Chapter 8
It was past midnight when Asad returned home. He had said all that to her but it broken him from within recalling her tear stung face. What was it about her that didn't let him control his emotions? Why did he care so much? He never did before? What has happened in the last few weeks that has changed? Being alone in the darkness of the night only made the situation worse. He felt like his heart was being ripped into million pieces each second. When Asad returned home, he was greeted by silence. As he was walking towards his room, "Jammy," he heard Tanveer say from behind him. Asad sighed, he just wanted to be alone. Asad turned to face her, "Tum abhi sohi nahi Tanveer?" he questioned. "Tum ghar wapaas nahi aaye the toh main kaise sohjaati," Tanveer replied lovingly. "Kya?"Asad said confused. "I mean tum gusse se gaye the na, toh I was just waiting. Aap theek toh haina?" Tanveer asked, pretending to be concerned. "Yeah, everything is fine. Tume sohjana chahiye," Asad said and left from there before he had to answer any more questions. Tanveer smiled to herself. She had seen everything that had occurred between Asad and Zoya. "Jao Asad...tum mujhe batao ya na batao, maine sabh dekha bhi aur suna bhi. Yeh tumara gussa na meri sabh se baadi takat hai. Tumare gusse ne meri bahut madad ki hai aur aage bhi I am sure yeh meri help karega," Tanveer said to herself, happy that her plan had succeed. Asad was about to open his door when he stopped. She would be inside! How would he face her? After what he had done, Asad felt ashamed. In that one moment, he had ruined everything that they both shared since the past 2 days. Asad composed himself and opened the door. The room was pitch black. "Zoya," he called out but there was no reply. Asad quickly turned the lights on and felt his heart stop. He saw her sleeping on the sofa. Asad walked forward and saw her face which had dried tears indicating she cried herself to sleep. He felt his heart fill this unbearable pain. Asad quickly went to the bed and returned with a blanket. Covering her with a blanket, Asad adjusted a pillow under her head. He was about to walk away when he noticed the scar on Zoya's wrist. Asad was shocked. He didn't know it was possible to feel this awful. He had never felt this way before. Asad went to the bathroom and returned with the First Aid box. He carefully cleaned the wound and bandaged it. Asad changed into his pajamas and lay down on his bed. Sleep was far from his eyes. Each time he closed his eyes, all he saw was the laughing Zoya that morning and then the sobbing one that night. And, he was the cause of it! Asad thought sadly as his eyes drifted towards his wife.
The sun rose the next morning and Zoya could feel its warmth, through the window, on her face. She sat up and held her throbbing head. Zoya looked at the duvet that was covering her and she knew that he must have covered her. She pushed the blanket away. Zoya looked around the room and was glad that he wasn't there. She then noticed the wound on her wrist. Zoya felt her blood boil with rage. What did he think of himself? That he could hurt her whenever and however he desired, then put a bandage on it and think that everything will be fine. The painful memories of last night ran through her mind and her beautiful hazel orbs filled with tears. Asad finished his morning shower and got dressed for the day. "You have to do this Asad, tume Zoya se baat karni padegi," he told himself. As he came into the room, Asad saw her trying to rip open the bandage of her hand. He ran up to her, "Zoya...kya karahi ho tum? Stop it!" Asad said, holding her arm. She jerked his hold away and started pulling on the covering again. "Zoya, stop it!" Asad yelled. "Kyun? Kyun ruko main? Aapko kya farak padtha hai?" Zoya asked sad. "Don't hurt yourself," he requested. "Kyun? Sirf aapko woh haq hai?" she questioned. "Zoya, kal raat joh hua, I am really sorry for that," Asad sincerely apologized. "Oh really? I am touched," she said sarcastically and Asad was taken back. "Kyun Asad? Takleef horahi hai? You know Mr. Khan jab doh din phele aapne mujhse maafi maangi thi, then I really forgave you. Kyunki main chathi thi keh humare relationship koh ek mauka mile, a real chance. And I really wanted to try! Aur kal raat, aapne kaha keh this is not worth it. What isn't worth it Asad? Hum? Main? Yeh rishta?" Zoya shouted. "I didn't meant that," He told her. "Then what do you mean Asad? Can you please tell me what do you mean? Kyun ki, doh din phele hum dost bane, phir kal sabh theek tha. Aur kal raat, you broke everything. You hurt me!" Zoya yelled, pushing against his chest. Asad stumbled back a few steps due to the sudden impact. "Main yeh aur nahi karsakthe Asad. Aap koh iss rishte keh saath joh bhi karna please mujhe baata dijiye. Main kissi keh life mein burden nahi banna chathi," Zoya stated. Asad felt his pressure rise but he closed his eyes trying to calm himself down. "Zoya," he said when she put her hand up telling him to stop. "I am done Asad, mujhe aapse kohi baat nahi karni hai," Zoya said adamantly and walked off.
