I had a partner to share my life with…

Story By: Arushi Narchal & Sahiba Chawdhary
Written By: Kajol Tanaya

In the Chavan village of Rajasthan, Ishaq Khan, a 51 years old native, has been earning his bread as a daily wage labourer. From driving cars to reselling scrap materials, his relationship with the informal sector dates back to the 90s. While the slope of his profession was turbulent, there was but one relation that offered him unbeatable courage. Holding him through the bleak times was his life partner, Zafran. On 15th May 1990, Ishaq was entrusted with the hands of Zafran Nisha in marriage. Since then she has stood by Ishaq as a supportive and caring partner.

The couple had four children, whom Ishaq raised with his sweat and blood. Ishaq’s income was always getting completely utilised without sparing even a penny in the savings account. As years passed by, financial concerns shot high. Zafran also developed health issues with hypertension, adding to medical expenses. Sustenance was hanging by a thin margin when in March 2020 the nationwide lockdown imposed a final death blow on Ishaq’s income. The informal sector, which supported him for years, was immediately shut. Many daily wagers, including Ishaq, were compelled to manage their bread out of borrowing petty loans.

Insecurity prevailed in Ishaq’s family throughout the year. Ishaq shared, “Our hope of revival post-first-wave was too short-lived as the second wave followed. Zafran was getting increasingly subjected to a constant stream of news about COVID-deaths in our circle. While one day a dear person rested in peace, the other day some acquaintance lost his breath. Already a hypertension patient, Zafran, was disturbed”.

The month of Ramadan was about to culminate in the first Islamic festival of the year, Eid-ul-Fitr. It was supposed to bring in fresh hope of health and celebration for Ishaq’s family, had fate possessed a heart. On 12th May 2021, the day of Eid, Zafran fell terribly sick. Ishaq remunerates, “I drove her from one hospital to another seeking help. How can I forget those three excruciating hours of waiting for one hospital bed? I could not even realise that it was the day of Eid. Admitting Zafran, I asked my son to go back home and have the ceremonial Kheer (rice pudding) before the festival ends. I did not have the heart to eat. I kept praying for her”.

It was the dawn of 14th May, one day prior to the wedding anniversary of the loving couple, that Zafran left for her heavenly abode. Ishaq could feel nothing. The most cherishable time of the year had turned into a nightmare. While narrating the story to team CASA, Ishaq could not hold his tears. “It is difficult to imagine her without a smile. If you see her picture even today, you would think she would come out of it alive. These are but my tears of happiness. I had a partner to share my life with. I just lost her too soon.” Ishaq forced a smile through his face yet, it failed to hide his harrowing pain.

Following Zafran’s demise, Ishaq borrowed some money to arrange for the Fatihah (Requiem) ritual where the favourite food of the deceased is cooked and distributed among the poor on the 40th day of mourning. When CASA identified Ishaq’s financially vulnerable condition, an amount of Rs. 3000 was sent to his bank account and he was assisted with a hygiene kit under the Response program to COVID-19. With the sum, Ishaq repaid a portion of the loan he took for Zafran’s Fatihah and sustained himself through the time he mourned for his beloved.