Chapter 1: Introduction
The smell of spices and fried onions filled the house. The soft hum of a pop song echoed from the stereo as I headed into the dining room, a smile already pulling at the corners of my lips. To a lyrical melody of laughter, clinking dishes, and family chatter, I waltzed into the room.
But they all ceased, eyes growing wide just as my sisters leapt to their feet, knocking over their chairs in surprise. Even Mom, an expression smearing from jovial to gawkiness, set her fork down.
The room was frozen, a still-life painting of a family dinner.
"Assalamualaikum," I greeted them, trying to ignore the strange position I was in. The horse had stopped now, only a few feet from the table, his nostrils flaring as he scented the air.
As my family's attention shifted from the horse to me, their eyes widened in shock. "Annisaaa," my younger sister called, her hand flying to her mouth. "What-what's happening?!"
"It's a long story," I said, rolling my eyes. My sisters squealed and raced over, holding their skirts as they approached the horse.
"Ew, ew, ew! Is that... is that you?!" my older sister asked, hopping from foot to foot as she peered at me, wrinkling her nose.
"Oh, that?" I replied, a grin spreading over my face. "It's from the horse's semen."
My sisters gasped, and Mom's eyes widened in horror. "Annisah!" she cried. "You can't say things like that at the dinner table!"
But I just laughed, feeling the familiar heat rise in my cheeks as I glanced down at my body. The horse's semen was everywhere, glistening on my skin, and even dripping from my hair.
"Well, it's true!" I protested. "I can't help it if I'm covered in it!"
My sisters giggled, and even Mom couldn't help but crack a smile. "Fine," she said, shaking her head.