Finding Muna: A Palestinian Novel

Chapter Fourteen

"Muna!" April called out from the bedroom and Muna hummed in response to her as she stared at the healing cuts on her body through the toilet mirror.

She sighed as she packed her hair to a bun and opened the soap container and filled it with water, and then she shook the container steadily and turned away from the mirror to the shower where she prepared herself for a bath.

"We have to go now!" April said and Muna hummed again as she hurriedly poured water over her head a few times and clean her body. A few minutes later, she put on her clothes and stepped out of the toilet.

April eyed her as she sighed and carried their equipment, "Lamees is waiting outside, you've been slacking on work for a few days, we have to go with you today," April said and left the room with the things in her hand.

Muna let out a frustrated huff as she opened the drawer and took out a comb to brush her hair, trying not to dwell on April's words. But she was right, Muna had been slacking on work, looking for an excuse or the other to avoid going to freshly attacked sites, she knew it seemed like she was running away from the reality, her friends just didn't understand that she was running away from death mostly because the wasn't sure what would come after it, and she was also partly scared of dying.

It had been about three days since she went to speak to Reem and ever since then, she'd been trying her hardest to stay away from Reem, a young girl who could make her question her entire existence should be avoided at all cost, she thought.

They had seen the news earlier today that some people that are staying in Jabalia refugee camp, which was the largest camp in Gaza Strip were being bombed relentlessly and they had shortage of water and food, the water was so contaminated that most children die from extreme vomiting and hunger.

It saddened her a lot and as much as she wanted to go there to see the condition of the people, it was too dangerous because they had to drive to plenty unsafe zones to get to Jabalia refugee camp which was in the far north of Gaza Strip.

They were heading to Deir el-Balah which was a city in between Gaza city and Khan Yunis, Deir el-Balah was just attacked only a few hours ago and the whole city was in ruins, causing the surviving people to be displaced.

The paramedics that were in the far southern hospitals had to rush there and save whoever they could, although almost all the big hospitals were already destroyed, the few existing ones are doing their best to help the citizens.

Muna sighed tiredly as she ran her hand over her face and walked towards the door, she twisted the knob and opened the door only to jump back in fear as she saw Reem's face; she frowned at Reem as she placed her hand on her chest to calm herself down.

"What are you doing?" Muna asked Reem who was smiling at her.

"I came to talk to you, I've been noticing you for a while now and I think you're avoiding me," Reem said with a playful pout and Muna blinked at her with a straight face.

"I'm not avoiding you," Muna said with a shrug and Reem narrowed her eyes at her in disbelief.

"That's a lie, but I just want to make sure we're on good terms, no hard feelings?" Reem asked raising her hands up in the air and Muna nodded as she pursed her lips.

"I didn't mean to upset you if I did upset you the other day; I was just being genuine and trying to tell you of the truth," Reem said with a small sigh and Muna stayed quiet, staring at Reem's face as she spoke.

Maybe she's not that bad – Muna thought.

"I feel like you're closer to the truth than you think, and I pray you take the needed step before it's too late sister, you're my blood and you're of my kind, you think I'll want bad for you? Or degrade you because it feels good?" Reem asked and Muna let out a deep breath.