"Marry for the sake of Allah"

Zahra rushed into the park. She wanted to run but she made it up by walking as fast as she could. It would help the turmoil in her head. When she was out of breath she flopped into a bench and grasped for breath.

A million things ran in her mind. "You are twenty-eight now!! Twenty-eight! Do you know I had three children by then?". "This is the fault of all the education given to you girls. You think too much of yourself." "Once a girl comes of age and she is not married, she brings shame to her family. People think there must be something wrong with her". "I do not want to hear a 'No' this time. The decision is made."

The last being her own mother who said it. Yes, she was twenty-eight, single, successful, graceful and beautiful. Was it her fault that she did not find a mate that matched her? She had seen over a dozen suitors and in all she had found some qualities that did not appeal. Either they were eccentrics, extremists, forward or traditional.

The last proposal was a decent one. At least better than the rest of the lot but she still didn't want to say yes. Yes to what? An unknown future? An unknown person? She had everything good going in her life and she didn't want to risk it. As she was thinking all these thoughts, she did not realise that an elderly gentlemen had sat on the same bench.

She turned her face and recognised from his beard and cap that he was a pious muslim. "Assalam Alaykum". "Walaykum Salam, my child" He gave her a beaming smile. I suppose he was happy to see a young woman dressed properly with a scarf in today's modern world.

He noticed her worried lines and gently probed: "Is anything the matter? you look tense". At that point of time, Zahra could not control her emotions and she bust into tears. She told him everything. What she was feeling, her fears, her worries...

At the end when she was done, he asked "What do you really think is marriage?" Zahra thought about it and said "I don't know. But it should be romantic and heart warming like Nicholas Sparks novels."

"Alright." he answered. "For that you need to talk to various men and get to know them, go out for dates, exchange views... do you think you have done that.. or will do that for that matter?"

"No" Zahra answered slowly. Despite her romantic notions, she didn't believe in meeting men for dates. She just wanted to meet that one 'man'.

"I thought so" answered the man. "You look like a good woman. I do not think it would agree to your conscience. May be a work colleague you may have known or may be someone you have grown up with"

"Yes. Yes." Zahra agreed nodding her head vigorously. That was exactly what she wanted. To observe someone, know their character from a far or from interactions and then may be it wouldn't be so tough to say yes. The problem was, she hadn't met any.

"What you feel is perfectly logical. But let me tell you my dear, marriage is not all what is in those books you have read or not about playing safe by marrying someone you know."

"What is marriage then?" she asked

"Marriage is for Allah".

"For Allah?" She wondered. She had never thought of it like that.

"Yes, my child. You see, we humans forget that we are born to worship our Lord. This world is for us but for a few years. How long do you expect to live? 50? 70? At the most 90 years. And then what? Marriage is the sunnah of the Prophet. Through marriage we get a companion who helps us in the path to heaven. We get children we shall leave behind to pray for us. We shall add a few more people to this world who will worship our lord in the morning and night. Marriage is a responsibility, a duty, a sacrifice and a chance."

Zahra was spell bound. No one had explained marriage to her like that. but she still had one question. "What about the women who suffer in marriage. They are beaten, abused, they don't find companionship and their lives turn out so bitter."

The man smiled. "What about those people who lost their homes and people in earthquakes and floods? What about those people who die hungry due to lack of provisions, what about those people who remain poor due to lack of opportunities?"

Zahra shook her head. She did not understand how her question was related to these.

"My dear, Allah tries man with different trials. Some with parents, other's with children and other's with their spouses. There are people who are tried financially, other's through calamities. But they do not stop living. And the true believer never gives up hope but strives through the hardships. Similarly, if you marry for Allah. Marry because it was the Sunnat of our Holy prophet... then you will have no fear. For when man does something for his self, he soon finds himself lost and sorrowful at the turn of events. But when he does it for his Lord, no matter what happens, he perseveres."

"Marry for the sake of Allah"... Zahra whispered. Suddenly, it all seemed to make sense to her. Truly what the wise man said was true. Why would she fear when she knows the step taken would be for Allah. She would face her future bravely, knowing that her everything is for Allah and nothing for herself.

She smiled. A smile of relief, a smile of peace. "Thank you. Thank you so much. You don't know but you helped me make one of the most important decisions of my life" She thanked him profusely.

"Not at all. It was my pleasure". He replied with a smile.

She got up, bid him goodbye and started walking back home. She had just gone a few steps, when it struck her that she should take his contact number. InshaAllah she would invite him for her wedding. As she turned around, she was shocked to see the man gone.

"How can that be?" She wondered. He was an elderly man with a walking stick. Surely he couldn't have got up and walked away so fast

.... unless, he wasn't a man, but an angel sent for her. with this thought, she smiled her way home and into her new future

A letter to Allah, from a seven year old

Dearest Allah,

All praise to You, o Lord of the worlds.

May peace and blessings be upon your messenger, Mohammed SAW and his progeny.

