Way of Life

After the independence from the British, India and Pakistan began to exist as separate neighbouring nations, though culturally, historically, and socially there was no difference between them. Over the period of about four decades, three wars were fought between them and the immediate impact of the war was visible on the psyche of the people of the two countries. An unspoken fear, a feeling of suspicion, a sense of distance could be seen when two persons from these two countries met in a foreign country.

While shaking his hand, Dinesh was struggling with the question whether he was an Indian or a Pakistani, and as a result the warmth which ought to have been there while shaking hand was missing. It was merely a gesture of decency and formality. It transpired that his name was Anwar and he had been living in America for ten years. He had acquired the American citizenship and last week he had called his wife and children to America. During the course of conversation, Dinesh informed him that he had come to America with his wife and children a few weeks before. He had a three-year contract and after the completion of his assignment in America, he would go back.

Though they talked with each other for quite some time, neither Dinesh nor Anwar mention the country of their origin. The name Dinesh could suggest that he was from India but Anwar…? He could either be from India or from Pakistan because Muslims live in both the countries. It did not take longer to clarify that Anwar was from Pakistan because the Urdu language which he spoke had a tinge of Punjabi language. Dinesh had many Muslim friends in Delhi and all of them spoke pure Urdu but the way Anwar spoke was quite different, a kind of musical Punjabi accent.

“Who wants to go back from America?” Anwar laughed, “When I arrived here I also thought the same that one day I would go back. I did go back but I came back to America. Why? Everything was there in Pakistan but the comfortable life of America was not there. It is difficult in the first year and you often think about your country, your town, your home, etc. but everything changes after a few years…”

Dinesh could feel a sense of mockery in Anwar’s laughter but he liked Anwar because he was an interesting fellow. He liked the way Anwar spoke and behaved in a very friendly manner. After about an hour they were conversing so freely as if they had known each other for a very long time. Dinesh informed him that his wife was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and she had studied up to third standard in a school in Karachi.

He said, “Tell me something about Lahore.”

Actually Dinesh had asked this question not because he wanted to know about Lahore but because his mother was born in Lahore. Before Anwar could say something, Dinesh continued, “My mother is from Lahore. She got married in Lahore. My mother-in-law is also from Lahore. My mother and my mother-in-law talk about Lahore Market even today. Have you ever been to India?”

“When I was a kid, I spent a day in Delhi with my father. He had some work there. We had put up at a hotel at Chandani Chowk, near Red Fort. There was a cinema hall named Novelty. I don’t remember anything else. But I want to visit India. I had once requested my seniors that they should transfer me to India. They assured me but it never materialized. Now I am an American citizen. My first foreign trip as an American is going to be to India.”

Dinesh would have definitely invited him to his house for dinner but before he could say anything in this regard, Anwar said, “One of these days bring your wife and children to my humble abode?”

“Oh sure,” said Dinesh but he did not promise. He suspected that Anwar had extended the invitation as a mere formality.

While Anwar was leaving him, Dinesh was sure that Anwar was not only a good human being but also a kind hearted person. He had been looking for a good friend in Washington and Anwar had given him a hope.

After that they began to meet almost every day because they worked in the same company. In the ensuing three months, Anwar asked him many times when he and his family members would be visiting Anwar’s house but every time Dinesh came up with one or the other excuse.

“If you don’t visit us, we will definitely visit you soon. I am not as much an American as to wait for your formal invitation,” said Anwar one day.

One morning, when the door bell rang, Dinesh peeped through the peep-hole and found that Anwar was standing outside. He quickly opened the door and greeted Anwar.

“Good morning, sister-in-law,” said Anwar to Mrs. Dinesh so casually as if he had known her for ages.

A little surprised, she smiled.

“Your husband was hesitating in introducing us so I decided to take the initiative. I am sorry I came without any prior information but you know in our culture we arrive suddenly and surprisingly,” he laughed.

Dinesh felt quite embarrassed and he turned in the direction of his wife for help. His wife greeted Anwar’s wife and welcomed them.

Anwar said, “This is my wife, Jamila. She is from a village and she does not know anything about fast life style of America.” He pulled his wife towards him and hugged her.

Dinesh had never seen any Muslim friend of his who dared to hug his wife in front of others. He felt happy that Anwar was not formal with him and he was showing his intimacy with Dinesh in front of his wife.

Rekha smiled and looked at Dinesh, her husband. It was her first meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Anwar so she did not mind anything. Every one needed a good friend there, thousands of miles away from their own countries of birth. Anwar kissed Rekha’s children and said, “We have a little daughter in our house, just like you.” He gently patted the cheeks of Guniya, Dinesh’s daughter.

“How old are you?”

“Six.”

“She is six too. Her name is Chanda. Would you like to meet her?”

The little girl hesitantly looked at Dinesh.

Anwar and his wife took lunch there with Dinesh and his family.

……………….

