The Whispers of the Falling Rain

By Wasif Haq

The whispers of the falling rain revolves around a girl who is divided between following her dreams and being inhibited by her fears, confused between selflessness and selfishness, and whether to keep running to achieve more or stop to enjoy what life offers. It is a story of determination and believing in oneself that no matter how many challenges life may present us with, we can survive because essentially life is bigger than both our dreams and fears, both of which can hold us back and may make us stuck.

It is a story of determination and believing in oneself that no matter how many challenges life may present us with, we can survive because essentially life is bigger than both our dreams and fears. As human race experience social devolution, can a single person really stand up to the challenges and dreams to bring a change succeed despite all injustices in the world?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365435935

Book preview

The Whispers of the Falling Rain

The Whispers of the Falling Rain

The Whispers of the Falling Rain

1st edition

Copyright © 2016 Lulu Press

ISBN: 978-1-365-43593-5

Catalogue

Labyrinths of life by Wasif Haq & Jarrar Alam (2012)   Borrowed from rainbow by Wasif Haq (2013)

Dental home guide by Wasif Haq (2014)            Stories & glories from Pakistan & Australia (2015)

Dedication

This novel is dedicated to Abdul Sattar Edhi (1928-2016)

Edhi holds the Guinness world record of providing largest voluntary ambulance service. On average, his organization takes 6,000 calls everyday and deliver services in approximately 10 minutes. The organization runs because of the charity and donations by people in and out of Pakistan. He has received many national and international awards and holds an honorary doctorate degree awarded by University of Bedfordshire and Institute of Business Administration, Karachi. Image Courtesy: Anum J. Cheema

When you help someone and guide them truly, you live forever in the hearts and lives of those people, even you may be miles apart but your presence & essence lives forever with them- Wasif Haq

Preface

The whispers of the falling rain revolves around a girl who is divided between following her dreams and being inhibited by her fears, confused between selflessness and selfishness, and whether to keep running to achieve more or stop to enjoy what life offers. It is a story of determination and believing in oneself that no matter how many challenges life may present us with, we can survive because essentially life is bigger than both our dreams and fears, both of which can hold us back and may make us stuck.

In today’s world where we are witnessing social devolution of the human race and communities which have given rise to many questions. These questions relate to defining our purpose in life and whether the desire to achieve more in a highly competitive world means anything when we might be losing the connection with ourselves as well as people around us. In such circumstances, who can ‘heal the world and make it a better place?’ Such is the story of the whispers of the falling rain which aims to find the answer to the question that can a single person who dreams to bring a change really succeed despite all injustices in the world?

The whispers of the falling rain was originally written in 2006 and completed on 8th May, 2006 (02:06:10 am) in Karachi, Pakistan. Since then the story has seen many modifications before being published. Sadly Abdul Sattar Edhi, one of the greatest philanthropist departed from this world this year, leaving behind his message of love, care, compassion and service for all. This version of the novel contains references to Edhi sahib’s contributions and free services.

I would like to especially thank the following people for their help with the novel:

Arsalan Yahya from Islamabad/Pakistan, for providing a wonderful picture that is the cover picture of the novel.

Bilal Kayani from Islamabad Police for providing information about Pakistan"s law and court proceedings.

Ruth Leong & her friend from Singapore, for providing information about Singapore.

The alternative cover picture was made using Veemee 3D Avator Creator, a free Android app.

I hope you like the story.

Thank you

Wasif Haq

http://coolbluez.com

Dated: 2nd October 2016.

It was a rainy September morning. There was chill and cold in the air. Mishal, a young and energetic girl of twenty-two years was singing along the loud music as she drove on Islamabad roads. One could tell by looking at her how much she enjoyed the music. With all windows rolled up, she was tapping her fingers, hands, legs and feet along with the beats of the music. For her, it felt like there was no one else on the road.

Adding more color to the scene were the lovely raindrops slipping away from the windscreen. She loved watching the rain and the sight of the clouds over the mountains. But as much as she wanted to stop by and take a look, appreciate the beauty and the moment, she was busy thinking about new ideas for her articles in the newspaper.

