Scene: Arrivals and Arrangements
At the director's house…
Abu Ahmed's phone rang. He picked up and said:
"Hello?"
Haruki's voice came from the other end:
"I've arrived at the airport… come and get me."
Abu Ahmed said quickly:
"Alright, I'll be there."
He turned to Natalia and asked: "Do you have the car keys?"
"Yes, why?" she asked.
"A friend has arrived to help us," he replied.
"Wait, I'll get them now," she said.
Moments later, she returned and handed him the key. "Here you go."
"Thanks, I'll be back soon," he said.
Abu Ahmed got into the car and drove toward the airport. After a few minutes on the road, his phone rang again. He looked at the screen… it was the director. He answered quickly:
"How are you feeling now?"
The director said in a weary voice:
"A little better… come and take me home."
Abu Ahmed said:
"I'm going to the airport first to pick up my friend, then I'll come to you. Wait half an hour."
"Alright," the director replied.
Abu Ahmed continued his way… after fifteen minutes, he reached the airport. He saw Haruki… and beside him, Misaki. He got out quickly and greeted them.
He said: "We don't have much time. Let's go to the hospital to get the director and then return home."
"Alright," Haruki said.
They moved quickly toward the hospital… the trip took only seven minutes. They went in and took the director with them, then they all returned home.
The Dinner
When they arrived, the director said:
"Let's have dinner… then rest and plan."
Everyone agreed.
Natalia had prepared a diverse Russian dinner. She placed on the table:
Hot Borscht soup
Pelmeni (meat-filled dumplings)
Shashlik (grilled meat)
Olivier salad
Fresh bread and some juices.
She smiled and said: "Please… enjoy."
Everyone began eating. Haruki said with admiration: "This food is wonderful."
And Misaki added: "So delicious… I've never tasted anything like it before."
Abu Ahmed said: "Indeed, a special meal."
The director looked at his wife and said with a slight smile: "Always creative."
Natalia smiled happily. After finishing dinner, she said: "Go and rest… leave the cleaning to me."
Everyone agreed. The director prepared a room for each of them, and then they all went to sleep…
Deep in the Mine
Deep in the darkness… Ahmed was sleeping… but his mind was not at peace.
He saw in his dream… old memories…
He saw himself with Irina… buying her snacks and sweets… then walking together toward the park… sitting under the tree.
She was laughing happily… and he was holding her small hand while she spoke Russian and he understood nothing… but he was smiling.
They were simple moments… but they were full of comfort.
Suddenly… Ahmed woke up.
He opened his eyes in the darkness and breathed deeply. He sat up slowly and said:
"I will find Irina… no matter what it takes."
He fell silent for a moment and said: "But how…?"
He looked around. The darkness remained unchanged, and there was no evidence.
"I haven't found anything…"
He closed his eyes for a moment, then placed his hand on his chest.
He said quietly: "No… I won't search with my eyes alone."
He opened his eyes and looked into the depth of the tunnel.
"I will let my heart lead me to her."
He rose slowly, gripped the flashlight again, and prepared to go deeper into the mine… where a fate with an unknown end awaited him.