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people to get here easily. Even then, it will take them some time as they
are coming on foot. The only exception is the righteous people, who
were accompanied by angels who brought them here straight away.
Anyway, let’s see what is happening to the people gathered here until
the accountability begins. If I remember correctly, this was the reason
you came here, right”?
Saleh held my hand and started to walk ahead without waiting for
my response. People’s faces were glowing red due to intense heat. Dirt
and rubbish was flying all around. Worried people were roaming
around, alone and in groups. My eyes were searching for a familiar face
but could find none.
Suddenly, a girl appeared out of nowhere and before I could have a
look at her face, she fell down at my feet and started to sob
uncontrollably. I looked towards Saleh with great concern.
He said to the girl in a flat voice:
“Get up!”
Saleh’s tone caused a chill to run up my spine.
The girl also pulled herself up, looking quite scared. I now looked at
her face. It had darkened due to fear, apprehension, and grief. There
was dirt over her hair and face. Her lips were parched due to thirst and
her horror-stricken eyes had shadows of fear and terror in them.
Suddenly, an unbearable wave of anguish passed through me. The
first time I saw that face I had involuntarily praised its beauty. It had a
glowing fair complexion, an eye-catching profile, attractive features,
rose-petal lips, a blue hue to the eyes, and jet-black hair. God had
bestowed her with such natural beauty that it did not require any make-
up or adornments.
However, today that face looked completely different. Beauty of
the years gone by was now buried deep under layers of grief and
sorrows of the Judgement Day. The person standing in front of me as a
picture of utter lament, horror, and remorse was in fact Huma, my
daughter-in-law and the wife of my eldest son Jamshaid.
“Please save me, Papa! I am in a lot of distress. This environment
will kill me! I did not face any hardship in my life but now it seems to me
that I will not see any relief ever again. For God’s sake, have mercy on
me! You are very close to God; please save me…” Huma started to weep
bitterly.
“Where is Jamshaid?” I asked in a sunken voice.
“He is around. He has also been looking for you. This is such a large
place with so many people that it is impossible to find anyone. He is also
in a bad state. He was very angry with me. As soon as he met me, he
slapped me and held me responsible for his doom. I am a bad person,
Papa. I destroyed myself as well as my family. Please forgive me and
save me. I am petrified of God’s retribution; I cannot bear it.”
Huma was pleading with tears running down her cheeks. Fatherly
emotions started to rise in my chest; after all, she was my daughter-in-
law. Before I could say anything, Saleh spoke again, with the same
emotionless tone:
“You should have thought of that in the previous world, Madam!
You have come to your senses now, however, do you remember what
were you like in the world? May be you don’t remember, so let me
remind you...”
Saleh signalled and suddenly a scene appeared in front of us. It was
Jamshaid and Huma’s bedroom. I felt as if everything around me had
disappeared and I was standing in the room along with them, able to
see and hear everything.
===============
“Jamshaid, I cannot live in this country anymore! We should move to a
Western country,” said Huma as she sat at the dressing table, brushing
her short cut hair.
Jamshaid was lying on the bed, watching TV. He did not reply.
“Did you hear what I said Jamshaid?”
“Yes, I heard you. My whole family lives here. How can I leave them
behind?”
“Just like you left them and moved in with me?”
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