Talash: A search for God

Act 2

Scene 3


The wind blows through the trees as sun shines on the city of Calgary. The temperature is high and everyone seems to be embracing the heat. It has been a hectic day for Ali and Ahmad though. They have been driving around the city since the morning, getting their documents straight. Now they are finally on their way to Sara’s.

Ahmad: How do you think would she react?

Ali: I don’t know. But I think she would support your decision, as a matter of fact, I am sure she would support your decision.

Ahmad: I hope so too. Don’t you think it’s weird that mom didn’t say anything? Like she wasn’t particularly happy or worried or disappointed…

Ali: You know how mom is, right? She tends to get so worried about everything so easily. I am sure she was a bit freaked out that both of her sons were leaving. But I think mom and dad were expecting this to happen at some point in time (turns the AC up) Keeping you protected from your past forever isn’t something that they had control over. Ahmad, the past finds a way of showing up in our lives. In weird ways!

Ahmad: I know. Now that I think of it, everything just happened so suddenly that I don’t even believe that it’s happening. You got a job, you got the offer and then all of a sudden Afghanistan and Pakistan! It seems like a well-developed movie plot.

Ali: I agree. By the end of the day, I am glad that you are coming with me (looks at him and smiles) I am sure it would be one hell of an experience.

Ahmad: No doubts about that. I was wondering if after Sara’s we can go to Walmart and get some essentials. Like some clothes, sun screens and stuff, you know?

Ali: Yeah, for sure. By when do you think will you be back?

Ahmad: Aren’t you going to come with me? I told Sara that you were coming with me. I wanted to introduce you to her parents.

Ali: Oh no Ahmad, I don’t think I should stay, maybe some other time

Silence takes over for a few minutes

Ali: Hey, here is an idea: maybe you can take her out somewhere. Have a nice lunch and then tell her the big news. I mean, just don’t rush it on to her. Don’t do something stupid like entering her house and screaming on the top of your lungs that you are going to Afghanistan. Please! Be patient, okay?

Ahmad: (laughs) Ali I am not a baby. I think I can handle Sara without your assistance.
Ali: I know! All I am saying is that she is a part of your life now. Your decisions will affect her and you should acknowledge that.

Ahmad: I know and I do acknowledge that. Obviously I won’t be stupid in such a grave situation.

The vehicle comes to halt in front of beautiful town house with vibrant flower pots embracing the entrance.

Ahmad: So you are not coming in with me then?

Ali: Not today Ahmad some other time, I promise. I should get home now. Call me when you are done, I will pick you up and then we can head down to Walmart.

 Ahmad: Alright, I‘ll give you a call then. See ya (He gets out of the can and scurries to the door)

Ali: See ya.

Ahmad slams the car door shut behind him and walks to Sara’s house. He rings the doorbell.

Ms. Ahmadinejad: Oh Hi Ahmad. Come on in. Sara told me you’ll be dropping by. Oh God the heat is intense today, it’s burning outside!

Ahmad: (runs his hands through his hair) Oh yeah, Calgary is having one of those rare summer days I guess.

Ms. Ahmadinejad: Yeah. Wait I’ll call Sara. She is in her room working on something. (heads to the staircase) Sara, Ahmad’s here! (turns to Ahmad) Would you like some water or juice dear?

Ahmad: No thanks. (looks around) Is Mr. Ahmadinejad home?

Ms. Ahmadinejad: No, he is out of the city for the weekend. He had some business he needed to take care of. Why do you ask?

Ahmad: Oh nothing. I wanted to have his permission to take Sara out for lunch. I mean I know I have to take permission from her dad every time I do so but today since he is not here..

Ms. Ahmadinejad: (stares at him for a while and then smiles) In this heat?

Ahmad: (perplexed) Ummmm… yeah?!

Mr. Ahmadinejad: Well then, I see that since you were respectful enough to put our values before your decision. I don’t see a reason why I should say no. So yeah, you guys can go out and have fun! (pauses) I don’t know what’s taking Sara so long, she was all excited when you called this morning to inform us that you’ll be dropping by.

Sara: Mom, come on! Was that necessary? (Sara runs down the stairs, skipping the last one)

Ms. Ahmadinejad: And I was not supposed to say that! (grins)

Sara: Hi Ahmad. How are you? 

