The Struggle!

🍂Desert-The beginning.

From the cloudless sweltering hot day to contrasting extremely freezing cold nights. It used to be all new to me but I'd since adapted to this environment-it's climate. I had to, if survival waa key for me in this desert.

I tossed and turned on my uncomfortable papyrus bed-searching for my husband. Perhaps a warm embrace would have done me good, given the chilly windy night. Another night he wasn't there-he wasn't by my side. I'd gotten used to this though-some routine and no he isn't some adulterous man, he only loves me- I believe. That and taking care of our family.

I figured he'd taken the camels with him far North, seeking water from Siwa-the infamous oasis. It was located between the Qattar depression and the Egyptian sand sea. My anticipation triggered memories of my past, how we met, this new life-

A ray of hope shone on me and I grinned foolishly as I willed my legs to get to the clearing. There I had spotted a well from a far.

"My thirst would eventually be quenched." I told myself panting like a dog.

However, as I drew close I saw several men conversing. It was hard for me to comprehend the language they spoke-Arabic. They had with them camels and fetched gallons of water.

"I'm doomed! Goodness me I'll be defiled by this men." I thought as I gasped for air.

Petrified beyond all my wildest fears, panic struck and it creeped up my spine. One of them looked in my direction, our eyes locked and I was startled. I immediately hid behind a cactus, clutching my stomach that cried out from pangs of hunger.

"Asalam alaykum," The young block waved his greetings advancing towards me. I saw this and ran further away to an abandoned baobab tree. Next thing I knew was him squatting in front of me, my speech failed me. I didn't understand how such a handsome man with curly pitch black hair would take interest in me or perhaps I was his perfect prey. He wore his red and white checked Arafat-covering his head/hair maybe from the harsh (ﺧﻤﺎﺳﻴﻦ) khamasīn winds blowing from the south.

"Pardon me sir, I'm not from here," I said meekly pressing myself at the back of the tree. I feared he'd do me harm. I contemplated breaking free from underneath his white garment but I restrained myself from any such mischief.

"Maybe he was just trying to help." I told myself.

I was tired, exhausted from all the running. I envisioned the chase thinking about my step brother, I looked away horror in my eyes. He was my predator or so I believed.

I hadn't slept, eaten or showered but who would in the desert. The winds blew wildly and my tattered dress exposed a section of my skin. I fought it struggling to cover it up. I looked at him again then his heavy attire not understanding how he didn't feel the crazy heat. It must have been forty five plus degrees, I figured. Further back into the tree I pressed, closing my eyes, I thought he'd smack me having mentioned I wasn't one of them. I wasn't of their territory, I didn't speak their language, I wasn't one of them.

"That's crystal-what's your name-where are you from?" He bombarded me with multiple questions, deep concern in his brown hazel warm welcoming eyes. I remained mute glaring at him-my hands fidgety. I touched the ground and took some sand into my palm, "If he tried something harmful I'd throw some into his eyes." I silently made my strategy.

"I'm thirsty-I'm weary I-I..." A tear dropped down my dirty cheek, wiping away the dust to expose a clean spot. My frail hand let go of the sand and I fell unconscious, in his arms I supposed.

Even in my zonked state I was frightened of what was to become of me. I waa lying in a hard surface, I thought it to be stone, but I wasn't sure. I felt my heart beat steady and slow but it suddenly accelerated violently pulsating beneath my chest when I felt the presence of someone else close to me.

"Hash! What in the world...you'll be killed if they found you out- ya Allah! I cannot take another death." I imperceptibly heard a feminine voice say nervously.

"Shut up Miryam-no one has to know." He objected her sentiments.

At that point, time froze and I wished everything was in rewind such that I never crossed over to this territory. I now feared for my life, clueless if they meant death as in taking away my life or whomever else they referenced me to. I was unconscious and weak, there was no way I could defend myself.

"It's just the beginning." The raspy male voice said to another, his hand on mine.

My teeth clenched threatening to break my jaw and soon afterwards my eyes flew open facing my death.

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Hey guys I'm writing a mini series of this short story which is also about some struggles.

I hope you'll like it, I'll update when I get the chance to. Please leave your comments for feedback. Thanks.

↪shirlin