the essence of life is love

Naamloos deel 99

"If you would like to change here, we will be ready to leave in an hour."

The man next to Kasim on the bench is older, between them lies an orange jumpsuit with a cap and work boots. "I'm sorry that you have to change again, it will have to happen one more time. It can't be helped."

With embarrassment, Kasim undresses to his underwear.

"Sorry, that has to be different too. Better safe than sorry."

Blushing, he undresses completely in the cramped taxi. Yet he manages. After some pulling and twisting of his clothes, he succeeds. Even the shoes fit him. "

You are now a mechanic. Later, you will follow exactly the instructions you receive in your earpiece. Nothing more, nothing less."

Kasim can only nod, he is speechless. All the questions in the world rush through his head. Who is this? Where are they going? How should it be done?

"Have something to eat, it might be challenging later. If all goes well, you will be free in a few hours."

"Omar?"

"Don't worry, he will be taken care of."

Some food is offered to him, it's not much, yet he enjoys it. It also takes almost an hour, as he's been told, before he realizes where they are driving. The taxi enters a small airport. In a hangar, the taxi stops, and Kasim gets out after being given an earpiece. When the taxi drives away, he is alone.

"Walk to the door in the left corner. There, you will find a locker with the number twelve. The code is four-four-nine. Your flight papers are ready. Take everything you find there. Then walk back and go to the white plane with OO PHXX 5. Stand on the side by the back door. Wait there for a moment. Kneel and retie your right shoe."

Without saying anything, Kasim checks everything he has been told. Outside, he looks into the light for a moment. The plane is easy to find, there is only one. At the back door, he kneels and reties his shoe. In his pocket is a passport that is not his, yet it has his photo, his details, which generally match. Then he feels a tap on his shoulder.

"ID, card, and papers. What are you doing here?"

A soldier stands with his legs apart, looking at him. Kasim looks into the light. He hands over his papers, which are received. He relays the information via his walkie-talkie.

"Here, everything is fine. Have a safe flight."

The man then turns on his heel and walks around the plane.

"Stand up, open the door, and wait inside for a moment. Leave the door open. Under chair number four B, there is a new set of clothes. Change into them. Put your jumpsuit in the bag and tie it shut. Place it by the back door and sit in seat four B."

He sits down when he's done but springs up at a sound. Both doors open. A man in an orange jumpsuit enters through the back door, and a pilot enters from the front.

"Kasim, stay seated."

The voice sounds familiar, it's the young man from the hammam. He places his hand on Kasim's shoulder again. "Everything good?"

"Yes, it's fine."

"Just a few more hours, and it will be truly fine. I'll be back with you shortly. Take something to read."

The other man goes into the cockpit, talks briefly with the pilot, comes back, and sits next to him.

"Kasim, how are you?"

"Adam? What are you doing here?"

"I'll tell you later, stay seated. Change into this."

When Kasim turns around, he sees Adam undressing. His jumpsuit also goes into a garbage bag. Afterward, he puts on a well-fitting suit and sits on the other side of the aisle. Even though it's not a large plane, there are rows with two seats on each side. After a few minutes, the door opens again, the young man has also changed and now stands outside as a purser with a broad smile. He nods to the newcomer. The man is older, Kasim doesn't recognize him. Apparently, Adam knows him. The men nod at each other.

"Everything went well?"

"Considering the circumstances, it went well."

"Is your package on its way home?"

"Hopefully. I assume we'll meet again soon."

The man sits at the back as the purser indicates that the flight is about to begin. Once in the air, Kasim can relax a bit and then looks at Adam.

"How did you get here?"

"That's a long story. I'll tell you sometime. First, let's land, and then go home. You still have an exciting time ahead. But I want to tell you, you owe a lot to the man behind you."

Kasim turns around and looks at the man directly. "Kasim, I'm glad I can help. Nice to meet you."

Butt all he can think about is his future wife.

"How is Fatima now?"