A Month Later:
As the days turned into weeks a month has passed, Daeho's presence in Palestine had brought a sense of hope and stability to the community. The locals had grown to admire and respect him, not just for his generosity but also for his bravery and selflessness. He had become a beacon of light in the midst of chaos, and his influence had extended beyond the borders of the refugee camp.
The cessation of explosions had brought a sense of relief, but the threat of Israeli soldiers still lingered. They would occasionally raid the camp, taunting and torturing the Palestinians. However, Daeho's presence had emboldened the community, and they now stood firm against the oppressors.
Daeho's leadership had earned him the respect and admiration of Hamas, who had initially been skeptical of his intentions. As Daeho worked closely with Hamas, he began to understand the complexities of the conflict. He realized that the issue was not just about Palestine and Israel but also about the geopolitics of the region. He saw how the international community was complicit in the oppression of the Palestinian people and how the media was biased against them. Despite the challenges, Daeho remained committed to the cause, using his influence and resources to bring attention to the plight of the Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Yusra's feelings for Daeho had deepened. She couldn't explain why she felt drawn to him, but she couldn't deny the emotions that swirled inside her. She had tried to ignore him, to focus on her work and her community, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that Daeho was different.
She saw the way he interacted with the children, the way he listened to the elders, and the way he stood up to the Israeli soldiers. She saw the kindness in his eyes, the compassion in his heart, and the courage in his spirit. Yusra's mind was torn between her duty as a Muslim and her feelings for Daeho. She knew that her community would not approve of her relationship with a non-Muslim, but she couldn't help the way she felt.
She felt like she was living a lie, pretending to be someone she was not. She longed to be free, to be herself, and to follow her heart. Daeho, on the other hand, had fallen deeply in love with Yusra. He couldn't explain why he felt drawn to her, but he couldn't deny the emotions that swirled inside him yet he was denying that he has started to feel something for Yusra. He saw the way she cared for the community, the way she stood up for her community, and the way she smiles.
He saw the kindness in her eyes, the compassion in her heart, and the courage in her spirit. Daeho knew that his feelings for Yusra were forbidden, but he couldn't help the way he felt. He felt like he had found a kindred spirit, someone who shared his values and his passion for justice. He longed to be with her, to hold her in his arms, and to tell her how he felt but something was stopping him telling him no that's not right.
As the days turned into weeks, the tension between Yusra and Daeho grew. They would catch each other's eye, and for a moment, they would forget about the world around them. They would forget about the conflict, the occupation, and the oppression. All they would see is each other, and for that moment, they would be free.
As Daeho navigated the complexities of life in Palestine, his loved ones back home were dealing with their own set of challenges. Joonwoo and Mahad had been living with Daeho's grandmother, who was growing increasingly anxious about her grandson's whereabouts. Grandma would often ask Joonwoo and Mahad about Daeho, inquiring about his well-being and the nature of his work in Palestine.
However, both Joonwoo and Mahad would make excuses, downplaying the severity of the situation and avoiding any mention of the danger that Daeho faced. Grandma's suspicions grew with each passing day, and she began to sense that something was amiss. She would often try to persuade Joonwoo and Mahad to let her speak with Daeho directly, but they would always find a way to deflect her requests.
Meanwhile, Ari Amos was brewing a sinister plan, one that would target the very foundations of Daeho's existence. He sought to destroy the roots of Daeho's strength, to break him to his core. The threat of Moosa Al Kazim's warning still lingered, and Ari Amos knew that he had to tread carefully.
For now, the explosions had ceased, but it was only a temporary reprieve. You are thingking Ari Amos got afraid? No! His people were afraid, and he knew that he had to maintain a semblance of control. However, his ultimate goal remained unchanged: the elimination of Palestine and the destruction of Daeho.
Ari Amos's eyes narrowed as he contemplated his next move. He would not be deterred by the threats of Moosa Al Kazim or the resilience of the Palestinian people. He would stop at nothing to achieve his objectives, and Daeho would soon find himself facing an enemy more ruthless than ever before.
..............................................
"Yusra, daughter, come here," Fatima called out, her voice warm and inviting. Yusra hurried over to her mother, responding with a respectful "Yes, Ummi." Fatima smiled and continued, "I'm going to clean the tents with the other women. Can you please knead the dough?" Yusra nodded obediently and made her way to the sac of flour.
