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Iyad

We were invited to a religious gathering that was going to be held this weekend at my Dada Jaan's place. Baba lived away from them for a lot of years in the countryside because of his clinic here and also because of his association of this place with my real Dadi Jaan. He had been here even before he married Mama.

The religious gathering was for the arrival of my Uncle who had just gotten free from jail. He was Baba's brother; Uncle Faraan who was also his twin. Like I and Imad were. Sometimes I wonder about his look and actually meeting him. I and Imad matched so much with each other and no wonder, we were twins because Baba also had a twin brother.

Even though Mama and Baba had tried to hide the real story behind why Uncle Faraan was arrested from us because we were quite young. But somehow we got to know from here and there that my Uncle was involved in a murder. He had killed his wife who was pregnant with his child. And the last nail in the coffin was when one of our neighbours Aunty spilled the fact that Uncle Faraan wasn't a good guy and he had been using Baba's name to do all the bad things. Even Baba had to remain in prison because of this. It happened when I, Imad, and that Aunty's son were playing cricket together and they argued over something leading to the elders getting involved in it. That was the time I realized Baba and Dada Jaan had been hearing the titles of someone related to a murderer for years. Since then, Mama had stopped us from playing in the neighborhood.

I had got to know this from Dadi Jaan that Uncle Faraan had actually found a straight path after straying away from it for a long time. He had been seen getting closer to Allah SWT and our religion.

After knowing the truth, Imad and Api had developed a bitterness for Uncle Faraan. But despite how much I tried to think like them, I couldn't do so. If Uncle had left his past bad habits, then why would one dislike an individual like this? The person who actually did wrong was not present now. And I learned it from my Islamiyat teacher that one should loathe a bad deed not the person.

It had been a week since Uncle was back but Baba hadn't met him before today. I seldom found him talking about Uncle. In our house, he never for once became a topic of discussion. However, Dada Jaan and Dadi Jaan used to remember Uncle. But even then, Baba seemed very emotional and sad. He never replied to their discussion about Uncle but he used to remain distressed for a couple of hours. I didn't know whether Baba had forgiven him or not. What he did with him, was really anywhere near unforgettable but I knew my Baba. He would never hold contempt for anyone. He had a heart of gold and no debris would be present inside it.

So now we were present at Dada Jaan's place. When I saw Uncle Faraan, my jaw dropped. It seemed like I was really looking at Baba. Once or twice, I saw his picture but none could be more reliable than seeing him in person. Just that, he had a long beard and a bit more whiteness in his hair. Even though they seemed similar but Uncle looked a bit older than Baba. Maybe because he was now weak and couldn't take care of himself as Baba did.

When his gaze locked on Baba, a wetness came into his eyes. He remained still and Baba wasn't anywhere different than it.

"Faris. My brother. Allah, it's been years. More than a decade since I last saw you. I can't even believe it in my own eyes. It's like a Miracle which my Allah let me see. To see Mom, Dad, and you before dying," Uncle Faraan said as a smile wrinkled the corner of his gray eyes; the same as Baba and even Api.

Baba smiled too. "May Allah bless you, Faraan."

I had realized that whenever Uncle was spoken of, Baba always prayed for Allah to bless him. And I believed that was the best prayer you ever ask from your Lord for someone.

Uncle didn't look at Mama exclusively in her eyes and quickly stared at us siblings. He stopped for a while as his eyes never left Api's figure. A crease appeared on his cheekbone as his eyes turned blank before his lips spread.

"That precious baby girl is your daughter, Faris? Masha Allah, she is so lovely." He then crouched down before Api. Api was a few inches smaller than both me and Iyad. "I am your Uncle, beta."

"AssalamoAlaikum," Api murmured, as been taught to us by our parents to greet everyone.

"Walaikum Assalam," Uncle replied, patting her head.

Then he turned towards Imad and me.

"Twin sons just like us, Faris. One soul in two bodies. Two people who shared a womb shared the same nutrition and the same lap. Masha Allah." He had moisture in his eyes when he stated this.

Uncle seemed quite hurt at our sight and maybe I knew the reason. He had hurt Baba in the past and now he was thinking about all the bad things that had happened and if would had controlled, wouldn't have messed up things like this.

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Aunt Javaria had come here for the gathering. And with her, Mastoorah as well. She had a wonderful voice and everyone wanted her to recite naat today. Mastoorah was Aunt Hania's adopted daughter. I didn't know very much but Aunt had found her when she was just a newborn. I reckoned there was more to this story but our elders weren't telling us this.

Mastoorah was of Api's age or probably older than her. I consider her like me. She was a quiet, nice, and soft girl. She didn't speak too much. Mostly I found her loving the loneliness and spending time with herself. And that was exactly what I liked too.

That was very weird but Mastoorah fascinated me. I liked her presence. We never talked to each other more than a few words in all these years, she had been her but from afar, I got intrigued by her. She was exactly like someone I would love to spend time with. I wanted to become her friend. But I never raised my wish in front of her because I was afraid she would refuse. She wasn't one to mingle with people that much. In our house, she only became loosened up with Baba and Api.

