Seeing Zoya falter, Dilshaad smiled indulgently, "Idhar aao," she motioned forwarding her hands. Zoya walked hesitatingly taking calculated steps towards Dilshaad before coming to stand in front of her with her head hung low. Dilshaad took one step towards her and engulfed her in a hug causing Najma to lose hope.
"Ammi, et tu Brute?" Najma asked slumping her shoulders.
"Kyun meri bacchi ko tang kar rahi ho?" Dilshaad chided jocularly, stepping out of the hug and placing a kiss on Zoya's forehead.
"Yeh kiss angle se bacchi lag rahi hai Ammi?" Najma asked squinting her eyes.
"Tu iski baat pe dhyaan mat do Zoya," Dilshaad assured with a smile. "Let's go see if everything is ready for Asad's arrival," she added taking Zoya along to the kitchen.
Zoya felt overwhelmed by Dilshaad's gesture and amazed even Dilshaad considered her like her own child. Thanking her Allah Miya for bestowing upon her such a lovely and warm family she proceeded to walk with her to the kitchen. But just before she could leave she turned to stick her tongue out at Najma taunting her at her loss before running to catch up with Dilshaad. Najma huffed in anger and promised to get back at her later.
"Sab ready haina Nikhat?" Dilshaad asked walking in.
"Haan Ammi, some Indian dishes for us and lasagna along with eggplant rollatini and some spaghetti in case he doesn't like lasagna. Aur of course Asad's favorite mango souffl," she finished.
"Perfect Nikhat," Dilshaad smiled satisfactorily. "Abhi Rashid called. He said flight has landed and Asad is out of customs. So I think they all shall be back soon."
"Nikhat tu mujhe utha sakti thi na. Main bhi help karti," Zoya whined feeling guilty for letting her sister-in-laws do all the cooking while she happily slept.
"Well my dear bhabhijaan, Asad has given us specific instructions not to let you anywhere near the kitchen except to get food. Aur ab tumse kaam karwake hume marwaaoge kya?" Nikhat questioned incredulously.
"Nikhat," Zoya whined, "Mujhe pata hai I don't even know the C of cooking magar I need to learn na?"
"When we are all here tumhe takleef uthane ki kya zaroorat?" Dilshaad asked cupping her cheek.
"Par phuphi," Zoya began trying to convince.
"Come on now, Asad should be here soon. Go and see if everything is set," Dilshaad urged.
"Ji," she replied half-heartedly and went to the living room to see the arrangement.
***
Tires screeching into the driveway alerted everyone in the house of Asad's arrival. Zoya along with her little nieces and nephews rushed to the main entrance before calling out for Dilshaad, Nikhat, Najma, and Humeira. The kids crowded near the entrance jumping in excitement for their mama's arrival while Zoya craned her neck to catch a glimpse of him after one whole month. She saw Rashid along with Ayaan get down from front seats while the back door opened allowing Aamir and Farhan to step out. Finally Asad stepped out from the same side as Aamir. With the men blocking her view as they walked forth towards her, she couldn't get a glimpse of her Asad. Disappointed she stood on her toes and craned her neck side to side.
Dilshaad rushed along with Najma, Humeira and Nikhat and stood waiting at the door. The men stepped aside once they reached the entrance to give way for Asad to stand in the center.
Asad came to stand in the center with his laptop bag hanging on his shoulder. Zoya noticed his black jacket was slightly crumpled owing to the long journey. His eyes looked a bit tired yet he stood beaming with a huge smile on his face as he saw his family especially Dilshaad welcoming him with a proud smile.
Dilshaad waved her hand around his head and cracked her knuckles as if removing any evil eyes of her baby when she felt him bend to take her blessing. She instantly stopped him midway and brought him in for a hug. Asad tightly hugged her back content that he was finally back to his family. Slightly breaking off the she went to kiss his forehead, "Aaj Daadi and your Abbu are really proud of you baby," she said addressing him fondly.
"Aur aap Ammi," he stated firmly. "Are you not proud of me?" he asked sincerely looking into her eyes.
"I am always proud of you baby." Dilshaad's eyes glistened with unshed tears at his immediate reply. Others looked on proudly at Dilshaad and Asad's love for each other.
"Oh ho Ammi, abhi abhi aaya hoon aur aap sabhaash dene ke bajai ro rahi hain?" Asad joked hoping to clear the thick air of emotions. "Aur yeh kya mujhe door step mein hi khade kar rahe ho sab."
Everyone including Dilshaad chuckled at his attempt to lighten the situation. Only Asad had the ability to change their foul moods into a smile with his presence. He had always brought a smile to everyone around him with his charm.
"Chalo Asad, if you don't force your way through this crowd here, you'll never make it in," Rashid added jocularly, causing everyone to move in allowing the men outside to come in.
All the tiny tots hugged Asad's legs and squealed in delight; happy their mamujaan had finally arrived. Equally enthusiastic Asad bent down to pick up his nephew Rounaq and perching him above his shoulders while carrying his niece Zainab in his hand. He hugged his other sisters, Nikhat and Najma, before chattering away with them.
"Vaise where is Daadi?" Asad wondered seeing her missing.