At the breakfast table, Dilshad noticed how aloof Asad and Zoya were, more so Zoya. Whenever Asad asked for her to pass something, she just placed it on the table near him. Dilshad could see her son get angry but then calm himself down too. That hasn't happened before, she thought. Usually, when her Asad got mad, he would lash out like an injured lion. She smiled to herself. Dilshad knew that Zoya was the only one who could tame her son. But, what had happened? Just yesterday, everything seemed fine then what happened? Dilshad thought to herself. Tanveer smirked to herself. This was just perfect! She knew that Asad and Zoya weren't made for each other, it was the stupid parents who set them up. If she said that to Asad, he would never understand. So, she would prove it to him instead. Asad wished he could take Zoya somewhere alone and talk to her. If she could just listen, he thought frustrated. Have you tried it yourself Asad? His mind retorted. He sighed and stood up from the table. "Ammi, mujhe office jaana chahiye, Allah-afiz," Asad stated but his eyes were on his wife. Zoya just broke her paratha into morsels which never went into her mouth. "Tum dono theek toh hona?" Dilshad asked looking at Asad and Zoya. "Yeh aap apne bichari bahu se poochiye Ammi," Asad said, his eyes piercing through his wife. Zoya looked up at him shocked. Was he really going to put their fight out in front of everyone? "Asad please, I don't want to talk about it," she said, all flustered. "But I do!" he firmly stated. "Hamesha aapki nahi chalegi," Zoya replied. "I know that now, that is why I want to talk," Asad said. "Tum dono baat karo, hum jaate hai," Dilshad said, motioning Tanveer that they should leave. "Nahi Ammi, aap log nastha kijiye. Aur aap office jayiye," she said, turning to her husband. She could see his face turn red. He stared at her and she stared back. No one ready to give up! Just then, the doorbell rang and that broke their trance. Zoya excused herself and left. "Asad...kya horaha hai tum dono keh beech?" Dilshad asked worried. "Meri galti hai Ammi...par Zoya koh kuch nahi suna. I want to apologize," Asad replied. "Kosish karte raho, shaadi mein bahut zaroori hai," Dilshad told her son, patting his cheek. Asad nodded with a smile.
