'At every end is a new beginning and every beginning has an end '- anonymous

Shiraz's POV

Past few days were quite monotonous for me.University was running as usual and I was trying to concentrate on my studies as my internal exams were due in a week.

The night after the fresher's party I got a call from my friend Mikael that his dad was terminally ill. I had immediately rushed to the hospital after dropping off Sanam at her home. That girl was the most craziest, tenacious person I have ever met in my life. She doesn't trust anyone, doesn't forgive easily and thinks that she can do everything by herself.She is another mystery but uncle's illness was something uncalled for.

Even dad was shocked to hear about uncle Atif's illness as he was his close friend.He had kept his illness to himself and Mikael got to know about it only when he had collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital.Mikael was like a brother to me.Uncle Atif was dad's close friend and we would often visit their home.Mikael studied in the same school as me but during higher studies he opted for engineering unlike me who took a different path.

I had to revisit the hospital next morning as Mikael was fretting out big time.I had excused myself to get some coffee for him.When I walked back I received the sad news of uncle's death.Mikael was crying Inconsolably and I tried hard to calm him down.I was unaware of someone else who was standing there with glassy eyes.It was Sanam.That was the first time I had ever seen her vulnerable side.Which I thought never existed.She exited the scene with some excuse when she sensed my presence.A middle aged lady, who resembled her asked me to help Mikael with the funeral arrangement.

Later that day on enquiring,Mikael told me that she was his cousin.It was surprising to me as he had never uttered a word about his cousin earlier.I happened to meet her near the portico and when I gave her my condolences she simply nodded and left.I have accepted that I can never understand her.She was more complex than a jigsaw puzzle.

*****

It was Sunday and I was lazying around the pool side.Relaxing my senses,carelessly dangling my legs and reminiscing the past few days.

"Shiraz,you here?" I could hear mom calling out to me .I tightened the robe around myself and walked into the living room where mom was probably looking for me.

"Salam ma! You home today?" I asked arching an eyebrow at her.She was never at home on Sundays.

"Hmmm...Yeah! I had to cancel my appointment with the dietician as your granny is going to visit us today.I was looking out for you to inform about her arrival.Get ready and be home,you know she doesn't like you hanging out much,"she warned.I had mixed feelings.I was happy to meet her after long.But her thinking differed from mine and I would sometime get bored of her advices.

The next two hours, I was getting ready while mom was busy preparing the lunch.Granny doesn't like it when her food is prepared by the cooks.Even now she is the stereotype mother-in-law who would like her daughter-in-law to cook. I liked her attitude for that way atleast we all would be eating together.

Later that morning,I strolled in the garden to have some fresh air.Simultaneously waiting for my granny who would be arriving any moment. However strict grandma might be, she loved me the most amongst all her grandchildren .It feels good to be loved and cared for by a mother figure.It was about midnoon and she was not home yet.Earlier the driver called me informing that he had started for home an hour and half ago.I dialled grandma's phone but she was not answering so I dialled her driver's number instead.He didn't pick either.I was worried so I walked into the parking lot near the entrance.

"Assalamualaikum Shiru,I am here.Finally!" Spoke a voice which belonged to my lovely grandma.

"Walaikumsalam grandma! I had been waiting for you since the past half an hour,why are you late?" I asked pouting and folding my arms on my chest.

"Oh dear ! I had stopped by at the shopping centre to buy some clothes for the orphanage kids.Besides I even had to buy a new Abaya and an Ahraam for me and your grandpa,"she answered, sitting on one of the chairs in the garden.I took the seat beside her.

"Salaam mummy,how was your journey? "Mom enquired,serving her some hot milk tea.

"Walaikumsalam Heena! It was good Alhamdulillah.Thank you dear for the tea.Why don't you join me?" Grandma asked sipping her tea.

"Ermm...no thanks mummy.I don't drink milk tea,"mom replied giving her an assuring smile.

"Ya Allah! What will come of this generation? How can you drink tea without the milk? You are getting thinner each day.No need for any more crash diets.Now sit here and be my company! " Granny ordered in her authoritative tone.Mom had no option but to comply to her wishes, she was a little intimidating.I wanted to leave those two to themselves so I stood up from my seat.

