By Shabir Rustam

It was a chilly January evening when my town was buzzing with excitement for the big wedding celebration. The bride was from Karachi, and the groom family was busy in making the ceremony a memorable one for everyone. Everything was perfect including the mouthwatering delicious foods to groovy music—all in perfect harmony.

As they say it, all good things always come to an end, the night eventually took a tragic turn. All the giggling, fun, laughter, and music stopped. The loud music, which the neighbors complained, was too much for one neighbour and suddenly the things changed around. Seething with anger, he went into the house and disconnected the electricity supply, casting the entire house into darkness.

Little did we know that this was just the beginning of a tragedy that would haunt us for a long time to come.

This suddenly followed like a horror movie scene. Everywhere there was empty darkness and children screamed and stumbled around the darkness, desperately trying to find their way to safety. After a few minutes of bustle, a layer of silence emerged in that house. However, in that night we all neighbors slept peacefully as the house we considered a noisy was silent. Little did we know that this was just the beginning of a tragedy that would haunt us for a long time to come.

The morning was filled with excitement and joy as the women in stunning dresses and beautiful jewelries with children made their way to the standing bus. The groom was escorted by his father towards the car, and the people threw paper money and flowers at the car and at him in celebration. Since money was falling like mist, children were happy at taking money. All in happiness, there was clapping everywhere, and small kids were crying after their moms as they were not being taken to the bride\’s house.

After few minutes of wait, the bus began moving and everyone was happy because they were taking the groom to bride. On the top of bus, musicians were playing different types of instruments which included bends and tootles. I heard the boys, sitting around me at the top of bus, began screaming and giggling. When I saw, it was the groom\’s car crossing by the bus. We all got our phones out to capture the moment, but soon, the excitement turned to shock.

In a blink of an eye, the once joyous and happy faces turned into grief and despair.

In an unfortunate manner, the car lost the drive way for the third time. Before it gain the drive way again, there was another vehicle coming from the opposite drive way. All in hurry, there began honk of horns all around; crashing sounds of breaks, and then a big squeezing noise occurred—as we saw the car folded under the heavy vehicle.

In a blink of an eye, the once joyous and happy faces turned into grief and despair.  Tears followed, sobs and griefs shared and prayers offered to God almighty for the protection of people inside the car. Soon after, there was rush of ambulances and Police was taking people aside.

After a short period, people were rescued and with blessings of God almighty they had only minor injuries leaving one person who was taken to hospital hurriedly. Later the news was shared that it was the groom who was serious.

Having no courage, I left for home because everyone was crying and screaming there for the groom. Before sunset, one of my friend called me sharing the news that  the groom had lost his life on they way to hospital. 

In concession, life is the combination of happiness and  grief. It is never measured only in one aspect because it does not take long to change a happy face in grief and a crying face into laughter. The following wedding tragic has put the once happy and joyful family in deep grief and sorrows within seconds which obviously proves of life’s being an unpredictable thing. Finally, one can only pray for the best of life from God almighty. 

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