The Girl in The Green Scarf

E l e v e n

She looks genuinely concerned about me though so I decide to tell her half the truth.

I take in a deep breath and whisper,

"I just miss my family."

"Oh." She says in a single breath and understanding is painted over her face. She takes my hand in both of hers in a consolatory manner.

"It gets better I promise." Her voice is gentle and I can't help but smile slightly. I want to ask her how she knows for sure but then I remember she's just like me; she may even have a family out there missing her.

"That's a relief, I guess." I say and then after a pause I add uncertainly, "how did you ... end up here, Yasmeen?"

For a moment I think she's going to change the subject or tell me it's none of my business; that's what I would do if I were in her place. But she just smiles sadly canting her head upwards and her eyes go blank as if suddenly she is somewhere else. When she speaks again her voice is tainted with pain.

"I lived with my grandmother a long time ago. My father died before my birth and my mother passed away short after, they didn't even witness the invasion of our land. Grandma was very protective of me after that, she wouldn't even let me play with the kids in the neighborhood. One night after I turned twelve we had a fight, I was tired of her making a big deal of everything and stormed out in spite of her pleas. I wandered into the woods behind our house and couldn't find the way back. Talal was the one who found me." She stops for a moment and I think she won't go on but then she swallows and continues "I was lost, and desperate. I thought he was there to save me."

She laughs, and it's a sound devoid of emotions. Her eyes meet mine and for the first time since I met her I see how broken she is. I see the pain and the hate she carries for the people holding us captive. And I know that there's no way her loyalty lies with them.

"Oh my God! You guys just missed half your life!" Aminah exclaims dashing into the tent. When the flaps open, cold air flows inside.

I almost jump off my seat stunned by her sudden entrance but I hold myself.

"Crap, Aminah you scared the soul out of me." Shouts Yasmeen and I can see she already regained herself, shoving the weaknesses and locking them away. 

"Oops. I'm sorry, jelly heart." Aminah says mockingly batting her hand at Yasmeen. I roll my eyes and snort. 

"Alright speedy, what is it exactly that we missed?" I ask patting the spot beside me for her to sit on. She collapses there, jumping up and down in her seat.

"Noha and Zahra just had the most amazing fight ever. You know like a real cat fight with nails and hair pulling! The whole deal." She says her eyes wide with excitement. Only Aminah can call a fight amazing, but I have to admit I would have been just as thrilled to see someone jump at Noha and teach her a lesson.

Yasmeen gasps, her hand flying to her heart. I almost laugh at her reaction, she's such a softy. Yahiya should meet her and then he'll stop calling me emotional.

"Is Zahra alright? Poor girl. Noha probably tore her head off." At that I do laugh. I double over holding my stomach. Aminah and Yasmeen stare at me like I lost it but then they follow, laughing just as hard.  Leave it to Aminah to totally turn my mood.

"Actually Zahra did more damage." Aminah manages to say between laughs.

"You're right; we did miss half our lives." I say to Aminah, trying to catch my breath.

"What did they fight over anyway?" Yasmeen asks and Aminah simply shrugs.

"Who knows, and really who cares?"