||~ The Sunshine of My life #4 AsYa FF ~||Part37 PG130 15/06/14 - Page 20

Asad lightly rapped at Zoya's door, with Aahana in his arms ..a slight smile played on his lips, that spelt deep satisfaction. His Ammi's assurance and the realization of Zoya's love for him had got him full circle. He had come to understand that his and Aahana's happiness lied with Zoya, and hers with them. She was as incomplete without them as they were without her. He might have run away from love, might have had his fears for not only himself but her too.. but they all seemed too small in front of all the happiness and love that Zoya was about..

Asad knocked at the door again... but got no response. He wanted to be with her, let her know that he loved her, that he would always love her. She had to know she wasn't going to replace anyone in his life, she had the most special place in his heart reserved for her. She had to know she wasn't going to be alone to fight her battles, he was going to stand besides her through it all.

He walked to the window that led to her room and saw her sleeping uncomfortably on her bed. She looked pale, exhausted and as if she had cried herself to sleep ... and the mere thought made him feel guilty. He was responsible for her tears, for all the pain she must have gone through waiting for his answers, for just one sign that he loved her, wanted her .. he had unknowingly made her suffer, and now he was going to do everything in his power to change that and replace all her pain with love and care. She had waited for him for so long, he would just have to wait till the sun rose.. assuring himself he walked back to his room with a now sleeping Aahana in his arms.

***************

Asad woke up feeling a little thirsty later that night. He walked to the kitchen to fetch himself a bottle of water from the fridge. While he was walking back to his room he heard soft sobs coming from Zoya's room.. He instantly grew worried and rushed towards the window. He saw Zoya mumbling in her sleep, disturbed and shaken. She was probably getting one of her nightmares. They got triggered whenever she was stressed.

The door was shut, how was he going to even get in? He tried pushing the door, hoping she hadn't latched it too tightly and would open with the jerk, but it remained firm.

Walking back to the window he tried pushing it open, and thankfully it opened after a few tries. Asad jumped in and ran to Zoya.

He sat next to her on the bed and tried to shake her awake, but she kept on whimpering in her sleep, mumbling to herself. He bent forward to hear what she was saying, expecting her to cry for her Ammi.. But his heart thumped painfully when he heard her whisper," I am sorry Asad.. I am sorry.."

Tears welled up in his eyes seeing her in this state.." Zoya utho.. please wake up.. why are you sorry.. you don't need to be sweetheart.. " he mumbled as he made her get up even while she was asleep and hugged her to himself. Smoothening her hair he caressed her back to calm her down.

But she continued to mumble," I am sorry.. please don't leave me.." she said

"I am right here Zoya.. I am not going to go anywhere.. I promise.. Sshh shh," he whispered constantly, hoping his words of reassurance would comfort her somehow even in her slumber.

Asad took the glass of water kept on the side table in his hands and sprinkled it on her face to wake her up.

"Asad.." she jerked up and looked around blurry eyed, her head throbbing.

"Sshh come here.." he said softly and pulled her into a hug, whispering sweet nothings to calm her and caressing her shoulders to sooth her distressed nerves.

She felt his arms around her, heard him whisper sweetly to her and looked up to see him staring at her in concern. The same concern she had seen in his eyes that night.. that night when she had mistaken it for love.

"Zoya.. are you okay? Tum theek ho na?" He asked gently, with so much affection in his voice that it scared her.. why was he doing this? Why was he here? Shouldn't he have been angry with her? He should have been running at the sight of her. If she knew him well, he wasn't a man who took comfort in confrontations, especially those when it came to feelings of love. He was an amazing man, with a golden heart, full of love, concern and protectiveness for everyone he knew and didn't. But she knew what he was running away from, and she had probably forcefully made him face a day he would have never wanted to. What would he be thinking about her? She had to get away from him.. before he said anything that broke her down even more.. and before she told him what he didn't want to hear... about how she loved him, about how much she loved his family, and how she was now Aahana's 'Mi' and always wanted to be, forever.

