My Eyes are Yours
It was start of December and a bright
sunny day with slow cold breeze of winter blowing. Fakhar was sitting alone in lawns of university
cafeteria. He was in good mood and looking nice with high neck sweeter &
dark glasses on. He was waiting for his driver and talking to his best school
friend Hamid who had joined Pak Army. Fakhar was a brilliant& intelligent
student of MCS. Result was expected in a week & he was favorite for top
position.
Suddenly Fakhar felt some female fragrance& sound of bangles around him but he kept on telephonic conversation. Although he was joyful, friendly & popular among fellow students but always avoided contact with females.
Some
minutes later a female voice struck in his ears who introduced herself as
Amina. Fakhar moved his face towards voice and invited her to sit by signal of
hand. He intentionally prolonged telephonic call as he wanted to feel whether
she was alone or with someone else. He was familiar with this voice as she had
passed some insulting remarks about his vision problem some weeks back in
cafeteria. He had ignored it as per his nature & teaching.
After
some time, Amina broke silence and gave her details as a student of first
semester. She admired his capabilities & efforts in studies in spite of a
disability. Fakhar kept quiet with a smile as
had never liked sympathetic words.
She
further told that she was also a content writer and was in search of persons with successful
life record despite some physical problem. Fakhar was reluctant to respond and
cleverly changed topic to beautiful weather. Amina kept on talking to get
closer to him.
Few
minutes later, she noticed a middle-aged graceful lady along Salman approaching
them. Salman was class fellow of Fakhar. While dragging chairs near them,
Salman informed Fakhar that he had brought his mother there who was waiting in
car parking. Amina stood in respect and
was impressed with her get up. Fakhar’s mother was surprised to see her son in
company of a young beautiful girl as it was against his habit & nature.
They sat there together and had some good time.
Next
day Amina witnessed Fakhar working on lap top in library along Salman. She
availed the opportunity and went near their table with her last day’s desire and
request. Fakhar’s response was not welcoming and tried to ignore her. She
requested to have some time as per the convenience in a very soft and low
voice. Salman placed his hand on Fakhar’s s back asking him to give her some
time a left with his bag.
After
some minutes working on laptop, Fakhar closed it & put his earphone in bag.
Amina dragged her chair close to him & opened her diary for notes. Fakhar
kept quiet for a while to recall all past memories and started saying.
My
childhood was very beautiful& joyful. I & my younger sister Ramshaw had
all the facilities of life which many treats as luxury. My father is a
leading Barrister and from start had a
very good reputation & had a fine legal practice. My mother was very caring
from start and did her best for our comfort and ensured us best of
education.”
After
a pause he continued, “Each summer we used to go for recreation I & Ramshaw
both were very good in studies. I was preparing for o level exams and Ramshaw
was in class 8. Life was going smoothly that one evening life took a turn.
It was a pleasant late summer evening
of September. My father was in office whereas my mother & my sister were at
home. I as usual was playing football near our lovely home. It was just before
Maghrib that I received a ball on my head abut could not forward it because of
severe pain in forehead. I almost fainted
and sat on spot. Hamid my best & a close friend at once realized that some
serious has happened and rushed towards me. Game was stopped and I lay on ground.
One guy brought cold water from nearby home but I was not comfortable. I was
hearing voices of fellows but it seemed to me as if they are talking very far
away. Although my home was at walking distance but Hamid called his driver to
take me to home. He also lived in same block.
On reaching home my mother gave pain
killer with a glass of milk & told in strict voice to go to bed. Hamid
remained till I was asleep.
Next morning, I again felt unclear
vision and my parents’ noticed reddishness in my eyes. I was asked not to go to
school I informed Hamid on phone.
My condition did not improve till
evening so my father took me to a senior ophthalmologist Rashid’s clinic. We
had to wait for some hours as we were without appointment. On my turn Dr.
Rashid examined & advised his staff to dilate pupils for another checkup.
On reexamining Doctor sahib kept quiet for some time and then prescribed eye
drops along some tablets. He advised to get re diagnosed on 5th day.
I could hardly see because of pain and pupil dilation.
That
night Hamid visited our home along his father who is a renowned physician. My
father shared the medical details with him.
On
said day we again went to Dr. Rashid’s clinic and same procedure of pupil’s
dilation was adopted. After a detailed checkup Dr. Rashid while writing his
notes spoke the term Retinoblastoma in a low tone.
He
advised us to visit immediately Dr. Tariq another well-known eye specialist for
second opinion. Hamid was continuously in touch during all this time. My father
briefed Hamid’s father about the advice of Dr. Rashid. Being a doctor, he read
the gravity in hidden words. So, he along Hamid reached Dr. Tariq’s clinic in
no time. Hamid stayed out while his father accompanied us to doctor’s room. His
presence was a big support to us.
After
a detailed checkup Dr. Tariq exchanged medical terms with Hamid’s father. I
smelled that doctor had agreed with initial diagnosis. After some time, Dr.
Tariq stood up and came close to my father and placed his hand on my father’s shoulder
and started explaining the disease. He said it is a kind of Tumor and life of
son is more precious than anything else. I clearly heard the words that no
option is left except removal of eyes. Although my vision was highly blurred
but could feel the different expressions on my father’s face. I came near to
father and tightly griped his hand.
On
way back to home we all sat in Hamid’s car while our car was driven by driver.
