~The Sunshine of My Life#2 AsYa FF~||Link to third thread PG 125

Zoya saw Najma turn pale and colour drain from her face and instantly felt remorseful for having questioned her about something that seemed very personal.

"I am sorry Najma I shouldn't have asked. You keep these books aside and get in bed now. Kal tumhara exam bhi hai, you should wake up on time." Zoya said smiling at Najma and picked her books to clear the bed. As she got into the bed next to Najma, she observed how sullen she had grown and saw her eyes brimming with tears. Zoya felt guilty again, she hadn't realised that taking the name of that one man would elicit such a reaction from Najma.

She moved closer to her and hugged her sideways," I am sorry Najma, I am really sorry. I didn't mean to be nosy but I just happened to read the name quite a few times in your Bhaijaan's laptop today and he is Ayaan's father, Ayaan is your brother so I kept wondering why the entire family isn't here? Itne dino se yaha hun aur unhe dekha nahi, kabhi unke baare mai kuch sunna nahi, isliye mai .. par mujhe nahi poochna chahiye the. I shouldn't have crossed that line, after all it is a family matter." Zoya said ruefully.

Najma shook her head at Zoya," No Zoya don't say that, you're a part of this family as well and you wouldn't know.."

"I don't even need to know, you don't stress yourself, come on get into bed, it's getting late hmm?" Zoya said softly and prodded Najma to lie down.

They lied down on the bed facing each other. Zoya shut her eyes trying to sleep, but Najma stared endlessly wide awake.

"Zoya?"

"Hmm.." Zoya whispered opening her eyes to look at Najma.

"Ayaan Bhaijaan isn't Ammi's son, I mean woh humare sagey bhai nahi hai.." Najma sputtered.

Zoya's eyes went wide at her words but she thought it would be immoral to question Najma further since it seemed like an extremely sensitive matter.

"Rashid Ahmed Khan mere Abbu hai Zoya.." Najma said hoarsely as tears streamed out of her eyes.

"Lekin woh yaha.." Zoya began asking only to be interrupted by Najma who seemed like she wanted someone to hear her out.

"Ayaan Bhaijaan Abbu ki doosri biwi ke bete hai, infact humari do behne aur hai, Nikhat aur Nuzhat..jo unki doosri biwi ke bache hai.."

"Najma I shouldn't have even asked you anything, I am sorry. Tum ye sab bhool jao, please take rest." Zoya coaxed Najma. She knew this topic of discussion was emotionally exhausting, she had gauged that by the piece of information Najma had shared and she didn't want to see Najma broken and troubled.

"Nahi Zoya its okay. Iss ghar mai iss baare mai koi baat nahi karta, aur jab ye sab kuch hua toh mai bahut choti thi, I've seen so much but always remained silent, I had no right to say anything and no one ever took me seriously. But I always wanted to share my family's pain, try and give them some relief, but they always protected me, shielded me from anything that even so much as pricked me. "

Zoya caressed Najma's shoulder in understanding and motioned her to continue.

"Mai toh uss waqt paida bhi nahi hui thi jab Abu hum sab ko chod kar unki dusri biwi Shireen ke paas chale gaye the." Najma said her voice barely a whisper.

"Lekin why did he leave Phupi, woh toh itni achi.."

"I don't know Zoya, but our family was struggling a lot those days to earn good money and Abu would tour around the country for work, zyaada se zyaada ghar se door rehte the. When Ammi was pregnant with me he told Ammi he had married someone else and would be moving in with her. " Najma said in a quiet voice shadowed with pain.

