#10: KNOCK-OUT FOR OUMED

It was 10:30 am- Oumed’s usual waking time on Saturday. His mom knocked on his door,

“Oumed! Wake up, it’s almost midday! Come for breakfast! Hurry! Oumed!!”

His usual reply two minutes later was, “Yeah, yeah, I’m coming!!” But this time, there was no reply.

His mum did the usual as she would any other day. She called him to come down for breakfast and went down to set the table for him. Five minutes, Ten minutes, fifteen minutes, Their mom asked,

“Where is that boy? I always wonder whether he’s had a goodnight’s sleep?!”

She went up again,

“Oumeeeed! Breakfasts done! Come on, son!!!”

No answer…no shuffling sound..no nothing…

“Oumeeeeeeeeed!!!!!” his mom shouted thinking he’d his earphones plugged on as usual.

...

Meanwhile, Oumed was under a tree, lying unconscious on the driver’s seat, wet from last night's rain, which had poured down on him through the shattered glass window. Yes, he had been knocked-out. The front tyres of the car were smashed and a terrible smell was coming out from the engine.The glass was shattered. The brakes were squashed near the tree trunk.

He started breathing heavily and he woke up. He couldn’t move his left hand. It was too painful. He had a horrible headache as well, and it took him some time to understand what had happened. Squashed in his car, he looked around and remembered....last night, the car, I crashed...

Painfully, he reached for his mobile. And dialed Salim’s number.

Back at home, Salim was with his parents in the kitchen. He couldn’t hear his phone ringing upstairs. After helping his mom wash dishes, he went back to work on his project.

He was so concerned about Oumed he went to the backyard and climbed the ladder which Oumed had placed against his room window. He opened the window and checked around the room but no sign of Oumed. Oumed’s bathroom door was open. He couldn’t possibly be there.

Salim went back to his project but a sudden interruption, his phone started ringing. He picked it up. It was Oumed!

“Oumed, where are you? Mom and dad think your still in your room sleeping!”

“S-salim,” oumed said weakly, “I - I crashed into a tree…”

‘’Oumed, where are you?!” Salim asked with a shocked and concerned.

“I’m at Windsor Avenue, near...near the big tree.”

Salim said, “I’m comin’ okay, just stay where you are.”

Salim went downstairs fast, still gripping his phone, and told his parents,

“Mom, dad, Oumed got involved in an accident.”

His parents stop dead, “WHATTTTT?!!!!”

They all got into the car and went to Oumed. They found him lying there weak, squashed within the metals of the ruined car. They rushed him to the hospital. They remained in the waiting room while the doctor checked Oumed. His mother was very scared for Oumed, she wanted everything to be fine for her youngest son. His father was concerned too but he was also a bit angry. Oumed is always getting into trouble, he thought as he walked up and down the waiting room. Salim was sitting patiently, making dua for his brother. Finally, after some time, the doctor came out of the ward and said, " There's no major problems with your son. Though it is amazing that he survived with only a few scratches.

But I thought you should know, he was very drunk.”

My son was drunk??? Oumed’s father had a horrified look on his face.

His mother collapsed onto the chair, so shocked.

Salim turned very pale and he looked so still. Salim thought he should have taken more care of his little brother...

They all knew that he was a spoilt brat and he smoked and they all tried to talk to him, they made duas for him to change and start praying and reciting Quran, but never in their lives did they think that - he drank!!!

...

The next day, Oumed was allowed to go home. He had only sprained his right hand and had a few bruises. Miraculously, he was generally okay.

That night, it was hard for everyone to get sleep. They all kept thinking about Oumed. His mom had a dream that Oumed would change. Salim woke up in between to check on his little brother. He found him snoring as usual and kicking the blankets around him. Sleep well, little brother, he said as he closed Oumed's room door gently.

Next morning, the sun shone down warmly and the dew drops on the grass were twinkling in the light. Oumed and Salim's mom opened the curtains cheerily, remembering her dream. Salim came down in time and kissed his mother's forehead. Salim loved his mother. Heaven lies under a mother's feet, he thought as he lovingly looked at her setting the table and making breakfast for the family. It was a beautiful and quiet Sunday morning with the birds chirping sweetly in the tall trees. Their dad was skimming through the newspaper. Soon, the last member of the family joined them too.

