Episode No: 7
Lalu changed his clothes and came out of the room and silently ate dinner with the rest of the family. After that, he went back to his room.
Lalu's father said to Lalu's mother: "When I leave for Peshawar, don't persuade Lalu or let him go out of the house so that he cannot see me leaving. Otherwise, he will create unnecessary noise."
Lalu's mother agreed and said: "Yes, alright."
Lalu's father took his small suitcase, said goodbye to the house, and left.
After some time, Lalu quietly came out of his room. His mother was busy in the kitchen, his grandmother was sleeping in her room, and only his little sister—who had just started walking a few weeks ago—was playing silently in the veranda. Lalu went to her, kissed on her cheek lovingly, and then left the house.
Outside, he met Kiwi, who was already standing there secretly, hiding from the principal. Lalu, Kiwi, and Katu all gathered at their meeting point.
Kiwi said fearfully: "Friends, I am very scared. I have never gone anywhere secretly from Uncle."
Katu tried to calm Kiwi's fear and said: "Hey friend, there is nothing to be afraid of. Once we reach Peshawar, you can inform the principal by telephone. After that, we will handle everything. So now, be fearless and get ready for the journey."
After saying this, all three sat in the last truck near the driver's seat. They told the driver that they were workers of "Sahib Ji" and that he was taking them along. The driver easily believed their words and allowed them to sit on the front seat, where all three sat in a very tight and uncomfortable condition.
All the tobacco-filled trucks started their journey. The three boys were very excited as it was their first time going to see the city. And even better, Lalu's father was sitting in the front truck ahead of them, which increased their happiness even more, as now nothing could stop them from going to Peshawar.
Kiwi again said nervously: "Yaar, I am very scared."
Katu said strictly: "Be quiet and don't be afraid. We are with you. Now enjoy the journey."
After Katu's explanation, Kiwi sat silently with a pouting face.
On the other side, the driver who had heard their whispers clearly asked: "You kids are traveling secretly from your parents, right?"
Hearing this, all three felt their hearts jump to their throats and looked at the driver in shock.
The driver glanced at their faces and laughed, saying: "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone that you are here."
After some relief, Katu asked: "How did you know about us?"
The driver replied: "When you introduced yourselves as workers of Sahib, I understood. Maybe you forgot that Sahib doesn't make children work. And Lalu, I have known you since childhood. Did you forget the gifts you receive after every harvest?"
Lalu remembered and said: "Oh, now I remember. So you are Shahab Chacha."
Driver: "Yes, of course… now you understand, right?"
Katu said: "Oh, so you are the one who used to send toys and sweets for Lalu. So will you not tell anyone about us?"
Driver: "No children, I won't tell anyone. But I will say this much—you should inform your parents. They will be very worried."
Lalu: "Yes uncle, Katu said that when we reach Swabi or Mardan, we will inform them by telephone."
Driver: "Oh, so you kids are very clever. When I was young, I used to do the same mischief. My father was also a bus driver and used to travel to the city all the time. Every morning I used to beg him to take me along, but he never agreed. So I started my own mischief. Whenever he went somewhere, I would secretly hide in the bus. Sometimes under the seat, sometimes among passengers during boarding, and once I even lay on top of the luggage on the bus roof. That was amazing. But my father caught me early and beat me with slippers, but I never stopped. Eventually, he gave up and started taking me with him. That's how I learned driving, and today I am still a driver."
Katu, Lalu, and Kiwi listened carefully and when he finished, they clapped with emotional pride in their eyes.
The driver laughed loudly.
About an hour passed, and they were still traveling on rough roads. All three looked very tired.
The driver looked at them and said: "What is this? You are already tired? The journey has just started."
Lalu said weakly: "Uncle… when will we reach Peshawar?"
Driver: "Today we will not reach Peshawar. Sahib said we will stay tonight at his friend's place in Mardan."
Hearing this, all three boys' plans collapsed, and they said in shock: "What…!"
Lalu cried: "Now how will I face my father in Mardan?"
Katu said: "Idiot, you will face him with this same face."
Lalu: "I was speaking in a proverb, you brainless one."
Everyone laughed.
Katu said: "I am also tired now. Maybe we shouldn't have come."
Lalu said sadly: "Please forgive me friends, because of me you are suffering."
Driver: "What are you kids doing? You are already regretting. People regret after doing mischief. Now enjoy the journey. Such opportunities don't come again and again."
Katu: "Uncle, what should we enjoy? It's just the same roads and trees we see every day. We thought we would see something new."
Driver: "Alright then leave it to me. I will show you the city. Now rest."
Katu, Lalu, and Kiwi fell asleep, resting their heads on each other.
It was evening time when the driver woke them up.
Katu rubbed his eyes: "Uncle, where are we?"
Driver: "We have reached Mardan. Now get up and come with me to the mosque."
Lalu: "No, father will find out like this."
Driver: "Leave everything to me. Come down now."
They got down from the vehicle. When Lalu's father saw them, he was shocked beyond belief. He rubbed his eyes and even slapped his face twice. Then, realizing the truth, he grabbed Lalu and angrily said: "You foolish boy, you are here too!"
Lalu cried: "Uncle… uncle… please save me!"
The driver quickly freed Lalu from his father and said: "Sir, don't get angry. First offer prayers, then talk to them."
Lalu's father went to the mosque with the driver. All three boys and other drivers also followed.
After Maghrib prayer, when they came out, Lalu's father angrily asked: "Do your parents know you are here?"
All three silently shook their heads.
He said: "Then quickly sit in the vehicle."
Lalu innocently said: "Father, are you sending us back after so much trouble? I didn't expect this from you."
Lalu's father said angrily: "Fool! I am taking you to my friend's house. There is a telephone there so you can inform your parents about your actions."
Scene Changes:
All vehicles stopped in front of a large guesthouse (hujra). Everyone got down and entered.
The hujra was very large. Beautifully carved charpoys were placed, each with soft blankets. The place had gardens full of roses—red, white, pink, and yellow—and tall mango trees.
The entire room was lit with lanterns and oil lamps, spreading golden light everywhere.
Lalu, Katu, and Kiwi called their principal's house via telephone because it was the only telephone in the village. All parents came and scolded their children over the phone.
The hosts warmly welcomed the guests and served traditional hospitality without any shortage.
After some conversation, dinner was arranged in the open courtyard. Delicious dishes like chicken broth in large bowls, fried potatoes cooked in desi ghee, and pieces of chicken were placed on the table. Everyone ate together joyfully.
After dinner, traditional sweets made of desi ghee, wheat flour, and homemade halwa were served.
After eating, the hosts took the dishes back. The women prepared tea, and the men sat talking on charpoys.
Soon a small child called: "Father, tea is ready."
The youngest man went inside to bring tea. Seeing this, Lalu's father said: "Learn something from these children. How respectfully they speak."
Lalu stayed silent.
Then pure cow milk tea was served and everyone drank it while talking.
All guests were very tired, so arrangements for sleeping were made. Soft charpoys with clean sheets, pillows, and blankets were placed, and mosquito nets were set.
Everyone lay down. Katu, Lalu, and Kiwi recited Ayat-ul-Kursi and the sleeping prayer, and while looking at the star-filled sky, they fell asleep peacefully.
In the morning, with the rooster's call, everyone woke up. Since the mosque was far, they performed ablution and offered congregational prayer in the hujra, led by a Hafiz driver.
After prayer, a wonderful breakfast was served including desi ghee parathas, pure milk, sweet tea with jaggery, omelets from desi eggs, and cream from cow's milk.
After eating together, they said farewell to the hosts and sat in their vehicles again, continuing their journey towards Peshawar.