Updated FanFiction - Part 7 page 7!

Zain woke up with a pounding headache. He felt as though thirty something mustangs has run him over. Holding his head in his hands, he turned over and removed the sheets covering him. He got up slowly, not wanting to worsen the headache and opened his drawer to retrieve the Aspirin readily kept there for his use. He swallowed two tablets and then went ahead with the third one, just in case his headache got worse. He then felt the need to use the bathroom and with great determination, got up to do just that. As he passed the mirror of his bathroom, he looked at his reflection and saw his tousled hair, his bloodshot eyes with dark circles underneath them but most of all he saw the disappointment he was to his father. Zain lifted his arm to sniff his underarms and violently coughed once he got a whiff of it. Shaking his head, Zain relieved himself and went back to his bedroom. Breath reeking of alcohol, his body stench worse than a dead man's, Zain fell asleep.

"Zain, open this door right now" his mother exclaimed from outside his room.

Zain covered his ears with a pillow.

"Zain I will not ask again"

Zain heard the unmistakable metallic sound of a key turning in a lock and sleep immediately evaded his eyes and he watched his mother purposely stride towards the window.

"Mom, No" but before Zain could complete the sentence, the curtains were unfurled and sunlight flushed into the room.

"I am blind" Zain said with a hand covering his eyes.

"No. You aren't. You're drunk, unemployed, spoiled beyond measure but not blind" His mother replied in a lighter tone as she walked his bed and gently put her hand through his hair, only to lift it immediately as she caught a trance of her son's body odor.

"When was the last time you took a bath?"

"I would tell you but I'm not up for math at the moment" Zain replied as he buried his head further into his pillow in an attempt to block out the unbidden sunlight.

"If I ask you to take a bath, will you do it?" she asked as she pitifully looked at her son's state.

"Eventually"

"Zain!"

"Sabr ka pal meetha hota hai maa" Zain says, his voice muffled by the pillow.

Aliyah folded her prayer mat and placed it on the rack meant for her religious supplies. He father came in with a smile and lightly patted her head.

"You haven't slept after Fajr*?" her father asked as he watched her gently place her Quran over her prayer mat.

"No, didn't feel like it today" Aliyah replied as she faced her father with a smile.

"How is university?"

"It's good. All my courses are really interesting"

"I'm glad. Today, your mom is going to the Dargah, will you accompany her. I need to go to work" Aliyah's father asks tentatively, knowing his daughter's disapproval of such places.

"I will drop her but not go inside" Aliyah replies firmly.

Her father smiles and bids her goodbye. She sighs and goes to her closet. She picks out her abayah* and her scarf. Donning her hijab*, she goes to her mom's room.

"You're taking me to Dargah?" her mother asks in surprise.

"Abba asked me to and you know it's obligatory to do as your parents tell you to" Aliyah says as she picks the car keys, "I am starting up the car so whenever you're done, you can meet me there"

Aliyah's mother nods and pulls her dupatta over her head. She then searches for her purse and her handbag. Once everything she needed was placed in her purse, she leaves to join her daughter in her car.

"You won't come in?" Her mother asks as Aliyah parks the car.

"You know how feel about this" Aliyah says with a sigh as she looks at her mother.

"But what is so wrong in visiting a saint?" her mother asks in irritation.

"There's nothing wrong with visiting a saint but there is a lot wrong in visiting the grave of a saint and praying to it!"

"We don't pray to the saint. We ask the saint to pray for us because he was a pious man!" her mother argues.

"When Allah is a prayer away and I can directly ask for things, why do I need to pray to a grave? I understand he was a virtuous man mother but he died and he can't hear my woes but Allah can because Allah is ever living so why should pray to a grave when Allah is just a sajda* away?" Aliyah asks in frustration.

Her mother huffs but doesn't argue further knowing Aliyah wouldn't budge. Aliyah rests her head against the headrest for her car and patiently waits for her mother to get done. After about an entire hour, she decides to call her mother but even after three rings when her mother doesn't pick up she decides to go into the Dargah. On the way she is stopped by an old man.

