~The Sunshine of My Life#2 AsYa FF~||Link to third thread PG 125 - Page 27

"Aahana look there baby, look at Abu.." Najma said making Aahana sit on her lap facing the laptop that had Asad's face peering through it.

"BU!" Aahana squealed and banged her fists on the laptop excited to see her Abu. She wasn't used to waking up to anyone else but her father. And not seeing him for more than a day had made her crankier and sullen.

"Hi Aanu, how's my baby?" Asad said affectionately, his eyes softening with happiness seeing her smiling early in the morning.

She jumped on Najma's lap happily burbling her baby jargon which no one but she and Asad understood.

"I am sorry baby that I had to leave you alone and come here, but I'll be back soon, you'll take care of Ammi and Najma Phuppi for me won't you?" Asad replied to her babble as if she had been complaining about him going away without taking her along.

After talking to Najma for a while Asad proceeded to log out, but he couldn't manage to click the button because he was so engrossed in gazing his baby who was staring at him talk to Najma through the screen. She would repeatedly raise her arms wanting to be picked up by him since she hadn't realised that he wasn't with them at that moment. When Najma tried to move her away and put her down on the floor she began wailing.

"Aanu be a good girl, Abu's going for work now, I'll be back soon okay!" Asad coaxed her because he knew she understood her father went to work every morning and she wouldn't throw a tantrum if she was explained that.

Asad blew a kiss to her, expecting her to reciprocate the same like she always did. But Aahana leaped forward to kiss him instead banged the screen a little giggling to herself and making the others chuckle at her. Najma pulled her away and kissed her cheeks, " Bhaijaan I should be going, I need to attend college, by the way where's Zoya?"

"She's yet asleep, she was up till quiet late.." Asad informed her.

"Kyun Bhaijaan, itni der raat tak kya kar rahe the aap dono?" Najma questioned, her tone half teasing and half curious.

"Shut up Tamatar, there was no electricity and its hot, we slept late, and now BYE, take care okay!"

"Okay Bhaijaan stop fretting jeez!" Najma rolled her eyes making Asad smile.

"Say bye to Abu" Najma held Aahana's hands waving to Asad who smiled back and blew a kiss to both his babies before he signed out sighing to himself.

He got up and turned around to see Zoya standing at the entrance of the hall smiling to herself.

"Good Morning Miss Farooqui. Did you sleep well?" Asad said walking towards her.

Zoya smiled and nodded at him," Aap Aahana se baat kar rahe the?" Zoya asked looking at the open laptop on the table.

"Baat toh madam kar rahi thi, complain kar rahi thi ki mai usse saath kyun nahi laya.."Asad said with a hint of laughter in his tone.

Zoya smiled back at him in understanding, "Kitna acha hota agar hum usse la sakte, she would have enjoyed at the fair so much." Zoya said wistfully feeling guilty again.

Asad caught her expression and thought of relieving her from the burden," Aahana ko phir ghumane le jayenge Miss Farooqui, but for now you get ready and let's leave for the fair, it's going to get crowded later. " Asad explained.

He looked at Zoya standing there uncertainly, her eyes swollen from lack of sleep and her breakdown from last night. Ever since she had confided about her past to him he had only been thinking about what he could do to lessen her pain. He didn't know why he felt the need to share her burden, to make her smile and be herself. But he felt protective for her and promised to himself that he would try his best to help her in any way he could.

"You have ten minutes Miss Farooqui, and I don't like waiting, do you understand?" Asad said sternly making Zoya stare at him in surprise at the sudden change in him.

"Do you understand?" Asad repeated.

Zoya nodded at him and quickly scurried back to her room frowning to herself leaving a smiling Asad behind.

Asad and Zoya sat in the small ferry that took them across the lake towards the fair. She looked over at Asad looking dapper in a navy blue T shirt with denims and a cap and glares on.

She hadn't seen him dressed up so casually before but seeing him like that made her observe his boyish charms that got hidden behind the facade of the apparently arrogant sophisticated business tycoon.

