ESHMA

Chapter 36

And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah, he love those who trust on him
[3:159]

Author's POV

Flashbacks

"Maher, if you don't come down now, we'll leave you behind!" a beautiful woman in her early thirties shouted, her voice laced with a mix of urgency and amusement.

"Ma, I'm coming, just a second!" Maher replied, his voice echoing from upstairs.

A moment later, a dashing ten-year-old boy emerged, dressed in a crisp white kaftan that complemented his chocolate skin. A black designer watch adorned his wrist, and black sandals encased his feet. His curly hair shone with a subtle gleam.

"How do I look?" he asked, striking a pose.

"You look wow, Maher" replied Shukrah his sister, a stunning fifteen-year-old girl dressed in a multi-colored lace gown,

"I want Aunt Layla's new baby to see how beautiful I am" Maher grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement

Their little sister Fateemah, a precocious three-year-old dressed in a bright red gown, chimed in, "Yaya, Mrs. Samuel said handsome for boys and beautiful for girls"

Their mother, chuckled, "Maher, be careful, don't fall down and get your clothes dirty."

As they arrived at the grand mansion, Maher's eagerness was palpable.

"Auntie Layla, I'm here, Where's the baby?" he asked, his eyes scanning the crowded room.

Astunning Arabian woman dressed in black lace, smiled warmly.

"Hello, Maher, Here's the baby, She's been waiting for you since morning."

Maher's face lit up as he sat beside Aunt Layla, cradling the beautiful baby, dressed in pink clothes, in his arms.

"Aunt Layla, what's her name?"

"Her name is Aisha, but we'll call her Eshma," she replied, her eyes shining with affection.

From that moment on, Maher was smitten with baby Eshma. He visited her every weekend, and as they grew up, their bond became unbreakable. They became inseparable, and their parents eventually decided to engage them when Eshma turned twelve and Maher twenty-two, with plans to marry them when Eshma started university.

But fate, in its unforgiving way, had other plans. A tragic accident snatched Maher's life away, leaving Eshma shattered and their families engulfed in unrelenting grief. Maher's father, once full of life and laughter, was now a shadow of his former self, his lost leg a constant reminder of the fragility of life.

Eshma's world crumbled around her. The loss of her beloved Maher sent her spiraling into a darkness she never thought possible. Her first depression consumed her, and she clung to antidepressants as a lifeline. But as time passed, her reliance on the medication turned to addiction, and she couldn't sleep without it. The pain of Maher's absence was suffocating, and she felt lost and alone.

Fate, however, was not done with Eshma yet. Through grueling therapy sessions and unwavering support from loved ones, she slowly began to heal. The journey was arduous, but she finally overcame her addiction and learned to live without the medication. It was a hard-won victory, but the scars of her loss still lingered.

Maher's death had stolen not only her joy but also her sense of self. The bubbly, carefree girl she once was had vanished, replaced by a shadow of her former self. Yet, even in the midst of such overwhelming pain, Eshma found a glimmer of hope. She realized that life, though cruel and unpredictable, was also precious and fleeting. And she made a promise to herself to honor Maher's memory by living the life they had planned to share together.