As she attempted to lift the heavy sac, Yusra struggled, her slender frame no match for the weight. Daeho, sitting with Ibraheem and the others, couldn't help but notice her difficulties. He excused himself from the group, setting his cup down and wiping his mouth before running his hands through his hair, combing it back into place.
As he approached Yusra, he cleared his throat to announce his presence. "May I?" he asked, his deep voice sending a shiver down Yusra's spine. She froze, her back still turned to him, and replied, "No thanks, I can do it myself." Daeho raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing on his lips. "Okay, then do it. I'm standing here. Tell me when you're tired and done struggling."
Yusra continued to try, her breathing growing heavier as she panted with exertion. Daeho watched her, his eyes never leaving her face, until finally, he stepped forward and effortlessly lifted the sac onto his shoulder. "Where do you want me to put it, Miss Yusra?" he asked, his smirk still firmly in place. Yusra's face flushed with embarrassment as she sniffed and led the way. Daeho followed, placing the sac where she indicated. "May I open it for you?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Yusra's heart skipped a beat at his 'May Is', and she quickly replied, "I'll do it myself." Daeho chuckled, his eyebrow rising once more. "Like you were carrying the sac by yourself?" he teased, taking a step closer to her. Yusra's eyes remained downcast, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's not like that... actually, it was heavy."
Daeho's gaze never wavered, his eyes locked on Yusra's face. He raised his head, running his hand through his hair once more, and said, "And if you say so... should I knead it for you also?" The air was thick with tension as Yusra struggled to respond, her heart racing with emotions she dare not acknowledge.
Yusra took the bowl and began to knead the dough, her back still turned to Daeho. He chuckled to himself, amused by her behavior. Just then, Hamza called out to him, and Daeho responded with a loud "Wait, I'm coming!" He gave Yusra one last glance, his smile still plastered on his face, before turning to walk towards the others.
As Daeho walked away, Yusra couldn't help but sneak a glance at his retreating figure. She whispered to herself, "He shouldn't have this much effect on me." She felt a flutter in her chest, and her hands moved with a newfound urgency as she kneaded the dough. She tried to focus on her task, but her mind kept wandering back to Daeho.
Meanwhile, Daeho sat a little distance away, his eyes fixed intently on Yusra. He watched as she worked, her hands moving deftly as she kneaded the dough. He couldn't help but feel drawn to her, to the way she moved with a quiet confidence, He felt a pang in his chest, and he knew that he was in trouble. Was he falling for Yusra?, but it was hard and fast, and he didn't know how to stop himself.
...........................................
As the night fell, the community gathered together, waiting for the food to be distributed. The women had worked tirelessly to prepare the meal, and now they were busy placing the food into plates and handing them out to the men, children, and other women. The aroma of freshly cooked curry and bread (roti) wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of laughter and chatter.
Asiya, holding two plates, searched for Hamza in the crowd and called out to him, "Here, take your meal!" Hamza took the plate and she asked, "Where's Daeho?" Hamza replied, "He's in his tent, he had some paperwork and needed to fix his radios." Asiya shook her head, concerned, "This boy should eat first, he always thinks about work."
Hamza sat down with his friends and began to eat, while Asiya turned to head towards Daeho's tent. Just then, Fatima called out to her, "Asiya, come here! The curry has finished, and some people still haven't received their meal." Asiya looked around and saw Yusra walking towards Fatima. Asiya called out to her, "Yusra, daughter, come here! Go give this meal to Daeho, I'm going to make more curry because it's finished. Go fast, give it to him!"
Yusra stood still for a moment, hesitant, before Asiya grabbed her hand and thrust the meal into it, saying, "Go, hurry up, before it gets cold!" Yusra's eyes widened, and she looked towards Daeho's tent, her heart racing with anticipation. She felt a flutter in her chest, and her hands trembled slightly as she held the plate.
She whispered to herself, "I'll just go and place this and will return. Yeah, that's what I'll do." She took a deep breath, composed herself, and walked towards the tent. As she approached, she picked up two stones that were lying on the ground, stones that people had placed near their tents to create a sound when someone wanted to enter. Yusra clicked the stones together, creating a loud sound, and Daeho's voice came from inside the tent, "Yes, come in!"
