- 5 -

Home

"Dawn breaks, birds chirp, the blue hour and then it's golden. Faded leaves suffering from the cold of the winter, yet new ones forming the color that brings your eyes to life. Lazy walkers with phones in hand and those breathless runners running from one end to the other, struggling to keep up their pace but still not quitting.

The first few rays of the morning sun illuminate and lend life to the tallest tree I can see, while the rest filter in through the floor to ceiling French window in my drawing room, accentuating the dark, burnt umber of the furniture that sits still, lifeless. The cold room seems to warm up to the sun's invitation and makes it feel like home.

Outside, the birds chirp and light puffy clouds glide by like the most delicate thing you've ever seen. While admiring the subtle beauty of nature around me, I breathe in the cool, crisp air that fills my lungs and makes me feel fresh and alive.

A few women pass by, conversing, while school-aged youngsters run around, terrified of missing their bus, as their parents chase them down with their bags and lunchboxes. As the bus comes to a stop, drowsy children are half asleep on their seats, while some stare forward at the wonders of the world.

Evening arrives, and the bright blue sky fades away once more, while the sun blinds me with its magnificence and throws its golden robes at the world, proud of itself. Children of various ages run around trying to catch each other, racing on their bikes with their laughter filling the entire neighborhood, completely oblivious to the approaching darkness.

Women roam around in groups, spilling everyone's tea and giggling like young school girls who just got away with something while the men their way to the mosque for their evening prayer and the cars on the main road drive by carelessly. The buzz of birds returning home in flocks to their children before dusk and bright kites float high above in the sky while the sun starts to set.

I sit at the window of my drawing room, hidden from view and safe from prying eyes, observing them and the natural world around me. The way the trees sway in the breeze as the clouds dance around like cotton candy.

Men chatting in quiet tones but occasionally laughing, how the women grin freely and the children laugh joyfully. Families sitting on their terraces and balconies, enjoying their evening tea and chatting from politics to neighborhood gossip and who just got married last week.

I chuckle to myself as I notice two kittens fighting while a few small children and watch the event with rapt attention.

I lean against the window and close my eyes to the uneasy warmth of my surroundings, falling into a sound sleep and into another world of dreams."