~ The Sunshine of My life ~ AsYa FF||Part 14 Page 129 NOTE PG 140 - Page 10

Asad and Zoya stared at each other, shocked and unable to believe that they had come across each other again, within a few hours of praying to never come face to face.

Zoya - Aap yaha kya kar rahe hai?

Asad - Well I should be asking you the same, considering you're standing at the door of MY HOUSE.

Zoya - What? How is that possible? Mai toh yaha Mrs Dilshad Ahmed Khan se milne aayi hun..

Asad - Woh meri Ammi hai.. par aap yaha kya kar rahi hai?

Zoya was dazed hearing him, she couldn't believe the game her destiny had played with her today. Was she going to live here, with this man under the same roof? Her aapi had sent her here assuring her that the people of this house were like angels in disguise, a modern but yet traditional family who were known for their dignity, conduct and humanity for others. But seeing the same judgmental freak whom she had cursed all day she was unsure if she wanted to even step into the same house as his. But then she couldn't defy her Aapi and had nowhere else to go.

Dilshad - Asad! Kaun aaya hai beta..

Dilshads voice echoed in the hall way, while she came out of his room and walked towards the door. Zoya instantly calmed down, something in Dilshad's voice giving her a feeling of warmth and assurance. Dilshad smiled at her, looking at her curiously.

Dilshad - Aap..?

Zoya - Ji! Kya aap Dilshad Khan hai?

Dilshad - Ji haan, aur aap?

Zoya smiled instantly, relieved to have interacted with someone familiar and welcoming.

Zoya - Mai Zoya hun, aap Zeenat Api aur Anwar Jiju ko jaanti hongi, mai unki...

Dilshad - Zoya?

Zoya - Ji theek pechana, mai Zoya hi hun, maaf kijiyega mai aise bina bataye aa gayi. Actually Api aur Jiju ko kisi emergency ki wajah se immediately Delhi jaana pada, unhe kuch din wohi rehna padega, aur phir shayad wahi se waapis New York jaana pade. Do ghanton mai unki flight thi, itni jaldi main na call karke aapse baat kar paye na inform kar paye, I am so sorry mai aise hi...

Dilshad and Asad stared at Zoya ranting away at an ascending speed and shared a look, Dilshad amused and Asad annoyed.

Dilshad - Zoya Zoya ! It's ok beta, tumhe sorry kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai, isse tum apna ghar samjho beta.

Zoya looked at her uncertainly, and Dilshad understood her plight. She had just come into an unknown country and was going to stay with strangers, whom she had just met, she would obviously be uncomfortable and vary initially.

Dilshad caressed her head lovingly and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Dilshad - Mai Zeenat aur Anwar ko saalon se jaanti hun, woh mere bahut kareebi rishtedaar hai, tum Zeenat ki choti behen ho toh meri beti jaisi hui, ye tumhara ghar nahi toh phir kya hai hmm?

Zoya's heart swelled with unknown emotions, Dilshads soft, loving voice touched her heart. And she moved forward to take her in an embrace. Dilshad who was first taken aback, smiled at the affectionate girl and reciprocated her hug, caressing her head lovingly.

Zoya - Aapko dekh kar mujhe meri Ammi ki yaad aa gayi, aap bilkul unke jaisi hai, kya mai aapko phoopi bula sakti hun?

Dilshad gaped at Zoya, surprised at how soon Zoya warmed up to people and how compassionate and respectful she was.

Dilshad - Zaroor beta, tum mujhe chaho bula sakti ho. Ab chalo andar chalo, kabse darwaze par khadi ho.

Zoya suddenly realized why she had been kept standing at the door and looked back at Asad, the smile on her face instantly replaced by a frown. On one hand she was overwhelmed at the warmth with which Dilshad had welcomed her home and on the other hand she was uncertain about the angry stranger whose eyes spelt doom to her. She was definitely not wanted here, not by him.

Asad had been silently overlooking at Zoya and Dilshad's interactions and was intelligent enough to understand that she was the guest Dilshad has spoken to him about. He had obviously agreed to it then, but on knowing who it was, he was appalled and obviously was in no mood to welcome the guest, whom he knew he couldn't bear for a minute more.

Dilshad observed the way they were staring at each other, Asad's eyes spelt murder and Zoya's uncertainty.

