Chapter 4
Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors.
Khaled Hosseini
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Something is poking my cheek. My whole body is numb and I feel a bright light burn through my eyelids. My head feels heavy and I growl in pain. What is happening?
"Mom!" I call out for help.
Whenever I have a headache or if I am sick my moms takes care of me. She makes the best cup of tea in the world.
"Mom!" I yell now with my eyes still closed.
"Wake up Sana, wake up." I hear a familiar but at the same time unfamiliar trembling voice whisper to me.
I toss and turn to indicate that I am not in the mood to speak. "I am awake." I mumble under my breath.
I feel a poke on my cheek again which makes me grimace. I just want to sleep, is it too much to ask for?
I hear an amused giggle which I can't really place. I make an attempt to open my eyes but they automatically closes. I breath heavily. I have my right arm under my right cheek and my body is turned to the right. I yawn and hear another giggle.
By struggling to open my eyes and blinking several times I can make out a small fragile figure beside me.
That's when it hits me and my mind shows me several pictures as a flashback. Cold eyes, terrorist, gun, murder, police, hostage, car, rain, villa, mobile, fall, child, Adam, no network, water, drug, smirk, arms and faint.
My eyes opens widely and in a second I am sitting straight up in a bed panting for air. I look around to see a terrified Adam to my right and behind him is a wide open door. It gives sight to a bright white corridor with more doors indicating there are more rooms than the one we are in.
I try to calm myself down and stable my breathing. My body is sweaty and warm. The cold air around me hits me all too fast which sends me a shiver through my body.
I grip a hold on myself and shift my attention at the cute boy. "Good morning Adam." I smile towards him and his blue eyes twinkles.
He giggles. "It is not good morning anymore. It is lunch time. Uncle told me to call you." He smiles showing his milky white teeth and I nod.
I tuck my hair behind my ears. "I'll be with you in a second." I say and Adam skips away.
I hear him run down the stairs and I hold my breath as I fear him falling down any moment. Not hearing any sound of falling or crying I sigh in relief. The first thing I do is push away the cover to see what I am wearing. If that piece of dirt have even dared to touch me, I will, I will, I will kill him!
I look at myself and find myself fully clothed with my own clothes. Yes, it is important to point out that it is my clothes that I am still wearing. I have a pair of black leggings on with a matching long tank top and over that a dark blue blouse. I sigh in relief and put my head in my hands. My thoughts starts to spin around making me dizzy.
Why is he keeping me in here? He should either just kill me or let me go. Why keep me hanging? I don't even understand his actions. He is bad enough to kidnap and drug me but at the same time he is good enough to let me sleep in a warm bed.
The only thing I know about him is that he is a terrorist. And that is actually more than enough for me to know. It sickens me that I need to spend my time with a cold blooded murderer and that to in his house. Just the fact that I need to breathe the same air as him makes me feel disgusted by myself. I just wish I knew what's going to happen next.
This is just too much for me and I feel overwhelmed. I miss my family. I miss home. Oh gosh, I have to get rid of my thoughts. They're making me nauseated. I ruffle my hair a little and lift my head.
I take a look around the room and the details surrounding me. In front of me is a window with a view towards the ocean. That is where the bright stinging light came from as the black curtains are just framing the window and even the blinds are not pulled down. I guess he didn't have the time to do that and as I was drugged it wasn't necessary, I frown by the thought of being drugged.
To my left is a beige colored wardrobe matching the color of the single beds frame. At the right corner there is a flat screen TV on a glass bench.
I heave myself up on my right side of the bed and realize that I don't have my socks on. Did he? Awkward. What I notice on the beige side table makes me astonished. Laying beside the table lamp is a few paracetamols with a glass and a jug with water next to it.
What does this even mean? That he is decent enough to care about other people and their headaches? I doubt that. Maybe he want me to take an overdose and die of liver failure? Not knowing how to react I walk to the door and close it and turn around to notice another door beside the bed at its left.
What can that be? I hope it is not a storage for dead bodies. With the terrorist, I wouldn't be surprised. I take small steps towards the dark brown door and reach for the handle.
My heart frequency actually changes as I push down the handle. A fresh set of sweat streams down from my neck behind and I feel like being in a horror movie. I push it down and with a click it opens. I turn the light on and stare blankly.
I start to laugh for myself. How silly can I be? It is a beautiful tile bathroom in front of me. I shake my head and walk over to the wardrobe to find the black scarf I had taken of in the car yesterday. My fingers caresses the soft texture and let go of a sigh. I open all doors and drawers of the wardrobe.
I find a pair of jeans, shirts and t-shirts. There's also some paper and pen stocked in one of the drawers. Finding my socks in another drawer I quickly put them on. It is actually a bit cold around here. He have been decent to put some close in here but it is for men. I guess that it is his clothes? They are all dark and matches his personality.
I walk down after freshen up a bit. There were a new set of toothbrush and paste. What am I up to? I am walking down to meet a terrorist? I should be scared and run away. What's the use in fighting? I will still be losing. The stair rattle while I walk down making me feel uncomfortable.
