Days kept passing while the atmosphere in Khan Villa changed a lot after Zoya's arrival. Zoya's entry in Khan Villa at first was very smooth & everyone including Asad was glad to meet her after years but only on the second day all his impression about Zoya changed when he met the real Zoya.
She was a very bubbly girl who was full of life just like what her name means. She was very enthusiastic & loved to spread happiness in everyone's life. She was chirpy, naughty, messy, stubborn, loved to recite her infamous couplets which often doesn't makes sense. But this was just the outer layer from inside she was very innocent, brave & courageous girl who stood her ground. She was totally exuberant & didn't fear to express her feelings.
But Asad has become totally opposite of her while growing up. He didn't like her these qualities as he was very reserved & disciplined man. He was a simple man who loves silence, Discipline & Cleanliness like a freak.
Thus their contrasting natures lead to many fights between the two of them from the second day itself. Initially Dilshaad & Najma tried to stop & resolve their fights but later they too stopped & both Mother daughter Duo started enjoying this free ka show.
Another person who loved Asad & Zoya's Tom & Terry fights was the little Miss Zara Khan who was a regular spectator. She used to sway her head from one side to another innocently when Asad & Zoya used to pass remarks to each other. Sometimes her giggles, claps or cries on being ignored only stopped their silly banters.
*******************
It had been a week since Zoya's arrival. It was late noon & the ladies of house were having routine chit chat over the cup of coffee after lunch sitting over the rug in living room. Dilshaad was feeding biscuits to Zara after dipping them in coffee so that they are soft for her to chew. Najma was surfing over net while Zoya was busy in her thoughts.
-ynmm unmmh aaa... She was making merry sounds as Dilshaad fed her another tiny piece.
-Ammi she totally loves it nahi?... Haina Zaru baby you love that right? Don't worry aap jaldi se bade ho jao than Phuphi will get so many yummy yummy things for you ok? Najma said putting her Ipad down & teasing Zara's lower lip with her index finger making the baby erupt in giggles.
-haha.. Yeah right! jaise Mr Khan tumhe khilane denge? I m sure he'll make a strict diet chart for Zara.. no junk food.. no cold drinks.. no ice cream.. only healthy fruits & salad's for Abbu ki shehzaadi right Zaru... Zoya complained animatedly & looked at Zara who was hearing her words interestingly.
-eehaaak..eddeesh...aohhh Zara shrieked loudly as if already announcing her Bhookh Hadtaal against her Abbu jaani's military list of rules.
-awe poor baby... dekha phuphi even our little munchkin doesn't want to be grounded.
Dilshaad smiled at her remark shaking her head. This was a routine thing whenever Asad was out in office Zoya would often complaint of his strict rules. She forwarded another piece towards Zara who took it as last bite & started crawling towards her fvrt play cum crime partner Zoya.
-come come come my munchkin yeah yesh... Zoya motivated Zara & as she finally reached her, she threw her in the air making her shriek in elation.
Placing Zara in her lap she brushed their noses & than tickled her making Zara laugh hysterically in helplessness. Dilshaad & Najma smiled brightly hearing the little bundle of joy having a hearty laugh which was so infectious that it brightened her Home like the rays of Sunlight.
-No really Najma ! I don't get it what's wrong with Mr six packs. Jab dekho angry young man wale looks dete rehte hain. I can't believe he's the same man I met on the first day. He is so different with all of us & when it comes to his Shehzaadi it seems like he is her gulaam... Meri toh har cheez main unhe kami lagti hai. hmp. Zoya huffed annoyingly.
-Come on Zoya Asad itna bhi bura nahi hai... Aur tum mere hi bete ki burayi mere hi saamne kar rahi ho. She fake scolded.
-aaaeeekkk Zara too shrieked loudly agreeing with Dilshaad.
-hehe...Sorry Phuphi ! Zoya said holding her ear with free hand. & you too Abbu ki chamchi... I m sure Mr Khan takes daily updates from you like a general of cell... Aah sorry sorry Phuphi.. she quickly said when Dilshaad raised her brow.
-I know Asad is serious Zoya... but he was not always like that, he too used to be happy & playful like children of his age... He was quite obedient & intelligent since childhood... Par han being our eldest son he was quite sensible instead of mischievous... Dilshaad chuckled... But when Rashid broke my trust & betrayed me... her sound held pain.. he started hating him... He grew up sooner than his age mentally & became man of the house because he couldn't see me struggling for our basic expenses... That rough patch taught him a lot & turned him into a serious, reserved & no nonsense kind of person.
But trust me, I m not rueful about it... Infact i m proud of my son for how he turned out to be... Just imagine many people bend down when difficult situations arises in life, But my Asad stayed strong,.. he faced them all & turned his odds in his favour.
He might not be the most likable or friendly person but he is good at heart... He loves his family immensely and his world revolves around us all... With his sheer hard work he succeeded in achieving a respectable place in the construction industry.. making Dilshaad Constructions the top firms of India.
While His father stays away with his other family... Asad made a Home for US, A Home we can call our own, where we live together more than happily, content with whatever God has blessed us with. She ended with a faraway look her eyes shining with proud for everything her Son achieved.
Zoya heard Dilshaad's every word keenly, her each word showed the pride she has on her only Son's achievement & Zoya's heart warmed too. It wasn't like she didn't knew the struggle this family had to go through but hearing it from Dilshaad made her heart swell with pride too.
The cute little Zara was intently looking at Dilshaad all the time when she was speaking about Asad as if she was narrating an interesting story of a Superman & true that her father was nothing less than a Superhero for her.
