𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝...

Chapter Twenty Three

After two weeks on Failaka Island, everyone established a routine. We'd get up around eight in the morning, wash up, eat breakfast in our houses, and visit the city hall to find out our assignments for the day since everyone have to work. We'd do our jobs and then take a break during lunch to eat all together in the city hall and then continue our shift until it's dark out. When it's around eight or nine in the night and no one is out except for the guards, we'd go to the surveillance room to check who's staying on duty till the morning, and then the rest we'll call it a day.

It was exhausting for our people to adjust to living here, especially because the island was big and we'd take multiple jobs to fill our time since we didn't have anything to do but work. We literally became workaholics just to fill our time. But eventually, we got the hang of it.

Out of nowhere, since last week we'd experienced some minor earthquakes near the east side of the island and we weren't allowed to go there to sustain the artefacts and the history there. I knew the reason behind those earthquakes because I'd experienced them before but I didn't want it to be true and hoped it would be a side effect of the napalm bombs that happened. Ahmed, Nawaf, Athby, and Hamani went there to check but found nothing, they figured it was the side effects of the napalm bombs.

They weren't looking at the right place...

Me and Alexander were staying in our living room an old movie while James and Matthew had their night shift. They told us they were assigned to the northeast coast. They were far enough from the place where the earthquakes happened but I still prayed that nothing happens on their shift and I also prayed for myself, that the secrets are still hidden under the ground. For my and Alexander's sake. I don't know how he'd react to this big lie I've told. I don't think he'd understand but I'm sure he'll try his best.

"What's on your mind princess?" Alexander's voice trailed me off my thoughts. I turned to him confused cause I didn't hear him. "What?" I asked low. "What's on your mind babe?" He sat straight up and focused his gaze on me, getting concerned. I smiled softly at his sweetness and kindness. I held his hand and kissed them and then hugged both his hands. He looked confused at my behaviour but smiled genuinely nonetheless. "Hey... you okay?" he questioned low. "I'm more than okay... you don't have to worry about me all the time. I was just thinking about random stuff" I spoke low. He nodded understandingly and stretched his hands to my shoulder to return to our previous snuggling position.

I felt incredibly guilty for 'hiding the truth' from him. Even though I told myself that at least I'm not lying but actually I was. This man have gone through a lot of my bullshit and he is still here for me, worried and concerned that I might be hurting from something and overthinking and I am actually trying to pray that he won't find out. Relationships are built upon truth and honesty. But what if the truth or the honesty might hurt him? Hurt him physically? I have a reason and he would understand... I hope he does if it came to that!

We heard crying in the suite next to us. I came out to see Auntie Muneerah trying to convince Ameerah to go to bed and stop crying. "Do you need help, Auntie?" I offered. "I just need her to stop crying and annoying people" she sighed trying to hold her but her daughter kept pushing her away and crying louder. "Well, damn people okay? It's a kid for god sake! What do we do? FORCE her to stop crying?" I stated as I sat on the floor in front of our suite and looked at Ameerah. "You go get some rest. I'll try to calm her and then put her to bed okay?" I offered. "You are a lifesaver. Thank you so much" Aunt Muneerah replied. "Oh it's nothing I love this kid" I smiled at her and then at Ameerah.