One Minute Too Late Essay

The term in 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. His parents lived in a modest house provided by the oil company where is father worked. His mother was as a stay-at-home mother. Hadi had always been close to his little sister Amar, and on this day, he carried a white stuffed bear; a gift that Amar would love. She was special to him, not that Hadi did not have other siblings; 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.
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 gotten a scholarship to pursue his undergraduate studies. He appreciated the opportunity to study abroad, but he missed his family dearly, 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.
Back home in Kuwait, Hadi's family was just as eager to meet him as he was. The situation in the country, however, was not good at all. " I wish Hadi weren't coming back at this time of the war," Mum said to Dad in a sad voice. " It is his home. Home is always best no matter the circumstances, and besides, this war with Iraq is almost ending. The news last time said the Iraqi troupes are retreating," Dad explained, maintaining hope and optimism. Hadi’s mum urged the girls to finish preparing their brother’s room and help her with the cooking. “Hadi will find his place just as neat as he left it," said Amar. “He should because he likes his things neat and tidy," Arwa added. A little alarm beeped from Arwa's wristwatch; it was time to wake up their father up to watch the news.
As Amar shouted to catch their dad's attention, 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 anchor, 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 massive. 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 back till the situation improved. Hadi picked up, and even though his mother tried to maintain a calm voice, he sensed the worry in her voice. "I can't wait to see you, mum, am just seven hours away," said Hadi. “We are happy to have you home my son, please call us before you land, your dad and uncle will be waiting for you at the airport. The national news channel has said they might evacuate our area; we will update you should they do so," Mum ended the phone call, not wanting to worry her son unnecessarily.
Following the phone call, Hadi was worried till he got to Kuwait. He took a cab and instructed 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 manage to go close. Hadi was afraid, and he felt troubled by the news. They got near the place and were greeted with massive 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, people were screaming, and the house was covered in 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. It was a minute too late, or was it a minute too early?
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 distraught onlooker screamed. The sirens of ambulances and fire engines filled the air; the soldier loosened his grip for on Hadi for one moment and he slipped away like a trapped deer and ran for their door. Before anyone could even react, he bolted into the house. “Amar! Arwa! Mum!" He screamed just before the roof caved in and the whole block went up in flames. They were now together again, in a different world as one little loving family.