"Duaa milega beti" the man says as he lifts a green bag to her for her to place money in it. Aliyah looks at it skeptically and turns her gaze to the man.

"Dua lene keliye mujhe paisey dene hongey?" she asks, knowing his answer well.

"Khuda bhi tumhe sawab dega"

"Par paise toh aap dua ke liye maang rahe ho. Dua bhi aaj kal khareedi aur bechi jaati hai" she laughs but there was no humor in her voice.

"Agar khuda ke liye paise nahin dene hain toh mat do par..."

"Khuda? Yeh paise khuda ke liye nahin chacha, yeh paise aap duaa ke naam peh le rahe ho. Agar Imaan ke saath sharam bhi nahi khaalia hai toh thodi sharam karo aur izzat se bheek maango kyunki duaa aur iman bhech ne ki cheezein nahin hoti" Aliyah says in a low but angry tone.

"Aliyah!" Her mother grabs her arm from behind and drags her to the car. Once inside she looks at her daughter, "Why did you do that?"

"He was wrong and I..."

"Wrong because he was in the Dargah and asked for money?" her mother asks as she looks out the window.

"No, wrong because of the reason he was asking for money"

"And what was the reason?" her mother asks with frustration.

"He was asking me money so he would give me a dua"

"Aadmi ghareeb tha toh dua hi dega naa? Aur dene keliye kya hai uske paas?"

"He can't sell a prayer mother! He can beg for money but he can't make a business out of faith. He wasn't making a duaa from the sincerity of his heart, he was doing it for money. Duaa is a part of faith and any part of faith must be practiced with your heart not with money" Aliyah replies as she parks the car near the house.

"Farq kya hai agar woh duaa paise lene par de?"

"Farq hai kyunke khuda ke naam ko aap apne faide ke liye istimaal nahin kar sakte" her mother doesn't reply and gets out of the car, trying but failing to understand her daughter.

Aliyah sits in the car and calms herself down. It was always like this. Her mother and she always had different views on things and that strained their relationship. They obviously loved one another but failed to understand each other.

Fajr is the prayer muslims prayer before sunrise.

Abayah is loose clothing worn by muslim women usually in black but could be any dull color.

Hijab is muslim scarf worn over the head.

Sajda or sujood (in Arabic) is when muslims bow down in prayer

Imaan is an Arabic word that means faith

I know Aliyah is outspoken and sometimes may be seen as disrespectful but she's human and less than perfect. Hope you guys like it so far. Don't know the names of the parents since I don't watch the show regularly so if someone could be nice enough to mention them in the comments, it would be really sweet.

Originally posted by: AnotherAdmirer

I am glad I managed to reserve the first post for this A M A Z I N G piece of work :D <3

Welcome to the forum :) And thank you for this lovely FF.

I Loved the narrative, it was very smooth and to the point. The interaction between Shabana and Aliya takes the cake.

Zain appears to be just another lazy spoiled unhygienic guy who hardly cares. He is an alcoholic, but really did you have to tell us how much he was stinking :/ That didn't do any good to my senses as I imagined that :|

He is wasted. Drunk, unemployed, spoiled as his mother states, now that's something I don't know whether I liked or not. All above categories ticked, thanks mother, but she's here to scold him. So A Mother in Action, no matter late. Here's hoping Zain's innate goodness is intact and he is not lost cause or at the final stage.

Coming to the next part. Aliya was so amazing. I had this dargah issue with the show. Because that's an act of Bidah and Aliya stated it exactly how it is.Thankfully they have now started to avoid it in the show and I liked how you discouraged Begging. Selling Faith. Strong use of words at many points, waking one's senses as you proceed.

It's easy to understand Shabana's limited understanding of faith as she is blinded by practices that were probably... in the family..may be a cultural aspect...

