Chapter 1: The Weight of Arrival
Chapter 2: Roots of Resilience
Chapter 3: Her Success Backfires
Chapter 4: A Fragile Sense of Pride
Chapter 5: Sacrificing Half a Smile

Welcome to the final chapter of this series. If it’s your first time checking this story, I encourage you to start from the beginning. Happy reading!

Chapter 6: A Cup of Coffee, a Wake-Up Call

One morning, while still with her family, her mother called her to join her for coffee in the garden. She leaned by the kitchen door, watching her mother as she calmly prepared a pot of Arabic qahwa. The whole kitchen smelled of cardamom-infused coffee, a scent that brought back a flood of childhood memories – one for every year she lived in this four-storey villa, built by her grandfather nearly forty years ago.

My grandfather was indeed a top achiever, she silently thought to herself. But it was family that he treasured the most.

As she sipped her coffee beneath the leafy branches of the apricot tree, her heart settled for a rare moment of stillness as if to give her a chance to enjoy the serenity of this garden. Here, she couldn’t help but think of the stark contrast between the warmth of this house and the cold, frigid atmosphere of her office back in Germany.

She then looked at her mother, whose eyes were filled with compassion and concern for her daughter.

“How are you feeling today? Smile. Let me see.”

She smiled, or at least she tried.

“I feel it’s much better today,” her mother said trying to conceal the lie she just told.

“I know you love your work so much, and you’re such a dedicated, determined person. When you set your mind on something, you leave no stone unturned until it’s done. But is your work worth sacrificing your smile?”

Her mother’s words struck her like a lightning bolt, catching her off guard. In that instant, something deep within her stirred. Everything she had chased, everything she believed mattered, was an illusion. The things she thought were valuable, were hollow. Her grandfather didn’t care about her becoming a beacon of success. He just wanted her to be happy.

That afternoon, she stood again opposite her mirror and looked deeply into her eyes. The little girl, who once held her grandfather’s hand, was looking right back at her. And although she couldn’t see her smile, she felt her elation. I think I’ve finally found myself, she reflected, her heart quiet and at peace as if the pieces of her soul had gently clicked into place.

 She then quietly retreated to her room, opened her journal, and with a newly awakened heart and a determined mind, she asked herself one question: Manal, what will it take to bring that smile back to your face?

THE END

Thank you for going on this journey with me, and I am hopeful that it touched your hearts in some way. I would love to hear your comments about it, what you liked or did not like. So please share your opinion in a comment below ❤️