Part 2

This friend of mine was studying abroad in California and was accompanied by her sister who was a year older than herself. The sisters came from a very strict family, but somehow managed to convince their parents to study abroad. It wasn't that their parents did not trust them, it was more like, they did not trust the people around them.

Now, how about we call these two girls..

Sara: TODAY'S THE DAY MY SWEET SISTAAAA! L.A., HERE WE COOME!

Mariam: Sktee, I'm still in shock! I can't believe OUR parents gave us permission to travel to CALIFORNIA on our OWN.

Sara: I know! I mean, who would EVER believe that!?

Mom: Bu Sul6an, ta3al shoof banatk t5abln! Min al7eena yirmsoon engleezee!

Dad: Hahaha! Yalla banat, jahzeen?

Sara & Mariam turned to face each other and replied with a shriek of excitement. After saying their goodbyes, the girls rushed to the plane as if it was going to take off at any minute.

Lady: I'm sorry ma'am, the plane is not yet ready. It will hopefully be in about 40 minutes *Fake smile*.

Sara: Wiya hal ebtisama. Ashkara FAKE.

Mariam: Saroh emshee, f'9a7teenah.

The girls headed to the lounge, grabbed something to eat and before they knew it, the plane was ready for them. They grabbed their belongings and headed to what they called heaven. Sara, a lot more excited than her younger sister walked right past her in order to reach the gates.

Mariam: Saroh! Enzain wait for me.

Sara: Enti ttma56rain. Yalla emsheee!

The girls reached the gates, placed themselves in their own seats, and waited for the plane to take off. Before they knew it, they had reached..

Sara: HEAVEN ON EARTH! Yalla, let's go see the place we're staying at.

Before Mariam could say anything, Sara literally dragged her, got into the car and were on their way to "University of California", the main setting of this story.

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Alya: Now can I go to sleep?

Me: I didn't even start the story.

Alya: Mom, it's almost 2:00am, and I'm so tired. Can you continue this tomorrow? Please?

Me: Fine. Goodnight sweety.

I kissed the top of her forehead, shut her lights off and walked back to my room to get a goodnights sleep myself.

Mohammad: Oh, you're still awake. Where have you been?

Me: The kitchen, getting me a glass of milk. Sorry, did I wake you up?

Mohammad: Nah, it's okay. Come, get some sleep or I'll have to face a cranky you tomorrow morning, and trust me, cranky you is frightening.

And so, I walked back to bed with a smile on my face and laid right next to my husband.

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Stay tuned,

xoxo.

Part 1

Me: You are NEVER to speak to him again! Do you understand me?!

Alya: YOU CAN'T FORBID ME FROM DOING THAT! I LOVE HI--

And that was the first time I slapped my own daughter. She left me no choice but to do that. I mean, how can a 17 year old girl know anything about love?

We stood there, speechless & before I could say anything, Alya started walking back to her room. I wanted to apologize for slapping her, but at the same time, I thought she deserved it. Yes, you heard me. She deserved it! I mean, why would she do such a thing? Yes, she's 17, too young for love, but not too young to think straight. Am I supposed to tell her father? Does he have to know? Or am I supposed to keep quiet, and just hope it never happens again?

Should I wake him up? Or wait until the next day, after lunch? Wouldn't he get furious at me for not telling him sooner? But wait, what am I supposed to tell him exactly? That his only daughter, whom he trusts and loves more than anything in the world went out with a boy last night? Just like that?

Should I mention the time she arrived home? Or would it be best to leave that part out? Probably leave that out.

I was still standing in the same spot where I had slapped my daughter. A lot of questions were running through my head and I was just unaware of what to do.

After I snapped back to reality, I slowly walked to the kitchen, poured me a glass of milk and just sat there thinking "Alya, what have you done?"

After 30 minutes exactly, I decided to go to my daughter's room and just have a quiet conversation with her, unlike the one we had earlier. As I headed to her room, I hoped she did not go to sleep already since it was around 1am.

*Knock Knock*

Alya: I'm asleep.

Me: Yes, you obviously are. May I come in?

Alya: I suppose.

I walked into her room and took a seat next to her in bed. I struggled with my words, but finally came up with something to say.

Me: You do know I'm going to have to tell your father about this, right?

Alya: No mom, please don't! Not dad! He won't ever trust me again!

Me: You can't blame him, now can you? I don't know how I'll ever be able to trust you again. You lied! & I can't not tell your father about this. What if he finds out about this guy? I can't lie if he asked me if I know anything about it. & you know how strict your father becomes when it's something that has to do with reputation! Especially your reputation! You're his only daughter.

Alya: But--Okay what about me studying abroad? He's going to refuse & it's my education we're talking about here!

Me: Okay, how about this. The only way you can stop me from telling your father is if you stop seeing that guy. Honey, you're 17! You're too young for all of this. He's going to break your heart some day, and I will be the one to help you wipe those tears away.

Alya: You don't know that! Mom, he actually loves me! & he promised he won't ever do me wrong.

Me: Okay, what if he doesn't break your heart, but things actually end badly?

Alya: Mom, you're thinking way ahead. He loves me now, and -- *Whispers* I love him. And that's all that matters. & how can things possibly end badly? I mean, you won't tell dad, will you?

Me: Honey, let me tell you a story about this friend I knew a while ago. After I'm done, I want you to think carefully about what you want. Because sweety, whatever you do today, bad or good, it's going to haunt you in the future. And I don't think you would want to have a future full of regrets, now would you?

Alya: Mom, come on. A story won't change anything plus, I'm too tired.

Me: Shush & hear me out. Okay, so Once Upon a Time--

Alya: Mom, seriously?

Me: Okay okay. It all started when ..

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Stay tuned for part 2,

xoxo.