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.

The wisdom of a grandmother

Husna gazed out of the window and saw the sun was setting. She glanced up at the living room clock and saw it was time for prayers. She rose from the chair. It was rather difficult for her. Her bony fingers clutched the arms of the sofa as she forced all her energy on getting up. Quickly she removed them and grasped the walking frame. She moved one leg forward and moved towards the washroom. She was covered in warm clothes always. Wearing a sweater and a shawl wrapped around. She wore socks in her legs at all time yet she remained cold. The last time she was warm was ten years back. She had been out with her children on a picnic. How she wished she could feel a moment of that time.

Her daughter-in-law came in from the kitchen and helped her. She was a kind soul. She took care of Husna and tried to foresee whatever she would want. Whenever it was time for prayers, she’d help her mother-in-law in performing ablution and laying down her prayer mat, adjusting the chair just before it and making sure that the side table had all her prayer books, the Quran Shariff and prayer beads. Husna had lost mobility over time. Her arthritis had won. She had maintained herself till seventy but now, ten years later, she had became weak.

After finishing her namaz and reading Quran Shariff, she rang the bell. Her son had told her to ring the bell whenever she was done. This way the children let her alone and did not disturb her and once she had finished her prayer, they would come in and sit with her. She thanked God everyday that she got a loving son and a good daughter-in-law. They had four children; two girls and two boys. The girls were married and were starting their new lives with their husbands. Husna was glad she got the chance to see them wedded off. It is quite rare for one to see their grandchildren’s marriage. As for the boys, they were just too much for her. Always up to pranks and mischief especially the younger one. He hugged her too much for her liking. He had always been like that since a child. Now he was sixteen. Husna smiled, he would turn out to be as handsome as his grandfather.

Her daughter-in-law came in with some hot soup. Really! All she would like is some hot potato patties with sour chutney and a glass of cold sherbet. That was however not to be. The doctor has strictly said no oily food and control over sugar. Being old was no fun and especially with kids who were adamant to follow whatever that five feet doctor told them. She finished her soup like a good girl. “Where is Ali?” she asked her daughter-in-law. “He is yet to come from school ammi” she told her. “Why so late? It’s after sunset. Don’t tell me that crazy headmaster is again punishing my boy!” she huffed. She had met the headmaster and she did not like him. He punished the children too much for her liking. “Well Ammi, don’t forget Ali is not exactly the golden student” she replied with a smile. Husna nodded. She was amused. She knew Ali would have done something naughty. One day he mixed a water colors in a glass of water and added some red chili powder. He had then asked the peon to take it in to the headmaster. The headmaster had choked on the drink. Ali was not mean. He was just so naughty and up to pranks and he was the heart of his family and friends and the apple of the eye of his grandmother.

At 9 o’clock Ali came back. It had been raining and he came back drenched like a drowned kitten. He gave his sheepish smile to his mom, went into his room and changed. He then went to meet his grand mom. He was closest to her. She shared his streak of naughtiness and Ali was sure he got it from her. He narrated to her what he had done that day. When the principal was out on his rounds, Ali and his friend Junaid had sneaked in to his office and wiped oil over his seat. That evening when he came out to go home, his pant was looked wet. That had set the whole school laughing. Husna laughed heartily. She knew it was bad but she couldn’t help it. That man deserved it. He was a cruel dictator. However, after they had laughed their hearts out, Husna told Ali that he now had to leave the pranks. The man would remain as stubborn and dumb witted. Ali conjured with her. He was now done with the headmaster.

He was silent. As though contemplating something, whether to tell his grand mom or not. Husna looked at him with her beaded eyes. She smiled. Children never do come to know that their parents bore them. They know them in and out, when they are happy, when they are sad, when they are lying or when they are hiding something. They knew their children before they could even speak. She knew there was something on Ali’s mind. Something she recognized.

