Hi everyone.
Chapter 16
Asad gathered Zoya really close; he could not help this sense of dread that was choking his heart...
Sleep evaded both Asad and Zoya. They both knew each was awake but still they didn't want to worry each other with what they were thinking. Asad held Zoya close and Zoya held his hand that was around her and with her other hand she held onto her baby boy. They were up before the alarm went off. Dressed and ready for sehri they made their way to the table. Asad went to help put Aakeer in his feeding chair but Zoya shrugged his hands away. She wanted to do everything for Aakeer herself, Zoya turned to Dilshaad and asked again "Ammi, please can I take my baby with me, please ammi" pleaded Zoya. Dilshaad looked at Asad and Asad shook his head. Dilshaad hated being stuck in between the two of them. "Zoya, beta. You are going there to spend time with your abbu and your sister. You will be introduced to a whole new family" Dilshaad's heart restricted a little and she continued "And Aakeer can be a hand full you won't have enough time with your new family" said Dilshaad sadly. Zoya could sense the mood around the table, she wished away her fear and said loudly "Allah Miya, what wrong with all of you. I am going away for a 3 days only 3 days" she shouted, " You guys are going on like I will never come back home. You can't get rid of me that easily" smiled Zoya. Najma looked her bhai-jaan and ammi's face and knew that they were hurting more than her; "Zoya, I am just afraid that when you go there you will forget about me when you get all the love from your other sister in laws" confessed Najma sadly revealing Asad and Dilshaad's fear as well. Zoya hugged Najma, tightly and said "Tamatar, you are my favourite and best sister in law; you are my sister, my best friend. No one can take your place", Zoya walked over to Dilshaad and hugged her as well "You are my ammi and this is my family. And no one can ever replace you guys" smiled Zoya.
Sehri and prayers was over, it was time for Zoya to leave. Zoya was having a hard time leaving everyone behind. She clung onto Aakeer. Aakeer could sense his ammi's feelings and held onto her as well. Everyone tried to take him away from her but he was holding onto Zoya's tightly. Even Asad tried but Aakeer refused to let go. Eventually Dilshaad removed his hands from around Zoya's neck and took him into her arms. Aakeer started howling and reaching forward for Zoya, Zoya walked to Aakeer but Asad stopped her and shook his head. He took Zoya's hand and started walking towards the door, Zoya's eye were still stuck on Aakeer, she had her hand out as if wanting to touch him and Aakeer's hand was out as well as if trying to reach Zoya. Asad and Zoya were almost at the door, when they heard through Aakeer's sobs "aamm mmiii". Everyone was shocked. Zoya let go of Asad's hand and she ran to Aakeer and gathered him in her arms. "Please say it again, baby boy, please" pleaded Zoya. Asad was now at Zoya and Aakeer's side, he stroked Aakeer hair as if encouraging him. But Aakeer said nothing. Zoya rocked Aakeer, "Asad, I am sure I didn't imagine him saying ammi, your heard him didn't you?" She looked and Asad then Dilshaad "Ammi you heard my baby boy call me ammi right" asked Zoya. Dilshaad nodded and touched Zoya's cheek. Asad kissed Aakeer's forehead, Aakeer was now asleep. Asad knew Zoya will not let go of her baby boy now, so he slowly took him away from Zoya's arms and handed him to Najma. Zoya kissed Aakeer and let Asad lead her to the SUV.
They were seated in the car, Asad put on his aviators to hide if eyes. Zoya always said that his eyes spoke volumes and if she could read his eyes now, she would never go and he could not stop her. He started the SUV and began driving stealing glances at Zoya who was looking out the window trying to hide her tears. The eerie silence was heartbreaking. Zoya put the radio on and continued to look out the window. When there is so much silence you pay attention to words more, be it a song or life...
Kuchh Reshami...
It's a bit silky
Kuchh Khurdura...
And a bit coarse
Abhi Beh Chala...
It's flowing now
Abhi Hai Ruka...
And now it's stopped
Haathon Mein Hai Ret Sa Issaq Tera…
It's like sand in my hands, Your love (for me)
Zoya touched Asad's hand which was on the gear. Asad looked at Zoya and intertwined their fingers and continued driving.
Us Paar Tu Hai, Is Paar Main
You are on that shore and I am on this shore
Lagta Hai Dooboonga Is Baar Main…
It seems that I'm surely going to get drowned this time
Jaane Kahaan Hai Le Chala Issaq Tera…
I don't know where Your love is taking me
Ho… Sare Jahaan Se Hai Juda Issaq Tera
It's altogether different from the whole world, Your love
Tu Mere, Main Tere, Samne Jab Talak
Till I am in front of You and You are in front of me
Yeh Zameen, Yeh Falak Khoobsoorat Lage
This Earth and this horizon seem beautiful
Kisht Mein Hai Mili, Aaj Ki Yeh Khushi
In bits, I've gotten this happiness today
Gin Rakhe Hain Magar, Kal Ke Lamhe Sabhi
But I have counted (stored) the moments of yesterday
Kuchh Der Tujhko Bhi Tak Loonga Main
I'll gaze You for a few moments
Palkon Ke Taaron Mein Rakh Loonga Main
Then I'll put You on the stars of my eyelashes (make You centre of my attention)
Hai Subah Ke Khwaab Sa Issaq Tera
It's like a dream in the morning, Your love
Ho… Haathon Mein Hai Ret Sa Issaq Tera…
It's like sand in my hands, Your love
Asad stopped the SUV. He looked at Zoya and wiped her tears away. He held onto her tighter and he brought her closer until she rested her head on his shoulder. Asad held onto Zoya tight he couldn't let go..not just yet..
