Better Late Than Never

36

When she got the text from Ayman that the bus was leaving Omar Bello Drive to pick her up from Plum Boulevard, Ayra excitedly panicked and went on to search the house for the third time that morning just to be sure that she'd not forgotten anything.

With amusedly fond smiles, her parents sat next to each other on the loveseat in the second living room and waited until she returned, out of breath and her veil – which she'd wrapped as a quick, easy turban – loosening.

Despite her attempts to catch her breath and calm her heart, Ayra grinned. "I'm not forgetting anything."

Salama was on the verge of laughing. "Alhamdulillah for that. Calm down, Leilani."

Ayra could barely stand still. "That's easier said than done, Ummi. Today's finally here and in a few hours In Shaa Allah I'll be in Spain. I know I'll be exhausted but still!"

Muhsin chuckled. "Well, we tried to get you to calm down."

Ayra's grin stretched while Salama gave into the urge to laugh. Letting go of her husband's hand, Salama pushed herself off the loveseat and walked over to her daughter. With a lovely smile on her face, she unwrapped her daughter's turban and proceeded to tie it again; putting all the love she had in the simple action.

Ayra was giddy with way too many things and she kept smiling, dimples matching her mother's. "Ummi, you and Baba still haven't said what you want me to bring back for you as souvenirs."

Muhsin fake-glared. "I told you I want a Toledo shirt, or even a keychain with a scenery picture or painting. A jersey will be nice too. I'm not picky. Real Madrid or Barcelona is fine. It's even better if it's both."

Salama shot him an amused look which had him grinning sheepishly and batting his lids. With a roll of her eyes and a shake of her head, Salama turned back to her chuckling daughter and proceeded to softly cup Ayra's face in her hands. She memorised her daughter's every detail. "You coming back to me happier than you are right now will be my best souvenir, Leilani, and don't you dare tell me I'm being way too sentimental this morning."

"But you are being sentimental this morning." Ayra said, the words coming out as a near whine. "In Shaa Allah I'll come back happier than I am now. Now tell me what you want."

Chuckling, Salama leaned in and planted a feather-like kiss on Ayra's nose, causing the latter to giggle; a sound that warmed Salama's heart so much. It warmed Muhsin's too. She pulled back, her smile returning immediately. "I want postcards and earrings. I want polaroid photos of you arranged in a mini album too, so your Baba and I can look at them from time to time and see your happiness captured in many different ways."

Muhsin nodded, the mental image so beautiful in his head. "Yes please. But don't also forget the jersey."

Ayra, feeling as though she'd burst, nodded. "Okay!" She hugged Salama tightly. "I'll do that In Shaa Allah. I love you, Ummi."

Salama found herself blinking back tears, missing her already. "I love you too. Come on, let's get your things out before the bus gets here. Hug Baba too."

Ayra all but ran and jumped on a laughing Muhsin who hugged her just as tightly as Salama did. By the time they got to the gate and opened it, the bus had arrived and the Bello ladies – Amna, Aabidah, Aneesa and Ibtihaj – had their heads stuck out of the windows, each one's excitement as clear as the sun that was rising over Aomi.

No one had to tell Salama and Muhsin that they'd lost their daughter to the excitement, especially when the ladies got off the bus. With warm smiles, Salama and Muhsin turned to the others to exchange greetings.