Ahmad: Never been better (smiles) What about you?

Sara: Same old. I am sorry I took so long. I was putting some things in order. It’s so hot today! Mom and I have been gulping up iced drinks since the morning. Would you like some?

Ahmad: No, your mom was kind enough to ask me about that already. I am good, thanks.

Ms. Ahmadinejad: I think I will leave you kids to talk. Just tell me when you leave okay, I am going to water my plants in the backyard. 

Sara: Alright! (turns to Ahmad) Are we going somewhere?

Ahmad: Yeah, we are going out for lunch.

Sara: With your family?

Ahmad: Nope. Alone (smiles)

Sara: But dad’s not here and you haven’t asked him for the perm..

Ahmad: I took care of that, I talked to your mom and she said it was fine.

Sara: Really? Great then! Let me just get my things from my room. (walks to the stairs and then turns to look back at Ahmad) Wait, did you drive here?

Ahmad: No, Ali dropped me off.

Sara: But then how are we supposed to go for lunch?

Ahmad: We have plenty of options. We can walk or take the bus or the train. Depends on where you want to go.

Sara: (shakes her head) What’s the point of having a car if you don’t even drive? Burn that vehicle!

Ahmad: (laughs) Well, Ali and I had been out all morning. I don’t see why we should have taken two different cars when we had to visit all the same places.

Sara: What were you guys up to?

Ahmad: Long story, I will explain later. Get your things and then we can leave.

Sara: Okay just give me a second. (She runs up the stairs)

Ahmad takes a deep breath and waits for her.

Sara: Okay, let’s go! (She rummages her bag for the keys) I’ll drive.

Ahmad: Well, I don’t like letting women drive when I am around. Here give me your keys, I’ll drive.

Sara: Okay, just get the car out of the garage, I will go and inform mom that I am leaving.

Ahmad: Alright.

They walk out the back door and get in to the car. Soon, they are driving down the road.

Ahmad: So where do you want to go?

Sara: Any place would work. But I am not in a mood of eating something fancy though. Maybe a burger or donair and ice cream… Ice cream! Maybe I can have an ice cream before lunch and one after!

Ahmad: If that’s what you want. (smiles) So McDonalds then?

Sara: Yeah!

Ahmad: Awesome! (He turns the CD player on)

Sara: Oh the Persian music again! (she looks at him and smiles) Whenever you get time, burn me a CD too. I would really want one to be a part of my collection.

Ahmad: Yeah sure why not. I am sure your dad knows these songs. These are some popular songs from his times.

Sara: Well, I have heard him listening to this sort of music before but I never gave much attention to it. But now that I have listened to it properly, I really like how it sounds. Very mellow!

Ahmad: I know, I don’t listen to music unless it’s absolutely intoxicating. And I’ve got to say, these songs, they are! (He takes a turn into the McDonald’s parking lot) Here we go!

Sara: I don’t know why but I have this weird craving for ice cream. But I think I’ll have something to eat first and then have the ice-cream.

Ahmad: Oh such big decisions of your life. What to eat and what not to eat!

Sara: Oh shut up! Don’t ruin it okay! I was wondering why you haven’t cracked one of your stupid sarcastic jokes yet! Think of the devil!

Ahmad: (laughs) Stupid? Sarcastic? Huh! But then again, you recognized a joke, that’s a step ahead.

Sara: Ahmed! You jackass!

Ahmad laughs as he pulls in a parking space. They get out of the car and walk to McDonald’s.

Ahmad: So do you want to eat in or go somewhere else?

Sara: It doesn’t really matter. Do you want to eat in?

Ahmad: Well, I was wondering if we could do down to the lake or something.

Sara: Yeah sure why not.

Ahmad: Alright then. So tell me what do you want?

Sara: I will take a cheese burger, fries, drink and.. (grins) a McFlurry.

Ahmad: Oh my God. Have you been working up an appetite for a week or something? Since when did you start eating this much?

Sara: Well, I feel like eating! Why do you care? Don’t want me to get fat ‘eh? (grins)

Ahmad: I don’t care if you’re fat.

Sara: Oh really now?

Ahmad: Yeah. No jokes!

Sara: Like I’ll believe that.

Ahmad: Well then don’t. But when I say I don’t care. I mean it!

Sara: Ooooooooh! (laughs) I know, I was just kidding.

