TS: Broken Beyond Repair
Part Three: Making Amends
"Zoya? Zoya! Can you hear a word that I'm saying?" Zeenat shook Zoya, trying to get her to snap out of the past that she was trapped in.
Zoya sat there lifelessly. While Anwar put his hand on a sobbing Zeenat's shoulder. "Zeenat go inside and rest for a while. Zoya needs some time and space. Don't worry, I'll take care of her."
Wiping her tears, Zeenat left the room and quickly prayed for her sister.
"Zoya? You have to listen to me." It seemed hopeless at this point, but Anwar truly believed in Asad and Zoya's love. He couldn't let them separate if they never got a chance to be together.
"Zoya, he's coming here." Anwar whispered.
These few words were enough. Zoya closed her eyes and a tear quietly escaped.
"He knows that you never had the intention of going back and now he's coming here. Just for you." He looked over to Zoya only to see no reaction but the lone tear. About to give up, Anwar stood to leave.
"Bu-But why Jiju? How is he suppose to overcome his past with a girl like me? How can he lead a happy life with a broken girl like me?" Zoya began to break down again
"I'd just have to remind you of all the happiness in life, just like how you taught me." A new voice came from behind the two.
Anwar smiled. This was finally the moment that the two would reunite. But his happiness didn't last long when Zoya gasped and ran to her room. Understanding that they needed their space, Anwar went to his room where he tried to calm Zeenat down.
Asad followed Zoya, only to have the door slammed in his face.
"Zoya! Zoya please! You can't do this to yourself...to me...to us. You know very well that no one can replace what we have." He cried while knocking on the door.
She cried, as she sat against the door, her back facing the door. "Why are you lying Asad? We all know that no one wants to be with someone who has such an ugly past. Moreover the cause of your pain...is me. It's all my fault." Zoya said in between sobs. "If only I had never been born. You would have had all the happiness in the world and everything would be fine. But now everything's a mess because of me...only because...of me."
Asad slowly sat down on the opposite side of the door. Tears found their way down his face as Zoya's words went through.
"Shh don't say that. We don't have a choice. Everyone's going to go through some rough time or the other. It's only a matter of time that a parent's mistakes catch up with the child. But it's wrong to blame yourself. Zoya for such a long time I blamed myself for making Mr. Rashid leave us. At such a tender age how was I to know that I had no control over the situation? It took me a while, but do you know who made me realize this? It was you...yes you, Zoya. And this is not the time to blame yourself. There's nothing you could have done."
"No you're wrong. Without me, the incident at the doll factory would have never occurred. And Rashid Uncle would have never left you, Phoopi, or Najma. You all would have been a happy family today." Another sob cut her off.
"How do I explain this to you? If Mr. Rashid wanted, he could have told us the truth then. That's what he would have done if he truly loved us, but based on his actions I guess not. I agree that the doll factory incident managed to destroy everything but without it, I would have never had Ayaan, your Rabert, and two sweet little sisters. You see Zoya, it's completely in our hands how we deal with a situation. Weren't you the one who taught me this? Then how come today, you refuse to believe in it yourself?"
"That was different Mr. Khan. I didn't know what you were going through. I never felt pain like you did. The thing is that I always chose to be optimistic and that's what hurt the most. The people I expected the most of, ended up disappointing me."
"Then forget about them! All of them! We can start a new life anywhere you want. Here even! Just please..."
"See the problem Mr. Khan? If I agree, we would obviously bring Najma and Phoopi with us. I would be happy with you guys, but slowly dying on the inside, knowing that the reason for every teardrop, every sob is my father. How can you expect me to live like before, when I know that I am indirectly the cause of all your family's sadness?"
"Zoya how many times do I need to remind you? This is not your fault! It's only our flawed destiny that's causing all of this. And without it, we never would have met each other. I don't know about you, but I cannot begin to imagine life without you. I-I-I'm in love with you Zoya. I love you more than anyone could imagine." Asad said softly.
There it was. The words that Zoya's ears had been yearning to hear. Flashbacks of the beautiful moments that the two spent together went through her mind.
Could everything really go back to the way it was? Could I live happily with Phoopi, Najma, and Mr. Khan? Is Mr. Khan right?
She put her arms around her knees and placed her head against the door.
He is right. Not my fault...it...was...destiny She thought as she fell asleep.
***The Next Morning***
"Oh my god! Anwar look what Zoya did!" Zeenat cried as she saw Asad sleeping, his head against the outside of Zoya's door.
"Asad? Asad! Wake up!" She turned to her husband.
"How did our happy-go-lucky Zoya turn so heartless? This boy came here just for her and this is how she treats him?"
Anwar placed his hand on Zeenat's shoulder. "We all just need a little patience. I'm sure that Asad has managed to convince her. Don't worry Zeenat."
Asad had gone to freshen up. He had overheard the husband-wife's conversation and returned with his luggage by his side.
"I'm sorry. I tried my best but she won't listen to anyone." Asad's eyes welled up with tears. "There's no point of trying anymore if she...if she doesn't want to be with me. I think I should leave her alone and head back home now."
Anwar went to try to convince Asad to stay back while Zeenat had enough. She went and knocked on Zoya's door.
"Zoya! Open this door immediately!" She shouted, knowing that Zoya would never disobey her.
