CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

I have been sleeping all night long since we arrived on the island Mykonos in Greece. It’s morning now but I am still sleepy because of the jetlag. It’s 10:00 a.m. already. I woke up earlier to pray Fajr (morning prayer) but went back to sleep.

I am meeting Ismail in the resort restaurant to go over some files that he needs my help with. I step into the restaurant and see him at the far end, close to the beach. I walk over to join him.

While sitting down, I remove my sunglasses and my Panama hat, but my hair is still covered with a hijab cap. This causes Ismail to greet me with his beautiful, but annoying laughter.

“Have you looked in the mirror this morning?” Ismail asks laughing.

“I know I look horrible but surely not that bad.” I know my eyes are bloodshot and red from lack of sleep. There are bags under my eyes, making me look grim, but I doubt I look bad enough to make him laugh.