Winding down with Zoya - pt23 updt pg 60 - Page 25

Part 20: The night wear's on..

Come around Asad surely did. It was amazing what a 72 Cm long 3.8kg baby could do to transform the place! When he came around his Queen and his Princess were sleeping cocooned next to each other. They deserved it he thought. Asad cleaned up went back to his wife and baby gave them feather light kisses came out for more hugs and happiness.

The rest of the Villa settled down for the night. Too many things had happened that night for Asad. The journey to fatherhood was a very eventful one for Asad. He sat under the sky cradling a cup of coffee peering into the stars. His journey to Zoya had seen him turn every belief he had completely on it's head. He fell for a girl who was completely the opposite of everything he liked in a partner someone - rooted in tradition, calm and clean, a mature and balanced person. Someone pretty much like him he had thought. Zoya was everything other than that -bold, loud, chirppy and very childish. He now thought of her as a warm hearted woman, who lived life to the fullest and as his unselfish love who was still a child at heart. He wondered what changes fatherhood would bring to him. His back was bothering him, he set his empty cup aside and stretched out on the lawn looking at the sky above him.

He hadn't even noticed the other 6 packs stretched out the lounge chair that Zoya was on not so long ago...reviewing his life Arif. Asad and Zoya's baby touched his day too. It was all a day's work for him...but he had never seen a man faint looking at his wife! Certainly not some one like Sher Khan he chuckled warmly. Would I ever have a loving relationship that Zoya and Asad shared he wondered. A face swam into his minds eye...Bunny. She was so cute and cuddly. He could imagine her in the crook of his arm looking up at the sky next to him, while he recounted his day and talked to her about hers. She would feel warm and he would keep her happy. He smiled to himself when he realised how Najma had wormed her way into his heart and mind although nothing was ever said or mentioned between them. That would be wonderful to come home to he thought!!.HOME???!

The father and the Doctor's conversations with themselves were rudely interrupted when they heard Harish screaming orders into his blue tooth standing under the burnt canopy. He thought no one would look for him there. The 2 men rooted in their space were wondering if they should stay out on pitch in. Harish's face was a picture of focus and power. For some reason they figured out that the news he heard was grim but somehow it did not surprise him. He put them both out of their misery by waving. Asad and Arif were shocked to see each other there than anything else.

It was a momentous day for Asad but the rest of the world moved to it's own pace as if nothing had happened. Harish asked Arif if Zoya or the baby needed a hospital..." no just medical supplies" replied Arif. Arif was to do his favourite job in the wide world - "be around and look after the ladies." Bhaijaan and I have to get to the city to tie up a few things we will be here before 9 in the morning. Please tell Bhabhi that you have sent him to get supplies send us a list and we will fetch them.

Asad was stoic. He was torn at having to leave his baby and the mom. But he told himself " their safety was more important than our togetherness". Ammi and Najma would look after Zoya and the baby he knew. Then there was Arif should there be a need for a doctor. Asad went back in to kiss the light of his life. He also kissed a sleeping Zoya sent up a prayer that they be safe and left without looking back.

On the howling roads on the way back to the city Asad was briefed. The leak was located. The trouble with his accounts were linked to the leak and they were all linked to the school project. " Mrs Kumar" Asad exclaimed. Bhaijaan she anticipated this and she and the site have been on watch for a long time now so not to worry. "That's why she came back so relieved earlier tonight...she was only worried about you. She was here for a personal reason.She wanted to speak to Ma and that news has taken over her soul she brushed this aside and refused to leave the villa! She also knew now that you were in this, you would look after this. Bhabhi's cameras and tapes...wow..she had thought through everything she can be a female Bond!" finished Arif.

I know and with a killer body ..thought Asad and My Daughter will she be the same? He was already itching to go back. He glanced at his watch it was only 3 a long way away from 9.00. Dr.Chaaya was sleeping stretched out on the rear seat unaware of the hushed whispers. She had to take care of the hospital with Arif away. He never takes off so he needed the break she surmised.

The baby made it's presence known. She was wailing and got entire villa to her bed. Zoya was put through the paces of feeding her child by the 2 experienced mom's. Baby was burped and she went back to sleep right away her tiny fingers scratching Zoya's face. Zoya had tears of contentment in her face. Unnoticed by her for the first time in over a year she slept without Asad next to her and she did not even miss him!!

Harish had sorted everything they were all done by 5. Harish decided to take his team and get the baby store to open now so that they could head back early and his team anyway needed a dry run for bomb alert at the mall. That turned out handy. Harish got a driver to drop them off at the Villa while Asad and Harish decided to catch a few much needed winks on the way back. The driver was glad to get them back to the Villa. That saved him work too!

Asad walked into the villa looking for his wife and baby. He was surprised to see the always proper Mrs Kumar sprawled on the sofa and Dilshaad on the couch with Dr. Arif holding a blanket and sleeping at the dining table. Najma and Ipshita were probably in their beds.

The sight that greeted Asad would stay etched in his memory for the rest of his life. Asad saw Zoya leaning on the headboard with baby in the crook of her arm. She was watching her baby latch to her breast and drink from that. Asad was moved... "All that it took to be a mom." he thought. He was a dad alright but was a man too.The sight of his angelic wife, her bare breast - baby or no baby - made him hot under his collar. "Zoya" he nuzzled into her neck. "My favourite space is taken" he said. Zoya turned to face him kissed his jaw and said " it's so much more beautiful than my fondest dream Asad" she said. She burped the baby, put the baby between them, looked at Asad. Asad got up and moved next to Zoya. Told her how strong she was and how happy he was. They slept with their hands and bodies linked under the tiny parcel. There were 3 happy souls.

They woke with a start hearing Dilshaad and Mrs. Kumar scream. Zoya clutched the baby close to her while Asad closed the door behind him to see what caused the frightening screams.