FAITH

CH.18: A New Life?

Efah was walking on the road from the past two hours. She was still new in India, she knew no one. She hardly went out after she came to India and it was only parks and malls where she went with her sisters. All the roads appeared same to her. After all what difference would roads make to a girl who did not know which road to go, who had no destination. Sometimes all you need to do is keep walking though you have no place to reach.

Her feet was aching and the blood got clotted below her knees, her hand was paining badly because of holding the heavy bag which carried her clothes. 

The weather was too hot and beads of sweat had started falling down her forehead by now and got wiped by her niqaab. And at last her feet gave away and she stooped. She wasn't able to walk even an inch. Efah saw a small park on the other side of the road, she dragged her feet to the park and got herself seated on the nearby bench. 

The park was empty with no sign of any human because of the hot weather. Efah's eyes wandered all around but her mind, her mind was still thinking of all that had happened to her.

Her mind was still numb and she didn't know what to do next. 

An hour passed by and Efah was brought out from her thoughts by a tap on her shoulder. Looking at the person, Efah saw that an old lady in her mid fifties was sitting beside her. She was wearing a plain and dull coloured salwar kameez with her dupatta neatly wrapped around her head. She looked frail and the wrinkles on her hands and face was the proof of her growing age.

Her eyes had a unique sparkle and her lips were in a thin line and were merely visible. But her smile was soothing  to the heart. Getting no reply from Efah, the old lady gently pulled up Efah's niqaab which revealed Efah's vulnerable face where the continuos flowing tears had left a mark on her cheeks.

"What happened, dear child, is everything all right?" The old lady asked with concern putting her hand on top of Efah's hand.

Efah gave no reply, She was still debating whether to tell the stranger about her condition or not.

The lady spoke again pointing to a house nearby, "My name is Noor, that is my son's house. I have been observing you from the past one hour, you are  siting alone under the hot sun, I had a feeling that something must be wrong with you so I came here.

" you must be feeling thirsty, here have this water." The lady said giving her a bottle of water.

Efah took the bottle and drank some water which gave her a little relief from the scorching sun, but that was an outward relief.

What about her soul?

"Jazakallah. I am Efah." Efah said returnig the water bottle.

"Child, you can tell me if something is bohering you. May be I can help you." The lady said giving an assuring smile. 

help

Yes, she needed help. 

And thus Efah told the lady everything and when she finished there were two people wiping the stream of tears from their face.One was the lady and the other was Efah.

"You can come with me child, I am leaving for Bangalore today And don't worry you can trust me." Noor spoke, her eyes sparkling with happiness and her lips portraying a satisfied smile. Helping someone has it's own benefits. It gives us satisfaction. A satisfaction to the soul.

Trust 

How was it possible for someone to trust again whose trust was crushed under the feet of her dear ones.

Efah left for Bangalore with the lady who was an angel for her, who asked no further questions and Efah too stayed quiet throughout.

____________

Even coming to another city did not lessen Efah's pain. Every now and then Noor would find Efah crying or lost in her own thoughts. Noor tried to love and console her all the time. She would massage her hair, feed her and take care of her. Noor knew what Efah was going through after all age never helped her forget what she went through and thus she gave her time to recover.

A week later while combing Efah's hair, Noor spoke "Efah, why don't make some friends?"

"I am afraid" was the only thing Efah spoke.

Noor was quiet for a while.

"okay let's go out." Noor said getting up.

"where?" 

"Nowhere, we will just take a walk in the nearby park." Noor said.

Efah changed her dress, wore her abaya and niqaab and went out with Noor.

They sat for a while in the park and then Noor suggested to take a walk in the streets.

While strolling down on the street a liitle away from the park Efah saw a place where little children were playing and the board read 'Little Angels' Home'. 

Reading Efah's confusion on her face Noor said, "My friend, Fatima  runs this orphanage, I thought you would like to spend some time with these children, they all are very sweet."

While Noor was talking to her friend, Efah spent her time with the little kids who were so adorable that Efah felt good being with them.

On their way back home, Efah asked Noor, "Is there any vaccancy at the orphanage. I want to work there." Efah had this feeling from a long time that she must be becoming a burden for Noor as Noor lived alone and had no one to help her. Efah did not know much about Noor but she felt she should bear her own expenses. Since the children at the orphange were so adorable Efah thought it to be a good idea of working there.

"That's a very good idea. I will ask Fatima About it." Noor was happpy about Efah. She was satisfied that atleast Efah tried and took a step ahead.