Finding Muna: A Palestinian Novel

Chapter Seventeen

Moving miles away to Rafah camp wasn't an easy task, especially after hours of pleading with April nonstop until they heard some explosions some feet away.

"April! Do you think you're immune to these bombs? If they get any closer, we're going to be dead!" Muna had said as she landed a hot slap across April's face.

"We have to leave now! If it was you who died, Reem would simply pray for you and run for her life! You should do the same you idiot, instead of standing around benefiting her in no way!" Muna continued but April merely peered at her with a lost look on her face, she barely understood half of what she said.

But they somehow got into Mr. Ahmad's second car which the girls took to Deir el-Balah the day they lost Reem, and after some time on the road, the car stopped working and they had to leave the car and trek the rest of the distance.

Luckily Ahmad always had a spare tent in the trunk of his car, and he was glad that his decision to save a tent back then was helping him at that moment.

As they got to the camp, they saw some children running around, playing while the elders sat back, either cleaning their environment, or finding ways to wash their clothes or simply talking. While in one corner, Muna spotted a little girl who was thin, so lean one would think she was a patient of tuberculosis, her mother was seated beside her, caressing her and holding her adoringly. The girl would weakly smile at her mother and then vomit all was in her stomach until there was nothing left there.

Muna was forced to avert her gaze as she saw a man approaching them with a smile on his face, "Assalamu alaikum, welcome, you need a tent?" he asked.

"I have one here for my girls, but I need one for myself," Ahmad replied and the man nodded understandingly, Muna felt a smile on her face at the words of Mr. Ahmad, he had just lost his only family and yet he continued to treat Muna and her friends like they were a part of him. He refused to leave their destroyed home unless the girls went with him, and his only reason was, "Allah placed the responsibility to watch you on me, who am I to not follow my Lord's order?"

It was nice to have a fatherly figure to at least for support and for some hope; Muna knew she wouldn't give up all hope as long as this man was there. She knew he would protect she and her friends with everything and even his life if need be.

"There are other tents that contains only a few people, if you don't want to stay alone in a tent, then I will show you around and you can pick?" the man offered and Ahmad let out a bright smile and pulled the man into a brotherly hug.

"Shukran ya sahibee," Ahmad thanked him appreciatively and broke off the embrace.
(Thank you my friend)

"La mushkilah ya habibi," the man said with a warm smile and turned to walk away, leaving them to start working on building the tent.
(No problem my dear one)

After almost thirty minutes of nonstop work, they were finally done with building the tent, "Shukran ya a'mmi, barak Allah feek," Muna said in appreciation as he waved her off humbly.
(Thank you uncle, may Allah bless you)

"Qad Baraka Allah feeya," he said simply and walked away leaving Muna to stand in confusion.
(Allah has already blessed me)

She shrugged her shoulders as Lamees and April got out of the tent, Lamees smiled at Muna who returned a small smile, "Now this is better than sleeping in the cold for three full days," Lamees said excitedly as Muna's gaze lingered on April who was silently walking away from them.

"Yeah, it would have been much better if Reem was here though," Muna said with a sad sigh and Lamees nodded following Muna's gaze to where April stood.

"I miss her too," Lamees said and let out a huff.