Jerusalem

Chapter 18 (Run this town)

      When Youssef reached the army, he found out that Israel had sent a direct warning to the prisedent of Egypt. Along with a thousand soldiers that broke into the borders.

"Look, I think that we should bend till the storm pass. We are not ready for war now."said Omar

"How is that ? I mean, there is no going back now. We've made it this far. I say we respond. And kill those soldiers."argued Ali

"I'm with Omar. We shouldn't act now"said Youssef

"Did you just agree with me?"said Omar smiling as he left the office.

"Why,joe?"asked Ali , can't believe that they will lay down and play dead

"Provoking them now will cost us thousands of lives. I can't risk that . These people are my responsibility "finished Youssef .

By the light of the morning, Israel had made a proof of their warning. Sending a message straight to Youssef, saying that this is only the beginning .

"Youssef , Youssef, where are you?"shouted Omar rushing through the army base.

"What's wrong ? What happened?"asked Youssef walking out of the weapons safe. He observed his brother anxious state.

"Damn it Omar . Say it"shouted Youssef

"It's....it's Mariam . She got shot . I just had the news from the hospital they took her too. No one of her family knows yet"said Omar , unable took his brother in the eye. By the time he looked up, Youssef had vanished .

He flew to the hospital, he passed through the corridors , looking in every room,asking the nurses about her room number.

As he walked into the room, he could hear his heart bouncing to the sight of her. Her eyes were closed, he glanced at the machine next to her that declared her beating heart. He felt relieved by her every beat, every breath. Thank God is all he could think of.

"Sir, there is no need to worry" said the doctor walking into the room."Mrs. Mohamed is fine. The bullet wasn't deep. In fact you could take her now" continued the doctor

"Thank you a lot , doctor"said Youssef as the doctor left the room. He stood by her bed and started to cut the wires connected to her. She flinched and slowly opened her eyes.

"You...ssef"she said with a trembling voice.

"Don't speak"he said as he carried her in his arms and got out of the room.

At their home, he seated her on the couch by the fire. She unwrapped his arms from around his neck

"What do you like to drink?you must be thirsty" he said putting a shale of wool around her.

"Anything "she said, her eyes not leaving him.

He came from the kitchen carrying a glass of mango juice. He gave to her and went to stand by the fire place . She held the glass with both her hands and drank slowly

"What happened, Mariam ? " he asked

"I....I was at the orphanage . I give some classes there. And suddenly some israelin soldiers came in. They started shouting and firing their guns in the air to scare us . The children ran away. It was fast, the bullet passed my shoulder . Everything went black after that"explained Mariam , she sensed his anger.

"Did anyone else get hurt?"he asked fixing his eyes on the fire.

"No, not that I know of"she answered

"Okay"he said leaving the room, he got to the back garden and she followed him out . Standing behind him with a small distance in between. She knew he was angry, she knew why.

"Can I ask you for something , Mariam?"he finally said.

"Anything"she was sure of it.

"I want you to stay out of it . Out of all of this . This fight."

"But, Youssef "

"Just listen. I don't why can't you see that? I need you to be far away from all of this. Coz I need to concentrate on this war. And I can't turn my head without knowing that you are alright. I need to know that you're safe. So can you just do that for me?"he said as he held her against the wall.

"...yes . I will . I promise"she whispered to him. He took a step back and looked up to the sky.

"This country, this kingdom needs someone that is going to put it first and above of everything. I believe that this guy is my brother. His country is his pirouette . Me, on the other hand, I put my family first. The people around me are number one to me. Even if the country burned to the ground , I'd rather save the people living on it than the land. That's why I'm not a king . And this is not my kingdom"said Youssef aaa his mind wondered about the situation they are in, how will they react and what should be the next step. He was about to leave.

"Hey,, Youssef .... Do you want to know what I think? I think that's exactly why , you are the king . And only you can rule this kingdom. We don't need someone who cares about the land beneath our feet. We need someone who cares about us. That will put us first. And that will save us everyday."said Mariam out loud, her eyes flooded. Her heart lifted to her lungs. She felt every word . Meant every word.