I try to smile when I reach the open dining where Adam is sitting patiently in front of a plate lost in deep thoughts. There is no food on the table and my head snaps to the right as I hear noise coming from the kitchen.
I clear my throat. "Adam, have you eaten?" I ask him and his big blue eyes widens at the sight of me.
He shakes his head. "Uncle is not done." He enlightens me and I walk over to the kitchen.
I stand at the kitchen threshold and silently watch as the terrorist prepare food with his back towards me. He actually seem good at cooking. I can smell a lovely aroma of grilled chicken, potatoes and vegetables. He is working on some sauce and I can't help chuckle at his state. He look a bit lost now with flour all over the place.
"It is rude to stare." His rough voice hits me and he still have his back towards me.
I furrow my eyebrows. "Don't flatter yourself." I say and he chuckles. "You're doing the sauce wrong. It should be butter and flour first and then you put in milk. Then you stir in two slices of cheese." I say casually and walk to the sink to grab myself a glass of water.
I see him follow my guidance and I mentally smirk. Pouring a glass of water for myself I halt in my movement when the cold glass touches my lips. I breathe heavily and find myself stuck in the posture. I can feel his piercing eyes on my skin. I know that it is silly and that I have poured myself the glass of water but I still feel scared.
Reading my expressions the terrorist snaps. "It is not possible for me to mix anything in a glass you have chosen yourself and you're standing right beside me." He harshly remarks.
My heart pounder hard in my chest while I sip on the water and end up drinking it all. "Everything is possible with you." I throw back and can feel his intense glare. "Why was it even necessary for you to drug me? I wasn't even fighting you?" I ask him appealed by his action and put the glass down.
I lean towards the sink with my back and cross my arms on my chest while looking out at the hallway through the wide open door.
"You looked devastated and I knew you wouldn't be able to sleep. It was easier to drug you than letting you act upon late night ideas." He casually says and shrugs.
"Wow, that was so thoughtful of you." I say sarcastically.
He rubs his temples. "Look, I won't be harming you or anything. Just don't do anything stupid that will jeopardize your own safety. I don't tolerate mistakes. If you do what I say I won't be harming you." He enlightens me and starts to chop salad. "There is no network in here so don't waste your energy." He adds casually.
I feel embarrassed. "How did you even come to know about that?" I ask him indicating my phone.
"It is just obvious that everyone keeps a phone to themselves." He shakes his head as if I am slow.
I think for a moment. That he won't harm me might sound great but for how long will I be staying here? I don't want to live with a terrorist.
"How long will I have to stay here?" I ask him now frustrated.
He shrugs. "I don't know, maybe a while." He gets back to stirring the sauce after replying.
I look at him with furrowed eyebrows not satisfied with his answer. "And then?" I ask him impatiently.
He halts in his movement and shift his cold blue eyes to me. "I haven't thought about it." He gives me a sharp look.
That's the signal for me to stop asking questions. I will notice by myself if he decides to kill me or let me go, I frown at the thought.
I take the bowl with the salad and the plate with the chicken. When walking up to Adam his whole face brightens up. Poor baby, he must be famished.
I serve him the salad and the chicken while the terrorist comes over with the mixed vegetables and sauce. He serves Adam as well and ruffles Adams hair while Adam digs in. I sit opposite Adam and the terrorist sits down at the corner beside both of us. I smile at Adam.
The terrorist serves himself and hands over everything to me. I just put everything on the table as I feel awkward. I don't want to eat with them. It doesn't feel right at all.
Seeing my empty plate he looks at me sternly. "I haven't poisoned the food." He says between gritted teeth.
I roll my eyes, should I doubt that or not. "I just don't feel hungry." And as on cue my stomach rumbles.
He looks at me amused and I can see him try to hide a smile while my eyes widens in embarrassment. "You're not hungry, right?" He remarks and I just look away.
He serves some food on my plate and I feel highly uncomfortable. This man and his companions killed people before my very own eyes yesterday. He kidnapped me. And here I am eating lunch with him as if nothing happened? Shouldn't I be crying, screaming and fighting him?
He notices me staring at my plate lost in thoughts. "You don't need to feel guilty for eating here. Think that I am forcing you to eat." He adds casually.
This is just too weird. He is behaving as if nothing happened and as if everything is normal. I wonder when the police will actually be able to trace us and arrest them. I frown and just feel out of place. Realizing that Adams eyes are analyzing me I give him a half hearted smile. I start to eat in silence and I analyze Adam. He is just five but so disciplined around the terrorist. He barely talks in front of him. I wonder how they're actually related.
After lunch, I sit down with Adam in the lounge room and play Tic Tac Toe while the terrorist do the dishes. I am not interesting in helping out around here. Adam is a sharp kid and barely loses. I try to cheat and end up losing anyway.
"It is wrong to cheat." Adam giggles and I smile.
"I agree." I reply and kiss him on the cheek.
Adam looks at me with a curious look. "Why are you staying here with us?" He asks and tilts his head.
