Despite having more than 90 students' paragraphs waiting to be checked and more than 50 papers of a grammar quiz to be corrected, I postponed them because I needed to get this thing off my chest.
I was working late (as it seems to be the case with me these days!). He was very kindly and patiently waiting for me (as his usual habit) to finish and get out, so that he could lock the department and go home. He then decided to come into my office. I received him with an apologetic smile. he returned it back with his usual sincere and genuine smile. He grabbed a chair and sat down. I thought he was tired of waiting; I wish that was the reason, but unfortunately it wasn't. I continued greeting him as I turned back to my computer's screen. He said in his simple Arabic, "You know Mr. Faisal? I've been discharged!!". I stopped working and turned to him. He was already lowering his head. I asked him, "What do you mean?" He replied, " They told me this morning that they no longer need me". My tongue, my brain, every thing failed to help me say something. Seconds later, he burst into tears. He immediately held himself up and left. Hearing that news was like getting a sudden electric shock. I knew he would come back but I was still suffering to grasp it.
I couldn't believe that they actually thought of firing him. I haven't seen or known a cleaner who brings from his home frankincense to burn it where he works. He must be special when he thinks of extra duties to do voluntarily for nothing but the good of the place where he works. Yes he came back five minutes later. The best thing I could think of was to listen to him. He sat down again and no sooner than uttering the first word when he chocked in tears again. He couldn't help it. He was talking and crying at the same time. I felt helpless and useless, and the only thing I could say was telling him that that might be a reason for him to get a better job since they are offering these 50000 jobs now. But again he proved to me the uniqueness and the goodness of himself when he said, "You are right, but I'm used to this place now". I knew that he meant I love this place how can I leave it?
Five minutes later, we exchanged goodbyes. I may not see him again, but his words will keep echoing in my ears for ever. You know what? I'm not only sad because he lost his job which God knows how many people depend on it to survive, or because we lost such a diligent worker; I'm not sad only because he has to pay for someone else's mistake; I'm not only sad sad because he is one of many victims of the free, greedy and bloodthirsty beasts out there, I'm actually a shamed. if this is his feeling toward that place and he is in charge of having the classrooms and corridors clean, what about me and I'm the one who is responsible of students, people. Do I have that kind of feeling? Do I have that kind of spirit? Do I have that inner derive?!
Yes, I will not see Salah tomorrow, but his goodness will always be there. He has left his footprint on that place, and this is something not any one can do, only great people can. Thank you Salah; you taught me a lot.