Dear Lord, today Ammi made chocolate cake and it was the bestest. She also gave me a glass of milk. I don't like milk. But she says it's good for the body and that I will be able to beat Ashraf on sports day. She told me it was a blessing from You and I should not make faces. I am sorry to make faces... but Lord; I really don't like milk :(

In school I learnt multiplication. Teacher thinks I am fast with numbers. I don't like numbers but I like multiplication. I can multiply three digit numbers and I even taught Zahra how to do it. The best part of school today was break time. Me and Ali and Abdul played football. Abdul's dad got him one from the big shop on Halls street. That mean guy Amar tried to take our football away but we didn't let him. We took the ball and ran. I told Ammi this and she told me that we should not run away like cowards but 'confont' Amar. I don't know what confont is. Is it to give him the ball?

After lunch we went to Madrasa. Mualim aunty has finished teaching us the whole prayer. I can now pray the complete prayer! She has told us to pray everyday. She says it will bring us closer to You. She also says that you love children a lot and especially good children. I hope I am a good child. While we were all practicing how to pray, Amar pushed Ali and he fell down. Abdul got very angry and he hit Amar. Mualim aunty then came and separated them. When we told her Amar had pushed Ali, Amar started lying! He said he had not! Mualim aunty then took him away from our row and to the back.

Abbu has not yet come home. I don't know if he will come today. Yesterday I got up in the night. I wanted to go to the bathroom. When I passed Ammi's room, I saw she was crying. She was sitting by the window as if waiting for Abbu. I went in and I gave her a hug. She hugged me so tight. I might have broken my bone in the chest. Why does Ammi cry in the night Lord? She is always smiling in the day. In the evening she even chased me with the spinach soup. I don't like spinach soup. She is always happy happy with me then why sad sad at night? Please let Abbu come tonight. I want Ammi to be jolly always.

Ammi is calling me for dinner. She doesn't know I write to Lord. It is our secret.

May peace and blessings be upon your messenger, Mohammed SAW and his progeny.

I love you.
Your little servant,
Mansoor

Alvira

Alvira climbed over the gate and quietly climbed the stairs to her flat. "Damn neighbors, damn neighborhood' she mumbled as she reached for her cell phone. She didn't want to ring the door bell at 3.00 am in the morning in case the neighbors woke up. Her boyfriend Ritesh has dropped her around the corner so that her neighbors wouldn't hear the bike. "Pick up your phone", Alvira sweared beneath her breath.

"Hello" came a sleepy soft voice. "Hey, it's me!! Open the door, I am outside" Alvira whispered to Sakina, her roommate. She could feel Sakina jumping out of her slumber- partly from surprise and partly from shock. "What time is it?” Sakina asked. "First open the door. Quick!" Alvira replied exasperated. Sakina got up and opened the door.

Alvira came in quietly and closed the door. "Thanks and sorry to disturb you" She threw her bag on the sofa and walked to her room removing her jacket. Sakina could smell smoke and perfume and she knew Alvira would be coming from her club parties. "It's three in the morning! You've gone too far now!" She told Alvira in a stern voice.

Alvira turned and laughed, throwing the hair over her shoulder. "Just chill babe. We had a new DJ playing and wooooooo", Alvira twirled around "It was fun. Sad you don't come" Alvira gave Sakina a look of pity.

Alvira and Sakina had met at the University campus on their first day of school. Alvira recognized Sakina as a Muslim because of her scarf and she went and introduced herself. Sakina had become over zealous to know that Alvira was also in her class. Sakina came from a small town somewhere in the middle of India. Alvira was from Dubai. She had come back to India to do her degree studies. At least that is what she told her parents. The fact was, she wanted her freedom away from home and that was why she chose to study away from home. She and Sakina had agreed to be roommates and the best part was; Alvira's parents were happy. They liked Sakina and thought Alvira would be safe with a good Muslim friend.

In the first year itself, Alvira found herself a boyfriend. She was pretty, confident and everyone loved to be around her. When she entered the room, it became fun and everyone wanted to be with her. Sakina on the other hand was quite and a serious student. She went to college, attended the classes and went back home to continue studying. Sakina and Alvira had little in common. Alvira studied fours hours before the exams and scored eighty percent. Sakina studied twelve hours a day and scored ninety and above.

The only common thing which they shared was - they belonged to the same faith. Islam. Alvira never thought about it while Sakina lived it. For Alvira, Sakina was a nice hassle free alibi for her parents. Since she was staying with such a responsible girl, her parents felt at rest.

Sakina had realized within a month that Alvira was a flirt. She saw her in class, the way she would talk to boys and laugh. While Sakina prayed all her prayers, Alvira didn't believe in praying. Sakina had asked her many times to pray, indirectly and politely but Alvira was not interested. At times Sakina saw a guilty look in Alvira's eyes and at times, just darkness. Alvira did fast though during the month of Ramadan but as soon as the month was over, she was back to being the carefree or rather careless teenager. The choice of clothes were designer tank tops, cut jeans, and many revealing dresses. There was no doubt that Alvira was beautiful. She has flawless fair skin, lovely hazel eyes, beautiful hair and she stood out on her five feet six inches. Sakina had seen at least ten guys fall for her within a year of college.

To her dismay, Alvira decided to make Ritesh, a spoilt rich boy her boyfriend. It had been now a year since Alvira had started going out with him, to clubs, parties and at times they'd spend the weekend at vacation spots like Goa and Ooty. Sakina was now beyond shock. She had contemplated many times to tell Alvira's parents and once she did. She called up Alvira's parents and explained that she was going out with a guy.

