Kolkata, 6 Ramadan 1445 H
Sadiqah (19) POV
Today I woke up at 4 am. As usual, my mother and grandmother would meet in the kitchen to cook food for sahur. Because my hand was injured yesterday, mom didn't let me do much, mom only asked me to tidy up the dining table. Mother and grandmother cooked more than usual. Today's menu includes rice, bindi vegetables, lentils, okra, sambar, dal bati, and fried chicken. I helped my mother and grandmother arrange the food on the dining table. The smell of these foods burst my nose, arousing my appetite. Suddenly I thought of Geet.
"Mother, grandma may I bring some food for my friend?" I asked my mother and grandmother.
"Of course you can. But, daughter, you don't usually do this. What's up today?" Asked my mother.
“Since the day after tomorrow I, Ruqayyah, and Geet made a study agenda together every break. At that time Geet could not focus on studying, it turns out that she did not maintain her diet. I will make sure she eats in front of me." Said Sadiqah.
"But, daughter, she must be awkward eating in front of a fasting person." Said my mother.
“Take it easy mom. I'll do something so she doesn't feel awkward." I said.
"Here you can put it here." Said the mother while giving me a basket of three layers of food.
"Thank you mom." I said.
I arrange the food in the food basket. I put rice, bindi vegetables, lentils, okra, and fried chicken in the basket.
"Sadiqah, why did you put fried chicken in it?" Said my mother.
"Take it easy mom, Geet comes from the Punjabi tribe. She also eats meat like us. I will put the rice on top, the vegetables in the middle, and the fried chicken on the bottom so my other friends don't see it. Ishita she is from Tamil tribe.” I said.
Finally I realized that my grandmother was just silent listening to my words.
“I'm sorry Grandma. I've talked to Ruqayyah. Are you angry with me?" I said honestly.
“Grandma is not angry with you Sadiqah. You have the right to be friends with Ruqayyah, isn't she your sister faith ? You shouldn't have made rules that forbid you to be friends with Ruqayyah. Grandma has freed you from grandmother's rules that don't make sense." Said the grandmother.
I was moved to tears to hear what my grandmother said. For the first time I had the opportunity to become friends with Ruqayyah. Finally my wait has sweet fruit.
"Why are you crying Sadiqah?" Said the grandmother, wiping my tears.
"Thank you, grandma." I said as I hugged my grandmother.
"Forgive grandma, Sadiqah." Said the grandmother.
"I have forgiven you for Allah." I said.
"Sadiqah, you've finished preparing food for your friend, right? Now we can start sahur together." Said mother.
"Bismillahir rahmanir Rahim." My prayers, mother and grandmother before eating.
We also enjoyed this blessed meal together. We finished sahur when we heard the subuh call to prayer.
"Al hamdu li-l-lâhi ladhî at'amanî hâdhâ wa razaqanîhi min ghayrin hawlin minnî wa lâ quwwatin.
Praise be to Allah Who fed this to me and Who provided sustenance to me without my power and strength. "Our prayers after eating.
After that we washed our plates. Then we brush our teeth. Using miswak before ablution / wudu is a sunnah, that's why we made it a habit. After that we took turns for ablution. Usually I got my last wudu turn, this time too. When it was my turn, I took off my veil, and tied my veil so that I could purify my face, and head and then I turned on the water tap with a moderate flow.
"Bismillahir rahmanir Rahim." My prayer before wudu.
After that I made my wudu according to the order.
"Ash-hadu an lâ ilâha illa l-lâhu, wahdahu lâ sharîka lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abdûhu wa rasûluhu.
I testify that no God is righteous except Allah, the One and Only One and has no partner for Him. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. "My prayers after ablution.
I immediately rushed to the place of prayer after I completed my wudu, and put my veil and scarf back on. Mother, and grandma were waiting for me there. We also prayed qabliyah at dawn 2 cycles, followed by the morning prayer in congregation. After that we prayed after greeting, recited morning dhikr, and read 20 verses of the Al Quran. At 06.30 am we have finished our daily routine, we immediately took off and tidied up our mukena then returned it to the cupboard.
