Missing

by Mian Mohsin Zia

  “But how? Did you pay for it?” Lena asked as she looked for the email.

  “Yes! I did. Now, don’t ask me how and why. Because you and I… we both know why. But how? I’ll let you know. A few days back, I was cleaning out my cupboards when I found my old watch. It was an expensive brand that I bought several years ago. It had stopped working, and I had to get it fixed but never did. That may be why it went unnoticed for years. The moment I saw it, I decided to sell it as I don’t use it any longer. I finally managed to do that yesterday.”

  Z yawned deeply. “Pardon… then I went to the website links you shared with me to check if I could pay for you as I had your details. Once I found out I could, I decided to do it while we were online so I could surprise you. I could’ve asked you to do it, but that would’ve spoiled the surprise.”

  “Yes, I’ve received the confirmation email… but Bhai— ” Lena wanted to say something, but Z interjected, as he assumed what she was going to say.

  “Before you say anything, just don’t forget your dream and the dreams of those who’ve wanted you to excel — your grandmother, Granny Maria, and your Bhai. And above all, this ain’t free. Once you win the prize at the conference, I’ll ask for a big treat!” he smiled again and added, “Jokes aside.”

  “Joking man… and are you so sure that I’ll win?” Lena questioned gently.

  “Yes, you will. Insha’ALLAH,” Z said, sounding confidently optimistic.

  “God willing, I’ll do my best and win! Thanks, Bhai. By the way, today I’m seeing you for the first time in your traditional clothes. I saw you in them in a couple of photos but not live. You look handsome as always.”

  “Thanks, Sestra! This is a shalwar and kameez. It’s the traditional dress I wear on Eid. If you’d joined me, I would’ve offered you the traditional breakfast I prepare for Eid,” Z said courteously.

  “I wish I could have, but one day I will,” Lena sounded optimistic this time and said it with a smile.

  “Insha’ALLAH,” Z said.

  *******

  6 Months Earlier – November 2006 – Los Angeles, California, USA

  While Z was holding his headstand pose, Marshal approached, saying, “Here’s the list of all the things I could think of that would make a good Christmas gift, and this courier has the cheapest shipping for delivery in four to six weeks.” Marshal took a piece of paper from his pocket and placed it in Z’s upside-down pocket.

  “Thanks!”

  Marshal took a couple of steps and then stopped. “It’s already November 6, so you must order something soon.”

  “Will do. Insha’ALLAH,” Z said, still in his headstand.

  *******

  “How’s everything going, Z?” Marshal asked while Z’s trainee was warming up.

  “All’s well,” Z answered, as he looked around at another trainee, he’d signaled with a thumbs-up.

  “I can see you’re putting in extra time and effort with more and more trainees. That’s good, but you must also take care of yourself and rest well,” Marshal noted as he hooked his hands in his pockets.

  “Thanks, but I’m all good. By the way, I checked the tracking info for the parcel, and it’s finally showed the status. The courier company was right — it takes a few days before the tracking number shows an update.”

  “I’m glad it’s finally showing then.”

  “Marshal, I just wanted to know what the prize money is for the competition you mentioned to me… and when it’s on?” Z asked as if he was still unsure about asking or not.

  “Wow! I’m so glad you’re asking about that. The prize money’s $50,000, and it’ll be on March 10, 2007. Are you planning on participating?” Marshal asked curiously. “If you are, you must start preparing, keeping in mind the challenges you’ll face in it,” he added.

  “I haven’t finally decided about it yet. But if I do, I’ll let you know for sure.”

  “I hope you do, but with the kind of training you undergo day in, day out, and the kind of physique, agility, and athleticism you have, you must stand a chance. You’d be wise to give it serious thought,” Marshal advised him.

  “I will. Excuse me,” Z said as he headed off to his trainee.

  *******

  May 2007 – in a train traveling toward Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

  Sitting on his seat in the railcar compartment, Z can feel some air blowing in through the open window. He can hear Urdu being spoken all around him, too, while he’s focused on solving his puzzle.

