The Story of a Faithful Servant
Noor Din & his beloved wife Rukhsana enjoyed a happy life with
their baby son at their big house near their vast agricultural lands. Noor not
only had an efficient team of workers at land but a handsome number of servants
worked at home also for convenience of his wife. Despite all latest facilities
the production of crops had dropped in last months which had made Noor worried.
An acute shortage of water
had occurred due to significant drop in number of rains. Wells had dried slowly and level of water in
river had also gone down. There was no alternative for supply of water to
lands. It resulted in dryness of fertile agricultural lands, less production of
crops, bad health of animals & shortage of poultry products. Many farmers
with less land had already left that area. Rates of land had drastically gone
down as there was no buyer.
Noor had high stakes so had tried hard to survive.
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He had numerous meetings with experts to assess the reasons behind low growth and the remedies available but no positive result had come out. Rukhsana knew very little about the severity.
It was a hot noon when Noor finished another detailed meeting with
some soil & weather experts. He was once again highly disheartened to hear
their opinion about water level with no hope of improvement. Despite being
tired and tense, sat down alone to take a quick review of the prevailing
conditions but got further depressed on seeing last figures of production and
expenses. He made up his mind and walked towards home with wet eyes.
He stepped in house with heavy heart and in search of proper words
to tell his wife about new plan. He sat down quietly on a wooden chair.
Rukhsana was busy in changing clothes of their baby son and listening to the
needs of her maid. She loved social work and tried to help everyone who knocked
their door. She always remained concerned about her house and family. She While
talking to maid, just turned and was astonished to see Noor sitting silently
and staring the roof.
He had never entered home quietly, alone and empty handed. On
realizing signs of worry on Noor’s face, immediately gave dirty clothes to maid
and went near him with glass of cold water. She sat on cushion beside him and
anxiously waited for some moments. She politely asked about cause of worry. Noor gave a fake smile and shook his head
trying to defuse the matter but could not satisfy his life partner.
Noor at last surrendered and in a very soft voice told in detail
the reasons and causes of his worry. He also explained about his meetings with
experts and their opinion. He stopped
for a while as he felt difficulty in saying the real words. He had tried to
mentally prepare her in fear of any mental shock. Rukhsana felt and thus in a
trembling voice asked about solution.
Noor gained courage and said “My sweety, we will have to migrate to
some other place for some years”.
Rukhsana felt her throat drying and her heart sinking and in a very
bleak voice asked” Will we have to leave this beautiful house, these lands, our
animals”. After taking a small breath remembered all relatives and neighbors. Noor closed himself to her and
wiped her wet eyes and combed her hairs with his hand and told that they did
not have any option. Famine was expected there in next weeks.
Rukhsana griped his hand
tightly and her tears made his hands wet. There was nothing to talk about for
several minutes and the silence was broken with sound of baby’s crying, perhaps
he also felt pain of leaving the house. Rukhsana brought baby and sat for many
hours recalling their happy days there. That night also she could not sleep
because of emotional attachment with her house.
Next day was a very sad day. The couple did not have anything to
discuss. Noor informed all workers in fields and cleared their dues and allowed
to take any quantity of ready crop. Rukhsana at home with heavy heart and tears
in eyes told servants about their plan of leaving place. Almost all maids
expected the decision. They one by one left with some food items except a
teenager Abbas who decided not to leave. He had come in that house some years
back and had been very close to his madam. Shewa’s surprised to know his
feelings and attachment and was encouraged to have someone with them. She just
placed her hand on his head with love.
After the departure of all servants, Noor sat with Rukhsana and
Abbas to brief about future destination Hamshire a fertile area almost 150km
away. He also discussed about possible problems and usage of food during ten
days journey in desert. They decided to carry some melons and six hens with
them. It was planned to eat melons one by one and give baby the eggs which hens
will lay. Camel will be fed on rinds of melons and hen will be given seeds.
Rukhsana listened all this
quietly and looked around her house which was very silent and empty. For the
first time she felt no more interest and desire in staying there. She quickly
got up and started packing for the journey and their new life. She collected
some jewels, clothes, some belongings which she could carry and cooked some
bread from the flour left at home. Noor went out and prepared camel cart for
the journey. Abbas helped his masters and tried to have some smile on his
madam’s depressed face.
Next morning, they got up in early hours and quickly got ready,
baby was given early feed and then Rukhsana sat on prayer sheet for some time
talking with her Allah. Noor ensured to keep money and other related things
which he thought can help him in days to come. Abbas loaded all items on camel.
Noor was in hurry as he planned to cover some distance before sun came on their
heads.
