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These beautiful aesthetics were created by Abut_Ahamed!

Thank you so much, I love it. It's so cute, so Hani, and even includes her Hani doll. ❤

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Fariha

I was cleaning up the house as my in-laws' were returning at a two thirty flight in the morning. But tears kept forming in my eyes no matter what I tried to do. 

My Bhai, who had always protected me, always looked after me had almost lost his firstborn daughter, his Hania, because of my negligence.

The gate opened as I was sweeping the veranda and I stood up as Zafar walked in, looking exhausted. He closed the gate and locked it before turning and seeing me. 

"Assalam Alaikum." I whispered, softly.

"Walaikum Assalam."

After I'd returned from my parents' house, Zafar had left to pray Isha at the mosque. Omar had prayed at home before I'd returned and was now asleep. 

"Shall I heat up dinner for you?"

"I'm not hungry." He began to head inside our room.

"I spoke to Saad. You said you already had a word with him?" I asked, casually.

"I did." He looked at me. "I don't know if I had a right to or not, but I spoke to him, because as a police officer, I felt that I should let him know clearly how serious his mistake could have been." 

"Of course you have the right to, you're their father."  I was bewildered by that statement.

"He apologised, Fariha, but do you know what he said? That his Papa, as in Umair, once said that we should always avenge someone who wrongs us." He walked right up to me. "I asked him who he was avenging by hurting Hania, because there's nothing in this universe that Hania could have done to deserve revenge, or even her parents. And he told me that he was punishing you for telling him off because of her." 

I gasped.

"That kind of thinking is not normal in a child, Fariha." He shook his head, before looking up at the sky. "Anyway, I am beyond thankful that nothing happened to Hania, and not just for the sake of our consciences, but also because she's an innocent soul and doesn't deserve anything bad to happen to her." 

"I don't know how Saad took her out." 

"You were responsible for those kids, Fariha." He said. "I was out getting gripe water for Zaid, but knowing about Saad's previous behaviour with Hania, you should not have left those two alone." He pursed his lips before speaking again. "From today onwards, we're not taking the responsibility of other people's kids, especially not such young kids." 

"She's my niece, Zafar!" 

"Niece or not, Fariha, she's someone else's daughter. He might be your brother, but Allah na kare, if anything had happened to Hania, he would have forgotten the relationship between you two, because naturally kids come first."

*Allah na kare: God forbid.

"And clearly, Saad cannot be trusted with Hania until we get this rubbish teaching of his father out of his mind." He said. "You and I have Zaid, Omar and Saad, and especially with Zaid, it's easy for us to get distracted. I know you love Hania, but today was just a proof that we are not ready to handle even your niece's responsibility right now. We have too much on our plate." 

"You must be disappointed in me." I whispered.

"I don't know how to feel, to be honest." He shrugged. "I understand that you are completely overwhelmed when I'm not around, but on the other hand, you voluntarily took Hania's responsibility. So, I can't honestly answer that question." 

 "Agar Hania ko kuch hojata na to main mar jaati." I said as a tear slipped down my cheek. "Aur abhi bhi yeh guilt meri zindagi bhar ki sazaa ban gayi hai."

*"If anything had happened to Hania, I would have died."
"And even now, this guilt has become a lifetime punishment for me."

"I know you feel bad, Fari." He nodded. "But you can't be held solely responsible. I should have at least suggested this to you that taking on Hania's responsibility was not a good idea, especially with a newborn baby in the house." He kissed my forehead, as he took my hands. "Guilt is an awful punishment, and I don't want to make you feel any worse, sweetheart, so even though I was initially very mad at you, I would feel guilty myself if I told you off." 

"Bhai aur Bhabi mujhe maaf kardain ge, na?" I asked, worriedly.

*"Bhai and Bhabi will forgive me, right?"

"Ek maa banke socho, Fari. Ghussa jaiz hai unka. Laikin, ek behan banke bhi socho, aur tum khud batao. Fawad Bhai aise insaan nahin hai ke woh rishta todh dain asaani se. Bus unhain waqt do. Aur Bhabi bhi bohat samajhdar hain. Dekh laina, In Sha Allah, woh jab is shock se bahar aajayein ge to ahista ahista sab theek ho jaye ga."

*"Think as a mother, Fari. Their anger is valid. But, think as a sister as well, and you tell me. Fawad Bhai is not the sort of person to cut off ties so easily. Just give him time. And Bhabi is very sensible as well. You'll see, In Sha Allah, when they come out of this shock, then slowly everything will be okay again."