Dilshad - Asad! Beta ye wohi guest hai jiski mai baat kar rahi thi, Zeenat aur...

Asad - Jaanta hun Ammi, lekin ...

Dilshad - Lekin? Tumne toh haan kahi thi beta.

Dilshad answered even before he could tell her the expected because she could read the look in his eyes.

Asad - Aur agar mai kahun ki mai nahi chahta ki ye yaha rahe toh?

Dilshad - Asad ! Koi aise behave karta hai ghar aaye mehmaan ke saath. Maafi mango isse.

Asad - Maafi aur mai? Aur woh bhi inse? Aap jaanti nahi Ammi ye kis kisam ki ladki hai.

Dilshad - Aur tum jaante ho? Abhi toh mile ho, tumhe iske baare mai jaante hi kya ho.

Asad - Ammi ye wohi ladki hai jiske baare maine aapko din mai bataya tha.

Dilshad gaped at Asad, she knew he was a man of principles, and whatever deathly interaction they both had had, spelt doom. But Zoya was her responsibility and she was not going to trade with that at any cost.

Dilshad - Woh chahe jo bhi ho, woh bas ek accident tha, tum dono se galti hui, aur galtiyan insaano se hoti hai, you can let it go Asad.

Asad - Jo ek baar aisi harkat kare, aur uske liye afsos tak na jataye, usse saaf zahir hota hai ki galtiyan karna unki aadat hai majboori nahi.

Zoya stared at Asad, unable to believe the heights at which he was taking a matter that could have been solved amicably only because of his elated king size ego and arrogance. He was even talking in such curt tones with his own mother, what did he think of himself? But she was merely a guest here and speaking against him or arguing with him in front of Dilshad phupi would be ungrateful and disrespectful.

Dilshad - ASAD BAS HO GAYA.

Dilshad raised her voice, alarming Zoya, who expected Asad to answer back at his Ammi, because of the way she thought he was. But she was surprised when he sighed and nodded at her.

Asad - I am sorry Ammi, mujhe aise baat nahi karni chahiye thi. Ye aapka ghar hai, aap jo chahe wohi hoga.

Zoya melted a bit at his words, and at the understanding she realized that the mother and son shared.

Dilshad smiled at her son, hoping she could clear the conflict between Asad and Zoya too.

Dilshad - Asad.. Beta Zoya se maafi mango, aur purani baatein bhool jao..

Asad stared at his Ammi, stubborn and rigid, not interested in following her order at any cost, which Dilshad realized instantly. She was expecting too much from him, and she knew how his anger was, it was best left to cool down by itself. At least he had agreed to let Zoya stay there, for now maybe that was enough. Dilshad nodded at him and even before she could say anything else he walked off, mumbling about changing into cleaner clothes. Zoya breathed a whiff of fresh air, realizing she had been holding onto it in Asad's presence.

Dilshad looked at Zoya and giggled in understanding, and Zoya chuckled too.

Zoya - Aapke ye beta, Hitler ke zamaane ke lagte hai nahi phoopi.

Dilshad giggled to herself hearing Zoya complaining about her short tempered son so cutely, but immediately hid her amusement when Zoya looked at her sheepishly.

Zoya - Woh.. sorry..

Dilshad chuckled at her and patted her head with affection.

Dilshad - Chalo aao mai tumhe ghar dikha deti hun, aur tumhara kamra bhi. Par mujhe pata nahi tha ki tum aaj aa rahi ho toh guest room saaf nahi karwa pai.

Zoya - Arey Phupi aap pareshaan mat hoye, mai saaf kar lungi. Waise bhi bahut messy hun, toh agar room messy hoga toh mere liye it's the best den to stay in.

Dilshad giggled and shook her head - Don't let Asad hear you, warna aur gussa ho jayega. Bahut safai pasand hai, jo cheez jaha rakhi ho waha se ek inch bhi hile toh usse pata chal jaata hai. He wants everything clean, tidy and perfect.

Zoya - Allah Miyaan ye insaan hai ya chalti phirti rule book?

Asad entered in his room, angry and enraged, unable to believe that the girl he had sworn never to come across again was going to stay with them for God knows how long. He would have to bear her, her irresponsible behaviour and callous attitude daily. He couldn't even tell her to go away because her family was close to his Ammi, and he wouldn't do anything that cost his Ammi's dignity. He would just have to make maintain safe distance from her.