As Yusra entered the tent, she was enveloped by the warm, masculine scent that seemed to surround Daeho like an aura. The fragrance was subtle, yet unmistakable, and it filled her senses, making her heart jump. The whole tent was surrounded by his scent, a heady mix of leather, wood, musky and something uniquely Daeho.
It was as if the very fabric of the tent had absorbed his essence, and it now radiated an intoxicating aroma that seemed to draw Yusra in. Yusra's eyes adjusted to the dim light inside the tent, and she saw Daeho sitting on his mattress, surrounded by papers and fixing his radio. The soft glow of the lantern cast a warm light on his face, and his eyes looked up, locking onto Yusra's presence.
For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension. Yusra felt her face grow hot, and she quickly looked away, clearing her throat to gain her composure. She placed the plate on the small table beside him. Daeho's eyes never left hers, and he smiled, his lips curling upwards. "Thank you, Yusra," he said, his voice low and husky. Yusra's heart skipped another beat as she heard her name on his lips. She quickly muttered a reply and turned to leave, but Daeho's voice stopped her. "Yusra, wait."
As Yusra turned to leave, she caught Daeho's gaze, and he immediately looked up from his work, his eyes locking onto hers. He stood up, his movements fluid and deliberate, and began to walk towards her. His slow, purposeful strides ate up the distance between them, his eyes never leaving hers. Yusra's heart started to betray her as Daeho approached her, his gaze intense and unnerving.
She felt a shiver run down her spine as he stopped in front of her, his face inches from hers. Yusra's back touched the tent, and she felt trapped, unable to move or look away. Daeho lowered himself to her level, his eyes drinking in every detail of her face. Yusra felt like he was memorizing her features, his gaze reverent and adoring. She averted her eyes, feeling uncomfortable and exposed.
"Look at me," Daeho said, his voice low and husky. Yusra's eyes snapped back to his, a frown etched on her face. "And why should I look at you?" she asked, her voice firm but with a hint of tremble. "Do I look like a mad person to you, that I would look at a non-mehram?" Daeho chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "But I have seen you multiple times glancing at me," he said, his voice teasing.
Yusra's face grew hot, and she stuttered, "Then make yourself invisible." A deep chuckle left Daeho's mouth, and he said, "Tell me how to make myself invisible." Yusra's glare was visible on her face as she asked, "Are you trying to flirt with me?" Daeho shook his head, his smile still plastered on his face. "That's not my thing." Yusra lowered her gaze, her voice soft. "Please let me go if you have nothing to say. It's inappropriate for me to stay here for so long."
She was about to leave, but Daeho stopped her. "Why are you avoiding me? Since the moment in ally hmm" he asked, his voice low and husky. Yusra frowned, still looking down. "It's better to be avoided... for a non-Muslim man by a Muslim woman." Daeho's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement, and he took another step closer.
"So you're bringing up this excuse now?" he asked, his voice teasing. Yusra's face grew hotter, and she felt a flutter in her chest. "It's not an excuse," she said firmly. "It's a rule in Islam." Daeho took another step closer, his eyes burning with intensity. "Please talk while keeping distance," Yusra said, her voice trembling. But Daeho didn't back away. Instead, he lowered himself down, his face level with hers.
"Am I making you uncomfortable?" he asked, his voice low and husky. Yusra's heart started to beat fast as she met his gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes," she said firmly, trying to sound convincing, but her trembling voice betrayed her. Daeho's smile grew wider, his eyes crinkling at the corners and he whispered, "But your heartbeat sound is telling me something else hmm."
Daeho stood mere inches away from Yusra, his gaze soft yet intense, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he watched her. The air between them seemed charged with something unspoken, a palpable tension that made Yusra's heart beat in uneven speed. His voice was low, almost teasing, but there was a hint of something deeper, a warmth that made her feel like he was seeing right through to her soul.
"What are you doing to me, Yusra?" Daeho asked, his eyes searching hers with such intensity that it felt like he was reading her every thought. "Every time you're near me, it's like everything else fades away." Yusra's breath caught in her throat, her heart racing as she met his gaze. She could feel the weight of his words, the way they settled inside her chest like a secret only the two of them shared.
