1BULLY SCENE I fail to comprehend why Assef’s glances are evoking so much of guilt in me. It is making me feel as though I have involved myself in a heinous crime. This feeling is rendering me hopeless. My state is similar to that of a goat who is not allowed to break away from their set path; those beings who are completely devoid of freedom. The cold atmosphere along with the growling of the dogs seem to echo louder and stronger with each passing moment. I constantly ask Allah, what allows humans to be so heartless? Have humans completely given up on their respect? Can an individual be deemed worthless just because their identity is not ‘acceptable?’ I constantly ponder why I am not allowed to attend school with Amir Agha. Moreover, am I just a servant? The next moment I remind myself, these thoughts are ceaseless but it is the answers that will be of utmost value. Am I incompetent because I am a Hazara or a Shia Muslim? Sometimes I think I am different because I follow a different style of prayer. At other times, I believe it is because my father and I are not as wealthy as the others. Allah, please provide an appropriate response to my numerous and woeful queries because without these answers I am completely directionless. My state is similar to that of a Christian seeking advice from a Muslim. I could even consume dirt for my friend, Amir Agha but I constantly wonder whether he would consider doing the same for me? I would adopt any means to become a cause of his happiness and even embrace the blame for any atrocious situations that I have not produced. I consider him my brother. However, why does he not consider to reciprocate the feelings for me?A thought engulfs me: why does he ignore me when he is around his other friends?As I travel through these thoughts, an inner voice questions me: what is the matter with you, Hassan? How could I think about Amir Agha in this manner? After all, I consider him as my brother. Maybe his insecurities or fears are leading him to act this way. Nonetheless, that does not stop my love for him. I am ready to tread this path a thousand times for him.
2BULLY SCENE Am I that big of a hassle for my country? Isn’t the colour of our blood the same, or am I a totally different creature? Is it because of the disparities in my nose or eyes?Am I different because of my odd ears and chin? Maybe I am unworthy because I am poor just like my father. I compare myself to a kite that is cornered and assaulted by all the other kites. I feel like the small kite that everyone attacks easily; the kite who treads unaccompanied and is punished through violence. Would I have lead a more content life if I was a Pashtun Sunni Muslim? In that situation, Amir Agha would be friends. We would have attended school where I would have learnt to read and write. I would use this knowledge to write numerous stories about Amir Agha. Allah, please forgive me for my unruly and chaotic thoughts. Have I just interrogated my own religion? Allah, I consider your path to be the just one. If you falter to answer my questions then who will? If I assume myself as a small kite, does that actually mean that I am abandoned? Sometimes I believe that there are alternate kites that will safeguard me. Are my protectors my uncle or Amir Agha? They do regard me special, don’t they? Of course, they do… Why else would my uncle bear all the expenses for my cleft lip surgery? In my personal opinion, family is my first priority. Even the entirety of the world would not be enough to replace my father, uncle and Amir Agha. Time seems to be trickling by, Hassan. What have you considered to do? Do I remain mute? Should I override the fact that Assef treats Amir Agha and me similar to unworthy animals? Should I turn away just like I normally do? Hassan, what is your chosen path? Should I remain quiet? I reckon I should revolt and stick up for myself. Should I also do the same for Amir Agha? However, what if I am violently repressed? What if they vehemently attack me? What if both Amir Agha and I have to face dire consequences because of this courage? Will I be punished for my extreme behaviour? Imam Ali was a Shia and was he ever afraid of the consequences? Rather, he was identified as the Lion God due to his tremendous courage. The only entity he was scared of was Allah. Imam Ali was also like a
3BULLY SCENE kite that treaded alone but there was something extremely unique. However, his strings were not only dressed in pieces of glass, rather it was coated with endurance and fearlessness. As long as Allah is by my side, I remain gallant. Even though I may be identified as a minute kite, like my idol, Asif Ali, my strings are safeguarded, deeming me a greater force when compared to the other kites such as Assef. Thus, I assure myself: Hassan, lions are unafraid of any entity. Never do they display their weaknesses. I have to be that lion who defends my friend Amir Agha. I will follow the words of Imam Ali: I am the entity who battles fiercely and heroically rather than departing in an uncourageous manner. Amir Agha, I would not only stand up for you, rather I would surrender my own life if it was possible. If I cannot contend for you then who else remains for me to defend, oh brother? Thus, I am identified as Hassan, the offspring of Ali and I am also the courageous lion. Hence, even though I may be a small kite, I am one with extremely capable strings.