Hearing his name from a rank stranger, and that too a foreign-looking lady, a shocked Jassi almost jumped up and stood with folded hands. With some hesitation, he said, ‘Yes, I am. How do you know my name?’

Bibi ignored his query and unleashed a volley of questions. ‘Can you please help me find my husband and children? Here is my husband’s picture. And my sons’ names are Qasim Zaid and Karim Zaid. They settled somewhere in Hassan Abdal after leaving Muzaffarabad. Please, can you help me locate them?’ Bibi sounded excited as if she had found the missing key to her treasure chest. Her frail forefinger was still pointing at the locket around the young man’s neck. Then, without giving him an opportunity to answer, she continued, ‘Son, I have come from India. I lived in Muzaffarabad with my foster father, Moulvi Syed. My husband’s name is Sakhiullah. In the year 1950, I was separated from my husband and two sons. We all happily lived in Muzaffarabad, but I was deported to India due to the Nehru–Liaquat Khan agreement. I have been looking for them since then. Can you please help me?’

Jassi looked flabbergasted. Shaking his head, he said, ‘Bibi, by now they must be in their sixties. How can you search for them and, more importantly, how will you recognize them? It’s impossible!’

Bibi folded her hands and looked at the young boy with tearful eyes. ‘I am already nearing eighty. I don’t know how much more time I have. Can you please help me in some manner to locate my children? I shall be deeply indebted to you.’ Saying this, she bent down to touch the young man’s feet.

Embarrassed, Jassi hurriedly stepped back. Then holding her by her shoulders, he said, ‘Please don’t do this, Bibi. I shall do the best I can. Please give me a few days. But how will I reach you in case I find them. Also, can you please give some more details of your family members?’

Bibi felt relieved and began, ‘This is the address where we last lived in Muzaffarabad.’ With a weak smile on her face, she pulled out a paper from her cotton bag. ‘Here, son, I am in Pakistan for the next three days and after that will be in Amritsar on this number. I will remain there till you call. I will eagerly look forward to hearing from you. May God bless you.’