"Do you like your present?"
Over the phone, the Israeli could feel a grin on the other side of the globe. He imagined a grown teenager with noticeably traces of boyish charms smiling at the other side of the phone. Just how had he grown? It was a question that send feelings of melancholy swimming in his heart.
After all, the war was still raging. He can't afford to leave his country. Even if he wanted to be by his side in his most important day.
To be by his side – that's an impossible task right now but not sending a present. And he knows how much he loves free stuff.
"I can't believe you actually send a concert for my birthday. Some more, it's the IPO!"
He chuckled.
He must really like it.
"I so love it! By the way, have you seen the…" on the other side of the phone, the speaker went on talking.
Outside, soldiers patrolled the streets. Guns resting on their body, fingers on its trigger.
Sometimes, there'd be the sound of explosions, screams and prayers. But now, it's quiet. Peaceful even. Israel knew that something such as 'Peace' couldn't exist in times of crisis. However, Israel felt at peace and perhaps it was the first time, from the start of the Gaza, til now that he'd laughed. It was as if the weight had somehow lifted.
His wounds still aches, of course, but not so much. Under the bandages, enough to mummify him, the pain slowly became more bearable and maybe even painless.
Then, Israel made a wish.
A single wish to let it last for a bit longer, to hear his voice for a little bit longer.
"Oi, Israel, you still there a not?"
"I'm still here, Aryeh."
Aryeh (Hebrew) meaning: Lion