When she stopped Zara blinked her eyes thinking she'll tell more but when she didn't she turned her face towards her Phuphi who was also smiling fondly. Then she looked up at Zoya who was also having this soft smile & so she turned her face again towards her Dadi.
Thinking that it was end of the story & all were supposed to smile she too gave a big radiant smile & started clapping making them all look at her.
-Hehe.. abb.. abb.. abb.. she cooed
-aah.. Meri bachi come... Dilshaad smiled teary eyed & raised her hands calling Zara to come to her.
Zara jumped out of Zoya's lap & excitedly started crawling towards her wobblingly. As she reached, Dilshaad picked her & hugged tightly kissing her chubby cheeks.
-eehhh... Zara sang happy on receiving all the love from her dearest Dadi.
Najma ruffled her soft hair while Zoya threw a flying kiss her way.
-Sahi main Phuphi Zaru is the cutest kid in the world.
-Woh toh hai Zoya afterall she's my niece. Najma said pulling her imaginary collar up.
-Acha jee.. Zoya laughed.
-Bas karo tum dono meri Poti ko nazar mat lga dena. Dilshaad scolded them & put a little kajal behind Zara's ear after dabbing her finger with it from her eye. Meri jaan ko kisi ki nazar na lage. She sweetly said kissing Zara again.
-Par jo bhi ho Phuphi, ek baat toh sach hai ki aapke bete ko mujhse koi problem toh zaroor hai... Jab dekho mujhse ladne ko amada rehte hain... I m sure he hates me...Zoya lamented... Tabhi toh he always behave so uptight & rudely... You know what Najma ! sometimes i feel like how can we were friends in childhood..She shrugged... He's so Akdu & Khadus and I m so sweet & joyful... We r class apart like he's south pole & I m north pole... It's so unbelievable. She wondered in bewilderment.
-Nahi Nahi Zoya don't think like that.. I know believe karna mushkil lagta hai... Jab Ammi ne mujhe bhi btaya tha,.. mujhe bhi yakeen nahi hua tha ki Bhaijaan can be like that in Childhood... But then she showed me your Childhood pics...Najma revealed her brow dancing naughtily... Actually aapke aane se pehle i wanted to know about you,.. so i asked Ammi to tell me & than she told me about your strong friendship... And trust me even I was shocked ki Bhajaan aur aap itna close the bachpan main... I mean Bahijaan ki toh collage main bhi kisi ladki se friendship nahi thi... so you know how difficult it must be to believe... She laughed while informing Zoya.
-Really phir mujhe bhi btao... & Phuphi i want to see that album too. Zoya got excited.
-Aree..
-Please Phuphi pretty please.. She made the perfect puppy face.
-Acha theek hai... You just look at Zara I'll bring it... It's in my room. Saying so Dilshaad got up placing Zara near them who left her toothing keys aside & grabbed a piece of carrot to nib on.
-Ok Najma start... Zoya said after turning towards Najma.
-hehe... ok so aapke bachpan ki story kuch aisi hai that Your family was our neighbour & I mean You must know that much that after your Abbu expired you guys shifted there... That time we didn't had this house we used to live in a rented apartment & Your Ammi Zainub Khala... she used to visit us very often.
And during those days you & Bhaijaan met..Najma said with a nod of her head.. Bhaijaan as you know, became quite serious after abbu left us... but still being mature he handled himself very well even in such young age... He used to be with you because you too became very quite after losing your father, you were very close to your abbu & his absence from your life affected you a lot... But Bhaijaan, He used to always stay around you trying to cheer you... He used to involve you in his talks or games and was quite caring & protective about you...She smiled.
As time passed you started coming out of your sadness & soon both of you became the best of friends...Najma told with a beaming smile on her face.. Ammi says you became each other's shadows... Jahan jaate the saath rehte the... Bhaijaan used to help you in studies & even have to play girly games with you, me & Zeenat aapi just imagine. She laughed & Zoya to joined her.
-Here.. Dilshaad returned & gave the album in Zoya's hands.
Feeling curious Zoya quickly opened it & started going through the pictures.
-And Being protective towards you came naturally from him when you joined school too... Sach jab bhi main aur Zianub PTM meeting main jaate the hamesha tumhari class teacher se sun ne milta tha that he always takes care of you... He used to spend time with all three of you during lunch time but even during class periods he used to come to check on you that you don't have any problem or no one tries to bully you...Dilshaad chuckled informing her remembering those days.
And Miss Zoya even you were very fond & dependent on Asad. Even the smallest of things you loved to share with him not with Zainub or me... She supplied with a smirk... You always seek his advice for everything... as if his opinion & approval was needed for you & whenever you needed any help Asad was the one you would look upto.
-Really Phuphi hum itne ache Best friends the? Zoya asked in wonder.
-Bilkul just like two pieces of magnets whom doesn't matter how far you put/pull will come back together in the end. Najma woh abhi kuch der pehle kya keh rahi thi Zoya? Dilshaad mocked teasingly.
-Aah... Like North pole & South pole Ammi.. Najma reminded as both mother daughter teased Zoya who stated blushing seeing them make fun of her.
-But Phuphi than why he always fights with me now? Zoya whined.
-hmm... woh isliye Zoe because the Zoya in present is very different from the little Zoya he met years before. Najma quipped this time raising her brows.
Zoya became silent for a second & than looked down in the album at their picture. She was laughing sitting on a swing while Asad was pushing her from behind. His face too had a rarest of smile that she never saw before, as if he was enjoying his childhood with Zoya. Her hand softly caressed his face in the picture.
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
124