Zamurah was excited that day. He had two friends: Istehad and Rashid. And these were the only two he had. But they all had to be transferred to different schools. Zamurah had been feeling lonely in the class since then.
But that day was special. They were all supposed to meet at their old hangout place that day in the afternoon. He was going to see his friends after months. How exciting!
It was the last period. He couldn't contain himself. Suddenly, the guy beside him asked, "Hey Zamurah, I want to ask you something."
"Is it tomorrow's homework? Please spare me today. I want to enjoy my time with friends, we will meet after a long time today," he replied.
"No silly," he replied.
Zamurah was pretty surprised. He is usually not called by anyone for anything. He comes to school, attends the classes, and goes back home. That's what happened every day. He doesn't open his mouth except when he is asking the teacher a question.
"Then, what?" he asked.
"I was thinking that maybe, we could be friends and get to know each other a bit more. Like be buddies, you know," he requested.
Zamurah could not believe his ears. Will this mark the end of his lonely days?
"Yes, I would very much love to," shouted Zamurah as he jumped off his seat and grabbed the guy's shoulder.
Suddenly laughter came from behind. He looked back. His classmates from the backbenches were laughing. He shrugged it off and shifted his attention back to the person in front. This one is more exciting.
But he found out his new friend was laughing too while his palm covered his eyes. "It's a prank bro. But your reaction was so funny I can't hold back my laughter," he said.
"Zamurah!" exclaimed the teacher as he slapped the book on his hands on a table, "Are you the one creating this fuss? Totally not expected from you. You are staying after the class."
Zamurah sat down in disappointment. That guy again spoke, "Chill bro. You don't need to get so excited just cause I asked you to be a friend. We are all friends anyway."
Zamurah tried to smile a little.
"And that is why you have to do my homework," he continued.
"Man, this sucks," thought Zamurah.
After the extra hours, he had to spend because of the prank, Zamurah went to the kids' section to pick up his 10-year-old sister Mimi.
"What took you so long?" ask Mimi while pouting.
"Sorry the teacher held me longer," he replied.
Mimi pulled his hand and jump on his shoulders. Then she pulled his ears and started saying, "You always find excuses for everything you do."
After a while, they started laughing. This is their way of goofing around.
But on their home, they met a group of three men wearing black suits. "That's the girl?" one of them said pointing at Mimi. Another of them while looking at a radar-type device answered, "Yes."
Zamurah frowned and asked, "Who are you guys? You guys look too formal to be a thug."
"We don't have any obligations to answer that. Just hand over that girl and leave safely," they said.
"Mimi, you remember the way home, right?" Zamurah asked with a serious face while not letting his eyes off the strangers.
"Brother! Stop trying to be a hero," Mimi shouted.
"It's okay, Mimi," he said, "I have trained myself for this. Put your trust in big bro. And run!"
Mimi, though hesitated for a few moments, started running. One of them wanted to follow her but another of them blocked his way by placing his arm in front of that guy.
"Let her go. We can find her by the radar. I am interested to see what this guy has trained himself for," he said.
"Very well," that guy replied with a smirk.
"So, what u got in stock?" asked one of them to Zamurah.
"So, you really not going to tell me why you want her?" asked Zamurah in a serious tone.
"That is none of your business," one of them replied.
"You pedophiles!" said Zamurah while clenching his fist, "I will really have to show you what I practiced all these years."
"We are not pedophiles. We are doing our job but yes, show us," they replied.
Then, Zamurah let out a roar and started running towards them.
"He is coming for a big attack!" said of them, "Guard!"
All three of them widened their stance to be more stable and put their guard up. But Zamurah slid between one of their legs, the one who had the radar. He took off their radar from the person's back pocket and continued running.
"Wait, where are yo-"
"I said I will show you what I practiced all these years. I have been practicing running you know. Time to put it to use," Zamurah replied.
"After him!" one of them commanded.
All three of them started chasing Zamurah.
"Damn, I have started running, sure. But where do I go? Maybe somewhere public will do," Zamurah thought, "Damn this society is too silent. I will need another way. Maybe I should just make more noise. But nobody lives nearby. The buildings are fairly new. People are still moving in and most apartments are still vacant. Think Zamurah, think."
But before he knew it, he reached a dead end. "Nowhere to run anymore, is there?" said one of them.
"You know, running isn't the only thing I practiced. I have been working out too," said Zamurah.
"So you think you can muscle it with us?" asked one of them. Then with a smirk, he said, "Bring it on."
Zamurah smirked too, "With you professional-looking guys my muscles don't stand a chance but I can do this."
He then pulled out the radar and smashed it against the wall.
"Damn, he broke the radar!" said one of them.
"Calm down," said the other, "He is our new radar. He probably knows where the girl lives."
"And how sure are you that I am not malfunctioning?" asked Zamurah.
"We have our ways to get it out of you," one of them said with a grin. Then they slowly started to step towards Zamurah. Zamurah put his back against the wall trying to retreat though he knows that's not possible. He gulped while sweat started to fall from his forehead.
But suddenly to all of their surprise, a beam of light fell from a portal that opened in the sky.