[Printed page 25 is missing from the scanned copy of the book. The episode resumes here, mid-story.]
When the news was first broken to my father, I believe through sudden impulse he vowed never to forgive Doctor Sab as he considered it to be a slap on his face for what he had done for him and what he expected. Later as the time passed he seemed to reconcile to the fact when someone reminded him that What is to happen will happen.
Doctor Sab and his wife were allowed to come to our house in Bangarapet when incidentally I also visited on my half yearly routine holiday from work. My mother of course never felt disturbed over this affair from the beginning. I tell you again Akbar, mothers are made of a different metal full of nothing but love towards their children. They accept any action by their sons even if they are rogues.
One good point in this whole affair is that our late Bi Bhawaj adjusted herself well in our family and served Doctor Sab as a dutiful wife until she expired.
A few morals of a selfish decision:
1. Doctor Sab carried a notion that in marriages there should be no consideration of status or wealth. He considered a huge sum of Mehar as un-Islamic. The Mehar in his case was very little and he paid it instantly.
2. It is not right to hurt anyone's feelings, but to hurt the feelings of a parent may amount to a sin. Of course the parents will forgive any misdeeds of their children, but the wounds do not heal quickly or in some cases they never heal.
3. When a sensitive person realizes that he hurt someone by taking a hasty decision he will repent for a long time. But in case of Doctor Sab he made amends for his mistake by performing some noble deeds.