Chapter
5:“Life is a question, why.............”
With the
passport and boarding pass in my hands, I straightened up my khakis and
proceeded to the emigration checkpoint. “Kyle,
have you checked the necessary documents?” asked Feysul (unfortunately
my college buddy and family friend) . “All set, hello Amsterdam, goodbye
Malaysia” I remarked, smirking. Feysul and I had received a scholarship from
the University of Malaysia and were heading off for Netherlands.
As
we proceeded further, we met this man who seemed like running across the airport
and huffing and panting gave a
zip-locked parcel to Feysul, accompanied by, “Dgo tghgisg asg sgoong asg
pgosgsgibglge.” Sounded like Gaelic to me and totally illegible. It was as
though they spoke in ciphers. Feysul replied, “ygou ngeedg ngotg wgorgrgyg.”
which satisfied the man to the fullest and after a deep breathe he lit a Triple
R ® cigar and took Feysul’s signature on a document. Feysul and he exchanged
grave looks and after the formality, Hal (the man) called out “Roxanne,
do you have your pass ?” Suddenly, a blonde girl came out dressed in an
old pink polka dotted coat and leopard print jeans, straightening her tense
platforms, of about my age.
“Yes,”
said Roxanne and her crocheted purse fell suddenly and all the contents were
emptied out. Out of the purse, came a lip gloss, eye shadows, $500 and a paper
enclosed with a bronze locket which read “Life is a question, Why?” She was
sort of embarrassed, somehow and while picking up her fallen purse eyed me,
anxiously. She shook hands with me,
it was a bizarre sentiment, as though she wanted to say something immediately.
Maybe it was a confession to make, but anyhow, she didn’t know me at all. “A
pleasure to meet you”
Before I said
anything or she spoke out something, Feysul said, “Okay guyz, our flight
leaves in one and a half hour” and Hal gave Roxanne a dark look and after
giving her a kiss on the forehead, he patted on her back
encouragingly and hurried to the low- fare cab stand.
Roxanne looked back, her eyes numb and said in a murky tone,
“Goodbye....” and Feysul gave her a thump on the back and said, “ Hey
Roxanne, you’re heading for a new life, cheer up” and she tried to act
lively but I somehow knew she was troubled at heart, why, I knew not.
Out of the
cold atmosphere of Malaysian
Airport, Roxanne’s seat was next to mine, who fell fast asleep and on her lap
she had opened a pink, fragranced paper, and with legible writing was written
something so,
“Dear
Roxanne,
The
storm raged around me
Everything
was dark as far as I could conceive
Lightning
struck and waves hit hard
my
small boat floated on fiery waters
I
dared, I lived, and You breathe
I
died, You live, Never stop breathing............
Love, Mom”
I was very
touched by the following poem and picked it up from the clenched wrist on the
lap. On the back of the paper, was a letter addressed to Hal and Roxanne both,
“Hal,
when I was born I knew my existence meant help, that’s what God says. I came
to the shelter and heard about your daughter Roxanne. I know as she’s very
poor, she didn’t have her desired future. I hope if I were any help to you and
to your daughter. Don’t thank me,
thank God, He sent me to help you.....” yours sincerely, Feysul Mehmoud”
So that’s
what this is all about, Feysul is trying to help Roxanne achieve her goals. I
was so impressed by Feysul and his unusual but generous act which would prove to
be a life for Roxanne. With his lucky-go-nature, Feysul couldn’t be depicted
but he had proven something........ those who dare, live and those who live,
dare. Feysul had done something an angel could. and that’s what Feysul was, my
college buddy and fortunately best friend. The mystery to Life’s question was
found and everything came quite clear. As I unfolded the paper, I saw Roxanne
rubbing her eyes, “So, you really did find out, the thing I wanted to say so
desperately” and we both chatted away. The parcel, documents and ciphers were
because Feysul wanted to keep it secret, according to him, God doesn’t accept
your deed if you show off.
By the way,
all of those things concerned Roxanne’s college admission. Feysul made his
parents proud too when he told them. And best of all, he was my friend, why,
that’s a secret........