The Nearest Heaven

Part 40 - An End to All Mess

Part 40 – An End To All Mess

"Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Be merciful to others and you will receive mercy. Forgive others and Allah will forgive you."

~ Musnad Aḥmad 7001"

It had taken Faraaz and Fadiyah six months to find some semblance of normality in their life. To find a routine that no longer revolved around Aaban and his family. It had pained Faraaz to pull Fadiyah away from Armaan and the girls, but he had to do it for their sanity. Life was not the same for them and he despised the effects it had had.

Fadiyah had isolated herself in her room for the first few weeks, refusing to see anyone, refusing to do anything more than eat. All that she did was cry and sleep. Her sobs wreaked havoc on Faraaz's broken heart knowing that she did not want him to be there for her. More often than not, Faraaz had knocked on her bedroom door, begging her to eat, to talk to him, to speak to her therapist, but Fadiyah remained obstinately quiet. A part of him understood that she needed to grieve and come to terms with their changed life on her own, but the feeling of not being there for her ate him up quietly and quickly.

Faraaz, too, had suffered in his own way for the first three weeks. He interacted only when necessary with Jacob and Waqqaar, and when he was not trying to get Fadiyah to eat. Other than that, he focused on his health. On working harder than before to heal quicker than imaginable.

Alhamdulillah, he was successful. He had begun to walk with support. His legs were still unsteady, not used to bearing his weight, but Faraaz was ecstatic that he had started walking again.

It was after his success that his household had changed. Fadiyah had left the room she had isolated herself in and walked around the garden more often. Jacob and Waqqaar had smiled more with him. Their spirits had lifted too.

For the first time, Faraaz had felt worthy and as if he had accomplished something. Each time that he stood up, he praised Allah, knowing that his success and healing had been Allah's mercy on him.

"Faraaz?" Waqqaar called as he leaned on the doorframe casually with one hand resting on his chest.

"Come in," Faraaz replied dryly. Waqqaar had interrupted his thoughts, yet he smiled. Waqqaar and Jacob were considerate and never disturbed him unless they needed something urgently.

"What's bothering you?"

Faraaz kept his eyes on his boring white ceiling. There was an ache in his arms from the upper body workout he did with his physiotherapist. His legs were burning, feeling as if they were scorching from sinew to bone. He was a mess of jelly limbs. "A lot more than just physical pain."

Waqqaar nodded understanding that Faraaz was under tremendous stress. He had begun taking over his business with an iron fist. Things had fallen apart in his absence. Fadiyah had taken Aaban's loss terribly. Worse than she had reacted to her parents and Nana's passing. Fadiyah was in pain and Faraaz did not know what to do. He did not know how to help her.

Faraaz was in a constate state of worry and anxiety over Fadiyah's health and mental health.

"I'll bring you some tablets if you would like, but I first have some news to share with you."

"I'm not going to like this, am I?" Faraaz questioned with a raised eyebrow. "But thank you, I don't want any painkillers." Preparing for the news, Faraaz pushed himself into a sitting position, leaned his head against the soft pillows Fadiyah insisted on buying for their room.