This article is for non-Muslims only. 18 PL : contains elements which include religious, social or political aspects that people may find objectionable. Readers discretion advised. Hatreds do not ever cease in this world by hating, but by love.

I sat there in the meadow missing the florist, been thinking a lot of her these days. I was holding the red rose that I had plucked from the garden in my right hand. The thorns hurt my palm, there was some blood, but it’s worth it because I get to smell the rose. The skeptic in me sighed and said “You know if you really cared about the rose, you wouldn’t have plucked it in the first place!”. The realist quickly interjected “Hey, you miss the florist all right? Not the rose! “. The academic said “Ah! But the skeptic has a point”.

Jesus Siddhattha | Source http://buddhaspace.blogspot.com
Jesus & Siddhattha | Source http://buddhaspace.blogspot.com

The desperado said “Look, you could have either let the rose naturally die on the plant or pluck the rose and appreciate every bit of it, let it inspire your thoughts, shape your character and give you joy and die there in your hands, being loved by you till the very bits”. The realist and the academic said “Holy Maria Kannon, this guy is good!”.  The skeptic said “He is from general litigation-lah“. The rest reacted with “And you’re from banking, that’s why your all green like the US dollars!”. Next time I will just get daisies from the florist, no thorns, less drama and I get to see her beautiful smile that brings me so much joy.

There was a sudden change in the weather, the wind blew colder and the sky grew darker. I felt a chill in my marrow, and I noticed there was somebody beside me. The skeptic, academic and realist said “Speak of the devil, we’re outta here, you’re on your own!”. The desperado said “Go ahead, I’ll stand guard”. So, I said “Hey .., long time no see. Why the dramatic entrance?, if you really have to,  try something more creative-lah” to which he said “You really like that girl, huh?”.

I turned my head to look at the devil in the eyes and “Holy University of Adelaide! What is with the white suit and Taib Mahmud look?”. He casually replied “Taib is in fashion this season!”. I had to say “Look, if you wanna talk to me you better do a Mahathir or at least a Khairy. Not a notorious kleptocrat who is said to be one of South-East Asia’s richest and most corrupt politician”. To which he said ” Fine, I’ll do an Antonio Banderas all right?”. I said “Perfect! Ouh you can drop the blue fiery glowing thing from his eyes, fingers and hair. He isn’t that cool”.

Antonio Banderas | Source http://photospicspictures.com
Antonio Banderas | Source http://photospicspictures.com

“So tell me what brings you about?” I cut the chase. “Just visiting an old friend, it’s been a while since we talked” He equipped. “You miss me huh?” I teased.  “No way! I’m here to make a deal, so you can burn in hell when you’re dead!” He tried to be macho. “Don’t be silly, you know I gave up believing in all that crap” I tried to convince. “Yea so I’ve heard. You’ve picked up that ridiculous garbage from Spinoza“. “Coming from you, it only reaffirms my faith. Thanks!”. “You’re sick… you’re crazy you know that? You’re gonna burn in hell for this blasphemy!” He preached.

“Chill the duck out!  So tell me how bad is Fukushima? You definitely had a hand in that right?” I diverted the topic. “Erryea. Frontman for Japan’s nuclear agency has a daughter  who works for TEPCO. That is all I did, the rest was completely human, the tsunami was nature. I must say the Japs were way harder to crack compared to you Malaysians” He pleaded. “Yea I am sure that is all you did, just like how you made them pass the Lynas project. How bad is it going to be?” I begged with concern. “Well… I’m hoping it wipes you bastards out by 2050 if Project Genocide doesn’t take off in 2012” he explained.

“Project Genocide?” I was puzzled. “Yea, the hole in earth’s solar shield. The next solar flare in 2012 would definitely wipe out the whole telecommunication system and expose all biological creatures to space radiation”. “You know you’re a very sick bastard!” I blurted. “Hey, at least I toned down since the dark ages and I’m picking up human sciences, and I try my very best to comply with the UDHR. That’s a start in trying to love you scumbags right? UDHR haha!… I got that from Edmund Bon” He said with an evil grin on his face.

Chernobyl | Source http://www.zikkir.com
Chernobyl | Source http://www.zikkir.com

“Hey! Nice shoes! Isn’t that for the Men in Black? Haha… I love those fellas! They lie, they steal, they blackmail, they kill, they conspire, they love bribes, they are hypocritical, they  have no conscience, and they follow orders like trained dogs. You see, blind faith and blind loyalty are qualities I put into my specimens” This time he played the diversion card. “It’s a matter of time before we figure it out, we aren’t monkeys you know” I tried arguing. “Of course not, they are so much better” He tried to be bitchy.

“Hey, it’s been hazy this few days, have you got anything to do with that?” I interrogated. He smiled and said “Ouh that’s just Fukushima doing it’s magic, you know just like Chernobyl’s plume in France in 86“.  “No way! The authorities would have alerted us!” I protested in disbelieve. “Haha! Why is it that you have so much faith in your enemies?” He questioned.

