What is love?

14. Distraction

The van Wasim was in was the first one to arrive in Kabul after an agonising two hours on the road.

Agonising because there was no guarantee that they would actually make it alive. They could've easily been hit by a missile on the way.

But lo! Everything happens according to what Allah wishes, and it was His plan to keep them alive and breathing which was why at this moment, Wasim stepped out of the van and shaded his eyes from the sun as he saw the other two vans approaching and parking.

Yes, he and his team by the will of Allah had managed to save all those lives indeed, but their work was not yet done.

More than fifty percent of all the percent of the people they had rescued were foreigners. So Wasim and his team had to ensure that they were put into planes and taken home safely. Ismail had his contacts that could make travel arrangements in a click of the fingers.

But Wasim was more worried about the others - the residents of Ghazni. They had to be provided with shelter here in Kabul. And at the end of the day, Wasim knew that their organisation did not only have the responsibility of rescuing the helpless but also providing for them in the new environment. Bearing that in mind, he recalled that Ismail was talking about how the organisation was currently in need of funding from sponsors.

Wasim just decided to leave his trust in Allah regarding this issue because at the end of the day, Allah is the Sustainer, the Nourisher and He is the One Who will take care of the provision.

As people started to disembark from the van, Wasim couldn't help but notice the Indian girl he spoke to earlier.

Wasim wasn't one to stare at girls. He knew that was against his religious principles. But for some reason he couldn't decipher, perhaps it was due to the earlier short conversation, his eyes fell on her as she got down from the van.

And that's when he realised just how distressed she looked...as though she was nearly on the verge of tears.

Knowing that it was not in his place to go and ask her the reason behind why she seemed to be that way, he forced his attention back on the people leaving the vans.

But that didn't last too long, for she had noticed him. He didn't understand why, but she was walking towards him and that distracted him again.

What did she want? And why was she coming towards him of all people when there were many of his colleagues around?

His questions were answered when she came up to him and started speaking.

"Um, I'm so sorry. But you're the only one here that I have actually spoken to properly, like the only familiar face here and I feel like you can help me?" She asked.

So that was why. She had subconsciously trusted him even without realising it.

"Definitely," he replied, lowering his gaze.

"I don't know if you remember my brother? His name is Ahmed," she said.

He wasn't looking at her face, but he picked up how her voice shook as she spoke, enough for him to decipher the fearful state she was in.

"Yes, I remember him. He wasn't with you in the van?" Wasim asked.

"No. I don't know what to do! Our luggage and passports and everything is back at the guesthouse in Ghazni, and I can't even find my brother. Neither can I see his wife!" The girl said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Wasim couldn't help but sympathise with this helpless girl.

"Don't worry about your luggage and passports. I have them safe. As for finding your brother, I'm on it," he told her, hoping he could reassure her.