𝐒𝐔𝐊𝐎𝐎𝐍 - rewritten | ✓

NINETEEN

Maham used the money left in her wallet to buy a train ticket to Hunza. Maham sat by the window, unmoving. She didn't move for one second in her seat or shift. Like a statue, she stared out the window with tears streaming down her face even when everyone was asleep.

When the train reached, she stepped outside and sat down on the bench for hours. Her attention was finally removed from her depressing thoughts and state as a girl around her age sat beside her. 

She had pale skin, light hair, and blue eyes. Maham watched as the girl gathered her hair in an unstable bun, muttering annoyance under her breath. She looked at Maham when feeling eyes on her. The girl smiled, awkwardly.

"Sorry, mere cousins ki train issi waqt aane wali thi lekin woh mujhe mil hi nahi rahe. Unka phone bhi band ja raha hai isliye bohut annoyed hoon," The girl explained and a smile graced Maham's lips.
(Sorry, my cousins' train was supposed to come at this time but I can't find them. And their phone is also turned off.)

"Mera naam Aya hai. MashaAllah se aap bohut pyaari hain, aur apki skin itni clear aur glow kar rahi hai. Ap skincare konsa istimaal karti hain?" Aya asked, shaking Maham's as she looked mesmerized at Maham's glowing honey-tanned skin.
(My name is Aya. MashaAllah, you're so pretty, your skin is so clear and glowing. What skincare do you use?)

Maham blushed, laughing. She was just thinking how she'll probably never laugh or smile because of her trauma and this stranger just made her laugh. Maham answered, "Pregnancy," And at the confused expression, she laughed again.

"Oh!" Aya realized, "Oh, Congratulations!" She smiled.

"Thank you, mera naam Maham hai," Maham said. 
(My name is Maham.)

"Apka naam bilkul apki tarah hai," Aya complimented.
(Your name is exactly like you.)

Not being able to find her cousins, Aya decided to share everything about her life. She told Maham how she lived in Hunza with her mother as her father died at a young age. She told Maham about her education, friends, and everything that came to mind. After she finished, she asked Maham about hers to which Maham replied:

"Meri story sun ke mood off hojai ga," 
(Listening to my story will turn off your mood.)

"Phir bhi batao," Aya said.
(Tell me anyway.)

Maham sighed and then told her everything, leaving out some stuff out of her story. The two girls spent hours sharing their stories until Aya's cousins saw her and ran to greet her. Maham assumed it would be the last time she'll see her but Aya invited her to her house.

Maham was skeptical at first but Aya's cousins were like her and they told her it would be fun to have one more person.

"Meri ammi bohut naraz hogi jab mai unhe bataongi keh mujhe ik akeli aurat milli aur maine madad nahi ki," Aya said, trying to convince Maham.
(My mom will be incredibly mad when I tell her I met an alone woman and didn't help her.)

Maham finally agreed and that was the best decision of her life. Aya complimented Maham by saying that she was exactly like her name but Aya was exactly like her name as well. Sign and proof of Allah's greatness. Aya saved Maham's life by inviting her to her house and letting her stay there for as long as needed.

In a year, the two became sisters and Aya's mother, Aira, was an angel. They were extremely welcoming and comforting and Aira became a mother figure to Maham. Aira was also exactly like her name. Honourable woman.

These two women were a gift to Maham. A gift for her patience, the abuse she went through, and for her prayers.

Maham started tutoring kids to raise money and then after 9 months, her baby boy was born. She named him Aydin. Because like his name, he was her strength. And since the two girls had grown so close, Aya took Maham to London with her where the two completed their education by going to University.