The Wall
The breathtaking ambiance and the aroma of the fresh coffee, lingered in the cafe at the airport as Saima sat down reading the headlines of the newspaper. Sipping the freshly brewed coffee she read "Saudi Arabia, one of the most vocal critics in the Arab world of Israel's 'security fence' in the West Bank, is quietly emulating the Israeli example by erecting a barrier along its porous border with Yemen".
The thought of a wall between Saudi Arabia and Yemen came in as shock to her.
Her world was shaken. Slipping in two notes at the cafe, she ran towards the phone booth. Dropping in a coin she began dialing, over and over again. Unavailable. Every time.
Her heart began thumping hard.
--------------------------------------
' Always together ' she said, as she held her friend’s hand and looked into her eyes.Saima took a deep breath, gazing into the bitter truth that both the fast friends would be parting ways after sharing a sisterly relationship since childhood.
" I cannot think of a day without you." Rida said, swallowing her tears.
Saima had always been a strong girl. Ambitious, virtuous and selfless. It was back in her childhood when Saima's parents shifted from Yemen to Saudi, into the outskirts of Masaf. A village near the borders.Rida's tiny hands, moving across the piano would attract little Saima's attention and inquisitively she would knock over the door of her house, adjusting her little burkah and asking for permission to enter. No sooner the bond of the two friends strengthened to such an extent that they were inseparable.
' Don't worry Rida, its just 3 years in the States and then your Saima will become Dr. Saima!" she said wiping off a tear from her eye and vaporizing a tear within her.
Hardworking and ambitious is what she was. Saima always dreamed for the larger aspects of life. She wanted to have the best of both worlds and worked hard to earn it. And now that she had the opportunity she was going to nail it.
" Call me whenever you can. Take care of everyone. Take care of yourself " she said hurriedly as she picked up her baggage. " I will write to you, meanwhile take this number , its Omar's. Talk to him if you miss me. He will contact me whenever you need to speak to me, and listen " she said holding Rida's chin,
" Always listen to your heart, we are always together " .
Omar and Saima were in a relationship since the past 2 years.Omar was a Masaf born but was brought up in Yemen. His house lay near the borders where he would directly see across the country, into, Saima 's house in Saudi Arabia. Definitely that was years ago, when borders weren’t defined. Soon after that ,he came to Masaf as a musician and gradually fell in love with Saima.
The question was, that it was odd for Rida to talk to him. Never had they spoken face to face. But yes both had heard a lot about each other through Saima.
'Asalamwalekum, is this Omar?' she said over the phone, " Yes it is , you must be Rida ifI am not mistaken .' Omar said confidently.
Slowly did they get to know each other. Most of the time they would speak of Saima, and the other times, they would discuss about their common interest – Music.
Rida was overwhelmed by Omar’s voice when she went near his jam room for the first time. She guessed it to be Omar’s, even though she hadn’t seen him before. Rida was a shy girl, but it seemed otherwise, when matters regarding music were concerned .
“ Can I see Omar ?” she asked his colleague, as she peeped into the jam room .
Soon Omar stood In front of her , tall and handsome , charismatic yet straight-forward . She chatted with him for some while , until she was distracted by the grand piano , that lay at a corner of the room .
“Can I try that?” she asked wryly.
Her question took Omar by awe.
“Of course” he said , escorting her towards the piano . Soon her fingers trickled down like rain , flawlessly moving from one key to another , while Omar got to sing ,blending in the harmonious melody.
Both exchanged looks , when the song came to an end . It was so much fun . “ You could come here more often” he said , figuring she was thinking of the same .
And That’s how their first meeting came to an unquenchable end .
Usual talks over the phone ,
hanging out together , and writing had become quite common between them in the first 2 months . Rida did miss Saima but maybe Omar was very well at accomplishing his designated task . Rida would call up Omar , cook delicacies and also treat him out of illness with her special remedies. Rida's mother would be pleased to see Omar at their place and would be satisfied in thinking that Omar was probably the perfect match for her daughter . Indeed she was unaware of Saima’s relation with him .
