Meri Sanam ki Yaddein SS-part 12pg 16

Part One- The Truth

"Major saab there is something you know." Aahil stated.

Shaad Aftab Khan turned towards the man who had saved his life the night before and had offered to take him and wife to Bhopal for his treatment. Shaad had hesitated because this stranger had saved his life and his wife's by not letting the goons take the medications from his possession.

" Go right ahead Mr. Sahil," he stated.

Jannat was searching for Shaad and for some reason she was drawn outside Aahil's room yet again. The door was open this time and she quietly stopped at the threshold noticing Shaad's stunned expression.

"Aap kaise meri Jannat ko jaante hain?," he inquired.

Jannat frowned.

How could Mr. Sahil know her? They had briefly came across each other at the airport but not many words had been exchanged. In fact none were from her side at all.

" Aap ki Jannat meri Sanam hai," Aahil admitted.

The photograph dropped from Shaad's hands and it flew towards the doorway.

Jannat was startled and bent down to pick it up. She flipped it over and was stunned.

It was her nikkah photograph with Mr. Sahil!

"Why would you hide this from me Shaad?," she asked.

"Is this me or someone like me? Do I have a twin?." She exclaimed.

Shaad stood ashamed and stunned. He had no answers to give.

Seeing his dumbfounded expression, she turned to Aahil.

"Can you tell me who I am?"

"Aap ka isslye name hai Sanam Aahil Raaza Ibrahim. Aur main hoon aap ka isslye pati Aahil Raaza Ibrahim. Aap he meri begum, meri Sanam," he declared.

She could not cry or scream. She was shocked for a moment.

She went to Shaad again.

"Is this true? Have you been lying to me all this time?," she cried.

He could barely meet her eyes.

She shook his shoulders.

"Boliye!"

" Shayad yeh hi sahi kendiye hain..( Perhaps he is speaking the truth, I am not sure).

" How dare you!"

She slapped him.

Sensing she may have a panic attack, Shaad tried to tell her to calm down.

" Aap mere shouhar nahin hai. Shurikya for saving my life. However I want nothing to do with you now! I have cheated my real husband because I blindly believed you," she declared.

Aahil gave Shaad a stone cold glare.

But neither of them expected she would run in the other direction outside the hotel and out into the raging storm outside.

Both men went in search of her.

Aahil found her first. She had fallen unconscious under a tree in the nearby hilly landscape.

He picked her up in his arms and held her close to himself.

(Junoon sad tune)

"Sanam don't leave me please! I really love you!," he pleaded as he gathered her limp, damp form in his arms. He carefully made his way with her back to the hotel.

He towel dried her off and called a doctor.

He felt relieved when he leaned down to hear now even breathing.

The doctor arrived and asked how long Sanam was out in the rain.

Aahil glanced at his watch and was relieved.

"Under an hour I am sure of it!," he stammered.

The doctor nodded and continued his assessment.

A few minutes later he turned to Aahil.

"Here are some tablets and a prescription for more if she still has fever in the morning. She needs lots of rest and fluids. She will be fine as along as the fever decreases in the next few hours. She will need lots of care and attention," the doctor stated.

" Theek hai doctor. I will take care of everything. I will not let anything happen to my Sanam," Aahil declared.

The doctor shook his hand and took his leave.

Aahil sat down beside his newly found wife and reached to caress her forehead.

" Sanam you may have forgotten everything, lekin hum nayi yaadein banegi."

The next morning she stirred awake at last.

One thing was clear she wasn't where she was yesterday. However this place seemed familiar.

In fact she soon realized she wasn't at the hotel she was in last night either.

Was she not in Dharmshala anymore?

Then someone appeared making everything from the night before come crashing back.

"Aahil hum kahan hai?," she asked with some hesitancy.

He smiled slightly.

"Hum Bhopal mein hain, humare ghar pe," he replied.

Part Two- Familiarity

She felt his dark orbs gazing in her direction. She did not remember their nikkah or how they met, but she sensed familiarity with him that she never had with Shaad. Shaad the man who had saved her then used her for his own needs. He wanted to defeat Shashi Kappor and uncover who it really was. She had led him to the truth even though he had not believed her and then he lost his family. He should have listened to her and lived happily with his family in Pakistan.

