How difficult?

The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference. This is the birth of True Friendship.

Such a friendship between a man and a woman which does not lead to feelings or desire for feelings may be a life long experience of the greatest value to themselves and to all their circle of acquaintance and of activity; but for this type of friendship both a rare man and a rare woman are needed. Perhaps it should be added that either the man or the woman thus deeply bound in lifelong friendship who seeks marriage must find a still rarer man or woman to wed, to make such a three cornered comradeship a permanent success.

How difficult is it for a man and woman to be close friends and not harbor any feelings for each other?

If you do develop feelings for a close friend and are doubtful that the feelings are mutual would you divulge your thoughts even if you risk destroying your friendship or would you maintain your silence and enjoy their company?

Daftness Personified..

Daft: An new inclusion to the list of terms used to describe me.

Am I foolish if I refuse to confirm to my cultural stereotype.

I have cynically wagered my freedom against another resolute soul who refuses to settle down. Albeit we both apparently have different reasons for our existing solitary states we both concur that whenever we get hitched its probably going to be due to compromises. Maybe I have bitten off a little more than I can chew but I am certain like all prior wagers I shall emerge victorious. I must agree that losing would be quite expensive on the pocket.

Are we not more responsive on the Internet? Do we have a better opportunity to voice are views knowing full well that the overlaying anonymity will not allow people to judge us on our caste, color, creed or other physical attributes. The said anonymity also serves as a dilemma during establishing a relationship over the Internet, as one can never be sure how genuine the other person is. Internet Relationships as beautiful as they are, there is always a bridge to cross if you are going to make them work. Some falter during the crossing others are too timid to take the risk.

Don’t all relationships carry some amount of risk? Maybe that’s the proverbial thinking of someone suffering from relationship phobia. It’s a very frightening term, which holds deep implications. Sometimes you try to fool yourself by setting high criterions and lofty ideals but isn’t that an approach of denying your irrational fear.

I was suggested many times to check out marriage sites. I feel flattered that people care about me and think it’s in my best interests to settle down. Do they feel I am an anti-social hermit, a cultural anomaly or as lately so eloquently pointed out just “DAFT”.

I always wonder what leads to people posting on such sites. Is it shear despondency, desperation or a last attempt to finally get lucky?

Burnt..

29th July 2006, I should be awarded for surviving the hottest day in Dubai this year. It was an excruciating and utterly uncomfortable experience. No matter what the Met Department says the temperature was well above 45 Degrees and the humidity levels were soaring. A strong gush of hot air was blowing up a sandstorm. Visibility was low and the immense heat intensity was piercing the eyes. Proper Protective Clothing was imperative. It was just my luck to be out there with no shade in sight. I was clad in semi-Bedouin attire; white cloth covering my head and sunglasses protecting my eyes. I was perspiring buckets and regularly in taking water. It was difficult to stand, let alone work in this torment.

I took a sip of water and handed the bottle to my colleague Shashi. He held the bottle briefly and collapsed instantly. I yelled for help. I immediately removed the cloth covering my head, moistened it and tried to cool Shashi. I tried to revive him back to consciousness and slightly panicked, as he was not responding to my voice. As more people came, we picked him and ran towards the closest visible vehicle. Aslam Bhai, an experienced Forklift Operator, had seen the incident and he came running towards us with a pack of ice. We got him into the back seat and Aslam bhai told us to strip him and then he began to apply the ice pack to Shashi’s groin and armpits. He asked us to keep his leg elevated and ordered the driver to proceed quickly to the hospital.Its strange how quiet you become when you are helpless. Weird thoughts start crossing your mind and you try to maintain your composure. I just prayed that nothing terrible happened to shashi. I hated myself for not going along with him to the hospital. I had my work obligations *grr*

Three more people apart from Shashi collapsed due to extreme dehydration or Heatstroke. We dispatched them swiftly to the hospital and continued slogging. When you are in the logistics business the work never ceases, as “Time is Money”.

I think I have over tanned myself and need a few days to recuperate.

