QADR

3

Flipping through the Quran, Affan recite Suratul Anbiya.
Maryam listen to Affan. She repeat after him.
Maryam stand up to urinate. She use the restroom outside the building.

Affan keep his phone close expecting Doc Salim's call. It's been two weeks since Affan participated in the interview and he haven't gotten a call from the hospital.
Maryam, why are you tiptoeing behind my back? Affan muttered.
Affan felt hot water splash on his body.
Subahanallah! Affan yell. He abruptly stand up from the plastic chair.

Affan, You burnt the food and left it in my kitchen. What is wrong with you? Can you afford it? You will eat the burnt food or you sleep outside. Hajiya Hafsah spat.
He empties the hot water on Affan.
I will eat it. Affan mumble.
Ya Affan, is she Your mother? Maryam muttered with a cracked voice.

Yes, Affan replied curtly.
Why is she treating you callously? Ya Affan Your hand has peeled. You are injured. Maryam cried.
Maryam, I will be fine. I will take care of my wound. Please don't cry. Affan muttered.
Affan take out money from his pocket and give it to Maryam.
Please go home. Your mother will need you at home.

I have money. Maryam sniff.
She wipe off her tears take her Quran and put it inside her posh bag.
Goodbye, please take care of yourself. Maryam muttered.
Affan smiled.
Affan quickly take off his shirt.
The heat he is feeling on his back become unbearable.

Affan enter inside. He march to his bedroom.
Affan puff a sigh and lye down on his stomach.
Ya, Rabb! Agonizing tears stream down Affan's cheek. Affan sometimes ask himself if Hajiya Hafsah is his mother.

Abbah I miss you. Affan cried.
His cry filled the room.
My mother hate me because I'm blind.
The door to Affan's bedroom crack open.
Affan quickly wipe off his tears.
Hajiya Hafsah throw the pot of food on the floor.
She take it and emptied the food on the floor.

Your food is on the floor eat it. Hajiya Hafsah spat.
Affan sit up.
Ya Rabb forgive me but I will go against my mother. Affan muttered inwardly.
I will not eat the food. Affan mumble.
Hajiya Hafsah scoffed.
I am your mother you will eat what I give you.
You are not my mother. You didn't prepare the food for me.

You have never prepare food for me.
Ummi, I am human not animal. I will not eat food from the floor. Affan spat.
Ummi, You pour hot water on me in front of my student.
Ummi You humiliated me in front of my student.
Ummi is not my fault that the food burn.
I can't see and I'm hungry.

You have stopped giving me food since Abbah died.
What is wrong with you? Ummi fear Allah.
Why are you acting like I made myself blind?
What is the secret behind my condition?
Abbah told me I fall sick when I was 6 months old. You took me to Your Mother's village.

Ummi why I'm I blind? Who is responsible for my situation?
You hate me and want me to stay far from you.
This is my father's house. I am the firstborn everything is in my hand. The House property is in my name.
You manipulated Abbah's lawyer and changed everything into Amaan's name.

You think I'm not aware. I'm blind but my sense are not blind.
Ummi I will get what belongs to me back.
I don't have anywhere to go. Ummi please stop tormenting me.
I'm sorry if I stole your happiness.
Hajiya Hafsah hissed and stormed out of Affan's bedroom.

Affan wipe off his tears take the broom and sweep the dirt.

Amaan and Adnan sat in the dining.
Hajiya Hafsah serve them the lunch.
Ummi I will not eat if Ya Affan won't dine with us. Adnan pushed the plate of rice aside.
He stand up from the chair.
Adnan, why do you care about that blind dude? Amaan muttered irritatedly.