EPILOGUE:
"So this is how you came into this world!!" told Ayaan to a 24 year old dashing lad and a girl of same age sitting beside him. Two more people peeped from behind and swooned dreamily. Those two sitting at the front were none other than Zaahir and Asma while sitting behind were Zain, Ayra's son and Faizah Ahmed Khan, Zaahir's wife.
Asma squealed in her sweet voice, "What a story Chachu?? Isn't it a bit filmy??"
"A bit? It's even more than that!! Just like a dream..." sighed Faizah.
"Will you girls stop fan-girling and Chachu tell me, did they really didn't know each other before their marriage?" asked Zaahir shocked as his was a love-marriage with Faizah and hence he couldn't digest the fact of marrying someone unknown that too all of a sudden.
"Why would we lie?? It is a truth...your Ammi and Abbu discovered love after marriage and that too with our help and continuous push we gave them." Humeira boasted.
"IS IT TRUE AYAAN??" a heavy and grave voice echoed in the room while all the people present there gasped in horror. As they turned around to look at the source of voice, they all cowered under the burning gazes of MR. AND MRS. ASAD AHMED KHAN. Zoya was busy casting death glances to Humi and Ayaan while Asad had a look on his face as if he had seen a ghost.
Ayaan jumped from his seat and hid behind Humi, "Bhaijaan, this is all her doing...she and Daadi forced me to do this!!" Humeira smacked his arm and pulled his hairs. All the children giggled on their petty fight. Asya came forward and said together, "So we were trapped all those years back!! Daadi was involved too..."
Ayaan asked sheepishly, "You heard all of that??"
Zoya said in anger, "Yes, whether you want it or not...we were the silent listeners to our story when you were reciting it to our children."
Asad walked out and Zoya followed him soonafter. Zaahir and Asma shared a knowing look and got up to go and calm down their parents. Zaahir went to Zoya who was in her room and Asma to Asad, who was pacing in his study like an angry lion.
Asma: Abbu, I can't believe it you married Ammi without even meeting her once.
Zoya: It was the decision I made for Humi. But...
Zaahir: But what Ammi?
Asad: But it was all a farce...Daadi faked her illness to convince me for this marriage and Ayaan supported her. I can't believe it!!
Asma: So what?? See you have a successful marriage and that is what matters!!
Zoya: Yes, we came this far in our life due to each others' support but they shouldn't have done this. I didn't expect Humi to trap me like this. I am really disappointed.
Zaahir: I have a perfect solution to teach them a lesson.
Asad: What is it?
Asma: Leave Ammi!! They'll get a lesson that what happens when you force someone into an unwanted union.
Asad/Zoya: WHAT??
Zaahir: What is wrong in it?? You are feeling sad that you were betrayed, so this is the only way out.
Asad: I can't leave her, she is my life!! I can't survive without her.
Zoya: No! Never!! I can't even think of doing that...not even in my dreams!! Asad is like a reservoir of oxygen for me...I can't breathe in his absence...I'll wilt away if I leave him!!
Asma/Zaahir: Then why are you mourning over the past?? When you have come along so far, holding each other, comforting, bickering...loving...caring for each other...I don't think there is any need to think over the reason of your wedding. You two love and need each other and that is what matters the most...your love for your counterpart!!
{Imagine this as an alternating scene between Asya's room and study room. I have added names to avoid confusion.}
Asad and Zoya pondered over for a moment and rushed out of their respective rooms. Both Asma and Zaahir gloated to themselves, "Mission accomplished!!" and smiled evily.
Zoya went to Badi Bi's room and spoke, "Daadi! You are too shrewd...you bounded me with Asad in such a bond that now I can't even get angry on any of you that you trapped me...no trapped US like this. Now I can't leave my home which I made with Asad...I want my family with me always!!"
Asad had entered just when Zoya started speaking and he stood at the entrance listening to what she says...
Now he was smiling with tears in his eyes and finally he let out, "Even I can't live without my wife. Her crazy antics and our petty fights are what make my life worth living!!" Asad reached to her and hugged her from the back while Zoya turned and buried herself in her husband's broad chest.