  While lost in his thoughts, a roughly scrunched piece of newspaper falls into his lap. He picks it up and looks around to see where it’s come from and spots a little girl who raises her hand holding a Pakora in apology and signaling to him that she’d wanted to throw it out the window. Z sees she’s sitting between her parents, who immediately apologize. Z nods in acceptance and picks up the piece of newspaper ready to scrunch it up properly but notices a picture of Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi with the heading “Pride of Pakistan.”

  *******

  6 Months Earlier – November 2006 – Los Angeles, California, USA

  “Bhai, I don’t know very much about Pakistan at all… I don’t even know the name of its President, but is there someone in Pakistan that you absolutely admire?” Lena asked while they were discussing world figures.

  “Oh yes, though he isn’t a politician at all. There’s a wonderful man, Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi, a philanthropist and a great humanitarian,” Z said with evident pride. “Mr. Edhi has done so much for enormous numbers of Pakistanis. He’s an older man now and has worked for the poor and the sick for his entire life. Many people in my homeland are alive only because of him.”

  “That’s very special! How did he do that?” Lena asked curiously.

  “Well, what he does is amazing. He’s raised enormous amounts of money over the years and opened hospitals for ordinary people and places where they can get the medicine they require. He’s even set up a volunteer ambulance system throughout the country with thousands of vehicles for people to use when they need an ambulance. To me, there’s no one as big in stature and credibility as Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi. He’s a classic example of a living legend and a true humanitarian, who’s dedicated his entire life to serving humanity. Indisputably, he deserves a Nobel Prize,” Z said, taking great pleasure in being able to tell Lena about such a beautiful human being.

  “That’s so amazing. I’ll definitely find out more about him,” Lena said.

  *******

  5 Months Earlier – December 2006 – Los Angeles, California, USA

  “Bhai, why did you do this? You’ve already done so much for me,” Lena said as she held up the parcel that he’d sent for her Christmas gift. It contained a handwoven scarf with her name in Russian embroidered in one corner.

  Lena held the scarf against the skin of her face. “Bhai, it’s so soft, and the color is so beautiful! Thank you very much! I love it!” she said with a big smile. Z was delighted to see her so happy with it.

  “Sestra, I’m so pleased that it got delivered in time, even if it’s just a couple of days before Christmas. I’ll especially thank Marshal for helping me choose it, and the shipping as well,” Z said.

  “Bhai, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7, so it’s in plenty of time.”

  “Really?” Z exclaimed in surprise.

  “There’s nearly a two-week difference between our calendar and the one the other Christian faiths use.”

  “I never knew that! Thanks for letting me know. That’s very interesting, and as you say, it’s not late at all! Now to return to your question about why? Whatever I did, I did for my Little Angel. I did it because I wanted to let you know that you’re no longer alone. You told me Granny Maria used to buy gifts and clothes for you on such occasions. So if Granny Maria can’t do it, then it must be your Bhai, your Daddy

  Cool. The bottom line is that it’s for my Little Angel,” Z said as the happiness on his face told the whole story.

  “I
t’s wonderful, but I don’t need it. I only want my Bhai. I hope a day comes when I can meet my Bhai and make him a cup of tea,” Lena said as the pitch of her voice dropped.

  “Not only tea but some chocolate cookies as well. I know you’re good at making them,” Z joked, to animate her.

  “Yes, with chocolate cookies, as well. You still remember I showed them to you! I don’t know why money is so important. It’s just a piece of paper, but it holds such value. At times, I wish I could go and sit on a plane, and if anyone checked, I’d say ‘I must go to see my Bhai.’”

  “And you think they’d let you do that without a ticket or a visa? This world isn’t how we perceive it. People care about money, not relationships. One day we’ll have it and meet, Insha’ALLAH,” Z pulled himself together to sound optimistic, so Lena wouldn’t be dejected.

  “As you know, the final list of selected applicants for the conference is coming out next week and I’ve decided if I get selected and win the prize money, I’ll donate a portion of it to the church and use the rest to meet my Bhai,” Lena said happily.

