OS: Silence

Someone once said that we shouldn't waste words on people who deserve silence. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is say nothing at all. And that is exactly what Zoya did, she silenced herself. After Asad openly refused to marry her and announced his marriage with Tanveer Zoya had nothing left to say. It had been nearly a week, the only reason Zoya still stood under the same roof as Asad and Tanveer was because of phoopi. Dilshad had come to Zoya to ask her to plead with her and even to beg her not to go, Dilshad didn't know or understand Asad's decision all she knew was that she couldn't lose Zoya. As a mother she knew that her son loved Zoya more than anything and her belief was firm that it was this very love that would bring him back to her, make him realise that he is about to make the biggest mistake of his life.

Zoya was having to live through the hardest time, she would have to see him everyday knowing that he wasn't going to be hers. The pain, the hurt, the anguish Zoya felt ripped her heart over and over again. Zoya reduced herself to two things she prayed every day, every minute asking Allah to give her the strength, the patience and the heart to deal with this. The other thing Zoya did was to stop talking, she hardly came out of her room and when she did she walked around the house in total silence. It had been almost a week since Asad had heard her voice every time he saw her his heart shattered into a million pieces,

The one thing that Zoya didn't doubt was Asad's love for her which was evident in his eyes. No matter what he said or did Asad's could never stop hie eyes expressing what was truly in his heart. Seeing her day after day so lifeless so withdrawn pained him beyond anything imaginable. The Zoya that once was the life and soul of his family , the Zoya that knew nothing but happiness and how to live her life to the fullest without any hesitation, the Zoya that only knew how to smile and bring joy to others had gone and it was all his fault.

Zoya sat on the bench that once was witness to the many close interaction they shared gazing into nothing. She sat there void of any emotion, almost like a statue, she couldn't think anymore she didn't have the capacity or the energy. She felt as if her heart and brain would explode so she stopped thinking, the only thing she could find solace in was her silence. Asad stood still looking at her dejected somber state he contemplated whether he should go and talk to her but he knew there was nothing he could say or do that would change anything, he did not have the answers to her question.

Asad closed his eyes ad took in a deep breath 'Ya Allah, I never knew I would be tested like this, if my life as taken a turn for the worst then please help me, guide me, let me do what is right...' 'Asad' Dilshad called out breaking his silent plea to his creator. Asad turned around to face his mother who was suffering as much as him and Zoya 'Ammi...look at her, I can't bare to see her in such a state..it suffocates me' Dilshad loved her son but at this moment in time could not bring herself to empathise with him 'well it should Asad as it is only because of you that Zoya is in this state, you have broken her Asad...I don't know why you are doing what you are doing but what I do know is that you are wrong. After so long you professed your love for her allowing her to build a dream of a beautiful happy life with you, the one person she loved more than her own life and then...what did you do Asad you killed her, shattered her to pieces' Asad looked at his mother stunned every word she spoke ripped his heart and soul he felt like screaming 'Ammi...' 'No Asad I don't want to hear anything...I want my Zoya back Asad and only you can do that' Dilshad left Asad agonising, the twist of fate had been so cruel one one side he had Zoya, the girl that had become the reason for his existence and on he other there was Tanveer who was pregnant with his child.

Najma sat with Zoya in the living room, she tried to engage Zoya in conversation but to no avail. As they sat there the house phone rang 'hello' Najma said 'hello Miss Tanveer I am callingfrom the maternity department at St Mary's hospital, your reports are ready you can come and collect them' Najma's mouth dropped as she let out a gasp 'th...this isn't Tanveer' she managed to say 'oh I'm sorry could you pass the message on'. Najma placed the receiver down and looked at Zoya in a shocked state, Zoya stood up and placed her hand on Najma's shoulder 'Z..Zoya that was someone from St Mary's hospital...fr...from the maternity department asking for Tanveer...Zoya Tanveer is...pregnant' Zoya's eyed popped out she covered her mouth with her hand to stop herself form screaming out in shock Najma wiped her tears 'now it makes sense...wh...why bhaijaan is doing this...that night...Ya Allah...how can this be true?'.

