“I have to go now, but I’m hoping to see you all one day.” Rain said to the kids.
“BYE… TAKE CARE.” They yelled.
Rain left really quickly and started running towards the place where his friends were. He looked as if he was chased by something or someone. His wounds had not healed yet which made it harder to run. The moment he got back to his friends, he yelled…
“We have to go. We need to leave this place immediately.”
“Come down… What happened? What did you see out there?” Yazan asked.
“Nothing… I saw nothing. I saw happy kids and normal people. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve seen a child smiles here in Estil?” Rain said as he was trying to catch his breath.
“That doesn’t make any sense. Why do you want us to leave then?” Yazan said.
“Do you have any idea what they would do to them if they find out that this village is helping us?” Rain asked.
“He is right. They will have no problem destroying every single house until we are dead. I know them. I have worked for them. I just wanted us to stay long enough for Rain and Samir to recover, which I believe they are.” Laith said.
“Ok, then. I will go tell the others. We leave in an hour.” Yazan said.
“Great… And I need to sit down.” Rain said.
“I will go call that nurse so she can look at your wound again.” Laith said and immediately left.
“No, wait… I’m fine… He left already. Unbelievable…” Rain said
Few minutes later Laith was back with a nurse.
“Please let me have a look, and do not even try and do what you did last time. You do not have to stich yourself. I don’t bite.” The nurse said.
“Fine… Just hurry up please.” Rain said.
“He is just shy because you are beautiful.” Laith commented.
“Thanks… but I am married, and I have two kids.” The nurse said.
“You look so young. So why aren’t you wearing a wedding ring?” Laith said.
“I donated my wedding ring… So a lot of people can buy tents. Also, most people in Estil get married early... Why wait if you know you have met your soul mate already.” The nurse said.
“It would be great if you can tell that to someone I know.” Rain mumbled.
“Is someone in love here?” Laith asked.
“Drop it.” Rain said.
-----------------------------------
Back to Sidra, she finally had some time to relax. All of what was happening got her thinking about the future. It was that point in time that she decided to write a book about her life. Obviously, I was given that task.
“It’s 2014. Last night, I witnessed the Oscars. I saw how the whole world toned in to watch the movie stars get awarded. One of the winning movies is known by ‘Twelve Years of Slave’. I have not seen it yet, and I do not know if I want to do so. I feel like I have enough pain in my life for now. However, I am sure it did deserve to win. When I saw that people actually cared, it got me thinking. Maybe they would care about us too. One day, I am going to write about us. I am going to tell the whole world what really is happening here. I will, with God’s willing, make a movie out of my story one day. Whether I make it to the Oscars like those people did or not is irrelevant. The fact that many people saw it made me realize the large number of people who actually were watching. One day, I am going to share with the people our stories. I will tell them our mistakes and teach them to avoid them. I will tell them to build their own lives the way they see fit. I will tell them to learn from what is happening to us right now. I would have to convince them to care. I will tell them to care about the ones who are dying more than the ones who are well and living. I will show them that winning a prize meant having to go through years of pain and suffering. I will be a living proof that life ends the way we want to, and not the way someone else wants. And one more thing my future self, if you do not get the freedom you always fought for, do not cry. Either way, make sure that your message reaches the world and that they care. Make sure they care enough to stop the pain.” Those were the words Sidra chose to write on a piece of paper that she later scanned and saved in her cellphone.
“What are you doing sitting on the floor?” One of the engineers in Siwaar’s headquarters asked.
“I was just writing something. I got tired of working last night, so I watched the Oscars. It was kind of interesting.” Sidra replied.
“I’m sure it was. I haven’t watched TV in a very long time. We are almost always working. I’m Ursula by the way.”
“Nice to meet you, Ursula. I’m Sidra. And as far as the TV goes, we don’t even have a good channel to watch in Estil in the first place.” Sidra said.
“Yeah, I know that. I’m originally from Estil, born and raised.” Ursula said.
“Really? When did you leave.”
“Years ago, we just suffered enough. I lost family, friends, and pretty much everything I cared for. I couldn’t take it anymore. So I just left.” Ursula explained. “I just do believe in freedom, and that everyone deserves a shot at it. I joined Dr. Shaheen in the hopes for a better future for the poor and needy.”
“I never believed in war. But by looking at our lives, it does seem to be the only option. Hit as hard as you can until something changes. The only problem is the fact that the people of Estil have started to accept reality and stopped fighting. They have accepted getting killed for no reason or simply dying out of hunger. I can’t really blame them.” Sidra said. “I think we should get back to work. There is a lot to do.”
“Sidra… We need you in the main control room, now.” Jenna called at Sidra.
“Coming… What’s going on?” Sidra said and turned to Ursula, “We should continue this chat later... Lovely meeting you. And I love your hair by the way.”
“Thanks… And like wise.”
One thing to keep in mind about Ursula is that she has long black hair. The edges of her hair are all dyed red.
“When did you speak to Rain last time?” Shaheen asked with a concerned face.
“Few days ago. Why?” Sidra asked.
“Did he happen to mention what happened at the Burj?” Jenna asked.
“No. What happened at the Burj?” Sidra asked.
“So why did he call if he did not tell you about such an important thing?” Jenna asked.
“It was a personal conversation. What important thing?”
“They had to run away from the Burj about a week ago. It sounds like they were planning something about Maki Lion and someone found out.” Shaheen explained.
“Oh… my God. Where are they now?”
“I have no idea. My brother, Rain’s father, called and told me. He said that Rain was shot.” Shaheen explained.
“He was what? He seemed completely fine and relaxed on the phone. Although...”
“What? I need to know what exactly he told you.”
“I need to go back to Estil. I have to make sure that my brother and everyone else is ok. When can I leave?” Sidra asked.
“In two hours.” Jenna said. “I’ll be flying in tomorrow.”
“Make it one. I’ll go pack my things.”
“What about the work here?” Shaheen asked.
“I trust your engineers. I will keep doing my parts and do everything in my power to help, but… Right now… I need to be there. I have to make sure that everything is ok.”
National Exile: A 21st Century Novel about Nobility, Poverty, and Cruelty Page 25