Silent Hearts
The new year had just begun. January marked the start of school admissions, and the classes were already underway. Parents sat waiting outside for their children, their eyes scanning the school grounds with care.
Nora had been searching for one particular child for a while now. She wandered around, eventually ending up near the high school playground—but the boy was nowhere to be seen. She glanced around anxiously before heading toward the main school building. Climbing the stairs to the second floor, she finally spotted the boy wandering the hallway.
Without wasting a second, Nora rushed over and grabbed his hand.
Nora: "Neil! What are you doing here, huh? Your mom dropped you off for class—so why are you wandering around instead of being where you're supposed to be?"
Neil (cheekily): "Auntie, I want to study in the big kids' school. That's why I came here."
Nora: "Hey, not 'Auntie.' It's 'Ma'am.'"
Neil: "Okay, Ma'am... Auntie."
Nora (sighing): "Oh, for heaven's sake. Come with me. Let's graduate from the little kids' school first. Then we can talk about the big school."
She started walking him back, but just then, Neil suddenly let go of her hand and bolted—running straight into a classroom. Nora chased after him, entering the class without permission and freezing in place as all eyes turned toward her.
Neil made his way to the back bench and plopped down like he belonged there. Nora forced a smile and looked toward the front of the room—only to be stunned by the sight of the teacher.
Nora: "Mr. Amir—I'm so sorry. He, ran into the class all of a sudden, and I had to follow him…"
Amir (lightly): "No worries, Miss Nora. It happens." (He noticed the slight commotion and responded calmly.)
Neil: "Auntie, I want to study here with the big kids. Uncle Amir, I want to be in this class!"
The students burst out laughing, and even Amir let out a soft chuckle before gesturing for the class to quiet down. Nora glanced at Amir in surprise before walking over to Neil.
Neil (to the girl beside him): "Hey, scoot over. I need to keep my bag here. Why is this bench so big? I can't even see anything!"
Nora: "Come on, Neil. Finish kindergarten first, then we'll talk about this class, okay? Everyone's getting disturbed."
Neil: "No, Auntie! I'm not going! I want to study with Uncle Amir. You go!"
Nora: "Don't be stubborn, Neil. If you act like this, people will call you a brat. Look at all these big kids—they all came from the little school first. You need to do the same."
She tried to pick him up, but he began to wail.
Amir stepped in, standing beside Nora. Some students were stifling their laughter at Neil's antics. Nora looked helplessly at Amir. He gave a soft smile and leaned down to whisper in Neil's ear.
Amir (whispering): "Hey, Neil. If you go with your Ma'am now, she'll show you some real magic."
Nora couldn't hear what Amir had whispered.
Neil (eyes wide): "Magic? What kind of magic?" (he whispered back)
Amir (grinning): "You'll see someone who looks just like her."
Neil (amazed): "Really?! Okay, let's go!"
He hopped off the bench and grabbed Nora's hand. She scooped him up in her arms. Nora and Amir looked at each other—when their eyes met, Nora quickly looked away, murmured a thank-you and a soft apology, then walked out. Amir wrapped up class and followed behind her.
Amir: "Miss Nora—"
She turned around.
Nora: "Yes, Mr. Amir? Actually, I wanted to ask—are you a teacher at this school?"
Amir: "No, I'm actually a lecturer at a college. But I come here from time to time to teach the kids. I really enjoy teaching—that's why I chose this path. I hadn't realized you were a kindergarten teacher."
Nora (smiling): "Well, that makes two of us teachers then. Except you teach the grown ones, and I teach these little monsters." (She laughed softly, and Amir watched her with admiration.) "Anyway, I'm running late. I'll be off."
Amir: "I—"
(But the words got stuck. There was so much he wanted to say, but maybe... now wasn't the right time.)
As Nora walked away, Amir watched her, mesmerized. The more he looked at her, the more intrigued he became. There was something about the way she spoke—so graceful, so earnest—it kept drawing him in.
Neil: "Auntie! Show me the magic! Auntie, magic!!"