All hell had broken loose then. Alvira's father came down from Dubai and threatened to take her away if she did not stop. Alvira had given a betrayed look to Sakina and Sakina looked away. She loved Alvira in her strange way. No matter how many times she ignored Sakina and used her for her personal gain, Sakina loved Alvira, her spirit, her intelligence and at the end of the day, no matter how she was, she was her Muslim sister.

Alvira's dad left after two days. Alvira promised him she would break up with her boyfriend and try to 'become like Sakina' as her father mentioned. For the next week, Alvira did not talk to Sakina. Alvira gave Sakina a cold shoulder and her nights out increased even further. "You have no right to interfere in my business. As you say, God gave us a mind to think and a will to choose. I have thought and I have chosen. This is my life so mind your own business".

That night Sakina had cried to sleep. She had gone out to help a friend, a friend who was not realizing what she was doing only to be hurt by her words. She decided then that she would not interfere, advice or say anything to Alvira. She would remain her loyal friend, from heart and from faith but like Alvira said - she had chosen her life and it was her right.

But there was one thing she never stopped doing. She never stopped praying for Alvira. After every Salaat, she would pray to God to help her friend come back to the right path.

Days past after the night Alvira came late. Exams were approaching and as usual Sakina helped Alvira understand all the subjects within a week of the examinations. When the results came out, Alvira had got 85% while Sakina 92%. "You study twelve hours a day and I just four hours before exam yet we have only a difference of 7%" Alvira smirked at her friend. Sakina smiled "Actually, I should thank you. It's by teaching you that I achieve such high marks. Not only do I understand the concepts well but they are reinforced by explaining them to you. You also make me think when you ask your smart questions. I don't think I would have achieved 92% without you." Sakina smiled at Alvira. "So thank you" she said shyly.

Alvira was speechless. She had intended to be mean and her friend was actually thanking her. "That's ok" she said dismissingly and looked away. "I've got to go. Ritesh is taking me for dinner. It's a surprise. I think it's going to be The Leela. I always wanted to go there" she gushed on excitedly. Sakina kept quite. She kept her face neutral. Alvira knew Sakina did not approve but she cared nothing for it. She was happy and her happiness meant everything to her.

That night Sakina decided to read the at least three chapters of the Holy Quran, the book of Allah Taala. Sakina found great peace in reading Quran. She did not understand Arabic so she read the translation in English along with Arabic. That way she understood what her Lord was telling her and many a times she would weep over the love that Allah showed for her through His book. Yes for her. For Sakina. Sakina knew that Allah Taala had sent the book as guidance to mankind and what amazed her was as she read, she felt that God was talking to her personally. Addressing her, guiding her, admonishing her, showing his Signs and narrating about the great prophets of aforetime, May peace be on all of them. Sakina looked forward every evening to read the Holy Quran. She was not a strong woman but rather, through her own niceness which she couldn't see, she was a woman of strength, strength that she derived from the Holy Quran.

"I'm going! I'm taking the keys so I won't disturb you if I come late", Alvira cried out as she ran down the staircase. Sakina was at that time bowing down and said a small prayer to protect Alvira. She finished her prayers and sat down to read the Quran Shariff. She read for over an hour and then felt sleepy. She still wanted to read more so she decided to take a small nap and continue reading. She left her bookmark on the page and lied down on her bed. Before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

Alvira came back at 11.30 p.m. As she had guessed, Ritesh had taken her out to the Leela's and she had loved it. Everything was perfect for her. She never thought of tomorrow or the future. It was foolish to do so. Enjoy the present. That was her motto. When she entered the house, she saw Sakina's room light was on. She went in and saw Sakina peacefully sleeping. Her prayer mat was laid out and the Holy Quran was on the stool on her mat. Alvira went forward to fold the prayer mat. She guessed that Sakina would have slept while reading the Quran. As she was about to pick the Holy Quran, she hesitated. A million thoughts ran over her mind.

"You are unclean"
"You are not a good woman. Only the good touch the Holy Book"
"You are an evil woman"

Alvira stepped back. She didn't know where the thoughts came from. She didn't like them. She felt suffocated. She looked at the prayer mat, the Holy Quran; she couldn't leave them there lying open. She got up, went to her room, and changed into one of the decent salwar suits she had which she used only for Eid. She went to the bathroom and did ablution. She didn't remember when she had done it last. She washed her hands, her face, her arms, she wiped her head, her ears, neck and legs. She was surprised to find she had not forgotten the duas to pray. She walked into Sakina's room, put the dupatta, the long scarf around her head and kneeled down to pick the Holy Quran. As she held it in her hands, she sat down and without a thought opened it. Sakina had kept her book mark at Surat-ul-Al-Imran. The chapter on the family of Imran.

She sat... and read... she read the whole Chapter. Her face changed from curiosity to deep thought to fear to regret to hope to amazement. She went through a bundle of emotions. Her heart filled up and she felt her throat becoming clogged. One by one, tears started flowing from her eyes. She didn't know why she was crying. Was it at the truth that was before her eyes, or that she had gone by life without any direction and here she found one or that she had never thought of her Creator and how much He loved her. Yes HER. As bad and as many mistakes as she had done, she did not find condemnation but rather a guiding hand. She had found... a treasure.

