Beauty entices; education enlightens. This is not in a particular place, or time. The only backdrop is that it’s during a war, in the Middle East where Arabic language is spoken and women have a low position in the society. The most important part however, is how love can change a person. Written for myself and anyone else who will have the chance to read it.
Sabihah’s Note
1. The Explosion
The weather had no mercy on this day and neither did anger. The kind of anger based on false assumptions, that like a blindfolded man is capable of destroying anybody who appears in his way. The sky teased with its water - like blue and the sun tirelessly streamed. And no, it was not just like any other summer day: this day was especially intensive. When everything supposedly reached the edge of the worst, a truck caught on fire. It spread like a livid pack of wolves beyond the dirt road, attacking houses. There was no use of blaming the cause, when the guilty already vanished. People ran away from burns to hot streets, many fell in dirt. Their screams reached another truck that came to the rescue. Soldiers in camouflage ran out to check for more bombs and carry people into the car, long before the doctors and nurses appeared in blinding white, like angels. Helicopters circled above, already gathering the news. And all like a nightmare…a bad dream, yet true.
With only a glimpse of her lovely face revealed, Brian could see that her beauty was rare: one in a million. Now, fully draped, half shocked, and paralyzed, she sat in the corner of the back of the truck with other picked up victims of the bombings. He remembered her first expression: dazed and confused, rather than scared. Poor young girl, she had no idea what was happening. She didn’t even have time to react, it happened so quickly for her. “If not for the explosion (that somewhat blew her coverings off showing just the face), those eyes would’ve never captivated me”, he thought as he sat on the guard, clutching his gun just in case.
2. The Interpreter
The girl heard that people from the USA treated women better, so she wasn’t afraid to ask for a female doctor. In the hospital, she had trouble lying on her back: it was bruised, but luckily with no broken bones. Most of all, she was tired of repeated questions about her relatives. Didn’t they understand that all who she knew were her parents?
At first, the general confronted Brian about placing Arabs on an American base, but he assured him they would bring no danger. So practically, those survivors were fortunate to receive such good medical care. Time passed and all patients eventually found places to go after the hospital, except for her whose name Brian still didn’t know. The right moment came after a group lunch. He ushered all to leave but for the translator whose fingers trembled from nervousness: a result of inexperience. She was recently sent here to practice her knowledge of Arabic.
“It’s alright, Anna. You’re lucky you weren’t in a bomb explosion. Imagine how she must feel.” Brian tried to lift Anna’s spirits.
“Exactly!” She replied sarcastically.
“Now don’t be so pessimistic. It’s your chance to help, train, and finally earn more money.”
“Can I at least get my dictionary?”
“It is your first time. Yeah, go ahead.”
As they came closer, the girl as if waiting to say something all along, started talking right away.
Anna lost track, and said in Arabic to her “Please, could you repeat it again? All I heard was ‘sabihah’.” She quickly searched the dictionary, but to no help.
“Anna, what’s the deal?” Brian inquired.
“I didn’t hear what she said at first, all I got was ‘sabihah’ and I can’t find it!" She said in an over exaggerated worried tone.
“Hold on, why don’t you look at her instead, I think she’s trying to tell us that her name’s Sabihah.”
“What? It’s a name?! Brian, are you sure?”
“You should pay more attention to the speaker, not the dictionary. Just ask her to make sure.”
“Yes, she says it’s her name.” Anna listened in carefully and translated, “she says, ‘I don’t know if my parents are dead or alive…and I have no one as close. Could we go back to where the fire happened?’".
For a second, Brian glanced through the indigo shawl, trying to comprehend her purpose. He sensed courage mixed with fear.
“Umm, it’s extremely dangerous. There’re still could be bombs and everyone else who survived was picked up. I don’t think it’s necessary to go back.”
Anna’s eyes widened, as if only now realizing the complexity of this situation. She hesitated to answer, shaking her head. “I don’t want to be involved in this,” she whispered to Brian.
“You won’t be involved. It is just in between Sabihah and me. Now, please, continue your job, Anna.” he urged her impatiently.
After understanding Brian, the girl stood up with a full stature for the first time before him. Her words sounded strong and undeniable, her whole soul seemed to embrace them.
“I still cannot believe. I need to find out the truth, no matter how harsh it is. And I will only believe in their death if I see it. Who knows maybe another truck came by to save them…” hope trembled in the last words that Anna translated.
“But you’re still a child!” Brian exclaimed.
“I am already sixteen. That’s past the marriage age here.” Sabihah calmly informed him.
“Ok. But you must remember that we are even at more risk when we go backwards in our warfront. We will depart as soon as possible. If you do change your mind, come by my quarters.”
“Thank you with all respect. God bless you.” Sabihah gracefully left.
Her every word enclosed so much meaning. Every thought held an important reason behind it. Brian felt there was a lot for him to learn from her. Or maybe it was the culture that amazed him? Maybe her parents taught her to be so clear minded.
“You did a great job Anna, and don’t worry, everything will be fine. I only told her about the dangers ‘cause you know…how will she handle all that? At such an early age…”
“Thanks, yeah I wondered about that too, she must be very brave.”
“Oh, but deep down inside we have no idea how much she’s hurt and weak. She stood by her word, so I couldn’t say no and if I did she would’ve ran away.”
“You’re right, we have no other choice. Too bad, we still didn’t find her relatives. We must keep looking.” She said before Brian’s phone rang.
“They are asking if you’re fine staying here.”
“Tell them I am ok and if I want I will call them. Oh, by the way, where’s that translator that worked here?”
“He was sent closer to the capital ‘cause they didn’t have enough. Anna, could you help me with something?”
“Of course.”
“Could you teach me Arabic? Like you know, just the basics and maybe the alphabet.”
“That’s the first time I hear you being interested in languages. Why all of a sudden now?”
“It’s more of a necessity than interest. I can’t have a translator always by my side.”
“I understand. I guess we’ll start tomorrow.”
“Wonderful!” He dreamily smiled and went to his own room.
