Chapter 10
After a week, Evening, Bhoopal City Hospital
Asad was coming from reception after completing all the formalities for Dilshad's discharge, at that moment Habib called.
"Mr. Khan we traced that girl at Indore. Her name is "Aayesha". She is a very poor girl. Her father is hospitalized there taking his last breathing. I am going there as early as possible". Habib told him without any greetings.
"Okay. Go there and inform me. I want to wrap this case as early as possible" Asad ordered.
"I will try my level best." How is Mrs. Khan Now?" Habib changed the topic.
"Ammi is fine, in fact getting discharged today" Asad answered.
"Okay. Mr. Khan. I will inform you time to time. Allah Hafiz" Habib concluded.
"Allah Hafiz" Asad ended the call.
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Dilshad was waiting, all set to leave the hospital. She was really bored. In her life she never stayed in a hospital this long time. She actually never got ill seriously before.
Asad entered the cabin and she smiled to him. Asad came near her returning her smile. He kissed her forehead and asked her
"How are you Ammi?"
"Of course I am fine Asad, if I am not then Doctor will not allow to go to home, right" Dilshad was amazed.
Asad became more protective after her attack. His antics got more irritable. His OCD was being over the top. Nazma and Zoya were in most danger zone. He did not allow any junk food, snacks even desserts on which they actually live on. He even did not allow them to go out of the house without a companion. Of course Zoya being Zoya did not follow a single advice and landed herself in danger and following that their banter started. A single day did not pass without their tiffs in "Khan Villa."
Asad gave her a sly smile. "From now no work, no stress, no unhealthy food" Asad started but Dilshad chided him
"Asad. Stop it. I am Okay now and you can give me advice after I go home. Now please take me from here, will you."
"Yes. Let's go." Asad said in lower tone.
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When driver started their car, Asad took Dilshad's hand and said
"I am sorry Ammi. I never behave like that again. Please don't do that to me again. I can't live without you." Asad chocked at the last moment.
"It is okay Asad. I was also a little harsh that day. I also did not try to understand your point of view.
Then I realized something must happened which bothers you. I will not pressurize you but I want you to share it." Dilshad said bluntly.
"So am I forgiven?" Asad changed the topic abruptly.
Dilshad sighed. "Probably he is not ready to tell me" she thought and said
"Yes and don't blame yourself about my health. It was an accident. But I won't tolerate if you again scold that poor girl."
"Ammi, she is not a poor and nave type girl. She is a spoil brat." Asad barked, could not control himself.
"Asad!!!" Dilshad retorted.
"Okay. I will try to manage my anger but you have to tell her that sometime listens to other's values. I do what is right for her." Asad said sternly.
"Here we go again, no? You are just incorrigible." Dilshad said in a diffident tone.
They were entering the "Khan Villa" porch so the conversion ended.
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They entered the room and it was dark.
"Why it is dark here? They are not in home? Zoya, Nazma..?" Dilshad asked, confused.
The same time lights were on and a joyous squeal "Surprise" made Dilshad almost deaf.
"Welcome home Ammi" Zoya- Nazma both shrilled out.
Dilshad put her hands on her ears and then looked around.
They decorate the hall with different colors of balloons and also some small colored net clothes.
Asad did not know their plan. When he looked at it, he was not happy at all. They did not include him in this plan. He was angry
"Whose plan is this and why are you shouting? Ammi is not well don't you know? Of course this childish plan is yours, no?" Asad asked looking at Zoya angrily.
"Allah Miyan! What's wrong with you, Mr. Khan? Why you are glared at me? We know that you would not like it. But we actually don't care. It is our love for Ammi. She returned home all healthy after a week. So we wanted to give her a grand welcome. By the way, why am I even explaining it to you? You will not understand it. You are the "Akdhu" here and I don't want a fight now." Zoya retorted.
Asad was going to answer her back, "What do..." but Dilshad glared at him.
She said "Zoya, this is one of the most precious gift, I received in my life, beta". Her eyes become moistened.
"That's not fair, Ammi. I know Zoya had planned it but I helped her, na. Give me some credits also" Nazma whined.
"Aww meri bachchiyan thanks to you both, now okay." She hugged both of them and they again squealed happily.
In this brief of moment no one could pay attention to Asad. The room again goes into dark and they were confused.
"Must be a power cut. I will go and lit a candle. You both wait here." Nazma told them. She started to move but the strumming of a guitar stops her.
The light was back, but the dimmed one. Zoya's eyes went wide as she saw Asad with a guitar.
"So this akdhu can play guitar also, but does not suit him at all." Zoya thought.
But she was all wrong on the way of her thought when she heard him sang. Dilshad and Nazma were at the same state as her. Their eyes bulged as well because he never sings in front of them after his father left. They looked at him in awe.
Asad sang a song which is the always favorite track of Dilshad.
Zindagi ki yehi reet hai
Haar ke baad hi jeet hai
Thode aansu hai, thodi hasi
Aaj gham hai to kal hai khushi
Zindagi ki yehi reet hai
Haar ke baad hi jeet hai
Nazma sang this time along with Asad
Zindagi raat bhi hai, savera bhi hai zindagi
Zindagi hai safar aur basera bhi hai zindagi
Ek pal dard ka daanv hai
Dusra sukh bhari chhaaon hai
Har naye pal naya geet hai
Zindagi ki yehi reet hai.
