Nasi Lamak

Zahran was holding Ayesha, who looked at everything with curious eyes. Yahya had already made up his mind about the toys he wanted and was selecting his favorite car.

Tahira had already gathered the things she needed for her maternity care and was now exploring the children's book section. She picked up the Cinderella book but put it back where she had taken it.

"Why did you keep it back?" Zahran asked.

"I never liked the Cinderella story. Also, there's nothing to learn from it," she replied.

Zahran looked at the book, and the picture of Cinderella drawn in it reminded him of someone.

He had met her at the party. She was alone and lonely, yet the most beautiful and elegant. They talked for hours, and it felt like a connection. Yet, just like Cinderella had to flee from the palace, she also disappeared. Instead of leaving behind a shoe, she left with words,

I WISH WE HAD MET IN A DIFFERENT PLACE, IN A DIFFERENT TIME AND IN A DIFFERENT WORLD, MAYBE THEN THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

Zahran wanted to ask her why, but she left even before he could inquire about anything. Later, when he searched for her, he discovered that everything related to her was fake. She was not a 29-year-old Agatha Christie, the real estate agent and part-time chef she claimed to be. Zahran realized that she was a con artist, and he had been conned big time. She had stolen his heart without his permission.

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"What are you thinking?" Tahira asked.

Zahran looked at her, completely covered in a veil. Except for her eyes, everything was covered.

"Nothing, my beautiful Ella." hearing his words, Tahira blushed behind her niqab.

She shook her head dismissively. That day when he had seen her on the riverbank, he couldn't believe his eyes. Later, he had become quite skeptical about her. Since he knew she was a con artist, he feared if she was really an associate of Joker or not.

However, after some time, Zahran realized she had genuinely lost her memories. And, she had changed so much. How could he not trust her and give her another chance when he himself was given a second chance? That day he had put his trust in the Almighty and married her. And, he didn't regret his choice.

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Khadija's three-year-old squealed with glee, Mariam tickling his belly.She had come to visit them, and they planned to go out for dinner. Khadija was getting ready, and Daud entered the room.

"Heard you have become a Harvard professor? Did you really get the job, or did you hack into their system ?" Mariam inquired. Though she knew that he had changed for better, yet soemtimes she feared.

"Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah, I got it due to my talent and hard work. Besides, I have reformed myself. I am thinking of writing a book, 'From Dan to Daud: Journey from darkness to light." he grinned.

At that moment, Khadija entered the room.

"How do I look?" Khadija asked, hoping to hear the words of praise.

"Just as you always look," Daud replied.

Mariam was about to lecture Daud to treat Khadija with more love and respect.

"Beautiful and more beautiful," Daud added, winking at Khadija. A blush appeared on his cheeks.

Mariam smiled.

"Can't believe you two always used to fight like cats and dogs. Time changes everything," Mariam gasped.

"We still do, sometimes. We relive some old memories," Daud added, and Khadija smiled.

Mariam was happy to see them living a happy life. She was the wet nurse of Dan, working in Dan's parents' house as a maid. After Dan was born, she became his caretaker. Since she breastfed him many times when he was a young kid, Islamically she had become his mother. Yet, she led him down the wrong path.

There was a time when all four of them had lost their way, living in darkness. Eventually, by Allah's grace, all four of them found the light.

Her eyes teared up. The only person missing was Joker. She missed him.

"Why are you crying, oldie?" Khadija went to her and hugged her. Mariam, with the corner of her hijab, wiped her tears.

"Don't call me that. Only Joker calls me that," Mariam said.

"Okay, oldie," Khadija teased.

Mariam stared at her angrily, while Khadija laughed.

"But why are you crying?" Khadija asked.

"I'm missing Joker," she said.

"How can you cry for Joker?" Daud asked, "He literally stabbed me to death."

"Don't exaggerate. You were slightly injured," Khadija said. "Ask me; when he attacked me from behind, I thought I was going to die." Khadija shivered at the thought.

"No, he didn't want to harm us. He just wanted to kill Joker," Mariam added, recalling the horrifying incident. Upon reaching the hospital, she discovered that the information she received was false – her son and daughter-in-law were perfectly fine. Sensing something amiss, she tried to contact Fatiha and Khadija, but both their phones were unreachable. Worried, she immediately informed Daud.

Daud, having long kept an eye on Zahran and Fatiha to protect them, was already investigating the imposter Joker. He had discovered the imposter's identity and was present when the false Joker killed Lara, turning it into an open challenge against the original Joker. When Robert kidnapped Zahran and Raihan, it was Daud who sent the video to Robert's men and informed the police.

