The Nearest Heaven

Part 43- Family Heirlooms

Part 43 – Family Heirlooms

"Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, 'Beware of suspicion, for it is the worst of false tales and don't look for the other's faults and don't spy and don't hate each other, and don't desert (cut your relations with) one another O Allah's slaves, be brothers!'"

~Sahih Bukhari

Fadiyah walked outside after Asr salaah, hoping to clear her mind only to find her father-in-law resting with his long legs stretched out in front of him and his hands clasped in his lap. A serene smile graced his face as his eyes remained shut. The cool wind and hot, afternoon sun did nothing to hamper his peace – and for that, Fadiyah was grateful.

In a neighbour's yard, a dog had barked and woken Aasif up. His brown eyes opened to find his daughter-in-law standing several metres away from him with a soft smile on her beautiful face. Her long hair was loosely flowing in the light breeze and he noticed how calm she looked.

"Assalaamu alaykum," she greeted with a small blush on her cheeks. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you, dad," she apologised quickly.

He gestured for her to join him while they waited for Faraaz to get back from work. "No worries, child, you didn't disturb me. How are you doing?"

Knowing her unease, Aasif didn't look directly at her, instead, he kept his eyes on the flowers she had blooming in her garden.

Fadiyah hesitated, swallowing the lump in her throat. Aasif waited patiently, knowing that she was still in turmoil. "I think I am slowing coming to terms ...with everything." Uncomfortable, she chewed on her lower lip. "Aaban...Rasheed... just everything," she admitted quietly.

"And Ilham," Aasif answered knowingly.

Fadiyah closed her eyes but nodded. She was afraid to show Aasif her anger at Ilham. Ilham was his daughter, no matter how hateful and hurtful her words were, Aasif considered Ilham to be his child. Part of Fadiyah did not want to offend her father-in-law.

Ilham was a difficult chapter in her life. Knowing that Ilham wasn't the biggest chapter had helped Fadiyah, but it wasn't any easier to swallow and come to terms with the fact that it was the current and most difficult chapter to absorb.

Since moving to Sunnington, Ilham was at the crux of the majority of Fadiyah's difficulties. Her parents' death. She had lost her mother and father because of Ilham's greed. People who had done nothing to Ilham had to pay for Fadiyah's choice.

Fadiyah had had trouble in moving past her guilt. She was the reason that her parents died. She caused their death, because she was stubborn. Fadiyah had willingly ignored everyone's warnings to stay away from the Ali family, but Fadiyah hadn't listened. Fadiyah paid a heavy price. Not only had she lost parents but also her Nana due to her tenacious mindset to befriend Faraaz.

Three people who she loved dearly died because of her.

Her Nani had been correct. Fadiyah was the reason that her Nani had lost her daughter.

"There is some part of me that feels like if I had listened to everyone's warnings and stayed away from Faraaz, everyone that I loved and looked up to would have been fine," she confessed softly. "My parents would not have died; my Nana would not have died, and my Nani wouldn't hate me."

A small and cold wet drop splashed on her hand, shocking her from her thoughts. as she looked down, Fadiyah marvelled at the glittering tear. With shaky fingers, she dabbed at her cheeks only to find the tears streaming down her face.