Zayyad

13. On the third day.

Zayyad returned to his box and met Bilal there too. The guy was busy checking out his uniform. He turned around realizing Zayyad's presence. "Oh, you are here. I was waiting for you." 

"Why?" Zayyad raised an eyebrow. 

"So that I don't leave you far behind," Bilal said and started tying his belt. 

"Sick in the head." Zayyad shook his head and tied his belt too. He glanced at the man opposite him and it was a hunky tall man. With his build, he had made twice their efforts. 

Zayyad dropped his gaze and started moving with his old tactic. He closed his eyes and never stopped moving until he felt tightened in his shoulder. He stopped and took large breaths.  

He held his waist and glanced at the right where Bilal was straining himself to move. Their distance was almost the same now. 

Zayyad rested for a while before he continued. They soon heard the Adhan for zuhr prayer and everyone stopped. Bilal was staggering as he walked back. 

His lips twitched as he saw his competitor walking less tired than him. 

"Hey, are you using some sort of witchcraft or what?"

"Don't use such bad actions to relate to me." Zayyad threw him a hard glance and walked faster. 

"You…" Bilal pointed at him and tried to catch up, which was impossible. They all performed Wudu and met at the Salat ground. Zayyad sighted his friends and they were tired. This is morning, the afternoon will be worse. They still had to return. That night, the recruits slept like logs. Someone had to come to wake them up, which startled them a lot because an iron plate was hit. They prayed subh and immediately returned to work. 

This morning, Zayyad was amazed as his partner was already at the center, while he was like 2 meters back. They soon met and the man stopped and tapped Zayyad's shoulder. 

"Keep up with the hard work brother. You might look slow but your steps are calculated. If you move faster, you will surely end your task." He said with a warm smile. 

"Shukran brother," Zayyad returned. He would treat those that were rude with a cold shoulder but those that are kind, closely. 

"Jayyid. I'm Uthman Saeed from Ridiyya." He said and stretched his hand. Zayyad shook his hand and spoke, "Zayyad, from Amatra." 

"Nice to meet you." Uthman smiled and continued moving. Zayyad watched his back before exhaling. Compared to his progress, Bilal was feeling angered now. He was in front before but now, Zayyad was a few centimetres away from him. He clenched his fists and added more speed catching up with him. 

Zayyad didn't have time to mind such behavior and kept moving. Both of them were almost at the end of Sunday night. Whereas, Uthman was turning back already. Bilal was confused about what to do but Zayyad was calm. 

He met his friends in the camp and the twins were quite worried about their progress. Tomorrow was the last day. Hassan had passed the middle but Hussein just reached there. Adnan was at the same level as Zayyad. 

"Don't worry. We are trying our best." Adnan consoled. 

"I am now worried that I have forgotten the pain in my arms." Hussein sighed. Hassan was quiet and looked at Zayyad. "What should we do?" He asked. Zayyad was the youngest among them but because of his steadfastness, they felt like they could depend on him. 

"What are you all worried about?" Zayyad sat down and asked. "The starting was hard but if you check your body and realized what way is easier for you to move, you will make better progress."