The Nearest Heaven

Part 10 - Late Conversations

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Part 10 – Late Conversations

"Oh you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dower you have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them it may be that you dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good."

~Surah An-Nisa, verse 19.

Faraaz was dressed in a beautiful silver kurta, his intoxicating scent entering the room before he did. A glorious smile was etched on his face, and he held his head high as he was wheeled into the room by Waqqaar.

A gasp escaped Fadiyah and tears welled up in her eyes. She was exceptionally proud of him for being able to sit upright. She wiped away the stray tear that fell, and he smiled at her.

All the other people were ignored. To Fadiyah and Faraaz, it was only them as they stared at one another. Fadiyah's happiness radiated outwards and Faraaz could see her joy that he was in the wheel chair with no strap to support him and maintain his upright position.

"You look beautiful," he told her as soon as he reached her.

A rosy blush covered her cheeks as she looked down and avoided his eyes. "Jazakallah," she whispered.

The Nikkah was speedily concluded and the Imam left immediately afterwards without enjoying anything from the feast prepared. As the guests ate, Faraaz's father watched Faraaz and Fadiyah as they interacted. He had a mistrustful feeling of her, but everything that he witnessed her do seemed genuine. Waqqaar and Jacob had both told him that she was an honest young lady, her intentions were pure and that she was soft-hearted. Each time that he spoke to them, they only sang her praises and mentioned what a positive impact she had on Faraaz.

When he heard about their sudden wedding, he was worried. Had she tricked him into the marriage? It made no sense for a young, beautiful girl to want to marry his son. It was not meant to be an insult to his son, but it was something that had to be considered logically. Faraaz was not the man he was a year ago. He could not be the ideal husband by taking her on dates, or doing fun physical activities, or even just taking a simple walk with her in the park. He could easily provide for her with the money he was earning from his business, but a woman craved attention and affection and constant actions proving that.

Aasif saw how she watched as Faraaz was wheeled into the room. Everyone had plastic smiles, but he noticed that she had a worried look on her face but when she smiled it radiated positivity. Her concern was washed away and pure glee replaced it as her eyes followed his every move.

He could see the way she watched his face for any sign of distress or discomfort. Aasif Ali critically analysed her as she watched his son. Even before Faraaz entered the room, he saw her nerves and the way she spoke to Aaban, giving him all of her attention as if he was the only person in the room with her. It brought a smile to his face. He knew how much his son loved Aaban.

Then, as everyone went to fetch themselves a plate, she got one for herself. A frown stretched itself forcefully across his weathered forehead, unhappy that she only bothered to look after herself. His old, brown eyes trailed behind her as she sat next to his son with a smile on her face. She spoke a few words to him and angled her body towards his. Once again, it seemed as if the world only consisted of the two of them in that moment. She picked up a pie and brought it to Faraaz's mouth.

They argued for a bit and she stubbornly shook her head at him. Aasif could not hear what she told him, but he saw the defeated look on his son's face before Faraaz unwillingly opened his mouth and bit down on the pie Fadiyah held out to him. He watched as Faraaz chewed and swallowed before telling her something. Again, she told Faraaz something but Faraaz glared at her and as her body slumped slightly, he knew his son won the argument. She took a bite of the pie that she fed his son earlier.