FF - Untitled is now The sins of the father (Epilogue Page 112) - Page 40

Chapter 14

"Why would my daughter be here? I will never allow my daughter to have any relation to this house. Never..."

Asad and Zoya was totally oblivious to the storm that was about to enter their lives. After breakfast and prayer. Asad and Zoya sat on their living room floor playing with their son. Aakeer was beginning to crawl on all fours now. Zoya was a proud mummy and Asad hovered over Aakeer making sure he doesn't hurt himself. Zoya leaned against the couch and watched her family whilst her music box was open and the sweet sound was filling the air. She couldn't help but wonder did her abbu play with her like this. She was three when they were separated from her parents. Now she had a face for her abbu but along with that face, she felt a sense of dread. She knew she wanted answers but at what cost. Her aim in life was to find her abbu and now that she knew who he was – she couldn't find the strength to approach him to speak to him, she had so many questions but those questions will just open old wounds especially for her family now. Zoya looked at Asad who was now on his back flat with Aakeer in the air above him. Zoya smiled, Asad had changed so much. When she first entered this house, she never thought they would end up together; they shouldn't even have a good kind to say to each other so love was far off. Mr Asad Ahmed Khan in his 3 piece suit, cleanliness freak with OCD habits, stubborn, egotistical, emotional challenged man compared to the man in front of her, blue jeans a white T-shirt no shoes, laying on the floor with a drooling baby above him, who would have thought he would this could be the same man. God knows she loves both those men with all her heart. She wouldn't change Asad for anything. He had gone through so much, her abbu separated his family. Zoya's smile vanished and that dread set in again. Asad watched the play of emotions on Zoya's face. He placed Aakeer down and steered him towards Zoya. Aakeer crawled into Zoya's lap and Zoya held him close. Asad picked up the toy and sat next to Zoya, he placed his head on Zoya's lap, "any room for Aakeer's abbu here" Zoya wiped her tears away and smiled down at Asad in her lap. "Allah Miya what's with you Mr Khan, you acting like a baby" mock scolded Zoya. Asad looked at his wife smiling face. "Miss Telpur ki Shehzaadi, if I don't act like a baby with you, who must I act with then "said Asad sweetly, " waise that would have been perfect on the wedding invites hey, Telpur ki Shehzaadi weds Jahanpanah six pack" teased Asad. Zoya couldn't help but smile. Aakeer wanted to go play, so Asad lifted his head out of Zoya's lap and it suddenly struck Zoya "Mr Khan, you went through my things" said Zoya all shocked as she saw her album on the coffee table, "since when have you become so shameless Mr Khan. Going through girl's things, bad manners Mr Khan, what happened to your tameez and tehzeeb, gaye tel lene?" smirked Zoya and then suddenly realised what she said. Asad burst out laughing "If I were you I wouldn't talk about oil. The hair oil factories were in business because of you and you started it, you were commenting on my baby pictures, I should be uploading yours and tagging all your friends" said Asad in between shrieks of laughter. Zoya just stared at her husband, his laughter was like music, Allah Miya, he husband was gorgeous then it struck her he was teasing her. Zoya pouted and crossed her arms across her chest and looked away. Asad came closer to her face and wiped the side of her mouth "You have some drool" smirked Asad. Zoya smacked his hand away and turned away pretending to her hurt. Asad leaned against the couch and held Zoya "Zoya, I am sorry. I was not going through you things. I was trying to find something in our closet and I just happened to come across you album, I only opened the first page and fell in love with baby Zoya. And then on the second page I feel in with 16 year old Zoya" confessed Asad. Zoya could not be angry any more. "But Asad you don't have to do those things on that wish list. That was a stupid list by a crazy 16 year old, "said Zoya. Asad turned her to face him "That wish list was made out to your husband and that is me, and it is my job to fulfil every stupid wish of that crazy girl. I love you Zoya, I gave you so much grief and pain, let me do this. Let me fulfil your every wish, every desire. Zoya when you are happy, that's the only time my family is happy and you if you and my family is happy that's when I happy, "said Asad kissing Zoya's forehead.

Meanwhile outside The Khan Mansion...

