She closed the book and focused on the rhythmic sounds outside. She could identify her family by their footsteps.
Her mother's was more quiet and usually slided her hand against the wall for support.
Her father's was heavy, the floorboards creaking as he walked.
This was no doubt her mother, the lamp outside the entrance created shadows that could be seen from under the door.
The knob jangled and the door swung open.
There's only mom
"Assalamualaikum." Barirah said, to easen the mood.
"walaikum assalam." Her mom replied, taking a few steps closer, sliding her hand across the wall.
She took Barirah's hands in hers, carressing hers with her thumbs.
"We're leaving, pack your bag."
She didn't say bags, instead bag since none of them had that many possessions.
"Where's dad?" She asked the obvious.
"He'll join us soon, later." Her mom replied.
They were leaving. Tomorrow.
Fajr dawned on them, the atomsphere enveloped in the morning athaan.
With her bag weighing against her back, they started the journey to the border.
The idea was to travel to the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan without getting into any sort of trouble. Which did seem hard, except her older brother who already escaped had secured them real exit passes, which could let them escape legally.
The first stop would be entering the market, a jeep was waiting for them, at least, that's what Barirah's mother told her.
The marketplace was bustling with activites. Children chased eachother, passing their elders who scolded them, tables and seats made of straw were set up outside a teashop, the customers talking loudly over biscuits and chai.
Nobody payed any attention to them.
The jeep was rusty, the large wheels covered in mud and dirt.
She glanced at the driver, he had a shaggy beard and some hair, on his otherwise bald head.
She noticed some movement in the corner of her eye, her mom was climbing herself to the back of the jeep. Her mom pushed their bags to the corner, before lowering her hand for Barirah.
The seats at the back were torn, some were covered in green sheets and pillows were strewn about. She made herself comfortable, before the motor started, releasing gas and began to move away from the marketplace.
Tall imposing soldiers stood at the gate. They all wore the same expression. Barirah could sometimes forget that even people like them, had their own lives. It was hard grasping the concept since all of them looked and acted the same.
Security hulled them away. After handing them legal documents and their pass, Barirah just wanted to scream. She didn't want to seem rude, but she doubted her brother had managed to snag them honest to God, real passes. It was just so rare. Still, she had to resist.
The gaurd's eyes wandered around the page, taking every bit of information in. It was clear that he took his job seriously.
After a few minutes, he lifted his stamp, and sealed the documents, the passes, just everything.
They'd done it. They were finally leaving.
After entering Pakistani territory, Barirah looked at everything there was to look. Some weeds were sprouting in corners here and there, buildings were in the horizon, she couldn't help but imagine the happy life she'd live here.
Perhaps it was out of excitement or exhaustion, because the last thing she remembers before coming here was being swept up by the darkness, her mom calling out her name while cradling her unconscious head.