Adam and Hawa, high school darlings, everyone thought they were the perfect couple, they were a match made in heaven. They got married soon after leaving high school.

In the beginning life was good, but the challenges grew, they had their first child, then a second and a third. They became pre-occupied with their own lives. Adam was in a highly successful career, loads of pressure and was earning tons of money often at the expense of family time. Hawa was busy juggling 3 hard to tame kids a busy husband and a hectic home schedule that left little time for herself.

Adam on the other hand took life for granted, he had 3 wonderful kids, a home that he could call his own, a good wife and a successful career. He felt something was missing, he longed for the good ol days when he was back in school, life was so uncomplicated, and he was with the girl of his dreams. But wait didn't he marry her?? yes he did, but when he looks at her these days she's always busy with the kids, cooking, cleaning, something or the other, sometimes when he gets home she even smells like onions and is very seldom looking her best.

Adam often looks his best for work, corporate high flying job, executive clients you gotta look your best to impress. Well impress he did, the new secretary was head over heels for Adam, he was dashing, rich and didn't even look his age. Adam realised this and took advantage of the situation, she was quite a stunner herself, reminded him of his days back in high school when all the girls were soooooo crazy about him. He bought her expensive gifts, made excuses of business meetings and went out with her, he was in love and who wouldn't he thought to himself. It went on for a while and soon she got more serious and wanted Adam to marry her. He was crazy about her and wanted her at all cost. When you gonna leave that old geezer wife of yours Adam, you know I love you more than she does. Soon darling, soon, replied Adam.

Eventually he mustard up the courage to talk Hawa, he broke the news to her, she slumped into her chair as if she just found out she had blood cancer, but that would have been easier to live with than this. She didn't scream, yell or throw a tantrum, she merely said if thats what is gonna make you happy. Adam was delighted and couldn't believe what he just heard. The next day he was all smiles at the office hugging and kissing dolla like he was already married, I did it he said, I have told my wife about us and it's over. Soon we gonna be together darling just you and I, I love you, I love you, I love you, you're the best thing that has ever happend to me.

That night Adam went home to a dark and quite house, the kids were gone, and so was Hawa. He sat back into his favourite couch and took a deep sigh!! The phone rings, Adam answers, It's Doctor Kareem, Adam I am not only your family doctor but I am also your best friend, I need you to be strong and listen carefully to me. That test we did for Hawa, the blood test has come back positive, your wife has blood cancer Adam, I couldn't tell her I thought it was best if I tell you. Adam was dumb founded, the phone slipped out of his hands like a melting ice from a car bonnet on a hot summers day. He was cold and couldn't move.

He slowly walked to the bedroom, open the bedside draw and whats this?? Oh my gosh it's Hawa's diary, seems she forgot to take it, but it's locked so he prys it open. He goes to the last few pages and reads,

Dear diary, Adam is in love with someone else, but I still love him, like when we were in high school I cannot even imagine my life without Adam, I will leave him only cos it will make him happy. May Allah grant him the happiness of this world and the next and may he forgive me for my shortcomings. I have also completed the 500 roza's today that I had pledged for Adams career, so that he may be successful.

Adam broke out into tears uncontrollably....

Often in life the flame burns out cos we let it burn out. Adam let that flame burn out, by not making an effort nor trying to understand Hawa. Life is a series of efforts not just a once off thing that we do and hope it will last for ever. People become pre-occupied in their lives and forget about the little things that make a difference. We have to constantly remind each other and understand and appreciate those around us and what they go through to make our lives easier and make us happy even if they may not say it.