Chapter 3:

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I opened my eyes to a soft sound ringing in my ears. The soft sound of waves riding in a pool of water, stilled and calm filled my ears. I frowned and sat up.

What? Where am I?

I tried to stand up but fell back down in pain when small pebbles and rocks poked into my damp palms. The ground beneath me was hard and moist as the cold breeze spread small pecks of sand over my hand and arms. My shirt clung to me as the breeze from the waves crashing into the rocks hit me.

My jaw dropped in awe as I looked at the scene above me. I stood up and dusted my hands on my jeans and watched as the waves crashed into the massive boulders that overlapped the space between the shore line and the trees that filled the forest behind me.

The wind blew harder as I took a step closer to the edge of the cliff and looked down. The fall was deadly, as rocks filled the surface below me.

I sighed and shuddered when the waves crashed into the rocks, erupting a strong wind that waved through the forest, ruffling the trees behind me.

I took a step from the edge and turned around towards the Forrest. The trees were only getting taller and steeper as I walked deeper into the Forrest. I frowned when a faint light brightened the path ahead of me.

I released the hold on my arms and walked towards the light. The light only brightened as I got closer and closer to the source.

The closer I walked the brighter the light became, momentarily blinding my sight. The branches became blurry as the light became brighter and brighter. I walked and smacked into a branch and fell head first into a pile of leaves.

A groan escaped as the pain rippled through my head. I rubbed my forehead and sat up and peered into the light.

The light slowly faded and a man stood in front of me. A face that looked all too familiar. I sighed loudly when I made out my father's face.

It's all a dream again.

I stood up and ignored the pain, knowing it was only a dream and peered into my father's face. We both stood there waiting something to happen.

He smiled and slowly pulled his hand from his side and rested it on his heart.

I frowned and he raised an eyebrow at me. I dusted my hand from the leaves and gently placed it over my heart.

The waves crashed loudly into the rocks which picked up the wind speed. The rough wind blew through the Forrest as dads figure slowly faded from the spot he was in.

I screamed as covered my head as the winds picked up higher and higher, blowing branches, leaves and rocks in the air.

I screamed as everything slowly faded away and I opened my eyes. I was back in my room, in the dark and silent night. I sighed and sat up in my bed..

These dreams are getting worse and worse. I shrugged off the blanket and walked to the bathroom. The clock ticked twice before it stopped and rang, showing it was three o'clock in the morning already.

I sauntered to the sink and splashed water on my face and made wudu. For a while now, every time I would feel uneasiness or uncertainty I tried my best to turn to Allah and no one else. The best way I did that was through salat. I got up and stood for salat while a calming silence filled the room. But just like that, shaytan ruined it by putting questions, worry and doubt into my heart.

After I finished my salat, I pulled out my laptop. All these dreams have got me thinking, why do I have them? Why are they important? I have all the time in the world since I'm suspended. Being suspended kind of has its perks when you're on a mission, I kind of like it.

I went to a site I've grown to like since I finished the Quran. Www. Islamreligion.com. You get to talk to a live sheikh, which I liked. Plus it's anonymous so if I sound like a psycho, no one would know it was me.

I logged on and smiled when it said they were online and clicked it. It only asked for a name so I put a universal name, Mohamed, and waited until a sheikh logged on with me.

The sheikhs name was Talha. We got into a conversation and he asked me about my dreams. I told him everything, from the setting of the dreams and to the dress of my father.

I waited for a couple seconds for him to take it in when a long response came from him.

He told me that there are three types of dreams; one from Allah as guidance, one from Shaytan to misguide you, and some that you made up in your head. He told me that from what I told him, it looked like a dream that was sent from my dad. Sometimes when a person dies while they have unfinished business, or a loan that they didn't pay back they ask for someone to help them so they could live in eternal peace.

I frowned and starred at the screen. That made no sense. Dad has no loans or debts to pay back, so why do I have these dreams? Talha said his Salam and gave me his email if I had any other questions in the future. I thanked him and sighed while lying in my bed.

Dad. What are you trying to tell me? Could this all be a sick trick from the Shaytan? Could I just be making it up in my head because I miss dad?

Authubillahi Mina shaytaani rageem

I sighed and grabbed my shirt and put it on. I'm suspended today so might as well make the most of it.