I immediately took a shower, and got ready to go to campus. After I finished getting ready, I asked permission from my mother, and grandmother before leaving for campus. After saying goodbye to my mother and grandmother I rode my bicycle and pedaled until I got to the university where I studied. The first thing I wanted to do when I got to campus was talk to Ruqayyah. I wanted to tell her how happy I was that my grandmother had allowed me to be friends with Ruqayyah. That's why I kept waiting in the parking lot after I parked my bicycle. I'm waiting for Ruqayyah. Every morning Ruqayyah would cross the student parking lot to get to our class.
"You're not going to class, Sadiqah?" Geet asked kindly when she saw me standing in the parking lot
"I'm going to class in a moment, Geet." I answered.
"Alright, don't be late like yesterday again ok?" Said Geet.
"Yes Geet. You go in first." I said.
Geet used head signals to say "yes" after which she walked toward the classroom.
Finally the person I was waiting for arrived. When Ruqayyah nearly crossed my path, I got ready to say hello to her.
“Assalamu Alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh" I said.
"Wa’alaikum salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh." Ruqayyah answered without stopping her steps, and without looking at me.
I was shocked and wondered at Ruqayyah's attitude this time. Why did Ruqayyah ignore me? I stopped wondering when I saw grandmother Pakizah walking behind Ruqayyah. Apparently grandmother Pakizah followed Ruqayyah to campus. Grandma Pakizah glared at me, as if to remind me that I shouldn't approach her granddaugther. I was so happy when I was allowed by my grandmother to be friends with Ruqayyah that I forgot that Ruqayyah had not been allowed by her grandmother to be friends with me. I then walked away from Grandma Pakizah and headed for the photocopy.
"What can I do for you ?" Ask the waiter at the copier in a friendly manner.
"Please photocopy every sheet of my notes, one sheet each. I'll take it back during recess. Thank you." I said while handing my notebook to the waiter.
The waiter at the copier uses a head signal to say the word "alright"
"Excuse me." I said as I went from the photocopier and headed for class.
All my friends have entered the class, but our lecturers have not entered. Naturally, because the bell has not yet rang. I go over to Geet's seat.
"Have you had breakfast Geet?" I asked.
Suddenly all eyes turned towards me, because all this time I only talked to Ruqayyah or the lecturer.
"I'm not used to breakfast, Sadiqah." Geet replied.
"Really Geet. What should I tell my mother if it's like that?" I said.
"What happened Sadiqah?" Geet asked.
"My mother has made a lot of food today. My mother has set aside some of the food for you. If you don't eat it my mother will be sad." I said.
"Why don't you just eat it Sadiqah? Don't force Geet if she doesn't want to." Preeta says.
“Sadiqah is fasting Preeta. Sadiqah gives her the food I will eat it without sparing it at all." Said Geet.
"You better save it for lunch." I said as I took a basket of food from my bag.
Geet opened the food container.
"This is a lot of Sadiqah. It can be eaten by many people. Ishani, Khusi, Naina, Ishita, Ragini come here." Said Geet.
Ishani, Khusi, Naina, Ishita and Ragini come to fulfill Geet's call.
"What's wrong, Geet?" Asked Khusi.
"Do you remember if you promised to fulfill my wish on my birthday?" Geet asked Ishani, Khusi, Naina, Ishita and Ragini.
"Yes, we remember." Ishani, Khusi, Naina, Ishita, and Ragini replied in harmony.
"But at that time I did not ask for anything. In return I can ask at any time. And now I ask you to accompany me to eat this food." Said Geet.
Ishani, Khusi, Naina, Ishita and Ragini only look at each other.
"Didn't I hear you wrong Geet? Since when did you talk to Sadiqah and received gifts from Sadiqah?" Ishita asked.
"You heard it right Ishita. I want you to taste this food." Said Geet.
"But Geet ..." Ishita said.
"Never mind Ishita, if you don't like these foods you can go. I can't wait to taste these okra vegetables." Said Naina, who in fact is a fan of okra vegetables
"Yes Ishita, don't always fuss with Geet. Don't you see how tempting the bindi vegetable is?" Said Ishani, who in fact is a fan of bindi vegetables.
"I'm also curious about the lentils, is there someone who can make lentils more delicious than my sister? If there is, I'll ask for the recipe so that my grandmother doesn't keep praising sis Payal's cooking." Said Khusi.
"My mother used to make special dal bati for me. My mother would be sad if I did not eat the food she made. Sadiqah's mother has been working so hard to make this food. So we have to appreciate it, friends." Said Ragini.
