"This is his case notes...and good luck." exclaimed the prison warden as he hands her Ilhan Mansur's case sheets in her arms and then he lead her towards Ilhan's prison cell.As they were both approaching closer towards his cell, a calm voice of someone reading the holy Quran could be visibly heard..."That's impossible." thought Maya to herself....but her guess was right...it was Ilhan's soothing and calming voice.....reciting verses after verses of the holy Quran....the main verses on redemption and repentance.
"Ilhan, your new counsellor is here to guide you." utters the warden as he begins to unlock his cell and usher Maya to joins in with them. Ilhan close the holy Quran, as he brings it closer to his face and gently kiss it before he carefully place it on top of his bed. Slowly he turn to face them, and what a shocked he had when he saw Maya was the new counsellor, whom he was suppose to see that morning. Ilhan saw so much fury and hatred in her eyes piercing directly inside his heart....and this cause so much guilt and fear in his soul.
"I can take it from here. Thank you sir. I shall call you, once I'm ready to go." exclaimed Maya, as she still had her sight looking intensely towards Ilhan's.The warden nodded and left the cell, leaving Maya and Ilhan together alone in that dark cell, which was only dimly lit by the small lamp which was hang on top of the celling.
"Nice cage!" utters Maya sarcastically.
"I heard, you have been doing well with yourself. I have read and kept some of your articles on social issues about slavery, illegal children and woman exploitation....there are good..." trails Ilhan as he reaches out towards the wall and bring down some of Maya's writings, which Ilhan had cut out from the local newspaper.
"Cut the crap....don't act Saint with me." cried Maya as she slammed the thick case sheet on top of Ilhan's tiny finger.
Ilhan withdraw his finger in pain, away from the case sheet with tears in his eyes. Maya smirk upon seeing him reacting this way. "You are not here to guide me aren't you?" utters Ilhan sadly.
"What did you just say? To guide you? Is there hope for you?" asked Maya as she begins to mock Ilhan's real sincerity of repentance.
"Please forgive me Maya....please forgive me!" cried Ilhan tearfully, as he held his palm and covered his tearful face.
"I have overcome all those grievous acts which you have cause me....but what you did to Aden is simply unforgivable.....you have destroyed his life...you son of a bitch." cried Maya as she fought back her tears of anger."I'm sorry." wept Ilhan.
"It's that all you can say...?" asked Maya as she turn her back against him. "Why did you do it? Why?" yelled Maya. Ilhan remains silence but continue to cry silently. "What were you thinking at that point of time...when you attacked me....and then you had your bunch of bastard friends raping me?" asked Maya furiously.
"It was a mistake and it was my sin....I know...I can never gave you back your dignity or anything, to redeem all of my wrong doing against you and Aden.." trails Ilhan as he struggles to get his crutches which he had place them against the wall.
"I do not expect you to give me anything. What can you possibly give us anyway?" utters Maya sarcastically. Suddenly, she heard something fell and as she turns, she saw Ilhan was struggling to get up from the floor with his crutches far away within his reach. And then, Maya notice..Ilhan right leg was gone....and so were some of his fingers and a tinge of emphaty slip into her soul. Maya held back her tears and refused to barge as she just stood there and watch Ilhan....as he keeps on struggling to get himself up from the hard concrete floor. However, she took Ilhan's case sheet and begins to quickly run through them....when suddenly, something had caught her attention. Ilhan's medical records....Ilhan was diagnose with bone cancer...and he would only live for another three months, as the cancer had spread throughout almost every part of his vital organs. Ilhan is dying. Maya close the case sheet as she shut her eyes....God the Almighty has shown it to her.....Ilhan has been punished..this is his karma..his retribution. Ilhan coughed frantically, as he crawls towards his bed and held his hands around the bed frame, as he tries to get up. Maya came closer towards Ilhan and held out her hands, as she assist him to stand up and make him sit on his bed.
"My fate has been written this way....I accept all this..I accept." wept Ilhan sadly...and Maya knew..he is sufferring....due to the pain of the cancer virus..and his spirit has been damaged....due to his past sins and wrong deeds.
"You have found your way back towards Faith...that's good." utter Maya as she plays her role as his councellor....and this time....she had frame up her mindset and goals of helping Ilhan, going through the last phase of his life....emotionally and spiritually.
"Maya, here...take this. The promised which I made before." exclaimed Ilhan, as he hands her a piece of paper after he had scribble something onto it. Maya took it and read what was written.....it was a telephone number and an address. "That will lead you to Marsha and Reena." utters Ilhan as he smile faintly.
