11. Women’s Rights
“Why is everyone so quiet?” Sabihah inquired with disappointment as she stood in the middle of a crowd of female students all dressed in black burqas.
“Sabihah, you were the one that gathered us here. You should speak.” Her classmates agreed with Aliya, nodding their heads.
“Well, I thought you had some ideas…ok, I will start. For example, why is this an all girls school? Why can’t all the children attend?”
“It’s because the boys are taught more, and better. They have way more opportunities.”
“Yes, exactly, Diya, you are right. And after we graduate, what’s the highest position we can get other then the doctor?”
“And they still don’t get paid a lot.”
“What is happening here?” Sabihah’s teacher scanned the huge black crowd of students: some sitting at the benches and most on the ground. “Everyone usually sits in their own circles of their class during the break, and here it’s like you all gathered for a revolution.”
“You see”, Sabihah began, “Yesterday after lessons I got everyone’s attention and we decided to all gather here from now own.”
“What for?”
“To get women their rights. Yeah! To discuss women’s’ position in this society.” Several students yelled out.
“I must warn you, that soon a director will come to check this school and they are strict. Nothing strange must happen especially during their visit.” The teacher walked away without any further discipline, surprising the girls. Everyone started whispering behind her back when she turned around.
“Ok. So you want to hear what I really think?” she took a deep breath and a wide smile, not present for years, lighted her face.
“My dear children! I am very proud of you! It’s about time to speak up! I am so glad it finally happened! Thank you Sabihah. Thank you everyone! I support you with all my heart!” Before everyone got any louder, she placed a finger on her lips.
“Shhh, now for a week we have to keep quiet about this. Not a word to any one else.”
“Will you join us?” Alliya questioned, her cheeks blushed with joy.
“Yes, I am with you.” And they hugged and laughed ignoring the bell. Two minutes later, teacher turned into her strict self and sent everyone to their classes.
Sabihah couldn’t explain this emptiness inside of her; maybe the whole thing tired her, having to speak out so loud. She occupied herself twice us much with house chores and quickly fell asleep. In her dreams, men in black chased her followers in white and herself on top of an almond colored horse. The horse smelled of paradise. With closed eyes, she pressed her cheek against its silky mane. The horse grew wings and carried her up, up and away.
After the morning tasks of Saturday, Aliya’s mother called Sabihah.
“Here you are, my beautiful girl.”
“Is there something you need?”
“I just wanted to talk to you, and this seems like the right time.”
“Yes and it’s such a nice morning.”
“I don’t know if you even suspect, but we have our hopes in you.”
“We all have hope in each other. We’ve become such a great family.”
“You are the oldest and the most beautiful, ripe as to say.” Sabihah blushed and frowned.
“Now don’t be shy, you know. There comes a day to finally talk about these things.”
“I understand, but there’s no need for me to marry.”
“Don’t talk nonsense daughter! Think of the situation that we are in. How poor we are, and how much better it would be if you marry!” Sabihah had so much to say back but repressed her anger and disappointment: she ran away avoiding the woman’s arms.
“There’s a man ready to be your groom.” Aliya’s mother shouted finishing all that she had in mind for Sabihah.
The girl kicked the dirt with hate, finally kneeling down from exhaustion. Aliya came to her side.
“I am alright Aliya, don’t worry. I just wish she could understand that we should get over this dependence on men. It’s what keeps our status so low and insignificant no matter if we’re poor or rich.”
“I agree.” They sat in silence not knowing how to act next.
12. The Rescue
Marline followed Brian closely as he limped on a field with barely any remains of the battle, in search of something. She disliked the fact that he refused her hand’s support, but their talks of war and peace eased the situation.
“Marline could you please pick this up for me?” she handed him a half burned and torn piece of paper, no longer white. As they stood he told her about Sabihah.
“I really think you should visit her.”
“I though of that too, I just needed someone to push me for it.”
“I am at your service.”
“But will the doctors let me do it today?”
“Are you insane? No, have patience, Brian.” They drove away back to the hospital where Kendrick Carnell waited to visit Brian.
“Well, hello, veteran of World War Two.” This greeting made the lad smile.
“It’s nice to see you, general.”
“You’ve been a great service to our troops. A lot of medals are awaiting you but most importantly, your family.”
“Am I to report back home?” he questioned despite knowing the answer.
“Yes, and you should rejoice. You’ve done all of your best. Thank you.” The general breezed through another of his obligations and left.
* * *
“Ahh that must be him, Sabihah, your groom. Go on and greet him.” Aliya’s mom motioned to the girl. She walked out slowly against her will, but couldn’t believe when she saw familiar eyes.
“Baby, tell them your groom wants to take a walk with you.” He winked to Sabihah. Her dress attire of purple burqa with the face revealed and the festive table which he saw through the shiny glass window let him know right away of the occasion.
“Please don’t pity me.” He warned before taking out the cane. She took his hand before they started a slow walk away from Aliya's house.
“How did it happen?”
“War.” was his short, yet understandable explanation.
“I see things turned out to be so hard for both of us. I didn’t think I would be so glad to see you, but I am. I realize now how much I missed you.”
“Me too, but why didn’t you think you would be glad?”
“I burned that note you wrote to me, I swore to forget you, thinking love is selfish. Thinking it would haze my mind, not letting me do other things.”
“But in the end it turned out to be our rescue.” Sabihah brought him to a narrow place between two buildings made out of mud bricks and dry grass. He leaned on the wall, resting.
“I must tell you something, Sabi.”
“Same with me. Aliya’s mother wants to marry me off to a guy I don’t know…He was suppose to visit today and thankfully you came before he did.”
“Yeah, I’ve guessed. I wonder what that groom will do knowing you’re already taken.” He chuckled.
“You mustn’t take it so humorously!”
“I am sorry, but if you agree, we can fly together. And then you won’t have anything to worry about.”
“Fly?” she whispered looking up at him like a child.
“Yes, and it’s the only way. I have to return home because of my injury.”
“Like in my dream.”
“We took an airplane in your dream?”
“No, you were a horse, and you had wings, and then we flew up into the clouds!”
“Me, a horse?!” She nodded giggling “You riding me?! That’s just something odd!”
Their stomachs hurt from laughter now. Brian bent down to kiss her by surprise. Sabihah hugged him, barely enclosing his wide shoulders, her head rested on his chest. The world seemed to spin around, the rest of a life a hazy vision.
