Chapter Text
Going grocery shopping is one of Amira’s favorite things because it means spending more time with her mom and lately with exams and work they haven’t been able to spend time together. That’s why, on Wednesday afternoon when Amira’s mom asks her to go grocery shopping with her Amira goes without hesitation. The truth is Amira’s been thinking about talking to her mom for a while now. She wants to talk to her about what’s going on and, above all, talk to her about Dani. She hasn’t told her parents that she’s dating Dani and she’s not sure how to do it but she could use her mom’s advice.
On their way home from the shops Amira is considering starting that conversation but they’re interrupted by two neighbors Amira was not expecting to see.
“Hey, long time not seen!”
Amira hopes Dani’s mom can’t see the fear on her face. Or at least, she hopes she’s not as obvious as Dani who’s looking like he’s about to have a panic attack right now.
“Fariha, it’s been a while. You too Amira, you haven’t come visit in such a long time” Dani’s mom says unaware of the fact that her son and Amira are panicking.
“Uhm…yes, I’ve been very busy with exams” Amira can’t even look at her face right now.
“Lately when she’s not with her friends, she’s at home studying. I’ve been very lucky to get her to come with me today” Amira’s mom tells her neighbor.
“Well, I wish Cristina was like that because I can’t deal with her anymore, she says she’s studying but I can assure you she isn’t, she’s on her phone all the time. And this one?” she says pointing at her son “He’s the same, he only cares about rugby, rugby and rugby. Well, at least that’s what he says because I know it’s not only that. I’m sure he has a girlfriend or something, I’m sure of that. He always comes home with a silly smile on his face. And he expects me to believe he’s smiling because of rugby, sure.”
“Mom, please” Dani says embarrassed.
Amira can’t help smiling, she likes the thought of her being the reason for Dani’s happiness.
“What? I’m only telling the truth, these past few weeks you’ve been very happy all the time. And I’m not complaining, it’s better than Cristina being angry all the time. Seriously, what a complicated daughter I have”
“Don’t be that harsh on her, it’s a tough year. She has a lot on her plate with school.” Amira’s mom tries to defend Cris.
“Yeah well, but I’m sure Amira still gets good grades, Cristina’s are a mess.
“Come on mom, leave it already. We should go, Cris is waiting for us at home.” Dani says trying to get the conversation to end before her mom can say something else.”
“Daniel, god, let me be. We haven’t seen Fariha and Amira in a while. Anyway, Amira” Dani’s mom says ignoring her son. “Come visit us this week, you can stay for lunch after high school or something.”
“Mom, it’s Ramadan, they’re fasting.” Dani mumbles dying from embarrassment.
“Ohhh, of course, of course, I’m sorry I don’t know what I was thinking” Dani’s mom apologizes.
“It’s alright” Amira says while her mom smiles.
“Well, this one here” Dani’s mom says pointing at her son once again. “it’s like he’s in one of those Ramadan things too, lately he’s not eating at all, he only eats at night, during the day he’s always telling me that he’ll eat later or something. See, another sign that he’s in love.”
“Mom!” Dani almost yells in panic. “Let’s go, please”
Dani doesn’t dare to look at Amira or her mom, he only wants to go home.
“Yeah, yeah, let’s go. Anyway Amira, you can still come home one of these days even with that fasting thing and all.”
“Sure, yeah, I’ll talk to Cris” Amira says knowing that there’s no way Cris is going to invite her to her house.
“Come on, let’s go” Dani tells his mom who follows him when she sees him leaving already.
After saying goodbye, mother and son, and mother and daughter, part ways. They’ve only taken a couple of steps when Dani turns to look at Amira, who’s also looking at him. They both smile shyly, knowing that they’re going to see each other tomorrow.
Carrying two bags each, Amira and her mom enter the house after the encounter with their neighbors. Amira follows Fariha to the kitchen and watches her mom leaving the bags on the counter.
“So, Dani’s mom doesn’t know you two are dating?”
Amira lets the bags go and they crash on the floor.
“Amira! The eggs!” Her mom exclaims kneeling to the ground to check that the eggs didn’t break.
“What did you just say? I mean…what? Dani and I…we’re…” Amira doesn’t know what to say and she can barely get a few words out.
“Amira, love, I’m your mom. You can’t lie to me. Dani is not the only one that’s been happier than usual lately.” After checking that the eggs are still intact, Amira’s mom grabs the bags and sets them next to the others.
“Mama, I didn’t want to lie to you, really. I was just… waiting for the right moment to tell you that…”
“That you have a boyfriend?” Amira’s mom finishes the sentence for her.
“I know what you’re going to say, that I’m crazy, that it’s not going to work, that we can’t be together, that I’ll have to sacrifice things and so will Dani, that we’re going to get overwhelmed…”
“Amira, Amira, love, let me talk” her mom interrupts her “Come here”
Amira follows her mom to the living room where they both sit on the sofa like they did a couple of weeks ago.
