~ The Sunshine of My life ~ AsYa FF||Part 14 Page 129 NOTE PG 140 - Page 22

Asad was strolling in his room, putting Aahana to sleep. She always slept after her morning feed and bath. He had to leave for his office in a while and wanted Aahana to be asleep before he did. He didn't know why but having Zoya around Aahana worried him to no end. He didn't trust strangers around his family, she was just one day old in the house and their first meeting had left him totally angered by her ways. More than anything else, her taking Aahana away in the middle of the night without even asking or informing him had led him to face those fears and incidents of the past he had buried deep within him. He didn't know if he was was overreacting or justified in being protective but he knew he wouldn't be at ease with Zoya around his Aahana. Asad smiled at Aanu who had fallen asleep in his arms and bend down to kiss her forehead, stroking her fluffy hair with his hand. He packed her in her quilt and moved out towards Dilshad's room to leave her in her care.

He knocked on his Ammi's door and entered to see his mother with Zoya.. talking, giggling as if they were long lost friends who had met after years. Zoya and Dilshad looked up to see an awkward looking Asad walk in with a sleeping Aahana.

After his snub from earlier, Zoya had once again gotten extremely confused and weary around Asad. She couldn't understand his rude behaviour and his reactions on seeing her with Aahana. Asad walked over to Dilshad and handed Aahana to her, patting her once to ensure she was fast asleep.

"Ammi, mai office ke liye nikal raha hun, I've given Aahana her medicine dose, but she is yet a little cranky at times because of the cold, kuch problem ho toh phone kar dijiyega"

Dilshad nodded at him," Tum fikr mat karo, I'll take care of her aur aaj toh Zoya bhi hai."

Asad stared at his Ammi and then back at Zoya unsure of how to tell her that he didn't feel too sure about her idea. Dilshad understood his uncertainty and tried to control the situation.

"Asad! Maine kaha na, mai khayal rakhungi. Ab zyaada fikr mat karo, aur mann laga ke kaam karna, ghar ki itni chinta mat karo ,Aahana choti bachi hai, mai nahi hun."

Asad smiled at his Ammi, understanding her taunt on his overprotective habits. He nodded and bent down to kiss her forehead, and then Aahana's and left her room. Zoya who had been standing besides the bed awkwardly when Asad had walked in and fuming over his impolite ways with her was left smiling at his gesture.

Dilshad placed a sleeping Aahana on the bed and smiled, admiring her granddaughter. She looked up at Zoya to see her standing next to the bed uncertainly.

"Arey Zoya khadi kyun ho, yaha aao betho na.."

"I am so stupid kal maine tumhe sabse milwaya, but I never introduced you to the star of our family. This is Aahana, Asad's daughter and the apple of our eyes, the sunshine in our lives."

Zoya moved and sat down on the bed awkwardly. She looked at Aahana and smiled at her sleeping form. She didn't realise when her hands moved towards the baby caressing her head softly. She smiled when the baby cooed in her sleep, probably liking the soft touch. Zoya looked up at Dilshad smiling at her instantly moved back her hand sheepishly.

"It's ok Zoya, don't shy away. Aahana loves meeting people and making new friends, I am sure she'll mingle well with you."

"But maybe Mr Khan doesn't" Zoya spoke out carelessly and realising maybe she shouldn't have just the next moment.

"Zoya?"

"I am sorry phupi woh.. .woh actually, I think Mr Khan doesn't like it when I am around Aahana."

"Par maine toh tumhe abhi tak Aahana se milwaya bhi nahi, not until now anyway, how would Asad even have a problem when you haven't even interacted with her?"

Zoya hesitated at first but then told her how she had taken Aahana to the garden because she had been crying alone on the bed and had almost choked herself in the blanket she was wrapped in, she narrated Asad's reaction and weird behaviour too, because she couldn't make anything out of it herself and didn't want to be imposing or causing any trouble if she unknowingly had.

Dilshad heard her in understanding, she knew why Asad had reacted the way he had but Zoya didn't, but she couldn't let out his past to her, Asad wouldn't like it. But she would have to explain Asad Ahmed Khan to Zoya anyway, it was only fair for her to know him a bit better.

