Chapter 1
The clock in Bhopal struck 9 at night. Most of the people in Bhopal by now were home and with their family while one man had no track of time. He was sitting in his office and just staring out of the window. His mobile lay on his desk and had been continuously buzzing for the past hour but this man was oblivious even of his surroundings. This man was tall and handsome with looks that could charm anyone but he had pain quite visible in his eyes. There were repeated knocks on his office door but this man took no notice. The person standing outside had no choice but to bulge in. The person wore a badge bearing the name Prashant.
Prashant- Asad sir... Asad sir... Asad sir
Getting no response he walked to Asad and tapped him on his shoulders. Asad was broken from his chain of thoughts. Before Asad could say anything Prashant handed him a phone mouthing the words 'Dilshad Maam'. Saying so Prashant left the office.
Asad (on phone) - Walakum Asalam ammi
Dilshad- Asalam Walakum! Where are you lost Asad?? I have been trying your phone for the past one hour
Asad- Woh ammi... Woh actually... Main woh...
Dilshad- When will you come home?
Asad- In the morning... Work... (fumbling) There is lot of work in the office
Dilshad- Asad you know that you can't lie to me so it's no use trying to. Asad it's been 5 years. Let out your pain.
Asad(cutting her)- ammi I have work... Khuda Afhiz
Dilshad- Allah Afhiz
Saying these words Dilshad disconnected the phone. She wished somehow there could be a remedy of this pain. She wished she could do something. She wished that her son would not let the pain build it up inside me because that would make things worse.
#Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it#
Kate- I am sorry Zoya. Your bone marrow did not match with Zoad's
Zoya (tears brimming in her eyes) - but doctor we could still ask for help from others like you said
Kate- We could but Zoad does not have so much time. It is very difficult to find someone whose bone marrow would match with Zoad's in the time span we have.
Zoya- difficult but not impossible! I'll do anything for my son even if it means I have to fight with death
Kate- Anything?
Zoya- Yes!!
Kate- Maybe Zoad's father could help. You need to talk to him' He is the only hope you have at present...
Hearing the words 'Zoad's father', Zoya broke down. Memories of what happened 5 years back came flooding back to her. Though 5 years had gone by yet they seemed so fresh as if it were just yesterday. Kate looked at her friend trying to console her but with no luck after all some wounds run too deep that even she being such an experienced doctor could take care of.
#Some wounds run too deep for the healing#
#Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open#
#It is a strange thing, but when you are dreading something, and would give anything to slow down time, it has a disobliging habit of speeding up#
#What would come, would come' and you would have to meet it, when it did#
Zoad (with tears) - I missed you so much abbu and I love you so much
Asad (with tears) - I love you too'
Zoad- Zoad... My name is Zoad
Hearing the name Zoad Asad went to a flashback.
*flashback begins*
It was the day after Asad and Zoya's marriage and Asad, Zoya, Najma and Dilshad were seated at the table for breakfast.
Najma- Bhabhijaan! How did you sleep??
Zoya- very well Najma... and please call me Zoya... we are friends first
Najma- you slept well..
Zoya- of course Najma... Why are you asking this repeatedly?
Najma- I mean had bhaijaan let you sleep
This lead to Asad coughing and Zoya's face turning to a shade of red. They loved each other and had confessed but were still shy in each other's presence.
Dilshad- There is no need to be so conscious. After all I need to see my grandchildren's face soon.
This was enough to embarrass Asad and he walked towards his room. Zoya too excused herself on the pretext of taking Asad coffee. Zoya quickly made coffee and went to their room. Asad quickly grabbed her from behind making Zoya spill some coffee.
Zoya (pouting) - Asad!! because of you coffee has fallen and now you will scold me
Asad (faking anger) - a perfect way to end such a romantic moment... how is ammi going to see her grandchildren if this continues
Zoya (blushing) - go take a bath... you have an important meeting today
Asad (kissing Zoya and walking towards the bathroom door) - I want a boy and a girl... girl would be named Zenab after your mother and boy would be Zoad
*flashback ends*
Zoad (pointing towards the sky) - look shooting stars!! look abbu!! look ammi!!
Zoya walked up to Zoad and ruffled his hair. Asad was just looking at his beautiful wife and son. The stars glowed in the sky indicating something new and amazing was to come
#After all this time?'Always#
Zoya- I have been in New York for all these years. Appi and Jiju were with me till Zoad turned 2 months old and then they passed away in a car accident. Zoad was 4 years old when he started showing symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite and pain. I consulted my friend and doctor Kate and learnt that Zoad was suffering from Leukemia due to his bone marrow. After many treatments and tests Kate informed me that the only way to save Zoad was by a bone marrow transfer. Unfortunately my bone marrow did not match and I came here with the hope that maybe Asad being Zoad's father could help.
Saying this in one go she broke down and Dilshad rushed to console. Asad stood there rooted on his spot. He realized Zoya had come back for the same reason she had left which was Zoad.
