When they finally arrived at his father's place, Mirshad stepped into the room and was immediately greeted by a crowd of unfamiliar faces. The room was filled with people—his father wasn't staying alone. He was surrounded by friends, most of whom had come from the same country, working in the city, just like him. Mirshad recognized a few of them from stories his father had told, but many were strangers. Yet, it didn't take long for the warmth of their hospitality to make him feel at ease.
They welcomed him like one of their own. Despite the age gap—most of the men were his father's age or older—they treated him as an equal. Conversations flowed naturally, and soon enough, the room felt like home. They cooked together, shared stories, and laughed late into the night. It was as if Mirshad had stepped into a larger family, and that sense of belonging filled a void that had been growing since he left home.
In the evenings, they would all gather outside the house, talking, joking, and sharing moments of laughter. Some played games, while others simply enjoyed the company. Despite their age differences, they talked to Mirshad as though he was one of them, never making him feel out of place. That simple gesture of inclusion made all the difference to him. These weren't just his father's friends; they were his friends now, too.
But after a couple of days, reality set in. Mirshad hadn't come to Qatar just for a visit—he needed to find work. His father and his friends began searching for job openings that would suit him, knowing he had experience as an electrician back home. Days passed, and finally, they found a vacancy. A temporary job, just for three or four months, but it was exactly what Mirshad had done before. It felt like a stroke of luck.
Though his father was happy for him, there was sadness too. Mirshad had to move to the company accommodation, and it meant leaving his father's room, the place where he had started to feel a sense of family again. But it wasn't all bad news—his father reminded him that he could visit whenever he wanted. The company housing wasn't too far, after all.
The day he left, his father gave him a long hug, the pride in his eyes unmistakable. "This is just the start, my son. Work hard, and remember, we are never far apart."
Mirshad nodded, not trusting his voice to speak. As he reached the company-provided accommodation, his mind was filled with curiosity and uncertainty. Who would he meet here? What kind of people would he live with? As he stepped inside the room, his worries melted away. The space was filled with young men, all his age, and all from the same city. In an instant, he felt relief wash over him. He wasn't alone, and these people were just like him—strangers in a foreign land, but with the same hopes and dreams.
After his father left, Mirshad quickly bonded with his new roommates. His easy-going nature and friendly attitude helped him make connections fast. They laughed, shared stories, and by the end of the day, it felt like he had known them for much longer.
The next morning, however, things didn't go as planned. Mirshad had forgotten to ask about the work schedule. He had arrived late the previous day and hadn't thought to check with anyone about what time he needed to be at work. As morning broke, the others in his room quietly left for their jobs, assuming he wouldn't be joining them on his first day.
But sometime between 9 and 10 in the morning, his phone buzzed. It was a call from his boss. His heart skipped a beat—what could this mean? He hadn't even started his job yet, but now, it seemed like the day was about to take a turn he hadn't expected.