The Nearest Heaven ✔️

Part 11 - Dark Times

Part 11 – Dark Times

A few weeks had passed since their Nikkah. Fadiyah was still getting used to the idea that she could touch Faraaz freely, or help him by holding his hand, even if he could no longer hold her hand. Several days after their Nikkah, Faraaz found that his muscles could not work as well as he wanted them to. He broke down in tears the day he found out.

Fadiyah had to rush into during the therapy session to calm him, but there was nothing that she could do. It was very difficult for her empathise with him, but she was deeply sympathetic. She could not relate to him and understand what he was going through, but Fadiyah vowed to be with him every step of the way.

"Mrs Ali," Doctor Amod, the physiotherapist called Fadiyah. At first, it had taken her seven long seconds before she realised that he was calling her.

She rushed into the room, panicking that something had happened. "Jee?" she smiled as her eyes landed on Doctor Amod. However, habit had her looking for Faraaz. He was on his white chaise, leaning back against the head and crying horribly. Tears were falling in rapid succession down his cheeks. Torn between listening to the doctor, or hurrying to Faraaz's side, Fadiyah chose her husband. She grabbed the box of tissues that was always kept near his chaise for when he ate and sat on the floor, gently dabbing his tears away.

When the physiotherapist said nothing, Fadiyah prompted him to say something, to explain Faraaz's state. "Mrs Ali," he began sadly. "I'm sorry. But Mister Ali is upset that he has lost his ability to hold objects."

"What?" her eyes flickered to Faraaz and she saw the defeated and disappointed look on his face.

"It happens all the time," the physiotherapist went on to say. "His muscle isn't used to working, so it will work sporadically. All of his muscles will need to be strengthened to be able to gain full usage." His eyes were on the couple as he spoke, watching their silent interaction. Fadiyah had her hand through Faraaz's hair, stroking it calmly and soothingly. Her own eyes were glassy, as if she were the one told that she had lost sensation in her limbs. Faraaz had his eyes on Fadiyah alone. Tears still fell steadily, yet he looked at her alone. A look of defeat was etched in his face. It was as if he was upset with himself for being a failure. "Mister Ali just needs to overcame the idea that all hope is lost. Hope is not lost. It shines like a beacon in the distance. There is much to do before he may regain his limbs –"

Fadiyah interrupted with a very irritable tone. "Please stop speaking about him as if he is a child and as if he is not present in the room!"

The physiotherapist hung his head in shame. "Please excuse my mistake. The thing is, there is a lot of work to be done before his limbs can work again. He just must not give up."

"Thank you," Fadiyah said annoyed. "I'll escort you out," she said leaving him no room to argue. He nodded at her before packing up his equipment. "I'll be back," Fadiyah whispered to Faraaz.

"Please forgive me." The physiotherapist was eager to please the new Mrs Ali, to try and get her on his good side.

"It's forgiven," she replied curtly.

"Your husband needs to not give up hope," he repeated for what seemed like the millionth time. "This is but a minor setback and it is something that I have seen often."

"Then you should know how to counter-act it, correct?" she asked as she eyed him through narrowed eyes.

"Y-yes," he replied hesitantly. Perhaps, she was not as weak-minded and easy to fool as he initially thought?

"Good!" She opened the door and gestured for him to leave. "I'll see you next week." When Fadiyah had gotten back to Faraaz, he was done crying, but his face and beard was soaked with tears. Her face dropped into a mask of sadness at seeing him so sad, so defeated. "Faraaz," she said softly as she sat on her knees by his side. Instantly, her hand went to brush his hair back from his face. "It doesn't matter, okay?" she told him comfortingly. "I will be here with you through everything. This doesn't make you lesser of a person, Faraaz. It just means that you have to work harder."