forbidden whispers

chapter 3

Since that day, Hanan made it her mission to learn everything about the little girl. The child had quickly captured her heart, and Hanan wished for nothing more than to have her all to herself, to welcome her into her family, to care for her, and provide for all her needs. However, she soon discovered that the girl lived with her father and his wife. Her mother had passed away only a year earlier, after a robbery at their home. Thieves had brutally beaten her mother to death in front of little Maseh, who was only three years old at the time. This traumatic event had left Maseh with a severe psychological shock, rendering her unable to speak or hear.

Hanan also discovered that the father was an alcoholic and a cruel man. He would beat, insult, and humiliate Maseh, forcing her to work to provide him with the alcohol he consumed. If she returned without money, he would expel her from the house and ignore her for days or even weeks. Yet, the little girl always came back with whatever little money she had earned, giving it to her father, who then forgave her and allowed her to stay in the dilapidated home.

Hanan’s heart ached for the girl. One day, she decided to visit Maseh’s father and was shocked by the miserable condition of the house and the toxic environment in which Maseh lived—a family that cared nothing for her. Hanan stood hesitantly outside the door, uncertain whether to knock. For a moment, she considered leaving, but Maseh suddenly rushed forward, clutching her dress tightly, freezing Hanan in place.

From behind, an angry woman appeared. She was disheveled, sharp-featured, and carried a bamboo stick in one hand while holding a child barely a year old on her hip. She waved the stick threateningly, warning Maseh of severe punishment. Hanan looked into Maseh’s tearful eyes and her trembling little body. Her heart twisted with anger and pain when she noticed the red and blue bruises on the girl’s arms and neck—the marks of the bamboo stick, usually used to control animals. Hanan’s heart ached even more; this child was suffering far beyond what her young age could endure, yet she could neither speak nor complain.

Hanan allowed Maseh to disappear behind her and stepped forward to face the furious woman. As soon as the woman’s eyes met Hanan’s, her demeanor softened slightly. Stammering, she tried to justify her attack on the poor child.

“Oh, ma’am, this mischievous child is always causing trouble. Can you imagine, she slapped my little brother so harshly? I’ve warned her over and over, but she doesn’t listen.”

Hanan frowned. It was clear this woman had grown accustomed to blaming the child with ease and confidence. Maseh could not defend herself in any case, allowing the woman to accuse her of anything without flinching. Gently, Hanan asked, “Is she your daughter?”

The woman quickly denied it, recoiling. “My daughter? God forbid! I did not give birth to such a child. I am her stepmother, trying to discipline her as best as I can. But she seems to have inherited her mother’s temperament, so there is no hope for her.”

Hanan shook her head, rejecting this woman’s way of speaking about a little girl who was not yet four. She turned her gaze back to frightened Maseh, hiding behind the woman, her little heart protected by Hanan’s own compassion. This was difficult. Hanan knew she must not become too attached to the child, yet everything she did drew her closer, and the more she learned about Maseh, the more she cared. Sighing, Hanan realized she had to act to help the girl, or Maseh would never leave her thoughts and dreams.

The woman spoke again, her tone seemingly gentle as she sized up Hanan from head to toe. “You are not from here, are you? Are you looking for someone? Or are you lost? Not many wealthy people like you come to our area.”

Hanan raised her eyebrows in surprise. Despite the woman’s attempts to appear friendly, her cunning was obvious. Hanan had a sharp eye for people and rarely erred; she sensed this woman was far from trustworthy. Hanan decided to treat the encounter as a chance meeting, pretending she was not there specifically for Maseh. It was clear the woman disliked and mistreated the child. If Hanan revealed her desire to help Maseh, the woman might treat her even worse. Hanan forced a polite smile and said, “I have heard that there are many deserving families here who need help. Every year, I try to support one family. Perhaps fate has brought me to you so that I can help, if you are in need.”

For a moment, the woman’s eyes gleamed with greed, then she feigned misery and sorrow, beginning to plead with Hanan in sweet, false words that clearly did not come from her heart.

“By God, we are in desperate need of help. We are a family of six, and we can barely find our daily sustenance. As you know, children need clothes and nutritious food, not to mention school fees. Look at this little one—she needs proper milk and nutrition. My diet is poor, and my child’s health suffers from a lack of essential nutrients.”

Hanan interrupted, never impressed by such flattery or empty pleas. She only wanted to help Maseh, regardless of the circumstances.

“Does this little girl go to school?” she asked, referring to Maseh.

The woman shook her head, glaring at Maseh. “She is not old enough yet. Besides, she is mute; schooling would not help her. She cannot hear or understand. I have two other children; they are at school now and will arrive any moment. They are very clever, but luck does not favor them.”

Hanan raised her eyebrows. “And their father? What does he do?”

The woman complained dramatically, exaggerating her misfortune in a way that made Hanan feel nauseated. “Their father only cares about himself. He went abroad for work, divorced me, and does not send money for his children. I had to work as a maid to raise them. Then I married this mischievous girl’s father, hoping he would care for us, but I discovered he only wanted me to raise his daughter and serve him. He is unemployed and spends most of the day outside, not even asking about his child. I am very unlucky. Perhaps God sent you to help us escape this misery.”

Hanan had no choice; if she wanted to help the little girl, it would have to be through this woman. Although Maseh was mute, there were schools dedicated to children with special needs. Hanan was determined that Maseh would receive all her rights. She took from her bag a sum of money sufficient to cover all the household’s basic and secondary needs, as well as clothing and school supplies. She handed it to the woman, whose jaw nearly dropped in shock and greed at the sight of the money. She snatched it rudely, almost afraid Hanan might change her mind, counting it incredulously while muttering prayers for Hanan, which Hanan did not believe for a second.

“May God reward you. He sent you to us because we are most in need of this money. I will pray day and night that God blesses you as He has blessed us. This money will not go to anyone except these poor children. May God bless you and reward you with all good.”

“Good. Take care of the children; they are a blessing from God. As for this little girl, you are right—she needs a special school. I will come tomorrow to take her to a special school, where she will learn lessons and all she needs. She will also learn sign language so she can face life in the future. It is unjust to leave her without education simply because regular schools will not accept her.”

The woman quickly nodded, eager to please Hanan and gain her favor. “Of course, you are right. Her poor father cannot afford special schools, but with your help, she will have the opportunity. May God bless you and place it in your good deeds, God willing.”