There was an aura of energy rather hyper energy around her. It felt like she wanted every second to last as long as an hour because she had so much to do and always so little time to complete things. On the back seat of her car, she had her laptop on which she was copying documentaries from an external hard disk that she had to return back today to her office colleague. On the passenger seat, she had her electronic tablet, few sticky notes that contained reminders of things that she needed to do for the day and wrappers of chocolates that often used to be her quick breakfast. If that was not all, she also had a book open on the passenger seat. Every time the car stopped at the traffic light, she paused the music and looked at the book. She hated sitting in the car, doing nothing and waiting for the light to turn green. It was the least productive use of time to her. Besides, she loved singing along the songs and make mini dance moves, which she did not feel comfortable doing it when she had to stop the car amongst the traffic.

Apart from traffic lights, another disruption to her in car concert was the driving mode on her phone. Anytime that a text message or email arrived, her phone started to read the message. As much as she disliked her songs getting interrupted, the driving mode feature helped her prepare replies in her mind and stay updated.

Finally, she arrived at her office. With high music and just timely breaks she parked her car and stepped outside with a piece of banana bread in one hand and file in her other hand. After finishing the bread, she took out her phone and started reading the online news on her phone as she waited for the lift.

When she finished reading the news, she looked at the file in her hand. Through the transparent cover of the file, she could see the newly written article with which she had high hopes from that this article will be liked by her editor.

Both Mishal and her editor, Miss. Tehmina, had a long history of negating each other. It was a surprise that they were still working together even though at times it looked as if they both loved opposing each other due to historical reasons of dispute between themselves, as opposed to logical reasons.

After entering the office, she looked at her schedule of things that she needed to complete.

Busy day! But I’ll get it done! She said to herself.

There were doubts that Miss Tehmina is going to reject the new article. But Mishal knew that she put a lot of energies and new ideas in writing the new article and anything that we do with full dedication and put our heart in it, it is bound to create an impact. Mishal was often optimistic about things that were generally bound to fail. She let go of any superstitious thoughts about Miss Tehmina and started walking towards her office.

Miss Tehmina was an old lady who had been working in this newspaper publishing organization since past thirty years. Whether the notion of opposites attract needed revision or just Mishal and Miss Tehmina loved to prove each other wrong, certainly needed in-depth investigation. Both of them would hardly miss any chance to oppose each other. While Mishal believed in bringing in new ideas and enlightening the minds of the people, Miss. Tehmina, the senior editor always focused on publishing what the general public wants to read. This article was the same, bound to bring nothing but an argument at the start of the day.

To keep the odds of the rejection of the article, Mishal started the conversation on a light note.

Did you enjoy the rain? Mishal asked her editor Miss. Tehmina.

Not really. I was already getting late and then I had to drive slowly due to the rain.

Mishal thought in her mind

Didn’t they say that weather was one of the most neutral topics to talk about? She could even find negativity and complaints about the weather!

Either it was an omen for how Mishal’s article was going to be accepted or just a coincidence that both of them found the very first point of dispute and dissimilarity between themselves out of hundred other things that would emerge as the day would progress.

Oh, that’s not nice to hear. Anyway, over the weekend I wrote this article, would you like me to drop a copy of it at your desk or you can take a look at it now? Mishal asked.

Miss. Tehmina looked at Mishal and after a moment of silence said

You can take a seat and I can quickly look over it.

Thank you Miss. Tehmina but you know it would be best for me to drop a copy with you. This article has a depth and I think it demands a detailed reading. Mishal said.

You know Mishal, I have been working here since thirty years. I look at the first line of the article and can tell that whether it is worthy to be published or not. It’s like you take the first bite of a dessert and can tell if it has been made well or not.

Mishal passed a smile as if she was pretending to agree with her.

Miss. Tehmina picked up the article and started reading it. After a minute, the same thing happened, what has been happening before. She said

No, no, no. That’s not what we expect you to write, you’re going too far away from the line, that’s not gonna help you.

But it has got a different concept, a feel to it and a food of thought for people.

Miss. Mishal, how many times I’ve to tell you that people want to read what interests them, not what interests you? They buy our paper coz they think we understand what they want to read, and what our consumers want to read, dictates what’s going to be published in the paper. I really think you need to revise it rather, I would say write about something else.

But until and unless, we don’t bring a new idea in front of them, how can we predict that they are going to dislike or reject it? Why can’t we change the notion that the news has to be always negative? Why the headlines are always depressing news? Can’t we put positive news and stories as main headlines? Mishal questioned Miss. Tehmina.

