Talash*: A search for God

Act   1

Scene 1



Sara and Ahmad are enjoying a classic style picnic near the lake. Ahmad is leaned back on his elbows, feeling the wet grass with his fingers. Sara is playing with her loose curls hanging on her shoulders, taking sips from her fruit drink. Both of them have been silent for a while now, pensive and lost within themselves. Finally Sara breaks the silence between them, by uttering words that Ahmad has always tried to curb away from.


Sara: (looking towards the sky) I don’t understand; how can one not believe?


Ahmad: Believe in what? (Perplexed)


Sara: Believe in a higher power; believe in the existence of a being within our souls; within our hearts.


Ahmad: Well… what I don’t understand is how can one believe; in existence of a being within them?


Sara: Ahmad (astonished) one doesn’t have to make himself believe. The belief comes from within, it has its roots in the silent pleads that we utter through the sound of our hearts: the sound that no one can hear or interpret. It grows in the piercing solitude where we complain and cry to the voice within us. How can you not believe Ahmad? That there is a power invested in each of us that grows out of us blanketing the universe.


Ahmad:  (sitting up) I don’t believe because, there isn’t such a thing Sara. There isn’t. You believe that there is a higher power within us, right? A higher power that makes everything right?


Sara: Yes, Ahmad yes! There is a higher power; I can feel it within myself. I can feel it in the patterns of life around me…..


Ahmad: What patterns of life are you talking about, exactly? Do you feel the higher power rising when someone dies? Do you? And if there is a damned higher power, why can’t it stop death?  


Sara: Ahmad because, death is inevitable!


 Ahmad: Then, what is the higher power for? Huh? I didn’t feel a higher power within me when my mom got killed right in front of my eyes. I didn’t feel the higher power within me when I suffered in the refugee camps to save myself from the war. I was alone then, why didn’t the higher power grow over me, Sara? I know why… Because, it doesn’t friggin’ exist Sara! It doesn’t exist. It’s just the reality unfurling every passing second. It’s reality playing in front of our eyes. Like a fucking movie, no one can change anything. All we can do is watch!


Sara: You know what Ahmad?  You are just human after all! You are just human and I don’t blame you for that. The higher power is not working magic tricks in this world! It’s not. You saw your mom loose her life and you blamed the war! Okay, so what if your mom would have lived? Do you think your mom had the strength to bear the sufferings of the refugee camps with you? Do you think you could have mustered enough strength to watch your mom wail for food and water? Do you think you had the power to save her from the inevitable suff...


Ahmad: (turning red with anger and frustration) that is enough… I don’t want to talk about it! Sara, you, you know nothing! You believe in higher powers because you have seen nothing in life. What do you know about suffering? How much have you suffered while you lived your life in your beautiful town house with your parents?


Sara: Ahmad, you think I never suffered? You think I never suffered? (Tears starting to rise up in her eyes)


Ahmad: (moving a little closer) I really didn’t mean that Sara. I really didn’t. I know each one of us have had our share of the sufferings, it’s just that you mentioned my mom and I lost control of my emotions. I am sorry. Let’s just not talk about this okay. Higher-power or nothing at all, why does it have to ruin anything between us?


 Sara: (rubbing her eyes) Ahmed, I understand that you miss your mom immensely and I know it must be really difficult for you to live a life without the people you love so much but have you ever tried giving your mom’s death a second thought? Have you ever tried considering the thought that maybe, confronted with the war, death was the most peaceful way for your mom to continue with her journey?


Ahmad: I don’t know Sara, I really don’t know. All I know is, she died and she left me alone. I can blame the war and I can blame the fucking faceless killers but in the end, nothing matters because I lost her!


Sara: You're not getting the point here Ahmad. When are you going to accept it Ahmed that she was meant to die? That, it was supposed to be this way because the higher power within you, was aware you what you wanted in life and it wanted you to lead you there. Ahmed, it really isn’t as complicated as you make it.


Ahmad: (looking the other way) Sara... Again with the higher-power.  You know, if it makes you happy, then alright. I will say it! Yes, the higher power exists. Can we please stop talking about this now? Please...


Sara: (sighing, she shuts her eyes for a few long seconds) Sure, so how is the job search coming along? Did Mr. Harding write a recommendation letter for you yet?

Scene 2

Ahmad is lying on the floor in his one room apartment. Another unsuccessful day comes to an end for him. He is thinking about getting a job. He knows he needs a job, direly, to pay for his education. There is a knock on his door. Ahmad walks up to the door and opens it slightly to peek outside.

