5 YEARS LATER

"Maama—are we there, yet?" Aasiya heard her 5 year old daughter's inquiry and looked away from the road to watch her  sitting in the backseat of the car, through the rearview mirror. Following her inquisition, she had once again become immersed in going through the album on her lap, for the millionth time.

Ever since she found them at her Naano's place earlier this year, she had become obsessed with them.

"Almost there, sweetie—" Aasiya returned with a small smile, before returning her attention back to driving.

"We will go see Baaba first, yes?" On catching the excitement brimming in her voice, Aasiya couldn't help but chuckle before replying in affirmative.

It was often during these times, when Aasiya would catch herself being amazed by her little baby. And it was also during these times when she would find herself humbly submitting before Allah once again; thanking Him for His countless blessings.

"And your Lord is going to give you and you will be satisfied." (Quran 93:5)

"Maama?" She caught sight of her daughter's honey coloured orbs through the mirror.

"Eeshal and Aaminah said that I don't look like Baaba—but I told them Maama says that my habits are all like Baaba." She retorted, her eyes twinkling with seriousness, at the severity of the matter at hand.

"Yes—Especially your impressive talking habits." Aasiya returned with a chuckle which very much pleased her daughter. Aasiya found herself thinking back to the past and realising that it really was true; despite the fact, she wasn't even her own flesh and blood.

The shock of Naveed's death had left her incapacitated and it wasn't until after Ammar told her about everything; from Naveed's repentance, following his accident, that had left him handicapped—to the truth about those 3 killings; did she finally manage to stop mourning for him. The fact that he had returned to Allah and toiled in His way to earn His forgiveness was enough to heal Aasiya's broken heart. She felt all the gratitude in this world had fell short, to thank Allah for not leaving him alone in the darkness.

It was also in that moment, when she truly realised the meaning behind those words;

‎إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ

"Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return." (Quran 2:156)

"Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah ? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment." (Quran 9:110)

Slowly, everything had started to return to normal. She didn't find any reason to complain anymore. She was contented in Allah's will and had made her peace with her parents, whom she had returned to live with. A few months following that, she had decided to return to Kashmir, to finish her training, with her parents permission.

And it was there that she found her—Her Naafiya.

Never once, did Aasiya think it was a coincidence, that someone had left a helpless newborn outside the steps of Madrasah. It was fate, Aasiya would always tell her—Serendipity.

When even after months had passed and Salman bhai couldn't find anything about Naafiya's parents with the Police's help, Aasiya decided to adopt her; after consulting with her parents. Aasiya's mother was hesitant initially, wondering how could she handle such a small baby by herself. But later gave in; when Haadiya reassured her, that she would stay by Aasiya's side and help her with everything.

Aasiya didn't hesitate to register Naveed as the father, who was still her husband legally.

And when Naafiya found Aasiya and Naveed's Engagement and Nikah albums at her Naano's place, she was quick to ask if this was her Baaba?

Aasiya had watched her silently for a moment before nodding her head in agreement. Realising, that once again, Naveed had become a part of her life—or more rightfully, he had never left.

It wasn't only through Naafiya that he had made his place in her life again. Aasiya was informed by Ammar that Naveed had willed all his properties and the profit from his shares in Ammar's company under Aasiya's name, before his death; just in case, he failed to find her in his life.

Aasiya failed to feel any surprise at the news. This was Navi, afterall. He didn't stop worrying about her in his life and even in his death, he had made sure that she was taken care of.

He really was a helpless dork, she had thought with a smile.

"Maama, Baaba looks happiest here—" Aasiya's train of thoughts were once again interrupted by Naafiya's queries about her Baaba.

Often times, she wondered how will she explain to her about everything when she was old enough to understand and it did worry her sometimes. But then she dismissed the thoughts that whatever Allah had willed to happen, will happen. She would only worry about praying for the best interest of her Naafiya.

"Yeah. He was happiest that day—" She returned slowly. Even without looking, Aasiya knew which picture Naafiya was referring to.

"Maama, what else? What else did Baaba do?" She called out excitedly again. This was her most favourite topic of discussion these days. Her Baaba.

"Hmm. Let me see. Navi—He was very hardworking. Your Baaba was very passionate and dedicated about his work." She answered with a small smile forming across her face, at just the thought of him. She had already decided that she wouldn't tell Naafiya about his mistakes after he had repented for them. How could she? When Allah had put a veil over it?

"Maama—I'll tell Baaba everything when I see him again. He'll be happy to see me, yes?" She quirked again, excitedly; while inching forward in her seat as much as the seat belt allowed her to.

"He will—InshaAllah! Most definitely! Even more than you—" Aasiya added with a soft chuckle, thinking about Navi's absurd ways of showing affection.

"Maama—Baaba was very nice, yes?" Naafiya inquired quickly, while Aasiya parked the car. Her eyes gleaming with pride at the thought of her Baaba.

Aasiya's hands working at Naafiya's seat belt halted for a moment, before she looked up to take her daughter's face in her hands and placed a kiss on her either cheeks.

She began in a small voice, laced with affection, while brushing away the hair falling on her forehead.

"He was very kind, your Baaba. An honest man, who always kept his promise. He was only a repentant servant of Allah, who didn't hesitate to give up his most beloved thing to earn the love and forgiveness of Allah—He was my most precious friend—and he loved your Mama very much—" Enough to let me go, she added to herself.

"Maama, I will grow up to be like Baaba too." She decided, after jumping out of the car and took her Maama's hand in her fragile yet firm hold. Aasiya only turned her way to smile down at her.

"Then you'll have to love Allah the most. More than anything—" She added softly, with a smile, before stroking the top of her hair and adjusting her beanie.

"Even more than you and Baaba?" She inquired with widening eyes at which Aasiya nodded her head solemnly.

"More than anything and everything in this entire world—" Aasiya added before picking up her daughter in her arms and walking in through the gates of the cemetery, to make way towards Naveed's resting place. A Dua on her lips, which Naafiya slowly recited behind her.

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ يَا أَهْلَ الْقُبُورِ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَنَا وَلَكُمْ أَنْتُمُ سَلَفُنَا وَنَحْنُ بِالْأَثَرِ

"Oh, inmates of the graves, salaam on you. Allah forgive us and you all. You left first and we will be coming later".