Zayyad

15. Wrestling.

"Spit it out." Adnan urged them when they returned to the tent. Hassan glared at him because he could sense the sarcasm. 

"Stop jesting about it okay?" Hussein glared at Adnan too. "My brother was scared that I would get punished if I didn't finish on time, so he helped me. We exchanged boxes after each break and were able to reach the end together. See, that's the power of teamwork. " 

Adnan burst into laughter shaking his head. "I doubt if both of you would do that if you weren't identical." 

"Don't pressure them too much," Zayyad said. 

"Be nice like Zayyad for once in your life," Hussein stated and sat close to his brother. Hassan looked at him and said, "Don't be too excited. We can't do that again because it's not right unless we are told to do so."

"I will listen to you, brother." Hussein smiled. 

"Good for you. Let's rest as we were told to do so." Adnan suggested wanting to lay down when Zayyad stopped him. "How about we recite the Quran at midnight and pray before going to sleep?" 

"That…" Adnan scratched his head. 

"Don't be lazy. All of you." Zayyad glanced at all three of them. "We have been busy these past few days and haven't gotten the chance to pray at night. Since we are less tired today, let's do it and then rest for the whole tomorrow. " 

"Good suggestion. Let's go with that." Hassan agreed.

"I'm in too." Hussein raised his hand. 

"I can't let you take it all right?" Adnan smiled. Who will miss such a reward? 

If they read in groups, the angels will surround them and as they reach each other, they will get more rewards. Not to mention, the night standing. 

…….

The next day was a rest day for the recruits. While others were resting, some explored the camp and another group were examining each other. 

Wednesday came and immediately after subh, the recruits were sent to another location behind a mountain. There were bags of sand arranged in a circle. General Arafat stood there with his hands crossed. His shirt was armless and his trousers were rolled up just below his knee. Just setting up made the soldiers a hint of what was going on. 

"Salam to you all. Welcome to today's class. Wrestling. Arafat spread his arms and said. Many eyes gleaned and some were excited. 

Arafat continued in a thick voice, "Something was observed in your camp in these few days and that is the competition between the three states. Some think that they are stronger than others or superior. Why don't we check and see…." He grinned and added. "Through a competition."

What makes men's blood boil more than a fight? Especially one that involves physical struggle. Arafat was right, the issue of comparing one another had been happening in the camp. 

"Aren't we at a disadvantage at number and manpower?" Adnan whispered to Zayyad. They were 25 while the other two regions had 30 each. Only Al Jabisha had Bilal that was young while their group had four.

"Number or age doesn't represent strength. " Zayyad simply said. 

"You are right." Adnan nodded. 

"Since it's a competition between the three sides, separate yourselves into three groups surrounding this circle," Arafat commanded and the soldiers immediately moved. They knew each other, so it was easy to separate. 

Zayyad felt a gaze and his eyes met with Bilal's. He wondered what deal this man had with him. 

"Hey," Hussein whispered to them. "Quit speaking of strength, can any of you wrestle?" 

His friends looked at each other. 

"When we took lessons with Sir Adam, you were busy playing with Saifullah." Hasaan eyed his brother. Hussein felt like crying. Adam is a man who the young men in Amatra go to, to learn combat. Hussein listened to some theories but hardly joined the combat part and played together with Saifullah. 

Zayyad tapped his shoulder and said in a low voice. "If you follow Saifullah, you will end up crying." Hussein even felt worse. Saifullah had a sharp brain and just by listening, who knew how many things he learned, even without joining combat. 

"Listen up," Arafat called out and everyone became more serious. 

"There are three regions, Al Jabisha, Ridiyya, and Amatra. I won't arrange any rounds for the fight. Anyone of you can challenge another soldier from the other two camps. The winner will keep challenging or changing the challenger. It's up to you to decide. 

The rule is, any man whose back touches the ground for more than ten seconds, loses." 

The soldiers nodded at the rule. 

"To make things more organized, you all should pick a leader amongst you," Arafat said. 

In the group from Amatra, they might have separated into two but they always listened to the older guy amongst them, Wisaam. The man stepped forward. 

In the group from Ridiyya, Zayyad was surprised when they chose Uthman. That guy was strong. He must have had an influence there. 

As for Al Jabisha, it seems a misunderstanding was formed. Bilal was actually among them. He wanted to lead but some didn't agree. Eventually, a different man was chosen, Amjad.

"The deed is done and I hope you all listen to your leaders. They can decide when one of you can rest and at dire times, they get to choose who to fight. Which camp is sending a challenge first?" 

The three leaders looked at each other before Amjad raised his hand. 

"Alright. Al Jabisha will send the first challenger. Send your fighter." Arafat said and walked out of the circle.

The other two camps got ready as Al Jabisha picked someone. His muscles were prominent and his full beard gave him the appearance of a fierce lion. 

His hands fell beside him as he watched the other two camps. 

"I will challenge Amatra. Send your fighter!" He said loudly. 

Wisaam looked behind him calmly and asked, "Who can take him on?" 

"I will do it. '' Anas raised his hand and walked out. Zayyad still remembered this man. He wasn't as tall as the others but his shoulders were wide and his limbs were strong. 

The two fighters stood opposite each other as sparks blinked in their eyes. 

"Okay. Amatra and Al Jabisha fight first. The winner will challenge Ridiyya." Arafat said. "Start!"