I stood beneath the ultramarine sky, squinting up at the glittering yellow disk which had appeared in its full glory after many days of rains.I heard footsteps behind me and looked at my house for the final time in a while.My parents had taken the whole week of to help me pack and to make sure everything was ready for when I arrived in New York.My mum worked at the Museum of Science and Industry and despite her passing on her love of the subject to her kids, it never stuck with me.She immersed herself in the place and took us there every month or so to see the changes and the exhibitions.That part was interesting.The huge scientific lectures with words I can't pronounce...not so much.

My dad was always busy at this place designing things since he was an architect.It was the Industry of Oslo?Ontario?Ohio?I didn't care.Wherever it was,he got paid well and our lives weren't bad.We'd go abroad every year and he'd give us pocket money and al the things that normal dads try to do.Except for the fact that unless it was his holidays, we'd rarely see him since his days were long.

"Arwa,it's for the best and you know it."

"I know Musa but it doesn't make it any better.What if he finds..."

My phone buzzed and my parents stopped talking on the porch,probably realising I was pretty close.I opened my phone to a text from Aunt May.Aunt May?

'Hi Aazmi,how are you?It's been so long since I've seen you but don't worry you'll feel right at home.Your parents gave me your number so you'll have me to call just in case at the airport.Hope you have a safe flight and call me when you land.'

I smiled and began to type a reply when I was tackled by my little monster.

"Why you going there?Don't want you to go!"

I picked Yasmin up and hugged her tightly.Her face was blotchy with tears and the poor kid didn't understand why I had to leave.

"Allahafiz aapi*," Yunus said and I smiled at my brat of a brother.He was holding a small parcel which he handed to me.I quickly hugged him before he could squirm away and then looked for Fatima.She wasn't there.I sighed and moved to my backpack to put the gift away and then went to my parents.

My mother came and hugged me fiercely,her tears leaking and I waited a while before gently prying her off.She looked a mess with her scarf slipping down her head and her face pale from lack of sleep.

"I'm so sorry Aazmi,if there was any other way I would have done it.But it's for the best.It's all for you beta."

I nodded startled.This was the woman who had raised me.Sacrificed her health, time and so much more for me.She may be the one sending me away but I knew she loved me.

I moved towards the ford mini and sat in the passenger seat whilst my dad sat next to me.He reversed the car down the driveway and I suddenly glimpsed my older sister running to wards the car.I let the window down and she hugged me partly and passed me an envelope.

"It's a letter baba,if she misses me."

My dad nodded and she backed away waving.It was awfully heavy for a letter but I tucked it away in my purse.With a final glance at my family, we zoomed down the street towards the airport.

An hour later,I stood by the departure line to get my passport checked and then go to the waiting area.My dad had waited whilst we sent to bags down and got the ticket.

"Do you have everything Aazmi?Oh your sim card, here take it.I'll send you your allowance monthly inshallah to your bank account and don't lose your card."

He smiled and I hugged him.I'd miss my dad a lot.Even if he's usually away, the laughs he's given me, nobody else could.He passed me a galaxy chocolate bar and my eyes lit up.

"You remembered!"

"Of course I did, now hurry you don't want to be late."

I got in the line and he stood there until they let me pass through.Watching and waiting.

.....................................................................................................................................................

The flight was pretty uneventful and as I got off the plane to join the line for passport checking  but a man came dressed in the airport uniform, blocked my way.Just when I thought that maybe once they'd let me pass through.I'd only worn my hijab on and off and even before they would stop my mum and sister sometimes.It depends where we are going but its become more frequent.Even my dad had been stopped once when he was returning from a business trip since he had a beard.Its unbelievable.

The scarf on my head was a trial after my dad had asked I would be willing to try it out and about for 6 months.I promised I'd give it a go and even though Ileft,my promise wouldn't be broken.Besides it had been 4 months only.

He asked for my passport and checked it through.

"Miss, you're going to have to step to the side for a check..."

I nodded grumpily but I did not want to be escorted out of the airport for making a fuss.I guess with all thats going on I couldn't really blame them for their fears.It didn't mean I particulary enjoyed it though.

He took me to a desk and looked expectantly.Oh wait....taking it off...infront of HIM.

"Sorry but I can't take it off in front of men.If there's a female then I'd be more than happy to."

The man sat behind the desk and gestured to a seat for me to sit at.

"Sorry miss but if you don't take that thing off, we can't let you in.Just open it."

I was wondering what to do.Take it off or not?It was just this man at this side but still...

"Excuse me Greg,"a woman came to sit beside him, logging onto her computer next to him.Her hair was an unusual shade of green.

"Miss you're going to have to cooperate otherwise we'll have to take bigger measures,"he said.

The green haired woman turned to me and as if just noticing me.She took a glance at my scarf and gasped.

"Oh I'm sorry,Greg's quite new...please miss step this way."

I got up hesitantly nodding and the gren haired woman rose and took me through a door into a small room.It had a desk and two chairs.She sat down and I quickly took off my scarf.She glanced over, patted me down and nodded to the chair.Great.Questioning time again.

"Just a few things we need to know, is this your first time visiting the USA?"

"No,I'm actually a citizen if you see my passport."

"Ok.How long are you staying for?"

"For 6 months before returning back to the UK"

"Who are you staying with?"

"My family member May and Ben Parker."

"How are they related to you?"

"Ben Parker is my father's distant cousin.I'm studying here and am staying there instead of boarding."

"I see.You are in high school correct since you're 15.The address?"

The address which I hadn't bothered asking about.Great.

"Excuse me but would it be okay if I load it from my phone?"

She nodded slightly annoyed.I did so not want to annoy a security lady.I opened my phone whilst she left to the corner of the room for a glass of water.I think she already knew some 15 year old student wouldn't cause a threat but these questions were mandatory.

I typed in Parker to get May's contact and quickly typed a text.Good thing I put the sim card in yesterday.

"Hi aunt may  could you please tell me the address?The scary security lady's about to pounce and wants it badly."

I tapped against the chair waiting for a reply.I hoped that someone would reply before I would have to call and then go into the huge process of giving the address of my school,my home in England and previous schools.

The lady returned back and I quickly recited the address.

"20 Ingram street,Forest hills,Queens,New York."

She nodded scrawling it down and smiled.She opened the door and I thanked her.

"Hope you enjoy your stay Miss Patel.Very sorry for the problem before with your Heejaab."

I nodded smiling and quickly rushed through the rest of the checks, picking up my bags and out into the arrivals lounge.Now who was I looking for?

"Aazmi?"

I turned around in the crowd to see a man waving.He had greying hair and glasses perched on his nose.I walked toward him.He looked familiar.

"Mr Parker?Hi!"

"Hello dear,you've brown so much. sorry I was a bit late there was some traffic and then a police officer pulled me over to check my drivers license thinking I needed it renewed."

"Oh,I'm sorry for the trouble sir."

He shook his head and took one of the suitcases from me and my backpack.I protested but he began to walk off before I could take my bag back.

"It's really no trouble.It turned out it really was my old liscense.I just got it renewed and I showed my old one!"

I laughed and knew instantly that this man was great.He invited I call him Uncle like I did before.The memories were vague but I nodded along.

We reached his car.He opened the door for me to sit in and the boot.I helped him put the bags in first however and then he pulled out.

"Welcome to New York Aazmi"