"Zoya..thank you so much ki tumne Aahana ki ifhazat ki. Agar tum waqt par nahi pahunchti toh pata nahi Aahana ko kya ho jaata. "

"Please Phupi aap thank you mat kahiye, ye toh mera farz tha, I just feel sorry to have caused any sort of trouble.."

"Arey nahi Zoya you didn't cause any trouble, Asad bas aisa hi hai. He is really protective of his family, especially Aahana. A lot has happened in his past which has made him the way he is. His world revolves around the three of us, agar hum mai se kisi ko ek kharoch bhi aa jaye his worry and concern crosses all extremes. Aur Aahana ko apne aas paas na dekhe, he goes wild with worry. It's not even his fault, a lot has happened before to make him so possessive. I know it can get alarming for someone who doesn't know him to see such extreme controlling behaviour, but trust me Zoya, ye sirf Asad ka pyar hai. Jo insaan zindagi mai bahut kuch kho deta hai, usse khone ka darr humesha satata hai."

Zoya felt pained hearing Dilshad. From whatever little she had told her, she understood that Asad had, had a hard life and painful experiences making him the way he was. Although she knew nothing about his life yet, but whatever she did was enough at least to know why he reacted the way he did to her last night and earlier the same day.

"Tum kal aayi hi thi, isliye maine Aahana ka zikr bhi nahi kiya. Agar uska zikr karti toh Ayesha ka bhi zikr hota."

"Ayesha?"

"Haan, Aahana ki Ammi.."

"Par woh hai kaha.."

"Uh.."

Zoya drew back looking at Dilshad's suddenly solemn expression, wondering if she had treaded a line she shouldn't have.

"Ayesha ab iss duniya mai nahi hai Zoya, she passed away after giving birth to Aahana.."

Zoya gasped, shocked to hear the most bitter truth of the beautiful family she was living with. It must have been so hard to lose Ayesha, especially the way they did. The birth of an angel should have been the happiest moment of their life, but it had rudely been replaced with a loss that could never be repaired. Zoya looked at Aahana, feeling miserable that she never got the love of a mother, felt horrible thinking about Asad who didn't get the chance to dwell in the happiness of being a parent, because he was left alone to take care of his daughter and lost a companion at such a young age.

"Aise bahut haadse hue hai Zoya, Asad ke bachpan se hi, jisne usse pathar bana diya hai. Mai janti hun ki woh kabhi kabhi bahut rude ho jaata hai, kaafi controlling hai, lekin woh dil ka bura nahi hai beta. He has a lot of love to give to everyone, but sadly it's been marred with a lot of pain that has suppressed him to an extent that he's forgotten how to express it. Zoya.. woh.."

"Bas phupi aapko kuch kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai. I know it must be very painful to even think about all of this, let alone talk to someone regarding it. I can understand Mr Khan a lot better now, and that is enough for me to know how to be around him so he isn't bothered. I feel sorry for what he and Aahana have had to go through. Par kam se kam ab aap sab ke paas Aahana hai, she has gotten a new of ray of hope with her."

Zoya took Dilshad in her arms, hugging her lovingly when she saw her teary eyed. Dilshad hugged her back warmly, touched by how compassionate Zoya was.

Zoya walked into the living room a little while later. She had spent the latter part of the morning setting up her wardrobe and adjusting herself into the guest room that Dilshad had gotten cleaned up for her. She saw Dilshad helplessly trying to handle an extremely agitated Aahana.

"Arey kya hua phupi ye itna ro kyun rahi hai."

"Ye koi nayi baat nahi hai, ye toh mujhe roz khaane ke liye pareshaan karti hai. Isse paani mai jitna marzi khela do, toys, dolls and music se entertain kardo, usse kabhi nahi thakti. Sab tantrums sirf khaane ke time pe hote hai.Kuch pasand ka bana ho toh khudh se godh mai koodh koodh kar kha legi aur kuch acha na lage toh ghanto daudati hai. Aaj toh isse kada pilana hai pata nahi shayad poora din hi lag jaye. Par agar pilaya nahi toh ye theek nahi hogi.."

