Asad gazed at Zoya sleeping in his arms and smiled. He felt exhilerated looking at her so peaceful and happy. It felt like a huge weight on his shoulders had been lifted off today. Confessing his feelings to her, her reaction to his words and her smile had made up for all the trouble they both had gone through the last few days. His Ammi had been right, love could never make a man weak or miserable, it had only made him stronger and happier. Accepting the growing feeling within him and admitting it to Zoya had only got greater joy to both their lives and even Aahana's, he thought as he looked at the baby sleeping in her cot.
It had taken a lot of effort to part Aahana and Zoya.. Aahana had been clinging to her Ammi and Zoya didn't want to let go off her either. He smiled remembering how he had to cajole Zoya as if she were a baby herself.
But his happiness and smile always had a price to pay. Even as he felt a part of him dwelling in all the joys of his life, his heart was constricting in fear for his daughter and now even for Zoya. The incident today had him go back in time when Aahana had gotten kidnapped. It had been a near death experience for him, and today he had lived that day all over again.
Who was after Aahana? Was it the same lady who had kidnapped her previously? But she was dead now, that is what he had heard last. Had she been only a pawn in a bigger game, was someone else after his family and was trying to harm her again? His thoughts went back to the incident with Zoya at the orphanage, did that have anything to do with the same person? He had to get down to the truth, find out whoever it was trying to hurt the closest people to him.
Zoya moved a little in his arms causing him to break out of his thoughts and shift his attention to her. He immediately caressed her head with his arm that was around her shoulders. Feeling his touch, Zoya's eyes fluttered open and she tipped her head upwards to find him staring at her.
"Mr Khan you're awake? You should be sleeping, you've had a long day," Zoya asked. Asad smiled at her concern and rested his cheek on her head," Why did you wake up? Are you hurting," he said caressing her shoulder.
"No, but my back feels stiff," Zoya voiced tiredly. Asad got down and rolled the bed slightly upwards. Getting in next to her again, he made her lean on him," May I?" Asad asked for her consent before pressing her shoulders and back. Zoya smiled at his courtesy and nodded at him.. Asad smiled shyly and started to massage her, easing her muscles which were sore due to sleeping in one position.
Asad and Zoya both felt a little uncertainty somehow, awaiting some kind of awkwardness to creep in. Now that they were officially together, they thought any interaction would make them feel shy and a bit conscious initially, but they felt surprised at the comfort they felt in every moment they spent together, as if their life had taken a very obvious turn, that too with utmost ease and grace, and it felt good.. It was a welcome change.
"Mr Khan?"
"Hmm?"
"Kuch soch rahe hai? Zoya asked, her eyes shut, enjoying the relief spreading through as he gently pressed her back.
"Tumhe kaise pata?" Asad asked a little surprised at how she had gauged his mood.
"Now I don't want to say something that you'll end up making fun of, something like, I know you better than you know yourself and so on.." she said chuckling softly.."But you're quite an open book Mr Khan, contrary to what you think about yourself.. your eyes say everything you feel.." she said and turned a little to look at him.
He smiled slightly and nodded," Yeah I was thinking.."
"About what happened today?" Zoya interrupted and he nodded.
"You know Mr Khan, pehle mujhe lagta tha ki aap kuch zyaada hi over protective hain, bina baat ke humesha itna pareshaan rehte hai.. but after going through what I did today. After almost losing my baby, I understand why you're the way you are.. I feel so scared Mr Khan, scared to even shut my eyes and sleep lest someone take Aahana away from us. Whose doing this Mr Khan? Why does anyone want to harm that little angel?" Zoya said her voice rising with panic..
"Sshh bas Zoya...tumhe fikr karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai, I am here right? What am I here for? Nothing will happen to the both of you until I am around, I'll take whatever trouble coming our way on me before it reaches you both," Asad tried calming her, by giving her an assurance.
"But I don't want that either, I don't want to lose either of you.." Zoya croaked as she turned and entwined her arms around his neck, as Asad's hands worked on her back and the other holding her around her waist.
"And you won't Zoya, you won't lose any of us.. "
"But.."