When Oumed, with his red hair tousled, came down walking slowly down the steps, every one was hopeful. His mom, dad and Salim thought that at last Oumed would change. This has to be the final call for him to change! He survived such a crash, he must realise how lucky he is!

They were all looking at him hopefully....

“What?! Why’s everyone staring at me?” Oumed said in a very grumpy voice. That ruined everyone’s hope!

Everyone was quiet. Oumed's grumpy early morning voice was echoing through their minds. His father finally broke the silence.

“So how do you feel, son?” His father asked.

“I feel just fine!” Oumed shot back.

The nerve...He doesn't even have respect for his father! thought his father. He wanted to scold him and tell him what he’d done. But then Oumed was still weak so he wanted some days to pass so he could have a talk with his son when he was stronger.

Tears were in his mother’s eyes. Why was his son like this? Everyone cared for him and they wanted the best for him.

Oumed sat down on the chair like an old man. His whole body was aching. He grumpily ate his breakfast and went back to his room. He wanted to listen to the latest hits but then he remembered his father had broken his boom box. He plugged in his earphones and started listening to his favourite songs. He thought about getting his ears pierced soon…and he fell asleep.

#11: MEET UP

Tahir and Nur were supposed to go and do some voluntary work in the mosque helping children with disablilities that afternoon. They had planned it together yesterday.

Nur was getting ready, she was just tying on her flowery pink hijab when her phone rang. It was Tahir. She said,

“Listen, Nur, I can’t come with you today.” She sounded sad.

“Why? What’s wrong, Tahir?” Nur asked, concerned for her friend.

Tahir replied, “Well, my cousin was involved in an accident recently so we’re going to check on him.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Nur said.

After they hung up, Nur didn’t even feel like going for their voluntary work alone. Just then, it was time for Aswr. She prayed and she made dua to Allah to help her because she didn’t know what to do. Her father’s mind wasn’t going to change. He was set on marrying the evil Jessica. Nur sighed.

***

Oumed was in his room and he had his hand bandaged. He was recovering. He drew skulls on the white bandage and threw the black pen down the floor. Just then, his mother called to him through the door,

“Your aunt and cousin are here to see you, son.”

Oumed grunted. “Argh, tell them I’m sleeping, I don’t wanna see them!”

“Oumed, you must be kind to your relatives, kinship is a ve-”

“Yeah, well I’m not much of a family person.” Oumed cut in coarsely. “Anyway, I’ll be down in a few - ”

But Oumed didn’t have to go down at all. His bubbly cousin came bursting through the door.

Oumed jumped out of his bed. “Hey, there’s something called privacy?!!!”

His cousin laughed out. “Haha, yes and there’s also something called coming down and greeting your relatives,” she said cheekily.

Then she looked at Oumed’s red hair, “You forgot to wash your hair after the accident?”

Oumed was fuming. He had a vicious look on his face as he stared at his cousin.

“Eheheh” His aunt gave a nervous laugh as she saw Oumed’s expression. “Tahir’s just joking, Oumed …”

She placed a huge bouquet of flowers near Oumed’s bedside. “Now, you get some rest, okay?”

“Yep, and don’t go around smashing into trees in the middle of the night, okay?” Tahir added with a grin.

“Get. Out. Now.” Oumed said in a dark voice to his playful cousin.

“Gee, Oumed you sure are kind!” Tahir said cheerily as she skipped out of his room.

***

A few days later in school, Tahir could see Nur was feeling down.

“Come on, Nur, tell me, what’s going on?”

Nur quickly said, “Nothing!”

She wasn’t used to really saying her feelings out. Besides she didn’t want to talk about her father’s plans to marry Jessica. She was mad about it but also embarrassed that her father could do such a thing.

Nur tried to change the topic. “Hey did you finish the assignment on the harmful effects of smoking?” She asked.

