Forbidden | Haram

t. I would have stood up if it weren't for the seat belt still strapped around my waist. Then I hear

usin. Standing at the side of the air bridge to let other passengers exit, I adjusted the time on my watch. Hello, Pakistan. Here I am, I thought as I dragged my jet-lagged body and waited for

my room, read books, or watch movies and series online. My cousin Kristoff, who was also my roommate, insisted I take this time as an op

wenty-five last month. That's not old ye

vel and enjoy your life while you're young," he had said. "You, sitting at home reading for a week? You're practically a hermit in disguise," K

sit his country. He can travel with you while you're there, and you can eve

y staying from the afternoon until dinner and leaving around ten. He and Kristoff had

ook. "How did you know?" my expression seemed to say. "He's been asking about you since he first met you," Kri

friendly," I replied. "Maybe he just wants

w he looks at you? There's a difference between how he

rom a different religion and culture...he grew up in a society with different norms." I rai

years and always stayed in the apartment. If your parents were alive, they'd want yo

ayed in the apartment. I hadn't returned to the Philippines-there wasn't anyone to visit. Aunt Nida and Uncle Leo, Kristoff's parents, raised me afte

week earlier. Kristoff and he had already warned me that I wouldn't have reception upon arrival. I'd need to buy a l

with background noise-people talking, cars honking. "Just wait for me t

quick selfie and sent it so he'd recogn

r breakfast once I met up with Kashifa. Each sip of coffee seemed to boost my energy. I'd been so sl

a mix of Urdu and English, with pauses between each word. His hand gestures directed me through a maze of twists and turns to the exit. I hid my n

us-very hospitable and caring," Kristoff had sai

rt. He greeted me warmly, even giving me a brief hu

nties being holed up at home watching TV and reading. Out here, thi

t. "Did you eat breakfast?" he asked, smiling. I told him no, and he replied, "Good! My mother made extra f

we could stop at a store for some toiletries and gifts for the kids in his family. He smiled

ryone in English, while about twenty people stood in the guest room. I struggled to remember all the names, but I felt grateful

ed fruit, meat in gravy, and rice were laid out before us. My stomach rumbled at the delicious s

ored the delicious food and the warmth of their company, a sense of hope filled me. Perhaps this was the beginning of a n