She winced as the bright sunrays bothered her making her scrunch her eyes in irritation. It was a hot sunny day and she had been careless enough not to carry a cap with her.

"Here Miss Farooqui take this." She looked up to see Asad offering her his cap.

"Mr Khan it's okay mujhe iski zaroorat nahi hai." Zoya said surprised that Asad had realised her problem even without her having to tell him anything.

"It's really hot Miss Farooqui, wear this or you'll get a sun stroke. " Asad said placing the cap on her head. Zoya smiled at his gesture and wore it correctly.

"Par Mr Khan aap?" Zoya asked looking at Asad's obvious discomfort because of the heat.

"I'll be fine.." Asad assured her and taking a handful of water from the lake splashed it on himself wetting his face and hair to cool himself.

Zoya gaped at him, his hair wet, drops of water dripping down his face looking extremely attractive, in a way she had never thought about him before but had found herself giving vivid attention to now.

Asad looked up and Zoya instantly looked away hoping he hadn't caught her staring at him.

Asad on the contrary thought Zoya wasn't being herself and was morose over whatever had happened last two days. A naughty idea struck his mind and taking a handful of water he splashed it on Zoya.

Zoya felt cold water spray on her and glared at Asad who was now sitting straight and looking at her innocently. Zoya immediately bent to the other side and taking a fistful of water threw it on Asad.

Normally Asad would have cried over his state and his OCD would kick in making him shout at whoever had offended it but today he did exactly the opposite. This time he put both his hands in the water and drenched her entirely, which Zoya reciprocated royally by doing the same.

In minutes both of them were wet and one look at the other they both broke out giggling. Zoya felt herself lighten as she felt happiness and laughter rumble through her. Her grin grew wider when she saw Asad laughing so unabashedly. He looked like a young boy who had enjoyed his first mischief.

She stopped laughing just to stare at him smiling and laughing so liberally which made Asad conscious and stop laughing even as the grin didn't leave his face.

"We're all wet.." Zoya chuckled.

"But at least you're happy." Asad said unmindfully making Zoya stare at him touched by his gesture.

They had drawn closer to the bank and Asad stood up and offered her his hand which she caught securely as they tumbled out of the boat.

"Mr Khan mai aise kaise jaun, I am totally wet."

"So am I, we'll be okay in no time while we walk till the fair, Come on." Asad said and tugged at her elbow to wade her through the crowd towards the fair.

Was this the Asad Ahmed Khan she knew?

Zoya looked around at the huge fair laid out in front of her, witnessing the colours, the fun, cheerful shrieks from kids and all the excitement that had drained out from her surrounded her in an instant. There were rides, hundreds of game stalls, of mouth watering food, and she felt like a kid in a candy shop who didn't know where to start from.

She turned to see where Asad was and found him staring at a gaming counter where there were rows of toys placed neatly. Anyone could pay for a round of six hits from a toy gun to win anything they aimed at.

Why was he looking at the toys so longingly? Did he want something for Aahana? She walked over to him and patted his shoulder.

"Mr Khan yaha kya kar rahe hai?" Zoya enquired.

"Kuch nahi I was just looking at the kids play.. chale?" Asad evaded her questioning glance.

"Mr Khan rukiye na I want to play this game." Zoya pleaded.

"Do you know how to shoot a gun Miss Farooqui?" Asad said with a slightly teasing tone.

"No I don't but there's always a first time right?" Zoya said as she went ahead to pay some change to the stall manager which Asad stopped and paid himself making her roll her eyes.

Zoya knew how to aim well and knew she would hit something she would want in the stall right away, but she wanted to know what Asad had his eyes on.

She fiddled with the gun in her hand pretended she didn't know how to hold it correctly. She wasted a shot aimlessly and feigned as if the stock had hit her shoulder.

"Ow!" She winced.

