Pious Or Profane | ✔

Epilogue

After eating dinner they all were watching television. Rabya and Qasim were still at their Ahmad's place because of their son's insistence. Watching over the kids, they sat in silence.

Over the time, Amal and Ali had grown liking each other. They'd always find them together; Ali conspiring something and Amal always ready to help him.

"Let's go Ali, you have school tomorrow. I know you won't get up early if we let you keep playing." Rabya asked him. They all knew what to expect next. His hands stopped and he turned to glare at his mother.

"Why do you always make me sleep early? Chachi doesn't make Amal sleep. She is always playing with her dolls."

The parents tried to hide their snickers as the mother and son fought.

"Because Amal is little she doesn't go to school yet."

"No, I don't want to go. I don't like sleeping early. I still have to play with my cars." He ignored his mother and went on playing as if nothing had happened.

"I'm really sorry for what is about to happen next." Qasim said as he advanced towards him. He picked up the little guy in his arms and said goodbye over his shrieks.

As soon as Amal saw him being forced to bed, she started crying as well saying she doesn't want him to go. Zaina sighed as it was her turn to tuck their daughter in.

"Why does Chachu always take him away?" She sobbed in her mother's arms as she carried her to her room. She had gotten the habit of calling Rabya appi 'Chachi' and Qasim bhai 'Chachu' just like Ali call us.

"Amal, Ali is a big boy. He has to go to school so that he can learn the alphabets."

"But I like playing with him." She cried to sleep as she had always done.

~***~

"Get rid of it right now. Why can't I see you without the hijab? I have always seen you without it before." Ali demanded.

"Because my mama said so." She replied in with her cute determined voice. She had just started wearing the hijab a day ago. "Boys are not allowed to see me without it."

"But I am your friend. Won't you let me see it?" He asked her but in return only got a shake of the head.

"Mama, see Amal is not cooperating with me. I won't be her friend anymore." Poor guy had taken it to his heart.

"Don't worry beta, we'll take her away from her parents and keep her with us." Rabya said with a hint in her eyes.

"So I'll be able to play with her for as long as I want?" He asked hopefully. She nodded.

"Chachi, from today Amal is mine. Give her to me." Zaina was dumbfounded at the boy's forwardness.

"Beta jee, she is my daughter. You'll have to prove it to me that you are worth her if want her." Ahmad had come back from work and listened to them talking and had intercepted as soon as he heard of his daughter being taken away. Ali looked at him blankly.

Amal ran up to her father who quickly picked her up giving a warm hug.

"But daddy, I like Ali. I want to play with him. Won't you let me?" She asked her father with doe-eyed face.

"Whatever you want sweetheart." He replied in an instant.

How can a father refuse something his daughter asks?