Unplugged II by Sigal Ehrlich

Author:Sigal Ehrlich [Ehrlich, Sigal]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-05T18:30:00+00:00

“Thud. Thud. Thud.”

Ivi’s heart upon her return to the camp.

A few rays of sun welcome us as we finally leave the building, they shine bright — somewhat sardonically — illuminating the chaos of broken branches and debris on the ground. Compared to past weather damage, what’s revealed before us is a pleasing aftermath, if it can be called that. Buildings and structures stayed firmly intact versus anything that wasn’t firmly secured to the ground being brutally shuffled around along with a small car and a roof that was torn off by the wild winds. I’m more than thankful that it’s more of a mess than a bona fide disaster, but this is just this village. I can’t help but worry about our village, its residents, and our fellow volunteers.

For a couple of hours before taking a ride back to camp, we partake in an impromptu ceremony that the locals hold to show their gratitude for the outcome. This attitude warms my heart. Instead of fuelling thoughts of misfortune and woes due to the tragedies that strike so often, they choose to show gratitude. I’m humbled by these people. I can’t help but wonder how sometimes those who are blessed by fortune, satiated from everything life bestows on them, are the ones that at the first sight of calamity lose all faith.

Shortly after the quick service, we help in uncluttering the area so the makeshift clinic can resume its work.

Just before noon as the sky darkens once again, I pull my backpack up my shoulder, rub dust off my hands and climb up the back of the truck. We’re silent throughout the ride, some too exhausted to communicate and others in a contemplative mood. When a chilled breeze hits us, I shrug on my sweatshirt. When rain follows there’s nothing for us to do in the exposed bed of the truck but cover ourselves with a flimsy plastic sheet that does a lousy job in protecting us from getting drenched. At a certain point I just give up and let the rain wash over me.

We find the camp bustling, and thankfully mostly unscathed. There is an undercurrent of buzzing energy, as we park in front of Big Mom’s house. The rain lets out, replaced by the sun again, however I’m soaked to my bones from the long ride and the only thing I can think of is changing into dry clothes. With my head bowed, lightly shivering, I hop off the tailgate. “Be right back, I need to get rid of these clothes,” I murmur to Renata, and with utter determination make my way to the house. A strange vibe coming from the improvised scaffolding embracing the freshly varnished school prompts me to divert my focused from my path. I’m taken aback by the odd scene. Every single person that just left the truck is frozen in place, their attention trained at something near the school. Squinting my gaze, I search for the root cause.

I do a double take and nearly fall back on my bum to the vision that in my head seems like a fata morgana.

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