It’s the way newspapers sell. The negative news highlights people’s issues and that’s what catches everyone’s attention and leaves an impact. In today’s competitive world where print media is already near extinction, we need to be on the top and topics that you like to write about aren’t going to do you or the newspaper any good.

We complain about things but we, the journalists ourselves propagate and inject negative news in people’s minds and then say that society is becoming negative. After all, we receive what we give

Mishal we only show the mirror to the society. Besides newspapers is not what runs on fantasies, it runs on bitter and harsh realities

It’s not a clean mirror. A dirty, dusty, rusty mirror would make even a diamond look ugly. If there’s nothing inspiring, we are spreading hopelessness in the society.

Mishal my every minute, every second is important. If you want to work here then you have to comply otherwise with arguments like these, I don’t want to be wasting my time and applying for bank loans to pay the staff.

Mishal collected back her article and left the editor’s room. As she came out, her colleague Rizwan came to her. Rizwan was quite a good looking guy who was famous in the office not only for his jokes and friendly nature but also because he owned a luxurious Bentley car which he drove to his office. While people liked Rizwan either for his company or money or let’s say both, Mishal tried to stay away from him as she felt that he was interested in her. For Mishal love and relations meant nothing because she always believed that these things waste one"s life and time. Her logic was that everyone is born alone and in most of the cases, would die alone as well. Life, therefore, should have a purpose and that was the reason why Mishal always seemed so busy because she always felt that she wanted to contribute to a million causes which touched her heart.

Rizwan passed a smile and said

Sad dejected and rejected as always Miss. Mishal…… What’s the story this hour?

I had been working on this article since a whole week. No social life, no TV, no sleep and in the end, my editor tells me that people want to read what interests them and not what is the need of the hour. Mishal replied with a sarcastic smile as she looked at the article.

She’s like a roller coaster; turns your mood and life awfully off just by spinning your head with all logic less logic that she puts forward! She continued.

Hmmm…. May I please have a look? Rizwan asked.

Rizwan every month in every newspaper published in the country are same articles, same war, poverty, love and relations, showbiz, gossip and nothing else. There’s just change of words and the theme line remains the same. Where is the intellect gone? Anyone cares about thinking outside the box anymore?.

Rizwan while reading the article said

It’s brilliant Mishal, simply super or superb I must say. These are damn good ideas that can resolve the issues which our public faces.

If I’m on this post, I feel carry a responsibility on my shoulders; I’ve to be sincere and honest with people who read my work, with my pen, with the opportunity that has been given to me.  I strongly feel that I need to bring a change to the lives of the people, to the society, to this country. Don’t you think?

I respect your passion and desire and that’s what I like about you that you think so differently than everyone else I know. I’m sure that one day you will be able to achieve what you are striving for, but before that day, how about if we go out and have an earlier lunch today?. Rizwan asked.

Mishal felt that no one took her and her work seriously. One of the things that she disliked about Rizwan was that he always tried to make her look at happier, lighter side of life. For Mishal, every minute, every second counted. She considered Rizwan and his optimistic approach as impractical.

No, I can’t afford to. I have to write something old labeled as newfor my boss. She answered.

Rizwan wanted her to accept his invitation for the lunch. His eyes reflected a special place for Mishal. At times it was hard for her to push the love away, to ignore the eyes which seemed to smile at her, which seemed to reveal a special place for her in his heart. There was depth in his eyes and the way he looked at her with his eyes, it did seem to induce the delicate feelings of love in Mishal’s heart as well. She would deliberately turn herself away from the notion that he loved her by avoiding eye contact with him because she did not want to fall in love with him or anyone.

Mishal went inside her cabin and looked at the article. For a moment she felt that she should just tear it apart and throw it away in the bin. But how could she accept the fact that she has chosen hopelessness over hope? She can never do it because, for her, her existence in this very time and space meant that she has to do something to change something about the world, about the people, about the system around her. On the other end, it was not easy to carry the weight of failures, rejections, and dejections all of the time either. For this reason, Mishal preferred to get rid of every memory and everything that would remind her of some sort of failure. But was it a real failure or something whose right opportunity was missing. These thoughts confused her and as a result, she kept all the rejected articles that she wrote in a separate file. The file had a funny name Hatching as she felt that all of the articles that were rejected had the potential to change the thinking and viewpoints of people about the issues that she considered important. Creating funny titles about the sad things in her life kept her spirits high.

