FF - Untitled is now The sins of the father (Epilogue Page 112) - Page 61

Epilogue..

6 months later...

The Khan Mansion was in utter chao's. Asad leaned back into his chair at the office and closed his eyes. It was safer to be here at the moment. As he thought this precise words..he heard abbu abbu abbu, it was his ringtone. He had recorded the first time Aakeer called him abbu and Zoya had set it as his ring tone and being the IT geek that his wife is - he had no idea how to remove it. He looked at the caller ID - Mrs Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan, he smiled. That was his doing. Zoya had become his everything. His life would be incomplete without her. Asad took a deep breath in and hit answer "Yes Mrs Khan" he smiled, "Mr Khan, where are you? There is so much to do at home and you are not even here. I told you not to go to the office. You know it's Nikhat and Najma's engagement as well as Aakeer's birthday and Ayaan and Humera come back from their honeymoon today. I know Zoya Farooqi - sorry Khan can do everything. But Mr Khan some help would be nice "Zoya continued her rant. Asad kept quiet and still smiling he pick up his SUV keys and started walking out the door. Zoya finally kept quiet. "Hello, Hello Mr Khan, are you there? Asad" asked Zoya. "Yes Zoya I am here. I am on way to the airport to fetch Ayaan and Humera. I will fetch the cake on the way & don't stress. Imraan and Farhan want to stop at their ammi's grave before they come to us, I have already spoken to them. So you have a few hours. So don't stress. Main hoon na "teased Asad. "Main hoon na, my foot" said Zoya, "Where you this morning, when I woke up. You know I hate waking up alone" asked Zoya angrily. Busted! Thought Asad "Zoya, eerr" stuttered Asad, "Yes Mr Khan, I am listening" retorted Zoya, "Zoya, I left early before the mad house inmates woke up" said Asad all in one breathe. Zoya laughed and Asad smiled "Mr Khan, if we are inmates of the mad house you are then you definitely the mad house master". Asad listened to Zoya laugh, "I love you Zoya" whispered Asad. Zoya blushed "I love you too Asad, Hamesha" and with that Zoya cut the call.

As Asad drove to the airport, he reflected on the past 6 months. His life did a 360. The day they walked away from their father's grave, they became in every sense Mr and Mrs Asad Ahmed Khan. When they entered Khan Villa - things are awkward to say the least. Zoya immediately took charge he remembered. She showed the girls their room and made them comfortable. Asad took care of his ammi's - it took Shirin awhile to get use to Khan Villa being her home but she came around eventually. He remembered the shock they got when Zoya ordered them pizza for supper. They laughed for the first time that day, when Zoya explained how pizza is the perfect solution to a healthy diet as it has all the proteins and vitamins needed. She was the life of his house but now she became the heart of their home as well. Zoya had encouraged Shirin to join Dilshaad with her charities - she explained how woman need to independent and self sufficient. She gave Shirin a new lease on life. Shirin had found her calling. Asad laughed when he remembered when she told him she suspected Najma and Nikhat to be in love and when he asked her how she knows, she said she knows everything. He remembered how she got caught sneaking around the university campus in her Bond disguise and how the campus security called him to bail her out. Crazy, she is absolutely crazy, but he wouldn't have had her any other way. Instead of being furious at her like the last time he was called to bail her out, this time he joined in her investigation. And it's that investigation that has led to Najma and Nikhat getting engaged today to 2 brothers. Zoya had done all the research, Imraan and Farhaan were orphans but they worked very hard for everything in their lives - the only things Imraan and Farhan asked for was that be part of family. That's all they wanted and his crazy family just got bigger. Zoya was reminiscing over the past 6 months as well. She sat with her ammi's who were busy selecting jewellery for tonight, she looked around at her home, sorry mad house like Mr Khan says. Nuzhat was applying mendhi for Nikhat and Najman whilst Aakeer was now walking - he was the apple of his daadi's eye. Only missing was Ayaan and Humera. Ayaan and Humera, she smiled thinking about them. It took awhile for Humera to get out of guilt. Zoya tried her best. But this time it was Asad who came to the rescue. Zoya remembered the day when she saw Humera crying outside in the garden holding the music box just like how she use to, it broke her heart to see her sister like that. Zoya rushed out to Humera but was surprised to find Asad there already comforting her sister like he did with her once upon a time. She remembered Asad had wiped her tears and comforted her. They went somewhere that night. Both Ayaan and Zoya never questioned them as to where they went, because when Humera came back she was back to being her happy smiling, cheerful self. Nobody asked any questions - they were just grateful she was back. When Asad and Zoya was alone that night, Asad told Zoya that he took Humera to see Razia. Humera needed closure and that is what he gave her. Ayaan and Humera were married the month later. And Asad and Zoya did Humera's rukhsati just as they had promised.

The front door opened and in ran Humera straight into Zoya's arms "baaajjii! I missed you so much" said Humera. Ayaan ran straight to Dilshaad bypassing his ammi "badi ammmiii! I missed you so much" said Ayaan hugging Dilshaad teasing Humera. Asad walked in behind them and picked up Aakeer. Shirin smacked Ayaan on his head and said "Badi ammi's ladla - the toofan is back". Humera took blessing from her now ammi's and hugged her Zingo hotties. Ayaan looked at his mother and said "ammi, you didn't notice I was gone. You had your ladla, Asad Bhaijaan with you all the time." Asad walked up to Shirin and put his arm around her "Jealous Ayaan Miya" teased Asad. Ayaan put his hand around Dilshaad and said "never". Zoya looked around her this was her crazy family. And she loved them.

