||~ The Sunshine of My life #4 AsYa FF ~||Part37 PG130 15/06/14 - Page 32

"Mr Khan, Zoya has lost a lot of blood, and since it's a recurring injury it will be painful. She has a few injuries on her hand and legs, but they will heal in a week.. we just need to observe her for today.. nothing too serious so please don't worry.." the doctor assured an entirely exhausted and harrowed Asad.

"Thank's doctor.. she'll be fine right.. no complications I hope.." Asad asked in concern.

"Nothing at all.. at least for now.. but you need to take good care of her.. no exertion mentally or physically.." the doctor explained.

Asad nodded," Doctor can I meet my daughter.. Aahana Khan?" he asked eagerly..

"Yes the nurse is getting her Mr Khan.. and you can meet Zoya if you want.. she is unconscious now.. but should wake up in a while.." the doctor said leaving Asad alone in the corridor.

Asad ran to the nurse who was approaching to him with Aahana and took her in his arms.. He hugged her close and rained kisses on her..he held her close, as closely as he could.. more to reassure himself than her. He cradled her in one arm and stared at her.. she was sleeping peacefully .. far away from any stress, without a care in the world.. Unmindful about how her parents were losing sleep worrying about her... As that thought crossed his mind, he decided... this wasn't the time to be so bothered about anything.. anything more than Zoya.. and Aahana. They needed him, they needed his strength and support.. and his protection. And he would do everything it took to provide them with all that and even more.

He would deal with whoever was trying to intrude on his life, and harm his family, his sunshine .. but not before giving Zoya and Aahana the love, attention and care they deserved and needed. He messaged Ayaan the details and asked him to talk to his lawyer and go to the police station.. and called Dilshad asking her to come there only in the morning.. since she hadn't been keeping well either.

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

Asad stared at Zoya.. she was sleeping...looking peaceful. Her steady breathing gave him a feeling of surety. But he couldn't help the lump forming in his throat seeing her bandaged, worn and beaten. He carefully laid Aahana in the cot he had asked to be placed in the room.. and took his place besides Zoya's bed..

He stared at her for a few minutes.. and then bent forward to stroke her cheeks..Holding her hands he got it to his lips gently and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles.

"Did you get so angry at me Zoya.. that you gave me the biggest scare of my life.. Aisa badla lete hai? Haan maine tumhe takleef di.. par iska matlab ye nahi ki tum uske liye mujhe aise pareshaan karo..yaha hospital ke bed par aakar lait jao..lagta hai tumhe yaha aane ka bahut shauk hai.. but I don't have the strength to go through the pain of seeing you in pain Zoya..wake up already, talk to me, fight with me.."Asad pleaded his voice trembling.

"I can't even scold you, or demand an explanation, or order you this time.. You've saved my life today, putting yours at stake.. I was such a fool Zoya, I was such a fool to not realize how much you love me, how much you love Aahana. How did I ever think I could keep you away and let you be happy. I am sorry.." Asad spoke to a sleepy Zoya.

But she didn't respond.. Asad sighed and holding her palm closer to his cheek leaned towards it and kissed it again..

"I am sorry Mr Khan.." he heard her mumble in her sleep and his head jerked up to look at her. She was still asleep but talking incoherently like she had been a night before.

He bent towards her and held her face in his palms," Sshh, Stop Zoya.. stop with the sorry. You don't need to be sorry, it's me who needs to be..wake up so I can tell you how sorry I am, sorry for hurting you, sorry for making you feel alone and dejected, sorry for being such a fool.. I called you silly, our Aahana's silly Ammi.. but it's me whose silly, whose such a big fool to have pushed you away.." Asad spoke to her sleeping form as he caressed her hair.

He looked up at her to see her eyes flutter open slowly and he smiled, relief pouring within him seeing her waking up.

She felt dizzy, her vision was blurred, but she could see Asad bending over her and staring at her intently. She turned her head away and sobbed," I am sorry, I am so sorry.."

He didn't say a word, allowing her to let it all out, say whatever she had to.. but she just kept sobbing and mumbling a sorry. He bent forward and kissed her head wrapped in a bandage and patted it lovingly.

Zoya turned her face to him in a jerk, and the movement made her wince in pain,"Aahh!"

"Easy!" Asad said urgently, and held her face in his palms, wanting to help her get relief from the pain.

Zoya cried," I am sorry Mr Khan.." she repeated.

"Stop with the sorry Zoya, why are you sorry? You don't need to be...I need to thank you, but I am not.. you know why?"

