She was possessed of exuberant health

The beauty that she had worn

Around her spiritual frame

Made me to like her

It was radiating the quiet charm!

She had embraced her sparkling head

With a deep emerald dark hair

 Her eyes glowed down at me

And I saw shyness teasing at my nerves!

I sent a swift look

Into the depths of my mind

With a hope to start a conversation

I, then, smiled from pure joy ;

” Sister… “

But I did stop

There was a startled silence

An odd look came over her face

Winter’s cold fell upon her !

I caught a Look of sadness

And despair stinging her eyelids

A slight chill entered into my spirit!

Redolent of dead roses

Played upon her cheeks.

Distorted thoughts ran through

The rusty wall of my mind

Never before had I been

 In a situation like this.

 

Moonlight was crossing dimly over her

She shot an eye of  suspicion at me

And seemed on the verge of outburst of tears

” Sis-ter…! “

But I found my heart

Throbbing with pain

In the middle of my throat,

I was going to faint

My veins ran madly,

Darkness Deepened in her Diamond like eyes

She had lost, I thought, the beauty of spring

That lately gave her face

A charm with wild beauty ;

” Your name is Abid Gulzar? “

She asked to me

” YES! YES! YES “

I replied and was thrown

Into the states of ecstasy

My heart leapt with new hope

 The sickening feeling seemed to depart!

” I am Bhat Aafiya from shopian

Yesterday an unseen force

Has requested me to

Go with you to the Heaven

Where you would meet your beloved, Shams Of Tabriz ! “

A soft little joy

Started popping up from

The bellows of my Arteries!

I gave my boundless

Thanks to my sister.

 

Aafiya saw me praying

Through the mist of tears

I broke into  the fresh sobs

For there were the ghosts

Roaming in the boundaries of Space!

” You must wear the courage

Around your body and soul,

You may not be able

To meet your beloved

If you don’t go on with love and courage,

It is said that Shams is waiting for you. “

A deep glow of joy

Lit up my little face

After hearing these words from my sister.

 

We digested our journey in silence

For a very long time

She engrossed her mind in deep contemplation

My sister’s eyes were flashing hopefully

And there was a twinkle of love in them.

 

I could see that the Space

Was heaving with  indignation

A cold fire was burning on it’s bosom

I felt like we are in the grave ;

” Sister… I think… We must return…! “

I said to her

My voice was slaughtered in my throat

Courage contracted after giving

A way to my words

She gave me a bitter look and said

” Lovers have to bear this all .”

 

A sweet feeling swept over me

For we were very close to our destination!

I cast an empty glance at my sister

She was glistening like the dew of morning!

Pleasure had taken the seat of her senses,

Goodness! We touched the outer wall

Of the blue sky

And knocked incessantly on it’s surface

Hoping to be taken inside,

We could not understand

Either it was made of Gold or Silver

Charm and beauty helped me

To put my unpleasant thoughts out of mind

” May Success Crown Thy Head! “

We heard these words

Coming from the inside

A Golden like door opened

From our right side

And Somebody came towards us

He was wrapped with diamonds

Silky cloaks had imprisoned his heavenly being,

Stars would faint to death

If they were to see

The magnetic beauty

Spreading all over his frame,

Was he an Angel?

No! No! How could an Angel

Talk with people like us?

I looked at him in forlorn bewilderment

He scrutinized the blank expression

On my black face

And words started gushing out

From the Harp of his mouth ;

” Welcome! May the Blessings of Allah be with you,

May He be your help!

Don’t you be afraid with me

Go and knock on that door

Then you would be given the permission

To travel through the Heavens. “

He rushed away from us

Disappeared behind the veils.

 

We knocked continuously

Tiredness consumed our energy

My spirit was falling down

From the pulpit of valour

My brows became thunderous

For none was there

Who could help us out,

 Gradually the blood of my body

Turned to icy water.

 

I offered a wanting glance

At my companion

But she returned a sharp eye,

An evening sun stamped

A suppressed fury on her face

She looked very pale and exhausted,

‘ It is all your mistake! ‘

I thought she would say this ,

Oh! A supernatural being

Caught hold of her arm

And led her to the heavens,

I was cast into the darkness

My lips trembled like a current passed through them!

I began to cry softly ;

” Sister! Sister! Sister!

Where are you my dear angel?

Do not leave me alone in this realm. “

 

My blood Went quiet and somber

And Collapsed into the tears,

Nights dragged by with mute Phantoms

Calamity brooded over my head

It received the heavy blows

From the shadows of hell !

I wept and cried like the overcast sky

Finally, I realized that I have to

Endure an eternity of waiting!

 

After a very long time

I saw my sister coming back

There was somebody else walking beside her

I  looked on his face

He was glittering like a Star

Many beautiful things were buried deep within him ;

” Dear Abid, here is your beloved Shams. “

Said my sister Aafiya

O my love!

How beautiful your hair is

Wow! These Virgins of Heaven

Are mad after your beauty!

Dear, I have been burning

From the thorns of love

Since you left that material world!

Why don’t you say anything?

Why are you clouded by gloom and depression?

I asked again and again

But they replied me not,

Sobs took birth from

The eyes of my sister

A heavy pain hit against my chest

My beloved, Shams, moaned like a woman

Waves of Storm swept through him

And uttered hopelessly ;

” Dear Abid, I want to talk to you

But you are no longer holding

The rope of life!

Why could not you wait for us?

Death has stolen you away

Before we could touch you!

Now sadness is growing in my soul! “

These words came from my beloved

But what did he say?

No! No! I am alive

I am watching them

My ears are listening

I shouted at him

But he heard me not

And they both left me alone by saying

” May you rest in peace! “

 

 

                                                        ~ Abid Gulzar

                                                           Kashmir, India