STRANGERS BECOMING A FAMILY

 

Dear diary,
                I am writing in your pages for the first time. I had you for eight years, you were a gift from my beloved grandmother. She clearly instructed me to write beautiful thoughts and happy memories in you. And now I am following her advice. I have two siblings, Hamza is my elder brother and Sara is our youngest sister. So yes I am the middle child with all the responsibilities on my shoulders. Here comes the twist we are not related by blood. Our parents adopted us when we were teenagers because they couldn’t have kids of their own, each one of us has history and that history has tears, nightmares and broken stories of our hearts.
Hamza, our eldest brother who is the most stubborn one, hard head with tons of anger and trust issues. He was 14 years old when his mother passed away in a sudden heart attack in a middle of a stormy night. He was totally broken, shattered into many pieces and then not even a year later his father passed away in heart attack as well. He was all alone in this cruel world and all his relatives took control of all the properties and bank balance. Since he was a minor he couldn’t hire a lawyer for his case and his relatives made sure of that. He was immediately thrown in the foster system where our foster parents found him and welcomed him into their family.
As for my beloved sister Sara has the most regretting story:
It was her birthday and a grand party was thrown. It was a birthday and a welcome party, a two in one combination because her parents were coming back after a month long business trip. Everyone was excited and happy but all of this did not go on for a long time as the phone bell rang and her mother was on the phone and she said that they are still in Dubai and will not be coming that particular night because of an emergency meeting they will come back home the very next night. She replied back to her mother in an angry voice and cold words which haunts her every day that, “there is no need of you guys to come back and I don’t want to see you again”. And she hung up the call. The very next day her parents plane crashed into a mountain and this news was all over the headlines. She was only 12 years old with no parents or relatives to take care of her in this whole wide world. This is how she was sent into the foster system.
And as for me? My father divorced my mother while she was pregnant and my mother took me as burden and thought I was a barrier between her success and fame. So she deliberately threw me into the system and that is where we three met our foster parents and became a family. Mr. and Mrs. khan with three kids.
All three of us were extremely disturbed and was not ready to accept each other as a family. It was just too much for us. We never shared anything, we were always mean to each other, we had conflicts and terrible abusive fights but our foster parents loved us. Maybe they understood what was going on in our heads, maybe they understood how we were rejected from our own lives and forced into the lives that we are living at the moment, maybe they understood that deep down we just wanted to be loved and to be protected or maybe they just wanted a family of their own and were ready to accept any sort of trash that was given to them in form of our faces. Whenever we three had a fight and anyone of the foster parent came along to resolve the issue we were having, we use to calm down immediately and feel a small taste of peace that someone is there to pick up our pieces and join them together. Eventually we all started to adjust and settle in with each other but I guess the good times were a little allergic to our lives. Six years later we had to go through the same trauma that we went through when we were teenagers yes we lost our foster parents in a terrible car accident. A drunk driver was driving an oil tanker and he got out of control and hit our foster parent’s car while they were coming back from the supermarket. The tanker hit their car and it rolled over into a tree and everyone saw them burning. “Sigh “

CHAPTER ONE: THE FUNERAL

 

 

After burying our foster parents, we walked back to our home in deep grief and with painful memories of our past.

Hamza: once again I have lost everything closest to my heart. (he said these words while sitting back on the chair)

Sara: no parents once again. (tears rolling down her cheeks)

Kanza: I miss them so much. I feel like mom is going to walk out of her room with a beautiful smile on her face.

Hamza got on his feet, he looked down at the ground and then while facing both of us said: Now I cannot live with you two anymore. While mom and dad were here you both were a little tolerable but now I cannot bear your faces anymore. (he stormed out of the room and left us in shock and disgusted by his behavior)

Kanza: Why is he like that is he like that? He is not the only one who has lost everything.

Sara: He’s in a state of shock. I am sure he will get better. (while wiping her tears off her cheeks)

Kanza: No he’s always like that. Selfish and mean. Thinking about his own comfort space only

Sara: I couldn’t disagree with your statement; he has never been a brother to us.