"Ilhan, there's still hope for you.....go for your treatment." exclaimed Maya as she tries to coax him.
Ilhan shook his head. "I'm happy this way....it has been such a long time....I have never felt this joy and enlightenment in my life. Just one thing...which I.....I requested from you." utters Ilhan.
"Say it." said Maya.
"I need to see Aden." requested Ilhan as he looks tearfully towards Maya's eye.
Maya remain silence, but this time she had her tears stream down on her face. "We are not together anymore." utters Maya sadly. "He left......on our wedding day. It was that faithful day, when he knew, he had HIV positive." continues Maya as she took off her glasses and wipe the falling tears off from her eyes.
"Please forgive me Maya.....!" cried Ilhan.
"It's getting late....I'm sorry....I can't fulfil your request. But, I will always be here for you." utters Maya with a smile, as she signs her report onto Ilhan's case sheets as she decides to take on his case...and do the counselling on him.
"Thank you Maya." cried Ilhan, as he saw her walk out from his cell with the warden by her side.
In the cab, Maya held on towards the address which Ilhan had given her, and then she crumples it and held it in her palms with tears in her eyes. Within those two years, when she went back to Thailand, she had managed to track Reena back......and thanks to Nadia and some of the social worker term there, for their continuous assistance towards Maya's search.When the first time, Maya set her eyes onto her long lost companion....it was such a heartbreaking sight, when she saw Reena was living in a slump and her condition was extremely beyond her recognition. Reena was left with her bone stuck to her skin....her eyes were deep and hollow.....there were sore almost every part of her frail body. Maya took her back towards Zaki's welfare home and nurse her until....finally......she draws out her last breath.
And it was from Reena's info...which she had managed to say it out on her deathbed..that had eventually lead Maya back to her son Marsha. Maya, drove towards the city area and came upon Marsha's home, she stay in her car for a while, as she decides to catch a glimpse of her son just from a distant....and true enough..she saw a five year old boy...having the colour of her dark ash brown hair...and her smile..came running happily into her foster mother's arm....it was heartbreaking moment for her....but she knew..she had to let it all go. He belongs there....she has no right over him. With a heavy heart, she reversed back her car and drove away.
"Aleeya, I'm back.....I've bought some pack lunch for us today." exclaimed Maya as she enters the front door...and then, there she saw Aleeya stood by Aden's room with tears in her eyes. "Aleeya, what's wrong?"
"Aden." cried Aleeya tearfully.
"What happen? Aleeya tell me." cried Maya as she place the pack food and her bag onto the coffee table.
"His camp base was attacked and bomb by the terrorist." utters Aleeya.
"What? No!" exclaimed Maya...as she shakes her head in disbelieve. "How's Aden?" asked Maya as she tries to put up a brave front, as she does not want to breaks Aleeya's spirit, of seeing her own spirit being crushed by her fear of losing Aden.
"There is still no news on him....despite the authorities there has been trying to gain assess to that area." explained Aleeya. "Aunt Nadia and uncle Zaki will be here in just a moment. Uncle Zaki has been trying several times to get hold of Aden's where about and his condition but..it was all in vain." wept Aleeya.
Maya took out her mobile phone from her hand bag and then she begins to dial some numbers...and from her conversation....Aleeya heard..few words spoken by Maya...availability of a flight.....ticket booking towards Afghanistan....and fear runs into Aleeya soul. "Maya, please don't tell me you are leaving? It is a suicide mission." exclaimed Aleeya.
"I take my chances. I'm not losing him to this...! I shall bring him back...to where he belongs." explained Maya as she went straight into Aleeya's room and pack her clothing inside her bag pack.
"Maya, maybe we should wait for further news from Kabul authorities...." trails Aleeya as she wipe her falling tears off from her face.
"My flight, is in an hour time. Please let me go Aleeya." pleads Maya. "All right, once I'm there, I shall call you and inform you about the condition of that area. Just give me the name of his base camp, and the place where I could report for my arrival." requested Maya. Aleeya was left with no other choice but to comply as she SMS to Maya all those necessary details on Aden's base camp and his others frequent lodging.
Aden sat on the wooden bench as he decides to rest in just few minutes, before he will run back towards the destroyed base camp as more dead bodies were recovered....and those survivors were left dying without any proper medical treatment.....it was such a horrific and heart breaking sight. Children and woman wailing for some mercy.....throughout the night and the weeping goes on. Aden had injected himself with an antibiotic, which the doctor had prescribe to him....as he begins to feel sick himself....but he's not giving up at this point of time. Aden stood up and walks out from the local hospital as he followed....Altaff, one of the local Afgan boy there in his van...as they headed back towards the war torn base camp.
