FF - Untitled is now The sins of the father (Epilogue Page 112) - Page 47

Chapter 17

Asad watched Zoya disappear out of his sight. His heart constricted. Ya Allah, please keep her safe and happy, he offered a silent prayer. He sat inside his SUV and looked at the house that broke his family apart. That house was nothing but a sign of the all the heartache his family experienced, when he looked at that house he saw his ammi's tears, his childhood all the taunts and insults his mother faced. Asad looked one more time at the house and started the vehicle, but he just couldn't put into gear and release the brake. He looked at his hand, the "Z" was permanently etched across his heart and life line, he just could not move. He kept caressing the Z on his palm gently like how he would caress Zoya. Zoya on the other hand stood at the door step not sure whether to enter or run back. In front of her stood her abbu and behind her she knew Asad was still there. Humera touched Zoya's hand urging her to enter. As she placed her foot inside the house, Siddiqi sahib rushed forward and embraced Zoya. "You home my bachi, you home, welcome" said Siddiqi sahib with tears in his eyes. Shirin was confused as always. Zoya smiled and silent tears made their way down her cheeks. Humera came forward and joined the hug. Razia adjusted her duppata to hide her fury. All the things she did for this never to happen. She would have to up her game thought Razia. Rashid caught the play of emotions on Razia's face. He knew that this time he would protect Zoya. Asad words rang in his ears "That child in the factory I think it was Zoya". This time he would not fail. Rashid came forward and touched Zoya's head. Zoya turned around and hugged him "You know dost, when I came to India, I was looking for my abbu now look at me I have two abbu's under the same roof, how lucky can a girl get" smiled Zoya. Rashid held Zoya and looked at Siddiqi sahib and Razia and said "This abbu will make sure no harm comes to whilst you are VISITING here" said Rashid emphasising on the word visiting. Shirin came forward and looked at Zoya "Aren't you Asad's wife? Why are you addressing bhai-jaan as abbu"? Ayaan rolled his eyes and explained to the entire situation. Shirin looked at Zoya and said "Oho, that means I am you phuphi. " Zoya smiled and remembered how she use to call Dilshaad phuphi but now Dilshaad was her ammi and she will not disappoint her ammi, despite all the bad things Shirin has said about Dilshaad, Dilshaas was always polite, so Zoya decided she will be like her Dilshaad ammi, Zoya smiled and hugged Shirin, Shirin smiled said, "sab kismet ki luck hai, iss main kya shaq hai".

With the girls thought it was time to show Zoya to her new room. Zoya was surprised when she opened the door, they room was filled with 18 wrapped gifts. "Baji, abbu decorated your room himself this morning". Zoya had tears in her eyes now. She looked around the room; it like an entire childhood was squeezed in that the room. Ayaan walked into the room and noticed the mood. "Areh, what's going on here? Zingo Hotties why are you making my Mona darling, sorry bhabhi cry" asked Ayaan mock scolding the girls. Zoya was smiling now, "Zingo Hotties?" what's that?" asked Zoya really curiously. Nikhat and Nuzhat tried to explain, but Ayaan stopped them. "Let Mona freshen up and we will have the ceremony later" winked Ayaan to his Zingo Hotties. Zoya was even more curious now. "No, tell me now" demanded Zoya. "Baji, let's leave some things for us to do later" Said Humera as she started pushing everyone out the door. Zoya watched them leave. Zoya walked to the window and dialled a number and put her cell to her ear, she looked at her palm where "A" was now burned into her hand, it was across her life and heart line, strange how life gives you signs she thought, she was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a whispered "Zoya" on the other end. Zoya put her hand over her heart and forced a smile and said cheerfully "You can go home Mr Khan. What will people say? The great Asad Ahmed Khan stalking a girl" Giggled Zoya. Asad meanwhile leaned back with his head on the back rest and looked towards the heavens as he savoured her voice. "Asad, I am okay. Go home. Aakeer must be waiting for you" Asad could not say anything. Zoya listened to his silence. Asad heart was so sore that it was threatening to spill through his eyes and Zoya was biting her lip not to cry. Eventually Zoya, broke the silence "Asad, please call me when you get home. I want to speak to Aakeer. And listen Mr, don't you think whilst the wife is away you can go out partying and stay out late night and look at other woman, I am watching you Mr" teased Zoya and she laughed, Asad smiled "Damn there all night orgy I had planned" said Asad. Zoya was shocked "What did you just say" she asked. Asad smiled "you think only you can tease Mrs Khan". Zoya blushed now. "I have no idea how I am going to sleep without you next to me Zoya. I always watch you sleep, I wish I could tonight as well" said Asad softly. "Don't worry Mr Khan. Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan can do anything" said Zoya cheekily "Are you coming home Zoya" asked Asad excitedly, "Soon" smiled Zoya, Asad was confused now "Then" he asked. "Wait and see Mr Khan" teased Zoya. Asad felt better now, "Zoya, please take care of yourself. Remember I love you always", "Asad, I love you forever. Speak to later, Allah Hafiz". They said their "speak to you later" and cut the call. Asad took a deep breath in and released the brake and drove off.