"Bas! sssh.. Don't you trust me to take care of the both of you.."
"Of course I do.. I know you will.." Zoya nodded holding him tighter.
"Then no more worrying... if you trust me, then just leave it to me to make everything alright. I promise I will.." Asad guaranteed, even though he himself wasn't sure of what he was going to do.
But he didn't want Zoya to worry. She didn't deserve any more troubles and ordeals than she had already gone through, he wouldn't let her. He was going to shower her with all the happiness, love and care he could possibly and make her life as beautiful as he could. She deserved the best, and he was going to make sure she got that.
"Let's talk about something else?" Asad mumbled softly kissing on her head that was buried in the crook of his neck.
"Like?"
"Like when did you realize you were falling in love with me? Or when exactly did you fall in love with me?" Asad prodded, a soft smile on his face. Zoya moved apart a little to look at him, but Asad made her lean back on his shoulder, not wanting her to exert herself.
"Mr Khan getting romantic hmm?" Zoya teased making him go red. "Kitna sharmate hai aap Mr Khan?" Zoya giggled and pulled his cheeks, "How cute.."
"Miss Farooqui!!" Asad whined angrily..
"Ohh, toh matlab aap jab bhi naaraz honge toh mujhe Zoya nahi Miss Farooqui bulayenge.." Zoya stated in sudden understanding.
"At least baaki time toh Zoya bulaunga.. not like you, who still continues to address me as Mr Khan.." Asad complained in good humor.
"Ab badi umar ke logon ko respect toh deni padti hai na Mr Khan?" Zoya explained, her face and voice maintaining seriousness.
Asad glared at her once and looked away," Now stop sulking.. I think Mr Khan sounds cute, and its exclusive, no one else calls you that at home.." she clarified, finding his childlike behaviour extremely adorable.
"My entire office staff and clientele addresses me with that name. I feel like I am in the office talking to my staff rather than my.." Asad ranted moodily..
"Rather than your?" Zoya urged him to complete the unsaid.
"Nothing.." Asad said avowed.
"I am your nothing?" Zoya pretended to be shocked.
Asad merely rolled his eyes and pulled her closer," My To be Bride.." he said imperatively making her smile widely.
"I said what you wanted to hear.. now you say it.."
"Say what?"
"My name.."
"Mr Asad Ahmed Khan.." she said it, biting her lips to control herself from laughing at his expressions.
"Zoyaa!" he said exasperated.
"Zoya? It means you aren't too angry then, the annoyance is out of love isn't it?" Zoya joked.
"Sach mai naraaz ho jaunga ab?" Asad threatened.
"Tch, why are you so hell bent I call you by your name, Mr Khan mai kitni izzat hai.."
"Par Asad mai apnapan hai.." he whispered. Zoya smiled and leaned in further and sighed, giving up," I love you Asad.." She couldn't deny him anything. She hadn't been to make him wait before she had confessed her feelings either.
Asad beamed and hugged her tighter," I love you too... Miss Farooqui.." he said making her move out of his hold and stare at him in shock making him chuckle, "Ugh, how I wish I wasn't tied to these tubes.." she said gritting her teeth.
"Sorry sorry sorry.." Asad mumbled through his chuckles and pulled her closer... but she tried to move away even though she had no strength to, and finally gave up," Sorry ZOYA!" he whispered again, making her smile.
"Acha now bahut masti ho gayi, aapko sona chahiye.. you need rest Zoya," he said moving apart and tried to lay her down.
"Please Asad yahi bethiye mere paas, I don't feel sleepy.. please?" she pouted.
"You've got to stop making that face, I can't seem to say no to it.." he grumbled making her smile victoriously as she pulled his hand to make him sit next to her.
He gave up and got in again, making Zoya lean her head on his chest and held her around her shoulder.
"Toh bataiye?" Asad prodded her again..
"Kya?"
"That how did you fall in love with me?" he asked eagerly.
"I don't know Asad... I really don't know when or how I fell in love with you. It's quite surprising I did, because you weren't exactly a man I had dreamt of.."
"What do you mean?" Asad said taking offence.