But Zoya interrupted," No you listen, let me talk today and you just listen, please... I am sorry because I didn't try harder reaching you before getting Aahana here, because I was so adamant on running away from you that I ended up hurting Aahana. Maybe if you were here this wouldn't have happened.. I am sorry for barging into your life, forcing my way into your family. For getting so much love from them, and for loving them all so much, loving Aahana and loving you.. I am sorry that Aahana thinks I am her 'Mi'.. You would have never wanted that. You wouldn't have wanted anyone to replace Ayesha in your life, or Aahana's life.. I am sorry for everything..."she breathed in painfully, exhausted to talk, but gathered all her strength to talk again even though Asad shook his head to stop her," Zoya we can talk later.. you need rest.."

"No this can't wait...this can't wait Mr Khan. I am truly sorry Mr Khan, but I want to request you to let me stay. I know you wanted me to, but maybe that was you being kind to me, to your 'friend'. But I kept defying you, continued being stubborn because I thought if I went away now, the pain of separation would be easier to bear. But after going through what I did today.. after almost losing Aahana, after being scared to think what you would go through if anything happened to her. I can't go away Mr Khan. You may never accept me, may never love me the way I do.. It's okay Mr Khan, I'll bear it all. But I can't leave you behind, I can't leave my daughter behind. And even if it hurts you, the truth is.. that she is my daughter, and I won't let anyone change that. I know you must be angry, probably you think I am responsible for what happened, and you're right... I am.. So I am sorry, but let me stay.. for Aahana?"

Asad stared at her lovingly, his eyes softening more at her every word and when she finally grew silent he asked," Just Aahana? Not me?"

"Huh" Zoya uttered.

"Sirf Aahana ke liye rukogi? Mere liye nahi rukogi?" Asad whispered leaning forward, his thumb yet caressing her forehead.

"Mr Khan..."

"Bas! Bol liya jitna bolna tha.. ab tum chup rahogi, for once," he corrected himself.."Aur mai bolunga ..Aahana's silly Ammi.." he added surprising Zoya.

"I am sorry Zoya. I am really sorry..You've been saying a sorry million times since last night. But I won't accept it.. because I am the one who needs to be sorry and not you. I hurt you, made you feel lonely, dejected. I am responsible for whatever you have gone through in the past few days, for your every tear, and I deserve nothing but for you to not want to listen to me, run away from me. After what you had to hear me talk , you could have chosen to run away, just leave the house forever. But you stayed back, for us, to respect Ammi and her love.. you chose to leave but not run away. You not only stayed back but also kept performing your duties as you would have had you been here. You grew to be a lioness who attacks anyone whose trying to harm her cub..."

"Mr Khan?" She questioned in curiosity.

"Yes Zoya.. you will stay back for Aahana..because you ARE her Ammi..her silly Ammi.." Asad whispered, now caressing her face.

"Yes I am.." she agreed but looked away. He had agreed, he acknowledged her as Aahana's Ammi.. it should have made her happy.. but it felt incomplete.

"But not until you marry me.." Asad whispered hoping for a better reaction.

"Yes, if I have to stay back, and for Aahana, it would be best if we marry.." Zoya agreed still not looking at him.

"Oh God.." Asad groaned in exasperation.

"What?" she asked finally looking at him.

"You silly.. silly girl!" He exclaimed, almost chuckling," I want you here.. in my house, as my wife, as Aahana's Ammi... but that's not why I want you to stay back.. that's not the only reason.." Asad explained eagerly, his eyes ablaze with his love for her.

She looked at him in skeptically..

"I want you here, because I love you.. I love you Zoya. I love you because I can't live without you, I love you because you barged into my life and turned it upside down, but turned it the good way. I love you because you make me have sweet milky coffee just to make me realize how there is another flavour to life than bitter. I love you because you made me realize first time in my life, what love is all about. How it's all about giving your everything and not expecting anything in return.. you've given so much love and not asked anything in return? But I want to shower all that love on you too, that you deserve and that is growing in me, for you every day. I love you .. I always did, but didn't realize.. " Asad stated firmly letting all his feelings out, his eyes bearing an expression of beseech requesting her to trust him.

Zoya stared at him bewildered, shocked at every word he was uttering, so eager to believe every word of it, hang on to the hope it offered.. she wanted to cry out of happiness. But her fears came in the way.. what if ? "Do you love me because I am Aahana's Mi?" Zoya spelled what was biting her.

Asad wasn't surprised at the question and so he just smiled at her," Yes I love you because you are Aahana's Mi.. BUT I love you even more because of that.. it isn't the reason why I fell in love with you Zoya."

Zoya just gazed at him unresponsively and completely dazed.

Asad smiled and held her palm in his and kissed it," Can't you see the love in my eyes Zoya? Don't you trust me?" Asad implored.

