“I do not have an education, my father did not earn enough to afford an education for us six siblings. He used to sell perfume in Gujranwala, 40 years ago, before he moved to Rawalpindi.

He had a brother here who used to sell flowers outside the United Bakery in F-6. He set up a stall for my father in F-7 and taught him the business.

My father used to go bring flowers early in the morning and would stay at his stall all day. He would make between Rs400 and Rs500 a day.

We had a large family. I started helping him out when I was seven and by the time I was 10, I had taken a lot of responsibility from my father. I would wake up early and have the flowers on display by the time he came to the stall.

In the meantime, the CDA moved us all to the flower market. My father taught me this trade. He was my whole support system. He has died since, but all us four brothers have continued with his legacy. We work together and have two shops between us. We all live together in a rented house with our families as well.

Business has also picked up. It was not till the 1990s that people even knew what Valentines’ Day was. We have fathers’ day and mothers’ day and so many days to celebrate and people have only now started distinguishing the meaning behind various flowers, like red roses are for expressing love. People also use more flowers in weddings. I earn on an average Rs2,500 a day and on any given day, we have some Rs100,000 worth of stock in the shop. I also have six children, but I am giving them an education. I will also make a house for them so they do not have to grow in a rented shop.”

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2018