AsYa SS: It's Hard To Let You Go [Part 6, Page 56] - Page 22

Originally posted by: shonajain

Beautiful👏 Thanksss 😛
you make me cry with ur sooo awsume writing 😭 Hahaha call me a sadist but I'm happy I was able to do that 😆
wat emotions yaar tooo fantastic 😊

Hello to all you lovely people 🤗

I'm here with PART 4. This update is dedicated to Jassieg whose lovely and encouraging comment on the last part is responsible for this fast update 😳

PART 4

*Continuing from THE NIGHT BEFORE ZOHA'S MEHENDI*

Ahsan carefully adjusted the cushion underneath Zoha's head in his lap so that her neck was in a more comfortable position while she slept soundly. It amused him to no end him how she still had her childhood habit of dozing off on everyone's shoulder.

'She is such a child!' he thought chuckling lightly. But it wasn't her fault. No one ever let her fully grow up especially their Abbu. And Ahsan knew Zoha only acted like a kid in the house otherwise he had seen her deal with people and he had been surprised how mature she could be when needed. He was proud of her for that.

Regarding her upcoming wedding, Ahsan was worried about his parents especially his Abbu. Zoha was the life of their house. Loud and cheeky, always spreading happiness around. She was an even bigger of a chatterbox than her mother. She would talk to Asad for hours unstop while he would listen quietly with the softest smile adorning his face, speaking a word or two every now and then, always attentive and interested in her stories.

Zoha and Zoya didn't share a mother daughter bond; they were more like friends, having the same bubbly nature, always partners in crime whenever they played their cute harmless pranks on Ahsan and Asad. In fact Zoya was the one to whom Zoha had confessed her love for Hassaan the very first time. It was another thing that Ahsan had figured it out on his own way before than Zoha did herself.

Ahsan was a different story from his sister altogether. His teasing and friendly temperament was only reserved for his family. For the world, he was the serious and sober son of Asad Ahmed Khan who like his father, had a persona that naturally demanded respect and induced awe. Having a startling similar nature like his Abbu, he and Asad would sit together in the study for hours both immersed in their work, not talking unless needed but enjoying each other's presence. It amused Zoya and Zoha to no end.

Ahsan loved watching cricket with his family. They were all passionate about the game and always watched it together; jumping with joy when there was a good shot played and cursing when some player of their team got out. They created a miniature stadium at their own house. Ever since Zoha's wedding had been fixed, Ahsan always invited Hassaan to join them. He smiled remembering the grateful looks Zoha would shoot his way and Asad's annoyed ones but with time, Hassaan's friendly and trustworthy nature won Asad over completely and he was soon treated as a part of the family.

An amused smile lit his face as he reminisced one of Hassaan's initial visits to their house when Zoya had been hand-feeding Zoha lunch who was in the mood to eat from her mother's hands and while talking to Asad, she had accidentally offered the bite to Hassaan sitting on her other side, who had promptly opened his mouth, taken it and declared it delicious. Zoya had stared wide eyed while Asad, Ahsan and Zoha had burst out laughing.

Ahsan leaned his head back smiling at the memory as his mind drifted to their usual fun family fights which were a norm of their house. His Ammi would always be on his side while his Abbu would team up with his little Princess. His heart clenched painfully as he realized there would be no such fights with Zoha gone.

'But she'll be living so close by; we can always go visit her whenever we want.' He tried to pacify himself but he knew it won't be the same.

Zoha moved in her sleep then and he looked down at her. He knew it would be really hard for her as well because she was really attached to them all. He recalled the time when he was studying at Harvard, there wasn't a single day in the 2 years he spent there that she didn't call. He would come home once every 2 months and every time he would leave, she would cry. Every single time. His eyes misted at the memory.

But he was glad that she was getting married to Hassaan and he had no doubt in his mind whatsoever that Hassaan would keep her very happy. If he had the faintest shadow of a doubt, he would've never agreed.

Ahsan's mind went back to the time Zoha had come home from a Spring Festival at her university about a year ago and told him about meeting her friend's childhood friend, Hassaan. It was the way she talked about him that made Ahsan feel like Zoha liked him more than she should and being an overly protective brother, he didn't like it at all. That's why the next time Zoha was going out with her friends and told him Hassaan would be there too, he volunteered to drop her off so that he could meet the guy. He immediately knew why Zoha liked him. The main reason behind it was their awfully similar nature. Carefree, childish and full of fun, hell bent on enjoying every minute of their lives.