Ahmad: I know that. Okay, wait here I’ll go and order.

Sara: Alright.

Ahmad walks to the counter to order food while Sara waits at a table looking around. She notices a family eating at a table in front of her. It’s a Canadian family but one of the kids seems like he is from Asian origins. She keeps looking there way and smiling to herself.

Ahmad: (comes up to her and then looks back to see what Sara is looking at) Sara, you know, you look kinda creepy looking at those people like that!

Sara: Oh, I was not looking at them. I zoned out.

Ahmad: Yeah, I could see that. Here’s your food.

Sara: Thanks. Well, I was just thinking that wouldn’t it be cool if we adopt a kid too when we get married.

Ahmad: Well, I guess so. Since I am adopted I don’t see why I shouldn’t give a life to some other kids like mom and dad gave to me.

Sara: I knew you would support the idea! I knew it. I mean, there are so many children in this world who are orphans. If we are able to give life to one of them wouldn’t that be amazing on our part?

Ahmad: Yeah. (gets lost in his thoughts)

Sara: Maybe we will adopt a kid from Africa or Indonesia. Or Afghanistan.. What do you think?

Silence

Sara: Hello? Ahmad?

Ahmad: Yeah yeah. For sure!

Sara: Do you even know what I asked?

Ahmad: Something about adoption?

Sara: Gosh Ahmad! Forget it. Come one let’s go. We will eat by the lake.

They walk out to the car as Sara gobbles away on her McFlurry.

Ahmad: You must be really hungry Sara!

Sara: Well, of course I am! I haven’t eaten anything since the morning. Do you want some?

Ahmad: Yeah just a bite.

He takes a bite of her Mcflurry and then opens the car door for Sara.

Sara: Oh, someone’s being a gentleman today.

Ahmad: (walks across the car and boards the driver’s seat) What do you mean ‘today’? Am I not always?

Sara: Not really. (Laughs) Well, you are fine. You have your days.

Ahmad: You are lucky, woman! Lucky cos you are stuck with me and not some jerk!

Sara: (turns to him) Lucky? Me? Oh you are the lucky one, at least you are not stuck with some girl who dominates over your life!

Ahmad: But you do dominate. (looks sideways at her)

Sara: Yeah right! Shut up. Don’t kill the mood.

Ahmad: Okay. I will be a gentleman and shut up.

They laugh together. The sun shines over their heads and the wind plays along as they drive through the city; laughing and chatting away. 

Sara: Hey I totally forgot, you were about to tell me something. Ummm.. Yeah, so what were you up to all morning? You and Ali?

Ahmad; Oh yeah! That! Well, Ali and I were getting our passport information and everything straight. Like I came here on a Pakistani passport, right? Because I never had an Afghani passport on me, so we just had to get all that straight. Had to send our passports to the embassy and get them renewed.

Sara: Oh! But why the sudden need of passports? Are you going somewhere?

Ahmad: Yeah. About that... (pauses and takes a deep breath) You know how Ali was planning to go to Afghanistan and Pakistan? And his editor approved his proposal?

Sara: Yeah, I know about that but why does he need your passport for that?

Ahmad: He doesn’t (concentrates on the road) I do.

Sara: Why do you nee.. Are you planning to go with him or something?

Ahmad: Yeah. I am!

Sara: WHAT? When did you make that decision?

Ahmad: Just last night.

Sara: Last night? You just randomly decided that you are going?

Ahmad: It’s a very long story Sara. It wasn’t a random decision. Umm... How should I put it?

Sara: (baffled) You should put it the way it is!

Ahmad: We are almost there. Let’s sit down and then we can talk about this. I will explain everything. I promise. (he looks to her and smiles reassuringly)

Sara: You better Ahmad! You better. (She licks the chocolate off her spoon) When are you planning to leave?

Ahmad: Well, we have to leave for Toronto in two days, from there we will pick our passports and then....

Sara: TWO DAYS? TWO?

Ahmad: Okay we’re there. Let’s find a place to sit down somewhere. I will tell you everything.

Sara: Don’t try to change the subject! TWO DAYS?

Ahmad: Where can I park..

Ahmad parks the car and they walk around a bit to find a quiet spot to sit. The lake is gleaming in the bright summer sun and many people seem to be out enjoying the weather. They walk around a little  and then come to a quiet spot under the tree. The decide to sit there.

