Sixteen: Taleen

         I watch the train as it starts moving away from the platform and once it completely departs, I walk away. I’m happy that I had the chance to spend more time with Layan but saying goodbye to her wasn’t easy. I’m never good at goodbyes. Each time I have to let go of someone I love even for a temporary time, my heart clenches and a lump constantly forms in my throat. I hate goodbyes. I hate the dull feeling and the ache they bring to my heart.

          I take the bus back to the dorms and when I walk into the room, I don’t find Lisa. Sighing, I take a small Tupperware box and two foil plates out of the small cabinet where we store our kitchen tools. I scoop some of the tabbouleh in the box and I put six samosas in one of the foil plates and in the other, I put man’oucheh. After covering all of them with plastic wrap, I check my appearance in the mirror.

 &nbs