The Orphan Child

Prologue

A toddler no more than 3 stood watching his mother engaged in zhikr. Her lips moved in a blur and her fingers twitched with every word she breathed.

The sky was completely dark outside and a dimly lit lamp was on the verge of collapsing standing crooked by the corner and the toddler sensed something strange happening in his very own home.

Harris stood silently watching his mother for the past hour and every once in a while he would eye the door in wait of the second most beloved person to him.

The minutes ticked by and nothing had changed. His mother remained in zhikr and Harris remained rooted to his spot. He had done a little something in his nappy and didn't fancy to sit down and squash it.

His eyes glanced at the door again and when it was clear that his dad wasn't coming home. He bagan to waddle to his mother. The first movement in the room after almost an hour.

"Mummy" He knew to keep quiet because his mother was doing something important.

His mother turned around instantly only realising the close distance with her child as he stood in her arms reach.

With one swift movement she enveloped Harris in her arms holding him tight. Her tears began to spill out and Harris raised all his fingers in attempt to wipe them. Seeing his mother cry stirred something inside him. He decided he didn't like it.

"Where's daddy?" Harris asked, his innocence showing in his big blue eyes.

"Oh Harris. I'm such a bad mummy. What have you done in your nappy?" She wrinkled touching her nose to his.

He giggled knowing he had done something terrible in there while he was stood for a very long time.

"A poo." Harris admits unashamed. He found the word poo the most entertaining in his small list of vocabulary. It was soon to become his favourite word.

His mother grabbed the travel bag besides her and pulled out a nappy and some wipes beginning to do the routine she has been doing for the last past 3 years ever since she had become a new mum. She never complained about taking care of her son or ever scolded Harris for his mistakes like the other mothers in the neighbourhood often did so.

After securing the nappy in place she pulled up his trousers and then realised in that brief joyous moment with her son she had forgetten the terrible reality she was soon to be facing.

Her smile slipped away just like that and her face became sullen once more.

Harris moved his mothers hands and sat in her lap looking up at her sad eyes that he didn't understand.

Had he done something wrong?

"Mummy?"

"Hmm." His mother barely spoke a word trying to gain control of her emotions.

"Why you cry?"

At those words from her son she let out a sob and hugged him dearly.

"Oh Harris my dear baby boy..." She kissed his head and then his cheek repeatedly.

"I am scared Harris." His mother admits after a while of thinking she was crazy to talk to her 3 year old son about the reality of their situation.

But all the mother wanted was to bond with her child and steal sweet memories with him and cuddle.

Harris waited for his mother to speak again and when she didn't he wiped away a few more tears for her.

"I miss your daddy and I pray that he will be forgiven for his wrong doing." At the mention of pray, the mother gained control of herself and wiped away her tear stained cheeks. She didn't have long but she had to try her best to tell her son about her wonderful religion and the wonderful creator who is always watching and caring for them.