WHY

The mob blocked the path of the van. Rev Valos looked at his wife, Wheila. Wheila was cradling their little daughter, who was fast asleep, oblivious to the scene outside. Wheila was scared. So was Rev Valos. He looked at the mob. They looked angry, and were gesticulating and speaking loudly in local lingo.Valos put his hand on the door handle. He was about to go out of the van. He wanted to talk to the people outside. Wheila stopped him. “No. Don’t leave. Its safer here.”Some of the more boisterous of the group was now pushing against the van. The van was buffeted and rocked.Wheila was terrified. Valos was praying. The little girl was asleep.Paavaaan, the God of the Philistians heard Valos’s prayer. He knew what was happening. Even before He heard their prayer. Even before it happened. The van with his followers surrounded by the angry group. Flashback 3 months. Rev Valos had arrived in Maniba with his family. His mission was to bring God to the pagan Manibans. A noble mission. Paavaaan blessed Rev Valos then. Or so Valos thought. “Go forth and Just do it,” He commanded Valos in a prayer session. Or so Valos thought. And Valos did just that. He successfully converted hundreds of Manibans to Philistianity. Paavaaan was pleased. Or so Valos thought.But the Manibans were not pagans. At least they themselves did not think so. They were followers of Haubaah and a thousand other Gods, too numerous to enumerate. Most Manibans knew only a handful of their Gods. But they were convinced that their religion was the greatest, but to the simpletons among them, Philistianity was more attractive, especially since the Philistian preacher Valos and his wife and family looked so attractive and fashionable. These simple folks wanted to associate with the “classy” Philistians. Who knows, maybe they may even embrace the converts and take them back to their country, a place of plenty, where the streets are paved with gold, and money grows on trees, and the people are so beautiful and loving.The Manibans prayed to Haubaah and all their other thousand Gods. “Please help us fight these barbarians, who are insulting our religion and our Gods, and converting our people”. Haubaah heard their prayer. He knew what was happening. Even before He heard their prayer. Even before it happened. He did not say yes. Neither did He say no. In short, He did not answer. He was not happy. Neither was He sad. In short He was.The mob had brought out iron rods, which they used to beat the van. Soon the windows gave way. Valos prayed, hugging his wife and child. Wheila screamed hysterically. The child had woken up but was shocked into silent sobs.A molotov cocktail landed inside the van. The cheap plastic upholstery caught fire and blazed in a ball of fire. Soon the van was engulfed. The mob watched. Their cries and screams were silenced as they heard the terrible wailing of the family being burnt to death. They watched in silence. As the fire died down, a deathly silence engulfed the area. Slowly they walked away.As they walked away, some among them were filled with a sickening loathing. What had they done ? Would Haubaah be pleased ? Not at all. How can a God be pleased when His followers perpetuate barbaric acts ? The spark of Haubaah struggled to come forth from deep inside them. Others felt they had taught a good lesson to the Philistian barbarians. Maybe from now onwards they would stop insulting the Manibans and their Gods. Haubaah would be pleased. In a small town in far away Nacada, Valos’s parents sat in silence with Wheila’s mother. They were overwhelmed with grief. Why ? Why ? Why ? Why had Paavaaan deserted his servants in their hour of need ?Haubaah was in deep contemplation. He heard. He knew. But He did not answer. For He was Haubaah. He was Paavaaan. In short, He was.