The Love of Habib
Chapters 17.4

"Grandfather, today the weather is very good. Why don't we take Aira to that place? Grandma knew that Grandpa was not satisfied with the past. But what we can do, everything has happened and this is also the will of our son. We certainly can't force him to live an unhappy life for the rest of his life because what our son likes is not Arumi. Besides it's no use getting angry now, grandfather. Aira is innocent in this family. He is a little boy who knows nothing, he is a victim in this house so it is not worth the grandfather to excommunicate Aira. Honestly speaking, Aira fulfilled all the expectations we wanted in this family. She was born beautiful, smart, did very well in school and was liked by many teachers. Believe me, if those two parents were still alive today, they would be proud to have grandchildren as good as Aira." Grandma came to the back garden with a cup of warm tea on the tray along with a plate of snacks that Mother deliberately made for parents who do not like the sweet taste of stinging.

Grandma placed the tray on the table next to the grandfather chair and sat herself right next to the grandfather. This morning was so bright, the air was so clean and refreshing that grandfather felt at home sitting here with a thick book on his lap.

Seeing his wife coming, the grandfather closed his reading book and placed it carefully on the table. It was only after aging that he realized how important science was and how much fun it was to read books. Ever since Aish left this house, grandfather loved to spend his time in the back garden reading books or taking care of plants.

This was his routine during the first month of Aish's departure.

"Will they be proud? Don't lie to yourself. I never said that Aira wasn't my granddaughter, for you I tried to be a good grandfather. But the character inside of him has disappointed me a lot. Why can't he grow up just like Aish? Poor thing, my Aish grew up without a mother's affection and was ignored by her father. Only with my efforts in this life do I try to fill the emptiness of his heart. And Aira? He grew up with complete parents and you are proud of whatever he did, but why did he grow up in stray when all that God needed was enough? Take a good look at Aish. As a mother, do you not feel sorry for her miserable life? You guys are proud of Aira but at the same time dropping Aish, is this fair? This is not fair. Not only am I disappointed in Aira, but I am also disappointed in you, my son, and my other children. What was wrong with Aish until you treated him in this house? Is it just because he was born to a woman who was not loved by my son? If that is so then by Allah, you are a ruthless people! And I, as the head of the family in this house, as a responsible father, and as the grandfather of my grandchildren will never forget what happened in this house. The agony that Aish went through in this house will always live in her heart, your position in her heart may just be a wound for her." Grandfather spoke weakly beside grandma without looking over. His old eyes lifted high staring at the vast expanse of the sky above.

His weak-pitched words carried pain, helplessness, and a regret that could not be spoken with words. Only Allah SWT, the Creator, knows how deep the remorse is in his heart.

Grandma could say nothing. There was shame on his face. Her own husband admitted that she was a cruel woman, her heart splashed with cold water. Sick, but refused to acknowledge this truth. I don't know, maybe because Aira had always satisfied her heart all this time because they were both very close.

"How can we be cruel people? That's not true! If Aish had a little of Aira's attitude, then we wouldn't blame her"

"Look, you are old but your heart is still narrow. If you really have a conscience for her, then you won't go blind and taste Aira is the perfect girl. Today he decided to take off his veil while going to that place, then why don't you get angry and stop him? Aren't you and the kids always insinuating Aish because Aira uses a veil? Now he took it off, but why didn't I hear the loud reprimand you used to point at Aish?" Cut grandfather instantly made grandma dumbfounded.

Grandma squeezed her old hands nervously while noticing the calm expression on her husband's face.

Grandfather immediately raised his voice, "Your reasoning is correct, but why didn't you say this excuse while talking to Aish? You even cornered him more in this house as if he was very sinful if he did not use a veil. Moreover, rather than demanding Aish to follow Aira, why don't you persuade your children to close the aurat? You like to judge Aish's life and compare it with Aira, but forget about yourself who is still far from the word good, astagfirullah, how shameful I am before God because my family are people who are very busy taking care of other people's business but forget about themselves."

Again the grandfather's speech was on target, piercing directly into the grandmother's weak point. After the grandfather said it clearly, the grandmother was repeatedly embarrassed and sad because the beloved husband always looked at her like this. He was also helpless to see his daughters and son-in-law who did not close the aurat. Grandpa often reminded them but never heard.

"I know that-"

"He came to carry the line of his nasab which had once disappeared. Aish is not a person you can touch or judge anymore because the person with him is much better than you all. I hope you guys don't feel ashamed later." Cut grandpa didn't want to listen to the other grandmother's defense words.

Suddenly his heart felt tired of facing his own wife who always felt right and stood in the right choice. Due to his blind love, his wife could not see the surroundings.

Grandfather let out a long sigh, stood up from his seat and left with the thick book in his right hand. When grandfather left, he did not even greet the grandmother who was still sitting dumbstruck in his place.

It was only after grandfather disappeared from his sight that grandma regained her senses and called out anxiously.

"Why has my husband recently said anything vague about Aish?" He muttered in surprise as he chased where grandfather was going.