Chapter 29: The Thirst of the Desert and the Desert Storm
In the previous chapter, Ali and Junaid wandered through the scorching sands of the desert, tormented by thirst.
A false pond tried to break their spirit, but now... hope rises again.
Now onwards...
"Ali and Junaid's steps were now tired on the burning sands of the desert, but the flame of hope still burned within them — their eyes were fixed on just one thing: the search for water."
Ali sees a pond in the distance, and spotting it, he reacts with surprise and excitement.
Ali (startled, eyes gleaming): "Junaid! Look… a pond! This one looks real!"
Junaid (with suspicion): "What if it's another illusion?"
Ali (confidently): "No, Junaid. This time, it's not a mirage… I can feel it."
Junaid (in amazement): "How can you be so sure? Illusions are common in the desert."
Ali (seriously): "You're right, illusions are indeed common here. But the pond we're seeing now — it's real!"
Junaid (curious): "How do you know?"
Ali (pointing towards the pond): "Look at that tree… it's green. A tree like that only grows in the desert when there's real water.
Green trees are rare here, and that's how I've guessed this is a real pond — one that can quench our thirst."
Junaid (with hope): "If that's the case, then let's go check it out."
After that, Ali and Junaid, driven by the hope of quenching their thirst, head towards the pond. In just a few moments, they reach it.
Ali (laughing): "Junaid! Go on, jump in the water!"
Junaid (nervously): "No, I'll touch the water with my hand first — what if it's another illusion?"
Ali (reassuringly): "This one's real. Look, I'll jump into the pond and show you."
Then Ali jumps into the water, and just as he said, it turns out to be real. As he splashes in, cool drops of water hit Junaid's face, and a sparkle of amazement lights up his eyes.
In the blazing desert heat, the cool touch feels like a soothing spring.
Junaid (happily): "This is real water, and it's so cold too…!"
Saying that, Junaid also jumps into the pond.
Junaid (laughing): "I can't believe it, Ali! Such cold water in this burning desert! It's nothing short of a miracle."
Ali (laughing): "You're right, Junaid! This feels amazing!"
Junaid (in amazement): "Finding water in the desert is like finding a needle in a haystack."
Ali (laughing): "Wow Junaid, that was well said! You're getting wise now!"
Junaid (smiling): "I've always been wise!"
Ali (getting serious): "Junaid, quickly drink some water and come out of it!"
Junaid (curiously): "But why?"
Ali (softly): "We have to leave quickly.
Evening is about to fall, the sun will set soon. We must reach the last part of the desert before nightfall, because I want to reach Ameer Taahir's hideout by tomorrow evening!"
Junaid (agreeing): "You're right. Let's get going now!"
After that, Junaid quickly drinks as much water as he can and comes out of the pond, and Ali also gets out with him.
Junaid (with satisfaction): "Ali! Drinking water feels so good, as if my whole body is filled with new energy."
Ali (seriously): "Alright Junaid, we shouldn't delay any longer. The more we stay, the more the danger will increase."
But just as Ali and Junaid begin to move forward, suddenly strong winds begin to blow. The winds grow even stronger, as if a storm is about to hit.
Junaid (frightened): "Ali, what's happening? Why are the winds suddenly blowing so fiercely?"
Ali (alerting him): "Junaid, be careful. A desert storm is coming — they're very intense.
These strong winds are a sign that the storm is approaching."
Junaid (fearfully): "There's no place around where we can hide from a desert storm. Ali, you tell me — what should we do now?"
Ali (thinking): "A place to hide… I found it…!"
Junaid (excitedly): "You found it? But where? Tell me quickly — the storm is coming!"
Ali (quickly): "Junaid, do you remember when we entered the pond, there was a tree next to it, and next to the tree, a mound?"
Junaid (recalling): "Yes, I remember — but what about it?"
Ali (speaking rapidly): "I went behind the mound — there was a small tunnel there, big enough for two people to fit inside comfortably!"
Junaid (happily): "If that's true, we can survive this desert storm. Come on, let's run!"
The sand started flying in the air, cutting across their faces. Somewhere in the distance, a dusty whistle echoed, as if the desert itself was warning them.
The winds grew even stronger. Junaid and Ali tried to walk faster but were unable to due to the force of the wind.
Junaid (shouting): "Ali, the wind is too strong, we can't walk fast!"
Ali (thinking): "Do one thing!"
Junaid (quickly): "Tell me fast, what?"
Ali (suggesting): "Let's hold each other's hands — it'll help us move better."
Junaid (agreeing): "Yes, that's a good idea."
Ali and Junaid hold each other's hands and move forward quickly.
As the winds became stronger, Ali said, "Junaid, move fast — the desert storm will hit in just a few moments."
Ali and Junaid increase their pace and return to the tree near the pond.
Ali (shouting): "Junaid, we have to go behind this mound next to the tree!"
Then both of them reach behind the mound, where they spot a small tunnel.
Junaid (in amazement): "Wow, Ali! You were right — there really is a tunnel here!"
Ali (hurriedly): "We'll talk later — get inside first. The storm is almost here!"
Ali and Junaid quickly enter. Though they are inside, the entrance to the tunnel remains open, and upon noticing this…
Junaid (worried): "Ali, the front part of the tunnel is open — storm winds are coming through here!"
Ali (slightly troubled): "This is another big problem — we keep falling into one trouble after another."
Junaid (happily): "Ali, I've got a solution!"
Ali (excited): "A solution? Tell me quickly!"
Junaid (remembering): "The warm blankets given by Uncle Sheikh Hamza!"
Ali (curiously): "What will we do with the blankets?"
Junaid (quickly): "We'll open the blankets and hang them over the entrance so the storm winds can't come inside!"
Ali (praising): "That's a brilliant idea!"
After that, Ali takes out two blankets from his bag and hangs them over the open entrance.
Ali (with relief): "We're safe now!"
Ali's words had barely ended when suddenly a scream echoed from outside the tunnel — an unknown, echoing voice that could stop your heartbeat. Hearing the voice…
Junaid (startled): "Ali, whose voice is that?"
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– So whose voice was it? Was it someone trying to trap Ali and Junaid, or was it a call for help?
– And the biggest question: will Ali and Junaid be able to make it out of this desert?
To find out, read the
next chapter…
Chapter 30…
To be continued…