“Look, Amira, I’m not going to lie to you…It’s not going to be easy because you come from different worlds and you’ll have to adapt to each other and that’s going to be hard.
“I know…” Amira says with a sigh “I know”
“But that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.” Amira’s mom assures her taking her hand. “If you’re sure about what you want and what you feel…and you’re honest with him…”
“Yes I…well, I made a list with what I needed from our relationship”
“A list? What am I not surprised?” her mom says laughing, she’s always known that her daughter knows what she wants.
“Yes…” Amira smiles “And I told him what I needed and my limits and he…well, he accepted it, no hesitation. And I don’t know mama…when I’m with Dani I’m…”
“Happy?” her mom asks her, squeezing her hand.
“Yes, I am.” Amira answers honestly.
“That’s all I need to know Amira. That you’re happy. And I want you to know that, whatever you do, I won’t judge you, it’s your life, and you won’t disappoint me. But…don’t disappoint yourself”
“About that…” Amira doesn’t know how to finish the sentence, how to explain what’s going through her mind right now.
“What’s the matter?” Again, she squeezes her daughter’s hand to assure her that it’s alright.
“Well…I know the theory…but the practice…it’s hard. When I’m with Dani I want to hug him and I want to kiss him but I stop before that happens and then I feel bad for even thinking about it”
“Ah, Amira” her mom sighs smiling “Love, it’s okay to doubt. You’re young, you’re in love, I would be worried if you didn’t want to kiss Dani. Of course you want, and that doesn’t make you worse, it makes you human. What matters is what you do with those doubts, how you overcome them”
“Yeah?”
“All I can say is that, if you ever feel confused just stop and think, and pray, I’m sure Allah will show you the way”
“Thanks, mama” Amira says hugging her mother.
“Alright and now, tell me, is Dani nice to you?”
“Yes, he’s great.” Amira says, still hugging her mom, who’s caressing her back “He has a way of always make me laugh and feel better when I’m down, he surprises me, on Monday he prepared an Iftar for the two of us, we watched the sunset together and…I don’t know I love spending time with him”
“I’m happy to hear that. Dani’s always been a good boy.” Amira’s mom makes a pause before asking what she’s been meaning to ask since they ran into Dani and his mom “And Dani…is he…fasting?”
“Yeah…” Amira looks up at her mom before continuing. “He’s been fasting for a few days now but…it’s not for me. I haven’t asked him to. It was his decision. He says he’s been researching and watching videos and that he doesn’t know how to explain it but that something inside him told him that it was the right thing to do. I don’t know, I don’t want to get my hopes up but…”
“It’s a start” her mom finishes.
“Yes, it is.”
“I’m so sorry about my mom, she was super annoying” it’s the first thing Dani says the next day when Amira arrives to the park.
“It’s alright, I actually liked knowing that you’re happier lately”
“Of course I’m happier, Ami” Dani says smiling at her “You’re also the highlight of my week”
“Well…the highlight of your week has something to tell you” Amira bites her lower lip, half happy about what Dani just said and half worried about what she has to say.
“What happened?” Dani asks frowning.
“Well, yesterday after running into you and your mom I talked to mine and she told me she knew about us”
“Oh…and she’s angry about it, right?” Dani says worried, he’s always had a great relationship with Amira’s parents but he’s not sure if they’ll accept him as their daughter’s boyfriend.
“Well…” Amira makes a dramatic pause but when she notices Dani’s worried expression she decides not to make him suffer anymore and starts laughing “No, she wasn’t angry at all”
“Ami, you scared me!” Dani sighs in relief
“She told me that…that she wanted me to be happy and that it is my life and she will accept whatever I decide”
Dani smiles, his eyes on hers, it’s the best news he could be receiving, but Amira’s not finished talking.
“And she said something else…She wants you to come for Iftar tomorrow”
“Okay…”
“But I understand if you don’t want to come, if it’s awkward or if you think it’s too soon or you just don’t feel like coming or…”
“Ami, Ami, Ami” Dani interrupts her “I said okay. Of course I want to go”
“Really?” Ami asks to be sure.
“Of course”
Dani looks at his watch, in 20 minutes he has to be at Amira’s. He checks his shirt, it’s clean after all the cooking. He’s always been a good cook but he’s never make briwats before so he just hopes that they’re edible. The sound of the front door closing startles him. A few seconds later his mom and his sister enter the kitchen and stand by the door looking at him confused.
“What are you doing?” his mom asks
“Are you wearing a shirt?” his sister adds.
“I cooked something, I’ve been invited for dinner and I didn’t want to go empty handed.” Dani explains trying to keep his mom from seeing what he’s made.
“You could’ve told me, son, and I would’ve made you a tortilla or something. What did you make?”
Dani’s mom tries to walk by Dani to see what’s on the plate but Dani stops her. However he forgets about Cris who takes the plate from behind him.
“Is this…?” Cris starts studying the food to be sure – You’re going to Amira’s right?
