Congrats Faria, you're an IF -Rockerz now, and I'm still here, senior member, useless person I am! LOOL! Thank you guys for the wonderful comments, we really do appreciate your support. Sort of noticed that we've been giving you depressing updates, they'll turn happier soon! Here is the next chapter, not too happy with it, but hope you guys enjoy it! Do leave your comments behind, it really means a lot to us! I hope you'll stick by us till the end. Enjoy! (Sorry a long update, hope it doesn't bore anyone) <3
Chapter Three
Zoya marched back and forth in panic, holding her head while she chanted Aaira's name. Zeenat and Anwar stared at her with wide eyes, both feeling dizzy seeing her move around.
"Zoya, sit down. She will call you. She's fine" Anwar spoke quietly. Zoya froze and turned towards him with alarming eyes,
"She switched her phone off. How can Aaira do that? How can she just leave a letter and leave for India. She isn't immature like that, I mean it's Aaira and India" Zoya spoke disbelievingly holding the letter in her hand and shaking it furiously.
Aaira took a sip of her coffee and slouched her shoulders against the chair; she looked up hearing Aryaan come back with her phone. He handed it over to her and settled on a chair opposite her.
"Thank you" Aaira smiled softly, he winked at her digging into the breakfast Aaira had ordered for him. Aaira dialled her mother's number and held her breath hearing it ring. She instantly found Aryaan's hand over hers,
"Hello Ammi" Aaira whispered nervously,
"Aaira, sweetheart. How are you? Where are you? How can you just leave like that, beta...' Zoya cried. "I know I know you're old enough to make your own decisions, but leave for India. Those kinda decisions you need to at least share with your Ammi."
"Ammi, I" She closed her eyes; Aryaan swung his chair closer to hers. She opened her eyes and breathed out, "Ammi. Sit down, stop running back and forth. Sit down, breathe. I am fine. I really wanted to come to this camp, I wanted to take a break' She felt guilty for lying, Zoya froze holding the phone tighter; her daughter has gone through so much. "Trust me, I'll be okay. I know how you feel about India but Aryaan is here with me. You don't have to worry" She looked at Aryaan who nodded back at her placing his arm over her shoulder.
"Aryaan. It was his idea wasn't it? Give the phone to him now' Zoya ordered. Aaira passed the phone to Aryaan, her face pale scaring the daylights out of Aryaan.
"Heyyy" Aryaan spoke cheerfully, "Come on Aunty, it's me. Will I let anything happen to grandma? What, more worried about me?" He laughed, "Why would I trouble her, no no. I'll take care of her. Three weeks and we'll be right back. I promise, trust me I won't let anything happen to her. Yes, I love you too" Aryaan smiled. Aaira rolled her eyes; her mother loves Aryaan too much to be able to hold him wrong for anything. "Grandma, she loves you too" Aryaan returned the phone to her.
"Ammi, I'm really sorry. No no, please. You relax; it's your weekend away before your big project. Please don't worry. I love you" A lone tear escaped her eyes.
"I love you too baby. Keep me updated. Let me know when you've completed the admissions. Take care of yourself." Zoya kissed the phone before holding it against her chest. "What do I do with this girl? Maybe I'm just shocked that she's done something out of character after so long. I'm okay with her wanting to travel alone; she deserves a break more than anyone... but India Jeeju?" Zoya looked at Anwar.
"Aryaan is there with her. They'll be fine. She's a responsible young girl" Anwar comforted,
"I know she's responsible Jeeju. I do not doubt that, she's my daughter I know her. I'm just worried that she will encounter someone from my past" Zoya placed her head on his shoulder.
"Finally a tear" Aryaan sang, wiping her cheek. Aaira hit his hand away,
"You are such a bad friend. Why are you hell bent on making me cry?" Aaira asked him. Aryaan sighed,
"Because grandma. You've shelled every single emotion inside you, I want you to let it all out so that you can smile forever" He demonstrated his hand in the air to indicate "forever"
"I don't know why I ask you anything. Anyways, I've asked someone to sort out Ammi's apartment so that we could stay there for the three weeks we're here.' Aaira told him.
