Two Sundays ago, i came up to my mum and asked her if it was ok we wrote back to her cousin, who wrote to us back in 1997. My mother was more than willing to accommodate . And for reasons like this, i truly appreciate my mum. She has been nothing short of encouraging as i try to piece together our genealogical trail and account for the history of the community here.
I drafted a letter (which my mum said was good) and put pen to paper something i wished we had done years ago. In truth, i think my dad did write back, but the correspondence never got past the first letter it seems. I spent almost an entire Sunday evening writing a two page letter, scanning photographs (my mum's idea!) of my grandfather and of his brother Yunos Shah's family. And on Monday, with a feeling of excited trepidation, i queued up at the post office and delivered two letters - one to Oghi, Mansehra and the other to Karachi.
To be honest, i felt more hopeful than anything. What if they have sold the land? What if they have moved? What if they weren't receptive? What if the mail was lost? For nearly ten days, i would spent 5 minutes daily, keying in the tracking number of the two registered articles to see if they have reached their intended destination.
And when the surprise came, it took me totally off-guard!
its me zahid shah son of misken shah bandi sadiq your letter had been recieved wait for reply
these 18 words that i have read, and re-read till i've practically memorised them. It came through my gmail, yesterday (Friday). And when i woke up for Subuh this morning, i found another couple of emails.
The process of correspondence has begun - or perhaps re-started you may say.
Alhamdulillah.
Aaw Abbas I'm really happy for you :) Haha, I can understand your excitement at reading those 18 words.
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