I liked the strength you give to Aliya, she represents an Ideal Muslimah, and yes we all have flaws and so do you mention the same for Aliya. She is not picture perfect, but she's striving to be :) On a side note I dont think she meant to disrespect, she is only firm on the right path and that's how it was for many Sahaba's too, whose parents didn't take their acceptance of Islam easy.

You perfectly blended Aliya into a today's girl as she drives her mom to the Dargah.

You leave us thinking that an Aliya who can disagree with her mother's wrong belief so firmly, teach the beggar a good lesson, what would she do to Zain Abdullah ? :P And how would she be a part of his life ? A tutor? A wife ? Many thoughts buzzing in my mind.. you are the writer ! I can't wait to see how this story unfolds :)

Name of Aliya's parents: Ghulam and Shabana. You should think of a title for this Fanfiction :)

Will be waiting for the next update, if you do Pm's send one my way.. I keep an eye on my fav ff's anyway.. :P

Originally posted by: zzinia2411

oh myyy!!!👏 i really really lovvveeeddd this!👍🏼 i loved how u portrayed the idea of duaa! its something i've never liked! the idea of making money out of everything is just ridiculous n these days thats what all the people do!😭...please do write more on ZaYa! will love to read ur beautiful thoughts!😃❤️

Zain forced food down his throat which to him was distasteful or maybe it was the after effect of alcohol speaking but either way, Zain wasn't mighty please with the food. After a few bites, Zain gave up trying to find flavor through his taste buds and pushed the plate away. After a few minutes a servant came and took the plate away and he laid back in his bed. He brushed his hand across his chin and was surprised to find stubble there, when was the last time he shaved? He tried to remember but it was as hopeless as trying to remember when he last bathed. He ran his fingers through his clammy hair and sighed. How had his life spiraled so badly out of control? But instead of pondering on the life changing question, Zain decides to roll over and attempt to sleep again but there's only so much sleep a human being can manage. He stubbornly closed his eyes but sleep evaded him so out of options; sleep and alcohol is only options, he walks out of the room. As he step out, something hits his leg, he looks down to find his nephew.

"GolGappey" Zain fondly picks him in his arms.

"You stink!" his nephew exclaims.

"Is that all you have to say to your long lost uncle?" Zain asks as he further tortures the poor soul by placing his head in his underarm.

"Sorry! Sorry!"

"That's better. Now how do I smell?" Zain asks with a smile.

"Like perfume" his nephew grudgingly concedes.

"It's not too hard being polite, now is it?" Zain asks as he places his nephew down on the ground. His nephew immediately runs off.

"Like expired perfume!" he hears his nephew and Zain picks up to follow him but his head starts spinning and he almost falls.

"Weird" he says to himself after regaining his balance and walking into the kitchen.

"Zain you still haven't taken a bath!" his mother exclaims once his pungent smell spreads over her kitchen. Zain scratches at his stubble.

"Yeah, now that you mention it, this stubble itches like crazy" he says as he scratches it vigorously.

"A stubble needs to grow for you to finally realize you need a bath! You do know personal hygiene is a part of faith" his mother shakes her head while saying.

"Ammi, abh aap bhi had kardete ho. Yahan beta musalman nahin hai aur aap imaan ki baat kar rahe ho" his mother slaps him across the head.

"Zain!"

"You know how I feel about religion. It was a way of life 1400 years ago. Islam fit the arab society 1400 years ago, in today's world it has no place" he says with a smirk.

"Beta khuda ney imaan sirf arabs ke liye nahin banaya" she argues.

"Come on, Mom. If today, right now father decides to get another wife, would you agree?" he deadpans his mom.

"No, but"

"But nothing mom. Islam fit yesterday's culture. In today's society Islam finds itself losing grip. It just can't fit the picture" he says as he picks an apple and then drops it, feeling full.

"Eat the apple. You haven't had breakfast yet. Your plate came back full"

"I'm kind of full right now"

"You've lost a lot of weight" his mother hinted at his alcoholism.