It was already seven o'clock and time for Hana to get to school. I walked to her room and seen it empty. Before I called her name, I heard laughter from the living room and smiled. She's probably with mom.

I slowly walked down the stairs and stopped when a laughter I knew didn't belong to mom or Hana came from the living room. It was a girls voice, and it filled the living room.

I slowed my steps and peaked through a small space outlining the living room and smiled. It was Jafars mom, Aunty Aminah.

I rushed down the stairs and smiled when she gasped and stood up smiling at me..

"Imran! Is that you son? Or did you father come back from the dead and not tell me?" I laughed and smiled at her.

She was like a sister to dad and a mother to me. She helped raised me and Ja'far both. So basically she was a mom to me. I missed her after she went to hajj for the month. Jafar lived with Uncle Isa alone in the house and came to our house usually when he got tiered of the frozen food he and his dad would eat.

"Aunty Aminah your back!" She chuckled and smiled.

"Imran you've grown up Mash'Allah! How's school? I missed you and Abdullah so I went to a gift shop got you a little something as a gift." I sighed and smiled.

"Aunty you didn't have to." She snorted and searched her bag and ignored me.

"I don't have to do a lot of things in life sweetie but I do so be grateful." I laughed and waited until she stopped and smiled while pulling a wrapped up present from her bag.

"I had seen your father with this exact one so I decided to get you one. I hope you like it imran." I smiled and grabbed it from her hands.

It was heavy by not too heavy so I carefully unwrapped it and pulled the gift wrap away. It was absolutely magnificent.

She gave me a small journal that had the words 'Alhamdulilah' in beautiful calligraphy written on the front page. It was brown, small and looked ancient.

"It looked great for you to write stuff in and have a journal. Of course it's not a diary but I just wanted you to have something to write in from time to time-" I smiled and hugged the journal to my chest.

"I love it Aunt Aminah. Thank you so much." She smiled and turned to mom and Hana.

"I know your son so well. Now. Why aren't you at school like my son?" I chuckled and looked at anything but her.

"That's a long story." She raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.

"I'm listening."

Ugh. This is going to be a long day.

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After I told Aunty Aminah everything, she was a mixture between anger and laughing because she had two theories. One, that I was being a good boy and helped a damsel in distress and in the process go suspended. Two; that I was showing off to a young girl, because I had a crush on her. I gaped at her and immediately left the premises. It's what any sane person would do in the situation, which is technically why I'm at the front of the school parking lot waiting for the clock to hit three. I tapped on the window and whistled to myself and sighed. I hate waiting. Never was the patient kind.

I got out of the car and sat in the grass in front of the school. It was a bright day and weather was wonderful. California always had the best weather, Alhamdulilah. Some people hate the sunny days here but I like it. I like it better than the cold snow up in northern United States. We used to live there, and I hated it. I hated the snow.

I laid down and closed my eyes and stayed quiet. After about five minutes I heard voices above me.

I froze and listened thinking it was the principal. If it was I would be in trouble for coming in school grounds during a suspension. Ya rab. I pretended to fall asleep so they could leave and give me time to make a run for it.

"He's Dead."

"No he's not. He's alive."

"No, I swear he's dead."

"Oh my Allah woman! He's alive."

"Anisa, shut your face the dude kicked the bucket. Look, not teenager in his right mind would sleep on the ground. He's dead." I almost frowned when the female voice said Anisa. What is Anisa doing out of school?

"Salma he's not dead." I heard someone move and sigh loudly.

"Fine I'll prove it to you. I'll shove the stick it his eye and we'll see what happens." I gasped and jumped before she could move the stick and make me permanently blind.

"What the heck is your problem? What if I was asleep? Would you blind me just to prove a point?" I screamed at her and dusted my hands. I rubbed my poor innocent eye, how could she?

I completely forgot they were girls and looked them in the eye. Anisa shrieked and looked down while the other girl looked me in the eyes and glared.

"Who do you think you are? I have the right to stab you in the eye. What are you retarded? Who sleeps on the ground in broad daylight where you could easily get stabbed or bite by a dog?" I frowned and placed my hands on my hips and glared at her.

"That's really none of your business." she glared and started to respond when Anisa grabbed her hand and pulled her back.

