After reading the foregoing tragic episode you must be wondering as to what could be the reasons for so many deaths in our family, that of our uncle, to be precise seven daughters (four as infants and three grownup) out of ten children. I am not competent to explain the circumstances leading to such a tragedy except to say that it was due to the Will of God Almighty. However, I would dare to disclose a few background events which might have caused the premature deaths of the three grownup sisters.
I must also tell you that all human beings are mortal and whoever steps into this world should also be ready to step back out of it in response to the WILL of the Creator. Having said this let me tell you the incidents as I recall them today about the sisters one by one. Not many people might share my views but I feel I am not wrong.
Bibi Jan. As I have told you before the sudden death of her two and a half years old son Qamar when she had come to participate in the marriage of her younger sister Chotima was enough to cause a deep wound in her heart. That everyone knew led her to prolonged illness from which she could never recover.
Chotima. Hers is a sad story of changing circumstances which gradually led her to the ultimate result. Here I must digress a little in order to give you the correct picture.
My father in law Mr. Mohammed Hussain Mahmood was posted in Anekal, a town about sixty miles from Bangarapet. This was during the thirties. Their house happened to be in close proximity to late Abdul Hamid Khan's, your great grand father. My mother in law developed friendship in the true spirit of neighborhood with Begum Hamid Khan (step mother of your grandfather late A. Rashid Khan). You should also know that when two ladies meet they just don't sit quietly. Most of the time they gossip about relevant or irrelevant matters. Such a gossip between the two of them led to the possibility of entering into matrimonial relationship with our family in Bangarapet. My mother in law suggested that Chotima would be most suitable for your grandfather Mr. A. Rashid Khan. As per agreement they visited our place for preliminary talks and to see Chotima. While she was confined to a room in ceremonial dress my sister Begum was active in serving the guests and other activities. At this time Mr. A. Hamid Khan somehow had a glimpse of your Nani (Begum) who was very young. After inquiring as to who the girl was Mr. Hamid Khan made a decision that Begum was the girl of their choice. When my father came to know about it he flatly rejected as he would be hurting the feelings of his younger brother. The controversy continued for sometime when eventually my father agreed following the pressure from our uncle to accept the match.
I have already mentioned in my previous episodes that the marriage between Mr. Rashid Khan and our sister was the talk of the town. It was fabulous and the ceremonies continued for about a week in our house. Chotima and Begum being of the same age were very close to each other living in joint family. Although Chotima seemed to be very happy during the marriage she must have felt the pinch because her place was taken by her cousin. If she did, it was but natural, I would say.
As if this mishap was not enough Chotima suffered another severe blow in the shape of her own marriage a couple of years later. What happened was that when Chotima was still young she had some sort of a pimple on her earlobe. When it did not heal through application of medicines it was operated upon. The wound healed but it left a deep mark on the ear which was quite conspicuous. Quite a few families came to see her for the purpose of asking her hand in marriage. You know when the women folk come to see a girl with such intentions they will have a very close look. Some even make the girl stand up
[The story breaks off here: printed pages 53 and 54 are missing from the scanned copy of the book.]