Rukhsana took a quick but
detailed round of her house with wet eyes and then stood at main wooden door
holding it for several minutes. She tried to recall all happy days of their
life there and wanted to capture every corner of her house while standing there
and store it in her brain forever. Noor realized it and stepped forward and
held her beloved wife by her arms. She was weeping and found her whole body
shaking. Noor consoled her by saying in a bleak voice “We will come back soon.
I will do it for you.” Abbas stood close to them and was moved.
He stepped forward and prayed for early happy return. Noor helped Rukhsana to take some steps back. Abbas locked the door and
Noor checked the lock by hand& held it for some seconds with strange
feelings. He was about to burst out that he quickly took big steps towards
camel. Rukhsana closed her eyes.
Abbas lay baby in cart along him. Noor drove the cart while
Rukhsana sat beside him. Soon the cart came out of their boundary and Noor
explained her about the conditions in village which had forced them to leave.
Village gave a deserted look. Many houses were already vacant. She was relieved
on seeing some families packing their goods. She looked behind to have a last
look of her beautiful house.
By the time sun came out they had left behind village area and
signs of population had vanished. Noor ensured the direction. It was a hot day
travel with only some shade of trees on way. It was a new experience for
Rukhsana as she had not been exposed to hot weather in last many months. Noor
had always ensured a comfortable life for her.
Conditions became some
comfortable at the time of sunset. They stopped for a night stay after
selecting a place. Noor & Rukhsana lay down on rugs while Abbas was busy in
arranging things. They ate melon as per
plan and talked for some time. Noor & his wife slept as they were tired and
Abbas gave food to camel & hens. He had to be alert at night for security reasons. Next day they once again started journey in
early hours. It was more tough day as the number of trees drastically reduced
and they entered in a desert. Temperature of wind also increased. On the third
day during journey, Abbas noticed that a hen had gone lazy due to hot weather.
At night, Noor examined hen and decided to slaughter it. Abbas collected some
wood to cook it and they had a healthy dinner.
The hens started getting sick one by one in next days due to hot
weather and the family was forced to slaughter them. It surely gave them a good
diet each night but the quantity of eggs decreased. They started getting
worried as food for baby was getting short. On ninth day during travel the last
hen also went sick and it added to the worries of family. At night after
dinner, they did not have anything to talk about. That night Noor could not
sleep and he spent whole night roaming here & there.
Next morning, they were once again on their journey in early hours.
Abbas sat in cart instead of sleeping. When sun light spread, they found
themselves once again in desert. There was neither any tree with any fruit nor
any passerby. Noor was getting tense as the time passed. Multiple questions
kept on disturbing him. The main points of worry were that were they on right
track? What to do if they were not able to reach any area with some livings
before sunset. Time was too running fast as they had very few melons and only
two eggs for baby. Rukhsana felt her mouth getting dried but kept on praying.
Suddenly Abbas wile pointing towards right corner shouted with joy
“Goats, Goats.” Noor & Rukhsana were
delighted and collectively shouted “Where; Where;” They looked around but
nothing was visible. Rukhsana turned back to see where Abbass was pointing out.
She then told her husband about the direction.
Noor stopped to decide whether to change direction or not. They were
confused as Abbas continuously insisted on presence of goats. After some minutes Rukhsana also endorsed
Abbas. On their stress Noor changed the
direction. The presence of goats was a signoff some nearby population.
Abbas shouted repeatedly at
boy and then at last he got attentive and stopped. In some minutes the family
reached near boy and thanked Allah. The boy realized their need and directed
them to follow him. Abbas jumped down to walk with him while the family
remained on camel.
After many minutes travel Rukhsana could see some tents and huts.
She got relieved but at the same time prayed for cooperative and good
community. they had to travel several
meters before reaching small
population. The couple was pleased to see and hear human voices. They looked
very simple and poor. The main thing that family could understand their
language. The residents happily welcomed them and guided them to a tent. A
simple rug lay on ground with scattered clothes and utensils inside. They were
served goat milk with dates. Although the big cups were not clean but it was
not less than a blessing.
Soon Abbas realized that the villagers were getting ready to
slaughter a small lamb for them. Noor quickly got up and stopped them with
thanks. on getting guidance about location of hamshire, decided to restart
journey. It was still three hours travel and Noor wanted to reach before
sunset. Before leaving villagers gave some milk and dates for way. Rukhsana
forcefully gave some money to hosts and boy who guided them there.
The family enjoyed last leg of journey as they found population at
different distances. They were offered cold water and dates from all the
villages that they crossed.
