Chapter 7
Separation and death are sisters. One truly understands the other after tasting it. They both have one thing in common, though.
The ability to make or break someone. I felt...the latter.
I saw it coming; in fact, I knew it well, yet when it arrived, it felt unbelievable. It felt new. It was as if I had never tasted separation before, even if I had on many occasions. It was the most bitter this time.
I got home to an empty house, dined at an empty table, and comforted myself with my previous experience of loneliness. Yet it was not enough because this loneliness was different.
This loneliness aches more because I have tasted company.
"Your brother is here," Aliyan said as he placed my coffee on my desk, "He brought a few friends."
"A few friends?
"You mean the mafias? There is nothing new there.
"He was always hanging around different crowds.
"So you're accepting his visit?"
I nodded, placing the paper down. I had moved into a smaller apartment near the border of the mafia city, hoping they wouldn't know I was close by. Clearly, I was wrong.
"Looks like you're all recovered."
"Well, hello to you, dear brother," I replied, standing, "Why'd you come here?" Aliyan shut the door behind us before exiting.
"TO ask if you really married her?"
"You already know the answer to that."
"Great, 'cause I heard that her parents didn't have the heart to tell her who you actually are."
"I am aware of that."
"She'll find out soon. I heard she was in the army. Did you forget one of our clauses?" he said, grabbing his beard. As he did this, he paced, "The one where you serve as general at the border."
"I haven't forgotten."
"Great, 'cause I heard that she'll be a part of the army."
"Are you here to taunt me about it? If so, you don't have to; I`m already taunted by it daily."
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder," he said with a smile.
I hated how we had the same smile.
"Right then, brother, Stephan will come in with the strategy, and if I see you forfeit or show mercy to the other side, you'll suffer... a lot."
"Who`s side are you actually on?"
"Hers..."
"And mine?"
"You have a father, don't you? He is watching over you from wherever he is."
"Why does it have to be me?"
"Because you're just like him."
"Now, I just came to warm you as my brother, but we're enemies until the marriage is fulfilled."
"You're choosing her over me?"
"Your father chose your mother over mine because she was a spy. Mine was a mafia. We both know where my loyalties lie."
"So because of that, you`re making me pay."
"No, you just so happened to be in his place during payback."
He smiled, leaving with his entourage of men. My older brother's golden heart has always made him rebellious towards my father. Maybe it's because of who his mother was. I guess he was right; I was just like my father, regardless of the efforts I had put in to save my people over and over.
Aliyan entered after he had left.
"What did he want this time."
"Just came to remind me of how Salama and I will be together on the battlefield but on opposite sides."
"Maybe you should go back to her, especially with the recent news of her parents returning."
"She is not interested in marrying me. Besides, her father said that without my father being around, whatever we do won't count."
"Maybe you should let go, you guys aren't destined for one another.
"I can't let go...I won't let go. This will pass."
"As the future president, you know well that if she doesn't submit to you or your father...you must kill her."
I wasn't surprised; I knew he would remind me of that. Remind me of how I had to hurt this woman for a fetishised world where she and her people did not exist. The thought alone, however, made me think of how I'd rather place the bullet into my head or how I'd rather pierce my heart with the dagger intended for her.
"I know that you and my brother are very kind for always reminding me."
"Since when have you been into sarcasm."
"Why not? Salama says that it suits me well."
"Salama, this and that, it's like she's cast a spell over you.
"I have to leave; we are receiving some weaponry today."
"Who is sending it?"
"Another Western superpower. Capitalist, don't worry."
"Do I have to come with?"
"No, leave it to me," he said, cocking his shotgun.
I slid an assault rifle towards him, "Take this and a few more for the men."
He picked up all the weaponry, called for a few men in my office, and left. I grabbed my mask and followed. I did not trust him these days.
Capitalist countries stopped supporting us ages ago because of media coverage. This is why my father made the censored media law in the first place. He believed in no democracy and said it gave too much power to the civilians, which was true. So, he changed it to communism right before he disappeared.
I arrived at the scene, and as suspected, he was betraying me. He was meeting with the mafias. I approached them, and they all pointed their guns towards me. I smiled, removed my mask, and lifted my arms.
"What are you doing here," Aliyan asked.
"I should be asking you that," I replied.
My men lowered their weapons and followed Aliyan and me outside.
"What are you doing here..."
"I told you I came to collect weapons."
"This isn't right; if my father finds out, we'll die. Cancel the deal and return everything."
"You're asking to lose the upcoming battles at the border."
"And you're asking to get a bullet through your head,
"Cancel it now!"
"You're demoted, by the way," I said, stopping my car.
"What, why?"
"We have been inseparable since childhood, but you know me..."
"Once trust is broken, it must be regained," he replied with a frown.
I entered the office and found Salama waiting at my door. She looked elegant. I wanted her to be beside me forever, even if it meant being my secretary.
"You're finally here!" she said with a bright smile.
She looked a little worn out, but then again, I expected nothing less with all she'd been exposed to.
"You look happy,
"Way too happy to see me."
"I came to hand in my resignation letter and give in my keys.
"Thanks for letting me stay with you while I had nothing."
"Anytime."
"I guess I'll be going."
"Have dinner with me," I said, conquering all possible anxiety. "I never thanked you for being such a good secretary."
"I'm sure you have,
"but sure...
"Dinner won't hurt," she replied, grabbing her coat, "Indian food?"
"Anything you'd like..."
We listened to the news in the car. Her parents' arrival and identity had now been made public. I didn't ask about what happened after that evening. Her family didn't really welcome me, let alone her. Once we arrived at the restaurant, I opened the door for her and asked for a private room.
"Not too shabby."
"The food is amazing here. When I was in university, I used to come here all the time with my friends."
"Where are they?"
"Dead."
Foolish of me to ask such a question.
"Either way, this place has good food, and I hope you like it."
"I`m sure I will.
"How's your grandmother."
"A little dismayed,
"She was banking on our marriage."
"I bet she was."
"I`m sorry for not understanding you and for pushing you away. I still don't really know who you are, but you seem like a nice guy."
"Wanna start over?" I asked, passing a menu to her.
"Why not,
"We`re equals now, and there's no weird bomb alert today."
We chuckled, and for the first time, she had talked to me freely. No discomfort at sight, no anger or distrust. She was beautiful, and tonight's dinner made losing her even more difficult.
Then again, was she really mine?
I mean, once she realises who I am, she will start to hate me. Once she learns that I never approached her with good intentions, she will no longer trust me.
I wish I were someone else.
I wish I could be someone she loved.
I wish God had given me a different destiny. But its wrong of me to wish for things i may never have. Like Salama. Allah however has a mysterious way of working. Maybe she'll fall for me after all of this or even through this.