Asad rushed to her,"Miss Farooqui careful, aap kya kar rahi hai? I asked you if you knew how to shoot or not, you're going to hurt yourself this way." Asad reprimanded.

"I don't care.." she huffed making it clear she wanted to play. Asad sighed and standing behind her held her arm which was gripping the stock of the gun. Holding it at the correct angle and placing his finger over hers on the trigger he aimed at a pink teddy bear and shot at it taking it in one go.

Zoya whooped with joy making Asad smile at her. Asad tipped the boy a little more and took the teddy bear from him and turned to walk ahead with Zoya.

"Mr Khan waise agar aap chahte toh you could have just paid the guy some money and bought what you had liked right?"

"I could have, but would that be fair for all those other kids who can't do the same and are trying with hope in every round to win a toy of their choice?" Asad questioned thoughtfully.

Zoya stared at him in surprise at his reply. Asad had a heart of gold, a soft, sensitive man hidden behind a hard exterior. Who could imagine he would give so much thought to everyone's feelings even though he made it seem like he cared for no one but himself.

She was broken out of her reverie when Asad nudged her to take the teddy she had won.

"Aap hi rakhiye Mr Khan."

"What will I do with it?"

"You won't but Aahana will right? Ussi ke liye lena chahte the na?" Zoya commented and toddled away to another stall leaving a surprised Asad behind.

Zoya walked from one stall to the other in the next few hours, playing the most juvenile games with childlike excitement, eating all the junk possible from the dirty plates which Asad didn't want her to do or accompany her in.

She would want to pull Asad along to play with her but he kept away. The barriers he had made for himself always came in the way. But Zoya hadn't forgotten the promise she made to herself and intended to lighten him up a little, though she was immensely surprised at how forthcoming Asad was being anyway without her efforts, just so that she would be happy and overcome the stress she was undergoing.

"Mr Khan woh dekhiye.." Zoya said pointing out to a crowd gathered in front of them who were witnessing an interesting game. Zoya looked at Asad longingly almost urging him to come along with her to play it, since it wasn't something she could do alone.

"Three legged race?" Asad questioned dubiously.

"Mr Khan it's such an interesting game, I remember playing it in school, it'll be so much fun." Zoya replied cheerfully.

"I am sure it will be, but I don't quite enjoy myself doing all this Miss Farooqui and you know that. Aap koi aur game dhundiye na which you can play alone." Asad explained patiently.

"Mr Khan mai almost har game khel chuki hun, ab toh bas rides bache hai, jisme se aadho ki age limit mai cross kar chuki hun, let's play this na Mr Khan it's so much fun." Zoya said pleadingly.

"Please Miss Farooqui zid mat kariye, I am not stopping you from doing anything you want, but don't force me into doing something I don't want to.." Asad said sternly this time.

"Theek hai aap mat aaye, I'll go find myself a partner. Aisa koi na koi toh hoga jiski koi partner nahi hogi meri tarah " Zoya said grimly and walked away to find herself someone who was as interested in the game as she was.

Asad gasped in shock seeing Zoya walk away to a hoard of unknown people to find herself a partner. He massaged his angry brows and walked over to her, held her by her hand a little aggressively and pulled her away from the crowd towards the starting point of the race. He paid for the game and taking the cloth in his hands bend down to tie their legs together. Zoya smiled to herself happy on having her way but immediately changed her expression to a serious one when Asad stood up glancing at her crossly.

"Thanks Mr Khan, you're the best." Zoya said excitedly as she geared up for the game. Asad glared at her disinterestedly, in no mood to comply to her and play the game.

"Mr Khan aapko ye game khelni aati hai na, I mean you know the trick right? Basically we have to move our tied legs together, then our free legs.. "

"I know Miss Farooqui, just because you think I am from the 17^th century doesn't mean I was really born in the stone age, I am well versed with the trick." Asad replied moodily making her giggle at his statement.

"Toh theek hai, all the best then.." she said beaming at him and shook hands with him while he just rolled his eyes at her.