“Who’s the girl?” she asked. Ali looked up. He was shocked. How did grandma know he was thinking about a girl? Husna smiled at him knowingly. Ali smiled back. “Zahira, she is in my science club. I don’t know grandma but I feel very strange when she is around” he told her shyly. “Oh. You mean you feel shy and you find your heart beating faster” Husna said teasingly. Ali turned crimson and nodded. Husna laughed. The confusions of a young heart. Hadn’t she gone through it… for that matter, everyone?

“Do you like her?” She asked him. “Yes”, Ali replied. “She is kind and she is shy but she is very smart and she is one of the good students.” “What do you plan to do?” Husna asked him. “I don’t know” Ali replied. Was he supposed to do something? “Do you think this Zahira likes you?” She asked him. “I think so. She always smiles at me. She smiles at me rather shyly. She hardly talks to me. At times I feel she avoids me. I want to talk to her, grandma, like you know, be her friend and get to know her but somehow she always distances herself. I think that makes me even more restless. Why does she do that?” he asked her.

‘Oh ho!’ Husna thought. ‘The traffic is two way. Hmmm’ “What kind of a girl is she? Is she very friendly with everyone or does she keeps to her set of friends?” she asked him. “She is a confident girl grandma. She can go and talk to anybody and often is on the committee of every club. Her close friend is Mariam and they two are always together. They come to school together and apart from her she keeps to her girls group. She is however not timid or shy. She can talk to any boy regarding school work and projects. I have been observing her for the past one month.”

Husna was happy to hear this. She was glad that the girl who had won her grandson’s heart was a good and smart girl. She sounded perfect. Only her little grandson didn’t know that he had fallen in love. Love was strange. It creeps in when one least expects. She was sure that the girl was also smitten by Ali. After all, who would not be? Ali had the personality, the looks, and the intelligence. She was so proud of her grandson.

“The fact of the matter is son, that both you and Zahira like each other. Usually a woman, and a good woman, I am not talking of those girls who openly flirt and are shameless, but one whose heart is won by a man- hides her feelings. She maintains her distance. Partly because it makes her nervous just like it makes you and partly because she doesn’t trust herself as to what she may do. People do crazy stuff in love. At such times, it’s always best to keep away.” Husna explained.

“Really grandma? Do you think she likes me too? That she feels the same way as I do? That she is just as confused as me?” Ali asked unbelieving.

“Really” Husna affirmed smilingly.

“What shall I do?” He asked her. He trusted his grand mom. He would follow her advice always. Whether it came to his spiritual matters, his school work or now, that he was a young man, his heart matters.

“Leave her alone”. She replied

“What?” Ali could not believe his ears. If grandma believed that Zahira also liked him then shouldn’t he do something? Shouldn’t he tell her he liked her? Shouldn’t they become friends?

“Yes son. Leave her alone. Become busy in your life. Divert your mind. Concentrate on your studies and your future. At this point son, you are just sixteen. Both of you are still children. I would not advice friendship also because I know both of you have feelings for each other. Where these feelings would lead you, I don’t know. It’s like playing with fire. Therefore, I think it’s best you avoid fire.”

“But grandma, what about our feelings? Are they really not worth contemplating on? I mean this urge to know the other, to be her special someone?”

“Your heart son will one day hold someone special. I want that someone to be your wife. I do like Zahira. From what you have told me, I think she is a good girl and she would be good partner for you. Yet you two are too young and friendship is not possible when the line is crossed. You have admitted your feelings that it is beyond friendship. It is love my son.”

“I’m confused grandma. At one point you ask me to keep away from her and on other hand you say she is the perfect girl for me.” Ali tried to make out what his grandmother was trying to say.

“What I’m saying son is that keep your feelings covered up. Live your life as a student, finish your studies and when you have graduated, if you still like Zahira and you feel she likes you too, I will personally go to her family and ask her hand for you. At this point son, it’s too early. In my days it was not. Girls used to be betrothed by fourteen, fifteen but today’s generation wait till they are eighteen and in their twenties.”

