CHAPTER 10: REUNION
It’s weird how what we fear most is what makes us who we are. It’s more bizarre how those we love most disappoint and hurt us.
©Humeyra
WRITER’S P.O.V
"I used to play everywhere. I was just eight I remember when I woke up every morning, all I thought of was the games I would win, the friends I would make, eating mom's delicious meals and sleeping. That was all my days were all about.
I was young. Extremely innocent, free spirited like a butterfly and couldn’t harm an ant.I was fragile, young, stupid but happy. Then one day I made a wish: to grow older and stronger. I saw mummy cry and wished I was stronger to defend her.
What I didn’t know then was that my growth will steal my innocence, curb my free wings and hold me a prisoner of my own desires. I didn’t know growing up meant more responsibilities and better routine than just play, eat and sleep on mom's lap. Now that I know all these, I again wish I was younger.
To enjoy the blissful peace and ignorance of my childhood. To smile at every little joke mommy made to laugh and be happy freely and without care. Happiness used to come so easy but with age, it became difficult to find.
Dreams were dreamt, promises made but they all made me grumpier. Now I miss my happy innocent days and my free spirited butterfly wings." This was Humeyra's thought as she prepared for her first introductory lecture for the Alim course.
It was the first day of teaching and learning for both Hamdan and Humeyra. They both were in a frenzied state of mind with a sense of occasion in their hearts. Though they were in the same compound they have not met yet.
Humeyra was in class behind a curtain waiting for her students to fill the class room. A small microphone was attached to her black jalabib and her deep blue Niqab was in place. In front of her was a stool that supported the open mas’haf that she was silently reciting and taking notes from. As she sat cross legged on the Musalah, She was in a state of euphoria.
When the bell finally rung she sat upright on the mat in front of the class cross-legged as did her students and began the lesson. The ladies section and the male section was separated by a curtain. Humeyra sat at the front of the ladies section with her microphone on.
Asalamu aleikum warahmatullahi wabarakatu. Marhaban bikum ya jamial Islam. I am called Sidra and I would be guiding you through different rules and virtues of the Quran before we can move on to hadith, Sunnah, Seerah among others.
Bismillah. Before we resume our very first lesson, I would like to get to know my student by introduction and I would also like to listen to each and every person’s recitation so that we can establish each individual’s mistake. Is that alright with you? She asked softly. Na’am. They replied. Alhamdulillah. Since we are a few it would be more productive my fellow hafidhun. Let’s begin.
The class had ten students of which only two were female and the rest male. Among them was Hamdan bin Omar. He wore a plain white kamiz with a royal blue thawb on top. He had tied a white turban on his head stylishly to compliment his looks.
Hamdan has been a man who was always confident about his physical appearance and personality but only one person had him doubting and second guessing himself every time. At the moment, however, his attention was on someone else. Sidra.
He wanted to see his teacher desperately since he couldn’t believe that a lady would be an aalim. When she first spoke, her voice struck a chord in his heart. She had a musical voice which sounded familiar but he couldn’t place it. For a moment, he felt as though he was listening to Humeyra but he dismissed the idea since the Humeyra he knew was no way near an aalim and neither was she a Niqabi.
The class went on with everyone reciting a page after introducing themselves until it was finally Hamdan’s turn to recite. He took a deep breath and felt that he should impress his ustadhat. He wanted to make her proud of him for some unknown reason. So he introduced himself in a full-bodied voice which shook Humeyra to the core.
Ya Allah, he is here too? Subhanallah, all this time I have been yearning to have a glimpse of him and now you brought him to me as my student? Ya Rahman. Alhamdulillah for bringing peace to my heart, she thought with a smile.
Hamdan had no idea who he had the urge to please but he was desperate to please her. So, he choose to recite Humeyra’s favorite surah without thinking twice. Suratul Zumar. His sonorous voice brought a sense of joie de vivre to Humeyra.
