Tears Along the Way

By S. H. Miah

Fatima fends for herself in the wake of her father's death. But another death looms: that of her grandfather.

 

As Fatima navigates the tumultuous journey of grief once again, her relationship with her mother worsens. And her younger brother, Mohammed, slips into deeper despair.

 

Can the family unite ever again?

 

A heartwarming short story by S. H. Miah reflecting on the poignancy of overcoming grief.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Muslim Fiction Project
• Release date: Mar 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215575970

Book preview

Tears Along the Way

S. H. Miah

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Muslim Fiction Project

Copyright © 2023 by S. H. Miah

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Contents

Tears Along the Way

About MFP

About S. H. Miah

Tears Along the Way

Fatima clutched a fistful of the hospital bed's duvet, the one covering her grandfather's frail form, and glanced up at him. His eyes, once so full of life and a sparkling shade of hazel, dimmed like the sky as sunset flew its course. The wrinkles lining his forehead and cheeks, a connotation of years of smiling and laughter, flowed into one another like streams across a mountain.

I'm scared, Fatima said, lowering her gaze to the floor once more. The floor was a lighter shade of grey, with miniscule black dots mixed in to create a grainy effect. The floor mimicked Fatima's mind—clear underneath, yet the grainy noise of her grandfather's imminent and inevitable demise allowed nothing else to be thought.

It is but the reality of life, her grandfather spoke, smile etched on his face as if it was a permanent feature. He coughed, chest heaving, before leaning against the covers. Fatima's hands still gripped the duvet.

One day it shall be your turn, her grandfather said. And your grandchildren will be around you, shedding tears for you. With the permission of Allah, there is no better way to go.

Fatima felt those tears spring to her eyes. But what if you survive this one? Her grandfather had lived through two near death scares before. Fatima hoped this bout would spell the third survival. How