Chapter 35
The next night was chand raat and the party had started about 30 minutes ago. Asad has been waiting for his wife. He didn't know whether she will wear the dress or not. They hadn't talked about it after the conversation last night. The family was gathered in the terrace and waiting for the sighting of the moon. As the moon came into view, everyone made duas looking at the sky. Asad finished praying and turned to see his wife walk into his view. She was dressed in the white anarkali and was wearing the earrings and teeka that he had gifted her. Her dupatta was pinned to the left shoulder, revealing the scar on her right arm. Her hair was in a loose bun. She had added just a bit of kajal and lip loss. She looked stunning but he could see the uncertainty and nervousness on her face. Zoya kept her eyes interlocked with his, hoping that she would feel a little better. But, guests kept interrupting her view as they came up to her and she had to wish them. She had debated a lot about wearing the dress. But, his love has become her courageous shield. If she was accepted wholly in his eyes, then she didn't have to care about anything. But, somewhere she was nervous about how the family would react. They meant a lot to her too. Dilshad walked up to her and Zoya looked at her anxiously. "Bahut pyaari lagrahi ho, Ramazan Mubarak ho beta," she said as she placed a peck on her head. Zoya looked at her surprised. "Lovely choice Zoya, yeh dress tum par bahut hi acchi lagrahi hai," Nikhat said smilingly. "Ha Bhabhi, you look beautiful. Lekin aapko yeh daag kaise laaga?" Najma asked worried. Zoya looked at her, then everyone else, and lastly at Asad. "Mujhe yeh bachpan se hai Najma, ek hadse mein mujhe yeh mila tha," Zoya said sadly, remembering her mother. "I am sorry," Najma said feeling guilty. "Iss mein tumari kya galati hai, tum maafi mat maango" Zoya said, with a slight smile. "Zoya, yeh daag tumari pechaan nahi hai beta. Tumari khoobsurati toh tumare dil ka ek aaina hai. Usse yeh daag kuch nahi karsaktha," Dilshad said lovingly. Being a mother, she understood why Zoya was so quiet and timid. She was obviously uneasy with showing her scars to everyone. Zoya looked at the woman in front of her. All her life, she had wanted acceptance from a woman who she wanted to see a mother in. But, she never got it. And here was Dilshad, who was giving her everything without even asking for it. She just threw herself at Dilshad and pulled her in a hug. "Thank you Ammi, Thank you so much," she whispered. Everyone just smiled. Dilshad just caressed her hair, "Jao, kohi aur tumara bahut dher se intezaar karaha hai," she said looking at Asad. Zoya nodded and left towards him. He held out his hand for her and she placed hers in his. He pulled her close by his side. "Aap sahi the," she stated. He smiled as he pulled her in a side hug. "Ramazan Mubarak," he told her, placing a kiss on her temple. "Aapko bhi," she said with a smile. They broke apart and she covered her head with the dupatta, and raised her hands in prayer. "Allah miyan, aapne joh kuch bhi diya hai uss kehliye main aapka shukriya aada karna chathi hoon. Aapne Asad jaise ek shohar dekhar, mujhpar apni duwayein barsaye hai, iss Ramazan meri bas yehi dua hai keh meri ghar ki khushiya aise hi banakar rakna, ameen," she said in silence. She opened her eyes and turned to see him staring at her. Later, they wished the other family members. No one really cared about the wound except for Razia and Haseena.
