Simrans short story, first page

It was a hot summer’s day in Nairobi, Kenya. Sonja, a 16 year old girl who lived with her family on their small tea plantation was cooking breakfast with her mother, Kiran. Her father Rajinder walked in and threw the daily delivered newspaper down on the table. Her mother examined the paper and immediately rushed Sonja out of the kitchen and into the bed room. 

“What’s happened?” Her 14 year old sister asked 

Sonja shrugged and told her it was nothing, she knew whatever it was having 6 other children worrying about it was not going to help. Apart of her felt bad for lying though, her sister Tanvir was the second oldest behind herself. She felt she could share anything with her, because she was the closest sibling she had. 

The rest of the kids came into the room. First was Nikku who was 12 with short brown hair and very dark skin , then there was 10 year old Viro who was the shortest out of the family with long burnette hair. The two younger siblings Ragu who was 7 and Mickey who was the only son came in sobbing next. It was obvious what was wrong, the screams coming from the kitchen were pretty self explanatory. Sonja held them both and rubbed their backs soothingly. The rest of the children sat silently trying to make out what on earth their parents were fighting about.

“Well what are we going to do? Drop everything here? That’s impossible in a time like this Rajinder! Mickey will be starting school in a few months!” Her mother yelled

“You know we are in danger if we stay here, this isn’t about us anymore its about the future for this family.” Her father responded softly 

They could only here silence, and then footsteps headed towards the room. The door opened, you could see the tears in her mother’s eyes. They took seats on the one bed her brother slept on and sat in silence.

“Mom, why were you crying?” Nikku asked. 

“Look kids, we have to tell you something so everyone listen. There’s a bad man named Idi Amin and he is forcing all of us to leave the country.” Her Dad started

Sonja had remembered hearing about this around town. Idi Amin was the current president of Uganda which was the neighbor to Kenya. He had given all of the Asian population in both countries 90 days to leave or be killed.

“But you see your mother and I can’t leave Nairobi until the plantation is sold.” He held his breathe as he saw his wives heart drop. “That’s why Sonja we need you to be strong, and prove to us that you are responsible enough to take your sibling to Europe by your-“

“No dad.” She cut him off “I Can’t do that I’m only 16! I can’t work!” 

“Daughter trust in us you will be safer there, we will give you help you with money and show you where to stay. Trust in us.” 

Sonja was terrified, she knew she had been through a lot for a girl her age but she would have never dreamt of this. Her Mother began taking the few clothes out of the closet and packing them into bags. Tanvir and Nikku immediately started helping her.