My mother got worried on seeing Hamid’s father along us and without a regular
smile of my father. She at once questioned that what had happened. My father held her by arms and asked her to
sit on sofa. I sat beside her. My sister Ramshaw realized the situation and
switched off Tv. Hamid sent driver to bring her mother from their home. My
mother continuously crying for details and my father was in search of proper
words. In the meantime, Hamid’s mother also reached and quickly embraced my
mother. Everyone was sad and Ramshaw had started weeping My mother insisted to
take me abroad for medical checkup. Hamid’s father took the responsibility to
consult fellow doctors in UK & USA and carried whole medical file of notes
and Tests.
The
next days were very painful, depressed & horrible. Most of time we were on sheet
or reciting Holy Quran. Finally, one-night Hamid’s father informed my father
that the disease had aggravated and so no option was left except surgery
without any delay.
I
very well remember the day when we went hospital for admission. I saw my home
with strange eyes. Ramshaw was weeping and it had always been most difficult
thing for me. My mother knew it very well so she took both of us in her arms.
My father took all of us in his arms and we almost all burst out. Hamid &
his parents could not handle situation. All the servants at our home had tears
in eyes. My mother distributed money among house staff and nearby servants with
the request to pray for me.
After
surgery doctors were happy as well as sad as life was saved but at the cost of
both eyes. Surgery was successful after losing everything. In the post-operative room, I was not fully
conscious but could feel lovely hand of my mother on my head and tears in her
eyes. My parents did not know how to express their feelings.
The
days passed, and after a week I was discharged with black glasses. World
altogether had changed. Almost all the friends had stopped calling me except
Hamid. I had made many plans of life even in childhood. I & Hamid often
used to discuss these plans. We both had everything common but my all plans
were shattered. O level looked a
dream.
One
night after dinner my father talked with me in heavy & shivering voice: My
son, it is not end of world. Allah has given you a new life and now you have to
make your life a success story and a model for others. I and your mother are
sure that you will do it with the help of Allah. We have to leave the past and
move ahead.: There was pin drop silence
in room: Fakhar stopped for a while
perhaps to hide his feelings and then said I could hear small cries of my
mother & Ramshaw. The environment was very sad. After some moments my
father got up and took me and my mother in his arms. Ramshaw could not resist
and burst out. Despite her loud weeping, I could hear some cries of our kitchen
maid.
Next
morning my father took me to a school for visual impaired children. The
environment was too strange for me and I further got depressed. I used to weep
whenever was alone but was not hidden from Ramshaw. I could not adjust myself
in learning brail. One evening, Hamid disclosed that he come to know about ways available on computer for visual
impaired students. My father decided to hire services of a suitable &
qualified teacher instead of sending me to special school. Then onwards I
started my studies on computer with help of Jaws. The teacher told my father
about mobile set with voice over technology.
Then the world was not so dark for me and I had
slowly managed to adjust myself under new pattern. My family members were very
helpful. Ramshaw & Hamid always tried to keep me comfortable and tried
their best to have smile on my face. I passed o level exams two sessions late.
All the exams were given through laptop under special permission. Everyone at
our home was very pleased on getting good grades and we all enjoyed a lot. I became fond of computer and then wanted to
specialize in field of computer science. It was against my plans because in
childhood I & Hamid had planned a lot to join Pak Army but it was a dream,
forever.
That
is why I was very sad in those days when Hamid was selected for Pak Army. He
remained in our home for two days to let me come out of that crucial phase. I
felt his eyes wet when we all went to see off him.
I
worked hard and studied till late in night and secured high marks in
intermediate. By that time, I had adjusted myself in new world and was happy.
We enjoyed all moments of life at home & outside. The best days were when
Hamid used to come on vacations and we both families spent these days together.
They all never let me feel of my deficiency.
Throughout
my studies I had normal courses. The only difference was my reading &
writing style. BCS was also cleared in excellent grades and thus was able to
get admission in this top University of Pakistan purely on merit.”
With
these words Fakhar removed his dark glasses for some seconds. Amina was deeply
moved by all that detailed real story. She had never expected that that there
can be so much ups & downs in one’s life. She had been silent during all
this time except some cough and that too to realize Fakhar of her presence. At
that stage Amina interrupted him for the first time to ask about name of Hamid’s father but on
hearing reply could hardly take saliva in.
Fakhar
told that their friendship had been consolidated & converted into a strong
relationship as Hamid was engaged to his sweet sister Ramsha.
He
further told that his journey had never been smooth. Most of faculty members
were cooperative but this society was rough, discouraging & full of hatred.
On this Amina felt embarrassed& guilty as she too had misbehaved, insulted
and tried to hyper him. Fakhar informed her about his work on development of a
unique computer program for visual impaired persons. He said that program was
at last stage and a foreign software house had already contacted him at a very
attractive salary. He wished to continue his studies along job. Fakhar looked
very sound & strong while saying that he wanted to make life easy&
comfortable of visual impaired children.
There
was pin drop silence for some moments. Amina took a deep breath and placed her
soft warm sweaty hand on Fakhar’s hand and after some moments spoke in Avery
low shivering voice” You are a real sign of Fakhar for me. from today my eyes are yours. I would be
pleased and feel proud if you like me to be your life partner.” Fakhar turned towards her with tunned face.
He could feel soft expressions on her face. Amina griped his hand more tightly
and further said” Yes, your mission is now ours. It is just amazing that your
best friend Hamid is my first cousin.”
Fakhar
was this time surprised and delighted. He kept quiet for some moments before
thanking for proposal. He asked her to give second thought before taking final
decision as it was going to be a long and hard journey. He tried to explain the
possible difficulties ahead but Amina stuck to her words. At last, Fakhar smiled and took her soft trembling hand in
his both hands.
