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After 14 yrs, Aamir celebrates at home
His excitement was palpable as went about cleaning his one-room house. After all, he was spending the festival with his family after languishing in jail for a long time, fighting the tag of a 'terrorist'.
After getting things in order, he gently woke up his ammi, taking great care in dressing her in the new salwar kameez he had bought her. The pampering didn't end here. He treated her to a wholesome breakfast consisting of omelette, tea, bread and butter. "I know exactly what to do because I have imagined it for years," he laughed, before hurrying off to Idgah in Jhandewalan to offer his Eid namaaz in the morning.
On his way back home, he stopped to buy two slender metal bangles for his ammi. "These are made of artificial metal. But if allah wants, I will have enough means one day to buy her real gold bangles. That is my hope," he said with a smile.
At home he was joined by his elder sister and her four children. Coming from her home in Chandni Chowk, she had brought biryani, sheer khurma, sweets and fruit. Her children clamoured around uncle Aamir for their eidi. Overwhelmed, Aamir smiled as he looked at the scene around him. His ammi could be seen nodding away, slightly disoriented — it has been a while since she has been surrounded by family.
Through the day, some neighbours dropped in to offer Eid greetings. While not everyone in the locality has welcomed Aamir with open arms, they stopped to smile politely, with some going one step ahead and giving him the customary warm embrace. For now, this much is enough, said Aamir. As he offered us special masala kachori and sevaiyan, a look of contentment and ease settled on his face.
For the 32-year-old, life finally seems to be returning to normalcy. He has applied for admission in undergraduate studies in political science and sociology from IGNOU, has a steady job at NGO Anhad, and is writing a book on his life ever since he was picked up by cops under allegations of being a terrorist. Six months ago, a mobile phone was a mystery to him. Today, he's active on Facebook and email. "The outside world is exciting," he said, with a sparkle in his eyes.
However, the best was yet to come. Taking us shyly to a corner, he proclaimed, "My marriage has been fixed. She's an English graduate from Delhi University, and teaches girls in a community school in Walled City, encouraging them to continue their education. I am very lucky." The date has been fixed for later this year, and preparations are already underway. "There is much to do — wedding cards have to be printed, venue has to be fixed — this has really been a blessed Eid. I have a lot to be thankful for," he murmured, looking off at the distance.
As we got up to leave, Aamir helped his mother rest against the wall. The crack in the wall that had come up as the family fought the legal battle to free Aamir was hard to miss. However, it has been roughly plastered; the room marginally repaired. Perhaps, the real wounds will heal soon.
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