OS: A Mothers Promise

Dilshad walked in full of rage 'how dare she, how dare she accuse me and that too in front of everyone' 'Ammi please calm down' 'calm down...how can you ask me to calm own Asad after what she said to me...does it not matter to you that she questioned my motherhood, all these years I put everything I had in to making sure that you and Najma had the best upbringing the best of everything...and...' Dilshad totally broke down Asad ran to his mothers side and wrapped his arms around her. Zoya and Najma stood there frozen, it was so hard for them to see her in such a state.

Shireen, Asad and Najma's step mother taunted Dilshad, accused her of being cold hearted and malicious, accused her of being a bad mother who couldn't achieve anything for her children so she cast an evil eye on her sons happiness. In the heat of the moment Dilshad challenged Shireen, in front of everyone she told her that her son, her Asad will be married and that too within the next five days.

As every word ran through her mind again Dilshad looked up me grabbed Asad by the shoulders 'Asad...five days, you have to get married' Asad looked at his mum he had never seen her so hysterical 'Ammi please...how is that even possible...Ammi they mean nothing to us then why are you doing this'. Asad moved away turning his back to his mum, Zoya and Najma continued to look between the two lost for words.

'They may not mean anything Asad but doesn't your mothers promise mean anything to you, do you want me to start believing that I failed as a mother...your mother Asad...Asad look at me' Dilshad screamed Asad clenched his jaw and fisted his hand...this could not be happening, the anger he felt towards his fathers second family right this minute was nothing short of destructive. Asad opened his eyes and looked at his sister asking her to help him. Najma stepped forward 'Ammi...bhaijaan...how is it possible, I mean even if bhaijaan does agree who will he marry how can you find someone within five days?'

Dilshad looked at Najma, of course she was right how was she going to find someone in five days, and even if she did how will it all happen in such a short time span. Dilshad fell to her knees defeated she looked up and asked her creator why. 'Ya Allah why me...what did I do so wrong to deserve this?' Zoya felt her heart sink, seeing her phoopi like this was nothing less than being tortured, Zoya grabbed the sides of her dress and took a step forward she sucked in a deep breath before she spoke 'phoopi I will marry him...I will marry Mr Khan' Zoya couldn't believe what she was doing but she had to do something. The state of her heart and mind was clearly reflected on Asad's face, he was in utter shock. Where his face fell a thousand bolts Najma and Dilshad's face lit up with a smile, Dilshad stood up and ran to Zoya she grabbed her hands 'Zoya do you mean it, you would really do that?' Zoya looked at Dilshad with tears streaming down her face, her eyes then travelled to Asad who was still standing in the same position trying to comprehend what the hell was happening.

'Zoya...please tell me do you really mean it will you marry Asad' she asked again cupping her face 'yes phoopi, if it makes you all happy and if Mr Khan...I mean...yes phoopi I will' Zoya couldn't finish entirely complete her sentence. Her and Asad's relationship had been nothing short of volatile, they never saw eye to eye in anything, if anything he thought her of as an annoying, rude guest who had clearly overstayed her welcome.

But did he really think that? Over the last four months Asad and Zoya grew an un formidable attraction to one another, they would never admit it but the feelings they had started to harbour was more than anything they would realise. If anyone could see past their endless, meaningless childish bicker they would soon realise that the emotions that they carried or felt for one another was truly love.

Dilshad turned towards Asad 'Asad, see there is no issue now, you will agree na beta...please' Asad looked at the three women standing in front of him, 'they have all gone crazy, how can they even think this is doable and Miss Farroqui what the hell...of all people she offered to marry me...has she gone insane?' 'Asad what are you thinking answer me?' Not being able to utter a word Asad did what he always did best, he walked away leaving them behind him.

