SAIFUL MALOOK'S LOVE LETTERS

The novel brings out a story of a young girl from Indonesia, by the name of Jasmine, who visits city in Pakistan, namely Peshawar which is the capital of the province of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), bordering Afghanistan. Before returning toIndonesia, she meets a young lady, Fatima, to whom she narrates her love affair with a young man from Pakistan called Saif-ul-Malook who lived in Peshawar. The two got to know each other on the internet. It started with Saif describing a beautiful lake locatedin the Kaghan Valley in NWFP known by the same name as his full name.

While their correspondence progressed on the internet, Saif also gave details of his family and told her about the local custom/tradition of the arrangement of a big dowry forhis sisters for their marriages which he had to undertake as his father was very sick and unable to do so. Jasmine was moved by this custom and felt sorry for him. With the passage of time and exchange of Emails, the relationship between the two developed and Jasmine fell in love with Saif because the letters going to and fro were not ordinary letters but were real love letters. Through these letters lot of socio-cultural traditions of both the countries were exchanged. Love between the two flourished and became stronger every day. Jasmine started loving Saif immensely and most passionately. Those friends who got to know about these relations thought Jasmine was crazy and that Saif was equally mad. Later, the War in Afghanistan intensified and Jasmine got worried about Saif's welfare as she knew that he was close to the Afghans and was very sympathetic towards them.

The contact nevertheless continued through the internet. During the month of Ramadhan, Jasmine sent a parcel of a batik shirt for Saif and he sent a parcel of 'dupatta' (scarf/shawl) for her. Similarities of Lake Toba in Sumatra an Saif-ul-Malook Lake in NWFP were discussed in subsequent Emails. In one of latters also sent at the same time her hair accidentally found its way in the envelope and Saif informed her about this and mentioned that her hair was preserved by him and that he kisses it whenever he gets an opportunity to do so.

In the last Email/letter that she received he explained about his family problems especially about the arrangement of dowry for his sisters that he has make and that his father was critically sick. From this it appeared to be the end of her love affair. Meanwhile, Saif also sent a parcel comprising a 'kameez' (shirt), a 'shalwar'( sort of a trouser/pyjama bottom) and a 'dupatta'(scarf/shawl). This truly seemed as the end of the love affair and Jasmine now came to believe that Saif was lost forever-'gone with the wind'.

She desperately waited for further contact on the internet but there was none. Stricken with grief and sadness Jasmine fell sick. During her sickness one of her friend advised her to get in touch with the Ambassador and request him to find out about his whereabouts.

On receiving her letter the Ambassador responded and said that he would do his utmost to locate him. However the Ambassador cautioned her to be strong to learn that Saif may no longer be interested in her and perhaps he himself was married by then. The silence from his side could be to safeguard his married life from any complication. Jasmine thanked the Ambassador and said that while she was still in love with him,she would not disturb Saif any more. Jasmine in the meantime decided to devote all her time to studies and she decided to carry out some research in Pakistan in order to keep her links there and become busy. With the support of her friends and the Ambassador, Jasmine embarked on the research program. She thought this was the best way to maintain contact with Pakistan and that way she will not remain idle anymore. Several difficulties were encountered by her in the research work but she continued relentlessly.Finally Jasmine completed her thesis and graduated with good grades. She displayed her achievements very proudly to her friends who were all happy to see her occupied and happy.

The setting back to dialogue between Jasmine & Fatima. While in Peshawar Jasmine stays in Fatima house. Fatima now working as a doctor in the Mental Health Division of the Khyber Medical College & Hospital located there. One day sheaccompanied Dr.Fatima to the Hospital and while Dr. Fatima got busy in attending to a patient, Jasmine strolled into the hallways and into the adjoininggarden. Then Jasmine permitted to Fatima to walk around city to search Saiful MAlook Existence by Fatima's car & driver. Jasmine traced Saiful MAlook from his old address. But unfortunately, finally Jasmine saw Saiful MAlook's house had destroyed by fire. According to neighbor information. The house burnt 2 years ago, Saiful Malook's dad died (due to old age), his brother died on fire, his 1st sister died (about dowry), other left Peshawar, and Saiful Malook was getting mad. when Jasmine knew that she was getting very sad. She felt her searching useless.

The last Day in Peshawar. Jasmine visited Saiful Malook lake with Fatime. Jasmine sad realized that the legend of Saiful Malook will never happen. Her Saiful Malook gone. Beside Saiful Malook’s lake she also visited some interesting place in Peshawar. The last setting, Jasmine & Fatima in taxi to Peshawar Airport. Jasmine was going to go home (Jakarta). Suddenly in some place near airport her tax was stopped by someone a very ugly scruffy man with his hair falling carelessly on his face. The taxi driver came out and tried to push roughly that guy (a crazy guy). Apparently, that guy tried to reach 'something valuable' under the taxi. After he got it. He left that and sat on the pedestrian. He kissed it a lot, opened carefully then closed it again. Kissed it again. Many times.

Jasmine got curious when she saw him opening an envelope again and again and kissing something inside it each time. She went closer to find out what was in the envelope thathe was kissing. She could hear that guy said by himself, "Jasmine........oh my Janoo....my Badri Jamala.......". He Lo and behold he was kissing a hair, perhaps the one which once went accidentally in the letter to Saif. This was perhaps the same hair which had become his prized possession. Jasmine went closer and tried to collect her courage’s to see that guy face. Oh My God, Jasmine could still remember Saiful Malook's face from some photos which he sent. Suddenly Jasmine fell down & cried hysteric realized that. Fatima came and hugged her. All people on Pedestrian came to see them.

Jasmine on the flight to Jakarta. She tried to remember all has happened in Peshawar. About her dramatically stories. Actually she didn’t want to go home. But Fatima convinced Jasmine to go home. She reminded Jasmine that her Family & job in Jakarta waiting for her. Fatima promised to Jasmine to treat Saiful as her special patient on her hospital. Finally Jasmine decided to go home but she promised by herself to come back for Saiful Malook. Good bye Saiful Malook.......!In Jakarta, Jasmine met to Ambassador , She told all had happened in Peshawar. Regarding her journey to find Saiful Malook in Peshawar. Especially, her unpredictable meeting with Saiful Malook. Jasmine realized it was Allah’s planning. Suppose Jasmine never met with Saiful Malook, Saiful Malook never disappeared. Jasmine would never had fascinating experiences. THE END.
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