The Nearest Heaven

Part 20 - Motivation

To my old readers, those of Falling Innocently, you will remember that I used to start each chapter with an ayah or a hadith. I'm sorry that I do not do that anymore. If you would like me to do it, please let me know!

However, I felt that this chapter needed this reminder.

Much love, Nabeelah

"...And live with them in kindness..."

Surah An-Nisa, ayah 19

Part 20 – Motivation

All through the evening as they sat around the table surrounded by the intoxicating smell of the food, the sweet and spicy aromas drifting up and permeating the air, Aasif watched his son and daughter-in-law as they interacted with one another. There was a vibrancy in the air, a sense of almost tangible excitement and love as they spoke. Faraaz was placed in the wheelchair that they had designed and created specially for him, the thick straps around his abdomen and his chest kept him upright. His hair was brushed neatly and out of his face, as Fadiyah sat next to him with her one hand holding the plate and the other lifting the food to and from his mouth. In between every bite, she will laugh or talk to him, while still keeping in the loop with the conversation on the rest of the table.

She would look at Aaban and make sure that he was eating healthily, that he had enough food on the table and that he was happy. Occasionally, Faraaz would join in on the laughter and jokes. Faraaz would tease Aaban relentlessly about his sleeping behaviour and his sleeping patterns.

"Are you going to tell us now, Uncle Faraaz?" Aaban asked with a mouth full of food.

"Aaban!" Fadiyah scolded.

He swallowed the food in his mouth, but still he looked at her with wide, hopeful brown doe eyes. "But Diyah!" he pouted. "I wanna know!"

Patiently, she smiled at him, easing his fears. "I know, little man, I know, but you have to wait until Faraaz feels ready to share with you."

He let out a deep, annoyed sigh. "But it's not fair!" he wailed as he slumped in his chair.

Aasif watched as she struggled to bite back her smile at Aaban's antics. "Aaban," she said gently. "Faraaz is not yet ready to let you know, little man." Her brown eyes flickered downwards to his plate, before she looked up at him. "It's like you and eating your vegetables." Immediately, his face pulled into a grimace. "You don't like eating it, so you eat it in little bites and then swallow it down. Likewise, Faraaz isn't ready to share, but by having everyone that he loves on this table, while we are all eating, is him breaking those vegetables into smaller pieces that he can handle."

Bewildered, he looked at the big piece of broccoli on his plate, covered entirely in in cheese and white sauce. "Do you want to eat my veggies as well?" he asked Faraaz as he tilted his head in a hopeful manner.

In reply, everyone on the table chuckled heartily. Armaan scoffed after laughing. "No! How stupid are you? What it means is that Uncle Faraaz is building up the courage to speak to everyone," he hissed at his younger brother.

Red faced, Aaban glared at his brother. "I know that, I just wish you never came!" His lower lip stuck out and Aasif knew that he was about to cry. Before he could intervene between the meddling brothers, Aaban lashed out at Armaan. "I don't know why you always get invited. All you do is mess things up and spoil my fun!" Aaban huffed as he pushed himself away from the table and ran away.

Armaan's eyes widened as he looked at the adults on the table. "I ... I didn't..." Aasif nodded his hand and reached out to the young boy.

"I know, son," he said comfortingly. "And it is okay."