National Exile: A 21st Century Novel about Nobility, Poverty, and Cruelty

  Chapter 21

  A Smiley face

  In some village in Estil, Rain and the others were able to find food and shelter.

  “I knew that the people in this village are very nice. They are letting us stay as much as we need to.” Laith said.

  “Well, I think that we need to make a plan any way. We need to know what the next step is. Where is Rain? He said that he was going to make a phone call but never came back.” Samir said.

  “I just saw him finishing his phone call. I don’t know who he was talking to, but he seemed all… I don’t know. He did not look ok.” Yazan said.

  “I can hear you… And I’m fine.” Rain said as he snuck behind him.

  “Who were you talking to?” Yazan asked.

  “I called Sidra. I wanted to know how she was doing. They are still looking into what happened with some project they were working on.” Rain said.

  “Oh… That project… The Siwaar thing.” Samir said referring to the Siwaar project.

  “And why is your face all red.” Yazan asked.

  “Yes, the Siwaar thing, and my face is not red.” Rain said.

  “He probably was arguing with Sidra over something like they always do.” Mai commented.

  “I’m going out for a walk. See you guys later.” Rain said.

  “Out? You are still wounded, remember. Besides, it is kind of cold today.” Laith said.

  “I’ll be fine. I just need to be by myself for a while.” Rain said.

  “What a quiet village. All I ever wanted is to see people living in peace everywhere. Was that so much to ask?” Rain wondered as he was walking in the small streets in the village. “I wonder what Sidra is thinking about what I just told her.”

  As he walked and looked around, he realized that not everyone is as miserable in that village like he was expecting. He stopped by an elementary school and saw how happy the children were. He asked for permission to get inside to have a closer look. The children were very excited to see someone from the outside. They thought it was cool to see a man who was obviously wounded walking in their school. They knew that he had to be one of the good ones if he ended up there. Rain got his phone out and took few pictures. Some kids gathered around to be in the picture.

  “Why are you taking pictures of us? Are you going to post them on Facebook? And why are you wounded?” A girl asked.

  “You sure do ask a lot of questions. What is your name?” Rain replied.

  “What’s yours?” She asked.

  “Rain... My name is Rain.” He said.

  “What a funny name. Why is your name Rain?” The girl laughed.

  “My mother used to like the rain, so she named me after it.” He answered.

  “My mother used to the like the sun, but she never named me Sun.” The girl said.

  Rain laughed, “I’m sure your mother gave you an even more beautiful name.”

  “She sure did. See you later. Bye...” The girl said and left after Rain took a picture of her.