Strings Attached

~Chapter 7~

I hug my mom tightly as if I'm hanging onto her for dear life. I've missed this for soo long. "I've missed you, mum. I've missed you so much," I tell her, now full-on crying. "I know, my darling. And I'm sorry," she says to me, getting equally emotional. "You don't need to be sorry for anything. It was all my fault. I'm sorry for being such a bad daughter." "Oh! Don't be such a drama queen. Besides, it wasn't all your fault, child. Now, promise your mother that you'll take care of yourself and not get into any sort of trouble, alright!" mum warns me, turning into her usual threatening mode.

"I won't, I promise. I love you Amma. Do stay young and beautiful when I come back." Mum rolls her eyes at that. "I love you too. Now go, or your dad will start getting grumpy." I just chuckle at that, and give her a quick kiss. And after saying goodbye to my besties once again, I'm off.

"Hidayah!" mum calls me once again. I wonder what she wants to say now. "Although I know it's difficult to make them change their minds, but I'll try. This Amir doesn't seem your type at all. I know how he detained and talked in private with you that night. Presumptuous boy!" And I can't help but hug her once again. I never imagined mum would suggest something like that!

"Although, you too should've avoided that conference with him, you aren't much to blame. He's like an older brother to you, so you had to hear him out," she goes on. She's telling me some do's and don'ts when dad begins shouting, and she lets me go.

I feel as happy as a bird with a tasty worm in its beak. Tasty worm?! That seems so wrong. Who am I kidding? Yuck!!

______

Manchester, England.

The plane ride is long and uneventful, but delightfully exciting. Although I do get some weird glances thrown my way, I don't care much. I've never been on a plane so it's quite new to me. While dad is snoring peacefully, right beside me, I'm busy knowing the place from the magazine I bought, telling me about the city. I keep looking outside the window, and I'm so excited to see a whole new world down there. This is gonna be so great! In shaa Allaah!!

The moment we land, a clear blue sky and a soothing breeze greet my eyes and face. I can't really see much, but I gather that there's a huge expanse of concrete jungle, along with intermittent but vast patches of greenery, beyond this large, modern airport.

Dad guides me throughout the way, taking along with him my overfilled shoulder bag as I ogle at my surroundings, wide-eyed. We're supposed to meet Uncle Jabbar outside the Airport. He will be taking me under his roof for a while. He has a daughter who's around my age, and a son who's about 7 or 8 years old. Thank god! They don't have a son older than me! It's extremely convenient for more than one reason. I've never lived with strangers though. I just pray that they're an accommodating family.

"Ah, there they are!" dad exclaims as we get out of the exit door of the airport. At first, I don't see anyone. But then I realize, there's a man waving at dad, along with his abaya-clad wife. Although she could do with a bit less make-up and a teeny bit sober abaya, I'm glad to know that she is a practicing Muslim. At least, I won't be the only one. Their daughter would be no different, I'm sure. Alhamdulillaah!

The two men hug each other and exchange greetings, while I say Salam to Auntie. "Wa alaikum assalam," she replies in a thick tone. I'm pleased to see her smiling when I look at her, else I'd have been much mistaken, with her voice and all. She asks me a few formal questions and then starts telling me about her daughter. Her name is Hiba. She is an absolute angel. And apparently, she'll be going to the same school as me. At least, I'd have somebody to turn to if I ever need help. And I think I'd need loads.