I watched the star drop with the speed of light, I pat my lips open to make a wish but then closed them back. I don't believe in fallen angels, I heard myself mumbling under my breath but deep down, I wanted to make a wish. The burden on me was too heavy, the loneliness and pain of a soldier's wife was only known by a woman who had a military husband in the battlefield. 'All I wanted to say is' I paused for a while allowing the tears hanging in my eyes to roll down my chin, "I want my husband home" I added, feeling regret that I had not uttered the words when the star was still visible.
It's been six years since I last saw my husband. He was among the soldiers sent for peacekeeping in Liberia. His picture hanging on the wall wearing a broad smile in his uniform was a torment to me. I got mail every 6 months ensuring me he was alive, but mails weren't enough, I needed my husband home. My mum had once told me how shooting stars were angels on mission to grant wishes to people on earth. It didn't sound so believing, I was more of a scientific person than the religious type, but then I couldn't help it as I found myself outside, staring at the sky and hoping for a shooting star. I was still standing outside the cold when my son's voice jerked me back to my senses.
"Danny, please go inside" I guided him inside, and while laying on my bed I pondered on how I have wasted an opportunity.
"What makes you so weak?" I asked myself. I never believed there'll come a time when I do believe in superstition. I had always fought against it, but here I was, vulnerable to the battle I once fought.
"Seeing my husband once again is better than my pride" I said, letting my guards down.
Early the next morning I visited Rukayat, a girl who lived next door. My aim was to know about the shooting stars. I have heard her talk about it and maybe she'd help me.
"Who's there?" Her voice came from the inside.
"Uhmm.." I stammered, not knowing which name to say. I had never associated with her and it was possible she didn't know my name, "your neighbor next door" I answered.
Slowly the door creaked open, "come in" she said.
She blushed the moment I told her of my motive for coming. Her eyes widened with surprise, maybe I was the last person she'd expect to ask about the shooting star and angels on mission.
"I know what you're thinking, I know I am the last person you expect to come enquire about this. I may have been wrong in the past but I want to give it a try, I want my husband home" I paused, I had already said it before I realized. All the while she sat still watching me with some funny kind of look. She chuckled, then stood up and walk toward a frame she hung on the wall
"Is that why you're curious to learn about the shooting star? Anyways , it's just some fable" she said while looking at me sternly.
I knew she wasn't saying the truth but wondered why she had to say it.
"I have seen you talk about it," I retorted.
"Mere talk, it doesn't have a scientific prove"
At this moment I knew why she had uttered her initial statement. Maybe my stern belief in scientific proof had annoyed her at a point and she wanted to pay me back with the same words.
"I am sorry if I have provoked you at any point with my belief. Please can you tell me what I desire?" She watched me for some minutes then walked back and sat on the cushion next to me, "Alright, I'll tell you".
That night I stood waiting for a fallen star but there was none. The second day and the third, no shooting star appeared in the sky. Reluctantly I stood at my balcony watching the sky when I saw a star shooting down in a hurry, just before it disappeared into the mist, I made my wish. I had no doubt. Two months passed and my husband was still not home. I had concluded that stars had no ability to grant wishes when I heard a knock at my door. It was 5am early Saturday morning, I wondered who it could be. Opening the door, I saw my husband standing at the doorpost, I couldn't believe my eyes. Surge of excitement enveloped me as I hugged him, not wishing to let him go. I couldn't say if it was the wish I made or if it was scheduled that he would return at this date.
Our desires make us resort to different means to obtain what we need. Sometimes logic and fantasy combined can drive us crazy, but we must never lose hope. This story made me reflect on those internal conflicts we have.
That's true. Sometimes we come to a point of compromise
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It seems that it wasn't just the wish she made on a shooting star that influenced her husband's return, but also the positive thoughts she sent out to the universe. I'm glad it had a happy ending.
That's true, just like the law of attraction