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Flashback- 10 years ago.
"Mama! Mama!"
"I'm in the kitchen, حبيبي!" I rush to the kitchen, as fast as my feet could take me. I finally get there, and I see my mother hunched over the counter, clutching her stomach. (Love)
" أمي ، ما الخطب؟" I drop my school bag on the floor and rush over to her side. She leans on me, but not fully. (Mom, what's wrong?)
"Nothing, my love. Although, can you get me a cup of water, please?" I nod, lead her to one of the stools in the kitchen, and rush back to the cupboards. I fill her cup with fresh water, and hand it to her, with a small plate under, as she always taught me. It's Arabic manners.
She takes it from my hands with a small 'thank you', and she raises it up to her lips, with shaky hands. She finishes it and places it on the small plate.
"أمي ، هل كان أبي مرة أخرى؟," I ask, in a soft whisper, but loud enough to hear. She looks at me with a small smile, but you could see multiple emotions swirling through her eyes. (Mom, was it Dad again?)
"لا تقلق بشأن ذلك يا حبيبتي. الآن ، لماذا كنت متحمسًا جدًا؟" I give her a small smile, as she gets up and hands me her hand. I take it, and she leads me to the garden, where there are multiple flowers, ranging from roses to daisies, to lilies. (Don't worry about it, my love. Now, why were you so excited?)
I tell her all the details about my day, and how I got a golden star today, for getting all the answers on my test right. I always tried to be the best in class, just to see the proud smile on my mother's face.
The same smile she is bearing right now.
"That's amazing, baby. Now, you have to go and get ready, for your Italian class. Have fun!" I got up, dusted my uniform, and waved her goodbye with a smile, leaving her in the backyard.
Oh, how I wish I never left her.
"N-no, don't leave, DON'T LEAVE ME-"
"LUNAE" I feel shaken awake, and I open my eyes, in fear. My eyes dart around the room, landing on a familiar pair of hazel eyes. I look at the person holding my hand, and I start to calm down. My heart slows down its erratic beating, as I focus on Alphonsine's brown, almost black orbs.
"Hi. Are you okay? You had a nightmare" I slowly nod my head, as she readjusts her stance. My mind is still hazy from my dream.
"Al" I lean forward, to really see if it's her. "Yeah, it's me, Al. Kiki's here too".
"Hi, lulu" After hearing the voices, I lunge myself in the nearest pair of arms I could find, which ended up being Alphonsine. She catches me, and as I breathe in her powerful but calming scent, I tighten my grip around her more.
