Tawakkul

Chapter 14

It was the month of Rajab, just as she had been told in her dream, when she was taken to the hospital for the birth of her baby girl. Sultan prayed the entire night, next to Aaliyah in hopes that her delivery would be a success. He kept his faith strong even as his hands trembled hearing the complications of the birth. At one point, both Aaliyah and the child were struggling to breathe and Aaliyah vomited out the medicine that she'd been given. Sultan tried to provide comfort without getting in the way of the midwives. Aaliyah felt as though she might die from the pain but after many difficult hours she gave birth to her baby girl.

Aaliyah was exhausted, they placed the baby on Aaliyah for skin to skin contact and Sultan prayed 2 rakats to thank Allah. Aaliyah turned to the side and felt at ease seeing Sultan praying, she thanked Allah holding her child in her arms. When the doctor checked to make sure that the child would cry, Aaliyah looked at Sultan who seemed as though he was holding himself back from attacking the doctor. She smiled wearily at his protective nature in dire need of rest.

With the birth of Fatima the bond between Sultan and Aaliyah with Mr and Mrs Rajah grew stronger, Aaliyah made sure that her child would not cause too much noise. One day a relative of aunty came over and was worried because she thought Fatima would keep her up with her cries, but when she woke in the morning she went down to Mrs Rajah and needed to confirm.

"Is there really a child in the next room? I didn't hear a cry all night" Mrs Rajah smiled and looked at her relative.

"Aaliyah holds her child 24/7 ofcourse you didn't hear her cry the only way she'd cry is if she were put down or needed something."

Mr and Mrs Rajah grew to adore Fatima; she became their granddaughter and their love for her really showed the fact that relations are not only dictated by blood. Mr Rajah planted crops in his back garden and when Fatima grew old enough to stand, Mr Rajah helped her take a kadu (pumpkin) from one of his plants. The garden held a nostalgic feeling, the tiles dusty and the earth smiling. Mr Rajah would always wear a blue cap on his head and he looked fondly at Fatima, who held the kadu with pride. Aaliyah held her in her arms smiling, Fatima's hair was cut short, her doe eyes a soft brown. She resembled a kitten with her chubby cheeks and round eyes.

Mrs Rajah would test her blood sugar level at night and Fatima would disappear from Aaliyah's room, hiding in Mrs Rajah's bed giving her finger to the lady, wanting to take part in whatever it was the older woman was doing. Mrs Rajah would laugh and kiss Fatima softly on the forehead then act as though she were taking Fatima's finger to test as well. Aaliyah would soon after turn up apologetically at the door telling Fatima to come to bed since it's getting late.

During Ramadan, Aaliyah sat on the stairs holding fatima in her arms. The white railing engraved with patterns. She'd sit here until Fatima would fall asleep, then she'd prepare the food for iftar. As soon as it would be time to open their fast Fatima would begin to cry uncontrollably. At this point she had replaced their alarm clock. Sultan would finish his day shift on most days just in time to open iftar with them but sometimes he would have to do so at the hospital on his shift. Aaliyah would hope he opened his fast well and that he didn't feel alone without them.

Aaliyah would often place Fatima on the desktop while she cooked. It seemed to act as Fatima's comfort place probably because she could see Aaliyah from there, whilst being a safe distance away. Fatima would dangle her feet and watch her mother with her big eyes, like an owl. If Sultan came home he would take her off the counter and she'd snuggle into her father's chest making tiny noises to signal her joy. Whenever Mr Rajah would enter he would ask the same question

"our Fatima is opening the fast with us?" And when she'd cry he'd say "I guess it's time for iftar"

Another thing that became a running joke for them was the fact that whenever Sultan would come home Aaliyah would leave whatever it was she was doing to tend to him. If she was eating she'd give the plate to him and make some more for herself. They said that she was always alert and waiting for his arrival.