Naveed adored his older sister, Nailah. He followed her around the house, eager for her attention, always hoping for a warm embrace or a kind word. But Nailah was reserved, preferring solitude over his constant affection. It wasn't that she didn't love her younger brother—she just didn't always know how to express it."Nailah, look! I made a drawing of us!" Naveed beamed, holding up his picture with excitement.
She glanced at it briefly. "That's nice, Naveed," she said in a neutral tone before returning to her book. His smile faltered. He had hoped for more—a hug, a ruffle of his hair, anything to show she truly appreciated his efforts. But as always, she remained distant.
One evening, their mother called Nailah into the kitchen. "Sweetheart, I need you to be more gentle with your brother. He loves you dearly. Have you noticed how he lights up when you're kind to him?"Nailah sighed. "I do love him, Mama. I just... I'm not good at showing it."Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder. "Love isn't just about feeling—it’s about showing. A little kindness goes a long way."That night, Nailah lay awake thinking about her mother’s words. She thought about the times Naveed had run to her with his drawings, his stories and his little gifts, only to be met with her cold responses. Guilt settled in her heart. He deserved better.
The next morning Naveed hesitated before approaching Nailah. He had drawn another picture, but he was afraid of another lukewarm response. Still, he gathered his courage and went to her. "Nailah, I drew something again. You don't have to look if you don't want to."Something in his voice tugged at Nailah’s heart. She took a deep breath, then reached for the paper. "Let me see."
Naveed’s face lit up with surprise. She studied the drawing—a picture of them holding hands under a bright sun. It was simple, but it spoke volumes. She smiled. "I love it, Naveed. Thank you."His eyes widened. "You do?" "I do." She hesitated, then gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "You know what? Let’s put it up on the fridge."Naveed practically glowed with joy. He ran to get tape, and as they placed the drawing on the fridge together, Nailah realized something—showing love wasn't as hard as she had thought. It was in the little things, the words, the gestures. She promised herself that she would try harder for Naveed. From that day on, Nailah consciously tried to be more affectionate. She still wasn't the most expressive person, but she made sure to ruffle Naveed’s hair when he did something good to genuinely admire his drawings and to tell him she loved him before bed. And Naveed? He never stopped beaming.
