PROBLEM THROUGH MAIL
Saleem and Ayub were studying in a school at Thiruvadavur. Besides running clinic, Dad met all needs of his sons with love. Since Melur was just 6 km from Thiruvadavur his mom Fathumuthu Bibi and his sisters now and then came to help. All friends and relatives in the area took whatever dad said as a command and fulfilled it without any fail. At first Saleem and Ayub found it difficult to adjust in a new school and as days went by they adopted well to the new environment. Dad frightened them saying that if they don't study well and get good marks, he would smack them; it worked. Saleem came out as the best student in government exam held for grade eight students in the region and Tamilnadu government gave him Rs 100 as gift certificate. Even though dad loved them very much, still they longed for the love of their mom and were wilting like a plant which wasn't watered for many days. Without their elder brothers and sister, they felt lonely. They had only Muslim and Hindu friends; they were not even able to speak about Jesus. This bothered their young hearts and they longed for Jesus and His words.
Before leaving children with their dad, mom told Saleem, "Saleem! Ayub is very young boy, don't fight with him.....look after him with affection. It's hard for mom to be away from you both, so write me letters atleast once a month without dad's knowledge. I'll write to you through Nalla Thambi's address and he will give you letter secretly.
Both of you read letter and tear it at once. If dad comes to know that we are writing to each other....he will kill you both; don't tell anyone about this. Do it carefully". Saleem promised to do so. Accordingly, they wrote letters to each other secretly. Nallathambi used to call Saleem alone at home, gave him letter which mom wrote and reminded him to tear the letter as soon as he read it. Nallathambi felt empathy for them and told his wife, "Poor kids..... it is bad time for them; even though their mom is alive they live as if they don't have one". When the lad saw mom's letter, it was as if they had seen mom herself. Saleem wrote her atleast once a month about the situation at Thiruvadavur and their studies. Whenever mom received a letter from Saleem she felt very happy and read it repeatedly many days. Some days she skipped her food and lamented as she could not stand the deep sorrow due to separation. She submitted at the Lord's feet day and night.
One time when Saleem was returning from school, he dropped a letter he wrote to mom in the mailbox. Next day both of them went to school as usual. When they returned from school that evening, dad was very angry and his eyes were red; he called Saleem. Saleem went to him frightened without knowing what happened; when he came near dad slapped him repeatedly on his face. He screamed with pain. Dad yelled at him asking if he had written a letter to his mom and Saleem denied. He shouted at him, "You dog, are you lying to me" and threw a letter at his face. When he bent down and picked up the letter, he was shocked to see the letter he mailed yesterday; he wondered how dad got it. When he looked at address, it was clear...... he had written his dad's address instead of mom's. In it, he had written how much they loved Jesus Christ, about the situation at Thiruvadavur and how they longed for her love.
Dad said, "At this young age you have learnt to turn against your own dad, Never ever think that you can do anything at your dad's back. I won't let you without punishment for this. I am going to break your legs and leave you lame". He beat him repeatedly. Saleem fell on the ground and shrieked bitterly in pain. The whole night dad shouted at him angrily and didn't give him supper. Dad's heart was fuming like a volcano. Dad thought to himself, "I thought since these two boys are very young..... I can atleast bring them up as strong Muslims; that's why I kept them with me and let others go with her and get spoiled. I cooked for these boys and looked after all their needs; but these boys are acting as messengers for her. If they are so cunning in this age....when they grow up they'll be the worst traitors. This is what I get in return for the efforts I took to earn and feed her and her children. I won't let this happen so easily". He perceived that his own wife and children deceived him; he lost his peace of mind; it came out like a tornado; he didn't sleep that night. Fear engulfed children; they also didn't sleep. Saleem anticipated that since dad was very angry he'll break his legs in the night. In the morning, dad was still furious. Saleem without even eating his breakfast properly, picked up his school bag and ran to school; as he was afraid to stay at home any longer. His mind was preoccupied with what happened the previous evening; perhaps if he returns home in the afternoon, still he'll be beaten up and his legs might be broken. During lunch break students comfortably sat under tree shades and enjoyed their lunch; bell rang for the afternoon session and everybody returned to their classes; Saleem didn't go to his class; he was still sitting under the tree. He looked if any one was watching him and after making sure that nobody was seeing him he ran towards highway which leads to Madurai. He decided to take a bus to Madurai and escape from dad before dad gets the news and follows him.
Due to fear of becoming crippled and staying indoors for the rest of his life, he ran with his full strength on a gravel road in the burning afternoon sun. After few minutes Madurai bus came along and with a prayer that his dad should not be in the bus, he got in. He looked around to make sure that his dad was not there, because dad used to go to Madurai whenever he feels like and returned the same day. As soon as bus reached Madurai he got down at once and was frightened to stand there even for a minute thinking that somebody might come and take him back to dad; so he hurried to sister Radha and brother Soundrapandian's house at Thindugal road. He explained everything. They soothed that God protected him, brought him there safely and He would not allow any harm. Saleem said, "I must go to Vadugapatti immediately..... before my dad somehow finds me here". Soundrapandian accompanied him to inter city bus terminal to make sure that he was safe. Saleem followed hiding behind him. When he reached home at Vadugapatti in the dark night, he saw his mom praying with open Bible in front of her. As she heard some footsteps, she at once closed the bible, opened her eyes and was not able to believe her own eyes seeing Saleem standing in front of her. She embraced him and shed tears of joy. She took him in her lap and asked how he managed to come. Saleem described everything. She thanked God for bringing him safely back to her. When she asked why he didn't bring Ayub with him, he said, "I told him in the morning itself to come with me, but he was frightened that if dad would get hold of us.....he would kill us both; so I absconded alone. Mummy! if I didn't come like this...he would break my legs". Mom was worried about Ayub as he is lonely and by himself in that big house whenever dad is out.
