Shadow of Resistance

Chapter Twenty Seven

On the second day of my stay, everyone returned, and even Sarah's parents came along with her. They brought flowers and chocolates with them. They are doing their best to lift my spirits and pull me out of this dark mood by talking about cheerful things.

They told me that Omar's college graduation party is next month. Sarah shared her achievements in her career, she is now working as a reporter with Aljazeera. She showed me the reports she made about political prisoners in Israel. Though her original goal was to showcase the beauty of Gaza, when I was prisoned she changed her focus entirely, directing her passion towards exposing the harsh realities of life for the prisoners.

I'm deeply impressed by her work; she has conducted dozens of interviews with freed prisoners, each sharing their experiences in different prisons. She also told me that she asked each one if they had seen me, but none had. Her words really moved me, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be with someone like her.

October 6, 2023. Today, I'm finally returning home, but there's one place I need to visit first. I head to Jawad's house to reassure his family that he's still alive in prison and that he never stops thinking about them. He gave me the address and I promised him to go to them. I just wish they didn't move since he was taken.

I go there alone, and fortunately I find his wife and his daughter at home. I tell them, and the joy on their faces when they hear the news is indescribable. The relief and happiness they feel are beyond words.

I return home and step into my bedroom, where memories of happier times flood back, playing hide and seek with my siblings, and lying on my bed texting Sarah for hours until we both fell asleep. I'm relieved and overjoyed to be getting back to my normal life.

I see my grandmother's key, and remember her will and the moment she told me to keep it with me. Also, I email my university, asking if I can resume my final year starting next week. They respond almost immediately with an approval, offering their full support.

That night, I'm struggling to sleep, too excited and motivated for the next chapter of my life. My mind races, thinking about the plans for tomorrow. My siblings, Sarah, and I have arranged to hang out at my favourite restaurant, Maldive Gaza. I can't wait to sit with them, watch the sea, and enjoy the best seafood pizza.

We wake up the next day and there is nothing on the news other than the successful attack of Hamas on Israel. They launched coordinated armed incursions from Gaza into the Gaza envelope of southern Israel. They called it Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

They used brilliant new ways besides launching thousands of rockets into Israel. They infiltrated Israel using pickup trucks, motorcycles, bulldozers, speedboats, and powered paragliders. They literally attacked them from everywhere, land, water and air. They were able to kill more than a thousand of soldiers and take hundreds of hostages.

I can hear and see the celebrations everywhere, on the TV, social media, and even the streets around us. This is the first time I witness Hamas do a successful operation like this.

Hamas announced that they prepared and executed this operation after the Israeli incursions in West Bank cities, violence at Al-Aqsa mosque, Israeli settler violence with the army's support, the confiscation of property and demolition of homes, arbitrarily detaining Palestinians for years.

Israel announced that this is the start of a full scale war and that this war won't be like any war before. We are all shocked by what is happening. I believe we are all lost between the mixed feelings of happiness of this achievement and fear of Israel's attack.

I call Sarah to check on her and cancel our plans for today, but she insists that we have to hang out today during these celebrations to improve my mood before the war starts. I see how much mum is concerned but she wanted me to go breathe some fresh air after being prisoned for 2 years, so she encourages me and my siblings to go out.

I drove us to Sarah's home to pick her up before heading to the restaurant. On our way, we pass through streets filled with people, their faces lit with hope, believing this could finally be the start of our freedom. But I can't share their optimism, my mind keeps drifting to the looming threat of an Israeli attack, wondering what it might bring.

When we reach the restaurant, we choose a table by the edge, offering a perfect view of the beautiful sea. As we place our order, the waiter informs us that every table is receiving a complimentary cake in celebration.

The atmosphere is incredible. We savour our food while watching the sea, listening to the soothing sound of waves crashing against the rocks, and breathing in the fresh, salty sea air.

As we enjoy the moment, I share with Sarah the good news about the university's approval that I am set to graduate next year. We start dreaming about our future together, imagining how our wedding will look, where we'll hold it, and who we'll invite. The thought of it fills us both with a sense of hope and excitement, a welcome contrast to the uncertainty that looms beyond this perfect outing.

After we finish our food and while we are eating the cake, we hear a deafening explosion sound near us. The entire restaurant falls silent as we exchange anxious glances. I look around and see plumes of smoke and dust rising from multiple locations nearby. The sight is terrifying. My heart sinks when I realise one of them is our neighbourhood. I can't stop my mind from spiralling into bad scenarios.

I quickly pull the car keys from my pocket and pass it to Omar. "Take Sarah home and leave Jasmine and mariam there. Then, come back home." I say before running to our neighbourhood.

My heart is racing while I run as fast as I can, praying that she is fine.