The marvel-ous kid taking charge - By Tehreem Fatima

Studying in Kanpur's Jaipuria School, the nine-year-old attends all his online classes, not just normal school from 8 AM to 12:45 in the afternoon. Even though like every school student, Jibran would be tired after classes, his mother had already enforced this habit of studying for an hour in the evening as well.

Muslims from all around the world felt emptiness during the 30 days of Ramadan in 2020. With Rooh Afza for drinks, and food like Dahi Phulki, Aloo Pakode, and Chanay being the traditional Iftaar everybody waits for all day long. Making the sharbat and cutting green chilies and onions were the responsibilities Jibran took to help elders.

While people were obsessing over Dalgona coffee at their homes, this little hero learned how to make breakfast and snacks. He learned to boil eggs in the pot, make cheese-onion sandwiches, toast bun and butter and also bake a chocolate cake. He was turning into a little Masterchef!

He would also help with the chore of washing the dishes. From his morning Bournvita milk cup to his dinner plates, he washed most of his utensils. His habit of washing, at least his own utensils, continues and is much appreciated by all family members.

Although 2020 would be a year marked by hopelessness and anxiety, there were still some people who made the most out of it. 

2020 was also a year to become adaptable to change. As a 9-year-old, Jibran used this challenging time to be there for his family in whatever manner possible and showed exemplary signs of maturity.

Jibran ironing his father's kurta pajama for Friday prayers.

Despite being repeatedly asked to iron his school uniform before this lockdown, he didn’t take interest and would leave it for his mother. However, circumstances had changed and he took up the responsibility of ironing clothes.

Although his clothes got dirty and the mud got stuck onto his nails, the joy Jibran felt after planting a sapling was priceless.

With the help of various YouTube videos and being guided by his grandmother, he was successful in completing the task.

Amongst the many family members, Jibran helped his younger sister the most. From teaching her to spell “Cat” in English, to helping her learn to count to 100, he did it all with some help from elders.

Just before the lockdown, the kids’ grandmother suggested putting up a swing for the children to enjoy some gala time outdoors in the evening. Even though the swing was a matter of dispute at times, it became a great pastime not only for the sibling duo but elders too.

Before going to sleep at night, the nine-year-old reads a midnight story to his sister, Samarah.

The stories include Winnie the Pooh, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, etc. Among all these Jungle Book is her favourite book and Baloo, the favourite character as he looks just like her.

"What if" is a 10-liner poem about what Jibran wants to be in the future. Nevertheless, the professions are not doctors or engineers, but characters of Avengers like Thor and Iron Man. Little does he know that he's already become the real-life Superhero of 2020 for his family!

Samarah’s bhaijaan took inspiration from his sister as she made different hairstyles for her dolls. Even though his little sister doesn’t let anybody touch her hair, this time was different. She taught her brother to handle long hair as well as to tie a ponytail.

His sister, Samarah, a 6-year-old who is mostly found playing with her dolls and dressing them up, asked her Bhaijaan to paint her nails. Though Jibran was skeptical of doing the task, his little sister patiently taught him how to go about it as he painted her nails with light pink nail polish.