To Our Doom (Paused)

Chapter 12: Tears Under the Stars

Abu Ishaaq had left early with the other fathers to wrap up their business works in the city before they headed out for their two-day staycation trip. Sarah and Sana had left already for their morning classes.

Sarah's bird song ringtone interrupted the engaged and attentive class. She cleared her throat and requested Sister Farhana to excuse her for getting the call since her mother was calling.

"Yes, Ummi, what's up?" she answered the call.

"Sarah, where did you keep the charcoal pack?" she asked, with shuffling noises coming from her end.

"Ummi, it should be in the storeroom on the ground floor," she recalled.

"It's not there," her mother replied, sighing. "Come home and find it after class, okay?"

"Yes, Ummi," Sarah nodded. They were headed to the hills for a BBQ and charcoal was essential.

Sister Farhana asked Sarah if it was something serious. Sarah shook her head and mumbled that it was alright and nothing serious.

By this time Sister Farhana had concluded the tafseer of the last few Ayahs of Surah Ra'd and was going to start discussing the next Surah: Surah Ibrahim.

"With the end of Surah Ra'd, Allahumma Barik Lakunn, we start a surah only seven pages long, Surah Ibrahim," Sister Farhana announced. Sarah smiled at the mention of Surah Ibrahim. She remembered memorizing the Surah when she was sixteen, two years ago. And now, she had completed memorizing the Quran. Alhamdulillah.

Sister Farhana discussed the story of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) and how he submitted himself to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). He was given the title "Khalilullah" meaning the close friend of Allah due to his faith and submission. He was so honored and respected that most of the world knew his name – if not all, Subhan Allah.

Our MMC Ibrahim is honored to be named after such a prominent person. The both of them know Ibrahim's (عليه السلام) story well.

Sister Farhana then discussed his family life. Ibrahim's (عليه السلام) first wife was Sarah. They were both blessed with Ishaaq (عليه السلام) in their old age when both of them were unfit for procreation – as a miracle from Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

Wait, the names sound familiar.

Nevermind... Sarah dismissed the thought. She had to focus on class right now. Sana was taking notes, and Sarah, seeing her best friend so focused, felt the need to pay attention to Sister Farhana herself. So, she did.

At the end of class, Sarah hugged Sana, and the other girls farewell and then started her walk back home in reflection mode.

Once she entered the familiar frame of her home, she walked over to the sounds of water splashing in the kitchen.

Girls and boys, Ishaaq was doing the dishes!

Sarah was surprised to see her little brother in the kitchen.

"Sarah, settle down then bring the charcoal pack in the living room, okay?" her mother instructed after exchanging Salams with her.

Ishaaq caught a glimpse of Sarah and immediately started calling her out, "Ukhti look, I'm doing all the work at home, you're so useless," he eye-rolled, exaggerating.

Sarah skipped over to her brother to gently slap him on the head. "Me? Useless? Okay, you're drying, folding the clothes, vacuuming, mopping, and baking for the house from now on," Sarah raised a challenging brow.

"Ukthi... I know all that, but what about now, hmm?" Ishaaq raised his brows quizzically. Sarah just sighed and then climbed up the stairs to look for where the charcoal pack was. It was way behind all the clutter in the upper storeroom. Didn't we just buy it? Why was it there anyway? She took it to the living room and placed it on the side near the door.