" The Indian Army conscripted Ghulami for ten years . When he returned he was not the same person . He looked 100 years old , like a moving skeleton with a long white beard . We hardly recognized him ."
Abdullah went on , " That is when Neeha was raped by her father ."
I turned my eyes away from my friend . Was I , a born writer , actually beginning to regret asking him to tell me this story ?
Abdullah sighed , " In those days Neeha used to go to Mosque to learn the Holy Quran . She always kept her head properly covered . Her father encountered her at the mosque . When he was taken away by the army , she was two . Now she was twelve he did not recognize her . He also experienced severe memory loss he probably did not even realize that he had a daughter ."
" Still "
Abdullah persisted with the story . " Neeha ' s crying brought tears to the eyes of the most stonehearted people of the village . I am sure that even God in Heaven was weeping . When Ghulami discovered his victim ' s identity , he was driven out of his mind with remorse . He disappeared into the barren mountains and was never seen again .
" I went on with my life . I forgot about what happened until one night when I saw Neeha in a dance club . And now you will see Neeha for yourself ."
Soon after , the emcee announced Neeha ' s arrival . Tears sprang to Abdullah ' s eyes . " She is still so beautiful !" he said .
I was amazed to see how well Neeha danced . Her every step seemed to hold the breath of life . With a delicate , untroubled style , she aroused the emotions of the people . Her style perfectly combined both both beauty and art , both the promise of heaven and assurance of pleasure . She was amazing . She was wonderful . Her eyes held a feeling of hope and charm . My mind went back to the time when she was raped .
On the way to the bar to see Neeha , Abdullah wondered if Neeha would dance as she did the last night he saw her . To his surprise , she captivated his very soul .
After the show Abdullah introduced her to me . " He is a writer . He has a rich heart and great love for life and arts ."
But does my base love for money and fame surpass the loves my friend has mentioned ? I
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