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AFSANA (STAIRS ‫)سیڑھیاں‬

MAHMOOD AHMAD QAZI
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Mahmood Ahmad Qazi

STAIRS
Stooping down in the shop to choose a pair of shoes for myself, a delicate
voice, a whispering murmur, gently emerged in the background. ‘Bijli’.
Turning around, I caught sight of a plump, fair-skinned woman with the air
of someone who had seen the world. She was addressing a young, pretty
girl standing closely beside her. Girl appeared in a meditative state, her
mind deeply consumed in a peculiar dream spanning her entire age. The
grace of her face had a piquant look that girls of her age usually don't
possess. Sensing the passionate intent behind my covert gazes, the
seasoned woman said to me “What happened Mister, you are standing
frozen in broad daylight. Come to Salma’s belvedere where nights shine
bright”
I was still more stunned, but she quickly disappeared with that bolt of
beauty in the masses.
I looked up and the sky was clear. There was not even a cloud. There was
no thunder.
But light had flashed and left its shimmer behind.
After a while I went to get my harmonium fixed in Sheikhupuriyan market
of Taxali gate, suddenly the illusion flashed again. I remembered the
Salma’s belvedere. I came there. Up there, the lightning was constantly
striking. Madam came to see me. She recognized me. "I knew you would
come. Tell me what you like", she said
I told her about a song that i had heard. I Went back two or four times to
listen to that song over and over again. I kept playing notes on this song.
Whenever there is no place to go, i used to play any tune or tune i had
learned on my harmonium. I knew the basics of music to some extent. I
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knew the "Dhar Pad" of thousands of years ago consisting of three heads
and six ragas consisting of 36 ragas
does not have Bilawal, Bharwen, Megh, Malkonis and Pandol ragas are
used in it. My mind is more focused on chanting than on the other side.
I had to go abroad for my studies and for livelihood. From there I came
back some twenty-two years later with severe cramps and persistent
backache. Old age had knocked at the door of my body, but ambition and
passion for music was still young. A key of the harmonium was annoying
for a long time. I came to this market again. Now, the son of the fixer used
to run the shop.
Salma’s belvedere struck a chord. I came there. Now Bijli had silver strings
in her hair.
She called out. Bijli.
A thin but beautiful girl came out from one side.
Wow, you are late. Tell me what you want to hear. Even if you don't tell
me, I remember your choice.
Bijli struck a note. Air was filled with magic. Now the existence was
different but it seemed the same beautiful voice.
That was it. There was a similar glow in Bijli's Bijli, i thought and came
downstairs smiling.