Life is Beautiful
Asad and Zoya had their fairytale wedding at the Taj Mahal. Happiness, love and blessings showered from the heavens. This was just the beginning of life beautiful happily ever after...
Their wedding day was everything that Asad had ever imagined. His wife was glowing with excitement throughout their wedding and the first private moments they lived as Taj Mahal witnessed. They especially enjoyed visiting into the evening with dear family. As the evening's events wound down, they finally reached the hotel where their honeymoon would begin.
Zoya sat on the bed and closed her eyes. The minutes ticked slowly by. Her husband of eight hours was gone for the time being and she began to mentally prepare herself. Honestly speaking she was excited. Since their first kiss when he had proposed to her, her insides had been bubbling with anticipation. Actually, to be totally truthful she'd have to say that they had been bubbling since the first time he held her hand. She had wanted this night ever since they had decided to become man and wife. Still, she was nervous. She glanced down at herself. Perhaps she wasn't the most beautiful woman in the world but even she knew that the red lehenga that floated around her body was pleasant to look at. She stood and walked over to the mirror. After staring at herself, critiquing every inch, she made her way back to the bed. She was sitting there, her eyes closed again, when he opened the door. She opened them as he softly shut the door and leaned against it, watching her. She smiled at him. Her insides twisted in nervousness and excitement. She was unsure for a moment what to say or do. Should she beacon to him? Should she tell him she's ready? Should she rush to him and kiss him the way she wanted to? Or should she just sit and wait? She chose the last.
For an entire minute they just stared at each other, his brown eyes boring into hers. Then he straightened. She scooted back on the bed, her feet curling up underneath her. He walked toward her, she scooted back farther. He smiled and then jumped on the bed. She stared, her eyes wide. He laughed. He lay down so that his face was by her feet. He took hold of her ankle and began to kiss her leg. Zoya shied and got off the bed and ran to the window. Asad came and hugged her from the back. He took a deep breath of her fragrant hair and whispered sweet nothings in her ears. Then, lifted her and took her to bed. He once again began where he had left off. He began to kiss her leg. Hot steamy kisses across her calf, over her knee...He let go of her leg and gripped her hand and planted a large smacking kiss right in the middle of her palm. Looking up into her eyes he smiled, "I love you, my beloved wife." He made her fall backwards on the bed and continued to kiss her until morning.
The beautiful night was everything Asad and Zoya had wished and longed for!
Anwar and Zeenat, unable to attend Asad and Zoya's nikaah send a beautiful gift for them, a honeymoon package to Paris,, the city of love, lights and romance. The place Zoya always wanted to visit. Now that want became more intense as she had Asad to share that experience. She excitedly jumped up and down at the prospect of their honeymoon in Pairs.
Asad: Mrs. Khan please get off the bed.
Zoya: Uff Mr. Khan I want to climb on top of Qutub Minar and tell the world that we are going to Paris for our honeymoon and you are asking me to get off the bed! Paris! Mr. Khan Paris!
Asad: Mrs. Khan please listen to me, I need to tell you something.
Zoya: What's wrong? Why do you sound so serious?
Asad: Mrs. Khan everything is fine it's just that... We'll have to postpone our honeymoon. There's a new project which needs my attention. I am sorry but look on the bright side these are open tickets and once my work is done I will take you not for 2 weeks but a month long honeymoon. But for now...
Zoya saddened as their honeymoon got cancelled but just like Asad told her to she began to dream of the day they would go for their honeymoon. Her days were long as Asad got busy with work and she had nothing much to do other than wait for him to return home. Dilshad tried to keep her company but there was not much she could do to bring a smile on Zoya's face. Zoya was looking at Asad's photo with bored expressions making faces at it. Suddenly her eyes gleamed and a sweet smile played on her lips.
Especially dressed for Asad, Zoya went to the office much to his surprise.
Asad: Mrs. Khan what a pleasant surprise!
Zoya: Ab kya kare, bade bade busy logon se milne ke liye aisi chhoti chhoti koshishein karni padti hai.
Asad knew that he was not able to give time to Zoya. They did not spend much quality and quantity time like newlyweds. Zoya had been very understanding and made efforts staying up for him and waking up before he left so that they could have some time. Asad looked at Zoya as she laid out the lunch which she had cooked. He went to her and pulled her into a tight hug.
Zoya: Mr. Khan?
Asad: I love you, Zoya. Thank you for coming into my life, loving me and being so patient with me and my ways.
Zoya: I love you too, Asad. Mere liye love is all or nothing. I signed up for the complete package. Accha haan just because I am being understanding abhi don't think that this is for lifetime. Abhi work needs your attention bas iske baad you are all mine only mine. Honeymoon par work ka w' bhi nahi sunna mujhe.