"I do.. I do see it, I saw it the night I exposed my scars to you, myself to you.. but then .. but then you retreated and ran away, and I didn't know if what I saw was love or pity.." she said tears seeping down at the memory.

"Heyy!" Asad whispered wiping her tears even though own eyes welled up at her words. He had put her through so much.

"I ran away because I was an idiot Zoya, because that's just how I react to such strong emotions. I can't explain what I felt seeing your scars Zoya.. I was already so worried for you, I had already gone through a heavy ride of emotions after thinking I lost you, and then that.. my love, my admiration for you grew to an extent my heart couldn't bear. I didn't know what that feeling in my heart was.. it was so new to me, and so different from everything I've ever felt for anyone. I didn't know how to face it, and the only way I knew was to run away, like I always do..And I am sorry, so sorry for all that you went through because I wasn't man enough to face myself," Asad confessed softly, wanting her to believe him..

Zoya slightly smiled through her tears hearing his words, but then remembered the conversation which she had overheard," But you said.. you didn't see me, didn't see a future with me.. that I was only a friend and maybe not that anymore either.. You saw yourself and Aahana.."

"And you..." he said smiling at her.

"Huh"?

"Yes Zoya, I saw you with the both of us.. all of us as a family. And I ran away from that too. I said all that more to myself than Ammi. Because I wanted to run away from the truth that was making its way to me with such great force. I thought I couldn't keep you happy, that you deserved better than a broken man with a baggage like me, you deserved a complete life that I didn't trust myself to give you. I didn't mean anything I said, I just said it all to convince myself of a lie which had to burn down one day anyway, because the truth had to prevail. And the truth is .. that I love you and I can't live without you . I still think I am cursed, because look what happened to you because of me, maybe a price you had to pay for loving me. But I want to be selfish and not let you go. If anything happens to you when you're away, I wouldn't be able to be by your side. But if you're here I will be able to shield you from every pain that's about to come to you my Miss Musibat.." he said chuckling, making her giggle through her tears too.

But her smile vanished again and replaced by sudden annoyance," You Idiot Ahmed Khan.. you loved me, you realized it, you knew it.. and you still put me through all that. I thought you didn't need me, I thought I had lost you, your family, Aahana.. I thought I had lost the right on all of you, to even be your friend. I felt so... "Zoya stopped not knowing how to explain.

"And I decided to leave.. because I couldn't face you after intruding into your life and making a mess of it.."

"You've cleared the mess my life was Zoya, you made it worth living. You will never lose me Zoya, never lose your.. our family and never lose our Aahana.."

"Promise.." she implored.

"Promise.." Asad replied and kissed her forehead lovingly.

Zoya closed her eyes and smiled.. smiled wide, feeling complete, feeling happier than ever.

She opened her eyes to see Asad staring at her admiringly, with so much love that she couldn't help but sob. All the hurt, anticipation, silence.. and all that she had undergone at the thought of losing her love came out in the form of her tears. Asad understood all of that and took her into a hug gently, not wanting to hurt her. He bent over her and hid her in his embrace, softly caressing her back, cradling her in his arms.

She winced a little as she felt his weight on her arm, and he bolted back," Sorry.. I am so sorry Zoya! Where does it hurt sweetheart.." Asad asked worriedly.. and Zoya smiled her happiest smile at the endearment, which had come to mean the world to her.

"I'll get up.. you need rest," he whispered kissing her arm before moving away. But she held his hand and pulled him back," Be with me, sleep next to me.. " she urged, looking at him to let him know how much she needed him.

"What if I hurt you Zoya?" He asked in concern.

"I know you won't, you can't even if you want to.." she assured and shifted in her bed to give him space. And he got into the bed next to her, as she lay her head on his chest and he pulled her into him gently but securely.

They lay in each other's arms.. in complete silence, cherishing the moment, revering in the happiness of confessing their love for each other, feeling content.

"Zoya.."

"Hmm.." Zoya said drowsily.

"You yet didn't say it.."

"What?"

"What you wanted to hear from me, which I finally did.. but what about you?" he asked frowning.

"You took so long to realize it, longer to accept it, and even longer to confess it. You made me wait so long Mr Khan, can't you wait a little longer to hear it?" Zoya teased him, hoping to annoy him.

But she was surprised when he smiled, a rather sad smile," You can have all the time Zoya, I can wait as long as you want, I'll wait the entire lifetime too.." he affirmed and kissed her head.

Their little moment together was broken by a cry. The cry that came from the most vital part of their life, their daughter. Asad got out of the bed to the cot and picked a crying Aahana in his arms.

"Sshh Abbu's here baby.. you're safe, your Ammi saved you baby.." he whispered reassuringly, understanding she had woken up from a nightmare. He kissed her head and patted her back steadily.