"I'll go back to my seat and I'll come back when you finish eating." I said as I went to my seat.
Finally Ishani, Khusi, Naina, Ishita, Ragini, and Geet enjoyed the food I brought together.
"Well, enough friends. We have to set it aside for my lunch." Geet said after a while.
I approached Geet's seat, because it seemed that Geet, Ishani, Kushi, Naina, Ishita and Ragini had finished eating. I can see that the food inside has decreased which means Geet has had breakfast.
"Yes, I'm sorry Geet. This okra is delicious." Said Naina.
"Yes Geet, this bindi vegetable is also very delicious." Said Ishani.
"The combination of flavors in these lentils fits perfectly on the tongue. I find it difficult to stop eating." Said Kushi.
"This Dal Bati treats my longing for my mother's cooking." Said Ragini.
"I was surprised that someone could make a sambar like my grandmother made. This is truly extraordinary." Ishita said.
"Thank you Sadiqah." Said Geet, Ishani, Khusi, Naina, Ishita, and Ragini together.
"You're welcome." I answered.
"Geet, since we've fulfilled your request can we go back to our seats?" Ishita asked.
"Of course I also don't want to be reprimanded by Mrs. Sridevi because we can't keep quiet during the lesson. You know, if I can't be quiet when you are around me?" Said Geet.
Ishani, Khusi, Naina, Ishita and Ragini return to their respective seats.
"Geet, I'll go back to my seat too. Don't forget to tidy up the cutlery before Mrs. Sridevi comes." I said as she headed for my seat in front of Ruqayyah.
I immediately sat in front of Ruqayyah and put my bag at my feet. Ruqayyah immediately moved to one of the empty seats far from me. Somehow I feel Ruqayyah uncomfortable with my presence. Maybe this is just my feeling. Hopefully this feeling passes soon. Not long after, Mrs. Sridevi came.
"Good Morning stundets." Say hello to Mrs. Sridevi.
"Good morning, Ma'am." Said my friends.
Mrs. Sridevi sat at her table opposite mine.
"At the previous meeting, I asked you to write an essay. You can submit your essay today. Please put your essay on my desk." Said Mrs. Sridevi, pointing to her own table.
After hearing the instructions from Mrs. Sridevi, I immediately took out the essay in my bag then I walked to Mrs. Sridevi's table then I put my essay on Mrs. Sridevi's table. After that I returned to my seat. My friends pass by in front of my desk to collect their assignments. I didn't see Ruqayyah among my friends who were collecting assignments. Is that why Ruqayyah moved her seat, because she had not finished her assignment? Mrs. Sridevi looks busy checking her student assignments one by one. After a while, I saw a look of displeasure on Mrs. Sridevi's face, maybe there are friends who have not submitted their assignments.
"Geet, haven't you collected the essay yet?" Asked Mrs. Sridevi to Geet.
"Not yet, ma'am." Geet replied.
"Why haven't you submitted the essay?" Asked Mrs. Sridevi to Geet.
“My essay isn't finished, ma'am." Geet replied.
"Then who did you collect the assignment?" Asked Mrs. Sridevi to Geet.
"That's Ruqayyah's essay, ma'am. I was asked by Ruqayyah to collect it on your desk." Geet replied.
"Ruqayyah, why don't you submit your own assignments? Why do you ask others to submit your assignments?" Asking Mrs. Sridevi to Ruqayyah was exactly the same question in my mind.
"Nothing, ma'am. My leg is a little sore so I asked Geet to collect my essay on your desk." Ruqayyah replied.
"Geet, tomorrow is the last day of submission for essay assignments. If you don't submit your essay assignments on my desk tomorrow then you won't get a grade for this assignment." Said Mrs. Sridevi.
"Yes, ma'am I apologizes for my negligence today, and I thank you for your generosity." Said Geet.
"Before that I wanted to ask you, what do you know about genetics and teratology?" Said Mrs. Sridevi.
"Genetics is the study of the inheritance of traits from parents to children." I replied.
"Teratology is the study of abnormalities in the fetus." Ruqayyah replied.
"Yes, very correct answer. Today we will study genetics and teratology. Please pay attention to the following presentation." Said Mrs. Sridevi.
