Chapter 11

Part 2

Precious moments

Tamina got off from work and headed straight for home as today was the day she has to go to the market place to buy medicines for her father. Kamran's condition has worsen as now he had intense coughs which lasted for minutes. On her way to the market, Tamina's mind kept worrying about her father. Kamran had all the symptoms of Tuberculosis, Tamina had doubts, but it was impossible to get him treated at the hospital. She knew very well that her father cannot be cured by local medicines and he needed proper treatment.

It was almost four thirty in the evening and the extreme hot weather had started to cool down. A cool breeze blew, caressing Tamina’s niqab covered face, taking away her stress for a little while. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, relishing it’s chillness which calmed down her body and mind. This was the favourite time of the day for every Belgarathians. At day Belgarath was hot as hell and at night cold as ice, but the time in between, that is during the twilight, it was a Paradise. The temperature was moderate, the sky bathed in all its golden hue of the sunset and the echoes of prayers from the mosques made it the best time to take an evening stroll.

Tamina paused for a while gazing at the sky which was starting to turn orange, and suddenly she became aware of the curfew and this made her resume her walk to the market place. The shopkeeper was an old friend of Kamran, and as he saw Tamina, he greeted her with a smile as usual. Tamina greeted him back with a smile.

‘ Here for the usual one? ‘. The shopkeeper asked her, indicating the medicine she usually bought from him.

‘ Yes, but I need something else too. Do you have anything for cough?. ‘ Tamina asked.

‘ Does your father have a cold?’. The shopkeeper asked.

‘ No, just cough. Without fever. ‘ Tamina explained the symptoms to him and listening to her, the man’s face turned grave.

‘ Daughter, look at me. Your father cannot be cured by this medicine alone. I am saying this because he is my friend. He needs to go to the hospital. ‘ He said in a serious tone. Tamina nodded her head agreeing with him.

‘ I know. I think it’s Tuberculosis. He has intense cough and is always tired and stays in bed. I urgently need medicine now, just for now. I will get him to the hospital as soon as possible. Just for now'. Tamina said convincing the old man.

‘ Take this. It will give him a temporary relief from the cough, but it’s effect won’t last much longer. Take him to the hospital to cure him completely. Just do anything to convince him. I know that stubborn punk. He won’t budge, I know, but make him do it, daughter. May God bless you. ‘ The shopkeeper said handing over the tonics and medicines.

Tamina thanked him after taking the medicine and left the pharmacy. She then went straight to the confectionery store to buy her favorite lollipops. Those lollipops reminded her of Tariq and whenever she missed him, she bought them.

Tamina was really stressed because of her father’s illness and she really needed her brother right now. Her mother was still drowning in her own sorrow of loosing her son, so Tamina didn’t wanted to stress her out by telling about the illness. She couldn’t eat the sweets because of her niqab, so she saved them for later. With two bags of medicine and herbs in her hands, she walked towards the exit of the market place. The exit and entrance for the market place was a large single gate, which was always kept open. Tamina walked towards the gate and saw a familiar figure leaning on the wall. Col. Barnes was wondering if Tamina had already arrived or yet to arrive at the market place and kept looking either ways for her. His eyes stopped at her figure and a small smile lit up his face. He was in casuals and seeing him not in his uniform was a little bit surprise for her. He seemed like a different person, more like a college student and not the stern, brave soldier she knew. Tamina slowly approached him with a smile.

‘ Are you waiting for someone?. ‘ Tamina asked.

‘Yes, you.’ Col. Barnes said as it made her flush. Thanks to her niqab, he didn’t noticed it.

‘ Why? ‘. She asked shyly.

‘ What do you think?’. Col. Barnes asked.

‘ I don’t know. ‘ Tamina said pretending oblivious.

‘ Because I wanna spend my time with you, Tamina. ‘. Col. Barnes said.

Tamina raised her eyes and looked at him. Suddenly, col. Barnes took the bags of medicine from her hand and walked towards his jeep which was parked near the market place. After putting them inside the vehicle, he returned back to Tamina, jogging happily.