"NUH UH. If we're staying anywhere, it'll be my place. Secondly, or firstly, we have to go camp" Aaira's forehead creased in confusion. "You don't think your mother won't phone up to check after you cleverly left the leaflet with the letter?" Aaira hit her forehead. "Don't worry. I've got the camp sorted." Aryaan got up excitedly and put his arm out, "Shall we?" Aaira got up sulking and wrapped her arm around his.
"I thought you were going with your Abbu?" Anas looked back at Zakariya who was lost in his own thoughts. Zakariya placed his arm over his face leaning against his seat, he closed his brimming eyes.
"The car had to go for servicing this week" Zakariya grunted.
"Don't tell me you've had another fight?" Mahir laughed, "When will he get off your back?"
"It's not like that Mahir, I'm glad he cares about me enough to scold me. It's just- it's something else" Zakariya stared out of the window in deep thought. He missed his mother, today, more than ever. Why did she leave him, not that he didn't love his father, he did, he really did... But... He just wanted his mother. No other person can fill the void of a mother in a son's life.
-
"No Prasad, re-arrange that meeting. I am not in the mood for it. Yes, I'll try and come by if not you'll have to send those documents home." Asad sighed as his eyes admired the picture inside his wallet; his twins. "Okay, bye!" Asad smiled brushing his thumb over their faces.
"Aaira, my little baby! Wherever you are, I hope you are well... I hope you're happy. I don't know if you know, if Zoya told you, that you have an Abbu in some corner of the world, who misses you, who loves you. You and Zakariya have come into my life as a blessing... though I might not accept it, though I might never speak it, you both are my life. No matter what happens, I cannot deny that I do not love your mother. I do, I still do and always will... and that's what bothers me the most... that's why I find this so hard. Because I love her and I cannot do anything about it. I wish... I wish you could've grown up under your father's eyes. Some people believe that sons are more important than daughters, but you are as precious to me as your brother Zakariya. I hope someday you'll understand that." Asad closed his eyes leaning against his seat. He was brought of his thoughts with a sudden jerk as the car swerved into one of the side roads hitting another taxi. His alarming eyes searched the cause of the havoc.
"Sorry sir, there was a boy on a bike. I tried to avoid hitting it. I hope the other car isn't too damaged!" The driver spoke concerned. Asad stepped out along with the driver, there was a huge crowd gathered around the little accident.
"See if the boy is okay. Forget the damage on the car" Asad ordered before freezing hearing another young woman repeat the same words. She scolded the taxi driver moving past the crowd, he could only catch a glimpse of her blue dress.
"I'll pay for the damages on your taxi" He heard her say to the angry driver. "Call an ambulance, are you okay?" She asked concerned examining the little boy who had scratched his elbows and his forehead. "You really need to be careful, these roads are dangerous" Asad stepped closer to the voice. He stared at her back, her voice pulling his insides. He looked at his ringing phone,
"Hello Prasad?" Asad turned around.
"Who hit the boy?" She asked looking around; her eyes fell on Asad's back.
"Excuse me?" Aaira called behind him readying herself to burst on him. Asad walked towards his car not being able to hear her. Aaira watched as the ambulance arrived but discarded it as a minor collision seeing the poor boy. She stared disbelievingly. She looked back at the man in the suit who sat inside his car,
"No-one cares in this country!" She concluded. She shook her head seeing the car leave; her eyes registered the number plate. "It's not always about money, there's something called love, humanity" She mumbled to herself watching the crowd disperse.
"Hey, young man. Listen you're fine. Here you go" She took some money and placed it on his hand, "To fix your bike, and for some fruits so that you can get strong muscles! Looks there's a pharmacy, get some more stuff for your wound" Aaira brushed his hair. "Be safe, not everyone values another's life!" The boy's eyes glistened; he nodded at her picking his bike up and supporting it towards the pharmacy. He looked back at her and smiled. Aaira sighed looking back at Aryaan. "I'll pay for the damages" She snapped at the taxi driver who was staring at his car and glaring at the boy's back.
