It had been three weeks now here in Spain. Alhamdulillah. I think God answered my prayers because no longer was I being stalked by the demon and no longer was I living in fear. The situation here went back to normal all by the help of God.

Although, there was a small inkling of fear which resided in the back of my brain, but it was taken care of when I'd pray or read the Quran.

The demon who tried to kill me that night had thankfully not made an appearance in my life. Every time I remembered what happened to me, I would recoil in fear and my hands would immediately go to my neck. The bruises were gone now, but the soreness did not. No one from back home nor from the Mukhtars family knew about this, and I decided to keep it that way.

Why worry others with your problems.

It was an early morning as I awoke by not my alarm, but rather a phone call. Too busy trying to open my eyes, I answered the call.

"Happy birthday Laila!" My brother? screamed. Instantly all signs of tiredness and sleep vanish and are replaced by alarm. I looked at the screen, seeing Nasir waving and smiling.

"Wake up sleepy head. It's your 19th today s'how do you feel?" He asked, but due to the connection his voice came out low.

"Clearly okay" I replied sarcastically rubbing my eyes.

"Turn that frown upside down. Get up girl. I'm sure you've got work In a couple minutes" I hate to say it but he was right. Mama and baba appeared from behind Nasir.

"Assalamu-alaikum Laila. Happy birthday bakri. How are you feeling" dad asked.

"Walay-kamus salaam Abu g. I am fine Alhamdulillah. How are you and ammi g?"

"Were all good dear. We just wanted to call for your big day today. Now hurry and get ready otherwise you'll get late"

I nodded my head ending the phone call. I quickly got ready and before I knew it, I was out the door.

It was a Friday today, the last day working at the hospital for the week. I continued with the usual routine checkups on the kids, as they were still under my control for another month. All of the ones that had been referred to me were extremely nice and fun to hang around with. Also, their injuries were not that major, which was good as it meant they wouldn't be in pain that much.

Over the course of the three weeks, Marissa had become much more tolerant of the kids here too. She told me one time after our shift how she saw herself In a patient. I was glad she was having a change of heart and that too with a kid.

Night time arrived sooner than expected. I guess I must've had fun for the day to go past so quick. I waved bye at Marissa, as she walked towards her car.

"Don't eat too much cake Laila. Save me some" she joked. I laughed, nodding my head.

"Of course I will. Buenas noches"

Lameesa had a short lecture today, and because of that she went home early. Although she insisted on waiting for me, I couldn't be heartless and make her wait two hours. Instead, I told her, no ordered her to go home and do something useful In those two hours.

Now it was just me and some other people at the bus station. I admit, everytime I was here, chills would immediately make their way into my body and freeze my consciousness, which only explains how much this place affects me.

I guess everyone on a Friday was rushing to get to their destination, explaining the rush today. It was always like this on Fridays, I noticed. It was becoming uncomfortable in the bus, as there wasn't enough place to sit, so I opted to stand up. I was situated somewhere in the middle as more people kept coming in, the more I was being pushed away.

I cold feel my anxiety rise with each passing minute, as my bus swerved around the streets. Why did it feel like it was going to fall over any second. Despite these wild thoughts running around my head, I grabbed onto the railing very tightly. With both my hands.

I was stuck in my own thoughts when suddenly the bus came to an abrubt halt. The person behind me jolted forward, right into my back, causing me to stumble forward into an elderly woman who was sat down on the seats. I attempted to move away quickly.

Hearing a mumble of "lo siento" from behind me, I quickly did the same to the poor women who I had almost sat on, her frown visible on her face, as she shook her head at me whilst mumbling something under her breath. I turned to look behind me, witnessing a tall woman looking at me sheepishly, once again apologising.

"Lo siento. Perdí el equilibrio y choqué contigo" I looked at her foolishly, trying to make sense of what she said, but ended up replying with a two word answer and a smile.

"Esta bien"

When I was turning around, her eyes briefly glanced the side of my coat, before she looked up at me, a grateful visage painted on her face. I returned the smile, feeling dubious of her character and slightly alert.

Internally praying to get home quickly, I looked out of the windows, hoping to distarct my mind and ease my claustrophobia. It wasn't helping that I could feel the women's eyes on me from behind.

Alhamdulillah after three whole minutes which I had been counting by the way my stop had arrived. I pressed the bell and tried to make my way to the front. Being short was so annoying. Everyone here were like giants for god's sakes!

I hurriedly speed walked to the house, not daring to stop for even a second for my undone laces. The house came in my line of sight and I couldn't help but sigh in relief. Quickly twisting the key, I went inside, locking the door behind me.

I went straight to the kitchen, finding auntie and uncle making something together. Slowly making my way towards them, the slight creak under my feet gave me away. They turned around, startled as if they'd been caught stealing from the cookie jar. I couldn't help but laugh at their surprised expressions.

"Salaam Laila. How are you habibti?" Auntie asked, standing in front of the counter smiling at me as if she'd done something bad.

"I'm good auntie. What are you hiding behind you back?" I voiced my skepticism, walking towards her.

"Basta. Stop Habibti, I'm sure you're tired, why don't you go upstairs and freshen up whilst we set dinner. Si?" Uncle instead asked, coming to stand in front of me hurriedly.

"It's okay uncle. I will help you"

"No. Don't be silly. You can help another day. I can tell you look very tired" auntie said from somewhere behind uncle. He was really tall, looking over him was hopeless for someone like me. I decided to listen to them and nodded.

"Okay okay. I'll go. I'll be back in minutes to help you out" I held my hand out in front of me, walking backwards.