Zoya meanwhile walked around the room. She touched each gift. She heard a soft knock on the door and saw her abbu at the door. Siddiqi sahib walked in and sat next to Zoya. "Abbu what is all this" asked Zoya. "Zoya this is for all the birthdays I missed. Every year on your birthday, I bought you a gift. I wished I could have given it to you then but I knew that somewhere in life I would find you again. I hope you like it. I always want you to be happy Zoya" Zoya smiled at her abbu. "Abbu, you didn't have to do all this. But thank you" said Zoya and hugged her father and looked at him "Abbu, I really didn't expect all this of this. When I set out to find you, I only wanted to know who you were. Abbu, I don't know what happened to my ammi, I am not even going to ask you. Because I can see you have a happy family now. But abbu someday I hope you can tell me. That's all I want abbu, I am grateful for all this and abbu I will never ask for anything ever, but abbu someday I hope you can tell me what happened to my ammi." Siddiqi sahib wiped the tears from Zoya's eyes, I wish I could tell you Zoya but I am still a selfish man, if I tell you I will lose you forever and I don't want to lose you I want you to stay here forever with me. Zoya looked at her father and hesitantly said "abbu", this brought Siddiqi sahib out of his thoughts, he looked at Zoya and saw her hesitating "Zoya, do not be afraid beti, you can speak to me", Zoya felt a little more confident and said "Abbu, I know you are not happy about me being married to Asad" , Siddiqi sahib pulled away his hand but Zoya still continued "but abbu, I am happy with him, in fact the happiest. Abbu, Mr Khan and I have not had an easy road, we went through many obstacles to get to where we are. Abbu, he is my life, I owe my life to him and abbu and I will not survive without him. Abbu, please don't make me choose, please abbu" pleaded Zoya. It was that moment that Gaffar Siddiqi knew he had lost to Asad Ahmed Khan. Siddiqi sahib wiped Zoya's tears and brought her head to his chest and gently calmed her down. He knew if he asked Zoya to choose, she would choose her husband. And why shouldn't she, he asked himself. As much as he didn't want to admit it Asad stood by Zoya, where he as her father couldn't. He had already caused his daughter so much pain in her life no anymore. Gaffur Ahmed Siddiqi knew when to admit defeat.

Just then they heard Humera and everyone come to the door. Siddiqi sahib wiped his tears and held Zoya's face and wiped her tears, "No more crying" he said "whatever little time we have together we will make the best of it. I will see you down at iftar beta, Allah Hafiz" he kissed Zoya on her forehead as the Zingo Hotties burst into the room. Ayaan and the girls looked down as Siddiqi sahib walked pass, Zoya burst out laughing at their expression once the door was closed. "So" said Nuzhat, it's time for the ceremony it's time for the initiation ceremony." Zoya looked at all them like they were crazy. Nikhat then explained why the Zingo Hotties was formed. Zoya was now excited. As they began to swear their new member into the club, Asad reached home and walked through the front door.

The house was eerily quiet, it felt like the life, the heart was not in the house. Asad looked around and realised his house was not a home without Zoya. He reached into his pocket and got his cell out. No, he will not call Zoya, he didn't want to disturb her. He instead texted her..At home now. Baby is asleep. Will call later when he is awake. Going to get some work done chat later..And he hit send. Snap out it of Asad, he scolded himself, she will be back. He rubbed his forehead and got up to go into his room and actually do some work. As he settled down answering his emails, his room door opened and Dilshaad walked in with coffee. Asad looked at his ammi and smiled. Dilshaad sat next to him. "Zoya called". He knew his mad wife would call, "She is okay" continued Dilshaad "she is missing everyone a lot. I had to make her promise to stay there till Eid" smiled Dilshaad sadly. Asad looked at his ammi."Asad, I am really proud of you beta. After everything that happened I cannot tell you how much pride you make me feel with the way you are handling everything." Asad smiled at his mother and lowered his head to her lap. Dilshaad began stroking Asad's hair. Asad was taken back to his childhood when his ammi use to make him sleep in this manner. Dilshaad looked at the peace on Asad's peace. Ya Allah, finally. Thank you so much for the peace and love my son finally feels she prayed silently. Asad heard his phone ringing, it was not Zoya so he didn't bother answer. Zoya had set her own personal ring tone on his phone so that's how he knew it wasn't Zoya. Asad didn't know when he drifted off to sleep on his mother's lap. He woke up with his head still in Dilshaad's lap and Aakeer next to him trying to wake him up. Dilshaad and Najma was giggling, Asad smiled and picked up Aakeer and tossed him in the air and caught him again, "Oy, Aakeer Miya, she is my ammi before your daadi, so I get love first" said Asad, tickling Asad. "Okay, okay enough now. It's time for iftar". Najma took Aakeer from Asad and said " Bhai-jaan you do your namaaz and I will entertain this little devil" Said Najma.

