GAPS(conclusion)
1018 Words
"Are you sure you have to go? you know you can stay with us for as long as you like,"Nala's mom said.I had lived with the two for about two months ans some days now.They were way too good to me and I felt like I could stay a little bit longer.I had grown attached to Nala and the thought of leaving her was killing me on the inside.I planned to leave while she was at school so that instead of saying goodbye to her I would leave a note.I was all better, back to full strength.The wounds on my body had healed, leaving no evidence of ever being there.Nala's mom still couldn't explain the unusual healing and she had concluded I was special.
Nala on her side believed I was an angel sent to her mother by Allah so I could remind her that she was the strongest woman ever.Her mother had done everything to find my papers and in the process she had learned that I wasn't a soldier.On learning that my name was actually Malaika, Nala was then convinced for sure I was an angel.I loved to hear her call me so.It gave me assurance that I was not a bad person.My memories were still gone and there was no telling whether they would ever come back.
By then I knew I was a student in USA and I also knew a little bit about my family.The easiest choice was to go home and start from there, but something told me it was a bad idea.For some reasons I felt like Tom and John were the people to go to.I knew they would help.I didn't know why but I had a good feeling about them.I had planned to leave Somali in two days time and I already had everything I needed with me.I had way too many questions I needed answers for but I just had no idea how to.Nala's mother had tried her best to help me find them and she succeeded in finding some of them but what she found lead to more questions.How did I end up in Somali and in military uniform if I was not a soldier at all? How did I leave USA? even more importantly, was anyone looking for me?
I had tried to call the phone number that I had found on the letter from Tom.I called several times and it went through all the times.However, no one picked up.I figured maybe Tom didn't answer new numbers.I wanted to tell him that I would be flying in, in two days time.I hoped he would pick me up from the airport as I didn't remember anything about the place leave alone how to navigate it.After a few unanswered calls I gave up and stopped.
This morning, I got up early, made breakfast and helped Nala prepare for school.Her mom would later go to work as she then worked at a military hospital in the area.Nala still believed my " Angelic self" had something to do with it.Ever since they welcomed me to their lives, everything changed.There was newly found peace and Nala and the other kids from the community would go back to school with no fears.Her mother found a well paying jobs and on the weekends she volunteered at a local clinic.All that while I would be left back and while they were away I would do some of the chores or even all of them.I had become a part of the Family and the community.I learned their language in just a week and even then I had a strong i had always known it.I wore their clothes and I had even gotten used to wearing a veil.With time I had totally bonded with them and I felt like I belonged right there with them.After breakfast, Nala left for school and her mom left for work.She had already called an airport cab and I knew it would take time to get there.I did the chores as usual before showering.I then sat on Nala's study table and wrote her a note.
"Dear Nala, I hate that I have to write this note but i never had the courage to tell you this face to face.Sweetheart, I have to go but I hope to see you after I get answers about myself.I hope you will continue being a good girl.Look after you mom and make sure to do your best in school.I love you more than I could ever explain".
They were the most painful words I had written in as much as I could remember.I knew she would be mad about it but then I would not be there.She had my phone number and she could always call me.I expected her to call and be mad about my leaving without telling her.God knew I needed her to.On the way to the airport, I remembered all the memories I had created with her.The long journey to the river and back.The stories she told me about her people.Her smile was stuck on my head.The more I thought about her the more I felt guilty for not telling her I was leaving, the more I felt guilty, the more I felt bad about leaving.How would I ever repay her and her mom for everything?
At the airport, I went through the protocols and in no time we are off and away.It was a really long journey but I had to take it.I couldn't wait to get to Tom so he could maybe help me know about myself and how I got to be the way I was.I hated being in the airplane, I could tell from my gut feeling that I hated flying.I had a feeling like it could be much easier and faster, but I had no idea how.By far, airplanes were the known fastest mode of travel.How then could I feel like their was an easier and much faster way? a question I would probably never get an answer to.I leaned back on my chair and closed my eyes.Sleeping was hard still and all I could do was stare.
- Writer
