The Journalist

Part 59: The Cry of Orphans

Carrying Khalila, I ran away from Ameena in the hope that we would meet again in safety. I tied him up with a rope crossed into my body so I could move more freely. While I moved the backpack on the front.

Khalila is still unconscious. It was the biggest message Ameena gave me. I must be able to protect and guarantee his safety. Besides, this is also part of my caring for her.

Tanks of Russian and government troops have entered the village. I kept running around carrying the weight of a six-year-old boy and a backpack containing a laptop, camera and some other precious objects. Banging and explosions accompanied my escape with Khalila. Every now and then I have to hope when a fighter plane passes over me.

Because the war is still raging, I can't take him out of this village to Damascus on his usual route. The only way, I had to run towards the village that had not been touched by the government and Russian military forces.

I climbed the hills to the fields where I left the fighting car that brought me here. Maybe me and Khalila can get away with this place in that car. When I got there, I rushed to the car. At the same time, Khalila's shoes came off next door and fell to the ground. I bent down to get the shoes. However, my eyes were distracted by a small excavation under the tires of this car.

At the same time, I heard people talking. They are government militants. I rushed into the plantation and hid inside a hollow tree trunk.

In my view, the three-man army was sitting down enjoying their breakfast. One of them then realized the whereabouts of the combat car I was carrying running away. The three of them then approached the car.

"Don't go there! Don't go there!" sit with curved eyebrows.

The car exploded suddenly just as the three soldiers got in and ran the car. As I suspected, under the undercarriage of the car has been attached mines. I felt Khalila's tiny hand clutching my shoulder tightly just as the explosion happened. I looked towards him. The boy had closed his eyes, but his pliable lashes kept getting wet.

I came out of hiding and ran to where the soldiers were resting. I took three cans of rations lying around, and then I swallowed the rest of their food until there was nothing left. I gulped down the remaining multivitamin drink half a can. I had to eat a lot to protect Khalila.

One can of ration that has not been opened I put it in the bag. I continued my escape while carrying Khalila. I continued to walk without direction through the forests and only armed with my instincts.

"Born Brother, where are we going?" Khalila's voice sounded weak.

"We're going somewhere safe. A place where we don't listen to noise" I replied as I continued walking.

"Why don't you take Ummi? Why did you leave him?"

I was stunned for a moment. "Your mother has to save your friends."

Khalila sobbed for a moment. I looked back, saw him cry.

"Why are you crying?"

"I saw some of my friends hit by the explosion. What if ummi also got the explosion? We shouldn't have left ummi there!"

I was stunned for a moment. However, Ameena's voice seemed to come back and resonate in my ears.

Don't worry, God always follows the prejudices of His servants.

"Don't worry, God always follows the prejudices of His servants." I repeated the last sentence that came out of Ameena's mouth. "Your mother will be fine!" I said while smiling.

"Uncle Ahmed said that Abi managed to drive the men away, but why are there still bombs and gunshots like this?" ask Khalila while gripping my shoulder firmly.

"That's because they're too many, but calm down .. everything will be fine and back to how it was." Every word I say stiffly.

"really?" Khalila's voice sounded soft.

"Hum," I said short.

I continued the journey. A gloomy view was seen throughout the village courtyard. The rustic romance turned lethargic and radiant no more. The houses of the people have been flattened with the land. Light poles and road dividers turned into chunks of debris. Bodies lapping. The clear water flowing inside the sewer now changed its color to red. The smell of blood touched my sense of smell.

"Brother Blonde, I'm going down!" her door.

I also took Khalila down from my back. He looked at me intently. His eyes were withered as if he was about to convey something to me.

She shook her head.

"You want to pee?"

He's back to shakes. However, this time it was accompanied by a puddle of water in his eyes. I crouched down while holding his shoulder.

"You why?"

"I remember Abi." Khalila's voice is surging. A thread of sadness began to flow from the corner of his eyes.

I hurried to remove the clear melt on his face. "Don't worry! Your father is fine!"

"Born Brother doesn't have to lie to me. I know my father is dead. I saw everyone crying and saying my father's name this morning. Why are Blonde's brother, ummi, and Ahmed's uncle dishonest? I don't want to make you sin because you keep lying to me. So, stop lying!" The puddles of water in his eyes spilled over. His crying broke out.

I'm woken. For a moment my face hardened and my body was petrified. I really didn't think Khalila realized her father was dead. This little boy, must swallow the bitter fact that he has become an orphan.

"Uncle Ahmed said my father was a hero. But I don't need a hero's father. I just need a dad who's always by my side." The girl's innocent face had been shrouded in tears that had fallen. His shoulders were shaking in the midst of grief.

I tried to distract him by turning back and forth in front of him.

"Sister, look, I can do this!"

My efforts didn't work. Not losing my mind, I stood on a pillar of the building that was left and then turned the position of the legs above and head below with resting on both hands.

"Sister, look, I can stand upside down!" myrag.

Free! Khalila did not look at me in the least. Clear melts still flowed profusely in his eyes. He covered his face with a palm as he continued to cry calling his father over and over again.

Feeling unable to distract him, I walked half crouching with one hand holding the head and the other on the buttocks as if mimicking the monkey style.

"Look, I can be a monkey!" I said while forcing a laugh.

"Abii .. I want to meet abi. Don't leave me!" his call was hoarse accompanied by breath gasping for breath because of the unrelenting sobs.

This joke failed to get his attention. Everything I did to distract her grief was in vain. His crying voice grew more and more heartbreaking. Stirring the hearts of all who see.

"Khalila, look at me!"

I stared at him as I continued to act like a monkey. Even scratching my body parts as often done by the animal. One of the saddest things is that when you try to comfort people, your own expression is very sad.

Khalila finally turned to look at me. But not to see my silly actions. Instead of making a request that could not happen.

"Brother Blonde, can you help me make a wish to God for my father's return? I will try to be a good and proud child" he said in tears.

I'm fucking stupid. My eyes suddenly turned red, like they were hit by a spark. My heart grieves this situation. Why would a child as small as himself have to endure all this grief?

"Born Brother, please help me! Perhaps God listened more to the prayers of adults than children" he asked softly as he swung at the tip of my finger. His voice even sounded raucous.

I tried to open my mouth. Unfortunately, my voice was still stuck. It was as if a large chunk of rock was clogging my throat, making me lose all ability to speak. I held my chin up high, trying not to shed tears. Free! One clear melt escaped in the corner of my eye.

Orange rays highlighted his curled body. I knelt before him, then hugged him tightly. I put my fingers on her head covered in a veil, rubbing it with affection. In the end, this is all I can do for him.