Daana paani by Umera Ahmed.

Asalamu Alaikum dear readers:) this is a detailed summary of Umera Ahmed's new novel Daana Paani. I will be covering the first 7 episodes of the novel in this Blog post. To provide the readers with ease, I have divided this Summary into 3 parts. If you have already read the first episodes, You can skip to the second or third part accordingly.

Note: if you wanna read the second last episode skip to the end. ( there is a part, titled *second last episode:) 

Without further delay let's get started✈

The Beginning. (Part-1)

Daana Paani is a Romantic tragedy, with a spiritual punch and classical touch, set in a fictional rural village in Pakistan( jog jivan). In the novel, Daana (grain) stands for arrogance, hate and pride while Paani (water) stands for humility Love and simplicity.

⚛Gamu Mashki ( the water supplier of the jog jivan)is a simple man, well-known for his extremely beautiful voice. While supplying water to every house of jog jivan in the early hours of the morning, it is a habit of Gamu to sing a poem of the famous Sufi saint of Pakistan, Sultan bahu (kalam Bahu) in his heart-melting voice. The head of the Chaudry haveli is extremely fond of Gamu's voice. Every time Gamu goes to supply water to the haveli, he is granted a bowl of grains by the Chaudries, which is enough to feed Gamu and his wife Allah wasayee until the next day. Just like her husband, Allah wasayee is also a very simple and kind woman. The God-fearing couple serves the people around them in the best way possible. The only thing that is missing in their lives is the presence of a child. Allah wasayee is invited to all the functions of the village except when a baby is born in any house. Because the people of jog jivan consider it an ill omen if a barren woman sees a newborn baby. One day heartbroken  Allah wasayee and Gamu decide to go to the Saint(peer Ibrahim)to request him to make dua in their favour. 

On their meeting with Peer Ibrahim at his place, he gives them the good news of a baby girl. Wrapping a few flowers of jasmine around Gamu's wrist, Peer Ibrahim says to them, your daughter will be extremely beautiful like the flowers of jasmine. She will be one of her kind, everyone will praise her beauty. The couple returns home cheerfully.

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The daughter of Peer Ibrahim, Tajwar(an extremely arrogant lady) is married to the only son of Chaudries (Chaudry Shuja) of jog jivan. On the same day, a beautiful baby girl is born to Allah wasayee and Gamu, they name her Motia( jasmine flowers). This day turns out fortunate for the inhabitants of the jog jivan because after a long period it starts raining there. Most people consider it(the rain) as a result of Tajwar's good fortune and a few believe that Motia has proven fortunate for Jog Jivan. When Tajwar overhears these mixed comments it feeds her pride and arrogance more and at the same time makes her envious of the baby girl she hasn't even seen yet.

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After 9 months a baby boy is born to Tajwar. The boy is named (guess what?) Murad.

After a few years, Murad is sent to the only school in Jog Jivan. Where he meets the most beautiful girl in his class ( guess who?) Motia. Murad gets attracted towards her and soon they become friends . When Tajwar gets the news of their friendship, she gets angry and calls Gamu to the haveli. She insults Gamu for sending his daughter to the same school where her son is studying. According to Tajwar, a slave and master can't study in the same school. Gamu is forced to admit Motia to a new school in the nearby village     Years passed by and the little friends forgot each other.

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The Meeting(Part- 2)

Motia is grown up, and she is studying at a medical college. She is about to be the first female doctor in her village  (jog jivan) 

At this part of the novel, we find out that, Motia is continuously seeing a young handsome man in her dreams, whome she has never seen before. She and the young man standing barefooted on the lush green grass, looking into the eyes of each other, suddenly a (female) cobra snake comes slithering out from the green grass, raising its body and making deep loud sounds of hissing between the two. Motia guesses that the cobra is going to bite her but suddenly the cobra changes its direction towards the man! and Motia wakes up screaming from the nightmare. Motia shares her dreams with her only best friend in jog jivan( Batool). While describing the features of the man to Batool, Batool is pretty sure that he is no other than the only Son of Chaudry Shuja, Chaudry Murad!  Murad is living in London and Motia hasn't seen him since childhood but Batool has seen him a few times at haveli. ( as she works as a maid there with her mother). Batool is surprised to hear the exact features of Murad from Motia( who hasn't seen him in years!)

