awaited return

moving out.

Chapter 2

The evening was so charming as the sun was about to set. Cows and goats were moving back to their shelters after a long day of grazing. The birds moved back to their nests before the darkness took over the day. I was outside the house trying to make different things by clay. Once I made a telephone which seemed to be funny but it my thoughts it looked real. It was my daily routine to play alone in the evening. There were no kids of my age in the neighborhood and that made me feel lonely most of the times.

The sun had now set and I was about to get into the house when a tall bearded man approached me with a smile. I freaked out as I didn't expect any stranger to come along at that time.

'Son, what's your name?' he asked with a beautiful smile still on his face.

'My name is Asad.'

I didn't want any more questions from him and so didn't give any attention to him. Mom had already warned me not to talk nor accept anything from strangers. The rate at which kids were being kidnapped was high in those days. That was mother's most fear.

'Look at me Asad. I am Taqi and I am sure that you have heard about me.

I had heard about him in school. He was a famous madrasa teacher which was nearby my home. The name 'Taqi' meant obedient to God. Our class teacher always urged us to go to him and learn about God. Most of my classmates attended his classes from 2pm Sunday to Thursday.

'Come here son.'

I moved one step towards him with my face facing down the ground.

'Now tell me, why are you not coming to madrasa? Don't you want to know about Allah?'

I didn't reply him as I didn't have any answer for his questions. My silence made him come closer to me.

'Where is your dad? I need to talk to him.'

I didn't like it when people asked about my dad. It reminded me of how mom was struggling all by herself to take care of us.

'I don't know where he is' I replied after taking a deep breath.

'Let me talk to your mom then.'

I ran into the house as if I had been set free after being arrested for a long time. Mom was at the veranda preparing the food which she had to bring to school the following day.

'Mom... Mom...' I was panting breathlessly.

'What is it? What have you done? I told you not to misbehave and come to me.' She was a kind lady but when it came to mischief she would not be friendly in that matter.

'Someone is waiting for you outside mom.'

She grabbed her scarf which was hanging on the window, covered her head and went outside.

'Oh, Mr. Taqi how are you? I didn't expect your visit.'

'I am fine thank you. I am just surprised that your son is not attending madrasa classes.'

Mother got lost in some thoughts for a few seconds before she replied.

'Actually ustadh, my husband is not around. I have to take care of everything. It will be very challenging for me to pay the monthly madrasa fees.' Mom's sad face gave an impression that she didn't like to talk about her problems to others. She always hid her sorrows.

'That's not a problem, you just let him attend the classes without any charges. When his father returns I will talk to him.'

If only Mr. Taqi knew for how long dad was gone he would not have expected his return. I always wondered if really he was going to come back. For that matter only God knows about the future.

It was another opportunity again someone letting me to study without the fees. I was kind of lucky I could say.

After attending several classes in madrasa, I learnt that God has a good plan for each and every person. All the problems that human beings face are just a test from God. We need to have faith, patience, courage and hope that one day we will all find peace.

Days passed with the same routine. Mom's little business was not going as per her expectations. She needed to have some savings but that didn't work out. What she earned was less for all the responsibilities she had to take care of.

One evening after coming home from taqi's class I found that the front door of the house was locked. That was so shocking to me as mom always left it open for the wind to blow inside. We neither used fan nor had electricity in the house. It was a traditional mud built house. The color of the painting had also faded due to rain. The roof was made of makuti which made the house look older.

I rushed to the backside door where mother would always be doing her household chores at the veranda. To my surprise a middle aged fat man was guarding the door. He was shouting at mom which indicated that something was wrong. Mom was sitting down on the floor with my two sisters on her side. Her eyes full of tears turned into red.

'Just because your husband was my friend it doesn't mean you can stay in my house without paying the rent. By tomorrow evening you should not be in this house or else I will drag you out myself.' He barked with a horrific voice and banged the door while leaving.

It was then I realized he was the landlord of the house we stayed in. seeing my mom crying always broke my heart. I wished I could do something to always keep her happy but everything was out of my control. i wiped her tears with the t-shirt I was wearing. That was the best I could do to erase her sorrow. She put the three of us into her arms where I found it as the safest place on earth.

The night was silent and nothing could be heard except the soft voices of the birds. Mom had lit three candles to brighten up the house and one lamp inside our room. She used to tell us some stories about the animals in the jungle and how some animals started rivals with each other. By listening to her, we slowly fell asleep.

Mom had given up everything just to protect us from the worldly calamities. Sitting by her side I always felt safe than any other place I would be.

In the middle of the night, I opened my eyes in the dark stillness. I couldn't see much but the vague shadow of the lamp. Half asleep I fumbled with the covers and stumbled to the bathroom. After emptying my bladder, I washed my hands, switched off the bathroom light and waited. After my eyes adjusted to the murkiness I glanced towards the bed.

I noticed mom wasn't there. I scanned the room but there was no sign of her. I checked the bedside clock.

'Past midnight, Where could she have gone this late hour?'

Quickly I rushed to the veranda. Thank God there she was all alone lost again in her thoughts. Something was wrong I could sense it but I couldn't put my finger on what it was. The air now felt thick as I shuffled slowly back into the room.

It was particularly cool and dark on the side of the room since some air sneaked in through the small window. I moved towards the bed and laid my head on the small cotton made pillow next to my sisters. The following day we had to move out of the house not knowing where we would go. Everything was wrong. Everything was changing.

'Are we going to live on the streets as most orphans did? Are we going to beg for food from people driving luxurious cars and staying in big apartments fully furnished with all kind of furniture?' I dozed off while all these questions were eating up my mind.