They saw the door open and Anwar and Zeenat walk in. "Ammi...Abu," Zoya said happily hugging her parents. Dilshad, Asad, and Tanveer came up, greeted them and invited them in. Tanveer was extremely happy. Maybe Zoya had called her parents to take her back home. But the next moment, her delusion broke. "Aap log itne subha yaha? What a great surprise," Zoya said. Tanveer huffed, "agar Zoya ne inne yaha nahi bhulaya toh kyun aaye hai yeh yaha," she wondered. She then excused herself saying she had something work related to complete and left. "Tumari bahut yaad aaraha thi toh aagaye," Zeenat said, caressing her daughter's cheek. Zoya smiled as she engulfed her mother. "I miss you guys too," she said sadly as her beautiful orbs filled with tears. "Zoya...tum roh rahi ho?" Anwar questioned concerned. "Nahi Abu...bas aise hi," she replied wiping them away. "Zoya...yehi baat karti rahogi ya Zeenat aur Anwar koh andar bhi aane dohgi," Dilshad said making everyone chuckle. "Sorry...chaliye," Zoya said as she took her parents into the living room. As they all took a seat, "saach toh yeh hai yeh hum aap sabh koh milkar aur kuch baatane aaye hai," Anwar stated. "Baatane? What happened Abu?" Zoya asked. Anwar took her hand in his and caressed it. Zoya could feel the air turn tense suddenly. "Abu...sabh khairat?" she wondered. "Zoya...baat yeh hai keh tumare Abu aur main kal wapaas jarahe hai," Zeenat informed. Everyone looked at her shocked except for Anwar who already knew. "Kya? Par kyun? Aur aaj aap mujhe bolkar, kal chale bhi jaynege," Zoya said. "Zoya...hume jaana hai beta. Meri job hai aur phir tumari Ammi bhi," Anwar hesitantly explained. "Ammi? Kya hua hai?" Zoya questioned. She could see that there was something that was bothering her parents. It wasn't just about going back, there was a sorrow that glinted in their eyes. Zeenat wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulder. "Zoya, I have to go back for chemotherapy," she softly spoke. Zoya felt the earth beneath her feet disappear and her world go blank. Tears spooled down her cheeks. "Nahi...no," she cried. "Zoya, kuch nahi hua hai. Bas doctors koh lagtha hai keh I need a few more sessions," Zeenat explained, trying hard to hold onto her emotions. She looked at her husband for support. "Tumari Ammi theek keha rahi hai, there is nothing to cry about," Anwar consoled. Zoya threw herself in her father's arms. "Tell Ammi she can't do this, she promised," she sobbed like a little kid. This is what she did when she was upset. She always cried in her father's arms. Anwar helplessly looked at Zeenat while Dilshad and Asad felt their own eyes becoming damp. "Aur main kohi promise nahi thod rahi hoon, I am still here and I am not going anywhere," Zeenat said. When Zoya had come to known that Zeenat had cancer, she had been furious with her parents that they hid it from her. After complaining, yelling, and crying about it for hours, she had taken a promise from her mother that she would fight. Zoya wanted her mother not to give up. She wanted her mother to be with her, she couldn't imagine life without Zeenat.
With much difficulty, Zeenat and Anwar consoled Zoya and made her stop crying. Dilshad offered to make tea for everyone and went into the kitchen. "Asad, mujhe tumse baat karni thi," Anwar said. "Jee Abu...kahiye," Asad said, unsure of what was coming. "Dekho Asad, main jaanta hoon keh tum dono ki shaadi bahut jaldi mein huwi hai. Aur tum dono koh ek dusre koh jaan ne waqt lagega," Anwar said. Asad and Zoya's eyes met with each other and drifted away immediately. "Main bas yeh bolna chatha hoon keh Zoya mein abhi bachpana hai lekin woh khabhi kissi koh takleef nahi paucha sakthi. Usse galtiya hojati hai par Zoya never wants to hurt anyone," Anwar told him. "Abu...aap yeh sabh kyun...," Zoya said, indicating her father not to say anything. "Aapko yeh sabh bolne ki zaroorat nahi hai Abu. Main aur Zoya iss rishte koh ek sahi mauka dehna chathe hai, hum puri kosish karenge," Asad said, his eyes on his wife. Anwar and Zeenat were extremely happy to hear what Asad had said. Zoya felt her eyes interlocked with his. Was he really this saying the truth? Or just making her parents happy? Zoya thought to herself. "Tum nahi jaante Asad, yeh sunkar hume kitne kosish huwi hai," Zeenat said joyfully. "Aabh main mar...," Zeenat said when both Zoya and Asad, "Ammi," they said in unison. "Aisa kabhi mat boliye," Zoya scolded. "Jee Ammi, please aisa na bole," Asad told Zeenat. "Aree, main toh bas yeh bol rahi thi keh aabh meri zindagi chain se beetige," Zeenat said, lovingly patting Zoya's head. Dilshad returned with the tea and Zoya stood up to help her. She told Dilshad to sit and talk, and that she will serve the tea. The family chatted as Zoya served tea to all of them. Soon, Anwar and Zeenat wanted to leave as they had to go back to the hotel and pack for tomorrow. Zoya started to feel sad again when Anwar pulled her in a hug. "Rohna nahi ok, hum roz baat karenge na Zoya. Hum video chat karenge, phone par baat karenge, aur kuch din baad tum bhi aajana New York humse milne," he told her. Zoya just quietly nodded trying to control her emotions. As her parents left, Zoya excused herself and ran to the bedroom. Asad looked at worried. "Tume uske paas jaana chahiye Asad," Dilshad told her son. Asad was unsure if he was the one who should be comforting her. "I don't think keh woh mujhse baat karna chayengi," he said honestly. "Asad, har rishte mein takrar, ladayi hoti rehti hai lekin tum uske shohar ho aur yeh tum dono ki saachayi hai. Aur aise waqt mein tume hi uska saath dehna hai," Dilshad encouraged. Asad silently agreed with his mother and followed his wife's path.