One day Motia and Batool accompanying Gamu (with other villagers) visit to see the Bharat of a local bride at the railway station. Motia is wearing a beautiful shalwar kameez with a matching dupatta (looking extremely elegant and beautiful). 

The sky was getting cloudy and a gentle wind started blowing. Meanwhile, the train stopped and the passengers started to get off the train.                                                         ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

He was probably the only passenger on the train wearing pants and a shirt. All the other passengers were wearing shalwar Kurti (Local dress). He knew he was a bit early. He stood at the door of the train watching the crowd of people moving to welcome the groom in the next compartment. There were men and women both and  Among the women he noticed her, the gentle wind blowing her dupatta and she trying to pull up her dupatta. He forgot everything around him there was only Motia and him. He had seen beauty before but nothing like this girl. Among the crowd of these people, she seemed like a *flower of jasmine* to him. Meanwhile, He saw the first drop of rain falling on her cheek and then the second drop on her beautiful lips, she smiled and in that instant, caught a glimpse of the young man standing still at the door of the train looking at her. Motia thought she will forget to breathe. He was no other than the beautiful man she used to see in her dreams! It was raining heavily and they were both standing motionless looking into the eyes of each other (lost in love:)

The only witness of their pure love was the rain or the soft wind .                                                  ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛                   

“Please give me a side”, A man asked(interrupting)the young man standing at the door of the train. The young man picked up his luggage and got off the train. But the girl wasn't there anymore, he looked for her here and there, but failed to find her. Sadness enveloped his heart. Meanwhile, he saw Gamu Mashki coming towards him, Gamu greeted him and tried to introduce himself, but the young man interrupted him by saying I remember you uncle, aren't you chacha Gamu ( uncle Gamu). He said to Gamu that he reached a bit early and anyone hasn't come to receive him yet. Gamu said him, not to worry and took his luggage to the nearby tanga, the tanga driver greeted him and he sat down in the back seat of the tanga. Meanwhile, he heard Gamu speaking to the 2 girls who seemed to his relatives to get on the tanga quickly (as it was raining). 

Batool said to Motia to take a look at the handsome young man sitting just at a distance of a few inches from them. Ignoring her request Motia said, nobody could be more beautiful than the man of my dreams. Batool answered, “but that is a dream and this man a reality”. “He is a reality too”, said Motia.                                                                                       ☣✴☣

 The only moment when the young man took notice of the 2 girls sitting in the back seat of the tanga was when he got off the tanga at Jog Jivan. He was stunned to see the same girl that he saw at the train station. The tanga was moving farther away from him and he was standing there in the rain looking at Motia without blinking his eyes. Motia was doing the same, “is he, Murad?” She asked Batool. “Yes, *Chaudry Murad!”

 Motia smiled and said, “Batool... He is the man of my dreams!”                                                        ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

It was at Peer Ibrahim's house when Murad saw Motia again. She was in the garden eating guava, When He came out to approach her, meanwhile, Motia turned around and saw a snake moving in the grass near his feet. Motia started to scream, Father, ... There is a snake... A snake... near his feet. Murad, Gamu and Allah wasayee saw the Snake moving in the green grass, without any delay, Gamu slammed the snake with his Staff, and after a few moments, the snake was dead.

 Motia was still trembling with fear. “So, you are Motia, ... Gamu cha-chas daughter,” said, Murad. “Thanks for saving my life,” He said looking deep into her eyes. He didn't want to say what he was saying but what he wanted to say wasn't possible here. Motia stayed quiet.

Peer Ibrahim and Chaudry Shuja thanked Gamu for saving Murad, Chaudry Shuja offered Gamu to ask for whatever he wanted in return, But Gamu refused by saying, it was my duty Master, all I have is yours and if I ever needed anything I will ask from you surely. 

