Fiction by: Ashwomegh Nepal

It was a gray afternoon after the whole day of mild rainfall and no sun in the sky. The day was obviously boring for a student who had a long winter vacation with nothing to do. This was what happening to Aslam Nawab, a bachelor student in southern Peshawar. It was mid January and the days were still pretty chilly. He was supposed to get the television given for repairs, pay the telephone and electricity bills and vacuum his room but he was not in a mood for work. He had already fought the cold for a visit to local library and bringing four books to home (far above 2 books a time rule of the library). After getting home, he immediately changed and entered the bed to start a novel, ‘Floodgate’ by Alistair MacLean. Barely had he gone through a few pages he started to feel drowsy (thanks to the dull weather and warm and cozy bed).

He just woke up to catch a few words of his mother, which were “Spare him for now, he is asleep. He won’t go out tonight so you can question him then.” He remained, as he was, careful not to let the parents (who were at his bedside) notice that he was not only awake but also had heard their conversation. He could not hear his father’s reply but was sure that his father would not come to roughen him up in the middle of his sleep. What ever it was could wait till the dinner!

His father knew something about him, he wanted to question Aslam about it, he wanted to do that immediately after his return from office and he even asked for mother’s suggestion. All these summed up to a very sinister and grave situation in Aslam’s mind. What the hell could it be!!!! Aslam, now wide awake in his bed and thinking rapidly, what on the earth could it be????? He started pondering on different possibilities.

Could it be his smoking? He was now really terrified. His family would never accept smoking and he knew that very well. Not that he was a chain smoker but he grudgingly admitted to himself that he was hooked to it. (Damn man, its just one fag a day! he muttered). He started it at class nine, more or less as a fashion statement among his friends but at present he is doing his bachelor’s and he is addicted. He used to be careful while smoking in earlier times, smoking only in closed quarters, restaurants and friend’s room where no one could see him smoking but now-a-days he had become careless, smoking in open places, roadside kiosks. If his father has found out about this, he would be skinned alive, he was sure. (He even tried to imagine himself without skin; he looked horrible).

Or could it be his drinking? This option also sounded plausible. He had his own unique way of paying back the favors done to him. He would get the guy to a local watering hole and get the guy drunk, getting drunk himself in the process but a few friends of Aslam and the people to whom Aslam paid back the favors only knew this method. That was no excuse; anyone who knew both him and his father could have seen him there. After all it was not his private pub, was it? (Shit man, it’s getting worse, groaned Aslam)

There were other possibilities too. It could as well be his well-rumored affair with Yasmin Khan, his classmate. Though he never had any such feelings towards Yasmin, their friendship was just elaborated by their smart aleck friends. (She is beautiful though, he smiled a shy smile). Not that his parents were narrow-minded but they would not love their son playing Romeo when he was supposed to be constructing the base of his career. He too, was not a fool. He gave his studies and career his top priority, never daring to get involved with a girl unless he was financially and otherwise secure. But, but these rumor spread like wildfire and there was no way he could control it.

Now what could be the matter??? What, what, what, what, what was so serious? He was all fidgety and squirmy inside the sheets. He was not able to get to any conclusion. Getting into a conclusion was a thing far away; he was not even able to think straight. Being born as the first child, he was supposed to bear a lot of responsibilities. If he was found meandering in the ways he should not even think of going, with a dad like his, he would surely feel sorry for himself.

Would it be the porn videos? He had a few videos he got from his friends. That was nothing new; he always had one or two in his house. Not for him but surely for his parents who never knew of the existence of the videos before, but he had hidden them in a place they could never have found. (He even checked them; they were there, smiling at his foolish thought. There is no way they can find this video out, he thought). He ruled this possibility out from his mind and was happy for himself, he got something that was not possible and could be ruled out. All the other options seemed possible.

He was now in the verge of nervous breakdown. Perspiring and wet, there was not a positive in his mind. His movements were also getting stranger, he would turn to right and immediately to left and he would roll over, unconscious of what he was doing. Everything seemed possible and the day seemed to be last in his life. If only he knew what the hell was all about he would sort it out one way or the other; but he knew nothing about what his parents were talking. He could not bear it any more, what ever it was he was going to face it, how ever terrible it may be? (Though he could not imagine the magnitude of terribleness). Mustering up all his courage he got out of the bed and went to the toilet. The flat was strangely calm, like the calmness before a storm. He sneaked to the kitchen, he found his mother busy preparing dinner. ‘What is for dinner today amma ‘ he asked, trying to sound normal. ‘Aalu paratha with goat’s meat’ his mother replied. There was no irony in her voice. (‘Strange!!! he thought, the danger is still to come’). He tried to act if he had heard nothing and entered his father’s room; he was reading that day’s newspaper. His father lifted his head to have a look him. (NOW!!!! he thought).

Calmly his father said, “Aslam, where is the television? Will you ever get it back or not? It was your responsibility, wasn’t it?” and went back to the paper. Aslam felt a huge boulder lifted from his head. (Damn! That was all this about. Nothing was wrong). Phew, what a close escape!!!!!!!! .

The day changed Aslam’s life completely. They were never good for him, not now, not before, never. He realized what he has been doing was wrong and decided to give all his bad habits up. Actually he gave all of them up except one he could not do anything about (anyway he did not wish to do anything even if he could have done something about it). After all, Yasmin is really so sweet and beautiful.

Ashwomegh Nepal, age 20, contact: neaasish@hotmail.com
Copyright 2004, Ashwomegh Nepal
Reviews and Comments Requested
Posted 03/29/2004