A MIRROR

‘Sir! What you wanna order”? Then he raised his head and saw a waiter standing in front of him holding menu of PC Hotel Lahore. He was just to order a mug of coffee owing to his tiredness and was feeling sleepy too when all of a sudden, his cell beeped…..tring…..tringg.. “Hello! Dr. Asad speaking her. Sir It’s an emergency. It’s an accident case of a young boy, almost the age of 16. “Don’t worry! I’m on my way” He drove fast to hospital to save another life. Suddenly he saw the flashbacks of his memories, his school time memories that turned around his life forever!            ……………………………………………………................................ “Assalam-o-Alaikum Auntie! How are you? And how are you feeling today? He told me about you. By the way where is he? Has he left for school?” “No! He is in bed. Wait! I’ll wake him up”. “No Auntie, you wait, I’ll go and see myself.” “Nadeem! Nadeem! Hey dude! You’re still sleeping. That’s very bad!” “Stop it! I want some sleep.” “No, you don’t!” ‘No, no, don’t snatch away my quilt. It’s very cold outside.” “No you’re coming with me, no matter what.” “Ok! Ok! Just wait downstairs and I’ll be ready in five minutes.”               .................................................................................. 

“Hey! You have scored an A in Biology”. “Yah, that’s true. I expect the same from you:. “Oh! No! Don’t I’ll be happy if I managed just B.” “Why do you say such a thing?” “Because I know myself well.” ‘O c’mon! Cheer up! Remember our goal? To be successful surgeons.”               .................................................................................. 

“I’m going to the bank the next period. Will you accompany me?” “Why? Next isn’t free”. “I know, but what to do. It’s of History! Dry, boring and time-wasting!” ‘ok, but mind it, first and the last time.”               

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While driving, all these little pranks occurred to his mind long lost under the think dust of past, but still fresh in mind. “Hey Nadeem! I’ve been learning to ride a motor bike for 15 days.” “Hmmmmm…” “You know what? I also gave a shot to One wheeling! So damn thrilling..” “But Asad! It….it’s way too difficult for me”. He said “Not once you master the art!” “wanna a take a look! Come, let’s go”. And Asad grabbed at Nadeem’s arm, and dragged him to the parking lot where his bike had been standing. “Wow! Cool bike, yar!” Nadeem remarked. “Ho ho! Tell me something I don’t know”! Asad flaunted with pride. They both came to the open road. And then, he broke a signal. Perhaps the worst was about to happen. “Waooo! I just love it! Feeling great!” “Me too! It’s exhilarating!” “Are you afraid, you chicken?” “No no why should I be!”               ...................................................................................... 

A traffic policeman chased him as he broke a signal yet again in life, but perhaps for a different reason. He just thought about reaching the hospital as soon as possible. His memories chased him too. “Aaaaaa! Slow down! Slow down!” “I knew you were afraid!” “Am now!” “Ok! Just two more laps!”          .............................................................................................. 

Dr. Asad was overtaken by the police warden, he came out of the car and talked to him in rush. “Sir! Please! Take a side! It’s an emergency! I wanna to save a life in hurry!” His voice was trembling. He let him go.            ............................................................................................. 

“Asad! Watch out! That rock!” “Wher…” Both fell down. Both got seriously injured specially Nadeem. He was unconscious. Asad ran to him “Nadeem! Nadeem!” In desperation he locked out for help. But they were in a deserted hilly area. He was bleeding heavily. Because of the severe injury on forhead. He checked his pulse. “Thanks to ALLAH! You are alive! It’s all happened because of me. I’ve to eat humble pie.” Suddenly, he saw a car coming on the road. He shouted at the top of his voice. “Sir! Sir! Please stop!” “Sir! Please take us to the hospital. My friend, he would die!” He put Nadeem on stature and made an entry into the emergency ward. He then inquired about the doctor. The nurse replied: I’ll give an emergency call to him. He’ll be here soon”. Asad waited in tension while the bloody tears rolled down his cheeks. His white shirt was also blood-stained. He moved Nadeem. “Hey! Open your eyes! Talk to me!”                ................................................................................................ 

At last he reached the hospital where he was waited upon by the parents and fellow doctors. A young boy laid unconscious on the stature. “Nurse! Have you done all things for surgery?” “Yes! We’re ready.” “Then let’s go.” And they entered the operation theater.               ................................................................................................. 

He tried over and again to wake him up, but all in vain. He started shouting at the nurse. “Ma’m! Where is the doctor? What’s wrong with this staff? “Wait! Calm down! I have given him a call. Here, let me bandage your head. It’s bleeding.” “No! I’ve to attend to my friend!”             ..................................................................................................... Asad suddenly felt that Nadeem isn’t breathing. He checked his pulse. He couldn’t fell his heartbeat. He cried a lot and say unconsciously: “Nadeeeem! Open your eyes! Talk to me!” He took his head in his hands and said: “Just don’t leave me! I’ll do anything you say. I’ll get up early! I’ll never bunk, I’ll never do wheeling!” “Just come back! Come back!” He felt extremely guilty as he prayed to God for his friend’s life. Suddenly he felt a piercing pain in his head, he caught a glimpse of Nadeem’s dead face, he cried, “Nad…..” But his voice didn’t accompany him and he fell down unconscious.           ............................................................................................................ Dr. Asad came back from the operation theater. The operation was successful. He gave the good news to the attendants of the boy. “Your boy is out of danger now, please take care of him. And don’t talk to him much.” He went to the washroom to wash his hands. He stood front of the mirror. He observed his forehead having marks of stiches.          ............................................................................................................... “Asad! Asad! Wake up my son!” That was his mother’s voice. She came close, sat by him and starting nursing his wounds. He immediately started to cry. “Mom! It’s all because of me. I lost my friend. Maa! I lost.” “No! No dear! How come you are responsible for it? Look at me! It’s  a law of nature. Death wants an excuse and finds so. No one can stop it. When it comes, it just does. We come in this world without our desire and have to leave the same.” Asad wanna to say something to mom: “I’ll never forgive mys…..” ‘Shhhh!’ Be quite my son. No my son, my dear! Look at me when your father died, I cried a lot. But then I looked at you, my one year old baby, and I promised to live for you. That’s what life is. We have to live for others.” The words clicked Asad. Not that forgot his friend. He just mended his life in a positive direction. Anyone in danger of life, and he was just a phone call a away!

Dedicated to all friends who are like a mirror to each other.