Resounding Rhythm Of Rutted Love

Chapter-3 Wrapped In Gloomy Hues

10 June 2021

Assalamo alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu everyone. Five days, I know means a lot but i need time to write wisely and don't want to mess my novel out of my hastiness to publish. This chapter is based on my self reflection and if Allah has guided you to this book, then I hope you may take one or two benefits out of this. I wanted to add more to this chapter but because of the word limit I did not. Last but not least, I hope you will enjoy this chapter.

"Is not Allah sufficient for His Servant [Prophet Muhammad]? And [yet], they threaten you with those [they worship] other than Him. And whoever Allah leaves astray - for him there is no guide."(39:36)

Afreen stood amidst the whiff of dusty wind, the large building stood before her in pride with a name board affixed above its giant door, scanning the exterior carefully; she concluded the few things she had needed to talk with the principle. The big trees swiftly swayed with the cool breeze. The cars were parked parallel to the adjoining school road.

The following events rolled out seamlessly, without a speck of a glitch. Afreen was questioned about a few things before she was addressed. Her first class was in grade three and the children were enthusiastic about Afreen. They had read the literature patiently and even practiced the pronouns. She had talked with them about interesting topics. When Afreen assigned them their first English homework, she felt like such a proud teacher.

The day eventually came to an end with so much hustle and bustle that Afreen was only giggling to herself on her way home, recalling the silly conversations she had with her students. She caught the auto rickshaw driver giving her strange looks every time she would laugh.

"Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu, Ammi." Afreen greeted her mother as she started to loosen her hijab. Zahida brought her a glass of lemonade that has been a tradition in her house ever since the excruciating summer in Delhi.

"Walaikum assalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu. How was school? " Zahida asked as Afreen chugged down the lemonade, "Alhamdulillah, it was all so great. My high expectations have been exceeded by the school. It has an excellent infrastructure and they had taken care of the garbage precisely, as all I saw were trashcans every forty steps. The school was exceptionally beyond imagination because even the walls screamed of professionalism. " Afreen did not leave the tiniest of details about the school.

"You seemed to be propelled by its magnificence." Zummar smiled as she walked into the dining hall and Zahida returned to her room. "How could I not when its beauty outshone that of my journals." She sarcastically responded and Zummar laughed heartily.

"How were the children at school?" Zummar interrogated, "They were the cutest I have ever met." she responded.

"That is what you always say when you meet children."

"Children are the cutest beings. I don't understand why many people don't like children. "

Afreen has adored children since her childhood days, from relishing their silly conversations to adoring their mischievous acts, from running behind them with their dresses to feeding them a part of her every meal. One can tell from the distance that she is a woman of love, a soul who loves greatly and immensely. Few of her family members even deduced that she would be a great mother. Often in marriages, she would be found with children while the elders and her cousins would enjoy the sacred occasion.

"We talked about the moon, animals, and a lot more. The children were super sweet and caring. They had asked my name and were asking if I was going to let them play with the cat that comes every day in the school field, so I agreed to it because I too love cats, and it is another thing that Abu does not allow me have one. " Afreen pouted, "And, oh, I almost forgot to tell you the most amusing part .My Abaya enchanted them extraordinarily. Two of the girls asked if it is what a batwoman wears like a batman. The boys thought that I fly every time I wear them. There was this boy, named Suleiman, who asked if he could come inside my Abaya and I instantly disproved his wish. Suleiman's innocence was beyond words. I wondered if I was the first  Muslim they had ever encountered in their lives " Afreen said, recalling the incidents with her students and a smile appeared on Zummar's face.