{"id":299,"date":"2026-03-18T03:45:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T03:45:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vibhashah.com\/?page_id=299"},"modified":"2026-03-18T03:45:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T03:45:48","slug":"chapter-4-long-days","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vibhashah.com\/?page_id=299","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 4 : Long days"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cLight a candle instead of cursing the darkness.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Work beckoned, and Phil knew he could not spend all day reliving his memories and getting more depressed by the minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Zeina, a colleague, stood facing Phil in the middle of the class as a discussion ensued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cThe burka<\/em> does keep women safe in their environment. They feel protected and respected; it\u2019s part of their traditional dress. What\u2019s the harm in wearing it?\u201d asked Phil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cI don\u2019t know the basis for your comments! Wearing a burka<\/em> shouldn\u2019t be a matter of force. Picture yourself in the hot sun, being shrouded from head to foot with a veil over your eyes to peer through!\u201d Zeina said heatedly. \u201cHow can women function in such a restrictive dress code?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cBut you wear this only in public; at home, you\u2019re free to dress in normal clothes, aren\u2019t you?\u201d Phil questioned, repeating what he had heard from another colleague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cAs long as there are no unrelated men about!\u201d Zeina clarified, glaring at Phil. \u201cIs this any way to live in this day and age?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cCustoms and society dictate, Zeina,\u201d Phil justified his approach. \u201cI can understand the discomfort but think about the benefits. For example, look at Eva in class today. She\u2019s wearing shorts and believe me; all the boys have noticed her long, tanned legs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   He winked at Eva, who gave a thumbs up, while the class broke into laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cJust think how much distraction you\u2019re avoiding for the men,\u201d Phil suggested. \u201cThey don\u2019t have to worry about their women and can just concentrate on their jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \u201cYes, yes! It\u2019s all about the men. Has anyone thought about women?\u201d Zeina snapped back with her hands on her hips, thoroughly enjoying her feminist stance. \u201cAt least we should have a choice!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   The students laughed; they were used to Zeina\u2019s unrelenting battle for women\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cThat\u2019s it! Phil and Zeina; thank you,\u201d interrupted Professor Burton, hopping off from his seat. Though 50 years old, his slim, athletic body could easily pass him off as a student.  \u201cYou both brought up excellent points.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   After they had taken their seats, the professor stood in the middle and addressed the class. They were all sitting around on the gazebo seats on the lawn, and some students were sitting cross-legged on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \u201cSo, a good diplomat always needs to understand all points of view. You can see an issue from many perspectives, and a diplomat must always keep that in mind. Remember this, there\u2019s your view, then there\u2019s your opponent\u2019s view, and there\u2019s also the right view. Keep your mind open and try to look at your options from all views. Phil and Zeina were given the assignment to argue an issue from opposite viewpoints. That helped them, hopefully, to understand the other\u2019s side. Phil, Zeina, would you like to share any change in your perspectives? Everyone can then join in the discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \u201cI can understand now why Zeina would like to get rid of the burka.<\/em> She wants to see more freedom for women. She views the burka<\/em> and such garments as an instrument for suppression, which is why she focused on this topic,\u201d claimed Phil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Zeina was from Saudi Arabia and didn\u2019t mind wearing a hijab that<\/em> most women in her part of the world wore. She preferred to wear a scarf, though she knew of lots of women back home who, even under force, would not get rid of their hijabs<\/em> and burkas<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \u201cBut there are other things that need to improve,\u201d said Ismail. \u201cThe burka<\/em> and hijab<\/em> are just physical manifestations of customs and traditions. What needs to change is the mindset of the men; their whole way of thinking towards women is wrong, in my opinion. The likes of the Taliban and other religious extremists have got things so wrong and twisted religion to suit themselves!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cTrue,\u201d added Phil, \u201cBut, critical in the process of any change is the fact that you can\u2019t rush into things. Women still need to respect tradition and cover their hair, if not most of the face, while they become more assertive, starting at home with their menfolk. After all, a mother brings up a son!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cNo, don\u2019t think of it like that,\u201d cautioned Zeina. \u201cWe don\u2019t live in the Stone Age; what anyone wears must be their choice.   