"You do realise that when you get married you’re going to have to get rid of all these stuffies?" my mum gestured to the plushies on my bed. "Where is your husband supposed to sleep?"

"On the floor."

"Zaynab. I’m being serious."

I rolled my eyes and sighed. I look at my stuffed animals. My eyes trailed over to my red switchable octopus that rested there at the front. I gently grabbed him and placed it on my lap. "I’m keeping my Mr Octopus."

My mother’s eyes softened. She sighed softly, "I’ll never force you to get rid of him."

Mr Octopus was a gift to me from my parents when I fell ill when I was 11. After I fell ill, I didn’t go outside at all which meant I never got to buy stuff.

A month in, my parents came home one day with Mr Octopus in their hands and they gave it to me. I took it with me everywhere I went(which wasn’t a lot of places but still). To bed, to the hospital, living room.

Even after I was slowly able to start going outside, I took it with my if I was to spend the night somewhere. I took it with me to my home country, when we went on holidays, to my sleepovers etc.

I was attached.

I still am.

I’ll never get rid of him.

Based off of a true convo btw and yes, Mr Octopus is real and everything I said abt him is true.