After a few days, Anwar came to them again and said to Dinesh, “I don’t know when you will learn driving but today I have come to fetch you with me.”

Dinesh and his wife hesitated but Anwar did not listen to them. Finally, they got ready and reached Anwar’s house.

He had five daughters and they were delighted to see the guests. They twittered like birds from place to place.

Anwar’s father was reciting the Holy Koran in the inner room. His voice was being heard in the drawing room.

Dinesh, his wife, and his daughter had a very good time there. They promised to come back again and departed.

After that the frequency of the visits between the two families increased and they became more informal.

One year passed happily in America. But after the 9/11 everything changed so suddenly that Dinesh had no words to describe his feelings.

“They suspect that every Muslim is a terrorist,” said he to his wife Rekha.

“But that’s not fair!” she almost shouted.

“The day before yesterday they detained Anwar and showered him with millions of questions. He is our chief computer programmer and they suspect that he had definitely done something wrong, against the American law,” said Dinesh.

“But you are a computer programmer too?”

“Yes, I am but I am a Hindu,” said he, as if ashamed of his identity.

“He was allowed to go home after three hours of interrogation,” said he.

“Jamila was worried that day and she had phoned me. I was worried to because you were late too,” said Rekha.

“I could not leave my friend there. I had to be with him in those moments of crisis,” said Dinesh.

“I am afraid, Dinesh, let’s go back to India,” said Rekha.

“There is nothing to worry. It’s over now. Anwar is a free man now,” said Dinesh, trying to encourage his wife.

……….

After about six days, the police raided Anwar’s house and searched the house thoroughly. Everyone in the neighbourhood was surprised because they were on very friendly terms with Mr. and Mrs. Anwar.

Three hours of rigorous search revealed nothing which could be against the law of the country.

Next morning, Anwar said to Dinesh, “I think I will go back to Pakistan.”

“Why, my friend?”

“I feel guilty as if I am responsible for the deaths of the thousands of innocent people in the attack on the Twin Towers,” said Anwar very gloomily.

“No, Anwar, my friend, my brother, please don’t think like that. You have a golden heart and I know how you must be feeling,” said Dinesh and hugged Anwar tightly.

Looking at them no one could even think that they were from two enemy nations; on the contrary, they seemed to be long separated brothers who were meeting after many years. Tears were falling from their eyes and few of their colleagues who were present there were surprised to see this much love between the two.

“Is every Muslim terrorist, bloodthirsty? Why don’t these fundamentalists let us live in peace, Dinesh?”

“This is a passing phase related to human nature. When Gandhiji was assassinated, the people of the Godse community had begun to be hated but time has healed the wound. You will see that these Americans will rethink and find that what they think is not always right,” said Dinesh, putting his arm around his shoulders.

“Dinesh, my daughters, I am thinking about them. The neighbouring children have begun to shun them. They don’t play with my daughters. They used to a few days ago but now they don’t. What is their mistake? Is it a crime to be a Muslim?” Anwar said in a resigned tone of voice.

“No, brother, you will see that everything will be normal soon.”

“I can’t see people in their eyes. I feel guilty. What should I do, brother,” Anwar began to weep like a child.

Dinesh consoled him by patting him on his back; he led him out of the hall. They reached the parking lot and Dinesh requested him to get in to his car. After some time, they were in Dinesh’s house.

…………………………………

Nothing improved even after months and things got worse for Anwar and his family. The family left USA after six months. Dinesh and Rekha had come to see them off at the airport.

It took Dinesh a few weeks to come out of the shock. He was missing Anwar and his family.

One morning, his boss said to him, “If you want we can extend your stay in America for five years, Mr. Dinesh?”

“No, sir, I want to go back to India.”

“One more thing, there is an opening in our UK office and if you want you can be promoted and sent to London?” the boss smiled.

“Sir, is there any opening in our Pakistan office?” Dinesh spoke as if he had no control over his tongue.

The boss was surprised and said, “Pakistan, why would you want to go to a country that is facing the situation similar to a civil war?”

“Sir, my friend is there.”

“Oh, I remember, you mean, Anwar?”

“Yes, Sir, I want to be with him. Please send me to Pakistan.”

It took him one month to arrange everything. Flying by a PIA airplane Dinesh and Rekha and their little daughter were heading towards Karachi. He was ecstatic because he was going to see all those places about which he had heard from his mother and mother-in-law. Rekha was happy because she was going back to her place of birth. Little Guniya was happy for her parents.

Dinesh closed his eyes and the airplane cruised on its course. He saw his friend, his brother, Anwar standing at the Karachi airport to welcome them. He saw them embracing each other. When the voice announced about their arrival, he opened his eyes. He touched his eyes and they were moist.

“While sleeping, you were weeping. I did not want to disturb you because sometimes tears are quite helpful,” smiled Rekha

“Yes, Rekha, these silly tears are really magical.”