Short Story: Alms For Oblivion by Raza Ali

In this short story, Raza Ali explores the theme of belonging to a place that no longer exists except in your mind with a captivating narrative.

He was standing on the corner of the road across from Ramna Park at the intersection of Bailey Road and Hare Road.   These roads still bore the names of British officers from the days of the Raj, and one would not be surprised if they retain these names to this day.  He had been out for an evening walk and was about to head back home and had paused for a moment to light a cigarette.  Much time has elapsed since that evening early in the year 1969, the year Hasan would leave the land where he was born, yet he was to remember every detail of what happened next.  Without warning a jeep made a sharp turn on to Bailey Road.  It came perilously close to hitting him and he reacted by crying out in protest.  “Sala, kaise gari chalate ho?” The jeep stopped and three young men stepped out.