Cuba

Assalamu'alaikum.

I can't seem to generate ideas for now, maybe because of some kind of fear since I know this page will have readers, or maybe because I'm plain scared. And I don't know if this kind of writing is allowed here, but I rummaged through the stuffs I have in my laptop (which I wrote some time before, is this called cheating? hehe) and I found this one,  I thought I'd share. Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

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The girl was in her white cotton dress with tiny patterns on the chest, pleated skirt; a dress of soft texture though it was a bit worn. Up and down the stairs she skipped many times; for once ignoring her mother’s constant badger. Her long hazel-coloured hair, straight at the top part and wavy on the bottom, fluttered and bounced around her, rejoicing her joyous mood as she sang ‘enchanted’ in low tone to herself.

‘For goodness sake, leave the house if you’re so happy, and skip all your might out there!’ The mother said, exasperated.

The girl, Hailey was her name, rounded her eyes at the words. ‘You mean all by myself?’ She was five. Going out in the mountains alone was always a no, no matter how much she begged.

‘Just nearby, please.’

Hailey giggled. ‘Okay ma!’

* ** *

Her mother shook her head. Letting the girl out alone meant trouble. She wouldn’t know the meaning of ‘nearby’.

‘Sara!’ She called out for the bigger sister.

* ** *

Hailey had her veil on, white as well. She looked like a spot of snow among the greens. Sharply, she sucked in deep the air of nature all her might. It was beautiful. She giggled as her feet took her further up the grassy mountain, and she kept going until she knew nothing of her surroundings. It felt strange and somehow creepy, but somehow comforting as well. Upon encountering a very big old oak tree, she decided to make it her port. Her feet were bare, purposely. Slumping onto the ground under the shady leaves of one of the branches, she folded her legs.

Suddenly, a figure approaching stiffly from far made her stood up again in fear. Sara.

‘You’re one difficult girl. Didn’t ma tell you to stay near? She’s always worried sick because of you.’ Sara said strictly when she was close enough to where Hailey was standing. Hailey made it palpable that she wouldn’t want to argue.

‘And why on earth didn’t you wear your shoes?’ Sara went on rambling.

‘Can you just stop talking? I’m tired of being scolded. How about we leave the prim and proper normalities, and be happy instead? Just for today. Huh?’ Hailey suggested keenly with a smile. For a five year old, she sure could talk.

Sara heaved a long sigh.

Hailey lifted her brows again. ‘I brought my book. Let’s tasmi’ together?’

Tempting, Sara thought. She gave the idea some hesitation and tolerance. Finally, she grinned. ‘Race you to the top?’

Hailey screamed in laughter. ‘Yeah!’

They both scrambled up the humongous old tree, branch after branch until Sara said stop.

The view was breathtaking. It was not breathtaking in metaphor, like some would say. It was as true as possible. The trees were so green, the hills and mountains spread wide, and like a sweep, the flawless painting of Allah pushed away all other thoughts of the world from the two kids’ minds.

‘It’s too pretty.’ Hailey whispered.

Sara shook her head. ‘Pretty’s not the word.’

Hailey turned to her sister. ‘Then what’s the word?’

Sara remained silent, racking her brain. Hailey laughed out loud. ‘Just give up. It’s too pretty.’

Sara smiled. ‘Fine.’

Hailey took out ‘the book’ from the pocket of her dress. It was her beloved holy Quran. Sara took it from her hold and turned the page to the 30th juz.

‘Start.’

The two made themselves comfortable on their respective branches, and Hailey started reciting an Naba’ with her best intonation. Her voice echoed throughout the mountains, like a calling to embrace islam tightly, never letting it go even once because islam is beautiful, and because Allah is the Most Beautiful, and Allah loves His creatures.

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Sorry for all weaknesses.

Sayang kamu-kamu, tak tipu  :)