After she finished reading the chapter, she held the Quran to her chest and cried and cried.

"Oh my Lord, forgive me. Forgive me. Forgive me. Oh my Lord, I acknowledge you as my God. My one and only God and Mohammed your Messenger. I come to you with regret for what I have done. For all the years I have lived never acknowledging you, for all the evil I have done. I beg forgiveness from you my Lord and I beg of you to guide me to your rightful path, to your promised heaven and protect me from hell. I come to you Lord with hope in my heart that you are the most merciful."

With that prayer on her lips, Alvira bowed down her head and cried for a long time. Her crying woke up Sakina and as she focused her eyes, she could not believe that she was seeing Alvira bowing down to God. She felt her eyes mist as she got up and sat next to Alvira. When Alvira got up, Sakina handed her her handkerchief and they hugged. They were both crying. There was no need of words. The heart of one believer can understand each and every heart beat of another believer.

That night changed Alvira forever. It was not easy for her. But an inner light, strength, a faith she had not anticipated gave her courage. She first broke off with Ritesh. She told him about her experienced and how she realized she was on a lost path. Ritesh did not understand. He thought she had gone mad. After many accusations, pleadings, Ritesh realized that Alvira was firm in her decision. He left and though Alvira felt her heart was breaking, she did not shake from her belief.

The days that came saw Alvira turn from a flirt to a respectful girl, she covered her self, her confidence grew more, she studied more now with Sakina and even enrolled in Islamic studies. She went home and had a heart-to-heart talk with her parents. Her parents were speechless. Partly from disbelief at the sudden change in Alvira and partly from immense happiness.

As for Alvira and Sakina, their friendship grew even stronger. When they parted at the end of their degree studies, Alvira gave Sakina a beautiful prayer mat and a thank you note:

"To my friend, who did not give up on me"

Two children

Zarrah looked into the mirror and saw the pretty heart shaped face, the lovely hazel eyes lined with kohl. She smiled and the face turned beautiful with a child like quality that would make anyone want to protect its owner. She closed her eyes and remembered the first time.

She had been three. He was four. She was sitting in the sand dune playing with her friends. He came next to her and joined her. She had looked up at him and smiled. He had thick curly hair and long eye lashes. He had looked at her and her golden brown hair. “I’m going to marry you one day” he told her. Zarrah didn’t know what to say. She turned deep red and turned away. His eyes scared her. He then did that one thing that got him yanked by Ms. Ahmed and locked up in the ‘Bad Children Room’. He had ever so gently and silently leaned forward and kissed her on her cheek. All the children had squealed. Ms. Ahmed came rushing and took him away. She had been in a state of shock. She didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or to celebrate the happiness she felt. He had turned back and looked at her. A look that promised he would be back. Back.

However, that was the last day she had seen him. Her parents left the city that day. Zarrah’s father had been promoted and they were moving to the capital city. He would be managing the central office.

Soon years passed and Zarrah blossomed into a beautiful girl. Her beauty was even more precious for she covered it up. She was a jewel. Just like how the most beautiful things in the world are hidden, be it the pearl in the oyster’s protective arms or the diamond deep down the mine. Zarrah often sat and thought who would unearth her, and it was at that time she heard those words: “I’m going to marry you one day” She’d hid her face in the pillow and think of where he was. She knew she was crazy. He had been just four, yet what he said was with so much determination.

Today Zarrah turned eighteen. Today a man was coming to see her, to ask for her hand in marriage. She had overheard her mother telling her aunt. Her parents were friends with the family before Zarrah was born. They had moved to Muscat a few years back and now they were coming with their son was coming to see her. Zarrah’s mom went on to say that she would want Zarrah to marry now. It’s always good to marry early. There is charm and beauty when two who are young come together. They become one more easily and stand by each other at every point of life.

Zarrah had rushed to her room and thrown herself on the bed. Her heart was beating. She was scared. What if the man liked her, and then would that little boy, who had promised to marry her, never marry her? She laughed through her tears because she knew she was being silly. She touched her cheek, fourteen years later she still felt the same tingle.

Her parents told her a day in advance. They asked her if it was alright with her. She nodded silently. What could she say? “No Ammi, I actually am waiting for a four year old who once said he was going to marry me” They would laugh at her. She didn’t even know the name of the boy.
The smile in the mirror quivered. The heart shaped faced turned sad as the hazel eyes carried a far away look. “Zarrah!” her mother called her. It was time, time to go down and meet the man, the man who could be her future and the end of her childhood fantasy.

Adnan sat there waiting nervously. He couldn’t control his heart beat. Would she like him? Would she be ready to marry him? Would she remember his promise- the one he had made in the sand dune. If she didn’t, would she like him now? As the young man he was? His hand shook as he quickly laced his fingers to hide his nervousness.

She came in the room and he thought he had stopped breathing. She was wearing a turquoise salwar suit; the duppatta that covered her head was laced with beads that made her look like a fairy with flower buds framing her face. She kept her head bowed and eyes down. His parents saw her and nodded with approval. They looked at her and nodded to him. He seemed to notice all this from one angle of his eye. He didn’t know when he was more mesmerized: The day he first saw her or today?

