Drabble/OS Prompts - #22 up FEB 26 (Index for all prompts on page 1) - Page 38

Here is the next update!

OS Request by nilusoni

Prompt: "Leap of three years AsYa come back to India with their child (daughter) and met with Dilshad and other members of family. Their reactions and their talk on it with some happy future."

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The door of the house creaked open as its occupants set their feet inside the once happy house after three long years.

Asad Ahmed Khan stood in the entryway of the house he had built for his family; it was a place he had envisioned as his little family's haven. He built a life in this house with his mother and sister and then Zoya and even Ayaan - the window in his room could never be just another window. It was doorway between the two houses. He had hoped to see his family grow in this house, to see his mother laugh as her grandkids ran around.

And today, he stood there, looking at his home just as he had left it three years ago. Realistically he knew that Najma had some people come over to clean and air the house prior to his arrival, but he felt as if he had come back in time and reached the moment when he had left India along with Zoya. Everything looked just the same, but of course nothing was same.

"Uff! Asad! Will you help me? Where did your chivalry go when I need it?"

His wife's voice brought him out of his trance and he turned around to see Zoya struggling to roll their luggage inside while also soothing their eight-month old baby daughter who was wailing in her sling strapped to her mother.

Asad rushed forth and grabbed their bags, effectively getting everything inside. Zoya, in the meantime, managed to unsnap the baby from her confines and rocked her.

Zoya looked at Asad and as he finished lining up their stuff inside, she handed him the baby, "Here, take Zuri, she is hungry. Can you changer her diaper while I warm her food?" she said as she took the baby containers and the electrical warmer out of the bag.

There they were - a family of three.

Life in New York had been a challenge for Asad initially. His ideals and values had made him question the ways of life in a new country, but he had lived, and learned and thrived. Zoya's Aapi and Jeeju had been their backbone and supported them with everything - with a place to live, jobs - everything. Months after their arrival, Asad and Zoya got married and started their lives. Almost two years after their marriage, they welcomed Aarzoo Zainub Khan in their lives or Zuri as they had taken to call her. She was the light of her parents' life.

They had their little family there, but they missed their family in India. Najma would often call and tell them what was going on. Dilshad's permanent stay in that house solidified Asad's resolved to never return.

It took Asad over a year to talk to his mother again and when he did, it was like a dam broke and the flood of emotions that he had held inside, came all rushing out. From then, while her calls were recurring and they sent her Zuri's pictures, Asad was not ready to leave...Until today.

His baby sister was a mother now.

Najma had called him a week ago and sobbed on the phone while telling him he was a Mamu to a little boy. She had begged him to come to her. And his Tamatar's pleas were something he could never say no to...

And here they were.

After feeding their little angel and settling themselves, Asad went to the backyard and gently traced the bench. His eyes glazed over as he recalled the poignancy of this little piece of wood.

As he sat there, he felt her presence even before she wrapped her arms around him.

"Mmm" Zoya whispered as she walked around the bench and plopped herself in his lap. "She is finally asleep. Such drama-queen! So tired but can never go to sleep without any antics!" she shook her head as she kept the baby-monitor on the bench besides them.

Asad snorted at his wife's complaints. Did she forget that she was Zuri's Ammi? But he did not say anything. It was too peaceful to ruin it with mindless banter. After a couple of minutes of silence, Zoya whispered.

"We should head over to Najma's."

Asad did not say anything, only nodded at her and held her tighter.

***

After freshening up and dressing their darling daughter in an adorable polka dots dress, the three of them headed over to meet the little tyke, and the rest of the family. But Asad tried very hard not to dwell on that.

As they reached the house, Zoya got out and grabbed Zuri out of her car seat; giving Asad a little time to calm himself. He got off the car after some moments and took the baby from her. Zuri, who was now awake, as if sensing her father's tense nerves, snuggled close to him and tucked herself into the crook of his neck.

Zoya slung the baby bag, the gifts for Najma and their nephew and took Asad's hand as they walked to the door and rang the bell.

They only had to wait for a few seconds before Nikhat opened the door. A blinding smile graced her face as she saw the people standing outside. She let out a little "aw" at the little Khan in her father's arms.

"Asalaamu Alaikum, Bhaijaan, Bhabhi!" she cried out as she hugged Zoya and then her brother, mindful of the little Miss in his arms. They echoed their greeting and she ushered them in. "You are finally here! Baaji will be so happy!"

As they entered the living room, the conversation in the room halted. Rashid, Dilshad and Badi Bi were seated with Haseena Bi and Farhaan. Dilshad's eyes watered as she took in the sight of her son and daughter-in-law. She stood up and her feet took her to him on their own violation.

"Asad" she whispered as she reached him. Asad's eyes also filled with tears seeing his Ammi. The pair looked at each other with so much emotion. Dilshad's eyes landed on a very curious little baby girl. Dilshad choked a sob and smiled through the tears.

"Oh my! L-look at her!" she beamed at her granddaughter, "She looks just like you, Asad when you were this little! Such a pretty baby! Her photos do not do justice to her!" Dilshad cooed at the baby.

