Flip Chart : Chapter Twenty-Nine

‘Closing my senses

Had that scarf around my eyes

Am I on the field now?

Is that you….I feel Thee Light?

Morning dew caress my heart…..

Blinded by my own faults

Entangled my soul, with unspoken doubts….

Fallen due to, my own inner foes….

Instilling Trust…You have shown me how.

In a trance…

I sought for Hope…

Unveil my sight….

Ignite my Faith…

Searching for that infinite dew…

Though…in just a sheer moment

Before the significant noon sets in.

Transcending Bliss….

I felt your Love….

Regain my sense…..

Relentlessly…

Discovering back the alluring courage. That has been conceal inside my soul. And I’m Thankful….!’ Iman held on to that note, with Oasis lay on her tummy. Yasmeen has left with Bashir to Europe for their honeymoon, and probably they have the intention of migrating over too, as both Bashir and Yasmeen has been offered a full time post there. Despite, of Yasmeen disability, but due to Bashir constant love and support, Yasmeen once again excel to her old self again and in fact even stronger, as that’s what Bashir had often says. In the middle of her daze, suddenly the door bell rang, causing Iman’s nerves to be jumping out from her skin. Looking at the wall clock, it was almost twelve noon. Iman was not expecting any guests here at this time of the day. After placing Oasis back inside it’s bowl and then she quickly clear out most of Ezekiel’s old notes back into her file, next she jumps out from her bed and dashed towards the door to welcome the unexpected guest. And like what she had unexpected, it was Ezekiel’s mum standing on the front porch of her apartment. Iman was stunned but she welcomes her into her home anyway.

“Please forgive me for coming like this this, in such an abrupt manner.” noun Eva looking utterly remorseful.

“It’s okay madam.” utters Iman, as she ushers Eva to take a seat on the living room couch.

“Do you want cold or hot drinks?” asked Iman.

“Please don’t trouble yourself. I just had mine at the café below. Anyway I won’t be long here either.” said Eva, with both her palms, clasping close against one another. Eva nodded solemnly, as she awaits in anticipating notion. “I saw him.” exclaimed Eva, as she hung her head low, fighting hard against her emotions.

“You did? When and where?” asked Iman, as she sank on the couch which was lay right apposite to where Eva was sitting.

“Among the old shop houses, somewhere downtown, which was situated few hours from our state here. And then at the bank. There’s where the last moment, where I had set my eyes on him.” utters Eva with regret.

“Huh? And you had never asked him, where he has been staying now?” demand Iman. Eva shakes her head in dismay. Iman had her sight towards the view from her open window, as she looks at the bushes along the pavement of her home town. Her heart was trembling with anxiety. “How is he?” finally asked Iman.

“Surprisingly he looks well. But, something had happened at the bank.” mutters Eva, as she begins to relate back the horrific robbery incident.

Iman, shuts her eyes as she simply just can’t imagine that Ezekiel had eventually been shot, and right until now, his mum was unknown, about the latest state of his condition and where about. Eva was looking so distraught and devastated, much to Iman’s concerned too. Placing her palms, gently onto Eva’s as Iman gave her a courageous smile. “I’m sure, he’s going to be all right. Your son is one remarkable man. I know.” utters Iman, lifting Eva’s spirit after upon hearing those words from her. “Together, we will find him.” continues Iman again with pure certainty.

With his palms still on the seven centimeter scar of the gun shot wound, Ezekiel had his sight towards the beaming moon that had risen, sharing it’s gleams of rays upon the delicate waves that lays across the significant ocean. The compelling scene had some how or rather, stirs some inclination dual thoughts of his past, but it seems hard to let go and forsake all the tormenting pain, that’s keep on haunting him. Ezekiel had quit his job, because he was afraid. He was afraid that his mum might be looking for him, since they both, had eventually met at that area point.

“To feel enlightened with yourself is simple, learn to forgive and move on.” said Ashraf as he sat beside Ezekiel on the wooden bench which has been place on the verandah, that had faces the open sea. “Mind you, those were definitely not my words though, words from one of the significant sage.”

Ezekiel hang his head low. “But I can’t just simply leave you here all by yourself. You have done so much for me. I can’t even repay you with all the deeds and love which you have taught and guide me.” mutters Ezekiel with tears in his eyes.

“Eze, I’m never alone my friend. I have Allah here with me.” state Ashraf with a smile. “Go, go to her, She needs you.” continue Ashraf again, with his hands upon Ezekiel’s shoulder.