The whistle blew and Asad and Zoya began to run, but with their hands off each other and either of them running at their own speed and not in tandem with the other they almost tumbled ahead for a fall. Asad instantly wrapped his arm around Zoya's waist and pulled her closer. Zoya gasped as she felt his cold palms resting at her waist and her head landed closer to his chest because of the force of his pull.

She glanced at him and he squeezed his eyes in assurance," Hold me tight Miss Farooqui and run hard." Asad said encouragingly.

Zoya nodded and smiled as she heard the excitement in his voice, which rubbed off on her too. She coiled her arms around his waist and they both sprinted ahead steadily now laughing as sudden exuberance took over them. In a matter of few seconds they had both lead ahead of everyone and won the race. Asad smiled as he saw Zoya chuckle next to him as she gasped for air between her laughter.

"We won Mr Khan, we won.." Zoya said elatedly, almost jumping like a kid.

"Yeah well just a race at the fair, not the Olympics relay." Asad gibed in good humour.

"Oh come on Mr Khan don't be such a grouch, for me this is no less than that okay." Zoya said her excitement at its peak.

Asad stared at her awkwardly when they were rewarded fake medals and claimed as the best couple while people around them clapped merrily. Asad shut his eyes in exasperation and began to walk away. But he hadn't realised that he had been holding Zoya around the waist even now and their legs were yet tied to the other. Zoya got pulled along with a force and she toppled a little landing in his arms. She winced as her legs hurt from the jerk but didn't move away, liking the feeling of being in his arms, feeling secure. She rested her arms around his waist leisurely and leaned closer. Asad who had felt remorseful on not realising she was yet tied to him was left spellbound at their closeness. He wanted to move away but a force kept him rooted in her arms, her touch, her breath completely disarming him.

They were broken apart when they realised the presence of others around staring at them, some giggling and hooting at them.

Asad moved away from Zoya and bend down to untie the cloth around their legs.

"Are you okay Miss Farooqui? Lagi toh nahi na?" Asad asked even though he felt extremely awkward to even share a glance. Zoya nodded at him and they began walking away from the crowd.

"Mr Khan, aap yahi rukiye mai aati hun." Zoya said pointing at the restroom on the way.

Zoya walked away in deep thought, wondering to herself about this unusual feeling that took over her every time she was in close proximity with Asad. All the annoyance she had ever felt for this man had changed into a feeling of affection and fondness for him. Even if she tried she couldn't stay angry with him even if he gave her every reason to be. She always found herself falling for his virtues and neglecting all his faults.

A few minutes later when she walked out of the restroom she found Asad missing from where she had left him waiting. She looked around for him but couldn't see him anywhere nearby. She thought of calling him, but remembered that she had even left her phone with him.

"Ye Mr Khan bhi na, mujhe yaha akela chod kar chale gaye, how irresponsible."

She had only walked a few steps ahead when she spotted Asad with a few kids at the entrance area of the fair.

She saw him give the guard a wad of cash and holding the hands of a few younger kids in the group, walked them all inside.

"Mr Khan ye sab?" Zoya asked as she walked closer to where he was standing.

"These kids wanted to come inside, par inke paas paise nahi the aur woh guard inke saath misbehave kar raha tha, so I thought.."Asad said sheepishly.

Zoya smiled in understanding and awe and walked along with him as he took the kids to a food stall.

"Aap log kya khaoge." Asad asked them tenderly. But the kids felt overwhelmed and shy to answer and take a favour from him and stood silently.

Asad bend down on their level and pulled one of the kids on his lap," Aap logo ko sharmane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai, jo khaana hai, jo karna hai bataye mai lekar aata hun."

The kids voiced their doubts on how they could take such a huge favour from a stranger, "Arey mai stranger nahi hun, mai toh aap sab ka dost hun, aur dost ke saath khaana khane mai koi problem nahi hai ok?" Asad convinced them. The children looked on happily and agreed to eat whatever Asad got for them.

