Last December, I shared that my husband had been dismissed from his job, yet their HR department reported to Management that he had resigned. I’m not sure why they did that, perhaps to avoid paying his full severance package? Who knows!

Because I personally know the CEO, I raised the issue directly and clarified that my husband had not resigned. He was then asked to report back to work. However, there were legal steps the company needed to complete to formally reinstate him and restore everything to its proper status.

I reminded my husband to follow up, but he doesn’t respond well to constant reminders, so I stopped. I trusted that he would handle his part and that HR would fulfill theirs. Two months after he rejoined, he suddenly received a notice from the labor office stating that he had been reported as AWOL even though he had just received his salary and was physically at the office when the SMS arrived.

This happened because their HR failed to rescind the termination from the labor office. The situation could have been corrected within the 15-day grace period, but their HR representative refused to admit the mistake and instead told their Management that it was irreversible, despite clear evidence to the contrary.

Their CEO, being someone I used to work for, tried to make amends, offering various solutions including financial support and free housing for me and my son, but ultimately said that my husband would have to be repatriated unless he secured a new sponsor within 10 days. I was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do. With Saudization policies in place, it has become extremely difficult to renew work and residency permits what more to find an already Saudized position. Thankfully, we had a backup plan, my ultimate last resort, someone who helped us resolve the issue in time. Even so, we are still deciding whether to let this go or pursue the matter further.

All of this happened while I was in and out of the hospital and already struggling with my health. It was difficult not being in a good physical condition while certain individuals continued to tear me down. Still, I remain grateful to God for His provision.

I also recall being admitted on a high floor when we witnessed the March 18 attacks in the city center. At first, I thought it was fireworks with Eid approaching, but the loud explosions shaking the windows made it clear that it was not. I felt like I was in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when the Death Eaters attacked during the Quidditch Cup,

For a moment, I panicked, I was even close to pulling out the cannula connected to my blood transfusion. Then reality set in. This wasn’t a movie. I simply unplugged the equipment and moved away from the windows, walking with the IV pump beside me.

It was an incredibly stressful and frightening experience, especially knowing that my son was also scared. My parents were with my sister, and they were terrified as well.

Thank God for the ceasefire. I truly hope and pray that peace extends to everyone, because not everyone can afford the cost of war.