Kissa

"What Happens, We Will See"

KISSA

Chapter 11 "What Happens, We Will See"

Evening had fallen. I sat beside Mom.

Firelight danced on everyone’s faces. Questions sat in my heart.

Mom adjusted her shawl. She looked at me.

"Kissa, daughter, how was the shrine? Were you scared?"

I shook my head. Something else was in my eyes.

"No fear, Mom. I actually liked it a lot. It was respect. Like the ground was speaking itself."

The atmosphere inside the shrine was truly magical.

Dad turned the skewer. Smoke came toward us.

"Magical atmosphere? That means Kissa liked the shrine."

I smiled a little. But my voice stayed low.

"Not liked, Dad. I felt it. Every stone had a story."

Uncle picked up his mug of tea. Took a sip.

"You heard the story. Now eat. Stories do not fill the stomach."

I took a plate. Started eating in silence.

But my mind was still at the shrine’s door.

Noor jumped up at once. Two skewers in her hand.

"People, silence is over! Chief Noor’s order."

Dad laughed. "Here she goes again. Listen, Noor."

Noor put one skewer in front of Haris.

"Here. Be happy. You made your face like enemies arrived."

Haris looked at the skewer. Then at Noor.

"Enemies do not come, Noor. Enemies already exist."

Noor put her hands on her waist. Chin up.

"Then fight. Respect the chef. Eat the skewer. I made it."

Ali stepped in. Voice even and calm.

"Noor, you have started making talks with the skewers too."

Noor winked. "Then you manage with talks only. No skewer for you."

Ali took the skewer. Took one bite.

"Taste is excellent. But stop playing judge."

Noor got shy. Then burst into laughter.

Aunt pushed the bowl of raita forward.

"Eat everyone. Fight after food. Stomach first."

I said to Mom. Mom listened quietly.

Uncle threw wood on the fire. Flames rose high.

"Life is like fire too. It either burns or it lights."

Dad nodded. "And those who do not want to burn become light."

Haris put his cup down. Broke the silence.

"And mostly those burn who never feel the heat of fire first."

Everyone went quiet. Air grew heavy.

Ali lifted his cup and finished the last sip of tea.

Ali put the cup down. Eyes on the fire.

"And sometimes it is necessary to burn and give light to others."

Haris laughed. "After burning, everything turns to coal, Ali."

Ali said, "Gold is also made after burning, Haris. Understand the difference."

Noor tried to lighten the mood.

"Play some song. Heart is getting sad."

Uncle took out his phone. Played an old song.

Sound mixed with the fire. Night settled down.

Noor also started singing softly.

Voice off tune, but feeling was strong inside.

I told Noor, "Noor, when you sing, time stops."

Noor smiled. Aunt said, "Time does not stop, Kissa. We stop."

Noor whispered in my ear. "Kissa, is Ali watching the fire or you?"

I made Noor quiet. "Noor, change the topic."

Noor teased. "Change the topic? How do I change my heart?"

I pressed her hand. Ali said, "I am watching the fire and you too."

Noor got scared. "You heard that?"

Ali said, "I am a lawyer."

Everyone went silent. Words hit the heart.

Flames of the fire were now low.

Dad checked his watch. Face became serious.

"Night got late. Road to home is long."

Aunt told everyone. "Come, pack the things."

Everyone picked plates. Washed them. Turned off lights.

Noor lifted the last skewer and said.

"Farmhouse, we will come again. Promise."

I looked at the shrine. Light was there from far.

Heart said, "Sultan, we will keep faith too."

Everyone walked toward the car. Faces were tired.

But steps were strong. Intention was strong.

Ali took the driver seat. Opened the door.

"Kissa, sit in front. You need air."

I sat in front. Fastened the seatbelt.

Mirror was straight on my eyes. Ali’s gaze was there.

Dad sat in the back. Mom and Aunt managed Noor.

Uncle rolled the window down. Cold air came in.

Haris was silent. Looking at something on his phone.

Face was like stone. But fingers were fast.

Car started. Farmhouse stayed behind.

Road drowned in darkness. Only headlights were with us.

Ali said without increasing speed. "Everyone okay?"

Mom said. "Yes son. Thank God."

Noor said in a sleepy voice. "Kissa, I had fun."

I held her hand. "Me too, Noor. A lot."

Road was silent. Sometimes a dog barked.

Trees nodded their heads. Like they were saying goodbye.

Dad said. "Ali, drive carefully. Road is deserted."

Ali nodded. "Do not worry Uncle. I am here."

Haris said suddenly. "Being here is not enough, Ali."

Ali looked in the mirror. "Being and keeping the promise, both come to me."

Noor slept on Mom’s shoulder.

I stayed awake. Kept looking outside the window.

Fog had gathered on the window glass.

I drew one line with my finger. Then erased it.

Ali saw. Said nothing. Just smiled.

His smile reduced the weight of the night.

A small bridge came on the way. River below.

Moon’s reflection was swaying on the water.

I said softly. "Ali, moon is beautiful."

Ali said. "Not moon. The gaze is beautiful."

I lowered my head. Words sank in my heart.

Haris coughed. Atmosphere grew heavy again.

Haris said. "Everyone likes the moon, Ali."

Ali replied. "Yes. But not everyone becomes the moon."

Dad said in between. "Will you let us sleep or not, you people."

Mom adjusted Noor. "Noor was sleeping anyway."

Light inside car was dim. Breathing sounds were clear.

I was thinking. Where would Sultan have gone.

Because even after so much search, he was not found.

Ali said in a low voice. "Kissa, sleep."

I said. "Sleep is not coming. Thoughts are awake."

Ali said. "Lock the thoughts. Let time come."

I said. "When time comes, thought will become decision."

Ali said nothing. Only slowed the speed more.

Night was long. But we were taking long breaths.

Lights of the village started showing from far.

Home was near. Heart beat faster again.

Dad said. "Thank God, we reached home."

Mom prayed. "May God keep everyone safe."

Ali stopped the car. In front of the gate. Silence.

Everyone got out. Tired. But content.

Ali looked at me one last time.

"Before going inside the house, one thing, Kissa."

I stopped. Held the door and stood there.

"Yes Ali, say. I am listening."

Ali said straight. Eyes in my eyes.

"The war that started will not end in court."

I held my breath. Then let it go. "I know."

Ali said. "Then be ready. Every moment, every breath."

I lifted my head. Kept voice strong.

"I am ready, Ali."

Haris walked past from behind. Did not stop. Said nothing.

His silence was the loudest scream.

Noor rubbed her eyes and said. "Let’s go sleep now."

Aunt held her hand. "Come Noor, your bed is waiting for you."

I remembered the light of the shrine one last time.

Heart made a promise. "I will keep faith. I will stand with truth no matter what."

Ali closed the gate. Put the key in his pocket.

Then only said this. "See you in the morning."

I nodded. "See you in the morning. Strong."

Door closed. Night ended.

But the story had just begun. The real story.

To be continued....