aurore - an unusual love story √

part twenty five

Eid Mubarak🌙

Sonara sat on the bed and counted money. The money she had kept in store for Eid, and could not spend on anything else at any cost.

She believed, she had not committed any 'gunaah' by asking for one forth of her salary, and not use for monthly needs, the money she had kept in store.

She looked at the watch, it was six in the evening. She had to go to the market to buy some stuffs.
She checked Humaira's temperature, who was now busy with her dolls and drooling saliva. Humaira wasn't running fevers since last night.

" Chhi! " , Sonara wiped off her chin, and then kissed her forehead.
" Let's go to the market Humu! Tomorrow's Eid. Your first Eid.... "

Wearing her hijaab, and taking Humaira in her lap, Sonara picked up the phone which was ringing.
Zara, her childhood friend.

" Assalam walaikum. Eid Mubarak Sonara! "

" Walaikum Assalam Zara! Eid Mubarak to you too! Is the moon visible already? "

" No, but will be very soon. Bought clothes? Wore henna? "

" Not yet, just going out. "

" What? Ya Allah! Sonara, had you led a married life peacefully, things would have been so beautiful! You won't have to run for a living, and then run for everything else in the last minute..... "

" Stay blessed Zara. "

" Wait, Sonara.... "

Sonara dropped the call. She didn't want people to judge her, people who are happy in their lives, people who are nowhere in her life anymore...

----

Four in the morning.

Sonara performed Ghusl (Early morning bath on the day of Eid) . The water in the bathroom was terribly cold even in the month of June and she froze.

She dried her hair and wore a white long dress, covered her head with a light blue hijaab.

The corridor was completely deserted, the entire hostel was fast asleep.
Sonara wondered, wasn't it Eid for anyone else?

Just then a door at the other end opened, a young woman came out and walked towards the washroom. Sonara kept standing, unnecessarily. Seeing Sonara, the woman smiled, " Eid Mubarak jiji! "

Extremely happy, Sonara blurted, " Ya Allah, Eid Mubarak Behn! "

Back in the room, Sonara woke Humaira up. The kid surprisingly, was very happy, even at that early hour. She too realised, it was a beautiful day.

Somewhere nearby, Ajaan was playing.
Sonara opened the windows wider. And breathed in fresh air.
She looked at her hands. The inexpert henna patterns she designed last night yet looked beautiful.
She ran to check Humaira's hands. The little flowers looked so cute in her little red hands. She kissed her palm. Then dressed her in a white frock. Covered her head in a soft white hijaab. Humaira giggled and cooed.

Sonara then took a plate, placed three dates and a few pieces of papaya, to break the fast.

She closed her eyes, raised her hands to the ears, and prayed,
"Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wallaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa Lillahil-hamd "