What we need to focus on is the social injustice of women. There must be laws in place that offer a level playing field for all citizens!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Phil always enjoyed arguing against Zeina and Ismail.  Revolutionary, cool Zeina and serious, focused Ismail made a formidable pair; Phil loved to tie them up in the knots created by their impassioned opinions that often weakened their perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \u201cBut…\u201d began Phil, as Professor Burton held up his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cGood discussion, but that\u2019s enough for now,\u201d he interjected emphatically. \u201cIs there anything else?\u201d   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Phil raised his hand and asked if the professor had heard about the ambushed United Nations group in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \u201cYes, I have, Phil. Nasty business; so unfortunate,\u201d Burton replied, picking up his bag. \u201cI believe no one has claimed the attack so far.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Seeing the bewildered looks on his students\u2019 faces, the professor fished out a newspaper from his bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cWhat do I constantly stress, people? Read a newspaper daily, preferably first thing in the morning!\u201d Burton could not help adding this advice. \u201cIn case anyone hasn\u2019t yet heard about this incident, let me enlighten you. In Afghanistan, someone attacked a United Nations group, which also consisted of doctors and social workers. All members of the team traveling in two vehicles seem to have been killed by a roadside bomb. There\u2019s still no accountability for one young doctor in the group. No one knows what has happened to her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cRebecca Fainey, the young woman who\u2019s missing, is a close friend of mine. Since yesterday, I\u2019ve been going crazy thinking about what she must be going through if she\u2019s still alive!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Ismail, who was sitting next to Phil proposed: \u201cThere must be local efforts going on, but if I were you, I\u2019d talk to Principal Franklin and ask if we can form a group and go search for the missing doctor. Our training here, after all, includes such projects,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Phil agreed with Ismail and thought it was a brilliant idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \u201cThat\u2019s a brave thought, Ismail,\u201d praised the professor. \u201cSince no one has talked about any kidnapping and as no one has found her yet, there\u2019s a possibility she might still be at large, trying to hide and stay safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \u201cYes, I hope so, though there\u2019s a good chance that the group that bombed them could have taken her hostage and are keeping things quiet as they don\u2019t want to be exposed,\u201d claimed Phil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cThat\u2019s possible. Otherwise, there\u2019s a good chance someone would find her,\u201d the professor cautioned . \u201cI believe we need to speak with Doctors without Borders or the United Nations, which would have updated information on the case.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cBut, talking to Mr. Franklin to ask if we can organize a search party wouldn\u2019t be a bad idea,\u201d agreed Phil. Smiling appreciatively at Ismail, he thought, good thinking, Ismail.<\/em> Ismail has been a constant, reliable help since this ordeal has started. It would be nice to have him with me if I ever go on this search to rescue Rebecca.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cThat would seem to be a good idea,\u201d agreed Shambu. \u201cBut where would you start looking for someone with no clue about her whereabouts? I can only imagine the horror she must be going through, all alone in that strange land.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Phil had noticed the mountains yesterday in Eva\u2019s drone flight simulation. They looked so vast, and he could understand how difficult it would be to locate a person there. They had zoomed in on the exact site where the accident had occurred. The area was cordoned off, and he could still see fragmented parts of the cars and other debris. He had tried zooming in, but all he could see were mountains with no sign of life. Phil could discern how close the ambush had been to the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cSometimes, a focus group can do wonders in finding a person. Yes, talk to Principal Franklin. Maybe he\u2019ll have some helpful ideas,\u201d said the professor going down the steps. \u201cI\u2019ll give you time to think about this and dismiss the class, but feel free to reach out to me anytime. And Phil, I\u2019ll research into this some more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   As the professor and most of the students walked out, Zeina came and sat on the floor of the gazebo opposite Phil, who seemed lost in thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cYes, there are those who can do crazy things out there, but I know there are also people of principle and compassion. I\u2019m sure they would never harm a defenseless young woman,\u201d Zeina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Phil nodded at Zeina but glanced at the sea, deep in thought.  