"Mami, do you know my friend who came yesterday and complimented me that I have a nice home? But then I told him that this was not my home. This is your home."Muiz had always seen Shahana taking care of the house, and most of the other family members didn't stay in the house for very long, which is why his young mind labeled this mansion as Shahana's."Home?" She paused for a moment. "But this isn't my home." Her own voice sounded strange to her."Oh yes, your home is the same as Mamu's home.""No, Mamu's home is not my home either. I don't have any home.""Mami, why are you talking like this?" Muiz said in confusion. His little mind couldn't understand Shahana's deep words."Muiz, home is not where you live. Home is where you are respected, protected, and loved," she started talking to herself.Muiz took her face in both his hands. He still didn't understand much of what Shahana was saying. He understood what he could and said, "I respect you and I love you too, Mami."She leaned down and pressed her forehead against Muiz's, the only source of warmth and solace in her cold reality. "You do, my love," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You do, and that's all that matters to me.""But why, Mommy? Why does everyone dislike you so much?" Muiz couldn't help but ask. Despite being young, Muiz could sense the coldness of the rest of the family towards Shahana."Maybe I'm a very bad person, is that why?" Shahana's eyes were fixed on a distant point."No. You are not a bad person at all. The people who call you bad are bad." Muiz didn't like what she said about herself."Don't say that, Muiz," she reprimanded. "Okay, tell me what do you want to eat now?" She tried to change the subject."When I grow up, I will buy you a house. Your house," Muiz said, and as soon as he said that, tears welled up in his eyes.She held Muiz's hands and kissed them one by one."I will wait," she said.He, who had come to the kitchen looking for Haya, was standing there listening to the conversation between the two and was left speechless. A hollowness opened in his chest, a familiar ache that ripped through the carefully constructed walls he'd built around his past. Memories, sharp and unwanted, flooded back, dragging him into a past he desperately wished to forget.---------Haya was extremely tense since Amira was crying relentlessly. She feared if she was sick. Already, Towsif's mother and sister were making her life extremely miserable due to her lower class. That's why she was trying her level best to be the best mother for Azlan and Amira. She didn't want to give the world a chance to taunt her.At that time, Shahana entered while crying."Ma," she called.Today, because of Amira, Haya didn't come outside of her room, not even for breakfast. Towsif also left early for a meeting. When Shahana went to the breakfast table, Towsif's mother and sister scoffed at her and ousted her from there, hurling a lot of mean words. They didn't even care that she was just a small kid, young and innocent.'Amr ibn Shu'ayb reported from his grandfather that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who does not show mercy to our children nor acknowledge the right of our old people is not one of us."Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)We call ourselves Muslim, but we don't follow the teachings of our beloved prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. We do what our Nafs desire. When fear of Allah عز وجل ends, People do what they desire. They don't even acknowledge that in front of them is an 8-year-old girl or an 80-year-old man. They exploit the weak.Disheartened by their cold and harsh behavior, Shahana went to her mother for some comfort."Ma, I want to leave this place. Let's go back to our previous place," she said, her tears didn't seem to stop.Haya, who was already irritated seeing Amira crying relentlessly, hearing Shahana's words just burst out."Shahana, stop this nonsense. Don't you understand that this is our home now? Why do you keep irritating me when I have told you very clearly that this is our home now? Now go and don't disturb me," Haya said while trying her best to calm down Amira."But mom...""No buts. Haven't you heard, just leave? Go and do your homework," she scoffed. Disheartened by her words, Shahana left.Shahana's stomach grumbled due to extreme hunger. She feared if she went to her mother once again then she would scold her once again. She had gone to the maids, but they were so busy with other things that they didn't pay any heed to her.She came outside to the garden and sat there.Shahana felt like in this whole world, she was extremely lonely and no one loved her. She looked up at the sky and said, "Allah, no one loves me here. No one. Not even Ma. I don't want to leave here," she said and burst into tears. This side of the garden was the only place she liked. This side of the garden was the backside of the mansion. So, here, not a lot of people come. After coming to this house, Shahana found this side free from others' eyes. So, whenever she became upset, she always came here. Hidden from everyone else, this backward side of the mansion was quite beautiful. The gardener and the cleaners took nice care of it.Shahana was crying, hiding her face in her knees where her hands wrapped around them."Why are you crying?" Shahana heard, and her heart stopped. She didn't know anyone would come here. This was her secret place, and she didn't want anyone to come here. Immediately she looked up and saw Azlan standing, with hands shoved into his pants pocket.Seeing Azlan standing