13. Darbhanga - Enters Sohail
Reyazs’ matriculation exams was over and he was called back to Patna. The
girls continued their stay in the hostel. Doctor Saheb left for Darbhanga along
with the driver. He was to stay together with Nawab Bhai initially and it was
planned that as soon as the Superintendent’s quarter gets vacated, we will join
him. God was Kind to us. What I have observed is that after the lean period
when the days of joy return, then only the value of happiness is realised in
actual sense.
When he went there, his predecessor was Dr. Safdar Ali Khan whose son was
also appearing for the exams. The convention then was that under such
circumstances, the family was not disturbed till the exam was over. The Begum
of Nawab Bhai, was even more affectionate. She was also from Patna City and my
Amman had some distant relationship with her. She kept insisting for calling
all of us there. I was, however, reluctant to a burden on them with all the 7
kids and Amman and the maids. A letter eventually arrived that Nawab
Bhai was going to Patna and as he returns, we had to go with him. The girls had
to be called from the school and other luggage was arranged. When the razai and
the blankets were taken out of the cupboard, they were all destroyed by the
white ants. I consoled myself that these are material things compared to a
human life that has been saved. The ground floor of our Behari Lane house was
handed onikahver to Ahmad Saheb advocate.
Along with Nawab Bhai, we all left for Darbhanga. First leg of
the journey was crossing the Ganges by steamer. Nawab Bhai all
through was so helpful to Amman and everyone else. Thus we reached
Darbhanga Railway Station. I used to call his wife Bhabhi. The reception given
to us was most cordial. We stayed with them for nearly four months and stayed
there just as family members. Her hospitality and kindness was simply
unparallel.
The children were admitted to schools. Reyaz had secured second division
in the matriculation exam and moved on to I.Sc. Nawab Bhai’s second daughter
had just got into first year MBBS. Her name too was Nuzhat. Menhdi Nawab, the
eldest son was doing MBBS course from Patna. The next one Mohammad Nawab was
younger than Reyaz. In tune with the name, Nawab Bhai’s kitchen was a generous
one and half a dozen guests were always there. His son-in law, Humaiyun
Mirza was a doctor and was posted at a village near Darbhanga and
was commuting from home. Humaiyun had just one daughter Bibi, who was younger
than Ejaz.
Nearly after four months, the Superintendent’s quarter was eventually
vacated. Our furniture and other household items that was left in Saharsa was
brought there as well. Whenever we talked about shifting to the quarter, Nawab
Bhai would ask “ are you having any problem here?”. That was so embarrassing.
They were themselves staying in a rented house but it was huge. Two rooms and a
bathroom was under our use. Bhabhi too just wouldn’t let us go. Finally he pleaded
on the ground that the quarter was unoccupied for the last 4
months and possibly may be allotted to someone else. After lots of
persuasion, we could finally shift.
After the hardship, it was time of relief in Darbhanga. The salary that
was held up for so many months was all paid in one go. The social life in
Darbhanga was quite cosmopolitan compared to Saharsa. The doctors and their
families were mixing freely and with some decent people around, we had a nice
time. All their festivals were marked with our visits to them and all of them
came on the day of Eid. Lots of social activities were always on. At
the Medical College Milaad Sharif was held annually. Ijtiba Rizwi used to be
the chief speaker who was famous for his speeches in English. At the Annual
function of the College all kinds of cultural programmes were held. Baldev
Singh’s daughter Jayanti was always Bagging the first prize for singing. We
used to attend all the functions.
As I was sitting at the veranda one day, A handsome looking student of the
college came to meet me and after the salaam, he introduced himself as Sohail,
a final year student. His uncles were from Sabzi Bagh in Patna and were
distantly related to my side. As Doctor Saheb was not there, after having tea
that I offered, he left. Next time when he came again, further
background could be known. His parents had passed away while he was still young
and the elder brother was educating him. They belonged to Barauni. His
mannerism as well as the background impressed me. I mentioned to doctor Saheb
for his match for Talat. Doctor Saheb also liked him when they met. One Abu
Saleh Saheb Registrar was the common relative. He was asked to contact Sohail’s
elder brother who replied that it all depends on Sohail, and he had
no issues if Sohail approved the match. Talat was now in I.A. We proposed for
the nikah initially and the formal wedding ceremony to take place later on, to
which they agreed.
Though the house there was not so spacious, all three of his sisters, Nazim and Mumani Amman all came for the Nikah ceremony. Majjoo Bhai and Amnu Aapa came from Monghyr. As there was no house lady in Barauni, only the gents went for the nikah there with the ring and salaami.
When he returned from
Barauni he congratulated me in a cheerful mood. The doctors when they came to
know of it demanded for a dinner which was all arranged at home and went well.
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Chapter
INDEX.