Asad was student of grade three in a mediocre school of the town. It was gracious of the principal who allowed him to attend the school without paying fees on a condition that his mother; Kalsoom; will serve her home and do all household chores. Kalsoom, a poverty-striken mother of his only son Asad, wholeheartedly served “madam sahiba” and her family to make education possible for her child. Of course, In Asad lies her hope that one day he will progress and will be the champion of his old parents.
“Fazal! you bastard! Where are you? Hurry up, else I’ll drag you out of my house!”, Mr.Hussain was dressed up in his gentleman attire when Fazal entered the room with polished shiny shoes of his master. He gave them to “Sahab” and collected his files towards car. As Mr. Hussain drove out, his mistress was shouting in the lounge, abusing Fazal (for no other reason but certainly to suppress a poor man for satisfying her inner-arrogant-self). Fazal stood with eyes gazing the floor and listened to her wistfully. It happened everyday and every time he wanted to leave this house where he had been serving from the day little Asad was born. But every time, innocent face of Asad came in front of him making him dismiss his thought of leaving. This job; in fact invective, was giving him only enough to feed his apple of eye, his Asad.
Days were passing slowly, now it was a matter of routine: the arrival of vendor…all children gathering around him…enjoying ice cream… And Asad; at that fixed place sitting and watching with emptiness and longing…Same questions revolving in his mind as they were on the day when vendor first arrived. He was waiting for the day when his biggest wish will be fulfilled.
Alas! It was his biggest wish to buy an Ice cream. Just imagine, how little was his biggest wish! The things that we can’t afford become our biggest wishes. For some; that wish is owing a jet plane while for others; it’s mere an ice cream. This is not only the story of Asad, it’s story of thousands of children who carry such big wishes. Every little child we encounter everyday is burdened with little wishes and is waiting for the day when his wishes will be fulfilled…
By Aimen Tanveer
Second Year (Q-46)