Why was he reciting my favorite surah? Could it be that he misses me? No. she thought. Listening to him brought her to tears as the powerful message was too heavy on her fragile heart. The punishment for the disbelievers made her shudder in fear as the reward for the righteous made her smile. Subhanallah.
She was suddenly more in love with Hamdan. His voice was unlike any she has ever heard. He had a good flow of the Quran except some few mistakes here and there but he was perfect in her eyes. She finally snapped out of her day dream after he was done reciting.
Barakakallahu feekum ya jaaamii. I have noted down everybody’s area of weakness and would be dealing with you one by one from now on since each of us have lessons to teach and would be available at different period of the learning hours. Is there any question for today before we leave? She enquired. One of the female students requested that they would like to listen to their ustadhat reciting.
CHAPTER 11: HIS HEARTYou might be mighty and high today but the truth is, you will never be the best because in the same world there exists someone who is better than you are.©HumeyraHAMDAN'S P.O.VI had no idea why I wanted to please sidra, my higher religious education teacher. She was an ulamaa (scholar) something which I have not achieved yet and I was both impressed and envious. Her voice was familiar but I could not place it. She had a pleasant voice to the ears. I wonder how she sounds when she recites. I really hope she was impressed by my voice.Sidra was requested to recite for the class and I was never happier except when I saw Humeyra smile or laugh. I wanted to know how good she was to be our teacher. However, I was not prepared to hear her voice at all when she began and I stopped breathing for a minute.It felt like a De javu. A certain beauty flas
CHAPTER 12: THE LESSONSHamdan's p.o.vIt has been almost eight months since I arrived at the madrasa. Sidra and I established a routine where she taught me different sources of Islam. Within the few months of my time with sidra, I was more enchanted by her than I have ever been with anyone. She always had her signature Niqab on but not knowing what she looked like increased her appeal in my eyes.I was conflicted. My feelings were everywhere .Humeyra hunted my sleep and sidra occupied my days. I no longer knew what I wanted in this whole messed up situation. I was sure though that Humeyra won’t allow polygamy.She was the type of woman who had gherah with the people she loved.Humeyra.I miss her so much. I especially miss her voice and if I was being honest, I kept dreaming about her lips ravishing mine with her tiny hands wrapped around my neck affectionately. Astaghfirullah.
CHAPTER 13: GETTING TO KNOW HERThe pain you give, is the reward you get when you least expected. ©HumeyraHamdan’s p.o.vSidra, I know close to nothing about you but I would like to know you better. I also don’t know how you look but it doesn’t matter. Am interested in you. I admire your gait, shyness and your akhlaq.I paused. She was listening to me with her eyes on the ground. Sub hanallah.I was an armored by her. To tell you the truth, you remind me so much of a lady I love and who is dearest to my heart.She is my first love and I thought she would be my last. Am sorry for telling you about my first love but I have to since she is all I ever think of whenever I am not with you. You see, I had hurt her beyond redemption and even if I wanted to as
CHAPTER 14: THE DARK PASTSIDRA'S P.O.VIt’s weird how life takes us on a journey. How life itself is a journey. Hamdan's questions took me back to my past. Just thinking about life on earth brings back fond memories of childhood to some, fondness to others and total panic to a few. Sweet-bitter memories my past held but it was all now just a painful dark abyss.The darkness from our past can be wiped clean by the brightness of the future if we are lucky enough. The bitterness of the memories can be replaced by the sweetness of the new life and after all the tears in the darkness, at last the smiles in public.It all comes about with the purity of the heart, the sincerity of the soul and the truthfulness of nature. Your principles make who you are, your rules guide what you become and your love gives you the courage in the wilderness and most trying of trials.This was my belief. In my case thou
