.......On return, Hussain was posted to Jhelum as ESD Jhelum.
Hussain had bought a 500yards land in DHA Karachi and wanted to build a house. So, he went to Karachi to get the initial work done. He stayed there for a month. And then, I was there for the interior decoration. At that time, he got me the kitchen done by Prestige, which then costed 70,000 PKR.
Our house came out very fine. When Hussain came to Karachi, he loved every inch of it.
Hussain then took me for Hajj.
After Faisal, we had three daughters. Hence, all together I and Hussain had seven adorable children. Hussain mimicked it as snow white and the seven dwarfs.
She let out a small laughter and looked at me. This time, I had to pull myself out of my imaginations. I had mixed feelings. On one side, I felt how stress it would have been to live without your husband when he is in the forward area. On the other, I felt, what a disciplined and fun packed life she had been living! I was jealous how very perfect could one’s life be and why can’t a civilian’s life be like this?
She interrupted, my thought process, spare me for a few minutes as I have to offer Maghrib prayers. Would you like to pray as well?
I nodded in affirmation and so she rang the bell next to her. The maid appeared, and I was again wondering how well organized her house is that no one shouts to call the maid. The maid guided me to the guest room where I prayed.
When I returned to the drawing room, Begum Farzana Hussain was still not there. So, I started exploring wall pictures. There was a couple where she was standing next to a handsome man in uniform, who obviously, was Lt. Col Hussain!
There was a picture of a batch of Ghora gali College, a boarding school in Murree. There were group photos of two different PMA long courses. There were two graduation photographs one of her daughter and another of her son.
“Those are our family photographs”….. I turned and saw a beaming smile. “They are very nice”, I replied. She nodded in affirmation and whispered “undoubtedly”.
“Tell me about your children”…I continued.
“I have three sons and four daughters.
Three of my daughters are married to three thorough gentlemen. The youngest one is engaged.
Of the three sons, one is living in United States with his lovely wife and adorable children. The other two were in Pakistan Army and by grace of Allah both are ‘shaheeds’ (martyrs).
Hussain always said, if my sons will join Pak Army I want them to return in Pakistani flag. His sons fulfilled his wish!
Hussain passed away on 10th January 1995 due to a heart attack. An year after, on 1st January 1996 Capt. Syed Faisal Bin Hussain, was martyred. On 25th February 2003, Lt Col Syed Tahseen Hussain was shaheed. On the following 14th August, Tahseen was given an Imtiazi Sanad.”
There was a moment of silence. I saw tears in her eyes, which she swiftly wiped away.
Sadly, I quivered my lips…”I am sorry, I really did not want to upset you.”
She stretched her lips in a small smile and said “Even if I would have had ten sons, I would have given them to Pakistan Army.”
“I am proud of my sons! They are courageous men. Faisal topped all his boxing matches at PMA and won the skiing competition at Malumjaba with an injured knee. He was recommended for being an instructor at Infantry School, Quetta.
Tahseen went on UNMOP (United Nations Mission of Peace) twice; first to Gulf war and then to Prevalaka, Croatia. He was also posted to Siachin for 6 months. I remember when he returned all his nails fell off due to extreme temperature change.
As soon as Tahseen returned from Croatia, he was promoted (as Lieutenant Colonel) and posted to Kailer, Kashmir where he was commanding 646, Mujahid Battalion. From there he returned in Pakistani flag!
Few days ago, one of his sub-ordinates returned from Kailer and came to meet me. He told me that in Kailer, there has been a road named after Tahseen!”
I was amazed at how strong this woman is! I feel giving a single child good education is a big achievement. Impressive, is the fact that all her children are well-educated and career-oriented professionals.
I asked what happened to Shaheed colonel sahab in Kashmir.
She replied…
“The weather was extremely cold and there was heavy rain. He had a night check of the forward posts. After climbing a few miles he felt breathlessness. His escorts requested him to move back. He was determined to check the ‘jawans’ (soldiers) on the forward post and was not willing to move back. The lack of oxygen was taking its toll! He started feeling excruciating chest pain but finally did reach the forward post. On the post his pain was uncontrollable and so the escort wired to Bagh CMH for emergency.
Due to heavy snow and rain, it was impossible to land a helicopter and take him to CMH Rawalpindi.
From the forward post, his escorts brought him down on a stretcher. He was taken to Bagh CMH, where after four hours he expired.”
I was spell bound. I had no words. I dint know what to say. I was just looking at her and tears were rolling down from my eyes.
All I could think of was: “How great a bunch of soldiers we have! Mothers of these soldiers should be appreciated for embellishing our nation with gems. Who lay their lives for the country we should be passionate about them! We should respect them for what they do for us (the civilians), since what they do is exceptional!
...Long live Pakistan”
She touched my hand ...”Are you Okay?”
I recovered and humbly acknowledged, “You are my ideal…Thank you for sharing your military life with us.”
(c)
Pakistan Army: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Begum Farzana Hussain (A Living Legend) | Facebook Pakistan Army's Notes @ facebook