His parents were talking to her. She replied still with her eyes cast down. He didn’t know he was staring at her. Until his mother nudged him. Zarrah hadn’t looked at him. “Why don’t you two go in the balcony and talk” her father told him. He nodded shyly and got up. She also got up and moved towards the balcony. It had a lovely view of the lawns- A glass panel that separated it from the living room where their parents sat. They could see them sitting in the balcony. Both seemed to be at a loss of words.

He didn’t know what to say. She still hadn’t looked up. “I did tell you I will marry you one day”. Her head jerked up. Her eyes searching his face: searching for the face of the little boy, the boy with thick curly hair and long eye lashes. Her hazel eyes shone with excitement and disbelief, of shock and relief. It was then he realized, she hadn’t forgotten. He felt a surge of happiness as he smiled into her eyes. She turned the same deep red when he had told her when they were kids. A tiny smile crept at the corners of her mouth. It was unbelievable. It was him. He truly had come.

That's how the two children came together for the rest of their lives.

Each one of us can make a difference

Sameer completed his twenty lapses and sat down on the bench panting. As his breath calmed down, he thought about Reshma. Sameer and Reshma studied together. They were Architecture students and would complete their course in a year. “A year and I may never see her again” he thought sadly. He liked Reshma a lot but did not have the courage to propose to her. At twenty three, he was after all a boy. As far as he was concerned, his life revolved around his college, his friends, hanging out at M.G. Road and doing last minute studies to get through. He knew after a year, his college life would come to an end, friends will move away, but he didn’t want to let go of Reshma.

He leaned back on the bench and put his hands behind his head. He closed his eyes and thought of her. She was an intelligent, fun-loving girl. Everyone liked her and everyone wanted to be her friend. Sameer on the other hand was an average guy, the usual bloke on the road. He didn’t think he had anything special. He was not a great public speaker or a leader. He didn’t believe he could ever contribute in a great way to the world. After graduation, he hoped to get a job in one of the construction companies.

As he got up from his bench and walked towards the west gate, he noticed a gathering of people. There was a man talking to them and giving them pamphlets. He joined them to find out what the fuss was all about. “You can also make a difference. Do save our world and let us make sure that the place we leave for our children is better than the one we got” the man was saying.

“What is he talking about?” Sameer asked one of the men in the group.

“Global warming, He is explaining about how global warming has led to the increase in temperatures and claims it’s also the cause of floods and hurricanes that are happening. Can you believe that?!” He exclaimed

Sameer had heard about global warming. Lately it was a topic that was splashed all over the newspapers and magazines. He personally thought it was exaggerated. There had been a recent seminar in his college by a group of environmentalists from a non-profit organization. He had sat there in the seminar half listening to them and half thinking about Reshma. Undoubted, he only remembered Reshma.

As he left the gathering, the man with the pamphlets came up to him and said “Good morning sir would you like to sign up for our campaign. We need volunteers to help us plant native trees around Bangalore.” ‘Not on my life’ Sameer thought. He didn’t want to go round the city planting trees. That was the job of the Municipal! “Umm, no thanks, I don’t have time.” He said as he tried to dodge past him. “Please sir, do think about it. Here, have our pamphlet and in case you change your mind” he said handing him one of the pamphlets. “Ok yeah sure” Sameer replied. He hastily took the pamphlet and hurried on before the guy could say another word.

He had no intention to join. The first thing he would do is find a dust bin and throw it. He removed his bike keys and absently stuffed the pamphlet in his pocket. Once at home, he got ready fast and left for college. He tried to talk to Reshma but he had no confidence. He smiled and acted cool but he was troubled. Damn! He was afraid of rejection. He couldn’t bear rejection. He like many other boys his age would not do something when they knew they’d hear a no.

That night, after dinner he went out in the balcony and sat on the swing. He could hear the distant sounds of the traffic. Traffic! He had noticed how much the traffic had increased the past few years. Earlier it took him fifteen minutes to reach college and now, almost half an hour. He also didn’t like the pollution. When it used to rain, he would go out with his friends and enjoy the first showers of the monsoon. Now he would do anything but that. The rain that fell mixed with the carbon emissions. They would drop on his shirt like black dirty water!

He closed his eyes and let his mind wander. Soon he dozed off. That’s when he saw the dream. His dream took him into the late century. He saw his great great grand daughter. She looked sixteen resembled Reshma but she had his eyes and like magic, he began to feel as though he was her.

“Asha please close the windows. I see some rays coming in. Make sure you have worn your gloves!” a voice called out from the back ground. “Yes mom” Asha replied. She pulled out the draw and removed her gloves. She wore them and went to the window, closed it tightly and drew the curtains. The temperatures outside must be at least 70°C. She went back to her desk to attend school. The Government had closed all real schools. They had only virtual schools. No one could afford to risk going out of the house. In the news last night, ten people had died of skin cancer. The UV rays had reported gone up by 20%.

Their house had been sealed. They used a cooler but only sparingly. The electricity was on just for an hour a day. It was the same in the whole country. They couldn’t afford to use it more than that else the carbon emissions would rise and that would mean only hotter climate and more cancer.

