How Rare and Beautiful // Rilaya

I'd Give Anything to Hear

It didn't take long for claustrophobia to make an appearance. My dad and I huddled together, on our backs, under the rubble. The concrete plates inches above us. They were unsteady and held up only by other unsteady cement pieces. One wrong move and we'd be crushed. Only a few minutes had passed but it felt like and eternity. I began to wonder if anyone above the rubble was looking for us. Did they know we were here? What would happen if no one came? We couldn't dig our way out; it was too dangerous. 

I heard the rumble before I felt it. My mind couldn't  register the odd sound until it was too late. 

"Daddy!" I panicked holding him close to me. He had heard the rumbling too and was already sheltering me from the impending doom. The after shock came slowly. The sound of it masked by the clanking of the concrete plates together. The sound grew louder. The shaking was less violent than the original earthquake. And for that I was greatful.

However, I knew that was a small victory. I clung to my father, my eyes closed tightly. I panicked and had to force myself to breathe. I was so sure that the rubble would fall and crush us. I braced for the impact every second. I prayed continuously that we would be spared. At some point I started praying out loud. I started to apologize to God for all my sins and I asked him to take care of my friends and I confessed my love for Maya and asked that she be protected especially. 

I clung to my father in a tense position  long after the rumbling stopped. As we calmed we started to catch our breaths. My father rolled to my side. He sounded exhausted. His breath was heavy. Much like mine minus the tears. 

"We're alive!" I sobbed covering my mouth with my hands. 

"We are baby girl." My dad said having caught his breath. 

He waited a moment in silence before speaking. 

"I heard you praying." He said quietly. 

My heart skipped a beat. I didn't think he could hear me over the noise. 

"Y-you did? What did you hear?" I asked.

"Enough." He sighed. His voice sounded hoarse. 

"I'm sorry dad. I just thought we were going to die. I didn't mean any of it." I panicked. I'd never talked to my parents about being gay or anything. I didn't know if he would respond well or not. 

He pulled himself up beside me and put his face close to mine. Even in the darkness I could see that he was half smiling. He put a hand on my cheek and kissed my forehead. 

"I've always known baby. Don't be sorry. I'm going to get you home." He tilted my head to his chest. 

I brought my arm around him. 

"I love you dad." I whispered in tears. 

"I love you too sweetheart." He whispered into my hair. 

There we laid for an insurmountable time. All of my senses were muted in the concrete grave. I couldn't see, there was no sound to be heard, and my body was numb from being slung around. Finally lying still I could feel every part of me screaming. My muscles ached and m head throbbed. My nose was oozing blood and there was a stabbing pain in the bridge of it. 

Everything in me told me to go to sleep. That if I could just rest everything would be okay. 

My dad must have had the same feeling because just as I started to drift off he shook me awake. 

"We can't go to sleep. Okay. That's bad. Stay up. Talk to me." He whispered. His voice strained. 

"Yes sir." I agreed begrudgingly. 

"So tell me, why Maya?" He asked. 

I smirked. Of course! I thought to myself and thought about his question. 

Why Maya?