Yusra tried to brush off the feeling, to pretend like she wasn't affected by Daeho's words. "I'm not doing anything," she said softly, trying to play it cool, but the way her voice trembled betrayed her. "Maybe it's just... you're making me up things, and I'm not understanding your talks. Let me go." She took a step to her left, her eyes fixed on the tent flip door as she prepared to make her escape.
But before she could leave, she turned around, her eyes locking onto Daeho's. He was still standing in the same spot, his eyes never leaving hers. Yusra felt a flutter in her chest as she said, "Mr. Kim Daeho, it will be best for you and for our people if you only focus on this issue and be on the purpose for which you have come here." Daeho stood still, his eyes never leaving hers, as Yusra turned and walked out of the tent.
As soon as she was gone, Daeho's smile grew, and he let out a deep breath. He placed his hand on his neck, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It feels like she has a thing too," he said to himself, a slow smile spreading across his face. He shook his head, chuckling, and started to eat his meal, his eyes never leaving the spot where Yusra had last stood.
After finishing his meal, Daeho returned to the radio, determined to establish contact with Joonwoo and Mahad. He fiddled with the dials, trying to connect with his friends. Finally, after a few moments of static, he heard a faint beep. He smiled, knowing that someone was on the other end.
Meanwhile, in Grandma's house, Joonwoo and Mahad were in Daeho's room, busy with their respective activities. Joonwoo was typing away on his laptop, while Mahad was cleaning his boots. Suddenly, they heard the beep sound, making them both jump in surprise. Joonwoo quickly looked around the room, trying to locate the source of the noise. His eyes landed on his bag, and he quickly withdrew the radio.
Mahad's eyes lit up with excitement as he exclaimed, "Try to pick it up, it might be Daeho!" Joonwoo's fingers flew across the buttons, and after a few tense moments, they finally managed to establish a connection. Daeho's voice crackled through the radio, making both Joonwoo and Mahad's eyes widen in excitement.
They looked at each other, grinning from ear to ear, as if they were about to hug Daeho through the radio. Mahad spoke up, his voice filled with emotion, "Hey, Daeho! How are you?" Joonwoo chimed in, "Where are you? Are you still in Palestine?" Mahad added, "Are you hurt?"
Daeho's chuckle was heard through the radio, and he said, "Hey, hey! Stop with the questions for a second. First, tell me, are you guys alright?" Joonwoo and Mahad responded in unison, "Yes!" and nodded, even though Daeho couldn't see them.
Daeho's voice filled with relief as he said, "Yes, I'm alright. And I'm very happy here. Still in Palestine, though." Joomwoo and Mahad let out a collective sigh, and Mahad said, "It's been a month since we last saw you. We've missed you so much!" Daeho laughed, and his voice was filled with amusement as he said, "Already missing my handsome face, huh?"
Joonwoo and Mahad burst out laughing, and Jungkook said, "Now, tell us, what's going on there?" Daeho's tone turned serious, and he said, "Things are better, for now. Iran's president stepped in and restricted Israel's bombardments. But Israel's silence is unsettling. It's like the silence before the storm."
Mahad's voice was laced with concern as he said, "Exactly. And they're planning something big. A huge plane to destroy all of us." Daeho's voice was grave, and he asked, "How did you know?" Joonwoo took a deep breath and began to recount the events of the past month, including the kidnapping by Ari Amos.
Daeho's voice was low and menacing, anger simmering just below the surface. "How dare he touch you both?" he growled, his words dripping with venom. "Am I not enough? If I am now here in Palestine, protecting them, shielding them... now he is attacking my relatives in Korea?!"He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, but his anger was palpable. "He's digging his own grave," Daeho spat, his voice rising. "I swear to God, if he again touches you or anyone I care about, I will walk from here and cleave him." His words hung in the air, heavy with threat.
Daeho took a moment to collect himself, placing his fingers on his head to calm his racing pulse. "Where are you both right now?" he asked, his voice slightly more composed. Mahad's voice came through the radio, "We're in your grandmother's house." Daeho nodded, his eyes narrowing. "Does Grandma know about all this?" he asked, his voice low and cautious. Just then, a soft voice interrupted their conversation. "Yes, now I know."
