Stated Love

Chapter 10

My family and I are sitting in the hot, noisy, jam packed airport. I let out an impatient sigh. "I'm not trying to complain, but honestly, the air conditioning is too hot. Someone should turn it down, man." Walaa narrows her eyes at me. "Well, you are complaining. Plus, it's perfectly fine."  "Plus, it's perfectly fine." I say in a mocking tone. What's her problem? I wasn't even talking to her. "Shut up." She snaps. "You shut up." Mama gives us both a warning look and Bashir rolls his eyes at us. She's so stupid. Stupid Walaa. Stupid air conditioning. Stupid, stupid stupid. 

After another hour, I couldn't take it anymore. My music was getting repetative and the games on my phone were no fun. "Baba, can I have a bit of change? I want to buy a Snapple." He sighs and  searches his pockets for his 'Big Apple' change pouch. He loves that change pouch. 

When I was seven, Baba took us on a walk through China Town, New York. I loved it! The bright flashing lights on every pop up shop, glowing lanterns, and the smell of fresh dumplings kept me smiling all night. It was my first time there and I'd never seen that much culture I remember seeing an old woman selling dumplings at her shop and I got interested as to how they made them. The lady walked me through all the steps and by the end of it, Baba bought me two veggie dumplings. Since I was sweet and adorable, the lady gave me a 'Big Apple' change pouch for free. I was so happy that day because Baba bought me the dumplings that I gifted it to him for his birthday. A pathetic gift, but then again I was seven years old.

I punch the number fifteen on the vending machine's keypad for a strawberry kiwi blend Snapple. As I grab the ice cold bottle, my hand's soaking wet from the condensation. I wipe my hands furiously over my jacket and pop my bottle open, taking a long sip. "Aloya, yalla, we need to go!" I run back to my family, careful not to spill my drink. "Take your bag, please." Mama grabs my suitcase by the handle and swings it to me. They all run to the gate, but I wait behind a bit for Haboba to have someone to keep up with. Once we're on the plane, I take the fattest nap I've ever taken in a while. Although the plane ride was just a few hours, it felt like an eternity.

"Sohair! How are you?!" My mom's sister, Samah asks. Khalto Samah is the sweetest! She has the sweetest smile and even if she's not feeling too good, she'll wear it anyway. Last year, she went through a brutal divorce and even throughout that time, she would put the effort to show her pearly whites. "Hi Khalto!" I wrap my arms tightly around her. She cups my cheeks in the palms of her hands and says, "Don't say 'hi' like the Americans, say 'Alsalamualaikum'!" We both laugh and we exchange three kisses on the cheek, something Mama had always taught us to do to our aunties out of love and respect. Although she didn't have any kids, Khalto Samah's car was an eight seater Honda Pilot. "Climb in, leave the bags, Habeeba (my dear in Arabic)!" She says, helping us throw our bags in the trunk. But I stay and help anyway. Since I'm the youngest, I receive the honour of sitting in the very back with Walaa. While in New York, we're staying with Khalto in her three bedroom house, although Baba and Mama insisted we rent an apartment. One room, the master bedroom, is hers. I loved the way she decorated it in boho chic accessories and everywhere you looked you could see lime plants and colourful flowers. Jidu lived with my aunt, so he also had a room to himself. It was simple and plain, just the way Jidu liked it. Haboba was going to be bunking with him for the vacation. He was her husband, after all. The last room was a guest bedroom but for the winter break, Baba and Mama would be staying there. Since all of Khalto Samah's couches in the living room were pull outs, Bashir would take the biggest one, the middle sized belonged to Walaa, and I'd sleep on the smallest couch since I was the youngest. I hated it, but I couldn't complain. My siblings and I could stay up all night, lying down on our 'beds', snacking on popcorn, and watching movies since the TV was set up in the living room. The first night was tough. It always took me at least three nights before I got used to my new sleeping style. I took a while to adapt. "Does anyone else need more blankets or pillows?" Khalto Samah liked to make sure everyone was comfortable in her home. She was the type of person to make you feel like you were the most interesting and important individual in the entire world. When in bed, I took my phone off the coffee table and looked through old pictures in my photo album of  Muna, Duaa, and I. Mama said that I'd be able to go visit them tomorrow Inshallah. We'd be hanging out at a cafe across the street from our old neighbourhood.