There are many gut-wrenching books where the reader is compelled to stare at the walls or ceiling to contemplate what they have just read. There are many such moments in ‘Khabuj’ written by Benyamin and translated to Nepali by Dinesh Kafle. The novel inspired by true events was initially written in the writer’s mother tongue—Malayalam and is called ‘Aatujeevitham’.

This book is a story about dreamers—those who dare to dream and chase it. Najib had a dream too. But his dream was not to stand on top of piles of cash and build an empire but to pay the loan, rebuild his house and make sure his offspring didn’t have to face any hardships.

To fulfill this dream he flies to the unknown. He flies to Saudi Arabia. We have seen many individuals, who leave their family behind with heavy hearts, marching into the unknown to earn a living. Upon arring at Saudi Arabia, it doesn’t take long for Najib to realise that his stay will be a difficult one. What follows are tormenting moments and many close encounters with death.

He is cornered in a desolate desert, tasked with tending to herds of sheep under the oppressive rule of his master. Subjected to frequent beatings for the slightest inconvenience, Najib realises the grim reality of his situation: he is not just a labourer but also a captive.

Being far from home is challenging in itself, but enduring abuse, with just sheep as your companions in an empty desert breeds a sense of hopelessness. At one point in the story, Najib’s yearning for human contact is palpable when he reaches out to touch a passing truck driver, craving the presence of another human in the desolate desert.

The book’s portrayal of these struggles serves as a reminder of the hardships endured by countless others in similar situations. It prompts us to reflect on the challenges faced by migrant workers and the toll it takes on their lives.

Najib is also empathetic. He even tries to justify why his master is so rude to him, thinking maybe the master has his own troubles and causing him stress because of which he comes off as rude. As he toils away in the heat and under the scorching sun, he backs his body up with a weak diet of Khabuj (Kuboos)—a type of bread. He is compelled to dip the Khabuj in water and look to satisfy his hunger and gather enough energy to toil away in the merciless desert.

The situations in which Najib finds himself are terrifying. But the easiness of language used to describe such situations is equally saddening. The language is direct and the writer as well as the translator haven’t tried to garnish it with big fancy literatrary words. It feels like we’re reading a diary written by Najib—not a piece of literature.

Speaking of which, one day Najib sits down to write a letter to his wife, Sainu. Despite uncertainty about its delivery, he feels compelled to write. “I don’t know if this will reach her or not, I just need to write,” he muses. And so he does, crafting elaborate lies to shield his wife from the harsh reality. He fabricates stories of working in a milk and cotton factory, describing lavish meals provided by a benevolent master.

He tells her, he doesn’t have to work much as the machines do all the work and his diet consists of chicken and mutton curry. He writes about the evening walks he takes where the cool breeze hits his body and washes away the humid weather. He folds the letter and wipes his tears. The truth isn’t in the letter, it is in his tears.

While Najib befriends sheep in the lonely desert, he is reminded of his hometown in India with lush green landscapes and his wife’s warm smile. The memories only intensify his longing. After enduring hardship after hardship, Najib eventually takes a daring leap to escape his predicament. However, this escape is far from the heroic, dreamlike scenarios portrayed in movies; instead, it leads him into further difficulties.

Though he escapes the desert, the real question that remains is, can he ever really escape the desert? Won’t the desert follow him wherever he goes? Won’t the memories of the afternoon heat and the smell of sheep disrupt his peace?

Inspired by true events, the story prompts readers to reflect on the harsh realities of foreign employment. It sheds light on the plight of those who, unable to find opportunities in their homeland, are forced to labour in distant lands simply to make ends meet. ‘Khabuj’ pays homage to the resilience and determination of individuals who brave the challenges of building a future in Gulf countries, against all odds.

Khabuj

Author: Benyamin

Year: 2008

Publisher: FinePrint (Nepali)