As usual the first hour of learning lasted 3 hours. After the recess bell rang we were allowed to rest. My friends rushed to the cafeteria after Mrs. Sridevi left class. I remember coming to the photocopier. I also told Ruqayyah and Geet if I had to go to the photocopy first. I walked over to Ruqayyah and Geet who had sat next to them.
"Ruqayyah, Geet, I have to go to the photocopy first, after that we will start this joint study activity." I said.
"Yes, hurry back." Said Geet.
Ruqayyah didn't speak a word. Ruqayyah just lowered her gaze, and seemed reluctant to see my face. Maybe this is just my feeling.
"Excuse me Ruqayyah, Geet." I said as I went to the photocopy.
Ruqayyah (19) POV
This is so hard for me, Sadiqah. I don't want to be near you Sadiqah, but I can't help it either. After all the promises must be kept, and I have promised to teach Geet any subject matter that she does not understand. I'm glad you went to the photocopier because I was reluctant to see your face which will keep reminding me of that woman.
Flashback on:
Last night in my room, I couldn't close my eyes even for a moment. My eyes is filled with tears that keep on shedding. I grabbed a photo frame that was above the nightstand. My longing and disappointment combined into one. I miss my mother and I am disappointed in you, Sadiqah. I was disappointed that someone who I had considered my sister had said something about my mother. It's as if you were saying that my mother was the cause of your parents' separation. I kept hugging my mother's photo frame for hours to express my deep feelings of longing. Suddenly my grandmother said hello from outside my room and broke the silence in my room that I had created myself. I answered grandma's greeting and opened the door for her. Grandma saw my eyes swollen I also hugged my mother's photo frame so tightly.
"Why are you crying Ruqayyah?" Grandma asked, leading me to sit on my bed, so that I feel more comfortable when answering grandma's questions.
After that my grandmother sat next to me.
“l miss my mother, Grandma." I answered.
"Be patient, my granddaughter. We will meet your mother again in heaven later. Ruqayyah, I know you are so sad to be separated from your mother and you are getting sad because this family always argues with Sadiqah's family. That's why grandma feels the time has come for you to know the reason why our family is. and their families couldn't get along one bit. " Said the grandmother.
I was surprised when I heard what grandma said. This time grandma will voluntarily reveal hidden secrets between our families without me asking. I prepared myself to accept whatever grandma would say, because usually the truth is bitter. And I will hear the truth from my grandmother's own words.
"Yes grandma, I'll listen to grandma's story." I said.
"Ruqayyah when you were five years old, at that time your father, and your mother were very happy, their life was almost perfect. But all this did not last long. In that same year, Sadiqah's mother left her husband's house and chose to live in her mother's house and raise her child without father. Since then they have been our neighbors. One day, Sadiqah's mother came to the terrace and said a few things to your father. Your mother heard their conversation and she became jealous. Your mother and Sadiqah’s mother got into an argument and finally your mother fell down the stairs because she was pushed by Sadiqah’s mother. Since then your father has remained alone, and since then the happiness in our family has never been perfect.” Said the grandmother.
My heart broke when I heard what grandma said even though I had prepared myself to accept whatever grandma would say. I never thought the reality would be this bitter.
"Are you telling the truth?" I asked to make sure.
"I did lie to you, Ruqayyah. But your grandmother couldn't possibly lie about something this big. I know you were shocked when you found out, but this is the truth." Said the grandmother.
I cried again in my grandmother's arms.
"Cry Ruqayyah, because it will make your heart more relieved." Said the grandmother.
Flashback off
In reality it was not my mother who caused the separation of your parents but your mother who caused the separation of my parents. At least that's what I heard from my grandmother, and I believe my grandmother wouldn't lie to me. I trust my grandmother's words more than yours Sadiqah. Who are you in my life, Sadiqah? You are nobody, so stop wishing I would trust you more than my grandmother who is like my own mother.
"Why are you crying, Ruqayyah?" Asked Geet who had been sitting next to me.
I just realized that I cried when Geet asked me like that. I also wiped the rest of my tears.
"Nothing Geet. I'm fine." I answered.
"If you have a problem you can tell me." Said Geet.
"If I have a problem I will pray to Allah SWT." I said.
"Yes, that's better. Not everything in our life we can tell others. But God will always be ready to hear the prayers of His servants." Said Geet.
"Thank you for understanding Geet. You'd better have lunch so we can start learning together as soon as possible. I'll go to my seat and I'll come back when you finish eating." I said.