I ran upstairs, not seeing Lameesa, Sajdah or Kira anywhere. That's weird. They're normally downstairs this time hanging around the living room. Not thinking too much of it, I changed my clothes into a oversized jumper and a black skirt. I paired this with my black jersey hijab, as it was cold here in Spain, and I wanted to keep myself warm.

I left my coat on the bed, deciding to text my parents once I'd ate dinner. Not having lunch at work was taking its toll on me, so I couldn't wait for dinner tonight. I hummed a random tune whilst walking to the kitchen.

It was eerily quiet, and no one was replying to my calls. I didn't take that long did I? Maybe auntie and uncle have taken everything to the room already. Opening the door to the living room, I turned the lights on and suddenly everyone jumped out from their hiding spots.

"Surprise!! Happy birthday Laila" they all screamed whilst I was stood like a baboon with my mouth open. I couldn't believe this. My eyes roamed around everyone as they held party poppers and silly string. In moments my sight was blocked by the silly string as it was sprayed directly into my face. And on top of that, someone popped the poppers. I probably looked like a overly decorated piñata right now.

I chuckled and helplessly attempted to get away. Auntie and uncle chimed in, stopping the girls from drowning me in string and confetti. I giggled, overjoyed that they would do this much for me. I looked at them all in my messy state opening my arms out for a hug. The ladies all got in the group hug.

"Happy 19th Habibti. You have made us and your parents so proud. You're like my fourth daughter and I thank Allah for you. May Allah accept all your duas, and forever keep you this happy" uncle exclaimed, patting head as a sign of respect and blessings. I smiled at him, tears forming in my eyes.

"Ameen. Sum Ameen" everyone including me voiced.

I didn't miss when his fingers reached for his eyes, turning away as he wiped them.

"Baba. This is supposed to be a happy moment. Stop crying" Kira scolded playfully, leading me towards the cake. Everyone chuckled. May Allah keep everyone that I know and love, like this forever.

They all began singing in spanish as I cut the cake. I wanted to savor this moment forever. The happiness and joy I felt right now was unimaginable. Finally, the slice was cut, and now ready to go into the elders mouth. They each took a bite, before feeding me some cake too.

From somewhere, a picture was taken of me, as Kira wiped the frosting over my nose and cheeks. My double chin was probably out and ready for the photo graph. Soon we all joined around the dinner table, setting the food down.

I was starving, and I'm sure the cake made everyone thirsty. We all chattered around the table about anything and everything, whether it be politics, religion or just memories of us as kids. Least to say, it was a wonderful night.

At the end of dinner, Lameesa, Kira and Sajdah gave me an item wrapped awkwardly, saying it was my 'much anticipated gift'. I looked up to see the three of them looking at me sheepishly as I giggled at their wrapping.

"Yeah we're not the best at wrapping. We spent an hour doing this. Safe to say we somehow managed" Sajdah let out sheepishly.

"It's okay. It's the thought that matters right?"

I eagerly opened it to see a book. But not any book. It was one that had been transformed from blank pages to a personal craft. I opened the first page, and just like that, my mind had delved back to 2002. A picture of a one year old me and a three year old Lameesa was taken, as we were sat on a bed, with me in her lap. I flipped through every page and the years progressed, our entire childhood and adolescent was hidden within these pages, up until a week ago, when me and Lameesa thought it was cool and chiq to take pictures from a lower angle, as we stood in front of a fountain, pulling silly faces.

Everything was encaptured from mugshots to the prettier versions of us into this book. I couldn't help but look up at the three sisters in my life with gratitude and love. Alhamdulillah for these girls in my life. I placed the book aside gently and rushed to give the three of them a bear hug.

"Thank you thank you thank you girls. I really appreciate such a thoughtful gift. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Alhamdulillah"

"Oh girl. I know how much you love presents like this, and also, Kira and Sajdah came up with the idea. I just helped with the captions here and there" Lameesa giggled as we all came away from the hug. I gave the twins a kiss on the cheek, thanking them for their imagination.

"Laila come here Habibti. It's time to open our present" uncle said, motioning towards a beautifully wrapped box. I guess they understood my surprise of such amazing wrapping that uncle answered the unasked question.

"And yes. I did the wrapping myself. I grew up with mamy sisters. What did you expect" he chuckled softly as auntie also did the same. I smiled at the newfound information before gently opening the wrapping paper. It was so amazingly done I didn't even want to open it. Nevertheless I did and was presented with a Swarovski box.

I evidently gasped as my eyes couldn't look away from the beautiful bracelet. It felt delicate, as I took it out and placed it on my wrist. The emerald jewel shining back at me. I stood up before hugging auntie and thanking auntie and uncle for such a beautiful gift.

"I will never take this beauty off" I said as I pulled away from auntie. Uncle placed his hand on my head, blessing me.

"I'm glad you love it Laila" I nodded at auntie, as Kira and Sajdah held my wrist in their hand, also dazzled by the bracelet.

"It's beautiful Laila. It brings out your eyes you know that?" Kira announced, to which I didn't even realize it did. I shook my head no, looking at it closely. It truly did.

Not long after uncle clapped getting our attention, announcing that it was time to sleep. There were a couple of whines heard from the twins but they soon quitened down by the look on uncle's face.

"Everybody upstairs and in bed. Sleep is very important my children. Yallah"

We all announced good night to each other, making our way to our own rooms. I placed the gifts on the bed side, before sitting down. My phone pinged from somewhere, as I realised I hadn't gone on it since work.

I located it in my coat pocket, but ended up looking in the wrong side. It's unusual as this pocket was normally empty, but somehow there was a paper in it which I'm one hundred percent sure was never there before.

________________