FF - Untitled is now The sins of the father (Epilogue Page 112) - Page 42

Chapter 15

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...

There was a collective sigh of relief that went off in the room. There was not a dry eye on the room. For Asad there was a range of emotions going through his heart. He was happy for Zoya and at the same time he felt some fear for the first time. Zoya cried her heart out of abbu's chest. Siddiqi sahib pulled back a little and kissed Zoya on her head. Zoya closed her eyes. Thank you Allah Miya said Zoya in her head. Siddiqi sahib wiped her tears, Zoya smiled "Abbu, I had planned this in my head since I was a little girl, that when I meet you all the questions I will ask. But now I am completely blank. I have been looking for you almost all my life" said Zoya softly. Siddiqi sahib smiled, "It was the same for me. Every time I saw Humera I thought of you. I am so sorry my bachi, I could not be there for you circumstances where such. Had I been there for you and had the strength to fight for you back then, things would have been different" said Siddiqi looking around to where he is. But it's not too late he thought. Asad did not miss that remark. He fisted his hand. Dilshaad held onto his fist. Siddiqi looked at Zoya's baby picture again, "Your ammi insisted that you were this dress in the in this picture. I wanted you to wear a salwar. But your ammi always got her way" said Siddiqi sahib recalling that memory, "I am really sorry about your ammi Zoya. I really don't know what happened to her. All I got was news that she had died and when you were brought to me Razia was already pregnant and could not take of you. In my heart I didn't want to give you away Zoya. But I had to for the sake of my family "explained Siddiqi sahib. Zoya smiled and said:

"Jo kwaashish he use paane ke dua rakhne, jo kismat ne diya usse qubool karna ki himmat rakhne"

Asad smiled at his wife, he felt so proud of Zoya. Siddiqi sahib was surprised "Abbu, I always wished that I would find you and prayed for this, and whatever life gave me I had the strength to except it" said Zoya, "I have no complaints from you or life. Knowing that you remember me is enough for me. Whatever I prayed for I have received more than that "she continued looking over her shoulder and her family "Allah miya has been very kind to me, I got the most wonderful family and the best husband in the world" said Zoya. Siddiqi sahib's face turned into a frown when Zoya said that. Zoya saw her abbu's expression and took his hand in hers "Abbu, I came to India looking for you, but instead of finding my abbu I got a whole family. Abbu, whatever happened in the past is just that the past, it should not define our future. Abbu, I expect nothing of you. But now that I found you I don't want to lose you and I also don't want to lose my family. Abbu, if you except me you accept my family as well cos I am nothing without them. Abbu, I am not telling you what to do I am just letting you how I feel" said Zoya, with tears in her eyes. Siddiqi wiped Zoya's tears. Aakeer had now fallen asleep on the carpet; Asad saw this and went to pick him up. Asad picked Aakeer up and stood next to Zoya. Zoya looked at Asad and smiled Asad returned her smile and turned to walk away, Zoya held his hand to stop him "Abbu, this is my husband Asad Ahmed Khan " everyone looked at Zoya confused, Zoya smiled and continued "I know you know each other, but today I am introducing you to your son in law, the man that I love more than my life, the man that gave me the strength today to stand her and face you, the man that saved my life so many times and the man that will gladly hand me over to you because he will do anything to keep me happy" Asad now had tears in his eyes, "and abbu this is our son, Aakeer your grandson". At this Siddiqi sahib was shocked. Dilshaad explained, "Asad and Zoya adopted Aakeer". Asad could still sense Siddiqi sahib's hesitance. He excused himself saying that he had to put Aakeer down for his nap. Siddiqi sahib watched Asad walk away and said to Zoya "Zoya beti, if I ask something of you will you deny me, I know you are the child and you should be asking me but I am asking, please don't deny me " saying this he took Zoya's hand in his, Zoya looked into her father's eyes and prayed silently Allah Miya, please don't make my abbu ask for me for something I cannot give "Zoya, please come home and live with me" asked Siddiqi sahib. Zoya let out that breath she was holding. Everyone in the room was quite. Zoya looked at her abbu, "Abbu, when a girl gets married her sasural becomes her home. Abbu, I have so many values in me to know that I cannot leave my home to come live with you. Abbu I am not far away now, we can see each other whenever we want" explained Zoya. Siddiqi knew he was losing, he had to say something "teek hai, then come and stay with me for a few days, until Eid. Let me spend some moments alone with me daughter in my home, give me that chance to have that memory of you in your own home" pleaded Siddiqi sahib and he looked at Humera for support. Humera came and held onto Zoya, "baaji please. It's only a few days. Come home" Humera pleaded as well. Zoya looked at her sister and then Dilshaad and Najma, she could not see Asad anywhere why hadn't he come back. "Abbu, I need to speak to Asad. Can I let you know tomorrow" asked Zoya. Siddiqi nodded and kissed Zoya on the head again and turned to leave not giving a second glance to Dilshaad. Humera hugged Zoya and said good bye to Dilshaad and Najma. Ayaan kissed Dilshaad and told her to take care of bhai-jaan.

Everyone had left, Zoya sat on the nearest sofa trying to process everything that had just happened. Najma and Dilshaad sat beside Zoya. They each held her hand. "Zoya, this is a lot to take in. Nobody is forcing you to do anything and you should never feel that way. But Zoya, I am woman and parent, the woman part of me would not want to leave my husband and the mother part of me understands your abbu's request. Zoya all your life you were denied you abbu's love. Today life has given you that chance. My opinion is, it's only for a few days. Zoya, think about the time you thought your abbu was dead and you could not ever see him. Don't worry about Asad and Aakeer. We are here and Eid is a few days away you will be back home. Go Zoya, live your life with no regrets "said Dilshaad. Zoya put her hand on Dilshaad's shoulder and brought Najma's hand to her heart. "I love you both" whispered Zoya. "Okay, enough crying now. You go tell bhai-jaan".

