Hookah Reflections

Wispy curls of smoke meandered through my hair and soaked each strand in their minty flavour. Light Arabic music mingled with the snatches of conversation coming from every direction, forming a melody of their own, like the sound of a lonely stream flowing into the sea. Ginger lanterns hung on tan sticks, twinkling like fireworks against the black of the sky. You laughed, and your laughter reminded me of the first time we met, on a rainy day in June. It was outside the old college gates, shivering under the same tree, trying to protect ourselves from the fury of the storm. Your arm brushed against mine and you turned towards me; our eyes met, and my world changed. Together we ran towards college, laughing, and when you slipped your hand in mine, everything seemed right. We’ve come a long way since that moment, U and I, haven’t we? The clatter of glasses snapped me out of my reverie, and I saw our friends raise their glasses to ‘love’. I raised mine and silently thanked god for your presence in my life. But then as I looked around and noticed our friends, the people who have been by my side through thick and thin, I realized I had more to be thankful for......