Ha, Meem.

[This is] a revelation from the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful -

A Book whose verses have been detailed, an Arabic Qur'an for a people who know,

[Surah Fussilat, 1-3]

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"Yaa Ummi, why aren't your melons selling while I see all the other stalls making sales easily?"He asked, curiosity and concern visible on his naturally tanned visage.

"Oh Don't mind them! It's just a bunch of people bent on slandering others to spoil business."

"What slander could this be, Yaa Ummi?"Abdul Bâqi asked again. Seeing the woman's reluctance to speak, he added,

"Yaa Ummi, there's a saying from the wisemen, that a problem shared is a problem halved. Please tell us so if we can help, we aid in whatever way we can.

If not, already sharing your problem will free some of the burden fee qalbiki(in your heart), yaa Ummi."

Seeing the dark boy's pleading eyes, which carried within some charm of persuasion, she yielded.

Even as she talked, his companions approached her stall.

"You see, I'm an old lady living alone with my grandson. He's been ill since childhood and both parents are mutawafaa(deceased).

As such, there's this superstition widespread about me. That I'm a harbinger of bad luck and a dhâtu 'ayn ilhasûd(possessor of the eye of envy/evil eye)..

Aiyaa! These people show no mercy for an old lady! Why would I even hurt my own progeny!"

"What you're saying is true.."But some possessors of 'ayn alhasûd don't necessarily know they have it..Abdul Bâqi thought, calmly listening to her. The others had similar thoughts running through their minds.

"So what happened after that?"

"..Due to this spreading rumour, nobody wants to buy from me from around these areas since they're afraid something might happen to them."

"What about the visitors and immigrants, - those touring the city like at this time?"Ukashah asked,

"Surely, they'll have nothing against you.."Even though he had a placid expression on him, his voice betrayed his sympathy for the woman.

The lady sighed,"Once they notice the peculiar treatment with which the others are giving me, they don't dare to approach for fear of incurring trouble..

I've to sell all of these today, or given another day and they might become thamaarun faasidah!(rotten fruits!)"

She looked at her three carts and visible huzn(sadness) overcame her. It seemed before she spoke to this group of youth, she avoided seeing her own situation.

Now though, as her reality dawned on her, all her previous fiery spirit in her unyielding sales, seemed to have disappeared.

Her tired eyes swept over her fresh melons which might not live another day as fresh as they were. Her voice came sad,

"These 're all I've to live on. Ana wa hafîdî..(Me and my grandson..)"

The boys looked at each other in a silent consensus.

"Zayn--"Even before Urwah could brief Zayn on their concord, the blind boy reached out towards the old lady, in the direction of her voice earlier.

"Jadatî(Grandmother), maasmuki?..(what's your name?).."

The old lady paused for a while, noticing the boy for the first time. He seemed to have no presence at first, but when he presented himself to her now, he had the most presence of the five!

But she wondered why his face was covered partially in a white shawl. There was something compelling about him. Only, - she couldn't tell what..

"My name's Umm Zaara."She answered as she approached, so the meagre difference in their height, him being taller than her, could be easily appreciated. A certain joy melted her heart when she realized what was pulling her.

"Ana Muhammad Zaynal-Âbideen, hafîdu(grandson) Umm Abul Muhammad."Zayn said faintly.

"Yaa Ummi, Ca-can I call you Jadatî(grandmother..)?"

The boy's companions were shocked. Where did this sudden question just come out from, of the blue? How was it related to this topic.

But the old lady though, had already seen through him. So it came as no wonder to her.

The teen's tea-coloured orbs were the only part of his visage exposed to the bridge of his nose. But it was enough to reveal his breathtaking countenance. She wondered what would happen if his whole face was fully exposed.

With her intelligent eyes scanning the young boy's innocent upper face features, she saw him reminisce. Then she understood.

Smiling, she responded,"You can. Yaa hafîdî.."

"Today, yaa jadatî(oh grandmother), we shall help you make sales of these goods like have never been done here in this market before this day."Zayn declared. His voice was like soft flowing springs and meadows, but it carried a powerful charisma that made people believe whatever he uttered.

"B-but how?"She couldn't stop herself from asking the most bugging question.

