The difference she made!

Grandfather

At Friday evening, everyone was getting ready to go to the family gathering. It was kind of habit for them to spend the weekend at grandfather house, not just them, most of their relatives visited the grandfather at weekend.

Fajr looked at herself in the mirror and repeated her question for the third time; "Huda, how do I look now?"

Huda was already on her Abaya, she began urging her towards the door; "you look just gorgeous, come on."

All gathered in the hall waiting for Hassan who walked in a few minutes later asking; "Where's Khalid?"

Fahd stood up and replied; "He's gone to the gym." Then he put his cell phone in his pocket and was ready to go.

Hassan was the first to walk towards the entrance saying; "Ok let's go then."

In their way to the grandfather house, Huda was providing Fajr with the information concerning where their grandfather lived and with whom.

"...He lives with Aunt Badriya and her son Majed. Aunt Badriya has moved to live there with her two sons since she got divorce when they were kids. Her elder son Faiz got married 2 years ago therefore he moved to live with his wife in his own apartment. While Majed is still there, taking care of grandpa and his mother."

Huda went on talking about Majed which made Fajr sense that it might be an admiration from afar. But she thought better of it and asked; "Aunt Badriya is the eldest among all of them, isn't she?"

Huda replied with a nod; "yeah perhaps this is why her views have been always respected."

Fajr gave her a smile; "I see...and there is Aunt Safa too, right?"

"Aunt Safa is the youngest...very kind. Actually, she has a heart of gold."

**************

Badriya was taken aback by seeing the girl who entered after Fatima and Huda with unveiled face. She exchanged greetings with both of them and greeted Fajr drily before she turned to her brother Hassan and made a slight motion with her head towards Fajr's direction and asked; "Who is she?"

Hassan took his time before answering, he moved his eyes from Fajr to Badriya and finally said; " this is Fajr Muhsen, your niece."

Badriya opened her big eyes in wonder and her mouth hung open until she managed to say; "you mean Muhsen is back?"

Fajr was standing like a vase, she hadn't imagined the situation could be this awkward that Badriya hadn't even given her another glance. It seemed she wasn't welcomed here that was how Fajr felt at that moment which made her feel uncomfortable.

"no. Fajr is here alone." Came Hassan's short reply.

He tried to stop Badriya from asking more questions that might embarrass Fajr, so he took a few steps inside, but when he was about to pass, Badriya grabbed his arm and asked him with concern; "wait, does dad know about this?"

Hassan shook his head saying no. At this movement of his head Badriya shouted; "then how dare you bring her here without his permission? You know that if...

Badriya left her sentence unfinished when the grandfather walked in. They all paid attention to him. The old man was getting ready to go to the mosque. He was unfolding his Thobe sleeves after performing the ablution when he entered the hall. No sooner had he came than he wore a broad smile after seeing the faces of his beloved ones; "Ya Halla Wa Marhaba, good that you have come early today."

They all rushed to greet him when he took a notice of Khalid's absence and was about to ask where he was, but the unfamiliar face of the girl standing behind, got his attention. Everyone else was silent when he took out his glasses from his pocket and put them on asking; "who is this?"