Zoya giggled at the granddaughter and Dadi duo seeing how they were fighting with each other. Dilshad was trying to hold her on the lap trying to distract her with her toys while she fed her with the kada. And Aahana was wriggling to get out of her hold pushing her dadi with her tiny arms with all her might.

"Pata nahi Asad isse kaise manage karta hai, I don't know how she doesn't trouble him one bit with her food or anything else. Saare nakhre iske mere saath hi hote hai.. kyun masti khor.." Dilshad scrunched her nose cutely at her naughty granddaughter.

Zoya smiled and went and sat down next to the both of them on the huge quilt laid down in the middle of the living room. Dilshad would manage to feed her one spoon and she would spit it out making sour faces, making Zoya smile and giggle at her antics. After seeing the same thing happening a number of times she thought of intervening.

"Phupi aap kahe toh mai kosish kar ke dekhun?"

"Zoya tum? Ye bahut pareshan karegi, I don't think it's possible to placate her."

"Arey phupi aap Zoya Farooqui ko jaanti nahi, aisa koi kaam nahi hai jo mai nahi kar sakti."

"Chalo theek hai, you give it a try." Dilshad crossed her arms and sat down on the sofa to see the drama play out in front of her.

Zoya went in and got her favourite iPad for help, putting on music that Dilshad had said Aahana loves the most, she began moving to it. Then holding Aahana's hand she made her stand on her feet and made her move to the music along with her. Aahana gurgled in excitement, twisting her legs in enthusiasm and glad to have found a partner who enjoyed music and dancing on it as much as she did. Zoya laughed at Aahana's excitement, pleased with herself on being the reason of the baby girls smile. While she was still dancing with Aahana, she took a spoon of the kada and took it to her mouth. In all the fun Aahana didn't notice what she was having and readily took it into her mouth. In a similar fashion Zoya got her to have most of the kada until the song stopped playing and silence took over. Aahana was distracted and recognised the bitter taste lingering in her mouth and started to whimper. Zoya immediately took her into her arms wanting to comfort her even before she began crying.

"No Aahana, you're a super baby aren't you, super babies don't cry alright." She raced with her towards the kitchen and popped a sugar cube in her mouth. Aahana sucked on it and relished the sweet taste, while Zoya wiped her little tears and kissed her cheek. Aahana smiled at her, a smile she rarely flashed to anyone so unfamiliar. But she had found a partner today, and somehow she just knew that this pretty lady was someone who'd be a partner in all her little mischief. She cutely patted Zoya's cheeks and sang," Ahh ahh.." kicking her legs in the air.

"Aahana wants to dance more?"

Aahana gurgled in excitement as if agreeing to Zoya.

"Let's go then partner." Zoya whooped and ran with Aahana back into the living room.

Dilshad smiled looking at Aahana and Zoya bond so effortlessly. She couldn't believe how easily Zoya had gotten Aahana to take the kada Aahana would normally take hours to be fed. Zoya's childlike innocence, loving heart and infectious smile hadn't taken more than a few moments to make Dilshad warm up to her, and Aahana seemed to have found a new friend and accomplice too. Her house was echoing with tinkling laughter and cheerful noises once again, something she had been craving for from years. She blessed Zoya in her heart, wanting the girl to achieve whatever she had come out looking for.

It was late at night, dinner had been done amidst a lot of noise and masti. Dilshad, Najma, Zoya and Aahana had a gala time. Zoya narrated many funny stories and shared a lot of experiences of her life in New York and by the end of the evening she had woven a place in the heart of all the women in the house, obviously including the star member of the family Aahana', who couldn't get enough of this new guest at home. Asad had called up to tell Dilshad that he would get late. He had gone to the other end of the city earlier in the day and a road block had caused a lot of delay in his return.

It was time for Aahana to sleep but she refused to leave Zoya and go to Dilshad.

"Ya Allah Zoya, kya jadoo kar diya hai tumne iss par, aaj dadi ka muh bhi nahi dekhna iss badmaash ko. Sone ka waqt ho gaya aur isse dekho, looks all charged up for another round of mischief."

