The Rays of Hope

Chapter 7 - Echoes of the Past

******[REEHA HUSSEIN]******

I stood next to Thasneem in Maryam's bedroom, surrounded by the clutter of unpacked luggage and scattered books. The morning's relentless work had left both Maryam and Thasneem visibly fatigued, yet their faces lit up with excitement as they chatted animatedly about something. I couldn't hear their conversation because a headache had forced me to remove the sound processors of my cochlear implants earlier. Despite being freshly cleaned, the room still held a faint hint of dust. The delicate lavender scent of Maryam's new toiletries wafted through the air, adding a touch of tranquillity to the otherwise chaotic scene.

As we carefully arranged her belongings in the dark wooden cupboard, the familiar silence enveloped me, causing my thoughts to drift back to the startling incident of the morning. The memory of Umair's bike veering alarmingly close to me remained vivid—the rush of wind and sudden jolt of fear still etched in my mind. Later, in the cafeteria, he approached me with a sincere apology, his expressive dark eyes reflecting genuine concern. Yet, despite his words, the incident had stirred up my underlying anxiety and resurfaced old insecurities, leaving me unsettled.

I felt a slight tap on my shoulder, grounding me. "Your phone is ringing inside your bag, Reeh," I read Thasneem's lips.

"Thanks for letting me know, Thasneem," I muttered, moving quickly to the corner where my backpack lay. I retrieved the external parts of my cochlear implants, finding comfort in their familiar weight. Slipping off my white shawl, I hooked the Nucleus 8 sound processors behind my ears with practised ease. As I pressed the buttons, the silence dissolved, and the world came alive—the ring of my phone, the scrape of furniture, the rustle of papers, and the gentle whirr of the ceiling fan. Each sound grounded me, restoring a sense of normalcy.

I glanced at the caller ID on my phone and saw it was Miss Sanjana Raman, my driver.

"Hello, Miss Raman," I answered, streamlining the call to my implants.

"Miss Reeha," Miss Sanjana Raman's voice came through, slightly strained. "Ma'am is upset that you visited Aunt Afra without her permission. She asked if I could come pick you up."

I checked the time displayed on my phone. It was six thirty in the evening. I sighed softly, knowing that Miss Raman would have to take a bus to reach Aunt Afra's house. It would take her longer, and I didn't want to trouble her more than necessary.

"It's alright, Miss Raman," I replied, keeping my voice calm. "I'll go with Mu'az. No need for you to come all the way here."

"Are you sure?" she asked, sounding relieved yet still hesitant.

"Yes, don't worry," I assured her. "I'll head home soon. Thank you."

After ending the call, I turned to Maryam and Thasneem. "I need to leave now," I told them, slipping my phone into my bag.

"What, already?" Maryam pouted.

"Can't you stay a bit longer?" Thasneem asked, folding her arms, looking equally displeased.

"I wish I could, but Aunt Sulaiha will be mad at me if I'm too late," I explained, hoping they'd understand.

They exchanged a glance, then sighed in unison. "Alright, but only because it's late," Thasneem conceded. "Just make sure to visit again soon."

"I will," I promised with a smile.

I headed to the attached washroom to make ablution. The cool water soothed my nerves as I prepared for the Maghrib prayer. After finishing, I stood in front of the mirror, gathering my fringed dark hair into a bun. Carefully, I adjusted my cochlear implants and then pulled on my underscarf, ensuring it was secure. Wrapping my shawl around me, I tucked in the edges, feeling the familiar comfort it brought. With a sense of calm, I rejoined Maryam and Thasneem.