After a while, he replied, \u201cI guess that\u2019s encouraging, but I can\u2019t stop worrying about Rebecca. Why do they have to be so cruel, especially to people who have come to help them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \u201cPhil, I can understand how hard this must be for you. And knowing where some of these terrorists come from, at times, I cannot help but feel guilty for these kind of acts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cOh, you shouldn\u2019t do that, Zeina; you aren\u2019t responsible for the evil actions of madmen! I know you wouldn\u2019t hesitate to fight against any of these elements. That\u2019s why you\u2019re here. That\u2019s why I\u2019m here,\u201d Phil insisted. \u201cI still have nightmares about my mom, and I\u2019ll never know what she went through at the end, but one thing she taught me was to respect my fellow humans and keep my mind open. Rebecca has always been there for me, and now I have to be there for her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cPhil, I\u2019m a girl from Saudi Arabia. I\u2019m trained by my mother to fight against her struggles towards the patriarchal society. I know how it is to struggle against cultural myths and fight for what\u2019s right,\u201d declared Zeina. \u201cSo many times, in my life, I\u2019ve asked the question, \u2018How could they?\u2019 I have fought against my father and his ideas. My husband divorced me because he couldn\u2019t handle my thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cThat\u2019s a terrible way to live, Zeina,\u201d replied Phil. \u201cLife is hard enough without having to cope with such pressures; at times, I forget how hard it is for people everywhere who don\u2019t have the same rights as we do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cYou\u2019re fortunate, Phil!\u201d said Zeina. \u201cLet me tell you what my mother says to me when I give up hope. She encourages, \u2018It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness.\u2019 There are too many wrongs in the world. We, people like you and me who have the aptitude and training for it, need to find solutions to change the world, one step at a time. Don\u2019t tire yourself with the why or how; as Nike says, \u2018Just do it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \u201cYou\u2019re right, Zeina,\u201d Phil responded. \u201cI think it\u2019s time I asserted myself and began to make those little changes. I\u2019ll start by finding out what happened to my friend!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cAnother thing, Phil,\u201d said Zeina, making sure they were alone. \u201cMy father is a high-ranking army officer in Saudi Arabia; he has close connections with people in the area. We\u2019ll get to <\/strong>the bottom of this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Although he understood Principal Franklin\u2019s wisdom, who had asked Phil to have patience until he found a way, Phil was ready to go and search for Rebecca right now. He hated sitting around, feeling helpless, and wished he could do something instead. Worrying about her would not bring her back. It was time to make a move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Principal Franklin was about 50 years old, and Phil respected him for the leader\u2019s commitment to the kids. Every year he selected the students for the school very carefully, and he knew each of them and their histories. However, he had not quite acceded to Phil\u2019s wishes the day before when Phil and Ismail had gone to his office to speak with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     \u201cPhil, I understand your enthusiasm to go searching for Rebecca. And yes, it\u2019s well within our reach to do that,\u201d Franklin agreed. \u201cBut first, before you go, let\u2019s make some preparations. I\u2019ll inform headquarters we are interested in the case and will be going to help, but only when we have some solid evidence and intelligence regarding this situation.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cIf that\u2019s what you advise, I must agree, Professor,\u201d Phil replied. \u201cI must act fast; I just feel that every minute wasted only puts Rebecca\u2019s life in greater jeopardy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   \u201cWell, do your homework then and don\u2019t waste time!\u201d he encouraged. \u201cYou do everything on your part to find Intel from the area. Use Facebook, friends, contacts, the organizations, Doctors without Borders, and the United Nations; anyone you can think of to get the ball rolling. If there\u2019s information about Ms. Fainey, we should get it. Everyone should know that we\u2019re in hot pursuit!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cLight a candle instead of cursing the darkness.\u201d    Work beckoned, and Phil knew he could not spend all day reliving his memories and getting more depressed by the minute.    Zeina, a colleague, stood facing Phil in the middle of the class as a discussion ensued.    \u201cThe burka does keep women safe in … Continue reading Chapter 4 : Long days<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-299","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibhashah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/299","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibhashah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibhashah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibhashah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibhashah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=299"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vibhashah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/299\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":300,"href":"https:\/\/vibhashah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/299\/revisions\/300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibhashah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}