The events of that fateful night played back in Zoya's mind, despite what she had seen she never believed that Asad did anything wrong her confrontations with Tanveer were enough to prove that she did all this to entrap him and separate them but if nothing happened then how could Tanveer be pregnant. Zoya grabbed Najma by the hand and led her out the door 'Z...Zoya where at we going...slow down' Najma protested as she was being pulled by Zoya.

Najma and Zoya stood outside the maternity unit at the hospital 'Zoya what are we doing here?' Najma asked Zoya ignored her and walked inside she approached the desk and looked at the nurse 'yes how can I help you?' Zoya fisted her hand and took in a breath 'm...my name is Tanveer I have come to collect my reports' Najma looked at Zoya and nearly lost her balance firstly, she had just heard Zoya's voice after a week and secondly was she mad, she was pretending to be Tanveer 'Zoya what are you doing?'.

The nurse returned with a brown envelope 'sorry Miss, the doctor has been called out on an emergency but he said you can take these' Zoya quickly took the envelope and walked away without saying a word, a very confused and scared Najma followed behind. Zoya made Najma sit next to her on a bench just outside the hospital, she took the report out and started to read it Zoya's face displayed a magnitude of emotions all the same time, she was shocked, horrified, angry, disgusted and then there was a glint of happiness. Zoya turned towards Najma 'according to this Tanveer is three 14 weeks pregnant tamatar...she can't be carrying Asad's child...it all makes sense now that night the whole thing was staged, she wanted Asad to believe that he sle...that they you know...but he didn't...it was to make him believe that he impregnated her...Najma she has lied and deceived everyone, Asad is marrying her because she has convinced him that he is the father of her child...and under the circumstances he has no reason to believe any different' Najma face lost all colour she was shocked to the core, she couldn't believe that Tanveer could do such a thing 'Zoya we need to go and give his to bhaijaan, he needs to know now' Zoya nodded and they both left headed towards home.

'Ammi...' Najma screamed as she entered the house on hearing her voice Dilshad came running from the kitchen and Asad from his room they ran up to her worried. 'Najma, what happened why do you look so upset...what's wrong?' Dilshad asked as she placed her hand on her shoulder. Najma looked up at Asad then back towards Zoya 'Ammi...I know why bhaijaan wants to marry Tanveer' Dilshad's eyes widened as did Asad's how could she know he thought to himself 'tamat...' No bhaijaan let me finish..I know and it's all wrong bhaijaan...Zoya...' Najma walked up to Zoya and pulled her closer to Asad he took the report out of her hand and gave it to Asad 'Zoya found out bhaijaan...once you read his everything will be clear' Asad looked at Zoya and then opened the file he held in his hand. Dilshad came to stand next to him to also read what was written. Asad dropped the file as disbelief and shock overtook his senses, Dilshad mirrored his reaction 'Tan...Tanveer is pregnant...Asad is that why you want to marry her?' 'Ammi...you are missing the point here' Najma quickly said 'Ammi according to the report Tanveer is...' 'Over three months pregnant' Asad said finishing her sentence 'exactly bhaijaan, Tanveer was already expecting when she came to live with us so you can't be the...I mean she lied bhaijaan you can't marry her'.

Asad's eyes turned red with anger, his body trembled as he tried to control the building rage within him. He looked at Zoya who stood staring at him with tear filled eyes in total silence he took a step towards her and as he did she took one back away from him, she looked at Dilshad and then lowered her gaze and walked off leaving the three behind. 'Ammi I' Dilshad held her hand up to stop him 'Asad you knew she was pregnant and you didn't hunk it necessary to tell me...' ' Ammi I thought it was because of me...the only thing I could think of at the time was to marry her...I didn't know the girl who I trusted so much cared for since I was a child would betray me would deceive me like this...I'm sorry Ammi' Dilshad sighed 'if you thought you were doing the right thin then Asad the. I want you to do he right thing now...that girl is to leave this house right now...and Zoya...' Asad didn't finish listening to what his mother was saying he had started to make his way towards her room.

