Walking home

The station was silent at night; only the sound of crickets and the bus moving away on the empty road. She turned on her flashlight and slung her suitcase over her shoulder. But Salma didn’t let Rashid down for a moment. She took a deep breath, planted her feet firmly on the ground, and started walking with Rashid in her arms.

The dirt road to their house was about twenty minutes’ walk; full of pebbles, steep slopes, and small potholes. Noor walked beside Salma, asking every few steps: “Are you sure you’re not tired? Let me at least help you.”

Salma just smiled. “You just keep the road light. I’m fine.”

Rashid was sleeping in her arms like a baby; his arms hanging limply, his head on Salma’s chest, her warm breath on his neck. Every time Salma took a step, Rashid’s body swayed slightly, but she skillfully adjusted her arms so that no movement reached Rashid. Sometimes she would raise her head slightly to make sure Rashid was still comfortable, and then she would move on again.

Halfway through, a steep slope began. Noor stepped in front of Salma and held out her hand to help, but Salma only shook her head. With one smooth movement, she lifted Rashid higher—her right hand under his knees, her left behind his waist—and with the strength of her legs, she climbed the slope. His breathing was a little rapid, but his smile had not faded. Sweat was on his forehead, but his eyes were shining.

Rashid muttered something in his sleep: “...Mom...”

Salma laughed. “No, dear, Salma.” She placed a kiss on her hair.

When they reached the village alleys, the neighboring dogs barked. “Slowly, slowly,” Noor said softly. But Salma didn’t even slow down. She was now holding Rashid like a cradle; her legs were wrapped around her waist to distribute the weight better, and with each step, her body was in sync with the rhythm of their walk.

Finally, they arrived at their yard. Noor opened the door and turned on the porch light. Salma hadn’t put Rashid down yet. She sat by the door, on an old wooden bench, holding Rashid in her arms, and motioned for Noor to take the suitcase inside.

Noor turned to see Salma still sitting there, Rashid in her arms, under the yellow light of the lamp, like a living painting.

“Salma… we’re home now. Let me take him in.”

Salma shook her head. “No. Just a little longer. Let him be here.”

She ran her hand over Rashid’s back, took a deep breath, and looked up at the stars. “Tonight... was the first time I felt like we were truly family.”

Rashid smiled in his sleep. Salma hugged him tighter.

And just like that, under the starry village sky, the long walk with Rashid in her arms didn’t end—it turned into an eternal embrace.