  “I’ve decided on something too. I’m gonna participate in the competition that Marshal’s been trying to get me to enter for ages, and if I win the prize money, I’ll spend a portion of it to help the needy, and the rest to meet my Little Angel,” Z said sharing his decision.

  “Great! But you never mentioned any competition. What’s it about?” Lena asked.

  “It’s the US Ninja Gladiator. Contestants compete in various obstacle courses to have their speed, strength, endurance, agility, and so on tested. The stages get more and more difficult, and eventually, there’s a winner,” Z said, taking a sip of water too.

  “Is it dangerous, Bhai?” Lena asked as she was worried about him.

  “Don’t worry! I won’t die until we meet,” Z said and smiled as if he’d made a joke.

  “Joking man always keeps on joking.”

  “Sorry, Sestra. Please don’t worry. I just don’t want you to be concerned. The only thing I’m concerned about is the time frame I’m left with for training properly. Marshal’s been trying to persuade me to train since summer, but I didn’t want to, but now I have a reason, a motive for participating and competing,” and Z brushed his hand through his hair.

  “Don’t worry. You’re a professional trainer. It shouldn’t be a big deal for you. By the way, when is it being held?”

  “Insha’ALLAH, next year on March 10. Before that, we’ll work on my submission video for the competition — but don’t you worry about that. Only focus on your final exams. They’ll be starting right after the Christmas holidays, won’t they? And then you’ll be a graduate.”

  “Yes, I’ll be doing that for sure, and I’ll show Dasha my scarf. She used to laugh at times and make jokes. Still, I never minded, because sometimes people need to think above and beyond their imagination to understand the extraordinary relations of ordinary people,” Lena said with a big smile, as she wrapped the scarf around her neck. “See, I can wear it in different styles,” she said as she put it on in different ways.

  “Extraordinary relations of ordinary people,” Z repeated. Lena’s definition of their relationship grabbed his attention.

  *******

  4 Months Earlier – January 2007 – Los Angeles, California, USA

  “Sorry, Sestra. It took me longer than expected to get online,” Z excused himself for being late.

  “No problem, Bhai. I understand. As Dasha’s away for the holidays, I could wait, and time isn’t a problem. Anyways, I wish you a very Happy Eid-ul-Adha and a Happy New Year,” Lena said cheerfully.

  “Thanks! Happy New Year to you too, Sestra. This year, Eid-ul-Adha happens to be on January 1, so it’s a double celebration.”

  “Not just double. Triple, in fact,” Lena smiled.

  “Triple?”

  “Yes, triple! I’ve been selected for the conference! I received a confirmation email. I’m so excited, Bhai!” Lena said with an ecstatic smile.

  “Alhamdulillah, congratulations! This is the best possible start to any new year,” Z beamed as he congratulated her.

  “Most certainly! But with this triple celebration, there’s also the onus of paying the money to attend the conference.” Lena had started with a smile but finished with a worried look.

  “Come on! Do you think your Bhai hasn’t been thinking about that? It’s all covered. Don’t worry. Remember, I sold my watch? I have money left over from that. And since then I’ve been saving money. I’ve been putting in extra hours at the gym and training more trainees. We’ll easily get to the $2,000 mark. We only need another $900 to cover the total fee of $3,600.”

  “Truly?” Lena asked.

  “Yes, that’s right!” he reassured her.

  “Well, do you remember those coins I showed you? The ones I’d kept since my childhood?” Lena asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I sold them and guess what! I managed to get $900 for them,” Lena revealed.

  “What? Why did you sell them?” Z asked her.

  “It was to Dasha’s older sister, Alexandria, who’s always shown interest in them. Before leaving for the holidays, Dasha was speaking with Alexandria over the phone, and Alexandria again brought them up and made a great offer of $900 for them. That was her best offer ever! I immediately agreed and handed the coins over to Dasha. She’ll return with the money after the holidays. I wanted to let you know about it once I had the money,” Lena explained. “To tell the truth, I sold them with the thought that even if I didn’t get selected, at least I’d have some money for finishing university with and getting a job. After that, I can save more to meet my Bhai one day,” Lena said softly.

