Footprints on the Sands of Time: Story by Sameen Junaid (Lahore College)

The sun beat down relentlessly, casting a scorching heat over the city. The air was thick and suffocating, making everything appear faint and pale. Despite the oppressive and turbulent conditions, people with weary but determined expressions went about their daily routines, their clothes damp with sweat. Karam Bakhsh, clad in worn but neatly kept attire, navigated the streets in his rickshaw, driven by the sole purpose of providing for his family. Each morning, he embarked on his journey after offering Fajar prayer, filled with determination and faith in his ability to earn a livelihood. Standing amidst the chaos of honking horns and bustling streets, he patiently waited for the passengers, his face reflecting the hardships he had endured and the resilience that defined him as a silent observer of the human tapestry.

******

After enduring long lectures and a demanding schedule in the scorching summer heat, she eagerly anticipated the weekend, yearning to break free from the constraints of punctuality and indulge in long, peaceful naps. At the bus stop, where numerous students stood, chatting, laughing, and anxiously awaiting the late arrival of the bus, she is also waiting impatiently. Suddenly, a girl tapped her shoulder with a perplexed yet gentle expression. Startled, she turned to face the unfamiliar girl, her curiosity heightened. “Are you okay?” she inquired, noticing the worry etched on the girl’s face. The girl’s hesitant and trembling voice, accompanied by pleading eyes, conveyed a deep sense of distress. “I don’t know, but as I look at you, my feet move towards you. I feel like you’re the person I can talk to. Will you help me?” After a moment of deliberation, she responded with compassion, “Sure, but what do you need from me?” The glimmer of hope in the girl’s eyes was clear as a simple act of kindness makes a world of difference. Despite her reservations about trusting a stranger, she couldn’t ignore the silent plea in the girl’s profound eyes. Unable to decipher what drew her in, she exchanged number with the girl, unable to decipher something unspoken within those captivating eyes.

******

As she made her way home from the university one day, she decided to take a Rickshaw to reach her destination. It was a joyful day for her, having completed her final year exams, and she was feeling a sense of relief and relaxation. However, during her journey, she noticed an unusual quietness in the streets, which struck her as unsettling. The absence of the usual noise and bustle seemed to forebode something ominous. As the Rickshaw made its way through the unusually empty streets, she observed a heavy police presence, with officers, rangers, and wardens stationed at various points on the road. They were redirecting traffic and urging vehicles to move faster and take alternative routes. The Rickshaw driver, visibly perplexed, came to a stop at one of his passenger’s destination, refusing to accept any fare and hurriedly attempting to restart his vehicle again. However, on his action to stop Rickshaw to get passenger out for his stop, a police officer jerked and slapped him with a sudden and violent manner and hurled derogatory remarks at him. Despite the unjust treatment, the Rickshaw driver chose not to retaliate and instead wore a pained smile and took a different route. His eyes bore the weight of profound weariness and sorrow, leaving a deep impression on the passenger. The arrival of the governor with protocol, accompanied by a convoy of bulletproof black cars and an unyielding entourage of rangers, further emphasized the disparity and injustice of the situation. This disturbing incident left the passengers grappling with a myriad of unanswered questions. She found herself questioning the value of her education and the true meaning of humanity. The callousness and lack of empathy displayed by those in power led her to ponder the nature of justice and the erosion of individuality in the face of authority. The profound impact of the driver’s plight stirred within her a sense of shared humanity, compassion, and respect. As the days and nights passed, the memory of the unjust slap continued to haunt her, leaving her deeply unsettled and unable to forget the profound impact of that moment.

