Ali Tells His Story
someone near and wanted to speak from his heart. “Kelly, I was born and brought up in Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq. Our house was on the western side of the city. It was a modest home. I attended the university for my higher education. I used to write poetry in those days. Our culture is very rich when it comes to literature and art. I was married at the time when the war started and I loved Fatima very much. The day my daughter was born, I was on top of the world. Fatima gave me a doll.” He paused and Kelly noticed that he was smiling.
“I still remember everything, Kelly. People marching through the streets, holding signs with slogans and singing patriotic songs. When I decided to join the army, my parents were very happy. For us, it is an honor to lay down our lives for the country.
One day, after the evening meal and the evening prayers, a Jeep stopped outside our house, and it was time for me to go for my duty. I kissed my daughter and my wife, took the blessings of my parents, and left. I remember clearly—I felt so proud that day.” Ali went quiet. The smile seemed to be fading. Ali was entangled in a web of memories and he was nostalgic. The years had in no way faded his memory. He still remembered everything so clearly. The water in his eyes had not been able to wash away the color of the past. In fact, the past had cast its dark shadow on his future, which was the present today.
“But, I made a fatal mistake that day,” continued Ali. “I thought the war would be confined to the battlefield and once people like me would be back from the battlefield, we would be able to live normal lives. I should have known better but…” He drew a deep breath.
Kelly was still sitting next to Ali on the bed. She was facing him and could very clearly make out the tears and the pain in his eyes. “Yes, from my study of history, I know that wars are not always contained only to the battlefields,” said Kelly.
Kelly’s statement came as a surprise to Ali. “History? What do you know of history? I thought you Americans couldn’t remember anything beyond your moon landing!” said Ali, smiling. It was an attempt to lighten the mood. He could make out that his frame of mind was having an effect on the playful Kelly.