Behold! Chapter 13 😆. This work of fiction belongs to Arabflower. I am just her medium. 😃
CHAPTER 13
It was an eerie silence that had taken up a seemingly permanent residence in the Faarouqui Penthouse. The string of mourners was now replaced with concerned friends and family, all with the same questions:
How is Zoya?... Is she eating? Has she said anything?' The news of Arbaaz's death had spread rapidly amongst the Upper East Siders which resulted in many of them flocking to the Faarouqui Apartment to comfort the recently widowed Zoya. When they had heard of the pregnancy, their sympathy had grown. Their own was hurt, their own was targeted and they acted with a vengeance apprehending the offending driver and using every means possible to extract the truth from him. All he said was that he received a package on his doorstep, it was a box filled with cash and a picture of his mark, a picture of Zoya. The moment he picked the box up, his cell phone had rung and when he answered a female had told him that IF he killed Zoya then he would be paid handsomely and what was in the box was a down payment. Since the call was from a burn phone there was no way that NYPD's finest could trace it leaving them with a dead end, so they did what they could and closed the investigation, letting the low life that ruined Zoya's happiness rot in jail for his deeds.
Dilshad Ahmed Khan felt that Zoya should come back with them to Bhopal, an idea she had run by Esmerelda and Isabella. Both seemed sceptical at first but later agreed because a change of scenery might help Zoya overcome her grief which seemed to magnify with each passing moment that she spent in the home she shared with her husband. Weeks had passed since the accident and Zoya had not yet said a word, respond to a hug or cry. She seemed cold, distant... the vibrant girl had retreated into a world of darkness, becoming colder, detached. She was losing herself in her depression. Many matriarchs from the prominent Upper East Side families had approached Dilshad constantly, all worried about Zoya's health and the health of her unborn. These ladies had watched Zoya grow into the vibrant bubbly person and therefore could not come to terms with this devastated Zoya that took her place.
Dilshad had learned from Esmerelda that it was with the help of these people that Zeenat and Anwar had found and adopted Zoya, that these people helped raise Zoya in therefore they were so attached to her. They had understood that Zoya needed a change of scenery but to them the thought of letting Zoya go was akin to taking a loved one of life support, it was unpleasant but it meant that she was going to a better place. Questions of concern were raised about Maahir and the unborn baby; all were certain that in Zoya's depressed state she would not be able to care for her charges and even though she had the support system of Dilshad, Esmerelda, Najma and Isabella one day the children would need a father and the ladies had reached a consensus, Asad Ahmed Khan would be perfect.
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Maahir Faarouqui had little life experience, but he knew sadness when it was in front of him. At first no one would take him to his uncle Arbaaz when his arms stretched out for him, then when he wanted to speak with his uncle Arbaaz over the phone no one had let him the only thing they had let him do was sit with his aunty Zoya. His aunty Zoya didn't play with him anymore, she didn't laugh and she didn't smile, she was sad and cried when she thought he couldn't see. Maahir had known that it was because his uncle Arbaaz wasn't there but being a baby he neither could confirm his discovery nor comfort his aunt. So what he did instead was cuddle her whenever he could. Her hugs were now reserved only for him and it seems so was her time, he liked the attention but wanted his aunty to smile again.
Zoya was sitting with Maahir in her arms, laptop stretched out in front of her. One of her many video diaries filled the screen. The on screen Zoya was dressed in her bridal finery, a red lehenga, adorned with Jewellery and a smile on her face. Facing the camera the bride had spoken to the viewer, her nephew Maahir
Zoya: "Hey Maahi... today your Aapi is getting married but don't get all sad because I'm not going far... I'll always be near to you and will always be there for you... Maahi, being in love is the world's greatest feeling... before I thought that I would never fall in love but when I did... it was amazing, then I lost my love and that devastated me until my best friend came along and helped me build my life again. Most girls are fortunate to become friends with their Husband but I'm lucky enough to find my husband in my best friend..."