Zoya did her namaaz and went down to join everyone for iftar. She missed her home she missed having Aakeer next to her and all the banter. She everyone was so quiet here. Siddiqi sahib saw Zoya approach the table and said "Zoya beta, you sit next to you abbu today". All eyes turned to Razia when they heard the plate fall. That was Razia's place and no one ever dared to sit in her chair. Zoya looked at Razia and then at Siddiqi sahib. "No abbu, it okay, I will sit to my zingo hot..Sorry I mean next to Humera" said Zoya quickly. "Nahi Zoya, I want you next to me for what little time you have in your maayka" said Siddiqi sahib, pulling the char out for Zoya. Razia was fuming, she had to stop all this now. She continued serving everyone but purposely left out Zoya. Rashid and Siddiqi sahib saw this and showered Zoya with more attention.

Asad took his place at the table. He missed Zoya so much his heart was actually beginning to ache. Dilshaad caught Asad looking at Zoya's chair, she touched his hand. Asad snapped out of his mood and gave his attention to Aakeer. "Asad, Arjun called whilst you were asleep " said Dilshaad as she fed Aakeer. Asad remembered the DNA sample he gave Arjun, he remembered that Arjun was here the night that Tanveer was arrested. "He asked that you call him urgently as he was going away for 2 days and will be back on Eid only" continued Dilshaad. Asad quickly got off from the table and went to call Arjun. Arjun's phone kept going to voicemail. Asad was now impatient but he would have to wait until Arjun gets back. Asad berated himself, how could he have let this slip. He returned to the table and continued with dinner.

Dinner was over and Zoya was missing home so much. Ayaan and the girls could sense Zoya's mood. They stayed up chatting to her for awhile. Whilst Asad spoke to his ammi and sister, making plans for Eid. Everyone retired to their rooms for the night. Asad was making Aakeer sleep. He put Aakeer down on the bed and laid down next to him, he tried to call Zoya but there was no answer. He was getting a bit impatient and annoyed now. She had insisted he call her and now she was not answering. Bewakoof ladki he said and Aakeer laughed. "Yes Aakeer I am talking about your ammi, between the both of you I have no idea who is the bigger baby". Asad was about to dial Ayaan, when his laptop pinged. He put a pillow around Aakeer and went to his laptop. He opened the screen and there was a Skype call waiting to be answered, he pressed answer and Zoya appeared on the screen smiling. "Why are you not answering your phone" shouted Asad. Zoya pulled her face. " Excuse me Mr Khan, but I was busy arranging to make your wish come true and you are shouting at me "pouted Zoya. Asad rubbed his forehead "sorry Zoya, I was just.." Asad stopped "missing me" smirked Zoya, "No" said Asad quickly, "Oh really" said Zoya smiling and continued, "Okay, let me see my baby boy I am missing him so much, he is not asleep I hope" said Zoya. Asad placed the laptop on the bed and adjusted the screen and lay down next to Aakeer. "Hey my baby boy" said Zoya, Aakeer looked around for Zoya Asad smiled at his son and turned him to face Zoya, Aakeer started gurgling and smiling and clapping his hands, Zoya smiled and said, "I am missing you so much baby boy. Ammi wishes she was there now holding you" said Zoya as she touched the screen. Aakeer put his hand out to touch Zoya and said "aammi" loudly enough for Asad and Zoya to hear. They both set up and Asad picked Aakeer up and hugged him tightly. Zoya with tears in her eyes said "once more please baby boy" Aakeer wanted to look at his ammi, he was wriggling out of Asad's hands. Asad made Aakeer face the screen again and Aakeer said "ammi" a lot clearer this time and started clapping. Zoya wanted to hold him so badly. Asad knew how Zoya was feeling so he laid Aakeer down to sleep facing Zoya. But Aakeer had other plans, he wanted to touch Zoya. "Zoya, he is not going to sleep, look what you did" said Asad teasing Zoya. "Mr Khan, here I was being a good kaneez trying to fulfil my jahapanah's wish and now you blaming me" pouted Zoya again. Asad looked at Zoya as if saying HELP. "Okay, let me help you, " said Zoya. She placed the music box next to the speaker. As soon Aakeer heard the music he calmed down and let Asad tap him to sleep. Aakeer began to doze off. "What would you do without me Mr Khan" asked Zoya, Asad looked into Zoya's eyes and said, "I pray every day that I never have to find out" said Asad softly. "I love you Asad." Said Zoya as she laid her head on the pillow still looking at the screen. Asad covered Aakeer and put the laptop on his lap. "I love you always Zoya, now go to sleep" said Asad. Zoya's eyes were already closing with sleep. Asad slowly caressed the screen and looked at Aakeer and then at Zoya again, he wiped the tear that was threatening to fall. Asad looked towards his angels again and the heaven's "Thank you Allah..."