The first time my life truly changed was on my trip to Turkey. I'm 1/16 Turkish and 15/16 Iraqi, so going to Turkey was like seeing a true part of me for the first time. I've lived in the same privileged, white, suburb in America for my whole life. I consider myself an American, but a part of me always knew that I don't completely belong. Turkey brought that part of me to the surface. It unearthed it from years of trying to bury who I really am. Even though I never really knew it, going to my true home was the one thing I've always wanted. I was naturally drawn to my origin.
Humans probably feel the same way about the ocean. We, as a species, evolved from the first organisms that thrived there. Although we have evolved to live on land, we are still naturally drawn to the expanse of shimmering blue.
From the moment I stepped off the plane I was torn in two. One part of me felt at home with the hot, sticky weather, the palm trees, and the familiar yet alien language. The other part of me felt a million miles away from home. Where were the suburban cookie cutter houses with neon green lawns? The fancy shopping malls? The cell service and free Wifi? I was the little bilingual Muslim girl who was supposed to run around in the streets and play in the dirt, but at the same time I was a poshy American teenager in desperate need of Instagram. Never in my whole life have I ever felt as torn as I felt then. It was like there were two separate Cases living side by side, two parallel universes.
Not only was the atmosphere life-changing, but I finally got to see my grandfather for the first time in nine years and my aunt in twelve. They both live in Iraq and the conditions aren't safe enough for my family to visit. However, we managed to meet up in Turkey. This was one of the first times I ever truly got to connect with my family. I gained even more insight on my true self. I've never known my extended family. My whole life has been my mom, my dad, my sister, and I alone together in the middle of nowhere. Finally getting to see my grandfather and aunt opened up a whole new world for me. Instead of being in the middle of a dry, oases less desert I was wading into the ocean hand in hand with the people I always wish I knew and now finally got the chance to.
Even though the bright flowers, boisterous street vendors, and sparkling Mediterranean Sea give me a sense of belonging that I've never felt before, I can never imagine living there. I grew up in the land of opportunity and that's where I'll stay. Even though humans are naturally drawn to the sea, they choose to stay on the land, but that doesn't stop them from going to the ocean every once in awhile to bathe in the sense of belonging that you can only get from home.
~~~
If you've gotten this far then CONGRATULATIONS!!!🎉🎉🎉🎊🎊🎊.
The title is based on the iconic book The Origin of Species by the lovely Charles Darwin. The book is about his theory of evolution which is why I thought it was fitting.
~ Cas❤️😘
YOU ARE READING
The Parallel Universes of Cas
Short StoryThis is basically just a collection of some of my personal experiences and feelings! This was originally not going to be published, but I made a cover and I'm proud of it because the picture is really pretty so I decided to publish it. Feel free to...