As everyone started to move downstairs, Asad pulled out something from his pants and held it out for her. "Mr. Khan, aap mujhe kitne gifts denge. I really don't need anything else," Zoya told him, overwhelmed. He chuckled. "Yeh gift nahi, yeh ek rasam hai," he informed. Zoya looked at him confused. "Humare ghar mein har shohar apne biwi koh chand raat keh din, kangan deta hai," he told her. "Oh, yeh toh bahut hi cute rasam hai. Thank you," she said as she happily took the box from him. She opened the box and was astonished. Granted they were bangles, but what amazed her was the design. He had designed them to be exactly like the ones that her mother wore in the picture she had. She looked up at him and he smiled unsure about how she was going to like them. "Yeh toh...yeh," she said choking on her own voice. "Mujhe laaga keh tume yeh acche lagenge. I know keh yeh wohi kangan nahi hai lekin tume aisa toh lagega keh tumari Ammi tumare saath hai," he explained. She looked at him, not having words to describe what she felt. Thank you, didn't even cover everything he did for her. She had mistakenly broken the glass replicas of her mother's bangles a few days ago which he had given her during the family picnic. She had been really upset but her clumsiness has been a cause of her tripping over the carpet and dropping them to the ground. But, she never told him about that. "Aapko kaise paata keh maine apne kangan thodiye?" she asked. "Jab uss din main office se lauta tha toh maine dekha keh tum upset thi aur kangan dressing table par rakhe huwe the aur woh bhi toote huwe. So I thought main tume yeh deh dunga, yeh khabhi nahi tootenge," he told her. Zoya just moved closer and wrapped his hands around her neck. "Aapne mere liye joh bhi kiya hai, uss kehliye thank you shayad bahut chota shabd hai but thank you Mr. Khan. Thank you so much," she said, getting emotional. "Please rohna mat. Warna main tume khabhi gifts nahi dunga," he teased, causing her to giggle. They broke apart and she smiled at him. He took the box from her and adorned her hands with the bangles. "You look beautiful tonight in my favorite color," he told her as her cheeks turned red. "I love you," she said as she moved forward and kissed his cheek. He smiled hearing her words and they proceeded downstairs with their hands intertwined with each other.
Zoya was walking towards the kitchen when someone pulled her into a corner. "Haye Allah, yeh tumne aise kapde kyun pehene hai," Raziya said, loud enough to grab most people's attention. "Kya matlab? Aapko mere kapdo se kya takleef hai?" Zoya said. "Tum yeh daag chupakar kyun nahi raka hai, tum jaanti hona keh log dekhenge toh kya bolenge," Raziya stated. "Logo ki fikar mujh aabh nahi hai. Aur shayad aapko bhi nahi rehna chahiye. Jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, aabh main aapki zimedaari nahi hoon. Main Asad Ahmed Khan ki biwi hoon aur iss ghar ki bahu, toh aapke khandaan ki izzat koh kuch nahi hoga," Zoya said, her pain turning into anger. "Haye Tauba, yeh tum apne Ammi se kaise baat karahi ho? Kya baadon se aise baat karti ho tum?" Haseena, who was standing next to Raziya taunted. Zoya looked at her like why was she even interfering into the whole situation. She wanted to tell her that Raziya wasn't her mother, she never was. Before she could say anything, "Aur sahi toh bol rahi hai Raziya, tume yeh nishaan chupakar rakna chahiye," Haseena added. "Chupate usse hai joh galat ya bura hota hai, aur yeh nishaan unn mein se dono bhi nahi hai. Toh Zoya koh aisa kuch karna zaroori nahi hai," someone said as they walked up to them and stood next to Zoya. She turned around and smiled thankfully at her husband. "Asad beta...tum samaj nahi rahe hai. Yeh humare khandaan ki bahu hai...aur aise...," Haseena started to explain when Asad interrupted, "Chachi, Zoya keh baare mein kuch bhi bolne se phele yeh yaad rakiye keh woh meri biwi hai," he said. His voice was full of authority and a hint of warning. Haseena immediately calmed down and put on a fake smile on her face. "Aree, main toh yeh bol rahi thi keh Zoya humare ghar ki bahu hai. Hume uska saath dehna chahiye. Aur toh yeh keh woh bahut pyaari lagrahi hai aaj," Haseena said, in her usual loud voice. The family just snickered in the background. Asad just gave Haseena his glares and walked away with Zoya. The whole night, his eyes never moved away from her. Zoya felt free! Somewhere deep down she held the scar as diffidence. As something that made her less beautiful than others. Today, he had changed that. He has not only accepted her as she was, with all the faults and her craziness but made her accept herself too. Allah has been too kind to her. Without even asking, the Almighty had blessed her with a family and a husband that she had never dreamt of having. And she was lucky that she had fallen, deeply in love with him.
