Gul Khan died yesterday. The news of his death came as a shock to me. Question arises, who was Gul Khan?
Well he was nobody. Not anybody of the notables. He was a man of 75 years of age and was a street hawker. He used to sell cigarettes and naswar (chewing tobacco) from his small tray or box hanging in front of his chest by his neck. I came to know of him when I joined the bar as an advocate and started visiting the courts of law. There I saw a tall old handsome man selling cigarettes and naswar (chewing tobacco). After a while I learnt that his name was Gul Khan and he is a regular in the courts. Whether the courts are on or off he was there doing his business. I always saw him smiling and I saw people including lawyers cracking jokes with him. One day, when there was not much work and I was sitting under a walnut tree that he came and sat beside me. He started narrating different happenings of the day.
It was there when I asked him, “Gul Khan, can I ask you a personal question?” he said, “sure go ahead. “
I asked, “what is your age?”
He said,” I shall be 70 this summer”.
I asked, “Don’t you have some family, children to look you after? You are working so hard in this old age to earn your living.”
He kept quite a long time looking far ahead. I could see a glimpse of sadness creeps into his eyes. Then I saw a spark of hope come into his eyes and noticed that he came back and slight smile came to the corners of his eyes. Then he looked towards me and said, “Durrani Sahab, do you really want to know my story?”
I said, “ Yes.”
Now I was becoming very curious after observing the changes in his eyes.
He said, “Well, it is almost 52 years back when I was a lad of 18 years. I was very handsome, energetic and very popular in my circle. I was the only son of my parents. My father was a woodcutter and use to cut wood from the forest and sell it in the market. Though my father earned a little but those were good old days and we were living alright. One day I saw Bano, the daughter of a shopkeeper in our neighborhood. She was so pretty that immediately I fell in love with her. We had a little talk and shyly she also responded to my feeling. I could also see a reflection of love and affection in her eyes. I still remember that I could not sleep the whole night, changing sides in my bed and her thoughts in my mind. The next morning, I told my mother about it and confessed before her about me falling in love with Bano and requested her to ask Bano’s hand for marriage for me. My mother agreed.
On return of my father, my mother told my father and the next day they went to Bano’s parents. On their return I learnt that Bano’s father has demanded Rupees 100,000/- as Vulvar (money which is given in return for the girl to her parents). My parents told Bano’s father that the money is too much for us and we don’t afford it but he didn’t bulge. My parents told me that Bano’s father is being unreasonable but I said it is alright. On this note I told my parents to go tell Bano’s father that I will do my best to arrange it and he has to give me some time. On this note my parents went and on return informed me that Bano’s father was giving one year but after some negotiation has agreed to give five years.
Please note that those were good old days and it was 1938 and gold was hardly 25/30 rupees a ten grams.
I started working very hard and started saving. After five years I was able to save only Rs. 10,000/-. My parents went to Bano’s father and told him so but still he did not bulge a bit. However, he agreed to give me another five years time.
So I kept struggling and kept saving and a time came when my savings were Rs. 90,000/-. This was some five years back. In the meanwhile my parents died. I sold my house and added that money also to my saving.
I asked, “You sold your house..! Then where do you live?”
He said, “As I also got old and was unable to do hard labor, so I sold my house to get extra boost in my savings and moved here at the court some ten years back and started living under a staircase. I started selling cigarettes, naswar and toffees.”
I asked,” now what is your status?”
Gul Khan said, “Well, last year I was able to reach the figure of 100,000/- at last. I went to Bano’s father, who is almost 95 years old. He told me that I have taken too long to get to the figure. Now I have to give him Rs. 150,000/-.”
I could not control myself and said,” What the hell? Then what did you say?”
Gul Khan said, “Well, Durrani Sahab what could I say. I agreed.”
I asked,” How old are you now and how old is Bano?”
Gul Khan said,” I am almost 70 and Bano is of my age and luckily still not married.”
I really started feeling pity on this man. But appreciated his consistence and steadfastness. We dispersed.
After a year I saw Gul Khan sitting quiet and sad under a tree. Though inquisitive but as I was rushing for a court hearing for my case appearance so I made it a point that I will meet him on my return.
After the hearing I started looking for Gul Khan and found him still sitting at the same place. I went to him and after asking his good health I asked as to what’s wrong.
Gul Khan said, “Durrani sahab, last night somebody stole my 150,000 rupees which I was finally able to gather.”
“What!” I shouted, “How does this happened and when and where the money was kept?”
With tears in his eyes he said, “I had kept it in my living place in a box. Last evening I went out to buy some food. When I returned, I saw that the lock of my place is broken and the money is stolen from the box.”
I had no words to console this man. I asked, “Now what?”
Gul Khan said, “Well, no problem. I will try to save the amount again.”
I saw determination in his Eyes and felt it in his voice. I salute this man.
I could not meet Gul Khan after that as I had to move out of the city and now I received the news of his death. After inquiring as to what happened, I learned this.
Gul Khan has kept the news of his money being stolen to himself and did not let this know to Bano’s father. Two days back the news travelled to Bano’s father. Who in turn called Gul Khan for confirmation? Gul Khan gave the confirmation but assured Bano’s father that he will save it again and came back.
The same evening Bano died. She was buried the same night. Next morning people found Gul Khan Dead on the grave of Bano, embracing the grave, his hands spread over the grave as if embracing and kissing someone.
Posted by Zaffar Iqbal Durrani
