Nurudeen gazed at me intently and asked, "So, what are your plans from here on? I heard from your sister that you lost your parents." There was a hint of pity in his voice as he spoke. I contemplated for a moment before responding, "Well, I don't know what the future holds. But from the way you sound, you seem to have something in mind." I regarded him with a questioning look, urging him to share his thoughts.
He chuckled awkwardly, acknowledging my observation. "You're too smart for your age, you know that, right?" he remarked, expecting a response. I remained silent, waiting for him to continue. Eventually, he proposed, "What do you say you join the military?" I was taken aback by his suggestion. "Who is asking?" I inquired. "The major?" I questioned further. Nurudeen explained, "Yes, the major. The way you handled the situation was really good."
I looked at him and clarified, "The reason I handled it well was because my sister's life was at stake, and also, I have other dreams." Nurudeen nodded, seemingly understanding my perspective.
As he stood up, Nurudeen mentioned, "Get well quickly. There is a ceremony for the refugees, and the government has empowerment programs for them." I responded with a numb expression, remarking with a hint of sarcasm, "Empowerment, you say? You mean the tools they give refugees to work, maybe on a farm, huh?" He chuckled at my comment and cryptically said, "We shall see." With that, he left the room.
My thoughts then turned to my sister, who had remained quiet throughout the conversation. I looked at her and asked, "What happened? Is there something on my face?" She responded by shaking her head. I sighed and hugged her, proceeding to ask her about her experiences during her stay and everything that had happened within and outside the camp.
The sky outside was covered, and a gentle breeze rustled through the camp, creating an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. My sister lay on my lap, fast asleep. My only thought was how I could provide her with the best life, free from stress, sorrow, and pain—a life of peace. Then, someone entered my room.