Aaliyah to the World

37 | Love Letter Inc.

•Aaliyah

Dear Aaliyah,

It's been a while Habibty. A very long while! Where do I start from? Happy birthday love. Today is the blessed day you were brought into this world so please enjoy it. Two years ago you stopped replying my messages and e-mails so I aimed for a letter hoping you'd reply. I understand you have a lot going on with school and your spoken words activities so feel free to sit this one out too.

I've been following your works for a year now and it seems you're cooking up a storm in the literary world. I'm proud and impressed. Your words are just as beautiful as you are. So much to say yet little time. I'll make it quick. I don't have enough time. I'll be boarding the plane in nothing short of twenty minutes.

I want to start by telling you how I feel lest I digress from my initial reason for writing this letter. I hope you're well? How is your studies? I heard you've found love along the distant shores of the emirate. It's none of my business but I live for your happiness. Masha Allah he's some lucky fellow! I hope he's doing right by you. If he does anything I'll still lend you a shoulder to cry on. Damn! That sounds bad. I do wish you well in your relationship. But again, be careful.

Bilal says you'll be back in a few months. I'm sure these last few months will be hectic so take care and study hard. Remember I have all your best interests at heart. That sounds desperate, lol.

I may not be able to attend the graduation for I'm in a distant land but I'll send a gift. I feel like a goose writing this letter because I'm all up in my feelings. It's been two good years and I'm yet to be over you! I'm not telling you to earn your sympathy rather your empathy. Something tells me I still hold a place in your heart. I just want you to see how I'm suffering. I tried getting over you but I realized I couldn't because I need you just as you needed me before.

Time and distance really did separate us. Anyways, forget all that! Stay happy. I love you and I'll always love you. Two things I'll never stop telling you. I'll tell you today, tomorrow if I have the chance and in the next ten years. FOREVER! Just as long as you don't forget me. Forever is a long time so imagine me still telling you the same things in Jannah. I hope you won't get tired love. Even if you're not mine at least I know you're still aware of my existence. I wish you all the best. Stay safe. Allah's Noor and Khair for you in abundance Cinderella. May this day mark the beginning of of greater achievements in your highly eventful life.

Happy 23rd birthday my everlasting heartbreak story!

I traced the bottom of the card where the brand name was engraved onto it.

Love Letter Inc.

And read their slogan for the umpteenth time.

Dreams come true when the stars allign! It's all about Feelings.

Were these tears about feelings?

I've been in the same position for the past twenty minutes staring at this beautiful letter Hamza sent. Should I reply or throw it into my closet where a myriad of similar letters that were sent by him layed scattered?

I'll make it an addition to the swarm just to feel less guilty about my current love life.

I've met different men since I came here and no one has been this persistent and I don't think I've loved any as much as I did him.

Ali, Ehsaan, Jameel, Dalil, Zubair, Anwar, even Musa! then my dearly beloved. None compared to Hamza.

What do I do?! I have another but I'm still in love with Hamza.

Maybe he was also my everlasting heartbreak story because I have finally come to realize that I actually love him. A traitor I was to myself for not giving my heart what it so yearns for.