The Journalist

Part 48: The Love that Torn Me

No need to express the poetic words of Khalil Gibran, no need to use the theory of everything as Stephen Hawking did, or build a monument as grand as the Taj Mahal as proof of love. I love her in the simplest, silly and a little childish way.

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Until now there has been no sign of the appearance of the car carrying Ahmed and his colleagues. I'm still here. No one, like I'm a fictional character stranded in a parallel world. Walk here and there, stand sculpting, crouching, to jump around like a fool. I did it to overcome boredom. Only silence is my friend now. Darkened. Dibble. None of the street lights were on. There was only occasional light from my phone screen when I tried to check the clock.

Suddenly a light shone on my body from afar. I cast out such a dazzling light with my hands. With squeaking eyes, I could see a car was walking towards me. Spontaneously, I who was impatient immediately ran while waving my hand toward the vehicle. However, it did not seem to have brought Ahmed and his entourage of volunteers from the village.

The car stopped right in front of me. The car window opened, showing a driver I didn't recognize.

"Who are you? Why are you here at night like this?" ask the man astonished.

"I'm Ayano Kei. Japanese war journalist."

I hurriedly showed her my identity card, then told her about to go to the location of the village where Ameena currently lives.

"Can you take me there? Earlier I was from the orphanage foundation who was there to take care of something, then they drove me to Aleppo. I forgot my camera there. Therefore, I want to take it back in that place." I tried to explain to her so she would give me a ride.

"I live in the village next door and I happen to know the owner of the foundation. But, can I trust your words?" she hesitated while looking at me from the bottom up.

"You'll believe it once we get there. Mr. Ali knows me very well. I also know his daughter and Ahmed who is his confidant. Don't worry, I'll pay the rent for the ride!" memelas.

Quiet for a moment while fondling, the man then said, "Alright ...."

"Thank you!" I bowed while saying that word many times before getting into his car.

I was finally able to continue my journey to the village. No matter it was night, I was still awake without any drowsiness. We also arrived at the entrance of the separatist stronghold. Until late at night, they were still on guard. We went down to do an identity check.

The man who checked us, looked sharply at the driver who gave me a ride.

"Why did you bring a stranger here?"

Two men from behind came at me with guns. I gasp. However, my eyes tried to swipe around. Shit, the guard that checked me yesterday is not here.

"Di–dia ... confessed to the acquaintance of Mr. Ali, he came to pick up the items left behind at the residence of Mr. Ali!" the driver answered with a worried look at me.

As soon as the name of Mr. Ali was mentioned, they immediately lowered their weapons. I was surprised that they let us continue our journey. So much was the influence of Mr. Ali that even separatists respected him.

We finally arrived at the village. A fertile village near the Turkish state. I asked to be dropped off at the orphanage. Damn, the gate of the foundation had been closed. Ah, I forgot it's late at night. They must have all fallen asleep.

"Are you sure you'll be dropped off here, sir?" ask the driver.

"Yes, it's okay. Thank you for driving me." I paid for him as payment for driving me. "Is this enough?"

"More than enough, sir. Thank you very much!" The man then left me alone.

For a while, I was stunned in front of the locked gate.

Mina-chan, I'm back again.

The night air is getting older with the sign of fog. When people have been wrapped in blankets on their bodies, I am here fighting against the cold of the night that infiltrated my skin. Not to mention thirsty and hungry come to attack brutally. Yes, I did just fill my stomach with a lump of toast before boarding the bus.

Now, I just hugged my knees tightly to dampen the cold, hunger, thirst and drowsiness that hit me simultaneously. Sometimes I cough and sneeze. The night wind not only caressed my skin but also teased my eyes. My head started to stumble, getting lower as my eyes began to shut.

I don't know how long I've been asleep sitting like this. The deeper, the more I could not control myself until my body collapsed to the side. This made me wake up shocked because the side of my head hurt when it collided with the ground. In an imperfect vision, my eyes caught the figure of a woman's shoe in front of me. I raised my gaze, the gentle face of a woman entering my retina. He sat crouching in front of me while carrying a small lantern.

"Is that you, Mina-chan?" I murmured while rubbing my eyes many times.

"Khi, why are you sleeping here?" tanyanya slow.

Hearing his voice, I hurried to sit down in front of him.

"I'm a stray cat, can you pick me up?" I said laugh stupidly.

He just kept quiet. However, I could see the corners of her lips forming a small arch.

"Come in, the dawn is coming soon!" take him while standing.

I also got up from this place. Ah, I don't know why my head is so heavy. In a weakened state, I staggered into the courtyard of the mansion of such a vast foundation. I don't know what time it is, but it's very quiet. It seems people are still sleeping. He didn't ask me what brought me back to this place. I dragged my feet wide, to catch up with his steps that preceded me.

"Mina-chan, I'm here ...."

"I kept your camera. Don't worry!" cut it with a straight look.

I flinched, but immediately said, "How did you know I was outside?"

"My room is upstairs and the window is directly facing the gate" he replied flatly as he continued walking.

I walked two steps faster towards him, then said, "So you saw me from your room? Have you not slept? Oh, you must be writing, huh? Khalila told me that every ten o'clock at night you start writing in front of the computer. Oh, yeah, did you see my photo shots? I took some photos of the sky in every place I visited."

Ameena's steps suddenly stopped. He looked at me expressionlessly.

"Oh, sorry! I talk too much!" I looked down trying to hide the pleasure.

"Your voice sounds hoarse. I'll get you some warm water" he said, turning around.

"Ah, no need!" it was my intercept who was trying to block his steps. I even tried to make a thud to restore the color of my voice. Unfortunately, it made me cough.

I still want to talk to him. Still want to be alone with him. Like at the moment. No matter the state of my weakened body. My stomach is hungry. My throat is dry. Even my voice is thin. As long as it can be like this with him, it's okay!

"Then ...wait in there!" He pointed to the building that one of the rooms was my bed at the time.

I just realized that we're in a women's building right now. We even stood under the stairs, where Ameena would probably return to her room. It seems impossible for us to be alone for longer like this. I walked away leaving him too. However, just a few steps away, my body was suddenly dazed followed by a blurry vision. I almost fell if I didn't hold on to the pole.

"Chai!" Ameena hurriedly approached me who was bent to my knees.

"It's okay! Just slipped," I said as I coughed.

I looked into his eyes with a dull vision. The eyeballs that matched the color of the clear sky were like pulling me into a vortex that I could not express with words.

I try to look fine by standing up right away. However, just about to step up, I collapsed back right in front of him. Blacker. Everything felt dark as my consciousness was taken away.