~ The Sunshine of My life ~ AsYa FF||Part 14 Page 129 NOTE PG 140 - Page 33

Zoya sat with Aahana in her arms, who was sucking on her thumb almost chewing on it. Her gums were sore and she was biting onto anything she could. She would occasionally whimper in between when her gums hurt more than the usual. For sometime Zoya tried the various known tricks to sooth her pain, she gave her a teething toy, a frozen carrot which she kept nibbling on. But now her patience was tested, the annoying pain didn't even let her dose off if she was sleepy. She began wailing uncontrollably, frightening a usually very calm Zoya.

Zoya picked her from her lap and put her against her chest and rocked her to put her to sleep. When she didn't calm down even then, she stood up with her and walked around the room cradling her. But her every effort was in vain as Aahana continued to cry bitterly.

"Hussh baby, calm down. Aap aise rote rahoge toh mujhe bhi rona aa jayega, aapko rote dekh kar bhi aur kyunki aapke Abu aake mujhe bahut dantenge isliye bhi. Aap toh apne Akdu Abu jaanti ho na.." Zoya spoke to Aahana animatedly, scrunching her face naughtily trying to make her smile at her antics. When the crying didn't stop for a while Zoya thought of trying a new trick. She had read somewhere that to calm a hysterical baby, distracting her attention to something the baby liked doing was the best way to manage her. Zoya remembered Dilshad telling her that Aahana was extremely fond of playing in the water. She immediately took Aahana to the washroom and began filling the bath tub with warm water. Till the bath tub filled up she undressed Aahana and sat down on a stool next to it which she assumed was what Asad used while bathing Aahana. She washed her hands with the warm water and rubbed her fingers over Aahana's gums to sooth her pain. Aahana's crying lowered momentarily as she sucked on Zoya's fingers holding them tightly to herself which made Zoya smile adorably at her.

After the tub had filled up she placed Aahana in it holding her tightly. Even as the water had just touched Aahana, she began flapping her feet and hands in it splashing the water all over making Zoya wet and giggle at the now happy water baby. Zoya was extremely fond of water and she was elated on discovering Aahana's similar fondness for it. Zoya picked up a few of her floating toys and got into the tub with Aahana. Aahana saw Zoya enter the water and stared at her in awe.

"What happened baby? Excited to play? COME ON then it's fun time.." Zoya squealed behaving like a child herself.

So for the next half an hour Aahana and Zoya had the most amazing time of their life, splashing the water and playing with the toys. Zoya would throw a fist full of water outside the tub, and Aahana would copy the same aiming to splash it farther away.

In all this fun and glory they were oblivious of the calls ringing on Zoya's mobile and the landline at home. Asad who had reached office and sorted a few files had taken a break to call Zoya and enquire about Aahana. But neither was Zoya answering her phone nor the landline. After a number of unanswered calls Asad grew worried. Flashes of a similar incident in the past raced to his mind making him sick in worry.

Zoya realised that Aahana was beginning to get tired, as her activities in the water had slowed down. She immediately got out of the water and took her out of it wrapping her in a towel. Aahana didn't protest and rather rested her head on Zoya's shoulders. Zoya dressed Aahana and packed her in a soft cotton night suit. By the time she had her dressed and warm Aahana had dosed off to sleep tired by all the playing in water.

A very terrified and haggard Asad rushed into the house sometime later. He looked around the living room and found it empty, the eerie silence in the house heightened his fright. He dashed towards Zoya's room and was heading to shout out Aahana's name when he stopped to see Aahana and Zoya both sleeping calmly on the bed. He froze for a few moments savouring the image, relief finally sinking in on finding Aahana safe and sound.

He breathed in to calm himself and pressed his head to sooth the throbbing vein. The calm was suddenly replaced with annoyance on Zoya remembering how she hadn't received his calls frightening him to death. He wanted to shake her awake and chide her for the mistake, but had no heart to disturb an innocently sleeping Aahana. He moved out of the room towards the kitchen to make himself a strong cup of coffee for his headache.