The message dawned on Ali. Grandma was not against his or Zahira’s feelings. She was thinking about their future together. She was thinking of how they could be together forever and for that, a little sacrifice of maintaining their distance. They were after all young and God knows how impossible it can be not to fall in error. The respect for his grand mom grew even more and he got up and hugged her.

‘Oh here he goes again’ Husna thought. ‘This boy never gets tired of hugging’. She hugged him back and felt the grandmotherly love flow to him. She loved this boy. A boy who was now turning into a man.

“You are so right grandma. Yet I have a fear what if someone else takes her away from me?” He asked her with his eyes filled with fear. Husna laughed. “If she is in your destiny, no man will ever take her away from you. From what you said, I think it’s unlikely. She likes you.”

“All right grandma. I will do as you say. I will go to school and study and finish my studies well. When will you talk to her family?” he asked her anxiously.

“When you get into college. I will go and talk to them and fix up your engagement. At that time we shall see what to do. Whether to get you two married and both of you go off to college or you two finish college and then get married.” She replied.

“Oh I rather we both get married and then go off to college.” He replied earnestly. Husna laughed. The woes of the restless heart. “Ok, Ok, we will see then. Now you get away from me and go have your food and work on your homework. What we discussed will be our little secret” she winked at him.

Ali smiled. He felt so happy. He wanted to pick her up and dance with joy. He kissed her on her cheek and went away. Husna wiped her cheek once he had left the room. Really that boy loved her too much for her liking. She got up and walked feebly to her drawing table. She removed her diary painstakingly and opened the pages of her will. She kept her will ready for she didn’t know when Allah Taala would call her back. She wrote with great difficulty her wish to get her grandson married to Zahira should she not live before their engagement. She then wrote a letter addressed to Zahira’s parents asking for the hand of their daughter for her grandson. She sealed it and kept it back in her dairy. She was tired now. It had been a tiring day.

She said two rakats of prayer for her grandson. She begged Allah Taala to protect him especially now that he was vulnerably in love. Her daughter-in-law came in and helped her get ready for bed. She sat on her bed while her daughter-in-law propped up the pillows for her. She opened her Quran Shariff and read a chapter. At ten o’clock she had finished her reading and switched off the lights. As she lay down her bed and closed her eyes, her memories came back to her.

He had been her neighbor. They had shifted in when she was sixteen. He had been four years elder to her. When they first saw each other she had looked away. They both had avoided each other. She used to feel shy when he was around. They both knew they liked each other. Two years later when she had finished her schooling, his mother had come to ask her for her hand. They both had known since the day they saw each other, they were going to be together. He had left this world fifteen years before. As she turned towards her right, her eyes felt moist. She missed her companion of forty seven years.

Thinking of Ali, Husna smiled. History was repeating itself.

Asha: From being fat to being blessed.

Asha walked on the sandy beach, twirling her toes in the white sand. She seemed to merge with the sea in her long blue gown and sky blue scarf. Her family had taken the cottage on the beach for a weekend for the family get together so that all the parents and children could come together and have fun. She looked up and saw her younger siblings and cousins jumping with joy as the wave came in. They loved the sea and sunshine. Every month they would come to the cottage and reunite their bond.

Asha was twenty eight. She was overweight and no matter how much she tried to loose weight, she couldn’t. One could say she was fat. She had been like this since she was a child. It wasn’t because she ate so much but rather, she had inherited it from her parents. The fat gene ran in the family.

At eighteen, Asha had looked forward to getting married. All her friends were being proposed too, they got engaged, and they got married. Now, they had a child or two and when she’d meet them, she couldn’t help but yearn for her own husband, her own children… her own family.

Her family had tried many times to get her married. Lots of men had also come to see her. Some were too old or were divorced and looking for a new wife. One had been a drunkard and another, a wife beater. She didn’t understand what these men thought of her. Just because she was fat did not mean she would settle for losers. After a while she got frustrated. People started talking that she had grown horns and was not accepting anyone’s proposals. What? Accept the proposal of a drunkard? She’d rather have horns than a husband reeking of alcohol.