Zayn was about to move when Abdul Bâqi stopped him."Wait Zayn.. Before you do that.. - Why don't you give us the chance to sell some.."He grinned at the boy, forgetting that he couldn't see.

"Yh Zayn, let us make a headstart.. Yaa sayyidati, Kam thaman hiyal faakihah?(Oh madame, how much is the fruit?)"Zak added.

The woman didn't know what was happening, but she was beginning to get curious. She answered, but couldn't help thinking about how they were going to help her.. And the radiant boy..

She couldn't deny she felt a bit creeped out on their extreme secrecy.

"Hasanan(Alright)."

Zayn smiled. With his cane, he located one cart and sat down near it.

"Yaa ikhwân(Oh brothers)! Come help me sell this Mar'a's melons!"Abdul Bâqi looked at the others excitedly.

"Let the show begin.."Urwah said confidently.

...

"Melons!"

"Melons! The best melons this market has to offer! Ripe and red, - for iftâri!"

"Melons!"

Urwah, Zak and Abdul Bâqi were up and working. Even as they strove to sell the old lady's products, Ukashah looked at them and sighed. At this point, we'll be breaking our iftâr with Ustadh at Isha..

Some few people had already bought some, more due to their appealing appearances than need for melons.

A young lady passed by. Zak run up to her.

"Melon."Zak put the melon in front of her face and gently smiled. His youthful charm had entranced her.

Without a word, the young lady kept her hand in her purse, removing her money. Zak handed over her change, a smile still on his face.

From beginning to end of the transaction, the lady never stopped looking at him till he had waved her a goodbye.

He returned to the cart to pick another big sized melon in both hands with a smile, confidence exuding him.

Ukashah looked at him and scoffed. Walking off to the woman's side, he politely asked"May I?"

"Yaa Mutakabbir(Oh arrogant)! What's wrong with this method?"Zak scowled.

"Not you.."Ukashah said coldly.

The woman stood to the side as Ukashah sat at her table of melons.

The tacit boy sat down stoically, the melons blooming in front of him.

He sat down for a while, without saying a single word. His eyes scanned around at every passerby, examining them.

One such man was moving in front of the stall when his eyes locked with Ukashah's. The boy didn't shift his gaze off.

"Yaa fataa(Oh young man), what's the problem?"The man walked over to the stall.

"I was just wondering what would be the best thing for you to take home for your family to have at iftâr.

I realized your children would probably enjoy something sweet and cool enough to slake the thirst from the heat of the day's sawm.

What do you say I hand you one of these? - The biggest and juiciest. One that'll keep you coming back for more?"

The man was confounded for a moment, but when he looked back at the boy, he saw something not there before.

"Need one?"Ukashah smiled radiantly at the man.

Woah! So Ukashah can smile..

His three other companions looked at him in shock.

The man bought the melon. But a woman stopped right in front of Ukashah with a child.

"Yaa fataa, since my children don't like watermelons, how do I get them to like it.

It's full of vitamins and water to replenish after the hunger and thirst, but they just don't like the green fruit with the red insides!!"

"Khâlati(mother's sister/aunt), I know your solution,"Ukashah smiled confidently at the mother who had just stopped nearby with the kid, after hearing his previous interaction with the man.

"Why don't you cut the melons into a fruit salad?

With the several other fruits mixed in together with the melon slices, your children would have no idea of what came in into preparation of the fruit salad.

Thus they'll eat and even gain more, by the extra fruit."

As the woman listened attentively, some passersby seemed to be interested in the food banter going on. Some even stopped to listen, till a minor crowd had gathered.

"You're right! If I could even make it into fruit punch, I'd secure all the beneficial requirements to revitalize them with needed nutrients after the long sawm!

Give me five melons min fadlik!(please)!"

"Woah!"Abdul Bâqi and the others exclaimed,"Ukashah's pro!"

At this, several bystanders gathered about Ukashah, to join in the hearty banter on possible cuisines using melon as a guiding ingredient.

Their competitive spirits arose, as people started to show interest.

Even Zayn sitting by the cart was amazed at the sudden influx of potential buyers, - all ready to have a repartee with Ukashah.