He saw Najma coming out with Aanu tucked in a white fluffy towel. She was jumping in her arms, wriggling to get down and crawl back to the water tub again. She was ill but yet had so much enthusiasm when it was about her bath. She was a water baby, and bath time was her most favourite hour of the day.

Najma - Nahi Aanu, aaj zyaada mum ke saath nahi khelna, baby bimaar hai na, aap jaldi se theek ho jao phir aapki phoopi aur aap bahut sara khelenge ok.

Aahana just jumped hearing the word mum' which was what she called water as,"Mum.. mum.." she kept ranting, making Najma chuckle and tickle her affectionately, and making Asad smile at his cute little family.

Aanu saw her Abbu standing at the door and smiling at them and gurgled, kicking her legs at Najma's chin who was trying to make her wear her diaper.

Najma - Aanu phupi ko pareshan mat karo, aapko ready kar rahi hai na, be a good girl.

But Aanu had seen her dad, and it was their play time. She had been fed ugly food, ugly bitter medicines and even pricked with a needle, she demanded her attention, and she knew how to make that happen, because she knew exactly who would dance on her little finger.

Najma looked at Asad and sighed, she knew there was no way Aanu would come in her control since Asad was there.

Asad blew a kiss at Aanu, while going to his wardrobe to get his change.

"Bu..Buuu,"

Asad - Abu is coming right away baby, you made Abu messy, he needs to clean up.

He leaned over her standing next to Najma and blew at her, their favourite game. And a magical one at that, because Aanu miraculously always calmed down when he blew air at her, her eye lids would flutter and then she would just stare at Asad, and so adorably that Asad couldn't get her eyes off his angel. They would stare at each other for hours like that tirelessly, probably both cherishing each other's presence in their life.

Asad went into change while Najma hopelessly tried to manage Aanu, which she obviously couldn't until Asad came and took over. Najma shook her head at the two sulking at how they needed no one else when they were together.

Najma - Good for you both, raho ek doosre ke saath, jab dono ko koi kaam hoga na tab dekhungi.

Asad smiled at his first baby and pulled at her hair affectionately, "Nautanki !"

Dilshad - Zoya, guest room bahut gandha hai, mai tumhe waha nahi rehne dungi, waha cupboard bhi khaali karana hai, kal tak tum ya toh mere room mai mere saath so jao ya phir Najma ke saath.

Zoya - Najma ?

Dilshad - Arey maine toh tumhe Najma se milwaya hi nahi.

Najma - Kisi ne mujhe yaad kiya?

Najma came in Dilshad's room without knowing that Zoya was there too, and hugged Dilshad from behind, circling her arms around Dilshad's neck and kissed her cheek. Zoya smiled at the mother and daughter, her heart swelling with that unknown emotion once again. Her uncertainties and fear dissolving away seeing the love the family shared, she could see how Dilshad was the center of everybody's attention, and she most definitely deserved it.

Najma backed out feeling embarrassed seeing an unknown face in the same room.

Dilshad - Najma, beta ye Zoya hai, jo humare ghar aa kar rehne wali thi. Kuch kaam se iske Aapi aur Jiju ko Delhi jaana pada, isliye aaj hi aa gayi.

Najma smiled at Zoya and proceeded to greet her. Zoya expected Najma to be awkward and just cordially welcome her, but she was surprised when Najma came forward and hugged her warmly. Zoya smiled at the loving welcome she had gotten here.

Najma - You're most welcome here Zoya, aur Thank God aap aaj hi aa gayi, I could really do with someone on my side. Warna yaha toh sab mujhe choti samajh kar underestimate karte rehte hai, aur Ammi ko toh apne ladle bte ke alawa kuch dikhayi hi nahi deta, but I am glad you're here.

Zoya - Najma iss baat mai toh you don't have to worry, tumhare Bhaijaan ki side toh mujhe nahi lagta mai iss janam mai kabhi lungi bhi. I am on your team.

Najma chuckled at first but then looked at Dilshad and Zoya with confusion, wondering why Zoya sounded so anti Asad. Dilshad gave her a knowing look enough for Najma to understand what could have happened, they knew Asad too well.