She shook off thoughts of him. She was where she truly belonged now.

She realized she was wearing a long kurta. It must be one of Aahil's.

Aahil realized what she was wondering.

" You were pretty drenched last night so this was the first thing I found. I didn't peek, just got you dry then brought you home earlier this morning," he assured her.

" I think I should get up and freshen up. Where is..," she trailed off.

" Everything is kept the way you left it Sanam. I let the maids clean but everything has been maintained, as you would have wished. Do you feel ok enough to stand?" he asked with concern.

She hesitated.

" Give a me a second. Please don't peek. I want to try to stand, otherwise I will try later," she stammered.

He nodded but remained close enough in case she needed him.

She stood up on wobbly feet and felt dizzy.

"Aahil!," she yelled in fear thinking she would hit the ground. He had reached beside her and caught her just in time. His hold felt firm and familiar as if he had held her many times before now.

Their gazes locked. She felt a blush coming on realizing she was in his arms and he could see her bare legs since the blanket no longer covered her.

He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"You still have a fever Sanam. Just relax, I will have a nurse come in to help you get washed up in bed," he stated.

He helped her lay in bed.

Lateef came in with a tray.

Sanam looked at him strangely.

"Sanam why are you looking like you have seen a ghost? Main hoon chui mui," he declared before noticing Aahil's stern glance.

" Theek hai Aahil baba, I will come later," he declared.

"Lateef show the nurse in when she arrives," he called after him.

Sanam heard a muffled reply.

"Lateef has been with this household for ten years, way before we ever met. Don't mind him," he assured her.

She nodded meekly.

"Come have some juice," he urged.

Aahil fed whatever he could convince her to eat. She enjoyed the attention and was amazed how well he knew her tastes.

Later she felt somewhat better after the nurse had helped her get washed up. She felt ready to emerge from the room and explore Ibrahim Mansion. The furnishings and the rooms themselves felt familiar. She had walked these halls before. Then came the pool. She sensed this pool had some memories of her past as well. Suddenly she felt a feeling of dj vu. She had stood in this very spot before and then there he was working away on something as he sat at the poolside. He had a glass beside him. She frowned.

Before he knew it she was in front of him and reaching for the glass beside him.

He was disappointed. He was hoping she would say something pertaining to a memory, but what she said next made him relieved.

" Yeh kya hai?," she asked as she sniffed the glass.

"It's not alcohol," he stated with a slight smile.

"Sahi hai, aap apna vaada nahin bhooliye," she stated with glee.

He looked at her softly.

"Tum bhi yaad hai," he said gazing into her eyes.

She turned solemn.

" Did you drink a lot before?," she asked.

" Yes I used need a drink or two every day at least until I met you," he declared.

She smiled slightly but seemed tensed.

"Kya hua Sanam? You seem stressed. The doctor said you need lots of rest," Aahil added with concern.

" Aahil I was thinking until I get my memory back, should I go work at a restaurant some place? I know I can cook, I just ..," she trailed off.

" Sanam you are a brilliant chef. But the only one allowed to taste your food are those who are members of this house and any guests we invite to our home.," Aahil declared.

He got up and picked her up in his arms. She was startled.

" Aahil yeh kya..?

" Just shut up Sanam!," he growled.

He carried her to the kitchen.

He placed her down on her feet.

" Meri begum sirf yahaan kam karengi!," he declared.

She was overwhelmed with his love for her.

" Aahil main aap ke liye apple pie bannati hoon. You go relax!," she urged.

His tensed muscles relaxed when she reached over and caressed his stubble with her fingers. He took her hand in his and placed a chaste peck on her hand.

"I am sorry Sanam. But I can't lose you again. I love so much," he stated.

" No worries Aahil. It will take me time to remember everything. But I would like to at least make apple pie today for you," she stated.

He reached over and checked her forehead.

" You are still weak Sanam. Tomorrow you can have full access to this house and especially this kitchen," he declared.

She pouted.

How he longed to kiss her but he knew it was too soon. He asked Lateef to prepare lunch and they would eat in the garden today.

Part Twelve

The kitchen was cleared for use. Lateef was given some praise for securing everyone's safety by calling the electrician in time.