"I could make it into a cake, extra icing to coax them to eat!"

"A puree of fresh fruits with melon as the guiding ingredient is not a bad idea either.."

"Sahih(Right)! Give me two of the big melons at the back there! I'll eat it in a pan-seared watermelon steak. The seeds will be roasted. "

"I'll have one for a refreshing smoothie! After a long day's sawm(fast) and heat, I owe myself one."

"Five would be enough to try several recipes! Give me khamsah!(five!)"

"I'll take ithnâa(two)! One for my family, one for my aged parents!"

"Ten for the gourmet who knows the true uses of melon, its fibre content and the seeds, not just the fluid present and vitamins!"

"Woo woo woah.. Stop there Ammâti(aunt/father's sister).. Tell me, What are the benefits of those? Aren't you afraid of too much potassium and lycopene content? Too much of everything's bad."Ukashah asked, interested.

Eh! Isn't he trying to sell the melons, rather than limit its sales?.. His companions gaped in overt shock. They had never seen this side of Ukashah before.

However, this only served to attract more passersby, interested in the transaction and conversational exchanges going on.

One could see Ukashah was truly at the top of his game!

"The dietary fibre is for digestive health, the potassium is for blood pressure!

The seeds are the core aspect where the nutrients are most dense. They're also a good source of healthy fats and protein!

Who cares about the potassium and lycopene content?! The fruit contains just as much is needed for the body. Moreover, lycopene is an antioxidant. - A good natural option for an old lady like me to slow down the wrinkles and live better."

"Maasha Allah Ammâti! Today I've learnt a lot from you."

The woman smiled at him,"Yaa fataa, if one wishes to live well, one must know what he eats. As the saying goes,'We're indeed what we eat'

The art of living well is the art of eating well!"

Wow! Spoke like a true gourmet! Ukashah could only look at her as he nodded his head in reverence. This woman was wonderful!

He handed over the ten melons.

After the crowd had dispersed a little, Ukashah looked back at the carts,

"How many left?"

"Jayyid! Ukashah! Ahsant! (Good! Ukashah! You've done well!)You've really surprised me!"Abdul Bâqi commended.

"We've sold everything lying around and a whole cart, with the exception of the last two carts.."

A little distant from the old lady's carts where the boys were, the other melon sellers gathered. In previous times, they had spoilt the woman's business.

"Yaa fulan(Oh so-and-so).. Isn't that the old lady who has the sickly child?"

"Yh, how could they be making sales like that. Let's go spoil their business!"

They approached.

"All this talk about melons and food, whilst people are still in sawm? How much frustrated do you want the Sāimûn(fasting people) to be?"

"Also, if I remember, yhh.. You must be that old lady with the sick child.

Come to sell your sick melons!" Another sneered.

"Sick child?"One of the people from the crowd asked.

"Yh right. You might not know, as you must be one of those innocent tourists who's came for making a living, or here for the GQRC."A smile of victory curled up the vendor's face,

"This woman here has a grandson who's been sick since birth. His parents died of an unknown disease. You see..."

The malicious vendors vented their wrath, weaving stories and telling lies. They fabricated the great slander that once was used to spoil her business.

Even as the audience grew silent, listening to them, a calm voice made its way over to them,

"Revered elders couldn't be talking about me right?.."The voice came like the first breathe of an eternal spring to their ears.

They looked over at the blind boy.

"Something interesting is going on here."A guy who was standing at the periphery murmured, amused at the exchange.

He wore a dark brown thobe.

"Irshad, I'm done. Let's return to the inn before Salatul Maghrib.."One guy approached him, holding his shoulder from behind.

"Jar.. Come here. Let's watch for a while what's on with the Tâ Hâ boys."Irshâd said.

"How do you know they're from Tâ Hâ?.."The boy referred to as Jar questioned, arms crossed over his chest.

"Oh Jârullah my boy",Irshâd slumped a hand over his friend,"Don't you recognize their signature thobe, - white..? No one wears those, from our inland cities.

Wa iydan--(And also--)"He continued, his eyes narrowed,"Alwildânu fii madînatinaa(Boys from our (mainland) cities) are not bound to attract such kind of attention, I'd say.."