"Why did you, and Sadiqah stay away while I was eating?" Geet asked.
"Don't you feel awkward eating in front of a fasting person?" Ruqayyah asked back.
"Not at all." Geet replied briefly.
"In our religion, eating in front of people who are fasting is considered impolite and does not respect the glory of the month of Ramadan. Therefore we stay away from people who are eating." I said.
"In my religion a husband is not awkward eating in front of his wife who is fasting for him. Turns out we are very different." Said Geet.
I returned to my seat. Geet also has lunch in her seat. Not long after, Sadiqah returned from the photocopy while Geet had not finished eating. Sadiqah sat in her own seat. After Geet finished eating, Sadiqah and I took a seat next to Geet.
"In your religion what is meant by fasting?" Geet asked.
"Fasting or shaum is holding back hunger and thirst from dawn to sunset. Things that break the fast include eating and drinking intentionally, vomiting on purpose, chanting, and bleeding. Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam." Sadiqah replied.
"If fasting is the pillar of Islam why don't you fast every day like you salat every day?" Geet asked again.
"In our religion there are days that are forbidden to fast, namely on Eid and on tasyrik days." I said.
"In our religion there is obligatory fasting and there is fasting that is sunna. Compulsory fasting is fasting which if done is rewarded and if it is not done it gets sin. Meanwhile, sunnah fasting is fasting which when it is done gets reward and if it is not done it will not get sin. Mandatory fasts are Ramadan fasts, kafarah fasts, and votive fasts. What includes sunnah fasting is daud fasting, arafah fasting, syawal fasting, and others.” Add Sadiqah.
"What fast do you usually do in addition to the month of Ramadan?" Geet asked.
"Daud fast." I answered.
"Daud fasting is fasting that is done alternately. For example, today is fasting, not fasting tomorrow, the day after fasting again. And so on." Add Sadiqah.
"Geet, we'd better start learning activities right away." I said.
"Geet, I see your records for these 2 years are incomplete. That's why I'm photocopying my notes for you." Said Sadiqah while handing over a photocopy of his notes.
"Thank you Sadiqah." Said Geet.
"You're welcome Geet. Can I see your notes today?" Said Sadiqah.
"This." Said Geet while handing his notebook to Sadiqah.
I don't know what Sadiqah did with Geet's notebook. Because I keep looking down so I don't see her.
"Geet you have to have breakfast every morning. Today your notes are complete it must be because you have enough energy to write." Sadiqah said after seeing Geet's notes.
"Geet, since you haven't finished your essay. What if I help you?" I said.
“How kind you are." Said Geet while preparing his laptop.
Sadiqah and I helped Geet finish her essay until recess ended. After the second hour bell rang, I returned to my seat. The second lesson period lasts 1 hour. I'm glad that time flies so fast. After today's class ended I immediately packed my stationery. When I was about to put my book into my bag, there was a pink paper falling from the open sheets of my book. I picked up the paper. There is a written message on the paper. I read the message.
_________________________________
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh
To: Ruqayyah
I wanted to say something to you because it is very important. I'm waiting for you in the student parking lot.
Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh
_________________________________
Sadiqah (19) POV
After today's class ended, and Mrs. Sridevi left the classroom, I went straight to the student parking lot. I didn't go home right away because I was waiting for someone. That someone is so special to me but today she seemed to stay away from me, and didn't give me a chance to talk to her. This morning I greeted her, she only answered my greetings and then walked away without looking at me. Earlier she also moved the seat far from my seat. She talks to everyone, but not to me. That person is Ruqayyah. May she read my message which I wrote on pink paper and then tuck it between the pages of her book. The number of people around me decreased with increasing time. The number of people in the parking lot dwindled until it finally left me alone, but the people I was waiting for didn't come. Had something happened to keep her from coming? I left my bicycle in the parking lot. I ran towards the class. I did not see anyone there. Instead, my gaze fixed on a red sheet of paper folded into a ball and lay in the trash. I picked up the paper with my left hand. I unfolded the paper. I was very surprised when I found a message in it. Is Ruqayyah that angry because of what I said yesterday that she threw me a message in the trash? Didn't I apologize to her ? She also still had time to talk to me after that, then why is she suddenly like this? I'm sure something happened after I left Ruqayyah's house yesterday. But what is it? I'm the place to find out. But first I had to find Ruqayyah's whereabouts. I searched all over the place on campus. Until finally I arrived at the back of the campus. To my relief, I saw Ruqayyah there waiting for a taxi to take her home. Ruqayyah has diverted her place to wait for a taxi. Usually she waited for the taxi near the student parking lot now she is waiting behind the campus. Is she avoiding me on purpose?