I nodded.

"I am hungry now." He smiled. "Dinner?" 

"I'll just go..."

"I was offering it to you. Go and get cleaned up, and I will heat up the dinner." He kissed my cheek and headed inside.

My Papa always said that it was a very bad thing to intentionally make someone feel bad about a mistake, when they are already feeling guilty about it. He says that guilt is a form of punishment, and if someone is already facing punishment, why should we add to it like we never make mistakes in our lives? A good and righteous person would automatically come on the right path after feeling guilt, and if someone doesn't that there wasn't much that could be done for them anyway. 

Somehow, my Zafar shared the same belief as my father. 

I glanced up at the night sky, closing my eyes. Ya Allah, I have made a mistake. I have been negligent towards little Hania, but you know the circumstances I was in. I fully intended to look after Hania, the way I was looking after my own kids, but so many things went wrong. Please let Bhai forgive me. I can't stand it when he's mad at me. Ameen.

****

Fawad

I was sitting on a chair on the terrace again. It was the best place at my parents' house for thinking in peace.

I heard footsteps and looked up to see Papa walking up and taking a seat on the chair beside me.

"I want to talk to you, Fawad." He said, his tone grim.

I stood up. "Papa, not right now."

"Yeh request nahin thi." He looked up at me, frowning.

*"This wasn't a request."

I sat back down, because I still didn't have it in me to disobey my parents.

"Listen to me, and no interruptions until I'm finished." He said.

I nodded.

"I'm a father as well, so I know exactly how you're feeling right now." He said. "Your anger, your worry for our little Hania is, no doubt, beyond valid, but first and foremost, she's back with us safely,  Alhumdulillah. And secondly, you know your sister very, very well. Fariha is an extremely responsible, mature girl, and I am not just saying this because I'm biased. But at the end of the day, she's human, Fawad, and a mother of three, including a newborn child. I'm not denying that there has been negligence, because there definitely has been, but she told you all the circumstances, beta." 

As he'd asked me to, I didn't interrupt, even though I really wanted to.

"Her own son managed to leave the house, and she didn't realise it." He said. "Let's just say, only for the sake of argument, that she was less careful towards Hania, so how did Saad, a seven-years-old kid managed to leave? That shows that this was a genuine error caused by circumstances, and not a serious case of gross negligence. I know that the circumstances could have been severe, but think logically, beta. Our Fariha has also been careful, and she adores Hania to bits."

"How can I overlook this, Papa?" I asked. "What would you do in my place?" 

"I am not asking you to overlook it. In fact, we all can learn lessons from this. Fariha should learn not to take up more responsibilities than she can handle, and you should basically ask yourself if the other person, your sister or not, is ready to take on more responsibility. This is not about hurting feelings or someone feel bad or offended, this is about the safety of the kids. It's good that you trust your sister enough to send your toddler daughter there, beta, but sometimes we need to put our emotions aside and think logically."

I gave him a small smile. "A natural thing for a neurologist  to say to a cardiologist."

He laughed. "True. Brain over heart, beta." He patted my back. "I won't order you to forgive her, because forgiveness is not forced. I will ask you to think, without emotions involved, about the type of person Fariha is, and how the circumstances must have been for this to have happened in her presence."

"Circumstances or not, the kids were her responsibility, Papa." 

"Are you forgetting about your time?" He asked. "The way you used to sneak out in the middle of the night and meet Arhaan at his place? Does that change your opinion about your Ammi and me? Do you think that we're irresponsible parents?"

I shook my head. "Of course not. But you just have to be more careful with other people's kids."

"Well, I have told you what I think about this, father to father. The rest is up to you." He stood up. "Just remember one thing. Your Ammi and I will still be organising Hania's birthday party the day after tomorrow, and I will not tolerate any negativity that day. You may be the great surgeon, Dr Fawad Ali, but I'm still your father. I won't hesitate to tell you and Fariha off if there are any issues at my granddaughter's party." 

I couldn't help smiling at that as he left.

Jasmina's forgiveness and now Papa's words were cooling down that anger inside me. And yes, the most important thing was that Hania was safe, Alhumdulillah. 

****

When I returned to our room, a small ball of energy ran into my legs, squealing. 

"Hania, come on." Jasmina looked exhausted as she walked over, holding Hania's night-suit.

"What's happening here?" I grinned, looking down at Hania, who was now hiding behind my legs.

