Jamal was sleeping comfortably when a loud rumble woke him up. Instantly getting up, he banged his head into the ceiling, causing him to screech in pain. He noticed that he was inside some carriage when he noticed thick smoke in the far distance as it being daytime as well, perhaps only a few miles from where they were.
"My powers," he mumbled until someone whispered for him to be quiet.
He looked beside him, to see only two other people inside, both still out. Who made that noise? He felt a tap on his shoulder and swiftly turned around, to see Ula have a finger on her lips. He beamed at her, before kissing her lightly. She must have come on when she found out which one he was riding in at the stadium.
"What have I missed?" he had asked once he separated.
"Nothing but explosions. We barely got out in time. We should be arriving in Deiram in another hour. How have you been?" she asked nervously.
"Not going to lie, I almost thought I was dead until I saw you again."
She giggled, and moved closer to him, eyes gazing at him fiercely. He joined in suit, and soon they were making out intensely with each other, not bothering to be parted again. Jamal could tell Ula was definitely enjoying the moment, as he was too. Several minutes had passed, and they were still pressed on top of one another when the carriage had begun to slow down.
"What's happening?" she whispered, still wanting more.
"I'll find out," Jamal said, sitting back up, and almost opening the door until Ula grabbed him.
"You can't go out like that. Plus, you're injured so you don't want to apply any more pressure than your body has taken."
He patted himself down, realizing that they never gave him a shirt.
"Did they leave anything to wear?" he asked.
"No, not that I can se-" she began to turn around, as he opened the carriage door.
"Jamal!" she cried out, worrying for him, as he stepped out of the carriage.
The air was still warm, but the ground cool as he had nothing to cover his feet, as he hobbled towards the many carriages in front. Jamal wanted to know what was happening when a large droning sound had his attention. Looking behind him, he watched as a metal object rushed over his head, and a minute later, noticed an explosion in its direction, rocking the ground around him. He latched onto a nearby carriage to prevent him from falling, only to be grabbed by Ula and dragged back inside.
"What were you thinking? You could have gotten hurt even worse than before! Staying inside is for the best."
He fumed. Jamal wanted to see what was going on, not wait here. A knock on the door quickly changed the subject, and through the window, they could see Boom standing outside. Slightly pushing the door open, Boom greeted him.
"While I normally would congratulate you on your victory, there is something more important that needs to be discussed. The road ahead is being blocked off by fallen debris, and the army, so we're taking a minor detour in the woods behind. Stay inside and don't come back out Jamal." Boom told them, before closing the door.
"I told you so." Ula huffed at him, as the carriage began to turn around.
The ride was more silent, as Jamal got comfortable back in the bed inside, Ula sitting next to him. Haven't they been going out for at least two weeks, or was it longer? He would have to do something nice before things got worse.
"You know, when we arrive at Deiram, I'll have to show you Ponnu's Diner. They have the best food in town."
""Had" the best food in town. At this rate, looks like the army is going to pull back out of this place too. Also, since we're stopping by, are we going to meet your parents? You never speak about them." Ula commented.
He looked back at the ground. He hadn't thought about them in a year and he didn't want to. They made his life the way it was, and at the same time, gave him a greater one could hope for.
"Nah, but you'll see my old friend instead. He's great."
Ula looked at him, noticing that he didn't want to talk about his parents anymore, and put her head down on his chest. He continued staring out the window, as they went through the wooded areas, the ride silent for the rest of the way.
An hour later, Jamal noticed they were passing the outskirts of town and were entering the heart of it. He could see his parent's house, but looked away temporarily, before turning back.
"We're here," he said, Ula, stretching back up.
"Looks like many of the people are leaving the area." she pointed, long lines of people in their carts, dragging their belongings towards the capital.
He had never seen so many people leave their homes like this before. The war must be worse than anticipated. The carriage had slowed down, and Jamal opened the door again, letting Ula come behind him, and leaving the rest of the passengers inside.
"You have thirty minutes here Jamal. We're just restocking on supplies." Boom had said from afar.
He grabbed Ula's hand and dragged her through the town, passed its alleys and corners. He looked to his left, in shock to see Perla run past him, a former bully, carrying books and clothes in a worn sack. What happened here in the last year? He continued onward, until he reached a dull neon sign, reading the diner's name. Inside he noticed that only a few people remained inside.
"We're here," he said, as he brought her inside.
"Jamal! It's you!" Lune noticed from the counter, wrapping something up, before rushing to greet him.
"Long time no see. What's happened since I've been gone?"
"My parents bought the diner and we were doing great. And who's this chick next to you. She's kind of fine, I won't lie."
Jamal lightly punched him, grimacing lightly from the pain still.
"That chick, is my girlfriend Ula. This is Lune." he introduced her to him.
"Nice to meet you." she brought her hand up.
"Dang, Jamal you making moves, I'm impressed how you've changed. You looking stronger too. That's crazy, man."
"Yeah, I suppose it is. Now you said you guys were doing great? Does it have to do with the war?"
Lune nodded, and added, "Ever since news broke out, business has fallen. Man, we're going to leave too. Moving to another country. Only a few nights ago, we could see explosions from afar. Now, we sometimes feel them rumble near us. It isn't safe to be here anymore man. We're shutting this place down after today. You came back just in time."
Jamal gulped. So many fond memories here. He hoped this place would still be standing.
"Can I get two orders for the go real quickly? Two number fives will do."
"You got it, man. Everything is being used up today, so it's free. I would've done it regardless of the situation. Give us ten minutes."
He brought Ula to an empty booth and watched as people shuffled out of the town. In the distance, he saw another explosion in the distance, as it lightly shook the diner. He felt Ula put her hands on his, and didn't say a word.
"No matter how hurt I am, I'll be there," he promised to her.
She showed a faint smile before Lune had come back with two packages.
"There you go, fresh and ready. May we meet again. Take care of your girl too." he waved at them goodbye.
"We shall," Jamal said, as they left the restaurant, hoping one day, they would meet again and not it is an empty promise.