Asad and Zoya went and bought food for all the kids which they ate happily. Asad sat next to a small girl who couldn't eat by herself and fed her food lovingly patting her head. Zoya smiled seeing Asad a lump forming in her throat gazing at the wonderful man in front of her.

She watched with amazement how the kids were as compassionate and offered him their food because they saw him not eating anything. Asad smiled and opened his mouth, gesturing for them to feed him. Asad looked at Zoya was smiling at all of them standing at a distance and indicated to her to join them.

"Aap bhi kha lijiye Miss Farooqui, if you still have some space left in your stomach after all the unhealthy junk you've eaten today." Asad teased her earning a mock glare from her.

After they had eaten their meal, Asad and Zoya took the kids around to make them play some games and enjoy a few rides. Their latest stopover was the giant wheel and Zoya insisted that they both join the kids too. Asad was tired and didn't mind the rest he'd get and got on the ride with Zoya.

The sun was about to set, the sky beautifully painted orange with a trace of yellow. As the wheel moved and took them higher they could see the town in one view, the beautiful lake and the grand fair.

The breeze blew making Zoya's hair fly all over. Asad turned to look at her and saw her sitting with her eyes closed, a small delightful smile playing on her lips. She drew a waft of cool air and sighed in contentment.

"It feels so nice Mr Khan, it's been such an amazing day today all thanks to you." Zoya said turning to Asad who had been looking at the setting sun right across him.

"You don't have to thank me Zoya, infact I should be thankful to you. I was hell bent on not coming here and even through the day I thought of a thousand reasons to cringe about. But hearts of hearts I know what it means to be here first time in my life." Asad confided.

"I've not grown up in this country so I never got to witness one, but why couldn't you Mr Khan?" Zoya asked softly and true to her fear Asad's eyes darkened with an unknown shadow he probably always tried escaping from.

"I am sorry Mr Khan I shouldn't have asked.." Zoya said apologetically, guilty to have ruined his good mood.

Asad squeezed her hand that was resting on her knee," Mere Abbu ke paas kabhi itna time nahi tha, to take us out, give us his time. He was always trying to further his career ..and then a few years later he left us. We didn't even have enough money to survive us for an entire day Zoya, coming and enjoying at a fair was out of question." Asad sighed to himself while Zoya stayed silent knowing well that if she would tell him she knew of his past he would immediately get back to being defensive.

"Which is why I had promised myself that I will be with Aahana every moment of her life, give her every joy, everything she asks for, everything she doesn't ask for, make her live every moment of happiness I missed out on." Asad said wistfully. Zoya squeezed his hands to assure him that she was listening and that she respected every word he was saying.

"I am sure you will Mr Khan. You're the best Abbu anyone can have.. in fact I hope ki mere Abbu bhi bilkul aap jaise ho, always giving never selfish. Someone who's always thinking for the others more than themselves," Zoya said in appreciation.

Asad smiled in gratitude and nodded," I am sure aapke Abbu mujhse bhi kahi behtar insaan honge," he assured.

"Inshallah." Zoya mumbled softly.

"Mr Khan mai aapse ek baat poochun?" Zoya asked

"Sure.."

"Aapne in sab bachon ke liye ye sab kyun kiya? I mean if you wanted you could have just paid them some money and let them venture alone and do what they want. Why did you take them along everywhere?" Zoya asked curiously what had been playing on her mind.

"Kyunki paise toh koi bhi de sakta hai Miss Farooqui, lekin apna waqt unhe kaun dega? They are alone, no one to pay attention to them, no one to care if they live or die let alone care for what they want. I am lucky to have people who care for me. I have the money to provide for my family and myself with whatever I wish to, but there are millions who can't. Agar mai unme se kuch logon ko thoda waqt de sakta hun toh why not? I've always craved for sometime from my Abbu but I never got anything of what I asked from him, when all I needed from him was his time, his love." Asad said bitterly.

