A Bittersweet Return

Tonight, Maahir is coming back to New Jersey, and his visit is filled with a mix of anxiety and hope. This trip marks his effort to help us with the move and, perhaps, find some closure after the tragic loss of Sana. Like me, he's anxious about this journey—it’s a return to a place that holds both cherished and painful memories. The last time Maahir was in this apartment, it was just before Sana’s lymphoma diagnosis. They spent quality time together, and we even had a lovely day out in Princeton. I remember Sana getting dressed up, walking around, and enjoying some pizza. It was a day filled with joy and laughter, a brief moment where we all believed things were getting better. It was also the day we took our last family picture. Maahir left that time with renewed hope, convinced that Sana was on the mend. But now, coming back here, those memories weigh heavy on his heart. This trip isn’t just about helping with the move; it’s about facing the reality of what’s happened, confronting those bittersweet memories, and hopefully finding some peace. Being here, Maahir will face his biggest fear—visiting the cemetery and coming to terms with the painful truth. He and Sana shared a bond like no other; she was his mentor, his confidante, his sister. It breaks my heart to see him struggle, and I’m doing my best to support him, to remind him that it will get better, even when it feels like it won’t. We’re both searching for solace, hoping that together we can start to heal.