Flashback: April, 2014.

Today was finally the day that I got my visa, after months of struggling I had finally got the permission to go to Pakistan which means more than half of my procedure was almost done and now I just couldn't wait to set my foot back in my homeland. A year of planning, praying and hard work and all the effort Irtiza and I did will finally be successful, our dream of starting an education and health program in the rural areas of Pakistan would finally be achieved and I can't thank Allah enough, last year when Irtiza informed me about success of secondary school system and dispensary in his family town in interior Sindh I was quite motivated and asked him that if I could be of any help? And a month later we both sat together planning to expand the school and dispensary to other small towns and villages, so this year we are taking our first step and building a primary and secondary school in a neighboring town. All the initial steps of building the school to get the students was already planned and Alhamdulillah we have enough financial requirement settled so now the only work is to get there and start our project. After a long time, I am feeling so much excited about something.

Ten days later, when I step my feet on the land I haven't seen in such a long time a lot of emotions flooded in and the most prominent one was happiness, we were supposed to stay three days in Karachi and meet our family members and then go to Hala. As soon as we exited the airport lounge and out of the air conditioned atmosphere the hot summer air of Karachi welcomed us and before I could even say a thing I heard Irtiza sigh;

"Baba was right we should have chosen December for this trip." And I laughed, "It's gonna be okay buddy! Seems like our drives our waiting." And with that we both walked towards our separate drives, his cousin was there for him while I was joining Salman chachoo and Sabih. The rest three days went by in a blur of going around, meeting relatives and visiting Karachi branch of ZIST and I was beyond cloud nine to see how far we have come.

The fourth day was the day when we finally left and started our three hours journey after Fajar, it was obviously different to drive on the highways of Pakistan but it was good in its own way. The refreshing morning breeze and those small food stalls serving tea and different type of curry, then on the other side small children running along the cars, different trucks decorated with bright colors and strange slogan which were rather amusing but creative, I could try to give them that. When we finally reached our destination we were greeted by numerous villagers who were there to welcome us, their warm attitude was that won our hearts and the motivation of bringing the change just got leveled up. We were invited over by everyone, the welcoming smile was the assurance of our success and I silently thank Allah for making me capable enough to make others smile. But our smiles were short lived when after the two days of the starting of construction of both the buildings, we were surrounded by three black Hilux and around ten armed men surrounded us with their landlord started making a chaos and questioning us. The typical representation of 'wadera system', silently praying I stepped forward ignoring their harsh and intolerable behavior and answered their questions which were now getting on my nerve, but losing my temper to them would be the easy step for losing my and most importantly dream of all those innocent who are surrounding us and are working hard to get their kids their birth right, freedom is everyone's birth right and because this man standing in front of the locals were missing it, soon Irtiza and I went with the landlord to his house which was sign of his arrogance and profligacy. Here where he had multiple expensive cars standing he can't even built a proper road for his people to walk. Soon he started talking all the rubbish I was expecting, turned out his another brother was in states and his own two son studies abroad but his daughter because they would be married in another household can only have the position in kitchen! Oh! how I wish Javeria would be with me right now this person would have heard an earful!

It took us almost four hours in convincing him and talking some sense into him though Irtiza was continuously trying to blackmail him by using the post of his uncle who was in army but on the other hand I don't want to bring anyone in between this situation and working on something I have dreamt through someone's help would never be my own dream anymore, that what I had learned from these past thirty years of life, never bow down and lean on others no matter how much you need it, try to be your own support because once you lean on other you would never be able to stand on your own, you would never be independent and that's what I did that day.

And Alhamdulillah four months later both of the school buildings were constructed, the teachers we needed were there and the session of the school started. The last day I spent at that place was spent in pure bliss. Earning duas and continuous support from everyone, we do a lot of things for our family because that's our duty but doing something for others has it own beautiful feeling and the smile on the face of all the parents when they brought their kids especially daughters was the reason that I bow down in front of Allah in gratitude. A major part of my dream was achieved; these kids will In Shaa Allah become the face of a better free Pakistan.

The project I wanted to dedicate to my family was finally in front of me.

Ahmed Public School, a school providing free knowledge was formed.

