The Architect's Apprentice

by Elif Shafak

It’s odd how faces, solid and visible as they are, evaporate, while words, made of breath, stay.

Thus a sin for which no one took the blame, yet to which everyone contributed, lived on.

instead of believing that the worst in humans can be found in God, believe that the best in God can be found in humans.’

‘Sometimes, for the soul to thrive, the heart needs to be broken, son.’

‘We are not destroying the buildings, son. We are destroying our desire to possess them. Only God is the owner. Of the stone and of the skill.’

Thus, on the bank of the River Pruth, they left behind them their sweat, their faith and their work, lying in ruins that gave no clue as to what an exquisite bridge had once stood in that place.

Decisions are sheep; habits, the shepherd.’

‘Aye, she’s one of the damned,’ said Taras. Seeing Jahan’s surprise he added drily, ‘No worse curse than to bury all your loved ones and still keep breathing.’ Years later Jahan would remember this moment but now the words whizzed by him like a current of air.

It was lonely enough to make you love your own shadow and crowded enough to leave you gasping for air.

Pray for the soul of one whose name was not discovered Loved by the Almighty, He hath known her always.

Inwardly, however, numbness seized his heart, wiping away signs of joy, like melting snow erasing the footprints of life. He was losing his faith in his workmanship.

Little did he know, back then, that the worth of one’s faith depended not on how solid and strong it was, but on how many times one would lose it and still be able to get it back.

In that moment Jahan understood that life was the sum of the choices one did not make; the paths yearned for but not taken.

Centre of the universe was neither in the East nor in the West. It was where one surrendered to love.