The cover picture shows a part of River Kunhar.
An Act Of Selflessness
The bus full of teenagers was erupting with cheers as it travelled down the rocky road. The voices overlapped each other as the boys continued their loud chatter. Near the back of the bus, a tall, dark-haired boy was singing a Tarana (Nasheed) in his entrancing voice, capturing the attention of those sitting close to him.
"Listen here, boys." A firm but gentle voice brought them out of their own worlds. There was something in that voice that urged them to follow whatever it said.
"We're near our next stop. Strain your ears. Can you hear the water crashing against the rocks?" Their teacher continued when he had the attention of all of his students.
The bus fell silent as they did what their teacher had asked them to do. The only sounds that could be heard were the grumbling of the bus's engine but as the seconds passed they could hear the rushing water. Their faces lit up with smiles but before the cheers could begin again, their teacher, Mr. Nasir, spoke again.
"I want you children to be very careful when we're around the water. River Kunhar is said to be one of the most terrifying rivers in our country. The water flows strongly, showing no mercy to anything that comes in contact with it. Be on your best behaviour when we're close to the water, understood?" There was no space for any argument in his voice and they all nodded, silently promising to follow his instructions.
As their teacher sat back in his place, the bus once again filled with the boys' chatter.
Upon reaching the hotel, they unloaded their stuff and checked into their rooms. They didn't see the need to unpack as they were to stay there no more than a couple of days.
"We'll offer Namaz (Salah) first and then have dinner. Then go to your rooms and rest up. We'll go down to the river tomorrow after some sight-seeing," Sir Nasir instructed, and even though the boys wanted nothing more to go out and explore their surroundings, they obliged as the tiredness started to weigh heavy on them.
~*~
As Saifullah stepped out of the hotel with his friends, he felt the gentle but cold wind hit his face. It was the start of June but the evening breeze was still cold, perhaps due to the river close by. The big group of boys left the building and scattered around, taking in their surroundings and taking pictures. This time of the year was one of the best and most awaited one amongst the boys of their school. Every year the school arranged Pakistan Tour for the newly passed out batches of its all-boys' campuses. The fifteen and sixteen year olds were accompanied by their teachers on their trip to explore the natural beauty that their country was blessed with. This time was no different.
They toured around the city of Mansehra and after offering Zuhr prayers and having lunch they returned to the river. Everyone settled down on the grassy bank of the river, talking and joking around.
Saifullah just sat there, unusually quiet. He was lost in his own thoughts when he felt a strong presence taking the empty place beside him. He looked up to see Sir Nasir sitting beside him with a warm smile playing on his lips.
"What's on your mind, son?" He asked softly, making sure no one else could hear them.
Saifullah remained quiet, trying to put his conflict into words. A few minutes passed before he spoke in a whisper.
"I was out playing with some of my friends from the neighbourhood when one of them addressed me as Maulwi and told me to pass the ball." He paused to take a deep breath before looking up at his teacher with a vulnerable look in his eyes. "Is this what everyone would take us for when we go out into the real world? Will we always be judged? If yes, then I don't want to go out in the real world, Sir. I want to stay here, surrounded by my friends and teachers forever."
