The teacher claps her hands. Amina unfolds the embroidered tablecloth from her backpack. Gold patterns shimmer under the fluorescent lights. The class leans in, curious about the sudden burst of color.
Amina places three small bowls on the cloth. Sticky dates, sweet mint tea, and crunchy sesame cookies. She offers the first bowl to a skeptical boy. He sniffs the air and takes a date instead.
More classmates gather around the low table. Amina’s teal shirt gets stained by a drop of tea while she pours for a friend reaching too high. She laughs, wiping the spot with her sleeve.
She offers him another cookie, which he accepts with a grateful smile. Laughter spreads like ripples across the room. The scent of caramel fills the space between them.
A gust of wind from the open window lifts the corner of the tablecloth. A single cookie spins into the air. Amina jumps up, catching it mid-flight before it hits the floor.
Everyone gasps then cheers at her quick reflexes. She grins, holding the rescued treat aloft like a trophy. The classroom feels warmer, filled with the quiet hum of new friendships forming.
Amina arranges the remaining treats on the now-crumpled cloth. Hands reach out simultaneously, grabbing sweets and sharing stories about their own families' holidays. The room buzzes with happy chatter.
The classroom feels warmer, filled with the quiet hum of new friendships forming. Amina smiles, watching her classmates enjoy the treats. The day feels brighter than before.