After submitting her essay, she went to read the newspaper. It the history section, there was an article about a city called Kolkatta. It used to be located west of India. It was known for its literature, art and culture. Millions of people lived there and the sweet Rasagulla was first made in Kolkatta. Today many people take a submarine to go underwater and explore the remains of the city. Asha sighed and put the paper down. Asha’s mother had told her that their family had been from Kolkatta. It’s a pity she would never see Kolkatta.

Asha’s mother came in and asked her to get ready so that they could go and buy the months groceries. Asha went to her room and put on her anti-UV coat, face mask and gloves. She looked at herself in the mirror. At sixteen she should be wearing pretty dresses and look charming. However, in her case, she looked more like a fireman.

They went out of the room and hurried to the car. The car was covered with aluminum foil to reflect the sun rays. That didn’t help much though. When they sat in, the car was as hot as an oven. The shopping plaza was three kilometers away. As they drove past, they couldn’t see a soul on the streets.

They hurriedly did their shopping. Mother asked the shop keeper if they would deliver the next month’s grocery home. “Sorry Behenji, we already lost two delivery boys who died of heat stroke. From now onwards we don’t deliver” Mother was dismayed. Surely life was becoming tough.

When they came back home, they made a lunch of sandwiches. They made a lot of sandwiches lately because they didn’t need to use the gas then. Gas had become very expensive. The Government increased the prices so as to discourage people in using gas. It also rationed the electricity and water.

They sat down to watch the News. “Another tornado has hit the south of India. Tornado Anjali is expected to strike the Andamans and move towards Chennai. It is likely to proceed southwards to Kerala.” The reporter was saying. They showed the pictures of the tornado and the houses being washed away. According to the reporter, it was likely that Andaman and Nicobar Island would disappear. The camera shifted to Chennai to show how millions of people were rushing inland wearing their Anti-UV coats. Babies were wrapped in Anti-UV blankets as their mothers tried to protect them from the sun and rain.

Asha looked at the news indifferently. It wasn’t something new. These calamities had become part of life. Just the other day she had seen the last of Hong Kong. She hopped the scientist would succeed in making Mars habitable. Earth was soon running out of earth.

“Sameer, Sameer, wake up son.” Sameer got up with a jerk. His mother was shaking him. “You will catch a cold out here, why don’t you go in your room and relax” Sameer nodded his head and went to his room. As he closed the door, he stood with his back to it. He was perplexed by what he had just dreamt. The dream had been so real. He had felt Asha’s emotions as though it were his. ‘Oh-my-God, will the earth really become all that in the years to come?!’ he thought panicking.

Suddenly a completely new feeling came in his mind. No, it can’t be. He won’t let it be. He didn’t want his future generation to wear anti-UV coats and live life closed door. He wasn’t going to have his great great grand daughter never know her hometown. He wasn’t going to let Kolkatta or any city go underwater. He had the chance now. He could do something. Even though he was merely a boy and merely one person, but he would contribute to saving the earth.

He remembered the pamphlet he got in Lal bagh and hurriedly checked his jeans. “Oh God please, let me not have thrown it” he muttered as he searched in a frenzy. He found it at last and breathed a sight of relief. He immediately called the number listed and told them he was interested to join their campaign and learn more about what was global warming and how he could help. The volunteer was more than happy to give him the information. “Thank you sir, you don’t know how hard it is for us to get people to realize the seriousness of this.” Thanked the volunteer. Sameer thought to himself “Well neither did I until now”

The next day, Sameer went to the Organization and enrolled as one of their members. He joined them in planting trees around Bangalore and attended the various seminars they conducted. He read as much as he could about global warming and what was causing it. He even watched the documentary movie ‘Inconvenient Truth” by Al-Gore. Soon he joined the ‘Spread-the-awareness’ campaigns and after his morning jogs, he too would give pamphlets to the joggers and ask them to do something.

He couldn’t believe that a few simple steps could help reduce so much of electricity and fuel that was increasing the levels of CO2 and CH4. Both gases had increased to 31% and 149% respectively since 1750. 149%!! No wonder the temperatures had gone up.

He got his friends Akash and Swamy to join the cause too and soon there was a whole group in their college. They gave seminars and organized tree-planting expeditions. Sameer left his bike and started traveling by bus. He would make sure he would recycle papers and encouraged his mother to make a compost pit for their garden out of the vegetable peels. They used electricity modestly, and made meals that required minimum gas usage. Sameer felt a sense of achievement at the end of three months. He began to feel that he had done something worthwhile. While he had gone ahead and done his bit, he had also got people to do the same.

Another good thing that came out of his decision was: he learnt to accept a no. He learnt that people say no a thousand times and it didn’t mean anything personal. A no after all, was just a no. Sameer’s confidence levels rose and he found he was happier and more content. Earlier, he had resolved to the fact that he would join one of the construction companies after he graduated, but now, he knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to go into ‘Environmentally friendly and sustainable Architecture’. He had applied for his internship to a firm that practiced it and he made a promise, throughout his career, he would make buildings that would use the solar rays for light and energy. That would cut down both lights and air conditioning.