Anwar Faarouqui was ready to take the bride downstairs and even though he was still recovering from surgery, he looked happy... happy at the fact that the girl he loved like a daughter was getting married. So without warning, he snatched the camera from the bride and spoke to the viewer.
Anwar: "Hey Maahi! Don't let your Aapi's melodramatic habits influence you; maybe we should have warned your uncle Arbaaz about how melodramatic the women in our family are..."
He looked at Zoya and smiled
Anwar: "and I don't know about whether your Aapi will be a good wife, but I do know that she is the best daughter..."
At this the on screen Zoya began tearing up and took her Jeeju into a big hug and the scene changes to a grand wedding hall, faces of the members of every prominent Upper East Side family had flickered across the screen. The Nikaah had been completed and the reception (or Walima) was taking place, Zoya and Arbaaz's happy faces had filled the screen, laughter and merriment ringing throughout the venue.
Dilshad Ahmed Khan was watching Zoya carefully; the girl was staring at her late husband's image whenever he flashed across the screen, she teared up remembering that he wasn't there but would not cry in front of her nephew. Dilshad had already spoken to Asad and had gained his consent, now all she had to do was convince Zoya
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Zoya had just packed away her laptop, she pulled Maahir close and took comfort in the young Faarouqui's embrace before she put him down for his nap. 'Maahir is lucky... He doesn't remember who he lost; I can't do this on my own... Arbaaz I need you... Please come back...' A silent tear trickled down her face but before she could extend her hand to wipe it, another hand had beaten her to it. Zoya looked at the owner of the hand and began to cry. Seeing her best friend in such a state had caused Najma to cry as well so she took her friend in for a consoling hug each letting their tears flow. Najma had agreed with her mother's decision to get Zoya married to Asad but only after eliciting a promise from her emotionally challenged brother did she give her blessing for the union
*Flashback- a few days ago*
Najma was hiding behind a pillar watching her mother walk out of her brother's room. She had been eaves dropping on their conversation and could not believe that her mother and brother were already planning on getting Zoya remarried...to Asad of all people! Najma loved her brother but his ability to hurt Zoya was as great as his ability to love her. He was an angry young man in every sense and whether he loved Zoya or not was something Najma didn't care about at this moment, all she cared about was her best friend's happiness so she immediately walked into her brother's room to have a much needed chat with him.
Najma: "Bhaijaan we need to talk..."
Asad: "Jee Tamatar... Tell me"
Najma: "Bhaijaan, I am here not as your sister but as Zoya's friend... She's been through enough please don't hurt her any further..."
Asad: "Najma, I love Zoya and I wouldn't dream of hurting her..."
Najma: "You wouldn't dream of it Bhaijaan but we both know that you hurt her whether you intend to or not and I refuse to put my best friend through anymore heartache, she's been through enough."
Asad: "Najma I've learnt my lesson... I won't hurt her again... You have my word..."
Najma: "Your words mean nothing to me Bhaijaan... you continued to hurt her, accused her falsely, belittled and demeaned her yet you never had the courage to apologise to her. You claim to love her but have you ever told her? If hurting her is how you love her Bhaijaan, then I am totally against this union... I will never allow you to marry Zoya"
Asad: "Najma... I love Zoya and can't live without her...but as much as I love her, your blessing means the world to me, please don't object to this union... Please, If not for my sake, then for Maahir and Zoya's unborn child's sake... Don't let them grow up without a father..."
Najma: "I will accept this union on one condition..."
Asad: "what condition?"
Najma took Asad's hand in hers, and then placed his hand on her head, telling her brother that she wanted him to take an oath on her life
Najma: " Promise me Bhaijaan, Promise me that you will always protect Zoya, that you will always stand between her and harm and that you will do everything in your power to keep her happy... Promise me..."