Here she was, ten years later, still single. Her dreams however did not die. She still looked forward to meeting someone who would like her enough to want to marry her. She was a good daughter, sister and friend. Her friends adored her and she was always there for them. Whether it was their graduation, their engagement or their failed relationships. She held their hands and was their support during their tough times.

“Safia! Don’t go too far!” she cried out. Her sister Safia was rather adventurous. Asha could swim but she was in no mood to rescue any tiny mitten. She sat down and started drooling on the sand. She drew a heart with an arrow across. On one end she wrote ‘A’ for Asha and on the other a question mark. Who would it be? A few drops of loneliness fell from her eyes. She wished she was pretty, she wished she wasn’t fat and she wished she was smarter, and then may be someone would also like her.

That evening they returned back to the city. She went into her room and switched on her PC. As she signed into the messenger, she saw her friend Barkha was online. Barkha and she had been in school since 1st standard. They had remained friends till the time they finished high school. Barkha moved to USA to pursue her medical studies. Right now she was doing her MD. She was married to Aziz who was also a doctor. Theirs had been a friendship turned marriage story. She had been so touched by it. Asha had attended their wedding in the States.

“Assalam Alaykum” Asha typed. “Walaykum Salam!” Barkha replied .They both chatted about what was the latest happenings. Barkha gave the good news that she was expecting. “Alhamdullilah!” Asha typed back. She was very happy for her friend. She would make a good mother. Time had passed by so fast. It felt just the other day that they had been kids playing seven boxes in the school playground.

“How are you doing?” Barkha asked. Asha wanted to write fine. Yet she wasn’t. She was a controlled person but today she felt like unloading herself. She told Barkha about how lonely she felt. She saw all their friends with their family and she realized she didn’t have one. She saw how beautiful and slim the other girls were and when she saw herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help but feel ugly. She saw all the others having achieved so much, they were either engineers or managers or doctors and she was just a book keeper. She cried as she let Barkha know her deep feelings, her inhibitions and low self-esteem. How she wished she could changed who she was, what she was.

Barkha was quite at her end. She let Asha speak her heart out. At times someone just needs to listen and that’s all it takes to help the other person. When Asha had finished venting, she smiled sadly and told Asha “My dear friend, I am quite sad to hear that you are feeling all these. I have always admired you for your simplicity and how content you are in life. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side. You wish to be in someone else’s shoes because they are either prettier or more successful or have a family. Yet go into their thoughts and you will see they want to be in your shoes. To be free, to have no responsibilities, to be given only a book or an account to handle and not to be held liable for the company’s performance.”

Asha’s eyes were fixed to the computer’s screen as she took in every word that Barkha said.
“I have known you since we were kids. I know you weren’t the smartest girl in class, but you were the kindest and most generous. You would put our needs before yours. I have seen the way you love your brothers and sisters. The way you treat your parents. You are a wonderful person. Look at yourself through my eyes, and you will know what I see.”

Asha was so deeply touched by Barkha’s words that she felt her eyes moist. The screen got blurred. She wiped her eyes and gulped down the choke that came to her throat. “I know that you are sad about your weight. I wish I could do something about it. But dear, it’s destiny. You were born with a fat gene as you can see it runs in your family. That should not make you feel you are lesser than anybody else. Think of all those people who have been born crippled. Those who don’t have sight or hearing or are mentally handicapped. Don’t you and I feel blessed that Allah Taala did not choose us to have a defect?”

Asha was struck. She had never thought of it that way. Yes, she had seen how difficult the lives of handicaps were. She did volunteering service at the Government hospital down town and it had saddened her to see their trials. She thanked Allah that she had been spared from such a fate.

“Therefore, my dear, I don’t want you to ever think low of yourself. I repeat you are a great person. We all love you. Right from Zaida to Farida to Asma to Munira to that silly Nisa and me :-)!”

Asha laughed. Nisa had been in school with them. She was such a pain that everyone would scuttle when she came.