Peer Ibrahim prayed for Motia and asked Allah to elevate her status always. Tajwar didn't like the attitude of her father towards Motia, she was extremely annoyed by the way he was treating Motia and her parents. During all this conversation, Murad was only and only staring at the face of his beloved. Motia knew that Murad is looking at her but she can't dare to look even for a moment at him like this before these people. 

Murad in a few days came to know almost everything about Motia. Nothing was hidden from him, not even her dreams! One day Murad through the help of Batool conveyed a message to Motia, that he wanna meet her. Motia agreed to meet at night, but Murad refused to meet at night, he said Batool to tell her that he wanna meet in the daylight because he cares about her dignity and reputation in the Jog Jivan. When Batool conveyed this message to Motia, she smiled and said, this was his first test and he passed it. If he would have agreed to meet me during the night, I was never gonna meet him ever in my life! 

 Murad was riding on a horse when he saw Motia waiting near the well of   Jog Jivan. He got off his horse and addressed her.“ So, you are seeing me in your dreams? Can I ask you how long it has been? ”

“5 years,” she answered and presented a handmade bracelet made of Motia flowers. Murad wrapped the bracelet around her wrist and said; “I have fallen for you, the arrow of your love has hit straight on my heart and I am not able to remove it nor I am willing to remove it. I will be sending my parents soon and Promise me Motia that you won't marry anyone but me. And I swear if you ever did so, I won't say anything to you but will kill the person surely. ”

“I haven't even dreamt of anyone other than you Murad”, said Motia. The sky was getting darker and eventually, it started to rain. ( rain... Their secret holder... Rain... The witness of their love)! Murad sang a poem :

                               

 (Part 3)

Murad thought it would be a cakewalk to motivate his parents, but he was amazed by the reaction of his mother (Tajawar).

 Tajwar was planning secretly to marry Murad with her niece. But when he heard her son's demand, she was awestruck. Motia was the girl she tried to protect his son from since childhood. She was aware of her unparalleled beauty and modest nature and that is what concerned her. Tajwar's heart was filled with Motia's envy and hate since the first day and her son was demanding something next to impossible. Tajwar tried to motivate her son to forget Motia and marry his cousin instead, but she didn't know that she was asking her son to live without taking a breath.

Murad avoided eating anything in his home and talked very little, he thought this will soften Tajwar's heart, after all, Murad was her only son. But Murad didn't know that it was easy to turn a mountain into dust than to change a heart filled with envy and hate. One night when Tajwar went to Murad's room to convince him to marry his cousin, Murad opened the drawer and picked up a pistol out of it and threatened his mother that he will kill himself if she insisted on him marrying Mehnoor anymore.                                                                         ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

That day Gamu was feeling unwell so Motia decided to supply water to the villagers on her own. She was filling her Mashk ( traditional water-carrying bag) on the well Meanwhile, Murad came there, and after having a short romantic conversation, Motia told Murad not to kill himself for her. Because if anything happened to Murad, Motia won't survive either. Answering her, Murad said; that it is way too easy to die than to live without Motia.                                                                                             ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

 Chaudry Shuja would have easily agreed But the huge class difference between the two families stood in the way. Taking the advantage of her husband's conception, Tajwar motivated him to order Parvaiz( one of his workers at haveli) to send a marriage proposal to Motia for his son.  Parvaiz agreed to the decision and paid a visit to Gamu's house. When Parvaiz announced the reason behind his visit, without waiting for her parents to answer him, Motia spoke up and rejected the proposal by saying, how could she marry a guy to whome her friend is already engaged? Parvaiz felt insulted and said, that no one will marry their characterless daughter ever and left Gamu's house in anger. Motia felt bad for herself and her family. She was fed up with the wrong notions of these people who were accusing her, only because she wanted to marry someone higher in status.

 It was the same day Tajwar had slapped Motia back in the Haveli ( for the same reason). Tajwar reminded Motia of her stature, She was the daughter of a Mashki, and her mother was a stammerer ( thathi), how could she even think of marrying her son? Motia stayed silent for some time and then  looking straight into her eyes, she replied:

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Batool was so hurt when she got this news. Saied was the love of her life, they were engaged years ago and now his father wants him to marry Motia instead of Batool. On the other hand, Saied was ashamed too, he knew that he didn't deserve Motia and at the same time he was still in love with his fiance. out of frustration, Batool decided to discuss this matter with Murad. 

