"Behind every beautiful life, there has been some kind of pain.
Behind every woman of strength, there has been sleepless nights and buckets of tears shed."

Lutfiya looked at her husband, who looked utterly confused, but she knew exactly who it was!

"That is rather strange " Zain finally agreed.

"It's a prank Yusi, why did you even listen to the woman?"
Laeeq laughed.

Lutfiya shook her head, her face paled. She placed her hands on the table, as if saving herself from falling.

" It's Ruqayyya! "

She whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

A stunned silence hovered over the family.

Yusairas heart plummeted to her stomach. She turned to look at Lutffiya who had spaced out, a distant look in her eyes.

"She...she said that you should phone her immediately, it's very urgent."

Yusaira managed to convey the message through a choked sob.

Lutfiya nodded, then immediately made her way to the living room, her heart thudding violently.

Leaving the family behind in stunned silence, streams of tears ran down Yusairas cheeks.

Zain and Leyya cleared the table, then excused themselves from the dinning table with the excuse of doing the dishes.

They scurried towards the kitchen, leaving Yusaira and Laeeq alone.

Laeeq stared at his sister as she covered her face with her hands, her body vibrated with silent cries.

He walked towards her and settled down on the chair alongside her. He put his hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

Immediately, she leaned towards him, crying on his shoulder as he patted her awkwardly, not muttering a word.

"Why ...why did ss-she phone n-now? Why didn't she ever phone before?"

Laeeq merely patted her back, he had no answers for her. He didn't know himself.

She sniffed, trying to hold back her tears.

"No wonder she fell dead silent when I told her my name. "

"Laeeq, why does my mother hate me so much ?"

She looked at him with tear filled eyes.

He shook his head.

"She doesn't hate you Yusi, she ..."

"She what Laeeq? She what ? For the last seventeen years, she didn't bother to contact her sister! She didn't once think that she has a daughter, who longs to speak to her biological mother! A daughter who doesn't even know how her mother looks, how she sounds, what she likes and dislikes! A daughter who needs answers to the questions that constantly roam in her mind ! A daughter that wants to know why she abandoned her. What did she do wrong? A daughter that wants to know her father. A daughter that went through depression because of all those thoughts plaguing her
mind!"

She sobbed loudly, her chest heaving in pain.

Laeeq held her tighter at a loss for words.

How was he supposed to console her?

He had two wonderful parents.
He had never ever lacked the love of his parents.

She exhaled a shaky breath.

"I'm not saying that I haven't been happy all these years. I found my mother and father figures and also the best siblings. Ammi and Abba love me the same as they love their own children. I've never felt like an outcast and I always felt like a part of this family."

She smiled at him and he returned a sad smile. 

"But ...but I feel that void in my heart Laeeq. I want to know who my birth parents are ! I only know their names!"

"I understand what you mean Yusi. Allah SWT knows best, the answers to all your questions. Just make dua to Him to ease all your troubles and to reunite you with your mother so that your void can be filled."

She nodded, wiping away her tears.

"In Sha Allah"

"Though I will miss you, you little chipmunk!"

He flicked her forehead, attempting to lighten the mood.

She scrunched her nose.

"I'm not Leyya that you can call me a little chipmunk, and also what exactly gave you the impression that I will be leaving my beloved family to reunite with people that never bothered to acknowledge my presence?"

Laeeq opened his mouth , about to respond when Leyya ambled into the room, crashing into Yusaira almost toppling her chair over.

She clung to her with tear filled eyes.

"Please please don't leave us and go. I know I'm not really the best sister and I get jealous of you sometimes, but I still love you!"

With quivering lips, she buried her face into her sisters neck crying her heart out.

"Oh Leyya why would you think you're not a good sister. I love you the way you are. "

Laeeq smiled at the two emotional wrecks he called his sisters.

"Ahem ! I feel rather left out and unloved."

Leyya smirked at Yusaira, who winked at her in return.

Screaming charge! They both knocked Laeeq onto the ground, smothering his face with sloppy kisses.

He squirmed in disgust, attempting to shield his face with his hands, but to no avail. These girls were adiment on slathering their saliva all over his face.

Hearing all the commotion Zain walked into the dinning room, Lutfiya trailing behind him.

"Kids !"

He scolded, unimpressed yet a trace of a smile hovered at the edge of his lips.

