OUR JOURNEY TO FREEDOM

Chapter 19: Snow flakes after a decade old summer

Thursday October 5, 2023

To the ones who never stop dreaming, just like Mami, your dreams will come true!

Maryam, why do you always sound negative? remember we must not despair or lose hope in Allah's restoration for us. I wish you went with me today, the Waleema was so beautiful and I think you would have made merry as it was a minimal event just like you always want.

It is not as though I do not want to make merry, seeing those youngsters will not only remind me of a snow flake I almost cannot have anymore, it will give me nightmares for days and I don't want Sultan to think I am disrespectful for not going for therapy. I am tired of the smell in that hospital and talking about a decade mystery is not like a Cinderella tale ...I just don't want to have my hopes springing high only to be disappointed in the end. After all, you and I know how many children homes I have been to, I have lost count of the investigators we have hired, I cannot deal with it anymore, this battle is one I have left for my lord to fight as I am an incapable servant.

I know about that but i was able to speak to the caregiver of Darussalam, even though it was brief, she made mention of housing about 20 ladies who are almost adults. I couldn't ask so much as she was about to leave but assured me to visit if I wanted to know more about them. Besides, I didn't just speak to her because I wanted to try, but I saw someone with sultan's mole. It was right beneath her nose, quite noticeable. I have a gut feeling she might be our Mami ... her unique eyes and Chubby face , just maybe we should give fate a try....what do you think?

Shahinaz, I am scared to be disappointed again, I don't know how I will be able to handle it , you see... I am not saying you're giving false leads but I think you should go with your brother this time, sultan is emotionally stronger than I am .

There are somethings men will fail to notice at sight, you are her mother and I think you should come along too...remember she was only eight years old when we lost her, you're the best person to spot her from the weeds.

When do you say we can go?
Why don't we go tomorrow perhaps an hour before iftar, we could send them some snacks too
Just in case we don't see Mami, we won't return home empty handed... going earlier wouldn't be the best because they'll be having their annual musabaqah.

Tomorrow then...in shaa Allah

In shaa Allah, Fhee amanillah.

Guest judge(Uztaaz Yusuf) :Tonight is the night we make history, with just five points, I must say the winning team did not have it easy, they fought a good fight and victory is theirs. As today marks the fifth annual Musabaqah, not only do we have a trophy to be presented to the winners, Maritime Educational complex wishes to sponsor all awardees. If you are one, then you have an opportunity to learn any skill of your choice. I didn't hear a resounding "Ma shaa Allah" ?

Ma shaa Allah, they all chorused !
That's more like it!

Some of you might leave Darussalam for good and I hope you do not forget how you started, always remember this home and see it in the light of solace.

shelter Two won this time and all awards were given, the merry went on until it was time for iftaar. For the first time in five years history was made and it was a moment of joy for ustaaz Abdullah and his shelter ..dreams do come true huh!

Iftaar went on as usual, only a few snacks were added, looking at the triangular shaped pie brought back so much memories , the taste was no different as far back as Ameena could remember... she munches slowly which surprised Nafisa who was seated next to her...

Hey cheeky brat, what's up with the confused face, you of all people will be pushing everything down in a go, what happened to your tastebuds? No cap, but this is really good !

Ameena couldn't find words to answer Nafisa
She just smiled absently at her friend...

This taste, she questioned herself, is familiar
I just don't know why , she finally expressed

Are you sure?

I am ,she replied with a confident nod ...

Well I don't think I can wait for you anymore, I need to report back to Aunty Rauda and I don't want to keep her waiting... finish up quickly and stop counting invisible stars!

And like that Nuur dashed into the hallway, leaving Ameena in her own thoughts...

A voice interrupts her while she washed her hands, it was Mama Ayi, giving instructions to Aunty Rauda to have them all in the lounge . What did we do? I asked Rayan who was more confused than I was.

Mama Ayi: Assalamu Alaikum precious pearls of shelter three, I know you are all wondering why I have you all here... well we have guests who couldn't wait to meet you all as a group. They came bearing so much gifts and I believe you all had a wonderful iftar. This is not the first time we have seen such but today's is as special as the last one. Perhaps one of you, might be reuniting with their family again...

My name is sultan and I am an architect, this is my wife, Maryam who happens to be a chef. I wouldn't want to bore you with so much talk so I'd go straight to the point. Today is one of many occasions where I tell the story of my lost daughter... it was during the summer time, ten years ago when my wife went with our daughter to attend her sister's wedding. All I remember was a phone call from the train station about my missing daughter. In case you may be here Mami, we never abandoned you! It was just a nightmare that appeared from nowhere. I haven't had a life after you left us. The seasons do change but for Maryam and I , it's still summer as we are not used to changing decorations without you....i

Ameeen: Jaaaan! Baaaba jaaan a shocked voice called out ...

Rayan: what an episode, I just hope this is not one we have seen before, you have to wake up Ameenah !
Wake up and live the life you always dreamt about!
Mom and dad are here and it's not a nightmare. You are actually found ...Allah's restoration for you is hear so wake up and embrace it

Nafisa: hey, cheeky brat! I didn't know you had this side of you, why don't you wake up so we start planning your wedding, the one you wanted to have with your family around... wake up

Sultan and Maryam take turns parading the waiting room.
I just hope we didn't scare her! He said abruptly

After what felt like hours, she finally woke up. She just couldn't believe her eyes. Her fantasies ain't mere dreams after all, she wore a smile with a radiance of a thousand splendid suns. This was a magical moment for her . At last, she gets to be the little girl she once was.

Maryam: Shahinaz, I do not know what to say to you, thank you for giving me hope and reminding me of my past...thank you for bringing back our snowflake. Now I can finally breathe and sleep like a new born baby. I haven't been like this in a long while...

Shahinaz: I am happy Mami is here again, I am happy I honored that invitation...Allah works in mysterious ways....Alhamdulillah for how far we have come...

Sultan: Mami, you don't know how much I missed you, we never missed your birthdays. We kept sending gifts to your room every new year, with hopes to find you... we didn't know how we were going to survive but we knew you will one day come back to us ....oh Mami....my snowflake, Alhamdulillah

Ameenah: I cried so much in the past, when the food I ate tasted differently I cried, when the nanny's warmth felt different I cried ... I cried over everything until I learnt about Islam and the beauty in Duaa. I am grateful I get to be with you for the rest of my life. Even though I'll miss Darussalam, I believe my journey to freedom starts here and their's will begin shortly after. Since the sun has shone for a decade after my disappearance, I believe the snowflakes will show up for them in full glory. I was loved there and I know I am loved more than anything here.

And like that, Ameenah's life took a beautiful turn. Whether she was helping out at the Restaurant or embracing canvases with grace, she lives a life she loves and cherishes every bit of it. For her, it's more fat cheers to snowflakes after a decade old summer.

@MaryamAhmad043

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