RAMADIYA
In the village outskirts of Dubai, lived a young immigrant, Ramadiya with her stepmother and two step-sisters.
All the three women treated her poorly, Poor Ramadiya had to work all day so the others could rest.
She had to wake up each morning when it was still dark and cold to start the fire. It was she who cooked the meals and kept the fire going. The poor girl could not stay clean from all the ramad (ashes) by the fire.
WHAT A MESS!
And that is why they called her “Ramadiya”.
Since Ramadiya was born to an immigrant, she would frequently get taunted by the three women.
Ya Allah! When will this torture end?
One day, big news came. The Sheikh and Sheikha were going to have a Tanoura dance in the desert. It was time for the Prince to find a bride. All the young women in the village were invited to come.
FASTER!
For Ramadiya, this meant more work. She had to make brand new kaftans for the stepsisters.
You call that a dress?!?
Oh dear! When can I-
Suddenly, the evil stepmother marched into the room screaming,
When can you WHAT? Well, when will I make my own dress for the party?
You? Who said YOU were going to the party?
Soon the time came for the big party. Their fine camel carriage came to the door.
As the stepmother got to leave, she turned back and screamed,
Clean ALL THE UTENSILS in the storeroom before we come back!!
She sat down to take out all the utensils one after the other and started cleaning them.
As she took out a vessel from the top shelf, something fell. Thinking that she broke the vessel, Ramadiya froze.
OH NO! What did I do? They will kill me when they come back!
She quickly picked up the utensil and rubbed the dust over it. But it turned out to be a beautiful LAMP! And out came a genie! Ramadiya got scared.
WHO ARE YOU?!?!
But.... is imp
..my wish possible!
YOU FREED ME! Thank you so much!
I am a genie who was stuck in this lamp for so many years! My master used most of my magic and locked me here. But now I am free! Tell me what can I do for you? I am not that powerful, but I can grant any wish of yours!
Leave it to me to decide if it is possible or not!
Well, I want to go the Tanoura party and meet the Prince. But even if I had something nice to wear, I cannot get there
All of that is possible.
With that, the genie said something that Ramadiya could not understand. At once, Ramadiya was all clean!. She was dressed in a beautiful kaftan and wore glass slippers.
This is wonderful!
Who said I was done? Take a look outside.
At once, a beautiful carriage came to be, with a driver and a camel.
Am I dreaming?
But remember, I am not that powerful. So all of this lasts only to midnight. Tonight, at the stroke of midnight, everything will go back to how it was before.”
Ramadiya looked around her, but the genie was gone. But there she stood in a beautiful kaftan. And there was her driver and camel carriage outside the house, waiting.
Did that even happen?
She quickly grabbed her niqab and hopped onto the carriage. And they were off.
At the Tanoura dance party in the desert, the place soon became crowded with people and finelooking young women. The Prince did not know what to think.
Why do you have that sad look on your face? Look around you! You could not ask for finer maidens than these.
I know, Mother! But I cannot seem to say another more than hello.
Yet he knew something was wrong. He had met many of the young women.
Suddenly the lights from the rotating Tanoura dancer hit his eyes and his glance fell on something coming from the distant dark.
Ramadiya got out of her camel carriage without anyone noticing, especially the evil stepmother and her daughters. She covered face with the niqab when she saw the large crowd of men.
I must cover my face so no one suspects.
Who is that? There is something about her. I need to know who she is.
As he approached her, the evil stepmother came near him to introduce her daughters. Seeing this Ramadiya ran aside to hide. The Prince tried his best to avoid the women but was not successful.
After many failed attempts, he was finally able to talk to her. Ramadiya kept her gazes low under the niqab.
Salam! Have me met?
I feel as if I know you. But ofcourse! That is impossible.
Walaikum Asalaam Amir! I am pleased to meet you.
Just then the guards of the Sheikh announced that it was about to be midnight and the food along with the bonfire will be arranged soon.
Oh, my! It is almost midnight
Why does that matter?
I MUST GO! Ma Salama Amir! But we just met! Why leave now?
She ran towards the camel carriage. As she hopped on the camel, one of her glass slippers fell off her foot on the sand. The camel rode into the midnight darkness.
The Royal family called the Prince from behind to join the dinner with everyone. It would be midnight now. He turned back to find nothing.
He ran and picked up her glass slipper which had now turned into an open box. He looked around but could not see Ramadiya anywhere.
This is all I have left from her. There is something special about her. Otherwise how could the turn into a box?
Maybe this will turn back into the slipper when she wears it. I do not even want to see her face, but when I find her, I will ask her to be my bride!
From hut to hut, from house to house, went the Prince. One young woman after another tried to fit her foot inside the box. The Prince waited with hopeful eyes to see it turn into the beautiful glass slipper. But nothing happened. And so the Prince moved on.
Quick! Get ready! One of you must fit your foot into that damn box and make it look like a slipper. No matter what!
At last, the Prince came to the house of Ramadiya.
Please come in Amir! I have two lovely daughters for you to see.
The first step-sister tried to place her foot into the box. She tried hard, but it just would not turn into a slipper. Then the second step-sister tried to fit her foot inside. She tried and tried with all her might, too. But in vain.
Are there no other young women in the house? If no, then I will take your leave.
He suddenly heard someone run from behind the door.
WAIT! GUARDS! Go find who that was?
The guards marched into the house and brought a young girl in dirt and ashes.
I thought you said there were no other young women here.
None who matter!
Ramadiya stepped up to him. The Prince got down on one knee and tried the box on her foot.
And then to his startling surprise, it instantly turned into a glass slipper! Then, from her pocket, Ramadiya took out something. It was the other glass slipper!
Finally Alhamdullillah! At last I found you!
The stepmother and the two daughters were in disbelief! They were shocked!
But it was too late. The Prince knew that Ramadiya was the one. He looked into her eyes. He did not see the ashes on her face and hair.
I have found you!
But....but this cannot happen. She is an immigrant! She is not up to your status. You cannot marry her!
The Prince could not tolerate such remarks. He got furious.
Excuse me! In our land, we do not discriminate against anyone on their nationality. We welcome all!
And so Ramadiya and the Prince were married, and they lived happily ever after in a prosperous Dubai!