Laughing they stood up, helping their mother clear the rest of the table.

Once Yusaira was left alone with Lutfiya in the kitchen, she looked at her from the corner of her eyes.

She gazed out of the kitchen window as she unconciusly wiped the sink with the dry cloth over and over again.

She sighed then turned to Yusaira, flashing a weak smile, one that didn't cause the corners of her eyes to crinkle.

"Why don't we make some tea and then we can talk about Ruqayya. "

She pecked Yusairas forehead and  disappeared into the pantry.

She quickly wiped away twin lone tears that escaped, hoping Yusaira wouldn't witness her crying.

Unbeknowest to her, Yusaira did witness her treacherous tears and it broke her heart even more, if that was even possible.

Dense clouds covered the horizon. t
Thunder roared and lightning flashed. The grey clouds began dropping their tears, first drop by drop, then they unleashed their fury, raining gallons of drops upon the parched earth, seeking its consolement.

Silence of anguish filled the air, as everyone settled down in the living room, sipping their tea.

Yusaira was a lover of tea and there was nothing better to cuddle with a blanket and hug a warm cup of tea in this weather and that is what she did, yet this time she felt no warmth whatsoever, that shiver of uncertainty continued running down her spine.

Lutfiya finally placed her empty cup on the coffe table. All eyes remained fixed on her as she wrung her hands in doubt.

She gazed at Yusaira, a tender look passing her eyes.

"Yusaira my dear. Whatever I say now, please try not to be upset about it and what I ask you is totally your choice."

Yusaira nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"I am not going to explain why exactly Ruqayya contacted us after such a long time, nor am I going to disclose why she had not kept in touch all those years. It's too much to take in one day and I also feel that it's better she tells you this herself, whether it be over the phone or in person that depends on what you are comfortable with my dear. "

If I ever want to even speak to her again!

She thought, but chose to remain silent.

She was her mother after all she could never truly speak bad about her.

"Ruqayya wishes to meet you Yusaira."

Yusaira glanced at Lutfiyas hopeful expression.

As much as she felt like saying no, she could never disappoint Lutfiya.

Lutfiya always made sure to protect her from those gossip mongers. She stood up for her when society pointed fingers at her. She consoled her when she was grieved. She played the role of her mother, she took care of her tha way she did her own children.
She made sure to always wipe away that frown with an affectionate kiss.

She did so much more... even though her mind insisted it is okay to refuse, she follwed her heart. She knew Lutfiya wanted her to meet her mother, and she would, only to make her happy.

"I will meet her In Sha Allah."

Yusaira whispered.

Lutfiya smiled appreciatively.

Laeeq stared shocked.

He knew she would give in, but he didn't think it would be immediately. He didn't want her to go on her own, she needed him to go with.

"I will go with her."

"You can't go with!"

Zain reprimanded.

"But I.."

"Ruqayya wants her to stay over for the weekend."

Lutfiya cut him off, giving him a stern glare.

Yusairas stomach churned uneasily.

"Then I'm definitely taking Laeeq with."

"Pleaese"

She added sweetly, when they gave her a stern look.

"Fine!"

Zain conceded grudgingly.

"Only because you said please."
Lutfiya winked.

"I swear you cast a spell on our parents!"

Leyya commented, snuggling into her sisters warmth under the blanket.

"No no."

Laeeq shook his head in disagreement.

"It's that thing she does with her eyes. "

"What thing?"

Yusaira quirked her brow.

"Oh don't pretend to be all innocent now! You make those innocent, puppy eyes, and you make yourself look so sad that you look like you about to cry and pout like a cute litte baby. "

" I don't know what you're talking about!"

She lifted her cup towards her lips, hiding her smile behind a long sip of tea.

Laeeq huffed,  then walked out of the living room moodily.

Zain followed him, ruffling his hair affectionately.

Lutfiya gathered the cups and  placed them on a tray.

She pecked Yusairas forehead and Leyyas cheek, flashing  her an appreciative smile.

Leyya rested her head on Yusaira's shoulder, wrapped her fingers around Yusairas hand comfortingly, she  began humming the tune of her favourite nasheed.

Yuasira mused, her head on Leyyas head.

Shutting her eyes, she listened to her melodious voice.

Oh Allah give me patience and help me keep my anger at bay.