Najma - Zoya aap mere room mai hi rahiye, guest room saaf ho jaye uske baad bhi, we'll have so much fun.

Dilshad - Bilkul bhi nahi Najma, Zoya aaj raat tumhare saath rahegi, phir woh guest room mai shift ho jayegi, she would need her privacy too.

Zoya - Arey nahi Phupi, I would love to share a room with Najma if she doesn't mind it, I'd be glad to spend time with her.

Dilshad - You'll be glad Zoya but she'll only find another excuse not to study, waise hi iske bhaijaan peeche pad kar padate hai, ab agar aur careless hogi toh bahut daant padegi isse.

Zoya - Allah Miyaan, aur kitni khatarnaak rules sunne padenge uss Akdu Ahmed Khan ke.

Asad sat on his couch with Aahana in his arms, her fever and blocked nose didn't let her sleep, and she refused to sleep in her cot or placed on the bed. So Asad sat near the window, so the fresh air could sooth her and rocked her to sleep. Aahana wasn't relenting or trying to sleep, she was just staring at her Abu. Asad smiled at his adorable sunshine and bend down to kiss her forehead.

Asad - Abu is so lucky to have you Aanu..how did I get so lucky hmm? How did I get so lucky?

Asad cooed to Aanu who gurgled lazily.. Asad smiled a sad smile.

Asad - You're the sunshine in Abu's dark life angel, I don't know if I would be alive if it wasn't for you.

Asad bought Aanu closer and cuddled her to himself, hiding his face in her, smelling the baby scent that soothed him the most. Aanu wriggled away from her Abu, feeling chocked in her Abu's strong arms and cried.

Asad - Sorry sorry, Abu wont choke you like that ok?

Asad held his ears with his free hand making Aanu gurgle again. She placed her head on his chest listening to his heart beats. Asad realized she must be tired .. she was yet warm and had not yet recovered. He patted her lovingly putting her to sleep. His eyes welled up seeing her secure in his arms sleeping innocently. He would never be able to explain in words the extent to which he loved her, the extent to which he feared losing her, like he had lost the closest people to him. He had lost his Abu, his Ayesha, and left with a broken family. A lot of effort and pain had been endured to knit everything back in order but the scars of his past would never let him live in peace, would never let him live without the fear of losing his family, especially his sunshine.

Zoya woke up from her sleep feeling thirsty, she saw Najma fast asleep next to her, so she decided to go fetch some water from the kitchen by herself. Picking the jar from the table she tip-toed outside the room towards the kitchen. She was walking towards the kitchen when she heard some whimpers from Asad's bedroom. She thought it was her misunderstanding, they sounded like a baby's muffled cries, but when the cry got louder she kept the jar on the table and walked towards his room. The door was half open, but even then Zoya knocked it before peeping into the room. She walked in to see Asad missing from the room, and saw a mess of pillows on the bed.

She slowly walked towards the bed, closer to the sound of cries to see a baby entangled in her quilt and struggling to come out if it. Zoya stared at the bundle of beauty in front of her, dazed to find a baby in the house, wondering who she was, since Dilshad hadn't even mentioned her. But soon rushed to prevent Aahana from choking herself in the quilt she had trapped herself into while sleeping. She picked Aahana up who was crying and seemingly warm, and even coughing a bit. Zoya picked her in her arms and rocked her a bit to calm her down.

Zoya - Sssh, calm down sweetheart, you're ok now, you're fine, shhh.

Aahana heard an unfamiliar voice talking to her and an unknown face looking down at her. She stared at Zoya for a while, blinking her eyes at Zoya, staring at her cutely, making Zoya smile at her innocence. But her diverted attention didn't remain forever, she began sobbing again wriggling to get out of Zoya's arms.

Zoya panicked with a Aahana in her arms, she couldn't see Asad around and Dilshad and Najma were asleep, and the baby was probably ill and uncomfortable. She cuddled Aahana closer and rocked her in her arms caressing her back to calm her down, but when she didn't she walked out of the room to help find herself a way to calm the crying baby.

Asad walked into his room with his laptop, a phone call from his PA had delayed him. He walked towards the bed to check on Aahana, but the colour from his face was drained and life sucked out of him when he saw an empty bed and Aahana missing.

Where did Aahana go?

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