FF - Untitled is now The sins of the father (Epilogue Page 112) - Page 18

Chapter 6

We need to talk..

"No more hiding, no more lies, no more stories. Let's just put all out cards on the table and take it from there. A problem shared is a problem half solved" smiled Zoya. Asad was relieved he was down with all of this as well, he smiled back at Zoya. "Besides Mr Khan, despite our differences and views, we make a great crime fighting team. Jahapanah Bond and Miss Know it all Farooqi" Joked Zoya. Asad looked at Zoya and said "No, Mrs Jahapanah Bond" . Zoya blushed and snapped out of it. "Okay Mr Khan, first promise me no shouting, you will keep calm and listen to me before you say anything and most importantly once I am done, you will tell me what you are hiding. You have to agree to everything before I say anything" said Zoya. Asad looked at Zoya and decided no more, he was done hiding and hurting her. He wanted his Zoya back and if telling her everything meant she could trust him again he will do that. She didn't need protection like he also thought. She is his lioness, his mother was proof of just how strong Zoya is. He picked her hand and looked at the "A" that was now forever branded in her hand, he picked up his hand which had "Z" forever branded there. "Yes Zoya I promise" he whispered. Zoya let out the breath she was holding. "Okay, sit down Mr Khan, and remember I said don't speak until I am finished." Zoya looked at Asad waiting for some sort of confirmation. Asad sat down and nodded. Okay thought Zoya. From the beginning. "Okay, let me start at the beginning. I was prepared to come back with you home from Ajmer, I was ready to start my life with you. But you sudden disappearance and that note broke my heart all over again. You know how I feel about Tanveer, how I never blamed you for what happened that night I tried to explain to you, to make you see the exact kind of person she was. But I had no proof today I do. Today I have proof that the person you trusted the most even more than me, has betrayed you" Zoya stopped an looked at Asad who was in so much pain, Asad opened his mouth to speak Zoya stopped him "No Mr Khan, let me continue. By God, you will have your turn to speak. Anyway I went back to New York I moved out of appi's place and stayed on my own. I worked in a shelter for battered woman and children. This went on for a year. Until I received a letter. A letter from the man who told you my abbu was dead. Zoya showed Asad the letter.

Dear Miss Farooqi

You may not remember me, but I am the man you brought your abbu's picture too. I am the man that told you your abbu was dead. Miss Farooqi, the reason I write to is to tell you the truth. I have been living with that guilt for over a year now. Miss Farooqi, your abbu is alive. I was paid a large amount of money to tell you that lie. I know you have no reason to believe me now. But Allah, has punished me. I am dying and I want to face my maker with a guilt free conscience. I don't know how this information is going to help you, but it was woman that knows you very well. And someone that I feel had a lot to lose. You were very close Miss Farooqi to the truth about abbu. I did recognise your abbu. He is alive and in Bopal. I will try and find out more information for you. And will let you know once I do.

Allah Hafiz Miss Farooqi.

Asad was shocked. Zoya took the letter from him and continued " As usual kismet was never on my side, and I happened to arrive at this man's funeral. Just when I felt my world slipping I ran into Najma and she told me about ammi and brought me back. Ammi thought I would save her. I didn't understand that then nut now everything is clearer. When I got back and I saw ammi I was broken, she is one of the strongest women I know, she is my role model and to see her like broke me. And then by some miracle ammi gave me this letter – she must have written it when she was getting sick" said Zoya handing Asad ammi's letter.

My dearest Zoya,

I knew deep down in my heart you would come back. Let me start by saying that I am really sorry. I should have never let you go. You are the heart of my home. You are my daughter. Zoya beta, whatever happened. We cannot change. But I also wanted you to come back home. This is your home Zoya. You belong here. Everything that happened was not your fault. I am not going to defend my son. But he thought he was doing the right thing. You see Asad could never let anyone down. Once he took responsibility for that person, he stuck by them. Asad never thinks about his self, just like you. I am not going to get into that. Right now, he is heartbroken and too blinded.

Zoya, something is wrong. I believe whatever you said about Tanveer is the truth. Whenever I tried to confront her or tell Asad about it she just proved me wrong. She made me think I am paranoid and going crazy. Whenever I confronted her, I always got sick. I have no proof to say that she doing anything. But I know she is really angry cos I was getting to close to the truth, she is hiding alot of things Zoya. Beta, she is trying to take your place. How could I Zoya that place in my family belongs to you.

Zoya, the reason I am writing to you and I do hope you get this is because I am scared something might happen to me and my family will be destroyed. I know you will come save us. Zoya, I need your help to protect my family, your family Zoya. Something bad is going to happen, I can feel it. Zoya, I need to protect my children to protect yours and our home. I know I am asking too much of you, especially after everything that has happened, I have no one else to turn to Zoya. Please rescue us.

Zoya, you can decide to leave and I will understand. After all I am a woman and given everything that I have been through I would not want you go through the same pain. But Zoya, if you loved me, please stay and fight for our family. Help me save them Zoya, please.

