THE PURSUIT OF UNITY

IN TIME OF SEPARATION

By

ELATION UNIFIRE

Copyright Elation Unifire 2016

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by
way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise
circulated without the publisher's prior consent in any form of
binding or cover other than that in which it is published and
without a similar condition including this condition being
imposed on the subsequent publisher.
The moral right of Elation Unifire has been asserted.
ISBN-13: 978-1523366897
ISBN-10: 1523366893

Qemeriya Ormano, my pioneer inspiration, you were a loving

mother, a strong woman and also an artist ahead of your time,
in the most unbearable environment. Glad to be your begotten
son, may your soul shine divinely.

CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................... i
INTRODUCTION .................................................................. 1
CHAPTER 1. Greetings ........................................................... 10
CHAPTER 2. So It Instigates .................................................. 24
CHAPTER 3. Awakenings ...................................................... 42
CHAPTER 4. Moment Of Impact ............................................ 67
CHAPTER 5. Journeys ............................................................. 93
CHAPTER 6. Unity In Miscellany......................................... 113
CHAPTER 7. One Marvelous World, One Magnificent People,
One Love................................................................................... 126
CHAPTER 8. Courage To Act .............................................. 143
CHAPTER 9. Unification ...................................................... 158
CHAPTER 10. United States Of Earth ................................ 177

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost, last and for least, from Alpha

to Omega, my gratitude goes to the most high and the
most close. For the one who breathed without a
breath, the creator of my fingers, the guider of my
mind, the illuminator of my soul towards writing this
book, God.
Where do I begin? There are a lot of you out there
who believed in me, what a vast family I have all
around the globe; such an honor to get the chance to
thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Dad, I didnt experience one tenth of the
challenges you overcame in your life. You have always
believed in education and the power of reading. I
know you traveled tens of kilometers to see a glimpse
of education in your childhood. Guess what? Your
effort has become fruitful, here is the book of your
son. I know you would have written it better if you
only had the chance.
Tsehai Hailu, you were the sun that shined
powerfully on this book, this book is yours as well as
mine.
Further with the family notion, I would like to
thank all of my family, the Silte Chumsero family line
and the Gurage, Aimero family members, you know
i

water is life but blood is thicker, glad to have you all

as kin.
My friends, those people who let me be the real
me around you, you will know who you are the very
moment you read this sentence. I know many of you
were expecting your names, but there are just a lot of
you, so as a whole, thank you and I love you all.
That being said, with regard to this particular piece
of work, there are some names worth mentioning;
people who actually contributed to this book
becoming a reality, be it with commenting or editing.
I will start with thanking Dr David Schatz for the
contributions, Dr Yetbarek Abraham, Bektu Mulatu
Conley, Writers Relief Board, Beth Neff of SparkLit,
Hikma Jemal, Bemnet Tektel, Selam Tesfaye,
Habtamu Geremew, Rahma Seid, Mubu and Kd.
Thank you all.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THANK YOU ALL
READERS AND FOLLOWERS FOR BEING
HUMBLE
ENOUGH
TO
TAKE
THIS
INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY WITH ME, SO
HOP IN AND RIDE WITH ME OVER THE
TIDES OF BLESSING TOWARDS UNIVERSAL
AWAKENING, TOWARDS THE UNITED
STATES OF EARTH, UTOPIA.
ELATION UNIFIRE.

ii

INTRODUCTION

Knock & Shall It Be Opened,

Read & You Shall Enter
Shalom. Peace be upon you, said Jesus to his disciples, as
he entered the room... but he is not the only one who greets like
this.
A Muslim says, Aselamun Aleikum, as he greets his
Muslim fellow. The English translation turns out to be Peace
be upon you
Peace, Universal Love and Unity are the life principles of
Rastafarians and Unitarian Universalists.
A Hindu individual greeting is Om Shanti, though the
words have a vaster definition. To describe in simple words it
means, May peace and love reside with you.
Jews say Shalom which has also the exact same meaning.
Apart from the billions and billions of people who use the
above greetings in their day-to-day life, there are also some of us
who are not specifically following one religion, but who have an
equally holy greeting which emits positivity such as Hello
friend. How you doing folks? or just a single word like Peace,
in our respective languages. Anyways, WE SAY TO YOU,
PEACE BE UPON YOU. May the blessings of the
1

INTRODUCTION

almighty be with all of us and unite us in his kingdom!

In all cases of the above greetings the word peace is
referring to the ultimate form of it. This form of peace is the
climax achievement of humans. Well, we may do this the hard
way or the easy way. If we are seized by the games of life and
select the hard way, the Peace of an individual has three trinity
components. Physical, mental, and spiritual... Lets illustrate
them one by one:
The first one is the physical component of life:It scopes from fulfilling the basic desires of our physical body
to affording luxurious commodities. This represents numerous
things such as a relatively healthy body, a good posture,
nutritional and sexual stability, shoes and clothes, shelters up to
mansions, cars up to private planes, and boats could be included
in this category.
The second one is the mental category:Our mind has never rested from raising questions that need
an answer. We must thank God or The Primal Energy for
letting us have the ability to think, since this is what has been
triggering the human race to explore the many mysteries of the
universe that needed explanations. This process increases our
intellectual identity and while we keep on growing internally as
an individual, through reasoning and experience, we will begin
to live in the pursuit of wisdom externally as a society. And as
many of our societies live like this, our world will prosper in the
pursuit of unity internationally, and that is in fact, a great
achievement. The peace of mind is gained through knowledge,
smooth social interactions and the many positive emotions we
can feel like joy, love, hope and gratitude. These will finally add
up to a state of wisdom and elation.
The third component is the spiritual aspect of life:All visible things are made up of invisible things. The
2

INTRODUCTION

metaphysical dimension. There is no limit, from bigness so to

smallness, or any limit to the bond between them. Starting from
our emergence in this universe we have been wondering where we
came from and Our Founder has been sending many heralds
and signs to answer our calls. We do know many people dont
even believe that our origin is God, because they didnt get the
answer for the What was before God? question, but WE
TELL YOU THIS: TIME IS ALSO A CREATURE
OF GOD AND THERE IS NO BEFORE OR
AFTER FOR THE ONE WHO BREATHED
WITHOUT A BREATH, THE ONE WHO
GENERATED THE BEING FROM THE NONBEING!
Even if we forget to cultivate new thoughts and experiences,
try not to forget that no one can tell you your own truth and no
one can decide what your journey will be instead of you. But we
cannot deny the fact that some people can be a reason for the
remembrance of our true identity, either by reminding us or
being a role model, of course we are just trying to remind you.
Some of us go to churches or temples, some of us go to
mosques, and some of us just sit for meditation and listen to our
souls for a durable time, or some of us go deep inside ourselves
by listening to good-vibe music. Some even pray all night long
while others just see the world as a holy place. In all of these we
are women and men who do this because we believe that there is
more to this life, more than this visible world around us, a
world which is perceived by the sensory organs. We believe in a
reality which only could be realized through love, faith, prayer,
forgiveness, empathy and patience. We see beyond the limit and
visualize that invisible place; a place of unity between God and
man. In other words, when we have faith in the unseen
sentiment, we develop a grand awareness and unshakable
3

INTRODUCTION

connection to an entity vaster than ourselves. When we grasp

this awareness our spirituality will be incremented infinitely.
So these are the three components of peace if we choose the
interesting, longer way. But the most vital thing we have to
incorporate in each of our DNA is to keep the balance between
these three components of life, and not let one of the above
components blindfold the others.
You may choose that track as majority of our current
population do and enjoy the ride YET WE TELL YOU
THERE IS AN EASY WAY! AN EASY PATH,
WHICH THE AWAKENED ONES WALKED ON
FOR YEARS. THIS PATH IS A SHORTCUT TO
THE ULTIMATE PEACE... Dont worry, it is a simple
path. You dont even need to be smart, strong, rich or beautiful
to get it.
You know what the wisest of men say? They say FEAR
OF GOD is the beginning of wisdom. They are right. But
why did they forget to mention that the end of wisdom is
LOVE OF GOD?
Loving God not because he is a punisher or powerful; but
because of his superior intelligence, mercy, mysteriousness and
magnificence. When you are in the awareness of Gods love you
are on the track of this holy path. You submit yourself to Gods
will and allow yourself to be satisfied with what you already are
and already have been, and you know you will be satisfied with
your future. When you live under God and with the I have
enough state of mind, you will then not be disturbed by gain or
loss, nor by any momentary fleeting feelings of grief. Instead you
will lead, plus enjoy, a still and peaceful and yet satisfied and
enlightened life, and cultivate the courage to grow, enrich.
***
4

INTRODUCTION

Working for the good of all human beings is the true and
undisputable way to bring a sustained peace for the great
Mother Earth. Why do we need to build this place? Because for
every action there is a reaction, as Newton proved well. In the
negative sense, if we build our comfort on the suffering of others,
we must be sure that there will be a negative reaction sooner or
later. This is what Hindus preach regarding Karma, and
Jesuss analogy of harvesting what you reap meant. We may
disagree on many points but we dont have to forget the
immeasurable holy bond between us and be enemies to each
other, just for short-living materialistic benefits. Most of us
realize this at the edge of our death or the hereafter. We must
wake up now! Right now!
Everyone may have his or her own challenges, in fact in
those very challenges are the hopes that these challenges will be
overcome. These hopes in turn give us reasons to live. As we
mature and continue to remember our oneness, the challenges of
life become less painful. We will then begin to realize the socalled challenges are rather blessings, opportunities to manifest
our magnificent creativity and strength. Creativity that was in
fact created by the almighty and that is being manifested in
reality of life (the relative world). It is then that we can truly
remember that, there are no losers and winners in this world.
With God at our side, we see that ME is actually WE, and
we are all one under one God, Amen!

INTRODUCTION

This book is a new manifestation of the same old truth

which has been retold for ages by those who were destined to do
so...
Few of us are aware that the waste stuff we throw into our
trash could in fact be a source of happiness for a big, starving
family, how many of our current population appreciate and
enjoy the little valuable things around them instead of craving
for more and attaining their timely comfort at others cost.
Enriching and making oneself happy is not an evil deed,
saving a wealth for future use is a wise choice. But greediness
and selfishness are not the best gifts you can give your soul. We
must learn how to let go some possessions and give. Giving is
Believing! It shows the faith of the donor. The receiver also
should know how to accept and manage these gifts to get the
maximum benefit for a longer term. Here, the receiving side is
not more advantageous but the satisfaction and spirituality
gained by the other side is equally worthy, beautifying his soul
with emeralds of sympathy, belongingness.

INTRODUCTION

Though many of us subscribe to a religion, have we really

analyzed our Holy Scriptures? Let us actually consider what
some of these anointed scriptures say
In The Holy Bible
Gospel of John: - {17:21} That they all may be one; as
thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be
one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
{17:22} And the glory which thou gavest me I have given
them; that they may be one, even as we are one: {17:23} I in
them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one;
and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast
loved them, as thou hast loved me.
In The Holy Quran
Surah Al-Muminun: - {23:52} and verily this
brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood and I am your lord
and cherisher: therefore fear me (no other). {23:53} But people
have cut off their affair of unity, between them, in sects: each
party rejoices in that which with itself. {23:54} But leave them
in their confused ignorance for a time.
Bahaullah, who founded the Bahai faith religion in the
19th century, wrote up this:
O Children of Men! Know ye not why we created you all
from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the
others. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created.
Since we have created you all from one same substance it is
incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same
feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land. That
from your in most Being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of
7

INTRODUCTION

oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest.

Such is my counsel to you. O concourse of light!
Unfortunately, he was exiled for these teachings from Persia
to the Ottoman Empire and died while he was officially a
prisoner; today five million people across the world follow his
teachings
***
I wish you the grandest inspirations and awakenings
throughout the book! Looking forward to seeing a cult of
compassion, people coming together with a common
understanding, for a common good
I surely hope this book will dig out the last light of
humanity left within us, and light up the whole self, you, me,
we, all.
Elias Gebru (Elation Unifire), Author

INTRODUCTION

***
There was a light, then there was an overwhelming sound.
An extraordinary thing was about to happen. More lights
emerged, through the power of ardor.
The lights were portions of the bigger light, claiming their
independence. It was all predetermined
Billions of years have passed since then; at this very moment,
there were two lights, called Alpha and Omega.
Alpha the light of thunder, Omega the light of flame.
Alpha craving the wholeness, Omega shadowing it.
Both were powerful like hell, energetic enough to collapse the
universe, but they were waiting, waiting till the expiration of the
purpose of creation, honoring the most high, honoring the images
of the most high, honoring the power vested on the images, their
free will.
It looks like time has come for Omega; the images of the
most high were failing Alpha. They were caught up in the
illusion of detachment, putting a smile on what they call the
Devils face.
Alpha was feeling the cynical excitement of Omega. It must
act soon, and time is running out, not long before losing the
glance of hope. It spread its presence as it widened the
illuminating wings. Its presence was all over planet Earth,
seeking pure souls, seeking young images of the highest one,
seeking hope.
Not sure if it works, but it is worth trying, trying to inspire
the species on the edge of extinction.
Human-Race. Omega glittered ironically...

CHAPTER 1
Greetings
The striking view of the great Himalayan mountain
ranges marks this villages uniqueness. For most
dwellers, it was just another ordinary day, except for
one small Chinese family.
The shining eyes of his newly born son were the
grandest inspirations of Master Tongyei.
At first, he was unable to see his babys eyes
because a caul covered that tiny face, but when the
caul was cut open, his new babys little face was
unveiled, an innocent image of life. Master Tongyei
gratified the highest one for this precious gift.
He looked at his wife, and easily read a lot of
questions in her brown eyes.
He gave her the exact answers she seeks.
My dear, our baby was born in a caul and he is a
boy.
He stepped forward and scrupulously handed her
the baby.
She was beyond happy, memories of all pregnancy
challenges and severest pain of labor evaporated with
10

GREETINGS

a single blink of the babys eyes. Oh my great one,

he is adorable, she beamed.
I believe the caul has a valuable message, master.
It means he is a special boy I named him
Singadarti, she said, lifting her pupil to her husband.
Master Tongyei nodded and recited the name bit
by bit. Sin gad arti! That is a noble name; I
guarantee he will surely be a special one. He seemed
far-sighted.
Did I mention to you seeing a dream about our
child the other day? he asked her doubtfully.
No master, what did you see? She got curious.
I saw a child standing at the tip of the great
mountain of wisdom. I have a feeling, that he will be
a great master.
Me too, replied his wife while staring at the little
wonder she embraced, Singadarti!
***
Somewhere in U.S.A., City of Angeles,

California.

Little Christina woke up when the hologram on

the side of her bed began ringing. She always
recognizes it for what it is, a signal saying, Wake up!
Usual day has come with the same boring rut cycle of
life, of course, with a different number on the
calendar
11

CHAPTER ONE

Though Christina is a pretty plump girl, her

beautiful big bed seems to be made for an entire
family; the fur on top of it is so smooth and soft, even
nightmares on it will be changed to night wonders. Her
body didnt want to leave this comfortable place but
she knew, everything passes, and last night has gone
forever. Leaving the place to a new day, she gets up
and turns off the shrieking alarm.
She then goes downstairs to the main room; her
mother was making herself ready to leave for work. In
the kitchen their house chef was almost finishing
breakfast preparation. As Christi turns, she notices
her father, Mr. Sebastian.
Mr. Sebastian is a socially respected multimillionaire. He runs his private food processing and
distributing company, and also owns a number of
shops in town. With his neat appearance and
detective eyes, and with the toting of very expensive
suits, he possesses an incredible grace. In short,
Christina is very proud of him being her dad.
Hey my sunshine. It was her mother, Stillina.
Good morning Mom. She kissed her left cheek
and headed to bathe, then directly went to the dining
room; her mother waited on her with a table full of all
sorts of yummy foods.
Christi, hurry up and eat breakfast or else we are
going to be late, her mom claimed; Christina rushed
through her food to obey her mothers command.
Stillina has taught her girl the value of listening and
minding others. She often alleged, sturdily, My girl, a
persons mind which is not willing to hear and consider others
opinions is like a cup, a cup full of oil that couldnt afford a
12

GREETINGS

drop of water, even if the man holding it is in the middle of a

parching desert.
While she was seized by this memory her mother
added another round of waffles onto her plate.
You know you are making her heavier, right?
Christinas father asked his wife with a little angrysounding voice, joining the meal simultaneously.
She will be okay, Stillina insisted. Their lonely
girl stared at them silently and continued chewing.
Minutes later, a black Range Rover left Christinas
house, headed north to her school
***
East Africa, Ethiopia.
Somewhere in the city of Gambella.
Unikelo, Unikelo... good morning. Unikelo hates
this wake-up call, routinely shouted and chattered by
his little brothers, just hates it. It brings him from his
lovely dream to his unfair, tedious cascade of physical
reality. Unikelo recognizes their yelling every morning
for what it is, a signal saying, Wake up and struggle
for survival!
The four sons of farmer Peter sleep together,
huddling tight with each other. The same is true for
his four daughters. From the eight children of the
house only Ujulu, the lucky one, the second son, was
able to attend school. All the rest have other issues to
deal with. The boys scatter to fulfill the familys basic
13

CHAPTER ONE

daily necessities; of course they fail most of the time.

Among the four girls the eldest one has got married at
16, the rest help their mother with house duties and
watch over the little ones.
Unikelo was hoping to satisfy his hunger while he
washed his face; he dried the wet and opened his eyes
wide, what he saw were five petite breads on the table.
Clearly not even enough to fill the tummies of the
younger ones; he decided to leave without breakfast.
As he steps out of their hut, he sees Marwone
passing by the road. No more steps from Unikelo.
This also happens every morning, like the morning
shoutings. She passes, he freezes, and he likes it,
vaguely, like a clueless painter likes to freeze and stare
at a blank canvas, like a player who forgot his line in
the middle of a theater, like a traveler who lost his
map, his compass, his GPS for that matter.
For the record, Marwone is an attractive, beautiful
teenage girl in the neighborhood of Unikelo. He
adores everything about her and pretty much
suspects, or at least he deludes himself, that she too
has feelings for him. He doesnt really know if his
feelings for her are making his life easy or hard. But
he has been addicted to blankly staring at her. More
unfortunately, he still doesnt have the guts to stand in
front of her and say a word.
Today, as all the rest of the days, he followed her
with his eyes until she was out of sight.
Have a nice day Mari, he muttered to himself.
Rising, surviving, staring, and once again dreaming.
Every morning.
14

GREETINGS

***
Somewhere in Asia, Middle East.
So keen, eager, positive, and so enthusiastic to
sleep in peace when the day is done. How
unfortunate, Abdul Ahad. The bloody war in their
area has been disturbing life for years. Many of his
friends are involved in the warfare. He himself
wanted to join the war but his father, Kedir, didnt
give him sanction. He always told him that he was
gifted in literature and he didnt want him to be a
fighter. This in fact was true; Abdul Ahad had more
of an intellectual personality. He was academically a
clever student before school was closed; before the
countrys condition got worse.
He is also a rather exceptional poem writer.
Especially these days, days where no one can go out
safely, a time where children lose the glimpse of hope
to grow. A time where the elderly curse the evilness
of the generation. Abdu got plenty of time to write
poems like this one, in that fabled poem book of his...
...In the middle of the sunny day,
The last camel fell to the sand
Na, for the vendor of gold,
He has nothing left for good.
But he didnt force her to stand,
15

CHAPTER ONE

Always minding what he is told,

By the best dad of the world,
Even if it is littler than an ant,
And causes a painful cost,
Dont ever be rude,
Everything happens for good.
As he stopped writing, he felt like the merchants
father was his own, though obviously he was far from
being a gold merchant.
You should try to get some sleep, son. His
fathers suggestion brought him back from his
thoughts; he agreed and softly closed his eyes.
But it was not that long before a bomb blast from
a distance woke him up!
He was not sure if that happened for good,
perhaps he should write a new poem
***
Alpha has extracted its candidates, inspired souls from
different corners of the world. But its job is far from over a
long journey awaits
At the moment, the illusion state of presence, it was sending
heralds to the girl from the west, this herald felt like Our God,
or natural force, whatever you call it, already had created
enough resources for all his creatures. And he had made human
his ambassadors of earth. Man, on the other hand, with
unquenchable thirst for having more, has failed to live together
16

GREETINGS

and use what was given to him for free; the sad fact is he will
not even get happiness with the riches he gathered avidly, rather
most die looking for satisfaction, searching for satisfaction in the
wrong place.
***
Three years passed, never to return again; the sun
rose and fell unstoppably, countless clouds flew side
to side over and over again life goes on.
September 13, 2016, Gregorian calendar; Christina
cant believe her eyes when she sees her weight on the
balance 202 pounds. Really? This cant be right.
She is seventeen, looking forward to joining college,
definitely not like this. She is scared that it will be
difficult for her to cope with campus life with this
appearance, fit in with cool friends, party hard, hook
up with cute guys; she felt uncomfortable about the
number. It was really upsetting!
When her mood is disturbed or when she gets
bored, Christina likes to read her Bible or listen to
music. Today she preferred the second one. She put
her headphones on; as soon as she pressed the Play
button on her iPad, Nickelbacks We Must Stand
Together started playing The next inspirational lyrics
were in the music:

17

CHAPTER ONE

They tell us everything is alright

And we just go along
How can we fall asleep at night?
When somethings clearly wrong
When we could feed a starving world
With what we throw away
But all we serve are empty words
That always tastes the same!
She is a fan, pretty much likes their rock music but
this one sounded exceptional. It had a different,
unsettling implication. She started to wonder about all
the waste food and commodities thrown daily into
their trash bags. She then remembered watching news
about shortage of food in Sub-Saharan African
countries. Extra food = hungry people; it seemed a simple
equation. Or is it?
She said, Whatever, and pushed the Next
button. A song was chosen randomly by the player
and a new song began playing... it was the pop king
Michael Jacksons legendary music, Man in the Mirror.
This one seems to have a different message but as she
begin to analyze its lyrics deeply, she knew it was the
same one message told by different musicians. The
following lyric especially, in the song of the pop king,
gave her another strange feeling

18

GREETINGS

Ive Been A Victim Of A Selfish Kind Of Love

Its Time That I Realize
That There Are Some With No Home,
Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That Theyre Not Alone?
A Willow Deeply Scarred,
Somebodys Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream
(Washed-Out Dream)
They Follow The Pattern Of The Wind, Ya See
Cause They Got No Place To Be
Thats Why Im Starting With Me
(Starting With Me!)
Im starting with the Man In The Mirror
Im Asking Him To Change
She simply knew that they both were talking about
the same fact, with different lyrics and symphony,
they were asking every individual to change so that
the world becomes a better place under the umbrella
of unity and charity. This cant be a coincidence.
Her mind stuck in doubt, she literally felt the pain of
this strange spark penetrating her brain neurons.
Alpha-tic signals.
She couldnt sleep that night, thinking about the
messages of the two songs, dozens and dozens of
19

CHAPTER ONE

questions were pedaling through her thoughts,

reconstructing her mindset.
IS ANYONE OUT THERE WHO SLEPT
WITH OUT HAVING DINNER?
HOW CAN A PERSON HAVING EXTRA
FOOD IGNORE SOME ONE HUNGRY?
HOW CAN A PERSON IN SUCH AN
INTELLECTUAL SOCIETY LIVE IN PEACE;
WHEN HIS OWN KIND IS STARVING?
WHY DID OUR TECHNOLOGICAL
ADVANCEMENT, WHICH CAN EXPLORE
ANOTHER GALAXIES, FAIL TO SOLVE OUR
GLOBAL PROBLEMS?
HOW COULD LEADERS OF GREAT
COUNTRIES AND RICHES WITH A LOT OF
RESOURCES FALL TO WORK FOR THE
COMMON GOOD OF THE HUMAN RACE?
WHY ARE WE TOO BLINDFOLDED TO
SEE THE SUFFERING OF OUR OWN
FAMILY?
...That night passed with a lot of the above, and
other questions running through Christinas head.
It was a new day.
Christina woke up before the alarm rang. The next
thing she did was turn on her laptop and open the
Internet.
20

GREETINGS

How many people are in food shortage? was what she

typed in the Google search box; she found that around
one billion people have a shortage of food. That is
nearly one seventh of the total world population. More
surprisingly, the primary cause of this figure is not lack
of resources in the world. It was rather unbalanced
resource distribution 80% of our planets resource is
occupied by 20% of our population. The remainder
was left for the lower rest.
The facts she found online were really heart
touching for Christina
Hey honey, why you are awake so early? her
mother inquired.
I just needed to check something on the Internet
Mom.
Hmmm, that is interesting. I think someone is up
to something. She smiled and turned around.
Hey Mom?
Yes babe? she replied, returning to the room.
Can I ask you something?
Of course honey, you can ask me anything.
Didnt you tell me the commandment of God can
be summarized by the sentence Love for your relative
what you love for yourself?
You are right, I did, she agreed with certainty.
But I dont have any biological brothers or sisters,
so what does that statement mean to me?
Sweetie you are asking a strange question; is
everything alright? she asked, concerned about her
daughters odd question.
21

CHAPTER ONE

Trust me Mom, I am okay. I just wanted to know,

that is all.
Ok babe, listen to me carefully. Stillina made
herself comfortable to talk.
Even if we were unfortunate not to have more
children, we were blessed with you. My dear, I want
you to know that you are not lonely at all, because true brothers
and sisters are not only biological, but the meaning of family is
more universal, connected to the origin. That is the same for
everyone, which is God. She looked thoughtful. You see,
sweetie, we all come from the same source. Every cultural
heritage and religious scripture proves that. Furthermore,
current science through quantum mechanics has proven that the
very make-up of every entity is the same energy, she said, her
fingers wandering around her earring. Whether you are a man
or a woman, American, European or African, Christian,
Muslim or Hindu, black, brown or white, or whatever, at the
pioneer beginning we all were made up by the same hand and to
that hand shall we return. We may try to separate and divide
ourselves and make each other an enemy, but you know what?
What, Mom? She was so into her speech that she
was almost angry her mother paused to ask a
question.
The ultimate truth is unity, what we do to hurt others,
that we so-call enemy will in fact affect our own selves. In
short, my girl, your brothers and sisters are billions of
individuals who are walking and laying on this earth, having
true trust for God and true love for whole humanity in their
hearts
Christina was just blown out by her mothers
rather unexpected speech, she had never thought that
her mother had such a humble wisdom; but still, the
22

GREETINGS

subtle commandment of the highest one kept

replaying in her neurons.
Love for your relative what you love for yourself!
She questioned herself:
Did I love hunger?
Did I love starving?
Did I love pain?
Her breakfast was still intact, she couldnt even
gather the appetite to take a bite of her favorite
chocolate cake. Her mind refused to be stimulated,
maybe God put the appetite center just beside the
emotion center for a reason
***
A few minutes later, a girl walked with a back bag.
She was heading north, towards her school. Oddly
today, her fathers Range Rover wasnt her choice,
walking on foot was.

