Act 2
Scene 4
North Waziristan 1988
Mountains stand high as the sun shines upon the Warn torn refugees from Afghanistan. The wind blows the dust with it making it difficult to see in distance clearly. Trucks storm in and out leaving people behind: people in search of security and peace.
Arshad: Where is your mom, kid?
Ahmad: She was killed, sir.
Arshad: Who are you here with then?
Ahmad: I came here with them (he turns back and points to a group of men smoking cigarettes)
Arshad: They brought you here?
Ahmad: Yes.
Arshad proceeds towards the group of men.
Arshad: Assalamulaikum* brothers.
A huge man steps forward.
Man: Walaikumasalam.
Arshad: I want to inquire about this boy that you brought with you here. To register people in refugees we need some family background or some information to begin with.
Man: I am sorry but I don`t know anything about that boy.
Arshad: Where did you meet him then?
Man: You see, when we were boarding the trucks to cross the borders, a group of Soviet soldiers ambushed our truck. They came in and took everything that we had. They also took some women. (He looked down to the ground) This kid was with his mom. The Soviets tried to pull the woman out of the truck. She refused. (pauses) The men in the truck were helpless because everyone was unarmed. They fought for their women but they shot them dead on the spot. Those bastards took our women!
Arshad: What happened to his mom?
Man: She screamed and wailed. They dragged her out of the truck but she kept fighting back. And then one of them screamed something in Russian. The soldier who was dragging her pulled a pistol out of his case. He pointed it to her and shot her dead right there. He ordered the driver to drive away.
Arshad: That is insane! Is it okay if I register the boy under your name?
Man: I am sorry but I can’t take responsibility of anyone right now. I am very helpless too, brother, I hope you understand.
Arshad: Thanks for talking to me. I understand. I hope Allah makes everything safe for you. Salaam brother.
Man: Salaam*.
Arshad walks back to the boy who is glued to the same place he left him in.
Arshad: Is you dad in the war boy?
Ahmad: No he died too Sir.
Arshad: Do you know any relatives who are already here? In Waziristan or Peshawar?
Ahmad: I don’t sir.
Arshad looks around. Flocks of people cover every inch of the land. The truck engines roar in and out. People scream and cry. They bend down and kiss the ground. They hold down to their children by their wrists and the children follow their parents. Thousands of people; smiling crying and wailing!
Arshad: What’s your name?
Ahmad: Ahmad.
Arshad: Okay Ahmad, I want you to follow me. We will work something out for you.
They walk through the crowds, curling around the groups of people who stand and talk about what’s next. As groups of people see Arshad walk past them, they throw many questions at him. He is the one in uniform. He knows everything; that’s what they think.
Arshad: (raising his voice) Our authorities haven’t sent out a word yet. I would like you all to be patient and get registered.
They walk to far corner of the field. Thousands of people are lined in front of desks where the Pakistani soldiers are signing individuals up. Arshad greets everyone with a stiff salute. The soldier seated stand up and salute back.
Arshad: Does anyone have any information as to where Captain Bilal might be right now?
Soldier: He went to inspect the crowds. He should be back soon. You should wait here for him.
Arshad: Thank you. (He turns to Ahmed) Stay here while I take care of some things. I will be back shortly.
Ahmad: Okay.
After a while Arshad returns with Captain Bilal.
Captain Bilal: Ahmad, is that your name boy?
Ahmad: Yes.
Captain Bilal: And you say that you don’t have any family with you here?
Ahmad: No.
Captain Bilal: (turns to Arshad) I believe, right now, we should send this boy to Peshawar. The refugees there are more organized. Over here, this boy would not be able to survive without parental or elderly assistance.
Arshad: I agree Sir. I think we can use the helicopters that transport aid to us to send him to Peshawar.
Captain Bilal: Yes, I think that will work out very well. But for right now, just get him registered as an individual.
Arshad: Yes Sir (Turns to Ahmad) we are going to get you registered and then you can go to Peshawar. You’ll be happier there.
Ahmad: Okay.
Arshad: Good boy, now here follow me. I will give you something to eat.
Ahmad follows him into a military tent.
Arshad: Here, here is some bread. I wish we had something more but I am afraid that we get very little food down in these parts.
Ahmad: Thank you.
Arshad: Now sit here; I have to go since I have a lot of things to take care of. Alright?
Ahmad: Yes.
Ahmad nibbles on his bread as if he is afraid that he’ll finish it up too soon. After a while he lies down on the thin rug on the ground and falls asleep.
Arshad: Ahmad. Wake up. Ahmad?
Ahmad: (squeezes his eyes shut) Did they bring my mom back?
Arshad: No Ahmad. We are taking you to Peshawar. You’ll be safer there. Come on now boy (smiles) Let`s go!
