Hold On

Tanzania

Eventually we made it to our destination. It has taken us a total of fifteen days. Fifteen long, arduous, tiresome days by the end many people we physically unwell to even move, some had gone into unconsciousness for hours. Although on the tenth day, they had been a large ship full of foreign people sailing by. I had never seen a colour as fair as theirs and they spoke a completely different language to us. They were the British. I had learnt about them and learnt stories about them. We didn't know what they were doing on our sea. Somali sea. I'm almost certain they wouldn't be allowed to enter without some form or identification or permission. But that didn't matter at the moment. They could've been invading our land however, they did help us. They saw how exhausted and beaten down we were, so they threw gallons and gallons of water and fish. Cooked but not seasoned. If he wasn't for their heroic actions, we probably would've all been gone now. On the other hand, alhamdulillah we made it.

We officially made it to the coast of Tanzania and it was time for check in. We were ready to start fresh again, with my family too.

'Asante. Welcome to Tanzania.' They said with their heavy Swahili accents and we began our new life here.

***

Tanzania was like no other place I've been to. The people have the kindest hearts and so welcoming. However, the atmosphere changed. An outsider like me would spot a second away that something wasn't right. It was like before we go back home. Although there were no men with guns or weapons, no people running from anything yet, they were still people in pain dying. After a few weeks it had been found out that they were multiple diseases spreading round and rapidly contagious within communities. Waleed had been catching fevers and flus, thankfully it was only minor and was cured quickly. Immediately Kamal and I went to my parents house.

'Assalamu alaikum Mama. How are you?'

'Wa alaikum salam, dear. Salam Kamal. I'm doing just fine. How's the family?' she said, just as she spoke Baba walked in the room.

'Mama, Baba. Waleed got sick again and two more times after that. We can't risk Zayn being ill too, he's not even one year yet. What should we do, we've already seen the doctors multiple times and he says he can't do anything but treat Waleed instead of cure him.' I complained.

'And also,' Kamal started, 'we've got something to tell you.' I knew exactly what he was going to say but I wasn't prepared to hear it. We had discussed not to say it now but in better time. However, in the circumstances we've lived in, now is the perfect time.

'Alhamdulillah, we're proud to say we have a baby coming.' My parents both lifted their arms and wrapped them over us in joy.

'Thank god, the family keeps growing and nothing makes me happier.' Baba said, patting Kamal.

'I know the illness and viruses going, some are very severe. After speaking to you mother about this, we have decided, considering it can only get worse in the future, that the best thing to do is move. Far from here.' Baba said. And my heart sank.

'Baba we can't keep doing this. It's too much for me, I'm beginning to lose control of myself and I have young children.' I argued.

'It will be the last time Europe. London in the UK to be precise. And don't worry, I have everything planned out. I've spoken to some associates and the journey has been arranged.' Baba informed. Moving countries was so different. Adapting to new costumes that was only a couple thousands kilometers away wasn't easy. So how I could possibly move different continents?

'We have to go Kenya first, that's the only place we could get a plane straight to the UK. We'll leave Tanzania in 3 days and drive to Kenya. Other than that, pack your things and try to stay safe.'

This trip will not be easy but it will be worth every struggle and it's difficulty will hold significance.