Sanam with glee entered the kitchen to prepare the food. Seher dropped in to taste the kheer, but it appeared she was going to eat all of it , so her twin had her leave the room.

Aahil tried to distract her and see what she was making.

" Aahil it's supposed to be a surprise! Call Lateef and you better stay with the others until I am finished," she admonished.

Aahil sighed.

"Lagata hai meri purani Sanam laut aayi hai," he said under his breath as he left the room.

Sanam smiled. She was starting to feel more familiar and comfortable with her husband and Ibrahim with each passing moment in this setting. One day she hoped to give Aahil the attention and care he was deserving of.

She felt so alive when she was with him. She recalled all the concern he had shown towards her and all the memories she had recalled recently. Each day her nightmares receded and were replaced by the beautiful memories of her mohabbat with her shouher.

Lateef ended up playing guard more than actually getting to cook anything. He pouted as he helped set up the table.

"Main toh hoon chuyi mui. I could have cooked and been more useful if you had let me Sanam!"

Sanam rolled her eyes.

" Wow this looks amazing!," Aahil exclaimed as the rest of the family followed him to the dinning table. His abbu and grandmother had also returned home.

Sanam helped his Badi Ammi settle in. Everyone took her blessings before seating themselves. Seher greeted everyone but later seemed forlorn.

" Seher why are you upset? Would you like more kheer?," her sister asked.

" Aapa I can eat your kheer all day but I will still not be happy," Seher declared.

" Seher what's wrong? Everything was fine earlier today," Aahil asked with grave concern.

" See Jiju everyone is back and happy but I have to leave tomorrow," she stated woefully.

" Where are you going Seher beta?," Aahil's abbu asked.

" Uncle I have to go for work. I hate to depart from here but duty calls. I do not know when I will be back," Seher replied.

" Seher when the dhaba opens, we would like you to be here. We still have lots of work to do but I want you here," Sanam said teary eyed.

"No aapa don't cry! I will be back in time for that. But after the dhaba you and Jiju must start the baby project. I am longing to hold my nieces and nephews," Seher said with glee.

Aahil smiled broadly and Sanam blushed.

Sensing Sanam's embrassment, Badi Ammi praised the food and Aahil's abbu discussed a business deal with Aahil and Shazia.

Later on, the twins sat together briefly.

" Aapa, I will miss you a lot. You know I am only going for sometime," she stated.

" Seher you will go this time for work but what about later on life? You will have us and our children. However, when the rest of us are happy pursuing our dreams , who will support you in your wishes?," Sanam inquired.

Seher put a hand on her sister's arm.

" Aapa if there is someone who can make me feel half as good as Rehan made me feel, I will marry that man. Otherwise, I am fine as I am and I will always be here for my family," Seher declared.

Sanam and Seher hugged.

Seher held back her tears, but in the end both sisters were in tears.

Aahil approached his wife after his saali retired for the night.

" Sanam, about earlier we don't need to have children right away if that isn't what you want," he stated.

" Aahil I am not worried about that. Someday we will be blessed with Allah's grace with our children. But, I worry about Seher," she declared.

Aahil held her hand.

" Seher is a brave girl. You know before you went missing and she had her accident, she was planning to go to Dubai to fulfill one of Rehan's dream project. Hopefully when the time is right she will find her true destiny."

Sanam smiled.

" Aap theek kehre hain. I am so fortunate ki aap mere shouher hain,"

He kissed her hand.

"Chalo, we should get some rest so we can see Seher off in the morning," he declared.

Sanam nodded and walked with him into their bedroom.

Everyone was still asleep as Sanam along with Aahil wished Seher good-bye at the airport.

"Take Dubai by storm! We will be waiting for your return Seher!," Aahil exclaimed.

Sanam hugged her twin good-bye.

Seher smiled at them both warmly. Her truest intention had been fulfilled. She wanted these two to be safe and with each other forever. She helped secured their future together. Now it was her turn to secure her own destiny.

She turned away from them. A bright smile adorned her face.

Now it was her time. It was finally time for Seher Ahmed Khan to finally start living her life the way she was meant to .

Part Six

" Shaad Aftab Khan please stop. A young woman has requested for you to wait a moment before you proceed for boarding," the stewardess stated.

He frowned.

Who could be wanting to talk to him? He had lost the figmentation of his love.