I wish it would rain so as to ease our agony.

I wish the air-conditioning went kaput in the High-rise buildings so these tyrants who exploit the poor labor can savor this living hell.

I checked up on Shashi today. Him and the others are doing well. They have earned a well-deserved rest. I heard on the Radio that August is going to be hotter. Temperatures are expected to reach above 50 Degrees. It’s going to be a tough month… I hope I don’t get Burnt.

Wonder Years...

My Neighborhood is decimating, as I grow up. Constructions mar all my childhood playgrounds. Wheels of progress & development are in motion. I had hoped to revisit these places when I was old & grey perhaps to reminisce on those wonder years. There is going to be nothing to return to now. Everything that could be associated with my youth has vanished. Ironically, the only remaining object was the one I had despised the most: My junior high school.

A few months ago it was demolished too. A couple of my friends decided to pay a last visit to the old structure. We had detested greatly coming here every morning and now as we stood before it we were overcome with emotions. A brief stroll down the empty corridors brought back memories. We pointed out places where we executed various pranks & monkey business. We tried to remember the names of our teachers and searched frantically for walls where we had scribbled our initials. We actually cried as we walked by the principal’s office. He was a stern man who was always warranting discipline from the students. He had given us numerous scary moments when we were vigilantly evading him as we skipping classes or just loitering around the school. We missed those days. It was intended to be a ten-minute tour but we stayed for well over an hour.

The more we grow older the more we learn how beautiful our childhood was. We all carry a part of our childhood within us. Maybe it’s a place or an object but whatever it is we embrace it very dearly for it reminds us of those wonder years..

We all fall down..

My definition of family includes all close kin of my parents. I have a large family and while superficially we are immensely congruous & cohesive; various differences do exist within.

When necessities & individual egos within a family reach colossal stature a clash is imminent; such a conflict in turn would lay the entire family in ruins. Yearning for wealth triggers mostly all feuds. It’s justly said, “Money is the root of all evil”. You can comprehend some reasoning whereas others are better classified as idiocy.

It is difficult to maintain a neutral stance when a dispute begins. Any appeal for tranquility is often lost on deaf ears. With raised voices consumed with malice, malignant words are bellowed which are always regretted afterwards. For those who hold an unbiased position this serves as a disturbing spectacle unfortunately they are unable to interfere and impede the bickering. Occasionally the spats are over such trivial issues that you feel like weeping over the depravity of those involved. God having created us never promised a trouble-free & effortless life instead he reiterated to turn to him in our hour of need and he will unquestionably assist us. Our despondency makes us utter absurd gibberish. I have heard such sacrilegious phrases, which have stunned me and compelled me to solicit forgiveness on their behalf. When matters get out of hand I withdraw to solitary seclusion underneath the night sky to find my peace.

I try..

IF I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

Sometimes we experience severe hopelessness at the hands of fate. There is no righteousness in tragic endings but we lack the authority to amend them. We learn to live on..

Pocketful of memories..

Family reunions constantly dole out a nostalgic extravaganza for the young generation. It’s marvelous to know that our parents had their fair share of frivolity & tomfoolery while growing up. For as long as I can remember my father has never squandered a photogenic opportunity. Any get-together or jamboree irrespective of the size he was always clicking away. The outcome was generally amateurish snapshots nevertheless after all these years when we glance back at those photographs we are overcome with emotions. We gaze at how we have grown physically, shed a tear for those who have passed away and try to reminisce the moment when the shot was taken.

Old Photographs generate mix responses within people. Some are grateful for what they have accomplished, some ponder over how age has caught up to them while others just desire to return to better times. Its frightening to accept crude reality; perhaps we are embarrassed or just not courageous but the perpetual truth is that “Its never too late”. Sometimes an old photograph is all you need to make you remember that this is not how you intended to end up.

Now that he is retired, my Dad plans to sort out his photograph collection, which is very tedious work.

“Why do you fancy doing it?” I asked him.
“It’s been a wonderful life. This my feeble attempt at reliving it again” He replied.

