God of No Religion: A Boy’S Journey in Writing His Masterpiece and Discovering What He Calls Mr. God

Copyright © 2013 by Z. Adil.

Edited by Indie Edits

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

iUniverse

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4759-9090-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-9091-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-9092-8 (ebk)

iUniverse rev. date: 05/15/2013

Dedicated to every human being, of all faiths,

belief, religion, color, orientation,

social status on the phase of this beautiful earth.

To my mentor in my early days in Calcutta, Mr. Jit Paul, who is no longer between us, and whose advice, wisdom—full words, and chuckles I always miss.

PART ONE

AAAMIL… . AAAMIL… AAAMIL… The boy’s name is Aamil. He can hear the voice getting louder and louder as he returns to consciousness from his deep sleep. It is his mother, Fatima, shouting in her sickly voice as she tries to wake him from his slumber. Aamil is ambitious and a dreamer. He tries to snuggle back down into his dream, but it is too late, he has traveled to far into consciousness to return. He loves to dream, he is proud that he is a dreamer even though sometimes people make fun of him, including his own father.

His father took every single opportunity to make fun of Aamil. He even made fun of Aamil to his employee, Sadiq. Sadiq works for Aamil’s father and has a pretty daughter who Aamil kind of likes. Aamil admires her from afar, but when she is before him the admiration fades. Anyway, she is a beautiful girl. Aamil thinks he is old enough to understand the attraction. He is 12 after all. Deep down inside he feels that he has some bigger purpose in life.

Aamil comes from an affluent family, a unique family. His father is a Muslim who married a beautiful Catholic. When his parents married it was rare to have a union such as theirs. To Aamil it shows how passionate his dad must have been in those days. At 12, Aamil understands this exceptionally well. In Arabic Aamil means, Doer, someone who is proactive, someone who makes things happen. For a 12 year old he understands the complexity of life, to some extent.

Looking at other kids his age with their normal lifestyles he often questioned why he could not have a normal life, Why am I not like them… Why do I think too much… Is it normal… Maybe God has bigger plans for me?

Aamil is always amazed when he gets inside his own head. He is always amazed to realize that it is the little things in his life that brings him joy, telling stories to others and reading to himself, and traveling within his dreams… his passion in life. Dreaming is also the reason why he loves to go to bed early.

Aamil’s mother Fatima has a chronic illness. Fatima illness causes her to feel tired all the time. She was not an active parent who ran and played with her child. She could never be a child with her child. Aamil knew he was without certain joys that a normal family experienced, but his love for his parents remained intact and unconditional. Aamil had no expectations towards his rich parents. He knew doing outdoor activities together would never be.

Expecting anything in return from a loved one

is killing the love.

Aamil’s father is a successful politician who has a busy and hectic schedule. Months would go by with Aamil not seeing his father. At night, Fatima would pay him two dinars to read stories to her, though Fatima told Aamil it was for her it was actually for him. It was for Aamil. So he could fall asleep reading into his dreamland.

I want you to read this story, it is my favorite. Fatima says to young Aamil.

And the money? Aamil asks.

Fatima looks at her son in disbelief, Don’t you know that I am a woman of my word! she replies unnecessarily. When you get up in the morning it will be under your pillow as promised, my son. Exactly two dinars, not a penny less. Fatima knows that her son is strict when it comes to principals and promises, and yes… money. She told him what she has already told him, Aamil I am sure you will go into business and not become a doctor. To his mother’s observation Aamil replies, Ma, I will be a writer and one day I will write a masterpiece… and guess what, I will read it to you for only two dinars under my pillow. Fatima looks at her son with tears in her eyes. Regardless of what Aamil’s father says she has great confidence in her son. She knows he will accomplish something amazing within his lifetime. Fatima knows her son has a purpose that will affect many. Aamil the dreamer shall do more than dream.

Every Friday after prayers Aamil with Jalal, his house servant, visits the local market for ice cream, not typical ice cream, but colorful sweetened ice cubes. On his way, he always remembers to throw a few dinars into the poor man’s bowl that sits on the ground near the market place. This is Aamil’s favorite part of the week, walking proudly and arrogantly through the market place, being stopped by the locals or his father’s acquaintances to converse. His replies are always closed-ended when he chooses them to be, using his wit to out smart the adults. Walking home Aamil discusses with Jalal his future dreams. While Jalal, like any loyal servant attempts to boost Aamil’s spirit, even though Jalal did not understand much of Aamil’s philosophies. Aamil often question Jalal’s understanding, Do you understand what I want to be?

Yes master… well… not really… but whatever you want to be I think that it is awesome, and you will do great because you have a very big and kind heart. Jalal continues, I know one thing for sure… one with a kind and big heart is always taken care of by Allah. Smiling Aamil expressed his gratitude, You are my favorite. They both briskly walk towards home.

Entering the house, both Aamil and Jalal hear a loud feminine voice, laughing and giggling, telling jokes of Arab women dressed in hijab, how they hide their beauty from men while the men are crazy about the bimbos of the west. Aamil wonders who is this woman. She speaks as if she has experienced life else where. As if she was not from the Middle East. Aamil wonders if she is his aunt who lives in Australia whom he has never met. Aamil have overheard many times that his aunt was an activist, a famous artist, and a rich and successful woman with a brilliant mind.

A little uncomfortable, Aamil walks straight to the room where his aunt is sitting and talking to his mother. Instantly, his presence is acknowledged by the unknown woman, Aamil, my darling baby. Oh he is so cute. Look at him! Hey, do you know who I am? The woman speaks quickly as Aamil stares at the woman before him. She is wearing a white jacket with leather