The whole month was filled with reading prayers, the holy Quran, and doing charity. The family often had iftar parties at their house or at friends and relatives they had to go to. It was a khan mansion rule that they all did iftari together no matter what. Nikhat was on and off with fasting as she was pregnant and sometimes, morning sickness didn't allow her to fast. Dilshad was prohibited by her doctor to fast in the month. She wished to but her blood pressure kept fluctuating and she has almost fainted on days she had tried. Therefore, Rashid had strictly prohibited her not to. Days flew by and it was the day before Eid and Dilshad had invited the jewelry and cloth vendors to bring their things so that she could select some gifts for everyone. Everyone was excitedly picking out clothes. Zoya wished to wear a sharara for Eid. She looked through so many of them but couldn't decide. "Bhabhi...yeh aap par bahut accha lagega," Najma squealed as she picked out a red and blue sharara. Nikhat took the red and blue fusion dupatta and placed it over Zoya's head. Asad was returning from work when he saw his wife clad in a dupatta over her head. She looked gorgeous with her dimpled smile on her lips. She looked up to see him and so did Najma. "Perfect timing Bhaijaan...baatayiye Bhabhi kaisi lagrahi hai?" Najma asked seeing Asad at the entrance. Asad caught off guard, broke his trance from Zoya and looked at his sister. "Huh?" he said. Najma repeated the question. "Acchi lagrahi hai," Asad said as he looked at Zoya. Zoya smiled back at him. He still wasn't much of an expresser when it came to his feelings, especially in front of his family. Him saying so much meant a lot to her. Hearing his words, "awww!" teased Najma and Nikhat in unison and Zoya just blushingly giggled. "Zoya, tum yeh ley lo aur iss par yeh jhumke aur necklace bahut hi pyaara lagega," Dilshad said. "Thank you Ammi," Zoya said. "Iss mein thank you ki kohi zaroorat hai beta, yeh tumari Eidi hai. Har saal main aur Rashid saare baccho koh aise hi Eidi dehte hai," Dilshad said lovingly. Zoya felt tears fill her eyes. "Zoya?" Dilshad said shocked. Asad too quickly moved towards her. "Kuch nahi Ammi, main theek hoon," Zoya said, quickly wiping the tears before they fell onto her cheeks. "Zoya," Asad said worried. "Main saach mein theek hoon," she told him as she tried to smile. Asad looked at Dilshad who encouraged him to take Zoya upstairs. "Woh Zoya, meri black file kaha hai jis par main kal kaam karaha tha?" Asad asked. "Black file? Woh toh maine drawer mein hi raka tha," she told him. "Nahi toh? Subhe maine dekha toh nahi milli," Asad said. "Accha? Main abhi dehti hoon," Zoya said, as she quickly stood up. Forgetting about her worries, she rushed up the stairs to find his file. Asad smiled at his mother thankfully and followed her up to their room.