How would you arrange your collection? Would you sort them chronologically or would you segregate those that invoke various emotions within you? Would you tear those that are spiteful and prefer those that are pleasant?

Our own pocketful of memories..

You are invited..

There comes a time when your mom looks at you and gives that look, you instantly know it means trouble. She saunters up to you and the first word that spouts out of her mouth is “Marriage”. You are conscious it’s going to be a lengthy conversation and almost certainly something that you will not appreciate. Don’t get me wrong here; someday I do hope to get married but that day is definitely not in the immediate future.

Some social gatherings you look forward to and others you steer clear of. I am not anti-social but there are some groups that I absolutely hate being a part of. I reckon the MOTHER network works best during social gatherings. Advertising has become an integral part of marriage arrangements. A Typical “Headhunter” can generate a whole list of probable spouses in a flicker. Gatherings are a good opportunity for mothers to update their list and see what’s on display. This unquestionably means that if a mother were searching for someone for her son she would absolutely have to put her son on the pedestal. I like parades they have their charm but I loathe being paraded myself. I abhor being single out in the middle of the room and being pointed out “Look that’s him”. I detest being critique over my form and style.

The scary part is that sometimes mothers use male family members to probe the potential suitor. It’s a worrisome occurrence. As you are seated on the floor amongst other complete strangers you have to maintain your cool & composure. You get startled by the casual greeting and start to think twice when someone introduces himself. Is this going to be an impromptu interview session? I try to keep conversation to a minimal in such gatherings and mostly try to retire with folks I know.

Friend: “Word on the street is that your mom is looking?”
Me: “How do you know”
Friend: “My mom” *smiles* “I think she is pretty serious this time”
Me: “Yeah!! I think my goose is cooked”
Friend: “Man!! You are pathetic, “Marriage-Phobia” that’s what you are suffering from. Don’t you know marriage is bliss” *laughs* "Are you marriage-phobic" *stares at me*

Me: "Negative!! Ofcourse not" *looking bewildered*

Friend: "What are you waiting for?"

Me: "Perfect Stranger"

Discover Me.

Three Bottles of Mineral Water, Two cans of energy drink and I still felt dehydrated. Sitting in an air-conditioned room I was perspiring incessantly. “Why is it so Hot” “Isn’t the A/C not functioning,” I kept shouting. They figured the only way to shut me up was to send me home hence I was given the day off. My body ached, as I lay in bed, unable to sleep and dazed. Gypsy Kings, Nusrat, Abeda all had their chance but to no avail; none of them soothed my restlessness. I turned to read and stumbled upon this..

I ’M nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there ’s a pair of us—don’t tell!
They ’d banish us, you know.

How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!

On reading the above lines one fathoms the central theme declares being a Nobody is a luxury incomprehensible to the dreary Some bodies--for they are too busy keeping their names in circulation, croaking like frogs in a swamp in the summertime. You might call it a playful attempt at defending the kind of spiritual privacy some people favor.

But to ME this poem is about discovering someone who is comparable to you. Together, the two nobodies can enjoy each other's company and their shared anonymity. As a pair, they aren't really “nobodies” anymore. It’s about the satisfaction of having a friend who understands you and accepts you as you are. This contentment is more important than being admired by a lot of people or being in the "in" crowd.

I think all of us are nobodies till we discover what we really searching for..

Long walks & Pirates..

I strolled along the beach with Emily, her words ringing in my head.

HEART, we will forget her!
You and I, to-night!
You may forget the warmth she gave,
I will forget the light.

I have successfully convinced myself that I have moved on and the days of my youth & adolescence are over and I have matured. I have taken that step away from my world of dreams into the realm of reality. I often ask myself if there exists a shred of optimism within me. Sure, I am optimist like any other person, cynically optimist :)

My brother lost his job recently. One moment he was swiftly climbing up the corporate ladder, the next moment he was being laid off. His eventual coerced resignation has shocked him but he has taken it within his stride and is more determine than ever. The closest person to me is my brother and vice versa. There has never existed any sibling rivalry between us and we readily confide our deepest thoughts & worries to each other. It pains me to see him so depressed but I am confident that he will end up with something better.

