Journey of Souls

1. Journey | سفر

There was an hour left until boarding. I skimmed through the notifications on my phone, ignoring all the ones from my numerous group chats and responding to the ones from my close friends wishing me luck and sending prayers for my journey ahead. I felt blessed to have a comforting circle that always looked out for me.

It had gotten lonely ever since Baba Jaan passed away 4 years ago, leaving Ammi, Bhai Jaan, and me behind. We didn't have much aside from our house and two cars, both of which Baba Jaan had worked hard to pay off in his lifetime. Ammi worked a small job at a new start-up company, owned by her close friend. During the days I had off from school, I usually picked up shifts at the store in the mall or tutored middle schoolers. It wasn't a lot of income, but enough to support the two of us and occasionally Bhai Jaan when he was home to visit.

I felt my phone buzz and picked it up to see the notification. It was Bhai Jaan. Have a safe journey Alizey, always look after Ammi and don't forget to update me daily no matter what. I responded quickly with a heart and set my phone down. Upon the urgency of Nani Ammi falling sick and Ammi wanting to be with her, Bhai Jaan couldn't come with us due to the nature of his studies as he was in medical school. I wish he was coming with us, I thought to myself.

Having recently graduated from college unsure of what I wanted to do next, Bhai Jaan and Ammi thought it was best for me to go Pakistan too. I was hesitant, because the last time I had gone I was only 7 years old. Now 16 years later, I wasn't looking forward to the awkward interactions with family members, the lack of comfort in a country belonging to the opposite spectrum, and being away from all the people who brought me happiness here at home.

I was, however, interested in exploring more of the culture that belonged to my family and reuniting with my older yet annoying cousin Badar. He was my older Mamoo's son and got engaged last year to the girl he had liked in school. He was head over heels for her and it made me happy to see him so entranced into his own love story. Ammi had told me that if we decided to stay in Pakistan long enough, we would be able to attend his wedding in two months. Although I was dreading the trip, seeing Nani Jaan and the prospect of attending Badar's wedding convinced me to make the most of the situation.

All passengers for Flight QR630 may now proceed to their boarding zone.

Ammi was sitting across from me. I got up and put on my backpack and grabbed her hand-carry from her. Grabbing her attention I asked, "chalein ammi? jaanay ka waqt aa gaya hai."
[Let's go Mom. It's time to go now]

She got up and we walked towards the gate as I looked outside the large windows of the airport, sighing.

Allah Hafiz, America. I'll see you soon inshAllah.
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hello everyone!!
first of all thank you so much for reading my very first piece of work I'm excited for this story to progress and hope to be able to update it frequently and consistently. as always, feedback is greatly appreciated.

sincerely,
A <3