And these did not take long to arrive. As the hours passed and the day arrived, Tabal was practically recovered, just limping slightly. But that wasn’t much of a problem. It simply made their steps synchronised without him having to slow down. Both were now on equal footing.

The problem was that they had run out of water, and it had been days since they had tasted any food. To make matters worse, as they advanced eastward, a massive sandstorm descended upon them. In the middle of nowhere, the wind blew forcefully as small pebbles hit their faces and stung their skin. Ungrateful dust grains and prickly sand particles harassed and pricked them like tiny thorn needles dancing in the dry air. Progress became impossible, and they stopped to take shelter behind some rocks until the wind subsided.

But it took a while for the wind to calm, and the couple became desperate.

“Oh, Tabal! We will die!” cried Umma.

“We won’t die! You can’t die!” The hero tried to instil hope. “And if I do, the last days of my life will have been worthwhile. Being by your side has been the best thing that has happened to me, and for that alone, I will happily die.”

They embraced and kissed, and after doing so, the wind began to relent. Gradually, the sand grains that danced in the air, forming fierce whirlwinds, settled on the ground, and then came the rain.

Yes. The rains finally arrived. For two days and nights, it rained heavily, and the fugitives were able to drink water from the natural bowls that filled the crevices of the rocks, while small ponds formed in some gullies.

Two days of momentary relief, in which at least the threat of death by dehydration drifted away.

On the third day, the sun came out, and the couple, very weakened but comforted by the water, continued to advance. There was no choice but to move forward because not doing so meant death.

In the vast expanses of an endless desert, where the dunes stretched like frozen waves and the sun painted the sky with burning orange, two young souls fought to survive.

Their journey began as a bold adventure, but soon turned into a desperate struggle to find water and food in a desolate landscape. The clouds were left behind and did not reappear.

Water and food... The water ran out, and for days, all they did was squeeze the bottom of their pigeon pouches to extract the last traces of moisture. And food... They couldn’t even remember the last time they had put anything in their mouths other than each other’s kisses.

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They walked with tired steps, their bare feet touching the hot sand, and their faces marked by dust and sun.

Umma fell on the sand, defeated, and Tabal tried to lift her, something he only managed to do after great efforts.

They continued walking, with him looking ahead as his beloved could barely do so. She simply dragged herself with erratic steps, supported by Tabal’s strong arms.

Finally, they reached a hill, which at first seemed just like one of the many they had climbed and descended during their journey. But from there, they saw something that seemed too good to be true: a glimmer of green in the distance.

Could it be a mirage? Tabal made Umma look in that direction to see if she saw the same thing, and her squinted eyes suddenly widened.

“An oasis!” they both shouted.

With renewed strength, they ran towards it, leaving behind fatigue and despair. That green spot was far away, but joy was the engine that moved their legs, and they soon reached it.

When they arrived, they found themselves before a dazzling oasis with palm trees swaying gently in the breeze, a pond of crystal-clear water, and ripe fruits hanging from the branches. They knelt by the water and drank eagerly, letting tears of relief mix with the coolness of the life-giving liquid.

The ground was covered with brightly coloured flowers, and the air was infused with the sweet aroma of nature. A gentle breeze moved the tree leaves, creating a tranquil and serene symphony. They ventured into the oasis, letting the soft grass caress their bare feet and discovering lush fruit trees laden with delicious and juicy fruits whose branches bent under the weight of apples, oranges, mangoes, and other exotic delights.

Bliss flooded their hearts as they devoured those delicacies, feeling the energy and life returning to their bodies. At that moment, they looked at each other, sharing a deep connection that only those who have suffered together can understand. In their gaze, there was gratitude, love, and the promise that, from that day forward, they would be a beacon of hope for each other amid life’s challenges.

Having overcome countless challenges and walked through the scorching desert, Umma and Tabal found themselves in front of an unexpected paradise. Before them stretched a fertile and lush oasis in the midst of the vast and arid wasteland.

They realized that they had found more than just water and food; they had discovered a home, a refuge amid the unforgiving nature, a paradise, an Eden.

And they wasted no time. After eating and satisfying their hunger, they both undressed and bathed, laughed and played, and when they emerged from the water, they caressed each other, kissed, and made love.

It seemed as if all the sorrows, all the hardships, fear, pain, hunger and thirst had been nothing more than a nightmare in the middle of the night, a momentary unease that had transformed into joy and love. Umma and Tabal savoured each other...

Until a spear impaled just inches from their naked bodies.

Ator, had found them.