Chapter 2: CH.2: The Stranger
While walking out of the graveyard her eyes landed on a young man standing by the car across the road, He was on the phone. For a moment, her feet halted like she was struck by deja vu. She doesn't know why he seems so familiar. He was tall almost 6.2 feet wearing a dark green round neck t-shirt which was hugging his muscles with a pair of black jeans and a wristwatch around his right wrist, his dark brown hair combed backwards perfectly, revealing his wide forehead, his face covered with a perfectly trimmed carpeted beard which enhanced his decent personality. She couldn't see his eyes as he was wearing sunglasses, his head bowed checking something on the phone while his lips curved in a polite smile. Luckily, there was enough distance between them that he didn't catch her staring at him. She walks past him towards her car, her mind still figuring out the identity of the familiar stranger and the uncanny resemblance with someone from the past. If he is the same guy she knew, he looked handsome and grown-up. At her last thoughts, she instantly shook her head on her idiocy for admiring a stranger and reaching the conclusion at the mere resemblance.
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Alizey's PoV
After visiting baba I took off for school, I was working part-time. The school was set up by TRUST; it's a charity organization that is run by my Aunt Yusra, Baba's sister. The school was based on charity. Most of the kids study free of cost regardless of the religion they follow or financial status. There were highly qualified teachers, passionate about their subject and have a good grip on every topic but none of them was permanent. They were all on contract for one year after that they had to renew the contract if they want to carry on teaching.
All the subjects are the same for both (Muslims and Non-Muslims) except for religion. I was appointed as an English teacher for grades three to six. I am mentioning religion because in Pakistan there is a great majority of Muslims as it's a Muslim country. so most of the schools preach Islam as a compulsory subject and if you follow any other religion you have to mention it beforehand.
Fixing my purse on the shoulder, I stepped inside the building. There is a huge ground where most of the events were held but usually, kids play here in their free time. The monitors were aligning the students for the Assembly as the bell had rung.
I was on my way to the staff room when I saw them making their way towards me. My favourite little cutie pie, Rayan, with his bunch of friends.
"Good Morning, Ma'am," they greeted in unison with genuine smiles that brighten my day.
Every morning, they welcomed me with different types of flowers, whatever grows in their gardens or on the way to the school. This was their way of expressing a liking for me. I sincerely appreciate their hospitality, it warms my heart that even if they are poor their hearts are rich. Whatever little things they bring is more precious than anything expensive I can buy. When they were gone Rayan step forward with his signature Jasmines and gave them to me with a shy smile. I thanked him and high five. He said his farewell and walk away.
Once I had asked him why he always gifts me Jasmines he told me with a goofy smile,
"Because your name is Jasmine and...." I giggled while he thought for some time tapping his chin, " ... they smell really good and I water them daily " he reasoned enthusiastically with a grin and I laughed at his innocence. I pinch his cheeks, knowing very well what he means.
Living a few hours with these carefree little Humans is so relaxing, me being me with their worry less, innocent laughter, those cute gestures to impress me. They are genuine, unaware of the ruthlessness, brutality, massacres and masquerades this life offers.
But sometimes these little angels turn into devils with their unlimited queries and hyperactivity, I am often unable to function for a couple of hours after returning home because that is how exhausted I get after spending a few hours with them.
When I told this to mama she said ;
"Alizey, you should be patient and try to involve them in some kind of activities to divert their minds. They are the angels from heaven, it won't be difficult to calm them. " I listened to her dumbfounded like please Mama just spend a day with them after that I will ask, Who are the angels?
Shaking my head and smiling at the memory I walked towards the office to mark my attendance then to the staffroom because I haven't had the first unit in any class, though, after that, my three consecutive units were occupied. I settle down at my desk beside Ayesha, she wasn't here yet. I pull out the worksheets from yesterday and began checking them.
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I was wandering in the corridor after my last unit remembering my school days when I use to roam around the school to get away from those boring lectures and now I am doing the same just the reason is different.
