25th December : SS :) [COMPLETED] - Page 6

Asad's eyes betrayed him and he ended up doing the last thing he thought he would do.

Wasn't she smiling a few hours back? Look at her now.

Asad scratched his brow as he sighed deeply. He looked at his Ammi and said,

"Ammi, you need rest. I promise I will take care of Zoya."

Dilshaad Glared at him.

"You. . . Are saying this . . . Asad?"

" Ammi. . . I think you SHOULD!" determinacy prevailed.

Dilshaad understood that it was time for allowing the Lion roam free, cause if she restricted any further either the lion would consume them all or hurt himself to such an extent that it would be impossible for her to revive him back.

I know I am sometimes the worse person to trust on but this time, this time Ammi, I wont let you down.

"You sure?" Dishad inquired, no matter how caring Asad might turn out to be, Zoya at this moment of time needed the care of a mother.

"I will call you the moment there's any problem, moreover I don't think she will wake up before the morning. You need rest Ammi."

Dilshaad sighed heavily. She looked at Zoya then at the IV and returned Asad a Questioning look.
"And This??"

Asad returned a pained reaction.

"I will manage."

"I have seen how very well you have managed"

"Ammi, you should... rest!" Asad ranted back.

Dilshaad, unsatisfied with Asad's assurance, gave Zoya a peck at her forehead and whispered her some loving phrases before she left. As she closed the door behind she eyed Asad "You better take care or else see a day yours or mine" and left.

Asad sighed heavily as his mother left. The moment he shut his eyes the whole day started to replay in front of him again. To keep his consciousness awake he started strolling to and fro around Zoya's bed. His eyes still hadn't got the courage to meet Zoya's sumptuous state. But who had ever been the master of his emotions? Neither could Asad. The day at Dargah came alive. Remember Asad what she said? "Apko baat karne ki tameez nahi toh gaddi kyun chalate ho aap?" Ahaha how childlike Zoya is. Her pepper's spray! God her voice is enough! Asad lovingly smiled at Zoya.

Zehaal-e-miskeen makun taghaful,
Duraye naina banaye batiyan.

[Do not overlook my misery,
by blandishing your eyes and weaving tales]

Zoya moved in her sleep as tresses formed on her forehead. Asad rushed to her side.

Heeyy Miss New Yorrk whats wrong?

Asad carefully took her IV connected arm in his and with gentle feather light touch he made circles on the hand, trying his best to relax the constricted muscles one by one.

Kuchh is tarah teri palkein meri palkon se mila de
Aansu tere saare meri palakon pe saja de

Asad's frown gradually erased as he saw Zoya's did. Intending to relax her more he decided to replace the pillow under head with a fluffier one.

Mujhko ko to tere chehare pe ye ghum nahi jhachta
Jaayiz nahi lagta mujhe ghum se tera rishta

He carefully carried her frail head up in his strong one and replaced the pillow with the injured one.Zoya meanwhile seemed to make be comfortable inside the grip of his hands. As he carefully lowered her on the new pillow Zoya in her sumptuous state made herself more comfortable inside Asad's hand rather on the pillow. Asad wanted to free it, but was afraid to hurt Zoya like in the morning.

Jo bhi ghum hain ye tere unhe tu mera pata de

Asad wanted to move his hands away, but he couldn't. The more he pulled his hands out the more tangled it became with Zoya's head. Unwilling with great hesitance Asad tilted Zoya's head to the other side so as to free his hand. As he freed his hand, he unknowingly combed Zoya's hair from her face so as to prevent them from disturbing her any further, in her most needed sleep. Satisfied with his little stunt of care, Asad pulled the clothe-clad stool beside her bed and sat down looking at her.

Cho shama sozan cho zaraa hairan,
Hamesha giryan be ishq an meh.

Na nind naina na ang chaina,

Na aap aaven na bhejen patiyan,

[Tossed and bewildered, like a flickering candle,
I roam about in the fire of love.

Sleepless eyes, restless body,
neither comes she, nor any message.]

When Najma was a small girl, Asad would tell her the story of a Pharishta who would always remain beside her, to make her smile. He generally hinted strongly on himself being that pharishta, but now he realized that there was someone else too at his rescues. When was Ammi and Najma this happy last time? He couldn't remember. Dilshad had started laughing, Najma looked brighter than before, smile always played on her lips played on her face all the time, only after Zoya's entry in their life. Zoya's entry. Zoya.
You are a monster Asad You really Are.

Khair its never too late, She's fine, She will be finer and All will be Fine. All will be. . .

