Taif stood outside Dar Al-Nour, watching as the children ran through the yard, their laughter ringing through the air.
It had been nearly a year since she had opened the home, and already, it had become a place of warmth and love.
A place where lost children found family.
Where abandoned souls found hope.
And where the pain of the past was slowly replaced with healing.
She had done it.
But her journey wasn’t over.
A New Arrival
One afternoon, as Taif was reviewing paperwork in her office, Umm Ayman knocked on the door.
"You need to see this," she said, her voice tinged with urgency.
Taif stood immediately. "What is it?"
Umm Ayman led her to the entrance, where a small child stood, clutching a torn bag against his chest.
He was no older than six.
His hair was unkempt, his face smudged with dirt.
But it was his eyes that made Taif freeze.
They were full of the same silent pain that Zayn’s had once held.
The boy refused to speak.
Refused to look anyone in the eye.
And Taif felt something inside her break all over again.
She knelt down slowly, offering him a gentle smile.
"Hello, sweetheart," she whispered. "My name is Taif. What’s yours?"
The boy clutched his bag tighter.
Taif waited.
And waited.
But he didn’t answer.
Not with words.
Instead, he took a slow step forward… and buried his face in her arms.
Taif’s breath caught.
She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, feeling the way his tiny body trembled against her.
He didn’t need to say anything.
She already understood.
He was home now.
A Brother’s Love
That night, as Taif tucked Zayn into bed, he looked up at her with a curious expression.
"Who was that boy today?" he asked.
Taif smiled softly. "His name is Adam. He’s going to be staying with us for a while."
Zayn frowned. "He looked… scared."
"He is," she said gently. "Just like you were once."
Zayn was silent for a moment. Then, after a deep breath, he whispered,
"Can I help him?"
Taif’s heart swelled with pride.
She brushed his hair back and nodded. "I think that would mean the world to him."
The next morning, Zayn found Adam sitting alone in the corner of the garden, his knees drawn to his chest.
He didn’t say anything.
He just sat beside him.
Minutes passed.
Then, slowly, Adam scooted a little closer.
And Zayn held out his hand.
Adam hesitated.
But after a long moment, he took it.
And for the first time, he smiled.
A Growing Family
Months passed, and more children arrived at Dar Al-Nour.
Each with their own stories.
Each with their own scars.
And Taif welcomed them all.
She sat with them when they were afraid.
Held them when they cried.
And reminded them—over and over again—that they were never alone.
Diaa watched her with admiration, stepping in to help wherever he could.
One evening, as they sat together, watching the children play, he turned to her with a smirk.
"You realize we’ve basically adopted half the city by now?"
Taif laughed, leaning her head against his shoulder. "I wouldn’t have it any other way."
He chuckled. "I know."
He paused, then added softly, "And I’ve never been prouder of you."
She smiled, intertwining her fingers with his.
Because this was everything she had ever dreamed of.
A home full of love.
A family that never stopped growing.
And a purpose that made every battle worth it.
The Letter
One day, as Taif was sorting through mail, she came across an envelope with no return address.
Curious, she opened it.
And as she read the first line, her breath caught.
"Dear Miss Taif, I don’t know if you remember me, but I remember you. You saved me."
Her hands trembled.
It was from one of the orphans she had once taught at the school.
A child who had long since left.
"I wanted to tell you that I’m okay now. I have a good home. I go to school. And every time I think of kindness, I think of you."
Taif pressed a hand to her heart.
"You once told me that I mattered. That I was important. I never forgot that. And I wanted you to know that I made it. Because of you."
Tears blurred her vision.
She clutched the letter to her chest, her heart full.
Diaa found her minutes later, wiping at her tears with a confused smile. "What happened?"
She looked up at him, her face shining with emotion.
"I just got proof," she whispered.
"Proof of what?"
She smiled through her tears.
"That love really does change everything."