"Ammi was shocked, dazed and broken, she cried her eyes out for days together which ruined her health and made her almost immobile. That was when everything changed Zoya, Bhaijaan transformed from a boy to a man overnight. The smile from his face was replaced by deep scars of pain, burden and responsibility. Woh khud bhi sirf 9 saal ke the Zoya. He took care of Ammi because of her failing health, went to school, worked for a living. Time passed by, Ammi recovered, I was born and at least in a few ways life settled down. Ammi used to stitch clothes, she worked day and night so she could afford good education and a decent life for the both of us. Bhaijaan din mai school mai kaam karte the aur raat mai he would help Ammi with her work. "

"Phir kuch saal baad Abu waapis aye. Aur tab bhi Zoya he didn't come back to us or for us, but for his own selfish reasons. Shireen ko pata chal gaya tha ki unki pehle bhi ek biwi thi aur woh unhe chod kar chali gayi, she even left their son with him, she was nowhere to be found. Abu was worried about taking Ayaan to wherever he would have to go to search for her, so he left him with us. Kahi saalon tak woh humare saath rahe. Ammi ne sab bardaash kiya tha, bina koi sawaal kiye, but she couldn't mother Ayaan like her own, and so even that was left for Bhaijaan to do. Bhaijaan ne Ayaan ko apne bete ki tarah paala. He showered so much love on him Zoya that I will never be able to describe it in words, even when he knew that he wouldn't be with us for life. And rightly so Abu ek din aaye aur Ayaan ko le gaye. I don't know if there was any scope left for it anymore, but Bhaijaan broke down even further. " Najma stopped to breath, her cheeks wet with tears.

"Zoya ..Abu's second family flourished, their kids travelled in chauffer driven cars, celebrated every festival with fun and fair, got everything they ever wanted. We never knew what luxuries meant. Even being able to buy a new pair of clothes for a festival was a treat enough."

"After a few years of having left us, the family business Abu was part of came crashing down. His second wife's father passed away and after that Abbu couldn't sustain the business at all. He had to take care of his three children, his wife and our Dadi.." Najma explained.

"Zoya..Ammi and Bhaijaan did everything they could so that I never felt the lack of anything in life. Bhaijaan laboured so hard to earn a good childhood for me, even if it cost him his own. I have never seen Bhaijaan behave his age Zoya. He was always like how he is today, stern, strict, protective, but beneath all that he has a heart full of love for anyone who is his own. After what happened with Ammi, he lost trust on love, relations and marriage. But when Ayesha came into his life, she changed his beliefs. Her positive approach towards life bought Bhaijaan out of his miseries. Lekin shayad Allah ko woh bhi manzoor nahi tha, Ayesha bhi hume chod kar chali gayi. I don't think I can explain the damage it did to Bhaijaan. But this time we didn't get to see it, maybe because he had hardened beyond extreme this time, but mostly because he had Aahana. Aahana is the only ray of sunshine in his life, the one flicker of hope that keeps him alive." Najma uttered as tears flowed down both her and Zoya's eyes. Zoya took Najma in a warm hug and let her cry on her shoulder. She didn't say a word because she knew nothing she would say would be comforting enough. It seemed as if Najma had kept this to herself for years and had never got to share the pain with anyone. Zoya caressed her hair lovingly, hugging her close, hoping it would ease her pain or at least lessen it.

"Najma I am sorry for mentioning that man to you. It bought back miserable memories, it's made you cry and hurt one night before your exams. I am.."

"Nahi Zoya, infact thank you.. All these years Bhaijaan and Ammi never spoke to me about this, never mentioned the past, never shared their pain, so that I could be shielded from the all the hurt. I never got to cry about it to anyone because I feared reminding them of those days. None of us ever healed because we've never let it out, we always let it be within us with the intention of protecting each other. I could hug and cry to you today, let it all out, and I feel better.. so thank you Zoya." Najma said smiling sadly at Zoya.

Zoya nodded at her in understanding and patted her head," Najma tum so jao please, you have an early morning exam. Ye lo paani pi lo.." Zoya said offering her a glass of water. They both lay down in the bed again but this time Najma scooted closer to Zoya and held her hand as if demanding for her comfort. Zoya smiled and squeezed her hand in reassurance. She patted her from the other hand, hoping she would get peaceful sleep that night.