23

CHAPTER 2
So It Instigates

Duality in the reality seems to be a distinctive, explainable

truth. Sadness replaces happiness, love wins over fear, and a
land soaked in the rainy season will leave the place to aridity,
as time moves on and the clouds subside. Life in the spectrum,
craving to stay in between, inspired in the polarities
Glaring at this cycle of life, was a seasonal bird, a bird with
24

SO IT INSTIGATES

feathers resembling a divine, furry, glowing, white outfit of an

angel. Ethiopians call it The Cross Bird, because it only
shows up around Meseqel Holiday, a holy day celebrated to
dignify the discovery of the true cross. The Cross is believed to be
found with guidance of a smoke; so when smudges of fire, lit
around the country to celebrate this holy day, fill up the air with
smoke, this bird shows up and disappears in a rush. People
consider it a sign of the Holy Spirit and expect it every year.
According to Ethiopian calendar it has been the year 2008 for
weeks now. The Cross Bird flew off the tree and the tree was
cut down, for consumption of men, and moved to a factory called
Mr. Yodah Deforesting Loggers plc.
A golden black young man with a well-built
masculine body is straining his muscles to lift huge
tree branches and insert them to the cutting machine.
All sweaty, firm arms and shoulders, body fluid rolling
downhill, down through a mid-fissure, a fissure
shaped by bilaterally plateaued chest muscles, sliding
inferiorly upon his six pack waist a stallion male.
Right above him is a grinding machine; the noise
coming out of it is like the sound of a helicopter
passing nearby. The man didnt seem to be bothered
by the racket at all. He stopped working and turned
his face to his partner right next to him, who was also
occupied with his job.
Hey Benjamin, I havent had breakfast, cried
Unikelo, trying to wet his mouth. We must leave for
lunch.
Benjamin grinned at his friend. Okay bro, just let
me finish this one and we will go together. Oh, and
try not to eat any material till then. They both
laughed.
25

CHAPTER TWO

Unikelo walked into this factory a few years back.

He was fresh for the job and a man came to him as
his mentor. Benjamin was his name. He guided him
friendlily, more like brotherly; since then they have
been spending a lot of time together, they have fun
and share their problems. Mr. Yodah Deforesting Loggers
plc. cuts down different types of trees then processes
and molds them into wood with various sizes and
shapes. Unikelo remembers what Benjamin had told
him, on his first day at work, it sure amazed him
Unikelo, Benjamin said, seeking his attention.
You know, we all enter this life like these fresh trees, with
all our stunning colorful leaves, clueless and innocent. But
different situations and phenomena shape us to our destined
purpose. Some of us will be as sharp and smooth as this one
and will be used for the gate of a castle, and some of us will be
as shapeless and rough as this one and will be used for making
the roof of one poor farmers battered hut, but always, dont
forget my friend, they both are equally important, in their own
way.
They left the factory and went to their usual lunch
place, Enat Hotel. Actually the place didnt pass the
qualification to be called a hotel, no guards, no
reception, no upstairs, no chef, just an old woman
called Enat and a small room dissected into two
partitions by an old curtain, each partition serving as a
kitchen and dining hall.
Unikelo and Benjamin went in and shared a bench
with a man with glass. They clapped elegantly and
ordered two pastas with Enjera, Ethiopian traditional
flatbread of Teff. The old woman, Enat, nodded
lamely as if she already knew their order. This meal
will cost them twenty Ethiopian birr, or one U.S.
26

SO IT INSTIGATES

dollar. They like the food of this house, not because it

is tasty but because its bulky. Even if the amount
looked more than enough, it didnt take that long
before they cleared everything on the plate, with their
long fingers. Ethiopians do prefer hands to utensils
the old woman cannot be bothered to hire a dish
washer, the plate is clean as new, as usual.
How is your wife? asked Unikelo after he
calmed down the request of his stomach.
She is doing well, actually she just told me she is
with child.
Wow! That is new, what do you wish Benj, a boy
or a girl? he said excitedly.
Benjamin shrugged. I dont know, it is too early
for that, but I guess I will just accept the outcome.
Benjamins wife has already given birth to three
girls, this fourth one is hoped to be a boy. Their
society has a strong belief of feminine inferiority. His
family is already linked with Gods curse because of
these three baby girls. Benjamin himself and his wife
were grief-stricken when they had their first daughter
but all the gossip and negative pressure on their
family made Benjamin frustrated. He doesnt care
now, or at least he says he doesnt. He always ends it
early by saying, I dont give a damn what they think,
when Unikelo raises this issue in their conversation.
I hope he will be a boy. Unikelo forwarded his
personal wish.
Maybe, anyways did you talk to Marwone yet?
He changed the subject.
Agh. No, I just dont know what I have to do to
27

CHAPTER TWO

get the courage. All the fear I have never been aware of
fills me up as soon as I see her. He seemed nave.
That is sad, pull yourself together man! You cant
continue like this, you should talk to her! said
Benjamin, making his voice tenser after every clause.
I think you are right, said Unikelo, picking up
his coat to leave the lunch place. I feel like doing
it
Really Unike? You think you can do that?
Yes Benj! For your surprise, I will talk to her
tomorrow!
They left Enat Hotel; the old woman picked up
the empty plate and the twenty Ethiopian birr.
***
The full moon enjoying her turn on the calm sky,
about midnight, dozens of youngsters with guns and
swords broke into the house of Abdul Ahads family.
Abdul Ahads father Kedir moved nimbly to the door
to stop the break-in, but one of the men pointed a
loaded shotgun at his face and stopped him. One of
the intruders started yelling, We heard there are
youngsters in this house, youngsters who are old
enough to be a fighter!
I... It... It must be wrong information! Kedir
stammered. I only have two sons and one daughter.
Where are your sons?
This one is Amir, he is only 12 years old and
the other one
28

SO IT INSTIGATES

Where is the other one? Tenser, impatience growing

in the youngsters voice.
He is not around.
You are lying! Give him to us or we will have no
mercy for you!
Abdul Ahad exposed himself from the next room.
I am here, dont do anything to my father, he
said.
Abdu! What are you doing? You are not going
with them. Kedir was ready to do whatever it takes
to keep his son home.
What is your name? one of the men asked Abdul
Ahad.
My name is Abdul Ahad. I will go with you, just
dont do any harm to my family.
Kedir just couldnt handle it anymore; he jumped
and started to strangle one of the men with his bare
hands. They both fell to the ground. Two big guys
among the men yanked and threw Kedir off their
colleague. His head smashed into the ceramic wall, he
passed out, the blood from his head made the
spotless white floor dark red. Amir instantly ran out
to get help...
Abdul Ahad got no time to ponder, it all happened
so fast, in a flash. Two other guys grabbed his
shoulders and took him out of the house. Two blue
vans were waiting across the street. In a couple of
minutes all the youngsters left the area with Abdul
Ahad. The two vans accelerated their tyres to District
25.
29

CHAPTER TWO

***
District 25 was a danger zone even before the
chaos. Police officers will turn their car backward as
soon as they reach the dense red line separating
Districts 24 and 25. This area had been controlled by
young merciless gang groups for years but after the
war started many local fighters settled here. Now it
had become the center of power for the internal
resistance group. They have gathered all their
weapons and equipment here. In short it is just like an
organized but small military base.
Dont worry Abdu, we will reach our destination
soon. Abdul Ahad recognized the mans voice. It
was the man who asked his name earlier By the
way, I am Samir.
The man said, Aselamun Aleikum, and shook
Abdul Ahads hand.
Wealeikum Aselam, Abdul Ahad replied.
Abdu, you dont have to be in doubt about going,
you have made the right choice, and we are on the
right path, fighting for our freedom! They have
denied us our identity so we must fight them back,
said Samir firmly. Abdul Ahad nodded silently.
Finally, the blue vans reached District 25. They
crossed the red line and after they drove downward
for a while they stopped moving. Samir and the other
men jumped down from the vans back door, Abdul
Ahad also jumped and followed them.
The place was almost dark; in the shadow, he
noticed a bunch of armed men from both the right
30

SO IT INSTIGATES

and left side of the avenue. The armed men had

covered their face with an Emama and only their eyes
were visible. Though some wore ordinary dark grey
military uniforms, most men were wearing Jalabia, a
dark, black, long dress.
Samir was on the right side of Abdul Ahad all the
way down. Once they finished the dark part of the
road Abdul Ahad saw a high, wide steel gate in front
of them. He had never seen a door of this size. Samir
went to the star-shaped opening beside the gate and
said something. Soon after this the entrance opened
and exposed what was behind it. Abdul Ahad was
thrilled by what he saw inside. The size of the place
was almost the same as an average stadium. There
were people, around ten times greater in number than
those who were outside. A lot of rocket launchers and
guns were set on the right side. A number of tanks
and vehicles were standing in line on the left.
One very lofty and fat man approached Samir and
his men, accompanied by his guards.
Aselamun Aleikum, my dear Samir, he greeted
passionately.
Wealeikum Aselam, Haji Umer.
Haji Umer hugged Samir and asked, How many
new brothers have you brought for us today?
Boss, we found only one new fighter, he replied
glumly.
InshaAllah, God will make him a thousand
Where is he?
Abdul Ahad stepped forward.
It is me, sir My name is Abdul Ahad.
31

CHAPTER TWO

You have a great name, I hope you will be a great

warrior too. You know why you are here, right?
I think, I am here to fight, sir.
Yes! Yes! You are here to fight, my son, but for
what reason? That is the real question, he said
emotionally. You see, Adems generation has been
fighting for many different purposes; he fought with
patriotism for his country, or for other less worthy
purposes like wealth, power or honor. But I tell you
this: your freedom is the most precious thing in your
life. A freedom to choose your life path, your religion,
your culture. Let me tell you one quote. He recited it
stridently:
Forget running and laughing out loud. You dont even get
a place to stand and cry in the absence of freedom
Everyone you see here would love, if he could
have the same ordinary life like others, but those
rubbish Westerners dont get it, they rather call us
terrorists while they bombard our lands and terrorize
our children. No no no; they cant live in peace
as long as we arent, their tall walls and numerous
armies wont protect them. He smiled poignantly.
In case they forgot, we are humans too. We also
want what they want; we love to eat delicious food,
drink fruity juices and marry beautiful wives, instead
of blowing ourselves to pieces. But all this is a dream!!
All this is meaningless!
They all could clearly see the escalating rage of
Haji Umer.
But all of these mean nothing without identity,
nothing. We prefer death than living without our
32

SO IT INSTIGATES

beliefs. We will fight until the last bullet and blood

drop. Who is with me?
Everyone in the dwelling loudly said, Allahu
Akbar, which is to mean God is the highest.
Abdul Ahad also shouted the words with them.
He was now part of a new family
Omega looked forward to a brighter dark future.
***
Marwone, Marwone.
Marwone turned backward to see the person
calling her name, she didnt recall him.
You are Marwone, am I right? the man inquired
doubtfully.
Yes, I am Marwone. Who are you? Is there any
problem? she asked cautiously, maintaining her
distance from the man.
No problem, my name is Benjamin, I just want to
talk to you about something.
Hmmm Ok you can talk to me now, but make
it short, it is getting darker.
I came to speak to you about one guy who has
been dying to talk to you for a long time. And this
guy happens to be my lifetime best friend. He
looked desperate.
Who is he? Do I know him in person? She was
still in doubt about talking to the stranger.
33

CHAPTER TWO

His name is Unikelo. You may recognize him if

you see him. If you could recall him, he is a tall
brawny guy with big brown eyes. For the last three
years he has been standing on his door, to watch you
while you went to school, every single morning
Marwone could feel the racing of her heart to win
the trophy.
Oh my god, It must be him! she murmured.
So, what can I help you with, Mr. Benjamin?
Though she was trying to act cool, it was very difficult
for her to hide her internal gusto.
Marwone, Unikelo and I have been working
together for a long time. He hasnt spent a single day
without mentioning your name. I myself have never
believed in true love, until I saw his love for you.
Above all he is a very pure-hearted guy. I argue he
would do anything to make you happy.
I didnt get you
Tomorrow. He has decided to tell you his feelings
tomorrow; I just want you to understand the depth of
his affection for you. And take the matter seriously.
He looked more desperate.
Ok, I will try can I go now?
Yes, but promise me you will never tell him about
this conversation.
I promise, I will not tell him I think I can go
now.
Yes you can. Thanks for your time and have a
nice night.
Goodnight Benjamin.
34

SO IT INSTIGATES

Marwone quickly went to her house. Her father

was waiting for her at the balcony. Her father, Mr.
Yodah, is a rich and a successful person in his career
but his reputation in society was rather a negative one.
Even if he was well feared due to his high, lawless
political power, nobody likes his personality. He
earned this power and wealth in the name of the local
people; what he has returned to his village was the
opposite ignorance and corruption for his personal
gain. The only person he cared for other than himself
was Marwone. Since the day of his wifes death his
purpose of living became dependent on his lonely
daughter, and of course his ego.
Where have you been Mari? You are late, he
inquired, swinging on his chair, forward and backward,
frowning evilly. His eyes reflect Omegas pity.
I was studying with my friend, Dad. She didnt lie.
She loitered there, expecting a response from her
dad; he chose to remain silent, the Im so
disappointed form of silence. She wished him a good
night and entered the house. The only thing she did
after this was think about Unikelo, over and over
again. It has been a while since she developed a crush
on him; his virile body was the first thing which
caught her attention. She also loved his shyness. She
hugged her pillow tight. I love you Unikelo she
whispered deep into it
***
Dinner was already over when Benjamin arrived at
home.
35

CHAPTER TWO

You are late, Benj. It was his wife, from the only
bed of the hut; two of his daughters were asleep on their
one-by-two meter pad at the corner of the partition.
Yeah, I went to talk to somebody, he replied,
staring at his girls lovingly. He asked, How was your
day?
Im fine, nothing new, you know, just walking up
and down with these untiring girls, she smiled.
Their eldest daughter brought Benjamins dinner
and put it on the table, but when she returned he
caught her by the arm and pulled her down onto the
chair next to him.
I am not eating alone! he insisted.
Father, we just ate, she argued.
I know you have, but you know I dont like eating
alone.
She agreed and joined him
Benjamin noticed how fast his girl was munching
and chewing the food; his family might have had
dinner but it obviously wasnt enough.
He glanced at his wife; she was watching him with
regret.
Both his and her eyes gradually filled with tears,
but no teardrops for the sake of their daughters.
***
It has been like this since creation; the sun, a hub of
mesmerizing collisions, from a very long distance away
36

SO IT INSTIGATES

emitting a brand new light energy, continuously. Even

if the light travels with an awesome speed it took it
some seconds to strike Unikelos unwashed morning
face. Unikelo didnt know shit about what just
happened with the light wave. He washed his face and
stood at his door waiting for Marwones arrival, as
always. When she came, he accompanied her with his
eyes until she was out of his gaze. At last, he will talk to
her today, or at minimum he has planned to do so.
Unikelo, are you still here? his mother yelled
from inside.
Yes Mom, Im here.
You have to leave, you will be late for work, she
said seriously.
I was just leaving, Mom. Have a nice day.
Unikelo was a few minutes late when he reached
the factory. Benjamin approached him with a
humorous face.
The big day for Unikelo the great. Ha ha ha! He
had that unique nose laugh.
Isnt good morning more appropriate Benj?
Okay How is your historical morning my
friend?
Well my castle is still waiting for its princesss
good free will.
They chuckled.
Did you really believe in free will Unike?
No, actually.
Me neither, but I really think the will of God is
37

CHAPTER TWO

fair enough, he said faithfully.

That is brave. I think we should start working,
our boss is gawking like a sniper.
You are right bro, and guess what? Today is also
salary day! He only gave him a microsecond to guess.
Really? he said, beaming ear to ear. I thought it
was after two days.
No, it is transferred for today because of the
holiday. I guess you have already started your day
with good news. See you later.
When working hours were over Unikelo was the
first one in line to take his wage. While he was quickly
leaving to find Marwone, someone among the
employees in line to take their wages called his name.
Unikelo recognized him from his sound, it was
Benjamin.
Unike, Good luck on your request.
Unikelo raised his arms and extended his thumbs
up.
***
The previous hour, was the slowest of all the hours
in time for pitiable Unikelo. He has been waiting for
the woman of his heart, the weakness of this strong
man. It is finally time to share his true feeling with
her. He is imagining what her reaction will be oh,
here she is, coming from her school; he can feel the
collisions between his internal organs. She was already
approaching his spot. He tried to move his lips but
38

SO IT INSTIGATES

they disobeyed, as if they were not his body parts.

Now she was passing him by; he still didnt do
anything about it. What a shame Unikelo! A shame!
***
Marwone couldnt believe that Unikelo didnt stop
her. She wanted to talk to him so badly, however
according to their custom, it is the gent who ought to
make the first move. She counted five steps away
from him. I cant wait more than this! Her heart rioted,
racing to win the trophy. She stopped and turned
backward. At the same time Unikelo was trotting
towards her; Maris beautiful eyes collided with his big
brown eyes, like collisions in the sun.
Marwone, I have something to tell you, he
whimpered.
Ok Mari replied fast, impatient to hear his
next words.
You may not have known me before, my name is
Unikelo. I live in your neighborhood. He ran over
the words.
Ok, I am Marwone, but you can call me Mari.
What is it that you want to tell me?
Mari I I have been having feelings for you for a
very long time now. I just couldnt keep it to myself
anymore, I came to let it out It was as if someone
else was doing the talking, he was drowned in sweat,
and his heart was beating like a drum. Marwone could
hear it well.
I wish I could have told you earlier, But I was so
39

CHAPTER TWO

afraid, Mari! He was amazed that she was taking the

time to listen to him, without even interrupting. He
continued, Every time I see you I lose all my strength.
Your beautiful eyes kill me as soon as they strike mine.
Mari, I am in love with you, truly in love
Marwone was preparing for this moment, but she
wasnt ready yet; her emotions giggled, she felt like
jumping. I will think about it, she replied after a
while, trying her best to hide her internal excitement.
We can meet Friday, at this exact place and time. I
will tell you my response.
Alright Mari but I want you to take it earnestly,
you mean a lot to me, he said sensitively.
I will try Goodnight Unikelo.
Ok Mari, have a good night.
Unikelo followed Marwone with his eyes until she
was out of sight, of course, as always. He felt like he
was a hero of a great war, killing would have been
easier.
Halfway to his house, he remembered the thirtyfive dollars knobbing his pocket, so he directly went
to a grocery store in the village. The grocer, Wolde,
was a very tall slimy old man with black and white
assorted hair, just like the ceiling of his grocerys roof.
Good evening Unike. What can I get you? He
was already ready to count his profit.
Good evening Wolde; I need to buy, hmmm
six kilograms of rice, two kilogram sugar, three liter
vegetable oil, five kilogram of wheat, five kilogram of
potato and three kilogram of banana. Unikelo was
already picturing the smile on his mothers face. After
40

SO IT INSTIGATES

he finished packing and paying for the goods, he

wanted someone who could carry the stuff, so Wolde
called a small boy to help him with it. The chubby
small boy reminded him something and he returned
to the grocery.
Give me three cream biscuits and six candies.
The thirty-five dollars had vanished but all Unikelo
could think of were happy faces of the little ones back
home. He couldnt wait to see it.

41

CHAPTER 3
Awakenings

42

AWAKENINGS

Singadarti was growing physically, intellectually

and spiritually; with the exception of his hair. He was
now a bald fifteen-year-old boy actually most
teenagers of the village were bald, he was not special;
rather his magnificent observation makes him unique.
The way he solves problems, his assertiveness on
western and eastern education, the way he observes
things, the way he internalizes Tai Chi, the way he
talks, walks, meditates and levitates. These make him
unique, gifted.
It was time for day and night substitution; the red
refracted lights escaping from the setting sun all
across the mountain chains made the sky look like a
battlefield after a bloody barbarian war.
After meditating for an hour Master Tongyei, the
pioneer candidate of Alpha, opened his eyes to
witness this natural beauty. The next thing he did was
probe for Singadarti. He couldnt find him nearby.
However, he could precisely guess where he would
be. He went directly to the rocky mountain, a mile
away from their home.
When Master Tongyei reached it he saw Singadarti
sitting at the very tip of the mountain. He seemed
connected to the nature surrounding him, and with
his orange monk dress and bald head he literally
looked like part of the rocky mountain. This
reminded Master Tongyei of the dream he saw before
Singadartis birth, a child on the tip of the great mountain of
wisdom. He scrambled up the mountain and sat next to
his son.
You know what my great grand masters used to
say? Master Tongyeis calming words were continually
flawless.
43

CHAPTER THREE

My son, they used to say, We humans are blindly moving

up, not knowing that the top of life is not a sharp end point
like our pyramidal mountains. We are verily ignorant! But
Singadarti, we shall listen to the wake-up call of our soul. If
you listen carefully you will hear it saying that it is not the top,
but the way to the top that is more real. A reality filled with
challenges, hopes, courage and sacrifice. Realty in continuum!
That is why after reaching the so-called climax that we all
realize nothing we acquired and collected is for real, instead just
a temporary possession, not permanent! He took a look at
his beloved son; he was listening attentively.
My son, we must go back home now. Your
practicing time is passing and you should eat
something.
But master, I want to stay and breathe more of
this fresh air. He was in the mood.
Son, I understand your desires. I also want you to
know that all experience in this universe that comes
onto you, deserves something in return. Even if the
degree may vary you have to give every entity what is
rightfully its own from you. At this very present
moment, this nature has got your inspiration because
it deserves it. Your body also deserves food and rest
from you, so dont let it down... Come on, lets go.
Master Tongyei stood up.
Alright master. Singadarti slowly stood up and
followed his father.
Back home a dish full of hot water was prepared
for Singadartis exercise.
Okay son, exercise breath holding for an hour
before dinner and get some rest. Oh, and dont forget
to meditate before bed. Those were a lot of
44

AWAKENINGS

commands from Master Tongyei.

I will do all, master. Singadarti took no time to
start practising. He stood in front of the hot water
and inhaled air until his maximum lung capacity was
met. Then he sank his face into the hot water. Even if
his best performance was yet three minutes and forty
seconds, today he decided to hit four minutes from
fresh air to no air, duality persist, reality continues.
***
The heavens and the earth, all started with a spelled word,
Be, so never underestimate the power of a word.
Even in a total silence the heart beats rhythmically, life
becomes beautiful with melody. The baffled King David
composing hallelujah, the Ansar people chanting Talal bedru
Aleyna, welcoming the prophet, the hare ohm-ing meditation of
Krishna. Music has undisputable and intriguing global
influence, a positive or negative influence, the lyrics decide that.
Christinas questions, ignited by words, emerging
through the power of ardor, were never simple ones.
Waking up at daybreak, saving the waste food from
trash bags and delivering it to the psychopathic
beggar couple of blocks away from her room wasnt
enough anymore. The questions continued to
strengthen themselves and started to force her to
make major decisions, decisions that would change
her future completely. On the other hand she was
able to detect her ego struggling to resist the new light
45

CHAPTER THREE

shining over her soul; it kept telling her that others

problems were none of her business. It devilishly
whispered through her ears, into her mind, over and
over again, it never stopped. Omega never rests.
Christina you can have all the treasure of the world for
yourself. Beautiful house, expensive cars, latest fashions. Why
did you need to sacrifice all this for some people you dont even
know?
YOU MUST PUT YOURSELF FIRST.
YOU ARE A DAUGHTER OF A RICH FAMILY.
YOU DONT NEED ANYONE TO HELP YOU.
YOU CAN ENJOY A LUXURIOUS LIFE ALONE.
YOU HAVE TO STOP THIS OBSURD IDEA

Christina didnt know what to do. She was caught

up between these two polarities, between egocentricity
& generosity, between materialism & humanism,
between fear & love, between blaze & halo, between
loneliness & wholeness, between detachment & union,
between Omega & Alpha. This internal imbalance
affected her external appearance. She hadnt been to
school for two weeks now, choosing to lock her room
and stay behind the door.
Stillina and Mr. Sebastian were extremely worried
about their daughter. They tried to talk to her over
and over again but she kept ignoring them. They had
no option left; finally they decided to bring their
family psychiatrist, Dr. David.
It was nine a.m. when Dr. David arrived at Mr.
Sebastians residence. A guard at the gate asked him
46

AWAKENINGS

to show his ID and let him in. When he stepped out

of his car, Mr. Sebastian came to welcome him.
Did I ever tell you that your house is so
remarkable Mr. Sebastian? he said, looking at the
villa with admiration.
No, actually, but thanks, it was in fact built by my
father. Thanks for coming, doctor.
No need for that sir, I am just doing my job.
Come inside and make yourself comfortable.
They went inside together. The servant brought two
glasses of whisky, excuse me, the finest whisky I
meant!
So Mr. Sebastian, what can I help you with?
asked Dr. David, taking a sip of the finest one.
It is about my daughter, doctor. She is acting odd
these days. She prefers to be alone, doesnt want to
talk to anybody. It has been a solid two weeks since
she went to school. Were just worried something
might be wrong, he said worriedly.
Has she been sick or had any kind of accident
recently?
Not recently but she has a lack of appetite. She is
hardly eating her meals.
Dr. David asked Mr. Sebastian a series of
questions and he was able to understand the tension
in the house. He knew he had to talk to Christina
alone
Where is Christina now? he inquired.
She is upstairs, in her room like the previous
couple of weeks. He put down the glass of whisky
47

CHAPTER THREE

and stood up. I will call her.

Mr. Sebastian went to Christinas room and
knocked on the door.
What is it? Christina cried out from inside.
There is a special guest here to meet you. You
must come downstairs and meet him.
I am not coming, she answered firmly.
Christi please, we are worried about you. Do it
for us!
Dad, why do you worry about a girl sleeping in
her comfortable room when there are millions of girls
out there who are sleeping on the cold streets? He
was confused by her answer.
I worry because you are my only daughter,
Christi. Because you are not just a girl for me, you are
my daughter!
So you only care for your daughter. What about
those homeless, helpless orphans? Who is going to be
their daddy? Who is going to be their mommy? I
dont want to get out, just leave me alone please?
She made it clear that she was not coming; he just
stood there with hope.
Downstairs Dr. David was talking to Stillina, more
like interviewing her.
So what do you think about your daughters
situation?
Christina is a very smart girl. She was always
careful about her actions. But since a couple of weeks
back she is acting strange, raising many new
questions, she said restlessly.
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AWAKENINGS

What kind of questions? He became nosy.