The gravity of the promise that Najma was asking him to make showed Asad the seriousness of his sister's love and friendship to Zoya. He knew that IF he ever broke this promise, then he will see the deceased face of the girl whose head his hand was resting on. But Asad Ahmed Khan had no intention of ever breaking this promise so with a clear voice he spoke
Asad:"I promise... I promise to keep Zoya safe and happy, that I will love her for the rest of my life and will never give her an opportunity to ever doubt my love for her."
*End Flashback*
After eliciting the vow from her brother, Najma began looking for opportunities to take the proposal to Zoya and judging from the way her mother had taken to constantly hovering around Zoya, her mother had intended to discuss the proposal as well.
Najma extracted her friend from her arms, then wiped her tears along with Zoya's before she spoke...
Najma: "Zoya... I need to tell you something..."
Zoya: "Tell me Tamatar... "
Najma: "Zoya you know that I love you and will always have your best interests at heart so please don't say no..."
Zoya: "what's the matter Najma?"
Najma: " Zoya please... Please consider a remarriage... If not for your sake, then for Maahir and your unborn baby's sake... They will need a father; no matter what you say Zoya and no matter how capable you think you are of raising them on your own... You need help; you need someone to be there for you..."
Zoya: "Najma... I don't need a husband to take care of my children... Your Ammi managed to raise both you and your brother all on her own... In Bhopal's conservative society of all places, so why can't I do the same in New York?"
Najma: "Zoya the difference between what Ammi had done and what you are doing is that Ammi was and is still married to my father, they have separated but not officially or traditionally divorced...even though my Abbu did not take care of us in any way the fact that he was still married to my Ammi, Asad and I were able to know who our father is. Zoya you can't raise the children on your own, one day they will need a father... Please, please, please... Consider a second marriage..."
Zoya: "Najma I'll consider it... But first I need to do my duty towards Arbaaz... I need to mourn my husband... After that... Whatever you say I will agree to..."
Najma: "Thank you Zoya... Thank you!! Don't get angry with me but I already have a proposal for you..."
Zoya: "who? Does he know the circumstances under which I will have to marry him?"
Najma: "Yes... He knows and he fully accepts you and the children..."
Zoya: "well... Who is he?"
Najma: "Asad Bhaijaan..."
Zoya had stiffened when she heard Asad's name, her expression became stoic and Najma began to worry
Zoya: "I will consider it... But I will need to talk to Asad..."
Najma: "sure... Anything you want..."
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The flights from New York to London and then from London to India where exhausting. Now standing in Delhi's airport Humaira Siddiqui was just relieved to be back on her home soil. Relieved not because she had longed for the comfort of her home, but relieved because she could finally get justice for her sister. 'Ammi may have escaped punishment in the states, but not here. This had gone on long enough and I swear that I will get justice for Zoya and her Ammi, even if it means hurting my own mother...'
Humaira had looked behind her to see her Abbu and her Mamujaan animatedly discussing something. She was aware of what the topic of their conversation was, but her fiance, future Mother in Law and Sisters in Law had no clue. They were all surprised to see her Abbu act so warmly around Rashid that they had entered into a stunned silence, merely watching and not commenting.
Rashid Mamu had spoken to Dilshad Ammi before they had left New York and when both discovered that they had the same intention of getting Zoya remarried and that the groom be Asad they were over joyed. Dilshad and Siddiqui had fully accepted the union and when news of Asad's acceptance had reached the Father's of the bride and groom they had, very unexpectedly, begun planning the wedding of their children, they had spent the entire journey, next to each other planning the wedding and expressing their desires about how they want their children to be married. Humaira could not help but smile at them while the debated over colour scheme, venue, caterers, budget and other wedding details. Wedding planning was a woman's forte but the father's were so happy that their children were to marry that they wanted to make everything perfect.
