Daily Times

At the day of our first anniversary, my wife was blessed with a baby boy, that’s why we put his name “Salaan” Months and days passed. Salaan was five years old. Now I embraced him by my arms; made him play with him, I asked question and then gave the answers too. Salaan was same like other children, without care, without knowledge but was friendly. Anyhow, his one exercise was various from other children .I didn’t see him even laughing or smiling but was master – mind in weeping. I tickled him, held him, threw him in the air and again caught him back, acted like a monkey but yet at once, on his lips no smile appeared. I and my wife became worried firstly, but then we thought might be he is immature now, later may he be good. Yeah! Then Salaan grew up and became mature. Now he was admitted at school but didn’t know what actually smile is? It was out of my mind a friendly man’s son can be a moody. I was shocked that from whom he had taken that habit. I and my wife, our forefathers, kith and kins, all had a friendly and funny mood. We took Salaan to the doctor and told him about Salaam’s problem. Their opinions were that he was alright ,may be his ” not smiling ” habit was from his Forefathers but doctors suggested that when he would grow up , study’s and know about the world then might be his habit finished. Salaan’s none-laughing habit was not liked by me but his one habit I liked because the same habit I possessed “the love of moon and its light. Once in summer’s night, while electricity went, we went on the roof of the house and slept. It was the night of “super-moon “my right hand was under his head as a pillow and was gazing at the moon

“Dad?” He suddenly asked.

“What?”

“Dad! Why is the moon beautiful”?

I woke up and sat…My son was asking the same question to me! But I hid my shock, laughed and said, “If you will laugh I will tell you”

“Leave laughing.” He became angry went and slept near his mother. For a week, he didn’t talk to me and after that; he didn’t ask this Question to me once again.

That night, Salaan’s question made me remember my childhood. I remember in childhood, once I asked my mother

“Mom! Why is the moon beautiful?” firstly she saw me carefully and said, “No idea, my son. It’s “lords” creature!”

Later, when I became mature, went to study, and then comprehend that moon is as a stone and soil like the earth………..

But this idea put me in deep thought that in reality moon is different and in our sight it is different. Far distance and near situations changes.

The time passed quickly. After Salaan we didn’t have any child. ‘He grew up’ as in heart I thought. In university, he studied philosophy later he became a lecturer there. After a long phase of education and comprehending about the world still no one saw a smile on his lips therefore he was famous everywhere for this habit his. I and my wife accepted his habit and, didn’t say anything to him for a long. Then one day, I thought if Salaan marries, it could be possible that with his wife and children he would live a happy living which may take away his habit of not smiling .I talked with my wife ,she became glad. The same night time , we asked Salaan.

“Salaan! What are you opinions regarding your marriage?” I asked?

“Nothing” he said briefly

“If you like a girl, you should tell us.” His mom asked him.

“No”, he again gave a short answer

“Should we find a girl for you?” His mother asked him.

“As you wish.” Neither he was willing nor was he reluctant.

“But will you marry?” I wanted to confirm.

“If you agree then surely.!” He said in a manner as if we were talking of our marriage not his.

The next day, we went to one of our relatives. The parents agreed but when the girl heard she refused to marry such a person who does not know how to laugh. We came back hopelessly. We went to another place, everywhere, parents agreed but the girls refused. Girls biggest reason of refusing was Salaan’s habit of not smiling.

One night, I talked to Salaan angrily.

“Why don’t you leave this rubbish habit of yours? How many places we went for you to give your marriage proposal, Parents agreed but the girls refused, all owing to your stupid habit. Leave your habit of having a harsh mood, if not then live your life being a bachelor.”

He didn’t give response

After that day, I left searching a girl for him, but moms love is unexplainable, still she was in search of a girl for him. One day, she told me that she had found a girl. The girl is clearly in the know of Salaan’s mood as she is Salaan’s student. Good news came. On the other hand a bad news too. Girl’s acceptance was a good thing but she being his student didn’t make me satisfied. It must not be that the girl also has a harsh mood him like him. But my wife had made everything confirmed, that she was beautiful and possessed a nice mood.

However, we did Salaan’s marriage the daughter in law was fully friendly with her friendly but what we had expected didn’t become true. She couldn’t take out Salaan’s harsh mood.

After a year and half, they had a baby girl. Salaan’s daughter whose name was Zeba, grew up – Zeba was like her mother, had a friendly mood, that’s why, was loved by all. Now we have left thinking regarding Salaan’s mood. Zebal was enough for us. Zebal’s habit were enough for us. Zebal’s habits were totally different from her Father’s habits. However, only her one habit was same as her father’s habit that was the same which I also had , means , The love of moon and its light. In a moonlight night, we five were sitting in front of television and watching news. Zebal was tired, she took my hand and said “let’s go upstairs”

I knew that she wanted to see the moon. I said, “My dear, wait somehow! i will watch news, then we will go” But she didn’t agree, she saw that grandfather is not in mood of coming so, she went to her own father and insisted to accompany her to upstairs.

May be Salaan was bored with watching news that he stood up and went with his daughter. Both went upstairs. We were busy in watching television at the same moment suddenly we heard a loud voice of laughing. As if the voice was of Salaan’s which was coming from upstairs. No one believed at once. How can Salaan laugh? I thought Salaan must not have become mad and had thrown Zebal down from the upstairs and laughing himself!

We went on the edge of the house quickly; there a strange moment was seen, Zebal and Salaan both were laughing. We were shocked, Salaan and laughing?

“Salaan! Dear … what’s the matter?

Salaan laughed and answered, “Dad, Zebal asked ….Why is the moon beautiful?”

Translated into English by: Mahnaz Ali jan

Published in Daily Times, November 6^th 2017.