Posted:
~Day 2~OS: Building self-control~By Devanshi😳
It is said that
temptation for something grows when one is deprived of it.
Zoya was slowly
realizing the truth of that when she saw the Dominoes pamphlet that had come
along with the morning newspaper.
It was not that
Zoya did not possess self-control. She had an amazing resistance. But the way
they showed that slice of pizza being picked up with the cheese stretching
between the two slices and a huge glass of Coke with the soda bubbles at random
throughout the glass was enough to make Zoya lick her lower lip. She shifted in
her seat a little and continued to look at the picture longingly as though the
pizza would pop out of the pamphlet into her lap.
Asad noticed how
Zoya was staring at the pizza pamphlet and rebuked her, "Ms. Farooqui, we
spoke about this. The spirit of Ramadan is self-control. Judging by your
expressions, you don't seem to have much of it."
Zoya had a sharp
retort at the tip of her tongue but she held herself back because she knew he
was right. In New York, Aapi and Jiju who were fiercely protective of her, had
taught her everything there was to learn about Ramadan but after one incidence
of her fainting in high school during fasting had scared them enough to not let
her fast again.
But here in
Bhopal, she had managed to persuade them that she will be stronger and even
Dilshad had assured and re-assured them that she would take complete care of
her.
The first day
had been easy because the whole idea of the Suhoor, the fasting, spending the
day with Najma and Phoopi reading the Quran, reading the Namaaz dutifully five
times and Iftar at the end of the day had been so exciting because she was
participating whole-heartedly after so many years!
But then on the
second day, the real difficulty set in. She found the time going slower than
usual, the Suhoor just didn't seem enough and what began as light rumblings in
her abdomen were right now full fledged hunger pangs. What was worse, it wasn't
even noon yet!
She set aside
the pamphlet with a last rueful look and looked down with shame.
Asad was
surprised to see her not answer back but somehow he understood why. Yet, it
gave him an unsettling feeling to see her like this. Ramadan was not about
scolding or making one feel sad. It was a festival, meant to be celebrated by
ushering in change and the fasting was to be done in good spirit.
He bent down on
one knee, held her chin and asked, "Ms. Farooqui, will you be
fine?"
He had a kind
look in his eyes. He was not being his usual self. He was trying to understand
what she felt. And suddenly, she felt much better. The hunger pangs were
lessening and she felt strength in her muscles again.
She nodded
vigorously, beaming up at him and he gave her his rare smiles that always
brightened her mood.
*****************
It was almost
the time of Iftar but Asad was not home yet. Dilshad grew worried with every
passing moment. Zoya's phone rang and she picked it up see his name flash on
the screen.
"Mr. Khan
where are you? Why aren't you home yet? Najma and Phoopi are going crazy with
worry! Are you fine? Are you hurt? Do you know how worried I am? Allah Miyah!
What's wrong with you? Why won't you say anything?" Blabbered Zoya, her
voice showing no sign of weakness due to fasting.
"Ms.
Farooqui, please catch your breath. I am absolutely fine. Tell Tamatar and Ammi
the same. I am texting you an address, tell the driver to bring you there. Only
you. Let Ammi and Tamatar know that we will be back very soon." He said
calmly like it was just any other day.
Zoya explained
the situation to Najma and Dilshad. Both of them got an understanding look in
their eyes on seeing the address and allowed her to go but also said that they
would not break their fast before Asad and Zoya returned.
*******************
The place where
Asad had called Zoya was not very far so she reached in no time. She looked
around, trying to find Asad. It was a simple building with balconies on every
floor and a huge playground in the backyard.
She found him
waiting for her at the entrance with a box of pizza in his hand. She looked at
him in confusion but he merely smiled at her.
"Ms.
Farooqui, I know you are confused but I hope you will understand when I show
you a few things. Please, come in with me."
They walked in
and saw a group of children sitting in a group together, praying. Asad gestured
Zoya towards them and they joined them in prayers.
After the
prayers, the children, most of them in their early teens, sat on mats where
they were served food by the care takers.
"Mr. Khan
is this an orphana----"
"No. Ms.
Farooqui, this is not an orphanage. This is a home. These are just some
children for whom Allah had something different in mind. They are special---
not because they are physically handicapped or have lost their parents. No.
They are special because they believe in Allah despite the difficulties and
misfortunes that they have faced in their past. They are special because they
don't let their weaknesses overwhelm them. Ever." He said a hint of pride
in his voice.
He pointed at a
boy who looked barely thirteen."That's Aslam. He lost his sight due to a
degenerative disease when he just four and soon he lost his parents in an
accident. This is his third Ramadan."
Next he pointed
to another girl who was a little older, probably fifteen."That's Salma.
She lost her entire family about a year ago in a highway accident. She survived
with a minor injuries and she wants to be a doctor. Yet, she is fasting because
she believes that her family would be proud to see her standing strong like
this" said Asad, a genuine smile lining his face and tears shining in his
eyes.
After pointing
out a few more children, he looked at Zoya who had a stream of tears flowing
down her cheeks. He wiped them off her cheeks and she asked in a choked voice,
"How...how do you know about all of them?"
"I built
this place a few years ago and the children are found by people who work for
NGOs. They leave them here under our care and I fund for all their expenses---
education, living, trips and whatever they are in need of. This was Ammi's idea
and now I hope to build many more such buildings throughout Bhopal."
Zoya nodded and
giving Asad a watery smile, she took the box of pizza from him."Can you
order more of these as soon as possible?"
"Yeah.
Why?" Asked Asad. Now, he was confused. He had expected Zoya to understand
the plight of the people less fortunate than her and help them out. Not order
more pizzas!
"Well, use
your big brain and do the math. There are at least 20 children here. One large
pizza isn't going to be enough for ALL of them now!" She said like it was
the most obvious thing.
Asad looked
dumbfounded for a moment and then, his face broke into a big smile-- yes, a
smile that showed all this 32 teeth or maybe 28, according to Zoya. She really
doubted he had any wisdom teeth. They were for wise people, you know. Not for
people like...well...Asad!
He immediately
called up his assistant and instructed him to order pizzas enough for 20
teenagers immediately. They bid farewell to the children and the caretakers.
While driving
back home, Asad said, "Thank you Ms. Farooqui."
"For
what?"
"For
understanding what I was trying to explain to you."
"Then, I
should be the one thanking you for explaining it to me. So, thank you Mr.
Khan."
After a few moments
of silence, Asad asked," Dominoes is going to miss its favorite customer for a
month. A bit of an injustice, don't you think?"
Zoya smiled, "Well,
their favorite customer just sorted out her priorities. I think they will
survive."
Reaching home,
they broke their fast with Dilshad and Najma who didn't ask them exactly what
had happened but could note the change in Zoya's behavior as she was back to
her enthusiastic self, ready to take on life as it came her way.
So, how was it? I
hope pizza is allowed at the end of the day. It is, right? I hope I made you'll
smile somewhere! Happy Ramadan everyone!
Please Read our Post Below or on Next page for PMs! :)
Shiv Shakti
124