Glimpse of Destiny

Chapter 3

"I can't believe I'm here now in the province," I exclaimed, my voice filled with excitement.

"This would be my second-to-last vacation because when I start college, we have classes even during summer breaks," I explained to Rahma.

We were seated in our grandma's house, surrounded by a serene and refreshing atmosphere that I had missed dearly. Our vacations in the province were unlike anything else.

They consisted of playing in the rain, riding carabao, watching over the rice fields, picking mangoes at dawn, mountain hiking and even doing laundry in the river. The best part was that I wasn't alone. I was joined by my five cousins, all around the same age as me.

They had been my closest friends whenever I visited the province, and, just like me, they were all high school students.

One night, after the evening prayer, I gathered them around and asked them to teach me how to pray. Farhana hesitated for a moment, saying, "If you return to the city, you might forget how to pray." But Rahma quickly replied, "Never mind, at least we can teach her. It will be our good deeds."

They enthusiastically taught me the intricacies of prayer and the importance of including duas for our parents in every sujood. As we continued our evening gatherings, a thought suddenly struck me. "I wonder where Abdullah is," I mused out loud. "I haven't seen him since I arrived here." Noora, one of my cousins, chimed in with some information. "Oh, he went to stay in his center to teach the new students Quran memorization. I heard he is going to Egypt; he's just waiting for his visa."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building inside me. Maybe, just maybe, this was the surprise he had been hinting at. My mind raced with thoughts of what the future might hold. As the days in the province continued to unfold, I cherished the moments spent with my cousins, learning about faith, and experiencing provincial life.

Little did I know that these precious moments would shape my journey in ways I could never have imagined, leaving an indelible mark on my heart and soul.