From We to Me...

Jeddah

I decided to buy some gifts for my family. I really did not know what they were like but I bought a few things. I packed it along with my clothes. The day before we left Zaid came around with a gift. It was a gorgeous leather handbag that I could use on my trip. I thanked him and told him how much I was going to miss him. He made me promise that I would text him. He greeted my parents and left. Early the next morning we were out the house. I cried when I greeted nani. She told me to make lots of dua for everything that bothered my heart. She said she knew that I would need it because the kindest people always hurt the hardest. We landed in Jeddah that afternoon. After the tiring passport control we made our way out. Daddy's sister and her husband were due to fetch us. Aunt Faatimah and Uncle Tarek were already waiting for us. Daddy held his sister and cried. She did too. She was an exquisite beauty. She was happy to meet mummy too and did not let go of her hand. We were to stay with her. From what she told us my grandparents lived a few streets away. We were driven to a modern suburb. Her house was large and modern too. The cook was busy preparing a lunch dish. Aunt Faatimah was older than daddy. She got married before daddy left and had 4 children. 2 boys and 2 girls. All were married except for 1 boy. Uncle Tarek owned a few supermarkets. We were due to meet the rest of the family that evening. Mummy and I were exhausted and went to rest. Daddy was too busy catching up. I wondered how my grandmother would react. Was I too hopeful? What if a greater strain is created? I could tell mummy was very nervous too. I made a dua and asked Allah to make everything run smoothly. I text everyone at home. Nani said the house was very quiet without me. Only the cat is running around. Zaid hadn't read my messages at all. He was probably I assumed. 
After the Magreb Salaah, uncle Tarek and aunt Faatimah drove us to my grandparents home. It was a beautiful home. There was a guard at the gate, a door man, a cook and a maid. The meeting between daddy and baba was so emotional that everyone cried. We nervously entered the house. I could hear a lady calling out. I asked my Young cousin Hamaad who it was. He said it was my grandmother asking who came to visit her. We Sat in the lounge and waited. Daddy went into the room first. I tried to listen to any reaction that indicated a positive or negative response. It was silent. Then voices were raised. I became alarmed that it was falling. Mummy too looked afraid. Uncle Tarek sensed our apprehension and explained that in excitement Arabs become loud. From what he could hear it was positive. Aunt Faatimah came to the lounge after a while. Her face was tear stained. She called me to go with her. Not my mother. My heart sunk.

On the bed Sat a fragile old lady. Her wrinkles were deep set. I greeted my grandmother. She said nothing. She asked my father something and he replied "Faatimah Zahra." She seemed impressed. After a few minutes aunt Faatimah began to speak to her mother. She seemed angry and spoke in a firm tone. I later came to know that she insisted my grandmother see my mother. When mummy came into the room, her face was red with panic. My grandmother greeted her and remained silent. Baba began to speak to mummy. That irritated his wife greatly but at least we weren't kicked out. We left daddy with his parents to talk while aunt Faatimah and her husband took us out on a drive.
The next day daddy went back to visit his parents. Mummy and I stayed with Aunt Faatimah. We Sat in her yard while we spoke of our lives. I came to know that my grandfather had owns an empire. Aa'isha and my uncle moved their head quarters to London. It was an electrical company that supplied countries worldwide. They employed a large amount of staff both in Jeddah and London. It then struck me as to how pure my daddy's love was for my mummy. He had given up the lap of luxury just for love. How noble I thought. I hope Zaid can offer me that too. Uncle Tarek promised to show me around before we left for our umrah trip. He even offered to drive us to Makkah. After a few hours daddy came back home. He looked exhausted and went to rest. My grandmother still hadn't met my mother and I know it weighed on my mother too. The modernity of Jeddah was unexpected. My cousins loved make up. They bought an item at almost every store. I just used the basics. When I chatted to Zaid about this, his response startled me. He said that I too should start buying make up as I could not be a plain Jane forever. I was a bit disappointed but put it down to pleasing him. If he liked it then as a wife it was my duty to do it.
The day before we left, my grandmother summoned my mother and I to her house. We entered her room and she Sat on her bed upright. In front of her was a box. She gestured for us to be seated on the bed. We followed her instructions. She then took my mothers hand and pulled it to her face and kissed it. In Arab culture that is a sign of love. My mother began to cry and so did my grandmother. We were told that Hafsa Askari never cried in a hurry. The wounds of many years were beginning to heal. My grandmother then gave my mother a pair of bangles and for me a bracelet. My family was complete.