There were only five kids in front of Yusuf when Bakar Sahib shouted, "Go home!
Stay inside! Tell your family the same!"
Yusuf looked at his empty bowl. There was still food left. Usually, it ran out first. But
today...
He ran home. Ummi, I'm sorry, he whispered in his head. I couldn't get food today
either.
He saw his mother at the door. "I didn't get food—" His words faded as she pulled
him into a tight embrace. Urgent. Warm. Familiar.
Then—a sudden thunder.
But everyone knew it wasn't thunder.
His mother covered his eyes, shut the door, and dragged their only chair against it.
She carried him to the kitchen, setting him behind the stove—like last time.
"Don't make a sound," she whispered.
The wind howled. The walls cracked deeper. But Yusuf wasn't scared.
Last time, Ummi told him the sound was the opening of Jannah's doors. The light
carried people to Allah. Some days, Yusuf wished he could go too. But he couldn't
leave Ummi alone.
Then came the gunshots.
Yusuf's stomach twisted, but this time, it wasn't hunger. He looked up helplessly.
"Ummi, I need to pee."
Her hands trembled. "Please, no, dear. Just hold on."
He clenched his fists. Held his breath. Tried to be strong.
But he was only seven.
A sudden explosion shook the house. More people were carried to Jannah.
Warmth spread beneath his feet.
His mother's lap was wet.
Her eyes filled with tears. Yusuf's face burned with shame. "Ummi, forgive me," he
sobbed.
But she held him tighter than ever before.
Then, through her tears, she smiled. "Yusuf, today reminds me of the day you were
born."
He blinked. "Why?"
"After your father named you Yusuf, he gave you to me. And do you know what you
did?"
He shook his head.
"You peed in my lap."
A soft laugh escaped her. "You were a miracle to us, my blessing. And I will love you
forever."
Yusuf sighed. Ummi didn't hate him. Ummi loved him.
And that was all he needed.
Maybe one day, they could go meet Allah together.
Maybe.
The next thunder sounded. The walls—already weary—finally gave up.
Ummi rolled over him, shielding him with her body.
No stone touched him. No dust.
Only darkness.
Total darkness.
And no light for this thunder.