"Zoya... " Asad whispered, now cupping her face in his hands, his thumb wiping her now dry cheeks.

Zoya closed her eyes at his touch, her heart wanting to believe it meant more than what he called 'friendship'

"Zoya.. why did you run away?" Asad asked as he leaned his forehead on hers, wanting her to open her eyes, look at him.. talk to him.

Zoya's eyes opened wide at his question and she instantly moved away from his hold.." I said what I had to then Mr Khan, please leave me alone.. please.. " Zoya whispered and moved away from him.

"Zoya we need to talk.. I have so much to tell you.." Asad urged, the love for her bursting to be confessed to her.

"Words of pity Mr Khan? I don't need them.. I don't need to hear anything right now.. If you've ever cared for me you'll leave me alone.. " Zoya pleaded looking away.

"There is no reason for me to pity you Zoya.. all I want is to talk to you, like we have all these months. Will that be too much?" Asad beseeched again, shifting nearer to her on the bed.

"I don't think there's anything left to say.." she uttered firmly.

"You can't decide that for me.. I have a lot to say.." Asad retorted.

"But you can't decide when I want to hear what you want to say..Please leave Mr Khan.. please leave me alone.. " she said knowing well that he was going to make her understand how what she wanted wasn't possible.

Asad heard the tremble in her voice and realized the seriousness of the situation. When he didn't reply she looked up and the look in her eyes made him back off. He understood she wasn't ready for the conversation.. and after all that he had unknowingly done to cause her pain, he was ready to give her all the time she needed.

All he knew was, that he wasn't going to let her go away. She was going to be there with him, in this house, forever.

"Fine I'll leave now.. but I am going to talk to you tomorrow.. and you'll have to allow me that Zoya. I deserve one chance .." Asad said patting her head as he got up from the bed and moved to the door. He looked back at her once, but she didn't reply nor move. He sighed and left the room shutting the door behind him.

*****************

"Ammi Zoya kahan hai? She is not in her room, ghar par bhi kahi nahi hai..." Asad said walking into the kitchen where his mother was feeding Aahana her breakfast. Aahana saw her father and screeched joyously. Asad smiled slightly and pecked her head.

"Woh .. kuch kaam tha usse, maine rokne ki koshish ki, but she insisted she wanted to go right away.. Najma ki early class thi toh she offered to drop her on the way.. I tried to wake you up but you weren't opening the door..." Dilshad said with dismay written over her face. She had obviously been eager that Asad get the chance to talk to Zoya. But it seemed now that Zoya wanted every excuse to run away from him, not face him if possible. And Asad understood that too as he shared a look with Dilshad.

"It's okay Asad, woh aa jayegi tab baat kar lena.. I understand you can't wait.. but she needs her time too.. she's been going through a lot lately.." Dilshad tried explaining as she read the look of despair on his face.

"It's not just about that Ammi.. uss din uss incident ke baad.. I don't want her to go anywhere alone.. but she doesn't listen to me.." Asad said worriedly.

"Asad.. woh bas ek accident tha aur kuch nahi..stop worrying.. Aisa accident kisi ke saath bhi ho sakta tha," Dilshad said while pouring him his coffee as he sat next to them on the table.

Asad nodded and sipped his coffee. He observed his Ammi pressing her forehead every few seconds..

"Kya baat hai Ammi aapki tabiyat toh theek hai na?"Asad asked squeezing her hand in concern.

"Haan bas thoda sa sar dard hai.. I'll be fine beta.." Dilshad assured him.

"Mai office der se jaata hun Ammi.. let me give you a pill and massage your head.."

"Mai theen hun beta don't worry so much .. dawai lungi toh theek ho jaungi," she said feeding Aahana who was twisting and turning to the side Asad was, as usual wanting to be latched to him.

Before Asad could answer her, his phone rang..

