Enlightened and Emancipated

By Ibrahim Noorani

People hardly find time for themselves in this effervescent world where tyranny and oppression of body and mind leave their checks on daily basis. The question of Knowing thyself barely stands a chance. Being challenged by this question, Steve Gage, son of a wealthy millionaire, becomes cognizant as to what is the reason of his existence which in turn is relevant to all mankind.

Anthony Marques, a savant, introduces Steve to the mystical world of self-realization and elevates him to a place unimaginable to him. However, not being able to endure the power of this knowledge, Steve uses his gift in the pursuit of revenge and intentionally wrecks the lives of the people who are dear to him; Sarah the love of his life and Paul his best friend. But then realizing what he had done, Steve by the help of Anthony Marques tries to repair the damage he has caused to his friends. This book ventilates a tale which shows a variety of emotions including love, hate, lust, despair, revenge and curiosity.

Based in the modern times of twenty first century, against the fast pace life and fallacy of the world, Enlightened and emancipated tells the story of a young man's quest for self enlightenment and how his love for knowledge leads to the destruction of the lives of people who were close to him. From the frailties of human nature to the impeccability of divine love Steve Gage realizes the purpose of his existence and explores the mysteries of the universe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481714709

Ibrahim Noorani

Ibrahim Noorani is an experienced Motivational Speaker, interactive Soft Skills Trainer and an aspiring HR Consultant, especially skilled in utilizing different facets of Human Behaviour, Career Counselling and Management Consultancy. Ibrahim holds a Masters degree in Public Administration with specialization in Human Resource Development and is also a Certified Trainer. Ibrahim has also been functioning as a faculty member and visiting faculty at the Department of Public Administration at the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University and University of Karachi respectively.

Book preview

Enlightened

and

Emancipated

Ibrahim Noorani

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AuthorHouse™

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© 2013 by Ibrahim Noorani. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 02/20/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-1471-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-1470-9 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Two Years Back

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

One Year Back

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

"Dedicated to my wonderful parents and my lovely family

Who love me just the way I am

I am nothing without you"

"A special thanks to all my friends

They know who they are

You were a constant source of inspiration"

Seek Knowledge from the cradle to the grave, as ink of the scholar is holier than the blood of the martyr

Prophet Muhammad (SAWW)

It was a late summer afternoon; I was lying in my bed thinking as to what I am doing with my life. Nothing was going right it seemed like everything had come to a pause. I could not figure it out but then suddenly it struck to me that Saturn is about to make a transit into Virgo then this whole abeyance would end. I have helped many people with their life problems but when it comes to myself I feel like I am helpless. What’s the use of this knowledge when you can’t help yourself in times of exigency? I am lonely.

Paul came to me and said, ‘Steve! Are you hungry?’ I didn’t answer because I was not sure. He asked again ‘Steve, Are you hungry?’ This time I said no, I was too frustrated with myself to eat. Paul is very caring; he cares for all of us. Paul is a software engineer. The definition of tall, dark and handsome clearly fits on him and he is my friend and I am his but he is more to me than just a friend he is like my brother. But then again everyone who ever met him felt like the same that he is more than just a friend. He is humble, sympathetic and has love for all humanity. He never eats alone. He is never lonely.

I opened my laptop, turned on my software, put in my date, place and time of birth and drew my birth chart. That was easy any one can do it. But I was good at interpreting it as well; at least that’s what I thought. All my friends and family come to me when they need advice dealing with their issues, except no one has come in lately, but Sarah came and asked me if I wanted some juice to drink. Sarah is lovely, with her perfect body, reddish brown hair, lushes lips and deep dark eyes in which I can swim for hours. She is heaven made. I love her and think she loves me too. Even though I have said this many times but she doesn’t believe me because she’s Paul’s wife but yet still she some time feels that she’s lonely.

Mother is too old to take care of her 23 year old son. She has high blood pressure and the problems with which women are blessed by nature. But even in her condition she constantly comes to visit me, I was lying in my bed with my laptop on my lap then she comes in with her bright smile and comforting words and makes me realize that I have no problems at all. That’s what mothers do; they love you no matter how petulant you are and care for you even when you don’t in return. She was not that old but feebleness made her that way, but yet still she cares for her children. She had two sons and a lovely daughter and a house full of grandchildren who kept her busy all day long. But yet she is very lonely.

Father came in with Plato’s Republic in his hands because he knew what love I have for philosophy. He always said, ‘Steve is the golden child because he has the heart of gold.’ I never believed him, to the world he is a man of his words but to me he said things he never meant. Father is immensely respected by every one in the city; he is a rich man who built his entire fortune out of his own brilliance. That’s because he has Mercury in the ascendant which also rules the tenth lord. Father always took care of his family; never let any thing happen to anyone. He always kept everyone happy. But he himself was lonely.