"She doesn't want to change for bed." Mina rolled her eyes. "Main thak gayi hoon, laikin aapki shehzadi main to lagta hai unlimited energy hai, Ma Sha Allah."

*"I am tired, but your princess seems to have unlimited energy, Ma Sha Allah." 

Chuckling, I lifted Hania up into my arms and she squealed again. "Okay, sweetheart, that's enough. Time for bed." I held Hania as Mina changed her on the bed, but I kept my gaze away. I've been told by my mother that after a certain age, a father should not change/shower a daughter, for the sake of decency. I may be her main mehram, but it was just another way to show respect to a girl growing up, daughter or not*. 

*I honestly don't know if that is a religious rule or not, I don't want to give any false information, but I have heard this in my family as well. It's all about respect for a girl, regardless of relationship. Obviously, if there was no other choice, and the mother or any close female figure is not available, that's different, but in general circumstances, I have heard this is the case. If anyone has more information on this, please feel free to share on here. And if this is not a religious rule, then consider this as a general rule followed by the family for the sake of respecting females. 

"Done. Alhumdulillah." Mina smiled. "Aap bohat tang karne lagi ho Mama ko, Hani."

*"You have started to trouble Mama a lot, Hani."

Our daughter just giggled and launched herself at me again, wrapping her arms around me while she shyly buried her face against my chest.

"I just had a talk with Papa." I looked at my wife. "I think I want to let go of the anger. Hania's okay, Alhumdulillah, and that is what matters to us the most, right?" 

She smiled again. "Of course, jaan." 

"He's right. I've known Fari her whole life, and she's not usually this irresponsible, so I'm going to accept that circumstances caused this situation." 

"And Saad." She suddenly looked serious.

I frowned. "Mina, no matter what, he's a kid and he himself was supposed to be Fariha's responsibility."

"He's old enough to know better!" Mina snapped suddenly, surprising me. "I said I forgive Fariha and Zafar Bhai, and that fact remains true. But at the age of seven, our parents start teaching us about the dangers of society, and being the child of Zafar Bhai and Fariha, I'm sure he would have known this as well. How can I look at him now and not think about the fact that he took Hania by the hand, without my daughter realising what was happening, led her out of the house and left her on the street? Zafar Bhai wasn't home, and Fariha is a mother who was overwhelmed by her duties, and I understand that. But I think a seven-years-old child should have known better." 

"You cannot seriously be angry at a child?" 

"I know that sounds immature. Allah! I'm embarrassed at myself for feeling this way, but that is the truth, Fawad. He left my little Hani by herself. I'm sorry, my heart's not that big that I can just overlook that." 

I carried Hania over to her cot.

"Bed!" I pointed towards the bed, clearly wanting to sleep there between her parents.

"As you wish, Your Royal Highness." I tucked her into bed in the centre and she smiled, happily. "So jao, meri jaan." I leaned down to kiss her forehead.

*"Go to sleep, my life."

Then I grabbed Mina's arm and led her towards the window, where we could talk quietly without disturbing Hania.

"Mujhe pata hai, bache ke khilaf resentment ghalat baat hai. But I'm just telling you how I feel. Aur agar aap ko nahin bataaon gi apne dil ki baat, to kis ko bataaon hi?"

*"I know, resentment against a child is wrong."
"And if I don't share my feelings with you, who else would I share them with?"

"Yaar, is waqt to main khud confused hoon." I sighed. "Listening to Papa, I feel like I should forgive Fari and Zafar, but the father inside me is still fuming."

*"Even I'm confused right now."

"I know forgiveness is a huge thing, jaan." She sighed, wrapping her arm around my waist. "And I want to clear away all resentments and forget all of it, but I can't. I had such a stressful pregnancy with Hania, and I was repeatedly warned by the doctor that if I didn't stop, it could be fatal for the baby. And then, the stairs incident. Hania ke saath choti se choti cheez bhi hoti hain na, to meri rooh kaamp jaati hai." 

*"Even if the smallest thing happens to Hania, my soul trembles."- sounds better in Urdu.

She leaned against me and we watched Hania, who was lying on her side now, her back towards us. She was clearly sleepy, otherwise the little madam likes to play before bedtime.

"I want to try and sort things out with Fariha." I decided. "It's Hania's birthday party the day after tomorrow, and I have a feeling that if we're even sulking, Papa won't spare us."

She smiled, looking up at me. "The tough doctor is afraid of his Papa?" 

