𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝...

Chapter Twenty

"Alex, James, and Matthew?" I questioned pulling away from their hug. I saw Ahmed look between Fawaz and Athby as if he was waiting for them to explain. "They went after you" Athby spoke, "not that long ago". "The big dude went crazy, angel. He couldn't wait and he didn't. We've asked him to wait at least 24 hours but he wouldn't have it, and nor did his friends" Fawaz stated. "Holy shit holy shit!" I cursed messing up my hair, "they're gonna risk their lives while I'm here now?" I asked. "We did what we could. They'll be back before dark probably," Ahmed said.

My mind thought of a million different things of what would happen to them. But then I remembered my note I stuck on the Diwaneya door. That put me at ease. But I cannot rest until I saw them, all well and safe.

"What happened to you back there angel?" Turki asked looking at my tired face. I shrugged smiling. "Long story," I said, "tell you guys later?". "Yeah sure. You need the rest babe" Hamani advised. "No I need to check on everyone first" I smiled softly and asked them where is everyone at. "Well we assigned each family their own house but they refused to stay at different houses. So that's why we gave them the palace of the island, to have space for all of them" Mubarak stated. "They are there at the palace now?" I asked. And they nodded.

They offered me a quad to go there but I wanted to walk. I got to the blue old palace and entered. I saw everyone sitting in the living room, asking each other what jobs they can do here to help, they didn't notice me yet.

"No welcome back?" I announced myself, putting all my thoughts and emotions aside. They all turned in my direction surprised and relieved at the same time. Most of them got up to say hello and to hug me. "About time!" Saloom hugged me tightly. "She loves to make an entrance" cousin, Fawaz, joked. "Don't ever do that shit again" my grandma slapped the side of my head. After all of them said hello and even Dana and Fahad, which was shocking. I turned to a crying Reem and Wadha. "Oh stop crying I'm here am I not?" I chuckled. "Are you okay?" Reem asked concerned. "Did something happen to you?" Wadha joined her worry. I ignored all of the pain and hurt inside me and just smiled. "I am fine and nothing happened... I just didn't want them to follow us" I stated. "Now since I've check on everyone... where is Aunt Muneerah?" I said low. "She's been upstairs with her husband and kids since the funeral" Dana joined the conversation. "You had a funeral for her?" my heart ached so bad knowing I've missed it. "We had to act quickly... we're sorry" Dana said. I nodded disappointingly, at myself mostly. "Which room?" I asked.

I stood behind the big doors to the biggest room in the palace and inhaled a deep breath. I have to be strong in front of them, they are vulnerable right now and they need someone to help them through it.

I knocked on the door twice. And moments later the doors open and revealed to me Yousef, her only brother. He looked like he has been crying for a long time and that broke me. He was shocked to see me and then his expression returned into sadness and grief.

"Yousef?" I called for him. But he didn't respond to me and jumped to hug me. He hugged me tightly that I thought he could break a rib if he just squeezed. It felt like he was afraid of letting me go. "It's all going to be okay honey... don't worry I'm here" I rubbed his back. I've heard him inhale a couple of deep breaths, most probably to contain himself and his emotions and act like a 'man' in these situations. And just before I could say something about it, some of the boys walk upstairs and look at us. Yousef pulls right away and coughs. "My mom is in the balcony, she would love to see you" he stated and walked away to a room.

I can see Aunt Muneerah standing in the balcony when I walked in the living room. "Aunt Munnerah?" I called for her when I walked in the balcony. She turned like everyone else, surprised. "Oh my dear!" she walked to me and I met her and she hugged me. "So good to see again and safe" she pulled me back and kissed my cheek so lovingly.