June 17, 2006

“Marx, you don’t know what it was like”. Alishba said widening her round eyes and shaking her head, which made her ponytail sway gently. She and Marx were sitting on the grass under a tree behind her big house. “You cannot imagine how frightening they were. They were yelling at each other at the top of their voices. It was horrible! I cried the whole night after that.” She said miserably.

“Oh Alishba I hope your parents understand that good people never fight and that you want them to be good, and happy.” Marx answered. He was a green, three-foot tall creature. He had two beautiful deep black shiny eyes that gave him a soft look, yet he was not ugly or dirty, as one would imagine. Instead he was clean and neat with a lock of orange hair on his head.

Marx was Alishba’s best friend and she liked him very much. She always shared her secrets with him and he knew of everyone in her family although “they” did not know about him. They did not even know that he existed. Of course, Alishba would never tell them about Marx. She did not want her parents to be angry again. As it was they were always fighting and shouting and if Alishba were to tell them she had a strange looking creature for a friend they would be really mad. She had no one to be friends with. Her mother was usually busy with her work. Her father worked till late in the night and her brother who was only twelve years old always snubbed her saying that she was too young to play with him.

Remembering her brother, Saeed, she told Marx about him. “He is always playing video games or talking on the phone. He never plays with me but always has his friends over to play with him. He acts like he is a big boy when he is only six years older than I am!” she said wrinkling her cute nose. Marx grinned, “Why don’t you play games with him?” he asked.

“Video games? You have no idea the kind of games he plays with lots of blood spilling and stupid looking giants... Oh and also some green evil looking creatures. You don’t know him! Every time he has a tantrum, he gets so angry, he starts throwing things at us. He looks ugly like this.” She mimicked her brother by knitting her eyebrows and pulling her nose. Her mouth scrunched up while she gritted her teeth and her outstanding imitation of her brother made her start laughing.

Marx on the other hand did not even smile. “What’s wrong with you now?” she asked.

“Well, I am an evil green creature as you said your self,” he sniffed.

“Oh come on, Marx, you know I was talking about the game,” she said calmly. She loved Marx very much. He was her best friend who listened to her and was not like her class mates who always made fun of her whenever she failed in tests which was very often.

“Alishba...”

“Oh, Mama is calling, I’ll have to go, bye Marx!” she said hurriedly. “Goodbye Alishba” he said and disappeared. She ran over to the kitchen.

“Yes Mama,” “Where were you?” Mrs Zaid asked sternly, “And why are you so dirty? I told you not to sit on the grass or to play with sand,” she scolded.

“Sorry Mama,” She said.

“Now go and wash your hands, lunch will be ready in a minute,” her mother ordered turning towards the stoves. Alishba was about to go when she saw Marx behind her mother. Startled she indicated that he should leave but he did not. She sneaked behind her mother and whispered, “What are you doing? Go now!” “Ok ok,” he answered and vanished. “What a notion of mischief,” she thought aloud.

“What? Did you say something?”

“No mother,” She answered and ran out so that mama could not see that she was panicked. Mrs Zaid watched her go, worried. “Zaid I told you to take appointment with a Psychiatrist. Alishba’s always talking to herself.” Mrs Zaid said putting the dish in front of him, during lunch. “She is alright. Just don’t go on making up things. A lot of kids at her age like to talk to themselves.” He answered calmly.

“I told you this is different. It’s not like she’s talking to herself, it’s more like she is talking to somebody else and when I inquire she either makes excuses or runs away. When will you start taking things seriously?” she complained.

“For heaven’s sake, woman, at least let me eat in peace. If you think I don’t care about my children then quit your job and run the house as a woman should.” He yelled.

“Why, why should I quit, you do it. It’s just your male chauvinism. You don’t want me to achieve my goal and fulfil my dreams; but I am not an ordinary woman, mind you. I am good at whatever I am doing whether it’s my job or taking care of children,” she hissed.

This fight was more than Mr. Zaid could take after a horrible episode of it just two days ago and he left the table. Alishba who was standing just behind them heard all of this. Though she did not understand why, she knew they were fighting over her. She stood there quietly and then fainted.

Her parents rushed her to the hospital. Her father was worried sick and mother was crying when the doctor called them in.

“She is out of danger now; her blood pressure dropped suddenly which is why she fainted. Although I must say it is surprising that such a young girl should have this problem. Is there some tension, did you scold her?” He asked.

“No doctor, we did not,” they cried in unison

“Is she doing alright in school? Something at the school might have affected her.” He further inquired.

“No, I picked her up today from school and she was well but her progress in school is poor, grades are falling. Just last month her teacher called me…” Mrs Zaid was saying when Mr Zaid interrupted. “I told you to spent more time with her, it’s all your fault!”

“No it’s not. It’s your fault as much as mine,” Mrs Zaid said angrily.

“Wait a minute,” the doctor interrupted. “Do you to fight like that often?”

“Yes,” but what does that have to do with Alishba?” Mrs Zaid asked, dismissive.

“Do you two fight in front of her?” the doctor asked.

“We never noticed it, but it is possible. She might have seen or heard us a couple of times but, doctor, I think the problem doesn’t lie there. I mean, maybe she is unwell. She keeps on talking to somebody when she is alone. She has no friends but she never complains. She is happy to remain by herself.” Mrs Zaid answered.

“Mrs Zaid, you are not getting the point. Alishba is mentally healthy. She is a normal child but very sensitive. You two fight in front of her and that affects her more than even she knows. It is not unusual for depressed or lonely children to make imaginary friends. It’s their way of taking out their frustration. It may sound innocent right now but can be dangerous if it continues.” He explained.

“But doctor we have a son too. He does not act like her.” Mrs Zaid said.

“May be he is reacting but you cannot see it. He may be expressing his frustration through silence, ignorance or even extreme anger.” This explanation led both Mr and Mrs Zaid to think about Saeed’s tantrums.

Alishba was lying in her room talking to Marx when she saw her Mama and Papa coming together. She sat up. Marx, following Alishba’s gaze, saw them too.

Her parents came and sat on either side of her bed. There was absolute silence until Mrs Zaid said, “Alishba dear we are sorry. We want to apologise for behaving like bad children. Your father and I will not fight again.”

Alishba was ecstatic. The sparkle in her eyes embarrassed both her parents. They had been so selfish that they did not even pay attention to their own children.

“We love you honey. You are my little baby girl,” her father said as he kissed her on the forehead.

“Alish... Alish,” Marx called and Alishba looked up. She thought it was lucky her parents had not seen Marx. “You will not need me now. But I will be here whenever you want me, good bye,” and he disappeared.

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