The Girl in the Hijab

The Way From Now

  "Mommy! Wake up, please!" I pleaded while trying to put her on a chair. She had fainted and I had fainted in my thoughts. How could this happen to Laila? I now know that nobody is perfect. I always had thought Laila was perfect in school, beauty, and intelligence, but I now know that I am wrong- really wrong. Now, the only way to help Laila was to get the surgery done.  The surgery was way too expensive for our money. There has to be a way to get money for the surgery to happen. 

"Laila has to stay in the hospital until further notice," Dr. Smith said. Mommy started to wake up and I soothed her with all my love. 

"Mommy?" I asked in hope of a reply.

"Yes?" she replied with a tired tone in her voice. I placed my hand on her hand and looked at her.

"We need to get the surgery done in order for Laila to start walking again and to come home with us before it will be too late. We need to try to raise money or save money," I said full of hope and I looked at Laila again, she was laying there in silence and a tear trickled down my cheek. I remembered all of those times together and wish they could start all over, but this was the way. The way from now on. 

"Dr. Smith, what will happen if Laila doesn't complete the surgery? Will, she still be able to come home?" I asked with fear. 

"Well, if you don't complete the surgery, then Laila will still be able to go home on one exception- she will never get to walk again," Dr. Smith said while glancing at Laila. I knew we had to get this surgery done. I would get the surgery done and I will not let Laila sit on a wheelchair and wheel out of this hospital until she gets the right to walk again. Money. Why does money have to take over people's lives? If everything was without money, we would live peacefully and everyone wouldn't be sick and get the surgery or medicine they need in order to get better. This is not the way thought, we have to live in stress, paying bills after bills and it will never stop. Not even over our dead bodies.

"Why can't we just do it for free? Why? Why does it have to be this way? Isn't there another way to be thankful and get things done WITHOUT money which causes problems in our lives? Which separates classes in one world? Why? So that people can be selfish with money? So people can live their lives in a mansion while others have to suffer from accidents and surgeries for thousands of dollars? Why?" I stated confidently while the doctor stopped in his tracks. 

"I wish it could be that way, but this is the reality Sakina and it will be FOREVER," Dr. Smith replied and walked out of the door leaving me there in the room crying like a broken pipe under the sink. 

"Mommy, I am going to get this money. I will protest. I will do whatever I can to do this and NOTHING will stop me, nothing for my innocent sister, Laila Hashimi." I walked out of the room wiping my tears and my heart turned to flames. Flames are strong just like the new Sakina Hashimi.

Salaam everyone! I think this chapter is my favorite one so far. Sakina is being braver than she has been ever before. This chapter made me cry because of truths about money. Money controls your life and it can make you cry. This piece of green paper destroys people's lives and love. People turn selfish and then there is nothing you can do about it. Money separates two classes- the poor and the rich- in this world which we should all be classified as ONE. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please Vote, Comment, and SHARE!! Have a great day everyone. Masalaama.