Ahmad: Here (hands her the McDonald’s bag) here is your food (scoops out his burger from the bag) and here is mine. I am hungry!

Sara: Thanks. Okay so is now the right time to tell me? 

Ahmad: What?

Sara: You know what I am talking about! You, Ali, Pakistan, Afghanistan! Stop acting like that.

Ahmad: Oh yeah that! (Takes a bite of his burger) Ali was right; I shouldn’t have rushed it on to you. I am sorry, Sara. I know you are angry but I didn’t mean to make you angry or anything. It just all happened so fast, I just wasn't sure how to break it to you.

Sara: Ahmad, don’t apologize. I overreacted abit too. The news was too big to take in all at once. But I am sure you have a very strong reason behind this step you have decided to take.

Ahmad: I knew you’d understand (smiles). So anyway, last night Ali and I were out for a walk, a while after I had thrown a huge tantrum on him because he was leaving. I mean, you know how dangerous it is over there right? Especially in those areas, they kidnap journalists and torture them. I was so scared for him, I just didn't want him to go.

Sara: I know that. I know. So did you ask him to stay?

Ahmad: Yeah that’s how it started. He was so reluctant and he had made it clear several times that he wouldn't stay. That made me angry so I kept insisting and begging. He wouldn't listen to me and somehow he ended up suggesting that I should go with him because he was not considerng staying back as an option.

Sara: And what did you say to that?

Ahmad: I denied his offer at first. I didn't know what else to say but then he hit the string with this one thing he said! (pauses) He mentioned my mom and dad. My actual mom and dad who are buried in Afghanistan. He knew that I missed them. I mean, I can't help that. He knows that they appear in my dreams so often. (takes a sip of his drink trying to swallow the lump in his throat) It’s been sixteen years! Sixteen! I want to visit their graves. I want to know where they are burried. I want to visit my old house. I have been wanting to do that for so long but I just didn't hav ethe courage to pursue my idea. I wanted to keep my life uncomplicated. And  then last night Ali said it to my face and I realized, I can’t run away from it forever! I can’t! It’s where I belong. 

Sara: Ahmad, that’s a big realization. I am glad that you still have that respect for your parents in your heart.

Ahmad: Sara, they made me. If it had not been for them I would have never existed. I spent a part of my childhood playing in their laps. It’s time I returned to visit their graves.

Sara: Do you pray for them?

Ahmad: I stopped praying a long time ago!

Sara: Not even for your parents?

Ahmad: Who am I supposed to pray to?

Sara: Ahmad, stop being so ridiculous. You are supposed to pray to Go..

Ahmad: I am really not in a mood to start that argument again. So please, don’t push it.

Sara: Okay, okay! I am not going to push it. I am sorry (smiles) I will save my speech for some other time. I just want you to know that you have my complete support. I know this means a lot to you and I am happy that you’ll have Ali supporting you through it all. I wish I could be ther...

Ahmad leans in and kisses her cheek.

Ahmad: I am sorry. (He runs his hands through his hair) I know we are supposed to keep the virtue till we get married bu..

Sara: (looks into Ahmad’s eyes) How long would you be gone Ahmad?

Ahmad: A month or two. Maybe more, I don’t know how long it might take us to trace down my parent’s graves. And then Ali has some busin...

Sara hugs him lightly placimg her hands lightly on his waist.  The afternoon sun shines upon the tree they are sitting under and their food sits on the table. They don’t know when they’ll get married. They don’t know what the future holds for them. But at this moment they have each other. Sara pulls back.

Ahmad: (whispers in Sara’s ear) I love you. You know that right?

Sara: (smiles at him) I know you do Ahmad. I love you too.

He could see the intensity of color on her face. But he knows that he’ll have to wait. He'll havr to embark the journey first. He needs to sort out his life before he can take her responsibility. And he is willing to do that. He is willing to risk everything, to have her in peace. To have all of her to himself.

Ahmad: Lost your appetite? (grins)

Sara: You wish! (sighs) Keep emailing me okay? And call me every once in a while. Take pictures too. I have always wanted to know what those places look like.

Ahmad: Yes ma’am! I will. (smiles)

 The leaves rustled and the water shimmered as they chat and laugh. Another summer afternoon ticks by seeming like a dream that never lasts.