CHAPTER 15: LOST IN LOVE, AGAINWhat goes around comes back around. ~anonymous Hamdan's p.o.vWhen sidra left I felt empty inside. She gave me a glimpse of herself but it was vague. I kept wondering if she rejected me or was just feeling too emotional.I wanted her, no. I needed her more than ever before. I needed desperately to give her a family, siblings and my heart. I yearned to give her the love she didn't get for over ten years after she lost her family. This strangely made me recall Humeyra’s word about my decisions being influenced by what she will tell me about her if she ever told me about her family.I suddenly had the urge to find Humeyra, ask for forgiveness from her, marry her and then talk to her about sidra. I know it’s weird how much I love them both. Humeyra captured my heart with he
CHAPTER 17: THE FATHERThird person's p.o.vAs soon as Humeyra left, ustadh Dhul Qarnain felt lonely. He had been tested with all sort of tests in life but Humeyra was his greatest blessings. He knew her ever since she was born. He saw her grow up from a happy and carefree child to a serious and lonely adult. He knew her pain and her sorrows.He witnessed her crumble and raise from nobody to somebody. He saw different shades of her emotions and knew that she was an introvert. He adopted her after her parents passed away. He prayed for her health and prosperity.He have been observing her interaction with ustadh Hamdan for the few months that they worked together and came to a conclusion that they were attracted to each other but Humeyra was holding back her emotions. On the other hand Hamdan was in love. Huh. He sighed. May Allah make it easier for us all.He thought. Today when he looked at his d
CHAPTER 16: THE PASTSIDRA’S P.O.V11 years ago.Ummi, ummi, am home, my ten year old self ran to hug my mother. I was happy that I had finally completed my madrasa courses, in addition it was also the same day I was going to be awarded a blue belt in Tae kwon do. Despite being quite young, both my IQ and EQ were higher than the average child’s.The day in itself was special. My favorite day of the week and my birthday. I had been a student in one of the most prestigious madrasa in the world. The world my innocent mind knew of any way. My teacher was ustadh Dhul Qarnain who I considered as a second father, a mentor and an inspiration.Finally after five years of my religious education I graduated with a top notch grades from my tahfidh and aalim course not that it was actually over but it was all I needed to become a little scholar. I was Abu's favorite and ummi's pride. Even at my age I knew that and was
Some scars will heal on the outside but the pain you will feel on the inside.~HumeyraWriters P.O.VThere was laughter everywhere. Sheikh Ibrahim, Humeyra’s father was the center of attention as he told them the story of the companion of the prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him. On this specific day he told the story of the companion who was known as the prankster th
4 years later.Khalid, come back here? Hey.. can you stop running around? You will get hurt." Wahid's voice resonated in the room grabbing Xander's attention.He placed the jug back on the table and walked towards the field where the voice came from. He wasn't the only one whose attention was grabbed. Farhana, Rumeysa, Muntaha, Humeyra, and every member of Hamdan's family walked out towards the field.There, the scene that greeted them made the ladies almost lose it as they laughed at the same time. Khalid, Laiba, Linah, Jibril, Murtaza, and Aliya were busy rolling in the mud.The field that was initially dry was now wet from the water they played with. The horse pipe was running. Wahid who had seen them first was trying to stop them but slipped and fell.This made everyone laugh. Seeing his beloved fall, Xander's heart almost stopped beating. " My little prince, are you alright?" He rushed towards Wahid and helped him up.His glare was too
Hamdan paced up and down along the corridor as he anxiously waited for news. He had rushed Humeyra to the hospital the minute she notified him of her water breaking.Fortunately, the hospital wasn't far from where they were. Looking at his wristwatch, a frown etched on his face. It had been three hours since he brought her here. Why wasnt there any news yet?Was she perhaps in danger? Did something go wrong? His mind was filled with all sorts of negative thoughts. It would be his fault if anything happens to her. His guilty conscience won't let him have peace."Ya Allah. Please, help her deliver safely. Please ya, Rahman. You are the most merciful. She has suffered a lot already. Don't let her suffer anymore."He prayed in his head as he continued pacing around. He couldn't bring himself to relax. Until he heard the cries of a baby. His heart stopped beating for a second. He was a father? Before he could arrange his thoughts in his mind, another cry follo
