The Kite That Kept Flying
Category B: Highly Commended (2024) Monash Short Story Writing Competition
Author: Aarush Shah
The village of Zahar was a place where kites painted the sky in vibrant hues, a stark contrast to the turmoil on the ground. Rania, sixteen, and her younger brother Sami, ten, found solace in their small apartment amidst the chaos that gripped their home. Their parents ventured out daily in search of supplies, leaving them with a fragile sense of security. One morning, Rania woke to the familiar sound of sirens. She instinctively reached for Sami’s hand, his grip reassuringly firm. Their parents were already out, navigating the dangers of Zahar’s streets. Alone yet resilient, the siblings clung to hope amidst the uncertainty that clouded their days.
“Stay close today, Sami,” Rania whispered, her voice tinged with concern. Sami nodded eagerly, his eyes darting towards the window. “Can we go to the beach, Rania?” he asked, his voice a mix of innocence and longing for normalcy amidst the chaos. Rania managed a faint smile. “Maybe,” she replied cautiously, weighing the risks in her mind. By midday, the sky had cleared, offering a rare moment of calm. Rania decided they could risk a trip to the beach, a place where the noise of the world could be drowned out by the gentle lapping of the waves.
As they walked through Zahar’s deserted streets, Rania noticed the absence of familiar faces. Mrs. Alia, an elderly neighbour, waved them over with a weary smile. “Be careful,” she cautioned. “There’s talk of trouble brewing. Keep your brother close.” Rania nodded solemnly; her resolve strengthened. They reached the beach, the air thick with the scent of salt and memories. Sami eagerly ran ahead, clutching his most prized possession—a kite gifted by their father on his last birthday. Rania spread out a worn blanket on the sand, watching as Sami struggled to launch his kite into the fickle coastal breeze. It teased the kite, lifting it briefly before letting it fall back to the sand.
Lost in thought, Rania’s reverie was abruptly interrupted by the distant rumble of thunder. It wasn’t weather—it was the sound of conflict encroaching upon their temporary peace. Sami’s kite, caught in a sudden gust, finally caught the wind and soared high above the beach. “Sami, come here!” Rania called urgently, trying to mask the fear in her voice. Sami raced back; his eyes bright with excitement at seeing his kite take flight. “Did you see that, Rania?” he exclaimed breathlessly. “It flew so high!” “I saw,” Rania replied softly, pulling him into a tight embrace. “But we need to go home now.”
They hurried back through Zahar, the tension in the air palpable. Every step felt heavier as they made their way to their apartment. Once inside, they locked the door and waited in tense silence. Minutes stretched into hours as they listened to the distant echoes of conflict reverberating through the village. As night fell, their parents returned, weary but safe. Their mother enveloped them in a fierce embrace, while their father offered a rare smile. “We’ll be okay,” he assured them, his words more a promise than a statement.
That night, as Sami slept peacefully, Rania sat by the window, gazing at the stars twinkling above Zahar. In the quiet of the night, she realized that, like Sami’s kite, their spirits could soar even amidst the storm. Fragile, yes, but still capable of flight. The next day dawned with an uncertain calm. Sami, ever resilient, was eager to fly his kite again. Rania joined him on the beach, their spirits lifted by the simple act of play. As the kite soared higher into the sky, Rania felt a glimmer of hope. Its flight was a small victory, a testament to their resilience amidst adversity.
But their fragile peace was short-lived. In the days that followed, rumours of impending conflict grew louder. One evening, their parents returned with grim news: the village was to be evacuated. The fighting drew ever closer, and they had no choice but to leave behind the only home they had ever known. Rania and Sami packed essentials and cherished memories, including Sami’s kite. Their journey as refugees was fraught with danger and uncertainty. Yet amidst the hardships, Sami’s kite became a symbol of hope among fellow travellers. It lifted spirits and brought fleeting moments of joy to the weary souls they encountered along the way.
Through it all, Rania remained steadfast for Sami, guiding and protecting him as best she could. One night, as they camped under a sky dotted with stars, Sami’s kite became a beacon of hope once more. Despite the hardships, he managed to fly it, and for a brief moment, the sky above their makeshift camp was filled with colour and laughter. In those moments, Rania realized that the spirit of Zahar lived on in them. The kites were more than toys; they were symbols of resilience and hope. No matter where they travelled, they carried the essence of their village within them.
In the midst of conflict and chaos, the people of Zahar continued to live, love, and dream. Their lives were marked by hardship, but also by moments of beauty and strength. Like the kites that filled the sky, they soared against the winds of adversity, finding freedom and hope in their defiance. Rania stood once more at the beach, watching Sami’s kite dance in the wind. It was a symbol of their unwavering spirit, a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is light.
Resilience, she realized, is born in the heart of adversity. Hope, like a kite, can rise above the storm. And so, they moved forward, with the memory of their village in their hearts and the promise of a brighter future carried on the wind. Sami’s kite flew high, a testament to their unwavering spirit and the hope that, one day, they would return to the skies of Zahar.