Dream in reality [Archives:2003/659/Opinion]
By Abdul Wahab Al Sofi
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After midnight I met him. The warmest meeting was beyond description. Actually we burst into tears. We separated since 1980. He is my grandfather. He started to narrate his position, which is not understandable. Then, he asked me to explain everything about my life. He was eager to listen as if he would hear an exciting story. But in fact it is a tragedy story. I have now ten children. My salary increased two- thousand more, but I cannot conceal that the house owner, which I live in, increased the rent five- thousand times as well. My grandfather, please keep your chest wide, because I have opened a painful file. I cannot close it until I relieve my feelings and explain to you everything. He looked at me strangely and said; haven't built a house yet? You still pay rent? Yes I have not got a house, because I still have no stability. I feel I am expatriate in this country, I answered. He started to blame me; you work all the day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and you are unable to make a house? Anyhow, I will build a house when I will get the land. Our government promised some teachers in Hodeidah province to distribute lands around ten years ago. The project is still under negotiation. Hope is there. Haven't I told you that I monthly pay about YR. 5000 for electricity and water bills? I am waiting for the prices to be down but each year comes worse than the earlier. The sack of flour costs YR. 2500. I buy every day 20 loafs of bread to my children. Each loaf costs YR. 5. Moreover, an egg costs YR. 10. We are struggling in order to teach our children, but they are really ignorant in their schools. He was leaning on a rock and sat to say; it is better to get them learn at religious institutes. Alas! My grandfather, they were changed into schools two years ago. It is said that they were bringing out terrorists whom America is fighting. I am sorry my grandfather to grouch you. I have a lot of concerns, debits and a lot of anxiety. Therefore, my grandson it is better to follow me than this torture. Be sure, you will be very comfortable, he said. I feel sleepy. Next time bring to me a bundle of qat. He demanded. Do you still chew qat? Yes of course, I will not sleep unless I don't chew it, I answered. We chew qat to forget about our troubles in the day an also to think at night. He said; after I had died I never tasted qat. If our livelihood is a grouchy, we should improve luxuriously our bed at least. But, nightmares chase us night and day. While I was talking bowed with head incising the ground, I raised my head to notice my grandfather slept and then I got up of deep sleep with braying donkey next to my window. It is my neighbor's donkey. I wish it could have brayed at midnight to break my sorrow dream.
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