Zoya chuckled," I mean, aap itne chup chaap, itne serious rehte the, always angry, always adorning a frown. You seemed so vary of me, and always judgmental.. so I never thought consciously that I could ever fall in love with you.."
"But you ended up doing the same.." Asad stated haughtily.
"Yes, when I realized there was so much more to you than what you let anyone know.." she admitted, looking at him lovingly.
"And what was that.." he questioned teasingly.
"Now you're just fishing for compliments..I already told you didn't I?," she said hitting his shoulder.
Asad chuckled," Fine.. but when did you realize?" he urged.
"There were many moments I felt something different and questioned it, but I think I realized it the day we spent at the fair, on the Giant Wheel. Standing with you, open armed, witnessing the sunset..it felt so complete, as if it was all I wanted from my life.." she confessed as she remembered the beautiful memory.
Asad looked at her with bewilderment, "What? You realized it then? That means... that means.."
"I saw you," Zoya whispered," I saw you and Aahana when I shut my eyes that day.."
Asad shut his eyes and breathed in agonizingly," I am so sorry Zoya.."
"What for?" she stared back at him intrigue..
"For what you had to hear from me, it must have hurt you.."
"No it didn't Asad.." she said with a confidence that surprised him.
"Don't lie Zoya, its only human to be hurt, you don't have to hide your feelings from me.." Asad said apologetically.
"But I am not ... We're mature adults Asad, we've both seen and lived a life that's made us who we are. And we both understand what it is to lose people, to get second chances, to be able to trust someone else so deeply. You had a past, you were married, Ayesha is an indispensable part of your life, and I understood that then and I do even now. So you don't have to be conscious while talking about Ayesha to me, or about missing or remembering her.. you have every right Asad." Zoya assured him gently.
Asad smiled at the big hearted, kind and beautiful woman in front of him and felt his love for her grow even more, if that was possible. He took her hand in his and squeezed it in response," Zoya, there is a lot I want to say, a lot about my relation with Ayesha, about us.. but I don't want to right now. This is not the time and place for it. Tumhara dil bahut bada hai Zoya, shayad mai ye nahi kar paata jo tum kar rahi ho.. And even if it doesn't bother you, it would bother me to talk about Ayesha to you, especially today. Let it be about us today, about you..," Asad beseeched with utmost love and admiration shining through his eyes.
"But everything isn't about me Asad.." Zoya said touched by Asad's sensitivity towards her feelings.
"For me, everything is about you Zoya..." he affirmed softly.." I know Ayesha is and always will be an important part of my life. But not today Zoya.. I want to tell you everything, you have every right to know, but just not today?" Asad urged and she nodded.
"You don't have to ever, you don't need to tell me anything if you don't want to.." she said squeezing his hands, letting him know her love for him would stay undeterred.
"I want to Zoya, I want you to know everything about me, I want you to know all of me.. I guess I would be a better man if I can see myself through your eyes," he said smiling his shy smile.
And all that he did or said today moved Zoya, and a tear trickled out of her eyes.
"Hey!" he whispered and cuddled her," Please don't cry, I don't like it. And I never know what to say to stop making you cry.." he admitted embarrassed making her chuckle and wipe her tears," You just did though.." she said grinning at him affectionately.
"How did you manage a crying Aahana all along then?" she questioned with sudden interest. The next moment she felt Asad blowing air on her gently and she giggled, "Like this.. she loves it.." he said and looked back at a sleeping Aahana once before turning to Zoya.
"I love it too," she divulged.
"Really? That's good.. I know how to cajole you too now when you start crying," he chuckled.
He blew on her again and rolled the bed downwards by twisting his arm behind the bed," I do that even to put her to sleep. So NOW Miss Zoya, enough of all the fun, it's time for bed.." he persuaded again.
"No! I am not sleepy yet.."
"Enough Zoya! You're on medicines, you need rest, please?" he coaxed her gently.
"Just one last thing?" She implored, twisting her lips..
"Don't you dare pout..And fine now what?" he gave up.
"You never told me when you fell in love with me?"
