"A few days back, a friend, Taimoor Mughal, shared with me the last letter that Jinnah's wife Ruttie wrote to him. Ruttie, as we know, had died young and ill -- even as her lover and husband Mohammad Ali Jinnah was consumed with work that eventually led to the creation of Pakistan. They say Jinnah never cried but at Ruttie's death and at her burial.
Ruttie was much younger than Jinnah -- and both were smitten with each other. Her longing for his attention during her lone days and, subsequently her illness is summed up in the few words of this beautiful letter.
Oh, how much love has sacrificed itself at the altar of the creation of Pakistan!
_Ramla"
S. S. Rajputana,
Marseilles 5 Oct 1928
Darling – thank you for all you have done. If ever in my bearing your once tuned senses found any irritability or unkindness – be assured that in my heart there was place only for a great tenderness and a greater pain – a pain my love without hurt. When one has been as near to the reality of Life (which after all is Death) as I have been dearest, one only remembers the beautiful and tender moments and all the rest becomes a half veiled mist of unrealities. Try and remember me beloved as the flower you plucked and not the flower you tread upon.
I have suffered much sweetheart because I have loved much. The measure of my agony has been in accord to the measure of my love.
Darling I love you – I love you – and had I loved you just a little less I might have remained with you – only after one has created a very beautiful blossom one does not drag it through the mire. The higher you set your ideal the lower it falls.
I have loved you my darling as it is given to few men to be loved. I only beseech you that the tragedy which commenced in love should also end with it.
Darling Goodnight and Goodbye
Ruttie
I had written to you at Paris with the intention of posting the letter here – but I felt that I would rather write to you afresh from the fullness of my heart. R.
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