New Naya Nawa

Robina Noor was written on my book when I was to appear in Middle Standard Examination at school. It was not the only one book with this name I had my every book with this name since got into school. It was quite bothering for me to be in boys class and having books with girls name. Although it was never difficult to recognize my books amongst others as mine were older ones with old bindings, but still it was the name which bothered me. I never wanted any one to open my book and read that name. Surely the reason was not that it was my sisters name but I don’t know. She was always one class ahead of me and I had to adopt her books as we both were being promoted to higher classes. That’s why she had to read those books carefully to save those for me. Marking for important points and binding the books. She was a good binder. But about marks for answers of the prospect questions, I never liked her underlining. Sometimes I thought that my learning was restricted by her underline markings. Anyhow I was preparing for the exam but my concentration was diverted to such thoughts. Perhaps I wanted to prepare with new books, I wished I could. Then the days passed and I got result with a good news that I got scholarship. Hurray!!! It earned a lot of respect at home and at school as well.
In day, I bike has reached for me, Surely it was due to scholarship. But much awaited thing just happened after few days later. YES!!! It was New Syllabus at schools for Matriculation. So I had no more to study older books. One day I was handed over some money to buy my books, I was feeling confident and went to Urdu Bazar for new books. Very handy and good looking copy sized books. I also got some material to bind those for me too. I bound so badly that I could not open those books properly to read those. Anyway it was great to have new books and binding those myself. When I was buying new books, I prayed for success, once more. And then time elapsed like flash and I was standing under a high tower. I thought it was a church but everybody was saying it was GC. There was a man-height standing board with admission lists posted on it. I could hardly reach on bottom lists. Boys and parents were looking for their names and reacting accordingly. I did not find my name there. “Why Abba G sent me to see this result? What if I am lost in the strange city?” I thought. All of sudden some one asked me “ What are you looking for young man?” I told I had submitted my application for admission. The man looked interested if it was application for my admission. HE asked my name and started searching my name in the list. I got excited. It was decisive time. I asked in quickly “ Is my name there Sir?” He looked at me and asked to repeat my name. I told him my name again. He turned and patted at my shoulder “From where you are ?” I told him my address and then he said ”Buy new trouser and shirt (uniform) from Anarkali, You are Ravian now”. I got him but asked anxiously that where is my name in the list. Dr. Sabir Lodhi told me its right on the top and went away. I tried looking my name again. “It must be that faded text on the top’ I thought. But I could see only top of the tower behind the standing board.
I returned home by bus before evening at that day and I had all those feelings, dreams and prayers I had the day I bought new books for the exams.
I was like stranger in the big city Lahore. Every thing was new and I was like an observer. New people, new locations, new class-rooms, every thing was fascinating. Class-rooms were like theaters, Junior Theater in Psychology Department was my first class room. I could boys and girls sitting out side through the window. All was just fine.I was in the lawn when she just passed by me, her perfume!!! Ufff!!!She was Farah. Sab kuch Naya Naya tha aur acha lag raha tha.

Nawa para ho ey bulbul k ho terey tarrannum sey
Kabooter k tan-e-nazuk mein, shaheen ka jigar paida!