"Ammi mujhe urgently offica jaana hoga.. kuch foreign clients ke saath meeting hai, it was scheduled for tomorrow but its pre-pond now.. agar mai aapka call nahi utha paya toh samajh jayega.." Asad said hastily.. but stopped feeling guilty that he wasn't there to take care of her, "I am sorry Ammi aapki tabiyat theek nahi hai aur mai yaha reh nahi sakta, Aahana ko bhi sambhalna hai.."

"It's okay Asad, it's just a headache, fikr mat karo, I'll be fine.. tum jao.. and come home soon yaad hai na.." Dilshad said indicating at Zoya.

Asad nodded and kissed her forehead and then Aahana's, asking them to take care and rushed out of the house.

Asad halted the car at the signal and removed his phone to call Zoya. The only thing on his mind was Zoya, he had to talk to her, get through her anyhow.. it was just 3 days before she would leave if he didn't express his feelings to her. He wasn't even sure if she would even want to accept him after what she had heard him talking to his Ammi.. and what all she had understood out of it..it must have hurt her so much..

"Pick up the phone," he mumbled impatiently, but Zoya didn't answer.

Asad leaned back on the headrest and sighed," I need to talk to you Zoya.. I need to say sorry.. I want you to know I've fallen in love with you.."

He was going to talk to her today.. right after the meeting, no matter what.

*****************

"Ammi aapko aaram ki zaroorat hai, aap rest kariye.. Aahana ko doctor ke paas mai le jaungi.. " Zoya insisted as she made Dilshad lie down after she had given her a painkiller for her headache which refused to go.

"Lekin Zoya, Asad... woh kabhi uski koi vaccination miss nahi karta.. I think it just skipped all our minds.. " Dilshad said softly understanding that the mental turmoil over last few days had distracted Asad.

"Ammi par woh phone nahi utha rahe hai... agar mai unka wait karungi toh Aahana ki appointment miss ho jayegi.. mai unka phone try karti rahungi, par abhi mai nikalti hun," Zoya reassured Dilshad even though she seemed uncertain of letting her go all alone..

But Zoya didn't want to face Asad and she was thankful that Asad wasn't picking the phone. If he had been here he would have taken Aahana as he always did and she would escape him by going elsewhere. But since he wasn't there and Dilshad wasn't too well, she would take Aahana for her appointment.. she wanted to. God only knew when she would get to do anything for her daughter ever again, or if she'd ever meet her or see her ..these last few moments would last her an entire lifetime.

*******************

"Asad, where have you been? Kabse mai phone try kar rahi hun, tumhari receptionist tumhe mera call nahi pass kar rahi hai, tumhara khud ka phone bandh hai.. " Dilshad spoke angrily on the phone surprising Asad.

"Kya baat hai Ammi.. aap itni pareshan kyun hai? Sab theek hai na?" Asad questioned in concern remembering she hadn't been feeling well earlier that day.

"Asad please come home beta.. " Dilshad said not disclosing the real reason, knowing he would panic.

"But Ammi what's wrong.. you're scaring me.." Asad said worry taking over him.

"Nothing's wrong Asad, I just need you home right now.. come as fast as you can.." Dilshad said hurriedly and cut the call before he questioned.

*****************

"Abhi tak aaye nahi hai matlab? Toh gaye kahaan woh dono?" Asad asked raising his voice, panic surging through him.

"I don't know Asad, Zoya phone hi nahi utha rahi hai.. she's been gone with Aahana for over a few hours," Dilshad said tearfully.

"Kya zaroorat thi usse akele jaane ki.. mujhe phone nahi kar sakti thi, couldn't she wait for me?" Asad asked angrily.

"Asad ..Aahana ki vaccination ki appointment thi..she tried calling you.."

"If she really wanted to reach me Ammi, she would have left a message at my office saying it was about Aahana.. I would have cared a damn for any client..but does she ever listen to me, .." Asad growled feeling angry, but more than anything feeling terrified, for his daughter... and for Zoya.. He knew no other way but to let his anger take over, so that he could keep his emotions in check.