And he didn't take a minute to answer it," When I almost lost you.." he said, his voice hoarse. "When life got sucked out of me thinking I had lost you, when I saw you bleeding, pale and worn, so unlike yourself..It was then that I realized how much your meant to me. And that the concern, the urge to spend more time with you, the need for your guidance in every step of my life, and everything that I called friendship was love.." he said emotionally, his voice thick.
Zoya felt tearful again, but blinked them away and tried to make light out of the situation," So whenever you're angry or whenever I have to get something out of you.. I'll just have to go get lost is it?" she teased, but it fell back on her.
He cupped her face in a grip that scared her," Dare you say that again!" he said in a menacingly soft voice," You scared the death out of me Zoya.. I almost died today.. one more time and I won't last that sort of fright. So you dare say that ..ever again.." his voice softened towards the end, "Please!"
Zoya's smile vanished realizing her joke had hit a raw nerve and she hugged him, drawing her arms around his neck, snuggling to him," I am sorry, I shouldn't have said that," she mumbled apologetically.
"Yes you shouldn't have.." he said firmly, hugging her back tightly.
"But there's one thing you need to Zoya.."
"What?"
"Sleep!" he smiled and lay her back on the pillow.
"No!" she whined making him raise his eyes at her in anger," I mean, stay here, by my side, please?"
Asad sighed and nodded in a no, pointing towards the couch in the room. Zoya stared at him dejectedly," Is it because we aren't married yet Mr Khan?" she whispered sadly.
And he rushed back to her," Of course not Zoya.. I am not from such an old school of thought. I trust you and myself not to cross the boundary. I wanted you to be comfortable and so.."
"But I'll be more comfortable with you," she stated making him smile," If you don't mind.." she added.
"Of course not," he said and got in the bed with her, pulling the covers on her and slightly stroking her forehead to put her to sleep.
********************
Asad was woken out of his sleep when he felt Zoya shifting next to him. He opened his sleepy eyes to see Zoya trying to get up, and he immediately sat up straight," What happened? Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.
"Asad you're awake? I am sorry I didn't want to wake you up," she said looking back at him ruefully.
Asad shook his head, she was injured and on a hospital bed, but still caring about everyone but herself.
"What rubbish? You would have had it from me, if you even put your foot down without waking me up," he admonished her and getting down the bed, went to her side.
"Where do you want to go? Aahana's sleeping yet.." he said looking at the baby.
"No.. I wanted to use the bathroom," she said meekly and he nodded in understanding. He held her by her arms and walked her to the bathroom," I can walk by myself," she assured him, but he wasn't going to have it any other way.
"I know you can, but I can't, so I need to lean on you," he replied amusingly. She rolled her eyes and said," But I am the one who needs to go the loo not you," she pointed out.
"I do too.."
"Why?" she asked alarmingly.
"To help you," he said as if it was obvious.
Zoya blushed and looked away," But I don't need help Asad, I'll be fine.." she said feeling colour rise up her cheeks.
"You said that the last time too, remember? But you had to call me in then," he reminded her as he opened the door of the bathroom for her. And the mention of that night bought back memories to both of them. And they looked at each other at the same time, both understanding what the other was thinking.
Asad took a step closer to Zoya and stared at her with utmost devotion. Locking her gaze with his, he slowly rolled up her sleeves making her gasp," Asad?"
"I meant what I said that day Zoya.." he mumbled.
"Huh?" she asked confused.
"You said last night, that you thought that you didn't know what you saw in my eyes that day, love or pity. It wasn't pity, it can never be. It was love, admiration and respect...For you, for your struggles, for what you're made of. I can only be proud of you Zoya, and these scars on you are nothing to be shameful off. For me they'll always be a matter of pride, and I want them to be the same for you. From today, you don't need to hide them, did you hear me?" Asad demanded, explaining as if she were a child.
And just like that Zoya's eyes brimmed with tears, and she did nothing to stop them. She leaned forward and hugged Asad, clinging to him, holding him tightly, "I love you so much.."
"I love you too," he whispered kissing the side of her head and running a gentle arm over her back.