'Well first we'll get Zoya and Asad Bhaijaan married then Ayaan and I will marry... OMG I can't believe that I never realised this before but siblings will wed siblings!! Zoya and I will be both sisters and sisters in law!' Humaira became very excited at the thought that she almost walked over to her uncle and father to help them with wedding details but something stopped her cold in her tracks, her smile faltered and excitement died down when she realised 'Zoya hasn't consented yet...' So she rushed to her father and uncle to tell them her latest realisation but the postures of her cousins, fiance and aunt clearly indicated that they were eavesdropping, thinking that the wedding details were for Ayaan and Humaira, 'luckily they haven't mentioned any names yet...' They had arrived at the gate of their house and this was enough for both her Abbu and her Mamujaan to stop their excited planning and remember that they still had to stop the wicked witch before the princess could have her fairytale wedding. They knew that if they discussed wedding details in this house then her Ammi will somehow know what they are planning and will try to put a stop to it. So when the door opened and they had all entered their home, Rashid and Siddiqui went back to hating each other, a necessary act they needed to keep up to keep Razia in the dark until they had obtained proof against her.
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Zoya had walked out of her room after her chat with Najma and headed straight for Asad's room. She walked in, as usual without knocking, and was greeted with the sight a bare chested Asad Ahmed Khan
Zoya: "Mr. Khan... I need to talk to you... Please put on a shirt..."
Asad deliberately took his time while looking for a shirt, just to give her a longer look at his body.
Once clothed, he turned to face the woman he loves and soon to be wife.
Asad: "Tell me Zoya...What do you need to talk about?"
Zoya: "Najma has approached me with a request..."
Asad: "And that request is?"
Zoya: "She wants me to get married... To you..."
Asad: "And... What do you want?"
Zoya: "It's not about what I want... my children need a father even if I don't need a husband..."
Asad:"So... Do you agree?"
Zoya: "I agree... But let me make this clear at this moment in time my children are priority, I am doing this for them so don't ever think that after everything that you put me through my marriage to you is because I love you in this moment, Right now I don't know what to feel so I ask that you give me time to cope. For the time being I will be your wife in name only until I am comfortable enough to extend our relation, so do you agree?"
Asad: "I agree... Zoya I've been wrong about you so many times that for once I want to do the right thing, I love you Zoya and even though you don't feel the same way now, I'll wait for the day when you reciprocate my love... Zoya I know that you loved me at one stage and I also know that deep down you still love me and until you are comfortable I won't force you to give me the rights of being your husband."
Zoya: "Thank You Asad... Thank You for understanding..."
Asad: "Umm... Maahir..."
Zoya: "What about Maahir?"
Asad:"The adoption?"
Zoya: "My lawyers will take care of it..."
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True to her word, Zoya's lawyers had arrived the next day, she spoke to them for some time making everyone curious about what was being said. Najma and Asad had conveyed to their mother that Zoya had accepted this union. Zoya and her team of lawyers exited the conference room and decided to pass their verdict.
Lawyer 1: "Mr Asad Ahmed Khan, it has been brought to our attention that you wish not only to marry our client, Zoya Faarouqui but also accept her adopted Nephew and the child she carries from her marriage to Arbaaz Omar?"
Asad: "Yes... This is correct. I wish to marry Zoya and I fully accept Maahir and the new baby as my own..."
Lawyer 2: "Mr Khan that is fine, but there are complications..."
Dilshad: "What complications?"
Lawyer 1: "The estate of Mr Arbaaz Omar has been dissolved and the heirs have been paid their due, but the company inherited by Mr. Maahir Faarouqui and the unborn child needs to be managed until they are of age, Ms Zoya Faarouqui is the majority shareholder in the company as well as the sole owner of her own company, both these empires require her attention and this will be difficult to manage if Ms Faarouqui has to live with you in Bhopal."
Asad: "Merge our companies, form a conglomerate it will make everything easier after we are married..."
The lawyers looked to Zoya for the go ahead; she contemplated Asad's idea and the spoke to her lawyers
Zoya: "Consult with our financial advisors then draw up the paper work..."