Asad opened the door slowly to find her standing by the window 'Zoya' when she didn't respond Asad walked up to her and stood a few inches behind her 'Zoya...I'm so sorry...I know sorry doesn't even begin to cover it...I...Zoya please look at me' Zoya turned around slowly her heart was beating erratically she could almost feel it banging into her rib cage on seeing her red swollen eyes Asad clenched his jaw this was all his fault. 'Zoya I'm sorry...I didn't know, I was so blinded by her, I trusted her Zoya I had no reason not to...I never intended to hurt you...' Zoya looked at him his eyes spoke a million words, words of guilt, sorrow, pain, regret and shame all she wanted to do was envelope him into her arms but words failed her...silence had become part of her and it was what she identified herself with when it came to him.

Zoya started to walk past him only to be stopped as he held her hand 'please Zoya...don't leave like this don't walk away...I know I have wronged you, I have given you the worst kind of pain, after what had happened I lost all respect for myself but you still stood by me you still believed in me and what did I do...Zoya please forgive me...I lo...' Zoya held her hand up to stop him and then shook her head she started to take small step back the tears that ran down her face burned his face she turned around to leve when he shouted 'Zoya stop' Zoya froze, Asad narrowed the gap between them 'Zoya your silence is killing me...if you don't want to forgive me then don't...it's what I deserve but don't punish me like this even if it is swear at me, curse please say something'.

As they stood there looking at each other Dilshad came in she placed her hand over Zoya's head and stroked her gently 'Zoya...please forgive him, forgive us all' Zoya quickly took Dilshad's hand in hers 'no phoopi...please don't say that and burden me, you are like my own mother and no mother should ever ask her child for forgiveness...' Dilshad cupped Zoya's face and kissed her forehead, Dilshad took Zoya's hand and turned her to face Asad she reached out for Asad's hand too and then placed it in Zoya's 'your love is above anything I have ever known, so pure and so innocent, Allah made you two to be together...and that's exactly how it is going to be' Asad looked at Zoya and gave her a faint smile her soft warm hands made his heart melt 'I'm sor..' Before Asad could finish what he was saying Zoya placed her hand over his mouth 'if anyone is going to be sorry it will be Tanveer not you Asad' Asad squeezed the hand that he was still holding.

'Zoya you have endured so much and done so much for me and my family, I ask one last thing of you...please don't say no' Zoya looked at Dilshad intently and then nodded 'anything phoopi' Dilshad led Asad and Zoya out to the living room both of them looked at each other and then back at he maulvi that was standing before them. 'Asad, Zoya before anything goes wrong, before Tanveer comes back I want you two to be married' Zoya felt her heart skip a beat 'ph...phoopi nikah...now' Zoya looked at Asad who mirrored her expression 'yes Zoya now...will you do this...Asad will you forever make Zoya yours...make her ours?' There was nothing Asad wanted more he nodded and looked towards Zoya waiting for her agreement after a few moments of silence Asad walked up to Zoya and placed his hands over her fidgeting ones 'Zoya Farooqui will you marry me...right here right now?' Zoya face broke out in a smile she wiped the tears that fell and nodded 'yes...I will'.

Dilshad and Najma busied themselves in the kitchen whilst Asad sat in the living room with Zoya wrapped in his arms, as they were happily lost in conversation the front door opened. Tanveer came in and nearly fell to the ground 'ja...jammy what's going on?' Asad and Zoya stood up and soon Najma and Dilshad joined them 'Tanveer, what a shame you missed it all, if only you had come home earlier you could have been part of Asad and Zoya's nikah' Dilshad said in a cold sarcastic tone 'in...nikah...but how...' Tanveer felt as if the room had started spinning, what the hell was going on 'jammy is this some kind of a joke?' 'Joke...no Tanveer I assure you it's no joke, Zoya and I just got married' Asad said as he wrapped his arm around Zoya's waist pulling her closer towards him 'what was a joke and a really bad one too was when you made me believe that I am the father of that child' he said pointing at her stomach. Dilshad walked up to Tanveer 'your medical reports...Tanveer...according to which you are over three months pregnant.' Tanveer felt her heart stop there was no way she could talk herself out of this and even if she could what good would it do Asad and Zoya were married. 'Tanveer, we have been quite civil up until now, before any of us turn ugly I suggest you walk straight back out that door and never look back, you get away from me an my children right now'. Without even trying to put up an argument Tanveer did just that, she left.