“I just want you to be happy dear. For now, be content that you have a family – you are not an orphan. Be content you have a job – You are not unemployed. Be content you have people who love you – You are not unloved. InshaAllah you will get a wonderful man to be your husband and ten kids that you’d give anything to get this singleton moment back in your life :-)”

Asha laughed. Oh Barkha. She always had a way of bringing a smile to her face.

“I’ll pray for you dear, but you got to promise me that you will not be saddened. Be happy for all the bounties you have. Promise me?” Barkha asked.

“I promise” Asha typed back. Her heart was at peace. She realized the truth in her friend’s words. Why, she was blessed with so many things that she had overlooked them for just one thing. “Thank you dear. I feel so much better. You are right in all you say. I will remember this everyday”

“That’s my girl!” Barkha was happy. She never wanted to see Asha down. “Okay dear, have to go. Your brother has been calling me for a long time and you simply don’t know his demands. That’s why I say... Enjoy your bachelorhood ;-). Love you… Take care... Allah Hafiz.” “:-) Allah Hafiz” Asha typed back.

She leaned back on her chair and smiled. Barkha had always been one who said a lot in just a few words. If one would go on and on for ten pages on how gloomy the weather was, she’d changed the mood by simply saying “Paint some sunshine” Nodding her head smilingly, she switched off her P.C and prayed two rakats of prayers. She thanked God for all He had given her and asked forgiveness that for a few moments she had turned ungrateful. She prayed for her friend and for the safety of the unborn child and finally she got up and folded her praying mat. Yes, Life was beautiful and she was truly blessed with so much love and friendship.

A lost love...

I finished my prayers and got ready. I was going to meet an old college friend after four years. I must admit that I have been rather poor in maintaining communication with my friends and family. Therefore, I made a resolution I’d set aside time no matter how busy I was.

Abbas: What can I say about him? I had met him outside the library while waiting to use the computer. I saw a fair guy wearing spectacles and said “Hi! I am Maimuna,” “Hello, I’m Abbas” he replied. “Oh you’re a Muslim?” I had asked excitedly, “Yes” he replied. That had been the beginning of our friendship or acquaintance one could say. Many times we would meet outside the library. He was doing Science while I studied Architecture. He helped me out with how to use the computer and gave me lots of tips on emails and chat messengers. In our graduation too, we were together and were we so happy to graduate!

During a college function he had introduced me to Ilham, his school friend. She was the sweetest girl I had met and they both intended to get married after Abbas graduated and got himself a job. I thought they were made for each other and I was very happy for them. However, deep inside I had a premonition that it might be tough to convince their parents. You see Abbas was a Shia while Ilham a Sunni.

We lost touch after graduation. Occasional when we’d come online, we’d catch up on our master’s studies or work. Two years back Abbas gave me the sad news that both his and Ilham’s parents had refused their match and her dad had married her off. I felt very sad for him. He was a wonderful person and MashaAllah a good Muslim. I knew it must have been the sectarian division that would have caused this fate. It had been long since we had met although we stayed in the same city. Well as you all know, a city could be a continent for all we cared. So today I had decided, I would go and meet my friend.

We met at a coffee shop just like good old college days. Abbas had not changed at all. He did seem tired. He works twelve hours a day talking to various clients. I did notice that he was now more confident and talkative than when he was in college. “Meeting various people gives you that confidence” he told me. We caught up on all the good old college days, laughed on the funny way the professors would call out our names and what our friends were doing now.

I wanted to ask him about Ilham but I didn’t want to bring the old memories back. However, I guess he wanted to share it with me and he told me the whole story.

“I didn’t really tell you how I met Ilham. We were together in pre-university. I was just sixteen at that time. The first day I went to class, I sat by myself as I didn’t know anyone. She came a few days later. When she entered the room I couldn’t help but think she was beautiful. During our first year, we became friends and soon I liked her even more. She was kind and gentle and I could talk to her about anything and everything. I knew she was my soul mate.

