*
The theatre was a large and partially curved hall, not fully a semicircle but very nearly so. Several rows of seats were arranged so they curved with the building, facing inward towards a raised podium on which six plush, brown seats were arranged. All around the hall, several banners had been strung over the many doors, bearing the symbol of a woman extending a small bundle to a little girl, against a green backdrop.
*"Well, that was a complete waste of our time," Maryam said as they peeled away from the lights. "I'm never attending any seminar like this ever again."Afrah merely nodded, keeping her eyes on the road.
*Cursed amongst all seasons is Harmattan, the harbinger of dry skin, crusty lips and the sickening coldness of the air in the early hours of the morning. Though it was much despised by nearly everyone in the north, none of their hatred came close to Afrah's.Abba always told her that 'hate' is such a strong word, and should never be used except for the most extreme situations. Which is why she chose to use that same word to describe the we
*"In the name of everything that is good in this world Umma, please don't make me do this," Afrah pleaded."It's just this once, Afrah," Umma said. "All you have to do is meet with him. I'm sure he's a very nice guy."
*"Are you sure about this?" Maryam asked as she stared out the window for the umpteenth time."Absolutely not," Afrah replied. "I'm only doing this so Umma will get off my back."
*The tense air surrounding the table was beginning to suffocate Afrah. Fahad refused to take his eyes off her, even when he chewed his food or drank some water. It was almost as if his eyes were the needle of a compass, and she was the North pole.It had been thirty minutes already; thirty grueling, uncomfortably silent minutes. The awkward car ride was nothing compared to this.
*It felt good to be back home. Though it had only been two weeks since her departure, Afrah felt like she had been away for too long. She had missed the comfort of her bed, the darkness of her room and the coolness of the AC.For once, everything was perfect in the world.
*Khalifa was parked outside the hotel when Adnan stepped out, wearing grey joggers and a black hooded sweatshirt. His hair looked disheveled, huge eyeballs circled his eyes and he was dragging his feet towards the car.He looked like a fashionable homeless man.
*"Will that be all?" Khalifa asked as Adnan returned to the car with a sour look in his eyes."Let's just go," he muttered, putting on his seatbelt. "I'm tired of this place already."