The next day she went to Murad and told her about the proposal. Murad was surprised, he went straight to his Mother and asked her, that why did she send Saeed's proposal to Motia. Tajwar answered him saying that Motia is having an affair with Saeed and it is she who is willing to marry him. Murad silenced his mother by saying that he trusts Motia more than himself.                                      ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

Murad went to his Grandfather(Peer Ibrahim) hoping that he can motivate Tajwar. Murad discussed the whole matter with him. Peer Ibrahim was a Saint, he understood his feelings and promised, that he will talk to his daughter (Tajwar) 

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Peer Ibrahim was shocked to discover the level of hate for Motia in her heart. He tried hard to convince her but failed to make his arrogant and stubborn daughter understand.                                                                ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

 Motia was sitting in her small courtyard, with her parents she wasn't able to control her tears, since Parvaiz left their house. She was the pride of her parents, the comfort of their eyes. Her tears were hurting them. Allahwasayee tried to soothe her but Motia moved into her room. Meanwhile, Gamu stood up and said to his wife to tell Motia not to cry. “I will get him the thing that she wants”. Leaving his wife puzzled, Gamu left the House. 

Chaudry Shuja was sitting on a chair when he saw Gamu coming towards him. Gamu sat on the ground touching his feet, with tears in his eyes, he said; “once I saved your son and you promised me that you will grant me anything  I want, prove your words by marrying your son with my daughter”. Chaudry Shuja was left speechless, he was a Chaudry and a nice man by heart. Shuja assured Gamu that he will marry his son to his daughter on the 10th of the successive month.

 Motia and Allahwasyaee were incredibly joyous after hearing this news from Gamu. Motia never thought that one day her dream will come true!

When Murad heard the news he went straight to his grandfather(Peer Ibrahim). Peer Ibrahim was pleased to see his grandson satisfied. He congratulated Murad and told him to respect Motia saying;( “naik Khoon hai Murad Kabhi daga na Karna”) Murad promised him that he won't. Because it was impossible for him to even think about anyone than Motia.                                                        ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

That night was the most unpleasant night for Tajwar. She wasn't able to sleep for a single moment. She was imagining the level of disrespect that she has to face when Motia will be in the Haveli as her daughter-in-law. For Tajwar, Motia was like a ghost who had stolen everything from her. From her husband to her Father everyone was fond of Motia, everyone and everything was out of her control. Meanwhile, Tajwar heard dogs barking far away, and she felt as if they were laughing at her loss. She was going mad, at that moment she was even ready to murder Motia. 

In that instant, a thought struck her mind that relieved her a little. Tajwar was now only waiting for the night to pass!

The next day she called Batool and told her that if she did what Tajwar wants her to do, she will marry Saeed to her and not only that but she will provide her wealth and many more. Batool realized, what Tajwar was speaking about. it was time to choose between her friend and Saeed and Batool chose Saeed! An evil smile appeared on Tajwar's face she took a golden bangle out of her wrist and gave it to Batool.                             ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛ 

Motia was in Batool's house when Batool told her that tonight they have to go to meet Saeed near the well. Because Batool thought that Saeed is not willing to marry her anymore, now she wanted Motia to talk to Saeed and motivate him to marry Batool.

 Simple and kind Motia agreed heartily. in the middle of the night, they both were on their way to the well. Batool said Motia to exchange her Duppata with her ( because Saeed might not be willing to meet Motia) she also told her to remove the bangles from both of her wrists because her bangles were making a sound. Handling her bangles to Batool, Motia moved into the trees near the well where Saeed was waiting to meet them. Batool stayed at a distance and began to throw her Duppata and bangles in a row on the ground! 

Murad was in his room when Tajwar came to him and said in a tone of urgency; “Go and witness with your own eyes how that characterless Motia is cheating you”! 

She told Murad that Motia is with her lover (Saeed)near the well in the middle of the night. Without m a word to his mother, Murad left his room immediately. On his way to the well, Murad was sure that it was a false accusation made against Motia by his mother. She couldn't be there at this time. 