And this was the part Ahsan liked best about their relationship - they were like best friends with mutual respect for each other.

Ahsan's thoughts went back to the last time he had gone out with Zoha and Hassaan. He couldn't remember the last time he had so much fun and enjoyed someone's company to that extent. They dared each other to do the stupidest things! They had a Fastest Gol Gappay eating competition in which they forced Ahsan to participate as well and in which Zoha won. Then they had 4 cones of Ice Cream in a row simply because both felt like it before Zoha dared them to cross a lawn with her which was for some reasons labeled, 'Out Of Bounds'.

Ahsan had refused point blank but before he could stop them as well, Zoha had grabbed Hassaan's hand, yelled 'Meet us at the car park, Bhaiya' and they were off, jumping over the hedge and running across it. Ahsan had seen a guard running his away to chase them off and he had quickly turned his face in a picture of innocence, acting like he wasn't related to the two lunatics running at full speed across the lawn at all. He went to the parking lot to find Hassaan and Zoha already there laughing their heads off, apparently ecstatic with themselves and their silly antics before Zoha, unaware of Ahsan's presence behind them, gave Hassaan a hug. Ahsan had cleared his throat loudly, his expression stern with an eye brow raised and Zoha had quickly pulled away blushing a tomato-red and moving towards the car making Hassaan and Ahsan burst out laughing which had her not talking to them both for the rest of the way.

Hassaan had grown on Ahsan in a very short span of time. Not many people could do that as most of them got intimidated by Ahsan's quiet and serious nature but Hassaan wasn't the one who got unsettled easily. He held Ahsan in great esteem and Ahsan never treated him in any other way but like a younger brother. In fact, he enjoyed his company so much that there would be many times when Ahsan would ask Hassaan to stay back after office and they would play Play-station for hours while Zoha would complain halfheartedly how Ahsan got to spend more time with Hassaan than her. But Ahsan knew she was actually very happy with the way her family had accepted Hassaan as their son.

Ahsan was positive that Zoha would be very happy with Hassaan seeing how deeply both were in love with each other but just the thought of her going away always managed to bring tears to his eyes. He wiped his hands across his cheeks and was surprised to find them damp. Settling back against the bed rest he closed his eyes, willing himself to sleep as it was Zoha's Mehendi tomorrow and it was going to be a hectic day.

***

It was 11 o'clock and everyone had returned back to their houses after attending Zoha's Mehendi. The function was a huge success. The dances were incredible! Even Asad and Ahsan, who were allergic to dancing, did a couple of choreographed dances as it was Zoha's request, along with Ayaan's son Hamza and Najma's twin boys, Fawad and Hammad.

Hassaan's side had brought the Mehendi and Hassaan had tried to sneak in as well but Ahsan and Hamza had found him and sent him back without letting him meet Zoha.

Asad had seen to it that every wish of Zoha's was fulfilled. Like, she had wanted all the boys on her side to wear black Kurtas with yellow dupattas around their neck, the exact yellow as her outfit so that they would easily be distinguished as being from her side and so every boy had worn that.

Asad and Zoya's eyes had misted with tears when Zoha was brought in by Hafsa, Ayaan's daughter and her friends, while the boys had held the dupatta over her head; Ahsan and Hamza at the front and Hammad and Fawad at the back. It had looked adorable to see the boys bringing their sister in too.

Now the function was finally over and the family was sitting in the TV room, exhausted and tired but not willing to go to bed so early because it was their daughter's last night at her house. Zoha looked at the brooding faces around her who quickly plastered a smile every time they saw her looking at them and knew she had to distract them somehow.

'Today's my last night in this house and instead of doing something fun; we're all sitting here with long faces.' She complained, sitting on the sofa next to Asad who had his arm around her shoulders.

'So what do you want to do Sweetie?' Asad asked, flashing her a smile which didn't reach his eyes.

'I... I want to eat... chocolate brownies!' Zoha announced enthusiastically.

'At this time of night?' Zoya questioned with a laugh. Okay, I'll go and quickly make them and then we can have it with Vanilla Ice cream.' She said, getting up from the sofa but Zoha stopped her.