Humeyra walked along the beach enjoying the cool breeze. Fortunately, it was a private space. Her private space. She has been living in the Villa with the view of the beach to the front, the beautiful man-made forest to the back, and a buzzing town not far from where she lived.She was on a small Islamic Island. The mosque was towards the east. Anyone who wanted to visit the mosque walled around her place before getting to it. For this reason, she had let the people freely walk through her home three days a week.The other four days, the place was restricted. Anyone who wanted to move across would be forced to take the longer route. Fortunately, they understood boundaries and respected them.The neighborhood was not only friendly but also accommodating. She found herself feeling contented just walking around, interacting with them. Long gone was her introverted self who isolated herself from the world.She learned to embrace death as a natural phenomenon
Hamdan was home in no time.He had to settle things at home before he goes in search of his wife. As the first child of the family, both his sisters were now his responsibility.Fortunately, they were old enough to fend for themselves with enough supervision. In addition, three other men can take turns to check on them. He felt grateful for that simple fact.As he waited for his brothers to show up, he went back to his old room and packed a bag. He felt as though his heart was being squeezed in his chest. He was too deep in his emotional exhaustion that he forgot about Humeyra's pregnancy.Thirty minutes later, the entire Umar siblings were seated together waiting for their brother to say something. He had summoned everyone urgently. Abdirahman had a subtle smile on his face. He had an idea what the meeting was about.He had been wanting to tell Hamdan about his opinion. What his eldest brother did was stupid. Humeyra didn't deserve to be abandoned
It has been exactly three months since his parents' demise. Three months since he abandoned his pregnant wife. For this period, Hamdan never had a peaceful sleep.He couldn't help but wonder what had happened to his love for her. He could feel it. The racing of his heart whenever he thought of a fond memory with her.The way his hands would search for her svelte frame in the middle of the night. Even how he would unconsciously call out her name.Hamdan was aware that there was nothing in the world that could change his feelings for his wife. Not even the fact that she orchestrated his parents' death.What he couldn't forget, however, was his parents' blood. He couldn't take it. He had both parents one day and then the next, they were dead. The reason was no other than his most beloved person.He couldn't accept it. He could neither forgive his parents nor his wife. They were all guilty. He felt sick and suffocated all of a sudden. For the past thre
Muntaha's eyes have been staring longingly towards the curtains that were drawn. What was Rumeysa doing? Was she nervous or was she anxiously waiting for him? How does she look as a bride? As he drunk from his glass, he had several questions circumnavigating his mind.It was their wedding night after all. Unfortunately, he had not seen his bride the whole day. She was officially his halal wife. His one and only. He was a man used to having his way with women. Contrary to his initial thoughts, he found himself feeling regretful. How beautiful and memorable it would be if he had saved himself for his bride.Abdullah noticed Muntaha's gaze wandering from time to time. He wanted to stick around longer. Just to see how much longer his boss cum friend will resist the temptation. Yet, watching him was becoming a pain. He looked around at the men in the room and announced the end of the party.The men looked at each other in understanding and stood up leaving, one by on
Subhanallah, what a beautiful day it was. Rumeysa woke up feeling nervous. She was going to get married today. Will the event go well?was there something she was supposed to do? what would happen after the nikah? Was she allowed to be happy when Humeyra was not?She looked at her hands. They looked more b
Rumeysa walked around the orphanage inspecting every corner. A month had gone past so fast without any warning. She and Muntaha went back to their home country after meeting with everyone else. Humeyra was the only one they didn't have the pleasure to see. She disappeared without a warning.The first thin
Zuneir and Juweyriya were finally feeling at ease with their circumstances. They had faced a lot of things but, by the end of it all, they found each other. The bane that was in his heart finally faded away. He let go of everything that would hurt him and embraced those that were likely to bring him happiness.