“Mum, do you remember your grandmother,” asked Adnan, after coming from school.

“Yes, I do remember her. She was the most humble and kind woman I have ever seen,” answered Mrs Shazia and then asked her seven-year-old son, “But why are you asking me about her?”

“Our teacher has asked us to write one memorable moment that you had spent with your grandmother. So mum do you remember any moment?” queried Adnan.

“Well, there are many but there is one that is close to my heart.”

“What is it?” Adnan asked, excitedly.

“One summer, when I had given my A Level exams and was waiting for my result, which was due in a few days, I was stressed out because low grades meant I failed to meet the expectations of my parents and would not get admission in good universities. So a lot depended on my result. The pressure on me was high and, honestly speaking, I was not confident about my grades as well, so my hopes were low,” Mrs Shazia shuddered remembering those days.

“What happen next?” interrupted Adnan and bringing Mrs Shazia to the present.

“So I was feeling low and during that time I went to visit my grandmother. She loved me a lot and always guided me. So when she asked about the exam results, I told her my apprehensions.

“My wailing didn’t bother her, rather she seemed composed and inquired about how I did in the exams. I told her I did my best. And she smiled.

“What she asked next surprised me. She asked, ‘Do you trust Almighty Allah?’

“To which I replied in the affirmative, of course.

“I still remember what she said next to me, because what she said next is what makes this moment very close to my heart. She said, ‘If I had given my best and if I trust God and then what I am afraid of. God never let go anyone’s hard work unrewarded. All you have to do is trust God and trust your abilities.’

“As soon I heard those words, all my worries vanished in thin air,” reminisced Mrs Shazia.

“Why is that so?” Adnan, curious

“You see son, she did not know much about my exams and yet she noticed the tension that I was in; which everyone else failed to notice. Moreover, she taught me an important lesson — to have faith in God. He knows everything and He always rewards hard work so He knows how much effort I had put in my exams and my hard work could not go unrewarded. She gave me hope which I did not have at that time,” explained Mrs Shazia.

“So mum did you pass with good grades,” asked Adnan who was anxious to know the end.

“Yes, I passed with straight ‘A’s!” replied Mrs Shazia proudly.

“Mum, it was indeed very special moment. Now, I will go and write it up for my assignment,” said Adnan.

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 20th, 2017