The mighty Gods decided that it was time for rain at last. There were drought conditions prevailing in the southern parts
of Pakistan. There was shortage of food grains and birds just like men were groaning for food. But when the mighty gods take the matter in their hands there is no stopping. Sure enough, the light drizzle turned into a heavy rain and the sky was covered up with the frown of the mighty gods. Some people were enjoying, some were sleeping unaware, while some were having sips of hot tea with their legs covered up in wooly blankets. The birds could be seen in hurry, eager to reach their comfortable nests, shocked by the downpour.
Meanwhile, the door of a house, situated at the farthest corner of the street, opened with a bang. It was quiet clear that the door was kicked and was forced open, as the damp wood had swollen a little. A black umbrella with a pointed end was thrust out in the rain. The person inside was trying to open the umbrella but it refused to give way. The umbrella had rusted in the course of its life of seven years. It finally opened after great difficulty including some obscene words by the person. The umbrella looked like the broken wings of an old eagle ready to take one last flight to catch its prey. Out came a young girl, wearing a ‘burkha’, its colour same as that of the umbrella BLACK. The quickened pace of the girl indicated that she was in a hurry. She lifted her dress a little to avoid the splashes of the rainwater accumulated in the never-ending holes of the road. She had difficulty in walking and this lightened her pace. In fact, she should not have worn the ‘burkha’ but some other dress. But she shuddered as she remembered the fate of her role model, a female news reporter who was brutally murdered as she wore jeans and tops, which were considered foreign clothes in her place. She sometimes dreamed of wearing those ‘foreign clothes’ and then appearing before her parents, shocking them. Her grandmother named her ‘Tuhin’ and her greatest ambition was to become a news reporter.
She had applied at a local news channel and was immediately selected for she had the smart face and her voice was that of a nightingale. But her biggest nightmare turned true when she was told that unless she shunned her ‘burkha’ she would not be allowed to continue. That evening Tuhin cried bitterly. After gathering much courage she decided to talk to her parents during dinnertime. During dinner each member of the family told their day events. When her turn came, she stood up, and related the whole problem before her family. Her ‘Abba’ (father) was paralyzed with shock and her ‘Ammi’ (mother) dropped the new ‘Pan Dan’ presented to them by one of their rich friends. It became quiet clear that her dream of becoming a news reporter would remain a dream but she was determined.
On reaching a shop, she stopped and said ‘salaam- valaikum’ to the shopkeeper. In return she received a cheerful ‘valaikum- salaam’. She stretched out her delicate hand, which was holding four notes of rupees hundred each. The shopkeeper gave a nod and took the money. He handed her a packet covered in white polythene and bowed low as he was not asked to return the change. She again quickened her pace but this time opposite to the direction of her house. She stopped in front of a glass-covered building. She produced an I-card to the nearest guard and was permitted access. Tuhin immediately went to the bathroom. Today she was going to change her life. From this day her life would be full of adventures and risks she always carved for. Smiling broadly, she opened the packet and out came a blue stretchable jeans and a white top. After changing she admired herself in the mirror. ‘Just the thing she wanted’ she thought and after gathering much courage she performed her last job. She took a scissor and cut the ‘burkha’ into small bits and flushed them down in the toilet. Feeling pleased with herself, shecame out of the bathroom ready to fly and touch the stars.
Back home, it was news time for the old couple. They turned on the TV and sat together to listen the news. A voice full of excitement, enthusiasm filled the dull atmosphere. ‘This is Tuhin Tokeer reporting live from CCTV…’ they watched in awe as their daughter set out to do the job, which no girl dared to do. The whole Pakistan watched a girl walking on the road to her freedom.