(14) Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Village Akil

Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan

June 17, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

Two days ago when I came to see you at your parents’ house, I felt as if I were going to see you for the first time. My heart was beating a little faster, and I couldn’t wait to see you. I noticed in your eyes that you, too, were so happy to see me. The way you held my hands made me feel how much you missed me. If two or three days of being away from each other bring more love in our hearts, perhaps sometimes we should be parted. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Yesterday was May 16. It has been a month now since we were married. Life is a dream, isn’t it? Seemi, days will pass, months will pass, years will pass, but my love for you will be the same forever. My body with the passage of time can grow weaker, but my love will never be affected. The love that I have for you is not based on temporary emotions. Sometimes when I read the other letters that I have written for you on my blog, I feel that our love will always be in the world, and that these letters will help people know and appreciate our devotion and be healed by it. My love for you is endless.

Yours forever,

  Rizwan

(13) Since the Day You Came into My Life

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Village Akil

Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan

June 13, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

How are you? How is your family? It is going to be a month since we got married! Yesterday when you went to visit your parents, I kept thinking about when you will return. Since the day you came into my life, my life has been filled with color.

I still remember when I was in the university away from my home. I hardly ever laughed. Now you have come into my life and I am back in my homeland, so there is always a smile on my face. Being away from you and my homeland was painful.

When I used to come home on holidays and meet my family, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I used to burst into tears when my mother hugged me. Oh Seemi, gone are those days of separation and distance.

Seemi, the love you have given me is precious and unforgettable. My poems show how highly I value you and your love. Sometimes I feel my poems cannot show the extent of your worth. If I used all the words of all the dictionaries in the world, your worth could still not be defined. My words are weak and they don’t come easily. Your beauty, your soft voice, your tender touch, your innocent face, and your purity of thought inspire me to write about love.

Today after many days, I went for a long walk to the river. Suddenly a heavy wind started to blow. Dust and sand mixed up in the air and nothing could be seen. Dust was all around. I closed my eyes, put my hands on my ears, and stopped along the way on the levee. I waited until the wind died down, and then I went to the riverbank and sat there for a long time. The wind started to blow again!

The waves were so high. As if the River Indus were an ocean! Your memory started to flash, your voice started to echo, and I felt you were just sitting with me there on the bank. My thoughts flashed back to the first time we saw each other, and the day we got engaged. How strange this must be to many people that even though we were engaged, we never talked on the phone and never met for almost five years because of our religious and family customs.

When I came home, it was almost night. I was out for a long time. When you are at home, I don’t go out for that long now! And when you go to visit your parents, I feel like my time stands still!

Seemi, I am so happy with you. Thank you for coming into my life. I will come to get you after your brother’s wedding. Enjoy the time with your family and relatives. Soon I will come over to see you.

Yours always,

  Rizwan

(12) Someone Who Runs the World

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon 

Village Akil
Larkana, Sindh Pakistan
May 2, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

          It is evening, and I am out for a walk again. It is a little windy today. The old Neem tree, under which I often sit when I miss you and where I have often written stories and poems, is beside me, and I am writing this letter on my laptop. Today as I was coming home from work, one anxiety came into my mind. I thought about my income. 

I know my income is less than what we had hoped it would be. I am working as a private teacher. I can lose my job at any time. These realities made me scared for a while, but as I looked around me, I saw many people working on the streets. I thought about them and realized that their jobs are also temporary. They don’t have government jobs, and their income must be insufficient. They all are working just as laborers. Despite all that, I saw that they were happy in their lives.

By the time I reached home, I decided that I would never be worried about my income or money anymore. I realized that it is someone else who runs this world, and it is God and He has the responsibility of providing sustenance to all humans on the earth.

Well, keeping that in my mind, I also realized that God helps those who help themselves. I will not just sit at home. I will work and use all of my energy to make enough money for our survival. No doubt money is important in our lives, but I feel there are things more important than money. One should not dedicate one’s life just to making money. If all of the essential needs of humans are fulfilled, they will concentrate on something different and important.

By the way, a few days are left until our wedding. I am all prepared. I am mentally relaxed and ready to be married and take on its responsibilities. I feel I have done all the necessary steps that I had to do during my bachelorhood. For instance, completing my education and getting proper skills. I feel that whatever bachelor life I had to live, I have lived. I am ready to get married.

One more thing I have realized in my life is that sometimes things don’t happen according to our plans. All we can do is just try our best.

Seemi, this might be the last letter of our unmarried days! All the letters I have written to you; I have on my computer. One day, these letters will serve as a guide to many people in their lives. I believe that one should not keep one’s experiences and feelings secret because there is no use in keeping secrets and letting them die with us. Also, I believe that someday every secret on the earth will be revealed. These letters are not to be secrets. I will publish them on my blog and let people know our love story.

See you soon, Seemi.