*flashback begins*
It was 1am and Zoya was pacing up and down in her and Asad's room waiting for her husband to come home. She was trying his phone but with no luck. This had been going for past 2 months and had taken a toll on her health. The doctor had told her that this stress was affecting their baby to a large extent. She had decided to put an end to their fight and as it is it was their first marriage anniversary. The door suddenly opened and Asad walked in with anger clearing visible in his eyes. He had visited the mall to buy Zoya a wedding gift but the sight that he had seen broke him. He saw Zoya's friend Rehaan kneeling before his Zoya with a ring in his hand and Zoya was smiling. He felt like killing Rehaan on the spot but decided against it. Recently he had not been liking the way Zoya and Rehaan had been with each other, so comfortable and friendly. Zoya seeing Asad enter ran to him and hugged him. Asad just zapped Zoya off and pushed her resulting in her falling on the floor.
Zoya (getting up) - Asad... we need to talk
Asad (glaring at her)- there is nothing to talk...
Zoya (with tearful eyes) - it is about our child...
Asad (holding her arms with full force) - you mean your and Rehaan's child
Zoya (shocked) - Asad you are hurting me
Asad immediately let her go. Zoya knew Asad was insecure when it came to Rehaan but today he had crossed his limit. Zoya still composed herself and put a hand on Asad's shoulder which resulted in her being slapped by him. He ignoring her pleases and requests went off to sleep in the guest room leaving a weeping Zoya behind.
When he woke up he went to his (their) room to find Zoya gone leaving behind a letter along with a rose. He read the letter with tears in his eyes.
Dear Asad,
I had to leave. I had to leave for our child. Rehaan and Najma love each other and I was just helping them. It is not only about Rehaan as I know it was just your jealously and love for me; it is about your trust which I somehow never managed to gain. You never trusted me with anything be it taking care of Phoophi, helping Najma or any other responsibility. You always misjudge me. I just can't take it anymore. The stress and pain is affecting our child. I give you the swear of my life and the swear of our love to never look for me.
Love Always,
Zoya
*flashback ends*
#Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect#
At night Zoad lay on the bed between Zoya and Asad in their room. He had insisted on sleeping with both his parents and Zoya could not say no to him. Zoya was narrating a bed time story to Zoad while Asad just stared at both of them. Asad saw how responsible Zoya was; they way she had brought Zoad up, catering to his needs, working hard to make ends meet, still taken out all the time in the world for him, handling the fact that his abbu was not there, making sure that he did not loath his abbu and side by side taking care of his disease. Even in the time of such darkness she never showed her pain to her son and gave him all the happiness. He watched Zoya kiss Zoad 'good night' with the smile that always lit up his life.
Zoad (nudging Asad) - abbu.. I am off to sleep.. give me my goodnight kiss.. ammi has already given me..
Asad also kissed Zoad 'good night'
Zoad- abbu... what about ammi's good night kiss... you will not wish ammi good night??
Asad looked up at Zoya. Zoya looking at Zoad pouting nodded a yes towards Asad. Asad quickly gave Zoya a kiss on the cheek which made her blush even after all these years.
#Happiness can be found in even the darkest times, if only one remembers to turn on the light#
1 month later things had settled in for the time being. Zoya slept in the guest room always and Zoad slept in the same room as Karan. He went to visit Rashid's house along with Zoya regularly to meet their family there. Zoya and Asad barely spoke to each other except about the visits to the clinic.
It was 10 pm and Asad had just come out of the washroom after a bath wearing nothing but his track pants. At that instant Zoya banged into the room. Asad seeing her rushed to grab a shirt.
Zoya- don't
Asad stopped and turned to look at her. Zoya started walking towards Asad will slow steps. Asad recalled what had happened in the clinic today.
*flashback begins*
Kate- Zoya... I am so sorry... Asad's bone marrow also did not match with Zoad's' but
Zoya (weeping) - but what?
Kate- but all hope is not lost
Asad- what is the hope?
Kate (anxiously) - at such times siblings of the patient can help... what I need to say is that you guys need to consummate your relationship again..
Zoya without saying a word walked out of the clinic with Asad following her. They both sat down in the car.
Zoya- Drop me at the dargah please
Asad nodded and drove the car to the dargah. Zoya was about to leave when Asad held her hand.
Asad- Zoya... I am with you in whatever step you take
Zoya freed her hand from Asad and rushed inside the dargah.
*flashback ends*
Zoya finally reached Asad and placed her hand on his bare chest. Zoya had made a choice. She had to for her son. Asad knew that he would be the one who would have to take the step. He as it is was unable to control his emotions. He bent down and kissed Zoya's lips who responded with equal enthusiasm.
#It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities#
Zoya was undergoing labor pain and Asad had rushed her to the hospital. Zoya was clutching on Asad's hands tightly.
Asad- Zoya be calm... everything will be fine
Zoya- you'll be there?
Asad- always
Zoya- I love you
Asad (with tears of joy) - I love you too Zoya.. and I promise never to hurt you' and
Zoya (putting her fingers on Asad's lips) - I know you trust me... I can see it in your eyes... You just stay close
#You'll stay with me?' Until the very end#
Time has flown by. Everyone is gathered in the backyard of Asad's house to celebrate Zenab's 5th birthday. Zoya had specially baked a cake for her daughter. Asad had got the most beautiful doll for his daughter. Zoad who was cured of all diseases now had made a painting for his dear sister. Dilshad was glad that her family was now complete. Zenab and Zoad were cutting the cake together while Asad and Zoya stood in a corner watching them. Asad quickly placed a kiss on Zoya's cheek making her blush as always.
#All was well#
Your reaction
Nice
Awesome
Loved
LOL
OMG
Cry
105 Comments