Part 3

The ground shook tremendously as yet another impending bomb was dropped at where he lived. Holding on to his younger sister to dear life, they took cover under his bed as she wept with fear. One bomb followed by another and another. Deafening explosions and bright flashes were followed by screams of agony in vain. After what felt like endless hours of terror, the bombing stopped completely, dead silence filled the whole neighborhood.

Carrying his sister and placing her onto her bed, he ducked low and crawled to the window. What he saw through the shattered window revolted him. Fire was burning high, with thick black smoke swirling from attacked areas.

What are those? Riyaz’s heart gave a heavy thud. There were bodies on the street, distortedly angled and lying everywhere. Cries of extreme pain and loss filled the street. Panic stricken, his heart seemed to stop. His parents were still out there somewhere. He did not even know if they had survived this attack. Waves of fear crashed over him as tears of wretchedness rolled down his face, his heart felt like it has been stabbed repeatedly.

“Riyaz! Nava!” there it was, the sweet melody of his mother’s voice floated from outside. As his mother appeared with clear aftereffects of survival, he hugged her so tightly not wanting to let go ever again. Feeling his mother in his arms was all he needed now.

It was then that his mother told him what he feared most; his father could not be saved as he was at that time working underground. The whole ground crumbled, giving the workers no chance of escape.

As the three of the fortunate survivors hugged together, crying over the loss of their father, hate threatened to replace pain in Riyaz’s heart.