She was obsessed with helping each other stuff,
seeking about the nature of human being.
Dr. David was just beginning to build a clear image
about the phenomena.
Mr. Sebastian returned alone.
She is not willing to come, he said brokenly.
After a moment of awkward silence, Dr. David
asked Stillina to try her chance. She agreed and went
to Christinas room. When she knocked on the door
Christina shouted with an exhausted voice,Dad I just
told you, I am not coming!
Honey it is me, your mom.
Sorry Mom, I thought it was Dad again.
Honey did you hear me? I have been thinking
about all the questions you asked me and I have
brought Dr. David, he might help you with them. I
just want you to come downstairs and meet him.
But I dont want to come, Mom, she replied
lamely.
Please sweetie, just give it a shot and talk to him
for a few minutes.
Christina remained silent for a while and
responded, Hmm, fine. I will be there in a minute.
Dr. David knew that Christina wouldnt ignore her
mother. Not only because of the mother to child
connection, but it was Christina herself who chose
her mother to discuss her thoughts in the first place.
When Christina presented herself Dr. David told Mr.
and Mrs. Sebastian to leave.
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CHAPTER THREE

Hi Christina, my name is Dr. David and I am a

psychiatrist, he said gently. They were alone.
I know who you are, doctor, Christina replied
senselessly.
Did you also know that your parents are really
worried about you?he asked her intensely.
I think worrying about a single individual who
has everything when millions are struggling to get a
loaf of bread doesnt really make sense. To be
honest, Dr. David liked her answer, he found it rather
reasonable.
You have a point, Christina, but dont forget you
are their only child and you mean a lot to them.
Christina didnt respond; she put her hand in her
pocket and took out her smart phone, opened an
image and handed it to Dr. David
A poorly fed, skinny old man hopelessly stared at
him through the camera lens of a photographer that
he never knew. He looked into the old mans face, the
folds and lines on his dark face reflecting all the up
and downs he had been through to survive, in his
obviously long, tense ages. His bulky white-as-milk
beard had covered half of his face. Barefoot, dirt and
grime on his clothes, David simply deducted that the
old man hardly had shoes or a clothes to change;
most probably he was a beggar.
Who is this man, Christina?
Did you want me to tell you his name or his
nationality? She took some time to add others. His
occupation or his religion, then what? she shouted
with low pitch. You will think that you know
50

AWAKENINGS

everything about him and you will have a tag on his

identity. Why dont you rather focus on the fact that
he is one of your kind and has obvious needs?
No Christina, I didnt mean it like that, I wanted to
know whether you personally know this man or not.
No, I dont know him in person. I just found his
picture on the Internet while browsing about a
poverty article.
Christina, do you think you are responsible for
what is happening to this old man?
Not now, but I want to change his or his
childrens future life!
That is nice and totally brave of you to think like
that, Christi, but you should be considering your
wellness and your parents worry. I think you know
one of the famous quotes of the great leader Gandhi,

BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO

SEE IN THE WORLD.
I mean if the things happening to poor people
worry you that much, I think you can do your best to
help them in the future. First of all you should take
care of yourself. If you are not healthy and stable, you
cant help others. Christi, did you get what I am trying
to say?
You are right, doctor, but I just cant stop
thinking about the suffering of those helpless
people, she replied with a broken voice.
Christina, trust me, that is also a normal feeling.
Since we human beings are social beings, sympathy is
imprinted in our genes and is part of our natural
identities.
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CHAPTER THREE

I agree, but doctor, that is not my current

apprehension, said Christina, trying to expose the
bad omen of Omega, the call of the ego, extinction of
the holy light!
What is it then, Christina? He looked forward,
actually craved to hear the answer.
There is a whole other side of me, struggling with
this sympathy. It keeps on telling me that I should
forget these thoughts and live my luxurious life in
ignorance. Its like two enemies living in my mind. I
dont know what to do.
She looked clueless and troubled.
Christina listen to me carefully. To begin with, it
is not your fault that all those needy people are in
these bad situations. So dont blame yourself for what
happened to them. On the other hand, being stone
hearted and selfish is an even worse way to lead your
life. If you choose this way the end of the path will be
a meaningless loneliness and a hollow, dark place in
your heart. Are you following me, Christina?
Absolutely, doctor. She was so into the speech,
as if she was hypnotized by it.
Life needs to be stable. You must not be
extremely drowned in one side of it. You must keep
your lifes balance as a captain keeps the balance of
his ship. Wait! I just remembered a perfect quote
which goes with this, do you know Nelson Mandela?
Yes, I think he was a South African freedom
fighter. Am I right?
Yes you are right, he was also a very wise man
who showed the world the power of forgiveness and
52

AWAKENINGS

optimist life path, This man once said, I am the master

of my fate; I am the captain of my soul. Christina, he said,
putting his palm over the dorsum of her right hand,
Christina, you shall be the captain of your soul, the master of
your fate, dont lock your door and hide in your room. You
should open it wide and get out. Then you will discover your
true purpose in this world. Dont hide go out, dont be afraid
stand still. Remember Sky is the limit and I say to you,
YOLO girl, make the best of it, live a life you were destined
to live, write your own story and smile, remembering the words
in it. You deserve that
Christina was in love with the words coming out
of Doctor Davids mouth.
After finishing his dialogue with her, Dr. David
called Mr. Sebastian and Stillina to inform them that
this much is enough for today.
When his car was leaving the house, Christina was
watching him, beyond her windows silk curtail. She
felt like she had found the answers to her doubts. She
never thought that words could be so settling and
curative.
She repeated Mandelas words with a low-pitch
voice.
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.
Omega was forced to accept that it had almost lost
one soul, but it will never give up never.
***
The bullet from Abdul Ahads SVD sniper rifle
didnt pierce the center of the target. All the members of
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CHAPTER THREE

the resistance movement glanced at him with shame. He

has been practicing for a month now but his skill is still
barely improved. The one person who still believed in
him was Samir; he never gave up on him.
You have improved somehow, said Samir
optimistically.
Please Samir, you know I am the worst sniper
here.
No Abdu, you just need to practice a little more,
you will be good at it.
You know it has been long since I started my
training. Still, I am a disappointment to our group.
What are you two talking about? It was Haji
Umer who interfered in their conversation
I was giving some advice to Abdu, said Samir.
Regarding? he demanded.
I was telling him about the importance of
practicing, so to be better at targeting to the center.
So how is it going so far? Actually, I want you to
prove it for me. Show me something! Impress me!
said Haji Umer, providing a space for Abdul Ahad
and his rifle.
Abdul Ahad was very dazed. He knew that he
must at least prove that he had improved a little. He
picked up the gun and aimed at the target. Everyone
was waiting with suspense, since Haji Umer seemed
serious about the situation. Abdu could feel this
overall pressure on his shoulder. He pulled the
trigger just missed the target board. Haji Umer left
the place. Abdu threw his eyes to Samir, clearly
disappointed. Abdu thought that his father might be
54

AWAKENINGS

right about him not being a fighter.

***
Omegas presence was concentrated in a small
room. Around eighteen secretly selected men were
summoned in that very small room, waiting for Haji
Umers arrival. Half of them are honored fighters
selected from the group. This fact has made them
realize that this meeting is valued. They surely know
there is going to be a big thing coming up; a lot is
going to be expected of them. Finally, Haji Umer
arrived with his guards.
He said, Aselamun Aleikum.
Everyone replied, Wealeikum Aselam.
Haji Umer was wearing a long black leather coat;
below his knee his ranger trousers and boots were
visible between the lower edges of the coat.
Brothers, I called all of you here today because
there is a plan to undertake a key mission soon, he
said, and opened a briefcase, taking out a compressed,
folded paper. After some time a wide map was
displayed on top of the flat wooden table...
This is the most recent map we could get of the
area controlled by our enemy.
He circled on the left top corner of the map.
Here, what you see is their main base. From our
current information we know that five miles north of
this camp, there is a site where they put their weapons
and supplies. On the other hand, from our special
55

CHAPTER THREE

spies, we have received a valuable update. After two

weeks from today our opponents are expecting a visit
from an honored general. He paused and dabbed the
sweat on his forehead.
So what is the plan, sir?
It was Samir who was brave enough to use this gap
and ask a question.
Insha Allah. We are planning to launch two attacks
at the same time. Though our main goal is to destroy
the storage place, we will first attack and capture the
guest while he is a short distance away from the site.
This will snip their attention and reduce the number
of guards keeping it. At that instant three of our best
men will enter unseen and place highly explosive time
bombs.
Haji drank a mouthful of water and stared at
everyone.
Did you have any questions or comments?
Sir, how solid is the security of the storage site?
It was the question of a young bald person.
There are around ten soldiers guarding it. But we
are confidential that at least five of them will be moved
to an urgent mission, like the one we would create on
that day. And two of them work in shift. In addition,
they will be in such a rush from the first attack that
they do not even expect another strike. In short, with
the help of Allah, I believe that our three men could
enter the storehouse without being noticed.
***
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AWAKENINGS

The perfect desert made by the perfect hands

looks like a tan-colored unrolled carpet. It really
seems to have no limits. Apart from producing the
heat that made the place extremely arid, the light rays
of the sun are rebounding on the silvery desert,
producing an incredible mirage. Three patrols
emerged, galloping fast, sectioning the plain, barren
land. Their twelve tires were producing a cloud of
sand in the sky. Half a mile ahead from these cars a
flock of camels were walking in line, shepherded by a
number of Arabians with veiled faces.
The people in the patrols were soldiers who were
ordered to accompany a guest general to the main
base. The visibility of the soldier driving the first car
was blurred due the glittering mirage. All of a sudden
two huge camels appeared ahead of his car. He didnt
get much time to slow down the tyres so he quickly
tried to drift it; unfortunately the next car was right
behind him. It spontaneously smashed his car from the
back. The third car stopped and four soldiers jumped
out of it, leaving one man in the car, but they couldnt
act much because they were already surrounded by the
armed Arabian caravans Jihadists.
***
Main Base
General William was expecting to meet the guest
general but half an hour passed beyond his scheduled
arrival time. He was suspicious that something might
be wrong. The telephone at his desk started ringing.
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CHAPTER THREE

He quickly answered it. There was a disturbed loud

voice from the other side of the line.
General! We are under attack, we need backup.
Give me your location, soldier.
Sir, we are three miles northeast of the storage site.
Roger that. Backup will arrive soon. Stand by
He called the storage camp and ordered a team to
reach for the urgent mission.
***
Abdul Ahad is still in a good mood, just like the
last couple of hours. He had been selected to be the
driver of the car assigned to deliver the men to the
storage site.
He drove the car cautiously and stopped it near the
storage site. Three men got out and went to their
target. He noticed three grey-suited men approaching
the back yard of the storehouse. They all had a back
bag on, bags full of large-scale explosives. Their
amazing speed and acrobatics prove that they are welltrained professionals. They reached the back door
without being noticed. One of them opened the door
with a special technique, all three entered one by one.
After a while Abdul Ahad saw two guards heading
to the back door. He looked at his watch; there were
only two minutes left of the escaping time of his
partners. The situation just got even worse; one of the
two guards seemed to notice the strange footsteps
and the opened back door these werent usual
58

AWAKENINGS

happenings. He stood still at the door and pulled out

his pistol. If Abdul Ahad wants his partners to return
alive, he ought to do something, and he must do it
soon. He opened the car and carried out his
practicing SVD sniper rifle.
He knew he had been the worst sniper of the
group, but if he didnt act soon the guards would
catch his three men, and this entire plan and sacrifice
would be a waste. He put a bullet in and loaded the
gun, and then he aimed at the guard who looked
suspicious about the circumstance. He pulled the
trigger; the bullet flashed through the air before it
pierced the guards neck without mercy. The second
guard immediately ran for cover while he rampaged
with his AK47. Abdul Ahad noticed him taking out
his communicating radio. This was what he was afraid
of in the first place; if the guard calls for backup it will
be a disaster for him and his group. He quickly loaded
another bullet and targeted the upper trunk of the
second guard. He didnt miss! The huge guard
stumbled to the ground with a radio at hand. After a
couple of seconds, the back door opened and the
three men quickly got out. They were alarmed by the
gunshots; they ran as recklessly as they could and
jumped into the car. Abdul Ahad started the engine
and quickly left the place.
***
When the team arrived at the planned location,
there were neither soldiers nor gunshots. What was
left was an area filled with soldiers soaked in blood
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CHAPTER THREE

and two crashed cars. It was shocking for them, their

own men were dead and the guest general wasnt
around they were late! The next thing they must do
is inform General William of their status. They dialed.
Sir, we are at the location but it is clear. Six of our
men are down and we couldnt find the enemies, I
think we were late.
What did you mean? Did you find the guest
general?
Negative, sir, we only found wounded and dead
soldiers and three empty vehicles.
Okay, secure the perimeter and keep looking for
the general and other survivors. Medical team will be
there soon.
Roger that, sir.
General William hung up the phone and sat down to
decide what to do next. He was troubled, but the storm
was just about to hit. At that very moment, the ground
was forced to shake by a heavy blast. It was pretty much
like an earthquake. The repeated loud noise was like a
number of bombs exploded consecutively.
It took a while for General Williamss ear to
distinguish the ringing of his phone. He picked it up.
Sir, sir! Our store is on fire
Omega cherished.
***
It was not a regular day in District 25, rather a
celebration; their mission was accomplished more
60

AWAKENINGS

than a hundred percent. They got their captive and

burnt an entire storage site to the ground, with its all
weapons and equipment. The most successful part of
the mission was that there were no casualties from
their side. Most of them had heard of the role of
Abdul Ahad in this mission but still, Samir was the
first one to congratulate him.
Abdu the hero saved our day. He poked him.
Dont say it like that, Samir. You know it is the
result of teamwork.
Yeah I know, but I also know your priceless role
in the teamwork. Your part was just to drive the car
but you did far more than that.
Precipitously, all the sound and chatting in the
house faded to a total silence. Everybody ceased to
see what happened.
Haji Umer and his big guards were entering the
hall. Their big feet were making high-amplitude
walking sounds, it almost seemed like there were
hammers on the soles of their shoes. Haji Umer
walked to the stage and elegantly stood in front of his
men. Everybody started shouting together
Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!
Haji Umer waited until they stopped and started
talking. Aselamun Aleikum, my brothers; as all of you
are, I am also very happy today, he said happily.
Alehamdulilah, our mission was successful. We have
got our hostage and destroyed their storage camp.
Thanks to the team members and all of you. Oh, and
I have heard that someone especially played a crucial
role in todays undertaking. His eyes wandered in the
crowd. Everyone please show your honor for our
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CHAPTER THREE

new brother and todays hero, Abdul Ahad!

The place vibrated with everyones clapping hands.
They all started to call his name with a loud
voice,Abdul Ahad, Abdul Ahad, Abdul Ahad! He was
so excited.
Please come over here, Abdul Ahad. Heroes like
you could be a model for all the group members.
Abdul Ahad walked to Haji Umers stage and
presented himself for them. Everyone started
shouting again. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar! He
stood elegantly and raised his hands. As he was
skimming across the crowd of fighters, his eyes seized
at someone. It couldnt be real. He blinked hard and
slow, couldnt believe his own eyes. The guy had an
immense beard on his face and a green cape on. No
matter what, Abdu was able to recognize him easily.
Father he mumbled, vexed.
***
Alpha put the best of itself for this mission, using its most
powerful tools the most powerful among the tools was love,
and yes, it recalls that in the beginning love had risen. So there
was, is, and forever will be an attraction between every energy
and matter; between Mars and Venus, man and woman, a
paper and a pen, a finger and a button, and so forth. Whatever
the materials or the entities, there are actual attractions between
them, because at the nano-level, they all are made from the same
stuff. Moreover, this attraction is even stronger and special for
human beings. Sometimes its degree escalates to such a height
that it could knock the gates of their souls. This is where it gets
62

AWAKENINGS

interesting. It minimizes their reasonable decisions, some even

say that love is blind. This is sometimes true and Unikelo is
about to find out.
***
Late Friday afternoon, Unike went to the
appointment place an hour before the meeting time.
He spent last night praying to God, asking him to
make Marwones heart gracious; it was time to find
out if his prayers made it to the exact address.
Thirty minutes passed for everyone around him
but they were like thirty years of his age.
When somebody appears on the road, he wishes
that person to be her, but she wasnt there. He soon
started to fantasize, picturing her figure on everyones
face. Then again she wasnt there, her feet didnt
touch the soil of that subway. He looked at his watch;
five minutes have already passed beyond their
meeting time.
He kept telling his heart, She will come, have some serenity.
But his heart wasnt obedient. He could feel the
contraction pressure from the strong muscles of his
heart pushing against his chest wall. Uncomfortable
and scary negative feelings ascended in his vessels.
10 minutes passed; there was no sign of her. His
patience started to degrade gradually.
20 minutes passed, the spears of minutes from the
arrow of time were killing his soldiers of hope.
30 minutes passed. His veins were occluded by his
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CHAPTER THREE

dead soldiers of hope. His blood flow became

sluggish. His every breath was more difficult than the
last breath of Singadarti during breath-holding
practices, forecasting a death due to suffocation.
An hour passed, still no sign of her! He
surrendered to time. Fifteen minutes after that, he
arrived at his home.
***
Unlike Unikelos internal depression, the house
was filled with laughter. Everyone was so into the talk
and chattering that no one noticed Unikelos upset
face. Ujulu, the only student of the family, the lucky
one, was telling them what happened at his school.
It was the fifth class of the day; we were so tired
by the first four periods. So we were eager to leave
the class and eat our lunch, he said with all his body
parts, trying to catch everyones attention. The final
period was physics class. Our physics teacher is a
cynical, emaciated man. Just after he started to explain
the topic of the day, one of my friends named
Chanchelo, yawned with a class-disturbing roar. I
think he didnt do it on purpose, he himself was so
shocked by the sound he made. But our teacher didnt
understand this. He stopped teaching and told
Chanchelo to leave the class with anger. But when
Chanchelo stood up to leave, he became three times
the size of our teacher.
Everyone chortled; especially his mother, who was
listening attentively and laughing with full heart.
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AWAKENINGS

You know what the funniest part was? Ujulu

suspended, with a symphonic need to tell. Our
teacher was so shocked by the size of Chanchelo that
he made himself ready to fight. Just because he was
scared he said, You want to fight with me? Chanchelo
didnt have a clue of fighting with the teacher; he
quickly left the classroom but
Ujulu stopped his show, not because he was tired
but because a knock on their door snapped him; their
mother ordered the little one to open it. The little one
swiftly opened the door, talked to something outside
and came back again.
Unikelo, someone is looking for you.
Unikelo was curious; unusual time for Benjamin,
who else could it be? He went to check. Someone was
standing outside their house. He could see that it was
a woman based on her body posture. The darkness
from the mountains blocking the dawn concealed her
face, but he knows he could differentiate this face
even if he was visionless.
He walked towards her; a soft, imploring voice
reached his ear.
Sorry for being late for our appointment, our
teacher gave us difficult classwork and he didnt let us
out until we finished. I didnt even get to home, she
said kindly. Unikelo didnt reply. He was looking at
her lips, lips trying to make different words to get an
apology from him.
She continued, I directly came to you to tell you
that I I also want to be with you.
Unikelo didnt know what to say, words werent
enough anymore. He looked at her eyes, scared and
65

CHAPTER THREE

loving, beautiful eyes. They conversed without a

single word, like telepathy, telelovey. He held her hands
and pulled her towards him. He hugged her tight,
putting his jaw in a place between her neck and
shoulder, crossing his arms over her back, tautly.
Her soft voice appeared again. I love you,
Unikelo.
I love you more, Marwone
TIME WAS DEFEATED, POOR OMEGA.
***
Benjamin smiled. No one saw him except Alpha.

66

CHAPTER 4
Moment Of Impact

The Two Face of the Future, by Elias Gebru, 2015.

67

CHAPTER FOUR

Alpha couldnt help being inspired by the seasons and how

they affect creation; the rainy season was only a week away. The
white spider for real is the smart one; she has already built her
house firm. Ethiopians say, If spider webs add up, they can tie
up a lion. Well, no group of spiders has tried to prove this
proverb yet but this spider has at least secured her shelter for the
next couple of rainy months she was smart.
The marvelous bees are also smart; they have already amassed
enough meals for the rainy months. Now they just feed their
offspring and make a group cluster to stay warm in the cold, stay
alive as a species, making it together they were smart.
Like other villages of Gambella, Unikelos village
was hosting the usual yearly occasions of this time of
the year.
You see students with worried faces going to final
exams of their class.
You see farmers rushing to harvest their crop
before the rain.
You also see government employees working
overtime to finish their annual budget report,
everyone
striving
to
overcome
personal
responsibilities. In simple expression, the web of
human beings was far more complex than that of the
spiders and bees, or appears to be.
Unikelos right hand couldnt leave Marwones
right shoulder. As all college preparatory students, her
face displays a worried figure. She has a new blue pen
and pencil in her hand. She was wearing a white shirt
and a blue-black sweater with a short black kilt; it was
her schools regular uniform. Her spotless body,
especially her chocolate-color beautiful legs, had made
her attractive.
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MOMENT OF IMPACT

Today is the day to take the first of their national

university entrance examinations. Unikelo didnt
know what to do. He was willing to do whatever to
make her cheerful. Unfortunately he couldnt do
anything today; he cursed his bad luck, a bad luck of
illiteracy. He was equally worried with Mari, they both
were almost in the same frequency, and they were
walking with the same feet, thinking with the same
mind and breathing with the same lung, one soul, and
one body, a union of love.
Unikelo stopped walking and turned his face to
Marwone. They were in front of her school gate.
Hey Mari, are you afraid? he asked helplessly.
A little bit but dont worry Unike, I will be ok,
she replied, trying to stay confident.
Dont be nervous. Do your best and leave the rest
to God. He said his best, leaving the rest to God.
Alright, I will. Can you come here after the
afternoon exam?
This request was supported by a soft lovely smile
on her face.
Yes my beautiful, I will be here waiting for you.
Okay, bye, see you later.
Good luck. His eyes accompanied her to the
gate of her school, his dear.
***
Unikelo directly went to work, Benjamin was
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already there.
Bro, you seem worried. Benjamin perfectly
knows his friends feelings, just with a single glimpse.
Yeah Benj, I was with Mari, he said glumly. She
seem anxious about the national exam.
Dont worry my friend, I know she will do great,
he said to console.
Me too, but I couldnt help worrying.
Benjamin remained silent for a while. At least you
have something to be bothered about, he said
vaguely. But me, I dont even know the reason for
my negative feelings.
Whats up Benj?
I dont know what happened to me, Unike, but
Im not feeling good these past couple of days. He
seemed depressed; he slouched slowly as his fingers
rubbed a eucalyptus tree stem.
Are your wife and daughters okay? asked Unike,
trying to dig out the reason.
They are fine. My wife is expecting our new child
sometime next week. There is no problem but I just
cant feel the peace I used to have before, he said,
feeling vexed.
Just forget it. Finish your work and we will drink
some beer then, and talk about it.
Okay Unike, he said, trying to dodge the
negativity. But you know we must work hard to play
hard.
Ha, ha, you are right, see you later. Unikelo left
cheerfully.
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MOMENT OF IMPACT

But straightaway after work, Unikelo went to meet

Marwone. It was at night time, after sitting
comfortably on his chair back home that Unikelo
remembered what he planned with Benjamin.
***
It is the final day of Marwones exam week.
Unikelo has been by her side all the time except at the
examination hall. She was pretty much in a state of
tension for the last couple of days, today on the other
hand, is aimed to be a celebration it is the last exam
day. He has been waiting for her outside the school.
Unikelos body was swarmed by joyful feelings; there
she was, at the schools gate.
***
The silent garden was colored green by the grass
and trees; yellow, red and blue by the beautiful
flowers and painted light white and dark black, in
disguise, by the incredible human hands. An oasis
place, using the freedom offered by the authority of
liberty, fresh air is in motion in all directions,
unlimited boundaries. Unikelo and Marwone were
floating along the motion of the air, in the freedom
offered by the place of reliance; they were sitting in a
nice spot but their hearts were joyously bouncing side
to side like the traditional dance of the village.
Unikelo bent his right knee and straightened his
left one, forming an inverted number 4. Marwone
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then put the back of her head at the anterior side of

his left thigh. What her eyes could see were only his
face and the cloudy sky. Nonetheless, her eyes always
chose the view of her beloved ones face, his big
brown eyes, rhino nose, and elliptical thick lips all
were perfect for her, her handsome Unike.
Unike, can I ask you something? she said
imploringly, immersing her fingers in his kinky hair.
Yes my beautiful, what is it?
What would you do if I leave Gambella?
Why are you asking me this question, Mari? Are
you planning to move? he asked with an infinite fear
of her answer.
No but, what if I am placed in a university in
another city? she said doubtfully.
In that case, if I can, I will try to follow you and
live there; and if I cant I he stammered. I will
save money, travel to your city and see you once or
twice a week.
She held his hands tight and said, Unike, I
promise I will never be far from you.
I know Mari, he said as he flicked her hair,
before leaning over and softly kissing her cheek. Her
right hand stopped him from returning to his
previous position. He stared at her eyes and kissed
her cheek for the second time. Spontaneously, her
hot, watery breath escaped between her wet lips,
striking his skin. She looked at his lips with a
magnetizing wave. He didnt give her much time to
finish her view; he contacted his lips to her soft,
misty, sensitive lips. They can feel their bodies
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MOMENT OF IMPACT

drowning into the ocean of real emotions. It was at

that moment, it was at that instant that Unikelo forgot
all his worries, in his life this doesnt happen often,
but it should have, it felt awesome.
They stopped for a breath, he looked at her eyes.
She was beholding him with a sense of trust and
belongingness. He kissed her lips for the second time
but this one was a quick one, sounding like:
empuaa similar to taking the last bite leftover of
your favorite sandwich, with a promise you will need
it again, over and over again.
They spent a wonderful couple of hours filled
with love. They desperately wanted to do this forever;
of course not forever, forever, but at least for the rest
of their life. However, Marwones father kept ringing
her phone and the clouds kept making the sky darker,
cautiously roaring thunder threats, obviously omening
a heavy rain soon. They were forced to leave the
garden.
Unlike the old times Unikelo didnt accompany
Mari with his eyes. He firmly hugged her and walked
her up to her house. He walked in grace, what elegant
steps!
He stopped for a goodnight when they reached at
her residence. He noticed her father waiting for her
on the balcony, swinging on his chair, forward and
backward. What Unikelo didnt see was the presence
of Omega, lurking away from the eye, promising to
avenge the pain it suffered from true love, skeptically
moving forward and backward with Mr. Yodah.
A heavy rain started, Angels fall with each drop.

