Hey AnimePrincess069 here! Here's a longer chapter to make up for the other one I posted earlier this week. Writing for Esra was hard, but I did the best I could. And sorry if it's a bit sloppy, I tried to do as much editing as I could so I could post it today.

BTW I love hearing what you guys think of the story so far so please keep commenting! Without further ado, here's Chapter 5 of Amani, enjoy!

Chapter 5

"Don't compare your life to others. There's no comparison between the sun and the moon, they shine when it's their time."~ Anonymous

Amani's POV

~ A few hours later ~

After restlessly tossing and turning for hours because I was worried about Sinbad, I looked out the window to see the sun peaking over the horizon. I decided that taking a walk before starting the day would be best to clear my mind, and possibly, get rid of my exhaustion. So I stood up and rolled up my sleeping mat. Then I checked on Mama to make sure she was still asleep and walked out the doorway. I took slow and steady strides and began to think about what I would do now that Sin wasn't here now. Sin did a lot for our village, like bringing back herbs for Mama and food that he would share with everyone.

Maybe the best course of action would be to find a job at the dock like Sin did? 'But I'm not Sinbad. We're nothing alike in personality. He's never been afraid to express himself or what he thought. Meanwhile, my heart just about beats out of my chest whenever I try to talk to people I've known my whole life.' I thought without even realizing that I had walked back home.

As I walked through the door, I saw Mama sitting up, smiling at me. I smiled back to hide my anxiety, "Good morning Mama," I said. Then I walked over to the stove to begin making breakfast and to make Mama's medicine.

As I took out the mortar and pestle, Mama began to speak. "Amani, can you come over here for a moment?" I turned back around with a questioning gaze and made my way over to her.

"Sit next to me sweetie," she said as I then sat next to her on the bed.

When I made eye contact with her she gave me a knowing look. "There's been a lot on your mind these past couple days, ever since Yunan came to stay with us, and I'd like to talk to you about it," she said.

I widened my eyes slightly and looked down. But now that I think about it, I have been spacing out more lately. I used to only do it when I talked to the rukh when I was on my own, but a lot of things have changed recently leaving me with much to think about.

As I looked back up at her, I nodded my head in reply. She put a hand on my head and ruffled my hair a bit.

"You still see the rukh don't you?"

When she said that, it felt like my heart dropped to my stomach, and I began to panic. Before I could attempt to say anything she continued.

"I've always known you were special Amani. I've known since the day that your father left. At the time, I was faced with uncertainty and I worried greatly for your father and how I could take care of you and your brother on my own. But when you pushed yourself out of my arms to take your first steps, it felt like time stood still. As a baby, you were relatively quiet. You preferred to watch people than to interact with them, and whenever you were the center of attention you would try to hide or burst into tears when you couldn't. But that day, you managed to not only take your first steps, but you also lightened the heavy grief your brother and I felt while the whole village and the military were watching you without shedding a tear. As you grew older, you would always talk about 'golden birds', how they were there when your father left, and how your father came to visit with them. At first, I wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but then you suddenly stopped talking about them after your brother and I said that we couldn't see them repeatedly. But I noticed that when you thought that you were alone, you would talk to yourself asking questions about magic. I decided that I wouldn't ask you about it because it was around when I first got sick and I thought it was due to stress. But the day that Yunan came, you seemed much more anxious than usual. And that night, I saw you and Yunan leave to go talk. When you both came back early the next morning, Yunan told me everything while you slept. He explained what the rukh was and that you had the potential to become a very powerful magician. He also said that you didn't want to say anything to your brother and me because you didn't want to worry us, and about your fear of the government and military. I planned on talking to you about it when you woke up, but then those soldiers came for Sinbad. You've shouldered the secret of your abilities for so long to keep us safe, along with everything else that I've burdened you with. And while you are incredibly shy, you show your strength even when you're scared." then she smiled.

" I am so proud of you and I am so lucky to have you as a daughter." she finished. Tears were going down my face before I realized I was crying. All this time, I felt so alone because no one else I knew could see the things I could until Yunan came along. And even though Mama couldn't see the rukh like me, she never questioned me and accepted me as I am.

Mama wiped the tears off my face and made me look her in the eye again. "You're special Amani, just as much as Sinbad is. And even though you two are so different, I believe you both will help change the world in your own unique ways." she finished as I hugged her while continuing to cry tears of joy.

"Thanks, Mama."

~ Later That Same Day ~

After some thinking, I found a way to help everyone in my own unique way. I managed to get some seeds with some of the money Sinbad left us. Then after walking some ways from the village, I managed to teleport myself, after many attempts, to the spot that Yunan took me to practice magic. I planted the seeds and accelerated their growth. I now had access to the herbs to make mama's medicine as well as some apples, tomatoes, and corn. Happy with the outcome, I picked some of the produce and placed it in a knapsack then teleported some ways from the entrance to the village (I couldn't just pop up out of nowhere right?). As I was making my way back, I thought about how right Mama was. Sinbad and I are different, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

~ About 2 Months Later ~

Almost two months have passed and Sinbad still hasn't returned. I know he'll come back, but I hope he does before Mama passes. She's been getting worse for about a month now, and I've spent day and night sitting by her side, except when I leave to get more food.

When I asked Auntie if there was anything that could help her, she told me that there was nothing we could do but pray that she pushes through. And so the only thing that I could do was increase the dosage of medicine from the herbs that I gave her, which helped relieve some of the aches and pains she felt. When she wasn't delirious with sickness, she would ask me what the rukh says and if they've said anything about Sinbad. I would tell her that they said that Sinbad is alright and that they would send me some messages about Yunan, and how when he sees me next he plans to train me more in magic which I was very excited about. Then she would smile at me like always and say that she couldn't wait to see what I accomplish.

At night when she would go to sleep I would silently cry to not wake her. I know that she'll leave soon, and even though she'll be in the rukh with Papa, it makes me sad to know that she won't be there to hold my hand, to give advice, or to give me hugs when I feel too much. Then I would ask the rukh if there was any spell that could help her get better, and they would tell me that the sickness was too far along and that there isn't a spell in existence (yet) as it is rare and most of the healing magic in existence is used to heal serious wounds caused by war, not an illness. Then I would begin to think about Sinbad. Maybe when he comes back he'll have something that can help Mama? I mean the military commander said that Partevia's magicians detected a great power in the dungeon, and there could be some healing magic scrolls that I could learn to read and cast. With those thoughts in mind, I would fall asleep every night in the hopes that Sinbad would return very soon. And about a week later, he did.

I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter. I'm so excited cause Amani is so close to meeting Ja'far and I can't wait to write it! Anyways, continue being awesome!