"Did you get the registration number?" Asad asked placing his phone down.
"Yes sir" The driver replied.
"Ask Mallik to send a cheque to his address and as for the boy, I'm sure that girl will look after him. If not I want you to go back and see if he is okay" Asad stared at the picture in his hand. "Drive carefully next time." He looked out of the window, "At least there are few people who care" He mumbled to himself.
-
Aaira had changed into a cobalt blue skater dress and tights. She stepped out of the taxi and sighed taking in the sight before her. She looked back at Aryaan and for once she smiled. He couldn't help but admire her, she had put on her bold black specs to read the book he regretted giving her. Nonetheless, she looked beautifully adorable.
"I'll get them" Aryaan nudged her removing the suitcases, Aaira took it off him.
"It's fine I-" She turned to find him gone,
"Suit yourself" He shouted from afar seeing a group of girls. Pervert. Aaira breathed out carrying both of the suitcases, she felt someone push past her.
"Watch it!" Aaira growled, he turned around and shrugged his shoulders innocently. Aaira gritted her teeth,
"Sorry" Zakariya smiled irritatingly. Aaira looked away pushing her specs back up; her eyes fell on the rocky bridge.
"You're joking right?" She held her hand over her forehead to stop the sunlight from getting to her eyes. "Aryaan?" She called out to him but he was too busy "breaking the ice" with a group of girls. She whined pulling the bags with the bit of strength left in her. She stumbled over a rock only to be caught by the guy who pushed past her before.
"Careful Chashmeesh" Zakariya squeezed her hand supporting her shoulder with the other hand. "Need help with the bags?"
"NO, I'm fin-" Aaira closed her eyes feeling something splash onto her face; Zakariya's friend had kicked a ball towards him, the mud spread all over her face and clothes. Her nose blew outwards as she tried controlling her anger.
"How old are you?" Aaira finally snapped, "You had to kick the ball this way, don't you have a brain?"
"Hey it was an accident" Zakariya defended his friend.
"Hey youuu!" She pointed, "Shut it before I kick that ball where the sun doesn't shine. Get your hands off me" She moved his hand away and wiped her face and chest, Aryaan heard her screaming voice, he came running towards her.
What happened?' He pressed his lips seeing her state. Aaira threw the bag against his chest,
"Oh we're in this together" She mocked his voice walking off with her suitcase,
"Cranky Chashmeesh" Zakariya smiled.
"Sorry guys, looong flight got the best of her" Aryaan put his hands up in her defence, "Stay away from her" His eyes did not reflect the teasing tone in his voice as he stared at Zakariya.
"Aryaaan" Aaira grumbled from behind, he turned and ran towards her. Zakariya brushed his hair back laughing.
Zakariya stared at his phone, his thumb brushed over his father's name. He rang the number and patiently waited for him to pick up. He regretted raising his voice at him; he was his father after all. It's just that his father doesn't always help the situation.
"Abbu..." Zakariya whispered, Asad closed his eyes hearing his voice.
"Did you register properly?" Asad asked.
"Yes. Er Abbu?"
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet. Abbu?"
"Don't stay up too late."
'Yes. Abbu?'
"Take care of yourself." Asad breathed out a sigh.
"You too." Zakariya stared at his phone as he hung up. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything." He sighed sadly. He looked up towards his open door to find Chashmeesh and her friend walking past his door into the room opposite his.
"You'll have fun trust me. Art, isn't that what you always wanted to do?" Aryaan placed her suitcase inside the room.
"No that's what you want me to do because I don't express myself enough" Her eyes grew smaller looking past his shoulder at the same annoying face from before smiling back at her. "Grrr" She slammed the door close.
"Aryaan, I just want to talk to my Abbu. I want my answers and I just want to go back to Ammi' She sighed sitting on the bed. She had it all planned out.
