Isolated

Chapter 4: Goodbye for Now

Months passed by in the big school, and life for Firdous was gradually falling into place. What had once seemed like an overwhelming maze of unfamiliar faces and endless routines had now turned into something much more comforting. She was adapting, and so were the neighbors' kids, who now accompanied her and Taqib to school every day. Firdous had never imagined that school could be this pleasant. Haya, her closest friend, was always by her side, and their bond had grown stronger with every passing day. Together, they laughed, shared secrets, and helped each other with homework.

As the first term drew to a close, the prospect of a break loomed over their heads. With study leave just around the corner, most kids buzzed with excitement over the thought of not having to wake up early for school. But for Firdous, the idea of leaving school, even if only for a while, left her feeling uneasy. Unlike others who were eager to escape the routine of school life, Firdous enjoyed her time there. She liked her classes, her teachers, and most of all, her friends. She couldn't quite grasp why others weren't as enthusiastic about school as she was.

On their way back home, the neighbors' kids cheerfully announced that they would be spending their break visiting their grandparents instead of studying. Firdous's heart sank a little. The thought of being stuck at home, with nothing exciting happening, was disheartening. She thought of her own house — the routine, the same everyday chores, the quiet afternoons. As they walked home, Firdous's mind raced, wondering how she could ask her parents to take her somewhere, anywhere. But knowing that her elder brother, Taqib, had to prepare for his exams, she felt too shy to voice her desires.

The next day, Firdous decided to spend her time helping Ammi in the garden. It was something she rarely did, but today felt different. Perhaps, she thought, it would keep her mind occupied. Ammi, noticing her eagerness, handed her a small pot and a snake plant. "Here, beta," Ammi smiled warmly, "you can plant this. Snake plants are very resilient, and they don't die easily. You'll take care of this one, alright? It's yours now." Firdous's eyes lit up with excitement, though she didn't quite understand the responsibility she was being given.

"Ammi, why is it called a snake plant?" she asked, kneeling down in the soil.

"Well, it's because its leaves are long and sharp, like a snake's tail," Ammi explained, her tone patient.

"Will it grow big?" Firdous asked, her childlike curiosity getting the better of her.

"Yes, but only if you take care of it. Just like how you grow strong by eating good food and staying healthy, this plant will grow if you water it and give it sunlight," Ammi replied.

Firdous spent the entire week at home, diligently caring for her plant and helping around the house. Her snake plant became her little project, something she could call her own. But despite the joy it brought her, she couldn't shake off the longing for school. She missed the noise, the laughter, the routine. When the study leave finally came to an end, she was relieved. Back to school, back to Haya, back to the world she now loved.

But little did Firdous know that exams in this new setting were not going to be as easy as preschool. Instead of simple activities and drawing, she was faced with actual tests — papers filled with questions, all of which required long answers. As the tests began, Firdous struggled. Her small hands ached from writing, and her mind felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information she had to recall.

By the end of the term, Firdous hadn't done as well as she had hoped. She wasn't the top student, nor did she receive any special recognition. Worse still, some of the other children laughed at her low marks. It wasn't something she had ever experienced before, and it hurt deeply. The sting of embarrassment followed her everywhere. 

Yet, despite the teasing, Taqib, Haya, and Sulaiman stood by her. They didn't care about the marks, but Firdous still couldn't shake off the sadness. Her heart felt heavy, and her enthusiasm dimmed.

One evening, Taqib noticed the sadness in her eyes as they walked home from school. Trying to cheer her up, he joked, "Hey Firdous, after the test, we'll visit the zoo and see your monkey friends. Maybe they'll cheer you up, huh?"

Firdous couldn't help but giggle. "Monkey friends? Really, Taqib? You're the one who likes monkeys!" she replied, nudging him playfully.

Haya and the neighbor kids, overhearing their conversation, chimed in. "The zoo? That sounds like fun! Can we come too?"

"Of course! We'll ask our parents when we get home," Firdous smiled, the thought of visiting the zoo momentarily lifting her spirits.

As soon as they reached home, Firdous and Taqib excitedly asked Ammi and Abbu about the zoo trip. To their delight, their parents agreed. "After the exams, we'll all go as a treat," Abbu said, ruffling Taqib's hair.

The term ended, and as planned, the group visited the zoo. It was a joyous occasion filled with laughter, and they even took a group photo to keep as a memory. Firdous, Haya, and the other kids marveled at the animals, from the playful monkeys to the majestic lions. For a brief moment, everything felt perfect.

However, amidst all the excitement, there was a heaviness in the air that no one expected. Haya and Sulaiman's parents gathered everyone together and shared heartbreaking news. "We wanted to tell you this in person," Haya's mother began, her voice soft yet steady, "We'll be leaving soon. Haya's father has been relocated for work, and we'll be moving next month."

Firdous's heart dropped. "Leaving? But... why?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Haya's mother sighed, "We didn't know for sure until now, but it's confirmed. We'll be moving to another city. It's not too far, but Haya and Sulaiman won't be going to the same school anymore."

The news hit everyone hard, especially Haya and Sulaiman, who pleaded with their parents. "But we don't want to leave! This is our home, and Firdous is our friend," Haya cried, tears streaming down her face.

Firdous stood there, frozen, trying to process the reality that her best friend was leaving. Her mind raced with questions, fears, and sadness. How could things change so suddenly? She felt powerless, unable to stop the inevitable.

Despite the children's pleas, the decision was final. By the time they returned home, everyone was quiet, lost in their thoughts. That evening, as Firdous lay in bed, her mind swirled with emotions. She had already lost some friends because of her low marks, and now, she was about to lose others too.

Taqib, sensing her sadness, sat beside her. "You know, sometimes things don't go the way we want them to," he said softly. "But you still have us. And no matter what, we'll always be here for you."

Firdous nodded, but the ache in her heart remained. She had always thought that school would be the hardest thing she'd face, but now, losing a friend felt far more difficult.

As the days passed, Firdous couldn't help but wonder what other challenges lay ahead. Would she be able to handle them on her own? Would things ever get better? The uncertainty loomed over her, casting a shadow on her once-bright world.

 Life often presents us with challenges, both big and small. Whether it's a difficult exam or saying goodbye to a dear friend, these moments test our resilience. Through it all, it's important to remember that change is a part of life, and while we may lose some things along the way, we also gain strength, growth, and new opportunities.

What do you think the future holds for Firdous? Will she be able to cope with Haya and Sulaiman's departure? Or will she face the challenges ahead alone?

Like, comment, and share; Isolated! Also, stay tuned for further happenings in Firdous's life.