CHAPTER 14: THE DARK PAST
SIDRA'S P.O.V
It’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 though, I have been waiting for the brighter future for such a long time but I know my Lord won’t fail me for he promised the patient reward. Knowing this much doesn’t make the pain any less though. The pain of losing my entire family. The pain of being alone.
The pain of being rejected by Hamdan. When he called me Humeyra, My heart almost popped out of my chest. I Know I love him but subhanallah.In deed life is a cycle that goes round and round. Today, he is confessing his interest in me without knowing who I am.
When I looked up at him and gazed into his beautiful chocolate brown eyes, I saw a look that I longed to see in them. I saw love, I saw admiration and weirdly lust. If someone told me that this would happen three years ago after his very hurtful rejection I would have laughed at their face but Tabarakallah.Now, I know that nothing is impossible.
I was impressed though and felt a stab to my heart as I listened to him talk about his family whereas I had no one to call a family. I admired his family and at the same time it almost brought me to tears. I swallowed hard and decided to tell him about myself since he asked, but this time I decided to tell him about not the Humeyra he thought he knew but about the Humeyra that very few knew. My parents’ sidra. Not his friend Humii.
I am sidra.21 years of age and I don’t have a biological family. My parents and siblings passed away 11 years ago. I live in a quiet place which is the outskirt of Qamarstan and is called Jayda Rabia. The principle here is my foster father and I have one foster brother who is some years older than me.That is all about me. I looked up at him and saw pity in his eyes.
I hated being pitied but I couldn’t tell him that. He had hurt me before and it has left its mark. I don’t think I could bring myself to trust him again. Even so, I couldn’t deny that he had my heart, loyalty and thoughts. How stupid love makes us.Huuh.I sighed and this time he looked away first. I smirked behind my veil, when I saw him blush.
How cute! I have to go Hamdan. It’s nice knowing you. Ma'asalaam.I didn’t wait for him to respond. I just upped and went my way. I think it’s time to go back home and forget about Hamdan. If fate brings us together again, then I will give him a chance, but for now, I have an institution, chains of hotels and companies to oversee and maybe leave it in the hands of Abu Dhul Qarnain since I don't like appearing in the media for press conferences. Goodbye my love. Till we meet again, maybe. I thought as I went to bid the ulamaa farewell.
Hamdan was left thinking about sidra’s short introduction which once again took him back to the night where he had ruined the mood by asking Humeyra the same question. Though she had answered his question with sincerity in her words, Hamdan could tell that the smile on her face was as fake as anything fake could be.
He had wanted to ask more about her answer but Humeyra suddenly looked at him with a strange look in her eyes. It was the first time she had made an out of ordinary request to him after playfully caressing his beard which sent electric sparks all over his body as he could neither move nor talk.
She had playfully said,” you know Hamdan, you will either run away from me or you will make your decisions based on what you know about me if and when I decide to tell you more about me. To avoid both of these situations, I would rather if you stayed ignorant about my family and my past. I like this Hamdi. I like talking to you and especially enjoy just gazing at your handsome face. So hubbi, do not ask about my family.
“She had then let go of him and diverted her gaze from his own which was bewitched by her intense one and currently freed from her prison. I had blushed and lowered my gaze then not knowing how to respond to what she just did.
She looked at the sky, then at his blushing face. She had slyly smirked and made her request. “Hey butterfly, can you recite for me some verses from the Quran?” I looked up at her face and felt relieved to see that she was smiling once again. I assumed then that her strange bravado was wearing off so I decided to tease her back. With one eye brow lifted, I playfully echoed her word and asked, butterfly? And behold it was her turn to feel shy and I couldn’t help but smirk.
So Meyra, which surah would you like me to recite for you? She smiled still lowering her blushing face and whispered, Az –Zumar.
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
Third person's p.o.vWhat! What do you mean you found her and she is getting engaged today? NO! We can't let that happen. Not when I just found her.I know but do whatever you can to stop that engagement from happening. I will be on my way shortly. She should not get engaged today, do you
Humeyra's P.o.vI miss Hamdan so much. I miss his cute blush which appeared whenever I get the courage to tease. I miss his sweet voice, reciting my favorite verses from the holy Quran. I miss his beautiful smile that sparked like the stars. I miss his embrace.uuuggh. I miss him so much? Is he already married? Does he think about me? Does he even remember me?Here I am, the wealthiest person in the whole country yet I accepted the proposal of
The heart is an organ that works on its own. No matter what the mind thinks, the heart always rules. Though a small organ, it’s capable of destroying a kingdom.~HumeyraTHIRD PERSON'S POVHamdan was contemplating on whether to go in and see his Hur al ain when he heard a whimper of pain coming from the room. Subhanallah, could I be hearing wrong? He thought. However, his thought was cut s
Loyalty lies in friendship. Blood may be thicker than water but loyalty is not guaranteed in blood.~HumeyraThird person’s p.o.v.Hamdan called his best friend. His baby sister. He felt sick to the core. As he talked to her, he couldn't hide the shake in his voice which had yalina really worried. He expressed his need for her company without saying those words out loud. He reminded her that though she is dearest, she has always put him first and while she was worth the priority, she made him his priority. This was like a secret code for the siblings which was like a cry for help. Hamdan knew that she understood him without him having to explain further hence he hang up the phone without further ado.Yalina was his younger sister but she was like his second mother. Though younger than him, she was one of the wisest women he have had the pleasure to know in his life. The little spi
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.