Tahir said, “Not yet. But who even needs to research on that topic. It’s obvious smoking is very dangerous.”

Then Tahir suddenly remembered. “Nur remember my cousin I told you about, who had an accident?”

Nur remembered, “Yeah...”

“Well, they found out he was drunk when he crashed into a tree. And he’s only 16! Can you believe him?! And he’s in our school too…. "

Tahir went on and on.

Nur couldn't concentrate on what she was saying. She was thinking other things. Her eyes had a faraway look.… But Tahir hadn't noticed.

She went on, "Look, there he is!"

She pointed to a laughing red haired boy who was carelessly joking around with his friends. Girls were surrounding the lunch table where he was sitting.

Tahir shook her head, "I can't believe him! His brother and his parents are so good..."

But Nur wasn’t listening. Her eyes had drifted off far away as she thought about life…..

Tahir looked closely at Nur, her eyes ha a dreamy look. “Nur! Your daydreaming, again! Were you even listening to me?!”

Nur snapped out of her usual daydreams, “Oh… yeah, say something?”

But it was late to remind her, the bell had rung for the next period.

***

Oumed was sitting in History class, he was tapping his fingers impatiently on the desk. He didn’t have the guts for History. He thought it was far too boring for people like him. The teacher dragged on about the World War and all the crappy soldiers and blah. Interestingly enough, his friend threw a note to him.

It read : Pssst….Let’s skip next class…. He looked at his friend wearily and said in a low tone, “Whatever…” He probably expected a much better note…

Meanwhile, two best friends were sitting not far from each other in the middle of the class, taking notes and listening intently. Nur was thinking, Maybe if I get the first rank, dad will think about his decision……. Tahir on the other hand, was also thinking of impressing her parents with colourful grades…..

Oumed was bored stiff. He cracked his neck and angrily looked at the time ticking ever so slowly. This long period of History was enough to give him aches. He got out his calculator and started calculating the sums he'd memorised last class. Math was the only thing that worked for him. But time was going ever so slowly that history class as their teacher went on about long ago's great heroes. What's the big point? They're all dead, anyway! He smirked as he looked away.

He looked around the class, his eyes caught a yellow scarf. Tahir caught his eyes too and waved at him cheekily. He glared angrily at his naughty cousin. Arrggh…he thought as he remembered what she had said the other day, that had pissed him off…..

But he looked closer to see the other girl who Tahir was always hanging out with. She was the one who brought him his calculator. And was answering most questions like a whiz kid and he was feeling a tinge of jealously spark in his heart.

“Get into your discussion groups, class!” the teacher abruptly said, disrupting Oumed’s thoughts.

Oumed watched as the two got up and moved to their group, while he was stuck with his friends. All they ever did in their group was talk and laugh about something far from History. He took a quick look at the two and shifted.

Tahir and Nur were three in their group, Jeremy was part of it. The three of them were having a great time laughing together.

Oumed in the corner watched them, Oumed felt a bit jealous to see that, but shook red head trying to shoo away his random thoughts and carried on like nothing ever happened.

#12: RUNAWAY

It was 1:50am. Perfect time. Nur thought as she put on her rain coat.

She looked outside the window. The starry night was illuminating the dark velvet sky. It seemed almost mystically comforting.

Nur sighed. I need to get out. All my father’s negative emotion towards me makes me so weak! I need to find peace! She thought as she climbed down the ladder she’d fixed against her window sill. She quietly climbed down. Reaching the soft grass below, Nur breathed in the cold clean air and shivered as it filled her lungs.

The sky was beginning to get dark and it was drizzling. She broke out into a run. She ran and ran and ran. She didn’t know where she was running to.

She felt like screaming in the quiet and dark night. Noise was better than the stillness. The vast openness and the willowy trees weren't enough to drive away the mild sense of claustrophobia she was feeling. Suddenly, she wished Cherry was beside her. Her warmth would have been enough to make Nur unafraid.

