How The Euphrates Met The Yangtze

Centered

I paced my room back and forth.
We're packing.. I can't believe we're actually packing!!

Packing to where?
To Sydney. Yes, to the land of kangaroos and didgeridoos.
I don't even know what to pack. My hand clasps my necklace, a gift my mother gave me when I was young.

I stare at its outline. Its intricate design. It depicts the two rivers of Iraq (Euphrates and Tigris) resting within the borders of Iraq. And at the centre a diamond jewel shines representing our beloved capital, Baghdad.

I hold myself back from shedding any tears. No, not today. For today I will bravely farewell my only home to begin a new life in a foreign nation.
And I'd hate for this day to be full of misery and tears.

My family is only doing this for my own betterment. I know that. I understand that it's all for my own good. They care for me and for my siblings and I accept what they chose.

Though even so, I dread that this will ultimately change our lives for perhaps the worst.

"Zaynab!!"
My mother calls out in a screeching tone.
I can already predict what she wants. She's worried that I still haven't packed and our plane leaves tomorrow morning.
She barges into my room invading my private abode.
"Ya habibti, didn't I tell you to pack last week!!"
"Ya Allah, we don't have that much time and I still have to help your younger brothers!"
She's always this dramatic, her voice pierced through the gentle atmosphere of my room.
"Don't worry Mama! I've got it all under control" I reassured her before pushing her out of my room (kindly) and closing the door.

"I'll come back and check in an hour!"
She hurriedly yells as she rushes to fuss about something else.

Oh, and did I mention that I have siblings?
Zayn (14), Haider (9) and Fatima (2).
Of course, I'm the eldest (16). And yes, I'm in high-school. Which is part of the reason why I'm also stressing over us moving.

I know nothing about Australia. What if I don't fit in? What if they all hate me? What if they just make fun of the way I talk?

Okay Zaynab, calm yourself down!
Everything will be fine.
You'll be fine and it'll all work out.

~

As I finish packing up the last of my many items I zip up my bag and take it to the living room. There I see a large pile of bags. So much that you can stack them together to recreate the Himalayan Mountain!

I place mine alongside the others and my Mum just 'coincidentally' pops into the room.
"Alhamdullilah, you're done!
I was about to come and pack your bag for you!"
My mother teases with her nasally voice whilst smiling warmly.

I love her, though she can be exhausting to deal with. To put it simply, she's intrusive. Always checks my things to make sure everything is "perfect" and "tidy". I honestly think she just enjoys snooping through my privacy.

I shrug her off and kiss her on her cheek as I tell her goodnight. She kisses me in return and we head off. On my way I stop by at my parents room and wish goodnight to my father.
"Goodnight to you, my beloved rose"
He replies whilst fiddling around with his junk of which he regrets having to throw away.

I ignore my siblings and just head to my room.
I miss my bed and just feel the urge to sleep after such an exhausting day.
~

NOTE;
Okay, so this is the first of many more chapters.
I know it's short. Though it's just a test chapter to see how I feel about continuing it and how the rest of the story will go.

Please let me know your thoughts.
This is my first time publishing a story I've written! 😳

All opinions/thoughts are welcome 😊💕