Chaman Zahra by Noor Shal

About this novelette

Chaman Zahra (Urdu: چمن زہرہ) by Noor Shaal is a short, complete Urdu novelette about a mother waiting for her son to come home. As she prepares for his homecoming, the story looks back on the hard years that brought them to this day.

Today is special for Chaman, which is why she has been rushing around since morning finishing one task after another. Her small rented home has just two rooms and a modest kitchen, and she has never cleaned it as lovingly as she has today. Only when the whole flat is spotless does she feel at peace. Now the kitchen is full of clattering pots and delicious smells – biryani, mutton karahi, trifle custard and more – and Bua Amma, drawn by the aroma, stands at the door watching her with affection. “Arre Chaman beta, why are you tiring yourself so much? Are you planning to finish all the work today?” Everything is ready, Chaman says, and smiles with relief.

Bua Amma takes her into the room, turns the fan on full, and tells her to rest while she goes to pray Asr. As Chaman leans back against the pillow, the reason for the glow on her face becomes clear. Her son Shuja, after a very long time, is flying back to Pakistan from England this evening – and he is now a big businessman. After all these years of waiting and struggle, this moment has finally arrived. As her eyes close, she slips into the past.

برسوں کا انتظار ختم ہونے کو ہے — آج شجاع گھر آ رہا ہے۔

The memory begins with a small voice calling out, “Kele le lo… bare meethe, taaze kele… bees rupay kilo!” A young boy is pushing a cart of bananas, and nobody stops to buy. Then a yellow balloon floats by on a passer-by’s shoulder and his eyes light up – but before he can reach it, a woman shoves him aside and hands the balloon to her own son. The boy walks back to his old cart, shaking the dust from his broken chappal, and the scene brings tears to the eyes of the one watching.

Noor Shaal writes with real tenderness about poverty, sacrifice and a mother’s pride, and the contrast between the boy with the cart and the businessman returning from England gives the story its emotional pull. It’s a quick, moving read.

You can read Chaman Zahra online here or download the complete PDF for free. More by Noor Shaal: Mannat Aur Jannat, Naye Mosam Ki Sehar and Man Ki Barish, or see all Noor Shaal novels.