"You, my grandson! Where do you think you are going? I have come here only for a day and I want you to spend some time with me,"grandma stated holding my wrist.

"Oh yeah granny! Iam not leaving anywhere , was just getting bored of your mom-in-law drama," I chuckled, winking at her.

"Shiraz!!! You are never going to change.Will you?" She scolded,sweetly pulling my ears.

"Woah! Woah granny..Please calm down.I will do everything you ask for today.Please stop pulling my ears!" I replied wincing.

"Now that's like my boy! Hmm ok, as I am going for umra to mecca I wouldn't be here for the next two months.I wanted to visit my orphanage here.And you shall accompany me," granny said tapping her fingers on her olive cheeks.

Orphanage? That sounded like a boring place. I was not very fond of kids as I can never handle them.

"Okay granny, we will go there after the lunch," I replied nodding at her.

"Always remember this ayah from quran,my son."

Quote from the Holy Qur'an: Al-An'aam (6:165)

وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَائِفَ الْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

Wahuwa allathee jaAAalakum khalaifa alardi warafaAAa baAAdakum fawqa baAAdin darajatin liyabluwakum fee ma atakum inna rabbaka sareeAAu alAAiqabi wainnahu laghafoorun raheemun

It is He Who hath made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

Granny always had quranic answers to my quests.Something that astounded me always.

"Assalamualaikum granny, when did you come?" Enquired a vibrant Masarrath.

"Masarrath,my little girl! I came here few minutes back," grandma replied hugging her.

"Astaghfirullah, what are you wearing dear? You shouldn't wear such clothes and roam about in the house.Mashi,we have got male servants too!" Grandma remarked.Apparently Masarrath didn't know that granny would be coming and she was dressed in a sleeveless top and jeans.

"Oh common granny , this is latest fashion and we are living in 21st century for God sake," Masarrath replied rolling her eyes. I didn't like her outfit either.And I wasnt pleased with the way she spoke to grandma.

"Masarrath! No arguments there, go change right now," I snapped.She rolled her eyes and walked back to her room.I could sense the tension on grandma's face.

"Come granny let's have lunch, mom has cooked your favourite biryani today.Let's see if she can give you a competition! " I interrupted, fake winking at her to lighten the atmosphere.

"Hina, you have given a lot of freedom to Masarrath and Shiraz .You shouldn't forget that we are all muslims.Modesty is a big part of our faith.It implies to both men and women,"granny said pointing her fingers at me. Mom nodded at her understandingly.

Mom went to Masarrath's room to give a piece of her mind.Moments later she climbed downstairs.Now she was dressed in a full sleeved maxi.Grandma smiled at her and we made our way towards the dining room.

Quote from the Holy Qur'an: An-Nahl (16:72)

وَاللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِكُمْ بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً وَرَزَقَكُمْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ ۚ أَفَبِالْبَاطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَتِ اللَّهِ هُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ

WaAllahu jaAAala lakum min anfusikum azwajan wajaAAala lakum min azwajikum baneena wahafadatan warazaqakum mina alttayyibati afabialbatili yuminoona wabiniAAmati Allahi hum yakfuroona

And Allah has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature, and made for you, out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for you sustenance of the best: will they then believe in vain things, and be ungrateful for Allah's favours?-

"Ummm.Not bad Hina! But the mutton should be a little tender, see that you use raw papaya in the marinate next time,"grandma remarked.I slipped out my phone and started texting Shehriyaar to prevent myself from getting bored of their tips on cooking talk.

"Come on Shiraz, lets get going to the orphanage, "grandma called me out.I was shut in the bathroom listening to some music.I had a bad habit of carrying my ipod everywhere.

With the aid of some male servants I loaded all the gifts she got for those kids.She visits them every year whenever she comes to our place and never goes there empty handed.

