RAYS OF HOPE✔

Chapter 16

"So where are we guys headed?" Adeel asked from the driver's seat as he stirred his car out of the school's parking lot. It was Friday already as the girls were done with their exams and will be heading back to Kastina the next day.

They were all set for the planned outing as Adeelah sat in the front seat while Maryam and Humaira settled in the back.

"Nowhere special from my side. Just somewhere we can have fun." Adeelah answered typing away on her phone.

"What about Maryam and Sassy?" Adeel asked looking into the rear view mirror as his gaze clashed with Humaira who pouted her lips and playfully glared at him.
He pursed his lips to hide his amused expression.

"I don't know Abuja that much so nowhere special from my side too. What about you Humairori?" Maryam gestured directing the question at her.

"Umh..maybe an orphanage? I don't know if you guys like the idea as somewhere to go for an outing but I feel like visiting those poor innocent children will be a really nice change of environment and fun as well."

"Great idea, Masha Allah." Adeel smiled as both Maryam and Adeelah agreed with him too.

They drove around town to a mall which was Adeel's idea as it would make the children happy, before going to the orphanage. They bought as many toys as they could, paintbooks, colours, gifts, chocolates and other delicacies which the girls helped chose.

*~*~*~

"Assalamu alaika. My name is Adeel and I'm here together with my sisters to give the children a visit if that won't be a problem." Adeel spoke on behalf of them all.

They were at the orphanage already as they all stood in the caretaker's office.

"Wa'alaika salam. Ofcourse, it's no bother. Welcome to Children's shelter orphanage. We are highly pleased to have you here. My name is Anas and I'm a caretaker here." A man who looked to be in his late 40s introduced as he ushered them in through the hallway of the orphanage's surroundings.

The building was timber clad as it stretched into a long corridor with several rooms by the sides. A playground laid in the centre with swings hanging from above as some children swung to and fro cheerfully with no care in the world. Some were skipping, playing hide and seek, others playing different games while some just sat idly.

Indeed it was a safe and secured shelter for children like the name implied as the kids looked to be quite comfortable in their skin.

Sponsoring orphans is a cause particularly dear to the prophet Muhammad (PBUH)'s heart as he was also an orphan. Only Allah knows the rewards one gets for taking care of orphans for it is indeed very vast and a great act of kindness that can lead one to Jannah. Humaira smiled at the thought as she sent a silent prayer for Allah to bless all the caretakers of the orphanage and those offering charity to them as well.

Her eyes found that of a little girl who looked to be the age of 5 or 6. The girl sat a bit far from the other kids and that was what even drew Humaira's attention to her. She sat quietly as she watched the other kids play with a solemn expression on her face. She was so thin subhanallah that her cheekbones were almost so prominent.

Humaira found her legs on their on accord making their way to her as Adeel and co followed suit. She squatted in front of the cute little girl and gently ran her thumbs over her cheeks so as not to scare her.

"Why is the pretty girl sitting down all by herself huh? What's wrong darling?" She quietly asked as the girl slowly lifted her downcasted face. Not to exaggerate but in Humaira's entire years of living, she'd never seen a child's eyes as sad as that of the little girl.