"She is visiting Ajmer bhaijaan, she'll be back tomorrow," Nikhat said shifting her little boy from right to left hand.
Zoya, who had been watching the spectacle unfold before her, stood in awe at the love and care the whole family possessed. Feeling pride and honor for coming into such a lovely family she saw him walk around to greet his sisters, nephews, and nieces. Wiping off her own tears, she excused herself to get something to drink for everyone. She walked into the kitchen alone and set up a glasses on a tray. She opened the fridge and bent down to get the juice box when she felt someone slide their fingers around her waist and forcefully pulling her back. She shrieked shuddering at the sudden grip and was about to scream for help when she felt the person shut her mouth. The feel of the person's hand did feel familiar but her panic-stricken mind refused to acknowledge fearing the worst. She struggled against the person's strong hold as she was being lifted off the ground and carried to a hidden corner in the kitchen. Before she knew it the person placed her feet on the ground and pressed his huge frame onto her back, squeezing her tiny frame.
"Main vahaan taras raha hoon, and you darling have come here to eat. You food monster!" he chided his voice husky with desire. "Now do I need to teach you how to welcome your shauhar?"
Zoya, who had her eyes shut tightly, jerked her eyes open instantly recognizing his voice. It was Asad! Her mind screamed. But what was the need to scare her like that? She pouted for unnecessarily putting her through tension and on top of that he even blamed her for selfishly coming to get food. "Asad," she whined, "main aap logon ke liye juice leke aa rahi thi."
"Oh playing the good host huh?" he shot back sarcastically. "Pehle pati seva karo then samaaj seva," he ordered winding his hands around her petite waist. His hot breath fell on her nape making her shiver while he bent down to kiss her earlobe. She inhaled sharply at the sudden feel of his cold lips on her sensitive spot causing her to completely leaning her whole weight on him. He sensuously slipped his long and slender fingers into her kurti and drew random patterns around her belly button. Unable to take his sensual torture she threw her head back, her eyes partially closed.
"Asad," her voice came out as a mere whisper. "Koi aajayega," she managed to say in spite of her highly aroused state.
"See if I care my love," he replied nonchalantly nipping her ear earning a sharp gasp from her. Pulling her back against his chest, he kissed her neck before travelling down to place a firm kiss on her shoulder. Each kiss of his aroused a new point of pleasure. Encouraged by her response he nipped her earlobe earning a deep sigh from her. He turned her around in one quick motion and pressed himself onto her making her aware of his need. He caught her arms and pinned them above her head and was about to capture her luscious lips when he heard someone cough loudly. He loosened his grip and stepped away hurriedly fearing he it could be his Maa.
"There is something called as room for all your hanky panky stuff, bhaijaan," Najma teased stifling a laugh. She wanted to check on Zoya to see if she needed help bringing juice and lo she found Asad busily hovering over his wife.
Asad groaned rubbing his temple seeing Najma. He could manage anyone in the house but Najma. Now that he had been caught, she would not leave a chance to tease him in front of everyone. "Ugh tamatar couldn't you spare me a minute alone with my wife?" he barked.
"Tsk tsk tsk. Gussa is not good for health bhaijaan," she said faking concern.
"Accha?" he shot back. "But spanking is good for you," he said lunging to catch hold of her. Najma slipped away just in time and ran away with Asad hot in pursuit. She reached the hall and ran around the couch throwing a few love seats on him. He deftly dodged them while warning her to surrender.
The men shook their heads at the usual scene while Nikhat and Dilshaad called them to settle their scores peacefully.
"Dekho bacche log are peacefully playing, aur yeh dono are running around and behaving worse than little kids," Aamir commented slapping his forehead seeing his wife's immaturity.
Feeling tired from being chased all over the living room, Najma stopped and leaned on one of the couch's armrest panting for air. Asad soon caught up with her and was about to smack her when she managed to call truce asking to be forgiven. Having no choice he let her go and warned to not repeat it again.
Nobody bothered to ask the reason for their cat and mouse chase for it always turned out to be silly. Dilshaad breathed a sigh of relief seeing they didn't kill each other and asked Asad to freshen up as lunch would be served shortly. Just then Zoya walked in with the juice tray in hand. Although her eyes still reflected her frazzled state, she seemed to have gotten herself together after the little preview of what was waiting for her tonight. She saw him leave hurriedly towards their room. She placed the tray asking Najma to serve juice to everyone while she went to check if Asad needed anything.
Zoya rushed past the huge marble hallways knowing he always needed her around to help him. Right from setting his clothes to getting his towel as soon as he showered, she needed to keep tab of his every activity. He was worse than a little kid when it came to getting ready. He would literally take the whole house by storm if he things didn't run accordingly. She entered the room and was about to call him when she felt herself being forcefully pulled into their room.
Asad heard her hurry behind him and smirked at his next set of action. He stood waiting behind the door wanting to take her by surprise. He heard her tingling anklets grow louder as she walked into the room. He instantly caught her wrist and hurled her into his embrace while his legs shut the door. Locking her securely in his embrace, he locked the door to be sure of non-disturbance. He then turned her around so she faced him.
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