"Ayaan, is this some kind of joke" Siddiqi sahib was furious. Humera was confused. "Abbu, why would I joke about something like? Zoya baji is married to Asad bhai-jaan, where else would she be" announced Humera. Siddiqi sahib felt the ground beneath his feet shake. There must be some mistake. "She cannot be my daughter. This is a mistake" said Siddiqi. Humera and Ayaan were shocked. "Abbu, there is no mistake. I have the same music box that baji has. And baji was adopted from the same madressa that you sponsor. You yourself said that she was sent there" Humera was getting upset now. Ayaan went and held Humera's shoulder. "There must be any mistake, maybe this woman took the music box from my daughter, "said Siddiqi sahib trying to convince himself. Ayaan was getting really irritated now "Mamu-jaan, you will not even meet Zoya bhabhi because she is married to bhai-jaan. You are actually willing to walk away from your daughter again. What do you have to loose mamu-jaan. You came to this door once before for my ammi, now do it for your daughter. Meet her and if you still believe she is not your daughter we will leave. But mamu we have come so far. Just a few steps more, please mamu" said Ayaan. Siddiqi sahib looked at Humera and Ayaan's pleading face and agreed. Ayaan took a deep breath and held Humera's hand and rang the door bell.

Meanwhile inside..

"Zoya, I just ask one thing of you please " asked Asad very serious, "Please I beg of you, do not oil Aakeer's hair ever. Zoya was shocked. She began hitting and eventually tickling him, Zoya was now on top of Asad and Asad was trying to tickle her back, Aakeer crawled to his parents to join in their wrestling match. They were laughing so much and so lost in their own world they did not hear the door bell ringing. Dilshaad and Najma came downstairs and were smiling at the sight before them, both Zoya and Aakeer was on top on Asad. "Ya Allah" said Dilshaad and went to open the door. She stopped smiling immediately when she saw the three faces outside her door. There was silence all around all that could be heard was the laughter of a small family that was about to have their world turned upside down. Asad stopped laughing and noticed his ammi and Najma's expression, he looked at the door and his expression changed. Zoya was the change in Asad and followed his sight. No not now she thought and she got of Asad.

To say Gaffur Siddiqi was shocked was an understatement. The shameless sight in front of him was shocking. There was no way this girl could be his daughter. He was right, He looked at Zoya standing there in front of him in jeans. Zoya and Asad stood up adjusting their clothes. "Come in," said Dilshaad politely. Ayaan walked in and kissed Dilshaad and hugged Najma, Ayaan actually felt guilty for ruining his bhai-jaan's happy memory. He walked to his bhai-jaan and hugged him "I am sorry bhai-jaan" he whispered in Asad's ear. Asad just tightened his hug as if to reassure him Ayaan bent down to pick up Aakeer . Zoya's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Humera and her father. Humera held her father's hand and helped him take the first step. Once they were inside. Humera left her father's hand and rushed to Zoya and hugged her sister. Both the sisters held onto each other and cried of all the memories they did not create for the childhood that they could have had together. Zoya pulled back and wiped Humera's tears. Asad, Ayaan, Najma and Dilshaad stood next to Zoya. Humera smiled and stood next to her sister holding her hand. They all looked at Siddiqi sahib. Nobody said a word – the silence was deafening. Dilshaad knew being the elder she had to say something. "Come in Siddiqi sahib. I know this is the last place you would want to be. But for our children we would sacrifice anything," said Siddiqi sahib. Siddiqi sahib snapped out of the trance he was in, "No thanks Dilshaad. I came here because Humera insisted that this girl might be my daughter. But it is clearly evident she is not my daughter and thank God for that, my daughter will have no association with this house" said Siddiqi sahib. Asad tightened his fist and Zoya said nothing she just held onto his closed fist. Siddiqi saw this and continued "this girl has no shame, tazeeb or tameez. Look at how she dresses and look at how she acts in front of elders. "Silent tears made its way down Zoya's face. She just squeezed onto Asad's hand more. Asad had thought the same thing when he first met Zoya but she is so much more than that. He was about to say something when Zoya looked into his eyes and shook her head. This broke Asad's heart. Humera held onto her sister's hand as if to tell her she was there for her. "Siddiqi sahib, don't let Zoya's looks fool you. She is the most cultured, most loyal, sweetest, respectful and most lovable girl there is. I am very lucky to have her as my daughter in law" said Dilshaad proudly. Aakeer wanted to be put down, Ayaan placed him on the floor and Aakeer crawled to the table. "Your daughter in law, yes that she is but she definitely cannot be my daughter" said Siddiqi sahib. Zoya closed her as if to block the hurtful words. Just then Aakeer tipped over the egg and the music began to flow again into the air. Siddiqi sahib looked at the music box in shock, he walked to the table and as he bent to pick the music box, she saw Zoya's baby picture in her album. Siddiqi sahib for the second time today felt the earth move. He picked up the album and gently stroked the picture. Tears formed in his eyes. He looked at the picture and then Zoya, he knew in his heart she was his little girl. Asad let go on Zoya's hand and nodded to her to go to her father. Zoya walked tentatively and slowly towards her father. When she finally stood in front of him, she whispered "abbu". And that broke Siddiqi sahib's heart, he hugged Zoya in a fierce hug and both cried for the relationship fate had denied them...