Satwant Kaur signaled to Fatima to come into the armoury. Together they put away everything, then Satwant Kaur went back to the secret room without anyone seeing her.
The corrupt police inspector, who had been in league with the robbers, had taken no action at night. Now he appeared with two constables and busily began to question the people of the household. Then he ordered his assistants to look around for any clues about the robbers.
In the afternoon, Khan Sahib returned. He had been extremely perturbed when the messenger reached him and related the night's events. He was relieved to see that the only damage was to the huge wooden gates, which could be easily repaired by an expert carpenter.
Seeing the policemen, he gave them stern orders to find the robbers at the earliest. Then he went inside and spoke to his servants, praising them for being so loyal and protecting his household.
Khan Sahib was glad to see that Fatima appeared normal and seemed to have withstood the shock of the frightening experience well. But when he asked her for details, she spoke incoherently, stopping mid-sentence again and again. She did not want to make any reference to Satwant Kaur's name, but Khan Sahib thought that she did this because she was mentally disturbed.
In her room Satwant Kaur sat in deep thought. She was anxious and determined to reach her home with her faith intact. Unlike other girls, who had been kidnapped, she refused to accept the changed circumstances as her fate. She had fought her way through dangers and difficulties. She had fought her way through dangers and difficulties. She had also been able to resist the temptation of the comforts and luxuries she would have as the begum of the Amir of Kabul.
But now, she was finding it very difficult to break the bonds of friendship and affection that had grown between her and Fatima. These bonds had been further strengthened and enriched by their mutual interest in religion.
Fatima came into the secret room later that night to find Satwant Kaur ready to leave. She had only waited to say goodbye to Fatima, who now burst into tears. She clutched Satwant Kaur, begging and pleading with her to stay.
It was a heartbreaking scene, shaking Satwant Kaur's resolve. She tried her best to cheer Fatima up, but when all efforts failed she promised to stay for another eight days.
"But then I must leave" she said gently. "I must reach home where my parents are suffering the daily torture of not knowing where I am and in what condition. Had they seen me die, or received news of my death, they would have accepted the grief stoically. It is now knowing whether I am alive with my innocence and faith untouched which must be causing them untold suffering. I must see them and reassure them."
Fatima: I know and I do understand, but I feel so helpless! The moment I think of you leaving, my heart sinks. I can't bear the thought of never seeing you again!
Satwant Kaur: Bibi, you are getting so much strength from the Gurbani you have memorized, and are now beginning to understand. It has made you more aware of the pain of others. You must believe in its goodness and feel the peace of it fill your heart. You will see that it will be your support in the days ahead.
It is important to remember that at the end, each and every one of us will be alone. At that time no friends or relatives will be able to help. Why not start now to teach yourself to face that final moment? Make only yourself the source of your hopes and expectations and no one else.
Let me tell you a story. It's based on a real-life incident. Once a Singh lived in the middle of a forest with his wife and young son. He had cleared a large area and made a couple of huts. He and his family lived in one hut and the other was kept for people needing rest or refuge. The rest of the place had been cultivated and grains and vegetables grown to feed them.
One day, Singh Sahib noticed smoke billowing at some distance. He realized that a forest fire had broken out. He knew that soon the blaze would reach them, but before that the thick smoke would choke them to death. He thought for a while and, by God's Grace, hit upon a plan. Going beyond the vegetable plots, he set fire to the surrounding bushes, which were absolutely dry. They caught fire quickly and began to burn fiercely. This small fire moved away towards the jungle, leaving a large tract of charred ground all around the huts. Since there was nothing left to burn, the forest fire took a path well away from them.
Once we realize that the day of ultimate loneliness is coming nearer and it can devastate us with such pain as to make it a living hell, we must act to face it with courage. Being alone, with faith only in one God, will make this same solitude enjoyable, for the Lord himself will be with us, fulfilling all our needs with His presence.
To be continued...