"I LOVE YOU!" both echoed and smiled at each other. Then they turned to Badi Bi's grand portrait adorned with a garland. She passed few years ago after Zaahir's marriage, leaving her family blessed with smiles and happiness all around.
Both of them said together, smiling, "Thank you Daadi!! Without him/her I can't imagine myself...he/she completes me!"
They separated and were shocked to see their family smiling at them. Ayaan was still hiding behind Zaahir. Asad pulled him out and took Ayra in a side hug. Ayaan raised his collar while saying, "See I told you na Humeira Begum!! We did it for their well-being. They won't be angry!!"
Humeira retorted, "Oh really? If you were so sure than why were you hiding under the bed??"
All of them laughed while Zoya smacked Ayaan's head playfully.
Zain: Bade Abbu and Abbu!! Now get ready fast otherwise we'll get late for the function. You too Ladies!!"
All of them dispersed to their rooms to get ready as they saw their children glaring at them.
All the guests gasped when they saw two men carrying their wives bridal style...they entered the beautifully decorated banquet hall only to be cheered by a applauding cloud of guests. All were really shocked to see so much love in the couples' eyes for each other. Afterall, there are very less couples who can keep their spark alive after 25 years of marriage. Yes!! It was the celebration of Asya and Ayra's twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. So many years, but still they felt like nuptials...engrossed in love and extra long eyelocks...
Zoya: Asad, put me down. You'll get tired."
Asad: "What do you mean by that?? Am I old or you have become fat?"
Zoya: What do you think?
Asad: I'm not old yet...and I don't think you have gained even an ounce. That means I can carry you in my arms as long as I want!!"
Zoya blushed and looked down. Asad was amused at her actions, "Mrs. Zoya Asad Khan, you seem to be as effected by me as in our initial days...right??"
Zoya nodded and whispered, "When a husband is hot like you...wife doesn't need to count the years of marriage to blush and feel butterflies in her stomach..."
Asad chuckled at her reply and winked at her. Zoya was thinking of something to retort when all the family members circled around them. "Happy 25th wedding anniversary!!" they sang in chorus, clapping wildly. Asad put Zoya down and hugged his dad and mom one by one. Zoya was kissed and blessed by Dilshad and Rashid too. Faizah hugged her mother in law Zoya and asked excitedly, "Ammi, what do you do to keep yourself glowing like this always??"
"She doesn't need any beauty products...my Bhaijaan's love is enough to make her glow," floated Najma's voice.
All started laughing while Zoya turned around to see Najma standing with her husband Mr. Ashish Verma and their son Rahil Verma. She immediately ran to her and hugged her sister in law cum best friend and smacked her arm playfully for embarrassing her in front of their kids. Najma wished her and mouthed a sorry.
Najma was married off to her college buddy and love Ashish after much persuasion from Zoya's side. Asad had been reluctant to let her marry a man of different culture and religion, reasoning with her that Najma won't be able to adjust herself in a totally different culture. But Zoya acted stubborn and made him understand that love is the supreme power and with that Najma can tackle all the hardships coming her way. Asad finally agreed after meeting Ashish several times and that's why Ashish always praised and respected Zoya like his elder sister.
As all the family members were together after a long time, they all chit-chatted during the party and enjoyed themselves to the fullest. The party was a grand success and all the guests praised the efforts of Khan kids to celebrate the union of their parents in such a way.
AT NIGHT:
Zoya was standing in the balcony of her room when she felt a hand crawling inside her night gown. She immediately recognized it as Asad's and said in a fake angry tone, "What is this Mr. Khan?? You are a real besharam!! We're in a balcony...what if someone sees us like this??"
"I am romancing my wife, what is a big deal in it??"
"Don't act like a horny teenager. We've been married for 25 years now..."
"So what?? When a wife is hot and beautiful like you, husband doesn't need to count the years of marriage for being horny, " Asad repeated her words from few hours back.
Zoya smiled at him and spoke, "Asad, don't you think that it's all like a dream?? We got married under extreme circumstances, fell in love eventually, had two beautiful kids and now even after so many years, we love each other madly."
