Electric blue

Two light rays beamed at me--the bluest blue I had ever seen. Had I filled you with the waters from the deepest depths of the most tropic oceans, I could never have produced that magnificent shade of blue eyes that Allah intended only for you.

And they seemed that much bluer juxtaposed against your olive skin--darkened even darker by the summer Falasteenee sun; your left arm darker than your right, marking you as one who drives often, and in your case, for a living.

Although I do not remember your name--I'm not even sure I was ever told what it was--I can never forget you: not just because I was hypnotized by your eyes, but because you were Ramallah through and through but had never seen Al Quds and that is why your du3a became mine and my du3a returned to you...insha'Allah.

As I stole glimpses of your blues in your rearview mirror, I listened intently as you told your passengers (my father in the front seat, and my mother and I in the back) about your failed attempts to cross to Jerusalem and pray in Al Aqsa. My father, ready to brag about his daughter at any opportunity, said proudly that I had gone several times. And, so, you looked at me in your rearview mirror, and requested...

...Id3eelee.

Our eyes locked for a split second, and then, I nodded a shy "insha'Allah," and lowered my gaze...

And right then and there, I prayed my first du3a for you. I've yet to pray my last.

I doubt you remember the rides you gave us to Beitilu and back to Ramallah and I doubt you recall asking this stranger/countrywoman to pray that the foreigners at the checkpoint will let you pass, and grant you the opportunity to drive the 20 minutes on your roads to Jerusalem, but I can never forget your request, your du3a, or you...

...electric blue

...eyes...beams...protection...prayer...

It's been three+ years and three visits since: I hope you made it to Al Aqsa and back again...to a place where even your stellar site/sight would get lost amid the grandeur of the edifice and holiness of the blessings--where your bluest of blue eyes would somehow absorb even more blue as they take in the tiles and stained glass and the words of God.

Insha'Allah, ya Rubb, you've made it there...

Lisa bad3eelak.