That night, Zoya desired that she wanted to visit the orphanage and celebrate with the children. They have just finished doing iftar, broken their fast, and returned to the room to pray. Once they finished praying, "Mr. Khan...main baccho koh dekhne jarahi hoon. Aap chalenge mere saath?" she asked remembering how much he had liked the orphanage the last time they visited. "Of course, Bas paanch minute doh, main change karke aata hoon," he said and she nodded. Minutes later, he returned ready to leave. "Meri car ley chalte hai," she told him as he was about to pick up his car keys. "Kyun?" he said puzzled. "Woh maine baccho kehliye thodi mithai li hai aur tohfe bhi. Saari cheeze meri gaadi mein hai toh," she explained. "Theek hai, chalo," he said and they left. Reaching the orphanage, Zoya jumped out of the car as the kids rushed towards her excitedly. It's been so long since she had come here. "Kaise hai sabh?" she asked the kids as they all replied in unison. "Accha toh kal Eid hai aur main aap sabh kehliye gifts laayi hoon," Zoya announced as the kids cheered. "Andar chalo, main sabh koh tumare tohfe deh dungi," she said as they all ran inside. "Suleiman chacha, please gifts andar ley aayiye," she said to one of the older gentlemen who worked there. "Jee beta," he said with a smile while Asad and Zoya left with the kids. Minutes later, Zoya was disturbing sweets to the kids as Asad sat on the wooden bench nearby. She was in her own world, teasing the kids with the gifts or the sweets. She was tickling them making them laugh. Her giggle spread in the air filling his heart with this warm, fuzzy feeling. A feeling that made him feel peaceful and complete. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt someone next to him. He turned to see Mrs. Patel, the in-charge, and smiled. "Tum bahut lucky ho Asad, joh Zoya tumari zindagi mein aagayi," she told him. "Jaanta hoon Mam," he said. "You know Asad, yaha bahut saare bacche rehte hai, baade hote hai, aur phir ek din chale jaate hai. Zoya woh ek ladki hai joh yaha waapas aakar inn baccho kehliye itna sabh kiya hai," Mrs. Patel stated. Asad looked at his wife proudly. "Mrs. Patel, aapne yeh nahi baataya keh aapko building designs kaise laage joh maine bheje the," Asad questioned. "Acche the Asad lekin I don't know keh main itna sabh accept karsakthi hoon. Already tum aur Zoya inn baccho kehliye itna sabh karte hai. Aur Zoya bhi toh har mahine aapki saari salary yaha donate kardeti hai, isse zyada main kya ley sakthi hoon," Mrs. Patel told him. Asad looked at her shocked. Zoya donated her salary here every month, he thought surprised at the new found facts. "Aap uski tension mat lijiye, aap sirf yeh boliye keh aapko kohi changes karne hai ya nahi. Aapki ha milne keh baad, main construction shuru kardonga," Asad said to which Mrs. Patel hesitantly accepted.
"Offo aap dono yaha kya karahe hai. Chaliye, hum sabh celebrate karahe hai, aapko bhi aana padega," Zoya said walking up to them. "Zoya, main nahi beta. Iss umar mein," Mrs. Patel said when she was interrupted. "Massi ma please, no excuses, chaliye na please," Zoya said as she tugged at her hand. "Zoya," Mrs. Patel tried to argue. "Chaliye na Massi ma, chaliye," she said as she forced her to come. Mrs. Patel agreed and stood up. Zoya then turned to Asad, "Aap chalenge ya aapko bhi kohi bahana dehna hai Mr. Khan," she scolded. Asad just smiled as he stood up and joined them. "That's better," she said as they took them both to where the kids were already dancing to the music from Zoya's phone. Zoya started matching her steps to the tunes as she happily swayed with the kids. Watching the scene, it reminded Asad of seeing Zoya at the school where he had seen a similar act. He stood mesmerized as he saw his gorgeous wife under the shimmering moonlight. It seemed like she was one more kid who was just twice their size. She had the same innocence, the same joy, and the same excitement. His lips kept curving into a bigger smile as he saw her. Hours later, they left the orphanage and were driving back home. "Kitna maaza aaya na Mr. Khan. I am so happy keh saare baccho koh gifts bahut pasand aaye," Zoya said elatedly. "Tum bahut acchi ho Zoya, the kids are lucky to have you," he said. "Main sirf unn