Shadi's past
I headed to my friends, and they were the
most supportive people to me… or so I thought. I had a bank account… It was the only thing I had left, and it contained enough money. I don't know why my father put money into my bank account, perhaps he felt my pain and the scattering of my thoughts. My life continued at the same pace of loss. I saw myself as an empty person. I would do anything for my friends. I was afraid of losing them and losing what remained of me. Three months passed at that same pace… I didn't count how much money I was wasting, because I was empty inside. I went out to buy some food. I was walking down a street in my own world, among a crowded mass. I couldn't see anything… everything looked like darkness to me. I entered a store to buy some food. — Well, how can I help you, sir? Shadi sighed. — I want two packs of noodles and orange juice. — Yes, sir. — The total is 1500. Shadi: — Alright, I'll pay electronically. — Yes, sir, go ahead. — Aaaaaaah… sir, you don't have money. Shadi: — What? Don't joke. — I'm not joking, sir.
My God… all my money is gone? Where did it go? I don't know… I don't know where it went… what should I do? Ugh… fine, I don't want orange juice,and noodles.
"Alright, sir
. I left the store hungry. I had nothing left. I had nowhere to go except the apartment whose rent I had paid three months in advance. I entered the apartment and threw myself onto the bed. The exhaustion and fatigue were clear on me. Dark circles had begun carving their way beneath my eyes. The phone rang. I looked at it with a dull gaze. It was Baher calling… Baher: — Shadi! We need your presence… there's a party. I remembered that I had a friend. Shadi whispered: — Alright, I'll come immediately. I went to them quickly, with a feeling of joy. I still have friends… things are still alright. They will definitely help me. They are my dear friends. I arrived to them. Baher sighed: — Shadi, my friend, we desperately need you. Shadi: — What is it? — Ugh… you know, we're short on money… can you give us some of yours? Shadi whispered, looking down: — Today, all my money is gone… I'm truly sorry, I can't help you. I really want to help you, but… Rafeef laughed mockingly: — Haaa Baher, is this your friend? He made me laugh. His words make me pity him. Baher looked at him angrily: — You idiot, you embarrassed me! Why don't you have money? He raised his eyes to Jaber: — I was wasting my money without knowing how much was left… until I realized it was gone. Everyone burst out laughing. Baher laughed mockingly: — What? Are you stupid?! Are you joking with us? Shadi whispered: — No… I'm not joking. Baher sighed: — Then what are we supposed to do with you? Shadi stuttered, saying: — Aren't you my friends? Baher laughed: — Don't joke with me… your friends? The only thing that made you talk to us was money. Your money is gone… and your time talking to us is over. They laughed at him with contempt, leaving him behind. — Get lost… I don't want to see an ugly person like you. Shadi was shocked: — Aaaaaah… Unable to speak. I returned home psychologically shattered, broken. I felt absolute loneliness. I no longer had anything… the only thing left to me was the apartment whose rent I had paid for three months in advance. Days passed, and my depression grew inside the shadows of my apartment. Hunger forced me to go out, walking in search of work. But I found nothing at all. I was forced to eat from the garbage, while cockroaches and rats ate from the same plate as me. I don't know why I clung to life… I tried with all my strength to live. On my way home, I met a man. He knew I was starving, so he smiled and said: The man: — Come with me… I'll invite you to a restaurant for dinner. We sat and talked about many things. Shadi whispered with a laugh: A kind man… he saw that you were starving. I looked at him and said in my mind: Is this a man God sent to help me? I have never seen someone with such kindness. The kind man sighed: — I am looking for someone to work for me… I felt you might be the right person. He was a man with a wonderful and kind heart. I agreed happily and started working the next morning. I worked hard for my livelihood. For the first time in a long time, I felt a little hope. I gathered enough money, and after a while, I enrolled in high school to continue my studies. Every day, I slept and dreamed… a dream that chased me without end. Shadi (in the dream): — Run… run… run! — I can't reach them… my family… no matter how hard I try, I run with all my strength! Then I stumble, and they turn their backs on me, leaving me behind. I saw a disfigured person, always happy, a smile never leaving his face. — Forgive me… please… forgive me… I kept repeating this sentence, and my tears poured endlessly, as if my heart were shattering from pain. Shadi slowly opened his eyes and saw a bright light in front of him. Shadi: — I wish… I wish I had listened to my father… His teeth bit his lip from the intensity of regret, and tears fell on his cheeks. Ziron (whispering in his ear in a cold voice): — If you wake up… you will know where you are. Then he drove a sedative needle into his ear violently, and Shadi felt dizziness and paralysis. Ziron smiled a mad smile and whispered coldly: — I'll see you in the afterlife…