Life Is a box of Chocolates.

Chapter 3

Asalam mu alaykum.  I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed eid. Just wanted to thank you wonderful readers for reading my book.
And thanx kwlkat for ur votes

Its been a couple of weeks since Attiya came home from the hospital and let me tell its been busy and hilarious. Busy because our relatives have been coming over to meet her and hilarious for two reasons.  One she had a fit cos of her hair so she had to cut her hair short and second because shes developed a fear of cars.

Let me explain. Apparently on her way back from Maddrasah , she came back with a couple of her friends. Her friend went home and she crossed a busy road. She looked left and right no cars but when she proceeded to cross a car came. By now she had crossed half way but instead of going to the other side, Attiya ran backwards and was hit by the car.

Now the funny bit. We went to a new shop that had opened. It was pretty late when we went and the car park was empty. We asked Attiya to check the opening and closing times. She went to the shop but wouldn't come. When we asked her why she said a car will come. she would not cross the road we had to drag her across the road.

Its funny sad and concerning altogether. Hmmmm fun-ad-ning? Yea lets go with that. Anyway ,I think it gonna take her a while to get her confidence back. At the moment we're on our way home from a weekly ijtima ( gathering ) and I'm re - teaching her to cross the road by herself.

As we cross the road I hear a car and see its quite far. Attiya tightens her grip on my hand. Turning my towards her, I see her eyes wondering backwards and forwards and  breathing rapidly.
" Calm down sweetie. It's OK the cars far away and look where on the pavement now. We're safe."

She smiles weakly at me. The rest of the walk home was quiet. Attiya runs ahead of me and crosses the road by herself. Oh don't get happy. Our road is quite anyway. Attiya opened the door and walked in to the guest room with me walking behind her.

"Mommy do we have any jakhni ( soup )? " she yelled.

" Attiya don't shout" I said calmly but firmly.

Once she reached the door to the living room  she stopped. I stood behind her and saw why.

We had guests. There were three men on the settee in-front of the window opposite the door we were standing.  Saif biya and dad were standing by the fire place.

I slightly push Attiya  and walk in. I see mum and two women sitting on the settee opposite the fire place.

"Asalam mu alaykum " I say.

They all reply. Attiya stands behind Saif biya, looking down her face red

" your back. How was the ijtima? " dad asked.

" It was good. The English bayan ( speech ) was about how we shouldn't think about worldly thinks and think about our akhira. The Urdu bayan was about respecting each other. "

" Good good. " dad turned to the men " I think we should go into the other room ."

I moved to the side giving them space. Then me and Attiya sit on the know free settee.

I pull my niqaaab over my head and smile at them.

" so Aunty how are you."I ask the older women.

"Am fine child how are you."

" Alham du lillah am fine. What about you " I ask the young girl next to her.

" am not to bad thank you"

" Salaabeel this is Fiaz and her daughter Humaira. These are my daughters Salsabeel and Attiya."

"What beautiful names."