Us Paar Tu Hai, Is Paar Main
You are on that shore and I am on this shore
Lagta Hai Dooboonga Is Baar Main…
It seems that I am surely going to get drowned this time
Jaane Kahaan Hai Le Chala Issaq Tera…
I don't know where Your love is taking me
Ho… Sare Jahaan Se Hai Juda Issaq Tera
It's altogether different from the whole world, Your love
Asad kissed the top of Zoya's head, he knew he had to break this moment of they would stay like that forever. "Zoya, we are here" said Asad softly hoping his voice will not betray him. Zoya sat up and wiped away her tears, she saw that they were parked outside the Siddiqi mansion. She looked at Asad and smiled sadly. Asad called Ayaan and told him they were outside. Asad just could not bring himself to step on their property. Asad felt horrible. He promised he would be with Zoya always and here he couldn't walk her to the door. Zoya watched the play of emotions on Asad's face. Zoya touched Asad's cheek and Asad leaned into her palm "Mr Khan, it's okay" she smiled "the fact that you came this far for with me means alot, you could have asked me choose but you didn't. I do not except to forget everything over night. You have accepted me as I am with all my annoying habits and my past as well. I love you, and you do not have change who you are for me" said Zoya and she smiled to reassure him that she was okay and then added teasingly "who knows maybe my love is so strength that one day you will scale these walls just for a glimpse of me, like Romeo did for Juliet" said Zoya dramatically. This got a laugh from Asad "Keep dreaming Mrs Khan" he said. Zoya leaned in for a hug saying "a girl can dream Mr Khan" she sighed.
Just then they heard loud tapping. They broke their hug and looked at the window there was Ayaan, Humera, Nikhat and Noozat giggling. Asad squeezed Zoya's hand and told her to smile. Zoya opened her door and stepped out only to be bombarded with hugs, kisses, questions and some tears. Asad stood there watching Zoya get all the love she deserved from a family, her family. He smiled sadly. Ayaan came to his brothers side and put his hand on his shoulder "I will take care of her bhai-jaan, I promise" said Ayaan. Asad looked at Ayaan and pulled him for a hug. Asad held onto Ayaan a little while longer and said "Ayaan, she is my life. I am nothing without her. Please don't ever let a tear fall from her eyes. Make sure she is always smiling. Promise me Ayaan, please". Ayaan pulled apart from his brother who was at the verge of breaking down and held him by the shoulders and said "Bhai-jaan, I will be her shadow. " Asad smiled sadly and he caught Zoya's eye, she smiled and he returned the smile. He knew he had to be strong now and let her go. Asad and Ayaan got her bags and walked out to the join the girls. Salaams and hugs were exchanged. The girls promised that they would take care of the bhabhi. Asad had no doubt his step sisters loved Zoya and they would take care of her. Zoya knew Asad was trying really hard to stay strong. She came and stood next to him and slowly held his hand whilst they talked to everyone, Asad squeezed her hand. Their siblings were unaware of their joined hands behind their backs and the dull ache in their hearts, Asad and Zoya smiled and continued their conversations. Humera's phone rang, "Ji Abbu" was all she said. "Sorry Baaji, abbu says we should come in now." Zoya's grip around Asad's hand tightened. Asad took a deep breath, the moment he was dreading was here. He smiled, and held Zoya's face in his hands, "No tears. Stop worrying about us. We will be okay." He wiped her tears and hugged her "Stupid girl" he said - she smiled and smacked his arm he laughed "I will get Aakeer to call you every hour okay. I will be quite busy enjoying myself whilst my wife is at her maayka" he smirked, Zoya looked at him in shock "Mr Akdu Ahmed Khan, you wouldn't dare. And besides, only I can handle you jahanpanah" Asad smiled and kissed Zoya's head. "You better go in Zoya. If you need anything call. I love you. I want you make loads of memories with your abbu and sister. Make up for all the time you missed with them in these 3 days and at the end of these 3 days. At the Eid function that I am sponsoring, I want my wife and son to stand next to me so I can show my family off to the world. Promise me you will be there Zoya please? "Asked Asad. Zoya was surprised that he was asking this, there was a seriousness behind his voice, was he still unsure that she would choose her abbu over him thought Zoya "Asad, I won't miss that for the world. I will be there right by your side always" promised Zoya. "Okay, go be a daughter now. In 3 days you will be back to a nagging wife" teased Asad and received another smack from Zoya "Sorry baba," he said rubbing his arm, "Have fun, make memories. And always remember I love you" he said. He knew he had to smile so that maybe she would be fooled into thinking that he is okay. Everyone said their good byes and began walking away. Zoya was still staring at Asad and Asad at her, they were still holding hands, as the girls began pulling Zoya away, Zoya whispered "I love you" and Asad smiled as their hands slowly pulled apart. Asad tucked his hands into his jeans pockets and smiled as he watched Zoya walk away...Zoya still had her eyes fixed on Asad..
Tum ho gham ko chhupaaye
u are there hiding the sorrow
Asad bowed his head to hide his tears
Main hoon sar ko jhukaaye
i'm here bowing my head
Zoya was quite whilst the girls talked
Tum bhi chup ho, main bhi chup hoon
u r also quiet, i'm also quiet
Both Asad and Zoya could sense the restlessness in each other, each wanting to run to the other
Kaun kise samjhaaye
who will understand whom?
Asad watched her until he could see her no more.
Ab dooriyaan itni hain to
now that there is so much distance
He looked up at the sky and closed his eyes..
Milna yahan kal ho naa ho...
Kumkum Bhagya
Tum Se Tum Tak
Sampoorna
Jhanak
