The Light from the East

2

Bamiyan, Afghanistan

It was evening when Burak regained consciousness. He was at Wazir’s house. As he tried to sit, Wazir helped him straighten-up and recline on the pillows behind him.

“Thank god, you are fine!” Wazir said, as he sat back on chair beside the bed.

“He is great!” Burak replied.

“Perhaps, not for six thousand other people who couldn’t make it to their homes.” Wazir had a remorseful look on his face.

“…including the young guy who wanted to travel to Istanbul…” Burak added. He had a look of contemplation. His life was shaken. For a moment he had felt as if it was the apocalypse.

“Who did it?” Burak asked.

Wazir still had the remorseful look. He thought for a moment and answered. “You never know who could it be. Maybe the Chinese, Russians. Maybe, the Indians or the Arabs. Maybe the Iranians or the Jews. It could be the Americans or the Europeans. It could be anyone.”

“But why would anyone do it?” Burak seemed confused.

Wazir gave a slight smile. “It is a tough question to answer.” He moved toward the window and looked out at the Khanzada Street below, as he continued. “This country has a turbulent past. If you want to know the roots of the blast, you would have to know what happened here is last 4000 years. Only then can you make sense of it.”

Burak nodded in affirmation, but quietly, he had made up his mind to meet his friend Yasser Yazdi, the librarian of the Farsi University.

The Farsi Library, Bamiyan

Next day

Burak reached the University library early in the morning. Yasser listened to his request. He thoughtfully browsed through the catalogue, and answered. “Mr. Burak, we have a great collection here, but none of the books is in Turkish.”

“How would I get one then?” Burak asked.

Yasser smiled.

“Dr. Ahmed Mujeeb.” He said. “He is the head of History at Punjab University at Lahore. The department has a great collection of History books in Turkish.  As far as I know, there is a history course on Afghan history with Turkish option.”

“Great!” Burak smiled. “Where is Punjab University?”

“In India.” Yasser answered. “ I know the chief librarian Mr. Ravi Verma really well. I can talk to him for the course if you like.”

Burak smiled…..

By next week he was ready to move to India. Wazir Khan funded him for the course and stay.