“Hatreds do not ever cease in this world by hating, but by love; this is an eternal truth. Overcome anger by love, overcome evil by good. Overcome the miser by giving, overcome the liar by truth. Dhammapada 1.5 & 17.3. Alternatively, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. From anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Luke 6.27-30″ I preached.

Little Buddha | Source http://www.tripadvisor.com
Little Buddha | Source http://www.tripadvisor.com

Huh… oh yeah, that bullshit. Look these guys will cover up even the most exploding of crimes. You can give them a C4 and they would stick it up your anus to sell newspapers, so radioactive clouds no biggy. Let’s just hope you don’t get cancer or something, that would be sad” He tried to be wise. “I hate you!” I blurted. He cynically said “What did Siddhartha Gautama say again?” . I emotionally reacted with a “You jerk!”.

“You know he also said the wise man does not befriend the faithless, the avaricious and the slanderous, or the one who stirs up strife; the wise avoid the wicked. Udanavarga 25.1” He counter-argued. “Aww that’s so sweet, the devil thinks we are friends! (effectively killed the bromance). Do not underestimate good, thinking it will not affect you. Dripping water can fill a pitcher, drop by drop; one who is wise is filled with good, even if one who accumulates it little by little. Dhammapada 9.7″ I warned.

“Haha… but hey, don’t blame the name dispute on me all right, that’s not my doing. Only your kind dare mess with that. It’s the Jews I tell you, that International Advisory Council, and your Pandi Kutty is listening to them” He tried to be funny. “That was lame, so was the stupid video, but the communist crap was funny!” I briefly touched on the headlines of the week. “I swear  I got nothing to do with those clowns, I’ve got a reputation to look after, all right and I don’t do gutter politics!” He insisted.

Pandi Kutty | Source http://dailymail.co.uk
Pandi Kutty | Source http://dailymail.co.uk

The desperado quickly reminded me “The devil was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8.44“. “Well, if that wasn’t your doing, then what are you up to?” I curiously asked. “I was busy in Singapore, was sealing a deal with ‘you-know-who‘. I’ll be busy in Putrajaya from next week onwards. I’ve got some matters with the fat lady, but I can’t tell you or else I would have to blow you up” He threatened. “I’m not even remotely interested!” I shrugged in disgust. “Then let’s talk about something you would be interested in, just give me the signal and she’d be yours” He made an invitation to treat.

“No thank you. My love isn’t possessive, it liberates. If she loves me, then let it be of her own will. I have faith that one day she will. Until then, I would appreciate it if you could stop giving her all those negative pessimistic thoughts. You know my mom once told me no matter how much you want something, never sell your soul to the devil. I love the florist, but if I don’t love myself how could I ever expect a wonderful woman like her to love me?” I rejected the offer.

“Fine! It doesn’t matter, because you’re going to rot in hell anyway!” He arrogantly declared. “God bless you too! It’s getting late I gotta go, and remember what I told you the last time? Have compassion, it’s because the love of God that we even exist” I tried persuading him. “Yea, whatever… see you around. Take care!” And he disappeared. I heard a hiss and I saw a green snake slithering by. I looked at my rose, I kissed it and it turned purplish blue. Puzzled with what it means, I got up and headed home as I marveled over the thoughts of her.

The rose | Source http://greenaleydis.deviantart.com
The rose | Source http://greenaleydis.deviantart.com

Lingswaran Singh is a cynic. He likes to fly kites and build sand castles in the sky.  He has been a loyar burok since he was 5. He speaks an open and disinterested language, dictated by no passion but that of humanity. Independence is his happiness, his country is the world, and his religion is to do good with compassion.

 

Lingswaran Singh has been a LoyarBurokker since he was 5. He speaks an open but disinterested language, dictated not by passion but that of humanity. Independence is his happiness. His country is the world,...

6 replies on “The Conversation”

  1. @fitzbastard thanks man.

    @Jeanice Ling, you didn't think i would give it away that easily now did you?

  2. Nice! almost fell in love with the character. The whole story is very sexy. Love the humor and message put forward. Now for the million dollar question, who is the florist?

  3. A very well-written article :)

    Sometimes, I do think that if a good god exist, then surely he would have destroyed the world just for the sake of preserving the few good memories of humanity.

  4. @Emir Syazwan, i believe you understand the purpose of my article perfectly. I think i need not explain anything. Thank you my brother.

  5. Good article ling. Love the references to Taib and Edmund. Always a pleasure to read your articles.

    But I'm afraid starting the article with 'for non Muslims only' might be misconstrued by slot of people who do not get the point of the article.

    *also a bit potong for Muslims who share your views, to read. (for we feel that our voice, such as yours and mine, are drowned in a sea of bigotry and blind acceptance, our fellow men who share faith, completely forgetting the very purpose and meaning of it. It's heavy yaw).

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