Hey y'all, thebaglady089 (formerly known as AnimePrincess069) here! Welcome to the new followers! I apologize for the delay. For the past couple months, I have been having issues with my wrist as well as my mental health, and have been getting help for both. I also have been struggling with school as a result, so this fanfic has unfortunately taken the backburner. I still plan on finishing this story no matter how long it takes, but I am going back to edit some chapters in the future. Also, I am looking for a beta, so if you're interested please message me. I would like to thank those that have favorited and followed my story so far and for sticking with me. Your support means a lot to me. Without further ado, here is Chapter 6 of Amani.

Chapter 6

"When we lose someone we love we must learn not to live without them,

but to live with the love they left behind."

~ Anonymous

Amani's POV

It's been a little over two months since Sin left. I know he's ok because the rukh told me so, but I'm afraid that he might not make it back before Mama becomes one with the rukh. Over the past week or so I've been steadily increasing her medicine but her health is still declining. I know there's not much I can do for her now except be with her and make her comfortable, and it just gets more and more frustrating.

Yunan told me and Mama, that I have so much potential to become a great magician, but what use is that potential if I can't save one of my few loved ones left in this world?

It's different from the situation with Papa. I was so young back then that I didn't understand what was going on, just that my family was sad and angry. Then I just wanted to help them feel better, to know things would be alright even if at the moment the world seemed bleak. But as I grew older, I realized that while joining the rukh means that no one really dies, it doesn't make missing that person hurt any less. Most of the world, including my family, can't see the rukh, and that grief is justified.

But what about me?

I can see the rukh and even so I don't want Mama to die. Mama's been in pain for many years now. And yet instead of hoping for her to find eternal peace, I want her to stay with me.

I guess I'm just being selfish. I've always hidden behind Mama and Sin, and even though I've started to come out of my shell after Sin left and began to help the others in the village, I still find it hard to break away from those habits.

I think it's because my life has changed so much in two months than it has in the nine years since Papa left. And while I know that change is inevitable, it doesn't make it any less scary.

This morning started off like any other morning after Sin left.

But then it took a turn for the worse.

I woke up early to make Mama's medicine when she had a severe coughing fit in her sleep. I finished the medicine and quickly ran to her side to help her drink it.

But even after she finished it, she continued to cough.

I began to panic. Her health may have begun to decline in the last two months, even with the medicine, but it should have gotten rid of the cough. I didn't know what to do to help her.

Soon after, Auntie came running in and told me that she had it covered. All I could do was stand back and watch Mama's rukh. As the years passed, her rukh became more sluggish as her illness progressed, but now they barely moved.

After what seemed to be an eternity, Auntie told me what I already knew.

She would pass before the day was over.

After that revelation, I mindlessly walked over to Mama's bedside. Her eyes were closed as she breathed in short and shallow breaths. I then kneeled and grabbed one of her hands in my own as I silently cried.

At some point Auntie informed the other women of the village that Mama was on her deathbed, so they came to visit. I only knew because I could feel their rukh fluttering around in the background.

I'm sure they were offering their condolences or emotional support, but I just tuned them out. All of my focus was on Mama.

I don't know how long I sat there in a daze, but it must have been a few hours. It wasn't until I felt a familiar presence enter the village that I snapped out of my daze.

"Sinbad," I realized.

Then I heard the sound of running as I turned towards the doorway to see Sin with his eyes widened in shock.

I motioned for him to sit next to me at Mama's side. He grabbed our joined hands.

"Darling is that you...Badr?" Mama asked weakly.

"If I'm able to see you it means I don't have much time left. He...our wonderful little boy Sin. He left here with your sword and set out on an amazing adventure..."

I felt tears well up in my eyes.

"He's curious, full of energy, and always so reckless..."

Small sobs began to wrack my body.

"...And our beautiful little girl Amani…"

My breath hitched.

"...She's been taking care of me and slowly coming out of her shell. She's so bright, compassionate, and has a habit of overthinking things…"

I held her hand a bit tighter.

"They value their family and friends. They're both so kind, just like you always were. They have each other to lean on, so I think they'll be ok…"

The tears began to slide down my face.

"I love you, Amani...Sin ."

That's all for Chapter 6! It was difficult to write this chapter out but I did the best I could. Again, I'm looking for a beta reader so if you're interested let me know.