As Zoya lay in the bed and stared at Najma she thought over what she had shared about their past. Her eyes welled up thinking about what this wonderful family had to go through. But her heart went out to Asad who had lost everything he ever loved and cherished in his life. Having to be abandoned by his Abu, to take responsibilities of an adult at the tender age of 9, having to suppress all the pain within him so that he could protect his family, father two siblings and take care of a pregnant mother, a chill ran down her spine even thinking about how he must be have ever survived through it all. His overtly protective nature, his fears related to Aahana, his silence and anger finally found an explanation. Who wouldn't turn into the man he had after going through that kind of an ordeal She remembered those documents she had seen on his laptop and figured that after Ayaan's family suffered losses they didn't have enough to pay for his education and probably then Asad had stepped in to take over the responsibility. Even after being abandoned so harshly Asad had loved his sibling like a younger son. Her heart swelled with respect, awe and admiration for him. A new found feeling enclosed her when she thought about him, about how much he loved his family. And it disturbed her to know that he had never got to live a normal childhood, never smiled freely, or played mischief, never spent a moment with nothing to worry about. Her heart urged to see him live a life anyone would dream to live, and to wipe the memories of the nightmare he had to live through instead.

Zoya heard the door open and closed her eyes pretending to sleep. She heard footsteps nearing the bed and opened her eyes a wee bit to peak through her eyelids. She saw Asad sitting by Najma's side. He tucked the strands of her hair behind her ear, stroking her head affectionately. He smiled when he heard her soft snores and shook his head. He bent down and pecked her forehead slightly," Best of luck Tamatar. And always remember, your hard work is all that matters nothing more," he said ruffling her hair. He got up from the bed and switched off the lights, gently he took the cover from beneath the both of them and tucked Najma. She expected him to walk out of the room right after but she felt him walk up to her side and adjust her blanket too. Her heart fluttered with warmth once again at such a gesture from him. She heard the door click shut and opened her eyes.

She had heard him playfully lecture his sister all day, but at the end of the day he had come to wish her the best and only prayed for her efforts to pay off. She pulled the covers closer to herself and snuggled into it smiling to herself even when tears swarmed her eyes thinking of him.

Asad stared at Aahana playing in his lap. It seemed as though she was determined she wouldn't be sleeping that night. He glanced at the clock. It was past midnight and she was wide awake hitting the keys of her toy piano creating a kind of music only she would enjoy. He was exhausted but he couldn't help but chuckle at her antics as he heard her laugh merrily at the music she was playing.

An idea struck his mind and he got up to get his guitar. He strummed it and began playing it. Aahana who had so far been engrossed in her own performance looked up hearing a melodious tune. She saw her father play the guitar that normally lay adorning the room. She was struck by the site of this new toy and crawled to it. Sitting on her knees she caressed the surface of the guitar and gaped at how flawlessly her father's fingers played with it. How could her father enjoy playing a toy without letting her do it first? She crawled towards his lap and holding onto his shoulder stood up unsteadily and moved forward to sit on his lap, with Asad just staring at her amusingly. She seated herself on his knees and thumped the hard exterior of the guitar. Asad held her hand to stop her and took her tiny palms in his. Holding them in his hands he began playing the guitar again. Aahana jumped excitedly when she felt music play, and was even more thrilled because it seemed as if she was the one playing it. She looked up at her father in wonder as he winked back at her naughtily.

A few minutes and a lot more notes later, he felt her head droop and rest on his knee. He kept the guitar aside and bent lower to find her asleep. He smiled and kissed the crown of her head, letting his lips linger there for a few seconds. He was just about to get up to keep the guitar at its place when he felt a thud near the window and saw Ayaan jumping in.

"Ayaan Miyaan iss ghar mai darwaze bhi hai, aap chahe toh waha se bhi aa sakte hai. Ek baar itni maar kha ke mann nahi bhara?" Ayaan nodded his head negatively. Asad shook his head and motioned him to come in. Ayaan leapt towards his bed and lay his head in his Bhaijaan's lap. Asad ruffled his hair with one hand as he cradled Aahana with the other.

"Kya baat hai aaj din mai doosri baar? Ghar mai dil nahi lagta kya?" Asad enquired hoping everything was fine.

"Kyun kya ye mera ghar nahi hai?" Ayaan asked dejectedly.

Asad hit Ayaan's head,"Of course it is Ayaan, this house belongs to my family before me, tum jab chahe aa sakte ho."

Ayaan smiled and looked up at Asad and Aahana from his lap,"Aaj inn mahotarma se milne aaya tha aur ye toh soh bhi gayi." Ayaan complained.