"Asad gussa baad mai ho lena. All that is not more important than knowing their whereabouts." Dilshad insisted changing the direction the conversation was taking.

"Ammi aapne hospital mai phone kiya?" Asad asked.

"Kuch der pehle kiya tha Asad, Aahana ki doctor nikal chuki thi, I tried contacting the doctors personal number but it isn't available at the moment..ab aur koi toh Zoya ko personally jaanta nahi hoga toh kisse poochti.. so I called you.."

Asad nodded," Mai ek baar phone karta hun, if I don't get through, I'll go check at the hospital.." Asad was just about to make a call when his phone rang..flashing Dr Aggarwal's name.

"Hello Dr Agarwal?" Asad spoke to her, wondering why she had called from the hospital.

He heard her talk intently, and his heart beat erratically as his worst fears came true..

Dilshad looked at Asad's face lose colour and his expression rigid and blank..

"Asad kya hua? Kya kaha Dr Aggarwal ne? Is it about Aahana?" Dilshad shook Asad as he stood rooted.

"Asad..." she urged again.

"Ammi.. woh.. Aahana.."

"Asad just tell me.."

He shook his head, "It's Zoya Ammi.. she's admitted in the hospital.." he said his voice trembling as a result of the extreme fear.

"Zoya? What happened to her? Batao Asad.." Dilshad exclaimed.

"Kuch pata nahi Ammi, mujhe abhi hospital jaana hai.. aap yahi rahiye.. Najma ghar aa jaye uske baad aayega.. " Asad requested and rushed out of the door.

"Ya Allah, mere bachon ki ifhazat karna, meri Zoya ki ifhazat karna.." Dilshad prayed.

********************

Asad sat outside the ward Zoya was in. He rested his head on the wall with his eyes shut as Dr Aggarwal's words echoed in his ears even now.

Zoya and Aahana had been leaving the hospital after her vaccination. Zoya had been pushing her stroller to the parking area when a man zoomed past her on a bike. He rode speedily to where she was and attempted to take the stroller out of her hold and pick Aahana from it. Zoya had retaliated, tried hitting and pushing him, and put all the strength she had to make him leave Aahana. When nothing had worked she grabbed the pepper spray from her pocket and sprayed it on the man loosening his hold on Aahana.. Zoya took Aahana in her arms and immediately put the crying baby in the car and shut the door. The assailant had held her in anger and tried dragging her with one hand even as he rode the bike from the other. All the noise and Zoya's loud screaming had caught a lot of attention and the guards had come running there. Seeing the guards approaching.. the man pushed Zoya, who had hurt her head at the already injured spot.. The guards came to her aid and called for help from the hospital..But before they could make any effort to grab hold of the biker, he had pushed past them and sped away.

Dr Aggarwal who was Asad's close friend and had met Zoya when she had come along with Asad to the child care centre had recognized Zoya amidst the huge scene created outside the hospital. She had gotten her admitted and completed the necessary formalities.

Aahana who had been petrified after the incident had been out of control and unstoppable as she cried and hiccupped, screaming 'Mi' and 'Bu' at intervals. The doctors had taken her to the nursery and given her a mild dose of cough syrup which would put her to sleep..

As Asad sat outside Zoya's room, his knuckles whitened due to the force with which he was clenching it. He was angry because the two most important people in his life had been attacked, shocked that an incident like that had happened with someone who had never harmed anyone, dazed because he had lived the same fear today as he had when Aahana had been kidnapped, scared because the looming nightmare of losing her that he had gotten over was back to haunt him with an added person to fear for .. and moved at just how much Zoya loved Aahana and him.. that she had put her own life at stake to save her from the clutches of an attacker and put herself ahead to shield Aahana.. and indirectly even him.. Just how much she loved him.. and he had been such a fool to not realize it till it was shown to him, told to him.. He prayed fiercely to the almighty to protect his Zoya.. for her to gain consciousness so that he could cry in her arms and tell her how much he loved her..

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