Yathi and I were sitting on the Abu Dhabi Corniche one day, as usual, when she came to meet us at the park on the Corniche. Zahra. That’s her name. She is a staff nurse in a hospital in Abu Dhabi. Indonesian woman. A native of Yathi. girlfriend No matter how much we told her where we were sitting, she could not understand. Finally I went by myself to the location she sent to pick her up. Yathi guarded our belongings. I went and met Zahra. Zahra was standing like a bird with a golden feather spread under the palm tree in the Marina Park.! Even though it was dark after dusk, she looked like a moon bird in the neon light. My car stopped beside her. What a beauty! More beautiful than Yathi! She came and said salaam. I returned my greetings. She opened the front door and got into the car. As soon as he got in, Shake gave me a hand and kissed me on the cheek. I was totally shocked! I was not angry with her. Who can say no to a beautiful kiss from a beautiful girl? She was smelling of musk. I asked for details. She always calls Yathi. Have met once in person but never spoken closely. She was holding my right hand while talking. Every now and then she kept kissing my hand. My voice was trembling. I became silent.! I drove slowly and carefully.
When I thought that I could drop her off and park where the yacht was sitting, Zahra said that I would park and go together. When I found a parking space on the left side of the park in front of FAB Bank, I parked there. Since it was a very dimly lit place and my car window film was dark, people outside could not see the people inside the car. Immediately after parking, Sahra held me around my neck and kissed me on my face and lips. Although it was unexpected, I did not stop.! He sat down like an obedient baby. She woke up when she regained consciousness. “Thank you.! This is what I wanted and waited for when I saw you. Don’t feel angry.!” She spoke like a mantra in my ear and got out of the car. I also got out of the car. In fact, I was in another world! How freely she interacts with me. We walked to the side of the yacht. They talked when they met. We left her at the accommodation of the hospital where she works at around 2 am.!
I was about to leave the office when a call came to my phone. There was only the number. When I said hello, I immediately got a reply, “It’s me. Zahra! I want to see Ahad!” Sound does not come out of the throat. I remained silent for a long time. After Yathi’s death I was not in touch with anyone.! Sometimes Yathi’s father would send some money. I know there is no change for the elderly. My work and my fortunes are part of Yathi’s talent. Forgetting her family is like forgetting Yathi.! “Why.. Zahra.. tell me what are the details?” I asked her to spare. “I want to see you, Ahad. It will be in the gallery of the National Tower. Please come… I can’t see you.” Zahra’s words did not seem to be rejected. It’s Friday. There are no other programs available. One may go. You can also make some purchases from the Galleria shopping center. I got out.
My Nissan Patrol slowly drove towards the National Tower. As I turned from the city to the Corniche, I started to smell musk in my car. It has been two years since Yathi died. Meanwhile, I never met Zahra! Not called. Actually I had forgotten about her.! In the world of isolation, I forgot to even cry, I was living forgetting myself! In between I went home twice but I could not recover my energy. My wife also criticizes me for my laziness. They don’t know the storm and tragedy that has swept through my life. I parked my car in the parking lot of National Tower. Went out and took my suit. The Australian hit the spray. Then walked to the elevator. I called Zahra in the elevator. She was waiting for me in front of the galleria. She is wearing a light blue dress. She was more beautiful than seen years ago.! When he saw me, he ran and hugged me. I cried a lot without looking at the surroundings. I took her and walked to the food court. “What’s up Zahra.?” She was sitting next to me on the couch in front of a table. She put her head on my shoulder and held my left hand with both of her hands, as if begging her to “don’t leave me”. “Ahade… How are you bearing the departure of my yacht…? I was longing to see you. I am also the remnant of that tragedy…” I looked at Zahra as if I didn’t understand what she was saying. She continued..
I am the one who lost my village and my relatives in that earthquake and the landslide that followed. I was able to go home five days after the incident. By the time I left, it was all over. Mother, father and sister-in-law were buried. I have been able to cry seeing graves where the soil has not dried. After a few days, when my mind calmed down, I went looking for the yacht. When I reached there, I saw Yathi’s father and came to know that Ahad had come. I soon came to Abu Dhabi to join the work, but not wanting to meet anyone, I confined myself to the hospital. I often felt the need to call Ahad. After six months I went back home. I had to marry someone as per the insistence of my relatives.!” She stopped talking. Zahra was crying. Without holding my hand. She looked at me with her head resting on my shoulder. “Congratulations Zahra.” I said looking into her full eyes. She seemed to have a smile on the corner of her lips. Laughed. “I’m hungry ahad.” That’s what I remember. A coffee and snacks from Star Bucks was a must when leaving the office today. I forgot today too. “Oh… sorry my dear… I’ll go and buy.” I bought a burger and juice from the food shop in front of me. I bought and came back to Zahra. She is eating her burger. I was sitting facing her now. I was looking at her.! Now when I met again I didn’t really see her. Zahra is still beautiful.! Zahra still has bright eyes like the eyes of a virgin. She doesn’t look married.! Those cheeks are the color of the saffron sun. Charti stood still Nu.! That forehead is dusted with sweat as if no man has kissed it. Didn’t she say she is married?
“Zahra then where is your husband..?” She pointed her finger up. “Dead?” “No! I got rid of him!” “What!” I asked slowly. “He wasn’t a man. He was gay. He was cheating on me, including my relatives!” She said looking down. When she said that, two tears fell from her eyes. Suddenly she wiped her hand with her finger. Then asked “Ahad not go to the country?” I looked at her… “I’m leaving. Leave after six months.” I looked into her eyes and said. How beautiful are those cheeks with the saffron sun rising. “Why did Zahra say you want to see me?” I asked to know the purpose of her arrival. She looked at me for a while. Then slowly said “The only person I can trust in this Abu Dhabi is Ahad. I lost my job. I came back from Indonesia too late. They canceled my visa yesterday because there was no new posting. Now I need a job. Shouldn’t I be able to live on my own? Ahad now owns one or two clinics. I found out when I searched. If it’s not difficult, can you help me?” She said as much as she looked at the children’s park at the corner of the food court. Her eyes are watery.
I saw her as the companion sent by the warrior to the one who was left alone in the midst of his busy work and in the crowd. Her forehead was still sweaty. As if the cheeks were red. “You’ve changed a lot Zahra.” I looked into those full eyes and said “Let me ask you something… Sahra… are you coming with me?” I saw the stars in my eyes. “Where’s Ahad?” My lips felt like trembling. “First to my flat… then… we can decide all that later..” I extended my hand towards her.! She put her hand inside mine without any hesitation. We raised She wrapped both her hands around my right hand. We walked to the parking lot where my Nissan Patrol was parked. Then the smell of musk was wafting from Zahra’s mane.
Content Summary: Malayalam Short Story ‘Sahra’ written by Asees Arakkal