The ten hours flight which Maya had taken, does not seems to tire her down, but the sheer feeling of courage and a mixed feeling of anxiety was all she was carrying in her soul at that point of time. Upon reaching the airport, she was welcome by Saleha...an Afghan woman who was in charged of Aden's visa and visitation pass...eversince he had landed himself in that country. Maya was warmly welcome by her and she felt blessed cause...she knew...she can rely on Saleha......on this. "Thanks for this trouble Saleha." exclaimed Maya as they both headed towards the pick up truck which has been waiting for Maya's arrival.
"No trouble at all....in fact we do feel relief...cause in the process of searching for Aden, you are willing to volunteer in one our refugee camp here." replied Saleha with a smile.
"Any latest news on Aden's camp side?" asked Maya intensely....and hoping for some bits of info.
"From what we heard, there were not many survivors....the one who had actually survive the bomb were seriously injured...and some were dying." utters Saleha, as she and Maya hopped on the pick up truck.
Maya heart sank upon hearing that news from Saleha, but Maya was still determined on her search for Aden's where about, as she wanted to see him ...right in front of her eyes.....no matter in what condition he might be.
"Sadly, there's more bomb attacks occurred right after Aden's camp was hit." continues Saleha....as they headed on towards the train station....cause that was the only route which will lead them, towards Aden's base camp. Maya look upon the barren land across the country side.....it was a war torn country. However, it was the beautiful people and the children there..which seems to drawn her and wanting her to be closer to this place.......and this logical explanation had indeed, been the main reason, on why Aden still remained in Kabul despite the danger, which he might get himself into. The warm but vast clear dessert.......with it's smooth light pattern....cream and orangy sand.....it was such a heavenly sight.
"Hello Aleeya...it's me Aden." cried Aden, as he held on to the mobile phone, which he had managed to borrow from one of the local volunteer there.
"Aden.....Praise to God .....you are okay." squealed Aleeya in excitement. "We are so damn worried about you!" exclaimed Aleeya with tears of joy in her eyes. Nadia and Zaki came closer towards her as they really wanting to know more about Aden's situation. "How are you taking it?" asked Aleeya with concerned in her voice.
"I should be fine...even though most of my belonging were gone." utters Aden as he pull off his shawl from his neck and place it on his shoulder instead.
"Your medication?" asked Aleeya frantically....cause she knew...it will be doom, if Aden was to miss any dose of his antibiotics and other necessary supplements.
"Not to worry about that..all right. I have my means and ways." grinned Aden...cause after the antibiotic which he had jab into himself...he does feel better.
"Is Maya with you right now?" asked Aleeya, as she looks at the clock and it was almost five in the morning. Aleeya pretty sure, Maya must have reached her destination at this point of time.
"What did you just say?" asked Aden again, as he brings his phone closer towards his earlobe.
"Is...Maya.....with ..... you....?" cried Aleeya. "She took an available flight to Afghan this morning." continues Aleeya.
"Whatever was she thinking?" exclaimed Aden sternly....a sense of worry came into his thoughts.
"I have tried to stop her....but she insists. She wants to bring you back home." utters Aleeya. "So, she's not with you?" asked Aleeya as she begin to fear for her Maya's safety.
"No! Oh God!" exclaimed Aden, as he covered his mouth and chin with his palm. "Aleeya, I've got to go....if in case Maya had called you...please inform me all right." requested Aden before he hang up.
The train seems to be overload with passengers, but Maya and Saleha was left with no other choice, but to get on it anyway....cause for them to wait for the next train..it will take them another day, and Maya simply can't afford to waste yet another day, just to get close to Aden. Saleha and Maya remain standing for almost an hour throughout their journey....as the train travels at a steady speed. Some of the local woman there, looks at Maya with their queer eyes....in between their burqa. Maya smile towards them...and surprisingly from those eyes, she could tell...they were smiling back at her. Saleha and Maya was not wearing their burqa but they both had loose shawl covering their heads instead. It was such a scorching hot afternoon...and this journey was sure, not a pleasant trip for both Maya and Saleha at all. Maya tries to divert this uncomfortable moment, by peering through the window of the train, as she begins to sip in the magnificent view of the mountainous area which was then surrounded by the vast creamy dessert sand. Maya close her eyes, as she tries to recall all those beautiful moment which she had with Aden.....and all those significant memories...it seems like, it was only yesterday.... he was gone.