He nodded and was directed to look behind him.

A woman in a top and jeans approached him. What struck him as surprising was that she was idenitical to Jannat or otherwise now he knew she was Sanam Raaza Ibrahim.

"Aap toh..," he trailed off.

" Allow me to introduce myself," she stated.

(Oh right in the background).

" I am Seher Ahmed Khan the one and only sister of the woman who you tried to snatch away from her family," she snapped.

Shaad turned solemn.

"Listen I am..."

"Sorry if that is what you are trying to say then you should really finish what you came here for," Seher said.

"Lekin Sanam ko Aahil milega hai. There is no need for me to stay in India now," he stated.

Seher shook her head at this senseless man. How did the Pakistani army allow him to be on special forces, let alone get to the rank of Major she didn't understand this.

" Shashi Kapoor is the reason you gave customs in order to get your trip here scheduled so conveniently. If you truly want to amend for your mistakes and conduct your duty, then help me catch her," Seher stated.

Shaad frowned.

"How can you be sure that you will be able to catch her?," he asked puzzled.

Seher smiled brightly.

" I have experience in dealing with her now departed mother. Now if I can unveil that woman that jiaji workshipped his whole life, then why can't I scrunch this Shashi Kapoor?," she hissed.

Shaad shook his head.

" She already tried to bomb this airport. This is no child play. Are you sure you want to take this on?," he asked.

Seher smiled.

"There is one thing about my family you don't know. We play with death all the time," she declared.

"Well after meeting your sister I could possibly believe that," he replied.

Seher stiffened.

"Now listen two things, first is you tell me what you have on this Shashi Kapoor and second, you will not enter my sister's life again. You saved her life fine, but everything in between and after that was a lie. The real question is do you want to redeem yourself before returning to Pakistan?," she asked.

"Yes I do Ms. Khan. How can I be of service?," he asked.

Seher smiled.

"Come with me this conversation needs to be in a more secure location," she stated.

Meanwhile .. (Kuch toh Hua hai from Singham returns).

Suddenly a storm announced its arrival. Sanam clung to Aahil's collar. Storms tended to always scare her. The sound of thunder reminded of something bittersweet. She could not quite place it now. All she knew is that she had definitely clung to this man many times before this occurrence. How could she not understand this before? She had whispered his name perhaps while she was with Shaad. But neither he spoke of it and neither had she recalled back then. Come to think of it she had heard Aahil's voice before coming to India. Had it been that strange phone call? She had recalled the number but when she had redialed it there was no answer.

How had she wished she had acted quicker then, Shaad had waved away her affirmations as figmentations of her amnesia?

She looked into Aahil's eyes.

However this man standing before her, held her without any grievances and he had not doubted her despite the fact she had been with someone else for a few months. Agar yeh sachi mohabbat nahin hai toh kya ho sakti hai?

She loosened her grip off his shirt and stood back and it began to pour down on them. They were lost in each other for a few moments and didn't realize they were already drenched.

She realized her clothing was clinging to her and she ran towards the car. She nearly tripped but he caught her swiftly before she could hit the ground. He lifted her to stand up straight then opened the door to her side of the car. She sat down lost in thought.

(Kuch toh Hua hai from Singham returns).

They arrived at the farmhouse several minutes later.

Aahil sensed she was uneasy. He should have kept his distance. She would not become the old Sanam this quickly and even if she never recovered her past memories, he would love her the same if not more.

" Aahil I want to tell you something," she stated.

"Not now Sanam. You should go dry off. I will start the fire," he stated.

Sensing something was disturbing him, Sanam merely nodded, However with her memories or without she would get her feelings off her chest tonight. She could not evade it further. She knew somewhere there was a great love between them, but she had to make sure the slate was clear before they moved further in their journey together.

Aahil had left the suitcase in the bedroom for her and left her alone as he started the fire.

" Aahil bhi na, he is drenched too. He should have changes before going off to start that fire. Shaayd meri wahje se naraaz hai," she thought to herself.

Sanam changed quickly and grabbed a towel for Aahil and left his clothes laid on the bed for him.

He was tending to the fire when she approached him.

"For a Nawab you are pretty handy," she commented.

He looked at her and smiled slightly.