"Are you not the least bit interested in getting to know him or even at least spend some time with him now that you're here. Aaira, you made a decision in the spur of a moment to seek answers, but have you thought about what you will say when you come face to face with him?' Aryaan kneeled on the floor in front of her. "My beautiful grandma, relax okay for a few days? Get your head around everything before you set off to look for him. I'm here for you always, we're in this together" He assured her feeling her hand tighten around his. He pressed his eyes at her before reaching up to remove her glasses. He brushed a strand of hair from her face whispering something; he smiled walking out of the room. Aaira watched his back as her hand searched for her father's picture in her bag. She held it in front of her,
"Yes my heart is anxious to meet you, not to question you for once, but just to see you in front of me. I want to look into your eyes and I want to see-" She choked turning the picture and placing it flat against the bed. "Those kind of fairy-tale happily ever afters do not exist" Aaira reminded herself bringing herself to face the harsh realities about her father who wanted to divorce her mother.
Meanwhile, across the hallway sat another twin in deep thought.
"My heart is anxious to meet you Ammi. With every passing moment, my yearning grows, I want to hug you, I want to call you Ammi, I want to place my head on your lap and sleep" Zakariya kissed his mother's picture. His heart burned with an unknown sensation, it's like something was going to burst inside of him. He got up and ran out of his room to get some fresh air; there was something different about this camp this year.
-
Aaira changed into her PJ's, she cuddled up inside Aryaan's room for some odd reason when she really wanted to ruin away from his annoying presence, which weirdly, comforted her. She didn't want to sleep alone today, although she was used to the loneliness she grew up with; today's loneliness was something else. She missed her mother to the extent that it was sickening. Leaving Aryaan with his gaming consoles, she stepped out of the cottage like lodge; the gush of air that hit her once she stepped out soothed her. She walked around the soft grass onto the rocks and sat down staring into the distant, the moon had lit up parts of the earth making it glisten its beauty into her eyes. She felt a sense of peace...
"Ahhh Chashmeesh" Came a voice from above the rocks. Aaira closed her eyes in annoyance.
"Would you stop calling me that?" She looked up.
"Sorry" He leaned against his arms staring at her with a goofy smile on his face.
"Is this like your hobby? Annoy strangers you don't know, especially when they want some peace and quiet?"
"NOPE!" He laughed, "There's something about you Chashmeesh. You remind me of someone; I can't quite put my finger on it" Aaira rolled her eyes.
"Well then... you try and put a finger on it, clear your brain while you're at it- I'm gone!" Aaira got up and turned around.
"Why do you take everything so seriously?" Zakariya questioned behind her, Aaira froze. She looked to her side,
"What do you mean?"
"Your face, why do you take everything so seriously?" He repeated not being able to explain what he saw on her face.
"I have to" Aaira breathed out a sigh and turned to face him.
"You don't have to" Zakariya gave her another option; to smile.
"I do"
"Why?" Aaira blinked at his question, Zakariya tried real hard to read the emotions on her face.
"Because I don't want life to make a mockery out of us" Aaira looked him in the eye, Zakariya felt something shatter inside of him, he knew she was hiding her pain while her face put up a faade. He didn't know how but it seemed like he knew her his whole life. He wanted to remove that burden she seems to carry around with her. How he figured all that out in one meeting, only the Almighty can answer.
"You're still quite young, why are you trying to grow up beyond your age? If you're going to be scared of life itself, how will you ever enjoy living it?"
"Goodnight!" Aaira ignored his question and walked towards the lodge. She was so like his father. Zakariya wrapped his arms around himself; it felt cold all of a sudden.
"Goodnight Chashmeesh!" Zakariya smiled. She was not his problem, but he wanted to help her. How and why, he didn't know. Everyone deserves to smile.