I find myself dumb founded. What should I tell him? I clear my throat and try to find a decent excuse to tell. I won't be telling him that his uncle kidnapped me as he is just a kid.
I clear my throat again. "I just." My words die in my mouth. "It was just." I try again but nothing comes out. "The thing is." I find nothing to say.
What's wrong with me? I see Adam stare at me patently waiting for an answer. He seem confused. I mentally face palm myself, can't I find one good excuse?
I sigh. "You know what, ask your uncle." I shake my head disappointed at myself.
He looks a bit taken aback and I doubt that he'll ask his uncle as frightened as he seem of him. We continue playing in silence.
"Adam, it is soon time for the madrasa." The terrorist voice makes both of us snap our head towards the entrance to the lounge room where he is standing. The terrorist shifts his attention to me and locks his cold blue eyes with mine. "I want you to stay in your room the whole time, understood?" I slightly nod feeling intimidated.
Madrasa? I know that madrasa stands for school and that it is now synonymous to study of the Islamic religion. What I don't understand is how does Adam study Islam out here? Who is his teacher?
Adam stands up and walks to his Uncle. I heave myself up from the couch and walk upstairs to lock myself in the room. I sit beside the window and inhale the beautiful ocean. I can hear the door bell now which makes me a bit curious.
With pounding heart I walk over to the door and open it slightly to be able to hear what is going on downstairs. I hear a man talk to the terrorist.
"Salam, the kids are soon here." The terrorist replies to a question I didn't catch.
The kids? So it is not only Adam? The door bell rings again and I hear more greetings. The greetings indicates that there are plenty of kids but it startles me how quite they are. A house full with kids shouldn't be this dull and quite. What did I think? I have seen Adam haven't I?
I sense that they shift into the lounge room and my feet itches to walk down the stairs. I shake a bit and remember the order of the terrorist. I bite my lip in dilemma where I stand beside the door.
I close my eyes and inhale deeply. Opening my eyes with a snap I slowly open the door. I tip toe to the staircase. "Bismillah" I mumble for myself which means 'In the name of God' to calm myself.
I can feel my body pump my blood harshly through my veins while I take the first step down. I take another step and wait for any movement around me.
My temple is drumming. I think of an excuse if I get caught. The best I can come up with is that I was in need of a glass of water. I walk down the stairs and sit down at the third last step.
I can hear a man speak and try to focus my senses. "If you ever encounter a man who isn't a muslim be sure to not exchange any words with them. They are there to harm you. They scream danger." I shake my head with a frown.
Wait, did I just hear what I think I heard?
My thought get interrupted. "So kids what is a non-muslim?" The man asks.
The synced answer of maybe a dozen children makes me startled. "Danger!" I can hardly breath and I feel frozen to the spot.
What the heck are they teaching kids? This is not the teaching of Islam! My body trembles with rage and I fix my eyes on the main white door in front of me. I focus to hear what the man have to say next.
The man goes on with a soothing voice. "Good. We do jihad to please our lord. Killing is not a bad thing if you do it for a good cause. We do it to honor our lord and our beloved prophet. The non-muslims harms our families around the world. They have killed and are killing our brothers and sisters. They sleep peacefully with their hands soaked in blood. If you give them the opportunity they'll kill us all." My blood starts to boil and my body shivers harshly as it turns cold.
How dare he? How dare he teach children this nonsense? How dare he propagate lies? How dare he spread hate?
Without thinking I stand up with my hands fisted. "Stop it!" I hear myself scream and a deadly silence spreads through the villa.
Without thinking I walk over to the lounge room with fierce steps to be met by around twenty pairs of eyes. The most are of innocent looking children with fear evident in their eyes. I look at the old man with gray beard sitting in front of the children on a chair while the kids are suited on the floor.
My eyes flickers with rage while the man just stare at me emotionless. There are four more men in the room and they are located on the couch. All eyes are on me and I keep my gaze fixed at the disgusting preaching man.
I ignore the questioning looks of the men which would make me highly uncomfortable in a normal situation. "How dare you to brainwash the innocent kids? You're not teaching about Islam! How can you call this a madrasa? Do you even know what a madrasa is? Do you even know anything about Islam?" I yell out my frustration and breathe heavily.
The old man clenches his teeth and his hands turns to hard fists. His eyes turns dark and the rage I held in mine are now evident in his dark eyes. The men stands up and my heart starts drumming in my chest.
Oops. Okey, this was not throughly planned and I start to shiver. All my anger vanishes and I suddenly feel suffocated. What the heck was I thinking? I am standing between five intimidating men now and the kids looks on scared. Crap, what have I gotten myself into?
The glass door out to the back yard opens and everyone shifts their attention towards it. Well, I am standing between six intimidating men now. Perfect. I feel my whole body turn cold when his dark blue eyes catches mine in his. His jaws tightens and his eyes shows no emotion beside boiling anger. The terrorist doesn't seem happy at all and I can literally hear my heartbeats. A shiver run down my spine as I know this can't end well.
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