"Dad, dad, dad!" A five year old Aladdin came bouncing in the room. He latched himself onto his father's leg and laughed as Cassim picked him up and spun around.

Melek smiled and went back to repairing her headscarf. Her husband was keeping Aladdin occupied so he didn't see it.

"Be careful you two. Cassim, remember last time?" Aladdin did. Cassim accidentally let go of him and sent Aladdin flying across the room. Cassim caught him just before he hit a wall. Aladdin giggled and begged his father to do it again. Cassim just pecked him on the cheek and tucked him into bed.

"I know, I know. Just having fun with the kid." He rested Aladdin on his hip. The happy family ate, and sent their son off to sleep.

Aladdin awoke hours later to knock at the door. His father answered it.

"Mister Cassim, is this you?" A high pitched nasally voice came from outside.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry to tell you this, but you lost your job."

Aladdin was shocked. His father was the most hardworking person he knew. How??????? Cassim was just as shocked as his son.

"Please explain!"

"There is nothing to explain. They no longer needed you. Good day."

Aladdin heard a closing door then quiet footsteps.

"What's going on?" By now, his mother heard the commotion and was standing in her bedroom doorway.

Cassim told her the news. She sobbed so loudly that Aladdin could hear it on the other side of the house. He covered his ears. He hated hearing people cry.

Screams followed the tears. Aladdin buried his face in his knees. He hated people fighting almost as much as hearing people cry.

Aladdin heard her footsteps walk toward their room but he didn't hear his fathers do the same.

"I'm so sorry. But I have to do this." His father's footsteps went in the direction of the door. It opened and shut. Aladdin wanted to run to him and beg him not to leave. But he couldn't. He couldn't move due to the shock.

When his mother woke the next morning, Aladdin didn't tell her that he knew. She had been through so much already. He just hugged her and nodded.

Back to the present!