there, she quickly wiped her tears. She didn't want him to see her cry."I am not crying," she lied."Lying is a bad thing," he corrected. "Allah doesn't like a person when he lies."Hearing his words, Shahana became slightly nervous as if she was actually scared."But if you repent, He won't punish you. After all, He is the most merciful," sensing her fear, he said and casually sat next to her.Shahana remained silent."By the way, you didn't tell me why you are crying.""I don't want to talk to you.""But I want.""So?""You have to talk to me.""Why?""Because I am telling you to do so.""I won't listen to you then what will you do?""I will force you to talk.""How?""I have my own ways."Azlan said. A smile was trying to escape his lips since he already made her talk to her. He was surprised this girl could actually talk. Since the day she came here, she didn't talk to anyone. He had liked her the day since she came here. She was clinging to her mother like some small bird. Quiet and reserved...he had thought.Today he added another adjective which lies somewhere between naive and stupid. He could not put his finger on the right word."What ways?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice."I won't tell you that. It's a secret." Azlan smirked."You can tell me. I won't share it with anyone," Shahna requested. She also wanted to know this trick how you can make a person talk when they don't want to so that she can use it on her mother and talk to her as much as she wants. She can't also use it to talk to her father who after didn't talk to her for almost 2 years now."Okay." Azlan paused, "I will tell you only if you tell me why you were crying." He said and sat next to her.Shahana paused as if she was thinking if she should agree to his proposal or not. She agreed. She really needed to know the trick."Okay. But, promise me, you will tell me the trick. I want to learn this way so that I can make others talk to me. Promise?""Promise. Now tell me, why you were crying?""I am crying because your grandmother and aunt scolded me. Then, Ma scolded me. I am also missing my father. Also, I don't want to live in this house. I want to go to my previous house.""Why don't you want to live in this house?""Because this is not my home.""But, you can't go back to your previous house because your mom is now my dad's wife. So, this is your mother's house. By default, this is also your house. So, you have to live here forever.""No." she insisted then she got up and burst into tears. "This is not my house nor, I am going to live here forever," Shahana screamed and ran back to the mansion. She didn't even care about knowing the trick because the idea that she would live in this house forever was too scary for her.-------------Shahana returned to her room, which was actually quite decent and pretty, but she still missed her old room. It was small, but it was hers.Then, someone entered her bedroom. Shahana, who was sitting next to the window, looked towards the door, hearing the footsteps. She saw Azlan standing there, with Aunt Sabila behind him holding a tray."Why have you come here?" Shahana asked, irritated. She didn't want to talk to the young boy who was invading her privacy."I haven't had breakfast yet. I know you also haven't had breakfast this morning. Let's have breakfast together.""I don't want to have breakfast. So, please leave," Shahana refused and started to look out the window once again."But I want to," Azlan said, indicating to put the tray on the table."I am not hungry," she resisted, her voice weak. She understood that this boy was really cunning. After all, how easily he made her talk to him. But then, her stomach grumbled, and she became embarrassed."Didn't I tell you Allah doesn't like a person when he lies?" he reminded her.Shahana understood he wouldn't leave unless she followed what he said. She was already quite weak and timid. She easily got intimidated by everyone. So, she silently started having breakfast. Besides, she was also quite hungry.Azlan smiled proudly since he got what he wanted. Azlan was the only child in the house until Amira. Although he loved his sister a lot, Amira was so small that he couldn't play with her. When Shahana came with Haya, Azlan thought he found a playmate. But she showed no interest. She would always stick to her mother or be close in her bedroom.Shahana quickly finished her breakfast, but Azlan took his time. He finally finished and wiped his mouth with the tissue. Aunt Sabila came forward, picked up their plates, placed them on the tray, and finally left.Shahana waited for Azlan to leave, but he didn't. Instead, he got up. Shoving his hands into his pants pocket, he started inspecting her room."Nice room. I'm glad you keep your room clean and tidy. It's a good habit," he commented like an old experienced man after inspecting her room thoroughly. A blush of pink washed over the room, setting the stage for a little dreamer's haven. A miniature castle bed painted a soft shade of rose, stood proudly in the center, its turrets adorned with strings of twinkling fairy lights that cast a magical glow. