The Journalist

Chapter 33: The Sky of Sham Country

After that unexpected encounter, Ameena and I went back apart. I went back to Damascus when he was out of nowhere. One thing I believe in, we're still under the same sky. The sky of Sham ....

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I leaned my head against the glass window of the bus that was taking me on my way home to Damascus. My hands were out the window and my eyes kept looking at the sky.

I'm still pensive right now, wrestling with the feeling of the undefined. Feelings that arise like when just out of the cinema after finishing a film. A good movie will bring a sense of emptiness and emptiness after watching it. There is a sense of loss, not willing to end up wanting to repeat the scene per scene from the beginning. That's how I feel now.

That soft shady face still lingered in my mind. Every single second of the moment we faced together last night, it was too powerful in my mind. Unfortunately, we spent more time running and saving ourselves. Even when we were up in the trees, we just sat down and were more silent as if words were frozen in the cold of the night air.

"Mina-chan, kimi ni aitai!" I said after we were long enough to drown in silence.

(Kimi ni aitai \= I miss you)

He looked up, just looking at me expressionlessly.

I locked her gaze, then again said, "Zutto aitakatta yo!"

(I really want to see you)

Whether she understood it or not, it was definitely only those words that I was able to say to her while on the tree. Heartfelt words came out of my heart.

Yes, there is not much to communicate with him because again we are constrained in the language. Not many Arabic languages can be used and it seems he only knows a few words in Japanese. I also did not have time to show photos of the beauty of the Syrian sky that I took in several locations.

One thing I'm grateful for, we were reunited. This short meeting was more than enough for me. There must have been some relief from seeing her better condition than when she first met me. I also have to be realistic not to expect anything after this. Kamisama has granted my wish to meet him. It is too greedy to ask the same prayer a second time.

(thursday: God/God)

Ameena may just be part of a sub-chapter of my travels in this country. I don't know in the future, what other interesting things will be met with me. However, if we are still reunited, may it be the answer to the prayer he prayed to his Lord.

I repeat once more, if we are still reunited, may it be the answer to the prayer he prayed to his Lord.

I checked my phone. Since the whole night, not a single email came in from Zaheera. He usually sends messages every night. I didn't get to call her last night because I was with Ameena until dawn. I took the initiative to preach it first and say that we have gathered the full evidence. An hour later, there was still no reply from him. Maybe he was busy.

I used my free time on this trip to read and recite Arabic vocabulary. While So still continues to fall asleep by leaning his head on my arm.

A few hours later, Zaheera returned my email. Impatiently, I opened the message.

"No problem. My friend who is a journalist has managed to get the evidence directly from the international aid camp. Maybe in a few days the news will be brought to the public" I replied.

"Did your friend who was a journalist come with other journalists? I mean ... What when your friend took the evidence, he was with another journalist?" reply Zaheera.

"I don't know. But if it's like that, wouldn't it be better. The more journalists expose this news, the better," I said.

I cringed confused. Why would he even find out something so insignificant. For some reason, I suddenly thought that Zaheera and Ameena were the same person. Remembering, we suddenly met at a location near an international aid camp. Ameena's presence also coincided with Zaheera's arrival in the refugee camp.

Ah, this is too ridiculous! I guess I was hoping not to lose contact with Ameena. They are clearly different people. Although only know through his handwriting, but I can guess that Zaheera is a learned figure, high social spirit and good at expressing opinions. It can be seen from one of his articles that I read on his personal blog. He also dared to expose the things and information that had been hidden all along. My relationship with him is limited to working together to uncover the abuse that is happening throughout the refugee camp.

Ameena is too soft to do all that. The Ameena I knew was a quiet, feminine girl who was very careful about speaking. Even though I don't know his real background yet. Regarding his purpose of coming to that place, I can understand if he is reluctant to tell me. Including where he currently lives. As a person who is part of a rebel group, of course he should not just divulge any information to me that incidentally is a journalist.

This long journey that took a day finally ended as well. Setting foot in the city of Damascus, the first person I wanted to meet was Yuna. Honestly, Ameena's presence made me forget that I was raging with the uncertainty of the relationship I had with Yuna. My conversation with Yoshizawa back then, affected my mind a little. Until now, I have not been able to decide to fight for it or to let it go with another man.

As soon as I got off the bus, I headed straight to the doctors' dormitory across the border. I saw Yuna rush out of the building with a warm smile as usual.

"This is for you. It's the refugee handcrafts they sell there."

"Arigatou. How are you doing? You spent the supplements I gave you, didn't you?"

I'm nodding. "Don't worry! I've recovered completely."

My gaze was fixed on Yuna's ring finger. Precisely on the rubber I had wrapped around his finger before I left. It turns out he hasn't opened it yet. It makes my heart full and painful at the same time.

"Why are you still installing this?" I asked while taking his hand.

"Because it's your gift. Then I have to look after him. To me it's like a ring that ties our relationship."

I smiled smirkingly while opening the rubber that coiled his hand slowly. It looks like the rubber left a reddened winding mark on his finger. The rubber twists and marks on his finger were like we were in a relationship right now.

"Yuna-chan, let go of this bond if it only hurts you," I said hoarsely while looking at her helplessly, "it must have been difficult for you all along ...."

Yuna pulled out her hand as the rubber almost came out of her ring finger. He even looked at me closely.

"You why?" tanyakanya. It seems that Yuna realized something different from me.

I took a breath for a moment, then said, "Yuna-chan, let's talk!"