Wrapped Jewel

Chapter 2

Everyone had their own idiosyncrasies. It could range from being peculiar to being absolutely unique and delightful. Shahar liked to think that hers fell under latter. Not only was it the reason she was here in Sunday School, it was also the source of having led to find her now best friend around five years back. They had come a long way, she thought wistfully. Schooling her ruminations, Shahar turned to the attendance registrar on the small table in front of her and stared at the list of beautiful names that lay spread. She really couldn't contain her child-like excitement, for one of her little idiosyncrasies was to collect and marvel unique Muslim names she came across. Shahar found it absolutely captivating to read out the names in her head, again and again, relishing their beauty.

Shahar rowed her eyes at the attendance list again.

Sobia, Farwah, Meeza, Shermin, Ashmiya, Sahala, Iffath, Afna, Haifa.

She then flipped the page to glance at the boys' names.

Dayyan, Turhan, Sabeel, Hani, Rikaz, Talaal, Rasheem, Ziyaad, Urwah.

Such beautiful names!

Shahar then glanced at the numerous five-year-olds sat in the classroom, colouring the assigned sheet of paper handed out to them. Her heart fluttered at the beautiful sight. Children were such cute gifts from Allah. She was glad that she could spare one weekend in every two-three months to volunteer in Sunday School. Spending time with these munchkins was definitely worth it.

Across the room, she noticed Fayha, crouched beside the chair of Meeza, aiding in whatever the little girl with two cute pony tails was asking her to. It was an incredible achievement on her part to have made friends with a girl like Fayha, she thought, for despite their many similarities, her impulsive nature and her friend's steady approach proved to be a big difference than she perceived.

As if sensing a gaze on her, Fayha looked up from what she was doing and glanced toward her. She flashed a smile before returning to her task. Shahar didn't have to wait long to be entertained, for little Urwah came walking up to her.

"You done with the colouring?" she asked as he came to stand beside her table.

"No." he said with a shake of his head, "But I recalled something that I want to share with you."

"Oh, what is it?"

"Yesterday..." he began, his face reminiscent and full of expression, "Baba and I were having dinner when he told Mama that his heart broke over something. I told him hearts are soft and that it does not break or cut like that. So, he began to laugh and stroked my hair."

He turned his inquisitive eyes on his assistant teacher, "You tell me, Miss Shahar, does our hearts cut like that?"

Shahar couldn't resist a chuckle, "No, cutie pie!" She exclaimed, pinching his cheek, "Hearts don't cut, but they definitely do melt."

"Melt?!"

"Yes! Like how my heart just melted at your adorable question."

Urwah stared at his teacher, his face looking troubled, "But how does it happen? Only ice creams melt."

"I'll explain it to you in recess, dear, how about you go and get your colouring done? Miss Fayha won't be happy if she finds you with your work incomplete."

He hesitantly nodded before scrambling back to his chair. As expected, when the clock passed the mark of half an hour, the toddlers began getting restless.

"Alright, class!" Shahar heard Fayha exclaim, "Stack the crayons and sheet aside. We'll go over a short story before breaking off for snacks and play at recess."