Asad and Zoya shared romantic eye locks and few pecks. Just as he leaned in to kiss her there was a knock on the door. He cursed the one at the door and she giggled as this was the first time he did not like being in work environment. She fed him as he got back to work. She left after leaving a love note.
A week later,
Asad: Zoya we have to go for a party on Saturday night.
Zoya: Ok.
Asad: So it's a date.
Zoya: Kya?
Asad: Nothing.
On Saturday Zoya got in the car unknown to the surprise that awaited her. When Zoya got out of the car she could not believe what she saw. Asad put his hand forth and she placed hers in his.
Asad: Bienvenue Paris!
Zoya: Asad what is all this? We were supposed to be at a party.
Asad: Une soire Paris. If not a honeymoon I could certainly give you a preview of it.
Zoya was speechless. Asad had the resort turned into a replica of Pairs at night. She smiled as joyous tears gleamed in her eyes. Asad wiped them and kissed her. As they walked through the stone path on either sides of it Zoya saw illuminated models of Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame de Paris, Disney Castle, Louvre museum and finally they came to the center of the resort where the illuminated Eiffel Tower stood. It was all like a dream.
Zoya: Asad, this is amazing.
Asad: Not as amazing as you.
Asad took her to a secluded spot at the lakeside. They enjoyed a romantic dinner on a pontoon.
A stroll led them to another part of the resort where Zoya saw the model of Ponts-de-Arts, the most amorous spot of Paris.
They wrote AsYa Forever' on a padlock, locked it on the personal portable grill which would be with them for life and threw the key in the artificial river flowing under the bridge. Zoya understood the benefits of being married to the owner of a construction company, if you can't go to the world the world can come to you. She looped her arms around Asad's neck and placed her soft petals on his sweet lips. The kiss was soft and sweet, exquisite in its tenderness. Asad lifted her into his arms and carried her to their bedroom.
Zoya never shared their honeymoon pictures, story. Not really sure why. Part of her felt compelled to keep everything solely between them - something so special and sacred that only Asad and she could have visually, mentally and emotionally experienced. She wanted to tuck the memories deep down inside her heart and keep them only for him and her.
As they celebrated their first anniversary, they reminisced on the beauty and relaxation of the honeymoon that was 10 months ago spent in Pairs. Home alone Zoya was sitting on the living room couch with her back pressed to Asad's chest.
Asad: It was really beautiful. Wasn't it?
She turned to look at him and quickly kissed him on the lips.
Zoya: Very beautiful.
Asad placed a small bunch of roses on the honeymoon album as Zoya flipped through it. She smelled and caressed the roses.
Asad: Red for Zoya, White for Asad...
Zoya: And pink for???
Asad: Red + White =
Zoya: Pink
Asad: Asad + Zoya =
Zoya blushed and smiled as Asad smirked naughtily. She ran towards their bedroom as he followed.
Well I think you know what happened after that. I mean what else they are going to do on the night they decided to try for a child?
It was a perfect end to the anniversary and the beginning of the new life.
Two months later, Asad woke up to the sweetest sound he had ever heard. Abooo'. He rolled over to Zoya's side. He had never seen her smile so bright, her face so radiant. He once again heard the same sweet babyish voice say abooo'.
Asad: Zoya, this sweet baby voice. Kiska baby hai?
Zoya took Asad's hand and placed it on her stomach. At first Asad did not believe it but after 10 minutes of Zoya's continuous tries it finally sunk in him that he was going to be a father. He was ecstatic for the next 10 minutes. He was going to be a dad but then he began to worry. Would he be a good father?
My abooo best.'
Zoya once again played a recorded message. She caressed his face and smiled as she assured him that he would be a great father. His fear began to fade with Zoya's assurance. He touched his lips to her abdomen. He wanted to go the terrace and scream Ya-Hoo! They decided to keep it between them at least the first trimester.
Asad and Zoya were anxious to see what the little one looked like and could hardly wait for the first sonogram but to know that everything was well was more important. On their first scan at 5 weeks they waited anxiously to hear the heartbeat. All of a sudden, the room filled with the loud thud of the baby's heartbeat! It echoed thought Asad and Zoya. The doctor told them that there were 2 babies with healthy heartbeats. They couldn't believe that they were actually hearing clippity clop of their babies' hearts beating for the first time!
Asad and Zoya: Twins!!!
The doctor then proceeded to show them the teeny tiny little babies. They were ecstatic to see the tiny flecks on the screen! Zoya could not remember a moment she had been happy than this. They saw the most amazing eye opener in their entire life. To Asad there was NO feeling like that. Words could not even describe the tense scared feeling that was in the pit of his stomach. They were left alone by the doctor to share that moment.
Asad: Thank you Zoya. Allah gave me you but you have given me the greatest gifts of my life.
