REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Ghazala,

“The longest day is in June, they say:

The shortest in December

They did not come to me that way

The shortest I remember

You came a day with me to say

And filled my heart with laughter:

The longest day – you were away —

The very next day after.”

Yours eternally,

Rauf.

WANTED A BRIDE

Here is a typical advertisement:-

Wanted a pretty bride for a Digamber Sheikh Siddiqi youth aged 21 years, robust health, industious, educated, running expanding business, most respectable and very influential family. Please reply Box 826333. The Times of Pakistan, Islamabad.

REQUESTING RECONSIDERATION

Dear Dilshad,

Please reconsider your decision about your refusal to marry me. I love you sincerely and love no body else. Without you the world goes dark for me. Can’t you take pity on me. Words fail me to write more as I feel too overwhelmed by the turn of events. Yet I hope you will not leave me alone in this dark hour of my life. Will you kindly reconsider your decision?

Yours lovingly,

Khurshid.

LOVE-COUNTER-LOVE

Dear Aneesa

Forget me! It is easier said than done. The more I try to forget you, the morse I remember you.

The hours I spend with thee, dear heart,

Are as a string of pearls to me:

I count them over, every one apart,

My rosary, my rosary.

Don’t you think the two of us together can look better after you aged parents than you alone with your earnings.

Yours forever,

Abid.

REPLY TO ABOVE

To,

The Advertiser No. 826333,

C/o The Times of Pakistan,

Islamabad.

Dear Sir,

With reference to your advertisement for a suitable bride I have the honour to send you the following details about my daughter:-

  1. Age—20 Years.
  2. Height—-5 Feet.
  3. Colour dark maroon very fair.
  4. Education—B.Sc.
  5. Caste—Sheikh Siddiqi
  6. Health Capsal good, never suffered from any disease.
  7. Employed in Allama Iqbal Institute of Arts getting Rs. 3,000/- a month.
  8. Brothers—three, one a bank manager, second a doctor, third a college professor.
  9. SIsters–two; married, one to a Civil Engineer; the other to a Major in the Army.
  10. Father—retired, getting a pension of Rs. 2500/- a month.
  11. We live in our own house at A / 222, Defence Colony, Lahore.

Should you feel inclined to proceed further in the matter, kindly send details about yourself along with a photo so that we can make up our minds.

Yours faithfully,

Rasheed Ahmed Siddiqi.

A SOFT WORD TURNETH AWAY WRATH

Dear Shehla,

Of all the girls that are so smart

There’s none like pretty Shehla;

She is the Darling of my heart,

And lives in our ally.

Why are you angry with me, Shehla? I have done nothing to offend you. My only guilt is that I love you. If you are angry with me because I love you, I confess my guilt. But I will continue to be guilty. Just because I can not help otherwise. If you also cannot help being angry with me then I will become your anger even. I would rather welcome a harsh word from you than no word at all. Darling, I love you. When can I come around and see you?

Yours forever,

Nazim.

REPLY TO ABOVE

To,

Box No. 25894,

C/o The Times of Pakistan,

Islamabad.

Dear Madam,

With reference to your advertisement I offer myself as a candidate for marriage and gie the following facts about myself:-

  1. Age–33 Years.
  2. A Punjabi youth—christan.
  3. Colour—very fair.
  4. Height—5’5″
  5. Education—M.Sc.
  6. Employment—Lecturer in Quaid-i-Azam College, Hyderabad, getting Rs. 45000/-
  7. The only child of my parents.
  8. Mother—dead.
  9. Father—Deputy Director of Agriculture, Punjab.
  10. Own landed property in the Punjab.
  11. Early marriage desired.

Further information, if desired, shall be sent and also a copy of photograph on response from your side. Kindly send your details, also a photograph now, if interested.

Yours faithfully,

Joseph Masih.

FROM A GIRL’S FATHER TO A BOY

Dear Mr. Nasir,

Please stop paying attentions to my daughter. I do not want to bring shame on my house and honour. I can never approve of your marriage with her. So why waste your time? I am sorry to say this but things have happened as they have. In all circumstances I advise you not to try to contact Huma again. It is unfortunate and it may cause you pain, but my mind is made up. Having discussed the position thoroughly with her, I have taken this first opportunity of giving you this wise warning. May I hope that you believe in ‘a word to the wise.’

Yours sincerely,

Zahid Ali.