Zoya entered their room and saw Aakeer asleep on the bed all covered. She walked over and kissed him. Then she saw her suitcase on the floor beside the closet. But she couldn't see Asad anywhere. She went to the window and saw Asad sitting on the bench with his head hanging down. That sight broke her heart. She went to the kitchen and made them coffee. Asad knew she was near, he lifted his head and saw a cup of coffee. "Its iftar time so it's okay Mr Khan" Asad smiled sadly and took the cup from her. Zoya trying to her normal self "It's been quite a day hey" she said smiling. Asad looked at his wife "You happy Zoya?" He asked, Zoya looked at Asad "All my life I wanted to know who my abbu was, and when I found out who he was, I was terrified that I would lose you but you gave me the strength and that push to face him today. You may not have forgiven him or forgot what he did to your family, but you tolerated him for him. So my dear husband, yes I am happy. I am happy that I have you with me." Said Zoya and placed her head on Asad's shoulder and as an automatic reflex Asad's hand went around her. "So, when would you like to leave" said Asad sadly. Zoya picked her head up and looked into his tear filled eyes. "I won't go if you don't want me go" she said. Asad laughed, "Whatever happened to the freethinking, liberal feminist I feel in love with, you are actually asking my permission" teased Asad. Zoya looked at him laughing "My foot, Permission! I was trying to be nice. I know how you can't do a thing without me, I was being considerate" retaliated Zoya pouting. Asad pulled her into a hug. "Zoya, go live your life. No regrets. Kya pata kal ho na ho" said Asad, Zoya smiled "So filmi Mr Khan" Laughed Zoya. Asad would do anything for that laugh even if it meant being away from his life.

They walked into their hand in hand. Asad told her to make the call, he has some work to do, and he took his laptop and went into the living room. He sat down and watched this screensaver with Zoya's entire pictures slide by. He could not stand to see her pack. Zoya called her abbu to inform him that she will be arriving tomorrow. Siddiqi sahib was ecstatic. Razia was standing behind him and heard his conversation. "Ji, who is coming tomorrow?" she asked sweetly. "My daughter!" he replied firmly. Razia was shocked. Siddiqi sahib faced Razia, and said "Razia, Zoya will be coming home tomorrow make sure everything is perfect for her stay here cos I hope it would become a permanent one" he instructed. Razia was stunned, she had worked so hard to keep Zoya away from her home. She has to get rid of her. Siddiqi sahib watched the play of emotions on Razia's face "I swear Razia, if any harm comes to Zoya I will kill you. If you know what's good for you will treat her like your own daughter" warned Siddiqi sahib and left the room to share this good news with Humera. My own daughter thought Razia that will never happen. I got rid of her mother and no one suspected me, I will do the same with her daughter.

Meanwhile Zoya had finished packing and went to check on Asad, he was still on his laptop. "A few more minutes Zoya. You go to bed, I will be in shortly" said Asad not looking at Zoya. Zoya was dejected she wanted to spend these last few moments with Asad. She worked up bed and settled in. She kissed Aakeer and turned off the lights, just then the room was illuminated with a thousand stars. She was awed, she sat up and looked around and she remembered her wish he will hold my hand under the stars. Zoya smiled tearfully. Just then Asad appeared at the door with his guitar in his hand and began singing...

(AN : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6olpw5TXU4 – credit to the uploader)

mujhse judaa hokar tumhein duur jaana hai

Separating from me, you must go far away.

pal bhar ki judaayi phir laut aanaa hai

Just a moment's separation, then you must return!

saathiya sang rahega tera pyaar

Beloved, your love will remain with me.

saathiya rang laayega intazaar

Beloved, the wait shall be blissful (with anticipation).

Zoya ran to Asad and sat next to on the coach by the window and said :

tu baandh ke aaya mere pyaar ka sehara

You came to me, wrapped in my love like a groom's garland .

chehare se ab tere hatti nahin aankhiyaan

Now I can't look away from your face.

tera naam le lekar chhede mujhe sakhiyaan

My friends tease me with your name;

sakhiyon se ab mujhko pichhaa chhudaana hai

now I have to shake off my companions.

Asad continued..

pal bhar ki judaayi phir laut aanaa hai

Just a moment's separation, then you must return!

mere tasavvur mein tum roz aati ho

Daily you come into my imagination;

chupke se tum aakar mera ghar sajaati ho

silently you come and brighten my house.

sajani bada pyaara yeh ruup hai tera

Beloved, your beauty is incredibly precious;

gajare ki khushbu se mahaka hai ghar mera

you scent my house with the perfume of flower garlands

aankhon se ab teri kaajal churaana hai

Now I must steal the khol from your eyes.

pal bhar ki judaayi phir laut aanaa hai

Just a moment's separation, then you must return!

Asad put down his guitar and gathered Zoya into his arms and hugged her tight. "Wishes 2 and 3 fulfilled" he said as he breathed him her scent. Zoya had tears in her eyes. "Thank you Asad. This is heaven for me" said Zoya, "My heaven is wherever you are" said Asad softly. He bent down and carried Zoya to bed, he laid her down gently and settled next to her. Asad gathered Zoya really close, he couldn't help this sense of dread that was choking his heart...