Zoya stirred awake hearing some noise from outside. She placed a few pillows around Aahana and softly tiptoed out of the room. She walked into the kitchen area to see Asad pouring in some coffee for himself.

"Mr Khan aap? Itne jaldi aa gaye?" Zoya questioned wondering how he had come back so soon, since he had left only two hours ago.

"Kyun ab apne ghar par aane ke liye bhi aapse permission leni padegi?" Asad jibed back angrily.

Zoya was taken aback at his tone. He had been sugar sweet to her in the morning, to the extent of trusting her around his daughter. And now he was suddenly back to his old harsh Akdu mode. How was she to keep up with his swaying moods?

"Arey aap itna gussa kyun hai? Subah toh itne pyar se baat kar rahe the, ab maine aisa kya kar diya."

"Jab aapko ehsaas hi nahi hai ki aapse kya careless harkat hui hai toh mere kehne se kaunsa maan jayengi."

"Mr Khan jab tak aap batayenge nahi toh mujhe kaise pata chalega."

"Ms Farooqui maine aapko kam se kam 50 baar phone kiya hoga. Aapke mobile par bhi aur ghar ke number par bhi, kaha thi aap itni der. Aap jaanti bhi hai ki mai kitna darr gaya tha, mujhe laga pata nahi kya ho gaya, kahi aap.."

"Kahi mai? Kahi mai kya Mr Khan. Aur aap itna worry kyun karte hai, kya aapko itna bhi bharosa nahi hai ki mai Aahana khayal rak sakthi hun. Mai jaanti hun ki hum ek doosre ko abhi itna nahi jaante. But do you think I am some legal offender jo Aahana ko lekar kahi bhaag jaungi."

"BAS Miss Farooqui.." Asad shook with anger on her words, his eyes red with rage. Giving her a shooting glance he walked off into his room shutting the door with a loud bang making Zoya wince.

"What is with this man?" She mumbled to herself dazed at his attitude.

After some time away from Zoya and cooling his head off Asad realised that he had been extremely impulsive and unfair to Zoya. Zoya had been tending to Aahana and had obviously slept off next to her, it was certain that she had missed his calls for the same reason. Just because he was so over protective and psychic didn't mean there was actually something wrong every time someone at home didn't pick a call. He had to apologise to her like she had. She had owned up for her mistake when she had been unreasonable and now he had to do the same no matter how tough it was for him to do it.

He walked into Zoya's room to see Aahana yet asleep, covered with pillows on all the sides. He smiled at daughter who was sleeping on her side with both her hands snuggled to herself. He couldn't resist going up to her and kissing her cheeks gently. Caressing her head and kissing her there again he walked out of the room to find Zoya.

He saw Zoya sitting in the garden on the wooden bench he normally took to resting on whenever he was angry or stressed.

Zoya was sitting out in the fresh air trying to cool her hot head, wondering to herself why Asad had overreacted so much.. She was sulking at the unfairness of the situation when she saw a hot mug off coffee appearing in front of her. She looked up to see Asad looking down at her beseechingly. She didn't take the mug from him and looked away in anger.

"Aap mujhse naaraz hai, par coffee ne kya bigaada hai aapka?" Asad spoke in an attempt to joke, making Zoya scowl further.

"Kya aap har baar sabko daante ne ke baad aise hi manate hai? Breakfast banakar ya coffee pilakar?"

"Nahi aaj tak toh aisa nahi karna pada kyunki Ammi aur Najma mujhse kabhi aise naaraz nahi hue, it's my first time." Asad replied intelligently, trying to keep a teasing tone so that she could let him off.

"Theek bhi hai.. kitna naaraz honge aapse, they must have given up on you and your anger issues by now, warna phir toh shayad har waqt naaraz hi rehna padta hoga aapse."

Asad grimaced at her jibe, but didn't respond understanding that her anger was justified.

