Everything I Am

Chapter 1

There were many moments that could have made the top of the list in Nyra's happy memories but despite them all, she decides to pick a moment she has been patiently waiting for, months of waiting and patience led to this specific moment. Beside Nyra, her brother, Imran, younger than her by a few years only but being just as tall as her, also starts looking around excitedly while counting down the second for the gates to open.

"I still can't believe mom and dad let us come by ourselves, we get nearly 3 weeks of adventures." Imran expresses with nothing but joy and than the gates open and they're quickly pushing their trolley of bags along, the heat was the first thing Nyra felt, it felt like someone had pulled the sun down and left it right above her head, sweat instantly formed on the back of her neck.

Nyra was about to call her best friend to ask her where she was but there was no need as she saw her best friend's bright orange shirt from the other side of the airport and than she was sprinting towards her, Aisha, her best friend, doing the exact same thing as laughter falls from both the girls, they crash in a hug as laughter fills their hearts.

"Oh how I missed seeing you these past few years." Aisha grins against my hijab.

I chuckle and pull back from the hug. "I missed you too." She says wiping a tear that had slipped down her cheek with a giggle. "See, you're already making me cry and you haven't even gotten married yet."

Aisha rolls her eyes playfully and gasps when she stares back, I follow her gaze, Imran. "Is that your baby brother? He's gone so tall, what has your mother been feeding him?" Aisha rambles and Imran beams with joy.

"It's good to see you too Aisha." Imran greets her.

"Do we get hugs?" We turn around and I smile again when I see uncle Muhammad and aunty Fayzah staring at us with admiration, I take the few steps towards them and hug them.

"Assalamu Alaikum uncle Muhammad and aunty Fayzah." I greet them joyfully and Imran does the same.

"You both have gotten so big ya Allah." Aunty Fayzah compliments.

"Why don't we continue this reunion at home with some food and refreshments?" Uncke Muhammad suggests.

"I could do with some coke in this heat." Imran whispers with a groan and runs a hand through his hair, I nod along with Aisha and than with anticipation they all make their way to the car.

"We can not express enough how happy and excited that your parents have let you children come early, I promise you guys will have a blast." Uncle Muhammad promises with a mischief smile.

"But we only leave to the venue on the 1st September so you children have the entire tomorrow free to do things here." Aunty Fayzah reminded the excited kids.

I'm too busy admiring the streets of my hometown to answer, everything is just as I remember, it's been 4 years since we stepped foot in this country and now it feels as though no time has passed, nothing has changed, the nostalgic feeling of being at home has Nyra's heart jumping out of her chest.

"Maybe Bhai can take us to the mall tomorrow." Aisha suggests. "We have everything packed for our trip already."

"I'm sure Zayaan won't mind, besides he spends way too much time in his studio." Uncle Muhammad replies with a hint of a smile as he shakes his head. "And we're here." They enter through a gate of black iron that opens up to a beautiful American modern style home with a luscious green garden that has just the perfect amount of flowers and trees to look beautiful and not like a forest.

On the entrance was a sign with the words "the Afzal house" in Arabic calligraphy with beautiful shades of blue and gray and silver paint.

"That was a very beautiful sign Uncle Muhammad." I compliment as we park the car.