the essence of life is love

Naamloos deel 82

When Elijah wakes up in a cold bed without blankets, covered only by a sheet, he looks around to figure out where he is. The wooden barracks seem unused for decades, the windows are broken, and it is damp inside. His bag sits on the floor beside a table and a bench. As he tries to sit, he realizes everything is fixed to the wall or floor. There's nothing to throw, and upon further inspection, there's nothing to break either, everything appears old, worn out, and already broken.

It takes a while for the light to come in, and Elijah notices the door opening, that man again.

"Good morning, Elijah. How are you?"

Being stubborn, Elijah remains silent, only staring at Jacob.

"You're probably wondering where you are. We're here at the camp to help you. There are a few other guests, like you, struggling with the same issue. We, your guides, are here to solve that problem. If you're calm, you can come with me. If you're still angry or upset, you can stay here. If you have questions, they can wait. It's your choice."

There's a long silence, Elijah looks out the window and sees nothing but trees, he's somewhere in a forest, more like a wilderness.

"As if I have a choice."

"Elijah!"

Jacob kneels in front of him, holding his hands.

"You always have a choice. It's really up to you. Remember that there are people who love you, who have a lot of money to help you."

"Why do I need help? What's wrong then?"

"What do you think?"

"I don't know."

"Really?"

"No. What could be wrong?"

"Is that why you kept your 'friendship' with that man a secret?"

Elijah's eyes widen.

"The other man, that's Kasim, he's my friend, yes. So what? We've only been together recently. That's why we didn't show anything. Even we didn't know what it would be."

"See, even for you, it wasn't clear. That's why it's good that it stops now. Now you can focus on your future life, your healthy life."

"I'm not sick, I have nothing. I was just in love, it took me by surprise."

"That's very understandable. It happens to all of us at some point. Fortunately, love passes. Since it hasn't gone that far for you, it's easier to distance yourself. You'll get over it, with our help, you'll be able to return to your family soon. They miss you already, you've made them very sad."

Elijah looks at Jacob, who addresses him like a lecturing teacher.

"Sorry. I'm not a little child. Jacob, you can talk to me normally. I may not have learned as much as you, but I can talk."

"Sorry?"

"Sorry. It's a habit."

"Get rid of that habit yourself."

Again, there's a slap with a flat hand, again on his still-sore cheek.

"We-don't-talk-to-the-leaders-like-that. Understood!"

The thudding of the engine, the sloshing of water creating a slight sway, wakes Kasim up. He feels nauseous. He attempts to sit up cautiously when he notices two hands keeping him lying down.

"Just stay here for a moment, if you sit up, you'll throw up. Let me get something for you."

Omar's voice, thankfully, someone he knows.

"Where am I?"

"On the way home."

"Good, how is Elijah?"

"Good, probably. Keep your eyes closed, try to get some sleep."

When Kasim opens his eyes again, the engine noise has stopped, the car is moving again, the roads are getting worse, and the swaying over the road bumps and potholes makes him even more nauseous than the boat ride. Without showing anything, he sits up and immediately vomits. The man next to him curses loudly. The car stops on the side of the road. When the door opens, Omar looks at Kasim, and fresh air rushes into the car. The acrid smell disappears as the floor is cleaned.

"Just sit in the shade for a while. Don't sit in the sun. You need to drink water first. You'll get something to eat in an hour. Then we'll drive, it's still a long ride."

"Where are we going?"

"To my parents."

"Your parents?"

Kasim looks at Omar with wide eyes.

"Why?"

"Because your father found a bride for you. She's my distant cousin, you'll be getting married in a few weeks."

"Omar, you're not serious. You know I can't get married. It's not for me, I'll make her unhappy."

"Too bad. You're getting married to her, it's decided."

"By whom?"

Kasim's nausea suddenly seemed to disappear until he heard this news. Too shocked to vomit again, he slumps down. He can't control himself anymore, he cries out of desperation.

"Elijah, Elijah, no."

"Forget him, he's nobody now."