Lawyer 1 & 2 (in union): "sure thing Ms. Faarouqui"
Lawyer 1: "Mr Khan and Ms. Faarouqui if you wish, you may sign both the adoption papers and the marriage documents now so that they can be submitted to the court and the Indian Embassy by the afternoon."
Asad and Zoya exchanged a look and shared a nod of understanding.
They both approached the lawyers, who had taken out the required documents. In the presence of Isabella, Esmerelda, Najma and Dilshad, Asad and Zoya had signed the required documents and afterwards Isabella and Esmerelda had signed as witnesses. The lawyers left, conveying their congratulations to the legally married couple, and headed to City Hall and the Indian Embassy to complete the necessary formalities on behalf of their client.
After the ding of the elevator had sounded, it finally struck Asad that he was now a married man, just by signing a few documents he had now made his love his wife, making her his forever and he could not be happier. His sister squealed with delight and took Zoya into a giant hug; Esmerelda had hugged Dilshad while Isabella congratulated the newly married couple.
Dilshad had walked over to Asad and Zoya and joined their hands in hers
Dilshad: "Now... the Nikaah, a court marriage is fine but I want to see my son married with all the rituals performed, so should we start preparing?"
Asad: "Ammi... I think we should wait until we return to Bhopal, then we can plan the Nikaah"
Zoya: "Phuphi I agree with Asad..."
Dilshad: "Okay, Okay whatever you want... And Zoya you can call me Ammi now..."
Zoya: "Jee ...Ammi"
Dilshad smiled at this and immediately left to call Rashid and Siddiqui and tell them about the latest development, Najma and Isabella had gone off in search of Maahir leaving Asad and Zoya alone with Esmerelda
Esmerelda: "You hurt my little girl Asad and you will be in for a world of pain..."
Asad: "I learnt my lesson the last time, I will never hurt her again...I promise"
Esmerelda: "Good... Now Zoya, what about the penthouse?"
Zoya: "Whatever property I own in America will remain in my ownership, you and Isabella can live here for as long as you like and have complete and unrestricted access to the Hamptons home..."
Esmerelda: "Thank you Zoya..."
Zoya: "Don't mention it... Also I am appointing Isabella as my proxy here in America, once the empires are merged she can run my offices here in New York"
Esmerelda smiled at this and took Asad and Zoya in for a hug, which they returned happily, the elderly Latino was happy to see her charge being accepted by such a loving family.
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After a few weeks, the Ahmed Khans, Maahir and Zoya in tow had returned to Bhopal. Bhopal, the city of lakes, was just as Zoya remembered. She felt at peace here but the city had given her both pain and happiness, it had taken away from her just as much as it had given her. Zoya stood in the doorway of Khan Villa and thought about what she had gone through the last time she was in this City.
'I will only return to Bhopal if the Almighty wants me to...' She had told this to Arbaaz the day he had comforted her in Central Park and her mind had drifted to her former husband, her memories of Arbaaz haunting her...His arms around her, his fragrance, his smile, his laugh were circling through her thoughts and when the memories became too difficult for her to handle, she began to cry silently. Dilshad had noticed her daughter in law' tears and wiped them before taking her into a motherly hug. The mother in law- Daughter in law duo was joined by Asad, Najma and Maahir. The warm embrace of her new family made Zoya realise that clearly the Almighty wants her to be here and become a part of this family 'that's probably why He had taken away everyone else' she thought while she hugged her family back with all her might. Once inside the Khan mansion, she began walking towards the guest room out of habit, but Maahir's chuckle had forced her to stop. She turned around and began to tear up; Asad had Maahir in his arms and was peppering the little boy's face with kisses, his stubble tickling Maahir in the process. It was adorable, the little boy's eyes widened as he took in the surroundings of his new home. At first he was scared, but then relaxed when he saw Najma, Dilshad and Zoya smile at him he clapped his hands together in excitement and looked at his family, he knew it in his heart...that he was home.