Zoya giggled at Dilshad's sulking and scooted a kiss on Aahana's chubby cheeks. She noticed Dilshad's sleepy eyes and felt sorry for her.

"Phupi aap ja kar so jaiye na mai Aahana ko sula deti hun."

"I am sure Zoya. I know tum usse sula dogi. Par mere sabse bade baby ka kya hoga."

"Sabse bada baby?"

"Haan mera Asad,koi baby se kam hai kya.. Usne kuch khaya nahi hoga. I'll warm up the food when he comes and go to sleep after that."

"Phupi toh unka khaana mai garam kar dungi. Aap bahut thaki hui lag rahi hai, you go rest I'll take care."

"Nahi nahi Zoya tum kyun takleef le rahi ho I'll do it na. Tum kal hi toh aayi ho aur ..."

"Toh kya phupi, aap hi ne toh kaha that this is like my family. If I am part of your family toh apne ghar ka kuch kaam karne mai kaisi takleef. Now you're being formal with me." Zoya sulked pouting cutely at Dilshad.

Dilshad laughed at her expression and relented," Theek hai baba tum khila dena usse, mai jaati hun sone. Put Aahana to sleep though, if she doesn't sleep on time, we'll have a long tedious morning tomorrow."

She went ahead and kissed Aahana on her head which was leaning on Zoya's shoulders and then surprisingly for Zoya, Dilshad moved towards her and kissed her forehead too.

"Good night My darlings."

"Goodnight Phupi," Zoya smiled at Dilshad, her heart melting with all the love Dilshad and Najma, and even this little angel had showered on her. Dilshad was such a wonderful woman she thought, a perfect head of family, perfect grandmother, perfect mother. She felt like she had known her for ages even though she had only met her yesterday. She felt like Dilshad was her own mother whom she had found after years of search, and just that thought bought happy tears to her eyes.

Asad clicked the door open, expecting the house to be wrapped in darkness. He was feeling extremely rotten about reaching home so late. He hadn't gotten the chance to spend time with his daughter today. And he was sure his Ammi would still be awake to look after his dinner.

He walked inside to see the light above the coffee table at the corner of the living room on and Zoya sitting with a sleeping Aahana wrapped in her arms. Asad's tired eyes flashed open. He was shocked to see her sitting there with Aahana. And a similar instance from yesterday flashed in front of his eyes. He rushed towards them, and without any warning, he pulled Aahana out of her arms.

Zoya who had been napping herself, while putting Aahana to sleep, woke up with a jerk. She woke up with a start seeing Asad standing in front of her with Aahana in his arms who was slightly awake due to the movement but the warmth of her father's familiar touch calmed her down.

Once again without even saying a word to Zoya or even sparing a glance, Asad walked away with Aahana in his arms towards his room shutting the door behind him. Zoya stood in the living room, annoyed and hurt by his actions and silence. She felt like giving up on him and walking away, not wanting to impose herself and then being left insulted.

But then she remembered Dilshad telling her about his meal, and remembered her earlier conversation with Dilshad about his past. She felt guilty for being impulsive and calmed down thinking about what her Phupi had said. After giving Asad and his actions a lot of thought, Zoya had seemed to realize that Asad was an insecure man. He had lost out on a lot in his early days of life from whatever Dilshad had told her. Having lost his wife at such a young age and being left to manage his daughter all alone had made him vulnerable. Maybe seeing someone a complete stranger around his daughter was meddling with his insecurities.

Asad sat on the couch in his room with his feet crossed below him and Aahana on his shoulders cuddled up to him. She had gone off to sleep long ago, but Asad didn't have the heart to separate her from himself. He rested his head on hers gently and kept caressing her back.

Soft knocks on his door broke him out of his reverie, placing Aahana in her cradle he went to the door expecting his Ammi. He was surprised to see Zoya standing there with a plate of food in her hands.

"Woh Mr Khan, Phupi ne kaha tha ki aapko khaana garam karke de dun, uhm.."