******

It took us roughly twenty minutes to reach our destination.Granny stepped out near the gate while I was trying to find a place to park my car.It was a no parking zone.Even after minutes of seaching I couldn't find any better place to park so I drove into the orphanage gates which opened to reveal a small garden.

As there was no one in sight I unloaded all the gifts by myself.It was the first time I had gone there so I didn't know much about the place.All around the orphanage were beautiful plants amidst green grass.Roses were abloom in the greenery alluring you with their invigorating fragrance. My eyes started scanning this place and stopped when I spotted granny talking to someone. I was about to walk towards her when a bunch of kids came running towards me.They looked happy to see the gifts in my hand and some even started playing with their water guns.After shutting the doors of my car I was walking forward when I slipped due to the water spilled from their guns.The loud noise which emanated from my slipping caught the attention of granny and the other girl who haven't noticed me till then.

"Shiraz! What happened dear?" Granny asked with a worried expression. I stood up and brushed the dirt off my clothes and looked back at them.She keeps barging in my life through some way or the other.It was Sanam Akram.

"Oh dear! Your white trousers are dirty,go clean yourself!" Grandma suggested. I walked towards the dorm to search for the washroom. I spotted a basin near one of the windows in the dining room. I was cleaning my trousers when I heard kids running around squealing.Looked like they were playing.I walked myself out to see what was going on when someone caught hold of my hand.

"I finally got you Maayer.Since when did you become so strong? " Asked a blindfolded Sanam.I wanted to play along so I silenced all the kids.I have never seen her talking cheerfully to anyone.Heck!she never replied to me properly.It was a rare moment.I got to see the childish side of Sanam.She suspected something fishy and took out her blindfold staring at me wide eyed as I gave her my signature smirk.

"You! What are you doing here? " She asked folding her hands on her chest.I wanted to ask her the same question but before I could granny interrupted us.

"You guys know each other?" Grandma asked squinting her eyes.

"Yeah granny! We go to the same medical school, " I replied scratching my neck.

"Oh really? That's good to know!"granny replied smiling at Sanam.

"Come on kids let us hear some islamic stories and read some Quran ," granny called out everyone.

"Sanam dear,do you mind reading out this surah for me.I forgot my spectacles at home.Iam practically blind without them!" Grandma said handing her the Quran. She obliged happily.

Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem.

وَالضُّحَىٰ

I swear by the early hours of the day,

وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ

And the night when it covers with darkness.

مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ

Your Lord has not forsaken you, nor has He become displeased,

وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْأُولَىٰ

And surely what comes after is better for you than that which has gone before.

وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰ

And soon will your Lord give you so that you shall be well pleased.

أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَىٰ

Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter?

وَوَجَدَكَ ضَالًّا فَهَدَىٰ

And find you lost (that is, unrecognized by men) and guide (them to you)?

وَوَجَدَكَ عَائِلًا فَأَغْنَىٰ

And find you in want and make you to be free from want?

فَأَمَّا الْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ

Therefore, as for the orphan, do not oppress (him).

وَأَمَّا السَّائِلَ فَلَا تَنْهَرْ

And as for him who asks, do not chide (him),

وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ

But the bounty of the Lord - rehearse and proclaim!

"SubhanAllah that was lovely.Let me quote something I memorised for you kids", grandma interrupted.

Quote from the Holy Qur'an: Al-An'aam (6:155)

وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

Wahatha kitabun anzalnahu mubarakun faittabiAAoohu waittaqoo laAAallakum turhamoona

And this is a Book which We have revealed as a blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receive mercy:

Grandma was glad beyond measure and the kids couldn't stop smiling at her.I was mind boggled.I had never heard someone recite Quran with so much attention.As I looked and listened I felt as though I had been carried away in a dream. Her eyes not moving from the book and her voice was beautifully modulated.

Back home I have never heard mom or Masarrath recite Quran.I do hear it in the salah when dad takes me for Jumaah prayer.But I hardly read it at home or anywhere.I was always preoccupied with university and school or my friends.I never got the time to even think about it.Now that I realise I have never given any importance to religion in my self absorbed life.

"You recited beautifully mashallah! Who taught you Sanam?" granny asked keeping the Quran in a velvet case.

