You are my family

Chapter 44

'Omar'

In a world filled with millions of sinister people, it's rare to find a sincere soul. In a world where love and truthfulness are seen as weaknesses, you rarely ever hear the truth...

We find millions of people living two lives…in a world where revenge matters more than memories, we find millions out there turning against the people they once loved.

I know I am cable of being such a person. A destruction to myself and those around me. My world was getting too loud, too busy, too crowded…that all felt worth it having allowed this one person into my bubble, a very tiny, suffocating one that suddenly had more than enough air for everyone.

"You're wanted on the 4th floor!" Elizah said

I agreed to be a judge in the competition my father invited me to judge in. I did it because I'm too much of a filial son to not. For the last few months, I've been facing many of my demons and fighting against billions of my regrets only because now I have the courage too.

I hated every second of being here, "I don't want to do this anymore," I said my Elizah

She finished the event for me, comforting me with my favourite meal. I think now the only thing that carries the power to heal is this food…that smells just as good as it tastes and looks just as good as the person holding it.

"Are you feeling better after getting some fresh air?"

"Jee, more than ever…"

"Why did you just feel like that all of a sudden."

"I never knew how to say no to my father and mannier times it had overwhelmed me. I just at that moment wanted nothing to do with that type of suffering anymore."

"It's family above everyone," she said, looking down

"I'd choose you over my family any day."

"Seeing is believing, one can easily talk…but when the time comes to showing it, it hardly exists."

"You have my promise," I said sticking out my pinky as she grabbed it excitedly sealing the promise.

"I want you to prioritise your family, though..."

"I am, you`re my family now..."

I would not want to lose the only thing that made sense in a world filled with nonsense. Her hurt was very visible. She didn't want her sister around…she once said that she was dead to her. Denial is always an easier way than accepting. I am the master of doing such a thing, after all…but since I know that it is only you that can change how you feel towards something or what you think about something…it becomes clear that if I push her, she'll see me as the enemy—one who is being selfish and not trying to understand her.

"Have you ever driven around the city while listening to motivational podcasts before?" I asked her snapping her out of her daze

"Do I have to repeat that I can not drive," she said

"Now, will you let me teach you?"

"I'm down for the ride, not the lesson."

After a short chat, we went for that drive. Listening to all those motivational podcasts as we enjoyed the wind and the starry night. The streets were quiet and empty, and every place was filled with Nostalgia. We stopped by the lake, taking our seats in front of it as and star gazed. Growing up, that was one thing I've always wanted to do…-watch the stars with someone I'm in love with…where nothing is hopeless or beyond us, not blaming human nature…just sitting beside each other curiously looking towards the sky as we imagined what the life after this one would be like. Millions of gardens, rivers of wine and milk…with her hand in mine as we touched the clouds.

That feeling of wanting felt so familiar, so confirming…there was nothing more I would have asked for. It felt so right…

"Look at that one," she said, pointing towards the sky, "that's the biggest one amongst all the other stars!"

I smiled, turning my gaze towards her and I admired her face from the side, she had the prettiest eyes…they resembled the stars.

"I said up there, not over here!"

"I am looking at the prettiest star right now."

"That, my friend, was very cheesy."

I drew closer to her, smiling, "I can tell your blushing even under the moon's light."

She pushed my face away…turning to the other side, "Today I refuse to fall for any of your tricks; if you want to kiss someone, here's how you do it," she said before grabbing me by my collar and looking into my eyes, "whos blushing now?" she said before our lips met

My heart jumped across the lake and around the entire world. I had never felt so much energy in my entire life….that being my first kiss.

I wouldn't have had it any other way…I love Elizah...

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you too," she said, laying back down as we continued stargazing.

I felt like a teenager who just received his fix…this woman has become my addiction.

I'm glad I have waited patiently, Allah surely gives only the best to those who wait…for those who ask, and most certainly has better plans.

After years of no light and meaning and seeing nothing in myself, I've slowly slipped away from that belief, I have become the person I was always meant to be. I now look forward to waking up and watching the sunset…I feel emotions that matter.

Suddenly, obstacles feel less troublesome and the coffee on sad, bitter mornings tastes like freshly bought honey. I once thought that love was just a belief, but now I know why there's so much emphasis on it.

I feel young, free, alive...happy, and less empty.

The stars on that night brought meaning into my life, and slowly my world filled with only black and white allowed for some colour to slip through. ... I saw the stars, the beautiful sunset..the setting of the water and the waves of the ocean.

In one person. I found all of this and more.