Zoya stared at him in awe, her admiration for this man increasing ten folds. Her eyes brimmed with respect for a man who had gone through the worst in his life, who carried the bitterness in his heart but did everything in his hands to make life better for someone who was suffering like he had if he could. She stared at his face, his eyes full of untouched pain that had piled on for years with no one to attend to it.

She prodded him to get up and stand,"Stand up Mr Khan."

"What? Miss Farooqui, are you out of your mind? Aap gir jayengi."

"Kuch nahi hoga Mr Khan, stop being such a coward, come on!"

Asad shook his head at her but giving in stood up holding her hand tightly lest she tumble and hurt herself.

Zoya held his hand tightly," Mr Khan just close your eyes, and breath in with all your might and let the cool breeze reach every pore of your body," she said softly.

"What.." Asad asked confused.

"Come on Mr Khan do as I say.." Zoya urged smiling to him.

Asad chuckled slightly and did as she said. They both shut their eyes and took a deep breath, enjoying the cool breeze ruffle their being, purifying and calming them with its existence around them.

"Now just think of one thing that makes you the happiest, that replaces your every pain with happiness Mr Khan. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the word happiness, serenity and calm in your life. " Zoya mumbled as she thought of that for herself too.

They stood there with their eyes shut, their hands entwined, facing the setting sun and its fading glow shimmering on them as the wheel took another turn giving them a feeling of elation and fulfilment.

Asad opened his eyes, smiling to himself and looked at Zoya who was still standing with her eyes shut and a thoughtful expression on her face.

She opened her eyes as she felt Asad staring at her," What did you see Mr Khan?"

Asad smiled at her innocent query," A complete family, Ammi, Najma, Aahana, myself and ..."

"And?" Zoya implored.

"Ayesha.." Asad whispered as he looked towards the sky remembering her.

Zoya sighed smiling to herself even as she felt an unknown tug in her heart.

"What did you see Zoya?" Asad asked curiously.

How could she tell him what she saw when she herself was left dazed with the realisation. She looked at him and laughed to herself at the irony of the situation. It was funny how in a matter of a few seconds everything had changed for her. Seconds ago before shutting her eyes Asad meant something else to her and now...

She had shut her eyes and thought of the one thing that would replace every sorrow in her life, and had expected to see a blurred image of her Abbu she had been sighting in her every dream and imagination whenever she thought of him. But when she had shut her eyes and thought of a world she would like to be in she had seen Asad and Aahana.

She looked at Asad who was calling out to her to get off the ride as it had finally stopped. She got down but her eyes followed him as he stood waiting and helped all the kids out of the ride one after the other. She gazed at how lovingly he spoke to each one of them and gave them chocolates they both had bought for them as he bid them a good bye.

She finally realised the strange unknown feeling that had been surging in her heart whenever she was close to Asad, whenever she spent time with him. She had grown to admire and respect him and the Asad that this Mr Khan hid behind a mask, but it was only today when she had finally come to realise that it wasn't just admiration and regard, it was love.

She had fallen in love with Asad Ahmed Khan.

In minutes both of them were wet and one look at the other they both broke out giggling. Zoya felt herself lighten as she felt happiness and laughter rumble through her. Her grin grew wider when she saw Asad laughing so unabashedly. He looked like a young boy who had enjoyed his first mischief.

She stopped laughing just to stare at him smiling and laughing so liberally which made Asad conscious and stop laughing even as the grin didn't leave his face.

"We're all wet.." Zoya chuckled.

"But at least you're happy." Asad said unmindfully making Zoya stare at him touched by his gesture.

They had drawn closer to the bank and Asad stood up and offered her his hand which she caught securely as they tumbled out of the boat.

"Mr Khan mai aise kaise jaun, I am totally wet."

"So am I, we'll be okay in no time while we walk till the fair, Come on." Asad said and tugged at her elbow to wade her through the crowd towards the fair.

Was this the Asad Ahmed Khan she knew?