Kanza: Indeed, he hasn’t.

After our conversation ended on Hamza’s behavior. We were still sitting in our living room thinking about our parents when Hamza came in holding something in his hands.

Kanza: What is that you are holding?

Hamza: A letter.

Sara: From whom?

Hamza: From our mother.

Kanza: And you didn’t open it? Why so modest?

Hamza: (Rather rudely and loudly) because it says over here to read it together. Why you girls ask so many questions?

Sara: We were just wondering; you usually don’t respect others privacy or instructions.

Hamza: Yes, I don’t but this is from our mother and I love and respect her the most.

Kanza: Give it to me I’ll read it.

Sara: Yeah give it to her Hamza mother always appreciated her reading.

Hamza gave me the letter with a disgusted expression and sat back on the couch again.

My dearest children,
                For years our home was a barren land. We had everything but it felt like nothing. we had everything anyone could ever ask for but our hearts were empty. Me and your father have always loved and adore you. My children you never asked and we never said but after a scary nightmare I had recently in which I saw two empty caskets. I am scared and did not had the heart to share what I saw in my dream with any of you my dear ones. My dears it was one of the loneliest days when your father decided to register ourselves for adoption. We had many choices for adopting any infant baby but the system also told us about you three. We wanted to meet you and have you in our family. We wanted to give you your best chance. We love you. Whatever is ours is yours. But we only want one thing from you three that is to be united, to love each other and live like a family. To support and understand each other, that is our only demand from you three. You three are emotionally challenged and we understand that but by staying together you can cover up all those damages.
                                                                                                                with love,
                                                                                                                your mother.

Sara: She wants us to be together.

Kanza: I will honor her last wish.

Hamza: remained silent for few minutes and then said, “I love our mother but I hate you both. I can never live you two. Sadly, she only asked for one thing so I am willing to try.

Kanza: Its nice of you to say that.

Sara: it’s getting late and I am tired. See al tomorrow morning. Goodnight.

Kanza and Hamza together: GOODNIGHT.

SCENE 2: THE BURNT BREAKFAST

 

I got up early in the morning, frankly could not sleep the whole night. I wanted to make breakfast for them.

Hamza: coming out of his bedroom, “where is my tea?”

Kanza: Oh god I forgot to put the kettle on. (says in a whisper)

Sara: Kanza? Where is my omelet?

Kanza: Yeah I am beating the eggs, will be there in a minute.

Hamza: And my toast?

Kanza: Yeah and that too.

After ten minutes came out of the kitchen sweating badly. But the breakfast was ready. I placed the tray in front of them and the reactions were:

Hamza: YOU BURNED MY TOAST? WHY IS THE TEA SO BLACK? YOU ARE GOOD FOR NOTHING, he said while shouting on my face.

Kanza: I tried Hamza but I am not perfect. I am sure it will get better with practice.

Hamza: You mean more burned breakfast? I don’t think so I’ll have my breakfast somewhere else.

Sara: Ugh Kanza?

Kanza: Yes, dear?

Sara: Where is my omelet?

Kanza: Oh no I forgot it on the stove. (she runs towards the kitchen and saw that omelet was half black because it got burned)

Sara: Ok, so I am to go to college without breakfast. Nicely done kanza (she said that in a sarcastic tone)

Kanza: No, please wait. I’ll make another one.

But it was too late. Both of them stormed out of the house to their follow their respective daily schedule.

Kanza: Meanwhile I was still standing in the kitchen,” I slaved myself all morning cooking them breakfast and they say I am good for nothing.” (I cried the whole morning)

SCENE 3: SOMEONE GOT FIRED

 

It has been almost a month since our foster parents died in that terrible car accident and it hasn’t been a day when three of us did not had an argument or a big fight. A week back, Sara and Hamza had a really big fight since then they are not talking to each other. What happened was that:

Sara was in her room doing her math’s homework when Hamza came into her room and asked in an extremely rude and loud voice, DID YOU STEAL IT?

Sara: Steal what? I don’t steal.