In the midst of her flashback moment, sleep overcomes her and she almost doze off while standing up in between the crowd, when suddenly the train stop in a halt and this had cause her to startle...but the jerk of the train was so strong, until it derails off the track. In a split second, loud deafening scream of woman and children could be heard, bodies were crushed against one another, bags, luggage's and all sort of things...being violently flung and thrown around due to the impact of the crash...as the train had over turn to it's side..... and then, everything just stood still. Maya trembles as she tries to get herself free from the huge luggage which had fallen on her.
"Saleha..!" she called out as she looked for her new found friend frantically.
"I'm here." replied a small voice..and to Maya's relief..she saw Saleha was in between a crowd of people, who slowly begins to regain back their conscious state. It was such a confusion and turbulence moment ....for most of the survivors....including Maya herself, as she tries as hard as she could to push off the huge luggage off her. Finally, as soon as she managed to get that luggage off her, she begins to scanned throughout the condition of the train and the passengers of it. All she could ever see were, bodies being buried against one another...and there seems to be only few survivors including herself and Saleha. This is a sight, which she knew, she would never forget for the rest of her life. Maya regains back her balance but she felt, her right rib might be fracture, as the pain begins to consume her energy and her courage. Maya slowly stood up as she had her left hand supporting the right side of her wounded rib cage. The rest of the survivors too followed suit, as they tries to stand and walk pass through several of the poor motionless body...as they all headed towards the crushed windows and used that as an escape route from the unfortunate train. However, Maya, Saleha and some of the other survivors had actually stayed behind to check on any more passengers, who were still alive and help them to get off from the ruined train. Thankfully one of the passengers has actually regain back his senses as he called the authorities for help....when everyone else seems to be too deeply emotional and rooted by this horrific incident...including Maya herself. When finally, as they all felt sure that was all the survivors which they could find, they rested by the rocky and sandy ground....with sweat, blood and tears covering their mind and soul.
"Aden, bad news man....few more places has been attacked....and the worst is, a train coming over to us has been derailed...!" exclaimed Altaff, whom Aden had known and become close with. Upon hearing the derailed train, anguish and fear begins to engulf inside Aden's heart...as the thought of Maya's safety and where about shudders his spirit.
"They need more rescuers at that wreak area. Since things has been more quietened and settle over here, I guess I should be joining that side..to help in the search rescue." exclaimed Altaff .
"I'm coming with you." utters Aden, while he secured the shawl around his neck, as he could feel the evening wind had began to disperse it's rustling breeze beneath his skin. Aden begins to tremble, due to the coldness of the wee evening and he knew his illness was about to succumb him..but he was determined to go along with Altaff.....as his main concerned now is Maya's condition and where about.
"Are you sure Aden, you want to join us in this mission..? May be you should take a break." exclaimed Altaff as he felt worried for his friend. Altaff knew about Aden's plight and his disease, therefore he was not keen on Aden's idea of joining the rest of the term. And from his perspective, he felt that Aden had done beyond his limits and this might aggravate his frail condition.
However Aden was persistent and insists of joining them. "I shall be fine. I have just taken the paracetamol which the camp doctor had prescribe to me just now." said Aden as he was determined with his mission.
And soon, Aden and some of the volunteers rescuers, had gather in the pick up truck, as they all headed towards the wreak side. The journey took them almost an hour before they had eventually reached upon the first few carriages which has overturned, and the crashed was extremely horrific,as some of the carriages were simply beyond their recognition. Aden's heart sank, as he roam his eyes around that horrific scene as more and more victims either were rescued or being place in the morgue bags. Without wasting any more seconds, soon Aden and his term begins their task, carrying the victims and bringing them away from the disaster sight. But there were still no sign of Maya, much to Aden's dismay.
Night begins to sets in, as the brightness of the evening sky had given it's way towards the dark clouds instead. Aden and his term knew, this is not going to be an easy rescue mission. Things get worst, as the roar of the thunder from the far distant area showed a sign, that a storm is brewing up sooner or later.
"This is no good." utters Altaff as he look upon the heavy clouds..hovering above the night sky. More generators were set up, as they need more visibilities of the light..to guide them in their mission. Some of the other terms which had arrive just arrive, soon begins to set up more mercy relief section, which consists of some basic medical equipments, as more causalities which has been rescued, needed extra area for them to be treated and taken care of physically and emotionally.