Now he had just one more thing to do. He was also ready to ask the one question he had dreaded. During the lunch break, Reshma and he went for lunch. It was there that he told her. He told her he liked her. Reshma was silent for a while. “I thought you would never tell me” she said as she smiled at him. Sameer was sure at that moment that he would have a great great grand daughter named Asha and this Asha will not wear anti-UV coats.

A Proposal

Salma sat in the restaurant waiting for Ali. She had called him because she no longer trusted herself. She was in no position to. She needed to talk to someone, someone who would tell her what was what and what was the right thing to do.

Ali came in through the door, rushing with his bag flinged behind his back. He spotted her and rushed towards her. "Assalam Alaykum" he said, pulling the chair towards him and sitting down. Salma returned his greetings in a subdued voice.

"What happened?" Ali asked anxiously. He had known Salma for the past two years. They had studied together and had been good friends. They were working in different firms but whenever they need each other's help, both were there for their friend.

"He proposed" Salma started. "He told me he wants to marry me in fifteen days"

Ali looked at her shocked and then started laughing. "And you called me all the way here to tell me that. Isn't it good, I mean it's quite romantic even? You like him and he likes you and he finally realized it." Ali leaned back, his tension finally relieved. He had been a little worried when Salma had called. She would never have called if it wasn't something she could handle"

Salma gave him a sad smile. "Don't you want to know why he wants to marry in 15 days?"

"Why?" Ali asked. Come to think about it, that was rather strange

"Well, he told me he wants to marry me before he changes his mind"

"What!" Ali exclaimed. He couldn't believe it. "Is he crazy or are you?! What does he think marriage is? A choice between a hamburger and a sandwich? Buy one before you change your mind!" Ali was fuming; he simply could not believe this.

He looked at Salma and saw the sad glint in her eye. He knew she liked the guy. He had not met him but from what she told him, he was a good man, a righteous man and he was her friend. What he didn't understand was HIM. What sort of man proposes to a woman like this, 'before I change my mind?!'

"So what do I do?" Salma asked him.

"If you dare enter a marriage with a man who thinks he is marrying 'something' he better marry before he changes his mind, you are frankly stupid" Ali knew his words were harsh but he had to wake her up.

Tears started to glitter on Salma's face as she looked away. Ali was instantly sorry. He spoke in a gentle voice to her. "Salma, you are my dear friend, I want the best for you. Think about it, if you go ahead and marry someone who doesn't value you as a person and who is not sure it's you he wants to marry, and you live your whole life knowing that, what happiness will you truly get? The day you marry him, you know, he is not marrying you for YOU but because he has to marry someone so he picked you. That is not the foundation for a happy marriage."

Salma nodded. She knew he was right. She had the same feeling too. Now that Ali had confirmed it, she had decided.

Her answer would be no. She didn't know what future would lie ahead, whether she would meet someone she'd want to marry or whether she won't, may be she never will and that would be fine. She had many goals in life. She had many things to look forward to.

So what if the only man she ever would have married with happiness in her heart didn't want to marry her.

So what if she really searched for his kind of friendship in all the other suitors

So what that she may never find his kind of companionship

So what if she never felt this way for anybody else

She won't marry a man, unless he felt that she was the one he really wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

She took a deep breath and looked up. Ali was observing her with concern on his face. She smiled at him and asked "Coffee as usual?" and Ali knew, he knew he wouldn't have to worry about her making a wrong choice. He smiled back and signaled the waiter.

"So howz work?"
"Great! I'm working on a new product launch."
"Oh no! you and product launch?! It's going to be a disaster"
"Yeah yeah yeah, who had the silly idea of using a mobile phone as a temperature regulator in our final presentation!"
"Well, hello, that was the closest thing that resembles a remote"
"Of course. That also was the closest thing that made us the laughing stock"
"Oh shut up! At least we won"
"Yeah, we won"

At times in life...

Farhana boarded the aircraft and found her way to her seat. The immigration process had been smooth and she was glad she didn’t have to wait for so long. Soon the plane would take off and they hope to be in Frankfurt in another ten hours. After she settled down on her seat, she quickly gave a last call before they would be asked to switch off their cell phones. “Mama! Take care mama and bring me lot’s of chocolates!” her youngest squealed over the phone. Farhana laughed. “Sure darling. I will get you lot’s of chocolates” she talked to her husband and explained for the tenth time the number of items in the freezer. “I know darling. You take care of yourself. All the best and come back soon! Allah hafiz.” “Allah Hafiz” Farhana replied back and smiled. Ahmed had always been the silent strong figure whom she could lean on to. If she was the general manager of her company, it was all due to him. He had supported her and guided her throughout her career. Ahmed was a major distributor for a textile company and in spite of being so busy; he had always managed both his and his wife’s career along with their family life.

Farhana glanced at the watch. They would be stopping over at London for an hour. She couldn’t wait to get to Frankfurt. Traveling had never a liking... especially air travel. She closed her eyes as the plane took off and said her prayers. There was something about landings and take offs that scared her to death.

When they landed at London, some passengers disembarked the aircraft. After them the passengers towards Frankfurt boarded. Farhana was busy reading her project report file and did not realize her co passenger had come and sat beside her. A few minutes later she glanced up and caught her breath. Why! It was none other than Saleem. “Assalam Alaykum” he greeted her. “Walaykum salam” she replied back. Both of them seemed to be at a loss of speech. They smiled hesitantly and could hardly make eye contact.

