OH LIFE “I MUST SURVIVE” (EPISODE FOUR)

STORY SERIES

...It was broad day-light when they woke up. They quickly got their things together and left the stall before the owners came.

People were already on their way to work. Jarin therefore started to sing for alms. She

had a sweet voice and she kept singing the same song over and over. All she said in the song was, “If Allah has given you, then give me. May you never lose your sight.” She had sung this song for many years and she was not tired.

When it was time for breakfast, Tesa took the bowls and some money. She soon came back from the market on the other side of the road with enough food for the two of them.

 As they ate in their corner which had been their home, Tesa went back to their conversation on the previous day.

“Tell me mother,” she said. “Why don't you hate my father after all he had done to you?”

 I love him,” Jarin answered. “I have always loved him. You do not hate the person you love. Also, I think he ran away from me because he was afraid he too might become blind. A rich man in our town who wanted to marry me before I married your father swore that we would come to a sad end. I can't blame your father very much therefore. That is why he refused to take me home.”

Tesa remained silent for some time, looked at her mother and then said “Mother, you are very sweet, Never mind what my father did. I’ll stay by you.”

“I know you will, my dear” answered the mother. “If I didn't have you I wonder how hard life would have been. I wish we could be together for many more years. Jarin sighed and this made Tesa to ask.

“Why do you do that mother?”

“Oh never mind my child,” Jarin answered. “I don't know why I became afraid for a moment.

Jarin began to sing again. For a while Tesa joined her in singing, she sometimes did when she had nothing else to do. Her thin small voice blended with her mother’s and together they made sweet music. Passersby could not help watching them and listening to them. More gifts came, Tesa smiled at the people who dropped money into their bowls or gave her a dress.

Tess did not feel ashamed of being a beggar’s daughter. She was not ashamed that her mother was blind that they lived by the roadside. She saw other children of her age, well dressed, passing by with their mother or being driven in big cars but she did not mind. She had a kind heart. She did not envy them. Often time she waved her little hands to them, smiled and they too waved back and smiled at her, they all lived in the beautiful world of children.

 Some of the little girls who passed almost daily became very friendly. They got to know her name. Someone would say “Tesa, how are you?” she too… to be continued on Thursday.

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