Fanaa'

Ch #3

For a long time, the two of them don't say anything, so I decide it's the perfect time for me to enter.

As soon as he sees me, Qasi's eyes widen.

"What are you doing here?"

"I..I was.." I stammer, at a loss for words.

"Jood, go back home right now."

"Qasi, you and I both know that's not gonna happen."

"Jood, just leave." he says in a stern voice.

"If you recklessly run out into a rain of bullets, I can't help but follow, alright?"

He pauses for a long time, thinking about what I said.

"Qasi, you know what, take Dana home, make sure she's safe, kay? I'll grab Hadi."

"Th..that's what I w-was trying to s-say earlier. " Dana suddenly answers , in a panic stricken voice. Uh-oh. 

"As s-soon as I found m-mom, I t-tried looking for Hadi. I couldn't f-find him a-anywhere." she continues, then breaks down.

Qasi hugs her tighter, muttering comforting words. I turn away, before she sees my eyes fill up. I've known Hadi ever since he was born. Even though he's technically Dana's brother, the two of us are closer than the two of them have ever been.

"Jood?" Qasi's voice interrupts me from my thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"Ta'al (come). We're going home."

"You two go. I'll catch up in a bit."

"Jood..."

"Please?" I ask.

"Alright, don't take too long." he says, and pulls me into a hug, then walks off with Dana, turning back every few seconds. He leaves only after much persuasion, after I promise him I'll be completely alright.

After the two of them leave, I sink against the wall closest to me, cradling my head in my hands and rocking back and forth, silently sobbing in the comfort of my privacy. A little bit of time later, I get up , remembering that I had promised Qasi that I wouldn't be long.

I'm just about to get out of the room, when my eyes fall on Mrs. Karim's body. I take a long look at her, and turn away, when my eyes fall on a glint of something silver against her body.

I step closer to get a better look, thinking that I had imagined it, when I notice that she has something clutched in her palm. I pry her fingers away and find a key. I look around the room for any door that the key might fit into and find a bathroom. I try the key. It's a perfect fit.

Twisting the knob, I enter the bathroom and inspect it cautiously. That's when I see a three-year old peacefully sleeping in the bath-tub, covered with blankets and pillows. Hadi.

In my surprise, I hit a bucket, resulting in a loud bang, waking up Hadi. He gets up and looks around and a wide grin lights up his face as soon as he sees me.

"Joo." He squeals in his adorable baby voice and I feel tears of joy stream down my cheeks.

Making my way towards him, I extend both my arms out, an invitation to pick him up. He responds and throws his arms around me as  I lift him up.

I ignore the eerie silence that suddenly seems to have spread around the place and walk out the door, with a smile towards Hadi.

"Let's get you out of here." I tell him, when a voice interrupts.

"Not so fast, kid."

"Well, well, what have we got here?", the same voice repeats. I look up and my breath hitches.

I'm surrounded by soldiers.

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