a mirror
was broken. There was clapping all over. There was some relief on faces &
confidence boosted. Ali was angry on Hashim for increasing targets. Had he not
increased the targets the game would have been over.
Hashim still faced the challenge as two
targets were to be hit with same number of bullets. No chance of mistake.
Hashim had taken the challenge himself by increasing targets. He adjusted his
position again and pressed the trigger and another target was hit. Everyone was
happy and praised by clapping for some minutes but then all were tight lipped.
Romana closed her eyes and started praying.
There was complete silence except sound
of birds on trees. Hashim took his position for 3rd time and to hit
last target. He could not afford any mistake as last bullet had been loaded All
eyes were set on last mirror left. After a few seconds the last mirror was no
more on ground People could not believe their eyes. Shamshad and his colleagues
stood like statues. Ali rushed to embrace his old friend Hashim. Everyone was
over joyed and wanted to congratulate Hashim as he had saved all from
embarrassment & disgrace.
Romana was also delighted and felt
proud. Females congratulated her on success of her husband and she thanked her
Allah. Tanawush was relieved and was
eager to sit in car.
Ali & his parents were in hurry to
leave that village before some new demand came. Hashim was crowded by many
males when he heard voice of Ali asking him to sit in van
(To be continued)
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