Chapter 44: Unbroken - My Name Is Samim

A few days later, Miss Brown invites Rence over to celebrate my return from the hospital. We walk into the dining room, and the sight of sandwiches and cakes on the table makes my stomach rumble.

“Miss Nadia is on her way, too,” Miss Brown says, adjusting the plates. “She got caught up at work.”

Just then, the doorbell rings, and we glance out the window. My eyes lock on to the person standing at the door.

It’s Max.

What is he doing here?

Miss Brown notices me hesitate and pulls me aside. “Do you feel comfortable speaking to Max?”

I shrug. “I think so.” I know I’m not afraid of him any more.

She rubs my shoulder gently before walking to the door to let Max in.

When the door opens, Max’s head is down, his hands jammed into his pockets. He pauses for a moment, then lifts his eyes.

“Hello, Samim,” he says quietly.

I stay silent, just watching him.

“I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” Miss Brown nods at me and walks away, leaving us alone.

“How are you?” Max asks, but I don’t answer, just look to the side.

“I came to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry I was such a bully to you and your friends. And I’m sorry for all the terrible things I told you. I didn’t mean any of that,” He exhales sharply, as if the words left him out of breath. “I just wanted to make you angry enough to start the fight. You were winning that game, and I was scared that you’d beat me at the championship. I thought it was unfair that someone like you, someone so different, someone from another country, could come and steal the victory from me.” He looks down for a moment before continuing. “I know how terrible it sounds, but I owe you the truth, so I’m telling you the truth.”

I raise my eyes and look at his pale face, creased with guilt, and my anger fades like fire under water.

“After everything I did to you, you still risked your life to save me. I don’t know anyone else who would’ve done that.” He pauses, drawing a shaky breath. “But you’re not like anyone I’ve ever known. That’s what I didn’t like most about you – how different you were. But in the end… that’s what saved me.” His eyes meet mine, and his lips tremble. “Thank you.”

I nod as if to say, It’s fine, you’re welcome.

Max pauses, taking a deep breath. “I told Mr Adams the truth about the fight, how I provoked you, and why I did it. And now, I’m banned from playing in the championship too.”

I can’t believe it. The championship meant everything to Max.

“It’s only fair that I’m not competing if you’re not,” he mumbles, staring at the floor.

I stare at him, stunned into silence.

Max walks past me to the door, keeping his head down.

“Max.”

He turns to me, his eyes wide.

I extend my arm to him. “This is how we say hello in Afghanistan. And this is how we make friends.”

He smiles, but I see a glimpse of embarrassment on his face. I know he remembers laughing at my outstretched arm the day I met him. But that was a lifetime ago. Today, he extends his arm, and today, we shake hands like two brothers.

* * *

Everyone sits at the table, talking about the school protest and the news, their eyes bright with excitement. I sip my sweet tea and think of Zayn. Oh, how he’d have loved to see me on TV!

Miss Brown peers at me from time to time, and her eyes seem to mirror the whirlpool of feelings in my chest. They’re sad and thoughtful, full of both warmth and dread.

The doorbell rings again, and Miss Brown hurries to let Miss Nadia in.

“I’m so sorry I’m late.” Miss Nadia rushes into the dining room, puffing. “Wow, what a feast! A well-deserved one!” She crouches beside my chair and squeezes my shoulders with one arm. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Samim.”

I smile.

She sits across from me, and Miss Brown brings her some tea.

“Oh, I’ve got something for you guys!” Miss Nadia says, taking a leaflet from her bag and handing it to Miss Brown. It says:

Eid in the Square

“Every year Trafalgar Square hosts lots of fun events to celebrate the end of Ramadan. There will be musicians, dancers, a light show, acrobats, a parade, you name it! I go every year with my kids, so I was wondering if the older kids would like to join us this May? It would be my treat. With Miss Brown’s permission, of course.”

Miss Brown stares at the leaflet, looking both puzzled and awkward. She half nods, half shrugs in reply, exchanging shy glances with Rita and Ayan.

I know they feel like they shouldn’t talk about this in front of me, but I don’t mind. I’m happy for them. I just wish I could go to bed and wake up on the day when I finally know what’s going to happen to me.

“Excellent,” Miss Nadia says. “I thought we could visit London Zoo and the aquarium, too, if we have time. Have you ever been to a zoo before, Samim?”

I shake my head.

Miss Nadia slides another piece of paper to me. “I think you’ll like this.”

Is it a leaflet about the London Zoo? Why is Miss Nadia giving it to me? I unfold it, and its title makes my heart spring to my mouth.

Asylum Grant Notification Samim Ali

I stare at Miss Nadia, my eyes wide, and suddenly her eyebrows knot and her eyes spark with tears.

“We won the appeal, Samim,” she says. “Welcome back to your forever home.”

A few seconds of silence later, everyone leaps from their seats and bolts to me to look at my letter. There are gasps, tears, clapping, squealing and laughing all around me, but I sit frozen in shock, my chin, chest and hands shaking.

Miss Brown, Rita, Ayan, Rence, Lily and Skye surround me in a group embrace, and in their arms, I feel unbroken for the first time since I lost my father, mother and sister. Tears flood my eyes, and as I shut them, my mum appears before me. She smiles at me, and I sense her warmth in the arms of my new family.