Loving You

CHAPTER# 6

Fawaz turned his face towards Nooreh, who was sleeping on his chest, making some space for herself on his bed. He smiled at her gesture.

“Nooreh… Nooreh… wake up baby…” Fawaz said to his asleep daughter while looking at her lovingly. Nooreh stirred in her sleep but didn’t wake up. She was always a heavy sleeper. Fawaz suddenly remembered how Arminah used to get mad over Noreeh’s sleeping habits. His eyes teared up at the memory of his love, but he knew he couldn’t get weak now. Not when he learned that Nooreh wasn’t safe. He had to be strong for his daughter though he knew he had to go through major brain surgery soon and there weren’t many chances for his survival. He wanted to make sure someone would protect and love his daughter after him.

“Noori… dear wake up… daddy wants to talk to his angel…” Nooreh opened her eyes slowly to see her father trying to wake her up.

“Daddy…” Nooreh whined groggily as if she was mad at being woken from her sleep. Fawaz smiled at her.

“Daddy wants to talk to his angel, baby. Doesn’t Nooreh want to talk to her daddy?” Fawaz asked Nooreh with fake hurt.

Yes, Nooreh wants to talk to daddy too. Nooreh wants to ask about momma too. Where is her daddy? Nooreh wants momma…” Nooreh made a crying face at the end.

Fawaz felt his heart breaking for his nine-year-old daughter. He knew what it was to live without a parent all too well. He couldn’t even imagine Nooreh living her life without him and Arminah. He and Arminah had always dreamed of a grownup Nooreh living her life and then supporting her. Now that he and Arminah wouldn’t be a part of her life, it was killing him from inside.

“Momma is gone to a very nice place… a place where daddy will be soon too… but you have to stay here with Xavier and uncle Mustafa. They will take care of you and they will love you.” Fawaz was interrupted by Nooreh’s wailing.

“Daddy, you going to leave me too, like momma? No please, Nooreh gets very scared… No, I don’t want to be without you. Daddy, please Nooreh will be alone.” Nooreh sobbed.

“Nooreh, baby listen to Daddy and listen well. You will never be alone. Xavier will never leave you alone. He will protect you. He will love you just like daddy and mommy… You will live your life happily and freely. You will grow up and become a strong woman. You will make daddy and mommy very proud now, promise me.” Fawaz said.

“But daddy, why will Xavier take care of me?” Nooreh asked innocently, opening her eyes wide.

“Because you will be marrying Xavier. You will marry him and you will always love and respect him just like you do to mommy and daddy”, Fawaz stated calmly.

“Will he be my prince daddy?”

“Yes, he will be your prince.”

“Then I will marry him, daddy…” Nooreh agreed happily as if she was getting her favorite toy. Fawaz took a long look at her. He knew what he was doing was unfair and wrong to Nooreh and Xavier, but he was helpless.

When Xavier and Mustafa entered Fawaz’s room, Fawaz looked in Mustafa’s direction as if asking him if Xavier said yes or not. A slight nod from Mustafa answered his concerns.

“I’ll go and prepare for the nikkah. (A process where bride and groom take their vows)”Mustafa said while stepping out of the room.

“Xavier, come here son,” Fawaz called Xavier towards himself.

Xavier went near Fawaz and sat on the chair beside his bed. He glanced at Nooreh, who was watching him and her father silently.

“I know what I am doing is not fair to you”, Fawaz paused. Xavier kept silent as if he wanted Fawaz to continue what he wanted to say.

“Believe me kid, when I say that I am helpless. You already know that Nooreh will be in grave danger after me. They will not sit quietly knowing Fawaz Khan’s daughter is still alive. They will come after her and not only that, I want you to give Nooreh what I and Arminah can’t now. I want you to give her love and respect, son. Believe me, a father, dead or alive, can’t see his daughter in pain. I know it is very selfish of me to ask so much from you, but please promise me you will love and protect her at all costs… Nooreh can be stubborn sometimes, very hard to deal with. Promise me you will be patient with her.”

Fawaz gripped Xavier’s hand in his hands. Xavier tightened his grip on Fawaz’s hand in return to assure him.

“Uncle, I promise… I promise to take care of Nooreh and to protect her with my life… but I am sorry, uncle, I can’t promise you of loving her. Love is not something that can be done by force. I can’t force myself to love her.” Xavier talked calmly.

Fawaz felt relief coursing through his veins. He knew love couldn’t be forced. He knew it. He could only pray to God to give love between his daughter and Xavier. He didn’t want them to live a loveless marriage life.

“And uncle, I understand why you want me to marry her. I really do.” Xavier continued again.

Mustafa had arranged the witnesses and a Qazi (priest) urgently. Soon Xavier and Nooreh were bonded in a precious and prestigious relationship.

Mustafa had ordered Xavier to take Nooreh home as Fawaz was rushed to his surgery and it was said by the doctor that the surgery would take approximately twelve to fourteen hours. He did not want Nooreh to stay in the hospital anymore as it was unsafe for her and she was highly exhausted.