" I have had my days of roughing it," he replied.

"Here you should dry off. I have left your clothes on the bed," she stated.

"I'll just be back. Keep an eye on the fire," he stated as he took the towel from her hands.

Sanam looked at his retreating back and then back to the fire.

"Yah Allah will I ever remember the past? Aur meri behn kahan hai?," she said aloud.

Aahil returned and she wanted to speak her mind now.

"Aahil main kuch kehna chahti hoon," she said.

"Bolo Sanam, jo bhi tumare maan mein hai," he urged.

He wanted to know if he was rushing her or pressuring her in anyway. He would give her all the time she needed.

" Mere aur uss Shaad ke beech aisa kuch.."

"Kuch nahin hua," he finished for her.

She looked at him stunned.

"Mujhe meri mohobbat aur tum pe pura yakeen hai," he clarified for her.

She looked at him puzzled.

" I had no idea he was lying to me, had I.."

" Relax Sanam. Tumari koi galti nahin thi. I should have made her leave but you wanted her to help her," he muttered.

"Kaun?," she asked.

"She is nothing to us anymore. Forget it. Let us get some rest after we warm up. Tomorrow we have to work on the dhaba project. You need to be well rested Sanam," he stated firmly.

"Lekin Aahil.."

"Shh! Be a good girl and come to bed now with me," he insisted.

He picked her up in his arms as she resisted him.

" Aahil please tell me who was trying to bother us. Shouldn't I know all this?," she asked.

"Sanam everything is fine now. Let's not dwell on the past now," he hissed.

He dropped her on the bed gently.

"Haha, easy for you to say," she snapped back.

" Sanam go to sleep now!," he yelled back.

"Fine! Be stubborn then!," she snapped as she turned over to sleep on her side.

Aahil sat up for awhile listening to the rain drops hit the roof. He had made a blunder today, but he would not risk her health or their future together by dwelling on the past.

He looked over at his sleeping wife. Today she had tried to apologize for the past few months. But none of that had been her fault. It had been Nayi Sanam's fault. She had led the Khan sisters to be kidnapped and to their near deaths.

Sanam was alive with barely any memory of the past. Seher could be anywhere. However as Aahil recalled the message his contact had sent him about Nayi Sanam's capture, he realized only a few women possessed the ability to handle the evil chudali. The first was her mother, his now deceased stepmother who had planted her in their lives, his stepsister and last but not least was Seher. He hoped it had been Seher. However until he met Seher again he would not tell any of this to Sanam. For now his thoughts were mere speculations.

Part Five- She's back

A lady covered in a burkha arrived at the Bhopal police station. She asked for Inspector Mahmood Ali.

"Who are you madam?," the peon asked.

She gave him a stare down.

"Just tell him it is the one he has been searching for," she hissed.

The peon went to inform the inspector.

The lady was asked to come in the office. She followed suit. The inspector smiled slightly at her and indicated for her to be seated.

"Tell me madam how can I help you?," he asked.

" I am sure you will recognize my face," she stated.

She revealed her face.

The inspector straightened up and she had his attention.

"Main hoon Seher Ahmed Khan. My jijai filed a missing case for myself and my twin sister, his wife Sanam Raaza Ibrahim," she stated.

"Has my sister been found?," she asked.

"Yes madam she has been found but she has lost her memory. I spoke to Nawab saab this morning on the phone. They left Bhopal for a few days for business. I was asked to keep a watch out for...," he trailed off.

"His second wife Nayi Sanam. She was responsible for us disappearing. I will bring her to you. However I need your full cooperation to ensure she does not escape. We must take precautions to prevent her using her tricks," Seher stated.

"Theek hai madam jo aap chahti woh hi hoga," he declared.

"Good, come with me. I have her outside in the taxi. She is blindfolded. She needs to be guarded with a female inspector. She can easily fool any man. Now call the lady inspector quickly. The cab driver is running my meter," Seher declared.

"Right away madam," the inspector stated.

Seher smiled and covered her face again.

She had noticed Nayi Sanam running behind her sister. She did not know if her jijaji was around. Finally her family was coming back together, she would not let them be destroyed again. She had found out her sister was missing after she woke up from her accident. She decided to focus on getting better and then finding Nayi Sanam to find out how to ensure her sister's whereabouts. After Sanam disappeared in the crowd, Seher approached Nayi Sanam and knocked her unconscious.

