16/06/2025
Chai aur Dil ki Baat
The small café on MM Alam Road was quieter than usual that monsoon evening. Rain pattered against the glass windows as Hassan wiped down tables, his shirt sleeves rolled up from rushing between the kitchen and counter. At twenty-one, juggling his café job with his Punjab University classes felt overwhelming some days.
That's when he noticed him—an elderly uncle in a simple white kurta, sitting alone by the corner window. He'd ordered just one cup of chai an hour ago, but Hassan had caught him glancing at the fresh samosas in the display case, then looking away with a small sigh.
Hassan recognized that look. His own nana had the same expression when money was tight but pride was strong.
During his break, he approached with a plate of samosas. "Uncle, maaf kijiye, but we made extra samosas for a canceled order. They'll just go bad. Would you please help us?"
His tired eyes brightened. "Beta, if they're going to waste..." He accepted gratefully, pressing his hand to his heart. "Allah apka bhala kare."
They talked for thirty minutes. His name was Akram sahib. His wife had passed two months ago, and these café visits helped fill the empty hours. He'd been an Urdu teacher at Government College for thirty-five years.
"Tum mere behtereen students ki tarah ho," he said softly. "Neki ka dil hai tumhare paas. Allah tumhara bhala kare."
Hassan returned to work with tears in his eyes and warmth spreading through his chest.
The next evening, Akram sahib was back. This time, he carried a small cloth bag.
"Mere pyare bete ke liye," he smiled, "jo samose bachane wala hai."
Inside was a beautiful, weathered copy of Allama Iqbal's poetry with a note in perfect Urdu calligraphy: "Hassan beta—Nek dil hamesha roshni failata hai. Duniya mein aur log chahiye tumhare jaise. Tumhara dost, Akram."
Three months later, Hassan quoted those same Iqbal verses in his literature presentation, Akram sahib's book clutched in his hands. He'd found more than poetry—he'd found proof that rahmat creates circles of light we never see.
Some days, being someone's son from another father means everything.
* ❤️