Hamza: Yes, you did. You stole the most expensive calculator I have.

Sara: Stop being so dumb, I don’t need to steal anything from you I just borrowed it for a while. Once I am done with my math’s homework I’ll give it back to you. (she said it with a sweet smile on her face)

Hamza: But he was exploding with anger and said,” you know that I don’t like anyone touching my stuff and sharing anything is off limits. And you borrowed it without my permission? How dare you? Give it back right now.

Sara: I am your sister. I can borrow things from you.

Hamza: No, you cannot. I forbid it and you are not my sister. You are just a dumb piece of trash. I am just living with you two just because of mother’s letter.

Sara: Oh really? Stop pretending alright. We know tomorrow court’s letter is coming and we know that you are here only because you want to know how much you are getting. You are the most selfish human on this earth.

Hamza: Yes, yes (while raising his voice) I am here for the property for the money. I am tired of playing the role of your brother. I am just done.

Sara: good that your accepted your true self.

Hamza: After tomorrow I will never ever have to see you silly girls again.

Sara: How could you? Kanza is working so hard on this family and you are ready to betray us.

Hamza: Kanza is a fool. She’s too blind with her emotions. She never had a family of her own. So she thinks she can work things out here.

Sara: She will be heartbroken to hear this.

Hamza: I don’t care. Now give me back my calculator.

Sara: No! I am doing my assignment.

Hamza: I don’t care I want it back.

Sara: You can have it later. (She screamed)

Hamza: it’s not yours to have. Give it back right now. I don’t share my stuff. (while shouting back at her)

They were exchanging these dialogues while running in the whole house.

Sara: Stop wasting my time. The more you fight the more this calculator stays away from you.

Hamza: Give it to me. (while trying to manhandle her)

Sara: Not right now. (she was running back into her room when her leg got twisted and she tripped on the floor and calculator was broken into pieces)

Hamza: UGH, now look what you have done. You silly little brat.

Sara: I, um, I have tripped Hamza. Help me get up, please.

Hamza: You deserve this. This is where you little brats belong, on the floor. (he left for his room while laughing at her injury)

She was hurt her ankle got twisted and Hamza didn’t even care. Later, that day when I came back home and saw Sara was in her room, crying and sad. I asked what happened and she explained to me how her afternoon went. The very next day I planned a big family dinner. I order food from our favorite restaurant. I thought this will clear all the misunderstanding between us three. I called them for dinner. Sara and Hamza came down stairs and sat in different directions of the table and did not even look at each other the whole time.

Kanza: (I cleared my throat and asked) How’s the food?

Sara: It’s really delicious. Thank you for ordering my favorite dish.

Kanza: Sweetie your always welcome. Um, Hamza what about you?

Hamza ignored my question and looked elsewhere.

Sara: How was your day Kanza?

Kanza: it was amazing and guess what I got promoted and there is also an increase in my salary.

Hamza: What? You got promoted? (he literally choked on his food and said that in a shocking way)

Kanza: Yes (I answered with the biggest smile on my face)

Sara: Oh congratulations Kanza. I am so proud of you.

Kanza: This dinner is a treat from me to you guys. I wish mom and dad were around to see my big day.

Hamza: How could you got promoted? You are good for nothing.

Sara: How dare you? (her voice raised in anger with stern looks and she turned right towards Hamza for the first time during our dinner)

Kanza: Hamza what is your problem? Why can’t you just be happy for me?

Hamza: How can you get a promotion? Is your boss that dumb?

Kanza: I am talented and I am hard working. I have earned my promotion.

Hamza: No you are not.

Sara: He’s just jealous. Ignore him. (she rolled her eyes away from Hamza with a disgust on her face)

Kanza: No, I am sick and tired of non-stop criticism. You are always complaining. Tell me what is bothering you? (I was on the edge of crying and beating up my so called brother to his death).

Hamza: Yes, there is, I am much more talented than you. Much more hardworking than you. And you get a promotion while I get fired?