baccho koh ek mauka dehna chathi hoon ek normal zindagi ka. Unn baccho koh bhi haq haina keh Eid keh din ya Diwali keh din unne naye kapde ya tohfe mile. Yeh toh har bacche ka haq hai," she said sadly. "Tum sahi keha rahi ho. Aur Zoya mujhe yeh nahi paata tha keh tum apni puri salary yaha donate karti ho," he told her and she looked at him surprised. "Aapko kaise paata...Mrs. Patel mein baataya?" Zoya asked and he nodded. "Sorry Mr. Khan, mujhe shayad aapko bolna chahiye tha. Woh kya haina main baccho koh madad karna chathi thi, lekin phele mere paas paise nahi the. Aur jab se job milli, mujhe paiso ki zaroorat nahi thi. I mean aap mere saari cheeze ka khayal rakte hai so maine soocha keh main paise unne deh doon jisse zaroorat hai," she explained. Asad smiled hearing her words. "Zoya, you don't have to clarify. Just know keh I am really proud of you," he said taking her hand in his. "Matlab aap naraaz nahi hai?" Zoya asked surprised. "Main naraaz kyun honga? Main toh main khush hoon keh tum baccho kehliye itna sabh karahi ho," he replied. "I love you Mr. Khan," she blurted in excitement. Realizing what she had said, she turned crimson red. He just chuckled at her. "Waise tum batao, tumari favorite cheez kya thi joh tum bachpan mein Eid par karti thi?" he asked casually as he turned the car to the left. Zoya felt her face become pale as the daunting memories came back. Asad looked at her and pulled over at the side of the road. "Zoya, kya hua?" he asked concerned. "Kuch nahi, bas kuch yaad aagaya," she told him. He looked at her troubled. "Please tell me," he said. She composed herself as she looked up at him. "Bachpan mein jab...jab Abu mujhe Eidi dehte the toh bas thode minute mein unki biwi mujhse meri Eidi cheen leti thi," she expressed as Asad looked at her shocked. "Jab choti thi toh bahut rohti thi lekin phir shayad aadat si padgayi," she said almost feeling clogged on her own voice. He moved forward and pulled her into a hug. She felt the stabbing pain decrease inside her. To prevent her from crying, she gulped down the tears. Asad now understood why she had been upset that morning when Dilshad had talked about giving gifts for the occasion. "You know Mr. Khan, jab main rohti thi na toh Humi apne paise haade paadkar mujhe dehti thi aur bolti thi keh dekho Bhaji, aabh hum dono keh paas Eidi hai," Zoya said as she slightly smiled through the sadness. They broke apart. "Tume paata hai humare ghar mein kya hota tha? Haider aur Tamatar keh beech hamesha bet lagthi thi keh kisse zyada Eidi milegi. Najma laadli thi toh usse zyada Eidi milti thi aur nahi bhi milti toh woh blackmail karke sabh se leyti thi," Asad said and that made Zoya chuckle. "Aur Haider ka mood bahut karaab hojata tha. Aur usse cheer up karne kehliye main aur Bhaijaan usse apne isse ki Eidi dehte the," he said and she smiled this time. Her real, dimpled smile that made her eyes sparkle. Asad was glad that he was able to get her smile for real. Zoya looked at him. No matter what her past held, he was healing her, one step at a time. The Abuse and pain that had deep down damaged her was now being filled with love and happiness by him.
Eid has been a grand affair at the khan mansion with more than half the Bhopal invited to it. Zoya was dressed in a red and blue sharara, her hair lay on her back in loose curls, and she had matching jewelry. She finished putting her kajal and looked at her handsome husband who was clothed in a half white sherwani and velvety blue waistcoat with red embroidery on the borders. "Chale Mr. Khan?" she asked. He pinched the bridge of his nose, "ajeeb lagtha hai," he plainly stated. Dilshad had told her that in the past 3 years, Asad usually just stayed in his room for any parties except for business affairs of course. After what happened, he preferred to suffer in silence, which was his mantra for a lot of things. It was changing since Zoya had stepped into his life but it was still hard at times. She took a seat next to him and held his hand, "main jaanti hoon yeh aap kehliye mushkil hai but Eid toh apno keh saath maanayi jaati haina," she explained. "Aur yeh meri pheli Eid hai Mr. Khan, agar aapko kuch dehna hai toh main chathi hoon keh aap mere saath Eid maanaye, sabh keh saath milkar," Zoya told