She was nearly in the meadow. A soft breeze combed through the soft grass. Nur looked off into the darkness of the meadow - she could see a shiny light moving towards her, in a fast speed. She stopped as the grass of the meadow wet her toes.

Far out there was a horse, running towards……towards her! Am I dreaming? Nur rubbed her eyes. She heard the galloping sound of the horse nearing. She opened her eyes.

She saw him, the stallion which she hadn’t even named. He stood majestically near her, neighing so happily. It was the best welcome she could get on a lonely night like this. He spotted me running towards the meadow and came to me…..tears welled up in her eyes. She hugged her horse tightly.

The rain started to pour. Nur looked at the stallion. He was bright and beautiful in the dark night. She named him Angel (because he looked like an angel in the black night). Nur didn't even give second thought. She heaved herself lightly on the stallion. "Come on, Angel," Nur patted the sturdy horse. They rode on and on in the cold rain.

Nur had probably been riding through the meadow for hours. It seemed just like a few passing moments to her but her limbs felt exhausted - partly from running all the way here. "Let's get you to your stable, Angel." The horse neighed in acknowledgement. They made their way to the dry stable. They both shivered as Nur closed the stable door. She took off her raincoat and she soon fell asleep in a cozy stack of hay.

Within a few hours, the sky blossomed into a lavender dawn. The early-morning sun shone on Nur’s face. She got up and realized that she was in the stable and quickly recalled how she'd come here last night.

***

At home, everyone was looking for her. The maids searched everywhere for her. Mr. Khalid couldn’t understand why his daughter wasn’t in her room. He didn't show it but deep inside he felt a wisp of fear. The cops looked around the streets for her. Hussein, their driver, guessed that she was in the meadow. But he didn't have the chance to say anything. It wasn't long before Jessica came to know about missing Nur. She put on an evil grin as she powdered her plastic face.

Now’s my chance to split some relationships… father and daughter hmmmmm…..she thought. She was evil and all she wanted was to marry Mr. Khalid and poison him to death so that all the property could belong to her alone. Think about it Jessica, you’ll have all the riches; the grand mansion, the cars, the servants to obey you…it’s worth it.

So Jessica stopped Hussein from telling anyone his guess about Nur being in the meadow. She even stopped him from going to the meadow to check if she was there. Jessica grinned her evil grin and all over a sudden, her perfectly made face looked like a grinch from hell.

***

In the meadow, Nur sat on the grass with Angel beside her. She thought about home. “Can you imagine that? No-one seems to be bothered about me, Angel, ”she sighed patting Angel softly on his head. Angel neighed softly. He could sense Nur’s sadness.

Back at home, Mr. Khalid allowed Jessica to stay in his home till late evening. Yes, and this is just the beginning, Mr. Khalid…..she thought as she stared at the giant chandelier on the intricate curve of the ceiling. They were in the sitting room talking. When Mr. Khalid brought the topic of Nur, Jessica changed the topic smartly off.

“And….Nur, where could……..”

“Hmm, nice smell from the kitchen! I think lunch’s ready Khalid dear, ” Jessica interrupted.

Throughout the conversation, the topic of Nur was always brought up by Mr.Khalid but interrupted by Jessica again and again. This time, Jessica thought, I need to stop him from remembering that pesky little pest! And she did the worst thing anyone could think of; she lied. She lied that Nur did a bad thing,

“Speaking of Nur, Khalid, I hear that she run away with a boy in her school. She made a plan with him to escape in the night. What a spoilt child! Anyway, can I borrow the car ……..”

All the colour drained from Mr. Khalid’s face. “WHATTTT??!!!!!” he shouted, “That…a boy!....I’m surprised! How could Nur do such a thing?! You heard very very wrongly, Jessica. Who told you that horrible news?!”

Jessica was applying lipstick while looking at her small mirror. When Mr. Khalid was done, she closed the lipstick and laughed, “Oh really? When I saw her talking in school with that boy and skipping lessons. I saw it with my own eyes, Mr. Khalid. And of course I can’t lie to you.”

She said in her high-pitched voice, “She’s probably run away with him.” She had a good acting skill.