"Jazakallah granny,my mother taught me Quran when I was six," Sanam replied with a light chuckle on her always grim face.Granny caressed her cheeks.

Yet again,it was a rare scene.Sanam Akram could smile genuinely at someone.I thought she could only give back disgusting looks and evil grins.That day I had discovered one more shade of her mysterious personality.

"It was nice meeting you Sanam, do come over to my house sometime, "granny invited,hugging her.I never knew granny would like such an arrogant girl.Eventually she got busy distributing all the clothes to those less privileged kids.I walked towards the place where my car was parked.

I wore my shades and sat in my Mercedes to start the engine but it wasn't responding.I checked for the fuel it was full.Then I checked the tire which turned out to be flat.I didnt have any spare wheel or the jack as the servicing centre misplaced it.Someone had punctured my car with a nail.I looked around to see two kids running back to the dorm.That was the reason I don't get along with kids.I can't stand their naughty behaviour.

"Ermm...granny there's some problem with the car, I think I have to tow it to the workshop," I said biting my lower lip.

"Ya Allah help! I can't climb a bus dear, my legs don't help me anymore," granny replied holding her knee.I thought of asking my chauffeur to get another car but he had gone outskirts with dad .

"If you want,I can drop you granny," a voice offered.I turned around to see Sanam in a white car. It looked new as though it had been delivered recently.

"Thank you so much dear! Allah bless you.Come Shiraz, let us send the driver to take the car to the workshop," granny suggested sitting in Sanam's car.I didn't wanted to agree to her offer.But I thought it would be a good opportunity to gift Sanam some discomfort so I didnt refuse.Granny took the passenger seat and I installed myself behind her.The car was a little small unlike the one's I was used to.My 70-year-old lady broke into a childlike giggle when she was asked if she knew how to drive even today.

Throughout our way I kept giving Sanam wrong directions and made her drive through the longest route possible. Grandma fell asleep on our journey back home.

"So,how are you Sanam? Long time no see?" I asked breaking the silence.

"Iam good as long as I am away from you!" She mumbled.

"Pardon?I didnt hear you," I replied even though I heard her mumble.

"Sorry! I don't talk to strangers, "she retorted burning holes through the rear mirror where my gaze was lingering.That meant only one thing- she stil held a grudge against me.I didn't care anymore.She wasn't my girlfriend or my wife that I keep apologizing and she never forgives.The rest of our ride home was silent.

"This way dear!"Granny said pointing towards our mansion.Thankfully she had woken up only when we were few miles away from home.Otherwise she would have known that I was giving wrong directions.

"Thanks again dear! Why don't you join us for the dinner? " grandma asked a tired Sanam.

"Thanks for inviting granny but moms waiting for me ," she said pursing her lips.

**

Grandma decided to extend her stay.After the dinner I went to the guest room where she was staying only to find her praying.I sat there observing her angelic moves.She was indeed a wonderful muslimah. After she finished her salah she gestured me to sit beside her. I bent my knees and sat on the rug.

"Shiraz, my son its high time you start praying regularly. Life is very short and unexpected, you never know what tomorrow holds for you . It's never too late to return to Allah.He loves us more than the love of seventy mothers.I know you are a good human but you need to become a good muslim too.This world is nothing compared to the hereafter and as a muslim we should strive for the eternal paradise and not waste our life in this temporary worldly pleasure.I can't change the way you were brought up but I can definately mould you into a better muslim,"grandma stated, caressing my head which lay in her lap.

I was confused.I had been thinking about it lately.Maybe she was right.It was about time I become a practicing muslim. All these years I could sense something missing in my life.It might be my connection with Allah.I never understood what it was but now I feel that I am going in the right direction.

"I promise you granny! INSHALLAH I will become the person you want me to be.From today I will try making little changes in my life to get back to Allah.When you return from your umra you shall see the new Shiraz Haroon, the better version!" I gave my promise closing my eyes in her lap and going into a slumber.

************

A/N

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This chapter was a little early but many people requested so I had to oblige:)