The Mother

What’s happening? Who are you?

Tauseef was completely taken aback as his face was covered with a cloth bag, moments after he heard a gun fire outside his plush office in Srinagar.

Before he even realised what was happening, he was pushed by his captors onto what seemed to be a big car or van which sped away the moment he heard the doors shut. He could feel surrounded by men who spoke Pushto and smelt of clothes that had not been washed for a long time.

The vehicle moved at a great speed initially and then the speed dropped drastically as Tauseef felt the ride getting extremely bumpy. The vehicle was making noises as if it would break open any moment but, after over an hour, the car came to a screeching halt. The door opened and Tauseef felt rough hands on his neck and shoulders as he was pulled out and then dragged like a carcass over some distance before the ordeal came to a stop.

Halku, call his family and make our demands clear to them.

Hello, is that Dr. Amin speaking?

Yes…Tauseef knew that is what his father would have said on the other side.

We have taken your son captive. You and your family have not been living as stated in Sharia and have also been working with the tyrant Indian government. Now listen carefully, unless the government releases three of our commanders from the central jail, your son will die a slow and painful death.  You have twenty-four hours to hand over our people otherwise you lose your son Tauseef. Would you like to hear him…?

Tauseef was pushed hard and he felt as if someone was stabbing him from behind. He gave out a loud cry and said…Abbu, main hi hoon yahan…I am here.

Please do not harm my son. I will speak to the government to meet your demands but you will have to give me more time. You know how the government machinery works and for such a big request, I will have to get permission from Delhi. Give me ten days please.

So you are acting smart, eh? In ten days the Indian army will find our hideout and try to free your son. Do not even think about it. We will give you no more than seventy-two hours and after that your son dies. Meanwhile, you will get a souvenir from your son’s body every twenty-four hours to remind you of your work and not to take any chances with us. Your only son, your loving son, Tauseef, will have to pay with his life if you make any foolish move. Our people are watching you all the time and we will know of your movements and listen to your conversations with anyone including your wife and your loving daughter-in-law.

Tauseef knew now what was happening. His father and he had been talking to the local people in Srinagar about giving up arms and separation. They spoke about them taking to education and reviving old culture and industry which would benefit all. Lately, Dr. Amin had agreed to Tauseef marrying Maria, a Catholic, and allowed her to continue following her faith and not wear a hijab in public. All this had infuriated the extremists who had now taken him hostage.

The captors now put a chain to his ankles, took off the cloth bag over his face and locked him up in a room that was bare and dirty. He had not eaten for hours but there was no one to ask. In some time, the door opened and a few of them walked in holding their Kalashnikovs. The leader of the pack said, let us give the old doctor a piece of his son today so that he takes us seriously.

Yes yes…all the rest laughed and spoke in unison… let us do it now.

Halku, this infidel has a mole on his back. See if your earlier stab is close to the place… if yes, then tear it away and send it to his home today.”

No no….Tauseef cried and begged but Halku in one swift strike cut off a part of Tauseef’s flesh with the mole, put it in a dirty piece of handkerchief and one of the men took it away to be despatched to the destination.

Tauseef lay there bleeding and crying with no first aid of any sort as the kidnappers banged the door shut behind them. Despite the pain and blood oozing, tired Tauseef slept off and didn’t remember for how long. His sleep was broken by the captors lifting him up and shoving him into a waiting station wagon.

He could barely hear the people sitting around him whispering with each other. From a few words that reached him he could decipher that the person who went to deliver the piece of the infidel was caught by the security forces and it is possible he may have been forced to confess the hideout where they had kept this man.

After a long drive that never seemed to end traversing dusty, hilly terrain, the vehicle reached what appeared to be a village. Tauseef was dragged into one of the houses.

You Indians think you can beat us and win against us? You fool, now we will show your father and the security forces what arresting one more of our men means. Halku, chop off two of his fingers and send them to his father to remind him that the countdown to day two has started and tomorrow he will first get three of his toes and then the whole of his son if our demands are not met fully.

Halku seemed to enjoy the game in which he was being asked to play the main role. Once again he chopped off two of Tauseef’s little fingers, one from each hand, wrapped them in another cloth and sent it for delivery. The man once more lay there bleeding and crying for help. All the men left the house except one, he who appeared to be the big boss among the kidnappers with the largest frame and beard that was bigger than Santa Claus. He seemed to be in his forties and wore black shalwar kameez. He shouted… you will suffer more but for one more day. After that it will be freedom either way…. Freedom from us or freedom from the world… ha ha… and he walked out of the room into the adjoining one where he shouted, get me food… I am very hungry.

