During the Hajj season, the sales of gold jewelry at Al Ohud increases two three folds. The same has happened this year as well. Subsequently, Rafiq’s work load has also increased a lot in his shop. Moreover, the manager is on leave for two weeks as he intends to perform pilgrimage in Mecca. This has shifted managerial duties to Rafiq, adding to his already very busy schedule. To Rafiq it seems strange, for it has not been a year since he joined Al Ohud. However, secretly this is what Ajiz Mohammed wanted. He wants to test Rafiq’s ability to manage the store. Ajiz has a plan to start another jewelry business in Mecca, so he is going to need a qualified and trustworthy man to run the store.

Everything was running quite smoothly when one day a couple appeared at the store. Each of them had several shopping bags in their hands. Obviously, they were on a shopping spree before coming to Al Ohud. The middle-aged man smiled at Rafiq. The clean shaved gentleman had thin mustache over his lips. He wore a printed half shirt with black trousers. From his wife’s hijab it was clear, the unusually tall man and his spouse were pious Muslims. The man wasn’t very fluent in English. Addressing Rafiq as brother, the man asked where he was from. His curiosity increased many folds when he learned that Rafiq was from Myanmar.

He moved closer to Rafiq before quietly asking, “Are you a Rohingya Muslim?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard that you people are being thrown out of your country, is it true?”

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“We are not being thrown out. On our own accord, we’ve been leaving the country, for those Burmese people have created such a horrible atmosphere over there that it’s no longer possible for us to live peacefully in that country.”

“Why are they doing it?”

“That only Almighty knows well. I think our religious identity is a big factor here. The state of Arakan is rich with natural resources, which might be another reason behind it.”

In a very low voice the man continued, “From where did you get your passport?”

Rafiq gave him a faint smile as he returned the question with his own, “Will it be safe with you?”

“Of course, are we not brothers in Islam?”

“I’ve used a Bangladeshi passport.”

By this time this gentleman’s wife had chosen a gold necklace. Rafiq took it out from the display with the intention to hand it over to the man. The man placed the necklace around his wife’s neck and then they stood before a large mirror. For a couple of minutes, they stared at their reflection in the mirror. They looked quite pleased. Rafiq assumed, perhaps he was going to make another sale. Instead of verbally expressing their desire to buy the necklace, Rafiq was surprised to see the man turn around and ask, “We would like to know more about Myanmar from you, do you have any problem with that?”

“No, no, why should I object to it? Tell me what you want to know.”

“Not here. We don’t want to interfere while you’re at work.”

“Then it’s going to be problematic for me for I hardly have any spare time other than on Fridays.”

“Which day of the week is it today?”

“Thursday.”

“Alright, tomorrow you’re invited to have lunch with us, that is, if you don’t mind having lunch with us.”

Rafiq smiled at them as he said, “No, no, why should I mind?”

The man made payment for the necklace after this. Subsequently, through the glass window of the store, he pointed at the five-star hotel on the other side of the street, and said, “You see that hotel, tomorrow after the jumma prayer, come to the restaurant on the ground floor of that hotel. We’re from Turkey. I’m Sultan Sulaiman, and she’s my wife Ekrem.” Then the man extended his arm, shook hands with Rafiq and left the store with his wife.