The Promise

4) Aurora

   I gather my stuff and apply some perfume and lip gloss before I head out for college.
Yes, that’s a lie. I’m not going to college.
I get so naughty and lie to go to other places with my friends.
This is what having strict parents feels like, but guess what? The adrenaline rush and the temporary feeling of freedom is hundred percent worth it.
“I am two minutes away; you need anything before I come?” I ask my best friend through the phone.
“Nope, just you and your pretty face” she answers and we decline.
I descend the bus and make my way towards her house; this house has been the home for me since I went there for the first time.
You know this kind of friendship where you’re the other child to their family not just the friend; that’s the feeling when I go there.
Sometimes I go there to sleep or rest because my house is always stressing and other times I go to work or read or have a good time.
It’s our comfort zone.
“You’re late.” Nour says welcoming me at the door.
“Fuck, I thought you didn’t arrive yet!” I tell her entering the house
“Hi mom!” I yell greeting Kira’s mother who is our second mother.
“Welcome, love. please sit and have breakfast!” she says rushing to go do whatever she always runs around to do.
“okay” I laugh.
After a while of having fun with her sisters and eating, the three of us sit together alone.
“I am sure you’re accepted” Kira says,
I look at her with a blank expression.
“Girl, they literally sent you on social media.” Nour says.
“This doesn’t indicate anything guys. If I’m accepted, I’ll receive an e-mail.” I convince them and think again before going on again, “Maybe it’s something they do with all the candidates to see their activity on social media” I tell myself before them because I really don’t know why they sent me, it is strange.
“Nope, do not try to convince us” Kira muses next to me I hit her with a pillow.
“Can we not talk about this scholarship guys. It’s making me nervous and I came to chill” I quip.
“Fine” they say and we cuddle in each other’s arms.
We always do that, we’ve always faced a lot of obstacles in life, each one of us fights her demons, but at the end of the day we always had each other’s backs and we sought comfort and warmth in each other’s presence and embrace.
It was always us against the world and our struggles.
I am awakened by a poke on the shoulder that I try to shoo away, but it doesn’t go away.
“Aurora”,
I hum in response, “Aurora, wake up” I recognize Kira’s voice.
“Aurora, Nour, guys wake up quickly”
“What is it, are we leaving yet?” Nour asks her voice heavy with sleep,
“Aurora got accepted” Kira says.
“Huh?” Nour says while I still couldn’t make out what she’s saying.
“Wake up! Aurora got the goddamn acceptance letter!” Kira yells startling the whole house with her voice.
“I got what?!” I exclaim sitting up suddenly.
“The motherfucking acceptance letter!”
The three of us stand and scream while hugging each other.
“I couldn’t believe it!” I squeal “I got accepted!”
“Show me”, we all gather around my laptop to read the e-mail.

Dear Ms. Soliman,
I am writing to confirm my acceptance of your internship on July 22nd and to tell you how delighted we are for you to join NV Valley Corporation in London.
The work is exactly what you have prepared to perform and hoped to do.
After reaching our foundation, you will be meeting your mentor to start working on the internship and sign the contract as well.
We look forward to working with you and the other fellow interns. We appreciate your confidence in us.

Sincerely,
Omer Mughrabi.

“I think it’s time guys” I say and we hug again.