On his part, the broker kept a sharp eye and frequented the gurdwara in order to keep himself updated on Bibi’s collection drive. He flaunted his connections with important people living in cities and strategically leaked his pictures with VIPs and politicians. As soon as Bibi was able to put together the required sum, he arrived with his wife and collected the money from her. The women, who were present as witnesses, even clapped and congratulated Bibi. The agent pocketed the money and left with a promise to return within a month.

And that was the last time she saw him.

Bibi was left high and dry but she took the setback in her stride and moved on. Even though the entire village cursed the broker and his family, there was no regret in Bibi’s eyes. ‘If that’s what the lord wants, then so be it,’ she told her well-wishers and tried to calm them. She stayed firm in her mind, and she didn’t look pained or dismayed even once. Nothing could shake her belief in God. Her daily visits to the local gurdwara, come hail or storm, continued. Her story came to be known in the entire region. Parents used her devotion to and belief in the Almighty as an example to share with their children. Bibi maintained her monologue with God that she should not die before meeting her sons. For the next eight years, not a single day went by when she did not present herself at the doorstep of the gurdwara. But she received no sign. Yet her faith stood firm. Deep within, she was aware that God was listening, that it would happen.

Seasons changed but her resolve only strengthened. One winter, in the month of March, the Valley received so much snow that all the roads got blocked and people had to trudge through six-foot-deep snow. Heavy landslides around the area made it almost impossible for Bibi to even step out of her home. But her determination and willpower remained unflinching. She nailed together wooden planks to make a flat, three-foot-wide board. Satisfied with her work, she sat on the board and pushed herself forward using a small flat stick and manoeuvred around the landslide. She almost fell into the steep valley a few times but miraculously escaped from the jaws of death. She somehow managed to reach the gurdwara. By then, she was completely exhausted, breathless and drained. Still she mustered all her strength and shovelled the soft snow that had collected at the entrance door. After she had cleared the area, her eyes fell on the metallic lock hanging from the latch. The wooden stick fell from her hand and she fell on the ground, hitting her head against the door. She managed to get up and sit on the steps. Suddenly, it dawned on her that it was too cold for the old Granthi to come to the gurdwara.