"Shukar manao so gayi ghaton se mujhe pareshan kar rakha tha." Asad said. "She's totally taken after you when it comes to music." Asad teased Ayaan earning a scowl.

"Waise Ayaan tumhe iss waqt ghar hona chahiye." Asad said shortly.

"Bhaijaan it seems you don't want me here today." Ayaan pouted.

"If I had my way I wouldn't want you to go anywhere but be with me, par tum uss ghar ke bade bete ho. You have some responsibilities to take care of. Agar tumhare Abu bimaar hai to iss waqt tumhari ghar mai zaroorat hai, you should be with your family."

Ayaan nodded in understanding,"I'll go in a while, thodi der aapki god mai so lun uske baad. Aaj bachpan ki bahut yaad aa rahi thi." Ayaan said smiling at Asad who ruffled his hair affectionately.

Zoya who had been silently standing at the door smiled at the sight. She had been woken up from her sleep when she had heard someone strumming the guitar. Curiosity had gotten the better of her and she had followed the noise only to find Asad playing the guitar. She had reprimanded herself for invading his privacy and had intended to leave but something kept her rooted there. Now when she saw Ayaan and Aahana both resting on Asad's either knees and his eyes drooping sleepily, it made her realise how much of a father figure he had been all his life, to Najma, to Ayaan and now Aahana. She yearned to go to him, caress his head, impart any sort of comfort she could. But her mind argued. What was happening to her? What was she even thinking? She slowly shut the door behind her and walked back into Najma's room getting into bed for a sleepless night.

Zoya entered the kitchen in the morning to get herself some coffee when she saw Asad already standing there.

"Good Morning Mr Khan!" Zoya said trying to sound a little extra chirpy.

"Good Morning Miss Farooqui." Asad replied looking up from whatever he was doing.

"Need anything?" Asad asked.

"Yeah I came for my coffee, aapke liye bhi bana dun?" Zoya offered sweetly.

"No thanks I already had a cup early morning, I was just warming some milk for Aahana. Najma nahi uthi?" Asad implored.

"Nahi woh we slept pretty late last night. I thought I'll wake her up sometime before her exam or she keeps stressing." Zoya explained.

Asad nodded convinced," Thanks Miss Farooqui, aap Najma ka bahut khayal rakh rahi hai. I am grateful that you've taken up her studies, normally I used to help her but with the working hours in office and Aahana it becomes a little difficult. But please aap jis kaam ke liye yaha aayi hai give that first priority I'll be sure to make time for Najma."

"Najma meri behen jaisi hai and it's a pleasure to be of any help to her. I enjoy spending that time with her and sharing anything I know a little better than her if it helps her. Mr Khan you don't have to do everything, you're a human after all and there is just so much you can do. " Zoya said softly.

Asad stared back at her and saw unguarded tenderness for himself, something he hadn't felt or seen for a long time, not after Ayesha had left him. He couldn't tear his gaze away and Zoya didn't want to. But Aahana thought otherwise.

They both moved apart to look at Aahana who was crawling towards them. She stopped in between, tired of making so much effort and sat down staring at the place beneath the table. She felt playful and entered below it wanting to implore it. Asad dashed towards in her two steps and pulled her out carefully making her cry out as she struggled to get down again.

"Aahana you'll get hurt baby."Asad explained softly, but she wouldn't stop crying. He assumed she was hungry and went to fetch her milk.

"Mai pila dun usse? You must have to get ready for office too." Zoya offered.

"No it's okay I'll manage." Asad said even though he was thankful for her gesture.

"I know you can manage Mr Khan, there is nothing you can't do but I don't mind giving a hand." Zoya said meaning each word but laced her tone with sarcasm so he wouldn't read the sincerity in them.

Asad rolled his eyes and handed over Aahana to Zoya. Zoya sat down with Aahana on her quilt and began feeding her even though Aahana kept struggling to throw the nipple out of her mouth and get down to some play time with her partner.

Asad came out after getting ready and joined the others for breakfast at the table. The three ladies were discussing some event that was going to take place at the outskirts of Bhopal.

"Phupi maine aaj paper mai pada, that Bhopal has the biggest fair in the country that happens once a year, lot of people from outside the city and even abroad come to enjoy it."