"Sorry Imran, she's my sister and she's just mad." I looked from her to Anisa and frowned.

"That doesn't give her the right to almost stab me in the eye or to yell at me. I want an apology." Salma glared at took a step closer to me.

"Oh I'll give you more than a apology trust me." She grabbed the stick and moved to hit me but Ansia took it from her hands and whispered to her. I noticed something right then. They were basically identical. Same brown eyes, same skin completion and even down to the same nose. Salma noticed and gave me a disgusted look.

"Yes we're twins you big idiot. Now move. You're blocking my way to the car." I glared at her and walked to my car.

Girls.

They just can't stay normal. Always mad, sad, or emotional. Thank god allah made me a man.

The bell rang through the school and Jafar and Abdullah came out of the building laughing as they spotted me.

"Salam dude. What's up?" I shrugged and started the car. Abdullah laughed as he sat in the passenger seat.

"Who peed in your Cheerios?" I sighed and pulled out of the parking lot.

"No one. What happened at school?" Jafar broke out laughing as Abdullah smiled dubiously.

"You missed it! There is this new muslim girl at school, Anisa's sister. Alex friend, Chad tried to taunt her like they did to Anisa but-"

"She kicked his butt! She seriously beat him up in front of the whole school. He went to the nurse for a black eye and a bloody nose. She got a warning since it was self defense and was sent home along with her sister. She's a legend. Ya Allah, finally someone showed him up." I nodded my head and realization and laughed.

"That girl is crazy. She almost blinded me a second ago, of course she'd beat him up." Jafar frowned and sat up.

"You met her? When did that happen?" I told him and by the time l was done, both him and Abdullah were laughing hysterically.

"Oh! Now I wish I was with you." I turned towards Jafars house and parked.

"What are we doing here?" Jafar asked me confused. I smiled and unbuckled my seat belt.

"I told you yesterday. We're going to get some answers on where the key to the box is right." Jafar nodded and frowned.

"No, but what are we doing at my house." I closed the door and walked towards the door.

"We're going to ask your mom dude. I met her this morning, why didn't you tell me she came back yesterday?" Jafar smirked and shrugged.

"She wanted a surprise visit. Can't really say no to the queen of persuasion can you?" I rang the door bell and smiled when Aunty Aminah opened the door.

"Asalamu Alaykum boys. Come in. Come in!" I took off my shoes and smiled when the smell of tea hit me. I loved tea with passion and just the smell can makes me smile. Aunty Aminah noticed and winked.

"Missed my tea huh?" I laughed and sat down on the coach next to Jafar while Abdullah greeted Aunty Aminah.

"You boys go make wudu and pray. It's salat time. I'll prepare the snacks while you're gone." I stood up and walked towards the bathroom first and admired the frames on the wall on my way there.

They weren't picture, everyone knows that you can't have pictures on a wall or else the Angels won't e get your house. No, these were certificates that we won when we were younger. Dad used to give us certificates for every juz we finished by heart. So there were thirty framed in the walls to the bathroom. Me, Jafar and Abdullah have all thirty displayed in the house as a honor. It's our most prized possessions. I loved looking at them every time. It was constant reminder of what dad taught me.

I walked to the bathroom and made wudu. When I came out Jafar and Abdullah were already praying salat in the living room. I joined them and added an extra rakat when they finished, since I came late. When I finished there were cake, cookies and tea centered in the middle of the table.

I shook my head and smiled at Aunty Aminah. "Aunty you didn't have too really. It's not like we're guest, this is basically our second home." She laughed and grabbed her cup and sat down.

"Pish posh Imran. Your boys are Jafars friends. You deserve the best." I sipped my cup of tea and sighed when the taste erupted in my mouth. I loved it. I bite into the cookie and smiled.

"Why'd you boys come?" Abdullah laughed and grinned at Aunty Aminah.

"Does there have to be a reason? We wanted to see you, Aunty Aminah." She laughed and shook her head.

"No, really. Why'd you boys come? Usually you go straight to Jafars room. What's up?" I pulled out the box from the bag I placed it in and showed her.

"Do you know what this is?" She frowned and picked it up. She twirled it in her hands and shook it. She looked at it from all angles and frowned.

"No, i never had seen it before. Whose is it?"

"Dad's." Her eyes snapped to me and she softened up and placed it on the table.

