Short Story: Clump of Clouds By Younis Ahmad Kaloo

In this short story, Younis Ahmad Kaloo captures a tender moment between a child and his parents, giving us a glimpse of how deep their bond is that goes beyond life and death.

One of the lessons I learned as a child and still remember is that if you cast a look of mercy and affection upon your parents, you will be granted a reward equivalent to an accepted Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). I would often do that, stealthily though. Sometimes, if my parents were busy with something, say, a conversation meant for the two only or watching TV, I would also shed some tears and wipe them off before any of the family members noticed them.

As I kept growing and spending most of my years away from home, those looks of affection, however, disappeared altogether. And whenever I returned to my parents’ home for a day or two or, if the time permitted, for a week, I would mostly restrict myself to my room and join my family at breakfasts, mid-day meals, and dinners: occasions where I rarely speak and rather avoid being part of any conversation at all.