Once Murad reached there, he saw Motia's Duppata on the ground and the next moment he caught a glimpse of her Rainbow coloured bangle near a tree, then another bangle and a whole row of it on the ground. Meanwhile, he heard laughter, and his heart sank, there was no doubt left in his mind that she was Motia!

 Murad moved into the trees and was awestruck to find Motia and Saeed talking and laughing there. At that moment he felt how foolish he was to doubt his Mother. 

it was Saeed who first saw Murad holding a gun in his hand, and out of fear Saeed flew away from the spot. Motia was trying to understand what just happened, she turned around and saw Murad standing there. Calling his name she approached him and in that instant, Murad placed his gun on her neck and started to sing this poem: 

Pressing his finger on the trigger to shoot her, he thought; “how will he be able to kill the girl he loved the most?"

 How would he survive if she died?

 Pulling back his gun from her throat, he said; ( Ja Motia iutar gayee Tu Murad k dil say aj, ek baar tu ne meri Jan bachayee thi, aj iussi k badlay Mai teri Jan bakishta hu)

Saying these words he left her there.

 Motia was dumbstruck. Death would have been better than the words Murad said to her. She was crying badly thinking about the dream she once saw. She moved here and there to find the snake (that she once saw in her dream) wishing it to come out of the grass and bite her so that she might be relieved of the pain she was feeling right now.

                              

Murad went straight to his mother and told her that he is ready to marry his cousin. Tajwar hugged him and kissed his forehead saying, that Mahnoor is a nice girl and that he will forget the characterless Motia soon. Murad told her mother that he didn't want to hear her name again. 

 The other day Tajwar told Shuja that Murad is no more interested in marrying Motia and that she is going to her brother's house to fix his marriage with Mahnoor. Shuja tried to stop her but (tajwar to tajwar thi):( 

Peer Ibrahim's reaction was the same as Shuja, he warned his daughter that she is doing wrong but Tajwar managed to fix the marriage on the 10th of the successive month.                                                                         ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

Motia was sure that Murad will forgive her after all she was the love of his life. Sitting on the roof of her house she was talking to the moon, telling the moon about last night's incident. Blaming herself for getting out too late to meet Saeed. Moon was listening to the yells and cries of this beauty in ‘silence’.

That night Moon saw Tajwar too who was sleeping peacefully on her bed. (A peaceful sleep after a great victory.) 

 And restless Murad who lost his Motia! A lover who lost everything! A lover who has to live a life without his beloved!                                                                                        ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

Batool was married to Saeed a couple of days ago. Without her, no one was aware of the engagement of Murad and Mahnoor. It was hard for her to face her innocent and sincere friend whom she trapped successfully. The guilt of sacrificing Motia's love for her own was too much for her. But somehow she managed to stay silent to live a peaceful life with Saeed.                                                      ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛.                                                     (Second last episode)

The date was the 10th, Murad (the groom) came out of the haveli on a horse with a huge crowd of people. Tajwar and Shuja were on a buggy. A few men were assigned to throw coins on the (Bharat ) and people of jog Jivan were busy collecting most of them. (Bharat was moving towards the house of Gamu, Gamu and Allah wasayee were sitting with Motia on the roof of their house delightfully waiting for the (Bharat). In her red bridal dress, Motia was looking beyond beautiful. As the Bharat was near Gamu's house, Tajwar told the men to throw even more coins, this was her way of celebrating her victory over Motia. Shuja was not in the favour of passing Murad's Bharat by Gamu's house as he didn't want to hurt them but her insistence was simple Stubbornness.( ius kee zid k aigay bala Shuja kya cheez tha).

Murad caught a glimpse of Motia standing on the roof with her parents and he forgot everything. 

He had no words to praise her beauty, in that instant he thought about how he will be able to live without this girl! 

He was ready to forgive his beloved and marry her instead of his cousin but now it was impossible to do so. 

Meanwhile, Shuja and Tajwar saw her too. Seeing her in a full bridal look, Shuja came to know that Tajwar hadn't informed Gamu and his family about Murad and Mehnoor's marriage yet. Shuja was hurt and ashamed by this cruel behaviour of his wife but just like his son he wasn't able to do anything now. 