Asad with pride was looking at the monitor and Zoya wiped the tears which escaped the corner of his eyes.
Zoya: I love you Asad. Thank you for giving me a family.
Asad gently massaged her stomach.
Asad: Our babies are in there. I promise Zoya to do my best to keep you and our children happy and safe. I will be the kind of father to them I longed for but never had.
Zoya: We know.
The happiness they felt was insurmountable!
Asad and Zoya had heard the bond between a parent and child is unique, magical and extremely strong. Asad was there is the labor room with Zoya. He had never seen a woman do a more amazing thing than bring a child into the world. He was standing next to Zoya holding her hand boosting her to push. That final push and they heard the first cry. Asad went to see the baby. Baby A, girl.
Asad lost himself in the wonder of the second little head popping out of Zoya. He held his breath in wait to know if it was a girl or a boy. Baby B, girl.
Both girls were placed on Zoya's chest as soon as they were born. They had already bonded with the babies to a degree when they were inside the womb but when they held them for the first time, the bond was of an entirely new level. They counted all toes and fingers. The girls opened their eyes and smiled. They were beautifully perfect. On this most joyous occasion, the new parents experienced a roller-coaster of emotions.
As time passed Asad and Zoya enjoyed many of the joys of parenting which they had expected but there were also many other thrills that snuck up on them when they least expected for which they never knew to prepare for.
Their girls, Arzu and Zara were angels at times and double trouble on other. Three years of parenthood brought immeasurable, complete and utter joy along with trials, tribulations and difficulties to their lives.
Arzu and Zara: Abbu we want puppy for our happlywala birthday.
Asad picked up both the girls who came demanding a birthday gift as soon as he returned from the office. He kissed them.
Arzu and Zara: Abbu dadhi chubti hai.
Asad: Accha? Ammi never complains.
Zoya: Asad!!!
Arzu and Zara: Abbu not kissiwala pappi we want doggywala puppy for our happywala birthday.
Asad looked at Zoya. She giggled as she knew Asad did not want to get home a puppy and he could also not say no to the girls.
Asad: Puppy? No. What if abbu gets you bunnies? One for each.
Arzu: Abbu aap puppy se scared ho?
Zara: Don't worry abbu we will tell puppy not to scare you.
Zoya burst out laughing when she heard the girls say that they will protect Asad from the puppy. Asad plopped on the couch as he knew that now there was no stopping Zoya from letting his secret out. She came and sat next to him with the girls on her lap.
Zoya: Alle mera babies. Abbu is not scared of puppy. One day ammi got a chotusa cute street puppy home. Abbu bad feel hua because ammi was loving puppy. Ab if puppy comes, abbu ki all special girls will love puppy. Abbu ka love will be shared so he is saying no. He wants all our love only for him.
Arzu: Idea!!! Abbu we get girl puppy then one more girl love you.
Zara: Aapko love less no more hoga.
On their birthday the girls roamed about the house with a pout on their face as they had not got their puppy. Zoya eyed daggers at Asad for doing this to the girls. The girls were sitting under the dining table to show Asad that they did not like him at the moment. Asad paid no heed to them. The girls from the corner of their eyes were looking at Asad who was reading the newspaper. Something caught their attention. A little white puppy with pink ribbons around its neck came running. The girls came out from under the table and rushed to the puppy. The girls and the puppy showered Asad with wet kisses. Zoya could not stop smiling as Asad squirmed as the puppy licked him. The girls were busy playing with the puppy.
Asad and Zoya just began to share a moment when the girls came and asked Zoya to give the puppy food. After the girls were born parenting had become Zoya's full time occupation. She used to be exhausted both physically and mentally by the time she and Asad were alone.
Zoya planned a surprise for Asad. They went to the resort where they had their mini honeymoon. After dinner Asad and Zoya were lying on the grass under the starry sky. The moon and the stars gave the romantic atmosphere for an intensively fascinating and glamorous night. They made love making up for more than lost time. They checked on the girls who informed them that they heard a new bedtime story, the story of Jahaanpana Six packs and Ms. New York Hoity Toity.
Being sure that their girls' were fine Asad and Zoya indulged once more in making love. In the middle of the night Arzu and Zara's parents came home. They stood outside the girls' room and saw them sleep peacefully with smiles on their face. Zoya rested her head on Asad's chest and he put his arm around her.
Zoya: Asad promise me that our family will always be happy and safe.
Asad: I promise.
He sealed this covenant with a kiss as binding the pledge. Then, lifting her into his arms, he carried her to their bed.
Asad, Zoya and their daughters Arzu and Zara lived happily ever after...
A/N: Dear Readers: Had written this OS as part of Team Asad for the AsYa Wedding contest. It was my original work so am posting it.
Kumkum Bhagya
Tu Dhadkan Main Dil
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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