Tauseef had once again fallen into a deep slumber after shouting for hours for help… he was woken up later when he found someone trying to nurse his wounds. This was a lady in hijab who asked him with a finger on her lips to stay quiet as she cleaned the bleeding hands with some antiseptic liquid. Tauseef was in intense pain with the medicine giving him a burning sensation. The lady stuffed a dupatta in his mouth to make sure no sound could come out of Tauseef’s mouth.  After all the cleaning, she went out of the room after freeing his mouth and again appeared after a while with food and water in her hands. Tauseef’s hands were free and she let him eat the food that was cold but it did not matter. It was almost two days since he had eaten anything and he was wondering who this saviour was and why was she doing it at all. The lady left Tauseef to once again go off to sleep. When he woke up the morning sun was peeping in through the cracks in the window. He heard the man of the house shout…

I am going out and will return in the afternoon when we will check if the Indian government is acceding to our demands. If not, we will have to chop off three of his toes and by night time will have to kill him if we do not hear about the release of our men.

Listen Ibrahim. You may be the boss of your men and the people fear you and obey you unquestionably, but this is my house and the man inside is a guest for me. He will not be harmed in my house let alone be killed. The moment I see or hear you or any of your thugs come close to the captive, I shall leave your house with Jaan and will never ever return home.

Jaan was Ibrahim’s jaan or life. The nine year old was his most precious thing in the world for whom he could give up anything. The problem with Ibrahim was that while he could get all the things a young boy of nine would need, including the most expensive ones, he could not give him any formal education for he was always on the run with his family. His wife Fatima would curse him always but followed him everywhere as tradition demanded.

As soon as Ibrahim left the house in his van with his people, Fatima went into the room where Tauseef lay with Jaan in tow. She offered the wounded man some hot soup and bread. She even got him a fresh black kameez for the one in which Tauseef was brought in had been splashed with blood and mud. Tauseef felt some life coming back to him and he smiled at the young lad who was trying to hide behind Fatima’s burqa.

Come here...tell me your name?

Jaan…Jaan Mohammad.

What class do you study and what do you like to play?

Jaan nodded no with his head to the first question and then said….I like to play football… I like to see the matches.

I, too, like football. Which is your favourite team?

Manchester United.

Inshallah… I too follow Man U. Do you know they were once the best team but have now fallen in bad times? They are trying to revive but it is not easy. There was a time when they won almost everything.

Fatima was also enjoying the conversation… the two of you talk as much as you can. I have to do some cooking and cleaning…and she left Jaan with Tauseef in conversation about football and their favourite team.

Tauseef was quite impressed with the young boy’s knowledge about the history from Sir Alex Fergusson to legends like Cantona, Van Neestelroy, Rooney, Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Bobby Charlton and George Best. It seemed he had many videos and sports magazines and he never missed the matches on television. Jaan too was enjoying the company of someone who could match his knowledge and also tell him more about the game, techniques and players.

Their conversation went on for long when a loud banging of the door was heard. Jaan ran out of the room and Ibrahim and his cronies walked in.

Your Abba is an idiot and has to be taught a lesson. He has not even made any contact with us leave alone releasing our men. Bakhtiyar, chop off this man’s three toes and send it with love to the old fool. He cannot be ignoring our warnings.

Just as Bakhtiyar took out his long knife, Fatima rushed into the room.

He is our guest and will not be harmed. You must have killed many people today. Take three toes from any of them and send it to his father. How will he know the difference?

Ibrahim stood no chance before the logic and fury of Fatima and went out in a huff saying tomorrow morning this man will be taken out of the house to another hideout where we will chop off his head. Then you will not be able to give me any reason why I cannot do it!

Jaan re-entered the room and this time he brought a small football with him. He started showing his skills with the ball and Tauseef realised that the boy had talent. Fatima was also enjoying the scene when Tauseef said… Jaan must be allowed to play outside and if he is given the right coaching and diet, he can become a player you will be proud of.

He is destined to remain in the hiding and no one will ever see his game. He is the son of a wanted man and his only way ahead is following his father’s footsteps which is what all children in our community do.

Why don’t you take him away from all this bloodshed and tyranny?

I know no life outside. I am an illiterate woman and we will not survive one day in your world. No one, knowing our background, will ever help us. If I were to ask you… will you help… you too will step back.

I would but I cannot do anything and tomorrow I shall be killed. So even giving you any promise and hope is impossible for me.

Fatima then left the room. She served him good clean food and changed his bandages. In the other room Tauseef could hear loud talk going on.

The idiots are watching cricket match being played in India. Some final match happening and they are all excited. They will all be watching the match till the end and I will have to keep serving them food and drinks till the frenzy is over. Listen, I have put some money in your pocket and a phone. There is one number saved. That is my brother’s. You take Jaan with you and call my brother. He will take you to safety. Just promise me that you will take care of Jaan. I do not want him to lead his father’s footsteps. You will have many hours before they discover your absence. If I get a chance someday, I will come and see my Jaan.

Tauseef was completely shocked but saw his chance to escape. How will I recognise you when you come to my home? I have never seen how you look.

Don’t worry…my Jaan will recognize me.

She folded her hands before Tauseef and left the dark room after unlatching the back door to safety.

Tauseef heard the people in the other room shouting and talking about Dhoni, Gill, Sir Jadeja and Hardik as if they were their close friends. Tauseef quietly got up, opened the door and slipped out where he found Jaan waiting. He turned back and from one of the windows he saw a black silhouette with her hands waving to them. They started running…running to escape.

SS