M & Em (Mika Fanfiction - English version)

Life stories

Mika: Em, it's time to go!

Mika was waiting with his hand on the door handle.

Emília: (comes to Mika) I'm ready.

Mika opened the door, grabbed Emília's hand and went down to the entrance of the hotel where Joannine was waiting for the van.

Joannine: Emília, are you coming with us today?

Emília: Yes. Today I had permission.

Mika: Do not be like that.

The usual white wagon arrived and a small, thin girl came out.

Mika: Emília, this is Lajja. She's Indian but she's been here for a year now and she's our guide ... and translator because I do not know Arabic. Lajja, this is Emília.

Lajja shook Emília's hand. They went to the van where the driver was the same man who brought them from the airport. Mika went the whole way holding Emíla's hand because he could feel she was nervous.

Lajja: It's here.

Emília: Mika, it's not the same place as yesterday.

Mika: No. The goal is to go see the different places where the organization is implemented.

The van stopped. Emília left and did not move from Mika's side. She looked around and saw a whole neighborhood made up of cardboard houses, plastics or pieces of brick. The locals, when they saw the van, all went out into the street and stood motionless at the door watching them. Among them, many children.

Lajja: I'll show you the tent first.

Mika hugged Emília and followed Lajja between the houses and the families. Mika was smiling to those who passed or waved to one or another child. Around the neighborhood began to appear a huge blue tent. Lajja pushed the fabric away and opened it. Inside were several volunteers and one of them was in front of a group of about 15 children. It gave the idea that he was telling a story and they were laughing.

Lajja: This is the group of children who, unfortunately, are being created by the organization because they have no one else. My colleague is playing with them, but I'll interrupt and introduce you. They love receiving new people.

Lajja led them to the front of the group of children and presented them in Arabic and the children responded with a hello in chorus.

Lajja: Some know English but it's just a small part of them. We teach them. It's a way to distract them. They like to learn and it's always a way of knowing how to say anything if they go to another country.

Mika: What are their ages?

Lajja: The oldest is Fatin who is 13 years old.

She pointed the boy just like the others in her dirty clothes.

Lajja: And the youngest, who lost her mother a short time ago, is Shahrazad and is only 4 years old.

Emília followed Lajja's finger indicating the children she was referring to and saw the little child with a little dress, a hairpin, and eyes that, although beautiful, looked sad and frightened.

Mika: Shahrazad ?! Like that character who told the stories so the prince coul fall asleep?

Lajja: (smiles) Yes, that's it. Well, let's go for a walk to meet the locals, and then we'll go back here. (to the children) Say "see you soon".

Children: See you soon!

Before they left Lajja was approached by some children who spoke to her in Arabic and she in Arabic replied. She smiled at the children and left the tent.

Lajja: Do you know what they were asking? They were asking if you were coming back. It's that later they will dance and they wanted you to dance with them.

Emília: Oooh. How sweet.

Lajja: It's always like this. They always want to play.

Lajja took them to several houses of several families, and Emília was astonished at how well everyone received them. There were families cooking for them, families showing pictures of family members who had managed to flee and others who had lost in the war. Mika was right. Despite all the disgrace they could still smile. Like a mother of five who while counting episodes of escapes with the children could keep the smile for Mika.

Mika: How can you continue to smile?

Lajja translated and waited for the entire answer to translate for Mika.

Lajja: She says they already have too many problems. If they cried and  were sad they could not survive, it would not be the right way to deal with it. They have to keep smiling. Not everything is bad. She still has her children.

Mika: (smiles and nods) Thank you for seeing us.

After several rounds they returned to the tent.

Lajja: Mika, do not get me wrong, but there's a man named Zubair. He is in our tent for safety because he is homosexual. You think you could give him a word?

Mika: It would be my pleasure.

Lajja introduced Mika to Zubair and they sat down to talk. Emília sat down next to Mika to support him.

Mika: How has life been? What have you been up to?

He was talking and Lajja was translating.

Lajja: He tried to flee to Europe three times but was unsuccessful. He came here because he was being pursued. The parents did not accept him but the brothers did and tried to help. The brothers finally managed to escape and are in Greece. There were times when he was completely alone and he was very scared.

Zubair started to cry and Mika waited impatiently for the translation of Lajja.

Lajja: He ... he's telling me that ... the man he was in love with was discovered ... and they threw him off the top of a building.

Emília lowered her head and swallowed her tears. Then she looked at Mika. He reached out and grabbed Zubair's hand.

Mika: What is your great hope? What gives you strength?

Lajja: It's the family. The brothers.

Mika: It's a good hope. Do not give up. Grab that.

Lajja: He thanks you. It's almost time for the song. Do you want to come and dance with the children?

Mika: Yes.

Emília: M, can you just go outside with me, please?

Mika and Emília went out to the tent. Emília covered her face and leaned against Mika's chest, crying. Mika hugged her and they stayed there for a while until Emília could calm down.

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A/N: This was based on documentaries about Mika. There's even a homosexual man saying that they're thrown out of buildings and I cried like a baby in that part.

I'm sorry for the dealy. This is not stoped! I'm jsut ending this year of university and have a lot of work. Thank you for keep reading it. Vote and live your comment.