‘ Wanna go shopping again? ‘. He asked Tamina.

‘ I just finished mine. I don’t have anything else … ‘. Before she could finish her sentence, Col. Barnes dragged her into the crowd.

Both of them ran through the crowd, laughing and giggling at their own childishness. They stopped at an intersection to look at each other. Both of they were panting of excitement and laughter. Suddenly, reality hit Tamina. Her eyes which crinkled at the end soon changed into the one filled with fear and anguish.

‘ What happened? ‘. Col. Barnes noticed the change in her eyes.

‘ We shouldn’t be doing this. You know, we can’t be like this. ‘Tamina said in a sad voice.

Col. Barnes knew very well about what she was talking. Any Belgarathian women who gets involved with a foreigner is treated as an outcast. Tamina was afraid of that, being abandoned by the people she loves. He knew that all she needs is reassurance from him.

‘

, I love you and I am not using you for my needs. I sincerely do love you and I plan to keep you forever with me. So you don’t have to be scared of getting abandoned by the society. I will always be there with you, no matter what, whether you go through hell or heaven, I will be right beside you. This is the promise of a soldier and I seal it with my life’. Col. Barnes said pouring out his sincere heart.

‘ I too can’t stop thinking about you. I think, I love you too. Yes, I know I love you, but I am scared beyond imagination. ‘ Tamina confessed her feelings out of blue.

Col. Barnes was not really expecting it from her, but as she expressed her feelings for him, he was happy and a sense of responsibility for his woman took place in his heart. Col. Barnes was that kind of man, so dedicated and loyal, responsible beyond doubts and brave enough to claim what he wants. He never let anyone down who put their entire faith in him.

‘ Don’t be. From this moment onwards, I will be there with you in each step you take. I promise.’ He said tightening his hold on her hands.

They stood there looking at each other for a minute and suddenly become aware of where they were standing. They looked around and saw that nobody was really looking at them. Everyone was in their own world minding their own business.

‘I really planned to say something to discourage you from this, but when you confessed, I felt the sincerity and I couldn’t either hide my feelings for you. ‘ Tamina said looking at him.

‘ Honestly, I didn’t expect your confession either. You really shocked me. Never knew you were this brave, My little Tami.’ He said patting her head.

Tamina giggled hearing him call her little and he laughed with her.

‘ What we are doing is right, right? ‘. Tamina asked again.

‘ Loving each other is not a sin, Tami. Whether it’s yours or mine, no gods forbid it.’ Col. Barnes said and Tamina relaxed a bit.

‘ What are we going to do now, Col, Barnes?’. Tamina asked him.

‘ First, from right now, stop calling me Col. Barnes. Call me Jacob. ‘ Col. Barnes said.

‘ Who is Jacob?’. Tamina asked.

‘ My maternal grandfather and my middle name too. My mother used to call me that. ‘ Col. Barnes said in a sad voice.

‘ What’s your full name?’. Tamina asked surprised to find a new thing about the man she love.

‘ Persey Jacob Barnes’. Col. Barnes said.

‘ That’s a very long name. Mine is just Tamina. ‘ She said in a low esteem voice.

‘ Just like you, tiny Tamina. ‘ Col. Barnes said smiling and Tamina giggled again.

‘ Say my name, call me Jacob’. Col. Barnes requested.

‘ Jacob’. Tamina said shyly.

‘ My little Tami. ‘ He said matching the vibe.

It took them a few second to realize how childish they were being and laughed at each other in unison. On the way back to her house, at the beginning of the lane which leads to her house, Tamina removed her niqab, not afraid anymore of the world as she had a brave man beside her. Col. Barnes kept gazing at her face, as he never get enough of her beauty.

That was the beginning of a love that was never meant to happen in that land of struggles and miseries. It was the first time a foreigner has fallen in love with a native woman, not to use her, but to keep her forever. They walked hand in hand, under the golden sky, enjoying the cold breeze towards an unknown future, oblivious to everything around them.