Free One Minute Too Late Essay Sample

The semester in the college had been difficult. As Hadi moved with his luggage through the checkpoint, all he could think of was the time when he would meet his family. Hadi came from a humble family in Kuwait. Hadi had always been close to his little sister Amar, and on this day, he carried a small toy, a gift that Amar would love. She was special to him, but Hadi did not have only one sister; there was Arwa, his eighteen year old sister, and Abdulah, his 16-year-old brother. As the eldest in the family, he felt responsible for everyone.
Life in America had been nice but also had its challenges. He had learned a lot from his professors, and from the new friends he had made. American culture had been a shock to him at first, having come from a very traditional community in Kuwait. However, he had adjusted to life and had learnt new things like playing basketball and the piano. He knew he would miss life here. He walked through the busy airport, admiring this country one more time before he left for Kuwait. He hoped to be back someday.
Hadi waited for the call to board the plane; it had been a year since he went home to his family and he was happy that he was going home. Hadi was a student in the US, having an opportunity to study for his undergraduate degree. He appreciated the opportunity to study abroad, but he missed his family very much, especially his little sister, Amar. Finally, Hadi’s thoughts were interrupted by the call to board. His flight was ready, and he nearly ran to the plane, to ensure that he was not left behind. He was really happy to be going home.
Back home in Kuwait, Hadi's family was just as excited to meet him as he was. The situation in the country, however, was not good at all. There was war between Iraq and Kuwait. Hadi’s mum urged the girls to finish preparing their brother’s room and help her with the cooking. “Hadi will find his room just as clean as he had left it,” said Amar. “He should because he likes his things clean and tidy," Arwa added. A small alarm beeped from Arwa's wristwatch; it was time to wake up their father up to watch the news.
As Amar shouted out to their father to wake him, Arwa put on the TV sitting at a corner in their living room. The screen screamed: BREAKING NEWS: KUWAIT ON FIRE! Everyone quickly ran to the living room, just then the power went out just after the broadcaster, in a trembling voice, mentioned that the oil fields were on fire. Hadi’s father put on the radio channel on his phone and they heard that the fire was huge. Many buildings, industries, homes and trees were burning. Hadi's mother ran to the phone and called him hoping to warn him not to come home till the situation improved. Hadi picked up, and even though his mother tried to maintain a calm voice, he felt the worry in her voice. He informed his mother that he was 7 hours away from home, and she told him of the fire but did not explain how bad it was.
After the phone call, Hadi was worried till he got to Kuwait. He took a taxi and directed the driver to take him to the place where his family lived. The driver gave him a worried look and informed him that due to the fires, they may not be able to arrive there. Hadi was afraid, and he felt troubled by the news. The streets looked lonely because there were very few people around. Most of the shops were closed .They got near the place and were met with huge smoke and the smell of burning fuel. Hadi jumped out of the car and ran towards his parent's house. Suddenly, there were loud explosions all around them, people were screaming, and the house was covered with flames. The army had been sent out to take people to safe places. Two soldiers held him down as he tried to get into the burning house to save his family.
There was confusion all over the place. "Hold him down," one soldier shouted to another, holding down Hadi. "We need to check if there is anyone who is still alive in there," a fireman screamed. The sirens of ambulances and fire engines filled the place. The soldier was distracted for a moment and loosened his grip on hadi, and hadi fled toward the door of his home, which was covered in flames. Before anyone could even react, he jumped into the house. “Amar! Arwa!
Mum!" Unfortunately, that was too late; the fire burnt the whole family.