aurore - an unusual love story √

part eleven

Disclaimer : Religious and political talks are not intended to hurt emotions. If they do, kindly unfollow this story and don't read this chapter any further.

" Quran pak says, Muslims are the highest order of mankind.
And we Muslims believe that wholeheartedly. Yet, as minorities, we have liabilities. Hence we have to sit in a country named India and listen to someone saying that they detest Muslims, and yet not protest. Because if we begin saying the same, the saffron government will murder or rape us, and won't be behind bars even for a single night. " , Sonara finished her cup of tea and smiled.

Jai kept cutting the cheese omelette for sometime.

" My words evidently hurt you Sonara. "

" Obviously it did, because I'm a human. But not enough to register, because it's not your fault. Muslims have been rampantly stamped as terrorists. When I know, being a true Muslim, it's not the truth. And again, India hardly remains secular. Some so called orthodox Hindu families have taught this way to their children -- Hate Muslims. They are distasteful. " , a soft smile never left the corner of her lips.

She continued,
" 'So called' because such orthodox Hindus hardly represent the traits of true Hindus. Bhagvat Geeta never said , 'Hate Muslims'. But Geeta did say, 'Never Lie'. Do all orthodox Hindus follow this? Do they never really lie in life?

Selective orthodoxy, selective Hinduism, that's what it is called. " , she made a sarcastic noise.

Jai remained silent.

" And I'm sure you have been brought up in an orthodox Hindu family, sir. The way you protested to even sit on the bed initially that night, shows that. But....." , Sonara paused.

Jai didn't look up, nor take in even a gulp.

"....but the fact is, you look truer a Hindu than an orthodox.

Your orthodoxy did not let you sit on the bed initially, the same you later did not hesitate gulping in glasses of water from a Muslim, trying to ponder upon stories of her life. That's the sign of a true Hindu, a true man, an emotional human.

Your orthodoxy didn't let you step inside a dargah, but the same you could even visit a chawl, leaving behind class and religion to meet a Muslim woman.

Your orthodoxy makes you word your detest for Muslims, but the same you share a table at a restaurant with a Muslim.

Lastly, when need be, you can spend the last drop of your strength to fight for another human in need, even if they belong to the religion you have been taught only to detest. "

Jai now looked up, and was met by a soft gaze.

" Mr Jai Prakash Raichand, you are a true Hindu. And you should be proud of that. I don't detest Hindus. Though I know Muslims are better than them. So don't you. You think you do. You think I'm different, and hence you can look upto me... even though I'm a Muslim, even though I represent grass root. But believe me, you'll do this for just anyone. A secured life didn't let you get along with humans of other stratas to this day.
That's why you haven't known what you are.
And that's what makes you beautiful. Pure. You didn't even bother to know that. "
Sonara got up slowly, and placed a hundred rupees note below her cup of tea.

" My gratitude goes glim, yet a cup of tea from my side will make me happy.

Good day. "

Without a word, Jai bid a goodbye to a woman whose every word cut deeper than the earlier, whose every word made him question his stand, more and more with each passing day.