On the other hand, Tajwar was looking at Murad who was still lost in Motia's beauty and This was the first time she regretted passing his Bharat from Gamu's house.

 When Gamu, Allahwasaye and Motia saw the Bharat passing and leaving their house behind they were extremely shocked. Meanwhile, they overheard, people from their neighbourhood talking about Murad and Mehnoor and how Chaudries rejected Gamu Mashki's daughter. Allahwasayee and Gamu were stunned! How could they do this to them? They were moaning and crying madly but Motia... She was quiet.

 There was not a single tear in her eyes. Allahwasaye and Gamu tried to make her cry or at least speak anything but all in vain she was quite..., quite like a corpse!                                                                                            ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

On their first wedding night, Murad came to his room where his bride was waiting for him. As he lifted her veil, the beautiful face of Motia standing on the roof in her bridal dress appeared before his eyes. Murad forgot that she is Mehnoor and kissed her repeating Motia's name. Mehnoor was shocked and hurt by his unusual behaviour, after all, no bride wants to hear the name of other women from her husband on their first night. It took her only a few moments to understand who Motia was. And it was the first time she regretted marrying Murad. 

The next morning Murad left the haveli early and Mehnoor was having breakfast with Tajwar. Tajwar asked her about the gift that Murad gave her on their first wedding night. And Mehnoor answered by saying; 

“The name of Motia! ”              

Murad was back in England to complete his degree. That day it was raining heavily and he was near the window of his room with a cup of tea in his hand. The raindrops were reminding him of Motia, their first meeting on the train station, her black beautiful eyes, her rosy lips and her bridal look. For Murad, Motia was unforgettable.                                          ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

 Months passed but there was no change in Motia's condition. She had not spoken a single word since that day. It was hard for Allahwasyaee and Gamu to see Motia the whole day staring off blankly into space, without uttering a single word. They tried every doctor and psychiatrist, but all in vain. People in jog jivan thought that Motia was gone mad. It was heartbreaking for everyone to witness such beauty in this condition. 

After that incident, Gamu left his job as Mashki and ceased to take anything from Chaudries. For the first time, in their lives, Their hearts were filled with hate and anger against Chaudries. Indeed Their sin was unforgivable and inexcusable!                                                                                   ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

  One day Allahwasyaee and Gamu decided to take Motia to Peer Ibrahim. Once they reached there, heartbroken Gamu complained of Tajwar and her wrongdoing to Peer Ibrahim. Peer Ibrahim was ashamed and hurt by what Tajwar had done to them.

He was a saint and he had thousands of disciples but once he looked into Motia's eyes he got terrified, there was nothing but indefinable pain that she was hiding in her heart and this pain was caused by none other than his daughter. 

 Tears were rolling down his cheeks he begged Motia to forgive his daughter and try not to curse her. 

 Everyone present there was stunned to see a saint requesting forgiveness from an ordinary girl. 

Gamu was speechless he held Motia's hand and left the room.                                                             ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

 When Tajwar heard about the incident, she was extremely disturbed. She thought that it was a matter of shame for her and her father to seek forgiveness from a girl like Motia. 

Her father warned her that she and her pride will be the reason for their fall. But she argued by saying that Sainthood is their family inheritance and will remain with them forever.                                       ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛

After a few months, a  baby boy was born to Mehnoor. There was once again a great celebration at the Haveli of Chaudries. Tajwar was extremely delighted her heart swelled with pride as she saw her grandson. She distributed sweets and grains all over the village.

 When Gamu and Allahwasayee got this news they were extremely upset, for the first time in their lives disappointment enveloped their hearts. out of desperation, Gamu said to His wife, “I think Allah has forgotten us Allah wasayee, we have no reason left to live, so it is better to commit suicide”! 

“But who will kill Motia”? Said Allah wasayee. 

“You”! Replied Gamu. 

Thanks For reading Guys:)   

The summary of the last episode will be uploaded soon InshaAllah. 

If you want more summaries of your favourite novels (like this one)let me know in the comments. 

Sending loads of love your way where ever you are. Have an amazing day or night:)