She now started writing another article. Doing the same thing over and over again meant that she was not only wasting her talent and potential but also maintaining the educated ignorance, a term she used to describe people who held greatest academic qualifications but never stepped forward to do something to make the society a better place. It was the very type of audience which she always wanted to target through her articles. People who were graduates, postgraduates, who won national and international scholarships but when it came to thinking out of the box and doing things in a better way, it appeared that their conscience was deeply asleep. She always felt that people can do things differently in a more positive way if they had an exposure to different and better alternatives. This is what always kept her at loggerheads with Miss. Tehmina because she thought that through her articles, she can plant the seeds that will harvest different thinking and over a period of time, the society will evolve into a better place. But by publishing the same type of content actually meant freezing the society in a time frame and preventing them from exploring the boundaries which have been passed on to the society through generations, culture, and norms.

When Mishal was driving home, she saw some poor children with torn clothes and bare feet trying to sell balloons on the road near the traffic light. When the traffic light turned red, Mishal gestured the children to come to her. She opened her purse and gave 50 rupees to each of the five children selling the balloons. Upon getting the money, the children became very happy and she could tell from the look and shine in their eyes which reflected what this amount of money meant to these children. This had always fascinated Mishal that poor and underprivileged people always seemed to be genuinely happy. Their happiness was reflected in their natural smile and expression, whereas the people of Mishal’s own social status, their smiles and happiness did not reflect the naturalness that she just experienced right now.

What was unique about these children was that before Mishal could roll over the window of the car, the children gave balloons to Mishal. She did not want the balloons as she wanted to help the children than to buy things from them. But she was surprised when one of the children said

If you don’t take balloons from us, we wouldn’t take money from you. We are selling things, not begging.

To keep their heart and to help them in any possible way, Mishal accepted the balloons and put them in the back of her car.

It was not the very first time that such incident happened. She felt that these children and many poor people like them were trying to make their ends meet without selling their self-esteem. They would prefer to stand with torn clothes and shoes or no shoes at all and sell things than to beg money. In her mind, she used to think that how it is possible that the poor who struggle to eat and thrive would not compromise their self-esteem by begging but many of the country’s politicians would happily accept foreign aid. Thoughts like these were not uncommon for Mishal and while people may think that she was trying to be a wannabe girl by playing music really loud. The reality was that these questions and thoughts seemed to cause a whirlpool of conversations in her mind. Sometimes arguments, sometimes ideas and sometimes just deep regrets and she could be so absorbed in such thoughts that her eyes would get wet and it became hard for her to concentrate on driving. To prevent herself from drowning in such deep thoughts and questions, she would turn music really loud to numb her intellectual muscles.

At home, Mishal’s mother was cooking food. Mishal was sitting in the kitchen chatting with her friends on her mobile. Mishal’s mother said to her

Mishal I suggest you should leave this newspaper job, it just isn’t worth it. You know the meager amount of salary you get compared to the time that this job requires. I see you are gaining nothing out of it.

Mishal who was busy in chatting and sharing inspirational stories on the social network could not be convinced by what her mother said.

Mother it’s not about low salary, it’s about the opportunity, the chance to reach out to people, to change their lives and make a difference to the people who need help.

You can contribute in a positive way in any field. There is no hard and fast rule that you can contribute only by being a reporter in a newspaper.

Nothing is as widespread as the newspaper and I love this job. I mean I see the purpose of my life through the work I do.

I am afraid if you are aware of how many other things in life you are ignoring? Mishal’s mother asked her as she put plates on the dining table.

One cannot sail in different directions. I know my life and the direction in which I want it to go.

And do you know if you can ever get there? Mishal’s mom asked

I have a vision and this vision will guide me through. My vision to educate people that they shall not follow a road just because it seems familiar even though it may not be the right route. And that can only happen if we set out alternative examples, by doing something different

Easier said than done. It is similar as people live in Paris and making rules for the 3rd world countries. My fear is that you will end up wasting your life, your time and all the talent that you have.

But someone has to do something, then why not me? I don’t want my life to be the mother of two children who spends time taking care of her house and family when the community out there is breaking. It’s not what my life is for, it’s certainly not the reason of my existence

Mishal I never understand why you despise marriage and family life?

Coz that’s what binds us from reaching our dreams. Relations require so much time and energy and I want to do something better with my time, something that can make a difference in the lives of several people Mishal said

"I wish you knew that there’s