“How have you been?” Saleem asked. “Alhamdullilah, good” Farhana replied. “You disappeared after college” he remarked. “Not really” Farhana countered back. “I went back home”. “Of course, home was never London for you” Saleem remarked. “The place hardly mattered. Home is where you feel loved. It’s the people rather than the place that makes all the difference” Farhana expounded. Saleem smiled. “I see you’ve not lost your cheesiness even now” “Nope. Not now, not ever” Farhana affirmed.

They were silent. What more could one say to a stranger who had twenty years before been a very good friend. A friend you had loved… and lost.

Saleem and Farhana had met at the London School of Economics. Farhana was from Capetown and she had looked forward to do her Masters in such a prestigious business school. Saleem on the other hand was a Londoner. He already had his financially firm running when he enrolled in the program. Saleem had noticed Farhana the first day itself when she walked in properly dressed as a Muslim woman. He could not help but admire that being a lady, she was not only smart but she also maintained her Islamic dress code.

Over the year, they had become good friends and soon best friends. Everyone had thought that they would one day get married. Farhana however, had a traumatic past. A past she was trying to forget. A past of a broken marriage, of a dream shattered and a fear that gripped her constantly. She had come to London not only to get her education but also to get away from the life she had left behind. She never told anyone anything. Nor did people know about her. She did however mention the fact to Saleem and he had been disturbed a great deal. He had reacted as though it was her fault that her marriage had broken and he thought it was proper that she should only get married again as soon as possible.

Farhana had been disappointed. She had not expected such insensitivity. Not from Saleem at least but then, weren’t men always men? Would they ever understand a woman’s heart? What she feels, what she hides and what she shows? No, they never would.

It had been on their graduation when destiny took an unplanned route. Farhana and Saleem had been soul mates. Despite their altercations, they respected one another mainly for the good muslim each of two were. It had been rare to find a good muslim friend in London in such a situation. After the ceremony, Saleem asked Farhana what her plans were. Would she take up the offer she had received in London?

Farhana glanced up. ‘Only if you ask me to stay’ she thought to herself. She didn’t really know what her feelings were. She knew she respected Saleem and she had grown to trust him. He had treated her respectfully which had been so contrasting from where she had been. “I don’t know” she said cautiously. “What do you think I should do?” she had asked him. “I think you should get married.” ‘Oh there he goes again’ Farhana had thought to herself. ‘Let me tease him’ “Sure I would love to but you haven’t really asked me yet” she told him with a mischievous smile. “Really? Well why would you want to marry me?” he had asked seriously. Farhana had not realized that what had started as a joke had turned to something serious. “Well...” she stammered. Then deciding to be honest with herself, she took the bold step and had told him “because I feel safe when I’m with you”. Safe. Yes, that was truly what she felt. She felt at peace, she enjoyed his companionship and there was a commadery between them that had been so rare to find. She felt safe- she knew that with him, she would not have to go through the pain she had been through.

“I think you want to marry just because you want to feel safe and protected.” He had replied.

Farhana looked at him confused. She hadn’t meant only that. It was just a feeling she felt… among the other feelings. He was looking at her intensely and then casually remarked, “You know if you would have told me you wanted to marry me because you loved me, I would have married you”.

Farhana had stood still. He was waiting. Waiting for her to say something. “Well then it’s really sad that one has to say the words “I love you” explicitly for the other person to know that they love you.”

With that she had gotten up and walked away. He had not come after her and she had sat the whole night in her room. She didn’t understand what the feelings she was feeling were. Was it anger? Was it sadness? Was it regret? Regret? Regret of what? Of loving a friend for the sake of Allah only to be told that she didn’t love him?

She had caught the last flight to Johannesburg that night. That had been the last time she had seen him. When she reached home, she met Ahmed through a family friend who was over zealous in getting them together and whose life’s mission was to get them married. They had married. They were now married for eighteen years and had three wonderful children. She had worked her way up the company’s ladder and life had been good for her. Faith however, has its own fancies and whims. Today, twenty years later, she now had to face the man whose few words had questioned her very essence.

“So what do you do now?” Farhana asked Saleem. “I run my own firm.” He replied. “How about your family. Your wife and kids?” she asked him. He must have married immediately after graduation. She was sure about that. He had after all been a strong vocalist on the importance of marriage. “I’m not married” he replied. Farhana was shocked. Surely that could not be possible. “How come? Surely you were ever so verbal on how wonderful marriage is” she asked him surprised.

Saleem was silent. A few moments later he told her so silently that her flesh stood out.
“A few months down the lane, I realized that I had failed to understand the one person I truly cared for. I failed to understand her feelings and I had lost her. After her, I never did find someone whom I could understand or who could understand me. I couldn’t find someone whom I could trust and who could trust me. I guess I never did find someone with whom I could feel … safe.”

Farhana felt her heart beat faster. She looked away and tried to blink back her tears. Needless to say she knew who was his friend and a surge of emotion choked her to know that he had at last understood her albeit, too late: very late.

They sat in silence not knowing what more to say and when they reached their destination, they parted in silence.