'Ammi, you can't make it today. And neither can I! We have Mehendi on our hands, remember?' She waved her hands which had beautiful intricate Mehendi done till her elbows.

'I'll get some from the market then.' Ahsan said, getting up and fishing his car keys.

'No Bhaiya! I don't want the market ones! I want the home-made ones which are still warm and fresh. Can you and Abbu make some for me please?' She asked him sweetly.

What? Me and Abbu?! You've got to be joking, kid!' Ahsan shook his head, amusedly.

"Yes, you and Abbu! And Abbu has made them before... Haven't you, Abbu?' Zoha turned to Asad.

"Just once but now I've completely forgotten!" Asad informed her.

"Why in the world did you make brownies, Abbu? I thought it was always Ammi who made them." Asad asked confused.

"Ummm... Because your Ammi wanted them... So I thought why not." Asad answered meekly.

"Actually I was angry at him and he wanted to make me happy by making me brownies. They were a disaster of the biggest magnitude possible." Zoya informed them all laughing.

"Abbu standing in the kitchen making bronwies??" Ahsan repeated before roaring with laughter.

"Go on, laugh all you want! But when you'll have to do such stupid things for your wife, then we'll see who will be the one laughing." Asad smirked at his son.

"Okay, now get up, you two! In the kitchen now!" Zoha caught Asad's arm and he easily stood up. She then proceeded to pull Ahsan's sprawled form from the sofa but to no avail. Ahsan seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself as he instructed her to 'Pull harder'.

"Bhaiya, you're so heavy! Now get up yourself otherwise you know I've grown my nails for the wedding." She smiled at him wickedly and Ahsan quickly jumped to his feet and sauntered to the kitchen followed by a laughing Asad and Zoya.

"Ok so now Ammi and I will instruct you two and all you have to do is to follow the instructions." Zoha told them happily, as she perched herself on one of the kitchen counters.

They had a fine time with the girls calling out the instructions while both the boys, who were helpless cases when it came to cooking, tried to abide by their commands. Finally after an hour of hard work, the family with both the guys coated in flour, was back in the living room, smiles of pure happiness etched on their faces with a plate of freshly baked delicious brownies and a tub of vanilla ice cream in hand.

Ahsan winked at his Abbu before helping himself to some of the desert in a bowl and started eating it and Asad did the same, munching on the brownies happily stating how delicious they was while the two girls sat there unable to eat due to the Mehendi on their arms.

"Abbu, Bhaiya! Hello??" Zoha called out. "I thought you made these for me! Now pop some in my and Ammi's mouths."

"Oh you want some too?" Ahsan asked her in a surprised voice. "They are so good; I believe I'm not in the mood to share them."

"Bhaiya!!" She whined.

"Okay fine, you'll get it only if you say I'm the best brother in the world!" Ahsan announced his condition, grinning from ear to ear as he showed her a spoonful as if to tempt her.

"No, you're not but I can say this. You are definitely the most annoying brother in this world!" Zoha shot back, making a face.

"You aren't going to get it this way, Zoe! Okay then say this: Zoha is the stupidest person anyone can ever set their eyes upon." He said snickering.

"She doesn't need to say that, Ahsan." Asad said laughing as he himself fed Zoha some of his bowl and Zoha stuck her tongue out at her brother happily, giggling at his frowning expression.

Ahsan fed his Ammi from his bowl before stuffing a huge spoonful in Zoha's mouth whose cheeks bulged and then she started jumping up and down and fanning her face as the Ice cream froze her tongue making every one laugh.

"You're the only one left to eat from my hands. I might as well give you some too before you start complaining." Ahsan told his father with a laugh, feeding him a spoonful as well causing everyone to laugh. And then for the next half an hour, the entire family enjoyed to their heart's content, with Zoya and Asad sharing a bowl and the siblings shared the other, enjoying their last night as a family together.

No body noticed the video camera running, perched on top of the TV recording every action of theirs. Ahsan had thought of the idea himself. He would be darned if he didn't treasure these precious family moments.

***

Taadaa!! 😃 I hope you liked it though it's not one of my favoritesupdates 😆 The next two are definitely better I promise 😉 Leave your love behind and I might update the next part tomorrow 😃

Love,

Fari ❤️