As Ouahib arrives in town , carrying the weight of a family that has weathered hardships, including parental separation, and the lingering echoes of a once vibrant home, he embarks on a new beginning, yearning for a different chapter.
In contrast...
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I remember what Narjis and Yasmin told me. Aaliyah told them, that I shouldn't miss her too much.
I tried. I really tried hard. But I can't help but miss her already. What is about now, I had already missed her the moment I stepped in the car with Ishaq.
Today is the Henna and a mix of Baarat and the Hdia. We will be visiting her house with presents for her and her family. Unfortunately, she isn't allowed to see me nor am I.
I will directly get to see her on the reception, which is tomorrow. I'm wearing my Jabador, a Moroccan attire and ready to go.
Yemma is going through the presents one more time to make sure everything is ready, when I descend the stairs.
"I'm ready!" I announce and grab her attention. "Oh! Allahuma Barik!" She praises coming towards me. I check my attire and smile at her, who is now standing infront of me.
"You're not allowed to see her, so do not even try!" She warns and I chuckle. "I will not try to see her, okay?" I assure her and she smiles.
"In return, I will give her a hug from your side and a very loving kiss on the cheeks!" She says sheepishly and I smile at her antics. I love her so damn much.
"Make sure to pour all the love I give you to her." I play along and we both laugh. I give her a long bone-crashing hug and a part in me reminds me of my father.
Wouldn't it be more beautiful if he joined this hug? Wouldn't it make it easier for me to leave my mother and two sisters? Wouldn't it make a difference in my life too?
Yasmin and Narjis come running down the stairs and their laughter brings me out of my overthinking. Yasmin stumbles and nearly falls on her face, when she balances herself with the help of Narjis.
I let out a long breath I didn't know I was holding and thank Allah that nothing happened. "Careful!" Yemma scolds and she smiles apologetically.
"I'm sorry, I'm too excited to meet Liya!" She adds and Yemma shakes her head, "We're still not leaving and surely not leaving you two behind."
Everyone is excited about meeting her and here her husband isn't allowed to! What is this injustice?!
We load the things into the cars and all my other family member also start arriving as we all will be leaving together. Many are staying at our house, but some chose to go home and come back for the functions. It makes sense when they live just like half an hour away.
Settling into our respective cars, we drive towards the Maliks, because I can't say I'm going to meet Aaliyah, because I'm not. I'm going to meet her family only.
We drive about forty minutes through the bustling city and finally drive infront the beautifully decorated house of her family.
We get greeted and welcomed with sweets and present as well. In the living room, we all chat and my gaze automatically wanders around searching for her, but to my dismay she is nowhere in sight.
