When I opened my eyes, I was in the car. But I was shocked to realize that I was not driving it. That man with some traditional cap and black jacket was on the driving seat. I remember, a few moments before, I was the driver and they were the passengers with me who told me to drop them on the next stop as their car was not functioning properly.
Trying to refresh myself, I changed my posture. The three men around me murmured something to each other in a language that was alien to me. I understood nothing. Before I could say something, I observed that I was not familiar to the area where we were!!! Although I myself was a driver but I had never traveled on such strange roads. These feelings agitated me. I at once screamed “who are you and where you are taking me to???” at this immediate reaction one of the men took out his pistol and told me to stay quiet. I felt myself impotent and didn’t know what to say & what to do… even I was not in my senses properly. I tried to comfort myself with a thought that I’m dreaming. But it was wrong. After traveling two more days, I was sure that I’m kidnapped, but for what?? I was not rich, not educated and was carrying no valuables with me….
Cluster of thoughts occupied my mind. Most dominant was about my parents. They both must be waiting for me to bring some money for the next meal. What they would be doing without me?? I was tired, scared, hungry, and tense. After a very long drive, we entered a deserted area where the roads ended. I could see no human being around. We reached a building that looked old. They greeted some men there and brought me to a huge hall where there already were so many people tied to the walls with chains and ropes. I never even dreamt such a scary scene. I was also tied there and imprisoned along with others. All the individuals were pale, weak and their eyes were hopeless. I could not guess what will happen. I missed my old good times when I was free; noise of the horns, cars, roads, dust, smoke, my companions and above all, my parents. They would die without me.
Some of the boys told me that they will sale us in a market, some predicted that they will get our body parts, our blood, sale them and kill us. After spending seven months there, I was use to with that life. I was now one of those chastened prisoners. All the time we were kept tied & released only for few minutes when we were offered food. Once I didn’t eat it so I was badly whacked and was forced to eat. They didn’t want us to die. After that I never left my meal. Along with all other things, I kept findings the ways to get out of this trap. I could see no hope but still I tried to vacillate my mind.
One day when we were given the dinner, I finished it as soon as I could and then I loosely fastened my chains acting as if they are so tight. When they came, one of the men asked me: “Are you done with it?” I moved my head as an answer. He took the plates and went, when the second man came, he thought the first man did that harness as I simulated that I’m tied tightly. They returned contented. I didn’t tell anyone around me and contemplated the whole scenario to make an escape. Finally I did it. It was a sheer, simultaneous action. I did it very wisely but the biggest problem was that I had no acquaintance to that area. I knew they will chase me on finding me absent. The only thing I did was that I had been walking all that night about four to five miles I had nothing else in my thoughts except to walk, walk and just walk. I reached any forest when I observed a beam of light moving towards me, becoming brighter and brighter. It startled me. I knew they are my enemies. At once I could find no place to hide myself but soon I found a hollow hole, like a ditch under the root of a tree. I jumped there ignoring stones, snakes, horns, pebbles etc. after a while they reached there and searched me like greedy dogs. My heartbeats were fastened and vigorous and I was sweating and trembling with fear.
I held my breaths when one of them came near me, his arrival menaced me. I was sure I’ll be caught. But if I will be caught, I’ll be strictly restrained on this act of treason and they will beat me badly that I took a frail action in vain. Fortunately, that proved to be an expedient spot for me. I heard their tumultuous discussion that I could not understand. I remained safe. They went back after trying every effort to search me. I remained there for about three more hours, and then after coming out, I again started walking. I traveled all the night on foot till the sunrise. I walked six days with same routine; hiding during days and walking at nights.
One day, I was drinking water from the tube-well in some fields when I saw a human being. He was already observing me. He got scared at once but then he came near me. He had a strange expression on his face, I was looking scary, I know because my hair and beard grew extra long in past days. He talked to me in that same language. I tried to explain him everything. He took me with him, provided shelter, and gave new clothes and food. He appointed me as a caretaker for his cows. He warned me not to run away. He was nice, much better than them but trapped me in another way. He took advantage of my being in trouble. He knew I know nothing here. Now I was bound there!!
I spent seven months with him. He told me that he wants me to marry a girl who was also his servant and wished that I stay with him for the rest of my life. I didn’t know what to answer. That night I saw my parents in a dream. They were in a very bad condition and were crying for me. The very next day, I started crying in front of him like a helpless child. I requested him to meet my parents at least once, and then I’ll return and obey his orders forever.
He was convinced. He turned kind, kissed and hugged me in sympathy. I felt very much relaxed. He said “I won’t send you on your own as you know nothing here”. He called upon someone who seemed a responsible and wise man, now he was appointed the responsibility of my safety. His name was Rasheed. I told him my address. He took me to any fruit market. They were loading peach on the trucks to send in other areas of the country. He met a driver there whose name was Qadeer and told him to drop me home. He noted down the truck number, departure time, etc for his satisfaction. And now I started my journey, heading towards my home along with Qadeer and Nasser as my companions. I was now hopeful that I’ll reach my destination with them. After about four hours drive, we stopped for refreshment; there the driver started observing me very keenly, with strange eyes. I got scared and felt uncomfortable. He at once pulled a question: “Are you Aslam??” I was moved. I turned my face up and looked at him in astonishment. He repeated “Are you Aslam. The driver Aslam who left his parents??” I said “Yes, how you know me?” he then told me some things to remind me the old good times but at the same time, he started cursing me badly that why I didn’t care for my old, weak and pitiful parents leaving them alone to cry for the rest of their life….
“I can’t explain you everything at once. I think its enough to tell you that I was kidnapped. Just take me to my home, my parents. I had been willing to see them for so long, I can’t wait anymore.” He took the truck direct to my home. I was observing every street, each corner, all was same, I felt as if I never went away. We reached home. Although I was dying to meet them, I could not strengthen myself to put up my hand & touch the door. I could not even stand directly facing the door. He knocked the door for me. My heart was sinking. After a sufficient time, my mother opened the door. After saying salaam, he informed her: “I’ve good news for you!!”
“No news is good for us until or unless our son wont return” she replied
“If I say he’s back???” she opened her eyes wider and stepped out of the door, looking around. I was standing there, having eyes and cheeks filled with tears. I could not move as if I was paused. At once, like a jerk, she took me in her arms very tightly. She was shaking me as if trying to make herself sure of my arrival. But I was cold and still She screamed loudly “my son is back!!” listening her screams, my father came out too. He had also turned very weak like my mother. They both turned mad for me. They could not decide how to react. They were not leaving me as if on leaving my hand, they will lose me once again….
That day I started my life once again. It was such an epic event in my life that I wanted to share and discuss with my posterity.
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