Joonwoo and Mahad looked at each other, then towards the door, where Grandma was standing, a look of concern and anger etched on her face. She had been listening to their conversation, and her expression said it all - she was worried, and she knew that something was very wrong.
As Grandma stood in the doorway, her face etched with a mix of anger and concern, Mahad and Joonwoo's faces turned pale. She strode over to them, snatching the radio from their hands. "Daeho!!!!" she exclaimed, her voice firm but trembling with emotion. Daeho, on the other end of the radio, stuttered, "Oh, hi, Grandma... how are you? Hahah, it's been a long time, right?" But Grandma's anger and worry were palpable, and she glared at Joonwoo and Mahad, who both gulped nervously.
Grandma's voice rose, making the three of them flinch. "You're lying!! You're in Palestine!!! From whom did you take permission?!" Daeho tried to placate her, saying, "Joonwoo, make her sit down first, her BP can get high." Joonwoo and Mahad quickly helped Grandma sit down, trying to calm her.
Grandma's voice trembled with fear and love for Taehyung as she asked, "Why, Daeho? You know there's so much danger... you went there without telling me." Daeho apologized, "I'm sorry, Grandma. I'm really sorry, but they need me, and I'm helping them. Everything is going great, Grandma."
But Grandma shook her head, her expression grim. "No, Daeho. Nothing can go great until Ari Amos is alive and in power. And these little monkeys," she gestured to Joonwoo and Mahad, "they lied to me. They fought with his men. I eavesdropped on your conversation with them. If I hadn't, you guys would never have told me, right?"
Daeho tried to reassure her, "No, Halmoni, my dear, my precious, my mother... it's not like that. I just didn't want to make you worry. I thought I'd tell you after things got alright." But Grandma's expression turned sorrowful, and she began to cry.
Mahad quickly ran to the kitchen and brought back a glass of water, which Grandma drank before continuing. "I lost my son, Daeho. I lost him in these matters. They threw him away from their ways. Now you've brought yourself into danger." Daeho tried to comfort her, "Please, Halmoni, don't cry. Please don't stress. Nothing will happen to me. I have power and resources."
Grandma's voice was hoarse as she asked, "When will you return, Daeho?" He replied, "Soon, I'll be back soon. After things get better, I'll come back to you." Grandma's voice cracked as she said, "I miss you a lot, my Daeho. I miss you a lot. I want to see your face. I want to hug you, my son."
Daeho's voice was shaking, and he was clearly crying. "Don't worry, Grandma. I'll come and see you soon. When I return, I'll meet you first, okay?" Grandma hummed in agreement, and Daeho continued, "And don't worry, I'm safe here. Jungkook and Mahad will take care of you, Grandma."
Grandma nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, my son. Just return soon, before it gets too late." Daeho nodded, his voice filled with emotion. "Yes, my sweet Gigi. I'll come soon."
......................
As the radio cut off, Daeho lay down, trying to calm his racing mind. He blew out the lamp, plunging the room into darkness, and closed his eyes, hoping to find some solace in the silence. But it was no use. The warnings and threats of Ari Amos lingered inside his mind, refusing to let him rest.
Daeho's eyes snapped open, and he stared into the darkness, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. He couldn't shake off the feeling that Ari Amos was closing in on him, that he was running out of time. The darkness seemed to press in around him, making him feel claustrophobic and trapped.
Just as Daeho was starting to drift off to sleep, his mind still racing with thoughts of Ari Amos, he was jolted awake by a loud noise. He sat up with a start, his heart racing, and looked around the dark room, trying to locate the source of the sound.
But there was nothing. No noise, no movement. Just an oppressive silence that seemed to weigh heavily on Daeho's shoulders. He lay back down, trying to calm his racing heart, but he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep. Not tonight. Not with the threat of Ari Amos looming over him like a dark cloud.
And as he lay there, wide awake and alert, Daeho couldn't shake off the feeling that Ari Amos was watching him, waiting for him to let his guard down. The darkness seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy, and Daeho knew that he was in for a long, sleepless night.