Winding down with Zoya - pt23 updt pg 60 - Page 15

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Part 15: Najma

Dilshaad walked with a spring in her step this morning.

Zoya was smacking her long forgotten Shayari at Asad punctuating them with a wink or a kiss or a slap for Asad. He was amused as always used the time to look at her rather than listen to her when she got going. This morning he was a witness to more of the " Rabert and Mona" act and he was wondering what was cooking.

Ammi was cooking with Zoya helping out, Zoya was giggling and Ammi's face was wreathed in smiles. There were more smiles at breakfast and Zoya could barely stop herself glancing at her watch. Asad was twitching his brows wondering what the naughty glint in her eye was all about when he stood up picking his jacket before heading off to work. He heard a car at his portico and more giggling at the dining table.

"Surprise!!!" screamed Najma when she launched herself at her Bhaijaan. The impact made him stagger backwards before he hugged her tight and lifted her off the ground. Zoya got around to see the happiness on Asad's face. Like on most occasions like this Asad had misty, shiny eyes. She rubbed his back indulgently while he blew Zoya a kiss over Najma's shoulder. Najma then ran over to Dilshaad while Asad grabbed Zoya by her waist. "ZO" Najma yelled and hugged before she started bouncing and Asad restrained her with a touch on her shoulder. THis was all the scheming that was on! Najma put aside some money from when she heard about Zoya's pregnancy and could barely wait to be home on her first trip back after she left for UCLA,

The luggage was shifted in by Ayaan - who obviously knew about the scheme. Asad hugged his brother and bade goodbye to the Khan clan and left for work with a big smile. His baby sister was back and how! She went behind his back to plan a trip and came back looking absolutely stunning and slender!!. Well that's because anyone next to Zoya looked slender he concluded. That was mean Mr. Khan he advised himself!

He was summoned early from work that day..not that he could stay at work. He walked into a pretty setting..the entire Khan mansion was ringing with laughter and music, Zoya was walking the ramp - modelling all the maternity wear that Najma had brought back for her to use, Asad slunk into the show watching his wife parade up and back while Ammi passed him a snack without peeling her eyes off Zoya. They had some party going! Najma had brought her some swim wear which Zoya wore under a robe and asked her Phoopi and Najma to put their head down while she flashed at a shocked Asad; who spluttered his juice. He ran to her and kissed her cheek on his way up to change in his room!

The family sat around listening to Najma regaling tales of her life at the Uni. Asad watched with silent pride, while both Zoya and Dilshaad were actively grilling her, Najma looked at Asad and told him that she has not slept a wink since arrival was jet lagged and was heading for some rest. She came over to Asad, gave him a warm hug and told him how happy she was that he was going to be Abbu soon! She held his gaze and gave his hands a squeeze and told him earnestly that he " would be a terrific dad". Asad was surprised that his little sister had fished his deep seated insecurity about being a father and sought to reassure him "haha I know! " he smiled and she's all grown up he thought in his head!

Asad headed off to the gym while Zoya and Dilshaad were enjoying some quiet time. They talked some more at dinner, Dilshaad insisted that Zoya retire early as she was up the whole day and romping around most of the time. Asad decided to tuck her in, make sure she had her medicines and let mother and daughter chat for awhile.

Zoya went to bed with a big smile " Oh Asad! it's great to see tamamtar back na...now the family is complete" she said. "OUCHH" she winced as felt a kick. She grabbed Asad's hand and put it on her stomach...he felt a scratch under his palm and was amazed. Asad bent down and kissed Zoya's stomach. The first kick was magical Zoya was happy that Asad was there when she felt it! Zoya went to bed thanking Allah ,,,there was nothing in the world that she missed right now. She had it all.

Asad walked down hoping to catch Najma. He smiled at her as he joined her on the bench at the garden. " Bhaijaan" she said as she leaned on his shoulder " I am so happy for you..and Zo i'm so happy you got through so far with her. I'm sure the toughest part is over ". she said. Earlier in the day she had looked the reports and said she was relieved that the stab did not bother Zoya. " You know bhaijaan she has only one ovary that is healthy". " God has been kind" she said. Asad stared at his little sister...she had indeed grown up!! She had gleaned so much from the reports he noticed.

Najma also asked him specific questions on how Zoya had coped with morning sickness, asked him if she had " self image " issues, did she have trouble coping with her changing body? She gave him a satisfied smile at the end of the interrogation and gave him a tight hug. " you have always been a caring man Bhaijaan, you are a fantatstic husband too" she concluded and laughed at Asad's embarrassment. He was uncomfortable with Najma talking to him about being a "good husband. " What exactly has Zoya been telling her" he wondered and wanted to check with Zoya before it got too late. Girly conversations always made him uncomfortable!! Time to give Zoya some ground rules on that he concluded.

With Najma back, Asad found more time for himself,his trips to the clinic was now outsourced. He always called Zoya to check on her and she brought back a CD the following day; of the ultrasound he missed! Najma let out a muted squeal when she saw the baby for the first time on screen! She squealed some more into Asad's ears when he got home as he sat down looking at his Zoya.

The proud husband came back to his room, caught his wife looking at her growing waistline with mixed emotions. " my tamattar has come back all slim and slender" he said as hugged, smiled at Zoya. That was the wrong button he learnt later, when Zoya ran away from the mirror with tears scalding her cheeks. Asad followed her tilted her chin up looked at deeply into her eyes, flicked her tears off and asked " is this because you are not happy about your waistline or is it because you think I don't like your waistline"'. She pushed him away with " I don;t know Asad". " Hummm well you should know this by now. There is nothing that is more precious in my life than you and our life together. Zoya you have taught me how to appreciate what we have, you should do the same! I have you and you have me and my 6 packs!" he winked! Zoya smiled through her tears...kissed his cheeks..." can you carry me over to the bed Asad" she said. Asad smiled as he remembered that the only other time when she asked him to pick her up was when they were leaving the clinic after the pregnancy was confirmed. He sent up a prayer asking Allah to protect his treasure. They got into a cuddle and he slept with a creased forehead after many days. "What the hell was bothering her" he would get to the bottom of it all tomorrow.

Here it is!

She's doing Psychology! Tnx for reading this part!