Ahmad: Ali, what are you doing here at this hour of the night?

Ali: Oh well, long story man! May I come in?

Ahmad: Oh yes, for sure. Come on in! (Opens the door to let him in) Where have you been Ali? It’s been ages since I have seen your face. No phone calls, no Facebook statuses! I asked mom and dad and they told me you were out of town for some business.

Ali: Yeah… I have been so busy lately Ahmad, been travelling around the country. Well, that’s my job now. And I am sure that mom and dad are glad they finally don’t have to deal with me often anymore. (laughs)

Ahmad: I would know but it’s been ages since I’ve visited them. I am sure they must be upset with me. (pauses) Anyway, that sounds like some cool job! What is it exactly?

Ali: Remember I told you about getting hired as a Travel Journalist by a local Canadian Magazine? See, Canada is a big country and the magazine people needed someone to go around it and write about it. With my Major degree in Journalism and Minor in Tourism Studies it seemed as if the job was made for me. (pauses) They had other candidates as well, but God has been kind to me. I never knew something this big can actually come my way.

Ahmad:  Oh yeah, I remember you told me something about it. But then I got busy with my exams and you suddenly disappeared. Next thing I know, you are out of town! (Looks at Ali and smiles) Okay, so let me get this straight, you are partying around the country, writing about it and getting paid big bucks for that! You fortunate little bastard!

Ali: Lucky little bastard I am! And by the way, you would know about me if you check your emails more often. You never replied to a single one!

Ahmad: Yeah, I don't use that email adress anymore. But anyway, now I know. 'Check emails' a heads-up for the next time you disappear. (laughs)

Ali: So what are you up to these days? (looks around) I see that you are not planning to move from this place anytime in the near future.

Ahmad: I don’t have the money to do so Ali and you know that. My crappy little job is just enough to pay for my rent and food. I work at Subway, 5 days a week juggling school and homework with it. How much do you think I make?

Ali: Have you tried searching for a new job though? Something that is more relative to the program you're completing at university? Like a starting position in a marketing firm or some advertising company? You are about to get done with your degree, you must have something planned.

Ahmad: (Sighs) Well, yes I have plans. It's just that, none of them is working! I keep trying though. Every single day whatever time I have to spare I am busting my ass off either around the university getting my recommendations or in Downtown. It’s insane but I am trying my best.

Ali: I understand, I just want you to do well! You know that right?

Ahmad: I know, I know. Trust me, I want to do well too. I am sick of asking mom and dad for money all the time.  

Ali: Well, I am sure they are not sick of giving you money, though. You shouldn't worry aboout it. Who else do you think have they been saving up for? (smiles reassuringly)

Ahmad: It was fine when we were kids. I am all grown up now. I should be supporting myself!

Ali: Don't over think stuff, Ahmad. You still have time, it's not like you are fifty! Anyway, forget all this, it’s been ages since we have talked so let's talk about something else!

Ahmad: Wait. Are you crashing here for tonight?

Ali: Why else do you think would I knock on your door at this hour of the night when I have an apartment in the same city!

Ahmad: You should have called me then, I would have cleaned up a bit. The place is a mess!

Ali: I did call you. You never bothered to answer your stupid phone.

Ahmad: Ohh yeaahhh I forgot, I left my phone at Sara’s the last time I visited. We never got a chance to meet her after th...

Ali: Sara? Who is that? I didn’t know my boy is dating someone already. I thought you never wanted to get ‘in that mess ever again' as I recall. I guess things have changed. (grins)

Ahmad: (shakes his head) Oh come on; see... that is why I never told you about it. It’s not a mess Ali. It’s simple and real. No complications, no drama, no expectations. One moment at a time, that's what we live by. I am going to her place this Sunday, her parents invited me for dinner.

Ali:  Dinner with parents? Oh that is real, I must say. Have you told mom and dad about her yet? (grins)

Ahmad: Well, yeah they know about her. I just formally informed them a month back. The last time I visited them.

Ali: Oh God. Our little boy Ahmad has found a girl! He has found a girl! (laughs out loud)

Ahmad: At least I am not 28-year-old single making trips to the Prairies alone!

Ali: Come on, am I not even allowed joking around with my little brother? Is it a crime now? (he reaches out and ruffles Ahmad’s hair)

Ahmad: Ali, dude... You drive me nuts! (Smiling as he fixes his hair)

(Talash is an Urdu word which means  a quest to search something or someone)