Exactly on My Birthday, An Outlandish Event Occurred in An

8/14/2019 Exactly on My Birthday, An Outlandish Event Occurred in An

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The shell

Exactly on my birthday, an outlandish event occurred in an unexpected manner. I was very

enthusiastic about my special day especially of getting some presents from my family and my

friends. I started dreaming of different gifts that might be given and the way it would be.

Nobody seems remembering my birthday, I murmured. It was almost ten oclock of the

morning. It was July with its bighting sun that sent its golden rays to every possible spot. At

that time, I had an appointment with my friend as I was going to leave my city for certain

reasons. Both of us decided to meet at that day to say goodbye for each other. I was really

hesitated to go for it is a very melancholic moment for each other. I had no choice to remain;

it was a must parting for me though it would destroy me emotionally.

There was clearly nothing to do but just laying for a while on the bed waiting the time for

meeting. The time was very slowly and the house was thoroughly empty. May be they went

to my uncles house for the last visit I thought, oh, what a strange life, sometimes it

gathers us and sometimes it separates us. So I took a short nap.

It was nearly the promised time for the rendezvous. My whole concern was to reach the place

of meeting at specific time without being late. My heart was beating in an unusual way and

my whole body was trembling. It was such abnormal situation for me that I have never

imagined before. I arrived so early this time, I wondered. The place was very quiet and I

felt a sense of relax. What a beautiful view! I exclaimed. While I was waiting for my

friends coming, I started walking on the sand with fast steps. Everyone seemed enjoying his

day. People were lying on the beach and trying to capture some rays of sun; others wereswimming and playing different games. It is the time for them to refresh their sense of life .I

went away from them to a place where I would not be noticed as I was in need for some

privacy. I set on a very large rock that was beaten by waves of the sea and I started

contemplating for a while about any things came to me.

Suddenly I heard a soft voice coming forward carrying my name with yielding sound. There

was nobody behind me and I found myself in a strange situation: am I dreaming or this is

just day dream. After a while I heard the voice again but at this time it was in a strong


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manner that made the situation more absurd. I turned my face and abruptly noticed my friend

staring at with surprising look.

what the matter with you! I called you several times and you are in another world she

said.

I did not say anything in reply as if someone wakened me from a magnificent dream and still

wanted to continue it.

I am sorry for being late. I had to do some stuff before coming. she said

it is not a big deal. I did not wait for long.

There was no communication after as both of us were thinking about the current situation.

Life goes on and never ends and today is your birthday she said.

yes indeed. I said

Happy birthday. Wishing you seasons cheer to last throughout coming year.

Thank you it is very nice of you. I said

We stood up and started walking along the sea shore with bare foot. The sand was very hot to

walk on and the sun seemed to get down sending its lights over the sea. As we were walking

through, my friend stopped for a while and picked something from the ground. She raised it

toward her eyes and started staring at it with a deep look. After that, she gave that item to me

while she wiping away her tears.

what is wrong with you! Why are you crying!! I said

She did not say anything just left me and went away. I looked at that gift that she picked from

the ground. It was a white hard material with brown lines that are neither dark nor light. It had

a different shape and very special from others that I have known.

it is a shell, but not like other shells. I noticed.

yes it is a special one. I give it to you as a sort of our friendship. This is a very beautiful one

that you can remember me by it. Please do keep it for me. She said

I looked at it again and I smiled. She considered it an unusual shell. Her passion from her

childhood was collecting these shells; she became an expert as she tried to describe them with

so much zeal. I was so happy for her when I saw how much cheerful she was.

for me this shell is considered to be a sort of protection and a mysterious material that you

can not know what is inside it. I am sure that it will make you connected to this place

especially to this moment whenever you look at it. How delightful it would be when you can

remember all happy moments we spent together. she said

yes of course I will keep it and I am sure I wont forget you. I said


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We kept silent for a couple of minutes and each one of us was thinking what to say next.

Everything happened all out of sudden when we tried to move from the city. She tried to

convince me to stay but in vain. I could not manage it because what has been decided could

not be cancelled. Nobody could describe our friendship. We spent most of the time together

since our childhood. There was no day without seeing each other; if not, it seemed like

something was missing. I could feel how she was at that time. She looked very pal and her

eyes were shinning because of the light of tears. I was aware of all her feelings and suffering.

When the situations came to be difficult, nothing could be done just let it be what might be. It

was the last moment and time for biding farewell.

here we are I think this would be the last time we will see each other. I am really sad that

our meeting would be such depressing like that. I said

it seems very hard but nothing can be done. I really wish you luck and I think I will never

forget you.

it is same for me. I can not and would never erase your picture from my life. You are my

friend and no matter what will happen, be sure you will be the only dear friend.

I have no doubt of that just I did not get used to this situation. I know my gift will be best

thing to remember me. You can put that shell into your ear then you will hear my voice.

I will keep it and never abandon it.

Within two hours everything changed from present friends to past friends as nothing

happened. Afterwards, each one of us took the opposite way and went away without turning

back. The separation was very poignant and miserable.

When I reached home I found myself alone and the shell was still in my hand. I entered my

bedroom and went straightforward to my bed. The room was somehow cold because it had

been raining. I set on my bed and put the shell in my hand. I felt a remarkable sentiment and I

attempted to do what my friend has told me. I raised the shell and made it near to my ear. The

first thing that I heard was the sound of the sea mainly the clashes of seas waves. It was such

a strong sound that made feel the vastness and immensity of the sea. The shell was like a

bridge between me and the sea. I kept the shell away from my ear for couple of minutes then I

returned it again. For the second time, the sound of the sea disappeared and I heard a new

voice. The voice seemed very familiar for me; it was my friends voice undoubtedly.

In true love the smallest distance is too great, and the greatest distance can be bridged. I

heard .


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Elouahabi Abderrahim

Abdelmalak Essaadi University

Department of EnglishTetouan

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Exactly on My Birthday, An Outlandish Event Occurred in An