"I know... I'm eating better now" Zain lies as he lifts himself and heads to the bathroom for a bath. Once done, he decides to leave the house to avoid his mother and her nagging questions about his health. He bumps into his uncle on his way out.

"Zain Abdullah? Is it you? Am I seriously witnessing the appearance of my nephew?"

"Zubair Chacha, itna drama toh tulsi aur parvati bhi na kare jitna aap kar rahe ho"

"Well son, you've pretty much turned into a nocturnal creature in the last few months so seeing you in front of me, shaved and bathed has me going over the edge" his uncle joked and Zain smiled in response.

"The nightlife has more appeal to it" Zain laughs as his uncle slaps his back and he goes out of the house.

Zain gets in his car to go to the local pub but then it was too early for that. He starts driving around with no aim or destination, just to kill time. The idea of going from road to road started appealing to Zain. He drove from unknown roads to more unknown roads. Zain was reckless at times, never really caring much for consequences or people's judgments. He drove around till the roads became narrower and bumpier. He didn't know where he was going or how much time had elapsed but since when did reasonable questions like bother Zain?

"Must be a village" Zain concludes as he drives further. He suddenly gets the urge to vomit and brings the car to a screeching halt. Getting out of the car at break neck speed, he unloads the little he ate. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and gets back in the car. As he sits behind the wheel, he takes a good look at himself in the rearview mirror. He'd be lying to himself if he said he looked fine. He was paler, thinner and looked sick. Something wasn't right; the constant blackouts, the vomiting and loss of appetite must mean something but as the case with everything serious, Zain pushes the thought to the recesses of his mind and carries on driving after safely putting on his seatbelt. He suddenly starts losing focus again but before he could do anything, complete darkness engulfs him and Zain falls unconscious in a moving car.

***

Aliyah wears her lab coat as she heads to the hospital in the village. It was a big hospital thanks to the donation of her father and they were having a lecture by some of the leading surgeons in the country. The hospital was a charitable one for the inhabitants of several villages together. It catered to a huge number of patients and Aliyah wanted to work there some day after her internship. She had to live away from her family during her internship but Aliyah wanted to work in a charitable hospital and this seemed like a good option. She makes her way to the multipurpose hall where the visiting doctors were meeting. She was a bit early for her but as the organizer of the event; she had to be there before time. She sets her everything in order as the doctors walk in. She smiles and greets the doctors when suddenly a nurse bursts into the hall.

"There's a patient" she says urgently to the director of the hospital.

"I'm sure there are enough doctors to handle the case" the director says annoyed at her interruption.

"Sir, the doctors can't handle it. We need experts" she explains.

"Send him to the city hospital" the director argues, not wanting to disturb the visiting doctors who didn't seem too keen on handling the case.

"Sir it would endanger his life" she explains in a frantic voice.

"Nurse, please"

"Sir, I think we should have look at the case" Aliyah knew it wasn't her place to speak but it was ridiculous that a seminar was important than saving a life. A seminar could be redone but a live lost couldn't be brought back.

"Doctor Usman, you need.." but before he could complete the sentence, the nurse tugs on his hand.

"Sir, could I speak to you privately?" she asks and the director reluctantly agrees.

"What is it?" he asks once they were away from the crowd.

"The patient is Zain Abdullah!" she exclaims finally being able to freely put her point forward.

"Zain Abdullah as in.."

"The politician's son" she completes for him.

"What's the condition?"

"Critical. Car accident and Liver failure."

"Aur hamara hi hospital mila tha aake marne ke liye!" he says in anger. He quickly goes the visiting doctor and explains the scenario to them. They agree to go into surgery room. Aliyah stays behind managing the cancelation of the seminar and explaining the situation to the student body.

