Chapter 3
One year ago.
Nuriyah's P.O.V.
I closed my eyes, read my duas* and held on tightly to the handle of my seat. Rodrigo put his hand on mine and then laced his fingers with mine.
"Trust in Him," he said.
The plane then took off and I could now see all the fluffy clouds covering Madrid, wrapping all those precious memories we made in this city over the last 14 hours in a protective blanket. From how he looked at me, it all felt so right, it was a feeling I hadn't felt with anyone else. The feeling of safety. Now, due to the cold weather, the window was frosted over.
"You're very wise you know that?" I said, turning to look at him.
He smiled resting his head on the seat and closed his glorious blue eyes. They stood out even more now that he cut his hair.
I didn't mind. I leaned my head against my seat. Before I knew it, I'd drifted off, into a peaceful sleep.
An hour later we were both jolted awake by the plane landing. Ugh! Spanish pilots and their bumpy landings!
-
I was meeting Anna at Lena's for coffee so I took a train from the airport right to La Rambla street. I felt like a tourist in my own city, I had gotten so used to high buildings and yellow cabs. I slowly pushed the door of Lena's open and was greeted by the warmth of the heating. I took my jacket off and I put my suitcase aside. Lena was in the kitchen shouting in Urdu to Khalid. Like that's ever going to change even if I left and came back after ten years. As usual, something on the stove smelled amazing. Not that I was hungry; I was still so full from the meal Rodrigo and I had last night. Gosh, I am never going to forget that place. Why? Because the restaurant we went to eat at had a pair of twins working there, named Safwa and Marwa. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for their poor mother when they were younger.
Anne was sitting at our usual table taking selfies. Probably using the mouse filter on Snapchat which was her favorite. She saw me watching her and ran over to envelop me in a hug.
'"Nuriyah, my word, I missed you so much!" she said, finally letting me go.
"I missed you too Anne," I responded after finally being able to breathe after her tight hug. Gosh, has this girl been gyming?
"Assalamualaikum! Oh my word, I had no idea you were coming!" Lena said, coming out of her kitchen, wearing her usual white chef's coat. Lena had recently started dating someone, she said it was all too amazing to speak about over Skype. Strangely enough she didn't even tell me who he was.
"Wa alaikum salam! I thought I might surprise you!" I greeted her back, thrilled to see her after three whole months in New York.
"So, tell me, what have you two rascals been up to since I left?" I asked them both once we were seated at our table.
"Well I started seeing someone," answered Lena.
I took another sip of coffee.
"And I got a job as a stylist at Layla's new magazine!" Anne exclaimed excitement shining on her face. I'm so glad to see her so happy.
"You don't seem surprised?"
I wasn't surprised. Layla had been trying to convince Anne to come over for months now. I'm so glad she said yes, she deserves it so much.
"I work for Fortaleza, remember?" I reminded her.
"Oh my word, I totally forgot! So now we can see each other every day! Just like we used to! And There's no more Sara," Anne said, squeezing my hand under the table.
I smiled at her, happy that she's happy.
"She's mad as hell at you, by the way," Anne then added, taking a sip of coffee.
"Sara was born mad. She can throw as many tantrums as she likes I'm not going to be bothered by them," I said with conviction.
"Good for you sister," Anne said, clinking her cup of coffee with mine.