The engagement was over and it was time for Aakeer's first birthday. Aakeer was the happiest child ever, always smiling. The family adored him. He stood between Zoya and Asad as the festivities went on. Asad Zoya and Aakeer were a picture perfect family. Shirin and Dilshaad were smiling as the picture they made, they looked at Rashid and Siddiqi sahibs picture and smiled thanking them for giving this family that one chance to be together and happy. They both secretly wished for another grandchild but they decided they will not put pressure on their children. Every one posed for a family portrait, the mad house inmates and their master. As they saying good bye to their guests, Zoya began to feel dizzy. She was about to fall when Asad caught her and picked her up. Zoya! He shouted. The family was at his side in a heartbeat. Everyone was frantic. Nuzhat who was doing her internship at Sanjeevani Hospital, she asked Asad to take Zoya into the room. Dr Armaan Malik, who was Nuzhat senior at the hospital, was there as well. The family stood over Zoya as Armaan and Nuzhat checked Zoya over. Zoya became conscious and tried to sit up; Asad was by her side in a flash. He made her lean against him. Asad looked at Armaan and Nuzhat who were now very serious. "What's wrong" roared Asad? The family slowly surrounded Zoya and Asad. "Mr Khan, I am really sorry" tears formed in Asad's eyes already before Armaan said antyhing. Nuzhat looked at her brother and hit Armaan. "Armaan you idiot!" Armaan started laughing loudly. "Bhai-jaan you going to be dad again" shouted Nuzhat. At first there was silence and the room erupted in cheer. Zoya and Asad were too shocked to react. Hugs were being exchanged and Dilshaad and Shirin didn't miss the hug between Nuzhat and Armaan. Dilshaad and Shirin smiled at each - knowing exactly what each other was thinking - after all they were Zoya's mother in laws.

Asad took Zoya in a bone crushing hug. Silent tears of joy made their way down each other's face. "Thank you Zoya" whispered Asad. Zoya smiled and hugged him tighter. "I love you Mr Khan" she whispered. "We love you too" shouted the family behind them joining in their hug, their crazy family. Asad kissed Zoya's forehead and head and Zoya closed her eyes and rested her head on her heart which was beating in his chest.

It was late at night and everyone was relaxing out in the garden. Humera was leaning against Ayaan, Nikhat and Farhan were holding hands sitting next to each other, just like Najma and Imraan. And Nuzhat and Armaan was busy bickering. Asad had his arms around Zoya resting on her tummy. They looked around at their family. Zoya looked to the stars. "They are watching over us "said Asad in her ear. Zoya smiled and turned and hugged her husband. They held onto each other for awhile thinking of everything they went through and where they are now. They belonged together, they will be with each other...hamesha..

Zoya and Asad joined the family. Aakeer was busy being doted by his daadi's. Nikhat, Nuzhat and Najma served everyone birthday cake. Humera looked to Asad and said "Bhai-jaan, my baaji has just given you such a big gift, you have to give her a return gift" teased Humera. "Humera, I thought you were on my side" teased Asad right back. "No backing out bhai-jaan" said Ayaan, "Mona darling, here is your chance, ask for the moon and stars" teased Ayaan. Zoya touched the pendent around her neck "Raabert, your bhai-jaan has already given me that" said Zoya. Amongst the oohh and ahh's Asad put his hand around Zoya and kissed her head. Zoya looked around and then looked at Asad and said "But Mr Khan, I do want something". "Anything for you Mrs Khan" replied Asad. Zoya got up and walked into the house. Everyone was confused. She returned holding his guitar. Everyone clapped. Zoya handed the guitar to Asad and went and sat between Shirin and Dilshaad placing Aakeer on her lap.

Asad looked at his family and then straight in Zoya's eyes and began singing..

Zindagi pyar ka geet hai
Jise har dil ko gaana padhega
Zindagi gham ka sagar bhi hai
Has ke us paar jaana padhega
Zindagi ek muskan hai
Dard ki koi pahchan hai
Zindagi ek mahman hai
Chod sansar jaana padhega"

"Life is a song of love
Has to be sung by everyone
Life is a sea of sadness
Has to smile and cross it
Life is a smile
Life is symbol of pain
Life is a guest
Has to leave this world, someday"

Dilshaad and Shirin wiped their tears and smiled..Zoya held their hands. Asad looked at his family around him and his eyes found Zoya's.

"Zindagi ki yahi reet hai
Haar ke baad hi jeet hai
Thode aanso hai
Thodi hansi
Aaj gham hai tho
Kal hai khushi
Zindagi raat bhi hai
Sawera bhi hai zindagi
Zindagi hai safar aur
Basera bhi hai zindagi
Ek pal dard ka gaaon hai
Doosra sukh bhari chaon hai
Har naye pal naya geet hai
Zindagi ki yahi reet hai"

"It is the way of life
Success comes after failure
Little sadness
Little happiness
Today is sad
Tomorrow might be happy
Life is night
Life is day
Life is journey
It is the way of life"

And they lived happily ever after...

It's the end it was the beginning..

THE SINS OF OUR FATHERS

How do we forsake the sins of our fathers,
and all the mistakes passed down to us sons and daughters?
How do we unmake what's been made by our earthly potter,
how do we unmake what's been home-made - an emotional slaughter?


Though I'm locked in my soul's basement, there is one window of escape,
all of me flocks and races to this truth that is draped,
in circumstances difficult, imposing, and great,
an endless mountain, threatening my fate.

The window of Choice lovingly invites me,
to open its goodness and leave all that blights me,
to leave a dark cellar and a past that fights me,
to create a new future and a life that will delight me.

The sins of the father...shall not be passed down to the child..