Saturday, May 24, 2014

Journal - 24th May 2014


Finally! Feeling great that I am able to update my blog after such a long time! Here, compose a short story.

Aleesya‘s Dreams

 

It was a cold December morning. The breeze brushed gently against the leaves of the pine trees. The serenity ambience which surrounded the park was accompanied by the cracking sound of the cicadas and the munching of nuts by the adorable squirrels. There were not so many visitors in the park. I was walking towards the bench located near to the lamp post. The ground was still damp. As I reached the bench, the surface was covered with some puddles of water. I took out a piece of tissue paper and wiped the surface. Finally, I sat down and enjoyed the beautiful fragrance of the flowers nearby.

I took out a storybook from my brown satchel and read it. I was engrossed into my own world until someone gave me a tap on my left shoulder. I jumped and almost dropped my book. My quick reaction was invited by gentle chuckles. I looked back and saw an old lady. She wore a white hat which covered her thin greasy black hair. The wrinkles on her face did not seem obvious as her skin looked amazingly youthful. She wore a decent outfit of blue cardigan, beige canvas pants and a pair of black sport shoes. She carried a sling bag on her left shoulder and her right arm wrapped a small parcel. She smiled and apologetically said, ‘’I am very sorry. I do not mean to give you a fight.’’ I shook my head and replied, ‘’it does not matter. Is there anything that I can assist you?’’  As usual, I was always direct to question those who gave me a sudden fright. The old lady introduced herself as Aunt Tia. She said that she had lost her way in the park. She had forgotten the exit way. I smiled and guided her to the exit path. ‘’ I am very sorry for troubling you,’’ she looked uneasy. I shook my head and replied, ‘’It does not matter, Aunt Tia. Anyway, the weather is getting colder. I will get sick easily so it is better to go home. Along the way, we talked quite a lot of things. This stranger was cordial and she reminded me of my late granny. I missed my late granny so much. Her sweet smelling brown cookies had always been my favourite.

Finally, we had reached our destination. A flock of pigeons were gathering around the exit/entrance path. I found the pigeons quite bizarre. The feathers were shimmering in the shades of golden and bronze colours. One thing that had caught my attention was the glittering blue eyes. They were so beautiful.  For seconds, I found myself in the state of numbness. The words from Aunt Tia shrugged me off slowly. ‘’ Are you alright my dear? Are you okay? Are you okay?’’ I blushed and nodded my head for my clumsiness. I was sure she would find me a weird person. How one could not be? I meant the pigeons! Their features were so much different than the normal pigeons. ‘’ Those pigeons look far prettier than usual.’’ Finally, I muttered those words. Aunt Tia burst into few giggles and said, ‘’ Yes, they are. They are pretty, aren’t they?’’ I nodded but I was puzzled. She seemed did not find anything peculiar with the pigeons.  She gazed at my confused face and understood.  ‘’ I know what you are thinking, my dear. Well, don’t worry. They are not predators!’’ She smiled. I laughed.  She was a funny old lady. She took the parcel and handed it to me. ‘’ This is for you. I am entrusted to deliver this parcel personally to you.’’ She beamed and continued, ‘’you will like it. Open it once you are at home. ‘’ I could not say anything. My tongue was twisted.

Aunt Tia moved slowly towards the flock of pigeons. She turned around and faced me. The pigeons slowly gathered closely to her. Suddenly, there was a glowing golden light surrounded them.  It was the most beautiful thing that I had ever seen. Strangely, there were some people walking nearby but they did not seem to notice what was happening! I felt frozen!

‘’Thank you for showing me the exit path. You have been a nice soul. May Allah bless you, my child.’’ Her voice was no longer the voice of an old lady. Her entire features changed into a beautiful young lady. Her head was covered with long white scarf and her long blue dress was glittered with white diamonds. She looked like an angel! She began to rise up with the pigeons and slowly disappeared into the thin air. What a day for me!

I ran home quickly without a second thought. Once I reached home, I went straight into my room. I heard my mother’s voice from behind my door. ‘’Are you alright, Aleesya? Are you okay?’’ I replied to her, ‘’Yes, Ummi. I am okay.’’ I put the parcel on my table and began to unwrap. I was flabbergasted. Brown cookies! They were the cookies that my late granny had always made. Suddenly, I recollected something. I dreamt my late granny yesterday night. In my dream, she baked me brown cookies. Was it a coincidence or a miracle? I found tears in my eyes.  I went out from my room and found my mother in the kitchen. She looked puzzled. I explained to her everything. My mother bent down and hugged me. ‘’All praises to Allah. To Him, nothing is impossible.’’ I heard her whisper. She looked at me and smiled, ‘’ Aleesya, everything that you have encountered is real. The cookies are real. Aunt Tia is real. You have been blessed!’’ I still could not believe what my mother had said. She saw my pale expression and without any hesitation, she took one cookie from the white crystal box and ate half of it. Both of us giggled. I took the other half and ate. It was awesome! The brown cookies had same taste and smell. I missed my late granny dearly. That night, I prayed to Allah. May He bless my late granny’s soul and place her among the blessed people. ‘’ Dear Allah, than you for Your gift,’’ I whispered and went to sleep soundly. In my dream, I met my late granny. I hugged her and saw ‘Aunt Tia’ as well. She was as lovely as I saw her before. It was one of my best dreams!
Written by
aidah ahmad
8th May 2014

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