After returning from work, Amin had a long shower and then went into the kitchen.
‘How about something to eat?’ suggested Alya.
Amin shrugged and said, ‘A cup of hot coffee is fine.’
Alya poured him a cup of coffee. He glanced at his wife while sipping it. ‘You look awesome.’
‘Thank you,’ Alya responded coolly. She sat beside him. Amin put his arm around her shoulder.
Alya asked casually, ‘How was the day, sweetheart?’ Alya took a deep breath and told him about Fida’s late coming, her tension and some other worries that she had. Amin remained silent for a while, and then he turned to Alya.
‘Oh dear! Walking is great exercise and the school is not too far, though,’ he said softly. He went upstairs to see Fida.
Amin opened the door of the study room. He saw Fida doing her homework and Luke reading a story book. Seeing his father, Luke ran towards him and gave him a big hug. ‘Papa, are you late today?’
‘Not too late, am I? I did have a meeting, and I’ve been talking to your mum.’ He sat on the plain black sofa. Fida went over to her father and kissed him affectionately before sitting down next to him.
Alya came up the stairs. Watching, she stood behind them.
With a broad smile Amin turned to Fida. He took her hand, kept it in his and stroked her back with his other hand. ‘Fida, I appreciate what you did today, but—’ He cut himself short before continuing. ‘But you need to always think about your family before you help others.’
‘Think what, Papa?’ Luke asked innocently.
Amin smiled and said, ‘Think about whether what you are about to do will mean any tension for your family or if your family could possibly get hurt. If there’s a good chance that someone will get hurt then please try to avoid such work. You know what I mean, don’t you, sweethearts?’
Fida and Luke stared at each other and then shook their heads, hesitantly.
‘Yes Papa, but…’ Fida was confused.
‘What’s it, sweetheart?’ he asked.
‘Nothing Papa … I was feeling weak for some reason.’
Amin stared at his daughter for a while. Then, with a slight admiring smile, he held both of them together.
‘Fida, Luke, listen to me. Imagine that there are two men and that each receives 1,000 rupees in wages. The first man gives all of his money over to charity while the second gives only two per cent of it. Who do you think is the better person?’
‘Certainly the first man,’ said Luke.
‘Yes, the first,’ concurred Fida.
Amin smiled thoughtfully and said, ‘No dears, it is the second man, the one who gave two per cent.’
Both of them opened their mouths in surprise. ‘What! But Papa … why?’
‘Oh dear! Every man has responsibilities towards the family. Giving trouble and worry to one’s own family in order to help others cannot be appreciated. If a person gives all his money to charity, what about his poor parents, his wife and his children? They will not have anything to eat. Do you want them to have to spread their hands before others?’
Fida and Luke both replied in the negative. Fida felt admiration for her father. She said, ‘Papa, you are great.’
‘Thank you,’ he said tenderly.
Moving his hand over her long hair, he asked, ‘Do you know how much stress you caused your mother today?’
‘A lot, Papa.’ Fida shook her head caringly.
‘I am sorry, Mama.’
‘Giving your tiffin to your friend, I appreciate, but giving your bus fare, I don’t. Do you know why?’
‘Yes Papa. I gave a lot of tension to mum by being home so late.’
‘I am sorry, mum,’ Fida apologised. She turned to her mother with sad eyes.
‘That’s all right, dear.’ Alya kissed her cheeks.
‘What about Safa? She would have arrived home late from school as well?’ asked Amin.
‘She hasn’t come to school for the last three days. I think she is sick,’ responded Fida thoughtfully.
Amin shook his head in disbelief.
‘Sick for three days! And you didn’t even think of visiting her? What kind of friend are you?’
‘Papa, actually I thought about that, but I didn’t want to miss the bus,’ Fida said softly.
‘Oh Fida! I don’t think it’s a good excuse,’ he teased her. ‘Why didn’t you go a little early to the bus stop?’ Fida put her head down with guilt. Amin smiled.
‘Oh dear, you cared about the hungry classmate but not the one who is always with you? Help those who are closer to you first,’ he advised gently. ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed. If you visit her now, she will feel good and a sense of relief. It will also strengthen your friendship.’
Fida decided to visit her friend the very next day.