Mammo (मम्मो)

"I never could cross ..."

"... the distance ...”

... of streets”

"A thousand times ..."

"... | hesitated”

"Only to re-start again”

"Who knows the earth...”

"...of one's land?”

"l walked with dirt in my eyes..."

"... and a cloud of dust over my heart”

"Rizoo, you're up very early today, son?"

Some tea?

We'll have it together at the table.

"What were you writing, early morning?”

Granny.

Where would Mammo Nani be?

Who knows if she is alive?

| pray for her every day. May she be well.

How come you thought of her all of a sudden?

| dreamt of her last night.

Poor thing.

She was never a burden on anyone.

I wish ...

We had done more to keep her with us.

When Ahmedbhai died...

.... there was no-one to care for her in this entire world.

So many letters from her!

I never replied to even one.

Where is there place in such small flats.

My silence must have wounded her very deeply.

Do you still have those letters?

Can | see them?

Just a moment.

Here.

Since Ahmedbhai died | have no-one to call my own.

| am totally alone.

I wish to come to you.

"Rest assured, I won't bother you.”

1 will cook for you.

Sweep and swab for you.

Take care of your grand-son.

Please send for me.

"What are you staring at, child?”

Pick up the luggage. Go on!

"You are Riyaz, ye ?"

How you've grown!

"God be praised, just like your mother!”

May she rest in peace.

The same innocent face she had.

"When | came last, you were that small.”

You played on my lap.

I've cleaned your bottom.

| don't remember. - Listen to that.

Forgotten your Mammo Nani.

I've grown fatter. - like a cow !

But our Fejji must be the same.

Slim and fit.

Where is your granny? Fejji?

In the kitchen?

"Who is it, Rizoo? - Granny, some-one's come”

"Some-one ? It's me, Mammo!”

You could've sent a telegram. At least a letter.

What's the use.

| wrote many letters and got no reply

You were worried I'd take over your house.

"Fejji, how much does a poor old woman need?”

A corner somewhere.

"Rizoo, get some sherbet for your Mammo Nani.”

No sherbet-verbet. What | need is a hot bath.

My clothes are filthy from the journey.

"Rizoo, go fill a bucket with hot water.”

He's quite forgotten me.

Doesn't recognise me or even greet me.

"Rizoo, you didn't wish your Mammo Nani.”

Live long !Be happy! May God guide you.

| used to worry how you'd cope with your orphaned grand-son.

Tell us about you.

It's a long story. - What happened?

| never went to see those dreadful people again.

Tell me all the same.

You'll hear it all. What's the hurry.

"We have our lives ahead of us. The water ready, son?”

I'll make the tea.

How will | open this on my own ?

Come here quickly

Open this. Good!

"So, you've forgotten me ..."”

.... but I have not...

.... | often thought of you over there.

Do you know where | was all these years ?

"Very far from here. - Yes, in Pakistan.”

Your grand-uncle took me there.

He broke my ties with my dear ones.

"But, see, I'm back.”

"To be with you, forever!”

"Granny, how long will she stay? - Why?"

She says she will stay here forever.

"What can | do, son. Throw her out?”

Poor thing has no-one but us.

No-one even to bury her.

You have no regard for others.

Listen. From tonight Mammo Nani will sleep in your room.

My room?

"Just you see, I'll fail in my exams.”

She'll not let me study yakking all the time.

She'll chew my brains. - She is my sister.

She's come to stay and she will stay.

Do you want me to top the class?

Or remain a doffer. What is it you want?

Quiet - she'll hear you.

What are you doing there? Won't you have some tea?

"So, tell me what happened?”

What shall | say? They treated me like a dog.

But you always said Ahmedbhai treated you so well.

The day he passed away everything changed.

He married me against his family's wishes.

Not having children was excuse enough.

My sister-in-law turned me into a servant.

"Come now, you always exaggerate.”

Why would | lie to you?

How they tortured me.

One day | was hanging out the wash ...

They flung a big stone at me.

Hit me right on my temple. See. It left a scar.

Why didn't you write?

What could you have done ?

| went straight to the police.

They just laughed and said ...

.... family quarrels should be settled at home!

They were all against me.

"Riyaz, your tea is getting cold.”

| fled from there.

And went to a mosque close by and stayed there.

Every day I'd do the rounds of the Indian Consulate.

Finally | managed a three month Visa.

And came directly to you.

Why are you both looking so glum?

"I'm not dead, am 1? I'm alive and kicking."”

"Fejji, smile!"

Why are you making a face? This is time for fun.

Why must | laugh? I'm not in the mood.

You remember our neighbour? - Yes. Mushtaque.

"Fejji, this old photo? When did you get it framed?”

How lovely we three looked?

What days they were! - See Anwari's hair style.

"Rizoo, reduce the volume.”

My fish need music to digest their food.

Have you told Anwari? - No.

When | reached Delhi station | wanted to meet Anwari.

But that husband of hers ...

.... he would have slammed the door on me.

What news of that cobbler?

By God's grace he is doing well.

Exporting goods as far as America.

"Only shoes! A cobbler, after all.”

So what if he's a millionaire.

"Mammo, you still chew paan just as much as you used to.”

Shall | make you one? - Less lime and no tobacco.

I know!

Tobacco is bad for your health.

My husband got me into the habit.

Now he's gone bless his soul.

It's an expensive habit. - Difficult to get in Pakistan.

While he was alive | was never in need.

Say what you like he was a good man.

Do they still show Indian films in Pakistan?

No - that's the one thing I hankered for.

Our films don't get there but they make their own.

But not like the old days. - Not at all!

"Noor Jehan, Dilip Kumar!”

There's a new singer there. - Igbal Banu.

Wonderful voice.

Qateel Shifai's lyrics. - Excellent.

Don't you want to sleep?

If you talk all night how will | sleep?

I have school tomorrow. - Put out the lights.

"Good night, Rizoo."”

"God, you are benevolent.”

You are merciful. You pardon all our sins.

"Lord, may my late husband's soul rest in peace.”

"God, please punish those wicked people.”

Who tormented me and rendered me homeless.

"God, you are Kindness itself.”

| thank you a million times over ...

for bringing me together with my sister and family.

"Take pity on my Fayazi, Riyaz and on my sorrows.”

Protect them from misfortune and safeguard me.

"Give my Riyaz prosperity, wealth and fame.”

"Make him a doctor, an engineer or a government official.”

Come and see what she has done.

She has spread her clothes all over the balcony.

Even on my fish tank.

"Son, must you complain first thing in the morning.”

Everyone has to adjust. - Adjust! Adjust!

First she has taken over my bed.

If | don't study now will I not fail?

I'm fed up with your endless chattering.

You only think of yourself?

One day | will leave everything and go away.

Where will you go? - Wherever | get some peace.