Innocent Love

Iliyas Miyan was among the well known Nawabs of Lucknow. His grandfather was a well known person in their family. His generosity and benevolence was known to all of Lucknow. The last memory that Iliyas had of his grandfather were the sandals that he inherited from his grandfather and which were in tuen passed down through a multitude of generations. Those sandals were part of an ancestral heirloom and very dear to him. Iliyas Miyan used the pair of sandals only on special occasions. Not just the family members, but the entire village paid respect to those sandals.

Iliyas Miyan stayed at home with his wife and his grandson. The grandson, Imran was all of 9 years old when his parents met with an accidental death. From that time onwards Iliyas and his wife had taken care of Imran. As the whole village referred to Iliyas as ‘Chacha’ and his wife as ‘Chachi’, Imran too called them so right from the time he was a child. A good friend of Iliyas by name Shekhu also lived with them. Shekhu was a companion to Iliyas through all times, happy and sad.

Id was around the corner. Iliyas brought out the pair of sandals from the almirah and started polishing them. Just then Imran entered. Iliyas told Imran how precious those sandals were and that they would belong to him once he grew up. He advised him to take good care of them as they were part of their ancestral collection.

The pair of sandals were getting old and were now looking worn out. They had to be sent to Kanpur for repair. In the entire area, it was only Jumman, the cobbler who could mend them well. Since Iliyas was getting old he was unable to go to him. Imran got to hear about this fact from his aunt.

On the day of Id, Iliyas Miyan got ready and went to Masjid with his grandson Imran. They completed the  Namaz and hugged each other.

After the Namaz, as Ilyas came out of the Masjid, he was jolted out of his mind.

Someone had knocked off Chacha’s sandals. He searched for the sandals in all nooks and corners but how could he find them. How could he, when the sandals were not even around. Realising that he had lost the pair of sandals inherited from his grandfather, Iliyas’ body was drenched in sweat.  The Moulwi Saheb made an announcement that in the name of Allah, whoever was in possession of the sandals, should return them to the owner. But the heartless thief that had taken the sandals had already fled the scene. There was death written on the face of Iliyas Chacha and he experienced a sense of loss similar to what one experiences when he loses not a pair of sandals but one’s own child. A giant swarm of people was now consoling him. Some said that it was not a pair of sandals but the prestige of the family and the last souvenir from his grandfather that was lost. Poor Iliyas wondered how he would face his grandfather in heaven. The festival of Id this year was turning out to be the saddest one of his lifetime. Ilyas and Shekhu had to walk back home. Both walked back with a sense of heaviness in their feet.

Upon reaching home,  Iliyas Miyan faced his grandfather’s picture and burst into tears. He promised his grandfather that in Allah’s name, he would leave no stone unturned to locate the pair of sandals. Seeing Chacha cry, Chachi consoled him saying that the sandals would be found and that she was by his side.

What would one expect next? Iliyas and his dear friend Shekhu set off on a mission to search for the sandals.

It was decided that they will call the police. After all, this was a case of losing sandals that were part of a family heirloom. The Inspector deputed constable Sher Khan to conduct the search of the missing sandals. No thief had escaped from constable Sher Khan, ever.

Sher Khan- "Well, Miyan Iliyas, could you please tell me where you were when you lost your sandals?".

Iliyas Miyan -"Are you here to do an enquiry on me or search for the sandals ? Well, I was offering Namaz at the mosque”.

Sher Khan- (Rubbing his baton on his shiny, bald head ),"So you lost sandals outside the mosque".

Iliyas Miyan- "Yes , constable saheb. I do not wish in Allah’s name to lose the sandals and die a living death".

In the meantime Begum brought some tea. Sher Khan (picking up a cup of tea in his hand), "If you die while I am around, what is the use of my uniform"?

Sher Khan was drinking tea and eating the snacks while Iliyas, Shekhu and Begum looked at him earnestly.

Sher Khan- "We will inform you as soon as we locate the sandals”. Saying this Sher Khan got ready to leave.

Just then, Shekhu hinted at Iliyas Miyan, who immediately dipped his hand into the pocket of his shirt and offered some currencies to Sher Khan.

Pocketing the currencies Sher Khan remarked ,"What was the need for all this? However, I will try to complete your job in quick time".

Ilyas Miyan - "Shekhu, my friend, did you see how this bloke kept the money in his pocket while asking why it was necessary"

Begum- "Just let it go. After all money cannot be more important than grandfather’s sandals".

Iliyas Miyan- "What you say is right".

lliyas Miyan -"Begum, please let me know the whereabouts of Imran Miyan? Misfortune has befallen this household and this gentleman goes missing".

Begum- "He may be celebrating Id somewhere".

Just then Imran came and stood by the door. Seeing him ,Ilyas Chacha, Chachi, and Sheru’s eyes just popped out.

Imran held the pair of patriarchal sandals in his hands. All three ran towards him making Imran feel like his grandfather was going to beat him up for being so late. Nearing him, Iliyas grabbed the sandals from his hands and kissing them fondly, he broke into tears. Soon Chachi and Shekhu joined him and cried. But before Imran could even comprehend anything, Iliyas rendered a tight slap across Imran’s tender cheek and asked,"Where did you take those sandals?" Imran hid behind the folds of Chachi’s saree. Chachi stopped Iliyas and requested him to take things lightly. She then asked Imran, “Son, where did you take these sandals?”

Imran- "Chachi, I had taken them to Jumman, the cobbler for repair. The other day, when Iliyas Chacha took the sandals out, he seemed worried seeing the bad condition they were in. Therefore I decided to take them for repair".

As he was saying this, tears gushed out of Imran’s eyes washing away the kohl with it. Chachi embraced him while her eyes stayed fixed in the direction where Iliyas was. Her eyes seemed to convey a warning as well as a question for Iliyas.

Iliyas too embraced Imran and both wept profusely.

Just then the constable Sher Khan entered and congratulated Iliyas, informing him that the sandals had been salvaged.

He placed before them an exact replica of the sandals that were lost. “With great difficulty, I was able to locate them. The gang of sandal thieves of Lucknow were the ones who had made away with your sandals”.

Sher Khan, Iliyas, Begum, Shekhu and Imran broke into laughter as they heard Sher Khan say this.

Begum offered everyone desserts made on the occasion of Id.

Once again, the joyous mood of Id filled up the house casting aside the gloom.

THE END

Original story:- ( Masoom Prem)- A Short Story In Hindi By Golo Pandit in Your Story Club

MASOOM PREM

Original story:- ( Masoom Prem)- A Short Story In Hindi By Golo Pandit in YSC

https://yourstoryclub.com/short-stories-funny/hindi-funny-family-story-masoom-prem/