This time Dilshad, Nazma and Asad sang in unison
Gham ka baadal jo chhaaye to hum muskuraate rahe
Apni aankhon mein aashaaon ke deep jalaate rahe
Aaj bigde to kal phir bane
Aaj roothe to kal phir mane
Waqt bhi jaise ek meet hai
Zindagi ki yehi reet hai
Haar ke baad hi jeet hai
Thode aansu hai, thodi hasi
Aaj gham hai to kal hai khushi
Zoya never listen this song before. But she could relate this song with this family in front of her.She looked at them in awe. In fact it also relates with her whole life. So, she hummed along with them at the first two lines which she can remember properly.
The family sang, danced and ate together. Nazma and Zoya gifted Dilshad some clothes and accessories. Even Asad gave her some gift. Dilshad was really happy. It was a happy night for all of them after a long time. She looked at her children with happy tears in her eyes.
Asad was holding a pizza box over his head with his stern face; both Zoya and Nazma were whining, jumping at both of his sides and telling him to give them that back. Both were trying to convince him that today it is okay to have it as Dilshad is totally fine now. Thanks to Allah that he did not scold them. He was also in a happy mood.
Dilshad silently prayed to Allah and asked to protect this happiness. She also looked Asad and Zoya and found that they were much easy with each other. They were bickering, fighting but at the same time trying to understand each other views.
"Something is changed here. Whatever it is... is for good" She mumbled.
She did not want to break their bubble of happiness. She stared at them happily. She can realize that her family is completed now. She had nothing to ask more than it.
She looked at Zoya again.
"Indeed she is an amazing girl and perfect for Asad." She thought she made a mistake by choosing Zoya for Asad. They will never go alone after what happened between them at that night. Zoya has self-respect and values this more than anything. She never thought Zoya will forgive Asad easily. But she did. That's mean she also gave respect and consider other's thought if that has logic. She was sure now that she was right.
Dilshad snapped out from her chain of thoughts when Asad kept his hand around her shoulder; gave a side hug, half-smiled and whispered
"Are you okay?"
Dilshad leaned on him. She did not even realize when he gave them the pizza box and both jumped on it to finish it.
"I am perfect and very happy." She was looking towards her daughters.
Asad followed her gaze and smiled "they are still childish, no?"
"Yes. They are. But don't try to make them adult. They had very rough childhood, you know that. They will eventually get mature in time." Dilshad whispered to him and he nodded.
"Although I know you will not listen to me and yell them the very next day" Dilshad laughed.
"It is quite late Ammi. You should suppose to take rest. Enough of this" Asad said, again his akdhuness was on the way.
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He asked Nazma to make coffee for him and went to his room. After fifteen minutes he came out from the fresh room and at the same time Zoya barged into his room with a coffee mug in her hand.
"Zoya, how many times I need to tell you that knock before entering my room? Why you ever not listen to me? And why you are here? Where is Nazma? " Asad said exasperatedly at one go.
"Allah Miyan. Breathe Mr. Khan, so many questions at a time." Zoya giggled as if nothing is happened between them sometimes ago. She was so happy that ignored Asad's chiding.
She went outside his room and knocked. Asad was irritated to the core. He said nothing. Then she again knocked. He pinched of the bridge of his nose and said to come in.
Zoya entered and said "Happy now. Nazma was tired. She executed this entire program single-handedly. I can't help her that much. So I sent her to take rest. I was going to make coffee for myself by the way when she told me to make some for you. That's why I am here with your black, bitter coffee like you akdhu"
"What did you say?" Asad spat out.
"Your coffee is akdhu like you" Zoya answered with same tone.
"Coffee never can be akdhu in taste. Confused Ladki, can't even define a taste of coffee." He mumbled to himself sipping his coffee.
"I heard that Mr. Khan" Zoya said angrily.
"Yeah, I want that you hear" Asad blurted.
"Did Ammi take her medicine before going to bed?" Asad asked her.
"Yes. You don't need to worry about this. I can take care of that." Zoya retorted.
"Look who is saying? Miss Musibat Magnet who does not take of herself properly will take care of another. Huh!" Asad said sternly.
"What did you say?! I am what? Musibat Magnet!! Never...I can take care of myself and also Ammi. Zoya scowled.
"Yeah, yeah I saw that every night in the hospital." Asad blurted and immediately got what he said and mentally whacked himself. That was not supposed to reveal.
Zoya narrowed her eyes and said "What did you say? How you know that?"
"I want to say..I mean I saw that you take care of Ammi properly at every night in the hospital, you are the one who stayed there at night and today Ammi is here just because of you. Thank you."
Asad changed the topic and tried to distract her and he succeeded.
"Okay. So you agree that Zoya Farooqui can do anything in this world" Zoya said excitedly.
"Don't flatter yourself Miss Farooqi." Asad frowned.
"Yeah, whatever! I don't want a fight now, so I leave you. Good night, Mr. Khan"
Asad said hesitantly, "Umm Zoya!! Thank you so much for tonight. We really enjoyed it after a long time.
"Me too...me too...don't thank me...It was a team work. Good night Mr. Khan" Zoya was happy.
"Good night" Asad said and went to sleep.
Indeed it was a good and happy night for all of them because none of them thought about Rashid Ahmed Khan for a single moment which they did before in their every happy moment silently, not knowing about each others thought.
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A/N - That's all for today.😊 I want to thank all of you who encouraged me through their comments. That really means a lot.😳
Do like and leave comments if you want to read more.😃
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Lots of Love❤️
Swapno
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