I approached Ruqayyah step by step. When I was right behind her I said hello.
"Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh" I said.
"Wa’alaikum salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh." Ruqayyah replied while looking back while giving her most beautiful smile even though she was covered with a veil on her face. I thought that Ruqayyah was not angry with me.
"Ruqayyah, I have something to say. I hope you listen to me." I said.
Ruqayyah was silent while still smiling.
"Ruqayyah, today I am very happy because my grandmother has allowed me to be friends with you. My mother also invited you to break the fast together with our family. Ruqayyah, I feel that peace between our families is getting closer. I hope our two families will unite soon and become a happy family." I said.
Ruqayyah just smiled and didn't respond to my words.
"You will fulfill my mother's invitation, right?" I asked to make sure.
"Since yesterday you have said a lot of things. Now is the time for me to talk. I'm sure you must be wondering because my attitude has changed. Okay, I'll answer your question. I'm also tired of acting as if nothing happened even though what happened was on the contrary. I hope you can understand the reason for my change in attitude after I explain the reason to you." Said Ruqayyah.
"Yes, explain the reason, Ruqayyah." I said.
"Last night in my room, I could not close my eyes even for a moment. My netra was filled with tears that kept streaming down. I grabbed a photo frame that was above the nightstand. My longing and my disappointment were combined into one. I miss my mother and me. disappointed in you, Sadiqah. I am disappointed that someone who I consider to be my brother has said something about my mother. It is as if you were about to say that my mother was the cause of your parents' separation. I kept hugging my mother's picture frame for hours to vent my longing which was very deep. Suddenly grandmother greeted from outside my room and broke the silence in my room that I had created myself. I answered grandma's greeting and opened the door for her. Grandma saw my eyes swollen I also hugged my mother's photo frame so tightly.
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"Why are you crying Ruqayyah?" Grandma asked, leading me to sit on my bed, so that I feel more comfortable when answering grandma's questions.
After that my grandmother sat next to me.
"I miss my mother, Grandma." I answered.
"Be patient, my granddaughter. We will meet your mother again in heaven later. Ruqayyah, I know you are so sad to be separated from your mother and you are getting sad because this family always argues with Sadiqah's family. That's why grandma feels the time has come for you to know the reason why our family is. and their families couldn't get along one bit. " Said the grandmother.
I was surprised when I heard what Grandma said. This time Grandma will voluntarily reveal hidden secrets between our families without me asking. I prepared myself to accept whatever Grandma would say, because usually the truth is bitter. And I will hear the truth from my grandmother's own words.
"Yes grandma, I'll listen to grandma's story." I said.
"Ruqayyah when you were five years old, at that time your father, and your mother were very happy, their life was almost perfect. But all this did not last long. In that same year, Sadiqah's mother left her husband's house and chose to live in her mother's house and raise her child without father. Since then they have been our neighbors. One day, Sadiqah's mother came to the terrace and said a few things to your father. Your mother heard their conversation and she became jealous. Your mother and Sadiqah’s mother got into an argument and finally your mother fell down from the stairs because she was pushed by Sadiqah’s mother. Since then your father has remained alone, and since then the happiness in our family has never been perfect.” Said my grandmother.
My heart broke when I heard what Grandma said even though I had prepared myself to accept whatever Grandma would say. I never thought the reality would be this bitter.
"Are you telling the truth?" I asked to make sure.
"I did lie to you, Ruqayyah. But your grandmother couldn't possibly lie about something this big. I know you were shocked when you found out, but this is the truth." Said the grandmother.
I cried again in my grandmother's arms.
"Cry Ruqayyah, because it will make your heart more relieved." Said the grandmother.
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That was the conversation I had with my grandmother last night. I didn't expect our family to come together. I don't want your mom and my dad to be together. Your mother is the person responsible for my mother's death. Your mother is the cause of sadness in my family. So don't expect me to help you put our family together. In fact, I intend to cut all ties with your family.” Said Ruqayyah as she left me in a taxi.