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***
Omegas pain was severing, but it was, at the same time,
healing itself with the very cynical souls of people, people like
Mr. Yodah.
***
The ice particles of the rain droplets will make you feel
really cold really, really cold in the rainy seasons. Especially if
you are a lonely person like Mr. Yodah with a heart
abandoned from care and compassion. The thick furry coats you
wear wont give you the warmth you lost through lack of
humanity and positivity. Political authority and a gigantic villa
wont guard you from the demonized mist within. The whisky
you sip wont relieve you of the pain of the spirit. If you let
obliviousness lead your life, doubt and stress will be the
emperors of your internal empire, a snow-hosting cold heart, and
Omega really loves that, oh it does.
***
Even if he was feeling very cold Mr. Yodah chose
to stay at the balcony. He was sitting on his swinging
chair; moving forward and backward, waiting in vain
for Marwone. His eyes were staring at their gate for
more than an hour, expecting her. In fact her new
behavior was making him vexed. She finally appeared,
unusual joy was displayed all over her face, and he
didnt like that.
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MOMENT OF IMPACT

Good evening Dad, how are you? she said

fearfully.
He replied with a voice colder than the North
Pole,Good evening
These were the only two words which came out of
her fathers mouth. She loitered for a while, expecting
another word. Then again like the previous nights on
which she arrived late, there was only silence between
them.
Mr. Yodah didnt even take a look at her face. He
was wondering how to send her far from this area,
very far. He certainly hated the guy who spent a lot of
time with his daughter. He had done his homework
and came to know that he was from a low-class
family, and currently a laborer in one of his factories.
He didnt want his daughter to be with this kind of
loser. It would be a disgrace for him if she gets to
marry Unikelo, that poor loser.
***
Unikelo didnt directly return to his home. He
preferred to go to Benjamins house. He was planning
to fulfill his word and spend some quality time with
his friend, as he ran in the rain, but when he arrived at
the house all soaked, he only found the two little girls.
He asked them where their parents had gone.
Mom was sick so they both went to the hospital,
they told him childishly.
What? He was shocked. What happened to her?
We dont know but she was screaming. Dad was
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really worried. They looked worried too.

Do you know the hospital they went to?
***
When Unikelo arrived at the hospital, the shrieking
voice of a newborn baby was heard predominantly.
When Benjamin saw Unikelo he ran to him and gave
him a clasp.
Unike, I just got a son. He was euphoric.
Im so happy for you my friend.
Unikelo saw a true satisfaction on Benjamins face,
he seemed to give a damn about getting a boy. He
wished he could feel the same way one day. His and
Marwones child! He pictured it.
After Benjamin stayed with his wife for a couple of
hours and shared the joy, he left her with the baby
and walked to Unikelo.
Unike, I want to celebrate this day. He was still
euphoric.
So why are we waiting? Lets go out.
Yeah, we should drink for my new son. The
babys shriek became more disturbing.
***
Benjamin and Unikelo have every reason to be
happy, and the hail didnt prevent them; they ran to
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MOMENT OF IMPACT

the top bar of the village, smashing the droplets and

the angels. Two muscular guards of the club searched
them for weapons and let them in. When they got
inside, the loud reggae music of Bob Marley
welcomed them
One love, one heart.
Lets get together and be alright
An amazing sound, spirit-elevating melody, a holy message.
They took a seat and ordered drinks. It only
required an hour to get warmed up and dance in the
vibe, to move in the extended duration of time!
***
Alpha was cherishing inside the body of two best friends,
moving with them. Their body parts were moving in every
direction, not to do something, but just to enjoy their muscles
and nerves.
Listening to music relaxes our brain cells, unravels the
stress. Furthermore, if the message of the music is constructive it
will uplift the spirit
But dancing, moving with the rhythm of the music, is
another story. It will put each and every cell of the body in a
game that they all enjoy playing. However, for the sake of
purpose, everything including fun must have its limits since what
goes up could come down and land badly, respecting the power
vested in Omega of course, the highest one working in
mysterious ways, he has a sophisticated, top secret master plan!
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***
After having the night of their life Unikelo and
Benjamin left the club. Benjamin was really eager to
see his wife and new son once again.
The streets were asleep, no sign of living thing, just
a gravely silent and cold wind. Their eyelashes were
struggling with the freezing wind while their pupils
tried their best to accommodate the scary darkness.
They talked and laughed for a while; slowly but surely,
the mist of silence won them, it dominated them, and
then silence was all there was a grave silence.
Both firmly pressed their coats to their bodies.
They clumsily walked, passing a hamlet; the only
sound in the area was coming from their footsteps.
Suddenly three huge human shadows appeared from
the dark side of the pavement, followed by shapes.
One of the shapes moved towards Unikelo and stood
in front of him, blocking his way. Unikelo was pretty
much drunk but he noticed the danger so he made
himself ready for the situation.
Who are you? he asked with suspicion.
The man, without a word, took out a sharp dagger
and showed it to both. I want everything you and
your friend got, he insisted.
Unikelo said, Alright, and moved his left hand
to his pocket and took out a wallet, then handed it to
the man. When the man made himself ready to take
the wallet Unikelo immediately put a fast and forceful
punch on the mans jaw. The huge man rotated 360
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MOMENT OF IMPACT

degrees and fell to the ground. At this instant, the two

other men approached to beat Unikelo.
Benjamin on the other hand, was much drunker
than Unikelo. But luckily, he could distinguish a
policeman, just across the wide road, next to the place
they were mugged. So when Unikelo put his fist on
the face of the first man, Benjamin had already started
accelerating to cross the road, to inform that
policeman. He was shouting out loud. Fortunately,
the policeman heard his voice and started running
towards him.
Unikelo engaged the second man who was rushing
to him with a reckless foot kick. In that gap he took a
moment to see where Benjamin was heading. But he
couldnt believe what he saw next, it seemed a dream.
He saw Benjamin, then he saw a big truck, and he saw
the big truck hitting Benjamin, who was almost at the
midpoint of the wide road. Unikelo froze and
remained motionless. The thing that brought him
back to his consciousness was the painful smash on
the back of his head. He got knocked out and fell to
the ground. His head was traumatized. The blood
gushed between his hair roots and covered his face.
He gathered his final strength and moved his body up
to disprove his previous view. He saw his friend, his
brother, father of a new son, supinated in the middle
of the road. He tried to stand but he was too weak for
that, he failed and slumped back to the ground.
The policeman tried to catch the three men but
they ran fast and disappeared in the dark. So he
stopped chasing them and called an ambulance for
Benjamin and Unikelo.

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***
Abdul Ahad was eager to talk to the man he saw in
the crowd, however the man evaded his eyes in less
than a second; he didnt see him again, maybe he was
delusional.
When the celebration was over everyone gathered
to make the last prayer of the day and after that,
scattered to their respective resting places. Abdul
Ahad was so tired; he felt a peaceful settlement when
he laid his back on his bed, but his settlement didnt
last as long as he planned. A man came and stood at
the side of his bed. Abdu jumped out of his bed and
hugged him.
How are you Abdu, my son?
Alhamdulilah Dad, I missed you all so much, he
said happily, preciously looking at his fathers face. He
then started to ask dozens of consecutive questions.
How are you? How is your head? How did you get in
here? What is this entire beard on your face and are
you bald? He looked like a nosy boy on his first day at
school. Kedir hushed him, they both sat down on the
bed.
Kedir understood Abdus enthusiasm so he right
away started to answer his questions.
I am fine. My head injury was not that serious
and didnt take long to heal, and I grew my beard
and shaved my hair to change my look and join the
resistance group.
Why did you come here Father? Its not a safe place
for you, said Abdul Ahad, trying to lower his voice.
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MOMENT OF IMPACT

I didnt come to stay, I came here to get you out

of this place, said Kedir.
But Father I dont want to leave this place, Im
happy here and these days we are being successful on
our missions; I think you have heard what I did
today, he said proudly.
Yes, I was there and I know what you did. I am
proud of your bravery but you know you can do more
than killing people, you must leave this place. Your
pen is a better weapon for you than your gun and
ammunition is you are a writer not a fighter! he said
wisely and continued softly, putting parallel hands
over his sons shoulders. Son, I have arranged an
escaping plan for you with your uncle in India. He
will take care of you and your education, and I have
prepared your passport and safe passage up to
Haryana state of India. Make yourself ready to leave
next Friday afternoon. Until then dont even act as if
you know me, we must keep this as a secret.
But Dad Abdu wanted to resist.
Kedir snapped, Just be ready! There is no other
argument. He then reared up and walked out of the
room.
***
An immediate meeting was called and being held
in the five-sided building.
Inside the main hall of the building a large circular
and almost digital table was surrounded by goodlooking personnel and one invisible guest, Omega.
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The chosen generals and deputies were near twenty in

number. The chief head of security was talking with a
loud and angry voice, beating the table after every
sentence.
Its a matter of national concern! he said, beating
the table with his right and pushing up his glasses on
his pointy nose with his left hand. We are in a very
serious problem! Not only because we lost hundreds
millions of dollars at the storage site but more
because they have got our respected general as a
hostage. I am not here to blame the people who were
responsible during the time of the attack.
His eyes were directed towards General William;
the rest of the summoned people did the same.
General William couldnt resist all the blamer waves
from those eyes, he slouched to the floor. He knows
its not his fault, he doesnt even believe in the
necessity of the war in the first place; he was just
doing his job. He even asked to evacuate the country
a couple of times, but still, he was there, sitting on the
chair of responsibility at the time of the strike.
Blaming each other wont bring us any solution,
said the chief head of security, passing to his main
topic, rather doing something about it will bring
change to the situation. He beat the poor table again.
Currently, we have all the necessary information
about the resistance group. Please, General, explain
the mission. He sat. General William stood up
earnestly, the table was relieved.
He turned on the computer; a colorful, scaled map
displayed on the wall.
Their location, their approximate total manpower
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MOMENT OF IMPACT

and their weapon proficiency is known. This week is

the right time to make a move, to get them by surprise.
Main area where our targets settled in is called District
25. The main base is built in the underground. The
good news is our satellites couldnt detect any antimissile or anti-rocket defensive system on the roofing.
So first we will undertake an air attack on Friday
afternoon, and then our special ground forces will
rescue the hostage. He energetically glanced at
everyone and added, Actually we have prepared a
well-trained commando team for this mission. I think
the mission will not last more than an hour.
He seemed to finish his speech.
Do you have any questions? snapped the chief
head of security.
He waited for their comments but all of them
chose to remain silent
Okay then, this meeting is dismissed. The table
received the last hit.
The summoned individuals hurried to their duties,
it is a national concern!
***
Unikelo gained his consciousness six hours after
the incident. He could feel the tight bandage on his
lightheaded skull. He opened his eyes and saw a
paper-white roof and wall. The next thing he saw was
a face, a face which was blemished with lack of sleep
but that hasnt lost its beauty yet. His mind
interpreted what his eyes perceived. Yes, it was the
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beautiful face of Marwone. His mother and father

were also standing at the side of his bed just next to
her. He was glad to see them all, but hold on; he still
felt like something was missing, something really
big Yes! He knew what was missing...
Where is Benjamin? he asked eagerly, staring at
everyone no one answered his question. He
repeated the question but no one said a thing. He
never ceased asking,
Marwone couldnt hold it anymore; she burst into
tears.
Where is he? Where is Benjamin?
Unikelo didnt want to understand the answers of
his mind. Rather he wanted someone else to inform
him, so he kept on asking
Where is Benjamin? continuously, a simple
question that no one dared to answer.
Unikelo jumped off the hospital bed, removing all
the syringes from his veins; he didnt seem to feel a
thing, but he certainly seemed like a man who had run
out of patience.
I want to see Benj, Where is he? he roared.
When he opened the door to get out of the
hospital room Marwone pedaled and stopped him.
She was still crying.
Unike, Benjamin didnt make it. He passed away a
few minutes after the car accident, she said to him,
trying to overcome her sobs.
Marwone told him the same sad truth which
Unikelo was refusing to hear when his mind told him
over and over again.
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His whole body cringed; his sclera and mouth

became as dry as the Nevada Desert. Then after some
moment fluid started to increase in his eyes and
spontaneously they looked like the outlet of his entire
body fluid. His heart was filled with misery. He
wished to have the ability to travel backward to
yesterday; he cursed his powerlessness over time.
On the next day while he stood to attend his
Benjamins funeral ceremony, he once and for all
realized that he was not going to see his best friend
again ever again.
***
It was a sunny day but not Sunday as the name
implies; it was Friday. The day was sunny because it
was afternoon with a spotless blue sky. Two hours
have passed since the weekly Friday Jumea prayer was
held.
Abdul Ahad was still in doubt about leaving this
place. In fact he didnt want to leave at all; he also
didnt want to disappoint his father either. He was
thinking about this while having lunch with Haji
Umer and Samir. His immediate worry was the fact
that the scheduled time with his father to leave to
India was only thirty minutes away.
They had delicious food, and were just about to
finish their dark Caribbean coffee when dark shadows
emerged above them. Everyone looked up to the sky
and saw six huge Air Force jets sectioning it.
Those wonderful aircraft, manufactured with
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magnificent technology, were rather filled with very

dangerous deliveries. Those were responsible for the
shadow on the face of Abdul Ahad and everyone else,
shadows over the sunny day, making it a runny fry-day.
The next thing the planes did was to rain missiles
and bombs on District 25. The place just turned to
hell, the large-scale fire was a disaster to every particle
of the area. Haji Umer was shocked by what just
happened. He jumped off his chair and ran to the
inside of the underground house. In a moment his
voice came out through a megaphone.
Everyone get out of the building! Use the back
gate to enter the underground safe. Just run! Dont try
to stop and fire towards the jets. Our bullets wont
reach that far So just keep running, we will have
our revenge in anoth
He couldnt finish! A heavy explosion filled the
place with a high-amplitude sound.
Abdul Ahad was troubled just like everyone else.
He unconsciously rushed to get cover. In this time of
hurry and destruction he saw his father, as he moved
nimbly towards him.
Kedir came within reach of Abdus ear and yelled,
Abdu follow me, a car is waiting for us!
Abdul Ahad was totally confused and trying to stay
focused. In a flash, he remembered Samir. He
checked around but he rather saw their hostage
leaving, surrounded by a number of commandos.
There was nothing to do now, he kept on probing the
area for Samir there he was, crawling to the big gate;
he rushed to him. As he approached, he noticed the
blood overflowing from his chest, it looked bad.
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MOMENT OF IMPACT

Samir saw Abdul Ahad, he caught his sleeve,

pulled him down closer to him and started talking
with a weak voice into his ear. Dont try to save me,
I know I am going to die anyway! And remember
death is not the end, I have paradise, he said bravely.
Abdu, I wanted to tell you that I believed in you
since the first day I met you, standing for your family.
You are a bright and self-confident younk mah. Blood
tinged his tongue. I woht yo to ked out of here alive;
I I waht you to start a new life, ked married Haf
childre His voice was getting weaker and weaker.
Promise me Abu! Promise me yo will survave ahd His
voice disappeared. His hand left Abdus sleeve and
fell down to the ground. Except his index finger, all
his fingers were flexed. Abdul Ahad closed Samirs
wide open eyes with his shivering hands. He then
approached to his ear and whispered only two words,
I promise.
Kedir watched all this drama, nevertheless, he
knew there was no time to spend on grief so he
grabbed Abdus arm and commanded him to walk
with him. Abdu couldnt think of any other
alternative; he glanced at his friends body for the last
time and followed his father
They were quick and fortunate enough to escape
from the danger zone without being harmed. Then
they went to a Land Cruiser waiting for them. Right
after they hopped in, the Cruiser instantly left the
place. Abdul Ahad just started his new journey, but he
didnt leave his immediate home as it was. District 25
was not the same anymore, never the same!
Omega jumped with elation.
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***
Alpha was feeling down, randomly sending heralds to the
images of the highest one, this herald goes like this: put in the
human friendly language = dont fool yourself! You may try to
dodge the truth and prosper in the flittering place of illusion, but
deep inside each and every one of you know, you know; whether
you are fat, in shape, or emaciated, whether you are dwarf or
giant, a billionaire leader or a forlorn ordinary janitor without
a nickel, you know! You will end up with folded skin as an
elder, or then, soil in the grave as the deceased.
No one will stay forever, its just a matter of time before the
fragile body of each and every one of us gives up; no one is
untouchable, no one is self-sufficient, no one! So what really
stays with you forever is your essence, your essence building the
picture of your spirit and your name persisting above your grave.
So make every moment count, spread happiness and love,
encourage the holiness of every entity, do something constructive,
something essential (that goes with your essence), matter!
***
Christina didnt seem to trust this balances reading.
Though it read 202 just ten weeks ago, it reads 147
pounds now. She felt good for losing weight, but she
wasnt that excited about it, she had a better purpose
of life now, better than weight, height, beauty or any
other physical appearance whatsoever. She stood still
in front of the wide glass. A beautiful young girl
appeared in the mirror - Woman in The Mirror.
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MOMENT OF IMPACT

Her long golden hair was shining like a glittery

unearthly gold. Her attractive, perfectly aligned face
had the power to make any man kneel on one knee
and offer a diamond ring. Her posture was sexier than
ever. Her eyes sparkle, above all they express like a
beacon, express the inspirational fire burning in her
antique soul, her halo, her grace, all displayed in the
mirror. A woman in transformation, in a total state of
change, a new continuous and uplifting change.
It was then that she became certain to choose the
new option that was revolving in her mind. She
thought about it for a long time before reaching a
conclusion. She finally decided to tell her parents. To
tell them that she cant continue this life routine they
want for her. It wasnt her path, rather it was a path
of their choice. She has decided to follow her heart,
or gut, or instinct, but she really desires her parents
blessings before taking any action. She can hear her
destined adventure calling her name but she wouldnt
respond to it until she got her familys approval.
Without any further ado she told to both of her
parents that she was going to withdraw school this
year. She also told them that she wanted to learn
more about humanity and get a real experience out of
her internal ambitions. Her parents couldnt do
anything about her decisions so they agreed. But they
obviously didnt like it at all, especially her father, he
hated it!
Christina took this major decision because she
doesnt actually feel that the regular subjects given at her
school would fulfill her thirst of wisdom emerging inside her. She
actually believes that the educational policy by itself doesnt
sufficiently consider the questions of the mind and spirit. Many
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even become a professor without learning a single credit hour

about themselves and human interactions. That is why we
sometimes find some rude and selfish men in high ranked
places, she thought broadly.
What is humanity? What are we? Where did we come
from? Where are we going? What is truth? What is true peace?
How is it acquired? What did great personalities of the past
believe? What does history tell us about their life principles?
What were our ancestors mistakes? Why are they ending up
killing each other? Why have world wars and worldwide
disasters become persistent? What shall we do to avoid this
kind of bloodshed? How can we live with peace, harmony,
compassion and unity? All of these and other questions didnt
actually get a satisfying answer from our current educational
principles.
Even if our new-era courses such as psychology, philosophy,
sociology and ethical studies and the like try to describe some
truths from the limitless knowledge packed in life; it is a known
fact that many have spent a lot of time learning things that are
not useful for them even once in their practical life, persuaded to
measure their diversified knowledge with a list of examination
questions. Nonetheless the knowledge and wisdom that are
worthwhile in every moment of their lives are neglected.

Alpha was glad she received.

It would have been better if our schools had
given us a course called Humanity, at least once a
week, she mumbled, trying to sum up her thoughts.
All these thoughts and regrets were running in
Christinas mind while sitting with her mom and dad.
They were here because she asked to talk to them
both. She was aware that this was the moment to tell
them her future plan, her ambition.
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MOMENT OF IMPACT

It was her mother who started the conversation.

Christi, me and your father really need to know
what your decision is. She sounded serious.You
have asked to withdraw this year from class and we
have accepted your idea, just because we believe that
you have something in mind. Tell us your plan now.
Christina waited for a speech from her father, but
not a word came out of him.
Mom and Dad, Im so grateful for your previous
indulgency, I know most parents wont do the same
thing.
She glanced at her fathers face and continued.
You know I have been struggling with my inner
questions recently. Because of this my plan is to travel
to other places like Africa and Asia and seek my
answers. I also want to experience their lifestyles and
how they handle the hardship of poverty. My first
choice is Africa and then I will go to India. I really
want to see how the low-class people cope with the
difficulties of life.
Her dad stood up and left the room; he couldnt
take his daughters nonsense anymore. Stillina on the
other hand, remained silent for a while and finally
made her difficult decision.
As you wish, Christi. Which country do you
choose to visit first? she asked concernedly.
Ethiopia! Christina cried, recalling the nationality
of that old man in the picture.
Okay, I will begin your traveling process
tomorrow but you will only have three months for
your trips. God! I hope you know what you are
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doing! she said weakly.

Trust me Mom, I know what I am doing.
Christina looked very certain.
For heavens sake, you should.

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CHAPTER 5
Journeys

Singadarti was sitting, meditating under an apple tree. He

was swimming in the ocean of random thoughts coming to his
mind, before progressing to that deep state of nothingness. His
mind for once brought thoughts of Buddhas saying. He said:
We are what we think we are. Of course the thinking ability
of humans is unlimited; its even vaster than the universe or
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multiverse. We can think whatever we want, anytime,

anywhere. And we can think of our life in a way that it feels
harmonious with our inner deep unique identity, or we can
think the opposite too.
All of a sudden, a fresh cherry apple fell and slammed into
Singadartis head and brought him out of his state. He opened
his eyes and saw the fallen apple in front of him. It was a ripe
apple which no longer wanted the help of the apple tree.
He then closed his eyes and started to contemplate the
incident. Some solutions in life need no effort to happen. They
just fall in place. But other resolutions need a lot of dedication
and courage before becoming a reality.
He anticipated these resolutions to require a lot more effort
than falling of a ripened apple. Then the apple part of the
happening brought strange new thoughts to his mind. He wasnt
directing his thoughts; he was just letting them flow, a stream of
thoughts.
So much fruit falls to the ground every second of the ticking
clock without being cut off. Singadarti speculated all the fruit
filling the forest, in the farmland, in the market and in
everyones houses they just seemed too difficult to quantify;
actually one can say that they are found in abundance.
Abundance. A new word sparked in Singadartis mind.
Abundance is the simplest visible thing that everyone failed to
see. He thought this sentence not based on a blind conclusion
but based on his background awareness of the limitless
abundant things around him.
He recalled his previous thoughts and realized that he had
been conscious, thinking whatever he wanted since the moment
God installed life in his flesh, but he wasnt paying any bill for
this abundant gift thinking. And of course everything would
have been meaningless, reasonless, and senseless if he was
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unable to think.
He knows he has been breathing since the very moment his
caul was cut open but he was not going anywhere to get this
abundant gift air. And of course he cant last more than few
minutes without it.
He knows he has been getting the light and warmth from
the natural lamp of nature, since the first day he became a
member of life on Earth, but he didnt light any form of fire to
get this abundant gift the sun. And the earth as he knows it
would have been a cold, dark place without it, like the heart of
the cynical.
He also knows that he has been quenching his thirst with
drinks composed of a colorless liquid since his day of birth but
he wasnt making a single atom of this abundant compound
Water. And of course it is impossible to imagine life without it.
Life is abundance, multiverse, space, time, organisms, soil,
gravity, beauty, mystery, hope, custom, food, language, style,
talent Singadarti smiled that wise mens smile which only
appears on exact deep flashes of enlightenment like this one. As
he opened his eyes to restart his meditation, he saw a black
hawk standing right next to the cherry apple. The hawk then
quickly picked the apple and jumped off the heel. Then it
unwrapped its wide, straight wings. The wings in turn began to
make a wave pattern in one instant and stay flat the next. He,
for a while, imagined the wave as work it should do to stay in
the air, and the time where the wings flatten, like relaxation
time for the hawk.
Singadarti was slowly but surely returning to that deep
thought state again
He understands that the hawk cant fly if it doesnt make a
wave with its wings. However, if it kept on contracting its wing
muscles without relaxing them, they would be frustrated and
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could stop responding, and this may also lead to falling down
from the clouds. So to stay up in the air every bird must know,
as they obviously already do, how to balance their working time
with their time of relaxation.
Singadarti progressed to considering this phenomenon for
humans, and he gradually came to the realization that too
much or too little of anything could be hazardous for mankind.
Too much wanting and being decidedly dependent on a certain
thing could shield our eyes and emotions, hindering us from
looking beyond that specific entity. This in turn will put a
limited horizon on our camera of life; mental pictures of our
everyday experience will be shot with no zoom-out system. Thus
we will begin living in our own version of the universe. That is
of course, a much narrower version of the real one.
On the other hand, too little or an entire absence of an
entity in ones life could deny his soul the chance to manifest
itself in that very creation, and the person may lose the
opportunity to explore, live, and enjoy the very manifestations
that are specifically packed in that unique entity. Though he
speculated this, Singadarti never judged anyone, he never
blamed anyone who chose to live in either of the above two
narrow life paths since everyone has a story, a reason, and those
people who want more and more of a single object might be
addicted to it, obsessed with it, or might be depending on it to be
within their definition of normal. Of course, they should strive
to be independent. Strive to free their soul from being a slave.
Because that was how it was created in the first place free.
He then imagined people who are so obsessed with
accumulating wealth beyond their life time requirements. These
are the people who are making the tallest pyramidal structure of
our current global economy. Leaving the mass of the people in
the bottom and putting themselves and other few at the top, but
it is all an illusion, a blurred image.
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Top and bottom, spatial reference, space out of pace,

pyramid and sphere, exhale and inhale, illusion of presence,
detachment from the flesh, sleep, blank
Singadarti got into that state of nothingness.
***
Alpha was blown out by Singadartis ability. His thoughts
reminded it of the origin, the very beginning
In the very beginning, Earth was not created as a pyramid
but it was architected as a sphere. The spherical shape is the
most settling structure of the universe! That is why the highest
one selected it to create our earth and other planets, the living
and the non-living, the light source stars including the sun, its
solar system, the Milky Way, most of the final biological
makeup of the images of the highest one, their cells, and the
smallest particle of all matter, the atom, photons of energy and
so forth
The highest one chose the spherical shape so that all the
energy and matter of creation could be transferred, exchanged,
shared and recycled in the circles of life; rotate like pilgrims,
circumnavigate like wanderers and evolve as a creations rather
than being a bouncing deficit between the three corners of
triangles.
If they really want to see a sustained peace with unlimited
insurance in the future, human beings must consider a system
inclusive of every living thing in the circle; let their system roll
like their wheels and sports balls.
Pyramidal civilizations had always failed, no matter how
advanced and sophisticated they were.
A pyramidal hierarchy will never ever bring a true
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equilibrium. Never, Alpha claimed confidently.

