All of a sudden I felt myself becoming aware of my own body, I tried to open my eyes but the light above me blinded me painfully, I let out a muffled moan 'Asad...Zack, Zoya' I heard her voice call out. All of a sudden I felt the presence of heated bodies around me. I tried to open by eyes again, everything was a blur until I could just about make out her face 'Ay...Ayesha' I said, just about managing to sound coherent enough 'Hey...welcome back' 'back...where did I go?' I saw her smile as tears trickled down her face 'I am going to get the doctor' she said looking towards Zack and Zoya 'they have doctors in heaven too?' I asked making her laugh 'no, but they certainly do here...one minute'.
As she left I turned towards my right side to see Zack and Zoya standing there 'Hi' 'what took you so long man...do you know what we have been going through for the last ten days?' My eyes widened a little 't...ten days...is that how long I have been out for?' 'Yes' 'Dude, are you crying?' Zack cleaned his face with his hands and sniffed 'crying...for you? You out of you mind...Zack doesn't do crying, I am a Dark Angel remember...but I swear you do anything like that again...I will kill you myself' I slowly lifted my hand towards him as his voice continued to break 'I promise I will never give you an opportunity to kill me' shaking my hand he stepped back a little and as he did she came into focus.
Seeing her tired face, her swollen eyes made my heart sink, I hitched a painful breath as I continued to look at her 'Zoya, you sit with him, I am going to see where Ayesha is'.
As soon as Zack walked out of the room Zoya turned towards me, she sat down and took my hand in hers 'if...if anything had happened to you Asad...I don't I know what I would have done...I can't believe you did something so stupid' 'if I had to do it again Zoya, I would without thinking twice...now you guys want to leave the lectures to a little later...my head hurts' wiping her tears with the back of her hand she smiled 'sure, I think I can wait until we get you home'.
'Tariq?' 'Gone...and so are the rest of them, I destroyed the blue print and any other evidence that led to any of us or Commando' 'is he ok, where is he?' 'He is fine, had to undergo some medical treatment too, he is at home, Humera and Haider are back, they are looking after him' just to hear their names brought a smile to my face 'I can't wait to see them...'
'Excuse me, could you please step outside, I need to examine the patient' we both looked towards the door to see the doctor with two other medical staff by the door 'sure...I will see you in a bit' she said before she got up and left.
The doctor took a long time going over my reports and checking me out 'Mr Khan, you have had a lucky escape, if you hadn't come round soon you could have gone into a coma for good...I guess the prayers of your friends were heard by someone above...especially your lady friend, she hasn't moved from your side since the moment you arrived' I felt a wave of cold air run over, I looked towards the door to see her standing there, every part of me ached to hold her 'thank you doctor...how soon before I can go home?' 'Not for a while, I mean for at least a few days, we want to make sure you are totally ok before we can discharge you' 'hank you'.
Once the doctor left Zoya walked back inside followed by Zack and Ayesha 'what did the doctor say?' Zack asked 'He said I am lucky to have friends like you who prayed for me day and night...and also that I will be able to go home in a few days' time' the three of them stood there smiling at me, Zoya closed her eyes in relief, I could see small droplets escape the corner of her eye. I tried to shuffle up but my whole body felt like dead weight 'one sec' Zack said as he steeped towards me. Helping me sit up properly he sat down next to me 'me and Ayesha are going to go home and get you some fresh clothes...I think you need a shave too' rubbing my heavy stubble I let out a chuckle 'I guess I do...you might want to take this one home too, the doctor told me you haven't left since I got here' Zoya lowered her gaze.
Ayesha went to stand by her, she placed her arm around her 'it's true, she hasn't left your side at all...the only time this one is going home is when you stand up to come home too...Zoya I will bring you some fresh clothes too...we will be about an hour or so' 'thank you'
As they left Zoya took her seat next to my bed again, I slowly stretched my hand, which she took immediately 'you ok?' I asked, to which she nodded 'you are one brave soilder Zoya, you carried the burden all on your own...never did you let us in once to help you' 'I couldn't...not without risking Commando's life...I am sorry...if I hurt you' I felt my stomach knot 'no...please don't say that...it is me who should be saying sorry...I should have known better, trusted you...and I didn't...I was angry...hurt...because I believed something that wasn't true...Ayesha and Zack had more faith in you than I did...' I lowered my eyes in shame, I couldn't face her.
Zoya cupped the side of my face 'hey...its ok...you feeling like that was what made it easier for me...I needed to keep you close to make sure you were not targeted at the same time I needed to carry out what Tariq wanted me to do...Asad...it's over, all over...we will never have to be apart again' lifting her hand up I placed a soft kiss on her fingers 'never...the minute we walk out of here Zoya...it will only be me and you'.
Over the next few days Asad was nursed back to health by Zoya and the medical staff alike. The day had finally come when Asad was given the all clear from the doctor and was allowed to go home.
'Where are we going?' I asked not recognising the area 'to Humera and Haider's place, well actually our place...' 'huh?' I said not quite understanding 'we are nearly there you will know what I mean' Zack said.
Zack pulled into a large iron gate, the path was surrounded by trees, I kept looking left to right trying to figure out where we were. The trees soon came to an end and opened up into a ground big enough for a palace ground. The beautiful gardens took my breath away, in the middle stood a pristine white house, a house that only existed in children's fairy tales 'this is...' Zack turned around to face me 'this is our place...where Commando lives with his Angels...we will always be together Asad' I couldn't stop smiling, taking Zoyas's hand into mine I jumped out of the car.
'Asad look' Zoya said, as I turned around I saw Commando standing in front of me. I couldn't bring myself to move, the man who created us, the man who was a father figure to all of us was a live and stood before me holding his arms out. I hurried my footsteps towards him and embraced him. I could hear his voice tremble as he tried to call out my name Ya Allah...thank you for this day, thank you for giving me life long enough to see my Angels together like this...come Asad, welcome home'
I met Haider and Humera, who I could just about recognise, they looked so different, so mature and grown up.
Inside there were a number of other people, people I had never seen before 'Asad, these people are our caretakers...' Commando went on to introduce me to the various people standing there, the maids, the drivers, the gardeners and security officers.
For the first time in so many years I felt elated, I felt relieved, like a heavy burden had been lifted, I saw a light that showered me and my family with nothing but pure happiness, I was finally home, my home, our home.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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