Mr. Khalid just said, “It’s late. Good night, Jessica.” And he walked away.

Jessica started filing her nails while laughing her evil laughter.

Still in the meadow, Nur was sad.

“Papa doesn’t care for me after all….,”she whispered, “he probably married Jessica today and never wanted me to know.” She was sad, so so sad. Then she suddenly shouted, “But if he thinks I’m not his daughter anymore, then fine! As long as I have Allah and Angel and…and…Tahir!!” Then she realized, “Tahir?”

So she set off for Tahir’s home while Angel was feeding on the grass. Tahir was so happy to see her but when Nur told her the news, she felt sad for her. Nur had supper from Tahir’s home. And she was happy there. After supper, Tahir’s dad called Mr. Khalid and he came for her right away.

In the car, Mr. Khalid was quiet, he didn’t say anything to his daughter. Then suddenly he asked, “Who’s the boy you ran away with?”

Nur was shocked, “What?!!!” She felt like dying from there. Now what does papa think? What does the world think? Which boy did I run away with?!! What does he mean?!!

Tears were welling up in her eyes but she controlled herself. She bit her lip as she tried to stop the burning tears from rolling down her cheeks. I have no one, no one! She didn't even bother explaining to her dad the actual situation as she saw him inhaling deeply from another cigar. She looked away and turned her hazel eyes to the night sky. Another starry night...

#13: OPEN YOUR EYES

Oumed gazed into the mirror as he styled his hair. He fingered the gel through his red bangs. Your hair’s on fire, man! He grinned at his reflection. Tonight he was going to have a blowout at the beach. He was going to have a blast. He couldn’t stop grinning as he slipped on his black leather biker’s jacket. He looked at himself in the mirror one more time before he left his room. My red hair and black jacket complement eachother quite nicely! He patted himself on his back and made his way downstairs.

Oumed’s smile was wiped off his face as he saw his dad waiting on the couch. Darn! I should’ve climbed down my ladder! He cursed as he saw that he’d have to get past his father to reach the front door. He heaved a sigh angrily and clenched his jaws as he slowly passed his dad.

“Stop right there, son.” His dad said calmly. Oumed looked up. It seemed his dad was waiting for him all along. That point was made clear when he spotted his brother Salim and his mother standing by the other side, looking serious.

“What now?” He drawled out at no one in particular.

His father braced up. “Son, you can’t bring alcohol into this house.”

Oumed rolled his eyes. “Says who?”

That’s it, his father thought, Oumed keeps getting arrogant by the minute. “Look here, Oumed – this is my home – and I say, you cannot and should never bring this into the house.”

Oumed threw his arms up in the air, “When did I ever bring beer into the house?”

“Don’t get haughty with me, son! You very well know what you did.” He point at a Vodka bottle that Oumed thought he’d hidden fairly well in his room.

“So what? SO WHAT? It’s not like I’m going to tempt anyone, am I?” He sneered and looked at Salim.

Salim had a grave look in his dark eyes. “Oumed, don’t you dare talk to Dad like that,” he said in his usual serene tone.

Oumed grinned nastily, “Stop me!” He challenged as he made his way to the door.

Salim went closer to him and blocked his way. “Come on, Oumed, what are you trying to prove? Can’t you just quit this bad boy mask you’re putting on?! It’s not getting any of us anywhere!”

“What the hell do you want with me anyway?! Just leave me alone!” Oumed barked at his brother.

The two brothers looked at eachother. Each one’s eyes pondering into the other’s. Salim could see a vulnerable fear in Oumed’s eyes. Salim got a shimmer of hope…

But hope and fear go hand in hand.

And Oumed had a fear in him. Several years ago when they had fled their war-struck homeland, Oumed was just a child. His father, a doctor, was tending to the wounded on the battlefield. But time came when he could do that no more. If he was to stay, he’d risk putting his family to death. Within days, they had booked tickets to their new destination, their new home – in the very nation that was tearing apart their land. Oumed’s mother was furious. How can we be like this?! She asked, how can we run away when our people are suffering? Their father only cared for them so much and he was intent on getting his family safe. It’s not safe here anymore, he said, as he looked at his three lighthearted children playing freely. I only want my family to be protected.

