The Bonds of Love
A Short Novel
Title: The Bonds of Love (Hidhaa Jaalalaa)
Author: Beeknan Rabbirraa
Editor: Kedir Abdulatif Haji
April 11, 2014 G.C
Whenever we sit, stand, are imprisoned, released, walk, run, remain silent, grieve, rejoice, or reach the end of something, thoughts about life and love never leave us. And when one asks, “What lies behind love?” there is always another answer waiting.
Reflecting on this question brings to mind a story based on real events.
Chapter 1: Seenaa and Falmataa
There were two students: Seenaa and Falmataa.
Both studied Engineering at Haramaya University. Seenaa was a third-year student, while Falmataa was in his fourth year.
Falmataa had grown up in central Oromia, while Seenaa came from western Oromia. Both were children of rural Oromiyaa.
Seenaa’s beauty was remarkable. It was difficult to understand her inner thoughts, yet her intelligence and beauty captivated many young men. Her hair flowed down her back. When she walked, she moved as smoothly as a river, making hardly any sound. Her eyes sparkled like stars. Her smile illuminated the darkness. Her nose seemed sculpted by an artist, and her graceful figure resembled the natural beauty of Oromiyaa’s mountains.
Whenever she laughed, her voice stirred the hearts of those who heard it.
Falmataa was known for his confidence. When others spoke, he listened carefully. His hair resembled the crown of an Oromo sycamore tree. His appearance was striking, but what truly distinguished him was his intellect.
Whenever a lecturer asked a question, he answered so brilliantly that other students hurriedly flipped through their notebooks, wondering whether they had somehow missed the lesson.
Both were active members of Oromo cultural and literary associations.
Chapter 2: The Beginning of Affection
One thing that made Falmataa unique was his patriotism.
During public celebrations, especially those connected to nations and nationalities, he often wore T-shirts bearing images associated with Oromo struggles and sacrifices. Because of this, he frequently faced harassment.
Despite this, he spent much of his free time offering tutorials to Oromo students from lower years.
He preferred teaching in Afaan Oromo and often translated difficult concepts into the language so that Oromo students could better understand them.
As a result, he was not always popular among students from other backgrounds.
Seenaa attended his tutorials because she needed help with some of her courses.
At first, neither seemed interested in romance. Both were deeply focused on their studies, their people, and the future of their language and nation.
Yet time has its own plans.
As he taught and she listened, they began to admire one another.
Falmataa thought:
“How beautiful she is! What a remarkable Oromo woman God has created.”
Seenaa thought:
“If only he were mine, how blessed I would be.”
Yet neither dared to speak openly.
Chapter 3: Love Grows Quietly
They spent weeks thinking about one another.
One day, Seenaa was sitting in a cafeteria drinking coffee before heading to the library for exam preparation.
She saw Falmataa walking toward the library and called out:
“Patriot!”
Students nearby looked around in surprise.
When he approached, she invited him:
“Come and have Oromo coffee with me.”
Falmataa smiled and replied jokingly:
“Is there such a thing as Amhara coffee or Tigrayan coffee?”
Seenaa laughed and answered:
“Coffee belongs to the Oromo, but others became wealthy selling it.”
They drank coffee together and talked about their studies.
Falmataa said:
“Studying is not difficult. Living as a dignified human being after becoming educated—that is what is difficult. But education helps you understand who you are.”
Their conversations gradually became deeper.
Chapter 4: Family Histories
One day Seenaa asked:
“Why do you refuse to allow non-Oromo students into your tutorial sessions?”
Falmataa answered:
“We are tens of millions of people, yet many of us cannot even buy simple things in our own language. Some are ashamed to speak Afaan Oromo. If someone makes a mistake in Amharic, many rush to correct it. But who will strengthen our own language if we do not? That is why I teach Oromo students in Afaan Oromo. I feel it is my responsibility.”
Then he asked:
“Why were you named Seenaa?”
Her expression changed.
She explained that her father had joined the Oromo liberation struggle and died there before she was born. Her mother was imprisoned while pregnant with her.
After giving birth, her mother also joined the struggle. Since then, Seenaa had never known whether she was alive or dead.
She had been raised by her grandmother, who named her Seenaa (“History”).
Falmataa then shared his own story.
His father had also been deeply involved in Oromo resistance.
Their home was constantly surrounded by security forces.
One day his father was killed.
The stories of their families revealed how similar their lives had been.
They both cried.
And through those tears, they grew even closer.
Chapter 5: Love and Commitment
After that day, they spent nearly all their free time together.
They studied together, walked around campus together, ate together, and dreamed together.
Their relationship symbolized something larger than themselves.
They came from different regions of Oromiyaa—west and center—yet they found unity through shared identity and values.
For them, love was inseparable from their commitment to their people.
Chapter 6: Trouble Arrives
News spread one day that an Oromo student had been killed at another university.
Tensions rose.
Soon, federal police increased their presence on campus.
One night, security forces raided student dormitories.
Many students were arrested, including Falmataa and his close friend Tokkummaa.
The following day, students protested.
Those who demanded the release of the prisoners were also detained.
Seenaa was devastated.
She could not contact Falmataa.
Many of his friends had disappeared as well.
Chapter 7: A Love Letter from Prison
Months later, Falmataa managed to send Seenaa a letter through a trusted police officer.
The letter said:
“My dear Seenaa,
I think of you constantly.
My heart burns in two directions—love for my people and love for you.
The suffering I am experiencing is the same suffering our people have endured for generations.
Until we gain freedom and can live with dignity in our homeland, fulfilling our dreams will be difficult.
I have now been sentenced to eight years in prison.
If you can wait for me, it would mean everything to me.
But if life leads you elsewhere, I pray that good things come to you.
I love you deeply.
Yours, Falmataa.”
When Seenaa finished reading the letter, she collapsed from shock and grief.
After recovering, she wrote back.
Chapter 8: Seenaa’s Reply
Her reply read:
“My beloved Falmataa,
The love and respect I have for you know no limits.
I pray day and night for our cause and for your strength.
Eight years feels like tomorrow to me.
I have learned much from my mother’s story.
My heart belongs to you.
No one else can take your place.
I will always love you.
Stay strong and stay safe.
Yours forever, Seenaa.”
Chapter 9: Reunion
Seenaa graduated, but because she could not produce the required political affiliation documents, she was unable to find employment.
She returned to her village and lived with her grandmother.
For eight years she waited.
Every day she counted the passing time.
Finally, the day came.
She stood outside Maekelawi Prison waiting for him.
When Falmataa emerged after eight years, prison had changed him greatly.
Yet the moment their eyes met, all the years of separation seemed to disappear.
They embraced through tears of joy.
Chapter 10: A New Beginning
They returned to their village and celebrated a traditional Oromo wedding.
The elders blessed them.
Their long-awaited happiness had finally arrived.
A month later, an unexpected opportunity appeared.
Seenaa had applied for the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) a year earlier.
She had forgotten about it.
Now she had been selected.
Although neither wished to leave Oromia, Falmataa was once again being monitored by authorities.
For their safety and future, they decided to move to the United States.
Together.
Still bound by love.
The End
April 11, 2014 G.C
Author: Beeknan Rabbirraa
Prepared by: Bokkuu Media