"Yes, it is a dream come true!! I was angry today when I got to know that our family played with us to get us married but now when I re-think, it was the best decision they made for me!! If you were not in our life then this house would have remained dark and dull. Abbu wouldn't have been able to walk...and I wouldn't be able to trust myself and love anyone. It's you, who came as the light of my life and changed everything...without you I'm nothing!!"
Zoya was awestruck by his words. She spent a better part of her life with him but never had heard him speak this much. Surely, he did express his love but more through his eyes...speaking his heart out was not his cup of tea. She looked at his tear filled eyes and pecked his cheek instantly. She said in a shaky voice, " Do you think you are the only one who got all the happiness from this marriage?? I wanted a family, someone to rely on!! You gave me your family...the best one in the world and your shoulder to cry upon whenever I felt low!! Mr. Asad Ahmed Khan...you are the best thing that happened to me ever!! I really want to tell you that your support at each step keeps me going!!"
Both smiled through the streams of tears running down their eyes and hugged each other tightly. Asad remembered something and he pulled back, "Do you remember, we confessed and kissed first time in a balcony??"
"How can I forget?? That was the best moment of my life!!"
"Do you think Ayaan called Tanveer to make me confess??"
"No!! I don't think so. They were trying to get us together...why will they bring that witch in between??" Zoya said angrily.
"You are jealous of her...even now?"
"I'm not!! You are mine...and I don't need to be worried about any witch!!"
Asad chuckled on seeing her annoyed expression. He said, "Don't you think we should reminisce the past??" He leaned towards her but she pushed him back, "Firstly, we should go and thank Ayra...they did so much for us...without their planning and all...hum mil ke bhi nahi milte..."
"Okay, we'll thank them...but I think we should let them have fun tonight!!"
"You are shameless Asad...i w..um..uu...ummm..."
She was cut off by a warm pair of lips moulding onto hers and she shrugged off every thought and surrendered to him as usual...thinking, "Some things never change!! Like my extra-loving hubby..." They kissed each other until they were out of their breaths.
"So Mrs. Khan?? Which one was better...past or present??"
"I think you need more efforts...afterall !! practice makes a man perfect" she giggled while running back inside the room. Asad shook his head in disbelief and followed her. After few minutes of chasing, Asad got hold of Zoya and pulled her into a tight embrace, "I think we need to practice certain things...let's get back to work!!" he said while opening the string of her night gown.
And they spent rest of their lives gloating over their childrens' achievements...keeping their family together...witnessing their grandchildren in front of their eyes and on top of it, loving each other immensely till their last breath!!
SO GUYS!! THIS STORY ENDS HERE...AS I ALWAYS SAY, LOVE CHANGES A MAN!! IT WAS TRUE FOR BOTH ASAD AND ZOYA...THEY MET, MARRIED, LOVED, FOUGHT AND HAD KIDS...BUT ONE THING NEVER CHANGED THEIR AFFECTION AND SUPPORT FOR EACH OTHER. THEY GO WITH THE SAYING THAT WHEN YOU REALLY LOVE SOMEONE, NOT ONLY HIS JOY BUT HIS GRIEVES COME AS A PART OF PARCEL.
ASYA SUPPORTED EACH OTHER IN EVERY OBSTACLE OF THEIR LIFE AND THIS IS WHAT MAKE THEM A UNIQUE COUPLE...AYRA WERE UNIQUE IN THEIR OWN SENSE...THEY FOUGHT FOR THEIR SIBLINGS' HAPPINESS AND REJOICED WHEN THEY SAW THEM TOGETHER!! THIS IS WHAT FAMILY IS...
I REALLY WISH THAT ALL MARRIAGES WORK LIKE THAT...THEY MEET THE SAME FATE!! WITH THIS WISH, I PUT THIS STORY TO A CLOSURE...GOOD LUCK GUYS!! HOPE WE MEET AGAIN SOON!!
BYE BYE!!🤗
Anupamaa
Pocket Mein Aasman
Cricket
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