Only 6 hours to their flight to safety when the soldiers came charging through the land. The sun was scorching the dry ground cruelly and the air had the heavy feel of death to it. The soldiers were strapped heavily with their grenades and their stone faces were drained of mercy.

Oumed’s father came running to the two boys, who were playing in their sand box in their backyard. Their mother scrambled to pack a few last minute things out of the house. “We have to get out of here!” Their father picked up Oumed and grabbed hold of Salim.

Oumed was only 6 years old but he sensed something was wrong. “Daddy I’m scared.” he remembers saying in a chocked voice. His father looked at his youngest son for a split second. They were all scared.

But one of his children was missing. “Where’s Rahma? Ya Allah! Where’s Rahma?!” his father shouted in alarm. Their mother gave out a weak sound as her eyes widened in terror. The sound of bullets and a shrill shriek of a little girl cut through the air. She had been killed. She was dead. Oumed and Salim’s sister, Rahma, was murdered brutally at the hands of the coldhearted soldiers.

“No. No!” Their mother wailed. “I want my little girl back! I want my baby back!” She ran towards the soldiers. Oumed’s father took hold of her immediately as she struggled to get free. He shouted, “You’re not going anywhere! I don’t want to lose you too!”

Just at that moment, their house was set on fire. Salim and Oumed watched in horror. “Their burning down our house! Do something Daddy!” Salim screamed as Oumed tumbled to his sand bucket and went to try to put out the fire.

“Come on! Everyone get into the car! NOW!” Their father grabbed Oumed and dragged the rest of his surviving family into the car with nothing but the bag containing their passporst and a few cash notes to spare. They didn’t even have time to bury her.

The shrill shriek of his elder sister, Rahma, still rings in Oumed’s ears today. They didn’t even have time to bury her…

Sometimes Oumed would have spasms at night thinking about his long dead sister. Sometimes he’d wish he was the one who died in place of her.

Rahma was only 2 years younger than Salim. Oumed turned through the pages of his mind and recalled the painful memories of the three of them playing as carefree children under the warm and smiling sun. He remembered how she’d pat him kindly on his little head and how he had always trailed behind her like a loyal puppy. He remembered cuddling up near his sister at night when the owls hooted and scared him. She was always so kind to him… and she was the one to die at the hands of cold blooded soldiers.

They didn’t even have time to bury her…

Rahma was the life and soul of their home. She’d lighten up the mood of anyone who was around her. She was only 10 years old but even Salim who was 2 years older, looked up to her. Everyone loved her and cherished her. She was as bright as an angel. Their mother would jokingly say, “She’s too good to last too long!” She just never knew how true what she was saying was.

Sometimes, Oumed would scream in fury, “Why her?! Why Rahma?!” Even at her young age, she had prayed without delaying a minute, when most kids of that age would run around playing without care. She would fast on her own and she could always be heard reading the Quran by day break and night fall. But no, Oumed thought in a fit of anger, she was the one to die! If God was real, He wouldn’t have done this! He thought. If God is supposed to be the Most Kind and the Most Merciful, he wouldn’t have let Rahma die! He would seethe in blind anger whenever he thought of this. My dear big sister Rahma…

They didn’t even have time to bury her…

Salim’s clear voice cut the silence. “Oumed, look here bro, do you understand what I’m saying? You gotta change. You can’t be like this anymore, bro…”

Oumed looked at his brother. He was always the perfect one. He was always the perfect son. He came out of his teenage years as a strong believer with formidable faith. And here I am…

Salim looked expectantly at his younger brother. “Well…?”

Oumed smiled.

Slowly, he broke into a quiet laugh. “Do you think I’m gonna be brainwashed by all your 'sweet' talk?” He smirked.

Salim exhaled with difficulty as if someone had knocked out the air out of his lungs.

“I have better things to do!” he lashed out at Salim. He shoved his brother out of the way and walked out the front door, slamming it deafeningly behind him.