BANNER: Sohana’s Boyfriend & Our Quest for Change

By: Waqar Azeem Jappa

The thing is I don’t give a damn what people think of me. And you tu better shut your mouth. The World is a scary bitch, you see. It is rapidly turning into a no man’s land. People don’t have emotions naam ki koi cheez. We are living with robots. No emotions, no feelings. Just machines in the garb of humans.

Too much of show shaw, hypocrisy and fake smiles. What tabdeli? Nothing will change. Let me tell you. Five months have already passed. Five years will too pass like this. Mark my words.  Sohana was angry today. We were having our morning walk on Racecourse Walking Track earlier yesterday morning.

But I intend to differ. Sohana! Things are changing for better. Look at farmers for example.  Last week I visited my village. They are quite happy with the new Government. Not only, they are getting best price for sugarcane but also they are exempted from any cuts on the crop when it gets to sugar mills. Many said, per acre yield of their crop has significantly increased this time.  Also, they are very excited about “solarisation” of agriculture tube wells.

Whatever! These are just peanuts against their tall claims. Few things here and there won’t make big difference. I don’t buy your optimism.  Listen! You seem quite updated with what has revolutionized farmer’s lives, lately. You too, look and sound like a farmer! You come from a village. Don’t you honey? Why don’t you go back and grow some ganaas and aloos there?

This is outrageous Sohana. You are getting petty now. All I was saying is that Rome was not built in a day.  Things are changing. Though, not as rapidly as people might have expected. But, government is trying to do something for poor. Meaningful change takes time. What’s the hurry?

Don’t make me open my mouth. From where I see, even opulent people are in trouble. Look at poor DJ Butt! He was making a lot more before new government assumed power. Now, he has been reduced to play Mehndi ki Yeh Raat for Shadis only. How sad!  Clearly, services sector has been hit hard. Sirf poverty and population growth are on the rise.

This is cynicism personified Sohana. It seems you have been watching lot talk shows lately. You need to be careful. They are not good for you. I suggested to my friend.

She resumed, whenever, I see a poor on my way to parlor, like many other so called civilized and responsible citizens of the country, I just cast a glance or two at him or her and walk away. It is not that I am indifferent to them or do not have a soft corner for them. No. Not at all. Do not take me wrong. I do. Though not often, I give them a one or two rupee coin with Mr. Jinnah’s wrinkled face on it and say a big thank you with a fake smile at the traffic signal for cleaning my car’s wind screen. Dude! I am doing my bit to alleviate poverty. What else can you expect from me?

How generous of you lady! With this, I am sure, you can easily make to Forbes list of 100 most generous people. I suggested.  Look! I am a time poor girl. I am already overburdened with many other “important things” to do. Tough, there is no use of listing down everything here yet for your satisfaction. Let me share a few with you.

First of all, I have a boyfriend who loves shopping, eating and parties. He is just crazy about chocolates, balloons, bags and movies. He prefers M.M Aalam Road cafes over Moon or Barkat market third class Biryani Houses. Similarly, I have other such constructive activities to spend my money. Above all, I do not think that my help of ten rupees or just a bunch of sympathies are going to minimize the sufferings of the poor or to help root out poverty from Pakistan. It is the responsibility of the state to take concrete steps for this to happen. Hens and eggs won’t be enough either. Are you convinced or shall I say more on it?

Yea. I am satisfied with your enlightening arguments but one thing before we go our ways. Where do you find a boyfriend who loves shopping, balloons and chocolates? Are you sure he is a boy?

Sohana left without answering my question.

Writer is an actor by heart, blogger by instinct and a dreamer by default. He has an M.Phil. in media studies from University of the Punjab. He can be reached at waqarfcc@gmail.com