To avoid suspicion, Daud had programmed Zahran's phone so that, in case of an emergency, a message would automatically be sent to Daud's phone, saying, "Go to my house immediately. Fatiha is in danger."

"Alhamdulillah, the imposter is dead. With him, the secret of Joker also ended. Apart from us, he was the only one who knew who the real Joker was," Khadija said, and Mariam nodded in agreement.

"I hope she remembers us someday. She remembers Joker." She added.

"Why? Why do you want that? Aren't you happy that she has forgotten her horrible past? I think Allah has blessed her that she has forgotten Joker. Otherwise, don't you remember what her condition had become upon knowing how Joker has destroyed so many lives."

Daud paused. "I am glad that she has forgotten everything. May Allah protect her," he made a dua. Mariam and Khadija said ameen in unison.

"By the way, have you read her book 'Nasi Lemak'?" Khadija chirped, lightening the atmosphere.

"No," Mariam said. Daud also shook his head in a no.

"Okay, let's read together," Khadija said and brought the book. Her son had fallen asleep, and they started reading together.

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**Nasi Lemak**

A young orphan girl lingered outside a toystore, drawn to a particular toy: the Joker. Despite facing challenges in her orphanage life, she managed to earn a small sum of money through her work. Excitement filled her heart as she thought about finally purchasing her favorite Joker toy. However, on her way to the store, a group of bullies from the orphanage discovered her money, harassed her, and cruelly took it all away.

Heartbroken and in tears, she still mustered the courage to visit the store, gazing longingly at the Joker toy. When the shopkeeper inquired about her desired purchase, she candidly expressed her wish for the Joker toy. When asked if she had the money, she sadly shook her head in no.

In the world of commerce, no money meant no goods. Disappointed, the shopkeeper sternly escorted her out of the store. Surprisingly, she wasn't as disheartened as one might expect. After leaving that store, she decided to inflict on others what had happened to her —an act of rebellion. She chose the path of evil, starting to steal and adopting the persona of Joker—a symbol of greed, selfishness, and malevolence. Consumed by greed, her desires grew insatiable. Along this destructive path, three others joined her: Dale, a tech expert; Maya, a seasoned servant; and Kyle, the makeup artist. Together, they engaged in nefarious acts, oblivious to the harm they caused to those leading honest lives.

During one of their schemes, they operated a food cart where Joker and Maya sold Nasi Lemak to gather information for their next mission. However, just as they prepared to steal the Kohinoor diamond, they discovered someone had beaten them to it. Disheartened, they continued selling Nasi Lemak near the museum to verify the unsettling revelation.

As they wrapped up their operation, an unexpected customer approached—the museum's security guard. Despite their somber mood, they served him a bowl of Nasi Lemak. Upon tasting it, tears filled his eyes.

The guard disclosed the injustice he endured in his waning days before retirement—falsely accused of theft from the museum he had faithfully served for three decades. Overwhelmed with emotion, he voiced his faith in divine justice.

"The true thief will never find peace. He will surely face consequences. Even if the authorities don't catch him, God will," he declared, tears streaming down his face.

Witnessing the guard's anguish, the group felt a profound moral responsibility. His words resonated, compelling them to reflect on their actions' repercussions.

In the aftermath of their foiled heist, the group encountered personal tragedies. Maya's husband passed away following transplant complications, Dale's parents divorced, and Kyle's mother died due to drug overdose. Overwhelmed by the suffering they inadvertently inflicted, Joker wrestled with guilt and growing unease. She felt like she led them to destruction.

Motivated by a newfound quest for redemption, Joker started seeking the truth. The purpose of her life. She asked herself why was she placed on this earth in the first place? What was her purpose? To seek her answers, she started exploring all the religions and finally found all her answers in Islam. Her transformation astonished those around her. Maya, although born into Islam, recognized her superficial faith and pledged a deeper devotion. Inspired by Joker's transformation, Kyle and Dale also embraced Islam.

United in faith, they resolved to atone for their past transgressions. They collaborated with the police, discreetly providing clues about the real culprit. Eventually, law enforcement apprehended the thief. Mariam reopened the Nasi Lemak cart, and the museum offered a heartfelt apology to the retired guard, granting him a dignified exit.In a poignant moment, the old man revisited their food cart. They served him Nasi Lemak, which he relished with a heartfelt smile, symbolizing the close of a tumultuous chapter. Through their journey, the group discovered redemption, forgiveness, and renewed purpose.

The end.

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Just kidding 😉It's not The End.

Read the next chapter.