THE SERCH BEGINS
203 Words
The lawyer sat at his desk.
Files were open in front of him.
St. Mary’s Hospital, 20 years ago, he said.
Zahra sat beside him. Her heart was fast.
Did you find anything? she asked.
I found the birth book, the lawyer said.
He pointed at a page. Two girls. Same day. Same hour.
Amara looked too. One was listed as mine.
The other had no name, the lawyer said.
Zahra stared at the paper. No name?
Yes, the lawyer said. Just a note: transferred.
Amara’s mouth opened. Transferred where?
That is the next question, the lawyer said.
He wrote it down. I will ask the hospital staff.
Some nurses still work there.
Zahra held her bag tight. Please find her name.
My real mother’s name.
The lawyer nodded. I will try.
Outside the office, Zahra breathed deep.
For 20 years she was a question.
Now she was becoming an answer.
The search had begun.Zahra waited outside.
The sun was hot.
Her thoughts were loud.
A name. Just one name.
That was all she wanted.
Amara came out too.
`I’m with you,` she said.
Zahra looked at her.
`Thank you.`
They stood side by side.
The lawyer was working inside.
Papers were turning.
- Writer
