Epilogue
It has been twenty-five years now since Iqbal's death. Life has been pretty decent.
Better than living under Hussain Khan's rule at the least.
I live in a city called New York…not exactly the nicest place, but Maria lives here. My family is gone, so I live close to Maria.
Maria and I, we've both been working hard on our studies, even now that we are both lawyers. If Eshan Khan were still alive, I bet he would have been proud.
Iqbal would have been too.
Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if he were still alive.
I remember his brown eyes, so fierce and strong. His voice still lingers in my head, despite all the years that have passed by. I remember the day he took his first step towards freedom, ripping up that beautiful blue carpet he had worked so hard on. I remember the day Maria, he and I flew that kite together, remember how high and proud it flew.
Every kite I see reminds me of him.
I remember those long talks we had together, both during the times we were under the grasp of child labor, and during the time we were free. I always enjoyed talking to you, making you laugh. I remember his words too. "I'm not afraid!"
Those words will stay inside me forever…I miss him…
I wonder if we would have ever been a good couple.
Thinking about him now.
Thinking about my experience with Iqbal.
How my insides felt warm and comfortable being around him.
I didn't understand that feeling. I didn't understand it for years and years until I finally felt it again for someone else.
It's love. I was in love with Iqbal this whole time, even now that he is in the arms of God.
I remember his smile.
I remember his eyes.
I remember how handsome I thought he was. I wish…
Oh…
I wish I told him how I felt sooner. If only I realized it sooner!
Even now that I have promised to stay with someone else…
Even if I promised my love to this new man…
I will never forget…
My love, my compassion, my trust.
I will never forget Iqbal Masih.
Not for one minute!
Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if Iqbal were alive. Would we have fallen in love? Would we have been working, side by side together? Would we have lived together until death?
I will never know…
I do know one thing though.
One thing is clear.
Iqbal is still alive in all of us. The children he set free, Maria, the rebellious children that are taking the right step towards freedom.
And most importantly…
Me.