"Haan Zoya it's one of the biggest events in Bhopal, mai humesha bachon ko le jaana chahti thi par I could never go. Fortunately at least Najma got to attend it because their school sponsored a day long trip for them, Asad ne toh ab tak nahi dekha." Dilshad said smiling at Asad who had his face hidden behind the paper.

"Phupi I really want to see this fair, kya hum sab nahi ja sakte?" Zoya asked excitedly.

"That's a great idea Zoya infact tumhe pata hai ussi jagah ke paas humara farm house bhi hai, so it'll be like a family trip, we should certainly go."

"Yay Phupi I am so excited, toh kab ja rahe hai hum?" Zoya implored.

"Asad tum kya kehte ho kab jaana hai?" Dilshad asked Asad.

"Ammi mujhe office mai bahut kaam hai, I don't think I'll be able to go.."Asad said shortly.

"Asad! Tumhe toh saal bhar kam rehta hai, You never find any time to do anything apart from routine."

"Ammi lekin.."

"Asad kabhi Aahana ke baare mai socha hai. She is a kid, but she doesn't get to enjoy herself doing anything a kid does. Poora din ghar mai rehti hai zyaada se zyaada she goes to the garden with us.She needs to enjoy her life , have some fun kids of her age do, if you don't do all this for her who will?" Dilshad reprimanded Asad.

Zoya and Najma sat there quietly, though the former kept glancing at Asad to see his reaction. She somehow felt protective for Asad after what she had gotten to know about him.

"Theek hai Ammi we'll be going, just let me know when so I can clear my schedule." Asad said meekly making Najma and Zoya squeal in excitement. Zoya got so excited that she stood up on the chair unmindful of what she was doing and how Asad was glaring at her.

"Miss Farooqui get down the chair, ye kya badtameezi hai." He chided her. Zoya looked down at him and commented, "Badtameezi nahi bachpana hai Mr Khan, and a person is never too old to be a child." Zoya said before she moved to get down. But she stumbled and lost balance all ready to hit the floor. Asad stared wide eyed before rushing to stop her fall. He held her securely and put her foot down while Zoya gaped at him unthinkingly. Dilshad bit back her smile looking at them as an idea struck her

"Ahem? Waise mujhe abhi yaad aaya Najma ko iss haft eek project submit karna tha.."

"Par Ammi.." Najma began to refuse confused what project her Ammi was talking about.

Dilshad squeezed her hand from beneath the table making Najma look at her. Dilshad motioned her to play along, almost pleading her.

"Ha haan woh mujhe do din baad ek project bhi submit karna hai toh mai toh nahi ja paungi."

"Haan aur mai usse yaha akela bhi toh nahi chod sakti na."

"Toh theek hai Ammi phir kuch din baad chale jayenge." Asad suggested.

"Nahi Asad tab tak toh fair khatam ho jayega na. Toh ek kaam karo tum Zoya aur Aahana ko lekar chale jao." Dilshad said and gave Najma a suggestive look which the smart girl immediately recognized understanding what her Ammi was trying to do.

"Haan Bhaijaan aur waise bhi maine toh ye fair pehle bhi dekha hai, I guess you should take Zoya and Aahana there. Zoya toh India mai pehli baar aayi hai aur jabse aayi hai we haven't even shown her around." Najma said.

"Par Ammi.." Asad beseeched.

"Asad!" Dilshad snapped raising her voice and glared at him.

"Fine! Lekin ek baar Zoya se pooch ljiye if she's okay with it." Asad said confident Zoya would refuse spending so much time with him alone. He turned towards Zoya towering over her, staring at her menacingly.

"Mujhe koi problem nahi hai Phupi.." Zoya replied and looked back at Asad conceitedly.

Asad sighed defeated, cursing his fate and walked off.

"Asad remember to clear off your schedule for the next three days." Dilshad called out to Asad as she saw him heading to the main door.

"Ji Ammi," he said irately and walked out of the house.

Mera naam bhi Zoya Farooqui hai. I'll make sure you get a taste of knowing what it is to be a kid Mr Khan.' Zoya decided.

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