The moment Cris mentions Amira’s name, chaos starts. Dani panics and gets mad at his sister at the same time. The kids’ mom frowns, not understanding what’s going on. And Cris, she closes her eyes when she realizes her mistake, she didn’t mean to say that.
“To Amira’s?” their mom asks. She turns to Cris and adds: “Are you going too?”
“No…I’m not” is all Cris says.
“What’s going on here? Why are you going to Amira’s alone?” their mom wants to know.
“Thank you, Cris” Dani sighs. “Look mom, I’m going to Amira’s because we’re dating.”
“Dating? Amira and you?” his mom can’t believe what she’s hearing.
“Yes, Amira and me, so what?”
“But Dani, Amira is…”
“Amira is what? Muslim?” Dani asks defensively “Yes, she is. Do you have a problem with that?”
“Daniel you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, Amira is a good girl but she’s going to ask you to do things that…” Dani’s mom stops when she remembers something. “That’s why you’re not eating, you’re doing that fasting thing, right?”
Dani shakes his head in disbelief, the last thing he wants right now is having to explain himself, but there’s no other choice.
“Yes, I’m fasting”
“What?!” Now Cris is the one that speaks up, widening her eyes in surprise.
“They’ve already messed with your head, oh god”
“No one’s messed with my head, mom. And you know what? Amira is much more tolerant and a much better person than you are”
“Daniel, don’t talk to me like that, that girl is changing you, she’s not right for you”
“Look, I’m going to go to Amira’s, because she’s my girlfriend, and that’s not going to change” Dani looks from his mom to his sister “and I don’t care if someone has a problem with that.”
Not waiting for an answer, Dani takes the plate from Cris’ hands and leaves the house. He hears Cris calling after him. She reaches him and stops him, but she doesn’t say anything until Dani tries to leave again.
“Wait, please” Cris says standing in front of him “Are you really fasting?”
“Yes, Cris, I am.”
“But…did Amira ask you to do that?”
“No! She didn’t. I decided that, on my own…I’ve been…researching and I don’t know it just…feels right, okay?”
“Okay, okay, chill, I’m not going to judge you” Cris says trying to get her brother to calm down.
“Cris, are you happy with Joana?” Dani asks suddenly.
“Of course” Cris answers, no hesitation.
“Even though it’s complicated?”
“Yes.”
“Because when you love someone, everything is worth it, right? That’s how I feel with Amira, Cris. I don’t care if it’s complicated, I want to be with her.”
“I’m sorry…” Cris says honestly. “I’m sorry I was a brat to you, really. Dani I…if you want to be together…I’ll support you, alright? And don’t worry about mom, she’ll come around.”
All Dani can do is nod, still processing what just happened with his mom and now with his sister.
“Are you scared about dining with the in laws?” Cris asks him to release some tension.
“To death, man” Dani chuckles.
“It’ll be alright, Ami’s parents love you”
“I really hope so, I need this to work.”
“It will.”
Dani wipes the sweat of his hands on his jeans before knocking on the door. He’s nervous, after what happened at his house and about not knowing what’s going to happen at Amira’s. The door opens a few seconds later and the moment he looks at her, Dani forgets all his fears and all he can do is smile at his girlfriend.
“Are you wearing a shirt?” is the first thing Amira says smiling
“Is it really that weird?” Dani laughs
“A little, yeah. But I like it. You look really handsome”
“And you’re so beautiful”
“Come on in” Amira says stepping to the side so he can enter the house. “What’s that?”
“Well…” Dani uncovers the plate to show Amira his work of art.
“Briwats? Where did you get them?”
“I made them, actually” Dani says smiling shyly
“For real? You? And what did your mom say when she saw you?”
“I’ll tell you later…” Dani is not ready to relive the situation again and doesn’t want to ruin the night.
“Hey, but are you okay?” Amira asks worried.
“I am now” Dani smiles and Amira smiles back at him until they’re interrupted by her mom.
“Hello Dani, come in, are those briwats?”
“He made them” Amira adds proudly
“Really?”
“Yeah, it’s the first time I cook this, I really hope they’re good…I just know that it’s something you usually eat and…yeah…” Dani says scratching the back of his neck nervously.
“I’m sure they’re great” Amira’s mom says taking the plate from his hands and entering the living room to show them to her husband. “Mustafá look what Dani made”
Amira and Dani follow her to the living room and watch Amira’s dad getting up from the sofa.
“Dani?” Mustafá looks his daughter and then at Dani. “Wait, you’re the one dating my daughter?” he asks confused, all Amira said is that she’s dating a boy and that he was coming for Iftar, he didn’t know it was Dani. He sighs in relief. “I was so scared of who it might be, come on here.”
Hesitantly, Dani follows Mustafá, who goes back to sit on the sofa and urges Dani to do the same.
Amira watches them from the door with a smile, her father is happy and Dani is getting more comfortable by the second. Amira looks at her mom and sees her smiling too, it looks like everything is going to be okay, now.