This happened almost four years ago and I feel different about it. I don’t feel as bad as I used to and I do miss him.
I was 19 at the time. My parents had sent me to study abroad in the West whilst I lived with my aunt, uncle and cousins. It was a complete culture shock but the area that my aunt and uncle lived in were comprised of mostly Arab Muslims so I didn’t feel so alone. My aunt was extremely strict and expected me home at a certain time which I always abided by. In fact, I didn’t mind too much as it wasn’t as bad as what I endured back at home. I still dressed the same: a modest dress and my headscarf. My aunt was proud to have a niece who was, as she put it, “obedient” and well-mannered and I had received many marriage proposals from her friends for their son. They were told that my parents preferred I finish my studies first.