Love and always love

Your phuphi that loves you like a daughter

Asad silent tears streaming down his face now. Zoya wanted to hurt him before for being so blind. But his tears always made her weak. She kneeled in front of him and wiped his tears. "No point blaming yourself. You couldn't have know." Zoya folded the letter and continued. "Yesterday, I took ammi to the doctor to get her tested myself." Zoya handed Asad the reports that basically reported Arsenic poisoning. Asad was now furious. Knowing the inner battle Asad was having with himself, Zoya handed him the property papers. Asad opened the file and was shocked. Everything that Zoya had ever told him about Tanveer was ringing in his head. Ya Allah what had he done. He closed the file and looked at Zoya. Tears were making their way down his face. Zoya took the file from him and handed him the arsenic bottle. "I found this in Tanveer's room amongst Aakeer's meds" said Zoya softly. Asad was now completed broken. He trusted Tanveer. Everything that Zoya showed him painted a terrifying picture. Asad believed everything now. He was holding the solid proof in his own hands. Asad let down everyone he loved for Tanveer, his sister, Zoya and most of all his ammi. Asad broke down completely now. Zoya couldn't see this. She went and sat down next to him. She couldn't stand to see his head bowed down in shame in defeat. "No Asad, it's not your fault you trusted the wrong person. We have to worry about ammi now, now that we know whets wrong we need to work on a solution" Said Zoya softly. Asad slowly lowered his head to her lap and cried for everything that happened. Zoya slowly caressed his hair. "Asad, we are given a chance to make this better, we need to strong. I need you to that lion that you once were". Asad lifted his head. Zoya wiped his tears and said "Your turn and no holding back".

Asad stood up, it was his turn and he was not hiding anything this time. "In Ajmer, I had left to get you to get our tickets. Whilst I was at the station I received an mms - mms of Ayaan burning a car, a car with Imraan in it. Imraan is Nikhat's fianc. Could not believe it. I called Ayaan immediately and he confirmed everything. Although Ayaan didn't know Imraan was still in the car. Once I ended that call. I had gotten a picture of that night. The picture had Tanveer in my arms. " Asad said disgustedly. I was beyond furious, so I called that number back. A man had answered the call. He if I enjoyed the messages he sent me. No threat worked on him, I tried everything. He knew exactly where I was and that I was with you. He blackmailed me and told me to leave you alone. When I said I couldn't he said that he would make sure, Ayaan goes to jail and burns in a car similar to the MMS and that Nikhat will kill herself with the shame of what brother did. All I had to do was leave you and never contact you again. I had to come back home and forget about you." Asad looked at Zoya who was shocked. Asad sat down next to Zoya and held her hand " I love you, I trust you more than I trust myself. I couldn't let you go. When I had told that person that, he said that he will just have to kill you then. Zoya I could stand you being away from me alive but if anything happened to you I would died with you. I questioned him what he wanted, did you want money anything but I can't leave you. He laughed he said when the time is right he will tell me. It's been a year and I never heard from him until tonight." whispered Asad with tears in his eyes. "Zoya, I never wanted to leave you, I wanted our happily ever after. " said Asad bringing Zoya's hand to his heart. "But Zoya, I only left to protect you, Ayaan and Nikhat. Leaving you the most difficult thing I ever had to do. Especially after everything we went through. When I got home, I tried to find out who that person was. I hired the best private investigators, I found nothing. I then found out that Tanveer was pregnant. Ammi came across her pregnancy reports and told me about it. When I questioned Tanveer she said he husband had raped her and she couldn't go back to him he will kill her and the baby, she had nowhere to go and took care of Aakeer when he was born. Aakeer became my reason to leave, he was the only ways I could live day by day without you" confessed Asad. Zoya couldn't hear anywhere. What a cruel game fate had played with them. Zoya buried herself in Asad's arms.

Love was indeed PAIN! Asad held onto Zoya so tight. They both cried for their cursed fates. No more. Thought Asad. Zoya was right they will get through this together. Like Zoya had read his mind "Asad, we are together now, we have lots of mysteries to solve and to protect our loved ones. We can do this together." Asad kissed Zoya's forehead and smiled, "As long as I have you by my side, Mr and Mrs Jahanpanah Bond can handle anything". Zoya and wiped her tears. "But we have to get rid of Tanveer first" said Asad with anger. Just then she heard Aakeer cry. They both ran to Aakeer. Zoya picked him up and coo-ed him to sleep. Asad smiled, he loved that sight. Zoya caught Asad staring at her and stuck her tongue out him. Asad laughed. That was like music to her ears. She smiled. Just then they heard the front door open. Asad smiled faded, Zoya knew he was about to attack. Zoya quickly went to Asad and stopped him from tearing Tanveer apart "No Mr Khan, let's see what she does next. We now know what she is capable of. Let's see what see does next. And maybe she will lead us to the black mailer" explained Zoya. Asad was still fuming "Please Asad for Aakeer.."