Aaira turned to her side and stared at the picture again, she knew she shouldn't because it would only lead to her questioning his very existence. She did want a father figure in her life, but she learned to live without him, as did her mother, without her husband. They both learned to support themselves, but their life always seemed empty. She knew her mother hadn't divorced her father which could only mean that he hadn't moved on just like she hadn't. The thought irritated her, if he had moved on; will she be able to face him? She always wondered, amongst all her debates about her liking him and wanting him in her life, did HE miss her? Does he know about her existence? Does he want to meet her? And then those divorce papers came into her mind... maybe not.
Another tear left her eyes, Aaira Zoya Ahmed Khan, who had learned to cover her emotions, who had always given her toughest side to everyone in the last so many years, never shedding a single tear, was lying on her bed crying. The last two days she had unknowingly removed the veil she had put on to keep the world from knowing what she hides in her heart. Her thumb brushed the smile on his face, she closed her eyes,
"Goodnight Ammi" She whispered.
Zakariya brushed his hand over his mother's picture, his eyes refusing to deny him the motherly affection flowing from her smile, a huge smile lit up his own face.
"I love you Ammi. Wherever you are, I will find you. I know you must be out there, somewhere, thinking about your son... I miss you so much! I have never seen you but I can feel your motherly hands over my head putting me to sleep every night." Zakariya closed his eyes.
"Goodnight Abbu."He whispered.
Zoya shot upright in her armchair, her eyes looking around the room alarmed. Her sleepy eyes turned wide trying to search for something; she looked in all directions being able to hear the shrieks of a baby. Her eyes fell on the window, the wind crashed against the curtains making it dance in a frenzy. The whole room seemed shaken by the heavy wind, Zoya calmed her racing heart and walked towards the window shutting it close. She ran towards her bag and pulled the diary out of it snapping it open, her eyes mellowed down seeing the picture of two babies, side by side; her twins.
"Aaira, my baby." Zoya lifted 4 and a half month Aaira, as soon as she did, the baby burst into a heart wrenching cry; she knew what was happening. The other baby in the cot burst into a similar cry, his lungs bursting as the noises took over the whole bedroom, reaching the ears of every member of the house. She looked up to find Dilshad leaning against the door with her hands over her mouth shaking her head in tears. Zoya placed Aaira back into the cot, both of the babies stopped crying, their hands touched each other's. Zoya walked around and kneeled beside Zakariya.
"I'm sorry Zakariya" Zoya whispered tears overflowing her eyes, Zakariya held her thumb in between his petite hands. Zoya caressed his soft forehead, "I love you so much baby. I hope you know that. I hope you grow into a wonderful man just like your father. May the Almighty always keep you protected and shower your life with happiness. Your mother always lived by one rule; never cage yourself or your happiness. Live life to the fullest my bacha. Enjoy every moment, enjoy every happiness... If you're ever sad, understand that it's only a phase. After every cloudy night, there is a bright morning. This is the custom of life. Always share your happiness, and learn to help remove sadness. Always be there for your family no matter how tough it gets. Take care of your Abbu. He loves you so much. We both really do, understand that your parents only want the best for you. Our failed relationship doesn't mean that yours won't be successful. There are a lot of life lessons I wish I could teach you, but I know you will be able to do it on your own. Respect, and be respected. Earn trust, give trust. My blessings are always with you" Her voice broke, her thumb brushed his petite head, "My hands will always remain over your head to provide you comfort." She placed a picture under his hand, she got up feeling out of breath; her body was shaking. Her heartbeats rose frantically, her eyes went blurry. She crashed against the bed trying to regain her strength. She took one breath, holding a stone over her heart; she ran towards the cot picking Aaira up and hurried out of the room. She failed to escape in time hearing the cries of her son, whose screams were tearing her apart. She heard Dilshad's pleadings, she heard Najma's cries. But her son's call she would never be able to forget. She didn't look back... she carried on walking until she felt her feet were going to bleed. Anwar's hand wrapped around the two engulfing them into the car. The doors shut but his cries still rung in her ears...
Zoya's body fell off the bed; she clutched the picture against her chest.
"Why did you do this to us Asad? I was only yours..."
-
Much loves <3
Indian Mythology
Hindi TV Shows
124