Page 1 of A is for Ahool

Chapter One

Annisa

“I don't understand why you are leaving so early?” my mother groused. “And traveling alone.”

She squinted at my neutral expression. “That Dr. Numberi is a nice boy.”

The man was forty-five and married with two wives already. It was not the first time she had brought him up, and it would not be the last. My mother wanted to marry me off almost more than she wanted her next breath. No amount of academic or career success was ever going to mean as much to her as me finally getting married. I glanced at my watch.

“I should go,” I said, forcing a smile. “Security could take a while.”

My mother huffed. “Fine. At least take these with you.” She shoved a paper bag into my arms, forcing me to drop my knapsack.

“What is it?” I started to open the bag, but my mother shoved me toward the nearby security checkpoint.

“Just some things. Wear your hat while you're outside and wear sunscreen.”

I forced a smile as I hugged my mother. “I will.”

“You always say you will, but you're always so dark when you get back. It's like you don't care about yourself at all.”

I could feel my smile becoming a grimace. “I should really go.”

“Don't forget to hug your father,” my mother reminded.

I looked past her where I could see my father pacing while muttering into his mobile phone. “I don't want to interrupt. Tell him I said bye?”

My mother pursed her lips. “He doesn't approve of this trip, you know.”

I sighed. “I know.”

“But you're an adult and we can't tell you anything. Older and wiser, but what do we know? When I was your age, I never would have run off into the jungle like this.”

When she was my age, she had already been married for over a decade and had four children at home. I tucked the paper bag under my arm and reached for my knapsack.

“Yes, I know. I'm sorry, but this is part of my job.”

“If you were married, you would be home raising babies. None of this plant nonsense.”

I internally winced at her calling my life's work nonsense. “I'll…go on a few dates when I get back.”

My mother eyed me. “Don't just say that to shut me up, Annisa. I will hold you to it.”

“I know.” I looked at my watch again. “Tell everyone I love them.”

“Give your mother a hug,” she demanded.

I tried to set aside the old frustration. I gave her a quick squeeze and backed away. “Bye, Mother.”

“I will expect you back in exactly a month,” my mother warned. “I will send your father if I have to.”

I imagined my middle-aged father with his soft belly and loafers trekking through the remote jungle. I smothered a smile.

“I understand,” I said seriously.

I stood still so my mother could fuss with my hijab, making sure every strand of my long dark hair was tucked beneath the soft muslin scarf.

“Behave,” my mother reiterated.

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