As the lady inspector and her two assistants arrived to the cab, Seher took a moment to peer at Nayi Sanam.

" You destroyed my life by trying to sell me off. You tried to murder my sister and trap my jijai. You deserve far worse than this but I still have a heart lucky for you!," Seher quipped.

As Nayi Sanam was taken away, Seher smiled.

"Happy journey chudali!," she muttered after her.

Now next she had to find Shashi Kapoor and Shaad Aftab Khan. She had arrived at the airport and spotted them there. That is how she realized that her sister was still missing from their home and heard Shaad talking to his colleague about why he had really brought Jannat to India.

She had quickly realized Shaad Aftab Khan was using her sister. Shaad wanted Shashi Kapoor. Seher wanted her sister and her husband to be safe. One thorn was casted aside now for the other two.

Meanwhile Sanam and Aahil had arrived at a site in Bhojpur.

Aahil stopped the car and then went around to the passenger side to open the door for Sanam.

Sanam looked at him puzzled.

" Yeh hum kahan aaagaye?" Yahaan toh kuch nahin hai," she stated.

Aahil smiled at his wife. He offered her his hand.

She took it and he led her to show her the piece of bark on the side.

She squinted at it and was stunned to see it said Sanam ka dhaba.

"Yeh maine likha hai?," she asked.

Aahil merely nodded. Flashes of that day came to her mind. He had woken her up early in the morning with breakfast and then they came here. Then she repeated what she told him again what she had said that day.

Aahil smiled.

"Toh yahaan hum woh dhaba ban ayenge?," she exclaimed.

Not having an expectations, he walked towards her and said," I am sorry for all the hurt you may have gotten to me.. This dhaba is our project together, as we build this I hope we can build our relationship back together, stronger than ever."

She instinctively covered his lips with her finger.

"Mujhe sab yaad nahin hai, lekin humhe aaj mein jeena hoga, aur kal ke liye . Hum nayi yaadein ban ayenge," she promised.

She wrapped her arm around his. He kissed her forehead. They both felt at bliss in that moment.

Part Seven

Aahil awakened due to the sun shinning in the room. He opened his eyes slowly to see the curtains had been drawn back. He reached over to see if Sanam had come back to bed. She had not. The bed felt cold next to him, which made him realize she must have been up for quite sometime.

He freshened up quickly and sauntered off into the kitchen. The first thing he noticed was a stool and on it was his begum precariously balancing herself on it. His instincts screamed at him and he knew he had to lunge forward.

Sanam was trying to retrieve a packet from the top cabinet but she realized now she had utilized the wrong method in getting it. She felt the stool slip beneath her and she feared the worse as she began to fall.

Strong arms enveloped her around her shoulder and the small of her back. Her closed eyes opened slowly as she opened them to realize she had landed on the muscular body of her husband. She looked up into his eyes feeling a very deep sense of dj vu. She sensed this was not the first time he had cushioned one of her falls.

Aahil felt relieved that he had been able to be her cushion again in time of need. He recalled several moments when he had the chance to save her and the many times she too had saved his, which caused them to lay together with their eyes locked with each other.

" Aap theek haina?" she whispered softly.

" Hahn main theek hoon. However your habits never seem to go away," he added.

She got up from leaning on him. He instantly felt strange when she pulled away from him like this. Then again he reminded himself he could not expect her to be all-affectionate and tease him when she had to get to know him all over again.

She turned to offer him her hand; he couldn't help but smile with glee as he took it. He got up and stretched.

"What are you up to?" he asked.

" I was just going to cook some breakfast. We can discuss the dhaba after and I would like to go exploring to find some connections and supplies for the project," she stated in a matter of fact way.

He smiled. His Sanam was in there somewhere. So what if she didn't remember everything, they had each other that are what mattered most anyway.

Aahil offered to help prepare breakfast.

"Ek Nawaab hoke khaana banenge?" she asked innocently.

Aahil pinched her nose where some flour had landed. She squirmed and scowled at him.

He couldn't help it but brought her close to himself and he leaned in to kiss her. She returned the fervor to his surprise. He had expected her to push him away. They pulled back after feeling breathlessly.

