Meryem sat cross-legged on the soft grass, her dark brown hair shimmering in the sunlight. Her wide eyes were fixed on a fluttering butterfly, but her thoughts were elsewhere, dreaming of a companion she longed for—a cat. Her mother, however, had firmly said no, believing that cats were unclean.
"Why can't I have a cat like other children?" Meryem often wondered aloud to the garden.
Bibouche, the cat, approached Meryem cautiously, its tail flicking playfully. Meryem's heart leapt with joy as she extended her hand, inviting the cat closer.
"Hello, Bibouche," she whispered, smiling as the cat nestled into her lap. Meryem knew this friendship must remain a secret, a private joy in her little world.
Meryem's mother appeared at the garden's edge, her eyes widening at the sight of her daughter with the forbidden creature. Her long white abaya flowed around her as she approached, a mixture of surprise and disapproval in her expression.
"Meryem, what are you doing with that cat?" her voice was firm, yet a hint of concern crept in.
Meryem looked up, her heart pounding. "I... I just wanted a friend, Mama," she pleaded, stroking Bibouche gently.
Her mother sighed, her expression softening slightly. "I understand, my dear, but our beliefs guide us. Cats are not clean in our tradition," she explained, her voice gentle.
Meryem's mother knelt beside her daughter, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "Perhaps we can find another way for you to have a friend, something that aligns with our beliefs," she offered, her tone conciliatory.
"Really, Mama?" Meryem's eyes lit up with hope.
"Yes, my love," her mother smiled, drawing her daughter into a warm embrace.
Meryem lay in bed that night, her heart full of promise. She knew there would be a way to keep her dreams alive, even if it meant finding new paths and companions. And as she drifted to sleep, she imagined Bibouche roaming free, a silent guardian in her beloved garden.
