Ishaq

Oumaima Alileche

by Oumaima Alileche

Story
London

In the bustling office kitchen in London, Ishaq’s habit of carefully washing his cup—a practice from his home in Benghazi where water is precious—unexpectedly turned into a spectacle. “Ishaq! You know it doesn’t work like this here! You’re in London, not in Benghazi,” his colleague Fabian exclaimed, prompting laughter from the room. Ishaq felt each laugh as a wave of embarrassment and isolation. With a forced smile, he placed his cup in the dishwasher, suppressing his habits to fit in. “Yes, of course. I’m still learning,” he replied, his voice betraying his inner turmoil.

As his colleagues dispersed, Ishaq lingered, feeling the weight of the moment. It was a stark reminder of the cultural nuances he had to navigate in this new city, far from Benghazi. The smile he offered Fabian was a shield against the scrutiny and reminders of his otherness. This incident, though minor, deepened his doubts about his place in this new world. Was he always to be seen as the outsider? As Ishaq prepared to return to his desk, he made a silent vow not to lose himself in the process of adaptation.

That evening, in his small London apartment, the walls seemed to close in as Ishaq wrestled with questions of identity and belonging. His musings were interrupted by a call from his mother. Her affectionate words and reminders of his heritage and faith cut through his uncertainty. “Ishaq, my son! Did you pray today? Don’t let London’s streets make you forget who you are.” Her words resonated deeply, reinforcing his identity and the values ingrained in him.

Renewed by his mother’s call, Ishaq realized that fitting in did not mean erasing his origins. Instead, it was about integrating his rich cultural heritage into his new life. As he knelt to pray, a sense of peace enveloped him, reconnecting him with his faith, family, and himself. Each prayer reaffirmed his commitment to his goals in London and to remaining true to his roots.

The next morning, Ishaq woke with newfound clarity. Gone were the doubts that had plagued him; he no longer felt the need to scrutinize his reflection or question his identity. He was Ishaq, Abdullah’s son, ready to face the world as himself. At the office, he approached the sink to wash his glass just as he would have back home in Libya. When his colleagues looked on, perhaps expecting him to conform again, Ishaq smiled genuinely and announced, “Ishaq does it like this!” His confidence was infectious, and the atmosphere was curious but respectful.Throughout the day, Ishaq shared more about his culture and learned about his colleagues’ backgrounds. The kitchen incident sparked deeper conversations, bridging gaps and building understanding. As he left the office that evening, Ishaq felt a true sense of belonging—not because he had changed to fit in, but because he had allowed his true self to emerge.

Ishaq’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance affirmed his identity. He was Ishaq, Abdullah’s son, a man who had navigated the complexities of a new world to discover that his greatest strength lay in the truth of who he was, rooted in his father’s legacy and his own resilient spirit.

© Oumaima Alileche 2024-04-30

Genres
Novels & Stories, Self-help & Life support
Moods
Emotional, Inspirierend, Reflektierend, Challenging, Lighthearted
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