One day I got the courage and told her I liked her a lot. I couldn’t tell her personally so I wrote her a letter. I asked her to be honest with me and tell me what she felt. Whatever was her decision I would accept it and our friendship would always remain. For the next few days she avoided me. I couldn’t bear that. I didn’t understand why. I asked her if she had read my letter. She said she hadn’t but I knew. I knew she had read it because I saw she was nervous.

Our college principal was eccentric. He did not like the girls and boys talking to each other and in case he caught any boy or girl conversing, he would shake with anger, get their parents to school and proclaim that they had committed the most horrible crime: “I caught your children talking to each other!!!” Oh my God, he was one crazy principal. I didn’t want to risk talking outside class incase he became the supreme justice and called our parents. So one day I followed her as she walked home. In the mid way I caught up with her and asked her frankly. “I know you read my letter. Please give me an answer. I don’t care whether it’s a yes or a no, but I need to know” Ilham had hesitated for sometime but then she finally said yes to me.

That day was probably the happiest day of my life. We continued to be best of friends and I knew that one day I was going to marry her. We graduated pre-university and she joined a girl’s college for her Arts while I went into Science. We kept in touch over the phone. She got a cell phone from her friend and her parents never knew about it for two years. Whenever she wanted to talk to me, she would give me a ring and I would call her back. We carried this on for three years.

After graduation, we got engaged. As you know we both had not yet told our parents. I was scared that they would refuse me because of the shia-sunni difference. She started getting lots of proposals which she rejected but one day she called me and told me that it was serious this time and that I had to talk to her parents.

I decided it was time. We had been waiting for the time I would finish my studies, have a job and go to her parents to ask for her hand. I left my masters midway and got a job. I then talked to my parents that I liked a girl; I knew her for the past six years and wanted to marry her. When they found out that she was a Sunni Muslim, they refused totally. I told them that it did not matter to me and that we both were Muslims and that is all I cared. They refused. They said what will the relatives think? What all the people will talk and so on.

That night I called Ilham and told her what happened. She started crying. She said she couldn’t see herself without me and I told her the same. We were both lost. We didn’t know what to do. I thought I would talk to her father and get his approval. Ilham gave me his number and I called him. I told him who I was and that I wanted to meet him for ten minutes. He asked Ilham what this was about and she told him who I was, How had we met in school and our intention to get married. His father had fumed when he heard I was a Shia. He said he would never give her hand to me and refused to meet me.

Ilham had begged, pleaded and even threatened to kill herself. That had no effect on him. He locked her in her room and made sure she did not leave the house. That evening out of frustration, she took sleeping pills with Pepsi. Her sister knocked at the door but she did not open. When she peeped through the window she saw Ilham lying on the bed as though she was dead. She got so nervous and she called me up. “Abbas, I don’t know what she has done. Her room is locked. I am so scared.” She was crying. I calmed her down while my own heart was racing. I told her to wake Ilham and get her to open the door. She did that and got Ilham to talk to me over the phone.

“What did you do?!” I asked her anxiously. “I took some sleeping pills”. My world had stilled. What if something would have happened to her? I could not bear the thought of loosing her. I talked to her at length and told her we had to be strong. Taking sleeping pills would not help. We had to convince our parents and look forward to our future. She promised me she won’t do it again.

We were running out of time. Her father was adamant to get her married elsewhere. She got her brother-in-law on her side and asked him to help us. Her brother-in-law was influential in the family. He called me once and asked me about my intentions. I told him that I wanted to marry Ilham and my intentions were pure. He tried to convince me otherwise that it was just a crush and I was a flirt and was trying to delude his sister. I told him that I was not that kind of a man and when I committed, I committed. He seemed convinced about me and actually promised that he would help us out.

However, at night when I called Ilham, she told me he had changed his face. He told Ilham’s dad that I was a no-good person and I wasn’t serious about marrying his daughter. He suggested another man for Ilham. When I heard that, my blood boiled. How dare him! How dare he do that to us after he promised he would help us!

