A Pair of Jeans and other stories Read Online Free PDF Page A

human appeal for equality. Noor capitulated, stepping out of the armour of her class, material wealth and background that divided her from these women. She gently lifted the child back to its mother, as she smiled at her hostess. “Yes, I will stay for a little longer and taste your
saag
. I love the village
saag
.”
    Kaniz sat back in surprise, for that wasn’t the answer that she and the other women, hovering about, had expected. A ripple of whispering went through the women that the landowner’s wife was going to eat with them.
    She quickly beckoned her daughter, who was also taken aback, and gave her some instructions. They had never dreamed that the Chaudharani would have something to eat in their home. There was a scuffle to get the best china to serve to their honoured and unexpected guest. A table was pulled aside and a lock was opened. Kaniz’s face glowed in disbelief and pleasure to think that the Chaudharani Sahaba was actually going to taste her
saag
. Noor sat down and watched the proceedings calmly. She knew that she had bestowed an honour by accepting their offer, but she didn’t want them to go to any trouble as she watched their movements to serve her. She didn’t quite know why she felt like that, as normally she would have expected it and took delight in all the pomp and ceremony relating to an occasion. But not today, for she felt guilty for causing them trouble. If anything, now she felt a little embarrassed by it all.
    Kaniz’s teenage daughter, Miriam, shyly placed things in front of their elegant, beautiful and very special guest. Mother and daughter couldn’t take their eyes off her. They were full of adoration – for they wanted to hold onto this moment for eternity. They only felt embarrassed that they could only offer her such a humble dish. Noor was touched and heartened by their warmth and hospitality, and she smiled sincerely from her heart and felt deeply happy in herself. Bilkees, who had stayed out in the small corridor, also couldn’t believe her eyes, when she came in and saw her mistress eating. A special three-course dinner had been prepared in the
hevali
, as Noor’s parents were coming to visit her and she should be eating with them. Instead, she was quietly ploughing her way through the humble village spinach, the food that most of the villagers ate twice a week.
    If she had entered without pomp and ceremony – she left with both, as well as leaving a happy, cheering audience behind. Seven chattering women, trailing behind, accompanied her all the way back to the
hevali
, looking after her and guiding her, making sure that she reached her home in safety, and with her elegant sandals didn’t trip on any of the stones on the cobbled lane. They were riding on the high tide of the occasion and gratified to be in her company, each vying for attention, each one wanting to say something personal to her but lacking the courage. What could a simple villager talk about to a Chaudharani – everything and yet nothing. Her higher station in life forestalled natural discourse between them.
    On reaching the
hevali
, Noor kindly and politely thanked them for their company and sweetly said her goodbyes. She disappeared, with Bilkees, through the lamplit gates of the
hevali
. The women turned back down to the village, now freely chattering amongst themselves, still overwhelmed by her charismatic personality. They all agreed on one thing, that the
Zemindar’s
wife seemed a kind person, with a warm heart and understanding personality. At least Kaniz now thought so. She was so unlike the person that they had first met.
    Noor, too, had undergone a unique experience. She had enjoyed her visit and learned a lot from it. In her heart, she knew that she wouldn’t think twice about visiting them again, even if her husband forbade it. Above all, she felt as if she had matured, as a woman and a human being. She would now fulfil her husband’s wish for a child – for she ached for it too.
    After