Carpe diem !
Learning to live in the moment.
A beautiful, breezy Sunday evening on the ‘rainforest terrace’ with flora and fauna.
And then i caught myself humming, “Tuu hii rey, tuu hii rey, Tere bina mayn kaise jiyoun”
Fasih would often stop by at Edhi sb’s office at Kharader to chat, complain, whine, about the mess and reinvigorate himself to carry on the good fight.
All his life, our zakaat was exclusively given to Edhi trust. He would recommend all his friends and seniors who were retiring and getting depressed to volunteer their time and clinical skills at Edhi medical centres.
He had so many plans to work with him after inaugurating the clinic in 2015. But Edhi sb left the scene in 2016. Aah and now Fasih followed him behind in 2020.
Am sure they must be chatting in the paradise too, figuring out how to while away their time.
Am also sure they both must be missing the messed up Karachi and the opportunities it provides to kindred souls like the two of them to make a difference.
Another Friday.
Its been 3 months now. Visited you my dear Fasih at the same time you bid goodbye to this world at 1:30PM.
It was scorching sun over our heads. And you were deep asleep.
I am sure your spirit dwells comfortably in an exalted happy place where cool breeze caresses your hairlocks, where the incense of motia far more pure than the ones at your bedside, flirts with your senses, where your soft feet are cuddled by velvet lawns devoid of plastic garbage bags littered all over, where rain drops bring ticklish delight instead of distress and where there is no load shedding that leaves you awake, lonely and anxious in the wee hours of night.
And where you are having a party time with your Papa, Amma, extended family and friends like Dr. Mahmood, Dr. Furqan and other near and dear ones, sitting beside the soothing stream of mature wine, beneath the shade of tender grapevines.
And perhaps a lot lot more tranquility and eternal bliss, beyond our trivial imaginations.
The painting below by some unknown painter is called, “First moments in Heaven”.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/quraishi.ilmana/posts/3674100875935787
Dear Nana,
I hope you are watching me grow as you would have wanted me to: active, healthy and always happy (other than when I’m teething). I missed you on my birthday in person, but Baba & Mama kept telling me that you’re here. They also keep telling me that you’re watching me when I make a mess on my highchair and also when I wake up in the middle of the night fresh as a cucumber. I hope they’re right.
I also hear that you used to tell little kids that you are a doctor with injections ready in your pockets, but I know you wouldn’t have used that on me, because you would have spoiled me silly!
My Nani and Maamu are in Karachi with you now.
Please do care for them, until I come. Then we can make them sleepless and tired together – because like you, I don’t like to rest for a second!
With love and cuddles from your granddaughter,
Rahma
#LifewithRahma
Link: https://www.facebook.com/ffasih/posts/10158973755768615
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgCeQTVV8aE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2dQgnSsSrVm4ccMXoiVOoY-xbs1vek6gdGoGpJrGneif_wcp8d1HzgabM
September 23, first day at Taj Consultants Clinics was a fulfilling day relatively. After ages. Had almost forgotten what did it mean to not feel miserable.
Had a close interaction with the most amiable staff of Taj Consultants Clinics and spent the entire day with them. Such an amazing and caring team of young men and women. We met as if meeting after a long arduous separation, sharing our experiences of the interim period between Fasih’s going and my arrival day before. Almost everyone of them said, they felt lost, directionless and the workplace looked desolate just by the absence of one person- who actually was the mover & shaker of the whole organization. They wouldn’t even let me get up and get a glass of water for myself from the water dispenser or even pull a chair. What pampering ! Taj is blessed with a wonderful team of competent consultants too, some of whom especially are an epitome of class and grace. Met a few of them, and they were all extremely appreciative of our team. As said one, “Madam, the team Dr. Fasih nurtured here is nothing like anything found anywhere in Pakistan. They have risen to the needs and challenges in your absence very well.” These words were music to my ears. I am sure Fasih must have rejoiced up there too, hearing this. Another said, “Dr Ilmana what pill have you prescribed to your team. For every matter, they would tell us, “We will first consult our Madam.” The journey is no less a challenge still. Covid and Fasih’s loss has been a huge set back. But we have learned lessons and tested new normal of video-consultations too for a select group of tech savvy consultants. A lot is to be done, in months to come. Sometimes, I shudder with fear that the onus now lies on my shoulders alone. Fasih has conveniently slipped out of the picture. Kids have been supportive, but they will have their own lives to go back to. Anyways, time will tell. Coming back, yes the first full day at Taj gave me a purpose in life. Its a 5 year old child that needs to be raised with care and caution, protecting it from the general air of non-professionalism and ad-hocism around. For all those who endured my sobs and wails, and prayed for me endlessly, take comfort that I am partly at peace. But not sure how long will this last, till another wave of wailing returns. I still donot have the guts to meet Fasih’s patients who have been asking staff to inform them when I arrive. Some of them have visited him in the graveyard too and cry when in the clinic, I am told. Will visit Fasih again today and update him about his exemplary staff and how they miss him. Hope I stay calm and composed and behave with him. #KarachiDiary
Ismail has been such a pillar of support and yet leaves no opportunity of blurting “in your face” brutal truth with a touch of humor, even in these grim times.
I went searching for coconut water in Istanbul airport.
Ismail was amused. “This is third world Ammi. You dont find coconut water in bottles or cartons here. You will only find coconut water inside a coconut here.”
“Very funny, Ismail.”
“No this is called common sense.”
He held my hand tight as we visited Fasih in the graveyard at dawn.
“That hold was such rock solid hold.Thank you my boy.” I told him.
Him: “What do you expect from a person who does professional weight lifting? Grip is what matters.”
“Ismail you are my best friend.”
With a little pause, and in half hearted tone, “Yeah. Ofcourse now that Papa is not there.”
#KarachiDiary Day1
Link: https://www.facebook.com/quraishi.ilmana/posts/3666372660041942
Blind to Bounds 
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