Translated fiction: A complicated Hindu-Muslim romance by the first woman writer of Sindh

Asha was a picture of simplicity, indifferent to the idea of dressing up and looking pretty, no matter how much her mother pleaded with her to wear ornaments. But all of a sudden, she seemed like a different person. She was carefully draping a saree and delicately combing her hair. She seemed interested in life, almost as if she loved herself, as though she considered her life precious. She had awakened to the joys of life, which she now wanted to experience with open arms. Her dormant emotions seemed to have been stirred. Seeing Asha’s changed behaviour, Gauri Devi’s joy knew no bounds. She eagerly returned to her deities to thank them. She was convinced that a laughing and happy Asha meant that her daughter was ready to marry. But Shankarlal’s mind was filled with suspicion, and he had new misgivings. He kept a strict eye on his daughter. He despised the thought of Vijay and Aruna, who, he believed, may have been responsible for something devious. One day, he saw Vijay walking with Hamid. Vijay smiled and greeted him, but Shankarlal frowned with displeasure and turned away to go in the opposite direction.

On witnessing such hatred, Hamid was taken aback. His heartbeat quickened, and a darkness engulfed him. This gentle soul always avoided anger or any kind of misbehaviour. He was willing to make any sacrifice, but he would never compromise his self-respect. He pursed his lips, recalling how rude Asha’s father had been. He had also heard a full account from Vijay. Hamid was tempted to turn around and leave Almora forever, but a bird living among the trees of Almora had now captivated his heart. How could he give that up?

The closer Hamid got to his departure, the more restless he became. His heart sank at the thought of not seeing Asha again. It had been many days since he had last met her. He was often tempted to go to the waterfall again to meet her, but the thought of her father restrained him. Day and night he prayed to meet her again, somewhere, somehow. His heart was restive, but his lips were sealed. Finally, the day before his departure arrived. He had only twenty-four hours left. He wondered whether he should confide in Aruna. Meanwhile, Aruna suspected that Hamid was in a state of turmoil. But neither of them had yet become each other’s confidants.

As usual, Aruna was preparing to leave to meet Asha.

“Even a devotee would be less committed to his God! How unfailingly you go to have darshan of your friend! You have reserved all your days for her. Don’t you think poor mortals like us deserve some of your time?”

“Why don’t you join me then?”

“And interrupt your friendly natter?”

“I assure you it would be no interruption! I can speak for my friend as well.”

“No, behan, I didn’t mean to join you. I just thought if you could join us today instead of going to see your friend.”

“I’d love to, Hamid bhai. But if I don’t turn up, Asha will start worrying about me.”

“So much the better then! She will come to check on you.”

“Oh, that didn’t occur to me. How clever you are!” Aruna smiled.

Hamid smiled back. His face had turned crimson, but he made no effort to hide it.

Hamid felt every moment stretch like a year. The slightest sound of a footstep or a rustle quickened his heartbeat. The gentlest knock on the door sent him into a frenzy. He kept looking out of the window and pacing up and down on the veranda. He could neither bring himself to speak nor to read. Asha was at the centre of his thoughts. Would he meet her at all? He was so lost in his longing that he did not realise when he fell asleep, his book still in his hand. At around 4 pm, he was called for tea. Hamid had barely stepped into the living room when his eyes fell upon Asha. She was filling the teacups. When did she arrive and through which door? He couldn’t believe his eyes. Was she really there or was she just a figment of his imagination? It was only when Asha looked up and smiled at him that he believed it to be true. His face lit up with joy. He found his voice and asked, “When did you come?”

“At least an hour ago. You were so lost in reading your book that you didn’t notice me.”

“I was definitely lost but not in the book,” Hamid said wistfully.

“Oh! You must be missing Sindh then,” Asha responded.

“Not at all. There is only one thing I miss: a ray of hope, an asha. Will this hope be fulfilled, I wonder.” Hamid’s voice was filled with sadness.

“You missed this hope so much that you forgot to say goodbye to Asha.” Asha feigned anger.

“But I have not been apart from Asha, so how could I…?” Hamid smiled.

Asha was about to say something, but Aruna and Vijay appeared, so she stopped herself. Hamid also changed his facial expression and asked Vijay, “Who were you talking to?”

“Brij Kishore, the secretary of Harijan basti, the colony of untouchables. He is a hardworking man of impeccable integrity. He is like a god to the Harijans. He has created such awareness that no one dares to oppress the Harijans any more. If I were to show you the homes in the basti, you would see how neat and clean they are. A week ago, Asha’s father hit a sanitation worker over some trivial issue. All the sanitation workers united and decided to boycott his home. Finally, he had to admit his mistake and convey his apology through Brij Kishore. Only then did the sanitation workers agree to clean his home.”

“Really, the most marginalised will be valued when they make others realise the power of their labour and mind,” Hamid said.

“Hamid bhai, ever since the Harijans and other oppressed groups have made their collectives, Shankarlal and his cronies have been very upset with us,” Aruna said.

“When people are about to lose dominance, they will react,” Hamid said.

Suddenly, Aruna’s eyes fell upon Asha’s saree. She squealed, “Arre Asha! You are wearing a khadi saree today!”

“It doesn’t look like khadi. It looks like silk,” Asha said mischievously.

“Are you not allowed to even wear a khadi saree?” Hamid asked incredulously.

“My father thinks khadi reeks of rebellion.” Asha laughed.

“Parents always want children to flourish and grow but often expect them to do so in their own image,” Hamid teased.

“But nature produces its fruits for everyone. It doesn’t impose the same conditions that parents do,” Asha said, looking into Hamid’s eyes.

“If human beings were to be students of nature, God knows how far we would go,” Hamid remarked.

“If humans don’t learn from nature’s laws, they’ll surely learn the hard way. Nature is merciless and will exact its price,” Aruna added.

“Nature is certainly just, but it is not devoid of mercy. Otherwise, we would not be forgiven time and again, and all our endeavours would come to naught,” Asha said.

“Bhai, can we stop with the heavy philosophising so we can have our tea peacefully?” Vijay said with exasperation.

“Alright, are we allowed to talk about Harijans and Gandhi then?” Hamid laughed.

“No, no, we need to finish our tea quickly and drop Asha safely home,” Aruna said.

Hamid and Asha exchanged a glance. There was fear and pain in their eyes.

Excerpted with permission from Ittehad: A Life Together, Guli Sadarangani, translated from the Sindhi by Rita Kothari, Zubaan Books.