I could not contain my tears anymore after I listened to Ruqayyah's narrative. I fully believe that my mother could not possibly do what her Ruqayyah's grandmother accused. I feel weak because I can't defend my mother because I don't know what really happened either. I felt devoid of empathy because I knew nothing about my own family. So much has changed today. Previously, Ruqayyah and I tried to be friends even though our grandmothers were always against it. Today when my grandmother allowed me to be friends with Ruqayyah, it was Ruqayyah who stayed away from me. Today I seemed to move away from someone close to me and closer to people who are far from me. There is only one thing that remains unchanged. Grandma Pakizah still doesn't like my family. I will find out the truth of the past. I'll make sure my grandmother tells me. But first I have to go home. I ran to the parking lot and rode my bicycle home. Along the way I felt my tears incessantly dripping. I arrived in front of the house with tears still shedding.
"Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh." I said.
"Wa’alaikum salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh." My mother replied, and my grandmother opened the door for me.
"Sadiqah why are you crying?" Asked my mother.
I'm still silent for a while, I try to string the words first. Until the zuhur call to prayer reverberates.
"Mother, I will answer your questions after prayer. It is better if you and grandmother do wudu first. I will put my bag in the room first." I answered.
Mother, and grandmother walked towards the place of ablution, while I walked to my room. After I put my bag I went to the place of ablution. I do wudu after mother and grandmother. After that we went to a special room for prayer in our house. The room was located right in the middle of our house. We took our respective mukenas in the cupboard and put them to use. After that we prayed qabliyah zuhur 2 cycles of prayer, congregated noon prayer, and two rak'ahs of sunah ba'diyah zuhur prayer. After praying we read the prayer after greeting and then read 20 verses of the Al Quran. After I finished reading the Al Quran and tidying my face I answered the mother's question.
"Mother, I will answer your question earlier. This morning I said greetings to Ruqayyah, she just answered and walked away without looking at me. She also moved her seat away from me. Today she talked to everyone but didn't talk to me. I gave her a message to meet me in the parking lot because I wanted to talk about something with her. But Ruqayyah didn't come until only myself was left in the parking lot. I looked for Ruqayyah in our class. I didn't see anyone there. I saw the message I gave to Ruqayyah being in the trash. I searched the entire campus for Ruqayyah's whereabouts. Finally I saw her waiting for a taxi at the back of the campus. Ruqayyah had diverted her place to wait for a taxi. Usually she was waiting for a taxi near the student parking lot. I felt she was purposely avoiding me. I greeted her from behind. She answered my greeting then turned and smile at me. I thought that Ruqayyah was no longer angry. I also extended mother's invitation to Ruqayyah. Ruqayyah was silent and didn't answer whether she would come or not. Instead, she wanted to explain the reason for her change in attitude and she wanted me to understand it. She said that the reason for her change in attitude was because her grandmother had told the truth that my mother had pushed Ruqayyah's mother down the stairs and died. I feel weak because I can't defend my mother because I don't know the truth either. She also said if she doesn't want our two families to be united. In fact she wants to cut ties with our family. Grandma, I beg you to tell me what really happened in the past? I will not ask my mother, because she don't want to answer my question. Grandma, please tell me because I have to clear this misunderstanding." I said.
Grandma was just silent and walked to her room. My mother and I followed my grandmother to the living room. Grandma's room is close to the family room. Not long after, the grandmother came out of her room carrying a small box. I saw my mother was surprised and became tense when I saw my grandmother carrying the box. Does that box contain secrets from this family?
"Sadiqah, Salamah, take a seat." Said the grandmother.
Me, mother, and grandmother sat on chairs in the family room. Grandma tried to open the box she was carrying with the key.
"Mother, what are you doing?" Asked my mother to my grandmother.
"Salamah, please don't stop me today. Silencing a problem will only make it bigger. Aren't you tired of acting as if nothing happened even though what happened is the opposite? Just let Sadiqah know the truth, sooner or later she will find out. And maybe with us telling her, will help us solve this problem. " Grandma replied while still trying to open the box.
Mother became tense and worried at grandma's persistence to open the box. Grandma looks difficult to open the box. Finally my grandmother gave up, and gave the box to mother.
"A secret can only be opened by the person who guarded it. The box can only be opened by the person who has locked it. Open the box. Salamah, you are the one who has locked the box." Said the grandmother.