A really peaceful voice hit my eardrums, Instantly my eyes searched for the owner. It was coming from the second last class. I walked towards the room as if hypnotised, I crossed the door while peeking inside. I stopped near a pillar not too far from the class. It was Ayesha's unit there, she was standing in the middle of the class and a student was singing in a melodious voice. Well, it doesn't sound like singing it was something else very soothing, peaceful, his words enveloped me and post me to another world. I leaned against the pillar, still, his voice was audible, I scrolled through my phone so I don't seem foolish standing idly in the middle of the corridor outside the classes.
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
"Say, He is Allah, [who is] One,"
اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
"Allah, the Eternal Refuge."
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
"He neither begets nor is born,"
وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
"Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
(QS. Al-Ikhlaas 112: )
There were so many colours around me. Splashing and diffusing in my illusions. They had driven me to a different world. A world, with nothing except peace. Where everything was beautiful. Where you always have a listener, a lover, a caretaker.
The words I heard in the morning flashed in my memory. The words were still imprinted on my mind,
" Allah is with the believers."
The boy had completed his recitation but I was still in the trance of his words. I couldn't understand what he had recited because he hasn't translated the words.
His voice again brought back so many beautiful memories of my childhood, my father, my Baba, who is dearest of all, Yousuf Asfandyar Khan.
-----
The bell rang signalling lunchtime. I was in the staff room eating and relishing my free time when Ayesha entered and sat beside me.
"Assalam o Alaikum" she greets while arranging her things on the table.
"Walaikum Assalam " I greet back. Twirling my chair towards her.
"Today I saw you again standing in the corridor during my unit," she stated with a smirk. She was right, in my free time I often roam around and end up outside her class.
"Ah ... Yeah! I was missing you ." I swiftly lied with those puppy eyes and she gave me that 'fool-someone-else ' look.
I sighed in defeat and said "Okay you are right! I want to tell you something ." I don't give in so easily but sometimes I do, to her especially.
"Yeah, sure, what is it ? " she asked getting curious.
" Umm... It's about that little boy Rayan. " I trailed fidgeting with my fingers.
" Oh! ..... Your favourite one !" She states. " what about him ?" she gives me a confused look, unable to reach the context of this discussion.
" He has a beautiful voice," I confess wanting her to figure out the hidden meaning in my short statement.
"Oh! Yes, I always call him to recite few verses of the Quran. It soothes the environment, " she asserted then think for a while and continued
"So you come to listen to him? " I immediately look at her. This was fast!
"Yeah ... I think so? " I awkwardly smiled. It is so embarrassing to come out to her. I have never felt so exposed before.
" Is everything ok, Liza? " She asked her voice laced with concern.
I sighed then give her a sad smile I know I can't hide anything from her she can read me like an open book.
"Honestly! I don't know " I paused then continued, staring at nothing particular outside the staffroom window. I was collecting words to let out the misery properly," everything is the same in my life, nothing changed but now I feel like my life lacks something important. I miss baba a lot, I know it's natural as we are growing up and now we are facing the realities of life, yet it is unconvincing. I don't know why, is it just a coincidence or whatever but these days I am repeatedly having interactions with your Holy Book " I glance at her at my last words, she gasped then give me a genuine smile. She knows where this ship is sailing.
" Summarizing it, you are 'confused ' "
She air quoted 'confused'. I nodded, kind of.
more than confused I felt like I am wandering without a map, I am in search of something while having no idea what the thing is.
" Wanna tell me something else? " She asks encouraging me to speak further but this was not the appropriate moment and I had already said enough.
"No, not now. " I gave a sad smile.
She came closer and embraced me in a side hug then whispered " Everything will be fine, Jan. Give it some time. Everything needs time to settle down. I think your soul is discovering light. The Soul is created with noor so it will find its way to it. Everything is originated from something until it is not reunited with its origin, it stays in distress.
Note that when you need me, you will find me beside you. I am at your service and I don't have to remind you this. "
I put my head on her shoulder and nodded. She will be there for me as always. I closed my eyes as a lone tear escaped and cascade down my cheeks.
Everything needs time!
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