"Oh honey I'm sorry but I never seen it before. Did you ask your mother?" I nodded and sighed.

"She's never seen it before either. Dad told imam Musa to give it me. It's locked so I have no idea how to open it." She nodded her head and smiled.

"Use a crowbar." I frowned and blinked. Why hadn't I thought of that?

"We can't. It looks ancient. Uncle Dawud gave it to imam musa a long time ago. It could break or close permanently If we break through." Abdullah said. I nodded and smiled in remembrance. That's why.

"Well I'm sorry boys for wasting your time. Inshallah you find what your looking for." I smiled and shrugged in my shoes.

"Thank you anyways Aunty Aminah. It's almost Maghrib I should go home. I'll see you tomorrow inshallah. Asalamu A'laikum Aunty." She smiled and waved as Abdullah and me walked to the car.

I opened the door, started the ignition and sighed.

"We're never going to get that wretched box open." Abdullah nodded too. I heard someone screaming and topped the car.

Jafar came to my window out of breath and scratched the back of his head and smiled.

"Hey man before you leave...I can't get the ayat. It's too hard wallahi and it's getting even more confusing every time I look at it." I laughed as he handed me the will and glared at me.

"Oh my Allah Jafar! I'd say 'I told you so' but you seem humiliated enough." Abdullah said. I laughed and smiled at a mad Jafar.

"We'll do it tomorrow at school inshallah." Abdullah laughed when Jafar smiled and ran back to his house.

"That guy is funnier then history itself." Abdullah said. I frowned in confusion as he laughed and rolled his eyes.

"You don't get it. Just drive." I laughed and drove down the street.

I dropped off Abdullah and drove home. I smiled when Hana greeted me at the door and crushed me with a hug.

"Your home!" I laughed and kissed her forehead.

"Of course Hana. I couldn't spend the night without you." She jumped into my arms and squealed when I carried her to the living room where mom was reading quran.

I grinned and kissed her cheek as she smiled at me. "How have you been son?"

"Fine Alhamdulilah. Just really tiered." Hana slid down and wrapped her tiny arms around my neck and gave me a hug.

"Salam Imran. I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow." I smiled and nodded my head while sitting next to mom.

I rested my head in her shoulder as she finished her juz and waited.

Dad always told me I got my tajweed from mom. She had the best voice in the family. We always joked that she was the descendent of prophet Dawud with her amazing voice.

She finally closed the kitab and pulled my head into her lap.

"I missed the days when we would read quran together with your father. He always had a way with making you kids learn." I smiled and remembered the good old days when he was alive.

Flashback:

"Okay! everyone in a group!" I ran and grabbed my quran bag from the counter. Abdullah stuck his tongue out to me and smiled when he got there first.

Dad seen what happened and chuckled. "Don't worry Imran, the fun doesn't start until you're here."

I smiled in triumph and completed the circle with Jafar at my left and Abdullah and my right; all staring at dad who sat in front of us. Dad slapped his thighs and grinned at us.

"Are you guys ready? Okay. So I'm thinking of a surah and it's the only surah that doesn't have 'bismilah' at the beginning. What surah is it?" We all started screaming different answers, but dad couldn't hear me.

I waved my hands around but he was focused on abudallah and jafar. I got mad and sat down in defeat. i crossed my arms and glared at the floor.

Dad seen me mad and smiled. "What is the answer Imran?" I smiled and sat up.

"Surah Tawbah." Dad laughed and ruffled my hair and kissed my forehead.

"I'm sorry son. You're always my favorite in my eyes, so don't ever get jealous of your friends. your my favorite forver and always. I love you Imran." I smiled cheekly at him and hugged his chest.

"I love you too dad."

End of Flashback

Mom smoothed out my hair as I smiled up at her.

"I miss him too mom. Sometimes I wish he were here instead of gone." Mom smiled sadly and ruffled my hair making me laugh.

"Allah works in mysterious ways son. Everything is for a reason, everything." I nodded my head and kissed her hands.

"Salam mom. Ill see you tomorrow." She smiled and walked to her room as I sat there in the dark.

I miss him. Sometimes I wish I could talk to him, chat with him, laugh with him. Sometimes, a small part of me wishes I was with him. Ya Allah let us meet again in Jannah insha'Allah.

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