We thought we had a helper but he turned out to be a villain. Ilham’s marriage was fixed to Javed, a salesman. He was two years younger to her. When he met Ilham, she told him indirectly that she was not interested and even implied that she was not of good character. I know it sounds illogical. In such situation logic does not work. Javed did not care. Ilham as you know has a beautiful heart which anyone could see. He agreed to marry her.”

“Why didn’t Ilham tell him about you and her? That would have deterred him.” I told Abbas

“We weren’t thinking right. She said the first thing that came to her mind and I was desperate. I didn’t want to loose my Ilham. I asked a friend for help and we dug up his work address and how he looked like. I went with my friend to his work place to seek for a person with his description. He was short and he had curly hair. When I didn’t find one, I asked one of the salesmen, “Where is Javed?” “He has left the job sir” Again I had met with a road block. I took Javed’s number from the salesman and went to a telephone booth to call him.

I told him I was his well wisher and that Ilham was not a good match for him. He asked me who I was and where I was calling from. I refused to give my details. He said “Alright fine” and put down the phone. That evening he reported this incident to Ilham’s father. Her father got the address of the telephone booth from the telephone company and went to investigate who had called at such and such a time. However, the address registered was wrong and anyways he would have known it was me.”

“Abbas, when you both had the strong intention to marry and if her father was refusing why you didn’t just get married to her?” I asked. I didn’t know why Abbas and Ilham were going through so much unnecessarily.

“We would have, but you know in Islam, the nikah of a girl is not valid without her wali, her guardian who is her father” he replied

“Yes I do know that my friend but surely you would also be knowing that if the wali refuses to marry his ward for no legitimate reason, the guardianship goes to the next male relative until finally the Kazi, imam i.e. the judge and he can act as the guardian and marry the girl” I told him.

“What!” Abbas looked at me in shock. “Is that possible?” he asked holding his forehead.

“Yes, of course. I thought you knew this. There are so many cases where the men due to their pride and false honor or beliefs refuse to marry their wards: daughters and those under their guard ship. These women have the right to go to the Judge and he would act as the guardian and get her married” I explained.

“Oh my God! We did not know this. All the while we were thinking our nikah would not have been valid without her father’s permission” Abbas was crestfallen. He realized that he lost the one girl in his life through a matter of ignorance.

I tried to console him. “It’s kismet Abbas. It was written from before. Otherwise during all this time you could have told me what was happening and I could have let you know but her faith was written before she met you”

“Yes” Abbas agreed. Still in shock. “Well to conclude our story, her wedding approached. We had failed. We couldn’t convince our parents. The night before her wedding we talked over the phone the whole night. Yet it felt as it if were just minutes. We remembered all the great years of our friendship. Finally I could hear the Fajr Adhan at her end. “Goodbye Ilham. Take care of yourself. Be a good wife and keep your husband happy” We both cried. This was it. This was our final goodbye.

My heart ached listening to Abbas. I could see his emotions clearly on his face. Which man could love a woman like this? I knew many of my friends who cried because their men were not strong enough to hold on to a relationship and here, my friend was crying because he lost the girl he had loved for six years. I felt like kicking myself. Why had I not been there for him? Why had I not told him about the guardianship? Why? For that I had no reply. Kismet was all I could think of.

“How is she?” I asked him gently. “I don’t know. After her marriage, we never contacted. I understood that she was now someone else’s. Last I heard from a few friends that she gave birth to a baby girl. All I can do is pray for her that she remains happy and her husband treats her well” he said.

“Yes, that is all we can do now. InshaAllah may be in this world she was meant to be for her husband and who knows, in the next world, you two will find each other… for eternity” I prayed.

“Yes, InshaAllah. That is all I can pray for too” he replied. “In the meantime I will move on, I hope to marry a pious lady and fulfill my duties”

“Yes, do that” I agreed with him. I wanted to see him happy. I hated to see him lonely and heartbroken. It had been two years and his pain might have reduced, but it was still there and so was the love. “I will pray you get a wonderful girl” I smiled at him. He smiled back yet his smile didn’t reach his eyes. Hidden deep within, I still could see his pain.

We finished our coffee in silence. There was nothing more we could say…