A Tapestry of Life

Lina

Autumn swept into Sweden, bringing with it a flurry of activity in Lina's household. A refugee couple, Dara and Leyla, who had been sharing their home for the past six months were finally moving out, and Lina, though only a freshman in high school, was roped into the moving process by her parents.

The living room was filled with the quiet rustle of cardboard boxes and the murmuring sounds of Arabic melodies that Dara and Leyla had grown fond of during their stay. A smattering of clothing, essentials, and modest personal keepsakes littered the room, waiting to be packed.

"Could you pack these blankets, Lina?" her mother called, handing her a pile of fabrics. The top one was a rich, crimson blanket with a worn texture. Leyla saw it and smiled gently, "That was our wedding gift. It has to come with us."

With a nod, Lina carefully folded the blanket and placed it into one of the boxes. She was indifferent, the task was just that - a task. She didn't hold any particular sentiment for the couple; they were guests her parents had taken in, and she had shared her home out of familial obligation.

Her father was focused, his tools clanging rhythmically as he disassembled a small coffee table. Her mother bustled around the kitchen with Leyla, their soft conversation punctuated by the clinking of dishes. Lina found herself roped into the noise and clatter, packing, fetching, and carrying.

The smell of her mother's stew began to fill the house, a hearty farewell meal for Dara and Leyla. Lina found herself looking forward to the quiet that would follow their departure, the return of normalcy.

By evening, they had packed the last box, the house resonating with a silent sigh of relief. Dara thanked Lina's father, his voice filled with gratitude, "Thank you, for everything." Leyla echoed his sentiments with a teary smile.

Watching the truck pull away, Lina felt a sense of freedom. She was just a teenager after all, happy to reclaim her space. Dara and Leyla seemed nice but she was glad to have them gone.

---

The evening after Dara and Leyla's departure, Lina and her parents found themselves around the dinner table, an air of calm replacing the previous day's chaos. The familiar aroma of her mother's stew still lingered in the air, but the soundtrack of their dinner was noticeably quieter. Lina, free from the constraints of shared living, was practically buzzing with excitement.

Casually, she broached the topic she had been mulling over all day. "Mom, Dad, do you think it would be okay if I invited Sofia over for a sleepover this weekend?" She held her breath, watching her parents exchange a glance over the table. She had hardly had any friends over since Dara and Leyla moved in, and the prospect of a sleepover was positively thrilling.

Her parents, ever attentive, considered her request. They were still acclimating to the sudden quiet and were not particularly looking forward to the house being filled with the sounds of teenage girls giggling into the late hours of the night. But they recognized Lina's need to reclaim her space and enjoy her teenage years.

After a moment, her mother nodded, "That should be fine, Lina," she said, her tone even. Her father simply echoed the approval with a soft "Alright."

Overwhelmed with excitement, Lina immediately started expressing her gratitude. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She exclaimed, her eyes bright with anticipation.

Despite their lukewarm response to her effusive thanks, her parents smiled kindly. "Remember to keep the noise down, Lina," her father reminded her gently. Lina nodded eagerly, already making plans for the weekend in her head. After all, she was a teenager, and the prospect of a fun-filled sleepover with her best friend was the most exciting thing on her horizon.