***
Singadarti woke up from his near-sleeping state and slowly
exhaled air. Then he returned to that deep thought state once
again. This time, he started thinking about people who are
addicted to different drugs. Noticeably, many of them are
struggling to stop using them and some have actually done it.
For once, struggling to stop them is not the best way to handle
addictions and dependencies. But he thought; realizing the fact
that Man is created for God and all other creatures are created
for Man, will give us the power to overcome any dependence.
When someone actually claims that he/she is as equally or
more worthy than anything in the world and realizes that
everything here is here to serve humans, then one will
understand that he/she mustnt be controlled by anything or
anyone, or be dependent on drugs either. Through time, he or
she will unleash himself/herself from that dark, narrow place of
drug addiction.
After that realization he may use the drug, but he wont be
a slave to it.
She may use the drug but she will be the one to choose where
and when, not the drug!
No one could dare to blame those who have little, or none,
of a specific item, thought Singadarti. Since they may not be
aware of the very existence of that thing or they may not be able
to afford it. It is obvious that we couldnt guilt a person without
hearing ability, if he didnt appreciate nice music, or a visionless
person, if he cant evaluate our painting. And we cant blame a
person if he stays poor while a lot of resources surround him.
He may not have the opportunity to learn how to change the
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resources into actual money. He may also have been raised by

an uneducated and unassertive family, who made him passive.
Rather, what parts of the worlds population with power
and authority, leaders and business-minded men and women,
people in a better economical and intellectual state, should do for
these kinds of people, is consider them on a society level;
supervise and help them towards self-sustained development.
Here, upgrading a societys informational and educational
status has an irreplaceable key value. Of course it should be
done in a way that respects and appreciates the indigenous
customs and life paths, keep their originality and ride with them
to prosperity. Teaching and appreciating creativity of children
this way will surely create a self-dependent and open-minded
generation for the future of that society, hopefully.
Nevertheless, the main thing we must remember while doing
this is that a child needs food and clothes to pay attention to his
education school buildings and teachers arent enough by
themselves. We need happy students who are ready to acquire
new knowledge instead of children who sit in classrooms with a
mind full of worries deprived of glucose. If all of these issues are
considered then we can witness that education is indeed a real
power. An education leading to the practical form of knowledge;
knowledge letting human beings see the world from a broader
perspective. This will in turn create a world with fewer
mischiefs, less crimes, robberies, refugee sufferings, and of course,
terrorisms. A world with less fear and suffering, less
dissatisfaction, more stability and prosperity.
On the other corner of reality, some individuals may not
even have an interest in some particular entities of creation; they
just dont want to be bothered.
As a final thought, Singadarti told himself that nobody
should be ashamed of his personality, his previous history; he
ought to get out and explore the world in her/his preferences but
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it should be done with balance! Just like the balance of this

black hawks wings.
Thinking all this, Singadarti opened his eyes to
grasp how far the hawk had flown into the sky but he
couldnt see it clearly, it was very far. All he could see
was a moving small black dot.
This was the dead-on moment where Singadartis
mind raised a new impression, a need to see the
world beyond these mountains just like this free
hawk. His inner self wanted to travel to new areas,
seeking to explore new places beyond the mountains.
He wanted to have as much experience and adventure
as he could acquire.
A few hours after this insight, he told his father
that he wanted to leave, travel beyond the Himalayas.
***
Master Tongyei didnt want his one and only son
to be away from him. It was rather sudden, he didnt
expect it but he surely knows that he has to offer
freedom to his son, to bring the best experience out
of him. Thus he accepted his sons free will and
agreed with his idea of traveling.
***
Singadarti is leaving tomorrow; this is his final night
at home. The darkness seems to have overpowered the
lights of the distant stars, the light of the lamp hanging
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on the roof, and the illuminations of the moon.

Singadarti was sitting in front of his house, saying
goodbye to the place he belongs. He was currently
beginning to feel fearful about leaving.
Master Tongyei could also feel his sons depressed
state and wanted to do something about it. He gently
walked to him from behind and put his hands on
Singadartis shoulder.
My son, you should not be feeling this way, he
said supportively. I know, you will miss this place so
much and we will miss you too heaven knows you
were the light of our house and this village! However
I believe that your soul is meant to be the light of the
world and I dont want to be the one to put a limit on
it. I hope you will do the same and wont put a limit
to yourself. Keep your enthusiasm alive! Wake up
early in the morning and start your journey, accept the
experience the universe offered.
I understand, Father, Singadarti replied, hiding
his sadness; his eyes were still staring at the
darkness
Good boy! Now go and get some rest, you will
have a long journey tomorrow.
Singadarti stood up and returned to his room, to
sleep on his bed for the last time.
***
The next day, very early in the morning, before
the birds started mourning, Singadartis mother came
to his room; he was getting ready to leave.
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My dear, did you finish packing your clothes?

she inquired brokenly.
Yes Mother, I am ready to leave now.
I came to say goodbye. She paused for a while
and continued, And here is some food that I prepared
for your journey. She handed him a heavy sack. All
this time she was talking while slouching. He couldnt
see her face. He simultaneously noticed fluid leaving
her face and hitting the ground she was crying.
Singadarti stepped towards her and embraced her.
Take care my son, and be strong! though
advising, she was barely strong, she continued with a
sob. I will be here waiting and praying for you until
the day of your return. Even if it takes you forever, I
will never give up. A mother never gives up.
Dont you grieve, Mom. I will come back.
Promise me that!
I promise I will return, Mom! he promised,
pressing her closer to him.
Singadarti carried his stuff and left the house. His
mother and father were watching him from behind.
When he got far from their sight Master Tongyei held
his wifes hand and returned home with her; once
again it was a home without a child.
***
Singadarti walked towards the India direction of
the Himalayas for a mile, stood on top of the rocky
mountain, and looked over his back to his village. It
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was a beautiful and oasis-like place. His good

memories replayed through his mind. His emotions
were jumbled
I will see you again, my home, he murmured and
continued his long journey to greatness with a single
step.
***
Abdul Ahad kissed his palms after he finished
making a prayer for Samirs soul, believing he resided
in paradise.
He still couldnt accept what happened in District
25 as a true reality. Kedir on the other hand, was rather
worried about the safety of his sons remaining
journey. If everything works out as planned, Abdul
Ahad is supposed to enter Israel today and catch the
plane to India tomorrow. His uncle is going to receive
him there. Kedir has told Abdul Ahad all the things he
needs to know, in order that things can go as planned.
The road, for Kedir with his son, came to an end
when they reached a place ten kilometers away from
the northern border of Israel. As planned, a car with
an Israeli driver awaited them there. Kedir gave Abdul
Ahad all the fake IDs, passports, plane ticket, money
and other materials he needed for the journey. After
he paid the money to the Israeli driver according to
their deal, he returned to have a last conversation with
Abdul Ahad. This is it, my son. You are own your
own after this. Stay strong and alert, with Allahs help,
you will make it through, he said assertively.
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Insha Allah, Father, I will keep your advice and

use it and may Allah pay you for what you did for
me.
Abdul Ahad, I dont want you to take my deeds
as a favor, son; did you know why I named you the
slave of the one in the first place? Because you were
my first one and I believed that you were the one to
continue my blood and name after I am gone.
Abdul Ahad didnt even want to think about losing
his father.
Kedir continued, My son, I want you to continue
my bloodline. Go and continue your education then
build your own family, marry a wife and have many
children, and above all give my grandchildren a better
place to live in, a place better than I gave you. A
comfortable and peaceful place to grow in.
The driver was very impatient to leave so they
were not able to continue longer.
Abdu, I think you have to leave now. Have a safe
journey and please dont forget to deliver my sincere
regards to my brother, he said hurriedly.
Ok Dad, I will, and I want you to tell Mom,
Amir, and Hanan that I love them all.
Alright son, I will, take care, he said concernedly.
Goodbye Father.
The car driver revolved the steering wheel and
accelerated the car in the direction of Israel; Abdul
Ahad was amazed by the similarity of Samirs and
Kedirs wish for his future life...

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***
Misery of loss, for sure it was a very tough time for
Benjamins family, no one can deny it. After his
funeral was undertaken with a lot of despair in
everyones heart, all of the people who came to attend
the funeral returned to their own lives. Only one
person stayed with Benjamins family after the
ceremony as anyone can guess, it was Unikelo
Unikelo was profoundly worried about the future
of Benjamins family. He was at the same time truly
regretting the day he forgot the plan he made with
Benjamin to hang out and talk. He remembered how
depressed Benjamin was on that day, it seemed as if
he already knew he was going to die the next day.
Unikelo just felt that he wasnt there when his friend
needed him the most, twice.
But the timely reason for his disquiet was the next
fate of this helpless family. Benjamins children are
not mature enough to support their mother yet. On
the other hand, Benjamins wife was very weak after
the childbirth and all the melancholy of losing Benj.
She couldnt work and feed her children.
On his behalf, Unikelo gave them half of his wage,
for two consecutive months. Every day, after
finishing his work he visits them, unless he has an
appointment with Marwone.
Even if he really wanted to do more for them, his
low income has limited his wish. Currently, God
seemed to be the only hope left for Benjamins
familys long-term survival.

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***
Christinas young, charming, beautiful face is one
of the attractive things seen in the international
airport of Ethiopia. She really doesnt have any clue
about what she must do next. She tried to call the
number of the man who was hired by Stillina, and
supposed to be her guide, but the network was like
the not-work. She tried the number again and again
but she couldnt reach him. While she loitered in this
abandoned situation, a very short guy with scary
brown eyes walked deliberately and stood facing her.
Hello, I am Mister Solomon, are you Christina
Sebastian? he asked friendlily.
Yes sir, it is me.
He shook her hands and gave her a warm
welcome. Your mother, Miss Stillina, contacted me
by Internet; she has sent me your pictures and paid
me to accompany you on your trips. She called me
this morning and told me that your plane will be here
at 10pm. But it arrived a little earlier than that, sorry if
I kept you waiting.
It wasnt that long. No problem.
He picked up her luggage and they both left the
airport. On their way to a hotel, she was watching
through the window of Solomons black Hilux; there
were no huts but high buildings, no sign of that old
man in the picture but good-looking men driving
their cars, just buildings and well-looking people, no
starving people on the street. She saw the same
crowded city with the same routine life, that boring
routine life she knew back home. She didnt come all
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the way here for this, this isnt right

When they arrived at the hotel he booked a room
for her, and then he took her to one of the best
restaurants of the city. They ordered and started to
talk until the meal was ready to be served.
So Christina, I heard there is a lot you want to
know about the way we live? he asked, with a more
friendly accent than before.
Yes, but that is not the main reason I am here. I
mean, I would prefer to witness the life of the people
who actually live under poverty, as far as I am
witnessing the people around here seem to have a
good life quality, so I wont stay long in this capital
city. By the way you have a beautiful capital city, I will
be glad to know a little bit about it. She spoke
without a breath.
Okay, this city is called Addis Ababa as you
already know, and it is the capital city of Ethiopia.
And Addis Ababa means New Flower.
Oh really? It is a nice name; who coined it?
It was named Addis Ababa before one hundred
twenty years ago by an Ethiopian Queen called Queen
Taytu. At first she and her husband King Minilik built
their palace on the top of a high mountain called
Entoto. It was found on the border of the area that is
now called Addis Ababa. But on one of those days,
she was sitting in her palace while she saw this
beautiful area filled with flowers through her window.
She first wanted to call it Ababa which only means
Flower. But since she knows that a flower becomes a
dry leaf through time, she added the word Addis in
front of it. So that it will stay forever as beautiful as a
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new and fresh flower.

When he finished his long explanation Christina
mentioned her opinion.
She must be a smart queen because He didnt
let her finish her sentence.
Yes! She was for sure a smart queen. Have you
ever heard about the battle of Adwa?
No, actually. Tell me about it.
It was a battle which was fought between Ethiopia
and the earlier colonialist Italy, at the mountain of
Adwa, located in the northern Ethiopia region. It was
the first historical war where a black African force
defeated a European invader. And this Queen Taytu is the
one who officially declared the beginning of the war and
played a crucial role in its undertaking. A waitress came
with two beef goulashes. Mr. Solomon paused and
resumed as she left.
We won the battle and stayed as ever-free
blacks.
So, I bet she is a hero in your country.
Yes, she is a respected person but I dont believe
she has got the respect she deserves because she is a
woman and
They were so into their conversation that they
both didnt notice the lean, filthy boy standing right
next to their eating table. A few flies were landing and
flying then landing around his unwashed face, using
his eyes as a fly-port. The small boy weakly forwarded
his palm towards Christina, begging for money.
Christina noticed him and was thinking how much
she should give him, at the same time opening her
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bag. But in no time the waitress came quickly and

started yelling at the boy...
How did you get in here you dirty boy? Get out!
However the boy was still standing there looking
at the waitress with his scared eyes, hoping to receive
Christinas aid. The waitress didnt seem to give a shit
about the boys feelings. She hard-pressed him out of
the restaurant and returned.
Christina was bizarrely watching this drama,
spinning her hand in her bag looking for change, but
the boy left early.
Later after the incident she felt very bad about
what happened; she stood up. Mr. Solomon, can you
excuse me for a moment?
No problem.
Christina left her table and rushed outside to catch
up with that little boy. She went out into the street
outside the restaurant and looked in every direction;
the little boy was long gone, ironically disguised by
the tall buildings. She looked for a couple of more
minutes and came back in. Mr. Solomon could see
her disturbed mood so he tried to shift the mood.
So Christina, what did you plan to do next?
For about ten seconds, Christina was staring
outside without a word before replying.
Agh I want to go to a more poor city, then I
want to know the real life of the people who are
actually living in insufficiency.
Okay, and have you already decided which
Ethiopian rural city you are going to visit? he asked.
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Not yet, I was hoping if you could help me with

that. I want you to bring me the names of all the
regional cities which are relatively at a lower level of
development. Then I will randomly choose where we
will go next.
By the time he was already finishing his meal, she
barely touched it. Finally, they paid the bill and left
the restaurant.
The next day, Mr. Solomon brought the soft copy
of the city names she requested. Christina opened the
document and skimmed through the names. But her
eyes seized at one name, Shashemenei. She couldnt
look for another option; something told her that she
had found the first city she wanted to visit.
Mr. Solomon we are going to Shashemenei
tomorrow, get things ready for the road!
Some sort of light teleported to Shashemenei.
***
A white pickup truck was approaching the
international border of Israel. Based on the long
antenna and small satellite on its roof anyone could
suggest it being a journalists car. As the car got closer
to the border line of the checkpoint, a young, goodlooking soldier among the border keepers walked
towards it with caution. Then he started to observe
the inside of the car there were two people on the
front seats. The driver was a thin, bald guy; his face
seemed familiar. Then he changed his attention to the
other person. The person had a green cape on his
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head and a digital camera hanging down from his

neck. He was wearing a blue shirt, and white-seamed
trousers. He also had a perfectly aligned moustache.
The soldier simply guessed that they were journalists
but he wanted to be sure, so he asked them to lower
their windows.
Can I see your Identification please? he asked
politely and intuitively.
The driver said, Of course, took out his ID, and
handed it to the soldier. The young soldier took a
good look and returned it to the driver. Then he
turned his attention to the second guy in the car.
You too sir, show me your ID please.
The man handed him his ID card.
So, are you a journalist?
Yes, yes sir I am a new reporter, the man
answered lamely.
The soldier instantly looked curious about the
situation. In fact he didnt like the accent and reaction
of the second person.
Could you step out of the vehicle please?
Both guys got out of the truck. The soldier called
his colleague, a soldier came with a dangerouslooking, furry police dog. They spent half an hour
searching the car. After checking and making sure
that it was clear of any type of weaponry, they started
to ask the two men a number of questions. The driver
was trying to describe that they were just journalists
but the attention of the young soldier was mainly on
the second individual. That guy looked frightened at
first but after some time he was confident enough to
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talk with a better accent.

Sir, there is nothing to worry about, as my friend
told you already, we are just two journalists returning
from reporting todays air attack on District 25. He
spoke with better confidence.
The soldier seemed to be satisfied now, and didnt
want to hold them any longer. He welcomed them to
Israel
***
Abdul Ahad literally felt the lifting of a load from
his chest when the soldier let them pass the border.
He took off the artificial moustache and green cape
when their car got to the holy city of Israel, Jerusalem.

112

CHAPTER 6
Unity In Miscellany

I must say that black and white as forms of speech, as

means of judging mankind, should be eliminated from human
society. Human beings are precisely the same whatever color,
race, creed or national origin they may be.
These were among the several golden words said by His
Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie the First. This king is the
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father of African Union & considered as a God manifested as

man by Rastafarians. Most of these believers are Jamaicans,
and to honor their faith the king has given them a holy place to
stay in one of the cities of Ethiopia. The name of that city was
Shashemenei.
***
Solomon, Christina, and their driver left for
Shashemenei early in the morning of Wednesday.
They got out of Addis Ababas boundaries and
headed to the southern end of the country. Christina
spent most of the time during the journey looking
through the window. She was having a new
experience, it surely differed from the city view.
She witnessed many things that she had never seen
before. She saw a hut with walls made with wood and
mud, and a cone-shaped roof made from dry grass
and sticks. She was curious enough to ask Solomon
whether the roof lets water inside during rainy
seasons; he told her that the roof is made tightly and
at an angle that would slide rain droplets to the
ground. He also added that these roofs are especially
advantageous for these people since most of them
cook their foods inside their houses by burning
charcoal and sticks, and the high amount of smoke
produced by these energy sources will find a very
minuscule openings between the sticks and grasses of
the roof to clear out from the house. Based on this
Christina pictured the roof as a barrier that doesnt let
water get in and as an air conditioner chimney that
lets smoke out.
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Other views that caught her attention were the

wide farmlands covered with colorful crops, very
wide portraits painted by the farmers hands. On
some of these lands she also got the chance to see
how Ethiopian farmers plough their lands in their
own cultural way. She saw them using two oxen to get
the force needed to pierce the soil. The two oxen
carry yoke on their necks and a stick extending from
this yoke will form a V-shaped long and strong stick.
This had a rod on the tip of the turning point of the
V-shape to be inserted into the ground. This
equipment is held at the edge by the strong hands of
the farmer. The farmer unrolls his lash, whips the two
oxen, the oxen walks forward, the rod will move
along them, sloughing the land. Christi noticed it
being a nice and natural way; at the same time she
could see that it was a very tidy way. It was weary
work; not only to the oxen but equally to the farmers.
Nor was it efficiently productive.
The other unique occasion on the pavement, that
caught her concern was a pedestrian lady. She was a
middle-aged, medium-height woman who carried a
thick bundle of wood on her back. Christina
remembered what Solomon told her about the
peoples custom of burning sticks for food
preparation; she guessed this wood might be for the
same purpose. There were also two little children
together with the woman. One of them was a little
boy and was holding her hand, and the other one was
a small girl, carrying a large black pot filled with water.
Anyone could obviously see that they were very
exhausted; the woman was bending almost to a right
angle in order to accommodate the weight of the
wood on her back and the small girl behind her was
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drenched in her own sweat. Christina just couldnt

pass them in this state like other people. She told the
driver to pull over and asked Solomon if he could tell
them to take a lift. Solomon got out of the car and
went to the three fatigued people.
After he explained that they were only trying to
help, they accepted his offer. They put their woods
and the pot in the rear of the car and entered. Since
the car has space for four people only, the little boy
sat on his mother and Christina put the girl on her
thighs. The small girl was strangely looking with her
small eyes to the outlandish woman holding her.
Christinas senses on the other hand, were filled with
sympathy, seeing the girls dirty shirt which was torn
at many spots and her bare feet which were covered
with dust and grime. The little girl didnt even have
sandals to protect her feet. She apparently
remembered the numerous shoes and clothes back
home. She hadnt worn half of her collection even
once in her life while this girl didnt even have a single
shirt to cover her body. It was truly a sad comparison
for her. Her eyes couldnt bear her tears anymore;
simultaneously a tear escaped and fell on the right
hand of the girl. The girl observed her and swept the
tears from Christinas face, with her dirty little hands.
This act brought a beam to Christinas crying face,
proving that anyone could make a difference.
After fifteen minutes of driving the woman and
her two children reached their destination. Before
they left Christina took out three shirts from her bag
and gave them away. Words couldnt express their
happiness; they profoundly thanked her for
everything and left. Christina, Solomon, and the
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driver continued their journey. After traveling for an

hour more, they arrived at Shashemenei, the holy city
of Rastafarians.
***
Abdul Ahad now has made it half the way to India.
His flight to India was scheduled for tomorrow
afternoon. He checked his ticket for the last time
before falling down to his bed. He closed his eyes; it
doesnt need a full minute to fall asleep, pay a visit to
heaven.
He woke up in the next morning yawning, only
paying attention to his horrible hunger. He performed
his morning prayer and got out of his room, looking
for something to calm down his starvation. He went to
the restaurant of the hotel and ordered a sandwich. He
finished eating, the yawning stopped; he glanced at his
watch. He still had plenty of time before the flight was
due. It is a good thing; he has always wanted to visit
this city. He paid the bill and left the hotel.
Abdul Ahad never stopped being amazed by the
bravery of his dad. He still couldnt answer some of
the questions though. How did Kedir get those drivers?
How did he manage to obtain the cards and passports?
Whatever the way, he was very proud of his father.
At the same time he was so enthusiastic to know
more about Jerusalem. He had heard a lot about this
holy city, since his childhood. When he went to
mosques, to study the Quran, he had heard that
Jerusalem is a holy city which hosted numerous
prophets of Allah. He had also heard that Israeli
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people are perhaps some of the smartest in the world.

As he made his way down a shallow subway,
wondering about these memories, an amusing song
playing inside a house along the side of the road
grasped his ears. A fine song of famous musician
Alpha Blonde
Barouh atat adonai,
Barouh atat adonai
From the Bible to the Holy Quran
Revelations in Jerusalem
Shalom, Selamaleykum
Abdul Ahad stood until it ended and took his time
to appreciate the song. In fact, Jerusalem is the only
city considered holy by three of the biggest religions
in the world: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. And so
far he had seen a Jewish rabbi, a white Western nun, a
black African woman, a Latino tourist, a Muslim
sheikh, a Protestant pastor, children, elders, and so
forth on the streets of the city. He truly admired the
beauty and vastness of Allah seen through these
different kinds of people. He was also appreciating
the mysteries of God manifested in these diversified
and vast forms of customs and rituals. He indeed
started to understand the real message of his studies
back in the mosque; Surah Al-Hujurat, Ayah 49:13 of
the Holy Quran in particular. The English translation
of the ayah reads like this:

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O mankind! We created you from the same male and

female, and rendered you into different nations and tribes; that
you may recognize one another (not that you may despise each
other). The noblest among you, in the sight of God is the best in
conduct. Surely God is the All-knowing, Aware.
Absolutely true, he muttered, remembering the above
words. He knows that everyone is created by the same God,
from the same dust, with the same flesh and blood, but not as
an exact copy of one other, rather created with varies
appearances and personalities, miscellany.
That is in fact the true beauty of creation itself. This
diversity in creation gives each and every one of us a chance to be
unique. It allows us to have our own brand new experience of
life. He cant even imagine how much boring life would have
been, if all human beings were created similar in all aspects.
Every man and woman having similar thoughts, similar
language, similar behaviors, similar culture, similar looks,
similar ideas and beliefs, and so on and so forth. It would have
been a very boring world. Everyone with the same story; singing
the same song repeatedly just like a programmed robot. In fact
the world would have been an empire of robots, without
creativeness, hope, or emotional motivation to change. The same
faded, vicious reality in continuum.
But this doesnt mean we have to see each other as
separated, bondless, utterly different species, because that would
verily mean drowning in the illusion of detachment, thinking we
are so different, comparing each other to one another, comparing
each other by race, nationality, language, philosophy of life,
facial figure, body stature, skin color, religion, wealth,
civilization, age, gender, location, occupation, sexual
orientation, and rather modern identity tags like cool, nerd,
dork, geek, or freak. We are all badly mistaken; we may fall to
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realize it now, living in the delusion of objectivity but if for

instance aliens came down from other galaxies and attacked our
world as we see in science fiction movies, suddenly we all would
not seem so different from one another. And instead of our
reference being each other, what if our reference was humans
compared to any animal?
He thought of a goat and realized that humans didnt really
differ from one another when the reference of comparison is goat
versus mankind (though no creature is actually entirely
dissimilar at the ultimate state, but lets just keep that for the
future and focus on humanism, first things first), we humans
are ultimately unanimity unity.
Its all about the reference of comparison, he
rumbled soundly, appreciating the unity in miscellany.
After wandering around the city for some time, he
heard the call for prayer from Al Aqsa mosque and
went there. After the prayer, he directly returned to
his hotel.
He had lunch and relaxed back on his chair,
skimming over a newspaper which he bought on his
way back to the hotel.
The headline written on the second page of the
newspaper caught his attention.
The headline was written in bold:
A Massive Bomb Blast in Gaza.
Many Civilians are Claimed to be Dead and
Injured.
Abdul Ahad read the whole report about the blast
and identified that the explosion occurred two days
ago and had killed two Israeli soldiers and three
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civilians. The report also stated the plan of Israel to

attack some Palestinian areas with a ballistic missile;
of course as a response to the bomb strike, they will
probably kill a few dozens of Palestinians. Pity
gradually took over his emotions...
For Gods sake, when will this enmity end?
Abdul Ahad wasnt aware of his loudness until
everyone around his table turned their face towards
him. This unceasing conflict between Israel and
Palestine is yet the very thing that makes him sick, like
the instability of his own country.
He really doesnt get it, what is the solid purpose
of all this bloodshed? Is it power? Or is it conspiracy?
Or money? Or honor? He certainly doesnt think it is
racial since Israeli and Arabs are back-rooted to the
same greatest holy man, Abraham or Ebrahim; Arabs
being the descendants of his son, Ismael, and Israeli
people being the descendants of his other son, Isaac.
Arent they smart enough to see that?
For once he thought the cause to be religious but
he had just witnessed a lot of Israeli and Arab
Muslims in Jerusalem. He also couldnt believe that all
this killing and violence was for a piece of land. He
read the report for the second time aha! Now a new
reason ignited in his brain.
Yes! It must be revenge. Finally Abdul Ahad seemed
to find the answer. He considered the people who
lost their loved ones from both side of the countries.
They would do anything to have their vengeance
satisfied; he could do the same thing too. But with no
time he remembered his fathers warning about
revenge:
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Revenge will give birth to revenge, nothing more. An eye for

an eye will make the world a dark graveyard. The forgiveness
we pass on to our children is far more fruitful than the revenge
we bequest to them, otherwise it will be a vicious cycle of
vengeance, unstoppable bloodshed, dont you dare forget this
warning.
He glanced at his watch as he recalled the warning
he heard his entire life. There hardly was a time left to
stay in Jerusalem anymore, so he returned to his
room, picked his stuff, and took a cab to the airport.
When he reached there, his plane to India was on the
edge of taking off. He quickly showed his passport
plus tickets and got onboard. When the two tyres of
the plane detach from the land of Jerusalem, the song
of the subway was replaying in Abdus mind:
Barouh atat adonai,
Barouh atat adonai Holy City!
Alpha recalled all the spiritual experiences of Jerusalem for
ages and approved. Holy City!
***
Abdul Ahad really wanted to continue writing his
poem but their plane was just about to touch down
on the soil of India, so he put his poem book back
inside his bag right next to the Holy Quran and
fastened his seatbelt.
His uncle came to the airport with his first son,
Aman, to welcome Abdul Ahad.
Abdul Wadud is the immediate elder brother of
Kedir. He is an easygoing and funny member of the
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family. Because of his positive approach and jokes,

everyone likes him.
Om shanti, my cousin, I am Aman.
Aman greeted Abdul Ahad but Abdu didnt know
how to respond. His uncle, Abdul Wadud, could
easily understand his confusion. Dont worry my
nephew, it wont always be like this in India, dont be
confused about it. Om shanti has the same meaning as
Aselamun Aleikum.
Abdul Ahad smiled and replied, Wealiekumaselam,
Cousin Aman. It is nice to meet you.
It is so nice to see you again Abdu; you were just
a little boy when I came to India. You are now a man.
MashAllah, please walk with us, our car is parked
right over there.
Abdul Wadud embraced him and took him to his
car. He took the drivers seat and the two youngsters
sat in the back.
So Abdul Ahad the great, how are you? I heard
that many girls love you back home.
Ha ha ha, who told you that nonsense, Uncle?
Abdu smiled.
No one but you just seem to be a lovable guy for
girls.
Maybe, but Uncle, our town is not the same as
the one you lived in your young ages.
It now has become a scary, dark place.
Yes I know. May Allah bring peace. By the way,
how is my dear brother Kedir doing?
Alhamdulilah, Uncle. He is fine. He had warned
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me to deliver his deepest regards to you.

