The Mysterious Gate

Rain tapped rhythmically on the window while Rubina was lying in the lap of her granny. It was about night but Rubina couldn't sleep like her granny. They both were dancing with their pupils while staring into each drop of the rain as it dripped down the shade of the fragile wood.

Rubina's granny used to tell her myths and fables; that weren't fables at that time to the innocent girl.

"Nani, where’s that creamy roll you promised to bake in the cooker?" Rubina smirked, leaning closer to her grandmother.

"My little princess, your father forgot to bring the flour I needed. How about I bake it for you another day?" Nani replied with a warm smile, patting Rubina’s cheek.

"Okay, Nani, but I’m starving! I haven’t eaten anything since lunch. Aah... Nani, look... look at my tiny tummy. It’s shrinking!" Rubina whined dramatically, lifting her shirt to show her little belly.

"You little rascal!" Nani chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I know you’ve just gobbled up all the cookies your mom baked for your little brother. Don’t you dare fool me! I wish I could peek into your tummy through that tiny button of yours like they say they used to do in the olden days. Maybe then I’d teach you a proper lesson, you cheeky little brat!"

What did they use to say? They could open what? Rubina squealed, clapping her hands together.

"What? Why are you grinning? I'm telling the truth... Never mind your generation would never understand what used to happen in the old days", Nani exclaimed with a sigh.

"No, Nani... I'm serious, I wanna know... Are you actually saying that his useless button on my belly could open and close? Really? Please tell me, Nani... Please..." Rubina begged, drawing out her words dramatically.

Only if you pinky-promise me to apologize to your brother tomorrow for eating his cookies? Ok?

Okay Nani, anything; what so ever!

It's only gonna take 2 minutes and after that, you are going to rush to your bed otherwise your mom is gonna kill both of us for staying up so long...

"Alright, Nani—You fear my mom, don't you" She teased, a sly grin spreading across her face."Ah, cut the drama, you silly girl. Let me tell you a story from a long, long time ago," Nani said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Once upon a time, Mehmoona and Saad, a poor but kind-hearted couple, lived a humble life. One evening, an unusual thing happened. Despite never being invited to such gatherings, a generous soul extended an invitation to a grand party. Overwhelmed with excitement, they attended and ate to their heart’s content. Plates full of delicious food filled their bellies that day, and for a while, they forgot their struggles.

But when they returned home, their joy turned to guilt. Their little son, hungry and hopeful, waited for them. His eager eyes searched for something—anything—they might have brought for him from the feast. In their shame, they fumbled for excuses.

"We didn’t eat anything," Mehmoona lied nervously.

"We didn’t even go to the party," Saad added quickly, trying to avoid his son’s questioning gaze. The boy tilted his head, suspicious of their words. "Did you really not eat?" he asked softly.

When they nodded, he took it upon himself to check. Back then, the human navel was no ordinary thing—it was a mysterious gateway, revealing the secrets of a person’s stomach. The boy, with innocence and determination, opened his parents’ "navel gates" to see the truth for himself.

There it was—the unmistakable evidence of their lie. The food they had eaten glimmered faintly within, and the boy’s eyes welled with tears. "You lied to me," he whispered, his tiny voice trembling. Mehmoona and Saad were heartbroken. Embarrassed and ashamed, they knelt before their son, unable to meet his tearful gaze. That night, they prayed fervently to God:

"Please, O Merciful One, close this gateway forever! Spare others from such shame and protect the secrets of our hearts."

And so, the navel gate was sealed for eternity. From that day on, no one could ever peer into another’s belly to uncover their truths. The mysterious gate of secrets was gone forever.

"There you have it," Nani concluded with a playful smile. "A story you won’t find in your schoolbooks!"

Now, go back to your room, or else I'll open up your tiny button to reveal to your brother, you silly girl!

*

*

*

A/N:

Rubina's my mother and those stories were what her grandmother used to tell her— Silly thing; she believed her every word. Now, she tells us and we crack so hard. May she rest in peace (her granny, ok?)

Shout-out to Sk Parihar for suggesting the name of this story.

Check out his new story— It's worth reading :D