Morning sunlight was coming through the library window. Mumin was sitting and chatting with Mahim. Zakia was playing with her doll. Rokeya Begum was reading a book.
Mahim said, "Mumin, come with me. Do you want to see my research laboratory? We have time now."
Mumin agreed. Zakia ran over. "I want to go too! I want to go!"
Rokeya Begum said, "You stay here. There are big machines there. It could be dangerous for you."
Zakia started making a cute pleading face. Mumin said, "Let her come with us. I'll make sure she doesn't get into any trouble."
Rokeya Begum agreed. Zakia clapped happily. Mumin held her hand as they walked. Her tiny hand in his. It felt very gentle and warm.
Mahim walked ahead. A long corridor, then an elevator. The elevator went far down—deep underground. When the door opened, there was a huge chamber. Bright, dazzling lights everywhere. Countless machines around them. Monitors. Switches. Buttons. Several people dressed like scientists were moving around quickly.
Mahim said, "This is our anti-matter lab."
Mumin looked around in amazement. "Anti-matter? What is that?"
Mahim smiled. "I'll explain." He went to a blackboard and picked up a marker. Then he started drawing.
"Look, Mumin. What is our world made of? Atoms. And inside atoms there are electrons, protons, and neutrons. Each of these has an opposite particle. The opposite of an electron is a positron. The opposite of a proton is an anti-proton. These opposite particles together form anti-matter."
Mumin listened in surprise. Zakia didn't understand anything, but she was still listening to her father.
Mahim drew another diagram. "This is a model of the equipment used to create anti-matter. It has three main parts."
Drawing three circles, he began explaining—
First part: Particle Accelerator — This accelerates particles to extremely high speeds. Almost the speed of light. At this speed, when particles collide, new particles are created.
Second part: Trapping System — When anti-matter is created, it must be stored in a container. But it cannot be stored in a normal container. Because if anti-matter comes into contact with normal matter, it explodes instantly. So it must be kept in a magnetic field—floating in suspension.
Third part: Cooling System — Creating anti-matter produces intense heat. That heat must be controlled. Otherwise the entire lab would explode.
After finishing, Mahim said, "This is what we are doing here. Creating anti-matter. One gram of anti-matter can destroy a city."
Mumin froze. "That powerful?"
Mahim nodded. "Yes. And they want to turn it into a weapon. They want the most powerful weapon on Earth to be in their hands."
Mumin fell silent. He was beginning to understand what kind of situation he had become part of.
Zakia tugged at him. "Uncle, won't you look? Come over there."
Mumin walked with her, holding her hand. But his mind no longer felt light.
Evening arrived. Mumin was sitting in a corner of the library. Zakia was playing beside him. Mahim and Rokeya Begum had gone somewhere for a short while.
Mumin looked at Zakia and asked, "Zakia, where are your grandparents? You never talk about them."
Zakia stopped playing. "Grandparents? They… they…"
The girl didn't know what to say. Just then Mahim returned. He had heard the conversation.
Mahim went quiet. Then slowly he said to Zakia,
"Zakia, go to your mother for a moment. I want to talk with Uncle Mumin."
Zakia left. Mahim sat down. There was sadness in his eyes.
Mahim said, "You mentioned grandparents, Mumin. They… they were killed."
Mumin's eyes widened. "Killed? Who killed them?"
Mahim took a deep breath.
"They were from the nation we saw in the prison. The same people I told you about. They used to be citizens of this country—citizens of Imolodia itself. But they resisted. They didn't want this country to build weapons. They didn't want the world to be destroyed. So they were all captured and thrown into prison."
Mumin's throat went dry. "Your parents?"
Mahim nodded. "Yes. My father, my mother—they were thrown into prison. And then one day… they were killed. How, why—no one knows. I only know they are gone."
Tears filled Mumin's eyes. He thought about Zakia. The little girl didn't know that her grandparents were gone. She didn't know why.
Mumin asked, "How did you survive?"
Mahim said, "Because of my work. They need me. I can create anti-matter. That's why they kept me alive. They kept my wife alive. They kept Zakia alive. But my parents… they were useless to them. So…"
Mahim couldn't finish the sentence. Tears rolled down his face.
Mumin remained silent for a moment. Then he said, "Can I tell you a story?"
Mahim looked at him. Mumin began—
"Do you know the story of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him)? He was a prophet of Allah. He freed a nation called Bani Israel from the oppression of Pharaoh."
Mahim was a little surprised. Mumin was speaking about the Qur'an?
Mumin continued—
"In the Qur'an, Allah says: 'Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and divided its people into groups. He oppressed one group among them, killing their sons and letting their women live. Indeed, he was among the corrupters.' (Surah Al-Qasas, Verse 4)"
Mahim listened silently.
Mumin said, "Pharaoh was just like Imolodia. He was mad with power. He imprisoned weak nations and killed their children. But Allah sent Musa (peace be upon him) to free them."
Then Mumin recited another verse—
"And We wanted to favor those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors." (Surah Al-Qasas, Verse 5)
Mahim whispered, "Allah makes the oppressed into leaders?"
Mumin said, "Yes. When Pharaoh was at his strongest, that was when Allah sent Musa. And Pharaoh eventually fell. Allah said: 'We sent Musa with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they rejected them. So see what was the end of the corrupters.' (Surah Al-A'raf, Verses 103–104)"
Now a light of hope appeared in Mahim's eyes. "Are you saying this Imolodia will fall too?"
Mumin replied, "Allah never lets oppressors escape forever. One day they will face punishment. The Qur'an also says: 'Or do you think you will enter Paradise while such trials have not yet come to you as came to those before you?' (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 214)"
Tears fell from Mahim's eyes. "My parents… they were patient too. But they didn't survive."
Mumin said softly, "Those who are killed in the path of Allah are alive. The Qur'an says: 'Do not say of those who are killed in the cause of Allah that they are dead. Rather, they are alive, but you do not perceive it.' (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 154)"
Mahim looked at Mumin. This boy—whom others called crazy—was explaining the Qur'an so beautifully.
Mumin stopped. He realized it was better to end here for today. Mahim needed patience now, not more emotional weight.
Mumin said, "I will tell you many more stories later. For now, you should rest."
Mahim held Mumin's hand tightly. He said nothing. He just wiped his tears.
Outside, night had fallen. The library lights were soft. Zakia ran toward them.
"Uncle, will you come again tomorrow?"
Mumin placed his hand on her head and said, "InshaAllah, Zakia. I'll come tomorrow. I'll bring more stories for you."
Zakia started jumping happily.
Mumin left. Mahim remained sitting alone. For the first time, hope had awakened in his heart. The same Allah who destroyed Pharaoh would also destroy Imolodia. And Mumin… could there be a part of Musa inside this boy?
Night grew deeper. Another day ended in Imolodia. But today ended with the planting of a seed of hope. One day, that seed will grow into a great tree—InshaAllah.