"Izzat hai, darr nahin." I kissed her forehead, holding her closer.

*"It's respect, not fear."

"Ji, bilkul. Aur mujhe meethi cheezain bilkul nahin pasand." She said, sarcastically.

*"Yes, of course. And I don't like desserts."

"No, seriously. I have a great respect for my parents." I paused. "Which reminds me, I need to apologise to Ammi. I yelled at her and I feel awful." 

"If it helps, I'm sure she's not even mad at you." 

"Even if she isn't, I have to apologise." I sighed. 

She grabbed me by by shirt and pulled me towards herself to kiss me on the lips. "One day, In Sha Allah, your respect for your parents will result in our children respecting you completely. The way we treat our parents always comes back to us when we become parents, and I have faith that no matter what, they will never disrespect you at least." 

I looked towards Hania, who was already a Papa's Girl, and then towards Mina's stomach. "Respect is important, of course, but what's more important is that they are good people." I put my hand over her stomach, where Iman was currently residing. "May Allah help us raise our kids right. Ameen."

"Ameen."

****

Fariha

I was surprised when Bhai, Bhabi and Hania turned up at our door early the next afternoon. I had been just serving dinner to my parents-in-law, who had arrived from Saudi Arabia, early in the morning. "Assalam Alaikum!"

"Walaikum Assalam!" My brother and sister-in-law replied, before they turned to greet Zafar's parents.

"Umrah bohat, bohat mubarak ho aap sab ko." Bhai said as he hugged Baba Jaan. 

*"Many congratulations to you all for performing Umrah."

"Allah ka shukar hai, beta. Jab tak himmat hai, Allah ne phir bula liya." Baba Jaan said.

*"Thanks  to Allah, son. As long as we still have the strength, He called us [for Umrah] one more time."

"Ma Sha Allah." Bhai smiled. "May Allah bless everyone the opportunity to perform Umrah and Hajj. Ameen."

"Ameen." All the adults present said.

Bhai, Ammi and Papa have been for Hajj the year he officially became a doctor. I was with Umair then and I had been unable to go as I was pregnant with Saad. It was sort of a reward for Bhai, from my parents. When I officially became a doctor, my parents offered me the same, but life was so scattered then, that I never got the opportunity, however Ammi and Papa had promised that the offer will always be there. But now that I was married to Zafar, I wanted to go with him and my sons, on our own basis.

"Pupo." Hania came and wrapped her arms around my legs. The usually shy little sweetheart had gotten very attached to me in a very short time. 

My eyes filled up as I looked at her. "Yes, Phupho ki jaan?" I crouched down in front of her and kissed her forehead and cheeks. I silently thanked Allah from the bottom of my heart that she was okay, and I hugged her. 

"Come inside." Zafar gestured towards the living area.  "Ammi Jaan, Baba Jaan, you finish your lunch, and I will get Fawad Bhai and Bhabi to sit inside. It's too hot here."

As per their usual habit, my parents-in-law were eating in the veranda, on the charpais. 

"Mahnoor! Dua!" Zafar called out to his twenty-years-old sisters. "Please get some cold drinks for Fawad Bhai, Bhabi and little Hania!"

"Okay, Bhai!" Mahnoor's voice came from the kitchen.

"That's not necessary, but thank you." Bhai nodded as the four of us headed inside, with little Hania grabbing her Mama's dupatta as she followed.

"Would you like some lunch?" I offered.

"No, thanks." Bhabi smiled, politely.

We all sat down in various places and Hania stood in front of her parents, holding onto the coffee table as she stared up at the ceiling fan, which was making a lot of noise.

"Look, maybe it's my selfishness, or Papa's threat, but I don't want us to be angry at Hania's birthday party tomorrow." Bhai didn't beat around the bush.

"Are we still invited?" I asked.

"Don't be silly, Fariha." Bhabi rolled her eyes. "You're her Phupho, and of course we want you all there." 

"I would like to first apologise from the bottom of my heart, Bhai and Bhabi." Zafar told them. "I cannot even begin to imagine how you two must have felt." 

Omar and Saad walked in to the room, probably having heard of their Mamu's visit. Omar instantly walked over to Fawad Bhai and greeted him with a hug, while Saad stood beside me, his gaze on the floor, almost hiding from his uncle and aunt. 

"Saad, do you have something to say to Mamu and Mumani?" I grabbed his hand and brought him forward.

"What?" Saad looked at me, confused.

"Sorry?" I reminded him. "For what you did."