Ahmad: Is my mom going to come with me? Did they bring her back?
Arshad: No Ahmad. Your mom is not here. But you should go boy. You have to. (he lifts the boy up in his hands and walks outside the tent) Here he is. This is the boy I told you about.
Major Hamza: Oh good. We are about to leave soon. Put the boy in the seat and put the belts.
Arshad: Yes Sir. (he carries the half-conscious boy inside the helicopter and places him in a seat) You’ll be safer in Peshawar. I promise.
Ahmad: But what about my mom?
Arshad turns his back and marches away. Ahmed covers his face with his hands and starts crying in silence. Moments after Major Hamza walk in.
Major Hamza: Are you ready for the flight Ahmad?
Ahmad: Yes sir.
Major Hamza: Okay then, we will be off the ground in sixty seconds. Just lay back and don’t be scared okay?
Ahmad: (wipes his tears) Yes sir.
Major Hamza: Okay, don’t worry kid soon we will take you to a nice place where you’ll have a better life.
Ahmad: Okay.
Major Hamza gets seated in the seat right besides Ahmad. The doors close shut and the dim lights are switched on. The noise from the rotor blades gets louder as the helicopter gathers air. Ahmed shuts his eyes and soon falls asleep.
Major Hamza: Ahmad, we are there. Get up.
Ahmad: (lifts one of his eyelids and then squeezes his eyes shut) I am hungry.
Major Hamza: I know but you have to get off the helicopter. We’ll arrange for your food (he undoes his seat belts and leads him off the helicopter) we are going to put you in the camp with a really nice family.
Ahmad: Is my mom going to be there?
Major Hamza: No dear, but you’ll have other people and they will be nice to you.
Ahmad: Okay Sir.
They walk into a huge barren field covered with camps. Major Hamza leads Ahmed into a maze of tents till he finally halts in front of one of them and bends down to a little to enter the tent. Ahmad follows him. Inside a woman instantaneously pulls her veil over her head at the sight of an officer.
Major Hamza: Salaam bibi*. Is Akbar here?
The woman shakes her head as a response.
Major Hamza: He told me that you wouldn’t mind if this lad stayed with you here? He doesn’t have anywhere else to go.
The woman nods her head in approval.
Major Hamza: I will leave you here now Ahmad. You will be safer here than you were in Waziristan.
Ahmad: Okay.
Major Hamza: I’m afraid I will have to leave now. Many things need to be taken care of. Good bye Ahmad. (extends his arm)
Ahmad: Good Bye Sir. (shakes hands and watches him turn back and leave)
Ahmad walks up to the corner of the tent and sits there quietly.
Woman: Which part of Afghanistan are you from?
Ahmad: Hazarajat.
Woman: Are you from the Hazaras, boy?
Ahmad: I don’t know.
Woman: I am sure you are because you belong to that place. Hazarajat belongs to the Hazaras.
Ahmad: I don’t know.
Woman: You look Hazaran too.
Ahmad: I don’t know.
Woman: You better respect me, lad. I am the reason you have shelter right now!
Ahmad: Yes.
A tall green-eyed man enters the tent that moment. He looks at the woman and then looks at the boy sitting in the corner.
Woman: Akbar, this is the boy we agreed to keep. His name is Ahmad. He is from Hazarajat.
Akbar: Salaam Ahmad. How are you doing?
Ahmad: Fine.
Akbar: When did you arrive in Pakistan?
Ahmad: I don’t know.
Woman: He doesn’t know anything Akbar. He hasn’t answered a single question properly.
Akbar: Mariam, I can deal with him. (turns to Ahmad again) Did your mom and dad die in the war?
Ahmad: Maybe.
Akbar: How did you come to Pakistan?
Ahmad: In a truck.
Akbar: I know that! What I mean to say is who brought you here?
Ahmad: I don’t know.
Akbar: That’s okay. Well, for as long as you are here, it’s our responsibility to take care of you.
Mariam: Akbar, I think the boy is a Hazaran!
Akbar: He is an Afghan first!! I think they’ll be distributing food soon. I will go and get that now.
Mariam: Okay.
Akbar walks out of the tent and Mariam lies down on the floor.
Mariam: Do you eat a lot lad?
Ahmad: No.
Mariam: Good to hear that. The food here is already so scarce. We starve every day, even though it’s just the two of us. I hope you understand.
Ahmad: Yes.
Mariam: Good. I am going to take a nap now. Don’t leave okay? We can’t search for you everywhere. You have to take care of your own safety.
Ahmad: Okay.
Mariam: I am glad we got that straight.
After a while Mariam dozes off and her snoring drowns the sound of Ahmad’s hiccups as he cries in the corner, his face covered with his hands.
**Assalamulaikun/ Salaam: A tradition way to greet someone in Muslim Cultures
No comments:
Post a Comment