People say that love comes in different shapes and sizes. But for Sabnam it was all together an odd package. She have never thought in her weirdest dream that something like this can happen to her. But then it was her destiny that played its game.
Life was fine if not too good for this 19 year. Iraq was developing with time may be it’s slow for a war ridden country. Her family was complete with mom-dad and 3 brothers and 2 young sisters. Life was quite peaceful at least in her font. She was happy doing the work around the house, studying with his brothers. Though she has to leave her studies because of the war, she was luckier than her younger sisters who have never gone to school. The best part that often brightens her face that her parents were on search of a suitable boy for her. The unseen seems so exciting and challenging. But what she doesn’t know that unseen sometimes brings unhappy things too.
It was Friday her father and 3 brothers went to say names and never returned. No one knows what happened to them many people from their locality went missing. The local news channel flashed the news that many men were killed by subside-bomb attack .The only elder person to remain was her mother who was so anxious with the news that she fallen sick. Within few minutes Sabnam’s world turned upside down .Her happy world, comfort zone has gone. She was lost, clueless what to be done or what is best for that moment. The outside world was unknown to her. She was feeling like an alien in her own world. The grocery came to an end in no time with an allying mother and 2 young sibling to be taken care of, she decided to step outside her known world.
Thomas Lawson was a lieutenant of USA battalion. Thomas doesn’t know for what they are doing all this attacks. He felt sorry for all those people around who have been suffering for so long without any of their fault. But then he knows that an order is an order and to serve for one’s country is the greatest honor. He was quite famous in his battalion not because of his fighting skills but because of his poetic nature. He often used to become a laughing stock for his seniors because of this. They felt that Lawson was caught in the wrong job.
Lawson’s main duty was to keep vigilance in the market place and school .His duty area was close to Sabnam’s house. He actually never found anything much to do. The school and the market place are usually adorned.
Sabanam was worrying how to purchase food for the family. For Sabnam’s relief she found some currency in her father’s cupboard. She loves his smell; it used to give her a scene of relief and protection. Looking at the cupboard she realized that her Dad would never return to use them. Tear felt her eyes, but this was not the time to panic. She has to think of her mother and two sisters. She was especially worried about her mom who has not been eating for past two weeks.
She put some money in her purse and wore her burkha. She was all set to go out. One for sisters came to her and asked “Apa (Elder Sister) what if you also didn’t return like dad?” She knows the question was obvious the little souls have seen so much. Within her heart she knows that she has to return for her remaining family.
On her way to the market she was extremely careful about her purse. The snatching has increased, but then one can be blamed the situation has changed and so has their lives. Her fears became true she has to face few local youths who stopped her way. It seems that bad luck was not in any mood to leave Sabnam. She doesn’t know what to do. For the first time in her life she was facing so many unknown men. She was too shy too scream but she can feel that tears are rolling down from her eyes. How much she wishes any known person around her now.
Lawson was strolling around the area without expecting much. When he was near to the grocery market he found few youths were surrounding a woman. He didn’t found the scene quite normal. For a country where women are only familiar with their relatives. It seem unlikely to him. As he approached near the group fled away leaving Sabnam alone.
Lawson in the war period have learnt quite a few words in local language. He tried hard to talk with Sabnam but she was too shocked to speak. The money in her hands was gone and in the process of saving, it has already hurt her. Lawson don’t know what to do. He so was soft and gentle that Sabnam got the courage to look at him. For Sabnam he was a tall guy with fair skin, short hairs. But for Lawson it was only her eyes, big beautiful, filled with tears, a poet’s delight.
Sabnam started walking towards her house not knowing what to do. At one point she thought of asking for help. But next moment she was too shy for it. Lawson was following her he doesn’t know why. May be because he wants her to be secure. On reaching near home Sabnam turned back to give a second look. For a moment she looked into his eyes and turned back and vanished inside the door. Lawson kept standing there for sometime and releasing what he was doing he smiled at himself and went back to his camp. He was thinking of those eyes all trough the night.
Next morning Sabnam has to peep out her house again. But this time she was more cautious about caring the money. On her way to the market she found Thomas standing at the place where they met yesterday. Seeing him she felt a kind of relief, which was strange for her. She was hopping to see him before going out for the market. It gives her a sense of security. The routine followed until one day Thomas gathered the courage to approach her.
He was very careful because he was afraid that he may say something that may me disgrace full for her. In case of Sabnam it was as if her prayer is been heard. They talked about much thing form her pre-war life to her loss of family. They were talking in different languages. Thomas was trying his Urdu and Sabnam trying to make sense of her English.
A relation was budding on the ground of war. One day Thomas asked if he could come to her house to see her ailing mother. Sabnam was not sure whether to say yes or not. Every one in her neighbors may get her wrong. But then she wants him to come too. So a day was fixed and Thomas was invited.
He looked around the house once a well to do family now struggling for existence. He thought life would have been much different for Sabnam and her family if the war wouldn’t have took place. He felt sorry for her. Sabnam could see that Thomas was upset she took her to another room and took of her vale. For the first time in all this days Thomas has seen her face. Thomas was speech less he couldn’t took away his glare. Sabnam was blushing she can feel the heat in her checks and ears. He took her hand softly, she was shivering .She can’t look into Thomas eyes, but she could feel his glare. After that day things changed a little they started meeting frequently and Sabnam took of her veal the first chance she gets. They were not sure of their future and it was something that they don’t want to think about.
But destiny again took its turn. United States was calling back its troops and Thomas got his order. He was dumbstruck he knows that this day will come but never thought it will be so quick. That evening he went to Sabnam’s house they were sitting in Sabnam’s room. He told Sabnam that his troop has been called off by their government that he has to go now. Sabnam was listing to him trying to find whether he was joking or not. But then Thomas was serious. All Sabnam managed to say, “You are going to leave me?” Thomas doesn’t know what to say he want to take her with him or stay back. All he wants was to be with Sabnam.Sabnam was looking at him with tear filled eyes. He took her in his arms and pressed his lips against hers. Sabnam was not moving too. Some- were in her heart she sensed that he will never come back.
Thomas asked her if she could come along with him. Sabnam looked at the family portrait and she knows she can’t .She was the only one left in her family to take responsibility. She shook her head and Thomas knows the answer. Tears rolled down their cheeks but this was all they can do for their love.
Never in his whole life did Thomas felt so helpless. That was the last time they saw each other. But their love keeps going on. Sabnam could feel Thomas presence all through her life and so it was with Thomas.
« return.