Something happened to me about two months ago. Something snapped inside me. I mysteriously came to be possessed.
I just heard some extra-mundane being proclaiming an edict commanding me to take an oath and I heard myself simply say "I do" in total surrender and unconditional compliance.
I took an oath of abstinence from alcohol. An abstinence that is unqualified and total. No half measures. It came into force with immediate effect and is binding for life.
I have not as yet reflected on the occurrence to appreciate what caused it. I am writing this piece simply to inform about the occurrence of the event and its two immediate spin offs
1. I promised myself that in due course of time, I would revisit the occasion and establish a plausible explanation. I would then publish a detailed note which would comprise, apart from my analysis of this mystical event, the genesis of my love affair with alcohol, the experience(s) and the associated tales that got spewed thereof and which became part of the folk lore about my persona.
2. A spirited expression of intent in verse form came forth. Here is the same
इक बार फिर से तौबा की है शराब से
पाना निजात चाहता हूँ इस अज़ाब1 से
उलफ़त से इसकी मुझको रुसवाईयां मिलीं
महरूम ही रहा हूँ मैं हर सवाब2 से
मुश्किल तो बहुत होगी उसे तोड़ने में गोया
बरसों से जो लगी है ख़ानाख़राब3 से
गैरों को बस यकीं है अपनों को एहतिमाल4
कहते हैं मुंह बनाके न होगा जनाब से
तौफ़ीक दे वोह मुझको कि निबाह कर सकूं
करता हूँ यह दुआ वाहिद5 तव्वाब6 से
बाकी बची उमर की नई दास्तां लिखूँ
आग़ाज़-ए-दास्तां7 इक नए ही बाब8 से
1. अज़ाब: Curse 2. सवाब : Reward of good deeds 3. ख़ानाख़राब: Ruined / Ruiner 4. एहतिमाल: Doubt 5 वाहिद: The only one-God 6 तव्वाब: Forgiver-Acceptor of tauba
7 आग़ाज़-ए-दास्तां: Beginning of the story 8. बाब: Chapter
