Leila Bolukat celebrates her sister's birthday in Portugal

The arrival of Fatima was imminent. Leila, pacing the living room, adjusting the placement of a bouquet of sunflowers, felt a familiar nervousness creep in. She had missed her sister terribly, the distance between them, both physical and emotional at times, a constant ache. This trip was her way of bridging that gap, of reminding Fatima of the unwavering love and support that had always been their bedrock. She pictured Fatima's arrival, her smile, her laughter, and the inevitable embrace that would follow, a moment that would encapsulate years of shared memories and unspoken understanding.