PARALLEL

5

Imam Rizwan didn't know his son had failed to protect her from himself and there was no excuse in the world for the sin that he had committed. Only punishment.

Imam Rizwan was the closest person to a father, he ever had as Bilal's father was martyred a year after his birth when he was posted in Siachin. They were a proud family of Martyred Lt. Ahmer Raza and Bilal had done well to bring shame to his family, smearing his late father's name with dirt but Imam Rizwan had witnessed Bilal turn into a man that he was, from a lanky little boy into a handsome young man, rich with Ikhlaaq and the worldly treasures.

The Hotel has always been Bilal's second home. First, with his mother and he had spent most of the years in this place. This mosque. He had been proud of his son.

Rizwan's heart broke at the sight of his teary face and dull, bloodshot eyes, downcast. Bilal couldn't bring himself to look at his uncle. He couldn't bear his uncle's look of disappointment. His skin carved with the intricate patterns of the woollen jaye namaaz (prayer mat). Rizwan had never seen him look so despondent. He searched his face for the ever-smiling young man who would greet him with Assalamualaikum as soon as he'd see him but he was nowhere to be found. The boy who'd spent many Iftaars by his side. The boy who gave his first Adhaan at the age of 17 in his beautiful voice and the boy who always topped every sphere of his life had failed the biggest test of his life. He had failed himself and he had failed his proud family.

Rizwan wrapped his arms around Bilal in a hug, no longer caring about the people who were there and what they might think. He only cared about his son who cried in his arms and held onto him tightly for his life. But the storm in his life wouldn't keep his boat afloat.

Rizwan pulled away from him when his sobs had subsided but tears still glistened in his ever beautiful eyes. Rizwan placed his old, trembling hand on his head.

"What's the wrong betay? Talk to me son?"

At that moment Bilal had wished for the earth to split open and swallow him whole. He wanted to disappear but it was too easy. He looked at his father memorising his worried features as it may be the last time Rizwan would ever be so concerned for him. He'd soon be one of those people who would curse his existence to hell and back and there will be a long list but his list consisted only of 1 person who had ruined them. Intoxicated him to the point of no return with a mere glass of milk and Bilal will go to Hell with him.

"I've committed a grave sin. I have shamed my family. I have wronged her baba."

Sobs wracked Bilal's body.

Bilal had cradled his face in the palms of his hands when Rizwan gripped his shoulders and shook him. Fear gripped at Rizwan's heart but somewhere deep down in his soul he knew, he knew what Bilal's done and this was a consequence of his misdeed but he also knew his son and he knew he wouldn't ever commit the immorality. He would never be tempted to lust after something that didn't belong to him. This was just not him.

"What did you do son? What did you do?"

"I raped Hassan's Omer daughter baba. I loved her and I raped her."

Bilal didn't tell him that he was drugged but even then he had done it. It was only him who did it. Who else? It was him who was charged with the offence. It was him who had raped her, touched her. He was worst of all and it had been him all along.

Rizwan's hand dropped from Bilal's shoulders as he struggled to scramble to his feet and put a few metres between them. Silence reigned until he could only hear his heart thump in his chest oblivious to the disaster. Bilal had just plunged a knife in Rizwan's heart with his own two hands.

Rizwan lightly touched his son's shoulder yet again.

"Did you tell anyone, Bilal?"

Rizwan repeated again but Bilal had heard him very clearly the first time.

Bilal only had the courage to spare a quick glance at his baba, "No."

It was good Bilal hadn't said a word to anyone or he would have been dead already. He had to take Bilal to them before they could ever come to him. Rizwan should have rewarded Bilal with a resounding slap that could shake the walls of the masjid as soon as he heard Bilal but unfortunately, Rizwan didn't have the heart to do it. There must have been a reason, some logical explanation that Bilal hadn't told him yet. Some excuse as lame as it may be that can save him. He failed to realize the fact that there will be no logic, no reasoning that will excuse his son's actions.

He pulled Bilal to his feet as he gripped his jaw in his hands and raised his head to look at him. Rizwan's posture stiff and expression stern which left no room for argument.

"Bilal Allah says: I am in love with those who repent. He has allowed you to live son, so repent and seek His forgiveness for Imam Ibn Al Jawzee has quoted: "The planning of Almighty Allah is better for you than your own planning, and He could deprive you of what you ask to test your patience. So let Him see from you determined patience and you will soon see from Him what will give you joy. And when you have cleaned the paths of answering (of supplication) from the stains of your sin and was patient about what He has chosen for you then everything that happens to you is better for you whether you were given or deprived of what you have requested."

Rizwan had to wipe the ever-flowing tears of his son when he continued

"And Allah knows what you are able to go through Bilal as He had promised not to test any of us beyond our abilities. You need to come with me and bear the repercussions of your deed. That's the justice that Allah has dispensed for Munizeh for Allah is The Judge of the judges and beseech that she forgives you."

Bilal hadn't said a word. Rizwan's words echoed in his ears "Allah says: I am in love with those who repent." Rizwan kissed his son's forehead and returned him to Hassan so he could face his fate.