Just before sunset the
family reached the destination. Noor parked his camel near a shop and hurried
to find some place for night stay. After some hassle he succeeded and brought
family over there. It was much small house than they had left behind. Rukhsana
along baby stayed there while Noor and Abbas went to market to get some food
and bedding essentials.
After taking rest for two days Noor decided to go out for search of
some business. He took Abbas with him on advice of Rukhsana. It was start of a
new life from the very low level. They were neither so rich as before nor had
basic facilities as before. Noor selected a shop for wholesale business of
vegetables. Rukhsana had now to do all work of home while Abbas helped her a
lot on return in evening.
Soon Noor started getting good response from customers because of
his honesty, good quality and less profit margin. He was lucky to have services
of a hardworking and loyal servant in shape of Abbas. Sale started increasing
daily and Noor in appreciation of Abbas services, started introducing him as
his younger brother. Abbas was very
thankful and was encouraged. He often handled cash in absence of Noor but never
betrayed him.
Within few months the business stabled and they decided to shift to
a better locality. They rented a more spacious and well-constructed house. A
maid was hired for help at home. Rukhsana was satisfied in new locality and
thought that tough days were over.
One-night Noor sat with Abbas to discuss the business. He openly
praised his hard work and honesty. He then suggested Abbas to start his own
business. Abbas was totally shocked on hearing those words. Over the years he
had felt himself as a member of that family. Rukhsana also joined the meeting
and placed a hand of love on his head. She told him that he will always have
guidance of his Noor Bahi. Noor handed over keys of a shop which he had already
arranged and gave him handsome money for start of new business. Abbas looked at
them with thankful eyes and touched feet of Rukhsana whom he always called as
‘Walda’. Noor embraced him tightly.
Abbas selected trading of different food items as he did not want
to be called as competitor of Noor Bahi. This act was highly praised by Noor
& Rukhsana. They kept on living together as a family. Abbas worked hard day
& night and within some weeks settled in market as a good businessman. In
next few months Noor’s business also flourished and he bought a beautiful house
in good locality of town. Abbas as usual stood beside Bahi during shifting and
setting of new houses
It was the happiest day of Rukhsana to be in her own home. Same
night after prayers she sat with Abbas to discuss his marriage matter. Abbas
kept on listening with silence as usual. He thanked her for taking care of him
more than a real mother. Rukhsana asked him about his opinion about Nadia who
lived near their previous house. Abbas left the decision on her as he respected
her too much. Rukhsana smiled on his response.
Next evening both Noor & Rukhsana went to their old
neighbor’s home with proposal. Nadia’s
parents gladly accepted. Noor and Rukhsana just like real elders arranged
wedding clothes, separate home on rent and setting of new house for new couple.
After the marriage both families lived a happy life with close ties as before.
One day Abbas along his staff was busy in dealing customers. Suddenly
Abbas saw two men in very dirty & old clothes standing behind customers.
They were too weak and dirty. He thought they were beggars and ignored them.
After some minutes he realized that they were still standing. He first opened
cash draw to give them some coins but then his hand stopped. He again looked at
those persons with deep eyes. They looked familiar. He could not stop himself
and asked their names and from where they belonged. On hearing the names, Abbas
was shocked to see his old fellows in that condition They used to work with him
at Noor Bahi’s residence with him in old town. The customers also got attentive
as Abbas always used to attend all buyers on turn.
On the instructions of Abbas, the two dirty and weak persons were
given a place at a side in shop to sit. They were given food to eat. The
persons were also astonished to see the kindness of the owner. While eating
food it came in one’s mind that the features of owner were similar to Abbas
their past fellow. Both kept on discussing and comparing the Abbas they knew
with the healthy, smart person in expensive clothes sitting on cash counter.
They could not decide anything until the name of person on cash counter was
confirmed by a worker at shop. They were stunned.
After completing the work Abbas went straight to Noor Bahi’s shop
and told him the whole story and took his opinion on next step. On return he
found both persons still sitting & waiting for him. They told him that on
leaving Noor’s residence, they did jobs at different places but had bad
experiences. In few months there was total feminine there with cost of food too
much high. All families shifted to different cities. They had no place to stay
and no money for food. One of the persons said that they had travelled on foot
for many days and had not eaten sufficient food since many days. Abbas thought for a while and as per the
opinion of Noor Bahi’s offered them job with place to stay along other workers.
They were too happy and prayed for his happy life.
On the way back and at night he thought a lot on the latest
incident. He concluded that he would also have been in worse condition, had he
left his masters at difficult time. He thanked Allah for giving him the
position & ability to help others. His present life style was surely because
of being faithful & honest with work & his masters.
