Chapter 2: The Search 

It was early the next morning when Aladdin said farewell to his father then his sleeping wife. He kissed Jasmine on the forehead than he and Genie departed on carpet not knowing what they would find in Gedzestan. 

In Gedzestan He and Genie looked in all of the possible places, well almost
all it seemed. They even asked people. Some looked at them oddly while
others tried to help, but had never heard of the child.  

“Have
you tried the orphanage.” A man suggested. “It’s a long shot, but it’s
worth a shot.” 

“Actually
we haven't checked there yet.....Thanks.” Aladdin said.  

“Next
on Unsolved Mysteries of the Middle East.” Said Genie mimicking a host
of a crime reality show. “Aladdin’s sister mysteriously vanishes” 

“Genie
this is no time to joke...We’re getting closer I can feel it.” Said Aladdin. 

They
ask for directions to the orphanage and head there. Inside was a small
room with a table and a few chairs. There was a woman sitting at the
table filling out documents. They entered.

“May
I help you?” The woman kindly asked. 

“Yes...were
looking for al little girl.” 

“Okay..
you're going to have to fill these papers out.” 

“No...not
to adopt. We have been looking for this girl all day. Her name is Isabel. 

“We
do have a girl by the name of Isabel.” She said. 

Their
eyes widened as if they opened an envelope and a gazillion dollars popped
out. 

“She’s
10 years old with blonde hair and blue eyes.” The woman informed them. 

Their
excited faces turned numb.

“Oh...nevermind...That’s
not the child we were looking for. Thanks anyways.” Aladdin said as
he almost lost all hope. “Here I think you could use this.” He said
as he pulled out a bag of money. He gave it to the woman. 

“Why...Thank
you kind sir. You are an angel sent from above.” 

“Aw...don’t
mention it.” He said modestly.

Little
did they know that this outcome would change. They were ready to leave.
They walked out. It was dark and cold.

“Well,
we tried. She’s probably long gone, in another town or something. Let’s
go before it gets any colder.” Aladdin somberly spoke. Just then, at
that very moment he heard a soft cry, like in his dream, only this time
it was dark out. He knew that it probably wouldn't be her, but he wouldn't
feel right if he had just left it. He turned the corner just to check
it out. It was there when he saw this little girl. She sat on some steps,
shivering and crying. 

“Poor
thing.” He whispered to himself as he approached the child. Genie stayed
by Carpet. He knelt down to her level. 

“What’s
the matter honey?” He asked her. 

“I fell
and hurt my arm and it’s cold out here.” She cried. 

“Genie
can you give us a blanket?” Al requested. Genie made a blanket appear
in Aladdin’s arms. He wrapped the child up in the blanket.

“Do
you have a mommy or a daddy?”

She
shook her head no. 

“All right
then...what’s your name dear?” 

“Isabel.” 

He knew
that this was the girl when she had said her name. She was about 3,
with black hair and brown eyes; it just didn't dawn on him until he
heard her name. Than he began to see how much they looked alike. Aladdin
picked the child up. 

“Ow..my
arm” She said with a soft cry following. 

“I know
sweetheart. As soon as we get back to my place we'll have someone take
a look at it.” Aladdin said while stroking her hair. He held her closely
as they departed for Agrabah. She had fallen asleep on the way. When
he got back to Agrabah Jasmine was waiting for him. 

“Oh
my... Aladdin what happened?” Asked Jasmine concerned when she saw the
dirty beat up child. 

“I think
this is her. I found her cold, orphaned, and hurt.”  

“The
poor thing.” Said Jasmine as she stroked the child’s cheek. 

“How
is my father?”

“He’s
a fighter. Still hanging in there. “  

The
child became agitated in Aladdin’s arms. 

“Ow!”
Cried Isabel. 

“Maybe
I should take a look at that arm.” Genie suggested.

Aladdin
carried Isabel upstairs to his room and sat her on the bed. Genie took
a look at her arm. He gave her an x-ray as tears streamed down her face. 

“I have
good news. Nothing is broken. Your arm is just bruised. It’s nothing
that a little care won't fix.” Genie said as he put her arm in a sling,.
“Meanwhile, here’s something for the pain.”  

She
drank a purple liquid. 

“It’s
yucky.” 

“I know
but it will make you feel batter.” Aladdin reassured her. 

Jasmine
joined them. 

“How
is she?” She asked 

“She'll
be all right.” Genie confirmed. “Nothing to worry about.” 

“Good,
because Cassim wants to see her.” Declared Jasmine. 

“Alright...Isabel
honey, a nice man wants to meet you. Don't be scared.” Aladdin said
lovingly.

He carried
Isabel to his fathers room to see the man that longed to be with her
for 3 years.  

Cassim
opened his eyes to see Isabel standing next to Aladdin. He knew right
when he saw her that this was the daughter ha had longed to see, the
daughter that he longed to hold in his arms. 

“Isabel....
honey, I have been waiting for this moment ever since you were born.
Do you know who I am?” 

She timidly
shook her head no. 

“ Honey,
I am your daddy, and the nice man next to you is your big brother Aladdin.” 

Aladdin
gently nudged her forward towards Cassim.  

“Don't
be afraid dear.” Aladdin said encouraging Isabel. 

“Are
you sick?” Isabel asked him in the sweetest voice. 

“Yes Isabel
I am. That is why I had to see you Isabel. Everything’s all right now.”
Cassim reassured the little girl. He lovingly stroked her smudged cheek. 

“If you
are my daddy, then why did you leave me?” She innocently questioned.  

This
broke Cassim’s heart and almost made him feel guilty for not being in
her life. Aladdin just stood there, but he felt for her. He knew Isabel’s
pain. 

“I didn't
want to , believe me. Your mother wouldn't let me in your life.” He
paused to take a breath. “ I loved you very much and I still do.” He
continued. 

Aladdin
saw Cassim growing weaker. 

“Isabel
sweetheart lets get you cleaned up. You can come back after you get
a bath and before you go to bed.” Said Aladdin 

She grabbed
his hand. She just stared at Cassim with sad eyes until they were out
of the room. 

Jasmine
gave Isabel a bath. After she got all cleaned up and ready for bed Aladdin
took her back to see Cassim so Cassim could wish her good night. Then
it was to bed with Isabel.  

“ 'laddin....thank
you. “ Isabel tiredly muttered. 

“For what?” 

“Bringing
me here.”  

“Aww...honey,
you don't have to thank me for that. “ He softly responded. He knelt
beside the bed.  

“ 'laddin
I love you.” Whispered Isabel followed by a yawn. 

He almost
cried. He felt so connected to the girl, like he had known her forever.
Is there a special connection that some siblings have? He kissed her
softly on her cheek as she fell asleep.