Mathew is the Apollo of the family. Like Joseph of Egypt women were all over him. He never had trouble with women because he was a charmer. I personally saw three women who would give out their lives for him, but that was all before he settled down with Rachel; my sister in law. She is one jovial lady who made Mathew very happy. They have a perfect life, a son Lemach and huge bank balance. ‘You lot should stop pampering Steve so much’ that’s what he used to say to mother and father. And now I think he was right. Mathew always has some one to praise him so he doesn’t get lonely.

I finally decided that I would have that juice Sarah brought me, and then suddenly came Freda my sister. She is the only person who would laugh at my jokes, even though I am not funny. ‘How are you little brother’ said Freda. What was I suppose to tell her that I am down or that I don’t know what damage have I caused to myself or a simple I am fine. But Freda always managed to look inside me; her introspective nature was merely a delight for the family. Freda has a happy married life but that was not the case in the past. Now she has a daughter Rebecca and a son Max. So she has her hands quite full all the time which doesn’t give her time to be lonely.

It is obvious; I have a happy family, loving friends and I am rich. So what am I doing with my life? This is no place to spend my youth but due to my own deeds I am now lying in my bed with my laptop on my lap, having people whom I love visiting me my friends and my family almost every day in a mental institution. I am so lonely.

Two Years Back

CHAPTER ONE

The morning was clamorous with birds chirping tumultly. Steve looked out from his window and saw the splendid sun blooming from the midst of silky waters. The aroma of roses growing in his backyard was a brisk to the olfactory. Then suddenly the familiar sounds of cuckoo birds beatified the entire vicinity with sacrosanct as if angels have descended from the skies to sing the hymns of heaven. Even so the whole canvas was flagrantly drawn by nature, all that was in vain for him because the reclusion of his heart was not to be filled by materialism. However, it was not just an ordinary morning because his exams results were to be announced that day.

Steve was twenty one, at that age you don’t even have to look handsome to be handsome. The will resigns and you believe you know everything, but the truth is he was too young to do anything well. Paul and Steve were graduating from college, Steve was never interested in college but it was his father’s wish that he completes his bachelors in business administration. Paul was to get his degree in software engineering. He was good at it. But then again he was good at everything. Steve knew Paul when they were in junior high and they have been friends since, even though they shared different interests but one interest was common and that was Sarah.

Steve came to the notice board in the hallways to see the results. He was sure he wouldn’t have made it, so he was agape with amusement when he witnessed the impossible, Steve had cleared his exams, not with flying colors though, but enough to get appreciation from father. Sarah aced the exams and was among the top three students who were given scholarships for the university’s masters program. Sarah was a smart, intelligent, vibrant beauty a combination of Athena and Aphrodite. Steve could not figure it out what gave him more pleasure, looking at his results or watching Sarah prance with exhilaration, she was even more voluptuous with that triumphant look on her face.

Steve held the honor of elevating her spirits when she was down, but today he didn’t have to do that as she was elated as it is. Steve went to her and said, ‘Congratulations, you did it once again’. She hugged him spontaneously, he was glad he went.

She said, ‘I haven’t got words to explain what I am feeling right now’

‘No need, I can see from the look on your face’

‘This is just so good, it’s even better the time we went to Rosalux’

Sarah was an art lover; she lived on the words of Pablo Picasso that Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth. Because of this people who knew her, usually wondered what she was doing in business administration, but then Peter Drucker also had an impact on her as she always quoted him that Business has only two basic functions—marketing and innovation.

‘For you maybe’ he whispered. Steve had the best time of his life when he took her to Rosalux. That was the first time he felt really close to her. But it was not a mutual feeling.

She asked calmly, ‘What happened, I mean did you pass’

‘Yes’. Again she hugged him excitedly.

‘This is so great. We have got to celebrate’.

Steve was on seventh heaven when he heard that, he could not control his excitement. She wanted to celebrate with him, the idea was electrifying.

But then she said, ‘Where is Paul, we have to tell him the great news. We all must celebrate tonight’.

All his hopes were crushed like tyrants withering rosebuds. He said sulkily, ‘Sure, as soon as he comes from his graduation ceremony’. She never could see through him, she could not read faces. She then turned to her friends gasping with joy as if they all had accomplished mission impossible. Steve had no friends but Paul and Sarah, though he never thought of Sarah as just a friend. He wished she could have felt the same.

Cynthia approached Steve and said, ‘Hey good job Steve, you finally made the cut’.

He was glad that at least some one took notice of his results. ‘Thanks, I see you have also qualified for the scholarship. How do you guys do it, I can never be as determined as you lot’.

‘It’s simple we love what we do, we are interested in learning this. You were never serious so you never got good grades. One must always do that which interests him’.

‘You are right. But to be very honest I don’t know what I am really interested in, I just did this because it made my family happy.’

‘Then you should have worked hard, you could have made them even happier’

‘I tried, but that’s the hardest I can do’

‘Hey what can I say, success doesn’t come before work’

‘Yes it does, in a dictionary’. She giggled and pushed her glasses back, her myopia was fascinating it modified the look of her eyes giving them a mysterious look.

