Assalam o Alykum
It was obvious throughout the whole book that what was going to happen in the previous chapter. What I aimed at was to make it sad and emotional despite the fact that that the events of that chapter were already known. Did I accomplish that?
This chapter is short, but it marks the starting of another part of this book that you will discover in the next update. (^_^)
NOTE: I am well aware that the time changes are frequent in this book. If you find anything confusing, then feel free to ask. Some of the unknown events that have already taken place will be narrated later in the book.
Here is the thirteenth chapter. ENJOY!
13] I'll die with a content heart
"Mama, please stop.'' Haider told his mother softly, putting an arm around her shoulder and pulling her to his chest.
Falak, on the contrary, is not able to do that.
"Even after sixteen years, I just can't get all the looks of pity we both got on the janazah! I feel so, utterly, pathetic and weak." Falak speaks through her tears.
"Then don't. And you are not pathetic and weak. You are strong. You sucked up your grief for the past sixteen years and wiped away my tears. It is time that I finally do something for you." Haider states.
Falak pulls herself away from him.
"No. It is time that you finally do something for your country. Only then will you succeed in doing something for me. I have raised you just like Faaris told me too. I don't look at you as my son. I look at you as the future if this country." Haider looks intently at his mother.
"I told you all this because of you pointless dilemma. You don't want to go to the army? Fine! But if you are backing out only because I will be alone, then it is not fine. It is your dream to go to the army. Don't let 'love' stop you. If you love Allah, Prophet Muhammad S.A.W and then then your country, then all other love is not important. Everything else comes later. Don't go to the army. But whatever you do, do it for Allah, prophet Muhammad S.A.W and Pakistan. Then think of others. Faaris. Faaris was like that and that's why I hold so much respect for him. He wanted you to be like that too." Falak continues, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Mama. Hasn't it EVER bothered you that Baba left you all alone to go to Swat? That he gave his life away to save that woman and her daughter without thinking for a second that he has his wife and son waiting for him at home?" Haider counters.
All his life, Haider had been taught to love his country. All his life, his mother taught him that no matter what happens, loyalty to Pakistan is essential. However when he was about to live his dream and go to the army, he thought deeply about everything. Different thoughts had started entering his mind.
"It has NEVER bothered me. I feel immensely proud that he saved them. The wife and the son were not about to die, but they were. Think about it. Would he have been any different from the terrorists, if he had let them die? Would it have been humane?" Falak replies.
"No.'' Haider answers, looking down.
"Don't worry about me. Because, you know, Haider, even though I don't I'll survive if Allah na kare something happens to you, but I know that whenever Allah calls me, I'll die with a content heart." Falak gives her son a small smile and he returns it.
"Pack your bags, Haider, you're going. You want that, right?" Falak asks.
Haider nods.
Haider had already applied in the army and had been accepted. He was to go to the PMA the coming month.
Falak kisses his forehead and hugs him.
Saying that you love your country does not count. Doing something for it, purely out of love, is what really counts.
The month had passed. To Falak, it felt like déjà vu. There was the same turmoil of emotions that were there when Faaris was leaving. However, this time Falak was sure her son was going to come back to her. She was sure that this time, she was not going to receive his uniform. She was sure that this time, he won't return in a coffin covered in the Pakistani flag.
That day, Falak fussed over Haider. She made him eat loads of breakfast and although he patiently tried to tell her that it wasn't wise to eat so much before travelling, but she wouldn't hear it.
"And always remember to call me. I will personally come up there and pull you ears if you don't. What's the use of these fancy phones and gadgets if you forget your own mother?" Falak tells Haider as she is ironing his last shirt that was accidently left out.
"Mama, you also have a touch screen phone." Haider countered.
"Yeah well, it is nothing compared to the stuff you've gathered. What's the long thing called? Aur wo tootian Jo kaanon me daltay Ho? (And those taps you put in your ears?) And then you have a laptop, with a touch screen, and-" Falak starts telling him all the stuff he has.
"Acha, Acha. I'll call you regularly. By the way, that long thing is a selfie stick and those taps are earphones." Haider replies with a grin.
"Yeah, yeah. Take this and put it in your suitcase." Falak hands him his shirt and Haider hurries to his room.
Soon, when Haider is ready, Falak drives him to the bus station.
With an emotional good bye, where Falak sheds a tear or two and showers her son with a lot of prayers, Haider gets on Lahore to Abbotabad bus.
Falak returns home to an empty house. With literally no one to talk to, she can't help but think about the past.
***
GLOSSARY
(1)Allah na kare: God forbid.
***
YOU ARE READING
His Land Called
Spiritual-Complete- He was her guide, And she was his darling. He was her rock, And she was his home. He was her ease, And she was his joy. He was her love, And she was his world, But he was a man with a duty, And he had to answer when his land called. ▪•▪•...
