A SEA OF WORDS 4TH YEAR Towards Hope Alaa Almalfouth. Palestine The wide-brimmed hat he was wearing could The news was more painful than a dagger not stop him sweating from his forehead and stabbing his chest. He walked towards the offi- cheeks, just as his sunglasses could not con- cer through the crowd of travellers, who raised ceal his obvious watchful gaze. He was hold- their angry furious voices, and tried to question ing luggage laden with clothes and personal the closure. The officer interrupted, telling him things, as his heart was loaded with endless that the Palestinian side is powerless. troubles and immense pain. The long wait Samy dragged his feet as depression since the early morning made him lose all his and grief added twenty years to his twenty- energy, despite the fatty breakfast he had eat- five year old face. He took a bus home, leav- en, which was prepared for him by his mother ing the crossing and abandoning his dreams. while she bid him a farewell and murmured: It did not take long for him to reach home; he “Samy, this is the last breakfast for you rushed to his bed and drifted into deep sleep. in Gaza and, God willing, your breakfast to- The sunrays infiltrating the window morrow will be in Manchester.” burned his face, and an intruding fly buzzed He smiled as he recalled this situation. around him. He tried to continue sleeping The growing fatigue made him unashamed but the heat of the sun and the buzzing fly to sit on his suitcase, and he started to scan prevented him. Moments later, he heard his the large number of travellers overcrowd- mother calling: ing the departure lounge inside and outside. “Samy, wake up my son. It’s breakfast Everyone had been waiting their turn since time.” the early morning. Since the closure of the He woke up lazily, washed his face and crossing two years ago, it had not opened for sat around the table along with his parents passengers except when it rains in summer. and siblings. The television was showing the His mind began to wander towards the morning news, which was the same as every PhD scholarship which would be cancelled if day. Samy was the eldest; Mahmoud was his he could not travel in the next two months. younger brother, who was in grade one and He had spent many nights awake studying his sisters were Maysa, Ghada and Reem. hard to earn such an opportunity, but his fu- Samy started eating greedily, moving be- ture was threatened by this dreaded crossing. tween hard-boiled eggs, olives and the bean He wished he were a bird so that he could fly salad with lemon and green pepper, one of wherever he wanted. If he had been born in his mother’s specialities. His father watched one of the independent countries, he would tenderly with eyes surrounded by ageing not have experienced such troubles and mis- wrinkles. His father wanted to speak, but he ery. The voice of the crossing officer inter- declined so that he would not interrupt his rupted his thoughts, as he declared over a bird from recharging the energy that he had loudspeaker: consumed the previous day. But his anger “The crossing has been closed from the rose when he heard the broadcaster announc- other side until further notice, kindly evacuate.” ing that some humanitarian and European or- 18 A SEA OF WORDS 4TH YEAR ganizations were going to form the first ship He sipped some tea and went on, giving of solidarity to break the siege in Gaza over himself a little bit of hope: “God willing, all LFOUTH A the next month. He spoke sharply: our problems will be solved soon, but I des- LM “This is nonsense; the whole world perately need your prayers.” A conspires against us and does not rescue our His mother raised her hands spontane- AA L A nation. How will we benefit from a solidar- ously and prayed: “May God look over all ity ship carrying some medical and nutrition your affairs and grant you what you wish.” aid? In Gaza, we are like swarms of birds im- This simple but touching prayer made prisoned in a small cage. We are not looking Samy shiver, he had already finished his cup for some crumbs of food or drops of medi- of tea, so he excused himself and went to his cine, but we strongly need to destroy the cage room to change his clothes. Then he went out and fly freely.” to buy some goods from the market. Samy replied quietly: “Let me disa- gree with you my dear father; the European nations sympathize with us completely and Days passed and the arrival of the dear guest they strive to expose and break the blockade approached. The momentous day came and through hundreds of humanitarian, human the media was ready. Samy participated with rights and culture organizations.” His father the Palestinians who amassed flags, ban- looked with scepticism, but Samy went on: ners and hopes. Out of their extreme joy and “Through my posts as a specialist in human love, the masses felt that it was not enough rights in several meetings, via video confer- to receive their guests at the airport, so they ences and live chat on the internet, I built boarded boats and headed out to the sea. The many relationships with Europeans of multi- distinctive flags waved at a distance, then it ple spectra and beliefs.” came closer and closer till the flags and hearts His mother intervened and said simply: were mixed amid the cheers and joy of the “So did you meet any European girls?” crowd. Some of the gull flocks formed in the Samy answered with a smile: “Yes sky as if they were welcoming the visitors mum, many girls participate in those meet- with a sky show. The delegation reached the ings, some of them have a significant role in port and hands were shaking. organizing this ship, like my Cyprus friend, When the harbour splendour calmed Maria.” Then he continued talking to his fa- down, Samy accompanied some of those ther: “More ships are to come from several working and interested in his field on a tour European countries and Arab countries as around the sector, and briefed them on the well. This will continue till they break the na- reality of the tragedy his people were ex- val blockade of Gaza.” periencing under the blockade. They were His mother poured a cup of tea, handed shocked when they saw the suffering of those it to Samy and said sweetly: “My wish is to people to the extent that one of them told attend your wedding and hold your babies.” Samy: Samy replied softly: “Everything has its “You will never go to hell, because you suitable time, now I devote myself to my PhD.” are already there.” His father interrupted: “But how will Samy replied: “Amen... Amen.” you travel when the crossings are closed?” The successful arrival of the ship re- Samy sighed heavily and answered: ceived intense media coverage during the “My case is the same as dozens of students.” day and the following days. This event en- 19 A SEA OF WORDS 4TH YEAR couraged a flood of international institutions siege. I suggested the idea of accompanying to set plans for similar campaigns and even you along with a number of other students on LFOUTH A bigger ones. A few days later, the delegation the return journey. The idea met with total ac- LM departed Gaza the same way as their came, ceptance!!” A “Great, thank you dear Maria, I will AA after giving its people a glimmer of light and L A hope for tomorrow. never ever forget your help,” said Samy cheerfully. It is 11 pm. “Don’t mention it. I need your help Sleep prevailed over the quarter where in choosing about ten students who have to Samy lived; nothing could be heard except the study in Europe,” said Maria. intermittent sound of some quarrelsome cats “God willing, I will do my best,” prom- that meowed every now and then. Samy was ised Samy. lying on the bed trying to sleep, but thinking “Ok, good luck, goodbye.” about his future brought him into a bitter con- “Bye, Maria.” flict and stole his peace. In only a few weeks Samy could not hide his joy; he quickly he would lose the PhD scholarship, which he called some of his friends and their friends, had been waiting for with bated breath. He prepared the list of names and sent it to Ma- tried to occupy his mind by evoking relax- ria. Two days later, three ships sailed from ing situations, but he failed, so he grabbed Cyprus to Gaza. The journey was fraught one of his history books out of the closet and with risks, but the ships withstood the rough started reading. He read about wars here and sea. In the meantime, Samy and his friends there, about massacres and pogroms, won- were getting ready and their heartbeats accel- dering if the world can one day live in peace erated whenever they heard news about the without bloodshed, if the poor and oppressed interception of ships by hostile forces, but people can enjoy life in the dark depths of peace activists overcame all the difficulties. justice and equality, if… if… He started to As they came nearer, their determination be- sail through the pages of his book and among came fiercer.