Daily Times

Tears, mourning, sobs and the realisation of the fact that the loved soul departed, only to never return…

The above mentioned scenarios, the latter one being the most hurtful, are followed by yet some other depressing events. The most gruesome reality is that these injuries are inflicted upon us by none other than our own ‘loved ones’.

I happened to witness two simultaneous deaths in the family, not very long ago. Things I saw there were beyond torture. Disgusted by the trends of the society, I buried my face in my hands and closed my eyes to let the bitter reality sink in.

As my aunt knelt down before the body of my late cousin, I sat down beside her to comfort her, to console her but I believe I failed miserably. Forgotten, I had that my attempts were followed by screams and yells coming from the crowd behind me.

“Oh! The poor widow has nothing to live for now. What use is her life now when her husband is no more…”

A chill passed through my chest and held my intestines tight. As if the pain of death wasn’t enough already, the lady who spoke, added more to it. I was distraught and what I felt was a mixture of rage and disgust.

Death, a bitter reality that comes to all, has come to all and will come to all. Some die younger while others abandon the race in the middle whereas, some get the chance to travel longer and see more of the life. Left behind are the loved ones who are already struggling to get over the loss, without us having to harp on every minute about the loss sustained.

Life goes on. That’s the rule but life in such a society where you’re reminded every minute of the dead, is no less than a living hell. Stumbling, staggering, they stand up, only to fall again…

The blogger is a student of English Literature at Government College University, Lahore.