" Sanam, I.

"Shh! Don't be sorry. I don't know how I could have forgotten how passionate, patient and loving you are," she rasped.

He caressed her cheek, becoming emotional hearing her words.

"Aahil I think this may sound strange coming from a girl, but can we have another nikkah? I want to experience it all with you again," she stated.

Aahil thought about all the other times they had wanted a fresh start in their lives but had failed to obtain true happiness. However he knew this time things would be better. They would be stronger and be able to work together to maintain their world.

" If this is what you really want Sanam, then I have no objections. I just want to make you really happy," he admitted.

She smiled.

"This would make me very happy Aahil," she affirmed.

A knock on the door broke their reverie.

" Sanam stay here. No one should be visiting us here," he said warily.

Sanam wanted to go with him to open the door, but indicated for her to stay back.

Aahil opened the door slowly.

A woman wearing a burkha was standing there.

"Aap kaun?," he asked.

She quickly brushed past him and launched herself to hug Sanam.

Then she stepped back and took off her veil.

"Hello Jeejai. Sorry to rain on the parade, but we need to save Bhopal," Seher declared.

Aahil and Sanam exchanged confused looks.

" What is going to happen in Bhopal, Seher?" Aahil asked.

"Shashi Kapoor has been spotted in the area, rumor has it she is going to become the new mayor next week, if we don't create a diversion to pull her in, she may succeed in destroying the city of our births," Seher declared.

"Why would she want to destroy Bhopal? It must be something personal as when I was in Pakistan she killed Shaad's friend and family members because they found out her true identity," Sanam pondered aloud.

Aahil frowned. So Sanam met this mysterious character before?

" Yeh Shashi Kapoor kaun hai?," he asked puzzled.

"Jeejaji, she is none other than your stepsister. I do not know her original name or what caused her to become an international criminal but she is here in our motherland. As citizens and as her family we must stop her," Seher stated.

"You are right, She is Tanveer Begum's daughter but if she is indeed trying to hurt the people of Bhopal we must stop her," Aahil declared.

Sanam was confused she didn't know how her husband's stepmother's daughter would end up in her life in more than one incident. However she was determined to stop her from taking more lives. She had tried to save Shaad's family but she was outnumbered and unaware of what Shashi Kapoor could do. Now she was fully aware and she had two people that could help her prevent more tragedies from occurring.

"What is the plan Seher? What does my saali have in mind to end this situation?" Aahil asked.

"Jeejai, we need a grand diversion. We need to announce aapa has returned. You must hold a news conference to officially announce the true Begum of Bhopal has returned. Shashi Kapoor will try something and we can catch her red handed. She will try to expedite her plans," Seher stated.

"Who gave you all this information?" Sanam inquired.

"Shaad Aftab Khan," Seher stated.

Aahil cringed.

"You know he has tried to take advantage of your aapa," Aahil hissed.

"Yes but now we will use him to end Shashi Kapoor's reign of terror," Seher retorted.

Aahil saluted her.

"I knew only you could be this clever!," he declared as he gave her a side hug.

Sanam smiled seeing her sister and husband's interactions.

Suddenly Seher's stomach growled.

Aahil and Sanam laughed.

"Come on you two! I have barely eaten or slept the past few days. Let's have breakfast and then focus on the planning!" she said with glee.

Sanam hugged her and said," Sure after all it's been awhile since I have met my sister. Today we will eat to our heart's content."

Aahil was happy to see the sisters together again but he feared what Shashi Kapoor's plan was and he hoped Shaad would not cause any more issues.

Part Nine

Sanam felt more comfortable this time and met her husband half way. Their lips touched and she got a flashback of a time between them that must have occurred in their old life together.

" Let me remind you of last night," he had whispered huskily.

"Aahil , Abbu aap ki wait kare hain," she had insisted.

She felt a blush on her face.

" I need to leave a reminder of me for you. I will only be gone for a few days but it will seem like eternity," he declared.

He leaned in and kissed her.

She felt breathless as he pulled back.

"Jaan mera intezaar karna," he called out before leaving her hold, she felt like she wouldn't see him for a long time.

Sanam felt bewildered with the memory. She felt a twinge of pain in her insides and then her head felt heavy.

