12 Reunion

It's weird how what we fear most is what makes us who we are. It's more bizarre how those we love most disappoint and hurt us.

©Humeyra

WRITER'S P.O.V

"I used to play everywhere. I was just eight I remember when I woke up every morning, all I thought of was the games I would win, the friends I would make, eating mom's delicious meals and sleeping. That was all my days were all about. I was young. Extremely innocent, free spirited like a butterfly and couldn't harm an ant.I was fragile, young, stupid but happy. Then one day I made a wish: to grow older and stronger. I saw mummy cry and wished I was stronger to defend her. What I didn't know then was that my growth will steal my innocence, curb my free wings and hold me a prisoner of my own desires. I didn't know growing up meant more responsibilities and better routine than just play, eat and sleep on mom's lap. Now that I know all these, I again wish I was younger. To enjoy the blissful peace and ignorance of my childhood. To smile at every little joke mommy made to laugh and be happy freely and without care. Happiness used to come so easy but with age, it became difficult to find. Dreams were dreamt, promises made but they all made me grumpier. Now I miss my happy innocent days and my free spirited butterfly wings." This was Humeyra's thought as she prepared for her first introductory lecture for the Alim course.

It was the first day of teaching and learning for both Hamdan and Humeyra. They both were in a frenzied state of mind with a sense of occasion in their hearts. Though they were in the same compound they have not met yet.

Humeyra was in class behind a curtain waiting for her students to fill the class room. A small microphone was attached to her black jalabib and her deep blue Niqab which highlighted her kohl rimmed onyx eyes was placed perfectly in place. In front of her was a stool that supported the open mas'haf that she was silently reciting and taking notes from. As she sat cross legged on the Musalah, She was in a state of euphoria.

When the bell finally rung she sat upright on the mat in front of the class cross-legged as did her students and began the lesson. The ladies section and the male section was separated by a curtain. Humeyra sat at the front of the ladies section with her microphone on.

Asalamu aleikum warahmatullahi wabarakatu. Marhaban bikum ya jamial Islam. I am called Sidra and I would be guiding you through different rules and virtues of the Quran before we can move on to hadith, Sunnah, Seerah among others.

Bismillah. Before we resume our very first lesson, I would like to get to know my student by introduction and I would also like to listen to each and every person's recitation so that we can establish each individual's mistake. Is that alright with you? She asked softly. Na'am. They replied. Alhamdulillah. Since we are a few it would be more productive my fellow hafidhun. Let's begin.

The class had ten students of which only two were female and the rest male. Among them was Hamdan bin Omar. He wore a plain white kamiz with a royal blue thawb on top. He had tied a white turban on his head stylishly to compliment his looks. Hamdan has been a man who was always confident about his physical appearance and personality but only one person had him doubting and second guessing himself every time. At the moment, however, his attention was on someone else. Sidra. He wanted to see his teacher desperately since he couldn't believe that a lady would be an aalim. When she first spoke, her voice struck a chord in his heart. She had a musical voice which sounded familiar but he couldn't place it. For a moment, he felt as though he was listening to Humeyra but he dismissed the idea since the Humeyra he knew was no way near an aalim and neither was she a Niqabi.

The class went on with everyone reciting a page after introducing themselves until it was finally Hamdan's turn to recite. He took a deep breath and felt that he should impress his ustadhat. He wanted to make her proud of him for some unknown reason. So he introduced himself in a full-bodied voice which shook Humeyra to the core. Ya Allah, he is here too? Subhanallah, all this time I have been yearning to have a glimpse of him and now you brought him to me as my student? Ya Rahman. Alhamdulillah for bringing peace to my heart, she thought with a smile.

Hamdan had no idea who he had the urge to please but he was desperate to please her. So, he choose to recite Humeyra's favorite surah without thinking twice. Suratul Zumar. His sonorous voice brought a sense of joie de vivre to Humeyra. Why was he reciting my favorite surah? Could it be that he misses me? No. she thought. Listening to him brought her to tears as the powerful message was too heavy on her fragile heart. The punishment for the disbelievers made her shudder in fear as the reward for the righteous made her smile. Subhanallah. She was suddenly more in love with Hamdan. His voice was unlike any she has ever heard. He had a good flow of the Quran except some few mistakes here and there but he was perfect in her eyes. She finally snapped out of her day dream after he was done reciting.

Barakakallahu feekum ya jaaamii. I have noted down everybody's area of weakness and would be dealing with you one by one from now on since each of us have lessons to teach and would be available at different period of the learning hours.. Is there any question for today before we leave? She enquired. One of the female students requested that they would like to listen to their ustadhat reciting.