By Musaddiq A B Talle
Enduring sorrow…
Every soul will taste death” Qur’an (3:185)
Death is the only truth of every mortal. Every living must taste the wrath of it.
It is the destroyer of joy, an end to a pain.
For Baba it came as a relief to a long suffering.
It was hard for us to see him in that state.
It has been two years since he left us.
Tuesday 18, October 2022. My phone rang, it was Ummah on the other side of the call.
She asked me to come over to the hospital, that Baba’s situation had worsened.
Earlier that morning I went to see him; he was looking healthier. As soon I reached the ICU, I noticed no one was looking into my eyes while exchanging greetings.
I felt something was wrong.
Baba has returned to His Lord. I went on my knees as I kneel before his bed, held his hand, and said a prayer.
As hard as it was to watch him in pain, it was still a relief to have him with us. Him just being there is great. Allah knows best.
His demise changed everything. It is very difficult to comprehend the loss of a parent. I was overcome by silence, stillness, and intolerable grief as I stood before his body.
One of the hardest moments is having to say goodbye to someone you love, goodbye to the person responsible for your existence.
The reason for your being.Baba was a very strong, principled, and persistent human.
He worked tirelessly to provide us with all that we needed.
He introduced me to the pleasure of reading by handing over his newspapers every day.
He talked less and taught mostly through his action.
He had an exquisite taste across, from his food, clothes, shoes, and accessories. They were simple yet classy. A classic Dan Birni (City boy).
He operated meticulously when it came to business.
He had everything written, he kept his diaries neatly.
Time has not changed anything. Everything reminds of him.
I still hear his voice and his laughter. His smiling face.
I long for the day that I will meet you again. Converse and have my takeaways as always
Oh, dear Baba I long for your comforting words in times of difficulty.
You meant everything to me Baba. You were a friend, a confidant, and a father at any given time.
You taught me a lot about hard work, honesty and being independent.
I’m grateful that we got to spend the last six months of your life uninterrupted.
He who gives birth does not die, he who lived a fulfilled life does not die.
Thomas Campbell said it beautifully when he observed, “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die”.
You will forever live in our hearts.
I am determined to do everything in my power to keep your name alive, to achieve all your dreams, to live your name.
May your final abode be Jannatul- Firdaus.
Adieu the independent one. Adieu the most determined.
Till we meet again. Insha’Alla.
Talle contributed this piece for The Triumph.
