The Journalist

Part 63: Can we continue like this?

Dusk began to flaunt his golden robe despite being slightly covered in gray clouds. After praying at Khalila's funeral, Ameena stood up and looked at me. We faced each other while harboring stifled pain. Immediate steps led him away past me who could only remain still.

My feet are moving, about to catch up with him. Suddenly, my body was stuck to the ground. After failing to look after Khalila and not taking good care of her books, I wasn't sure I could protect Ameena like I had been telling her all along. My legs started to move forward in different directions with him. I dragged my feet slowly among the worries that still ruled me. In the third step I turned around and chased after him.

Ameena is East and I am West. We might not be able to unite. However, as long as I can be together, all the energy will be put into protecting her.

"Mina-chan." I shouted out to call his name after catching up with him.

He turned around slowly, looking at me who was bowing in a huff.

"I .. have nothing. I also brought nothing but Khalila shoes. I ... don't know how to return to Damascus for now. Can .... you pick me up again?" kataku.

Ameena looked at me softly. He turned his body and then walked back. Since no words came out of his mouth, I followed him.

We walked in a blanket of twilight, passing through the ground of rocks that were shaky and uphill. It's like being in an off-road arena. I don't know where he's going, but I won't ask either. I just assumed he was heading towards his current residence. The effects of the war made the homes of residents including the foundation of the orphanage owned by Mr. Ali swept flat.

Until dusk almost sank into the lap of the night, we also arrived at a plantation area in the mountains that contained small rivers, swamps, and trees that bear fruit. Not far from us, I could hear the sound of children playing. We continued to climb until a group of running children were spotted.

"Teacher!" They ran towards Ameena.

"Ah, that's Khalila's sister! He's here too!" They then surrounded me asking for candy and snacks that I often brought.

Apparently, they are the remaining orphans and now live with Ameena in a hut which is the only dwelling in the place. Their number was only six people where Ameena was the remaining manager.

"Where's Khalila? Isn't she with you?" A young boy suddenly asked me a question. He was Omar, the boy I had once thrown candy and was the only oldest boy among the others.

I'm unmoving. The boy's eyes spontaneously saw the Khalila shoes I was holding. The other boys wondered.

"Kids, it's Maghrib, it's time to worship!" exciting Ameena.

The children flocked to the river to wash their faces, heads, hands and feet. I was still outside, sitting on a rectangular bench made of wooden rods. I leaned my head against the slightly weathered wall of the house.

I turned around for a moment. From the open window, I could see the boy standing at the front leading the worship.

An hour passed, I was still sitting here while Ameena looked busy. Seeing him alone taking care of the six boys made me respect him. I don't know about my plans going forward. I failed to return home to Japan and am now separated from my friends and family.

A little girl came to bring me food. "Sister, this is the food."

I was stunned for a moment. For a glance, I saw Khalila on the little girl's face. I even heard the voice of Khalila who often called me by her mainstay nickname.

"Thank you" I said.

Just about to taste the food, suddenly the voice of the boy was heard.

"No want! I don't want to share a room with him! He caused us all to lose Khalila. Khalila shouldn't have gone with him! Master shouldn't have brought him here!"

I feel like I'm being denounced by him. It looks like he hates me because I didn't save Khalila.

I stood at the doorpost and said, "I'm going to sleep outside. It's okay."

Ameena could only remain silent. While the boy came out with an incomplete face. I took the initiative to follow him. I saw him sitting under a tree doing something. I was astonished to see him assembling weapons from makeshift materials, such as bottles and cans.

"Great! Where'd you learn how to assemble a weapon like this?" my many.

He ignored my question and continued to concern himself. Not giving up, I crouched down next to him.

"You're right, Khalila shouldn't be with me" I said, sitting on my knees with a straight forward look. "If I hadn't ignored his request to take these shoes, I might have died with him. You know what his last request was? He just wants me to go back to this village and look for you. Maybe I should stay alive. These shoes are proof that Khalila also accompanies our steps," I said as I took out the shoes that became the only relic of the little girl.

He paused for a moment, then took the shoe from my hand "I .. made a weapon to protect my teacher and my sisters. I don't want to lose the people I love anymore!"

"You know, you know, I'm a former Japanese soldier" I said.

"really?"

"I'm also a former judo athlete. If you want, I'm willing to teach you martial arts."

"I want! Please teach me!" Omar stood before me enthusiastically.

That night, we didn't sleep. I taught him how to attack and defend against enemies. Through Omar, I hope Ameena will be protected even if I'm not by her side anymore. He was very persistent in training until dawn.

When the sun has not fully appeared, we together take water in the river for daily needs. It feels like living in a bygone era but it's pretty fun. I see Ameena every day.

"Let me help you" I said as he was about to carry dirty clothes to wash in the river.

We flocked to the shallow clear river. The kids lead the journey. I was one step ahead of Ameena. It turns out that the land and plantations in these mountains still belong to Mr. Ali.

"Thanks ...." Ameena called me from behind.

I looked up and threw a smile.

"Do you not want to go back to Damascus?"

"As I told you, all my luggage is gone. Including money and cell phones. I'm a bum now. And so, I asked you to pick me up, didn't I?" I laughed softly while looking at him.

"What about the exegetical book I gave you?"

"That .. is gone too. In fact, I haven't been able to read it. Please forgive me!" I said while looking down.

I saw Ameena's face change instantly.

"Are you able to give a leak about the contents of that tafsir book? I'm quite curious!" I said back.

"Looks like God wants you to find out for yourself" he replied slowly.

"Eh?" I cringe.

Actually, I also wanted to inquire about the letter I gave. But I didn't have the courage to ask.

We also arrived at the river. While Ameena was busy washing clothes with the girls who were busy making bubble foam, Omar and I were spearing fish while splashing water on each other. Every now and then, I looked at Ameena who was also looking at me. I throw a smile at him. Unfortunately, he lowered his gaze.

We burned the fish and ate them together in the hut yard. I saw Ameena very carefully remove the bones from the fish before they were given to the children.

A different boy now held the edge of his shirt and said, "Sister just stay here, huh?"

"Master and Sister are perfect for being our mother and father" chirped one of the boys who was allowed to be with the other.

"Where can it be like that. This sister has to go home" Ameena told the boys.

I looked at Ameena with a helpless look.

Mina-chan, can we continue like this?

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