Just like she had predicted, the door was opened. Zeenat entered and slammed the door shut, making the whole house shake in the process.
"Zoya! He's leaving! What did you do? Do you know how rare a love like this is? After so many obstacles, you two finally have the opportunity to unite, then WHY do you have to stop yourself? Stop him? Your past doesn't define you and in fact it means nothing to him." Zeenat caressed her younger sister's face. Softly, she continued, "Go and stop him Zoya. If he leaves this time, you both will be devastated all your life. This is life's way of returning your happiness. Go and tell him what you feel."
The conversation that Asad had with her the night before went through her head, along with Zeenat's words. Before she knew it, she rushed out to the front of the house. She turned everywhere to no avail; neither could she see Anwar nor Asad.
Dejected, she walked back to the house. Zoya found her sister and laid her head was in Zeenat's lap. She started to cry again.
"Oh Aapi! It's too late now. You were right! I've lost him forever. And this time it really is my fault."
"Zoya? What are you talking about?" Asad walked in with a smiling Anwar by his side.
Zoya looked up in surprise. But...how is that possible? Aapi told me that he...that he left.
"I know what's going through your mind right now." Anwar chuckled. "Your brilliant Jiju here managed to convince Asad from leaving. I know true love when I see it and there was no way that you two would separate on my watch."
Zoya went over to hug her brother-in-law. He was the only one, besides her Aapi of course, who understood her. He was the only reason why she could be with Asad now.
"Bas, bas. That's enough. You should go to that poor boy now, after all that you put him through.
Zoya smiled shyly as she made her way over to Asad. This time a tear of happiness made its way down her cheek. Asad pushed the tear away with his thumb.
The two embraced. Finally, even with all their pains and trouble, they were able to be one.
"I'm sorry for pushing you away. I just...didn't know what to do anymore. I was so devastated. After the past events, I just couldn't think straight anymore."
"I told you that I'd always be here for you Zoya. Especially during times like this." Asad rubbed her back and she began to silently sob again.
"I always told you Zoya. You were meant for each other. How else were you able to overcome all these problems?" Zeenat said with a smile.
"I would tell Zeenat over and over again about how you two were meant to be from the start. As for the doll factory incident, destiny made sure that your paths crossed from the beginning itself." Anwar added in.
"You see Zoya? Even with all our differences, we're so similar. I know for a fact that no one would have been able to help me deal with my past like you did. How could you think for one second that I would leave you when you faced something like this?" Asad said as he held her hands.
Zoya nodded in return. "Now I understand. Our pasts are connected for a reason. Perhaps God always knew that the two of us were the only ones who could help each other. Always be there for each other, and always...love each other. He knew that the two of us had the capability to find courage to face this...together."
"Okay, okay. Enough crying. Now going by Zoya's expressions when she thought that you left, I can safely assume that you said those special words. Isn't it Asad?" Zeenat grinned, while Zoya and Asad simultaneously blushed.
Anwar elbowed Asad and gestured him to speak up. "Ye-yes Aapi."
Zeenat clapped her hands, startling everyone. "Sorry, but I'm so excited! And now Zoya it's your turn. Go on!" Zoya's face reddened even more.
"I think you need to remember that the nickname Tamatar already belongs to Najma." Asad whispered in her ear, adding in a wink.
Anwar loudly coughed. "Say it cough already cough.
The three pressurized Zoya and were eager to hear the words out of her mouth.
"Okay fine! I um... I lo..."
"Louder Zoya! I can't hear you!" Anwar teased her.
"Jiju if you're so eager then why don't you say it to Asad?"
Anwar was dumbfounded while Zeenat and Asad couldn't control their laughter.
"You know what I'll just do it." Asad said as he leaned in closer to Zoya. Gently, he brushed his lips on Zoya's. The world suddenly seemed a little brighter and Zoya found a new reason to live.
She realized that her sister and brother-in-law were watching them and she felt embarrassed. She tried to push Asad away. "Mr. Khan...Aapi...Jiju are right here."
Asad seemed to have forgotten and looked at the two. He grinned widely, "But you approve of me, right?" The husband-wife nodded while smiling. Asad turned back to Zoya and stole another kiss.
Managing to finally pull away, he looked deeply into her eyes. "I love you Zoya."
Zoya could see all the pain in his eyes, but his yearning for her reached out to her the most. With a smile, she replied, "I love you too Mr. Khan."
Initially dealing with everything was hard for Zoya, but she had Asad with her, every step of the way. They managed to learn to move on together and live in the moment. That was the secret to their story's 'happy ever after'.
A/N Oh my god it's been almost 6 months since I've written anything! I doubt anyone's gonna read this now; it's so late! I'm sorry first and foremost. I wrote the last chapter just a few days before the whole KSG quitting issue and honestly I hadn't found the will to finish this off. As I had mentioned before on a poll of mine, I plan to start a new SS. I was just working on that when I realized that I hadn't finished this TS. I've always hated started something new without finishing the older work and therefore completed this! I'm sorry for any and every mistake; this is unedited as I hate going back and rereading my work. With such a long gap, I'm pretty sure that the tone has changed a bit. This last part didn't turn out the way I wanted it to and I'm truly sorry. I'm going to stop now before my note is longer than the story itself 😆 If you'd like to know more about anything or have any questions, feel free to PM me! Thank you for reading! It's been a crazy journey!
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