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Humaira was going to be an aunt once again. She had never met her nephew Maahir and so she became restless. She wanted nothing more than to run to her elder sister and cry in her arms, hug her, gossip with her, be spoilt and protected by her. She was always jealous of Nuzat because she had seen the way her elder sister Nikhat had cared for her and being raised as an only child, Humaira longed for a sibling and now that she had found her elder sibling, the distance between them was torture. They were in the same city, a part of the same family yet they could not meet.
Now I know how Ayaan felt when he couldn't meet Asad Bhaijaan... or is it Asad Jeeju? Whatever When I see him I'll ask him, how he wants to e addressed by his sister in law... after all I am going to be his wife's sister and his brother's wife...'
She had smiled giddily and this was caught by her Mamujaan, Rashid walked up to Humaira, knowing well what his niece and future daughter in law had been thinking about
Rashid: "How about we go meet her... this way I can see my first Grandson and you can be with your sister..."
Humaira: "but Mamu... how will we just go there? I know Dilshad Ammi and Najma know the truth, but Asad Bhaijaan? He won't like it..."
Rashid: "Well then we create a reason for visiting that Asad will have to accept..."
At this point, Ayaan had walked by, engrossed with his phone. Rashid had spotted him, turned to Humaira and said
Rashid: "We wanted a reason and there it is..."
Turning to Ayaan he called out
Rashid: "Ayaan! Find Nikhat and Nuzat, I am taking all of you somewhere..."
Ayaan: "Sure Abbu... but where are we going?"
Rashid: "It's a surprise... now go find your sisters, Humaira and I will wait in the car."
Humaira: "Mamujaan, I need to get a few things... can I meet you at the car?"
Rashid: "Sure... I'll go tell the driver to get the car out, I'll drive today."
Ayaan had set off immediately in search of his sisters and it didn't take long to find them, both were in their room, Nikhat was watching some TV serial while Nuzat was reading a book. After announcing that their father was taking them somewhere, both girls dropped what they were doing and curiously followed their elder brother. When they had piled into the car, the questions had began
Nuzat: "Abbu where are we going?"
Ayaan: "Abbu why not take the driver?"
Nikhat: "Abbu what's going on?"
Rashid and Humaira shared a look and both began smiling.
Rashid: "Patience my children, I didn't take the driver because I don't want anyone else to know where we are going..."
The rest of the journey was spent with Nuzat and Ayaan trying to trick their Abbu into disclosing their destination, while Nikhat had taken to observing Humaira. Nikhat was close to her cousin and regarded her as a younger sister and even though the younger girl had treated Nikhat like an older sibling, Nikhat could see in Humaira's eyes the longing for an elder sibling now this longing seemed to have disappeared and replaced with excitement, an excitement Nikhat could only label as being the excitement of meeting a long lost family member. Nikhat was happy that her cousin had finally got what she had wished for and silently prayed to the Almighty that Humaira's smile never falters. Once her prayer had ceased, the car had halted. Nikhat Nuzat and Ayaan had exited the car, their eyes wide and jaws dropped. Their father had taken them to Khan Villa, the home of their brother Asad and sister Najma. It was not as though the siblings had never been to Asad's home before, Ayaan had snuck in through the window many times, but this was the first time that his sisters Nikhat and Nuzat will step inside along with Humaira and his Abbu. Knowing the relationship between their eldest brother and their father caused Rashid's children to worry. Rashid had walked up to the door, Humaira standing next to him and his children behind him. He rang the door bell and waited. Almost immediately the door swung open, revealing his eldest daughter Najma. Najma was just a few months older than Nikhat, yet Rashid had not spent as much time with her as he did with his other children. From all his children, Najma was the one who he had known the least about but that all changed because of Zoya as through their love for Zoya did father and daughter become closer. Najma welcomed them inside; her mother was sitting in the lounge on the phone with some relative, while Asad was seated opposite his mother with his back facing the guests was engrossed in playing with his son Maahir.
