He had tears in his eyes. In hospital room I couldn’t guess, either he was crying in physical pain or these were the tears of unfulfilled promises and due to sudden halting of a prosperous journey. We all friends had tears in our eyes as well. We were weeping for we couldn’t bear the pain of his helplessness. Can life be so cruel ? or is there no mercy in the heart of angel of death? But they say angels have no hearts. For if they had hearts even the angel of death could have wept that day. Jahanzeb was lying motionless in his bed and only the hospital ventilator indicated that he was still fighting against the merciless death. Death which is an inevitable reality of human life and no one could deny it but in case of Jahanzeb we all felt as if death was doing great injustice.
We had seen him first time at the campus when in tense academic environment his loud laughter could ease every one. His peaceful smile always made us enthusiastic for living. The toughest tasks could turn easy when Jahanzeb had taken them under his assignment.
Once I had asked him the secret of his smile. He told that his mother had taught him to smile in all conditions. Not only I but all his classfellows were inspired by him. Even the seniors respected him for his benevolence and magnanimity. He was courageous and brave. During political riots in the campus, it was he who had fought bravely with opponent group and had taken Asghar and Nadeem to hospital emergency. Though Asghar was his strong opponent and had insulted him in orientation ceremony. But for Jahanzeb humanity stood above every task. This incident had enhanced his respect and honour even among the faculty members.
Jahanzeb had penchant for machines and he wanted to contribute in automobile industry of the country. He had vision to introduce indigenous auto mobile industry for the country. I had once taunted him that this dream was far from reality but he silenced me by telling that once reaching moon was an impossible task for man. So according to him every great and far reaching destination could be achieved once pursued well with sincerity and commitment. He always looked for scholarships which he could win easily and then I learnt that his father was a peasant who had borrowed money on usury to afford his admission fees. Jahanzeb had never indulged himself in useless pursuits. His only love was with his ambition to achieve excellence in his field and work for his country.
Engineering universities in Pakistan have very little enrolment for female students and in mechanical engineering department hardly any girl seeks admission. But Zohra was an exception. Like her beauty her choice was rare as well. She had also love for machines and wanted to earn name in automobile industry. Her father was the landlord of the area and she lived like princess on campus. Owing to similarity in ambition both were very close to each other. The sprouts of young love were taking birth in their hearts but it took both of them three years to share their feelings. Most of time there talk was limited to academics and innovative technology. But both were aware that till they achieve their dream of success as auto mobile engineers, their union was far cry. The proud landlord could never afford the son of a pleasant to be his son in law, but a successful automobile engineer could win soft corner in his heart.
Zohra and Jahanzeb were the perfect match. Both were liberal, broadminded, zealous and had same choices. We friends were very happy for them. Owing to contacts of Zohra, Jahanzeb could achieve internships in Toyota and Land Rover companies during their second and third year of studies. They had strong competition in academics as well. For teachers, deciding their merit used to be problem. When Zohra could get one or two marks ahead of him, he used to tease her by saying that she had taken grace marks for her stunning beauty and she deserved it. This year, Jahanzeb did his internship in leading international automobile company at Islamabad. The campus was off owing to corona pandemic. All comrades had returned to their homes. Exams were scheduled to be held by next month. Everyone got busy in their studies.
And then we got schocking news that Jahanzeb had got ill and had been shifted to icu. Doctors had diagnosed it corona positive along with another rare disease. That disease is very uncommon and said to be found in one person among a million persons. It was rare disease for a rare hero.
I was helplessly watching the future of country sinking towards death. Zohra couldn’t believe my statement and lost her senses. Till she recover herself we have lost the future of automobile industry in Pakistan. Zohra lost her life’s only precious possession and his family lost the only hope of their better future.
mikesalu 