"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear too long for those grieve too short for those who rejoice. But for those who love, Time is eternity!"
The cool evening breeze softly caress Hanan's face. She watered the plants and couldn't help but smile. They are doing pretty well. Mariam sure did a good job. The flowers blossomed beautifully bringing out its beautiful colour. The trees greenish, its their time of the year.
She smiled as she walked through the path singing cheerfully gently touching the flowers in the process. The mesmerizing beauty of the flowers, absolutely distinct. Occasionally, she would pluck flowers and inhale the sweet smell. Even the trees danced as they swayed happily to the rhythm of the breeze. The birds weren't left out, they chirped melodiously attesting to the mood of the young lady.
Hanan then sat on a bench, the bird, trees, flowers keeping her company as she reminisces about her life. The cold evening breeze kidnapped her into an unbelievable fantasy. She doesn't know the condition her mother is, since her father has turned something else. Then and there she wished she had a sibling. Someone she would be able to share everything with. She sighed. Like her current situation. She can't tell her mom. She just can't. Its in this kind of situation that she wished her friend Neemah was here. How much she missed that poor thing. The only person aside her mom that believed in her and stood up for her. She sighed and sent a silent prayer to her lord and for the girl's safety.
Mariam hasn't come out of her room since that morning. She had gone to her room and she had declined her offer as she even refused the meal she brought her. Sofia had left claiming there's an emergency at home leaving her with the maids she is not acquainted with.
And Faaiz, she shook her head at his thought, she knew he wouldn't be home till midnight.
All of a sudden, she heard a noise. A voice?
She stood up at alert and traced it down to where it was coming from. She followed the path of the sound and saw a young girl and she gasped. "What?? W-who are you?" The little girl whose eyes was now swollen and red from crying too much hiccupped and wiped her face.
"D-Daddy" Hanan scrunched her eyes in confusion. She looked round and tried to see anybody near but didn't see any.
She bent to her level and wiped the Lil girl's tears. She gazed up and made contact with an Hazel eyes. Her hair poorly braided into 2. "You want your Daddy right?"
The girl instinctively cowered back as a sign of mistrust but at the question, she looked at her and for a second didn't say anything but later nodded. Hanan smiled and looked at the girl. She wiped her tears and reached out her hands to her. The girl looked at her and then her hands and she saw hesitation in her eyes.
"Don't worry. I won't harm you. You can trust me." She still hesitated. "You want to see daddy right?"And she nodded. Hanan smiled warmly at her then she put her hands in hers. She looks 6 or so. Hanan guessed.
The garden led to an entirely different path. It has a door that led to a new street and as she was tracing where the sound came from, she realised it was behind the door. All thanks to Mariam for showing her all round the house and telling her some basic things.
"Come on let's go. You know your place?" And she nodded.
"This way" she pointed and they both headed there. They trekked for some while and Hanan grew tired. "Not there yet?" She shook her head 'nope'
She suddenly felt uneasy. She is going farther away from their home and she didn't really know the root back. "We will soon get there" she hoped that will be soon.
And well enough, a small cottage came to view. She saw a silhouette of someone, the head hung low. "Papa!" The girl yelled and ran straight to him. Oh!
The man looked up and his face lit up "My princess"Hanan stood there clueless.
"Daddy see... " she pointed towards her and that was when he took in her appearance. She was expecting one old man but hasn't expected him to be this young. His green eyes penetrated her. And as she observed him really well, she saw the resemblance. He's tall, tanned skin, brown hair. Must be in his late twenties. Looks really young to be a dad.
He has the same hair as his child, the same cute face but its only the eye color that's different.
"She brought me home."
"Oh! Really? Have grown really worried about you. Didn't i tell you to stay put?" He stated sternly and she pouted.
"I'm sorry papa. When i didnt see you, i thought to come and find you but i ended up being lost" she said and he sighed his expression softening.
"Ok princess" And they smiled at each other. Hanan couldn't help but look away. How much she yearn for that affection. She wished her father was that caring and protective of her.
"Thank you so much. I'm indeed indebted to you. I've been looking for her for over an hour now and has grown extremely worried. Thanks" Hanan smiled.
"It's nothing really. If she'd been my sister I'd have helped her too"and he smiled. She clung on to her Father's leg and suckled her thumb.
"Okay then. I'm Hussein and she is Aneesah."
"Hmm.. Nice names. Hanan"
"Masha Allah. Very nice. Okay then let's go inside and get you something" he proposed but she shook her head. Its getting late.
"No thanks! I really appreciate but its getting late they must be worried at home already" just then the weather changed and the pregnant cloud gave birth and it started raining heavily.
Hussein smirked "Guess you wouldn't refuse afterall" she sighed and entered the house.
Inside the house was cozy. The interior was so beautiful unlike the outside. They prepared a warm coffee and gave her. "Thanks" smiling politely. There was a thunderous sound as she shivered slightly.
"Hmm.. I actually heard a noise and when i traced it to its source, i found her." She turned to Aneesah who is already sitting beside her dad clinging to him and sucking her finger and Hussein fondly caressing her hair.
