Be Aware of the World

The Start

Diary Entry: January 30th 2017

Dear Diary,

I know that this might seem cliché to start this way but right now that doesn't seem to worry me as much as the trip my family and I are going to take. Well before I start with my feelings I guess I should tell you a bit about myself. My birth name is Aya but I hate it for it was my mother's grandmother's name. I don't really get along with my mother and whenever we get into a fight she always brings up the fact that I'm only 16 years old. Anyways, right now I am packing up two bags, one for my sister and one for me. She's the only joy in my life and I plan to protect her especially now when she is just 3 years old. We are planning to leave Syria and go to become a German citizen. My parents are trying to keep it out of our ears that we are going there illegally and that we might not have a chance to make it. I had just finished with the bags when my sister, Haya, wobbled up to me clenching and unclenching her hands wanting me to pick her up. I gave a small smile and lifted her up on my waist and she giggled into her hands. I poked her nose and she smiled then I set her down. "Momma?" I heard her ask. I gasped and turned to her to see her smiling up at me. I went down on my knees. "Not your momma, Haya. I'm your sister." I said sternly knowing that she just said her first word but that it wasn't meant for me. 

Suddenly, I heard yelling and a crash and Haya squeaked in shock. I quietly put a finger to my lips to tell her to be silent and she nodded. I lightly swung her onto the bed and covered her with the blankets and then tiptoed to the door and cracked it to hear what they were saying. "We can't just leave all that we have for a slim chance that we might make it!" My mother's high voice yelled. "Stop yelling...the children might hear and honey you know that ISIS is coming into this part of Syria soon so we don't have a choice." My father's deep voice contracted hers and he spoke softly. "What about the rest of our family here in Syria?" I heard my mother start crying. "They have to protect themselves but you and the children are my top priory and we can start a new life in Germany. There are many bombings already occurring we have to leave soon and in Germany there are others like us." He finished then I backed away from the door when I heard footsteps coming closer. "Aya?" My mother called through the skinny wooden door. "Yes Mother?" I answered. "Is Haya with you?" "Yes she is." "Do you have the bags packed?" "Yes I do." I keep my answers simple and without a touch of emotion. I heard her huff as I kind of smirked due to my little rebellious act. I picked up Haya and she wrapped her tiny arms around my neck. I opened the door and looked into my mother's chocolate eyes and saw that her arms were open for Haya. I handed her to her and went back to pick up the two bags.

I had reached the living room and saw my father with their bag. He looked at me and smiled though I knew exactly what that smile was hiding. Desperation and hope. Then we walked out and into the dark of the night.