She pulled back and looked at him wearily.

Aahil sensed something was wrong immediately.

"Sanam kya hua?," he asked with concern.

She sat back against the wood of the boat. She was feeling uneasy.

"Aahil I don't know why but I am feeling very sick right now," she muttered.

Before he could reach for her she fell limp at his side.

Aahil got to work right away and rowed the boat back to the dock. He apologized to the dock master as he rushed off with Sanam in his arms.

After he got his bearings, he hurriedly called a doctor to come to the farmhouse to see Sanam.

He caressed her face frantically.

" Sanam, meri jaan please be all right," he cried.

Seher was surprised to see the lovebirds in the state that they arrived in the farmhouse. She was hoping her sister and Jiju would have a nice afternoon together and she would get to tease her sister when they returned.

However seeing her sister lying limp in Aahil's arms instead had stunned her.

"Jiju kya hua aapa ko?," she asked calmly.

" She fainted in the boat. I don't understand why she fainted this time. Her fever has been down the past few days," he muttered.

" Maybe she has been hard on herself. We are both like that. She was trying to remember something from the past perhaps?," Seher suggested.

"Perhaps. Listen when she gets up, we'll tell her not to stress too much. Please get some water. The doctor will be here soon," Aahil stated.

" I'll just be back," she said.

The doctor arrived as Seher brought the water.

After the check up the doctor advised some rest and plenty of fluids. Her fever had returned.

Later as Aahil tucked the covers closely around Sanam, he gazed at her warmly. He and Seher had managed to make some soup for her earlier.

Sanam had squirmed for a the short while she was awake but eaten most of her share.

Seher leaned over to check her forehead.

" She feel more normal now Jiju. I think we have made a great team!," Seher declared. Aahil high fived her back but he was lost in his thoughts.

" I am thinking maybe we should all just leave everything behind and forget Bhopal was ever our home. We have lost our dear ones and almost each other there. Maybe it's time for a new chapter. With your brains, Sanam's cooking skills and my aptitude for business we could make something work," he pondered.

Seher stared aghast at her brother-in-law.

What happened to the Nawab that was daring and was up for any challenge? This was a moment of weakness for him. He had finally found Sanam after many hardships and tortures of that witch. No he could not give up, she was assured when her sister awakened she would convince him to be the man he was always meant to be. He would always be the Nawab of Bhopal and she would be his companion in all his feats. They were going to stop Shashi Kapoor from destroying Bhopal that was for sure!

Sanam awakened from a daze the next morning. The memory she recalled on the boat had seemed so real. It was no daydream it was a reality. She blushed about the implications of it. She felt bad she still kept Aahil from the full bliss of their married life. However she had lost her memory but not the feelings she felt for him every time she was near.

Her twin arrived breaking her reverie.

" Seher how long have I been out?," she asked.

Seher looked solemn.

"Long enough that Jiju wants to back out of the plan," her sister replied.

Sanam cringed, She never wanted to make Aahil reconsider the plan.

" Where has he gone? I will convince him otherwise," she declared.

Seher grinned.

" He is making breakfast. We all had a early night yesterday because you were not awake to make it fun. Jjju and I slept early because we got bored. He has been up for an hour. He wants to bring you breakfast in bed," she squealed.

The girls found Aahil entering a moment later with a chef's hat and a trolley of food.

" Seher ki bacchi I hope you didn't ruin my surprise," Aahil hissed.

" Of course not Jiju. Why would I tell aapa that you used her favorite chutney in these sandwiches," she replied with glee.

Aahil stared at her in dismay.

" Aahil relax and come sit with me," Sanam declared trying to avoid tension in the room.

He slightly pouted and served his wife.

From behind him, Seher signaled Sanam to talk to him.

" Aahil this surprise is so sweet but now I hear you want to forget about the plan," she said.

Aahil reached for her hand.

Seher grabbed her sandwich and wished Sanam all the best with her thumb and excused herself.

" Sanam I don't want your health to suffer more. I finally got you back.."

She caressed his cheek.

" Aahil I want my Nawab to always be respected and not to forget about his own people. At one point we were ready to forsake our love if it meant keeping the people of Bhopal safe and prosperous. We must do this. I cannot bear you losing respect because of me," Sanam declared.