******

As the days passed, she found herself gradually forgetting about the complexities and entanglements of the world around that girl. Engrossed in completing her assignment, she was suddenly interrupted by the flash of a mobile notification. Curious, she discovered it was a message from an unfamiliar number. However, it immediately brought back memories of her encounter with a somber girl whose presence had left a lasting impression on her. Driven by a deep passion for social work, she harbored a strong desire to establish a foundation aimed at rescuing the abandoned, extending a helping hand to the needy, and comforting those with shattered spirits. Despite her noble intentions, she grappled with the dilemma of not wanting to burden her parents with financial obligations. So, she opened her money box and found 3 thousand RS only, which will not suffice for her, she thought in calculative manner. After contemplation, she resolved to save her daily pocket money for university expenses, and meals at the canteen. A week later, she had managed to accumulate an additional 2 thousand RS, bringing her total to 5 thousand, enough to provide assistance. Pleased with her resourcefulness, she also felt a sense of pride in being able to give her a helping hand. However, she jerked her thoughts and contemplated on superficial nature of humanity, pondering why people often appear kind while harboring ruthlessness within, a realization that deeply saddened her. Eager to provide assistance, she saved the recipient’s number to her phone, intending to transfer the funds to her account. Her emotions were jolted by the profile picture of the recipient. A sudden recognition dawned on her as she realized that he was the rickshaw driver she had encountered before. The sudden connection left her bewildered, prompting her to collect her courage and seek clarification from the recipient. The response she received tore her heart. She revealed that the man in the picture was her father, Karam Bakhsh, a Rickshaw driver, who was no longer alive. Describing him as a spirited and joyful individual, the recipient detailed how he had inexplicably fallen silent and despondent one day, ultimately succumbing to a heart attack, leaving them bereft and alone.

******

Three years have come and gone, and now she finds herself seated at the prestigious CSS Toppers Celebration Ceremony. It has been a journey marked by struggle, unwavering dedication, and tireless efforts, but at last, she is here to realize her long-cherished dream becoming true. This achievement means she can now secure the resources needed to establish a foundation for social work, something she’s been yearning to do for years, her eyes filled with tears. Each topper’s name is called out by the officials, and then, to her surprise, she hears, “a proud asset of the country, a daughter of a Rickshaw driver.” The realization hits her with an overwhelming rush of excitement and wonder as she thinks of those once gloomy eyes with unspoken words. In that moment, she recalls her encounter with a spark of contentment. Lost in her thoughts, she is brought back to the present, when a girl holding a bunch of red flowers appears by her side. The girl exudes a newfound confidence, akin to a beacon in the dark. Overwhelmed with emotion, she expresses, “It’s because of you that I’m here today. Your small acts of kindness and support have made my life as beautiful as these roses.” With tears in their eyes, the two share a heartfelt embrace.

******

The day was a perfect spring day, with flowers in full bloom, birds singing, and the air filled with a sweet fragrance and vibrant colors. As she enjoyed the beauty of her surroundings, she felt a deep sense of contentment and fulfillment. Suddenly, her phone rang, and she heard the voice of that girl. Her voice was steady and calm, a stark contrast to the storms she had weathered in her life. She revealed that she had been allocated into the Police department. She expressed her gratitude, acknowledging that sometimes a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, or a helping hand can bring comfort to someone in the midst of life’s turmoil. Then, she invited with heartfelt wish for her friend to be with her as she embarked on this new journey tomorrow.

******

The following day, she catches sight of the girl, dressed in a striking police officer uniform, emerging from a sleek black vehicle accompanied by a group of other officers. Her police aide approaches and opens the door to the room, offering a respectful salute. Suddenly, a cold shiver runs down her spine. The man saluting her is none other than the one who had slapped her father.

Sameen Junaid – Lahore College

Sameen Junaid is an MPhil Scholar in English Literature at Lahore College for Women University and a published research author at Journal of Research Society of Pakistan, UCP Journal of Languages and Literature, and Al-Hikmat: A Journal of Philosophy. Her thought-provoking articles have also appeared in Dunya News, The Asian Mirror, Sunday Magazine and Urdu Digest.

She is particularly interested in Decolonization and Indigenous futurism, exploring how narratives can be reimagined to challenge dominant power systems and envision liberated futures. Believing that the pen is the tongue of the mind, she seeks to reconstruct a society free from mental chaos, where love transcends binaries, class hierarchies, gendered norms, and racial politics.