With salutation of salam, Ezekiel walk towards the front door of his old mansion, which Riley had gifted him with. Ezekiel, pace towards the tiny flower pot of pink daisy, which amazingly still blooms it’s glorious petals, despite after he had left this home, for quite a long time. He took his home key, which he had cunningly hide beneath the clay pot. With a grin, he look intensely towards the key and stood up.

“Bismillahirahmanirahim.” utters Ezekiel as he opens up the door and enter his old home. “Glorify to Allah.” continues Ezekiel again, as his home was left in such a mess. With newspaper been strewn all over the floor, empty cups were laying around the table, with half empty wine bottles been left on the coffee table too.” Ezekiel shakes his head in dismay, but he knew, he got do, what he needs to do. After he place his, small paper bag which contain few of his belongings, he begins to clean up the mess. First by dumping all those alcoholic beverages and then the cups in to the big garbage bag. After the sweeping and the moping almost all over the kitchen and the living room, next Ezekiel march towards the bedrooms and continue with his task. Finally, after he had hew minutes of break, he took his shower and do his late evening prayers, together with his holy Quran reading. Ezekiel, knew his mum won’t be back so soon, but still he awaits in full anticipation.

 After his night prayer, Ezekiel took a nib of his left over plain bread, which Ashraf had kindly packed for him. Looking at the kitchen clock, it was almost quarter to two in the morning. Ezekiel, struggles to keep himself away from falling asleep as he continue to do some reading. Suddenly, there were the sound of a vehicle entering the front porch of their home. Ezekiel, place his book onto the side of his bed and left his room. However, just as he was about to greet his mum, she had fallen asleep in the midst of her drunkenness on the couch. Ezekiel heart turns sober when he had his sight on her. And then as gently as he could, Ezekiel removes her shoes and place her feet onto the couch. Then he took the blanket from his room and place it on her. And with a smile for new significant hope, Ezekiel switch off the main light and sat on the couch by her mother’s side.

Eva wakes up in a daze but with sober thought. “I don’t remember covering myself with these?” wonders Eva with a frown. She was ultimately surprised when she saw her living room has been tidied and kept clean. All her left over wine and vodka has been cleared. And so were all the unwashed mugs and glasses, which was left on the table, after the hard party which she had held, few days ago, were all gone too. Eva stood up from the couch, with the warm blanket still covering up her body, she took few steps towards the dining area, as she could smell some appetizing meal, has been prepared.

“Riley?” she cried with tears of regrets in her eyes, for she could never forget those once upon their wonderful time together, where Riley would never miss his part, preparing the breakfast. There were so much love, fun and compelling moment which she had missed spending her time with him.

“Assalamualaikum, mum.” utters Ezekiel as he stood few feet away from her mother’s back.

Eva, took a swift turn and there she saw her son, standing right in front of her eyes. Choking with her words and tears of guilt, Eva sank on the floor and begins to wept sorrowfully. Ezekiel, walk closer to her and sat on his knees. Bringing out his arms as he embrace his mum with silent tears in his heart.

It was not easy on his part, in order for him to help his mum, kick her drinking habit. But he can’t quit on her. He knew, his mum is struggling hard too. However, one day, his mum yet again, had broken the rule. She came back almost quarter to two in the morning and she was not alone. She got a male company by her side. Both were so high with booze, much to Ezekiel’s dismay. The male companion seems to be having the time of his life, for he had his hands all over his mum. No doubt that his mum has almost reached in her early fifties, but she still got that alluring persona and charms that able to bewitch any weak souls. Laughing like lunatic hyenas for both begins to indulge in more booze, which the male had bring along. Sinking their souls upon the huge couch, with both entangling with sinful desire, Ezekiel’s heart trembles furiously. Without second thoughts, Ezekiel pulls the drunken man away from his mum, by the collar edge of his shirt and drags him towards the door. Eva snapped and becomes infuriated towards Ezekiel’s attitude, telling him that, he should not be rude to her guest. Ezekiel would not care less, as he continue to pull him away from his mum. However, Eva was unpleased with Ezekiel’s reaction. She took her half empty wine bottle, and threw it towards Ezekiel, almost hitting it on his head. Ezekiel was shocked but there’s nothing much he can do either, for she was too drunk to realize, what she had almost did. After, Ezekiel managed to kick the man out from his home, he help his mum back towards her room. Laying her on her bed and covering her up with the blanket. Before he turn in to his bed, Ezekiel took the ablution and do his late night prayer. Next he begins to recite few verses of the Quran, with silent tear in his soul.