20 New Gloom (2/2)

I untied my hair and tied them into a bun.

TIME TO STEP OUT!

WAIT, ITS NOT A BIG DEAL!

”It would be ten more minutes, and we'll reach our destination.” The taxi driver was trying to make small talk with us, but I was more interested in what Mad was telling me about her past.

How she and Mapalla and Trigman met.

How they escaped a pedophile and a rapist.

How they escaped from one country, only to end up in another land full of strangers.

How they survived and what happened after.

”After that truck driver dropped us off infront of Daffodil School, we escaped. We broke into a sprint and didn't stop until we reached our breaking points. We were running all over the city. The air around us was unnaturally refreshing. Every breath tasted sweet. Every step we took was towards our own desires. I guess I was wrong in participating in the triumphant cheers by Mapalla and Trigman. They had suffered a horrific time. I was wrong to enjoy this freedom because I had not earned it.”

Madonna took a pause before speaking again,” Kyo, do you think this is one of the many debts I owed to god to achieve the happiness I envisioned for us?”

Everyone fell silent following Mad's existential qualms.

I reached over and cupped her hand into mine. She looked at me with weak eyes. I had to be strong for both of us, so I smiled.

She dropped her head once more and continued speaking,” Since we had a lot of money, we never went hungry. Mapalla protected me and Trigman from any foreign agents. Everything we did or said passed through Mapalla. He was the father we needed. Anyway, he started working at a baker's shop whereas me and Trigger stayed at a temple. He'd come every night with treats in his hands. It was all that we did for a long time. Eventually, Trigger also started working at a wool mill. I started spending all of my days alone. Then one day, I decided to take a stroll across the town and I came across the same old Daffodil school. It was afternoon, so all the children were leaving the premise. Something pained me when I saw those kids in uniform. I thought they had a place to belong. A place to live. A place to thrive amongst others their kind.

That night, I proposed Mapalla to admit me in the school. He took my stupid wish and forged my elementary school documents. He said I needed to work hard, and he taught me basics in all the required subjects in the meantime. I don't know what drove my desire to study, but I crammed everything I was taught. When the next admissions season started, I passed the entry test and got into 5th grade. If was difficult at first, but eventually I got the hang of it and I became one of the average students.”

Mad took another deep breath and said, ” There, I met her.”

”Who? The one we are meeting today?” I inquired.

The taxi screeched as the driver pumped the brakes of his car.

”We're here.” He said.

”No. the one who kicked everything off. We're meeting the one who concluded everything.”

The taxi made a funny engine noise and drove away, while I gawked at the building in front of me.

JAZEERA UNIVERSITY FOR COMMERCE AND ARTS

”Mad, why are we at a university? I thought we were going to a hotel.”

”Yeah, I redirected the driver while you were in the restroom.”

”Still didn't answer the question.”

”Kyo, we're meeting Professor Amaan Al-Habib here.”