Pitter-patter, pitter-patter … Maryam watched the raindrops slowly fall on her window. She sighed for the millionth time and wrapped her arms around her knees, bringing them closer.

Today had been an awful day. She had an argument with one of her best friends, Laraib. Frankly, Maryam knew that it had been her fault as she had forgotten where she had placed Laraib’s favourite toy. But when she said sorry like she usually did, Laraib didn’t accept it.

Maryam was not a rude girl with a short temper, rather she was very kind. The only problem she had was her forgetfulness, and this caused her a lot of problems. But she never paid attention to this, rather every time she forgot something, she would say sorry and then move on.

This was what she had been taught. Her parents had taught her, even her teachers had said the same thing. Just a five-letter word that one could say in such situations and move on. But why didn’t it work this time?

Grumbling, she went downstairs to eat dinner. Her parents and her grandmother were already there. She sat down on her chair and looked at her food. The air suddenly grew tensed and Maryam knew it was her fault, but her stubbornness kept her from saying anything. After a while it was her mother who spoke.

“Maryam dear, is everything alright?”

“No,” came the only response.

“Would you like to tell us what the problem is so that we can help?” This time it was her grandmother who had spoken.

“No ... well ... yes!” frustrated Maryam ran a hand through her hair.

“It’s okay dear, calm down and tell us.”

So, Maryam took a few deep breaths and tried again. She told them about the fight she had, how her apology wasn’t accepted and how she was panicking about losing her best friend because she didn’t know how to fix this mess.

After a while, her grandmother spoke again, “Maryam do you know the apology train?”

“Apology train?”

“Yes, have you ever seen a train with only one compartment? No, because there are different compartments attached to each other. The further you go, the luxurious it gets. An apology train is similar to this. After saying sorry, you have to go further to make your apology nicer and more luxurious.”

“How do I do that grandmother?”

“Well you could start by telling your friend what you’re sorry for. Then hug her and ask her if there is anything you can do to make it up to her.”

Maryam went to her room and thought carefully about what her grandmother had said. She looked outside to see that the rain had stopped as well. Maryam made up her mind and quickly went downstairs to tell her mother that she was going to Laraib’s house. It wasn’t that hard as they were neighbours. After ringing the bell, the door opened and she met with none other than Laraib herself.

Without wasting another second, Maryam said, “I’m really sorry about misplacing your favourite toy. I know how much you loved it. I know I can be forgetful, but I promise I’ll try to be better in future.”

She immediately hugged her and said, “Is there any way I can make it up to you?”

Laraib couldn’t stop smiling and said, “It’s okay Maryam, I forgive you, but remember, you are my best buddy and I trust you with all my heart!”

‘The apology train really works,’ Maryam thought as she nodded and hugged her best friend again.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 2nd, 2019