I wanted to cheer him up so I dragged him along to see the new “Pirates of the Caribbean “ movie. It was highly recommended by someone whose opinions I begun to value a lot. As we sat through that torture we wanted it end abruptly, it was horrific. When you find out at the end that what you've just seen is merely the overture to yet another sequel, you can't help wondering what more can be extracted from this franchise. Gold, me hearties, more gold! Although there are memorable bits and pieces, the new “Pirates of the Caribbean” is a movie with no particular interest in coherence, economy or feeling. When we walked out of the cinema we remembered “The Goonies”; now that was an amazing movie.

Let Peace Prevail..

As the Israeli attacks against Lebanon intensifies, a thought goes out for Lebanese people trapped in this latest onslaught. I called up my closest Lebanese friend, Hassan, only to find out that he too is in Lebanon with his family. His mother was delighted to hear from me but at the same time distraught at the state of affairs in South Lebanon. Hassan & me became good friends during my third university Semester as we both shared a few subjects. I remembered coming back to his house and how warmly his family had greeted me, a complete stranger, as one of their own. The walls of his room were adorned with various photographs of Hezbollah Resistance Movement. He was very passionate about the Hezb and always dreamed about fighting amongst their ranks. I asked his mom for his number in Lebanon; it was good to hear his voice again and assuring to know he was safe. We spoke about the situation and how close to the bombing he was. I asked him to come back as it was the sensible thing to do.

He replied defiantly "You want me to desert my country in its hour of need, don’t you know me Man!"

It seemed like Dejavu, it felt I was still in his room and was he lecturing me about the movement. I smiled and begged him to keep safe. I hope this senseless conflict comes to a quick end as innocent people are bound to suffer most. Hezbollah have attacked an Israeli warship this will lead to serious repercussions that would cause useless civilian casualties.

Allama Hassan Tarabi was also assassinated in Karachi. He was approaching his house in Abbas Town when the bomber approached him and detonated his device. Police said the attacker was killed in the blast and parts of his body were found at the scene. I hope this doesn’t lead to a sea of sectarian violence that has besieged the Metropolis city in the past.

The Kid

Nobody ever grows up quite like they imagined. Do you remember what you wanted to be when you were young? If an eight year old version of ourselves were to mysteriously appear would the kid appreciate what we have become. The only thing bothering you at that age is Math Assignments :)

Once we embark on REAL life we discover its a whole new ball game. As we grow older we just bury our inner child amongst all the worries that we continuously take upon our shoulders. We kill our dreams, aspirations and forget how to enjoy life. Every morning we just lie in our beds sulking over the new day and are never eager to initiate the monotonous routine again. But if we look real hard into the mirror we shall still see that little child looking back at us, inquiring if we are happy now and do we remember all the promises we made to our self.

I don’t remember what I wanted to be when I was eight but I do remember I wanted to always smile at the face of any adversity…and I carry on doing so :)

Value Friendship..

To err is human. We often do things, which we consider to be insignificant, but as time flows by we gradually understand the seriousness of our act. We try our best to repent and implore the hands of time to roll back to the moment where we made the blunder. Broken hearts mend with time but trust of True friend lost can never be earned back. We often fail to realize who are True Friends are? What is their true worth? Superficial things cloud our judgments and we fall short in seeing the true gem that lies within.

True friendship consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and value.

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

I lost such a friend due my own idiocy, though we are still in touch I feel that the trust has vanished and we are just hollow bodies. The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention…. A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.

So I devote this Post to you Rabs and I hope you comprehend how remorseful & repentant I am. The Splendor of our friendship was not your outstretched hand, nor your kindly smile, nor the joy of your companionship; it was the spiritual inspiration that came to me when I discovered that someone else believes in me and is willing to trust me with friendship.

Stupid Interviews..