Having these sorts of conversations as he drove
for some time, their car was already at the gate of
Abdul Waduds apartment.
Abdul Wadud lives in an apartment found in the
capital city of Haryana, with his dear wife Priya, and
three children. He came here eighteen years ago, to
study his masters degree in computer science and
return. But after he met Priya, he chose to stay in India.
Priya has always been a very special woman in his
life. She turned around his whole life, from a
meaningless existence to a wonderful reality. Actually
their relationship was not an easy one to build. In fact
the only thing that favored their companionship was
the pure affection towards one another. Of course the
most difficult challenge for them came from her
conservative Hindu family. They didnt want her to
marry a Muslim, Arab dude.
At first, even Priya herself wasnt sure about the
wedding, and it needed a lot of convincing from
Abdul Wadud. She especially remembers the day he
tried to explain their togetherness using the great
leader Mahatma Gandhis quote, he recited to her:
Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without
breaking. It was weird but also helpful. She sincerely
respects Gandhi, and was practically moved by the
quote.
He surely wanted them to be together. He knows
how empty his life will be if he doesnt have Priya by
his side; she was his near perfect complement, and he
had tactlessly advised and esteemed her to be strong
in their hard times. Fortunately, those hard times are
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over now. Through a lot of struggle and courage they

managed to win the blessing of her parents and get
married, thirteen years back from now. Currently they
more or less are leading a happy life with their
children. She is a tour guide and he has a mobile
maintenance shop they are family.
When Abdul Ahad arrived at their house Priya
served him the traditional food prepared from Indian
flatbread and honey as a welcome recipe. It was a
delicious meal; he thanked her with satisfaction.
In the next couple of hours, Abdul Wadud asked a
lot of questions about things happening back home
and Abdul Ahad tried to answer each of them briefly.
Abdul Wadud was pretty much depressed by what
he heard from his nephew. But at the same time he
was relieved to hear that there was nothing harmful in
Kedirs family.
Finally they discussed their next step to legalize
Abdul Ahads citizenship and organize his further
education career.
Since Abdul Ahad was too tired to stay awake,
Aman led him to his room and he immediately fell
asleep; in a new family, a stable family, finally he can
sleep in peace when the day is done. It may seem a
simple thing, but it isnt, he surely knows the priceless
meaning of resting in peace when the day is done,
getting a nice, adequate, refreshing sleep a safe
vacation to heaven.

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CHAPTER 7
One Marvelous World, One Magnificent
People, One Love

Alpha knows that the attraction and integration between

each and every countless molecule of water is what keeps the
flow of a river in continuum...
Singadarti, on the contrary, was trying to apprehend the
truth of the Ganges River he came about. This river, originating
from the Himalayas, is in fact one of the holy rivers of the
world. It flows, reproducing itself over and over again, without a
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PEOPLE, ONE LOVE

pause within its path.

For Alpha this was a simple truth, it happens because of
the incredible collaboration happening at a miniscule level.
Every atom and molecule of water is generous enough to
share and open enough to accept others offers, for better
stability. No single matter is neglected in the process. There is
no survival of the fittest or extinction of the weak. Instead there
is subsistence of all the components and above all the integrity of
the river as a whole. This collaboration is what keeps the
longest rivers of the world and astonishing waterfalls preserved.
This collaboration is what packs the countless rain droplets
intact so to reach the ground and deliver life, instead of being
dispersed as an ash in the wind. And yes, this is the
collaboration that gives water the honor of being the source of
life, Unison.
***
A painful ant bite on his right leg woke Singadarti
from his near-dreaming state of mind. He looked
down; his feet were intersecting the long path of the
ants walking line. He slowly elevated his legs and
removed a couple of ants from his feet. He then tried
to follow their walking line with his eyes. The view of
the tremendous amount of black ants marching in the
same line looked similar to the motion of the river,
but what became a secret for Singadarti was the
continuity of the line even above the river.
He walked along the line and tried to see how they
crossed it. As he moved along, he reached the
narrowest point of the river. This was the location
where the ants chose to cross, but he could still see a
water-filled tunnel in the middle of the two big stones
that made the river narrower. He jumped onto the
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stone by his side of the waterway, so to have a closer

view of the tunnel.
He was beyond surprised by what he saw next.
The ants were continuing their line over the tunnel by
building a temporary bridge; they were quite the
architects, an insect architect. The more astonishing
thing was that the bridge wasnt made with a stick or
any other material; it was rather made by a group of
ants themselves.
A number of ants were on standby like military on
the edge of the two stones, structuring the bases of
the ant-bridge. Others made up the bridge; an ant
holding the next ant, and the next in turn holding the
next, and so forth. They have sacrificed themselves
and formed a band with their bodies, a band which
has enough tension to stay strong above the tunnel.
The marching ants were using this bridge to cross to
the other side of the tunnel. Singadarti couldnt think
of any better example for collaboration, Unison.

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PEOPLE, ONE LOVE

Dinosaurs, the fittest of all creatures, the strongest,

the biggest, the scariest.But they didnt last, they
didnt survive long. It is an irony; what happened to
the survival of the fittest philosophy? It actually is a
simple question with a simple answer.
A philosophy is a philosophy, sometimes true,
sometimes false, but one thing is for certain, a species
in unison, not only survives but also feels deeply alive!
***
It has been almost three months since Unikelo
buried his best friend. Today is Wednesday, a very
busy day of work; he left in the evening with an
exhausted body.
He went directly to Benjamins house. When he
reached there the three little beautiful daughters of
Benjamin called him Uncle loudly and rushed to
him. He kneeled down, minimized his height by half
and hugged them. Benjamins wife was sitting on her
bed. The lamp had been out of oil for a month now;
the room was so dark that Unikelo couldnt even see
the shape of her face. He heard her voice though.
Welcome Unike, please take a seat.
I will, how you doing today?
He got into the dark side of the room and sat on
one of the two chairs of the house. The shrieks
coming from the crying new baby were continuously
filling the house, representing all the buried voices
and tears in the house.
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May God be praised, I am at least healthy! she

praised forlornly.
How is the baby?
He stepped towards the bed to see the little
marvel. The babys beautiful face reminds him of the
look of his best friend. He then held the babys small
hand; the little boy immediately stopped crying.
Unikelo was startled. The tiny, tiny hand firmly held
his thumb.
Slowly, Unikelos heart was mixed up with
different feelings. He removed his finger from the
babys hand and returned to his chair. He didnt want
to stay in the house anymore; he was in a very bad
disposition, so he wished them a good nights sleep
and left the house. But after he got out and walked a
couple of steps, the youngest daughter of the house
followed him outside and stopped him.
Uncle, I wanted to ask you something.
Dont be afraid then, ask me anything. Unikelo
could detect her obvious fear.
We havent eaten a thing since yesterday; Mom
said we have no money to buy food, Can you give us
some, Uncle? she asked doubtfully.
Unikelo was even more depressed, he knows for
sure that his pocket only contains nineteen Ethiopian
birr, which is almost equal to one USD. With this he
has planned to buy bread with ten birr for the little
ones back home. In spite of his plan he took out
fifteen birr from his pocket and handed it to the little
girl. It was a scarce division, but he knows that his
family at least had their lunch unlike this poor,
unfortunate family. The little girl quickly returned to
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PEOPLE, ONE LOVE

her house with a happy face. He looked at her from

behind, grinned and left.
***
Marwone was the one person who never left
Unikelos side at this difficult time. Although
Benjamins death and his familys tough time were
hard for him, Unikelos life was filled with light from
Maris continuous love and provision. He was very
grateful for her support, plus he was also happy about
her good grades in the national exams. Based on these
good grades she was planning to join their local
higher educational institute, Gambella University.
Everything seemed to be going in favor of their
relationship, but in this ever-moving life, all is in
motion, call it good or bad, nothing is sustained.
Unfortunately, the decision she heard today from
her father was a decision that would turn things
between her and Unike upside down. She was
shocked when Mr. Yodah all of a sudden told her that
he has already finished a visa process to send her to
an Indian university and that she would leave next
week. She argued with him for more than an hour but
it couldnt help much. Her father had already made
his inflexible decision. He even told her that if she
didnt go to India, he would have his revenge on
Unikelo, fire him from work, or even harass him; he
barely left her a choice.
Marwone became even more worried when she
thought about telling Unikelo. Even though she never
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wanted to see him upset, she just couldnt handle this

burden by herself anymore. She really wanted to share
it with someone and that someone was no one but
Unikelo. She decided to tell him next Thursday
***
On Thursday, as she planned, Marwone was
heading to Unikelos house to convey her worry,
when she met him halfway; he was returning from
Benjamins house. They hugged boldly and went to
the side of the pavement together, holding hands,
crossing their fingers in a lock and key manner not
even the finest locksmith could unlock it.
Unike, I wanted to talk to you about something,
can we go to a cafeteria or somewhere else? she said
unpleasantly.
We can go to a cafeteria but Mari, he said
timidly, I only have four birr and I have to buy bread
and take it home early for dinner. Unfortunately
Marwone didnt have money either; she hadnt
brought her hand bag, and she surely didnt want to
tell him such a big deal like that on the side of a road.
So they made an appointment for tomorrow and
separated.
Marwone arrived at her house and sneaked to her
room. She imagined what Unikelos response would
be when she tells him that she is leaving. It will all
happen tomorrow. Tomorrow is Friday; she
remembered that they started their relationship on
Friday. She was so afraid of losing him on the same
day she got him. What will you say, Unike? she asked,
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PEOPLE, ONE LOVE

whispering deep into her pillow.

***
Christina closed her hotel room and finally had a
place to be alone. She took a deep breath and started
wondering about the situation so far.
She cant even justify what she is doing. It seems
crazy to even imagine but she has actually done it. She
came to this city, crossing thousands of miles. There
is no turning back now! She has chosen her path to
her ambition and she knows she will get to it.
She spends some time listening to her playlist, and
lay down on her bed with a Bible in hand. She woke
up on the next day when Mr. Solomon knocked on
her door; she was hugging the Bible and the iPad as if
they were two pony bears of a pretty girl.
She spent that day and the next two with Mr.
Solomon. They took their time to look around this
beautiful trade city. Christina also got the chance to
meet some NGOs working in the locality. She really
got a lot of useful information on how to get
organized and tangibly achieve her charity goals. She
gradually came to the understanding that charity is
not just giving money. It has its own discipline and
formality; but humanity was the big image.

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On her fourth day in Shashemenei, Mr. Solomon

took her to a green square located near to their hotel.
It was a really refreshing place. Just a few minutes
after they sat, a short hoary Rasta-man with strange
looks came and sat on a bench in front of them.
Christina was curious about the old peculiar man. His
long dread hair and the dark, copious amount of
beard on his face fascinated her. She excused herself
to Mr. Solomon, directly went to the mans bench,
and sat next to him. The man saw her with his small
penetrating eyes and welcomed her with a warm grin.
He said, Peace, I, and at the same time forwarded
his hand for shaking.
Hey, I am Christina. She shook his hand and
responded to his smile with a smile.
Peace i Christi, I ma Yosef. Yo obviously arent from
around. Where are yo from gal?
His accent was totally different from all the
English accents she heard before; it sounded more
like a song rather than a dialogue, she faced a hard
time differentiating the words.
You are right, I am from California.
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PEOPLE, ONE LOVE

Wo! Yo hava come a long waya zen, are yo here for ee

business or pleasurei?
I am not here for either of those reasons.
Can yo tela me yor reason, gal? he demanded.
I am here to find a new path and experience, or
should I call it adventure?
Ohya! zat iza bravish. But what were yor motives behind
yor trip si?
Christina grabbed two words, motive and trip, and
guessed the aim of the question. She was enjoying
their conversation in a strange way, so she told him in
detail her story so far. Yosef heard her every word
attentively. When she finished, he stood up gracefully
and clapped his hands. Christina didnt expect that
coming, it made her nervous. But he instantly stopped
clapping and sat back.
Zat waz oughti done. Yo knaw yo dezerve a Nobel for
what yo did so far si.
He twirled his hair on his forehead and wisely
glared at her eyes...
Yo Chrishti si, zere ar tall walls standing ina front of
eacha and every one ofa us, knaw zese walls ar ze barrierz
between us ina our truz destinashen. Yo si Mani of us fallin to
luk beyond zise walls. But yo only havent beena able to climb
yor wall ina si beyond it, si yo haff olso managed to bring it
down. It iza real pleasure to meet yo. He seemed happy.
It is a pleasure to meet you too but I didnt
understand most of the things you just said, she said.
He understood the problem and changed his dialect.
Christi, I admired you because the path you chose to follow
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is the path that is chosen only by the awakened ones. You see,
we the real Rastafarians are not as many people think we are.
Rastafarianism is not only about growing hair, listening to
reggae music and smoking marijuana. Of course these things
have a loved place in our life but Rastafarianism has a rather
profound meaning. It is mainly a belief of universal equality
and universal love. We believe in the holiness of everyone living
in this world. Whatever skin color, ethnic background,
economical level or religious status the person might be, we
certainly trust that Jah will make the unity of mankind a
reality. That is why we say one love, one world and one people.
But you somehow have got this wisdom anyway.
Christina was so enthralled by his speech that she
didnt want him to stop.
Please go on, I am listening, she assured.
Yosef continued, Si girl, we Rastafarians are just like
you, we hope to see a world with less suffering, a world without
ignorance, a world that wouldnt stumble like Babylon. We
believe that generosity is the key to unity. We in particular have
anticipations to see the poor and weak in a better place. A
place promised by Jah; on the road to Zion, accompanied by the
roaring of the Lion of Judah, the uprising of the buffalo. A
promised land referred in the bible as Utopia, a heaven on
Earth. A place of equality, compassion and prosperity.
Yosef explained in detail their belief to Christina.
She, on the other hand, was getting the answers to her
own personal questions from the dialogues, realizing
she wasnt alone in this journey.
Tactlessly, they ran out of time to discuss because
Yosef was late for an appointment. He wished her the
blessing of Jah and left. Christina would have been
happy if their conversation continued all day long.
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ONE MARVELOUS WORLD, ONE MAGNIFICENT

PEOPLE, ONE LOVE

She really wanted to meet him again. On the next

day, at the exact time like yesterday, she went to the
green square. Yosef wasnt there; she sat on the bench
and waited for him, but he didnt show up for half an
hour. Finally she thought that he may not come at all
and decided to leave. However, on her way out, she
saw Yosef coming from the other side. She was
excited to see him. He also spotted her and called her
with a hand gesture.
I thought I would find you here, she said excitedly.
And with the blessing of Jah, here I am, he
chuckled.So how are you Christi?
I am okay I guess. I was thinking about our
discussion the other day and I would be pleased to
know more, she said.
No problem, I am here for you, but how long are
you staying in Shashemenei?
I only have a week left here, then I will travel to
another Ethiopian city.
If that is the case, I will come here every other
day and we can continue our chat, are you
comfortable with that?
Without a doubt, Yosef, she said with certainty.
***
In fact those chats with Yosef made Christinas
final week in Shashemenei a time of innumerous tidings.
She got the chance to know more about humanity
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and universal love from the angle of Rastafarians. At

the same time she was getting the exact answers to
some of her very own questions. Yosef had been a
real inspiration for her. He had given her a lot of
advice, but he stressed on being patient and having
faith in God in times of challenges. Above all, she
knew she was not alone in this ride.
When her time to leave Shashemenei came, he
gave her a full MP3 CD of Bob Marleys music and a
green, yellow and red striped hand-band as a
commemoration. He told her to remember that the
green represents the bright place filled with love,
unity and natural abundance. The yellow represents
the hope and faith to see this place, and the red
reflects the courage and sacrifice it takes to achieve
this. She was unhappy about leaving him and
Shashemenei, but the time had come for her to have
another experience; a new journey awaits her. Hence
on their last dialogue day, she said her last goodbye
Jah bless you, were his final words.
Jah bless you too, she replied.
Alpha saw a promising future.
***
It was on late Thursday afternoon that Christina,
Mr. Solomon, and the driver arrived at Addis Ababa.
Mr. Solomon wanted to stay in Addis for a while but
Christina counted it as a waste of time so he took out
his laptop to choose their next destination. As he
turned on his laptop what caught Christinas attention
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ONE MARVELOUS WORLD, ONE MAGNIFICENT

PEOPLE, ONE LOVE

was the unusual type of operating system on his

computer. It displays the word Ubuntu on the screen.
What type of operating system is that, Solomon?
was a question out of curiosity.
Oh this one? It is called Ubuntu. It is a nice
operating system developed in South Africa.
What does it mean, Ubuntu?
Mr. Solomon stayed silent for a while and came up
with a better idea for her inquiry.
Actually Christina, I believe you will love the
concept of Ubuntu, and I dont think I can explain it
well so I will Google it for you and you will read it
yourself. But first let us choose our destination for
tomorrows journey.
He opened the file and turned the screen to face
her. A list of city names was exhibited. Christina
listened to her heart and chose a name from the list of
cities, and Mr. Solomon read the name loud,
Gambella!
***
Unikelo was the first one to reach the place of their
appointment. Actually he arrives first on most of their
schedules. Just after a few minutes Mari also arrived at
the place. He was astounded by her beauty; as her age
increased she was becoming even more and more
beautiful. Her thighs were getting wider and wider, her
chest extensions were getting out from the control of
her bra, her hair was growing curvedly every day; she,
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without a doubt, was getting to the point where she

could advance a male observers sexual desire. He
observed and remembered the promise of not having
sex until their wedding day, sadly.
She reached at his chair and stood before him. He
mounted up, kissed her cheeks and gave her a seat.
You look beautiful, Mari.
You always say that, and now Ive concluded that
Im always beautiful for you. Anyways, how are you
today?
Actually I am good; there wasnt that much work at
the factory. But even if we were expecting our salary
today the cashier told us it will be given tomorrow.
So do you need some money for today? she
asked concernedly.
Unikelo thought about it, he did need it. Alright, I
was hoping to buy some food stuffs for Benjamins
family.
I can lend you some, if you want? she offered.
Do you have extra money?
Of course, how much do you want, Unike?
Fifty birr will be enough for today, he said
brokenly.
In fact this wasnt the first time Marwone lent,
fairly gave, money to Unikelo. She had helped him, a
lot of times in the past. Especially after Benjamin
passed, she had been supporting him with all her
capability. Marwone gave the fifty birr to Unike; he
put it in his pocket. He was happy, at least for the
time being.
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ONE MARVELOUS WORLD, ONE MAGNIFICENT

PEOPLE, ONE LOVE

Thanks my love. He paused, deeply exhaled air

and continued, I dont know how to return your
favors.
Dont think like that Unike. I would have been
more glad if I could do more for your and Benjamins
family, if only my father allowed me. Anyways, there
is another serious issue I want to talk to you about.
She looked intense.
Ok Mari, just get on with it.
In all these times, times we spent together, my
father was secretly planning things to separate us,
she said shyly.
What? What exactly was he doing, Mari?
Unikelo was very inquisitive.
He was planning to send me to an Indian
university, and the day before yesterday, he all of a
sudden told me that he has already finished the
process, and informed me he has got my visa and
admission to the university.
Unikelo couldnt believe what he was hearing, he
doubted his own ears.
She took a deep breath and let it out.Unike, I am
leaving Gambella next week.
What are you saying Mari! Are you for real saying
those words? You are going to leave me alone? He
got nervous.
No, Unike. You know I will always remember
you and that my heart will always be with you; besides
I will frequently call and we will talk every
Unikelo couldnt take it anymore, he stood up to
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CHAPTER SEVEN

leave. Marwone caught his forearm; he took a quick

look at her face she looked very desperate. His heart
failed to harden towards her, she is Mari for Gods
sake. He sat back on his chair.
Unike please dont make this even harder for me.
I promise you, when I finish my four year university
education, I will be here for our wedding.
Mari, four year is a long time! he said glumly.
I know Unike, but I will come and see you at my
break times. Above all I believe we can make it if we
truly love and trust each other.
You definitely know that I trust you but I cant
even imagine how much I will be missing you.
Marwone leaned into him. He embraced her
closely. She felt secure. Seems like they didnt ever
want to let go of each other, but life is verily dynamic
rather than static! No one can stop it, at a point he
craved to stay in...
***
Unikelo was still in doubt whether to believe what
Marwone told him as he walked home. He just
couldnt imagine himself being at home with this bad
mood. He simultaneously remembered the fifty birr
Marwone gave him earlier; he decided to have a
couple of beers instead of going directly home. So he
stopped and changed his direction to the bar where
he used to go with Benjamin. He felt lonely...

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CHAPTER 8
Courage To Act

The alarm of our soul is ringing,

It has been, it is, and will keep on ringing.
It is still ringing here now,
There forever,
But we fall to remember
Our contempt forced us to ignore,
As if there is no true reason to be born.
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Though every wake up demand is rioting,

Everyone chose escaping.
Though God reminds through every feeling,
Everyone chose competing.
Though our soul kept on shouting,
There is no time for listening.
No time to think,
Even to blink.
Our mind kept on erudition,
Still no moment for inspiration.
Our true identity kept on fighting,
Yet our ego persistent winning.
When will humanity dance?
In the right appearance
Surely, we cant last like this?
Residing in a place of ignorance,
We do have an abundant universe,
We so shall enlighten ourselves
Under the umbrella of one God above,
Lets all live under the roof of one love
Abdul Ahad really felt relieved after he finished
writing this poem in that fabled poem book of his. He
was really stressed out by the restless life of people.
Yesterday, Aman took him out to familiarize him
with the city. He showed him the main streets, the
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mosque, and the local caf. Nevertheless today, Abdul

Ahad went out by himself, checked in some colleges
and submitted his documents he missed learning.
As the Prophet advised, he would go as far as China
for knowledge and education. After longing to look
for a part-time job, he got really exhausted. So he
checked in at the cafeteria Aman showed him, to take
a break. He ordered a cola and turned his attention to
the news on the cafs television set.
It was headline news that upraised his motive to
write the above poem. The news was about peoples
marching in one European country. Unemployment
and overtaxing by the government were the main
reasons for the uprising. The people in the gathering
really seemed to be fed up of this consumerism way
of life. A restless yet unfair life; a life where even
taking a deep breath had become demanding. This
problem was for sure the result of the current political
and economic policy; a policy which burdened the
majority of the hardworking people.
The streets of that country were filled with these
kinds of people who hated a world drowned in this
system; a world where massive resources are left in
the hands of the few and the mass is forced to
compete and fight for the remaining.
Abdul Ahad was also able to read the exact same
stress on the face of the people in the cafeteria. He
felt like no one in power was caring about the
pressure carried by his own people any more. These
busy, tidy people have been denied their stillness and
stability. They failed to have the time to listen to
themselves. A break from life to relax, pray, or even
sleep. It seems like they were left for despair, for drug
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addiction, to smoke life in their cigarettes and puff

out their worries. It sadly seems like they were left for
depression and hopelessness, even worse, suicide.
True, these were the uncomfortable feelings that
were relieved when he finished writing his poem. He
read it again.
He closed his poem book and walked to leave the
cafeteria. As he neared the cafs door, he happened to
see an orange paper displayed on the window. He got
closer and read it, it was a paper posted to announce a
vacant place for two waiters. Abdul Ahad smiled; he
knows he could use this opportunity and become a
shift-time waiter. He asked for the manager and an old
man with a chubby face came to talk to him. It was not
long before he got himself a part-time job.
***
It took Singadarti four months, three weeks, two
days, one hour and zero fear, to cross Uttarakhand,
Land of the God and arrive at the state of Haryana, The
Abode of God. He had used buses but he managed to
cover most of the distance by foot.
At this instant, he was standing at the center of
one of the busy streets of Gurgaon city. It took him a
while to familiarize himself with the restless urban
life. Most of his journey was accompanied by the
calm and sensational environment that was made to
be the perfect place for humans; holy springs,
blossoming flowers, deciduous timber nature. He
really felt blessed to be on this beautiful land, he felt
life, but now, in the city, he rather felt superimposed
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COURAGE TO ACT

life. Yet they were both lives in the world.

Whether it is a rural or urban, natural or manmade,
or whatever, it all became a reality with the gift of this
generous Earth. He was bearing in mind the truth
that we only have this single planet to live on,
nowhere else.
We may brawl to deny it but there is no other
place that we could survive in, a planet that would
carry our burdens. No place with the optimum
temperature, sunlight, water source, photosynthetic
plants, the right chemical proportion, etc Though
we are on the edge of exploiting and destroying it, our
Earth is the only safe place we have so far, as our
sweet home. We are Earthians, and that will always be
our true identity.
We should change as soon as possible and start
caring for our one true motherland. For instance, those
billions and billions of dollars that are spent to build
weapons of massive destruction and luxurious longdistance shuttles could have brought a better place for
human beings if only they were used to tackle the
current global challenges. Challenges that would affect
our homeland directly or indirectly, such as
deforestation, desertification, global warming,
environmental pollution, lack of renewable energy
sources, diseases, dictatorship, poverty, illiteracy, war,
terrorism, clean water scarcity, unemployment; these
and more need our full attention and rapidly
implementable courage to act. We should really hurry
or else we are about to lose this awesome planet, and,
Oh! said Singadarti. What a crappy loss that would
be.
Singadarti felt down to think of this unsettling
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reality. He wanted to stabilize his internal emotions so

he asked for the direction of the nearest temple; since
the city was enriched by numerous holy temples, he
didnt face a hard time finding one. The first thing that
came to his mind once he closed his eyes was the vast
and humble nature he crossed on his voyage. He knew
everything would be ok as long as these wonderful
places exist. He also knew that feeling down about
reality is not the best option. Salvation comes with a
price! he shouted silently, and this price must be paid
by everyone who has benefited from the unlimited
gifts of this generous planet, and who hasnt?
Yes, we must fight for her! Develop a
revolutionary spirit instead of a broken one. We
should come back with redemption and be the change
that we want to see in the world! he shouted again,
but no one heard it.
Singadarti really wished to transfer all these
convenient ideas in his mind to the people around the
globe, and inspire them to change. But he doesnt
really know how to do that, he doesnt know how to
get his rather urgent messages heard. He cringed his
face with disappointment.
***
(In modern days) If an accident happens at any instant, at
any time, and any place, the audience feel the same as the victim
most will rush to help the casualty, it doesnt matter who,
they empathically feel their pain. That defines Ubuntu at a
glance.