Moving apart he walked her towards the sink and opened the tap. Bending her a little he held her hair up helped her wash her face," You're beautiful " he said gazing at her as he gently dried her face, she blushed a little and shut her eyes in bliss.
"I am right outside, call me if you need help.." he said moving out and shutting the door behind him.
He saw Aahana stirring in her cot, and went towards it. Standing above the cot he leaned downwards and taking a strand of her hair, tickled her ear with it, making her squirm and rub it vigorously.
Asad smiled at her and repeated the same making her yell and then gently open her eyes. The sudden light made her scrunch her eyes. Asad laughed and picked her up, letting her hide her face in his shirt. Kissing the crown of her head he whispered," Good Morning Aanu," and she just sighed and kept sleeping on his shoulder. He held her down and stared at her. He couldn't and wouldn't be able to explain anyone how scared her was of losing her. And that fear had been rekindled after yesterday. He bought her closer and kissed her eyes. Her eyes flickered open and she smiled at her father.
Zoya who was standing outside the washroom stared at the both of them smilingly. Realizing she had come out, Asad held out his hand and beckoned her. She walked into his welcoming arms and hugged him and her daughter together.
******************
"Zoya you can take care of her when we you're better. If you let her play, she's going to clamber all over you and hurt you somewhere," he admonished her. Zoya just looked at him dismissingly and turned her attention back to Aahana who was seated in her lap and playing with her fingers. After she was bored she began fiddling with the bandage on her left arm, which alerted Asad instantly.
"See, I told you," he pointed and picked Aahana, who didn't take that very well and began howling.
"Let her be Asad," she called out, unable to see Aahana cry.
"Ab kaun bigaad raha hai meri beti ko.."
"Woh sirf aapki beti nahi hai Asad, she is mine too, aur aapne ek saal bahut bigaad liya, now let me do it too.." she said sheepishly making Asad stare at her, and her bond with their daughter.
"Ahem," they moved apart hearing someone at the door. They saw Dilshad and Najma standing at the doorway and smiled. Asad took Aahana and got up from the bed to allow Dilshad to take his place.
She bend down and kissed Zoya's forehead and hugged her," Meri bachi, tumhe pata nahi hai kitna darr gaye the hum log. We were only relieved when Asad called up and told us you were fine.." she reiterated worriedly.
"I am fine Ammi, you don't have to worry," Zoya assured holding her palm to her cheek, leaning towards it.
"How can Ammi not worry when her children aren't safe?"she inquired. Then turning to Asad she raised her arms indicating him to pass Aahana to him.
Taking the baby in her arms she hugged her tightly and kissed her. The baby was happy to see her grandmother and licked her cheek making her laugh. She stared at her once and turned to Zoya," I don't even know if I should thank you, it won't even be enough."
"You don't need to Ammi, ye toh mera farz tha.." Zoya said patting Aahana's back gently.
"She's lucky to have an Ammi like you," Dilshad said lovingly.
Najma, Asad and Zoya all stared at Dilshad," Jab Asad ne hume aane se mana kiya, toh mai samajh gayi thi, and I am glad I didn't revoke and come then, it did you both good, isn't it?" she said looking at Zoya and then at Asad who stood beside her making them both blush.
"OMG, does this mean what I think it does?" Najma squealed looking at everyone in shock. And even without waiting for an answer she sat next to Zoya and hugged her tightly," You're finally going to be my Bhabhi isn't it? Thank God!"
Zoya hugged her back laughing, but not before wincing a little," Careful Tamatar!" Asad said with a rush in his tone. Najma bit her tongue and moved away, "Sorry," she said putting Zoya's hair away from her face.
"I've got breakfast," Dilshad said asking Najma to fetch the basket.
"You guys eat I'll go meet the doctor once," Asad said, but Dilshad stopped him," There's no need for that, you eat first. And I met him before coming here, he said we can take Zoya home today evening," that got everyone smiling, especially Zoya," I can't wait to go back home," she exclaimed softly.
"We can't wait to take you back home too..this time forever," Dilshad said resolutely, making everyone smile contently, especially the couple who couldn't get enough of staring at each other.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
CID
46