Naveed twisted on the floor, rolled from one side to the other. At times, he folded the pillow in two, and once he just held it in his hand, there were still five freakin' minutes to go before the dial struck 4. Still, quite a lot of time left before the azan for Fajr would echo throughout his town.
Naveed, unlike most people in dirty old Karachi, was one of the few who spent the night thinking what happened today. Today wasn't exactly good. Seemed like Abba was really angry. Well, what could he do?? It happened at the breakfast table. Naveed as usual woke up at 12:30 p.m. took a shower, offered Zuhrain, and on to the table, his breakfast table, where as it was Abba's luncheon time. Abba usually took lunch to work, but this afternoon he wasn't feeling good, so came home just in time to see Naveed sit at the table yelling, "Amma, mera anda paratha???" Abba was furious.
"Nido, is this the time for an anda paratha???"
"Aa.. Abbbaaaaa!! Well... Err.."
"You should go seek some job, you just sit here, devour stuff, and grow fat, why don't you work, study?? Be like Mani."
"Abba, its different with Mani Bhai."
"Acha, when it comes to Mani, its different, he also studied, worked part time, studied, got good grades, and see my dear lad is on such a high post today, unlike you, who don't wanna give damn to studying, who cares is all you utter. If only you cared about your Amma and perhaps me, you wouldn't sit idle, even Satan doesn't stay idle, take some heed"
Naveed had nothing to say, he just got up, and locked himself in his room Salman, aka Mani bhai had a well asked for post in a reputed multinational company. Naveed on the other hand had completed his B. Com, that too in second division, and instead of the usual two years it took him a whole three years time.
Naveed got up, frustrated while thinkin of all this. He took a stroll round the house, and went to the kitchen to get a Shahi Supari. He wasn't much of a beatle-nut eater, only at times like this, he needed something to munch on. On his way back to his room, he crossed Kanwal baji's room, eerie and silent, it was as empty as his brain. Kanwal baji got hooked last year, his reason for getting a supplement in B. Com 2. Her wedding was just one day before his acoounting exam, how could he pass when Mani bhai had no time for the preparations, and since Kanwal baji was his favourite sibling, he did all to make her wedding supreme, and he triumphed, but he failed his exam.
"Allahu Akbar.. Allahu Akbar"
As the Fajr Azan roared through out Karachi, Naveed rushed to do ablution. Though he was the typical Karachiite( disclaimer, this in no way refers to me.. :p) out in streets playing cricket guy, but he was religious when it came to religious obligations. He took his musalla to the lounge. Aftr Fajr, he suddenly glanced at the newspaper which lay there unread. He grabbed it and took it to his room.
Meanwhile,Naveed glanced at the new leaves, that sprouted in the Rose plant. New leaves..they turned out everytime. just like him, he had also turned over a new leaf, for good.
Naveed, unlike most people in dirty old Karachi, was one of the few who spent the night thinking what happened today. Today wasn't exactly good. Seemed like Abba was really angry. Well, what could he do?? It happened at the breakfast table. Naveed as usual woke up at 12:30 p.m. took a shower, offered Zuhrain, and on to the table, his breakfast table, where as it was Abba's luncheon time. Abba usually took lunch to work, but this afternoon he wasn't feeling good, so came home just in time to see Naveed sit at the table yelling, "Amma, mera anda paratha???" Abba was furious.
"Nido, is this the time for an anda paratha???"
"Aa.. Abbbaaaaa!! Well... Err.."
"You should go seek some job, you just sit here, devour stuff, and grow fat, why don't you work, study?? Be like Mani."
"Abba, its different with Mani Bhai."
"Acha, when it comes to Mani, its different, he also studied, worked part time, studied, got good grades, and see my dear lad is on such a high post today, unlike you, who don't wanna give damn to studying, who cares is all you utter. If only you cared about your Amma and perhaps me, you wouldn't sit idle, even Satan doesn't stay idle, take some heed"
Naveed had nothing to say, he just got up, and locked himself in his room Salman, aka Mani bhai had a well asked for post in a reputed multinational company. Naveed on the other hand had completed his B. Com, that too in second division, and instead of the usual two years it took him a whole three years time.
Naveed got up, frustrated while thinkin of all this. He took a stroll round the house, and went to the kitchen to get a Shahi Supari. He wasn't much of a beatle-nut eater, only at times like this, he needed something to munch on. On his way back to his room, he crossed Kanwal baji's room, eerie and silent, it was as empty as his brain. Kanwal baji got hooked last year, his reason for getting a supplement in B. Com 2. Her wedding was just one day before his acoounting exam, how could he pass when Mani bhai had no time for the preparations, and since Kanwal baji was his favourite sibling, he did all to make her wedding supreme, and he triumphed, but he failed his exam.
"Allahu Akbar.. Allahu Akbar"
As the Fajr Azan roared through out Karachi, Naveed rushed to do ablution. Though he was the typical Karachiite( disclaimer, this in no way refers to me.. :p) out in streets playing cricket guy, but he was religious when it came to religious obligations. He took his musalla to the lounge. Aftr Fajr, he suddenly glanced at the newspaper which lay there unread. He grabbed it and took it to his room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the first rays of sun entered Amma's room, Amma woke up. As she entered the lounge she found the dinign table laden with not just beautiful flowers, but an awesoem breakfast, omelettes, parathay, and ofcourse a steaming kettle stood in the centre, and there her Nido smiling. Amma couldn't really believe her eyes. It was like those "Elves and the Shoe-maker" story. and as if this was all, her astonishment reached hieghts no roller coaster could achieve, Naveed was dressed formally, not in his dirty faded jeans, but dress pants. Was that Nido?? She smiled.
"Nido!!!"
"Jee Amma?" Naveed asked as he rushed into the compound. There were still a few plants left to water and this Rose plant, it didnt have any leaves before. He stared hard.
"Where are you off to Beta???" Amma asked.
"Amma, a walk in interview for a teacher, and an admission form to be taken from the uni, KU"
Amma found it hard to absorb it all. she just stood at the door, motionless, clearly, Naveed never woke up before noon, and here was her lad all clad up nicely.
Meanwhile,Naveed glanced at the new leaves, that sprouted in the Rose plant. New leaves..they turned out everytime. just like him, he had also turned over a new leaf, for good.
Comments
It would been nice to envision the sea of emotions that filled Naveed's mind as he read the paper. Did he hesitate or did he realise instantly that this was the divine help he was looking for?
I was thinking of writing along what he thought or how exactly he came up to get going finally, but I thought it'd be boring..:unsure: so left it to the reader's choice..
I myself imagined it to be a decision in a split second, no hesitations nothing..he had already had many hesitations..
I liked story overall....but change did seem very dramatic. I would have liked to know why he suddenly decided to try.
Well, this came from someone who isnt the second child.. hehe.. I'm the youngest, but this is what I've seen happen, not just in siblings but comparison in cousins, friends, acquaintances..
I think you all are siding with Naveed!!??!! I am not.. Its high time already.. He should have been up and about, doin something!!