Faiths

By Hasan Ahmed Ashrafi

Thrilled about getting admission to the College in the coming months, Harris's life was a smooth sail; Until he had to help the daughter of his dad's friend, reluctantly.

Hareem, a Muslim girl having Indian ancestry, who hates boys in general, was compelled to get the crash course from the guy her dad found.

Thus begins the journey of patience, sentiments, and decisions of their lives. Would they able to climb the mountain of their ego? Would they dare to cross the line of their faiths? Will they succeed in saving their relationship? It will all depend on the strongest vow they had made to themselves.

"Faiths" is one of the many interfaith star-crossed love stories which left a throbbing share of love to one's entire life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hasan Ahmed Ashrafi
• Release date: Nov 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386019572

Hasan Ahmed Ashrafi

Hasan Ahmed Ashrafi loves to understand the diversity of human beings related to ethnicity, gender, and ancestry; which all are our core specialty amongst all the creatures in the history of our world. Readers of his novels will sense the difference of what people from other parts of the world, feels and thinks about something that is very common in society. He perceives the fact that in today's world of flooding information sources, we miss the beauty of our social relationships.

Book preview

Chapter 1

HARRIS

I was waiting for my dad, sitting on the driving seat. The bright morning sunshine was impacting on my left cheek, which of course, irritating me because I had to wake up early to drop dad to his workplace. That’s an established fact that no one wants to wake up early in the winters.

Alright, let’s go. door opened, It’s Monday after all, Dad said while adjusting himself on the seat.

I hit the race, I always wonder how you like Mondays? I always wish that Sunday just stop for a week or two so we can enjoy the weekend at our heart’s content.

It’s age factor, young guy. You know what, I would go to work on Sundays too if your wish comes true.

No way! How could you... we both laughed.

So, what have you planned to pass your time until college admissions?

Ah, my friend is starting t-shirts printing business, so I am going to give him a hand.

Oh, that’s good. Wish him luck.

My Dad works as a Ward Manager in the City Hospital. He likes to help people a lot that’s why he chose a job in a hospital rather than in a multinational. He always says middle-class people, like us, live a happy life because small happiness’s matter very much to them. This keeps them going on with life easily rather than rich people who just want to maintain their high status, leaving behind small, life-rich moments just for their show-offs.

I entered the hospital with him because I had to take mom’s medical reports from Dad’s office. As we were just entering his room, Dad saw a man standing at reception.

Akram! Here! Over here. He gestured that guy.

He found my Dad searching in the direction of his voice and gestured him that he is coming in a moment. In the meantime, Dad brought mom’s report, and Mr. Akram reached where I was standing.

Oh hello, Akram. How you doing?

I am fine, Alex. He looked upset.

I am really sorry for your loss. Be patient.

Yeah, Whatever God’s will.

And this guy is my son Harris, and Harris, this is Akram.

Hello, Mr. Akram, I responded quickly.

Harris, his son was very sick a month ago and... I understood when dad sighed.

I am very sorry for your loss. May Lord relieve your pain. I said.

Have you completed the documentation requirements of the hospital? dad asked him.

Yeah, just received my little boy’s death papers. He replied, Man, these are the heaviest papers I ever... His voice wept.

Is there anything I can do for you, tell me? Dad hugged him, You can always directly come to me, any time.

Thanks, Alex, for every support you gave us since my son was admitted here.

No problem. Anytime.

I have to go now. Actually, I have to get my car from my mechanic. God bless you. He said.

You don’t have a car right now... Harris will drop you at your mechanic, don’t worry.

I was already getting late but didn’t find appropriate to interrupt them, but then I had to drop Mr. Akram. Wow.

Okay, thanks a lot. We were just leaving, but he stopped and said, And Alex, do you know any lady tutor? My daughter needs some help. You know in all these days of my son’s illness, she was very disturbed and missed classes at school. Her exams are near, so she is anxious, nowadays.

I really should be leaving because another conservation has begun...

Oh, that’s really not a problem. Harris can guide your daughter very well. He is a brilliant student and also giving tuition since last year. Luckily, he is free nowadays, and waiting for admissions in the college. I shocked what dad said about me. Me? ... Giving tuition? ... When! Even I don’t know!

This surprise hit me badly and I was totally puzzled. I didn’t see that coming, and I was staring dad. Yeah sure, I will see if I got any free time then I will definitely do this... tuition thing. I managed to give a statement in the grey area of acceptance and rejection. I just didn’t find appropriate to refuse at the moment.

We went to Mr. Akram’s mechanic where the car was not ready yet, so eventually, I had to drop him at his home. His house was not far from our house. After dropping him, I quickly rang Dad.

Dad, what did you just do? Since when I was tutoring kids? And I told you in the morning that I have to help my friend in his business, I don’t have any spare time.

Where are your manners, Harris? And what happened to your humanity, kid. Didn’t you see how much pain was in his eyes? His little son just died. What’s bad in it to give just one hour of your time to help his daughter?

I had a significant silence of guilt.

And I know you bought your expensive smartphone by tutoring neighbor’s kids.

But- I tried.

No ifs and buts, Harris. You are doing this. Line cut.

Wow... What an excellent start of the day! I am definitely not doing this.

HAREEM

I came back from school with a heavy heart. All of my friends, offered condolences to me on my brother’s death, which made me sadder but... that’s the tradition of the world. Sadly, there is no easy way to do condolence. I didn’t see our car parked and expected dad didn’t come back yet. I opened the door and surprised by seeing dad’s shoes.

Dad! Did you forget to get the car...? I asked while entering the house. I saw mom and dad crying again. They had some papers in their hands. I realized what it was and hugged mom from back followed by a stream of tears, making their way from my eyes.

Come on, go get fresh. Lunch will be ready in 15 minutes. She cleaned her tears.

I showered, changed and came to have lunch where my broken family was already there.

Hey, I arranged a tutor for you. Soon he will be coming to help you. Your exams are near. Dad said.

I shocked while taking a bite.

Where did you find a tutor so quickly? Mom asked. Nobody was expecting anything from me to say. I wanted to protest. I didn’t like tutors, and I didn’t need any tutor, I could do this by myself as I’ve told dad before.

Remember Alex from the hospital? I met him in the morning and discuss this issue. Fortunately, his son Harris was with him today, who nowadays waiting for the admissions in the college. Dad took a break, So he assured me that Harris would help.

What! A boy is coming to teach me. So, now I have to take lectures from a college guy. No way, this is not happening.

While I was about to open my mouth in protest, Mom just said, Do you think it’s a good idea?

"Yeah, don’t