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***
(In the old times) A traveller through a country would stop
at a village and he didnt have to ask for food or water. Once he
stops, the people will give him food and attend him
That is one aspect of Ubuntu but it also has a various
aspects. Ubuntu doesnt mean that people shouldnt enrich
themselves. The question therefore is, are you going to do so in
order to enable the community around you to be able to
improve?
These were the literal words Messenger Nelson Mandela
used to describe the true meaning of Ubuntu by giving a real life
example. Christina continued to read the pages Mr. Solomon
provided her about Ubuntu
Ubuntu as it is translated in a philosophical sense it means
the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects
humanity.
On a related page, the Liberian peace activist Leyman
Gbowee gave this word another incredible definition by saying,
I am what I am because of who we all are. She read the
whole report.
I am me through we, were the words that bit by bit
sparked and shined in Christinas mind after she came
to realize the actual meaning of Ubuntu...
She couldnt wait to thank Mr. Solomon for the
report. But she had to wait until tomorrows journey
to Gambella.
***

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Thursday morning turned out to be a bad time for

a journey. Even if the rainy weather wasnt favorable
for driving, Christina and Mr. Solomon were already
hitting the road to Gambella, intersecting the fog with
Alpha.
I read about Ubuntu last night.
Really? So do you get the idea of it?
Yes I did, and it was really inspiring, she said
cheerfully.
You are right, it has inspired me too. That is why
I use the Ubuntu operating system. Every time I turn
on my computer the word reminds me of that
undeniable truth.
That is very nice, I wish I did too but I think I
will stick with Windows, you know, Im familiarized
with it.
No hard feelings. You should use what suits you
best, glad you liked the concept of Ubuntu though,
he said with simplicity.
Me too, in fact I really wanted to thank you for
the information and everything you have done. She
sounded grateful.
What do you mean Christi? He actually looked
offended.
You dont need to thank me, dont you dare. I am
the one who should thank you for giving me this
opportunity to travel with you and have this educative
experience. You dont have any idea how much you
moved me. You had every comfort you needed in
your life but you chose to share the suffering of
others He couldnt choose other words to express
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COURAGE TO ACT

his emotion any more, he preferred silence. Christina

also didnt know what to reply, she silently turned her
face to the view of the road.
She simultaneously saw a bare-footed old man
walking on the side of the road. His appearance
reminded her of that old man in the picture which she
saw in California. Finally someone familiar! The man
had a long tubular twig, kind of a cane, as a support,
and to help him keep his oxen flock together.
Especially a black ox with long sharp horns which
kept leaving the group, so he was beating it with the
stick, so it would stay close to the flock. So many
cattle skins yet no shoe on the foot
After passing this, she saw a carriage drawn by a
beautiful white horse. The rider takes a quick look at
her watching him; he smiled at her and winked lamely
she rather found it weirdly funny.
Christina also saw many sincere examples of
nature including wide plain lands, tall mountains and
stiff hills, deep valleys, looping rivers of God and
looping roads of men and so much more before they
reached Jimma City. Since the distance between Addis
Ababa and Gambella is too long to be covered in a
single day, they decided to spend Thursday night at
Jimma city, just like most of the passengers to Gambella
do.
As Christina heard from Solomon, Jimma is a city
found around three hundred fifty kilometers
southwest of the capital Addis Ababa, which is almost
halfway between their destination Gambella and the
new flower capital. He also told her that Jimma, the city
founded by the just and merciful King Aba Jifar, is one of
the countrys major trade centers for coffee and of
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course coffee exportation is the backbone of

Ethiopias economy.
By the way Christina, did you know that the word
coffee comes from the word Kaffa? he asked
knowingly.
Not really, what is Kaffa? She was getting
addicted to this new information stuff.
Kaffa is an Ethiopian city found around hundred
kilometers away from this Jimma city. It is the place
in which human beings discovered coffee seeds for
the first time in history.
Wow, that is amazing. While they came to the
end of their dialogue, the driver was already making
the turn to enter through the gate of Honey Land Hotel
of Jimma.
They spent Thursday night in the rooms of this
hotel and continued driving to Gambella, early in the
morning of Friday another long journey.
***
Christina was taking a nap when the driver told
them to take a look through the cars window. She
extended her neck, and froze there like a peacock,
shocked by what she saw a car accident at the side
of the road. A big cross-country bus was laid on its
side. All of its windows were fragmented, in pieces;
there were many passengers thrown here and there.
There was blood everywhere. From the size of the
bus Christina suggested that it could carry up to sixty
passengers. It was a complete tragedy. She also saw
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COURAGE TO ACT

many people who were rushing to take the victims to

health centers, a siren of an ambulance was shrieking
alarmingly while Omega guffawed persistently.
Please Solomon! I cant see this anymore, I am
literally getting sick, she said desperately.
Solomon told the driver to drive fast and pass that
place immediately. After a long period of total dizzy
silence.
Christina spoke.I am sorry for that; I was really in
a bad state. I mean Ive heard about such incidents on
the news but I have never seen an accident like this in
my life; it was so messy! she said sadly.
I have seen these sort of accidents a number of
times. It was their driver who said this and
continued the discussion.
Really? Do these kinds of incidents happen a lot
in Ethiopia?
Yes, even if we are one of the countries who have
the lowest number of vehicles, these kinds of
accidents occur often.
And why is that happening exactly? she asked,
guessing that drugs wouldnt be the top reasons as it
is in her country.
In my opinion as a driver, there are two major
causes, said the driver smartly. First of all, though
the numbers of cars we have are few compared to
other countries; most of these cars are not at their
best performance. These cars were sent to third world
countries after they have been used for a long time.
And as you can guess, they are packed with old
motors, gears and circuits which are very susceptible
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to malfunctioning anytime.
Why are these fed up cars sent to these
countries?
TIA, said the driver lamely.
What is TIA? she asked.
This Is Africa, answered Solomon.
What does that mean? Christina was confused.
It is a saying, and it obviously is related to our
current economic and political status. It is to mean
that the way things work here is different than the
developed countries. In this case for instance, the rich
countries didnt want these old, worn out cars to stay
in their country and occupy space so they sell them to
us with low costs, cause This Is Africa. No one cares,
you know.
Oh, I get it, she said brokenly. So what is your
other opinion?
Next to technical problems of the cars there is the
mental instability of us, the drivers. The low monthly
salary of hired drivers and the expensiveness of living
are incomparable; it is a definite worrisome, unfair fact.
The stress created by an income and expense mismatch
in turn will hinder us from loving our job. So we wont
be driving with full concentration. A driver who in fact
is worried about his and his familys dinner back home
with an empty pocket shouldnt be blamed if he didnt
pay full attention to road. The driver finished his
speech with an ironic smile on his face. Omega smiled
with pity.
After this dialogue a long silence of sadness took
over. The temperature of these areas rises above
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COURAGE TO ACT

forty-four degrees Celsius; it is getting even warmer

and warmer every year because of the recent climate
change. When they reached Gambella city all of their
clothes, especially Christinas, were drenched with
their sweat, hence the first thing she did in the room
she booked was to shower. After taking a nice cold
shower she wore her pajamas and sat on the bed.
Even if she tried to read the Holy Bible, her mind was
wandering with thoughts of the accident, while her
exhausted body was giving up, leaving on the train of
sleeping, a vacation to heaven.
When Christi woke up after sleeping for hours, she
felt very thirsty. She checked for packed water in her
bag but couldnt find any. So she went to Mr.
Solomon and the drivers room to ask them, but
when she got closer to their room door, she was not
able to detect any noise from inside the room; she
thought that they might be sleeping. She knows that
they had a draining day and didnt want to wake them
up now. She then decided to go to the reception and
buy a new one from the hotel. However, when she
reached the reception there was nobody it was
strange. She glanced at the oscillating clock hanging
on the wall, it was very late, and she didnt realize that
she had slept for a long time until this point in time.
Midnight had passed long ago, everyone is asleep. She
was on her way back to her room, hopelessly, when
she saw a light from a shop just across the road in
front of the hotel.
She couldnt handle the thirst and wait any more, it
was worth a try, and thus she went to that shop to
buy packed water. When she stepped out of the hotel
in pajamas, a silent darkness and a crescent moon
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welcomed her from outside. In one thought, she

wanted to turn back, but her dry throat aridly
reminded her of her thirst, her drained body. She
crossed the road and headed to the shop.
The shopkeeper looked at her vaguely. She asked
him for what she came for. She was not lucky once
more, the shop keeper told her that he ran out of
packed water but he told her to check the shop just
on the side of the next turn, a few meters to the right
of his shop.
They say, A wet man is not afraid of the rain. Christi
had already come this far; she didnt want to return
without getting the water. She went to the indicated
shop. She made a turn and walked for some seconds
but when she looked away, towards the referred
location, all she could see was closed windows, the
shop was closed. She felt very down, dry, and turned
around to return to her hotel room. Even before
walking two steps forward, three gigantic people came
out of the darkness and blocked her way. She was
very dazed and afraid. She tried to bypass them by
walking in a different direction; one of them drifted
and blocked her way again. Spontaneously, another
guy firmly grasped her arm and threw her to the
ground. She sensed a severe pain in her left ankle and
the back of her head. She tried to shout but the huge
guy quickly covered her mouth with his wide palm.
She really felt hopeless.
Omegas shadow dominated.
***

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Just after midnight, after having a number of

beers, Unikelo ran out of money and decided to leave
the bar. He was trying so hard to forget his earlier
chat with Marwone, as he treaded the streets towards
his home. He never walked alone on those streets at
night. He had at all times gone to that bar with
Benjamin, and always returned at night with him. He
was alone today, once again wished to have his best
friend by his side; he missed him so dearly.
As he came to the area where he and Benjamin got
mugged, he saw four people standing at the very exact
spot and when he got closer, he was able to
distinguish that three of them were men while the
fourth person in the middle was a woman. Suddenly,
one of the men pushed the woman to the ground and
started beating her. Unikelo rushed to help the girl;
when he got to the three men and got the chance to
see their face, his blood instantaneously started to boil
with rage and revenge. He became another crazy,
brutal version of himself. With that all energy and
anger, it didnt take him long before beating the guys
near to death. When he slowly returned to his senses,
he noticed the white scared woman lying next to him.
She glared at him for a few seconds and lost her
consciousness. He quickly carried her up and hurried
to the nearby clinic.
Go on...

157

CHAPTER 9
Unification

The senior Hindu Guru of the temple continued

his lesson.
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UNIFICATION

Atman is the basis of Hindu ethics, he said

determinedly. It is the one all-pervading, innermost soul of all
beings. If any of you injure any other creature, you really injure
yourself, because the whole world is nothing but your own self.
This Atman or one life vibrates in all beings including animals,
birds, and of course mainly human beings Krishna believed
and commended that.
The Upanishads says: The neighbor is, in truth, the very
self and what separates you from him is mere illusion.
Universal brotherhood and love has its basis in the unity of self.
And this in fact is the foundation of right conduct and
ethics
When the sutras of the master end, Singadarti
spent some more time in the temple to meditate
before going to the city.
He went to the city, currently he had almost run
out of food and money, and had already travelled a
long way, plus he liked this citys numerous holy
temples and their teachings. He couldnt ask for
more, this was the perfect place to become a Great
Master. He made his verdict to stay here. He actually
desired to settle down, get a job for an income and
continue his lessons. That is why he would be
searching for a job today...
He checked for about five hours without resting
but there were no available places for him. He was
too tired to look anymore; he went to a cafeteria for a
breath. As he sat, a handsome young waiter came to
take his orders.
What can I get you sir? asked the waiter politely.
I am so tired my friend, I need something cold.
Can I get a pineapple juice?
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After a while, the waiter came back with a fresh

pineapple juice and put it on Singadartis table.
Here is your juice sir; I think it will relieve your
fatigue, said the waiter while he smiled.
Thanks. You dont have any idea how much I am
tired.
It must have been a rough day at work? he asked
with a sound of sympathy.
No my friend, I wasnt actually working, I was
rather looking for a job all day long. This city is a
really hard place to find one.
Yeah, tell me about it. Are you new in town?
Yes, actually I have been here for only three
weeks now, he answered, using his airway spared
from the juice he swallowed.
Another customer lady was requesting a waiter, so
the young man excused himself to Singadarti and
went to take her orders.
***
It was on his way to serve the lady customer that
Abdul Ahad remembered the second vacant place for
a waiter. He brought her cappuccino and returned to
Singadarti.
I just remembered something that might help
you, he said promisingly.
Honestly? What is it actually? Singadarti seemed
keen.
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Our cafeteria is looking for a waiter, if you are

interested I can take you to my boss.
Of course I am interested, that in fact will be very
helpful, my friend.
Abdul Ahad took him to the manager.
Unfortunately, the manager didnt really seem to like
Singadarti, or he couldnt find a reason to do so.
So you are telling me that you havent had a job
in your life and you didnt even go to high school?
Singadarti didnt have any option other than
agreeing with the boss
The manager then called Abdul Ahad to his office.
What are you thinking Abdu? This man has no
previous working history or even a proper education;
what exactly made you think that he fits the job?
Abdul Ahad looked at Singadartis eyes. They
reflected truth and dedication, a promising future! He
just doesnt know why he believed in him, but there is
something about him.
Boss, dont worry about his efficiency and
commitment. He is a good person and I know he will
be fully devoted to his work. Please hire him, I will
take all the responsibility.
Oookay then, I will give him a chance. I hope he
will not make me regret it.
He stood up and shook Singadartis hand as a sign
of welcoming him to the job.
As they got out of the managers office, Singadarti
stopped Abdul Ahad and embraced him.
I dont know how to thank you, my friend, he
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said happily.
Dont mention it. By the way we didnt properly
introduce ourselves. I am Abdul Ahad, what is your
name?
It is so nice to meet you Abdul Ahad, I am
Singadarti. Though they met each other for the first
time, they felt like they were family, felt like portion
of a higher presence, maybe it was Alpha.
The next day Singadarti started his new job; he
really jumbled to handle the orders but fortunately he
had Abdul Ahad by his side, his new partner.
***
When Christina regained consciousness, what she
saw was a timeworn skinny man wearing a white
gown standing in front of her bed. She gradually came
to the realization that he was a doctor. The next thing
that came to her mind was the frightening memory of
last nights incident. She knew it would have been a
real nightmare if it werent for that guy. Oh! That guy,
where is he? She hoped to see the face of the guy who
saved her life. She tried to check if there was someone
other than the doctor in the room. Yes, there was a
young man sitting on a chair by the right corner of
the room. He noticed her awakening and came to her
bed.
Hey there, how are you feeling now? he asked
concernedly.
Christina took her time to have a good look at the
man who saved her and replied,I am feeling better
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now. I am really grateful for what you did for me last

night.
Dont worry about it.
I am Christina by the way, who are you?
My name is Unikelo. It is good to meet you, he
answered brightly.
While they were having this conversation, Mr.
Solomon stepped nimbly into the room.
Thank God you are awake; I was really troubled
to see you unconscious. How are you now? he asked
very empathically.
Solomon please, you dont have to be that
concerned, I am fine now. Tell me, have you reported
this incidence to my family yet?
Not yet, I tried to call but the network wouldnt
work, I think we should send them an email.
No Solomon, we should keep this as our little
secret. I really dont want them to know what
happened. They already have enough worries about
me, no more.
Alright Christi, if you say so.
I dont mean to intrude, but I want one of you to
buy these medicines for her.
It was the old skinny doctor.
Mr. Solomon took the prescription and ran out to
a pharmacy.
The doctor came even closer to Christinas bed.
Dont worry Christina, many die but you arent
dying, you are lucky. There was no internal bleeding.
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You will stay a week until your leg stabilizes and you
can leave then.
Christina thanked the doctor and changed her
attention to Unikelo.
Unikelo, I dont think I can thank you enough.
Christina you really dont need to thank me
much. In fact, I was waiting to do this for some time
now.
What do you mean by that?
I was personally looking for those men, who tried
to attack you last night. I wanted to have my revenge
on them, I finally did it last night! He looked
satisfied.
Can you tell me why?
She could clearly see his hot emotion.
Unikelo took a deep breath while wondering how
he should start his story...
Christina, have you ever lost someone very
special to you?
Not really, why did you ask me that?
Cause I have lost someone so close and precious
to me.
He slouched to the floor. Once again Benjamins
charming face appeared in his memory. The previous
couple of years they spent replayed in his mind, it was
a special companionship. Even if they were living in
insufficiency, they used to have each other to laugh
about it. When their crappy life punched them they
used to slap it together, giving one another the courage
and hope to live. They were an Infinite worthy gift to
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one another; what a true friendship it was!

Unikelo told Christina the whole story so far. When
he finished, her heart was smashed down by the
unfortunate ending of the story; it struck her sadly.
So Christina, those were the guys who snatched
Benjamin from me and his family. They deserve to be
punished. His consoling mood was suddenly altered
to rage.
They deserve to pay for what they did that night.
Unikelo was drowning in a bulling emotional state;
Christina gently extended her arm and held his hands.
I am sorry for your loss, she said brokenly. So
how is Benjamins family doing now?
Tears preceded Unikelos words; he couldnt
describe the situation of those children in
malnutrition with words, his tear drops were a better
answer for the question. Christina was anxious by the
over-depressing reaction of Unikelo to her question.
What is it Unikelo? What happened to Benjamins
family?
Unikelo tried to calm himself down.
They are alright but
What, Unikelo? Dont worry, you can tell me
anything.
As you know Christina, our area is economically a
poor one. Benjamin worked all those years in that
factory to get around thirty-five dollars a month. With
this income he was supposed to manage the expense
of his whole family. As a result, when he died he
hardly had a penny in his deposit, so his wife who just
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gave birth to a baby, and his little daughters were left

helpless. Thinking about their situation hurts me a lot.
I am even more depressed by the fact that I couldnt
do much for them. Unikelo emotionally talked for a
long time before he realized it. Christina I apologize
for telling you these sad stories. I didnt mean to
make you feel bad.
I didnt stop you because I wanted to hear the
whole story of you and Benjamin. You know what I
just thought now?
What, Christina?
When my leg gets well enough to leave, I want
you to take me to Benjamins house.
Unikelo agreed with a happy face. He felt like he
had found someone who finally wanted to share his
worries like Marwone did; someone who cares!
***
They say that Being far apart from the person you love
for a long time feels the same as losing that person by death.
Marwone faced a difficult time trying to accept the
fact that she was leaving Unikelo. The time had finally
come for her to travel to Gurgaon city of India. She is
supposed to leave Gambella early in the morning. That
day Unikelo walked glumly to her house, sucking the
dense foggy air in and exhaling his foggy, disturbed
mood out.
When he reached there, Marwone was already
putting her bags inside a car. When she noticed his
arrival, she rushed and twisted her arms all around him.
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I will miss you Unike, I will miss you so bad!

Her tears took no time to wet the collars of his
shirt; he squeezed her tightly, kissing her hair
unceasingly.
I will miss you too Mari You know I will but
you need to go now or you will miss your flight, he
said trying to bring the best out of his leftover
strength.
He drained her tears and let her go. However, new
tear drops were rolling on her cheeks while she
walked away from him. She also said goodbye to her
father before entering the car. The driver ignited the
engine and drove, but the car stopped just after
moving forward for a few seconds. Marwone swiftly
got out and ran towards Unikelo. Her lips were the
first of her body parts to touch Unike. They kissed
that emotional and passionate kiss that everyone
wishes to experience, that awesome one.
I love you Unike, she claimed loudly.
I love you more Mari. Trust me, we will see each
other soon, he said with certainty.
At the balcony, Mr. Yodah was witnessing all this
drama, swinging back and forth. His skin was blazing
with Omegas flame. He smiled ironically and
rumbled,A rubbish poor man; you cant even afford
the transportation to Addis Ababa. We will see how
you will manage going to India.
Mr. Yodah has lied to Marwone, her school breaks
arent going to be in Gambella. She is going to stay in
India for the entire four years and Unikelo will be
fired tomorrow.
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Omega felt successful about temporarily disarming

Alphas great weaponry, love!
***
Losing one half of his soul, that was how Unikelo
felt about losing Marwone. He asked God to give him
the strength to overcome the burden of missing her.
He was left alone but fortunately, he had a new friend
now, and her name was Christina.
Today is Christinas final day at the hospital.
Unikelo had planned and saved money to
congratulate her on her recovery. As he planned he
brought her their cultural food of fried fish with a
traditional porridge of corn boiled under a natural hot
spring bath. He took a piece of the fish with his
fingers and forwarded his handful of food towards
Christinas lips. She looked clueless. He told her to
open her mouth, she did that it was a mouthful of
fish, Ethiopians call this act Guresha, feeding your
dear ones with your bare hands, it is a sign of caring.
Christina really enjoyed the meal and the Guresha.
Unikelo, it was very delicious.
Isnt that so? I told you, Gambella is well known
with its tasty fish, said Unikelo as he dispels the flies
marching on his face.
Yes, and you just proved it to me.
Give a hungry man a fish and you will feed
for a day but teach him fishing and you will feed
for his whole life. Her skinny doctor snapped
engaged himself in the conversation with
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him
him
and
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invitation whatsoever.
Christina, do you know what else Gambella is
known for? He hardly gave her a gap to respond. It
is the killer mosquito.
Are you serious? She was getting scared of this
weirdo doctor.
Do I look like Im kidding? This is one of the
cities with the highest prevalence of the deadliest
malaria. We lose many people, including mothers and
children, every day. Anyhow, I just wanted to remind
you to use the bed net at night, and of course you can
leave in the afternoon.
He frowned bizarrely and left the room.
In the next couple of minutes of their conversation
Christina was able to recognize Unikelos emotional
disturbance.
What happened to you today, Unikelo? You seem
very depressed.
Marwone left Gambella, he said quickly.
Oh, I am sorry. She had told me that she was
going to India but I didnt know it was this soon,
said Christina.
Please, lets just not talk about it; I am trying to
forget this painful truth. So does that mean you are
capable of walking by yourself now? he said shiftily.
Of course I can. She stood up and walked on
her own. Im leaving in the afternoon. Speaking of
leaving; I want you to keep your promise and take me
to Benjamins house. I really need to meet his family.
Christina, I am rather happy to do that, I will take
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you there tomorrow.

***
The next day, though Unikelo felt devastated
about being fired, he kept his word and took
Christina to Benjamins family hut, and introduced
her to the family. This was the typical kind of family
that Christina wanted to visit when she began her
journey; she was having the exact experience she
asked for. Benjamins daughters on the other hand
were very amazed by the skin and hair color of
Christina; she looked inhumanly strange to them.
How could she not seem like an alien? After all, their
frame of reference is the people in their village, for
them, humans are black people with kinky black hair,
its all relative.
Meanwhile the eldest of the girls whispered
something to Unikelo. He laughed out loud.
What is so funny Unikelo? What did she say to
you? Christina became eager.
She asked if you are an angel, said Unikelo
joyously.
Christina wanted to increase the girls curiosity so
she didnt laugh.
Yes! Actually, I came from the City of Angeles.
In the meantime, she opened her bag and took out
the chocolates she brought for them.
Then she evenly distributed them to the three girls.
The little one quickly unpacked one and nibbled it.
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The unfamiliar sweet taste produced a sweet smile on

her face, and one of satisfaction on Christinas.
The elder one asked again, Are these from
heaven, angel?
Unikelo continued laughing.
Yes my dear, God ordered me to give them to
three beautiful girls, answered Christina, wondering
if there were any chocolate bars in heaven. She
noticed Unikelo. He was crying from laughing too
much. She couldnt handle it anymore, she burst with
laughter. Benjamins wife was also laughing with
them. In fact this was her first laugh since the death
of Benjamin.
She got up from her bed and started to burn
charcoal.
Christina observed her. Unikelo, please tell her to
rest, activities arent good for her, she muttered to
him.
When Unikelo told this to Benjamins wife she
smiled and responded, Unike, I have a lovely guest at
my house, a guest who created joy after such a long
time. Even if I cant afford anything lavish, I should at
least welcome her with a coffee. She got on with it.
The Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony is one
of the unique cultures of the country. After some
time Benjamins wife finished the preparation of
coffee, which involved roasting, crunching and
boiling; she then sat on a small stool to begin the
ceremony. Fresh green grasses were spread out on the
floor, as a good wish for the lands fertility. The
coffee was boiled and put inside a Jebena, a spherical
black kettle made of clay, which was now placed at
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the right side of her. In front of her, there were Sinis,

half-spherical white cups put on Rekebot, a cubical
wooden box. An oven full of bright red charcoal is
placed beside the box. She dispensed a little incense
into the oven. The small hut instantly became
occupied with cloudy smoke and decent odor. She
then picked the Jebena and poured the dark coffee into
three of the Sinis. The elder daughter served two of
them to Christina and Unikelo
Christina, time for you to taste Ethiopian coffee,
exclaimed Unikelo.
Christina smiled at him and took a sip, sensing the
natural flavor of coffee. She was really enjoying every
sip, but more than that she was feeling grateful to have
this connection and experience with these people.
She was half of the way to finishing her second
Sini of coffee when she took her time to observe the
people around her, and profoundly felt the good vibe
she brought to them. She literally witnessed the light
in the smoke, Alpha. This was the reason that made
her cross an ocean in the first place, making a
difference in peoples lives!
And of course this is the perfect place for her to
make her contribution. Her heart decided right then
and there, the next step is to start acting. She has to
leave Gambella, to come back with the resources that
will make her dream a tangible reality. There is no
time to waste...
She got out of Benjamins house and called
Solomons number. He picked it up fast.
Hello Christi. How are you?
I am actually great, listen; I want you to make
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things ready. We are leaving Gambella tomorrow.