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating a white study table adorned with colorful notebooks, a well-loved drawing book, a vibrant box of crayons, and a tidy pen holder. On the opposite side, a dressing table boasted a collection of neatly organized hair clips, sparkling like little jewels. Above it all, on the top shelf, rested a Quran, its gilded cover adding a touch of serenity to the playful space.This was the first time he came to her room, and he looked quite impressed."Why aren't you leaving?" Shahana, unable to bear his nonsense, asked slightly irritated."Because I don't want to," Azlan answered. He was now opening her drawing book."It's considered bad manners to touch other people's books like this," Shahana quickly grabbed her drawing book from his grip and hid it behind her back.Azlan cracked a smile."Sorry. I was just being curious," he excused. "By the way, do you like drawing?""Look, I don't want to talk to you. Just go.""But why? Why don't you want to talk to me?" his voice had a hint of anger."Because you are a boy.""So, what?""I don't like to talk to boys. Now go," Shahana almost pushed him outside of her room. At that time, Haya entered. She had heard from Nargis that Mrs. Izma Khatun (her mother-in-law) and Maya (her sister-in-law) had behaved quite rudely with Shahana. And, she also hadn't had any breakfast. So, she came here to console her and make her have her breakfast.But, to her surprise, when she saw Shahana throwing Azlan out of the room, Haya's jaw clenched. Throwing Azlan out like this? What was she thinking?Haya was trying to secure her position in the house. On the other hand, her own daughter was creating more trouble for her. What would happen if Izma Khatun or Maya saw this? Without any second word, they would throw both her and her daughter outside of the house."What are you doing, Shahana? Have you lost your mind? Does one behave like this to their older brother?" Haya scoffed at Shahana. Shahana, who didn't expect her mother to come suddenly, her head snapped up, her gaze darting to the doorway like a startled rabbit."Ma," she said. Her throat dried. She didn't want to upset her mother once again."Aunty, it's okay. We were merely playing," Azlan said. "One more thing, Aunty, I am not Shahana's brother. I am only Amira's brother. Just like you are only my father's wife, not my mother." he said calmly yet strongly and then went outside.---------Present:Towsif entered the house, the scent of cooking spices clinging to the air. He spotted Azlan standing near the kitchen doorway, lost in thought. Following his son's gaze, Towsif saw Shahana tending to a pot on the stove, Muiz playfully trying to grab at her utensils.A sigh escaped Towsif's lips as he placed a hand on Azlan's shoulder. Despite the years that had passed, he could still see the flicker of unresolved emotions in his son's eyes. Azlan had claimed to move on after marrying Maria, but the recent divorce and Maria's bitter accusations painted a different picture.Towsif understood. Azlan's adamant refusal to give Shahana another chance, while simultaneously being hesitant to let her go, was a confusing contradiction. It was a burden Azlan carried at his own expense.Azlan, startled by his father's touch, turned. "Assalamualaikum, Dad.""Waalaikumus salaam. Back from the office already?" Towsif inquired."Yes," Azlan replied. "Actually, I have a client meeting this evening, so I decided to come home and rest beforehand.""Good thinking," Towsif said. "Azlan, there's something I need to discuss. Shahana's grandmother is quite ill. Tomorrow, can you take her and Muiz to visit her in the village? I have a seminar I can't miss, and you know I wouldn't let any of my daughters travel alone."Azlan hesitated. "But Dad...""I understand your reservations," Towsif interjected, his voice gentle but firm. "However, consider my position too. Two years of confinement in this house... Shahana deserves a change of scenery. Besides, her grandmother's health is failing. It's the least we can do. Think of it as a favor to your old man."Azlan nodded curtly, his eyes locked on Shahana, who was now laughing as Muiz successfully snatched a piece of food from her hand. He couldn't deny a sliver of pity for the woman who was once his wife, now a ghost haunting the very halls he called home.The prospect of spending time with Shahana, even under the guise of this trip, filled Azlan with a disquieting mix of apprehension and a flicker of something he couldn't quite define.------------The sound of Shahana's heart thudding against her ribs contrasted sharply with Haya's upbeat news of Nani's (Shahana's grandmother and Haya's mother) condition. Traveling felt like a betrayal, a step outside the well-built prison that had been her existence for the last two years. However, the memory of her grandmother—the last living link to a more contented past—compelled her to act.Being the social butterfly she was, Haya flitted about getting ready for her next charity function, leaving Shahana to take care of Muiz by herself. Luckily, the child loved her, much the opposite of Hena's barely disguised contempt. At least Shahana had a small piece of comfort with Muiz.Stepping out of the house was an ordeal. Sunlight, a forgotten sensation, pricked at her skin. She moved with a practiced stiffness, the black garment that draped her entire form a heavy cloak of isolation. Only her eyes, peeking through the narrow slit, held a flicker of defiance.Muiz, a whirlwind of excitement, chattered incessantly from the back seat. Shahana forced a smile, the sound hollow in the car's tense silence. A quick glance at the rearview mirror sent a jolt through her. Azlan's reflection stared back, his expression unreadable. For a heart-stopping moment, their eyes locked, a silent exchange that crackled with unspoken emotions. The weight of the past, the burden of the present, hung heavy in the air, a storm brewing on the horizon of their unexpected journey.---------
My Instagram id : auth_farzana_tutul