Rida would go to him to learn basics of Singing from him , music was her passion since childhood , well then it was the piano and now Omar . But the best was the collaboration of both. It created a match that would be her paradise on earth .
Something’s are definitely undeniable . Saima's long term absence and Rida's new found interest in Music , brought Omar closer to her . Little did he know that her presence would be the key to his functioning .
It was around 2 years that the both were friends now . Though thetime spent together may not be much but the bond indeed was strong .
Rida's mother had been alone all these years without her husband , who passed away whenher daughterwas 12.Now , was the perfect time to get Rida married she thought . All dressed up in her new kameez , she set off to Omar's house ..
“ Rida my child , its time for you to leave . I have found a match for you , please do not deny this , you can do this little favor to you old mother can't you ?'’ said her mother , once Rida was back home
“ Ammi ?” she said flabbergasted .
“Omar , its Omar , i spoke to his parents about your wedding , and do you know , they are more than happy ! "she said with a blissful smile
Rida's face lightened up in joy , with peaks of redness appearing over her face , but suddenly it all died down , flushing away from her .
" This is not possible " she said to herself .
“ How can I ? She thought.
" Ammi no ," she replied all tensed and worried , "ammi , no I c- can't get married"
"Why CAN’T you Rida?”
" Ammi I don’t know whether he likes me " reassuring her instincts she continued, “No, I am sure he likes someone else ".
" Are you going to insult your single parent’s reputation? . After all that I have done for you can't you do this in return? I haven’t chosen a stranger for you . You and Omar have been spending a lot of time together. Who else were you planning to get married to? ." shouted her mother .
“ Mother , you don’t understand , it’s not what it seems . I am explain—”
“ What’s the matter? When they are ready for the marriage, why do you have to assume ?” he mother said , sternly
" Fine " she replied , withher heart saying yes and her mind saying a no ..
The day dawned when their souls would be one. As decided, Omar was to shift with his Rida to Yemen in their old house, where he would start his own music career. They were married in a silent ceremony, with not a huge celebration and quite mediocre settings. They believed unless the rituals were apt no need for showbiz was required.
---------------------
Her heart thumped hard as she called again and again . Not a reply . She took off her luggage and ran towards her house in Masaf. Running up to the topmost floor she called from her cellphone, looking opposite into the window of a large bungalow with a beautiful terrace . A little girl in a white frock came running outside . She constantly waved at her and was screaming out " Chachi chachi " .
" Sadaf !" she said as she waved back from the house ,a tear dropping from her eye . But no sooner a pipe blocked their vision, cementing a wall and separating a friendship .
When Saima returned from USA, she was devastated . She lost her friend and her love . But the only thing that kept her with them was the conjunction of the two countries .
She would sit back in her house and look at the two people she loved, wave at them and be happy to see them happy . But the thing she loved the most, the person with whom her mixed emotions and eternal affinity lay , was Sadaf - Omar and Ridas daughter .
But a wall was built ,To separate the two countries . Maybe the hatred of two countries was greater than the love of two friends , that separated the two beliefs.
Why do we say new beginnings when beginnings are meant to be new? Why do we return back when both the words mean the same ? It is because life is the epitome of confusion and complications . A tornado of these complications, that engulf are innocent lives into darkness and mysteries .But what is that push that keeps us moving ? This tornado? Maybe or maybe not….
Saimasometimes felt that she was a part of this everlasting mystery that had surrounded her life. She did cry whenhappy and got angry whensad .Emotions reciprocate and so do feelings. Happiness drops like ripples from the sky ,on its way to the ground, it imbibes the mists that carry mixed emotions and eventually become sad , forming a river of sadness in your mind .
But wait ,the river water will always evaporate , for one can never separate from its creator , so it does go up and form a big cloud of happiness that pours over you again, cooling your senses , calming your feels....
Vama Gor
Recommended