Rashid caught sight of Asad playing with the little boy and his eyes welled up. Asad had assumed his role as Maahir's father very quickly, putting his fears aside in order to give his son a better future. Maahir had spotted new faces over his daddy's shoulder and began giggling, Asad turned around to see what was causing his son's happiness and his face fell. Asad Ahmed Khan had stood up, his son wrapped protectively in his arms, facing the man he despised yet it was the same man whose blood he shared, his father Rashid Ahmed Khan.
Ayaan stepped out from behind his father and walked over to his brother and took him in a big hug. His sisters followed and eventually all the Ahmed Khan children were in a huge embrace, squishing an excited Maahir Faarouqui in the middle. When they broke apart Ayaan had spoken first.
Ayaan: "So Bhaijaan, who's the little guy?"
Asad: "Ayaan, Nikhat, Nuzat...meet my son... Maahir"
Nikhat, Nuzat and Ayaan stared at Asad, each one drawing their own conclusions about what exactly happened. So while they were busy standing there dumbfounded, Humaira walked over to Asad and took the little boy from his arms, Najma, Dilshad and Rashid had smiled at this, knowing very well what relation Humaira shared with Maahir. Humaira peppered his chubby face with kisses, and cuddled him endlessly. Once again Ayaan spoke first
Ayaan: "But Bhaijaan... Maahir is Zoya's..."
But before Asad could answer, someone had beaten him to it. From the staircase, Zoya had spoken
Zoya: "Yes Ayaan, Maahir is my son...but now he is also Asad's"
Ayaan's face spiralled further into confusion causing Dilshad, Rashid, Najma, Humaira and Asad to laugh at his comical expression
Dilshad: "Ayaan, Nikhat, Nuzat meet your sister in law Zoya."
Ayaan was the first to rush over and take his sister in law into a hug; he was followed by Nikhat and then Nuzat. Rashid and Dilshad stood watching this while Najma was busy introducing Humaira to Maahir. Asad however was livid, Rashid Ahmed Khan was in his home and he did not want the man's cursed shadow anywhere near his son Maahir, he was about to ask him to leave and never come back when his mother gave him a stern look, shutting him up instantly. So sucking it up, he walked over to his wife, who had broken away from the hug his siblings had given her, and placed an arm around her waist.
Rashid: "So now that the court marriage is over, when are you two planning the Nikaah?"
Zoya: "Abbu Asad wanted his siblings to be there plus, Ammi wants this to be a grand affair, so I think we need some time to prepare."
Rashid walked over and placed a Kiss on Zoya's forehead, he loved this girl like he would a daughter and he was elated that she was now his daughter in law. Humaira wanted to spend time getting to know her sister, so she handed Maahir over to Asad and she, along with Nikhat, Nuzat and Najma began discussing weddings, the latest designer dresses and all other girly details that bored Asad and Ayaan. The Ahmed Khan brothers took Maahir and were busy playing with him, cooing over him and kissing him whenever he did something extremely adorable. Asad was sitting on the floor in his designer three piece suit but he didn't care, the moment Maahir crawled over to him he felt like the proudest parent in the world.
Rashid was watching his son and grandson and spoke to Dilshad
Rashid: "It feels nice, having all my children together..."
Dilshad: "It really does..."
The girls who were chatting some distance away broke out into loud giggles, clearly Nikhat, Nuzat and Humaira were enjoying Zoya's company because Rashid had never seen Nikhat, Nuzat or Humaira for that matter laugh so openly and freely.
Rashid: "Dilshad when is Zoya's due date?"
Dilshad: "At the moment she is only two months pregnant, she just lost her husband but still she finds it in herself to spread happiness wherever she goes..."
Rashid: "Dilshad... I can't wait..."
