The Nearest Heaven

Part 24 - Lost

Part 24 - Lost

"If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him?"

Surah Ali'Imraan, verse 160.

Faraaz knew that when it was time for Fadiyah's monthlies, she tended to have weird cravings, things that were sensible, but outrageous. One prime example is her wanting to make the pecan nut tart instead of actually buying a ready-made pecan nut tart. However, as a man, he kept his mouth shut never having experienced PMS cravings or anything similar. He knew that he had no idea what it was like to want to be able to go through so much of bodily pain and emotional distress and then still be able to function normally.

As much as he didn't like her going alone out to do all her shopping, he let her do it anyway. The first time that they had broached the topic, it had led to a massive, ugly argument between them. He hated every second that they fought, but in the end, he let Fadiyah get her way. In a way, he understood her argument that it would make her feel caged. Already, she lived in a male dominated house. The only other female company was the housekeeper who mostly kept to herself. Fadiyah would feel suffocated. She didn't always truly get to do anything that she wanted in her home because she had to observe Hijab because of Jacob and Waqqaar always being there due to Faraaz's reliability on their care.

"Waqqaar!" he called loudly. "Computer, dial Waqqaar."

The automated voice replied, 'Dialling Waqqaar." The ringing sound followed the female automated voice. However, Waqqaar appeared at the door.

"You called?" he smiled as he puled out his phone, with a single finger swipe across the screen, he ended the call.

"Waqqaar declined call," the voice said robotically.

"I was thinking that it would be better for me to have my medication and stuff now before Fadiyah returns," he told Waqqaar with a questionable look on his face.

Waqqaar shrugged. "Your wish is my command," he teased. "I'll just go and get the things ready. I know you probably don't want to work your muscles, but we are going to do a fifteen-minute stretch so that we keep the muscle memory fresh."

"If we must," Faraaz sighed heavily.

Waqqaar chuckled. "I will go get the things we need."

Fifteen minutes later, Waqqaar returned bearing the medicine trolley filled with all of Faraaz's prescribed medication as well as the hot massage oil. After placing down the massage blanket on the bed, he gently rolled Faraaz over and began to remove his clothing to massage him down.

"Do you think that Fadiyah will be okay?" Faraaz mumbled as the words were muffled by the pillow he lied on.

Smirking, Waqqaar replied, "Yes, Fadiyah is a big girl. She can handle herself pretty well. Besides, she is only going to the mall. She won't get lost."

Faraaz scoffed. "She won't get lost, I know that. But still, she is alone and without any friends in this cruel city." Even as Waqqaar pressed his tension points on his back and then slid his hands down the length of his spine to ease the pain, Faraaz remained tensed. Something about the fact that Fadiyah went shopping all on her own put him on edge. He trusted her, he knew she was a responsible person, she was reliable and alert. For an inexplicable reason, he was worried about and nothing would soothe and ease his worries unless she was at home, or in front of him, or somewhere around him.

"It is not a cruel city," Waqqaar argued. "There are just cruel people living in the city."

"People like my sister," Faraaz thought aloud. "But for now, I think that Fadiyah is safe from my sister."