Are you sure? he asked doubtfully.
Yes, she assured.
Okay, I will do that. But have you decided the
city we are going to visit next?
No Solomon, there is not going to be a city to
visit next. I am going to India.
Solomon stayed silent for a moment and replied
with a cold voice,I will call our driver.
Alright Solomon, I will see you soon.
She hung up the phone, returned to the house and
called Unikelo outside
He came out with mere inquisitiveness.
Unikelo, I am leaving Gambella tomorrow.
But Why so fast? I thought he stammered
with confusion.
Stop, just listen to me, here is some money that
will help you for a while. And I will send you more
when I get home.
She handed him the money and placed her hand
on his elbow.
Unike, I want you to be strong and take care of
this family. You might be alone for some time but I
promise I will come back.
Unikelo found it sad to lose the last person he had
but he was now getting used to accepting sad news,
he accepted it.
Alright then angel friend, I will try my best and I
know you will keep your promise.
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The three daughters kissed every spot of her face

before she left Benjamins house
***
The next day, she started the journey back to
Addis Ababa. Her body was no longer in Gambella but
she could feel that some portion of Christina still
remained with her new family; with her new brothers
and sisters.
This reminded the wise words of her mother:
My girl, your brothers and sisters are billions of
individuals who are walking on this earth, having true trust in
God and true love for humanity in their hearts.
You were right, Mom, she muttered. Those are
my brothers and sisters, Unikelo and Marwone,
Benjamin and his family, David, Solomon, Yosef, the
driver, the traveler woman and her children, the old
man with cane and billions of other human
beings. What a big family she has! She beamed with
a sense of belongingness, vastness.
***
In life, most of us have met that unique person
who has a lot in common with us. Sometimes it is
weird how even a totally strange person comes to
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understand and share our inner beliefs.

Singadarti and Abdul Ahad were going through
this form of connection. Working together and
discussing their similar views, they gradually built trust
between each other. That is why Abdul Ahad let
Singadarti read his poem book, which he has never
showed to anyone other than his dad. It was after
reading some of Abdul Ahads finest poems that a
new idea sparked in Singadartis mind
Hey Abdu, I can see that you are a good writer,
he said with a bright face.
Thanks bro, the only person who used to admire
my writings was my dad.
You deserved that, my friend. And I wanted talk
to you about something. He seemed visionary.
What, Singad?
I was wondering, if we could write our
experiences and revelations.
You mean in form of a book? he said vaguely.
Yes, in the form of a novel.
I dont know man, I have never tried to write a
novel before.
Trust me Abdul; I know you will write a great
one. Plus, I will provide you all my internal insights
and will help you revise the stories.
It really seems a nice idea, but he wasnt sure
whether to do it.
Yes Abdul, it is a nice idea and we should do it. I
dont think we should keep all these enlightening
truths to ourselves.
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Okay but we at least need a title for the book.

We should think about that.
The next day Abdul Ahad was tying his apron
when he noticed Singadarti speeding towards him. He
cried loud from a distance,I got it Abdul Ahad, I got
it! He seemed excited.
What Singadarti? What did you get?
The title of our book. Singadarti took a deep
breath and spelled it out.The Pursuit of Unity...
Abdul Ahad grinned, thinking how lame the title
was while Alpha thrilled with euphoria.

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CHAPTER 10
United States Of Earth

A man seeking to attain eternal life approached Jesus with

a question. Jesus understood his request and told him to keep
the commandments. But the man insisted that he had already
done that and he wanted to know the next step; so Jesus
answered to him
If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possession and
give to the poor, then you will have treasure in heaven, then
come and follow me. Matthew 19:16-21.
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It actually seems very difficult, doesnt it? To sell all your

possessions and give to a charity, but how about the luxurious
commodities, leftovers, beyond extra belongings, are those
difficult to give away too?
***
The greedy and selfish will be standing in shame on the day
of resurrection. On that day Allah (mighty and sublime) will
say: O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited me not.
He will say: O lord, how should I visit you when you are
lord of the worlds?
He will say: Did you not know that my servant (human)
So-and-so had fallen ill and you visited him not? Did you not
know that had you visited him you would have found me with
him?
O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed me not.
He will say: O lord, and how should I feed you when you
are lord of the worlds?
He will say: Did you not know that my servant (human)
So-and-so asked you for food and you fed him not. Did you not
know that had you fed him you would have found that with me!
O son of Adam, I asked you to give me something to drink
and you didnt.
He will say: O lord, how should I gave you something to
drink when you are lord of the worlds?
He will say: Did you not know that my servant (human)
So-and-so asked you to give him something to drink and you
gave him nothing. Did you not know that had you given him
something to drink you would have surely found that with me.
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Hadith Qudsi, 18, related by Muslim!

This goes out to the current filthy, wealthy billionaires and
millionaires of the world, who dont give a damn about others,
people in trouble in their neighboring countries or even their
immediate neighbors. For those of you who only care about
getting the latest cars and bigger mansions, dont forget; you
may lose it all in an instant, BOOM! Kapoo! Like that,
nothing, and if by any chance you manage to preserve it, once
again remember you will travel to God without any of your
riches.
***
Almost all religions and philosophies of our world make
sharing, unity, and sympathy their pillars. Letting go of
possessions and believing in intangible riches seems difficult but
it is not impossible. In fact anyone can do it if he stands up
with faith and devotion for what he believes in.
If you make love the captain of your soul, a real-time
paradise will be your destination. There are actual prizes for
those people who choose love and optimism. For those people
who are walking on the road to equity with a true emphatic
purpose. For sure there is a reserved place for them to live with
satisfaction and harmony. They have a PROPER purpose for
their life. They have a higher goal to live for. They know there is
a place beyond this revealed reality to be manifested and they
strive to make everyone reside in that place of humbleness. They
live the life they love, so they love the life they live. Therefore
when they wake up in the morning they rise and shine since they
know they are worthy, living for the entire universe, and rest in
peace at night with satisfaction.
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Christina has become one of these individuals, awakened

ones, claimed Alpha.
***
The Bole International Ethiopian Airport, as usual,
is crowded by passengers of different nationalities.
Mr. Solomon handed the luggage to Christina and
stood, waiting for a goodbye.
With Christinas tallness and his shortness, people
may suggest that he was a boy escorting his mom.
Solomon, I really want you to know that I am not
leaving forever.
I know Christi, you have told me everything, he
said trustfully.
So you know that by the time I come back I need
you to finish your assignment and provide me full
information about the legal issues and prerequisites to
start humanitarian NGOs in Ethiopia. I may not pay
you but I believe you will do it.
Dont worry about it Christi, I will not let you
down. Above all, I am honored to help my own
people. Just make sure that you return to Ethiopia,
and perhaps then I will show you Axum and Lalibella,
our wondrous historic sites.
That will be great, I promise I will come, bye
Sol.
Goodbye Christi, have a safe journey.
She embraced him and got onboard.
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When the plane took off from Ethiopias land up

into the sky; Christina felt down. She realized that she
had become attached to this country and its generous
people a little bit more than she thought she was. She
will certainly miss them, her new family members and
their land.
***
As a first thought, Christina even wanted to return
directly to California and start her fundraising
program, but she didnt. Even if she has found the
answers she seeks, something inside is telling her that
her adventure is not over yet, plus she wanted to meet
Marwone; hence she chose to travel to India.
India received Christina with all its stunning
colorful views, spirit-feeding holy chanting, along
with the fragrance of the Indian Ocean. She rather
found it to be a country of diversity; it is in fact a
country of variations. From the most beautiful to very
unattractive, from the very tall to the very shortest,
from the extreme rich to the slimy poor all kinds of
people live in India, together.
A good-looking Indian woman came to her.
Hello there Christina, a thousand apologies if I
kept you waiting.
Hello, you must be Priya, dont worry you werent
late.
Yes, I am Priya, I will be your guide in Gurgaon,
please come with me, I will take you to a good hotel.
Christina agreed and followed her. She liked the
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fact that her new tour guide was a woman.

So why did you choose to visit this city? asked
Priya a few seconds after she started driving. Christina
told her everything in short. Priya was really amazed
by what she heard.
That day she booked a room for her and gave her
cell phone number in case she needed anything. The
next day Christina called Priya and asked her to take
her to the location of Marwones college.
When they reached there Christina asked her to
wait for her in the car and went to the campus alone.
She asked the university administration for a student
named Marwone and they called her from her
dormitory.
Marwone was indeed surprised to see Christina in
India.
Hey there Mari, how are you doing? Christina
broke the silence.
I am fine Christi, how come you are here? I
mean, how is your leg? I really didnt expect to see
you here, she asked with a surprised face.
I know Mari, I came here yesterday. My leg is
healed, thanks for asking. Can we go out and have
lunch together? she spoke every word quickly.
Of course Christi, let me change first, give me
five minutes.
Marwone came back after a while, looking
gorgeous. They both went to the car; Priya drove
them to a nearby restaurant, where they had lunch
and spent some quality time, three different women
with different stories, around the same table!
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From their conversation Christina noticed how

much Marwone missed Unikelo already.
Anyways how is class Mari? she asked to change
the subject.
Not bad actually, but the students are so tough to
compete with.
Priya nodded, agreeing with Marwone. You are
right, most of the students admitted to that university
are high-graders.
That may be right, but you should work hard and
keep up with them, Christina insisted.
I know that is true, Christi. I am doing my best.
How about you Christi, what are you studying in
California? asked Priya.
No, no, I havent joined university yet. I
withdrew from senior high school. After I finished
my plan I want to study psychiatry though.
That is a nice choice, Christi, said Mari.
When the meal and the conversation ended, they
escorted Marwone to her campus. On their way back
to the hotel Priya invited Christina for a dinner at her
house, as a welcome. Christina gladly accepted the
offer.
When the time came, Priya took Christina to her
house. She greeted all the family members and sat
among them at the dining table. The chairs
surrounding the table were occupied except for the
chair right next to her. Just after they started eating, the
door opened and a man entered the room.
Christina noticed his young, attractive appearance.
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He closed the door and sat on that available chair by

her side. At that instant, her blue eyes collided with
his glittering, milky eye not just an accidental empty
collision, but a meaningful electrifying type of
collision, mesmerizing.
Good evening everyone, I think I am late for
dinner, he said.
***
Abdul Ahad was trying to loosen the tension
between himself and the strange guest girl.
Were just getting started, by the way Abdu this is
Christina, our guest.
Abdul Wadud had discerned the intense eye
contact of the two youths.
Hello there, I, I am Abdul Ahad. He shook her
hands, they felt very soft and smooth.
She replied late, I am Christina.
Seconds passed, their hands were still fixed.
***
Alpha wondered, asking its portions, how long is the precise
duration of falling in love? Why are you startled? It gawked at
the portions! It is not an astrophysics question! It is a question
about love, the thing that most of us experience at least once in
our lives. So how much time does love need to take over?
Dont worry, I dont know it either, I really dont. It seemed
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certain. However, I can tell you that love, for me, is a glimpse of
heaven manifested in life. So it is not bounded by the time-space
continuum. No one can put a frame to it. It could instantly
happen with a single eye contact or it can occur through a trust
built over a very long period of time you know.
Love is inclusive, unconditional and caring. Sometimes real,
sometimes an illusion; joyful at once, painful at another instant.
At times it will make us such optimists that we could argue
that a camel could make it through the hole of a needle, and it
could, some other times, make us so pessimistic that we hate our
very existence.
Love is not an easy path, nor a hard one; it is just a path, a
holy path!
***
Christina and Abdul Ahad didnt sleep all night.
They were thinking about each other on their
respective beds.
Christina had never felt like this. Her quests of
truth and worries had lost their power; a new form of
emotion full of passion had taken control love.
Abdul Ahad, on the other hand, was keen to meet
her again. He missed the twilight of tomorrows sun.
He couldnt sleep! He then remembered a thing that
would relieve him; he opened that fabled poem book
of his and started writing Moved by a marvel
force, he began:

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Moved by a marvel force,

Attracted to a different universe
Just a single glimpse,
When the eyes collapse
The gates of our soul,
Real oracle of passion,
Towards the edge of affection,
Locked in the prison,
A Joy without pardon,
A bless without heaven
Dark as the eyes of a raccoon,
Bright as the blossom in a garden,
To rush in the magical train,
To test the sweetness of pain,
Fall in love again
Soaked with the holy fountain,
& feel alive again,
Dont be a maze runner,
Kneel and surrender
You are not a survivor,
But just another lover.
That is what I felt,
When my heart melts
Hot like the Saharan belt,
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When we two met

Forcing me to write a saga,
Alpha & Omega!
Christina,
When I see your face,
That face,
Reflecting your internal grace,
That grace,
Reflecting your internal humbleness
I didnt need a second more,
To realize you are the one,
I know it came from my inner core,
Through the power of ardor
I know my feeling is true,
& I hope you feel the same too
I dont know what will happen next,
But still glad I met,
You and Love perfect.
A year later
I can do things you cant, you can do things I cant;
together we can do great things.
Saint Mother Teresa
***
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Happiness is not calculating your life based on

your predictable future achievements, happiness is
accepting and cherishing any form of experience on
the way, contemplating every step towards your goal.
For instance, Christina is happy, she didnt expect
this, she thought her job was about to begin it was
almost done. Seized in front of a palace, a banner
hangs on the gate, it says:

Christinas Foundation.
Mr. Solomon opened the gate; he seemed
different, appeared a little bit taller for that matter. He
knew Christina would be surprised.
One year, that is a long time. He was grinning
ear to ear.
Yeah but I never knew it was so long you built a
palace. Christinas eyes were still on the banner.
No Christi, I just rent it, please get in and we will
talk then.
Solomon you kept your promise, how did you do
all this?Christina demanded as soon as she sat.
Mr. Solomon clarified, Christi, I remember
meeting you a year back, thinking that you were
another tourist who would enjoy her time, take
pictures and leave. But in those days I spent with you,
how could I put it? You really wronged my guess; you
inspired me, towards empathy and charity. You were
not just a random tourist at all. He smiled and
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continued. So when you left Ethiopia, I immediately

started to do the assignment you gave me and realized
that I might do a little bit more than researching. I
conveyed some of my close friends; took out some
money from my savings account and started to
summon some beggar children from the streets.
Through time people become very supportive of our
work this is what happened so far.
Christina has found the base to make her dream a
reality, she couldnt ask more from Mr. Solomon, but
one thing of course; she wanted him to go with her,
to Gambella!
***
Abdul Ahad missed her; he remembers that night
with Christina, the first time for both. Not technically
perfect but the union was emotionally super. That
poem played the vital role in their amalgamation,
elation.
Marwone on the other hand was standing next to
Abdul Ahad, waiting with the same keenness to see
her complement. The plane finally arrived at New
Delhi international airport. Christina and Unikelo
trotted to Abdul Ahad and Marwone, every cell
stretching to grasp the same vibration in the apparent
individual. Alpha was all there is love.
***

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Twelve years later

Somewhere in East Africa, Ethiopia,
Gambella.
A black adult man with a well-built masculine
body is straining his muscles to lift huge tree branches
and insert them into the cutting machine. All sweaty,
firm arms and shoulders, body fluid rolling downhill,
down through the mid-fissure; a fissure shaped by
bilaterally plateaued chest muscles, sliding inferiorly
upon his six pack waist a stallion male in his factory,
Unikelo Reforesting Loggers plc. Unikelo locked
his workshop and headed to his home.
***
Take a moment and look at them. Children are
specimens of Gods purity, honesty and love. Their
eyes reflect absolute freedom and trust; sparkling, the
unaltered form of the soul. Totally alive beings!
Among the many children playing in the rain one
ran out to Unikelo.
Why did you name the foundation after my
name? asked little Benjamin, looking up to his dad
with his pure small eyes.
Benj, did you remember Aunt Christina? His
dad invoked.
My aunt who lives in a far country, yes.
Good boy, you remembered her; she is the one
who coined the name of the foundation. It is as a
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memorial for your Uncle Benjamin.

Was she his sister? asked little Benj. Unikelo
tried to explain in the simplest way possible, the little
one heard with partial concentration and flew out to
play in the rain. Unikelo smiled as he felt a hand
embracing him from behind; he looked over his
shoulder, it was Marwone.
Look at our son, strong like his dad, she said,
staring at little Benjamin with admiration.
I wish, if only Benjamin could see us living as a
family.
Me too, she said, remembering her first
conversation with him. Unikelo, she cried with a
voice seeking new attention. Did I ever tell you what
happened before the day you told me your feelings?
No.
I met Benjamin and, and she stammered,
and passed him over.
No more promises to break. She smiled and
looked upward, there lies Gods promise to preserve
life, a rainbow, over the sky; beautiful stripe, VIBE,
Green Yellow On Red, promising a better Ethiopia, a
new image for this ever prideful brave people, an
even broader new definition for this fertile continent,
Africa. TIA, yes. This Is Africa with a new
impression, a land of unlimited resources facing
unlimited hope. Hakuna matata as they say.
That doesnt matter, you didnt know him back
then, said Unikelo lamely, and took her by the hand
and kissed her, on the balcony; no swinging chair, just
a banner hanging above them, moving forward and
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backward with a divine wind. Two words were

written in bold over it:

Benjamins Foundation.
Benjamins soul sparkled in the heavens.
***
Mr. Yodah, and his narrower definition of self and
family, was never powerful enough to defeat the vast
power of love. It is unshakable fact, in the end, love
will take over!
***

Somewhere in Asia, Middle East.

A call of prayer is heard from a distance, Haji
Umer was calling.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Ashehadu ala ilah ile Allah
Ashehadu ane Muhammad rasulelah
Haya alel selah, haya alel felah
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
La ilah ile Allah.
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Kedir and Amir quickly washed their feet and

finished their Udu. Their white dress and black coat
gave them a look of two pigeons. They put on a white
cotton hat and hurried to attend the prayer. As they
reached they noticed dozens of Muslims standing in
line, shoulder to shoulder, as a concord. Haji Umer
was beautifully narrating verses from Surah AlMuminun, The Believers, colorfully chanting the words.
They followed him and prostrated for the almighty;
as their forehead touched the carpet on the floor, they
felt a deep divine stillness beyond the roof
After the prayer Haji Umer sat for a Dawa
spiritual teaching,
Our Quran says there is no compulsion on
religion (Surah 2: Ayah 256), whether Sunni, Shia, Sufi
or Ahlal Kithab (Christian or Jew); we shouldnt force
our religion on them as long as they didnt impose
theirs. We dont need to start a war unless it came
onto us. The prophet, may peace be upon him, was
here to fulfil good conduct, sent as a mercy to the
whole world. He never preached or showed hatred to
the human race in place of mercy, he cried for all
humanity. Islam is Salam, Islam is inclusive. That is
what makes it uniquely divine, having peace as its
pillar He continued teaching in the mosque.
***
A couple of years have passed since General
Williams evacuating the area notion was accepted by
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the congress; two peace activists, a woman called

Christina and a man named Abdul Ahad, played the
key roles.
The mosque and its surroundings seemed peaceful
now, no bomb blast, no insecurity.
There is just this wind, a divine wind, a wind
shaking the sign over the roofing, a sign of a star over
a crescent moon; a sign of a mosque, the local people
call it District 25 Mosque.
Ar-Rahman loved this better.
***

Somewhere in U.S.A., City of Angels,

California.
A divine wind was shaking the wooden cross over
the Angels Church.
Dr. David was reading a new book; he skimmed
and stopped by the introduction of the book, the
words continued:

Page 1 Introduction
Peace be upon you, said Jesus to the
disciples, as he entered the room... but he is not
the only one who greets like this
As he came to finish the first chapter, Greetings,
Christina entered the room with her fianc, a
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handsome guy who happened to be one of the two

authors of the book, Abdul Ahad.
Oh doctor, you are already reading the book.
Wait, let me show you where your parts come out.
She took the book and opened it to the final pages.
It reads like this
A universal unity starts at an individual level. When
an individual has peace with his internal ego then he will have
peace with everybody around him. That is when we could make
Utopia a reality, as the Bible says, Continued Dr. David.
Nobody will stay forever, in this world, remember this moment
is where you achieve the best of yourself, all your experiences and
actions brought you to this point. You may not go back, but
you have now to change your future presents.
For many reasons this generation seems to understand this,
understand that no breathing thing is omnipotent, he at least
needs the help of oxygen to last. Plus the recent issue of
globalization and technological advances like the Internet are
playing their part towards unity. Media and transportation
bringing the world to a single small village; journalists and
fixers risking their lives; it is a matter of time before borders
become history, or not, it is our choice actually.
We all know that nature balances itself, good versus evil,
light versus darkness. So far the history of mankind is filled
with the latter one. World wars, hunger, genocides, diseases,
chaos and other many sides of the evil, most of our story so far
is bloody sad. Gods manifestation of darkness must come to an
end; we must choose to experience his good parts. Lets leave the
darkness and violence to our history, our movies, music, games
and sports. Let the positive experiences take over our actual
lives. Lets be civilized, strive towards a higher identity,
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intellectual beings.
Dr. David related the benefits of Unity, by
demonstrating how the U.S.A, the free state of
Abraham Lincoln, has moved forward through the
power of uniting. He also mentioned the Soviet
Union, the shattering of the German wall, Oda
Nobunagas unification of Japan, and many other
occasions proving the sweet fruits of Unity.
He proceeded:
Currently we have the European Union, but why not the
United States of Europe? We have the African Union, but
why not the United States of Africa? Why not the United
States of Asia, the United States of South America,
Australia? And eventually we have the United Nations; it
seems a daydream but why not The United States of Earth! It
surely is difficult, but not impossible, all we need is a step by
step solidarity, universal consciousness, accepting differentiation,
economical interrelation, social interaction, cultural segregation
followed by political unification.
A Unified World! The United States of Earth.
A united and cooperated world for the bright future of our
children!
One nation under God, a United Kingdom of Human
Beings.
After all this is what Jesus wanted us to do, oneness. Let it
be on Earth as it is in Heaven!
This is what Prophet Muhammad ordered, not to let go the
rope of concord, brotherhood.
This is what Buddha preached by telling us to see ourselves
through others.
This is what Moses commanded, to treat others the way we
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need to be treated.
This is what Gandhi meant when he said, Im a Hindu,
Im a Muslim and also a Christian.
This is the equipment of Madiba, changing a land of
apartheid and xenophobia to a land of opportunities and hope.
This is what Martin Luther King dreamt prior to the day
he claimed to have a dream.
This is the vision of awakened ones; Che Guevara,
Napoleon, Imam Hussein, Malcolm X, Saint Mary
MacKillop and many more.
This is what Michael Jackson meant when he sang We
Are The World.
This is what John Lennon wanted us to imagine.
This is the lighters up for life in the fast lane, for real thugs
like Tupac.
This is what Einsteins advice to free ourselves and widen
our circle of compassion refers to.
This is the massage Bob Marley had in mind when he yelled
out One Love.
This is what this book is all about.
This is the message, this is the truth, this is the way, and
this is the only sanctuary.
This is it, UNITY!
***
Dr. David found it hard to believe those words in
the book actually came out of him.
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It was an engagement dinner people have

gathered. Christina and Abdul Ahad were sitting
majestically, Stillina and Mr. Sebastian, Kedir and his
wife were also there, alongside Mr. Sebastians close
friend, General William. The One Republic music
Good Life was heard in the background. Dr. David
smiled at all of them. So did Alpha.
Mr. Sebastian stood up. As he struck his glass with
his fork a shrieking sound came out; everyone turned
their attention to him, time for a speech.
First of all, I would like to congratulate my
daughter and Abdul Ahad for their engagement. I
look forward to attending your wedding in District
25, I admire your powerful love and your respect for
each others religion and culture, he said wisely. I
also need to congratulate Abdu on your new what
shall I say? Spectacular, new age holy book. I know
how hard you worked to make this publication a
reality.
He then turned his attention to Christi. I
remember, he said narratively. I remember,
Christina making her decision to travel, to be honest I
didnt like it, I was so afraid that my little girl would
be getting herself into trouble. Now I know, I know
that she was ready to fight troubles. He smiled.
Not only her troubles but also others. I am very
proud of you baby, you have inspired me. I do
remember watching you waking up early in the
morning to keep food from the trash bag. That is why
I believe you will be glad to know that, I have
launched a charity project, a project that will find a
solution a better way to handle waste food
handling, he said humbly.
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We are working on a system to prevent all

wastage of leftovers, a better way to keep processing
and transport them to the needy; we called it the No
Food in the Trash project. But that is not all, we are
also planning to build some apartments for the
homeless in California. Hope we will make a
difference in peoples life, and all of this is because of
my dear Christina. He smiled. Once again, thank
you all for coming. He sat down, applause overtook.
Christina was proud of her dad, she always was.
Christi, you are making me uncomfortably
curious; please tell me, what is the big surprise?
Abdul Ahad asked her.
She slouched towards his shoulder and muttered,
I am pregnant. She rubbed her abs as she smiled,
there was a commemorative hand-band on her wrist.
Baby Samir is on the way, Abdu giggled.
One Republic continued in the background:
Oh... This is gonna be good life.
Good life, good life, good life Good vibes!
Samirs soul sparkled in the heavens.
***
Master Tongyei glanced at the striking view of the
Himalayan mountain chain. The mountains have lurked
and kept something precious out of his sight his
son.
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He dodged the unpleasant feeling, and stood up to

return back home, but there appeared a silhouette in
the middle of the twilight. Master Tongyei adjusted
his eye lens to see better. A man gradually became
distinguishable; he was wearing a long orange monks
dress, and had a bag on his back, but there were two
objects at hand, one in each. In his right hand was a
gray rosary with big round beads, and the left one a
book. A black book, a New Age Holy Book.
My son! shouted Master Tongyei, as he moved
nimbly towards him.
***
Singadarti and Master Tongyei returned home with
the speed of sound. Singadarti seized as he saw his
mother at home; she smiled first and cried like a baby,
embracing her son, her wonder.
My little Singadarti, she muttered. You kept
your promise.
Actually, it is Master Singadarti now, and an
author of course, he said opportunely and grinned.
I knew, she said happily. I knew you were
going to be a great master.
What is that book? asked Master Tongyei
curiously.
It is my book, Dad. I wrote it with my friend,
Abdul Ahad.
Please read me something from it, you know I
cant read, his mom insisted, with unquenchable
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thirst for her sons voice.

Master Singadarti opened the final page of the
book and started reading.
He was surrounded by the most important people in his
life, his family.
He recalled the five rubrics of his life.
1. Give without expecting, giving is believing.
2. Always try to see the best in people, of course, from their
angle of view, not yours. Remember A stick in a bundle is
unbreakable. Stay bonded to them.
3. Dont just sit and complain, go out and explore, there is
a lot to be contemplated.
4. God is not coming down to fix our problems, he is
already here in each and every one of us. Act in that manner,
Holify the essence.
5. Life was never easy, and will never be.The challenges as
separate souls are over but the challenges as a united species are
about to begin.
Keep the faith!
In any case,
Love, Seek, Accept, and Unite.
Unity, Ahad, Tongyei, Atman, Om Shanti, Ole, Ubuntu,
Anedenet, Tai Chi, Utopia.
United we stand together as one, divided we fall one by
one.

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THE PURSUIT OF UNITY IN TIME OF

SEPARATION
He closed the book.
Alpha felt victorious, Omega faded.
The highest one loved it; he had always preferred Alpha
somehow You know.

Message Delivered

202