Everyone ought to have a blog or a live journal. They should enter within their essence. When the time comes I suggest they should suitably exchange the blog with any possible, would be spouse. It would be much easier than all those annoying interviews one has to sit through.

You are clad up in your best set of clothes sitting in an unfamiliar surrounding where all the eyes are gawking you. You dare not move as the twitching might make them take more notice. Intense suffocation follows when all of a sudden you are bombarded with queries like “How successful are you?” “What have you accomplished in your life till now” “Where do you see yourself going”. We all have a hard time in briefly summarizing ourselves in a few sentences. It’s hard to explain how we all perceive success differently and not all of us measure it in terms of how much fame and wealth one has accumulated. I consider success has touched all of us but only we alone can sense it.

Exchanging this collection of thoughts & dreams is a better approach for both of them to have a closer look at what the other person is all about and if there is any possibility of sparks flying :)Would be much easier also; instead of all the formalities you would just email the url of your blog and wait for appropriate comments :)

Grand Finale..

My Brother was overcome with tears of joy. My Sister was shrieking at the top of her voice. Their Team was now Champions of the World. I have never come across more passionate non-Italian supporters than these two.They have waited a long time for their team to finally taste glory. My Hearty Congratulation to them and Italy.

My Dad screamed at the top of his voice as he called the Italians “Cheats”. And as tempers flared over petty things, my mom laughed away in the corner. The World cup Final always seems to bring our household together. There is always a very enthusiastic & vocal crowd at our house and we argue over every whistle. The Final was a high drama affair and there were many points to squabble about.

“There goes Zidane’s Golden Ball.” yelled my brother.

“He thinks he is a Bull and this is bull fight.” added my cousin.

“Italians are cheaters and foul masters” screamed my dad.

“I will go bald if Barthez saves a single penalty” I humbly added.

“Its ONLY a game!! Lets not lose our tempers” my mom’s simple advice.

“In your face FRANCE” screamed my brother as the last penalty went in.

“AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH” the Italians contingents shrieked.

*Sound of vigorous applause and cheering* as Cannavaro lifts the World Cup.

It’s been a great World cup and finally as my mom says “Things will return to normalcy.”

Deserving World Champions

Fireworks proclaiming a fourth FIFA World Cup for Italy exploded into the black skies above the Olympiastadion as the Azzurri party began, leaving France – and a disconsolate Zinedine Zidane – to their own thoughts.

What an occasion the 18th Final produced with excitement at the start and incredible drama at the end as Zidane, on his farewell to the game he has graced for so long with his graceful skill, was shown the red card. On it went to a penalty showdown and five unerring Italian spot-kicks delivered them the title of world champions, with David Trezeguet the luckless player to miss. With Fabio Grosso converting, his country edged one Trophy behind Brazil in the pantheon of FIFA World Cup winners.



Zidane will remember this night for as long as he lives. France had promised to repeat their success of 1998 for their retiring captain and only he will know what possessed him when he thrust his forehead into the chest of Marco Materazzi. Zidane had to go, accompanied down the tunnel by the glare of thousands and thousands of flash bulbs and the tears of the legions of French supporters.

My Best Friend's Wedding..

A Married Man is a special breed; he enters into a realm that is very alien to the bachelor psyche.

My Best Friend is getting married in August. I am so happy for him as he has found his perfect soul mate. Soon he also will be component of a happily married couple and initiate to socialize amongst other happily married couples ONLY. In Bachelor lingo he would have MOVED ON.

Deep inside me I sense it’s my first day of school and every one around me is a stranger who I have nothing in common with. I miss my friends who have graduated Bachelorhood High and progressed on to sterner tests that marriage holds.

It sometimes feels very despicable to live a life of a bachelor amongst your married mates. You struggle to maintain your decorum while you beseech for an invitation whenever one wants to spend an evening in company. You don’t blame your friends for deserting you on the contrary you are at fault for not taking that next essential step. You merely admire other people’s children and just yearn for a few of your own.

What burns me more is the fact that I wont be able to attend his big day because of my work commitments.