Yours forever,

   Rizwan

(11) Peaceful Protest

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Village Akil
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
April 27, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

When my brother refused to support our marriage, I was very angry at first and couldn’t bear that injustice. I started to raise my voice against the injustice violently. Then I realized my harsh talk was only adding to the anger and conflict. Then I tried to convince my brother through peaceful, thought-provoking, and civilized protest.

No matter how happy a man can look outwardly, he or she can never be happy inwardly when he or she is doing an injustice to someone. We, as humans, have a conscience that keeps us human. A sense of right and wrong can make us aware of our deeds. Man can grow greedy and act unjustly to others, but he or she will never have inner peace after having deceived and exploited others. I am a very big fan of Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela. They always supported nonviolent protest for their rights.

I started to write about injustice. I shared quotes from Gandhi on social media, which reached my brother, my friends, and the whole world. Gandhi’s words if read carefully, can shake one’s mind and heart. Gandhi’s ideas helped me a lot. Through all this advocating, my brother’s conscience was gradually making him feel guilty inwardly. The conviction of his guilt gave him a sense of wrongdoing. He realized that he was snatching someone’s rights and happiness, and that being an elder brother and in charge of the home, he was supposed to help us. Though I made my share of mistakes, he never held them against me because whatever I did was a reaction to his injustice to me.

Well, Seemi, I forgive and forget nearly every wrong work that someone does to me. He is my own brother, so I will forgive and forget whatever he has done. He has always been supportive of me. I am thankful to him.

By the way, I will miss writing these letters to you! How will I write letters to you when we are together? I need to find some way to continue our letters. 

Yours forever,

   Rizwan

(10) No More Separation

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Village Akil
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
April 26, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

What could be better news than to hear that our wedding date has been decided! I know you know our wedding date because it was decided at your home. We are going to marry on the 17th of May!

Finally, everything has turned out right. Our separation, our longing to meet, and our waiting are going to end. Oh Seemi, it feels like I waited, we waited, for centuries! I sometimes think in waiting, too, there was happiness and joy. The hope of meeting you always kept me alive and active.

They say when something that we want to achieve is achieved, then its charm remains no more. I don’t believe that. My love for you increases every day. Even with my friends, I have noticed that my love, my respect for them never ends, but rather it multiplies each day.

Let’s pray to God this new chapter of life may bring joy and happiness. Let’s pray that sorrow and separation may never stand in our way. Let’s pray that we may have sober, considerate, and respectful offspring. Let’s pray that we may prove to be one of the best couples in the world.

With all of these wonderful prayers and a very warm “I love you,” I am ending this letter.

Yours always,

  Rizwan

(9) The Wedding Date

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Village Akil
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
April 24, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

I have good news! Guess what? Yesterday your father phoned my brothers and told them to come over. He discussed our marriage and told them to choose the wedding date! Today my family is going to meet with them to decide on the wedding date! It is a miracle. All of a sudden everything is perfect! I am glad we are going to meet next month!

Our waiting is going to end. Our patience will be rewarded. If we admit it, there has never been any spiritual distance between us. We were always together in memory and longing. I am thankful to God our physical separation is ending, too. Now I will have the chance to watch you for hours and chat with you. That is true happiness for me.

I love you, Seemi. We are going to meet soon!

Yours forever,

Rizwan

(8) The Laptop

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Village Akil
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
April 19, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

It is harvest time. Fields look yellow and the evening is beautiful. I am sitting in the fields surrounded by yellowish wheat. I am typing this letter on my laptop! Yes, I have bought a new laptop. I have a salary at the center where I teach. It wasn’t enough, but my mother’s pension helped me buy the laptop.

My brother used to spend my mother’s pension for the expenses of the house. Since he has become independent, my mother gives me that money. I have many problems, but I must go on. The laptop has given me mobility and increased my creative writing. Whenever I dream up a good idea for a poem or story, I just turn on the laptop and start writing. 

I once wanted to be an actor. However, I didn’t pursue this goal. As I grew up, I realized that I am a writer. I remember I had an interest in literature from my childhood. Well, here in Pakistan a writer can’t make money by writing. People criticize me for writing saying you get nothing out of it, and it is nothing but a waste of time. Anyway, I don’t write to be paid. I hope you will like my imagination when you read my works.

I run a blog. Its address is RizwanAhmedMemon.blogspot.com. I know you don’t know what a blog is and cannot access it, but I will tell you about these modern marvels after our marriage. You know, I want you to learn English and computer skills after our marriage. I love you even though you cannot speak English or use a computer. Whether you learn English or not, I will always love you the same way even after our marriage.

I will help you learn them if you want to. I hope we will be together soon.

 

Yours always,

Rizwan

(7) Scratches and Wounds

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Village Akil
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
April 18, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

I hope you are all right. Everything has gone wrong here with me. My family is divided. My elder brother, who is in charge of our home, now refuses to support our marriage. My beloved, this is not what I had expected after university. I never imagined my own brother, who always stood by my side, could do this. He listens a lot to his wife. His wife is your sister, but I don’t know what kind of sister she is since she doesn’t care even for you. She has turned my brother against us. They both are now of the same nature. They are committing an injustice on us.

