Chapter 44

The next morning, at six in the morning, I was sitting next to the small window in the hall in the middle of the apartment. I could not sleep. I kept thinking all night, with questions eating away at my mind: Why do pain, loss, and misfortunes not end in my life? Why didn’t one of my relatives take me? Are my parents dead? Where is my brother? Is he also in one of the shelters, or is it possible that he lives with family? My tears were streaming down my face, and the sound of my sobbing, which I was trying to suppress, woke up Manar, who I had already felt tossing and turning on the bed all night.

Manar said, “My love, all of this is a test from God. Didn’t the religious teachings teacher at the orphanage say this in the past?”

Iman said “I am drowning. Will one of you save me? Girl, the apartment has been flooded with your tears. Should I bring a swimsuit? Come on, get up and prepare breakfast, and don’t think like that again.”

Manar said, “Leave her alone, I will