Asad smiled softly as he looked at Zoya again. He carefully placed her IV connected arm on her blanket and brushed her hair gently. Zoya seemed to sense his touch in her sleep. Afraid that she would wake up, he started giving her thappi like his Ammi did when he and Najma would cuddle next to her in the wintery nights. Sweet Sleep for my sugary children, she would say and what Asad loved the most was Little Fatty Najma would sleep with the entire blanket leaving none for him.
Sweet Sleep Zoya Sweet Sleep. You are the one who needs it.

Kuchh is tarah teri palkein meri palkon se mila de
Aansu tere saare meri palakon pe saja de

But as usual Zoya seemed to fail all the actions. She indeed was waking up. Its just 4am How can she wake up now? Now? NOW?

Asad didnt know what to do. Waking up Ammi seemed a bad option. Najma?? Bad super bad! Doctor! Call him you Idiot.
Asad dialed up the doc's number clumsily in hurry. Too bad Asad too Bad. I cant fight with my inner demons now!And you Doc you needa pick the phone up!! Zoya needs you Now!

"eelo-"

"Doc-Doc Zoya's waking up-what-I-mean-she's fine right?-Wha-should i do? She isn't sleeping back-I mean she should sleep-I-I-mean what's wrong with her? She's fine right? I told before she should be taken to the hospital but-you--"

"Mr Khan Mr Khan, Relax, I cant get a word you are saying!"

"Doc Zoya is waking up! What should I do?"

"Relax Mr Khan she is fine. There is nothing to worry. Just make her feel comfortable & warm. Please don't stress her. Keep her happy, if you can! She will be just fine."

"Shouldn't she rest?"

"I guess the sleeping pill wore out its effect, that's why she woke up. Don't worry, if you can just help her to fall back to sleep normally. All will be fine I hope."

"Are you sure? Still?"

"Yes Mr Khan-"

"Thanks"

Asad cut the call. His sight, didn't even trail, away for a second from Zoya all the meanwhile. Zoya seemed to try her best opening her heavy eyelids will all the strength she had. Asad's forehead now had more tresses than Ayaan's curly hair. He was totally confused as what to do as he was thought he might do no good but end up hurting Zoya more.
Open your eyes Zoya!

With great efforts Zoya did. Her eyes dreamily focus-less fluttered for a number of times. Even in that state her eyes didn't miss to search for him. And he knew that. Ya Allah she is in soo much of pain. I cant bear it. A tear glided down Asad's eyes and fell on Zoya's hand as she fixed her fluttering eyes on his face.

"Zoya" Asad breathed.

Zoya parted her lips to make a reply, but the weakness had taken all her sound away.

"Its Kay" Asad managed to say, emotions were too bad for him. Zoya responded with her fluttering eyes. She turned her head slowly away. Asad confusingly gazed at the IV tubing with questioning eyes at its connections. Is she fine? She doesn't seem too. Zoya.

Ja-haan-pa...-na, came a frail voice.

"Zoyaaa. . . its kaay! Will I call Ammi?" Asad said as he took her hands carefully in his and combed her hair. Fluttering eyes responded a No.

"You want some water?" This time, a Yes.

Asad was clueless to anything as he still pondered on the thoughts if his actions hurt Zoya again, but then he had no options left. He sat on the bed beside her, careful of the IV and with a gentle but a firm grip on Zoya's forearm he pulled her up straight. Zoya fell limp on his large shoulders. Asad shut his eyes in disgust of himself! Mindful of the IV, Asad held Zoya firmly with his right hand and cushioned the bed rest with the other. When done he slowly lowered her down to the fluffier pillows. Her eyes still barely slits.

"Zoya?" Asad inquired. Zoya closed her eyes and gathered all the remaining strength of hers to give him a proper reply.

"Zhh-i-"
"Yes Zoya. . .Relax. I am here" Asad insured.

This time in reply, Asad noticed Zoya's lips to curl at its end. Slowly it became a bit more curled. And finally it formed a tiny little smile. Insignificant compared to normal Zoya smile but still a smile. A smile though insignificant but was significant enough to make Asad feel finally Home.

And Dilshad considered herself to be lucky enough to witness Jahanpana with his Gustaak Kaneez, both smiling at each other as they held their hands in each others supervision.

THE END

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Songs taken : Kuch iss tarah and Zeehal-e-Miskeen of Amir Khusro, [which happens to be the dargah song]

Hope you liked it.

Critical comments pleaseee 😳😆

❤️Ankie