Well, Seemi, I am broken and have scratches and wounds on my heart. You must be feeling the same after learning all this, but I still have not lost hope. Someday we will be together. Pray that God may give me strength and comfort.

I have not written to you for more than two months because a lot is going through my mind. I have also started teaching in the city at a private computer center. They pay me less, and the principal is very rude and foul-mouthed. He keeps saying bad words not only to the teachers, but also to the students. He is very proud and abuses everyone. Well, I keep ignoring him and his words. I have to do something to survive and to collect some money for our wedding. 

I now understand a lot about the world and people. Time has taught me that no matter who it may be, if he or she has no feelings, he or she will not care for anybody. This callous person may even be a brother or a sister. 

I will write to you again soon, and I will tell you more about my situation. Stay calm and don’t take these problems seriously. My mind remains occupied by these burdens. However, I am trying to get all this out of my mind. Pray that the hard times may end soon and that the good times may come.

Yours forever,

   Rizwan

(6) I am Getting Older

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Village Akil
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
February 14, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

Today when I came home after my walk, I took a look in the mirror. I noted that I am getting bald. Also, my hair has started to turn white like an old man’s.

Two or three years ago, if I saw any gray hair on my head, I plucked it out just to look young. When I was 16, my face was full of pimples. I hated pimples. They disturbed and hurt me a lot. Now that I am 22, I don’t have pimples, but they left very tiny holes on my face.

No matter how hard I try to stay young, one day I will be old. I hope you will like me forever because this skin, this hair, and this body are mortal, but my love for you is immortal. I will love you forever.

 

Five years ago, when I saw you for the first time, you looked as white as snow. Your delicate hands, your deep eyes, and your silence still occupy my mind. No matter how you look with the passage of time, I will always love you the same way.

Yours forever,

Rizwan

(5) The Last Night Dream

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Village Akil,
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
February 16, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

I saw a dream last night. I saw that you and I were up on the peak of a mountain. You said that if we wanted to be together forever, we would have to enter eternity. You took my hands into your hands and said, “We will surely be together in paradise, where time has no end.” Then you asked me, “Won’t you be with me, Rizwan?” I kissed your hands and said that I would always be with you.

Down the mountain was a river and we, hand-in-hand, jumped off the mountain. Suddenly, I woke up! I was shivering. I pulled up my covers, and I was so afraid!

Seemi, I don’t know what the interpretation of this dream may be. I hope everything will be fine.

Yours ever,

Rizwan

(4) It has Really been a Long Time…

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Akil Village,
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
February 20, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

When a person waits for someone to come or something to happen, every moment to him or her seems endless. A day drags on like a decade, a night like a century. However, it has really been too long since I last saw you.

The New Year has come, and you have still not shown up. The winter has set out, and the spring has set in, but there is no portent of your coming.

Now, I can’t hold back my tears. I am falling to pieces. Your long absence is killing me. My notebook has no blank pages, so I can write more poems to express my longing. There is an end to everything, but why not to our separation? I was reading some novels, just to keep myself busy and to amuse my heart. The novels have ended, but why has this distance between us not ended?

I waited for you, I am waiting, and I will wait, but I have now realized that this separation, this longing will soon end my waiting and will take my life. I won’t be here to see your return because the merciless time has impaled my body so thoroughly that I can’t bear the pain, and the torment will soon take the breath from my body.

If we can’t meet in this world, I hope we will meet in the Hereafter, in a perpetual world. I will wait there for you to come into that world, and to end this separation finally.

Yours forever,

Rizwan

(3) It is Valentine’s Day

Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Village Akil
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
February 14, 2014

Dearest Seemi,

It is Valentine’s Day today, and I had planned that we would be married on this day, but none of my plans have worked out. Half of my family has separated and moved to the city. As you know, we are dependent on our parents when it comes to our marriage. February passed, leaving us apart.

My family was ready, too, but your father told them to wait until March. Now, my family has its own problems, so they are not working towards our wedding. What can we do? All that we can do is wait.

By the way, I plucked a rose in the morning from the hostel garden and kept it in the book I have been reading. The rose was as soft as your hands and smelled like your hair. Every time I looked at it, your face came before my eyes, especially the moment when I first saw you after our engagement. I have seen you only a few times and have hardly heard your voice. Oh, Seemi, I don’t know when we will be together forever, and I will be able to watch your face for hours and listen to your voice.

It is evening now and I am upstairs in my room. Though the rose, which I brought in the morning, has almost turned dry, it still has that fragrance. I feel the relationship between the smell and the rose is like our relationship. No matter what condition they are in, they still cling to each other. Our circumstances keep us apart, but our love will always be there like the smell of the rose.

Yours forever,

Rizwan