TO A FRIEND IN HOSPITAL

Dear Latif,

I was greatly surprised to/ hear surprised to hear yesterday that you had been in hospital for the last seven days and no news leaked out to me from any source whatsoever. At first I was given to understand that you had a minor throat operation for tonsils, but later I was told that you simply wanted a medical check-up. I don’t know much about hospitals, but if anyone can find them amusing, I am sure you are just that one. You have always seen the funny side of a situation, and this hospitalization is really funny because you went there willingly. Do you think it will be just wasting my time if I pay a visit?

Yours sincerely,

Khalid.

REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Kamal,

If I can come, I will not ask another person to sip the joys of being near you. I can always come while I live. Thank God, I live! Coming by the first available train or plane.

Yours sincerely,

Reshman.

REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Manzoor,

I have heard of a new public school in Dharampura where expenses and minimum and education, the best possible. Then the school is a family and the family is a school. It is genuine education, preparation for life, without examinations and without looking for a government job mentality. I have written for a copy of prospectus and shall let you know about it.

Yours sincerely,

Saqib.

REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Arif,

I wonder whether you are serious when you are serious when you say that I should arrange hotel accommodation for you. My personal flat on Clifton is big enough to accommodate both of our families for a month or even for a longer period. Walk straight in! Inform us of your arrival and my car will be at the station to pick you up!

Yours sincerely,

Jamal.

REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Shahid Khan,

As you know, all my liquid funds have been frozen in the Habib Bank owing to the liquidation proceedings being undertaken by the Government. I shall gladly extend any loan to your friend as soon as the Government refund of money to the bank’s creditors.

Yours sincerely,

Sohail.

REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Mohammad Mian,

Thanks for your mind remembrance. While it is snowing outside I am here as snug as a rose in my blanket beside a golden fire. I wish you were here to write some poetry on Sawat in winter. Want to come! Can’t come! Life has its demands even under the blanket of snow! Hope you are all O.K.

Yours lovingly,

Zafar.

9_ Jinnah Road,

Murree.

February 7,1994.

RENEWING RELATIONSHIPS

72, Roshan Ara Road,

Karachi-29.

January 19,1994.

Dear Zafar,

Much water has flowed under the bridges of the Jhelum and the Sind since I last heard from you. A snow wave is here, snow must be there in Murree also. Why not spend a month with us here in the plains? Write, when are you coming?

Yours sincerely,

Mohammad Mian.