"I am sorry Ms Farooqui, but I am sure that by now you've realised that I am fiercely protective of Aahana. I am used to being around her most of the time and if not me than I know she has Ammi or Najma around her. Even if I trust you and your humanity and genuine concern for her, I can't stop worrying for her. Aahana meri zindagi hai, mere jeene ke sahara hai woh, agar usse kuch ho gaya toh.."

"Mr Khan I can understand your concern and I know that it is entirely justified. Lekin aise hi kab tak darte rahenge aap. Aise kahi mauke aayenge jab Aahana kisi ke saath ghar mai akeli hogi aur koi phone receive nahi kar payega, toh kya har baar sab kaam chodkar aap ghar aa jayenge. You're not only killing yourself in worry but also stifling the others around you. Itne dabao mai koi bhi sukoon se nahi reh sakta Mr Khan." Zoya spoke slowly and careful trying not to sound like she was preaching him. But his overreaction was making her really curious about what had made him like that.

"Jab insaan apni zindagi mai bahut kuch kho deta hai toh usse sukoon se jeena kisse kehte hai woh yaad nahi rehta, kyunki usse humesha kuch aur khone ka darr yaad rehte hai" Asad blurted sadly, his eyes dark and intense, surprising her. Zoya who was now staring at him wondered how to respond to his words.

Zoya wanted to comfort him, and moved her hand forward to hold his, but even before she could Asad stood up," Agar aapne meri kahi baat ke liye mujhe maaf kar diya hai toh please ye coffee pee lijiyega." Asad requested Zoya and walked away flustered. He wasn't used to speaking his heart out, and he had broken his rules twice in the last two days.

Zoya sighed to herself, his words echoing n her mind. She couldn't help but get lost in the man named Asad Ahmed Khan. He was a mystery in himself. He had pain evidently blaring in his eyes, immense amount of love for his family especially his daughter and at the same time he hid so much within him. He was angry one minute, guilty and helpful the other. The more closer she went to him the more lost she would get into finding who the real Asad Ahmed Khan was.

Zoya heard some squeals from inside the house which broke her thoughts. She walked inside to see Aahana crawling in the living room with Asad pretending to run behind her.

"Aanu Abu is tired now, stop he can't catch up with you.." Asad spoke funnily mimicking a babyish tone making Aahana look back at him and gurgle. When he made a move to run behind her again she got back to the task of troubling him and crawled further ahead. For the next few minutes they both continued to race around the house, after which Asad sneaked behind her and caught her in his arms. He stood up with her and threw her in the air making her scream in delight. She kicked her legs in excitement wanting for more. Asad shook his head at her and threw her high again. Aahana just kept laughing and patting his shoulders demanding for more.

Asad caught her in his arms and made an attempt to stare at her sternly," Enough now Aahana, bahut ho gayi masti." Aahana stared at him and Asad stared back seeing her face scrunch, scared she would begin crying and almost felt bad for scolding her even though he had only been pretending. He was about to cajole her when she gurgled and patted his face.

"Hmm Aahana's getting to be very naughty, Abu ko pareshan karne mai mahir ho gayi hai haina. You're the only one who knows how to make me dance on your little finger. " Asad held her palm and kissed it, which had been patting his cheek.

"Aahana ko bhook lagi hai, kuch khaya Aanu ne?" Asad asked her patting her tummy while she nodded in agreement.

Zoya who had been observing the pair from the doorway smiling away, walked inside closer to them.."Woh soh gayi toh I fed her some milk par kuch zyaada nahi khaya usne.."

Seeing Zoya Aahana wanted to jump to her, she leaned forward raising her arms towards her. Asad was pleasantly surprised to see Aahana's fondness for Zoya. Zoya stared at Asad uncertainly even when Aahana had begun screaming for her to pick her up.

"Lijiye na Ms Farooqui, Aahana wants to be with you. Aap iske saath waqt guzariye, I'll make her food for her till then.." Asad handed over Aahana to Zoya and moved towards the kitchen. Zoya wanted to go and talk to him, question him if she had upset him with her words, but she thought of leaving him alone for a while, lest she say something casually again which might end up hurting him.

