Eternal Love

Sarah had a small and happy family. Her father worked as a peon in a private firm, her mother was a home maker.She had two younger sisters. They were satisfied and grateful to the Almighty in their life and Sarah's father made sure he got his daughters educated and make them independent.

Today Sarah was going for a job interview. Finally she was selected for the post of accountant in a construction company. She had to work along with her male colleague, Farhan Rashid who was commonly called as Rashid. He appeared to be a young and dashing individual but stern in nature.
He rarely spoke and at the beginning Sarah faced many problems because she had no one to look upon for help. But gradually Rashid became her good friend.
They grew close and their relationship went a step forward. Both the families met and they got engaged.

Life was a bliss for Sarah.Rashid was every girl's dream. He was very loving and caring towards Sarah. Months passed by and it was time for Sarah's and Rashid's marriage. The preparations went on full swing.

But a drastic change took place. The groom's side didn't arrive on time. When Rashid arrived ,he was alone . Sarah and her family were puzzled.Rashid came close to Sarah and handed over the engagement ring and spoke - "I am sorry Sarah, but I can't move forward anymore. Please forgive me."

Before Sarah could ask for an explanation Rashid left forever without even looking back. Sarah's life was shattered .Her family was humiliated.Her father who was a well respected man couldn't take this. Sarah tried ringing up Rashid but it was in vain. She didnt have the courage to arrive at his workplace and talk to him.Finally she gave up and decided to leave everything on Almighty and destiny. But her heart broke everytime when she would see her parents upset and humiliated in front of neighbours and relatives.

Every night Sarah would pray to Almighty to make her strong with tears in her eyes.She never had the courage to face Rashid so she never joined back. One day she got an email from a well reputed company in a far away city . Sarah was waiting for such a chance and she left for the city forever with her family.

Two years passed by and now Sarah was well settled with a post of CEO in a cloth manufacturing company. She made sure to employ such women who were abandoned and left alone by the families. Her sisters were married and Sarah never thought about marriage. Rashid's betrayal never made her fall in love again. She just wanted to know the reason why he left.

Her parents wished to see Sarah's settled life but didn't want to hurt her and kept quiet.One day Sarah had an important client. She left to factory early. Upon reaching there she was shocked to see Rashid who looked totally changed.

She had a professional talk with him and didn't want her past to affect her present career. After the meeting Sarah didn't want to face Rashid nor she wanted any answer. She hurried to leave but Rashid stopped her-

"Sarah I need to talk to you please wait."

Sarah replied sternly -" I don't want to listen anything. Please go away . I am happy without you. You humiliated me and my family. You left me alone. Now what else do you want?"

Rashid - "Sarah, don't you want to know why I took that step?"

Sarah's heart really wanted to know.

Rashid spoke - "Sarah If I didn't leave you that day your life would be ruined.Sarah, my life is finished. I am person who no one wants to own. My family left me. I am an HIV positive patient."

Sarah is shocked.Her heart was torn.

Rashid continues - "I came to know about this on the day of wedding when I got injured in my feet and I went to the hospital . I was shattered and didn't know what to do. All questioned my character. Everyone thought I'm a loose character guy.  But the truth is I got infected by donating my blood. There is no fault of mine. I lost everything ."
Upon saying this Rashid broke down and cried like a baby. Sarah tried to console him. Her mind was blank and she didn't know what to speak.

After about an hour when rashid was back to normal Sarah spoke - "I am sorry rashid. But you could have told the truth at that very moment. Why did you leave ?"

Rashid - "If I had told the truth you would be humiliated more. Your parents would be looked down by people in a different manner. I didn't want it to happen. I have only few months to live. Maybe this was Almighty's plan, He made me to meet you before I leave this world. I came to this place with lots of hope."
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"Miss Sarah, How was your journey so far as a business entrepreneur?" - asked the journalist

Sarah - "My journey was not a easy one.  I would like to thank the Almighty for that one marriage rejection. If it didn't happen I would have never been in a such a high position."

"What about employing HIV positive patients in your  cloth factory?" - was the next question.

Sarah answered confidently - "I would thank my dear friend and my first love Rashid for this. He was the one who encouraged me into this. I feel that when a person  comes to know about this disease people outcast him. But every person has a right to live and every person who is infected is not a bad person. There can be many reasons.
Today I proudly say that we have almost 1500 workers in our factory."

"Where is Mr. Rashid now?"- The journalist

Sarah - "I lost him a year back to this deadly disease called AIDS.He was infected through blood donation.He was a fighter and an inspiration too.It was his dream which I fulfilled. He wanted people to live a normal life.I feel he is still alive among the people. Whenever an infected person works and earns in our factory its only because of Rashid. May the almighty bless him."

Sarah and rashid couldn't be partners but their love remained eternal.