The abundance clouds soon, pours it's blessed rain....drenching and soaking the area....restraining more on their rescue effort. The rescuers knew, they had to act fast or else, the heavy torrent might cause the collection of the rain water, inside the overturned carriage, might lead them to more difficulties in their rescue effort.
"Maya, you need your rest now..I think you have done enough." utters Saleha, as she secured the bandaged around Maya's side of her rib. After it has been fully secured, Maya button up her blouse and then she stood up. "Maya, with that injury...I think it will be better, if you just get yourself rested." exclaimed Saleha again as she pulls Maya's hand and urge her to lay on the small mattress, which has been place in the tent.
"Saleha, this is just muscle strained....I will be fine." utters Maya with a smile, as she steps out from her tent and walk through the rain...heading straight towards the mercy relief side... as she get herself occupied with the cleaning, stitching and dressing up the wound of one of the victims there. She make full used of her skills which she had learned from the welfare and orphanage home back in Thailand...and used all that valuable lessons and knowledge as she renders her volunteer service for the victims of the wreak train.
"Make way......please make way." cried a voice and soon...a group of rescuers had came in with an old man on a stretcher....with his calf hanging lose by it's bone. He was bleeding profusely but he was not conscious.
A medic quickly came forward to assists the rescue team. "Miss extra hand here?" requested the medic, as he usher Maya to join in with the transferring of the poor man from the stretcher towards the small medical bed. In the midst of their task, however Maya did not notice that Aden was one of the rescuer, as she was too engrossed of assessing the victim. Aden was not aware of Maya's presence until, he saw the wedding ring which he had given to her on her finger. Aden look up towards this particular lady, with that ring on her finger and...... she is Maya. A tinge of joy leaps in his heart...as he felt relief seeing Maya was okay.
"You gentlemen, please stay focus...!" exclaimed the medic towards Aden, who was caught in his daze....as he had his sight on his beloved Maya. Maya look upon this gentlemen.....and like a fate which had played it's game of finding the missing word on her scrabble board....at last she had found Aden. Maya quickly looks away from him...as she tries to hide that tears from her eyes...beneath those glasses. And soon, Maya and the medic gets themselves occupied ....treating and nursing the dying men....as Aden stood few feet away from them with his sight still focusing on Maya.
"Aden, are you coming along?" cried Altaff as he called out to Aden.
"Yah." utters Aden shortly...and then he left. Maya watches he leave....with tears in her eyes.
The heavy torrent had finally stopped, as dawn begins to sets in.....the rescue effort was put to a halt for a while, as the authorities found that...there's no ending to this...and they can't afford to sent any more extra men towards this crashed sight. Aden and some of his term mates....took their ablution as they decides to do the morning prayer together, at one of the base camp which was left empty...therefore, prayers could be conducted in there. Some of the rescuers were disappointed, by the decision which has been made by the higher authorities....but they were left with no other choice but to comply. After prayer, Aden decides to look for Maya around the mercy relief area...however, there were no sign of her. Aden walks out from that area...and to his surprised there stood Maya right in front of him.
"So you think, that I'm not strong enough to beat all the odds?" asked Maya with tears of disappointment and a slight tinge of anger in her eyes.
"Maya, Praised to God, you are all right!" exclaimed Aden, as he pulls and held her, as close to him with all his might. He gently caress her hair beneath her shawl with tears in his eyes.
"You left, without saying anything...but those unspoken words...has definitely kills me." utters Maya as she held her arms around Aden's body. "How could you be so cruel?" asked Maya as she let herself away from his arms....but had her sight towards Aden's eye's instead. Maya could see, Aden was fighting hard to live and this had indirectly breaks her soul. He looses few pounds and his beautiful eyes...seems to tell many tales of painstaking effort just to live another day. Maya held her hands towards Aden's over grown hair, which had almost touch the lower part of his neck..and then she brings her hand towards Aden's chisel features and gentle caress his face and his chin which he had kept his beard very well trim. "You look so different now." utters Maya with a smile. Aden took her hands and bring them closer towards his lips. "Aden, please come back with me. Now, give me the chance to fulfil your dreams.....our dreams, remember?" utters Maya as she look straight into his hazel brown eyes.
"I have chosen my path." said Aden." And the choice which I have chosen.....is to be here." exclaimed Aden. "Please go back...and never look upon me again." utters Aden sadly, as he walks away from Maya's arms and turn his back against her with tears in his eyes....it's heartbreaking for him to say those words ...but he felt that was the right thing for him to do....cause to love is to let go.
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