Nora (groaning inwardly): "Dear God, this child is going to drive me mad with his magic, magic, magic. And stop calling me Auntie! I'm your teacher, not your aunt. And what magic am I even supposed to show you?!"
Neil: "Uncle Amir said you'd show me magic!"
Nora: "Oh, that uncle of yours—next time I see him, I'm going to turn him into chutney! (Which means I'm going to give him a really hard time!) What nonsense magic did he promise you?!"
The other kids overheard and now they were all shouting for magic too. Trapped, Nora finally raised her voice.
Nora: "Fine! I'll show you magic—but only if you all stay quiet. No silence, no magic! Neil, come here!"
Neil stepped forward. Nora knelt down to his level and asked what exactly Amir had whispered in his ear.
A few moments later, Zara arrived at the kindergarten. Nora stood by the classroom door and gestured for her to come over.
Zara (grinning): "So, big sis, looks like the first day of school already wore you out, huh?"
Nora (annoyed): "Don't laugh. The principal said you're joining tomorrow. Then we'll see how you handle things!"
The two sisters walked into class as the kids stared at them.
Neil (excited): "Whoa! Twin sisters! Pretty, pretty!"
Nora (muttering): "Yeah, you've driven me mad. Of course, I look pretty now."
Zara (teasing): "Yes, handsome little guy! You've been giving my sister a hard time, haven't you? That deserves a reward—I brought candy for everyone! Here, have a mango candy and give Zara a little love, okay?"
She smiled at Nora and winked. Nora couldn't help but laugh.
They handed out candy and spent time chatting with the kids. Despite the chaos, they handled the situation well. Slowly, the children began to bond with Nora.
Days passed like this. Meanwhile, questions started to arise about the two girls—people wondered why they lived alone. Zara and Nora told everyone the truth: they were orphans. That's why they lived by themselves.
Adam and Amir were trying to find more about them—but came up with nothing.
At Adam's home
Adam's Mother: "Amir, Adam... listen, Maya's going to turn three soon, and she still doesn't speak. Maybe we should take her to a really good doctor."
Adam: "We've seen so many doctors, Mom. Nothing's helped. They all say the same thing—talk to her more. But she just doesn't respond."
Amir (softly): "Maybe... maybe she will one day. Whether she speaks or not, we'll love her just the same. All we can do is keep trying."
Little Maya lay asleep on the bed. She had never known the warmth of a mother's hug or the protection of a father's arms. Her uncles loved her dearly—but parents are irreplaceable.
Adam's mother covered her face and cried. Her daughter had never even seen her own child's face. She once had a happy family—two sons and a daughter. As her daughter grew up, she married the man she loved—even though he was an orphan, they had accepted it for her happiness.
But life had other plans. Widowed during pregnancy, she passed away soon after—leaving behind her daughter, Maya. Maya Islam—her final legacy.
Adam's Father: "Adam, now that you've finished your honors, have you decided what's next?"
Adam: "Dad, I want to do my master's and help run our dairy farm. I'm not really interested in a job—that's more of my brother's thing."
Father: "And Amir, since you've chosen teaching, what are your plans moving forward?"
Adam (joking): "How about we get him married first? That'll clear the way for me."
(He chuckled.)
Amir shot him a glare.
Amir: "Dad, I just need a little more time. I'll let you know when I'm ready."
Father: "Fine—but think carefully. Don't do anything that would bring shame to our name."
He walked away. Azizul Rahman might've seemed strict, but he always respected his children's choices. He never forced his decisions on them.
Adam (teasing): "Hey bro, you seem lost in thought lately. Spill it."
Amir (quietly): "I think... I think I might be falling for someone."
Adam: "Then just tell her! If she says no, I'll help you kidnap her."
(He laughed.)
Amir: "I just want a place in her heart. I've never forced anyone, and I never will. You can't force love.
In this world full of people and fleeting feelings—I want to give her all the love I have. Even if love is strange and unpredictable... I'm willing to wait for just a little love in return."
to be continued..