English: A Syrian soldier aims an AK-47 assault rifle from his position in a foxhole during a firepower demonstration, part of Operation Desert Shield. The soldier is wearing a Soviet-made Model ShMS nuclear-biological-chemical warfare masks. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Hamza ran blindly through the haze and dust, the only thought on his mind was the safety of his daughter. He had given up hope of ever finding his wife again but little Shafilea cannot save herself. He stopped briefly, turned, and saw the tank inching closer, the sound emanating from the massive weapon of destruction was akin to Leviathan, the indestructible beast of the sea.
Then there was a cry, he was now faced with a choice to either go back and face possible death or escape with his life. He chose his daughter. He went through the cloud of dust as cacophony of gunfire erupted from every side. Rebels and government forces were battling it out on the street of Aleppo and he was caught in the middle.
Aleppo was now like a game of chess played by an obstinate ruler determined to crush every fledgling hope left for his people. He had vowed to trample on his own people like dust.
”Papa!” the voice of his three-year old daughter rang out shrilly from the rubble of their former home.
Hamza ran towards the sound and every step he took was a gamble, bullets whistled past his head but he kept on. Shortly before he got to her, there was a massive explosion which threw him about ten feet away. He landed with a hollow thud to the harsh ground soaked with blood of the innocent. Immediately, he stood up to his feet, his only mission, if it would be his last was to save his daughter.
Hamza’s face was blackened with blood and dust, his left eye was partially blind, but he trudged on. Miraculously, the sound of war ceased, he was blissfully unaware of it all. He had been shell-shocked by the sound of the blast and could not have heard a pin dropped.
He got to his house and with his bare hands, began to dig; tears rolled down his one good eye. One rebel saw it all and dropped his AK 47 assault rifle and joined him in the digging. Government soldiers’ also spotted the bold man whose only mission in life at that point was the safety of his beloved daughter and they stopped shooting as every pair of eyes focused on Hamza
”I am here,” he kept saying repeatedly, until they finally pulled his daughter out.
”Papa,” Shafilea rushed towards the badly wounded one-eyed man covered in blood and wept on his shoulder…
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Russia is the only country openly supporting the Syrian government while innocent people die daily. This short story is a tip of the iceberg, however, I just want to force hope out of a very disturbing situation. I’m writing this in the relative safety of my London home but I know several others are not so fortunate…
Thanks for reading my post.
Seyi Sandra David 
Very Good informative heart felt story. Thank you for posting.
Thank you for reading always, I appreciate it!
Blessings:)
Well written. I’m sharing this on Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you for your kind comment, it’s appreciated dear friend!
Love and peace:)
[…] ''I Am Here…''. […]
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Reblogged this on The Ranting Papizilla and commented:
Wow. Read it people.
Cheers Papizilla, thanks fro the RB, it’s appreciated!
X
heart-rending…made me cry…quite close to reality……really thought proviking… well done..!!
Thanks for stopping by, it’s fiction but reality is worse in Syria and other nations fighting among themselves… Hope you’ll stop by again!!
Cheers:)
Oh it’s really heartbreaking…. my tear falls unnoticed, thanks Seyi really a heartbreaking story.
Love to you,
mei
Thanks for reading dear friend, Hamza found his daughter, which was a miracle. My prayer is for all wars to cease in the world! I appreciate your visit to my blog, hope to see you again.
Much love, always:)
Was having very bad flu … in bed for more than six days.
Will always do dear Seyi.
Love,
mei
Oh my I’m so sorry dear friend, I wish you strength and vitality. I think rest will also do the trick. I’ll be praying for you!!
Much love, always:)
Wow, wow, such an engaging piece, sis. As the story reached its climax, I could only hope that Hamza would find his daughter. And he finally did! 😀
War is leaves no happy memory. I echo you words and pray alongside you for an end to it.
Thanks Uzoma for your beautiful comment and thanks for praying along with me, the end of wars would be the dawning of a new day for our home planet! Hope it’s gonna happen soon.
Much love:)
Nicely done, Seyi. If only they’d all lay down their arms to help. We can dream, right?
Yes we can only dream, wish that could happen!
Thanks for stopping by, it’s appreciated
Cheers. 🙂
I nominate you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award
Please accept & oblige
http://ajaytao2010.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/very-inspiring-blogger-award-2/
Thank you so much dear friend, I’m so grateful fo rthe honour! God bless you! 🙂
thanks
[…] Seyi Sandra […]
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I enjoyed reading that – very moving.
What’s happening in that part of the world is heartbreaking. I just wish the true stories behind the conflict were told, not just the bs propaganda we are fed by the news channels acting as mouthpieces for those with an agenda.
Russia has only one naval base in the area and that is in Syria, to hang on to it means supporting an evil and despotic regime; not the first time the Russians have done that.
Supporting the rebellion is in the interest of Israel and it’s western apologists, excuse me I meant allies, as Syria is allied with Iran. Those fighting for the rebels are mostly an international brigade of Sunni hardliners who are moved around the middle eastern and central European chessboard. They are the same Jihadists who deposed the Libyan government on behalf of the oil giants, faced off against Russia in Chechnya and have been killing our troops in Afghanistan during our mission to protect the poppy fields to keep the price of heroin down on our streets. The Taliban burnt the crops before the invasion but now producion has increased four times what it was since we intervened.
War for profit, what a sad world we have made it.
Exactly Danny, we don’t really know the real story just deaths and destruction! Wish I could stop watching TV, but that’s like living in a bubble…
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I only saw the first paragraph of your comment on my reader! Just read the whole part now and how enlightening it is! World politics is murky, it’s a sad situation and I hope one day, it won’t boomerang into world war three, then heaven helps us!! Those Sunni hardliners seemed a determined bunch but innocent people are still caught in the cross fire, people who simply wanted to live…
Thanks for reading your post?! Oh Seyisandra, this is heart wrenching. It is grass roots real. People so, so forget.
Truly valuable, wonderful post.
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words!
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Very moving, Seyi. Yours is a wonderful example of someone using their talent to cry out and alert others to crimes against humanity– crimes that need to be opposed.
Thanks for your kind words Mark, I appreciate it! Do stop by again, I hope those crimes would stop in its entirety, one can only hope!!
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Oh my goodness, this was powerfully touching. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for reading!
Much love. 🙂
Written from heart to heart – excellent done, dear you… 🙂
Thank you for your kind comment, it’s appreciated!
Cheers. 🙂
Gripping story, Seyi. Thanks you.
Thanks for reading Liesa, do check back again!
Cheers. 🙂