Zoya ran into the room and fell on the bed. Everything that she has bottled up since yesterday seemed to engulf over her. What was she going to do? Why was life playing these games with her? She had gotten married against her wish and hoped that she will make it work. But, after last night, her hopes were sinking with each passing minute. Zoya couldn't leave that her mother's cancer was back. Her parents were her only strength and she was afraid that God would take that away too. "Allah miyan, please meri Ammi koh sehat dijiye," she silently prayed. Just then, Zoya heard the door open. She quickly sat up and wiped her tears away. She stood up and was surprised to see her husband. Zoya assumed that Asad would have left for work. Why was he here? She couldn't face him now, she wanted to be alone. As Zoya started to walk away, he held her arm. "Please Zoya, let us talk!" Asad pleaded. "Aapko nahi lagtha keh aapko kal raat mujhse baat karni chahiye thi," Zoya told him. "I am asking for a repeat, please," Asad appealed. "Aapne kal raat itna gussa kyun kiya? Meri kya galati thi?" Zoya asked. "Main tumse nahi Zoya, khud se gussa tha," Asad replied. Zoya looked at him puzzled. "I was angry at myself that I scare you," Asad said. "Mr. Khan...apne aapko bahut credit mat kijiye. Main aapse darti warti nahi hoon, aap toh jaante hai keh mere paas pepper spray hai aur mujhe karate bhi aata hai," Zoya said, making Asad chuckle. He couldn't believe that she was making him laugh at a time like this. "Then why did you tell Tanveer that I scare you?" Asad questioned. "Maine? Maine Tanveer se kuch nahi kaha. Actually, maine toh kissi se bhi humare baare mein baat nahi ki. I mean I kind of told najma but woh toh yaha hai bhi nahi," Zoya explained. "Tanveer ne aapse kuch kaha?" she asked him. "Usne kaha keh tum mujhse darti ho," Asad replied. "Dekhiye Mr. Khan...main yeh nahi bolungi keh main apse khabhi dari nahi ho. In the past, there have been times when you scared me but I am not scared of you," she said truthfully. Asad looked into her eyes and he knew that she wasn't hiding anything, she was being honest. Then why did Tanveer say that last night? He wondered. "I have to talk to Tanveer," Asad said. "Ek minute Asad, I don't care what anyone says to you. Don't you think aapko mujhse ek baar baat karleni chahiye thi," Zoya told him. Asad closed his eyes in guilt. "I am sorry Zoya, I really am," he apologized. "Kya agli baar aap mujhse pooch leyenge keh kya hua hai please?" Zoya wished. "I will," he promised. "Theek hai, I am forgiving you for the last time," she warned. "Thank you," he told her. Zoya smiled, glad they have spoken about the whole situation. "Main office chalta hoon, I am getting late," Asad informed. "Allah-hafiz Asad," Zoya said. Asad greeted her too and left from there.
