identity will have no role to play in it and on the basis of my new identity, I wish to make a request to you.” Signs of anger appeared on the Maulvi’s face but with a great deal of difficulty, he controlled himself and began to speak. “Before repeating something, keep it in your mind that I’ve still got some honour and respect which may be shattered by your request. Whatever you are thinking is totally impossible.” While going towards the Maulvi’s house from the railway station, I had not thought even for a single moment that I would have to say the final word in this connection that very evening, but the decisive tone of the Maulvi’s words was indicating beyond any doubt that he wanted to settle the matter then and there. For a moment, both of us remained silent but at last, I broke the silence. “I had thought of sending some elderly person for the final settlement of this issue. Besides the members of my family, there are some other people as well, who could convey my request to you. But it seems that you have already made the final decision. Please tell me what is lacking in me? I’ve already thrown away the disdainful mark of my wealth and affluence. In addition to this, if I’ve got some other short coming or flaw, I’ll definitely try to remove it. At least, there must be some reason for rejecting me in such a manner.” The Maulvi was no longer in control of himself. He angrily stood up and shouted, “That’s enough! Stop it now! Why are you bent upon defaming us? What would the people say? They would say that Maulvi Alim married his daughter into the same house where he used to go for teaching a child. The whole world would point fingers at us. Do you wish that with our own actions, we should prove the truth of the accusations which were brought against me and my daughters by the members of your family? No my dear no. Have some mercy on us.” “It means that you are only afraid of what others would say. But suppose, if instead of misbehaving with you, the members of my family had come to your with this marriage proposal, for the sake of my happiness, would you have accepted it?” “No, never. We are no match for you. You’ve been trained and brought up in an entirely different environment. What you describe as love is regarded by us as a sin. I’m already a sinful man. Don’t make me more sinful. Our daughters are not married into those families whose members have not offered their prayers for years. These are the families whose youngsters hardly know about the first and second Kalimas (A Kalima is a holy sentence taught by the Holy Prophet to his followers, to be repeated by them for receiving Allah’s blessings. There are six such Kalimas or holy sentences which are generally taught to the Muslims in their childhood) and are quite ignorant of the remaining four Kalimas. In such families, the Quran is only considered to be a book which should be placed in a decorative manner in the shelf. You have also been trained in a similar family where men and women openly mix up with each other. If a person leaves his house, it doesn’t mean that his mentality has changed or that the effects of his training have disappeared from his personality. I don’t want to destroy my future generations. It’s time for my Prayer, let me go.” He angrily left the room without hearing my reply. After his departure, Abdullah entered the room, carrying the tea tray. I told him that I wanted to go but he hurriedly poured some tea into a cup for me. With an unwilling heart, I had a few draughts of tea. As I came out of the house, Abdullah also came with me, into the street to say good-bye. At last, he shook hands with me and spoke: “Please don’t mind the words of my uncle, because, at that time, he was a bit out of control. For this very reason, I had told you that it would be better not to meet him in this condition. Anyhow, whatever happened, forget it. The other day, I was told by Uncle Shakir that you’ve left your home. I advise you to return home. Parents have a very high place in our religion and it’s not good to remain annoyed with them for such a long time.” I could hear the Azans for the Maghrib Prayer. After bidding farewell to me outside his street, Abdullah went towards the mosque but violent storms were blowing in my mind and I could not even properly say good-bye to him. I did not know where I was going at that time. The Maulvi’s words were piercing into my ears like molten lead. Is love really a sin? If love is a sin, why was it
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