Shibly's Diary
“Shibly, can you come to Mr Shareek’s house? Now immediately? This is something very serious. Mr Shareek has been attacked”.
“What? Attacked?” I was shocked. “Is he alright now?”
“Yeah, he is alright. But, we can’t leave it in this way, Shibly. It’s becoming a trend. Can you come to Mr Shareek’s house immediately? We have to change the content of the pamphlet”.
It happened on the day when Mr Shareek was attacked. I hurried to his house. That was the time the Mardur-First pamphlet was completely changed from its initial draft. This new draft eventually created turmoil and dramatic changes within Marudur.
The situation in Marudur had entirely changed since then. Marudur-First became a powerful force overnight. It was like an overnight regime change, a de facto coup. In fact, I must have felt happy. Because I was on the winning side. But, I did not feel content-hearted the way I should have. Deep inside my heart, I was feeling a sense of guilt and a sense of emptiness. I dared not to talk to anyone about it. I did not know whom to trust.
Marudur-First victory seems to be founded at the expense of people like Minhaj. When Marudur-First celebrates its victory, the life of Minhaj has become terribly worrisome and traumatic.
Minhaj's words are repeatedly echoing in my ears. "Do you know who Firdaws Hajiyar is? He is my father".
I have contributed in some respect to Minhaj's destiny without even my knowledge.
In the original version of the pamphlet, there was no mention of Firdaws Hajiyar. There was no mention of Mohideen Hajiyar's dishonest business practices. It was merely demanding Mohideen Hajiyar to step down and leave the village leadership to the educated professionals.
Then, a person called Japan Hajiyar hit Mr. Shareek. It was this incident that caused the pamphlet to change its format entirely.
"Mr Shareek has been attacked. Can you come to Mr. Shareek's house at once?" the principal asked me.
I was terrified. I could not digest the thought of Mr. Shareek having been attacked. I hurried to Mr Shareek’s house. When I reached his house, they were in deep conversation. The principal and Mr. Shareek had decided to change the content of the pamphlet. This second draft contained information about Firdaws Hajiyar.
Mr. Shareek nor the principal told me that Firdaws Hajiyar was Minhaj’s father. When I rewind back the happenings now, I feel like Mr. Shareek should have told me about it. After all, he was Minhaj’s uncle.
Both of them had decided to conceal the fact from me. I was not sure whether it was deliberate or not.
It was more likely to be deliberate.
There was another fact I could not understand. Why was it the same Japan Hajiyar who has been made the leader now for the post that Mohideen Hajiyar held?
Japan Hajiyar was the one who hit Mr Shareek. He was the one who caused the whole chaos.
There were many other unanswered questions in my mind. I was too afraid to ask anyone.
I should have kept myself far from this power struggle among Marudur bigshots. I should have put an ethical boundary around me, not to interfere in anything beyond my teaching profession.
I wish I got transferred like Rizwan Sir and Fahim Sir from this school.
I used to take every decision of my life extremely carefully. I take great care before every footstep of mine. But, I slipped in Marudur-First matter. I took an irrational decision to join and work with it.
The fact was that this decision was triggered by Nifra’s wedding. She was my fiance. She got married to someone else.
I hated my fabulously rich uncle for arranging this wedding. I hated him and I hated rich people for this reason.
I hated Mohideen Hajiyar as well, for this very reason, simply because he was rich. Otherwise, I did not have any personal hatred for him. I have not even talked to him in person at least once. This illogical anger of mine has caused irreparable damage to my friend Minhaj’s life. I have a fair share of responsibility in his despair. I cannot deny it.
I doubt whether it will ever be possible to undo the grievous-natured damage I have made. But, I must do something. I must clear his name if he is innocent and I am sure he is innocent. But, I can't do anything out of chance once more. Firstly, I must make sure Minhaj is truly innocent, beyond any reasonable doubt. Then, I will fulfil my responsibility. It is the only repentance I can make. If not, I can not face him in the court of God, on the day of judgement.
The principal thinks I am a bookworm. It doesn't matter.
I am a soft-natured person, though. It does not mean I am weak. I am strong within my heart.
My gentle character means my mannerism, not my weakness.
I am from a family with a well-educated background.
I have a stable financial source of mine. I have a career in the public sector.
The principal and his Marudur-First team could be powerful. But, the maximum they can do for me is to arrange a job transfer. But, it is not going to affect me. I like to work in any backward area in the country if I was ever transferred. Even Marudur village school is a backward school without sufficient facilities. But, I like this place. So, it is pointless to be afraid of anyone or anything.
I am the hero of this story.
I am a lion. I can not lead a life of a lamb here. I am in Marudur, to make a positive impact, not to help anyone who has ill motives.
The Marudur-First team is, doubtlessly, an educated team. But, its leaders are not genuine, if Minhaj’s version of the story is true.
In fact, these Marudur-First bigshots will be the real villains. They are villains, in a sense, who would not kill people with their swords. Rather, character-assassinate them, making serious damages to people’s personal dignity. I could face the same fate as Minhaj if they ever spot me crossing my redline.
It would not bother me if I am simply transferred. But, I have to fulfil my responsibility beforehand. Till then, I must remain within Marudur. If so, I should take every single step of mine very carefully. If I am found, I will simply be eliminated, I mean get transferred, possibly with character assassination. I will not be here, in Marudur, to clear my name. The black mark will stick to my name throughout the rest of my life.
((To be continued))
_ _ _ _
Previous chapter: chapter 22 (1) - A lonely path
Next chapter: chapter 22 (3) - a grave mistake
* Characters, events and the places in this story are fictional and a mere product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real-world events or characters is merely coincidental.
** Vijayapura and Marudur are fictional places.
Riza Jaufer
Akurana -Kandy,
Sri Lanka