"Mi!" she exclaimed as she saw Zoya from over Asad's shoulder. Asad smiled and took her to Zoya's bed.

Zoya tried getting up, but the pain from her wound made it difficult.

"Hey easy! What's wrong with you? Dard hoga Zoya.." Asad's eyes widened in worry seeing her making painful efforts to sit up.

"I want to take her in my arms Mr Khan...please" she requested eagerly. And Asad melted, unable to refuse. Holding Aahana in one arm he rolled the bed higher so that Zoya could sit without making an effort.

He got into the bed with Aahana and carefully placed the baby in her mother's arms. In spite of all the pain she was undergoing Zoya unmindfully pulled Aahana close to herself. She kissed her soft tufts of hair, and hid her face in the tiny crook of her neck, taking in her baby scent and assuring herself of her safety just like Asad had a few moments ago. Asad smiled staring at the two of them, unable to describe what he was feeling witnessing the endearing sight.

"Mi!"

"Yes baby" Zoya cooed as Aahana finally stopped crying and placed her tiny hands on Zoya's chin and kissed it," I love you Aanu.." she whispered. Aahana just lay her head on her mother's chest and sighed softly making Asad laugh.

Zoya turned to look at him affectionately, smiling to herself seeing him laugh freely. Placing her free hand on his cheek she pulled him to face her.."I love you Mr Khan.." she confessed finally, not wanting to waste a minute longer.

Asad looked at her emotionally, but masked his happiness," Do you love me because I am Aahana's Abu?" he threw her question back at her.

She scowled at him, understanding he didn't mean it, when she saw the naughty glint in his eyes," You're taking advantage of the fact that I am all laid up in this hospital bed, tubes attached to me, all bandaged that I can't even hit you.. haina?" she asked angrily with a pout.

He nodded," You got that right," he said sarcastically and then laughed pulling her into his arms again.

"Say it again Zoya?" Asad requested softly.

"What Mr Khan.." Zoya said pretending to be nonchalent..

"Zoyaa.." Asad sighed..

"I love you Mr Khan, because you're a man full of love, but doesn't know how to express it. Because you get angry when you're worried, because you shout when you're concerned, because you fight with me for myself, because you're Akdu Ahmed Khan." she said laughing, making him laugh too.." I love you because your silence speaks louder than your words ever could. I love you because you have my sweet milky coffee without an argument, allowing me barge to into your life to turn it upside down. I love you because even though you're scared to love you have so much of it in you to give to others, even children you don't know, who aren't related to you. Because even after all that you have gone through you still want to make sure no one else goes through what you did. I love the way you love your family, your daughter, and ME.. even though I didn't realize it till now.." Zoya confessed similarly to how Asad had making him smile through his tears. He was moved at her confession, a confession only his Zoya could have made.

Zoya awaited his reaction, even though she saw whatever she wanted to hear , in his eyes..

"What a copy cat.." he remarked," Miss Farooqui couldn't come up with anything unusual?"

Zoya gasped at his retort.. she had been expecting a sweet loving reply, but trust Asad Ahmed Khan to ruin a romantic moment.

"You weren't original either, pata nahi kis B-grade film ka dialogue copy kiya tha.."

"Unhi kisi mai se jinko aap dekh dekh kar roti hai.. I thought you'd like it.." he replied.

"Haan I would have, agar mujhe un movies ke romantic, good looking, dashing heroes woh dialogues bolte, aap jaise buddhe, Akdu Ahmed Khan nahi.."

"Mai buddha hun?" he asked angrily.

"Yes buddhe and so slow..koi itna time leta hai apne pyar ka izhar karne ke liye?"

"Aap abhi tak yahi hai na?.. Aise keh rahi hai jaise New York pahunch gayi thi..Aur waise aap bhi kuch kam nahi hai, mujhe bada lecture karti hai.. face your feelings Mr Khan, aur khud New York bhaag rahi thi.."

"Toh aap mere jaana ka wait kar rahe the?"

"Haan socha tha aap New York chali jayengi, phir aapke peeche peeche aaunga manane.. another one from your films. Aur waise bhi New York kabhi dekha nahi hai, issi bahane trip bhi ho jaata."

"Mai New York jaane ka ek bahaana hun Mr Khan?"

"Bilkul.. aapko kya laga.."

And the bickering continued.. trust Asad Ahmed Khan and 'to be Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan' to make light and fight over everything that had been a reason of their pain and tears the last few days.

They didn't even realize that their daughter had given up on them and gone back to sleep leaving both her 'silly' parents to enjoy their squabble.

PRECAP - LOTS of hospital romance coming on the way. Not uncensored by the way, don't expect that from me.

Whoever wants PM's please add me to your buddy list.

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