Asad refused to talk to anyone the next day he left for work without telling anyone and came back home in the middle of the night, he did anything and everything to avoid seeing or speaking to any of them. During the day Dilshad had spoken to Zoya, she wanted to make sure that she truly was ok with what she had said. In all honesty Zoya was far from ok, she couldn't fathom being in the same room as Asad yet alone become his wife. But that wasnt important what was important was Dilshad, her feelings, her dreams, her happiness and above all her promise. If compromising with life and with Asad Ahmad Khan is what it took then Zoya was willing to make that sacrifice and make that compromise. Zoya waited patiently for Asad to return home, as soon as she heard him come in she went to his room 'you can run but you can't hide Mr Khan...did you forget that Zoya Farooqui doesn't give up so easily' she said her self as she walked and stood outside his bedroom door.

Asad knew it was her, she carried on knocking and he carried on ignoring her. Zoya was losing her patience, without warning she pushed open his door and barged in to find him sitting on the edge of his bed 'are you deaf?' she almost shouted 'no I am not so there is no need to scream' 'I have been knocking forever' 'yes and if you had any sense you would have realised that I didn't want to talk to you hence I was ignoring you'. Zoya fumed she took long strides and stood in front of him 'you are going to talk to me whether you like it or not Mr Khan, we have a lot to discuss' Asad sighed as he stood up 'fine talk then...I'm listening'. Zoya rubbed her face with both hands before she raked her fingers through her hair, talking to him on a normal was hard enough and here she was wanting to talk to him about potentially being his wife in less that 4 days.

Sitting next to him she shifted her body slightly to face him 'you know Mr Khan I have never seen anyone feeling so helpless so broken like I saw phoopi last night, do you know how much it hurt to see her cry to plead, only Allah knows what it must have felt like when she questioned herself as mother...I couldn't bare to see her like that Mr Khan, I may call her phoopi but she is no less than a mother to me...I did it for her Mr Khan, I know this is not something you want, I know we do not really get along and I don't blame you for not liking me but for me nothing is above phoopi's happiness I am willing to put aside anything for her, I will do anything I can to fulfil a mothers promise'. Asad felt a pang at the pit of his stomach, his heart had skipped several beats together, was this really the same Zoya. He looked at her tears rolling down her face as he looked at him waiting for a response, Asad lifted his hand and wiped away her tears 'if you can do so much for my Ammi then so can I. I don't know how this will work Zoya...me and you...' 'I understand Mr Khan, if we agree o this it is only for phoopi, what will become of us I suppose only time will tell, I think I could start of by being friends...what do you say Mr Khan...friends' Zoya held her hand out and smiled at him 'friends' he said asking her soft hand into his firm ones.

The nikah was a low key affair with just the family and a few of Najma's friends present. Dilshad had never been happier, she couldn't thank Zoya enough. Allah sent you here for me Zoya, He sent you as my little angel who came and brought so much happiness and joy to this house' Zoya hugged an emotional Dilshad. Zoya had changed out of her clothes before Asad came in, when he saw her he was a little surprised 'umm I didn't really feel comfortable...so I changed...' Asad understood 'its ok Zoya, I understand'. Asad and Zoya stood there in silence both waiting for the other to make their first move. Zoya's nerves were getting the better of her she needed to do something before her legs turned into jelly 'umm M Khan where will I sleep?' As soon as the words left her mouth she cringed 'out of all things you just had to ask him that' she mentally kicked herself. 'You can sleep on the bed, I'll take the couch' Asad said 'the couch? Mr Khan this isn't a temporary arrangement you can't sleep on the couch for the rest of you life...you can sleep on the bed...just tell me what side you want' Asad was pleasantly surprised at Zoya's confidence and acceptance of this strange alliance 'I'll take the right side you can have the left' Zoya nodded as she walked around the bed 'good night Mr Khan' 'Zoya...now that we are...you know married can you please not call me Mr Khan...I would prefer Asad' Zoya blushed a little as he smiled at his innocent request 'sure...good night Asad' 'good night Zoya'.