Wicked Stepmother

09- The letter.

Forgiveness is nothing but recognizing the reality that what has happened has already happened, and that there's no point in allowing it to dominate the rest of your life.

Chapter Nine- The letter.

"Your Maami said I should give you this"  Ra'eesah's father said giving her an envelope..

A week back, both Ra'eesah and Abdul-Jabbar's parents  came back from India with a very good news about how the treatment went successfully.

Every member of the family was Happy.. Ra'eesah's happiness was unexplainable.. Mommy only plastered a fake smile because deep down, she was never happy with the news.

Ra'eesah was afraid to open the envelope. She was sure it will be a heartbreak something.. For all the letters she have read were heartbreaking. With her heart beating so fast, hands trembling, and eyes closed, she took in a deep breath and opened the envelope and met a beautiful Memo which consist Ten pages and a well designed letter "R" at the front page.

And it read;

My little girl,
It's taken me years to write this letter. It's long overdue. Many times I try to put my feelings into words, many times I fail.

In the simplest of terms, I love you! But there is nothing simple about my feelings. I apologize in advance for the flimsiness of my words. As much as I try, words keep failing and disappointing me.

Imagine for a moment a wish that you wish hold close to your heart. Now imagine wishing it for years.. You wonder if you are being heard.

As I look back on your life so far, there are so many moments when I'm certain that my heart leap out of my body :

The first time I held you,
Your first night home when I watched you sleep,
The first time you were sick,
The first time you called me "MAAMI"

You are my answered prayer.. The prayer I never thought was heard.

Forgive me for not showing you any sign that I was leaving soon! Right from the day I knew I was carrying a baby, the doctor told me it's either me or you!  And my dear, let it just be me.. For you are  a mixture of me and your daddy. And don't forget I waited for good eight years before you came! Just know that I did this out of love.. A motherly love.

My inspiration, my joy, my wonder, my Qur'an reciting partner, my adventurer, my journalist, my guru, my superstar, my alarm clock, my support system, my best friend, my everything!

You. Are my child

And I love you.

Love, Maami Ra'eesah.

Devoid of emotions, she held the letter very close to her aching heart.. Tears silently gushing down like torrents, she prayed. She prayed for her dear lovely mother.. And wished she was here with her!

Keeping the letter away in her handbag, she headed to the living room where her Daddy was patiently waiting for her.

"Salaam Alaykum Daddy" she announced her presence with a trembling voice.

"Wa Alaykis-Salaam Ra'eesah. Come have a seat" he patted a space on the cushion he was sitting on.

Silently, she walked to the spot and sat.

After being silent for what seemed like forever, her father cleared his throat to say something but couldn't speak!

How do he start?

Taking a look at his daughter, his eyes got moistened.

"My dearest daughter, I don't even know how to put my feeling into words.

I know you have went through a lot in this house. You've been enduring everything. I.. I..  I am sorry for not being there for you. But InshaAllah, I will now.

You are my biggest treasure on Earth. You are just an exact replica of your mother; I thank Allah for sending me a wife like Noorie rahmatullah alayha.

You are my entire world, my every reason to live and because of the way you make me feel, you have my heart!

You are our answered prayers. Now, let me use this opportunity to tell you how much we love you. Your maami and I have loved you since from the day we found out that we'll be blessed with your presence in our lives.

Now, I want you to tell me why you prefer the school dorm and don't want to come back home" he concluded taking a very long breath.

Closing her eyes briefly, she sharply inhaled and exhaled before finding the exact words to use..

"Daddy... She called in a very low tune.

I prefer living in the hostel because I get to read more and I find peace there.

And.. Her mind drifted back to her new sister from another mother, her counsellor, her adviser, her roommate, her Ameeynaturh!

Daddy I can't just come home"

"I get you baby girl. I'm okay with what suites you" he replied patting herback with a smile.

"Now, get ready and let's go do small shopping before I drop you off in the school".

Heading to her so called "room", she opened her closet and picked a simple pink flowy gown and matched it with a black pumps and a black veil. So simple, yet beautiful!

Entering his black G-wagon, they drove to Jabi Mall and bought so many Things. Done, they headed to Hatlab ice cream delite in Maitama.

"Do you need a new phone"? Her dad asked..

"No Daddy, I'm okay with this one" she said playing with her Samsung Galaxy A50.

He just nodded and continued driving.

Just before heading to the school, they started hearing gunshots here and there. And before he could turn his steering wheel, they were surrounded by the thugs.

Hey guys..
It's been a while!

So basically, what happened was, I had a writer's block. I'll keep staring at my keyboard with no iota of idea in my brain!

Sha, how are we?  Good I pray.

So what's with the chappie?
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Your girl, Ameeynaturh