After looking through the MRI and CT scans, the doctors conclude that a liver transplant is a must but the problem was that there was no time for looking for a donor. The liver had been damaged in the accident but prior to that, the alcohol consumption had single handedly ruined his liver. It was a miracle that he carried on so long without dying. The doctors decide to keep the identity of a patient confidential to avoid putting him further in danger but also to save their hospital from possible defamation because, although none of them had admitted it, saving Zain without a donor was impossible and delivering him from the hospital in a remote area to the city would cancel out any chances of his survival, given his fragile state. They were pretty much, preparing a way to conceal his liver damage and lay the blame on the accident.

Aliyah heads to the doctors room to inform them that the lecture has been cancelled and also to find out where there'd be another one. She overhears the doctors discussing the case of the patient. Being a medical student, she knew that the patient was possible not going to survive much longer without a transplant but getting a voluntary liver donor was next to impossible given his deadline. She heard he was young and thought of his family knowing the about the death of his son. Aliyah thinks of donating her liver but then turns the thought away. She didn't know him. How could she donate her liver? She walked away because she was human. Her logic told her his life and death weren't her responsibility.

"(God) created you all from a single man and a single woman, and made you into races and tribes so that you should recognize one another. In God's eyes, the most honored of you are the ones most mindful of Him"

The ayah popped into Aliyah's thoughts. At first, she was confused but then the more she remembered of the ayah, the more it made sense to her. At the end of the day, she returned to her Lord and so did he. Her goodness to him will be shown to her Lord. Even if she didn't know the patient, had nothing to do with him but her God knew him. He was His creation and by doing well to the patient, Aliyah would be doing good in the eyes of God. So if she truly wanted to be a good believer then should it really matter to her that she didn't know him? Should her goodness only be restricted to those she 'knew'? she stood there in indecision. Should leave the unknown patient to die or should she donate her liver to Allah's creation?

Aliyah walked back into the room and volunteered.

***

Dr. M.K. Rastogi, the director of the hospital was in a terrible state. He had initially planned to announce Zain as dead on the spot of the accident and his dead body was brought into the hospital but now he had an eye witness and not just a witness but a willing donor. A donor that could help him save Zain Abdullah's life and make it to the front page of the newspapers. One would think his problems are solved except they're not. The donor happens to be Aliyah Ghulam Haider, a high profile business tycoon's only daughter who also is coincidentally the founder of the very hospital that earns the director his bread and butter. Were Usman Ghulam Haider to find that his daughter's liver was taken out in his own hospital, Dr. Rastogi could only imagine the parts of his body that would painfully depart from him. He couldn't let a politician's son die but nor could he take the help of the only willing donor. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Damn it, he'd give his own liver if only Zain didn't have bloody O negative blood type - as if the situation wasn't bad enough, Zain had to have a blood type with special requirements.

"But I have a condition" Aliyah's voice broke into Dr. Rastogi rather suicidal thoughts.

"And what would that be?" Dr. Rastogi, not really intending to follow through with the surgery but decided to amuse himself by listening to the girl's 'condition'. What would she want? A public announcement of her act of generosity? Well, that's not happening because there was going to be no surgery to begin with.

"I want my donation to remain anonymous" Aliyah stated and the room hushed.

"I'm sorry but could you repeat that?" Dr. Rastogi was having a hard time believing his ears. Anonymous donation of a liver? Did she know it wasn't just a random pound of flesh but her actual liver that was going to be donated?

"I don't want anyone to find out the donation was done by me" she rephrases the sentence.

"No one? Not even your family?" the doctor asked in astonishment.

"Absolutely no one. I am legal adult and have the right to make my own decisions. I wish to donate my liver but under the given condition"

"Could you give me and the board of directors a minute to discuss this?" the doctor asked as he considered his only escape goat - an anonymous donation.

The board got into a heated argument, discussing the pros and cons of the situation and after a lot debate, it was finalized to go ahead with the surgery. The surgery went on for a total of 12 hours. It was a success and how could it not be? because in the silence of dawn, God saved one life for another.