Earthquake
& a Pakistani-American Wife
By Dr. Asif S. Durrani
Cerritos, California
The earthquake in Pakistan brought with it many
stories of tragedy, sorrow, as well as heroism.
I also have a small story to share that makes
me very proud. I received the shocking news of
the quake from my wife, who had been visiting
Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with our two children
to attend her brother’s wedding. She was
calling from the street, in front of her parents’
home, where all the neighbors had gathered, quite
nervous and frightened. She assured me that everyone,
including our children, were safe. That was a
relief.
She was just about finished saying that the aftershocks
were continuing, when suddenly the phone call
was disrupted, and cut off. I tried calling her,
for several hours, but the phone link could not
be established. News stories emerged on the television,
and the Internet, with grim pictures and footage,
mirroring devastation. It was difficult to sleep
during the night.
Then, during Sehri time, I tried again, and was
finally able to establish phone contact. Surprisingly,
I was told that my wife had gone to Jinnah Park,
in Islamabad, and would return shortly, before
Iftaar. Later, I found out that many people, including
children and the elderly, had gathered in Jinnah
Park, to feel safe, in the open ground.
As the Iftaar time approached, these people were
desperate for the much needed food and drinks.
My wife was able to dispense these items, to some
of the people. She and her brother arranged to
take many different food items to be distributed,
at a time when aftershocks were continuing and
many were terrified.
I am, and will always be, very proud of my wife.
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