Fragment #5

Girl: So, your name is Paul?

Boy: Yes, my name is Paul.

Girl: And where you exactly come from?

Boy: (Smile) Can you guess where I exactly come from?

Girl: Well, hmm, okay. At first glance, you look more like a Caucasian. But, if I look at you more closely, I find that you also have the Asian look in you. Your eyes are somewhat narrowed at the end, or slanted, like a Chinese. But, your nose, your eyebrows, and the slight of your eyes remind me of Middle Eastern people, but not exactly the Arabs.

Boy: Nice observation. I am a Russian citizen. My mother came from a small country in Europe and my father came from a country in the Middle East. They both live in Russia now. But I can’t tell you the name of the countries they came from. At least, not now. And yes I am not Arab, I am of different ethnicity. And I speak Persian. My father's dialect is part of the Persian language. But I really like the way you observe me. Really good job you did.

Girl: (smile). But I guess everyone here will think that you are pure Caucasian and most of them will think that you come from United States, which is kinda funny coz you're not at all American. And I am sure that you have got used to being called “Bule”.

Boy: Ah… Yes, that word. Bule. I like it.

Girl: And, you said you’re a Muslim?

Boy: Yes, I am. My parents are both Muslims. My mother has been a Muslim long before she got married to my father. They met in my mother's hometown. And then we moved to my father's country when I was 12. We finally moved to Russia when I was 19.

Girl: Okay, such a long journey...

Boy: We're Muslims, yes, but our Islam is a bit different with yours.

Girl: What you mean?

Boy: Well, there are actually two biggest branches of Islam: sunni and shia. You know that?

Girl: Hmm, not really... I don't think there are sects in Islam.

Boy: But, if you have to say, which one do you think your Islam is?

Girl: Hmm... sunni... maybe?

Boy: I guess so because all of my Indonesian friends are sunni followers.

Girl: So, you are the shia follower?

Boy: Exactly. But it can be a bit frightful for anyone to follow this religion, including me, even in my father’s country.

Girl: Oh really?

Boy: Don’t you know that there’s been a great civil war because of this difference?

Girl: No, I don’t know. I don’t know anything about that.

Boy: You are too nice to know about that. The war was horrible.

Girl: Oh, I am so sorry to hear that.

Boy: But as long as you’re fine to friend me despite this difference, I will be more than happy.

Girl: Yes, of course. Anyone can be my friend. I will respect you as well as you will respect me.


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#fragment