  “My Little Angel, you shouldn’t have sold them. The coins you showed me that time were unique, authentic collectibles. You should’ve kept them with you, as you’ve had them for years. I was supposed to take care of the money,” Z said as he took a deep breath.

  “Sorry, Bhai, but I didn’t want to be a burden, and I wanted to contribute.”

  “You’re not a burden and will never be one,” Z reassured her. “Today is a big day with a flying start to 2007. We’ll not let this opportunity go in vain,” he said, trying to make Lena feel good.

  “I agree! When you mentioned, we were short by $900, and I told you what Alexandria offered me, that made me strongly believe that God has set up everything for us,” Lena explained.

  “Indeed. When is the conference?”

  “That’s an excellent question. To tell the truth, I was worried about this but never told you so you wouldn’t worry. I wondered if the dates for the conference and the dates for my exams would collide if I got selected. After reading through their confirmation email, my belief has further strengthened that God has planned it all perfectly. Once I’m done with university and finish my final exams….” Lena paused and took a deep breath as she thought about her exams.

  “After that, I’ll have ten days to dedicate myself to preparing for the conference. The three-day conference is being held from February 8 to February 10, and we can schedule my travel plans accordingly. I’ll forward you their email,” Lena finished.

  “Don’t worry. We’ll schedule your travel plans perfectly, Insha’ALLAH,” Z reassured her.

  *******

  “Cool.” Marshal looked at the treadmill meter while Z was running.

  “This is just the beginning… I must improve and set a benchmark that’s beyond the average for the US Ninja Gladiator. From tomorrow, I won’t be running on the treadmill. I’ll run outside on a track. The training has to be as difficult and intense as I can make it, to raise my fitness and performance levels so I can outdo my competitors,” Z said as he ran.

  “That’s right. I’m getting in a Spider Wall as well and setting up a couple of other things so you can train for the obstacles you might have to overcome,” Marshal said as he cleared his throat. “I’ve also contacted a friend who’s got a setup that’s more suited to training for the US Ni
nja Gladiator. If we want, he’ll let us visit his place. From my experience, the more you train to master the obstacles and the faster you can complete them, the better prepared you’ll be.”

  “I thought that too, when I went through their official website, and read the details about it. It’s a test of sheer endurance, strength, power, and agility.” Z fell silent for a moment while he remained running on the treadmill. “It must take something special to win that $50,000 prize money.”

  “For sure!” Marshal acknowledged.

  *******

  3 Months Earlier – February 2007 – Los Angeles, California, USA

  “Bhai, I’m finally leaving. How quickly time flies! My exams went well, and now it’s time to fly to the conference, but I get nervous when I think about it.”

  “Don’t worry. Just bear in mind that winners do something that losers don’t — focus. Losers get tired, nervous, and quit. But winners! Winners stay focused and make it to the end,” Z motivated her.

  “You’re right. You certainly know how to motivate someone. That’s why you’re such a great trainer,” Lena smiled as she said this.

  “I’m always right, but are you alright?”

  “Joking man always keeps on joking!”

  They both laughed.

  “Dasha will be back anytime soon. She went out to check for the taxi. Before she returns, I’d like to let you know that I’ve sent five emails for your morning letters, so you can read one each day and not feel lonely. As soon as I have access to the internet, you can be sure that I’ll connect with you — otherwise, you’ll have my letters at least,” Lena said.

  “I will. It’ll be difficult for the next five days without you, but your letters will help,” Z said, as his voice choked, but he pretended to yawn to gain some time and curb his emotions, so Lena wasn’t disturbed.

  “I understand, and I can see how you feel even though you’re trying to hide it. That’s why I wrote five letters for the five days I’ll be away in all. You know that and please, don’t worry. The money we’ve managed is enough, and I’ll spend it wisely as every single cent counts,” Lena said as she heard the door opening and saw Dasha entering.