While heading for the mess, from his pocket Rafiq took out his mobile to talk to Su. Two days earlier he talked to his father using the SIM he had bought in Saudi Arabia. He heard the news of his uncle’s death from his father. Karim also narrated to him his discussion with Su. Regarding this, Rafiq had an idea, but they needed assistance from Su on this issue. Today he was going to talk to Su about this. Rafiq was hesitating because in Myanmar, it was three in the morning. Would she pick up the phone so early in the morning? It was the most convenient time for Rafiq to call Su for at work, he was not allowed to use his mobile phone. By the time he returned to the mess from his work, he was totally drained of energy to make any phone call. He would simply take his meal and go to bed. On Friday, he could call at any time of the day because it was the weekly holiday. But today it was only Monday. Rafiq would not wait for Friday.

Rafiq’s intuition told him that at night Su kept her mobile on. Twice the phone rang, but no one picked up the phone. The third time when he heard Su’s voice from the other end, Rafiq regained his confidence. After getting out from his country, this was the first time he was talking to Su. After saying hello, both of them froze for a couple of seconds. Eagerly they waited for each other’s voice. Then softly Rafiq said, “How are you, sweetheart?”

There was no reply to this question. Rafiq thought he heard Su sobbing. Once more, he asked how she had been doing.

“A woman who is constantly being chased by fears, how well could she be? The woman who stays awake all night expecting a call from her husband, but the call never comes, after this how well could she be? A woman who has to sacrifice her father’s love for the love of her husband, how well could she be?” After this barrage, Su remained silent for a while. Then she added, “Even after this, for the last couple of days, I’ve been having this piece of mind because my husband is safe.”

“Forgive me sweetheart. I should’ve called you the moment I reached Saudi Arabia. After reaching Saudi Arabia, it took me two weeks for organizing everything.”

“What name should I use to save your number?”

“Why? The name Rafiq is good enough, isn’t it?”

“No. it’s a very common name. I’ll save your number as Hissain.”

Rafiq asked, “What’s the meaning of it?”

“Gem.”

Rafiq smiled and said, “Then let it be so.”

Where are you right now? I can hear the sound of transports.”

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Rafiq replied,

“I’ve been to the Mount Ohud. Right now, I’m walking along the Abu Ghiffar Road, heading for my mess.”

“Aren’t there buses in Medina?”

“There are buses, but very few in number. Most people in Medina use cars or they just walk. The climate and the condition of the roads are so beautiful that it’s better to walk.”

“Do you go for a walk every morning?”

“Yes. Every morning after Fajr prayer, I head out straight for the Plains of Ohud. I don’t know why but when I reach that spot, the pain, frustration and anger in me simply vanish.”

“What’s the historical significance of that place?”

“In that field, our beloved Prophet got into an asymmetric battle where odds were stacked heavily against him. In that battle, our Prophet’s uncle literally had his liver cut out for the sake of his beloved nephew.”

“How does a man literally cut his liver out for someone?”

Then Rafiq started to narrate the story. He said, “A woman named Hinda used to live in Mecca at the time. That lady’s father was a born enemy of our beloved Prophet. In the Battle of Badr, our Prophet’s uncle had killed that man and after this, the lady vowed that she would not rest until she managed to extract a reprisal for her father’s death. She said she was going to cut the liver out from Hamza’s body. To kill Hamza, the lady appointed an African slave. In the battlefield, the African slave took aim with a spear and killed Hamza. After the battle was over, the lady literally cut the liver out from dead Hamza’s body and ate the liver. Hence, this vindictive lady took revenge for her father’s death.”

After listening to the story, for a couple of moments Su remained silent. Then in a very low voice, she asked, “What happened to that lady in the end?”

“After she had accepted Islam, like everybody else, she was forgiven by our beloved Prophet because in Islam, there is no place for personal grudge, belligerence and malice. A true Muslim loves for the sake of Allah, and also opposes for the sake of Allah. It’s very easy to profess this, but very difficult to implement this in practical life. It becomes only possible when a man completely surrenders his desires and wishes to the will of Almighty.”

Su said, “Are you thinking of treading the spiritual path? Your statements sound like that.”

“Nope, at the moment, I’m not thinking of doing that. But I think all Muslims should know at least this much about Islam.”

“A Muslim who has married a non-Muslim lady, what will happen to him?”

“In Islam, there is no place for bullying. I’ll follow my religion, you’ll follow yours. But I do believe that one day, you’ll accept the universal message of Islam.”

“And if that does not happen?”

“For that failure, none but you will be held accountable to the Almighty. My dear, this may sound very cruel, but I’m telling you the truth. I’ll talk to you later about it. Now I need assistance about something else from you.”

“All avenues of assistance have been closing down fast on us. But still tell me, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Did you tell my brother to dispose of our properties and take shelter in the neighboring state?”

“Tell your family to do this as soon as possible because at any moment, Tatmadaw would start a drive against the Rohingya Muslims.”

“None would want to buy our properties.”

“Yes, that’s true. Still, you have to try.”

“We are thinking of handing over our properties to you. What’s your opinion about this?”

“Why?”

“If the properties are in your name, the chances are slim that they are going to be forcefully taken. When the situation becomes normal, you can return our properties to us.”

“And if the situation does not return to normal? Apart from that, if something happens to me you won’t get back your property. This is not a logical decision. Your properties should remain in your name. What you could do is, you could give me the photocopies of documents of your properties to me.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to my father and my elder brother and let you know. I have almost reached the gate of my mess. I have to say goodbye to you my dear.”

“Open an account on Skype, and then we’ll talk on Skype. I long to see you.”

“What name have you been using on Skype?”

“Search for ‘Mrs. Hissain’. You’ll get it.”

“Okay, bye now.”

“Bye, my dear.”