him. He stood up and pulled her up. She looked at him surprised, "tume tumari pheli Eidi thodi na maana karsaktha hoon," he said. Zoya beamed at him. She moved forward and pecked his lips, "Eid Mubarak Mr. Khan," she told him. He smiled and pulled her into a hug, "Eid Mubarak Zoya," he said. The guests have just started to come in and the family eagerly waited for Asad and Zoya. "Ammi," Nikhat said and everyone turned to see Asad and Zoya walking down the stairs. Dilshad grinned as tears filled her eyes, she had wished for this day to come from the past 3 years and now it's finally here. Rashid placed his arm around her shoulder, comforting her. They reached the living room and Asad went to his mother first, embracing her and wishing her for Eid. Later, he wished everyone else. Zoya's family has also been invited. She saw how Humaira and Haider looked at each other, she was extremely happy for them. It was hard for her to keep their relationship a secret but she was going to give them time to understand one another and their relationship. She looked at Razia and her words from the quran khani came back to her. But, she didn't care. Nothing mattered anymore. Asad's love was so strong that it had broken past walls of low self-esteem and mended broken hearts. What Razia or anyone else said now didn't make a difference to her. Being younger in age, Zoya felt like wishing Razia was the right thing to do. Razia too wished her just for the sake for everyone being there. She hated seeing Zoya so happy. Razia has even come to know that Zoya knew who her mother was and where she was now. This ridiculed her. She hated that she couldn't use that as a weapon anymore against Zoya. That girl had taken her happiness away 22 years ago...how can she let her be happy? Never!
After the celebration, Zoya decided to visit her mother and Asad offered to join her. They both reached the dargah and Zoya bought some flowers for her mother. Reaching the grave, she placed it on top. "Eid Mubarak Ammi," she said happily. "Meri pheli Eid hai Ammi, nikkah keh baad aur aap keh saath bhi. Har Eid koh main aapke aur Abu kehliye dua maangi hai aur aaj Allah ne aapse mila diya. Aabh bas yehi dua hai keh agle saal main aapke aur Abu dono keh saath Eid maanaungi," she said sadly. Asad pulled her into a side hug, "main kosish karaha hoon," he told her. "Main jaanti hoon Mr. Khan aur aap nahi jaante keh aapne joh kiya woh mere liye kya mahine rakta hai. Yeh jaan na keh meri Ammi kaha hai, this means a lot to me," she said wrapping her arms around his. They left from there and decided to take a stroll. "Abu keh baare mein kuch bhi paata nahi chala?" she asked breaking the silence. He nodded his head negatively, "tumari Ammi keh naam par kohi marriage certificate nahi hai na hi unke kissi bhi rishtedaar ka kuch paata hai, iss liye thoda mushkil hai," he told her. "Shayad woh Bhopal mein nahi rehte hai ya nahi rehte the. Kaash mujhe yeh paata hota keh woh hai ya nahi. I mean Ammi keh baare mein main bachpan se jaanti thi lekin Abu ka na chehra paata hai na naam," she told him, as her cheeks became wet. "Baskar doond raha hai, InshAllah jaldi hi tumare Abu mil jayenge, don't worry," he said wiping her cheeks. "Paata nahi Abu kaise mere baare mein kuch nahi jaante, unne na hi meri Ammi ka paata tha na hi Abu ka. Unne bas mujhe aise hi adopt karliya," she wondered. Since Asad had found out about Zainab, Zoya had talked to Gaffur about her parents. He had just been so aloof about it and told her that he didn't know anything. Zoya had pleaded him to tell her even if it was the tiniest detail but Gaffur had just yelled at her and left. Zoya had been upset. She didn't know who else to ask for help. "Hey...kaha kohgayi?" Asad said bringing her out of her thoughts. "Kuch nahi," she said. They reached their car and Asad opened the door for her. She climbed in. As he was about to go to his side, she held his hand, "I love you Mr. Khan," Zoya said. He smiled, "I love you too!" Asad said as he leaned in and sealed her lips with his.
Thank you for all the wonderful comments on the last chapter, it really means a lot 🤗Waiting for your feedback on this chapter 😊
Edited by asyasahil928 - 10 years ago
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