She locked her Peugeot 406, sky blue in color, and glanced at the watch on her right wrist. Seeing she still had a few minutes left, she unplugged her phone from the charger and began tapping on it. Her attention was drawn to a message that had just come in directly rather than from any of the social media platforms she used. She smiled, her slender dimples showing clearly, upon seeing the sender's name.
"Muhibbat," she said aloud. As always, it was a Friday greeting message. She replied to the message, then hurriedly put her phone away, noticing it was already past twelve. She adjusted her veil and stepped out. The only visible parts of her were her face, palms, and feet adorned with henna. After the security man halted the oncoming vehicles to allow parents and children to cross, she confidently walked into the school. Before she could reach them, they ran to her and hugged her tightly. She hugged them back, then pushed her eldest daughter's forehead gently with her finger.
"Look at you, don't you have any shame? You're still among those who want hugs?"
The girl pouted, adjusting her backpack while glaring at her younger siblings who were laughing at her.
"Mommy, tell them to stop. And didn't you say I'm named after your mom, that you love me the most?"
Instantly, the kids started complaining, each in their own way. If it were something she could get used to, she'd have grown accustomed to it by now. There wasn't a day she came to pick them up from school without them giving her a headache. They were only three, but their noise was like that of five. She struggled to gather them all; one had lost his water bottle, another's book was torn. After getting them settled in the car, she gave them a stern warning which quieted them down, then she started driving. Glancing in the rearview mirror, she caught her youngest, Affan, whispering to his brother. She smiled and shook her head just as she took the road leading to the Sharada neighborhood. She loved her children deeply, and being with them was more important to her than anything else.
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