Amin was getting ready to go to work, putting on his suit for his job as a salesman at Nada Dairy.
Alya made tea for him. While drinking tea, Amin glanced at his children. They were enjoying sound sleep. ‘They are wonderful,’ he said.[ML1]
‘Who?’ Alya quizzed in a low voice, not wanting to disturb the children’s sleep.
‘Our children, of course,’ Amin said.
‘Yes, they are.’ She sighed. ‘They are brave and calm and innocent,’ Alya said proudly. Amin grinned, sharing the feeling.
‘As brave as me, as cool as you and as pure as Nada milk,’ Amin said, jokingly. They both laughed.
‘As pure as Nada milk,’ repeated a soft, sweet voice behind them, Both Amin and Alya turned to look at Fida.
‘Fida, it’s only 4.30 a.m. Why did you wake up so early?’ asked Amin in surprise.
‘Papa, we have a field trip today to the Tree of Life. I’m so excited that even the smallest of sounds would have woken me,’ she said.
Amin laughed. He got up from the sofa, went to her and kissed her on her forehead. ‘Have a great day, sweetheart, and make sure you tell me about your trip when I come back from work.’ He kissed his wife. ‘Call me when you are free,’ Amin whispered, and then he winked at Fida and left for work.
Alya went into the kitchen. Fida got up and followed her mother. ‘Fida, are you taking your books to school today?’
‘No, Mama; I’m only taking snacks and water, which I already packed yesterday.’
‘That’s great,’ Alya said with a grin. ‘What about Luke? Has he packed his schoolbag according to his timetable?’
‘Yes mum, I helped him,’ said Fida.
‘That’s wonderful.’
The children had left for school before 7 a.m.