Saba's gaze drifted toward the earthquake remains as she sat cross-legged on the dusty ground, her blue dress stained with dirt and tears. The pale, ashen sky hung ominously above, threatening another aftershock at any moment. A young woman in a worn-out, green sweater knelt beside her, a sympathetic smile playing on her lips.
"I'm sorry, Saba. I wish I could make it better," the woman said softly, gently wiping away the tears that streaked her face. "But we need to find your parents, okay? They must be so worried about you."
Saba sniffled and nodded, her eyes still fixed on the rubble. The woman, whose name was Munia, put her arm around the young girl and pulled her close. They sat together in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts as the dust settled around them.
A group of people walked toward them, their faces etched with exhaustion and grief. They were Saba's parents, and they had come looking for her. Their eyes widened in disbelief when they saw her sitting there, alive. Munia hesitantly rose to her feet, uncertain if she should leave them alone. The parents didn't seem to notice her presence as they rushed forward, tears streaming down their faces.
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"Saba, sweetie, we've been looking everywhere for you," her mother sobbed, wrapping her arms around the young girl. "We thought we'd lost you."Saba buried her face in her mother's shoulder, finally allowing herself to cry.
Munia could see the relief wash over the parents' faces as they clung to their daughter, as if they were afraid she might slip away from them again.
"It's okay, sweetie. We're here now. We'll take care of you," her father murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "We're so grateful to whoever helped you."
Munia, standing nearby, felt a pang of sadness as she heard the parents' words. She knew they didn't see her there, not really. But she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. She had been watching over this place for a long time now, guiding lost ones like Saba to safety, or at least to a place where they could find peace.
As the family embraced, Munia turned her gaze back to the rubble, searching for her next task. She no longer felt the cold, the pain, or even the weight of her own existence. She was simply a guide, a messenger, a force for good in this world that had long since forgotten her.