But maybe one day I would get the courage and ask her if would she like me as her friend.

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Mastoorah

Reciting at religious gatherings is something I always loved with my whole heart. And today was no different. As I closed my eyes and let myself drown in my own spoken words, I felt I was in heaven.

During the meal, I got to know that this gathering occurred because Uncle Faris's brother had come to home after a long time. Uncle Faraan who exactly looked like him because he was his twin. I was left dumbfounded by the resemblance between them. I didn't even know that Uncle Faris had another brother. However, Uncle Faraan was a bit rougher version of him. He had a long beard reaching his mid-chest and in a white shirt and trousers, he seemed very pious. There was a light coming from him and it made me remember my Mama from my dreams.

The light which I had saw in my dream.

As the call to prayer of the maghrib sounded, everyone got busied in prayer. Uncle Faraan was an imam masjid. He led the prayers in his leadership.

I performed ablution and started praying my namaz. After that, as I was placing the dupatta loosely around my head, Aunt Hania came.

"Mastoorah, come. Let's go, child," she told me.

I bobbed my head. "Just coming, Aunt."

I quickly walked out. When I reached the hallway, Uncle Faraan came in front of me.

"AssalamoAlaikum Uncle," I greeted. I had a habit of greeting whenever I saw anyone.

"Walaikum Assalam. So it was you who was reciting the naat today," he murmured.

I nodded.

Uncle glowed. "You have a very voice, beta. What's your name?"

"Mastoorah," I said.

Uncle narrowed his eyes. "Mastoorah. Modest. Covered..."

"Yes. My Aunt Hania named me this because she found me covered in my Mama's membranes when I was born. She called me a baby wrapped in a gift paper," I explained this cheerfully.

I considered this sacrifice of my mother very dear and beloved to me. Hence I told this to everyone that this was why I was named as Mastoorah.

Uncle inhaled. "Your mother?"

"She is no more. Uncle, I should go. Aunt Hania is waiting for me. Allah Hafiz," I hurriedly declared and then dashed out.

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Iyad

Today after fajar, I and Baba were out of routine morning walk routine. Imad as usual loved his sleep so he used to go back to the bed after the prayer. And after our light jogging of half an hour, we usually came back home and then Baba took all three of us to the school before going to his clinic.

Since we met Uncle Faraan, I kept thinking about him. Why did he do that with Baba? And as he changed his ways, he seemed so pure and genuine that none could hate him.

After we were done with our fifth round, we sat on the bench. Baba opened a bottle of water and forwarded it towards me. I took it with a thank you.

"What happened, Iyad? You seem very quiet today. Everything going well in school?" He questioned, putting a hand over my shoulder.

"Yes, Baba. Everything is fine. I was just thinking..." I trailed off, thinking would he like it or not. However, it was true Baba never got angry at us.

"Thinking what?" He wiggled his brows, attaching another bottle to his mouth.

"Uncle Faraan. Why did he do that with you? When first time, I got to know about all this, I was very young and couldn't ask anything. But now as I saw him, he reminds me of you and I want to know why did he actually do that?" I implored.

Baba sighed. "Iyad, he has changed now. Your Uncle Faraan has found Allah. He is aiming for a sacred path. Whatever happened before, was just past. Sometimes we don't know that we do many bad things in life. We only care about ourselves and forget everything else. And sometimes it's because of a feeling of not being able to get what you want and finding others have it. You and Imad; you guys should always love and care for each other. Your Mama and I we both love you dearly and equally. And about your Uncle, you should be spending time with him more. He will teach you many good things In Sha Allah."

"Did you forgive him, Baba?" I again inquired.

Baba touched my shoulder. "Iyad, we are no one to forgive anyone. We all are Allah's creation. Just pray that everyone will be happy and blessed. Holding grievances against anyone won't let you go anywhere. Instead, it will always bind you to the past which will not let you live in the present. Past will always act like a moth for you. I did it once too. I lingered on past and didn't let myself go ahead. But then I found your Mama and then I realized, the past is something which should be made it rest."

"You are right, Baba," I mumbled, truthfully.

"And one should always care for relationships. You have a duty of caring for your Mama, Api, and Imad and you should do it wholeheartedly. Don't let the love for one relationship overwhelm the other. Make sure a balance in life and everything will be fine," he further mentioned and I agreed with every word he said.

And I hoped I would stay true to my promise which I made that day with Baba as a twelve-year-old kid.

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AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

So here's the 2nd chapter.

Till now we had Mastoorah and Iyad as kids.

From next chapter, we will see some time-lapse and we will finally see them as adults.

Mastoorah met Faraan and this meeting didn't let her feel any oddness from him as happened with Faris.

Why do you think so?

How do you think she will know that he is her father?

Do you like how Faris talked with Iyad in the end?

So the story will pick up from the next chapter so don't forget to read it. ❤❤

If you like this chapter, please vote and comment. ❤❤

Till the next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. 💞💞💘