A Lifetime For Jannah

The Arrival

After being on the road for what seemed like years, we finally arrived at the airport. And after going through the same old procedures we got into the airplane and that's when the real journey began. Little did I know there was a lot more to the trip than I had thought. Little did I know that Allah had something in store for me.

***

3 hours after take off.

I woke up to a loud beat playing in my ears. I took off the headphones and checked the time on my phone. It was 13:29 pm. I slept for two hours which meant I had slept with that thing on my head for two straight hours! I new I was definitely going to end up with my usual migraine by the end of the day but only more serious.

I looked to my left and I saw two passengers seated next to me. One was a man who was deeply asleep. While the other was a woman that was reading a magazine. I strechted my neck and looked closely and I noticed it was the Sisters magazine. She was wearing a Hijab so obviously she was Muslim.

My eyes were trained on her like I had never seen a Muslim before. She looked at me and I looked at her trying to intimidate her for no specific reason. She looked at me again but suddenly, she smiled.

The next thing I new she reached out her hand. "Hi, my name is Susan"
'Susan? Why does she have that name?' I thought. I faked a smile and reached out to shake her hand "I'm Fadeelah".
"Oh you're a Muslim?"
'I don't blame you for thinking something else considering the fact that I'm not wearing a Hijab' I thought.
"Erhh..." I tried to give out an answer but nothing came through.
"It's okay, I understand" she said.
'Do you really?' I said to myself with a hint of sarcasm.

"Did you board this flight alone?" I asked her in an effort to converse.
"No, as you can see it's my husband right here snoring" she laughed
I couldn't help but chuckle. There was something about this woman that seems so familiar. Especially that killer smile. What a character!.

"Did you board alone?" She asked.

"No, I'm with my family."

Speaking of my family, I turned my head to the right only to find the three of them sitting together and chatting. 'Of course' I muttered to myself.

Come to think of it I hadn't spoken to any of them since the argument and neither had they. Looking at them talking and laughing broke my heart.

It's not the same anymore...

***

Hours later after a long journey all the way from Australia to Africa, we landed safely.
International arrivals were always a haze.

We came out of the automatic gates and a sigh of relief escaped my mouth. Coming out, I saw signboards with different names being held by some families with flowers and cardboards decorated in glitter and markers saying 'welcome home'.

We arrived at midnight and stayed at a hotel for the rest of the night.

* * *
The next day,

"Dad who's coming for us?" My brother asked.
"Your grandaunt Fatima" My dad replied."Ahh there she is!" He added."Aunt Fatima!" He called out.

She looked around to see who was hollering her and then she sighted my father. At first she was unsure about who he was but after fixing her glasses and taking a closer look, she recognised him immediately.

Dad jogged all the way across from where we stood. He hugged her, kissed her forehead and held her hand. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at that.

He brought her to us in an attempt to introduce her to us since we've never actually seen her.