Dilshad: "Wait for what?"
Rashid: "The birth of my second grandchild... seeing my sons coo over my grandson makes me want to give Zoya the world, she has given me the greatest joy and I wish to give her something in return"
Dilshad: "Rashid that's not necessary..."
Rashid: "Yes Dilshad it is... The moment I get home I am going to ask Ammi for the Ancestral Jewels, they are supposed to go to the wife of my eldest son, so now it is time they go to their rightful owner."
Dilshad: "Rashid... What about Shireen? What will she think?"
Rashid: "Shireen will have to accept it; it is tradition for those Jewels to go to the eldest daughter in law, which is Zoya. Only Zoya has a right to those Jewels"
Asad had heard his father talk so lovingly about his wife and child and he couldn't help but smile. His father's approval of his wife meant a lot to Asad, even if he didn't show it and now that his father had fully accepted Zoya and Maahir Asad could see that maybe he was wrong about his father. Maahir was crawling towards Dilshad and Rashid and was immediately picked up by his grandfather and peppered with kisses. Both Dilshad and Rashid began cooing over him like proud grandparents and Asad's heart began to swell, he and Ayaan left the grandparents alone with their first grandchild and joined the girls who had moved their conversation to the garden.
After sometime Humaira had walked back into the house. She needed to talk to Dilshad Ammi and Rashid Mamujaan immediately.
Humaira: "Dilshad Ammi, Mamu... I want to tell Zoya that I am her sister..."
Rashid and Dilshad immediately stood up, Rashid walked over and closed the door leading to the garden, and he then pulled Humaira inside so they could talk without being overheard
Rashid: "Humaira you can't..."
Humaira: "Why can't I... Zoya is my sister and she has every right to know..."
Dilshad: "Humaira it's not about whether or not Zoya should know or not, it's about how Zoya will take it."
Humaira: "Dilshad Ammi, Zoya is fine..."
Dilshad: "No Humaira... Zoya is not fine. She just lost her husband and has been through one traumatic experience after another, she may put on a smile and fool the world but inside she is falling apart. Right now anything can send her over the edge, the only things keeping her sane are Maahir and the new baby, Humaira if Zoya comes to know that you are her sister before she is mentally ready to accept it, then it could be disastrous both for her and the baby... Such news could set her over the edge, because if we tell her that you are her sister she will want to know what happened to her mother and it is not the right time to reveal that to her...She just lost Arbaaz, give her some time to digest one shock before giving her another."
Humaira: "You are right Dilshad Ammi... But I want to spend time with my sister; I want her to know that she has a little sister who needs her and loves her...that her Abbu is waiting for her, that he loves her and wants to give her all the happiness in the world. Dilshad Ammi, I know that my Abbu has said and done some things that he regrets and he still needs time before he can forgive himself and face you but I know that he would want Zoya to have this..."
She then reached into her handbag and extracted a velvet case, with HW emblazoned on the cover. She opened the lid and revealed the most exquisite of Harry Winston's creations, the padparadscha and diamond necklace*. The pink Sapphires were exquisitely set in platinum and littered with Diamonds making it apart of every girl's fantasy,
Humaira: "When Abbu found out that his daughter was alive and in New York, he told me about it and both of us went and picked this out for her... it's something small just to say that we love and care about her... could you please give it to her?"
Dilshad: "Of course I will Humaira..."
Humaira leapt forward and took the Ahmed Khan Matriarch into a tearful hug, while repeatedly saying her thanks. Dilshad Ahmed Khan's hug was warm and motherly, the way Humaira imagined her mother's hugs should feel. Dilshad Ahmed Khan had not known it, but she became a mother figure to both daughters of Gaffoor Ahmed Siddiqui.
* The necklace is the same necklace that Blair Waldorf had worn in Gossip Girl Season 4 Episode 2,
Double Identity.
Edited by Xarina - 11 years ago
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