Sara: You deserve it. (she replied back while having food in her mouth)

Kanza: Ssh, Sara don’t say that. I am sorry to hear about that Hamza. Everything will be alright. (while I was trying to calm down the situation).

Hamza: You are not sorry, you are actually happy that I got fired and now you can boss us around just because you make money than us. THAN MEE. (He got up on his feet and started stepping outside the room)

Kanza: Don’t leave Hamza. Wait you should at least hear out the decision of the court.

Hamza: He Turned back and said “Yeah tell me so that I can leave more quickly and get rid of you two”.

Kanza: Like I said I have a letter from court. We all know that our parents did not had a lot but whatever they had like this house, mother’s jewelry, some cash and the summer house has been name after us three.

Hamza: What do you mean?

Kanza: It means, every asset that was our parents now belongs to us three EQUALLY. No one can sell or withdraw anything unless the other two signs them as well.

Hamza: No, I cannot live here anymore. See your faces for the rest of my lives? Never. I am leaving now!  (he said these words while looking at us, as if we were a burden on his shoulders and our parent’s will was an escape he was looking for).

Kanza: No wait! What about mother’s letter and her last wish? In my heart I was just praying for him not to leave us alone.

Hamza: Mother is not here to judge me. I don’t care anymore.

Sara: Where will you go?

Hamza: Anywhere but not here. I am not your brother and we are not a family. (he ran upstairs and to my surprise he was already packed. Which means he was already planning this for a long time but right now he only had his belonging but nowhere to live and money to provide him security. He came downstairs, before I could say anything he stormed out of the house.)

  Sara: He’s gone. (these words came out of her mouth in a whisper of dis-belief)

Kanza: Indeed, he is. It’s his life and he will learn the value of family his own way. Right now he’s angry and frustrated, sad and mourning his lost as well. But I am sure one day he will be back.

SCENE 4: PROUD FAMILY OF MR. AND MRS KHAN

 

Weeks passed and there was no sign of Hamza. No message or call. We were worried but we had hope. That one day he will realize his mistakes and come back home to his family.

One morning I got up early like my usual routine but something was different in our house, my usual routine was to make breakfast for myself and Sara. Do some chores and head for our respective schedules but today was different. I could smell breakfast from the kitchen but the real question was who was in the house? Sara would never cook and besides, she was sleeping right next to my adjoining bed. So I quietly shook her up to her senses and we tip toed downstairs towards the kitchen. When we were moving slowly towards the kitchen I could see that the house was cleaned and there was a shade of a man in the kitchen.

Kanza: You are back. (while jumping on my toes happily)

Hamza: Yes, I am back.

Sara: So how are you and how was your short trip?

Hamza: (he had a sly grin on his face of how embarrassed he was) it was a good lesson that I had learned in past few weeks.

Sara: and what was the lesson brother?

Hamza: when I left that night I had no place to live. I have spent my nights on a footpath. I got robbed, all my possessions are gone. I look around at night and saw that there were so many homeless children and even adults living on the streets. Nobody wanted them nobody cared about them. They also wanted a family, a house to live and happy moments to cherish and I was blessed with all of that and neglected in my anger, in stubbornness. I am so sorry that I never appreciated you two. I am sorry I criticized you two every day. I am your big brother and from now onwards I’ll always be there for my little sisters.

Sara: Apology accepted dear brother. Group hug, group hug.

All three of us hugged each other tightly.

Kanza: It’s good that you have become aware of yourself and your responsibilities.

Sara: let us have some breakfast. I am hungry.

Kanza: Yeah me too.

While sitting and having breakfast together like a family Sara said something which made us all very emotional and happy.

Sara: I wish mother and father were here to see us all united and happy. They would have been so proud of us.

Hamza: Yes

Kanza: Cheers! To the proud family of Mr. and Mrs. Khan.

This was our journey from being alone and emotionally wrecked we became a family. We all have learned a lot, and every day we become more strong and united. We know that our past will remain unchanged but now we know that we have each other to hold us together. We now look forward towards our future and enjoy the present with each other despite of holding any past grudges. We just count our everyday blessing and enjoy it as much as we can.