The plane was cutting through the clouds of the night sky on its way to Sana'a, while everyone was asleep; Mr. Haruki's five daughters were huddled on the seats, and Mrs. Sayuri was resting on the shoulder of her youngest daughter. Only Ahmed remained awake despite the exhaustion, sitting next to Mr. Haruki, who kept looking out the window like someone recalling something from the past.
Ahmed said in a low voice:
"Sir... I always wonder, how did you and my father first meet?"
A faint smile appeared on Haruki's face, and he delved into his memories:
"We were young men, Ahmed... that was thirty-five years ago. I came to Yemen on a business trip, and I was lost in one of the old markets of Sana'a. I didn't know the language, and I didn't understand anything... until your father appeared. I saw him speaking to people with integrity, so I approached him, and asked for help in broken language... He smiled and told me: 'You are a guest with me... and I will not leave you alone.'
He accompanied me for three days... he taught me Arabic words, fed me your mother's bread, and opened his home and his heart to me. From that day on, he became a brother my mother never bore."
Haruki paused and continued:
"And on the last night... we swore: if God blessed us with children, we would marry them to each other. I never imagined that the days would bring us together like this... through you."
Ahmed lowered his head, feeling a strange gratitude, but he did not answer, for his eyelids grew heavy with tiredness until he finally fell asleep.
✦ Arrival in Sana'a ✦
The plane's wheels shook the ground, and the passengers began to move. Ahmed quickly opened his eyes and rose to gently wake Mrs. Sayuri and her five daughters. They stretched with childlike drowsiness before preparing to disembark.
As soon as they exited the airport gate... Ahmed's father was standing, waiting for them with patience and longing.
As soon as he saw his son, his smile widened:
"Ahmed! Thank God for your safe arrival, my son!"
Ahmed hugged him tightly, then his father stepped towards Haruki:
"Welcome, my old friend... the absence has been long."
Haruki embraced him warmly, while Mrs. Sayuri bowed respectfully and greeted him, then greeted Ahmed's mother, who was also waiting for them near the car. Sayuri said with a warm smile:
"It's been a long time, Um Ahmed... how are you?"
Um Ahmed replied, hugging her to her chest:
"Well... well, Sayuri. Praise be to God who brought us together again."
The father took the guests' luggage and led them all to the house, while the daughters whispered in astonishment about the streets of Sana'a and its tranquility.
✦ The Two Families Meet — and Misaki's Return ✦
When they arrived at Ahmed's family home, Misaki was standing near the door, waiting eagerly. As soon as she saw her father, mother, and sisters, she rushed toward them, almost crying from longing.
Sayuri hugged her for a long time, followed by her five sisters and her father. After the welcoming, everyone entered the living room, where the two families sat together.
Ahmed's father insisted they start with breakfast, but Mr. Haruki said enthusiastically as usual:
"Before breakfast... I want everyone to see something."
He took out his phone and opened the video filmed in Japan: the sniping test.
The screen showed Ahmed aiming at the watermelon at a distance, followed by the moment it exploded.
Then the scene of the red apple with its thin skin flying apart.
And finally, the glass bottle that turned into scattered shards in the air.
Everyone sat astonished, while Ahmed's face turned red with shyness.
Misaki said with clear, yet beautifully angry, indignation:
"All this happened within only three days?! And you didn't tell me anything?!"
Ahmed didn't know how to reply, contenting himself with a flustered smile. However, Mrs. Sayuri rescued him and said:
"He was busy, Misaki... and everything happened quickly."
Ahmed quickly changed the subject and said:
"The important thing now... is that we want to arrange our trip to Socotra Island, with my mother, Mrs. Sayuri, and all your sisters... It will be a beautiful trip."
The girls nodded enthusiastically, while Ahmed's mother smiled, saying:
"Welcome, all of you... this house is your house."
✦ The Rooftop Plan — The Quiet Conspiracy ✦
Minutes after breakfast and laughter, Mr. Haruki motioned to Ahmed's father to go up to the rooftop with him.
They stood in the cool air, the city quiet beneath their feet.
Haruki turned to his old friend and said in a low voice:
"I want to make the trip to Socotra Island... an unforgettable trip."
"I want Ahmed and Misaki's engagement to take place there."
Ahmed's father was slightly stunned, but he broke into a wide smile:
"The engagement?! Man... this is the dream of our childhood."
Haruki said:
"Yes... but we must arrange it carefully. I want the moment to be happy... I don't want to pressure anyone."
Ahmed's father placed his hand on his friend's shoulder:
"We'll do it, Haruki... just as we planned when we were young."
The two men smiled, as if time had taken them back thirty years.
And that was the beginning of the plan that would change the course of the story...