Shadow

Just as he promised, Uncle Mir takes care of Aman and his mother for the next six years. They live in small flat above Mir and Mina’s, and they sometimes help with Mir’s taxi business. Aman loves his life in England. They have all the amenities they need, and Mir even takes him to see the occasional Manchester United game. Mir treats Aman like his own son.

Aman does have his struggles at first as he acclimates to England. He has to learn English, but he picks it up quickly. A boy named Dan Smart picks on him, until Matt stands up to the bully. Aman and Matt become best friends after that. However, life is more difficult for Aman’s mother. She still cries over her mother’s and her husband’s deaths. She can only do volunteer work because asylum seekers are not allowed to earn money. Her doctor gives her medication for her anxiety, but it makes her sleepy.

Aman is good at school, particularly mathematics. His teachers think he is good enough to go to university. Above all, he excels at soccer—his team even won the league competition two years in a row.

Despite their better life, the uncertainty of whether or not they will be allowed to stay in England hangs over Aman and his mother.