Asad smiled at his mother and itched to feel her loving touch. As if sensing it, Zoya reached to take Zuri out of his arms. Asad shot her a grateful look and then looked towards his mother.

"Ammi" was all his whispered before the mother-son duo embraced each other. That one embrace had love, anger, apology, forgiveness and content. Zoya looked at them and silent tears streamed down her face. Bringing her daughter closer to her, Zoya smiled.

Dilshad took Asad's face in her palms and gazed at him, "Asad! Mere bacche, I missed you so much. I am so sorry for everything! Dekho! My actions drove you and Zoya away and I missed my son's wedding and the birth and the most precious months of my first grandchild. I guess that was my punishment!"

Asad shook his head, "No, Ammi. Please, I do not want to dwell on the past. Please!"

Dilshad nodded at him and then turned to Zoya. Hugging her sideways, she kissed her temple, whispering a "thank you" to her. She knew that if her son had returned after all these years, it was only because of his wife.

"May I?" she questioned Zoya and pointed at the gurgling babe.

"Of course!" Zoya handed Zuri over to her mother-in-law.

Dilshad took her granddaughter in her arms and the smile that graced her face could have illuminated the entire house.

"Look at you! You are such a pretty baby! Who is Dadi's darling? Yes you are!" she cooed in a baby voice and bounced her. Zuri squealed at the movements and clapped her pudgy hands.

"Arrey! Hum se bhi to mil lo!" rang Haseena Bi's rowdy voice as she laughed. Asad and Zoya said their greetings and congratulations on the newest arrival in the family, to everyone in the room. Asad looked at his father and just nodded at him. He could not go beyond that. It was impossible for him.

Just then, Imran came to the living room.

"Asad Bhaijaan, Bhabhi!" he said, smilling, "It's good to see you again. Najma has been waiting for her Bhaijaan so eagerly."

"Mubarak ho, Imran." Asad said as he shook his hand.

"Shukriya! Come I'll take you see Najma. She was ready to come running outside when the door bell rang." He laughed.

He led them towards his room, where Najma was resting. Opening the door, he entered first, followed by Asad and Zoya.

Najma was sitting on the bed, propped by a mountain of pillows and held a precious little bundle of blue blankets in her arms. She looked up as the door opened and her hungry eyes searched for him. They filled with tears and her lip quivered as Asad came into her view.

"Bhaijaan!"

Asad walked to the bed and very carefully, sat down next to her. Their teary eyes met. Asad's hand went to smooth her hair and lips pressed a very emotional kiss to the crown of her head. As he kissed his blessings, he said, "Who gave you the permission to grow up so fast, Tamatar?"

Najma made a sound that sounded like a sob and a laugh and dived into her brother's arms, "Bhaijaan! I mis-missed you s-so m-muc-much!" she hiccupped.

"Me too, Tamatar." He wrapped his arms around her. "Now, shhh! And let me see my nephew!" he smiled.

Najma beamed at him and then looked at her bhabhi, "Zoya! Come here! I missed you too! So much! And I want you to see him as well."

As her Bhai and Bhabhi huddled close to her, she lifted the baby a little and moved the blankets so that his scrunched up face was visible.

"Bhaijaan, Zoya, I want you to meet you nephew, Hamza Imran Qureshi."

Asad took the boy from her arms and looked at him intently. He saw how baby Hamza had his hands fisted by his sides, and Asad chuckled. "He seems to have taken after his mother, Tamatar. I remember how resolute you used to look when you a baby. Such a fierce baby!"

Everyone laughed at his comment. Zoya sat next to Najma and the two of them hugged for a long while. They had missed their friendship, sisterhood and the bond their shared.

Zoya pecked Najma's forehead, "I missed you, baby!"

The meeting was broken with a knock on the door. Dilshad peeked in, holding a blabbing Zuri and said, "Would the Phuppi like to meet her niece as well?"

Najma nodded her head enthusiastically. Dilshad took Zuri to Najma and sat her down on the bed.

"Zuri! Meet your Najma Phuppi!"

Najma tried to grab her attention but Zuri's attention had shifted. She was looking at her father, intently. Seeing him hold someone other than her seemed to upset her and she started to cry.

"Arrey! What happened to my princess?" Dilshad tried to soothe her. Zuri extended her hands to her father and leaned forward on the bed.

Knowing what was going on, Zoya shook her head and went over to Asad. Taking Hamza out of his hands, she pointed at their dramatic daughter. Asad chuckled at her and then reached down to take his baby girl in his arms. She quieted the moment he took hold of her and then snuggled into her favorite spot: the crook of his neck.

Dilshad looked that scene unfold and laughed.

"Jealous baby?"

Zoya nodded at her, "She cannot to tolerate Asad's time and love being devoted to someone else. Even I am not allowed to interrupt the "Abbu-time"."

"Well, Mrs. Khan", Asad teased her, "She is her mother's daughter, no?"

-end-

A/N:

How was it? I could have gone on and on and on, but then it would negate the idea of a prompted story! 😆😆

Leave some reviews if you liked the story!

Cheers,

Simi