I wish him the best of luck and success for his impending nuptials. I hope that one day when I tie the knot with my perfect soul mate *sighs* I too would have moved on..

I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You

I drink goodcoffee every morning
It comes from a place thats far away
And when I'm done I feel like talking
Without you here there is less to say

Don't want you thinking I'm unhappy
What is closer to the truth
Is that if I lived till I was a hundred and two
I just dont think I'll ever get over you

I'm no longer moved to drink strong whiskey
I shook the hand of time and I knew
that if I lived till I could no longer climb my stairs
I just dont think I'll ever get over you

Your face it dances andit haunts me
your laughter is still ringing in my ears
I still find peices of your prescence here
even after all these years

I don't want you thinking that i dont get asked to dinner
cause I'm here to say that I sometimes do
and even though I may seem to feel a touch of love
I just dont think I'll ever get over you

if I live till I was a hundred and two
I just dont think I'll ever get over you

Simply Beautiful..

A Little Difference..

The Rear glass of my car shattered because of the heat. The sound was so loud that I heard it in my office. We all rushed out dreading that maybe its some horrible calamity. The majority of those gathered saw the funnier side of it but I stood dazed. Firstly, I felt annoyed at the damage and secondly the Heat that encircled me was making me extremely uncomfortable. The temperature for the day, according to the weather department, was 45 Degree Celsius (113 Degree Fahrenheit) but it felt like it was 50 plus. The Heat was so intense that it was difficult to open my eyes. All the laborers working had their faces wrapped around with a wet cloth and they could be exempted for working slowly. To work in this heat is a crime on humanity.

As the Skyscrapers in Dubai go up and the city becomes the NEW Tourist Hotspot those who toil hard to make this transition come true are often forgotten. I saw a French Documentary once about the maltreatment of the laborers in the Labor Camps of Dubai, it was very thought provoking. I myself have visited the same site and many other sites like that where the living conditions are appalling. With the western media now starting to take notice and the general public outcry, the Government is starting to take steps to curtail such practices. But the job at hand is very huge and there are very few people who work pro-actively for this cause.

My brother & me went out to these labor camps to distribute some food. On seeing those residing there we felt ashamed that we had brought so little. And all of them had woeful stories and desires of reuniting with the loved ones they left behind. They had come here for a better tomorrow, now all they have are the blissful memories of the past. While returning from the camp it felt good inside that we had done our part to make a little difference to their lives.

Are we in trouble now?

It wasn't just the music
It wasn't just the wine
Some other kind of magic
Sending Shivers up my spine
Then I was falling
And I fell for you, and how
Darling, are we in trouble now

They say we're grown up
But we've been searching all this time
I wouldn't own up
Never would admit to flying blind
But in the Darkness
We found each other anyhow
Darling, are we in trouble now

When we'd talk it over
Love was a cry from a distant shore
Then we found each other
And all that we'd been searching for

And I'm done denying
I guess by now you know
I'm through with trying
Can't bring myself to let you go
And of all these feelings
We said we never would allow
Darling, are we in trouble now

Somethings are never meant to be yet we can never stop ourselves..

The Real Truth

He held his hand and stroked it gently. He felt the wrinkles as he caressed the skin. The Face had aged but it appeared so serene. He remember the day this man helped him ride his bicycle, work with him on his Math Homework, showed him how to tie a tie knot; the memories just kept flowing in as his thoughts slowly drifted towards the bad times between the two of them. The needless bickering over pointless matters. He remembered the tone of his voice. It was very high and how he regretted that today. How immature and foolish he felt now? How apologetic and repentant he felt inside.

The Man on the bed gently opened his eyes.

“Zahid is that you!!”

"Yes!! Dad it’s me”

A faint smile came across the face of the old man.

"Zahid I am sorry if I ever hurt you. I tried my best to be a good father. Forgive me”

With those words all the ill feelings Zahid harbored within himself drowned. He was overcome with emotions. Things were clearer now.

