The past

 CHAPTER 16: THE PAST

SIDRA’S P.O.V

11 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 proud of it.

Though I was but a child my parents brought my siblings and I up in accordance with the teachings of the holy Quran. At my tender age, I could easily distinguish the halal and haraam. I knew what modesty is for a girl and importance of hayaa. But ummi took it upon herself to teach me the ways of the world.

 How to integrate the concept of modernization with Islam. My Abu encouraged us to learn different forms of martial arts but my other siblings didn’t pay much attention to this. He introduced me to the business world and taught me all the important financial rules.

Though he was a businessman, my dad was one of the only three muftis in my country, hence I had a teacher who taught me everything  else that I wasn't  taught in madrasa such that when I took the mufti exam, I managed to graduate as the youngest  mufti in the country.

 My siblings were not as close to my dad as I was hence they had no interest in taking the exams as I did though we all attended Abu's lessons. The little genius that I was, I also got my ummi for a teacher who taught me on every aspect of things concerning women at my very young age.

Aside from religious education, mama taught me first aid where I completed the training in secret, chores and seeing though I was more of a Tom boy than a little lady. I was the middle child in a family of five.

We were made up of three girls and two boys. My elder sisters were habibi 18 and zeinab 14. My younger siblings were Towfik 8 and Abdullah 4.Alhamdulillah. I loved my siblings and parents. For the ten years were the happiest of my life. My Abu was a middle class business man while ummi was a gynecologist.

 At least that was what I knew about them before I came to learn that they were the richest duo in the country who decided to not corrupt their children’s mind with the glamour of wealth.

Asalamu aleikum warahmatullahi wabarakatu ibnati. The sound of Ustadh Dhul Qarnain brought me back from my day dream. Such vivid memories. Wa aleikum salaam warahmatullahi wabarakatu ya Abati (dad). I smiled. "I am worried about you habibati. You have been so quiet since your last lesson with Hamdan. Subhanallah, how wonderful Allah is. How are you feeling ibnati? “He enquired worried.

Ya Abu, I am confused. He makes me love and hate him. I feel betrayed by his love for me. Is that even sane baba? I want him yet am not ready to accept him. Every time I see him look at me with love, I am reminded of his hurtful rejection. You know that my biggest weakness is losing those I love and his rejection didn’t help the situation then. Furthermore I still need my dialysis session in two days’ time.

I have to get away soon. What should I do Abu? "Come here ibnati", when I went to him, he held me in his arms like he had done for the last 13years of my life, being my second father away from home. Ustadh Dhul Qarnain had no children of his own hence he adopted me secretly after the death of my parents eleven years ago."

Ya nur al ayni (the light of my eye), you know that whatever you decide to do, I will stay by your side and help you where I can as long as you don't disobey Allah and dishonor yourself.  As your guardian, I wish you the best of wealth, and health. Go my daughter and do what you do best. Take care of yourself and protect your honor.

You are the most precious person alive for me to this day because, you my darling girl are my pillar and foundation. You are my strength my dearest beloved. I will talk to Hamdan and see what I can do to ease your mind. Know that I will be here whenever you need me and you my dear aalim are welcome here to your second home whenever you need your Abu fusing over you, “he finished, chuckling..uhibuk fillah ya Abu, thank you for being my family.

 He knew my past and he became my best friend regardless. I will forever be grateful to you Abu. I thought. “Abu I would like to leave my wealth in your capable hands until I get married, is that okay with you baba?”Alright my love, he replied. I kissed him on the cheeks and said salaam before I left my second home leaving behind my heart once again.

 The moment I stepped foot outside the gates of the institution, a private luxurious sports car rolled over and halted near where I was. The driver’s door was opened as the driver walked out and opened the back door for me. I politely thanked him and got in to the car.

Take me to the hospital swabir. And that was all it took to disappear from Hamdan once more. Let’s meet again if fate allows us to me love, I promise then, and that I will give you as many chances as you want if you will still want me. I thought.

What do you think happened to Sidra's family?