He glanced at the floor again.

"Saad, apologise for what you did." I said, more firmly.

"Fari, leave it." Bhai sighed. "He's a kid. It's fine. We have discussed this amongst ourselves as adults, and that's enough."

"No, Bhai." I shook my head. "He needs to learn to apologise if he did something wrong." 

"But I didn't do anything wrong!" Saad roughly moved his arm away from me. "Hania didn't die!" 

Bhabi gasped, tears filling her eyes as she protectively grabbed her daughter. Bhai stood up, jaw clenched, and I yelled out Saad's name. We were not taught to raise our hands at our kids, but if there was ever a moment where I wanted to, this was it.

"Badtameez! Nikal jao is kamre se!" I shouted at my son, loudly, who ran out.

*"Insolent boy! Get out of this room!"

"Fawad, I feel sick." Bhabi said, looking up at her husband, before getting up and rushing out of the room, leaving Hania startled. 

"Bhai..." I couldn't even look at my brother.

"Kaboo main karo apne bete ko, is se pehle ke tum khud pachtao." Bhai muttered, before picking Hania up and heading out of the room.

*"Control your son before you regret it yourself."

He waited out in the veranda for Bhabi to come out, while my parents-in-law looked confused. 

After saying goodbye to my parents-in-law, my brother and his family left, without another word to us.

I headed into my sons' bedroom, furious. "what is wrong with you, Saad?" 

He was sitting on his bed, sulking.

Zafar came in behind me, leaning in the doorway with a frown.

"He's jealous of Hania." Omar said, as he also entered the room. "He told me himself."

"Bhai, shut up!" Saad yelled at him.

"If you say another word, Saad, I will not let you watch any TV or play with your action figures or any toys for two whole months." I warned him. 

"He said that Hania always gets the good toys, and she has a big room, and she gets everything that she wants. Dado and Dada Jaan love her more as well." Omar explained.

I was shocked. While trying to keep myself and Omar for an inferiority complex, I had completely overlooked Saad. He was clearly suffering from it and I had failed to see it.

"Our Papa says that girls don't deserve good treatment, only boys do." Saad muttered.

Umair. How long are you going to keep on destroying our lives, even while you're not here?

"Do you think Mamma doesn't deserve a good treatment?" Zafar asked, in a very gentle tone. 

"Of course she does! She's our Mamma!" Saad replied.

"But she's also a girl, and you said girls don't deserve good treatment." Zafar pointed out. "And have you ever seen any of your action heroes be mean to not-evil females? No, right?" 

"Zafar, there's no point." I was disappointed in my son.

"Fari, trust me." My husband nodded reassuringly at me. He looked at Saad. "Do you want to be like a superhero?" 

Saad nodded.

"Superheroes don't live little girls on the dangerous streets alone, do they?" Zafar said. "Can you imagine Thor leaving a two-years-old girl on her own? He won't. And you know why? Because good people don't do that. Hania's so small, she doesn't even know what's going on around her, let alone the dangers of the world. She only recognises a small number of people right now, and without them, she's completely helpless. To put a helpless person in such a position is not something good people do, do they Saad?"

Saad's eyes filled up.

"She could have been hurt, kidnapped or Allah knows what else. Would you have wanted that to happen to her?" Zafar continued.

"No." 

"Good people also don't think that girls are less important than boys." Zafar ruffled my middle son's hair. "Everyone deserves to be treated right, good or bad."

Saad sobbed. "Mamu hates me, doesn't he?"

"No, beta. He's just disappointed." Zafar said. "And of course he would be. He has always treated you so nicely, and you left his daughter on the street, and then said some mean things about her. If someone says mean things about you, Mamma and I would be hurt, right?"

Saad nodded again. 

"Well, when you said that about Hania, her Mama and Papa must have felt so hurt, right?" 

"You shouldn't say mean things about Hania." Omar added. "Mamu took care of us when our own Papa didn't." 

That sentence made me cry.

"Mamma, I want to say sorry to Mamu, Mumani and Hania." Saad said. "I'm a superhero, not a villain." 

I smiled as he hugged my husband. 

"Do you think they'll forgive me?" Saad asked, looking up at me, wide eyed.

Good question.

****

Will Fawad and Jasmina forgive Saad? 

Sometimes, to get a child to understand, you need to speak in their own language (e.g. superheroes), and Zafar knows that well.

What do you think of Zafar's parenting skills?

Thoughts and comments?

Thank you for reading and don't forget to vote!