Later that night everyone was sitting in the living room after dinner which Zoya had prepared lovingly for the family. Dilshad been out till late and Najma had come tired from her extra lectures hence Zoya had taken it in her hands to cook for everyone. Asad who had been morose after the happenings in the day had thanked her for the food which he had surprising the women in the house appreciated without hesitation. He was dazed at how affectionate she was that she had managed to not only get close to Aahana in a day but also care so much for his family to the extent of taking up responsibilities as if she was a member of the family. He looked up from his files and saw Zoya sitting on the floor while Dilshad oiled her hair. He smiled at the pair amazed again how it took them just merely two days to get so close to each other as if they knew the other from ages ago.

He looked over at Aahana who was sitting next to him on the couch and had been playing on his phone tapping on all the buttons enjoying herself. She had dosed off with the phone in her hands and was leaning down in her sleep uncomfortably.

"Ammi Aanu so gayi hai, mai isse kamre mai lekar ja raha hun, aap bhi jaldi so jayega it was a long day for you.." He walked over to her carrying Aahana in his arms and kissed her forehead, "Good night Ammi."

Dilshad bid him a good night and continued to massage Zoya's head while they sat there in silence. She observed that Zoya had been considerably quiet all throughout the evening. Not that she knew Zoya so much, but of whatever little she had understood Zoya was an extremely jovial and chirpy girl and it was unusual for her to be so silent.

"Zoya?"

"Hmm"

"Sab kuch theek hai na beta, aaj shyam se dekh rahi hun itni chup chaap ho, kuch hua hai kya."

"Nahi phupi kuch bhi toh nahi, everything's okay."

"Zoya meri taraf dekho.." Dilshad held her shoulder turning her around. She cupped Zoya's face and smiled," Mai tumhari Ammi toh nahi hun par Ammi jaisi zaroor hun, and mothers come to know when their children are upet."

Zoya's eyes brimmed with tears hearing Dilshad's words and she got up to sit next to her and hugged her tightly.

"Mr Khan, Najma aur Aahana kitne lucky hai ki unke paas aap jaisi Ammi hai. Aap toh mujhe jaanti bhi nahi aur phir bhi samajh gayi ki mai upset thi."

Dilshad smiled and lovingly patted her head,"Toh batao kya hua?"

Zoya sighed and held Dilshad's hands in hers,"Phupi actually mai bahut confused hun.. I mean Mr Khan ko lekar bahut confused hun..."

"Asad ko lekar.. kyun aisa kya hua hai, did he say something? Did you two fight again?"

"Arey nahi nahi phupi aisi koi baat nahi hai, in fact Mr Khan and me both sorted all our issues, aur kal se woh bahut helpful aur sensitive behave kar rahe hai.. par woh.."

Zoya narrated the entire incident that had happened with Asad and Aahana and told her about what she had told Asad after which he had drawn himself into his shell again. She was confused with his reaction and wanted to know if she had hurt him.

Dilshad sighed sadly and squeezed Zoya's hand in assurance,"Tumne kuch galat nahi kaha Zoya and from a neutral point of view tumhari kahi baat bilkul sahi hai. But from his point of view he didn't need to hear that. Woh sensitive hai aur Aahana ko lekar had se zyaada. Zoya.. Aahana Asad ki zindagi hai. After losing Ayesha he dedicated all his time to her, in her care in her upbringing. He has always shouldered responsibilities but Aahana is not just a responsibility, she is the only way he can live. He's lost so much, bachpan mai, phir Ayesha aur woh Aahana ko bhi khote khote reh gaya."

Zoya gasped at Dilshads words, her eyes widened in shock at the recent revelation. Dilshad nodded at her and continued,"Aahana 6 mahine kit hi jab woh humare hi ghar se kidnap ho gayi thi.."

Precap - Asad and Zoya and some revelation time, about whom between them you'll have to keep reading 😊 😆

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