“What are you saying Dad!! Don’t say such things. I want you to get well soon so we can go for that trip you always talked about”

“Which trip? The one you thought was boring”

“I think its not going to be so boring after all”

Sometimes we don’t realize what things are truly precious to us. No matter how successful we become we can never undermine the love & caring our parents put into our upbringing. There are always differences but if we have really matured we shall never let them overshadow our affection towards our parents.

I almost lost my father and that experience has made me treasure his presence more. It has given a chance to me to eliminate those differences and show him truthfully that he means a lot to me.

Unsung Melody

Her Head sulks, a tear appears at the corner of her eye. She reflects upon her keenness and how confident she was that this was IT. Tears began to pour down her cheeks as she began to find her composure. She has to find the strength to get up and open the door & let him know.

As the door opens, his anticipating eyes look for signs of elation on her face. He lingers impatiently as she slowly saunters out. No words are spoken; he glances at her and discerns how brokenhearted she is. He embraces her in his arms and she hides her face in his chest and starts to weep. He places his hand on her head and tries to console her.

“It is not the end, we shall try again”

“Amir, I am tired. It’s been 10yrs. Maybe God hasn’t blessed us with a child”

“Don’t say such things, Zohra. It will happen one day I know it will. We shall carry on trying and pray for his Miracle. Remember most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”

When does one realize that there is no hope and that it was never meant to be ? How long should the anguish lasts before someone is blessed?

Is this religion?

Two men stood at the side of the road waving an empty bottle. Thirst was killing them and the Heat was showing no mercy. Because they were poor construction workers motorist just drove by them without given any heed to their plight. As I drove by, I saw it surprising that they waved their bottles, as there was evidently a mosque a few distance behind them. I braked, rolled down the windows and one of them came running up to my car.

Him: "Arbab! Can you be so kind as to give us some water"?

Me: "There is a mosque behind you why don’t you get the water from there. Its just 10 minute walk."

His face showed of signs of despair as he answered,

"We are Hindus and are not allowed in the mosque. We were told be the caretaker not to enter."

Me: "You could have told him that you needed water. Your being Hindu does not deny you the right to water."

Him: "He said there is not water. We didn’t want to cause a fuss so we walked here."

I told him to sit in the car and I drove up to the mosque. I walked into the mosque and I could see the caretaker sitting in a corner. I located the Cooler, which was just 10 yards from the entrance and filled the empty bottles. As I made my way back out I approached the caretaker and inquired about the incident. He reiterated his point that they are Hindus and their admittance is prohibited in the mosque.

Me: "Where in the holy Quran does it says to not give water to Non-Muslims? How do you know that I am a Muslim?"

Caretaker: "You don’t LOOK like a non-Muslim. I could have filled the bottle but it had their sweat on it and that is NAJIS. Such an item would definitely breach the sanctity of the mosque and it’s my job to see that never happens."

The tone of his voice had increase and he was very adamant in his beliefs. I just shook my head. He was never going to see the errors of his way, so I just asked him to inquire about these matters to a learned man and hope he can understand what he did was wrong.

Sometimes we forget the real purpose of religion. How can you stand before God asking for forgiveness when you have hurt his creations. When you have denied them of his most precious gifts onto us human beings. I apologized to the men about the incident. I explained to them that the fault was clearly of the caretaker and such practices were prohibited in Islam.

The terrifying part is that when I spoke about this unpleasant incident amongst some Muslim acquaintances there was a minority who saw the justification in the actions of the caretaker.

Are U Satisfied?

Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.

2006 has not been my year; each day has brought additional hardship, which I have aptly accepted as trials from my creator. I wish I could meet the astrologer who said it’s going to be MY YEAR. Do people really believe in astrology and various other things that claim to foretell our fate? I feel its nothing more than being able to develop a state whereby we satisfy ourselves with notions that all will end well. The world would be a better place if we escape the shadows of our inner demons and confront the reality of why we exist.

Can anyone exist within an ethical and sympathetic existence when one is fully aware of the blood, the horror intrinsic in life, when one finds obscurity not only in one's culture but also inside oneself?