"Oh. Okay. I believe she directed you here"
"Yeah. She's so smart for her age" Hussein smiled and looked at his daughter adorably.
"She sure is. Considering the fact that she rarely goes out after... " he stopped himself in time. Then no one spoke a word. Hanan gently sipped her coffee as she observed the house. Hussein stood and went to the Window and glanced outside.
"It seems the rain has stopped, but still drizzling though"
"Okay. I might as well just take my leave" she stood and dropped the coffee on the table.
"Pls give me some minute" he headed for the bedroom. She moved closer to Aneesah who was just sitting and suckling.
"Daddy is here now. You are happy and safe" Aneesah looked at her and smiled. "Yep. He is my super hero" Hanan smiled and just in time, he came back.
He was putting on a sweater and held one for his daugher. "Here" he handed her an umbrella and took one for himself. She gave him a puzzled look. "Its late already and our street is quite dangerous at night. Moreover, you might not really know the way since its your first time here. I guess" He's right.
"Yea. You are right"
"Come on" Aneesah went to her Father's arm and they all left for the Hasnayn's villa.
On their way, Hussein cracked jokes and they all laughed and smiled. "I could remember a day I tried baking cupcake and i ended up ruining everything. Everything got burnt" he sighed and Aneesah giggled. "And i could remember the horrible face you made when we ate it" she added and they all laughed.
"Yea. It was pathetic" he dramatised and Hanan smiled. Before they knew it, they were at the Hasnayn's villa. The cloud thundered and she shivered slightly. "Are you okay?" He asked concerned.
Hanan nodded "Yup." As they got closer she realized everyone was outside. She suddenly detected a change in Hussein's attutude but didn't dwell much on that.
Sofia, some other maids. Mariam sat with their head hung low.
And..... The last person she expected.
The almighty Faaiz! Strange!!
It isn't midnight yet right? Mariam's head shot up when she heard footsteps. The rain has started to fall again. "Hanan? Is that you?" She stepped forward and Hanan dropped her umbrella.
Mariam engulfed her into a tight hug. She touched her face. "Allah! I- We've been searching for you for the past few hours. Where have you been? You got us all worried. Hope you are fine? Are you okay?" Mariam asked as usual and Hanan's head turned as she made eye contact with Faaiz.
His clothes was soaked. He's still on his office wear. He looked worn out. And his face? He looked angry, he clenched his jaw and tightened his hold on the umbrella? Hanan was confused.
Why is he angry? Why is his cloth wet? Everybody is outside. Wait! Mariam said something about search. Oh no!
"Oh Granny! I'm fine. I escorted this poor girl home and the rain caught me there so i had to stay for some while before i could get going. Didn't realize it is already late"
Mariam nodded "I thought you left because you were angry. Angry at me cos i ignored you. I've searched for you in your room, i checked the whole house and even the garden and i got scared. Scared that something is wrong. So i called Faaiz and he came all the way from work and we've been looking for you since then."
"No! I'm not angry. Of course not. Why would i be? I can't stand being annoyed at you. You are far too precious to me than that"
"Ah! That's such a relief! You really got us worried" she exclaimed. Hanan turned back only to realize Faaiz has left the place. She sighed and turned to Hussein.
"Thanks so much, i appreciate. Hope to see you guys again soon." Hanan said gratefully. Mariam chirped in "Of course we would love to see you again. Thanks for accompanying her back here. Heaven knows what she might have gone through" then she gasped and shake her head dramatically as if in deep thought.
"Its no problem ma'am. Its my pleasure"
"Our pleasure" Aneesah added and mariam smiled.
"Sure. And what's this beautiful angel's name?"
"I'm Aneesah" she said proudly.
"Nice one. You?"
"Hussein."
"Nice meeting you both. How about a dinner this weekend. I know you can't refuse the offer of a poor old woman" she added the last part when she noticed he was about to refuse.
Hussein smiled, sighed and nodded. Mariam clapped excitedly. "That wasn't so hard. Weekend it is then. See you guys then. Baby Aneesah, take care." She cooed and Hanan rolled her eyes at her childishness.
Hanan smiled at him and he smiled back and they then bid their goodbye and left. "Ma salam"
"Walaykum salam." And they headed inside. Hanan could feel headache coming as Mariam kept on rambling about how worried sick she was about her departure. She already lost count of how many times she had said that that evening! She could only nod and Mariam left her and then went to her room only to come face to face with her hubby.
He was putting on a shirt when she walked in. He has showered, she noticed. His scent all over the room. And she didn't fail to notice the broken vase on the floor. He didn't bother looking up as she moved closer. "Hi"
No response. "You are the one I'm talking to" she said moving closer to him.
"Oh really? And i can see you ain't blind as you can see i'm not in the mood for one right now. You can go back to where you coming and start making conversation and laugh with them too." He buttoned up his shirt but not before adding "The maids will clear that up" pointing to the mess. And left the room with a bang leaving her dumbstruck staring at his retreating figure.
What the hell just happened? Or is he perhaps jealous??
She then burst into a fit of laughter. Uh-oh!