Dick Couch: Out of the Ashes

He didn’t particularly like being in America, and especially didn’t enjoy being in New York City. However, Abdul-Muqtadir Kashif was above all else a businessman and this was business.

Kashif was Arab, wealthy, and, from outward appearances, quite Westernized. He was in his midfifties, slim, fit, well-educated, and sophisticated. His eyes were alert but not predatory, and he had a disarming smile. Kashif wore his hair stylishly long but well barbered and kept his goatee and mustache neatly trimmed. He was Kuwaiti by birth and citizenship, but he kept elegant, if not lavish, homes in Paris, London, and Mumbai as well as a primary residence in Kuwait City. He had but a single wife and three children, all girls, who he shamelessly spoiled. He read the Koran often and found the teachings of the Prophet made for an ideal guide for a good and productive life, yet, by and large, he rejected any literal interpretation of the book. Abdul-Muqtadir Kashif was one of those men who his London and Parisian acquaintances never seemed to see as an Arab or a Muslim. If they did, they were quick to comment, “That Abdul, what a splendid fellow. Why can’t more of them be like him?”

He permitted himself the indulgence of bringing his wife, Jumana, along on this short, three-day, business trip. It hadn’t been his idea. Somehow she found the shopping in New York superior to that of even London. What harm could come from making her happy by allowing her to busy herself trolling through the high-end boutiques on Fifth Avenue while he hammered out a business deal? Her chauffeur and escort would look out for her.

That same chauffeur had delivered them from their hotel, the Intercontinental New York Barclay, to the penthouse condo of his new business associate, who was hosting a small dinner party in their honor. They had bid their host good-bye and were riding in the swiftly descending elevator when Jumana turned to Kashif.

“My husband, it is such a beautiful night, and our hotel is only a short walk away. Would you just dismiss the chauffeur? We can enjoy an evening stroll together.”

Kashif did some quick mental calculations. It was a mere eight blocks walk to East 48th Street where the Intercontinental enjoyed a prominent location between Park and Lexington Avenues. What harm was there if it pleased her? She had, as she always did, charmed his new business associates. It was their last night in New York, a beautiful Sunday night with a full summer moon, and he was feeling exceptionally good about the deal he had struck. Perhaps being in America wasn’t so bad after all.

“Of course, my dear. It is a lovely evening.”

As they exited the building Kashif dismissed his driver and they set out walking south on Seventh Avenue. Jumana pulled her hijab tightly around her head, feeling the need for more modesty walking the streets in an American city than she might elsewhere. Abdul-Muqtadir Kashif was happy they had left the dinner party a bit early. The oafish American men there talked about little else than the opening of their football season that weekend. They were even rude enough to keep incessantly checking their smart phones for the progress of one of their hometown teams, the “Giants,” who, apparently, would have to save the city’s honor that evening in their Sunday night game. Their other team, the “Jets,” had lost badly earlier in the day.

As they approached 48th Street and prepared to turn east to reach the Intercontinental, Kashif saw commotion ahead as a number of men poured out of a sports bar. The sign on the bar read TONIC. How apt, he thought as he pulled Jumana close to him. They quickened their pace.

Then he heard them.

“He choked! They had them. Then he throws an interception. What a piece of meat. They need to get rid of him.”

“He’s a complete fraud. God, this is going to be a long season.”

“What a punk.”

“The Giants suck so bad!”

More men tumbled out of the bar, all obviously inebriated and clearly angry their team had lost.

He pulled Jumana closer and accelerated their pace even more, intending to give the swelling crowd of men a wide berth. Their language was growing fouler and they were now pushing and jostling each other. What juveniles. America is as decadent as many of my friends say it is .

Kashif thought about crossing 7th Avenue to avoid these contemptible men entirely, but the traffic was heavy even at this time of night. Turning around and walking back north was not an option he considered. He didn’t run from scum.

As they walked close to the curb to avoid the crowd of agitated fans, a large man on the outside of the pack bumped into Jumana.

“Ouch,” she said instinctively as she fought to keep her balance, still clutching her hijab.

Reflexively, Kashif stuck out his left hand to fend the man off as he tried to steady his wife with his right.

In his drunken stupor the man fell to the ground. “Shit,” he cried.

That got the attention of some of the other men and they tried to pick him up. Instinctively, Kashif attempted to go around the crowd, but instead he bumped into another man.

The man pushed back at him, looked at Jumana, and shouted, “Hey, watch it, you fucking ragheads.”

“You watch your mouth,” Kashif protested.

By now, the other men had been attracted to the commotion and surrounded Kashif and Jumana.

“Back off! You’re in our country, you stinking Arab. She part of your harem?”

“Get out of our way or I’ll call the police,” Kashif yelled as he pulled Jumana in a tight grip and he tried to push their way through the now roused pack of men.

“Good luck with that, camel jockey,” another man shouted.

From behind Jumana, a man grabbed her hijab. “So, let’s see what’s under here. What you hiding there, bitch?”

Kashif wheeled and threw a right roundhouse punch and staggered the man.

That was all it took. With one blow another man knocked Kashif to the ground. Jumana tumbled down with him. The enraged mass of men began stomping the two Kuwaitis. Fit and agile, Kashif was able to fend off many of the blows with his arms. Jumana was not so lucky. The men continued to stomp them, cursing and swearing at the two now-helpless people.

Suddenly, one of New York’s ever-present yellow cabs screeched to a stop right at the curb and the driver began honking his horn while shouting, “Hey, stop. Get the hell away from them.”

“Mind your own business,” one of the men shot back.

“I said, stop it!” the cabbie replied as he emerged from the cab, a gun in his right hand and a cell phone in his left. That he was white and overweight, and wore a Jets sweatshirt, meant nothing; all they saw was the big automatic. That was all it took for the men to turn and run.

The Good Samaritan rushed over and helped Kashif lift himself up. Jumana remained inert on the ground, a pool of blood spreading from under her head.

It had all been a blur for Abdul-Muqtadir Kashif. A New York Police Department cruiser had appeared minutes after the cabbie had called 911. Shortly after that, an ambulance had arrived. The EMTs placed Jumana on a gurney, started an IV, and put her in the ambulance. Lights flashing and siren blaring they raced south on 7th Avenue and east on 31st Street to reach the New York University Langone urgent care center on 1st Avenue.

Despite his protests, the doctors would not let him in the OR. He was put in a waiting room for those who were with critically injured patients. There he sat for over three hours, the worst three hours of his life, but the next few minutes were about to be more awful than those hours.