DAR, 1982
Rayhan kicked a stone. “CHRISTOS…”
“We need to get that file.” Saleem said.
“We have three key fragments only. Without Christos’s key fragment, we can’t.”
Saleem sighed. “What now?”
“I think we need to disappear for some time. When things get less tight, we find the file and clear our names.”
“We are wanted all over the country. What if we get caught?”
“We must split.”
“Split? What about Lat?”
Latricia moaned. “Leave me here and go.”
“We’re not leaving you!” Saleem and Rayhan snapped.
“I’ll be a burden.”
“We will get out of this together.” Rayhan said.
“If we split, someone must go with Lat.” Saleem said.
“I’ll go with her.” Rayhan said.
“No, I’ll go with her.” Saleem said.
“Listen… at least one of us must survive to clear our names.” Rayhan said.
“Rayhan, you’re smart. I believe in you. If we get caught, you will clear our names.”
Rayhan smiled. “I’ll go with Lat.”
“No. You go alone, I’ll take her.”
Rayhan removed a coin.
Saleem chuckled. “Our old way of solving disputes…”
“Head, you go with lat, and if tail, I go with lat.”
The two nodded. Rayhan tossed the coin in the air. The coin rolled and rolled. It fell with head above.
“I’ll take lat.” Saleem said.
The three were looking at each other. The sound of wind blowing the trees is what could be heard. They worked together for a long time. They were like a family. Rayhan’s heart was aching. He knew it was the same to Latricia and Saleem.
Rayhan looked at Latricia. “Don’t die. This is an order.”
Latricia tried a smile. “You too, don’t get yourself into troubles.”
“I will do whatever it takes to clear our names.” Rayhan said, his palm on Latricia’s face.
“We will miss you.” Tears seeped over Latricia’s cheeks.
Rayhan hugged Latricia. Tears dropped from his eyes. He stood and hugged Saleem.
“We will find each other when things get cool.” Saleem said.
“Don’t get caught.” Rayhan sniffed. “This is—”
Saleem sniffed. “AN ORDER.”
Rayhan picked his bag. He stared at his two friends. Rayhan knew goodbyes will always hurt, pictures will never replace having been there, memories good and bad will bring tears, and words can never replace feelings.
“Ray…” Latricia said.
“Lat…”
“In case we won’t meet again—”
“We will meet again.”
“Just in case…” Latricia sobbed. “You were a great partner. You were a grand family to me.”
Rayhan droop his head. “Goodbye Lat and Saleem.”
“Don’t say goodbye, goodbyes are forever. Say, see you later.” Latricia said.
The three laughed.
Rayhan watched Latricia and Saleem disappearing away from his sight. He held his bag tight. He would now face one of the hardest things in the world, grieving the loss of a people who are still alive. His palm was on his wet face.
Where do I go now? God knows. He plodded into the trees.