When the teachers realized that Saleem was not in the class, they thought that may be he is having stomach problem and might be in the toilet. After waiting for a while, they searched for him everywhere in vain and informed his dad about his absence. Dad suspected that he must have absconded somewhere and he launched a search in all directions including Madurai; none could find him. Dad postulated ...may be he went to Vadugapatti to his mom; but he didn't send anyone there. Dad asked Ayub if he told him anything and Ayub denied. Ayub felt lonely in the evening and wept as he did not have his mom, brothers or sister. House at the back of the clinic was very big which dad bought recently. There Ayub was all by himself; when he was not playing with his friends he stayed close to his dad. If dad went on home visit, he would sit in front of the house watching the passers by. Dad took him along to every where else like shops or nearby town etc. He was very affectionate to him and looked after him very carefully always keeping him close.
Saleem attended Vadugapatti school. Saleem's home coming revived mom. She was frightened that her husband might come looking for Saleem. Months rolled by and mom was worried about Ayub. One day a neighbor asked if there was any news about Ayub and mom said ...."No". Neighbor prompted mom to visit him one day. Mom replied with tears, "If I go to him his dad would ask about Saleem and fight with me. Even if he beats me up its okay, but I can't stand him taking Saleem back". Neighbor solaced mom, "God you worship would not leave you without help; even then doctor should not have done this. If you worry....your health will be affected; if you fall sick ...who will look after these kids?.... if you are healthy it's good for kids.
So be strong.....good days will come soon. God who planted the tree will water it and so don't worry". Mom prayed for hours to God, "Lord ! Give me an opportunity to see my son. You promised you will not cast off any one who comes to you.....if we ask anything in faith we will receive it . Please answer my prayers". Many days were spent in prayer.
At last she got an idea and told pastor Stephen that she is going to see Ayub. Stephen queried "How do you do it since his dad will be very angry.". "Yes! I know he'll get enraged; that's why I will visit him in school without his dad's knowledge". To pastor Stephen it was a good idea. Mom asked him to pray for it
She got ready to see Ayub, prepared some tasty dishes, went to Thiruvadavur and waited under a tree for school bell to ring lunch break. From the time she started from Vadugapatti around 4 o'clock in the morning, she prayed that her husband should not see her. She also thanked for God's grace so far and her eyes were looking every where to see if somebody is watching her. Lunch bell rang; children came running out of their classes as well as Ayub. Taken by surprise, he saw his mom waiting under the tree ....he was not able to believe his eyes and ran to her shouting, "mom.... mom". Sorrow gripped their throats and they both cried; she hugged him, kissed him, kept him on her lap and asked, "How are you doing Ayub?...Why are you so thin? Are you thinking about me and not eating properly. You should not think about mom and feel sad. You should eat well and become a big boy".
Ayub inquired about his brothers and sister. Mom replied that everybody is doing fine; they are all anxious to see him and God will make it happen soon. Mom demanded why he didn't come when Saleem ran away to Vadugapatty. He replied that he was frightened ....if dad would find them he would kill them. She urged anxiously, "Do you want to come with me now ....I will take you safely". Ayub responded, "No...if I also leave dad, dad won't have anybody with him and he will be feeling very sad". Mom questioned, "Does your dad look after you well and love you". He said, " I am always with dad; he takes care of me excellently and buys whatever I want". Mom continued, "Does he still scold or beat you". Ayub mentioned, "Dad stopped it.......he loves me much". Mom gave delicious dishes and watched him eating. Mom pursued about dad and understood he was doing fine. School bell rang and children ran to their classes. Ayub said that it was time for him to go to his class. Mom doesn't want to part from him and suggested him to go a little later. Ayub cautioned that since all children went to their classes he should go....otherwise his teacher would start looking for him. Mom advised him to eat properly, not to worry and she would try to visit him often; she kissed him many times and let him go. She watched sadly with tears as Ayub walked to his class. Her heart was beating fast with her motherly love. Mom walked to the road, took a bus and returned to Vadugapatti. She thanked God for protecting her from husband's sight. Even though she was sad without Ayub; on the other hand she felt happy that she could see him.
Once in six months she visited Ayub. Five or six years passed by and mom moved with the children to Vellore. Vellore was hundreds of kilometers from Melur which made it difficult to visit Ayub. So she decided to stop by before moving to Vellore. She told Ayub, "Ayub...even if mom goes to Vellore I will come to see you. Don't cry thinking that I have gone to a far off place..... be brave". Ayub was frightened and wanted her to visit him. Mom promised to do so. After Ayub left for his class, she boarded a bus going to Madurai and was shocked to see her husband sitting in the front row. She wondered....all these times when I came to see Ayub such a thing never happened; may be he will scold and fight with her there itself. Mom sat many seats away from him and prayed. When they arrived Madurai, bus stopped in front of American College; few passengers got down; dad also got up and before getting down he turned back and looked at his wife; she too looked at him with fright. After many years, both of them looked at each other face to face. Her husband had a long beard and a mustache and he was not angry; from his eyes she was able to feel that he was wondering as to whether to talk to her or not. After standing there hesitantly for some time he got down and moved along with people. Mom sat there watching him disappear in the crowd and thought.... how she had six children with him and had a family, but now she has to look at him like a stranger. Then bus started to advance and mom never thought that this is the last time that she sees dad. She failed to hear the heaven and the earth whispering," there won't be a time to have family with him again.. as this is God's will and it is a cross for her to bear". Mom was confident that one day God will join them again and they will have normal family life.