'Smile' by Mubashir Ali Zaidi

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Haji was critically ill when I was summoned by his family.

 Although I’m no doctor, I can see the Angel of Death. People call me in to find out whether sick relatives will die or not. The villagers have tested me many times; my predictions have never been wrong.

 The Angel always comes alone, yet never departs alone.

 When I reached Haji’s bedside, he was already there, a smile on his face.

 “It’s the first time I’ve ever seen you smile,” I observed.

 The Angel replied, “I smile only for those who go with me... and it’s not Haji’s turn.”



(translated from Urdu, published in Author's book Namak Paray) 

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