BROKEN

Oreos & Mango Juice

"Don't come." I replied.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I don't want to meet your new family." I said, using a tone that I had never used with my father before.

"Warsan I was put in a very tough position, you wouldn't unde-"

"You're right, I might not understand aabo. But the past few days have been exhausting and I just want to spend time with my family." I looked over at Tasneem, she was playing on her phone acting as if she weren't listening.

He paused for a few moments. "You're my only child Warsan and I always want you to be in my life. I know the circumstances have changed but I am still your father and my love for you has not and never will change." Something about those words put me at ease for the first time since I found out that I was adopted. It was nice to know that my father had and always would see me as his own daughter.

"And what about hooyo?" I asked.

"That hasn't changed either, I still love her and I always will."

"Then why did you do this aabo?

"This wasn't something that I wanted, but this family took care of my mother, Warsan. This is the least I could do for them. Knowing that I hurt your mother keeps me up at night. Trust me, I have never felt this guilty about anything. I love you and your mother more than you can imagine and I'm sorry for the pain I have caused but this is something that my mother wanted. Who knows how much time she has left? It's important for her to be pleased with me." He rambled, I had never heard him sound so distressed. Before I could respond I heard footsteps coming down the hallway.

"Warsan, who are you talking to?" I heard my mother say as she stepped into my room.

"Aabo." I said. She held her hand out, signaling for me to hand her the phone.

"What do you want from Warsan?" she asked sternly into the phone. "She's doing just fine with us don't worry about her, have a nice day Liban." she said right before she hung up and handed it back to me. "Tell me next time he calls." She said as she stepped out. Hearing my father's voice had melted my heart. I already missed him a lot, I couldn't imagine not living with him. I guess his trip in Africa was preparing me for something much bigger. I looked over at Tasneem, she was laying on my bed with headphones in. I was having such a good time with her today, plus she was really helping me get my mind off of things.

"So what are we going to do about Hakeem?" I asked as I laid down next to her.

"I think that we should find out if he's single before we do anything." she said. "You should talk to him and become his friend. Then you can get all the info since you live right next to each other."

"Or you could just talk to him yourself." I suggested.

"You know I don't talk to guys first Warsan. Just talk to him and put in a good word for me when I'm not around." she said.

"Warsan, come here!" I heard my aunt yell. Tasneem and I both stood up and went into the dining room. "Your aunt next door wants to meet you." she said. "Go next door and say hello, and tell her that I sent you." Tasneem's eyes lit up. She already had a crush on this guy, she tends to catch feelings way too fast.

"Can Tasneem come?" I asked.

"Of course, just make sure you both introduce yourselves. She's been excited to meet you since I told her that you were coming to live with me." Tasneem and I nodded our heads and headed out the door. We knocked and waited. A beautiful lady opened the door and smiled.

"Is this my best friend Nadira's niece?" she asked in perfect English. Before I could answer she already had her arms wrapped around me. "And what's your name beautiful?" she asked Tasneem.