‘So what are you planning to do next?’ she said.

Steve was always careless about that, he wondered how these people think seriously about their lives so much. Perhaps that’s why they have great prospects in the future. ‘Well I don’t know about that right now, but what I do know is that Sarah, Paul and I are planning to celebrate tonight. Care to join us.’

‘Not sure, but where are you going anyways.’

‘I don’t know, but some place nice maybe.’

‘Hmm… . Well ok’

‘Ok then, I will let you know.’

*     *     *

Steve put the keys in the lock and opened the door to enter the passage to the drawing room, he was stunned as he was not prepared for this; the entire room was decorated with confetti and a huge panaflex hanging through ceiling with his picture on it. There were banners labeled with, congratulations Steve all over the place with some soft music playing in the back. He could smell the cooks preparing his favorite dishes; Beef carpaccio, Ravioli and Molten Lemon Cake with Simmered Summer Blueberries. His whole family was there in a party mood, mother, father, Mathew, his wife Rachel and Steve’s sister Freda and her family.

The moment he entered his father hugged him, his mother kissed him, his brother patted on his back and Freda and Rachel smiled at him with open arms. It was startling for him because he didn’t tell them about his results than how did they knew? Who told them? But right now these questions did not matter to him, what mattered was that his family was altogether and they were all happy for him. He thought, ‘I can never be thankful enough for all the blessings that I have encountered in my life’.

‘Mr. Gibbs called and told me about your results’ said Father. Mr. Gibbs was the college principle; he respected Steve’s Father immensely, not because Father was polite and humble but because Father always gave a massive amount in donation to the college. It was due to this Steve was able to get admission in business administration faculty in the first place because his father had to pull some strings. He was not smart enough. And he never got over the feeling that he took some deserving person’s spot just because he was rich.

‘Oh I see’ said Steve

‘I am proud of you son’ said Mother

‘It was not rocket science mom, no big deal’

‘Yes but you proved that you can do anything if you put your mind to it’ mother said proudly.

‘So what about Sarah, I m sure she must have passed as well’ Mother knew how Steve felt about Sarah, and unlike Sarah, Mother could always read faces.

‘Yes, she has also been offered a scholarship for further studies. She really deserves it’

Then Father intervened, ‘Forget it, scholarships are for those who can’t afford a decent education, they are for poor people’ Father believed that rich people should have nothing in common with poor people.

Alexander Gage was rich. So Steve was rich. Alexander Gage had many friends. But Steve didn’t have many friends. Alexander Gage made a fortune by investing in rails and trucking industry in the state of Minnesota. He was a pioneer in landscape services and property management in the city of Minneapolis, with a chain of businesses running all over the state. And Steve was to inherit his good fortune. Steve liked being rich but the only thing that he didn’t like about being rich was that he had to live with rich people, as he was usually surrounded by them.

‘Now it’s about time you should start taking interest in the family business’ said father, ‘your brother could really use a hand’

There it was; the potential reason because of which Steve was forced to study business administration was about to be actualized. Mathew was a brilliant business man like his father. He was a human calculator. He could do whole sums in his mind, something Steve could never do. Family business started to prosper immensely the day Mathew joined with his father. Gage Enterprises reached its heights when Mathew took charge. But for the past one year the business was not doing so well; despite the surmounting debts neither Alexander nor any of his family members were ready to give up even an ounce out of their lavish life styles. But Father knew that he will get himself out of this mess one way or another he always did and for that it was his wish that his sons take complete charge so that to ease his burden

‘Steve would need business suits; he can’t go roaming around in his type of wardrobe’ Mathew turned to Steve and said, ‘sorry buddy but that junk’s got to go’.

Mathew was very peculiar about his looks and dressing. That was one reason women were all over him where ever he went. Steve never cared about how he looked, and his nonchalant behavior worried Mathew a lot.

Steve was overwhelmed by this whole situation, ‘I just graduated today why we don’t have this discussion some other time’.

The smell of his favorite food filled his mouth with water, but somehow he knew he won’t be able to enjoy them. Steve wondered, ‘How do I tell them that studying business administration was the hardest thing I did.’ And now the idea of actually taking active part in business was eating him from within.

Freda was dazzled; it was strange usually she was always composed. Her children got the better of her. Rebecca was five and Max was one and together with Rachel’s three and a half year old son Lemach the three of them were invincible, at least until they went to sleep. Freda joined Steve in his plea and said, ‘Please you all, at least leave your business talk for one hour so that we could enjoy a decent lunch’

Father said, ‘Hey I am not unreasonable, come on let’s have lunch’. Father was crazy about Freda she was his favorite child. Father always gave preference to any thing she ever said. Then Father stood up and said to Steve, but it was meant for everyone that, ‘I live to work son, that’s how I have built this whole empire’

‘Your father built this whole empire from scratch, he has worked hard all his life’ said Mother.

‘But I wouldn’t have succeeded like this if it weren’t for your mother. She sacrificed her dream of becoming a heart surgeon to