SACRIFICE

"HEY shab, you know what? Mehrin wants to meet you man!!  I have heard that she has broke up with Afros!"– exclaimed Jacob.

Shabaz couldn’t believe his ears. All these years he was waiting for this day. Mehrin was the girl, whom shabaz loved from the first day of the college. Even M
ehrin knew it but, she wasn’t interested.

She wanted a rich guy who could meet her standards. Since Shabaz was from a middle class family she wasn’t fascinated for Shabaz. Instead she was into a relationship with a rich spoil brat, Afros.
Knowing about Mehrin and Afros relationship Shabaz still loved her endlessly and made possible efforts to get Mehrin. But today was the happiest day. Finally Mehrin agreed to meet him. 

 
The time and location was fixed at sharp 7:00 p.m. at rose garden. After changing a number of outfits Shabaz was dressed in a navy blue shirt and light blue denim.  Shabaz arrived before the fixed time. He occupied a bench and made himself comfortable in that. He was dreaming about what Mehrin would talk and how his life would be changed after that. He got lost in his thoughts so much that that he didn’t recognize that a lady came and sat beside him. 

The lady was in her late forties. She was traditionally dressed. Shabaz smiled at her and she responded. 

By seeing Shabaz’s attire she could make out that he had come to meet someone special. 

"So you are here for a date?" – The lady. 

"Hmm,, well ,, yes! I have loved this girl since many years and today finally she is meeting me. Hoping for the best to happen. Why are you here? Well mam, I must say you look good in traditional wear." - spoke shabaz. 

“Thank you for the compliments young man. I come here everyday. I lost my son few years back. He was also a young boy like you when he left me. He left me all alone like his dad. His dad was an army officer who gave his life for his motherland. I was very proud of my husband. I worked hard and lived for my son. I wanted him to be an army officer and serve his motherland. People mocked at me saying she has lost senses, how can she think of leaving her to the same path which took away her husband’s life. But I didn’t bother about their words. I just wanted to serve my country in the form of my son. I wanted to make her proud. I knew that my son wasn’t so weak that he would leave me alone. He was a brave and courageous boy. 
Years passed on and I admitted him to best college. Day by day my dream got bigger and desires became stronger.
But my son, he was on a different way.. He had a relationship with a girl. One day, he found out that she was cheating on him. Unable to bear, he ended up his life. He didn’t have time to think about his mother, her dreams. My son was so weak that he left the world for a girl, for a cheater. He didn’t have the courage to face the difficulty. He was a coward. He left my dream unfulfilled.
I come here every day and remember all those memories with my son .this was his favorite garden. Whenever I see young boys like you I remember my son and my dream.” 

Shabaz eyes were filled with tears. He couldn’t control his tears. The lady’s words pricked his heart. He thought to himself. All these years instead of keeping a fixed goal in life, he was busy impressing mehrin.  Mehrin, who wanted only money.  

 
Shabaz could see Mehrin approaching him. 

Before she could speak, Shabaz spoke –“I am really happy that you came to meet me. But I have changed my mind. I no longer want to waste my time and youth on a selfish girl like you. I want to be something in life. I want to make my parents and country proud. So, you better look for someone else who could match your standards. Wishing you all the best. “ 

The lady who was sitting on the bench heard the conversation between shabaz and Mehrin. She was happy and wished shabaz luck. Shabaz walked towards his goal with confidence and pride.

Mehrin stood there staring to the direction Shabaz went. 

The country was soon going to get an obedient and dutiful army officer..