The dinner had gone well. Everything had been arranged in a hotel, the entire banquet hall reserved for the occasion. The space was filled with lighting, decorated tables, and the constant noise of conversations. Kian and Ishmal remained at the center of it all, so much so that for a moment Ishmal felt as if she was reliving her walima. Faces kept appearing-khala, mamu, cousins, even nieces and nephews who were almost grown. Everyone met her with warmth, with excitement, with an ease that left no space for hesitation. Ishmal greeted each of them with a smile, doing her best to match their energy, though the sheer number of people began to overwhelm her.