Raven

13

Death has always been a part of Kashmir; it's that guest whose visits are somewhat expected but always end up surprising its host. There isn't a family who hasn't lost someone close to their heart in the constant turmoil faced by the people of valley.

On the TV the news host of a popular news channel was talking about the murder of the man now identified as Ajaz Ahmed, 33, resident of Chadoora who was working in Srinagar as a salesman in a local cloth shop. He was last seen by his colleagues with whom he shared a room as well yester night as he left the shop to get some groceries didn't come to his room at night. He was unmarried and was the single son of his parents.

"kya waqt chu aamut insaanas chuni insaansinz kaedir karan."* Proclaimed my dad as he finished his morning tea and got up to get ready for his office. My mother gave what is her usual response while she collected the breakfast utensil, "Ahnaz weain kya hakiv karith sain badh kismati."*

It never fails to surprise me how death rather 'violent deaths' have become a part of our society. It no longer seems horrifying or maybe we have just become accustomed to it, developing an emotionally numb attitude due to all the atrocities seems like the only sane way to survive. The TV anchor continued her story about the murder talking how there are no witnesses of the crime; "now we have with us the officer in charge of this case Zaffar Ahmed, sir can you tell the people anything about the murder, is there any possibility that it is linked to the incident which happened in kulgam three months back?" The cameraman focused on the officer as he started sharing some information which might put some light on the mystery. He was a big middle age man with a balding head who clearly seemed nervous while giving the interview.

"As such no link can be found which can connect this case with the incident which happened in kulgam. I would like to request the people to come forward if they have any information about the murder as it would help us in solving the case."

"Sir Can you tell us something about the murder as----"

"That is confidential information; I am not authorized to discuss that with you. Excuse me." the officer along with his subordinates walked away without answering the journalist's questions. I switched off the TV and decided to have the rest of my tea outside in the garden. Though it was January the weather was quite pleasant, it was one of those days where the winter sun was high up in the sky spreading its hues of cozy warmth around.

It was futile to think further about this issue nothing will come out of this anyways this is the 'normal' here. The clock showed 10:30 A.M. as I went to my room to get my copy of 'The Picture of Dorian Grey' and a blanket; refilling my favorite mug with some tea I went outside and made myself comfortable in the cozy garden chair and began reading. Less than half way through the text I came across a quote that made me read through the lines several times:

Lord Henry laughed. "The reason we all like to think so well of others is that we are all afraid for ourselves. The basis of optimism is sheer terror. We think we are generous because we credit our neighbor with the possession of those virtues that are likely to be a benefit to us. We praise the banker that we may overdraw our account, and find good quality in highwayman in the hope that he may spare our pockets. I mean everything that I have said. I have the greatest contempt for optimism."

Is it true? The reason why we constantly look for good in others is because it's just one of the ways maybe most important one to validate our own selves of the qualities we seem to lack or might benefit us in some way. No I don't believe in that people have a both good as well as bad in them it's the way we are born so no one is completely good and no one can be completely bad.

Looking at the quote I decided to share it; picking up my phone from the table I opened the camera to click a picture. Placing the book on the table I clicked several pictures finally choosing one which seemed clearer and opened my instagram to post it; clicking the share button I put my phone aside and again went to my reading.