The Orphan Child

Chapter 8

The next morning Harris awoke on his own. His grandma was still asleep besides him. He gently stroked her face and then headed out careful not to make a sound.

Bringing the water to boil he placed two eggs inside. He was not going to let his grandma do too much since her hands were not in good condition. But neither was Harris's right hand yet he chose to ignore it and got on with the task at hand. He poked his head back in the room and smiled at the sight of his grandma. She was still asleep, mouth slightly open. As discreetly as possible he got changed into his school uniform and double checked his planner in his bag.

Good. Nothing was going to go wrong today In Shaa Allah. He was going to be responsible and grown up as of today.

He once again went to check up on the eggs and found that they were done.

Draining the hot water he plucked out the eggs and began to peel them impatiently, hissing at the touch of the hot shell. Nevertheless he managed to peel them and placed them neatly on a plate.

"What is all the noise about? Why do you keep yelping?" Harris's grandma walked outside disturbed from sleep by the noise of Harris's cries whenever he was burnt by the hot egg or received a poke from the sharp corners of the shell.

"Grandma look, I have made the eggs." Harris raised the plate to her eye level.

"Ma Shaa Allah they do look yummy. But you need not have to. Why did you not wake me up? I would have made them myself."

"I'm trying to save up your energy so you will be able to come and pick me up after school." Harris smiled at his brilliant idea. He could not wait to see his grandma outside the school gates like the other children when their parents came to collect them. It was the excitement that had woke him up early in the first place. He needed to distract himself so he would not keep thinking of it.

"Oh Harris. How thoughtful of you." His grandma stroked his hair lovingly and sat down besides him. If only everyone could see the good natured heart the grandma could see that resided inside him-just like his father-then no one would ever threaten the child again.

"Don't forget to say Bismillah grandma." Harris cheekily adds as he takes a huge bite out of his egg.

"You cheeky monkey." Grandma pulls at his cheek. "Of course not. We must thank Allah for providing us with delicious food In Shaa Allah." Grandma took a small bite and raised a thumb in appreciation to Harris and Harris responded with a huge grin.

They ate and thanked Allah and soon Yousef made his appearance and off they went. Yousef did not mention the events of the day before and Harris was thankful because his good mood was not ruined.

Alhamdulillah.

School went fantastic besides the dirty look Ustaad Jamal had failed to hide.

Dawud whose nose had now healed made effort of keeping out of Harris's path. He feared that if he opened his mouth next to him he would surely get a forceful push to the ground.

And how terribly wrong Dawud had thought of his brother for indeed Harris was on his best behaviour, showering everyone with smiles as he walked past. Yet this was unnoticed by all except one teacher who happened to be the Principal of the school as he watched everyone enter the school gates.

Much to Harris's pleasure, Harris was fine by everyone keeping clear of him. In this way his anger was never triggered and everyone stayed safe as well as Harris's Akhira (hereafter)

He continued to pray all day that he is to be good all day not knowing that his small request to his Lord was answered between the time his head had touched the ground in the deep hours of the blissful night during tahajjud.