THE NIGHT

It is a dreamless night. As usual for him, since earlier this week, it's another sleepless night. He has been having this problem since Monday and today is Thursday. This is a serious problem, he wonders lying on the bed cursing for the umpteenth time in a row. He needs to see his mate, he agrees silently to himself.

Qays, being a 'being', has nothing of the problems plaguing his country. Poverty. Although not that much in his mind, his salary is enough for daily basis. He has a roof over his head. Provides for his mother although being the second born of the family. Has all three meals, with quality on top of that. He has enough to call clothes; among the blessed he counts. What is there to ask for in life besides that? That would be a sin according to him. With those life deserves appreciation, doesn't it?

Holding a degree in accounting, it was easy for him to land a job in the city, Mogadishu. Although this wasn't his dream, he's happy for not being a doctor at least. Who gets the pleasure of seeing people cry everyday? Those people are good-evil. In one part they help people in sickness even though not for free. And in the other hand, they take advantage of people who are vulnerable and enjoy it as a career. Come on. Who gets to do that? Nevertheless that's part of life where

you have to be a spectator, he's not the one making life rules. Nonetheless he enjoys his work. Who gets to play with money, that everyone is being driven crazy for, everyday?

He has already accepted this as his fate. Sweetless mother of boredom. He made up his mind. He is going to agree to the next proposition to marry a girl that 'popped' in the town. And by popped he means just attained puberty. Since the day he turned 18 his mother has been nagging him to marry. Now 23 he is sick of waiting for the ONE. He should at least grant his mother her wish. Isn't that plausible? In Somali culture a man of 20 should be married. He has exceeded that by far.

His mother, Alia, had raised them singlehandedly without a husband. A widow which spells disaster in Somalia. Due to male seniority, after the husband passed away, his brothers take his seat. Other than that it's either two; get chased from the family without a pound of inheritance or get yourself no care from the family while the inheritance gets plundered. There are other options but these are the sought-after. His mother for one, unfortunately, refused to be married to the elder brother while inevitably falling in the former, being chased away.

After struggling for a bit, she settled. And that's when her stars truly started to shine. After being spotted by a humanitarian group that were donating loans, she started her own business assisted by her eldest son, Bashir. She enrolled the other two sons to school.

Now Bashir took over the family business and so far they are expanding. In Madina town, they are known for their indigenous clothes, Sabr clothing centre. He is happily married with a son, Hanad. Life is not always about being literate and have certificates to make it to the other side. It's always about having what it takes. And what does it take? Hardwork and patience, 'sabr'. Now they are on their way to the other side.

The other two pricks, one is him of course, he had already finished his studies and is working for himself now that the family is well provided for. He is a professional accountant in Salam Somali Bank. He is earning his way and learning to stand on his toes. He started this job a few months back. He lives with his mother. A typical-somali life he would say.

The last born, little Zakaria, is in college studying computer science. This has amazed him since he was a child. He is in the famous campus of Siman University. He would be through in 2 years to come.

Nervousness. Maybe that's why he can't sleep. Maybe it's because of the upcoming competition, The Local Singles Man-up competition. it's a kind of ritual for the singles. About two decades ago, there's been complaints riling up about men being at their very low during conjugal rights hence them not being able to satisfy their women. This competition was set to give men the motivation to work hard in that particular area. If there is one thing men care about is to not lose.

Qays sits up on his bed holding his chin completely in thought when he hears the door creek. Oh it's a girl. What! He jumps out of his bed mesmerized by the looks of the girl. She is wearing a white bikini looking at him with her emerald green eyes. He gulps a lump of saliva. Never had he imagined that tonight would after all end up like this.

'My sleepless nights led to this. Ok. Where should I start. Oh! Sh... sh.. she is walking over to me. Fuck! Let's be calm first and greet her. Oka..'

"Hi. Who are....." She kisses him right on his lips. "Enough talk let's get you on the bed." She says pushing him to the bed.

Grrrr. Qays sighs goes over to his phone and picks it up. "What? I have someone ov.." He looks over to his side and sees no one. 'Was that a dream. Never felt like one. Oh that's the beauty of dreams'

"Hey, listen there is a mid night 'Saar' ongoing here at Badil Forest, if you know what I mean. Ha!" Someone at the other end replies.

"Ok. But first I've got to shower."

"Did you.....?"

"No! I don't want to hear this."

"This early a night. Man you've got a problem."

Qays hangs up the phone.

*******************************

Qays is walking over to a man. A short bulky guy. The guy is wearing a hoodie and a pair of black trousers. The man is standing on the side of the road his hands in his pocket. He is smiling as Qays walks over.

"Hey, did you...?"

"I told you. Shut the fuck up."

They start piercing through the woods. The atmosphere is silent except the crooking of frogs from time to time.

After a while, the sound of foots stumping on the ground is heard and a drum beating rhythmically. The famous Somali traditional dance, Saar. It's played by both men and women facing each other at a distance of one and a half metres from each other. A drum is played, it could be a Jerry can, rhythmically.

The men start stomping on the ground with their two feet one at a time. It starts slowly while clapping to the sound of the stomps. Right, right, right then left, right and then the men start walking over to the women in the midst of their action but faster now. As they near them they jump up and shout and roar to show their significance and ultimate power. And they come back to their starting point. The women sing while they move their body up and down like a wave.

Qays runs over to the sound shouting. The other guy also follows suit.

They see that the Saar is already in action. Qays jumps in and follows the Saar. The other guy goes over to the side and sees a girl. ' This chick is good!'

"Hi, my name is Aidid. Of course the famous General Aidid who defeated the Americans without breaking a sweat. I mean his name is living in me...." The chick looks at him scoffs and walks away.

"Worth a try." Aidid says disappointed.

Qays comes to Aidid panting. "Whooo! That was exhilarating, man. It got me pumped up."

"At least you got pumped up." Aidid says looking to the side.

"Let me go get us a soda,"Qays runs to the soda baskets. He picks two and as he was turning to go back he sees a girl behind him.

"Ha.. ha..Hi." Qays stutters looking at the girl.

"Can you hand me soda, please," the girl replies pointing at the basket.

"Of course." He gets her a soda and they start walking to the party.

"You play well, I mean the Saar. You are good at it."

"So do you."

"Thanks but I didn't play."

"I imagined it right now and you seemed well to me."

"Oh, you have a pretty thought world."

"So I think. By the way, my name is Qays."

"Hodan."

"Good to meet you."

"You too. May I introduce you to my friends?"

"Sorry, my friend is waiting for me. Will you be at the competition?"

"Yeah."

" See you there then, Hodan."

Qays runs to his friend, Aidid, smiling. Aidid is seen sulking and looking at Qays with scornful eyes. "Look at you being flirty," Aidid says.

A police siren is heard and the place turns upside down as everybody struggles to see himself get away from the cops.

Qays and Aidid run for dear life.