"Mujhe bhook nahi hai, please isse le jaiye, thank you anyway." Asad mumbled and moved behind to shut the door.

"Mr Khan please, please kuch kha lijiye, it's not nice to skip meals. Aap apna khayal nahi rakhenge toh Aahana ka khayal kaun rakhega."

Aahana's mention from her irked him more than he already was on knowing how Dilshad had made Zoya a part of the house to the extent of asking her to take care of Aahana and even him and his meals,"Apni beti ka khayal rakhna aata hai mujhe, mujhe aapse seekhne ki zaroorat nahi hai. So please, don't interfere in my life..mehmaan hai, mehmaan banker rahiye."

Asad moved ahead to shut the door, while Zoya stood there wanting to get across him and convince him to eat dinner. Asad didn't realise her hand was next to the door and went ahead to shut it.

"Ouch.." Zoya winced in pain, alarming Asad who had turned his back on her. He saw her hand which had gotten a bit blue because of the hit and her other hand trembling. He immediately rushed to her and held the plate from her hands. Taking her injured hand in his he lead her inside his room towards his couch.

"I am so sorry Miss Farooqui I didn't mean to hurt you, mujhe nahi pata tha aapka haath waha par hai." He looked at her remorsefully, and saw her eyes red with a glimpse of unshed tears.

"It's ok Mr Khan you don't need to worry about me. I can manage myself." She spoke bluntly, not wanting to be in the same room as Asad more than a minute. She had tried being sweet and tried understanding him and his stance, but he didn't seem to respect or care for anyone else. His cold behaviour had her scared.

But Asad was feeling extremely rotten for putting her through this. No matter how he had been feeling about her presence in his house and around Aahana, nothing bothered him now more than the fact that he was the reason of her being hurt.

He immediately got a first aid box and sat next to her on the couch, taking a tube from it he moved to take her hand in his. But she moved behind and almost got up to leave.

"Miss Farooqui please, please let me help you, and I am really sorry for hurting you. I know aap mujhse naaraz hai, and I deserve it, but please let me bandage your hand. I don't want to be responsible for hurting anyone."

Zoya looked up on hearing his words, raw emotions, fear and insecurities echoed in every word he spoke, making her wonder why he had come to becoming the way he was. She let him lead her back to the couch. He opened the tube and squirted some of the ointment on his fingers. He gently rubbed the ointment on her bruise making her wince in pain. She instantly felt his cold breath tingle on her palm as he blew air on her to sooth her. The feeling of his breath on her, made her squirm, not in alarm but with a feeling in her stomach that felt like butterflies in flurry... making her close her eyes at the sensation.

"Are you better?" she broke out of her alien world back to reality, hearing his voice. She saw his eyes laded with concern and nodded.

"Rest your hand well at night, you should be better in the morning," he said while packing the first aid box away, the blankness on his face back, the flash of the caring Asad she had seen gone, and the masked man back again.

Zoya sat there clueless what to do or say next when she saw him stand beside her near the couch.

"I am sorry again Ms Farooqui, aapko meri wajah se chot lagi.. "

"It's ok Mr Khan, ho jaata hai... uh.. woh, mai chalti hun. Bahut raat ho gayi, I should go to bed."

Asad nodded at her, glad she was better and relieved she was leaving. The last few moments had been awkward and the space between them had been filled with something unexplainable that he wanted to push away.

But Zoya thought this was the best chance to talk to him, about what she had come to talk to him about. Talking with him meant playing with fire, and she had already witnessed it, but Zoya Farooqui wasn't the one to give up.

She stopped on her way out and turned to Asad, "I need to talk to you Mr Khan."

P.S - I will NOT be pming for my parts because like I said its too much work, so all those asking me for it, please remember to check on the updates yourself 😆

P.P. S - Asad and Zoya both have a past behind them, which will open up slowly in the upcoming parts, flashes from Asad's life with Ayesha will also be included as they play a huge role in making him the man he is today and is also an explanation of a lot of his actions now and even those that will be in the future parts.

PLEASE DO LIKE AND COMMENT, PRETTY PLEASE 😆

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