The difference she made!

Her view

           

It was 8 in the evening when the plane landed at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Eventually, Fajr got there. She couldn't believe that she could finally reach her father's country, and be in her own home for the first time. Well if we didn't consider the time when she was child, because she actually remembered nothing about it.

Everything was just fascinating for her, she was amused by hearing the cute accent of Arabic everywhere and unlike London almost all women here were in their black Abayas.

With an air of confidence, she stood at a baggage carousel for what seemed like forever when the steady flow of bags onto the conveyor belt slowed to a trickle, and just before it stopped, there it was her lilac suitcase.

She headed to carry it when a guy, who looked more like a Saudi, came towards her and said something in Arabic. Fajr could understand that he was offering to help, but she refused politely.

She walked to the waiting area, pushing her suitcase in front of her and her silver bag loosely hanging over her shoulder. She was tall, slim and had a slightly long, oval face, big grey eyes, a generous mouth with pink lips and dimples on both cheeks. She was looking around to spot the one who was supposed to pick her up, but she could spot none as she didn't know who that person would be or how he would look like.

Her father had told her that he sent her photo to them and they would recognize her.

She sighed checking if her hijab was still wrapped properly around her head. All of a sudden, she heard someone behind addressing her in English; "Hello, you must be Fajr."

Fajr turned to see her, she was a girl covered in black and all what Fajr could see was her eyes which had dark brown color.

Fajr stretched out her hand to shake hands with the girl saying; "yes I am Fajr, and you are?" She questioned.

Warmly, Huda received her hand and pulled her slightly to embrace her telling her in a voice seemed more like a whisper;  "I am Huda, your cousin."

Fajr hugged her back. "Great! You speak English?" exclaimed Fajr who was surprised  at the way Huda was talking with her. Fajr's eyes fell on the face of the old man standing behind Huda, she said smiling; "and this must be uncle Hassan, he has got same eyes as dad's."

Huda laughed and Fajr raised one of her eyebrows asking; "what? am I wrong?"

Huda shook her head, then she explained "your accent is so sweet and perfect."

"oh you think so. thanks." Fajr smiled again. She felt confused for a moment about how she should greet her uncle, who was looking at her with a smile, however he already noticed her confusion as he took a step towards her. He put his hand under her chin and lifted her face up so that his eyes met hers. For him it was like he was seeing his own brother in Fajr's presence.

"Ma Shaa Allah, you have grown up, daughter. Welcome back home!" His voice was so velvety that the emotions took over Fajr and she threw herself in his arms " thank you uncle, I'm glad to be here."

Well, she thought that she did something embarrassing as her uncle gave a tremulous smile and people eyes followed their movements since she pulled herself back.

Fajr didn't expect that they would talk with her in English, it wasn't like she wouldn't understand it if they talked in Arabic, she actually did speak Arabic very well but not as regularly as English .

In their way home, she kept looking everywhere as if she was a child, went on a trip for the first time. The scenery passing by the car's window was very different from scenery you might view in London. From a far distance she glimpsed the far harbors along the Red Sea coast. Her first impression was Jeddah seemed to be modern and fast-moving city even at night. Her uncle kept asking her about her father and things in London and Huda looked interested in listening to their conversation. After a while Fajr, who was seated on the passenger seat next to her uncle, looked behind to see Huda. She hadn't seen Huda's face yet as it was veiled with a niqab "How many siblings do you have, Huda?"

Huda's eyes shone under her veil when she smiled and replied "I have two brothers, Khalid and Fahd and one sister Ruqaya." she added; "she got married three years ago and moved with Ali her husband to the UAE."

Fajr smiled broadly "interesting! I have got four cousins so far."

Huda replied in affirmation; "Yes and the list will go on."

Fajr felt so excited to have cousins and relatives around her. She always had friends, but never had that nice feeling of being surrounded by her own relatives. She didn't know that things wouldn't be that wonderful either!

They reached the house at 10:17 pm. It was a very big house, painted in beige color with a beautiful garden in front of the entrance. Fajr never imagined it would look like that. Hassan parked the car in the double garage at the right side of the house. Then they got out of the car and walked towards the entrance where the sweet-smelling flowers got Fajr's attention. Under the light of the modern outdoor hanging lights, she could recognize the color of the pink and white flowers. She breathed in some fresh air with a sense of belongings.

They went through the door into a huge tiled entrance hall, where there were a lot of doors on both sides ahead. For a moment she felt as if she was in a palace. At a distance of a few meters from her, a double curved staircase loomed large in the center of the hall. The steps were covered by red carpet in both sides while a modern grey Persian carpet covered the middle of the hall. Hassan walked towards one of the doors saying that he was going to inform Fajr's father of her arrival. As Huda took off her niqab, unveiling her round face covered attractively in fair skin with pink lips. She gave Fajr a smile that made her even more beautiful. Upon seeing Huda's face Fajr returned her smile, having a feeling that they could make good friends.

Then a lively lady rushed towards them. Despite of her brown-dyed thinning hair, and the thickening waist, one would fail to guess that she was actually in her late fifties.
She welcomed Fajr cheerfully "Ahlan Wa Sahln, Naowarti Almakan"  (Welcome, the place has been lighted up by your presence) That was so sweet, and Fajr replied in Arabic as well "antum noor almakan " (you are the source of light in the place)

They hugged each other while Huda introduced her mom to Fajr "This is Mom, Um Khalid, you can call her Aunt Fatima or simply Khalati".

"Nice to meet you Aunty." said Fajr with a nod. The lady looked confused for a moment as she didn't know English. However, Huda translated to her what Fajr had just said, so she shook her head with a lazy smile. After that she asked them to excuse her to return to the kitchen to put her finishing touches to the dinner preparations and so did she.

In the meanwhile, one of the doors was opened wide, and a young well-built man emerged from there. He was wearing a white Thobe with long sleeves which made him look so gentle.