The bomber and his brother
Ali’s fingers gripped the steering wheel of the truck tightly, as he waited for the call. The truck was parked beside the deserted highway, piled high with vegetables, which hid what lay below it. Ali could see the flag fluttering in the distance. It marked his target, the Abu al-Safa police station.
Just then his cellphone buzzed. Ali picked it up, and looked surprised.
“Javed, how did you get this number?”
“Brother, that’s not important. Mother is worried about you. Where are you?”
“Never mind me. How is she?”
“The doctors said the cancer has gone away. But she wouldn’t have lived without the treatment. It was good you sent the money.”
“God is great. And how is the farm?”
“Father says half the crops were destroyed in the last air raid, and our food stock is running out fast.”
“I will send more money. How are you doing?”
“Oh, that’s why I called you. I have good news. I’ve been offered a job in the Abu al-Safa, and am right now at the police station waiting to sign the joining papers. Your kid brother is going to be a police officer soon!”
“Abu al-Safa police station?”
“Yes, the bus dropped me off an hour ago.”
“That’s really good news, Javed. Wait, I’ve an incoming call, I will speak to you later.”
“Goodbye, brother. Mother will be happy to hear you called.”
Ali put down the phone, got out of the truck, and slammed the door violently, causing the crows in the nearby tree to fly off cackling loudly.
A few minutes later, the cellphone buzzed again, and Ali clambered back into the truck to answer it.
The voice on the phone was low and calm, “Son, are you ready?”
“Yes, I am, Sir.”
“God will bless you, son. Is there anything you want to tell me?”
“I spoke to my brother yesterday. He said my mother is still unwell.”
“Ali, are you worried about going on this mission?”
“No Sir, you know that it was pure luck that I survived the last mission.”
“That’s true. Don’t worry - your father will get the money.”
“Thank you for all you have done for me.”
“Drive fearlessly, my son. Our observer says there are no roadblocks and hundreds of new recruits in front of the police station.”
Ali started up the truck, saying “It shall be done.”
“May God be with you.”
As soon as the line was cut, Ali put on the hand brake, and climbed out with the remote detonator. He quickly walked down the road till he spotted a large rock. He then looked around to make sure no one was watching, crouched behind the rock, and turned off his cellphone. He then curled up on the ground, put his fingers in his ears, and pressed the detonator.
There was an almighty blast, and the rock was blown away, tossing Ali aside. He was unhurt, but half stunned and covered by dust. Soon a crowd started gathering around the blast site. A young man helped Ali get back on his feet. As he dusted himself off, he looked around, and as far as he could make out no had been hurt in the blast. He quickly merged into the crowd, and left the place.
A couple of hours later, Ali hopped off a truck on which he had got a lift. His hometown was half an hour away, but it was better he stay away till it was dark. He squatted by the roadside, inserted a different SIM card in his phone, turned it on, and dialled a number.
“Yes?”
“Sayid, this is Ali. I’ll pay your agent’s rate on two conditions. First, my family must be on the next group that you send to Europe.”
“How many?”
“Five. My father, mother, brother, sister, and I.”
“What’s the second condition?”
“Book me separately from my family, and put my name as Ahmad. No one must know I’m with them.”
“I see. Ok, pack your bags, and be ready for my call tomorrow. All money has to be paid in advance.”
“Don’t worry, it’s ready.”
“Ali, we’ve known each other a long time. I must warn you this journey is dangerous. You have to travel part of the way by sea.”
“There’s at least a chance that we will survive. If anyone finds out that I’m alive, my whole family and I will definitely be slaughtered.”
“It’s sad when you are not safe in your own land. How I wish things were like they were ten years ago.”
“That was a different life. Now there is no right or wrong. We have to do whatever is needed for our families to survive. But if I think of the things I have done, I will go mad.”
“Go in peace, my friend.”
