Soldiers Of War

Chapter 2

This is for HibaI93 because she is so awesome! I guessed that the only way I could thank her was by dedicating my book to her! =D Loves u! xoxo

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Across the world and miles away stood another man. Eighteen years of age, four of them spent in training. Training for this day.

The Afghani sun shown above their heads, burning into Rashid Osman's neck. Kneeling on the blazing ground he faced Makkah. Praying for strength in the war he was about to endure. Dust blew around him.

One could say it was like the stereotypical Afghanistan at that moment. The one that a media portrays on the television and in the newspapers. The kind of country that's spoken about on radio stations and on the internet.

Maybe it was but only because Rashid came from a poor family. It was only him and his dear mother Hafsaa. Both his father and older brother had their last breath fighting for Afghanistan. Now it was Rashid's turn but unlike the past soldiers he was going to conquer with the help of Allah.

Sadly he first had to conquer telling the woman who brought him into this world how he had to leave for six months in war. Hafsaa disliked everything about war. She spent her days praying and hours crying.

Rashid felt a slight tap on his shoulder, only to turn around to his mother. He stood up knowing of her bad back and not wanting her to bring herself down for him.

"What is wrong my son?"

Rashid said nothing as his eyes began to water leaving stains on his red cheeks.

"Rashid? Dear, tell me what is wrong?"

"Oh my ma, Ya ALLAH! I am going to fight in the war against the Americans, the same one's that took our family away from us."

Hafsaa's eyes started watering, her heart ached at the thought that she could lose her only son.

"Please don't go, I can't live without you. You are my only son Rashid."

"I know but everyday we talk about me and fighting for the land of Afghanistan, I need to do this," Rashid said firmly as he escorted his mother into the house. The candle light flickered as they sat down, her arms around his clutching him, her tears soaked into young Rashid's navy blue shirt.

"What will I do without you Rashid? Son I'm begging you please!"

"I love you mama but duty calls, I promise to write to you as soon as I can."

Rashid watched the stream of endless tears flow down Hafsaa's cheeks.

"I lost your daddy like this, I don't want to lose you this way," she sobbed.

"And you won't," Rashid smiled.

Hafsaa cried herself to sleep that night but not because she didn't want to let Rashid go. She cried because she was worried she won't have the strength to deal with loosing him. . .

Rashid sat on the roof that night watching the sky, the moon and the shinning stars.

"Those who go foward with fighting in the war find it a challenge. Those who stay behind can only dream," he kept mumbling as his eyes slowly closed for a night's rest.