End-

Packing my bag with important stuff my thoughts were drawn back to those four months, the four months which were life changing and in no way I could let anyone destroy future of those little kids who called my their big brother. The words that egotistical person used were just flaming the fire of rage inside me. Picking up my trolley bag I walked out of the room and dismissing the idea of putting up the note for Sabih, I banged his door and after five minutes he came out rubbing his eyes and an annoyed expression but without caring I quickly explained him the situation and the news woke him up completely and nodding on every word I was saying and promising me to handle the work I went for the airport, Alhamdulillah I was able to get the seat and the cab was already waiting downstairs and at eight in the morning I left for Karachi.

Two hours later when the flight safely landed in Karachi I wanted to drive directly to Hala but obviously I have to give some explanations here and Talha and I have decided to leave after zuhr so we would be there at the time of iftari but something was telling me this time it's going to be lot more difficult then I could think. As I walked out of the airport I saw Talha nervously waiting, his hair were all messed up as if he had run his hands through them multiple time, he has a frown covering his face and his eyes were red, definitely he hasn't slept, not that my condition was any better. I was sure a complete mess myself. Though my head had started pounding and every part of my body just want to relax but my mind was saying otherwise. Dragging myself to the young guy, I gave him a side hug and saw a ghost of smile as he forcefully took my stuff we made our way to his car. Talha was almost five to six years younger than me, he did his studies from abroad and then joined a firm here, at this young age he is quite a successful man but along with his work he is taking care of schools behind our back.

The drive was done in silence and after dropping me at my uncle's place he went to complete his work. Salman chachoo and chuchi weren't really surprised on my sudden arrival which I am sure Sabih would have informed them. So not telling the actual reason of my arrival I made up some excuses because the last thing I want was them to ring up dad or maa and tell them that I am leaving for interior Sindh and then get a earful of how while fasting I could go and travel when we are in the hottest days of summer, because I know it would be completely useless to explain them how others around us are working outside in same weather while they are all fasting too. Something should be just left on their own ways. When my explanation was done I made my way to the guestroom and putting my cell phone on the charge I went to take a shower and after freshening up I lied on the comfortable bed and soon dozed off.

"Wali," I heard someone calling me and though I was trying to wake up it feels like my eyes were glued, "Wali wake up! Bhai jaan wants to talk to you." Dad! And my eyes shot open and I saw my uncle standing and smirking at me, "Itnay buray hogayai ho still just name of your father is enough to alert you." He chuckled and I shook my head and rubbing my eyes I moved up to sit.

"How long did I slept?" I asked rubbing my temple though the pain which was rising few hours back have subsided but it still felt heavy.

"I guess couple of hours it's almost time of zuhr I was going for Masjid thought I should ask you." Salman chachu genuinely smiled at me, on one hand where major part of my family was not really appreciative of me, Salman chachu had always been a great supporter.

"Yeah! Just give me five minutes and I'll meet you downstairs." I said getting out of bed and nodding he got up patting my shoulders and walked towards the door but before going he turned, "Wali you know that if something is bothering you I am always there, son. The way you showed up today it got me worried, I know bhai jaan can be strict sometimes and half of our khandan don't understand but if you have any issue don't forget this old man is right here." He genuinely smiled and walked out of the room and just some words of his assurance were enough to soothe my nerves. Running my hand through my hair I made my way to the bathroom and after performing my wuzu and changing into a grey T-shirt and jeans I walked outside to meet chachu and then together we walked towards masjid. Today when I bowed down in sujood every time I asked for special guidance, they say we are closest to our Rab while we are in sujood and he listen us the most while we are in front of him and I asked him to help and all those people who invested in their trust in me.

By the time we return back Talha was waiting with his metallic blue Honda civic, he was leaning on the car and as he spotted us he stood straight and as he met Salman chacho, I excused myself to get my stuff, by the time I was back both of the men were involved in some deep discussion about business as I reached them Talha bid his farewell and took the driving seat and I turned to hug Salman chachu and after couple of second we parted but his both hand were on my shoulder and he proudly said; "Wali remember one thing all of us, your father and mother, Irfan bhai and his entire family and all of us are proud of you for all you have done, and personally I am more proud of the tremendous projects of yours and I would be even more happy if you would bring me in help. Beta not even for a one minute hesitate, because it won't be a help it would be an honor for me." He patted my arms and I hugged him again whispering my words of gratitude but soon bidding my salam I made my way towards the passenger seat, though chachu's kind word were quite much of a support but deep inside I was still anxious.

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A.O.A

Another filler chapter...

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