Finding Muna: A Palestinian Novel

Chapter Two

Muna felt giddy as the air brushed through her hair, the atmosphere and whether in Palestine was truly miraculous and magical, she shut her eyes as she stretched her head forward with a smile, awaiting the rush of cool air to hit her face yet again.

April giggled at her childishness as Lamees struggled to pack their bags and equipment into the trunk of the taxi they had hired.

"If you both help me, it'll really be appreciated," Lamees said as she glared at them both, April mimicked her as she skipped towards her and helped her with the packing while Muna continued what she was doing, obsessed with the new feeling that she almost felt urged to kiss the ground.

April and Lamees shared a look, giggling as they shook their heads at Muna's childish behaviour.

"I cannot blame her though, I've been to Ethiopia all my live and I cannot imagine living without visiting my people, culture and country, especially knowing everyone there is your kind," Lamees said with a chuckle as April nodded with a pout.

"I cannot exactly say I understand you because I truly don't. But I cannot imagine living outside of America for a long time without going back to visit it, I'm not sure I would survive," April said as she shut the trunk with a thud, motioning for elated Muna to come over.

Muna twirled as her hair danced with the soft breeze, children ran around giggling happily as they glanced at the three foreigners, watching Muna and her antics weirdly.

"Salam alaikum! Kafkum?" Muna asked as her gaze landed on the kids, she waved her hands at them excitedly as they lowered their gazes bashfully, running away from the site.

"Muna!" April bellowed as she held on the car door, glaring at Muna as she tried to keep the impatient cabman patient, Muna raised her brows with a smile and skipped towards her.

They both entered the cab and Muna shut the door with a bright smile, looking out of the window as she did so, "Ila wein?" (Where to?) The cabman asked and Muna stared at him through the interior mirror.

"Rafah," Muna said and turned her gaze back to the window as he ignited the engine and drop away from west bank.

About two hours ago, they'd arrive at Ben Gurion international airport at Tel Aviv, and while April and Lamees went to get the pass ticket to Palestine, Muna excused herself to speak with her parents.

Throughout the flight, although she felt relieved, she was still a little anxious about her decision. She really did take the step without her parents blessing and although she wasn't religious, she felt Allah wasn't pleased with her.

"Mum?" Muna said into the phone, pressing her thumb against her lips.

"Muna," her mother said breathing a sigh of relief as Muna heard her speak in Arabic to her father in the background, then she heard shuffling and soon her father was on the line.

"Muna, wallahi I am still angry at you, but I'll suspend my anger until you're back in sha Allah," he said with an exasperated sigh and Muna could only bite her lower lip guiltily as her forehead etched with a frown, rethinking her decision to visit Palestine.

'You're such an idiot,' she said to herself mentally as she struggled to speak, desperately searching for soothing words to say to her father but found none.

"When are you coming back to America? How many days do you intend to spend there hayati?" her mother asked softly and she breathed out slightly, her heart thudding violently against her chest in fear.

"A month?" she said unsurely.

"A month? –" her father interjected in frustration.

"Muna you know you're our only child, why are you doing this to us?! Do you really want to die leaving your mother and I behind?" he asked affronted and displeased, his voice almost cracking as he struggled to make his daughter open her eyes to what she was really putting herself against.