As Asad walked out of his room, he saw Tanveer coming down the stairs. "Salaam Jammy," she said with a huge grin. "Tanveer...mujhe tumse zaroori baat karni hai," Asad stated. "Ha Jammy, bolo na," Tanveer said eagerly. "I am getting late for work, main tumse shaam koh baat karunga," Asad told her. "Jammy, hume market jaana hai waise bhi toh tum mujhe raaste mein drop kardoge?" Tanveer asked. She couldn't wait till the evening. She wanted to know what Asad had to say to her."Fine, chalo," Asad said and they both walked out of the door. Once he started driving, "Tanveer, tumne mujhse jhoot kyun bola?" Asad questioned. Tanveer was stunned! How did Asad know? Did he listen to her speaking to herself? "Kya? Nahi Jammy, hum aisa kyun karenge?" Tanveer said innocently. "Tumne mujhe kal kaha tha keh Zoya mujhse darti hai par yeh toh saach nahi hai? Aur phir uss din jab tum log mall gaye the, tumne mujhe bola keh Zoya ki wajase late hua tha but I know keh late tumari wajase hua tha," Asad told her. Tanveer was puzzled. How did Asad know all this? "Kya Zoya ne yeh sabh bola hai? Asad...woh bas aise hi bol rahi hai, usse toh humari dosti se shayad problem hai," Tanveer blabbered. Asad felt his hand tightening around the steering wheel. "Zoya ne kuch nahi kaha hai mujhse," he said getting angry. Tanveer was surprised. If Zoya didn't tell him then how did he know? "Tumne mujhse jhoot kyun bola?" Asad questioned. "Woh Jammy...uss din hum bas dar gaye the. Mujhe laaga keh aap humse gussa karenge toh issliye humne jhoot bol diya. I am sorry," Tanveer replied, acting nervous and guilty. "Aur kal raat?" Asad said. "Woh shayad humne Zoya ki baton ka galat matlab samaj liya," Tanveer said. "Dekho Tanveer, tum meri bachpan ki dost ho par please ainda Zoya aur mere beech na hi bolo toh accha hai," Asad firmly stated. "Theek hai Jammy, hum toh aapke dost hai issliye bolte hai, mera matlab the lekin aabh kuch nahi bolungi," Tanveer said, wiping her fake tears. "I didn't mean that Tannu," Asad told her. "It's ok Jammy, aap yaha rok dijiye, mujhe yehi utarna hai," Tanveer stated. Asad pulled the car to the side of the road and stopped. Tanveer quietly got off and walked off. Asad was confused! Zoya had said one thing and Tanveer had said something totally different. What was he supposed to believe? Who was right? He thought. Seeing the time, Asad realized that he was running late and sped off to the office.
The next day, the family stood at the airport bidding good bye to Anwar and Zeenat. Zoya couldn't contain her tears no matter how hard she tried. It was hard enough to say adieu to her parents but it was harder knowing that her mother's cancer was back. She was terrified about what was going to happen. "Zoya, tum aise rohte rahogi toh hum kaise jayenge," Anwar said, cupping his daughter's face. "I wish you guys didn't have to go," Zoya said like an innocent kid. "Humare bas mein hote toh hum bhi nahi jaate na beta, we will be in constant touch now stop crying," Zeenat said, wiping her tears. Zoya tried to compose herself and wiped her tears. "I won't cry, I am fine," she told her parents. Anwar and Zeenat looked at each other worried and pulled Zoya into a tight embrace. Asad who was witnessing the whole scene felt bad. He didn't know why he couldn't see her crying. Every time a tear rolled down her cheek, Asad felt like his heart was being stabbing with a knife. He moved closer towards his wife. "Aap dono Zoya ki fikar mat kijiye," Asad said, wrapping his arm around Zoya. Zoya was surprised. Did he just wrap his arm around her and tell her parents not to worry? She felt her heart race and butterflies go wild inside. Dilshad broke out in a huge grin hearing her son's words. Anwar and Zeenat smiled at each other. "Thank you Asad," Anwar said gratefully and left. Asad didn't know what made him do what he just did. He wanted to move away, break the bond they had but he couldn't. Somehow, his heart and his brain seem uncoordinated. Why? He wondered. Zeenat pulled Dilshad aside. "Main jaanti hoon keh mujhe kehna nahi padega but please Zoya ka khayal rakna," Zeenat requested. "Bilkul Zeenat, tum Zoya ki fikar mat karo. Tum apni tabeyat ka khayal rakna. Aur kuch bhi chahiye toh bas ek phone karne ki zaroorat hai," Dilshad told her. Zeenat smiled, pulling Dilshad in an embrace.
As Zoya saw her parents disappearing in the crowd, she started crying. The brave act of hers broken. Asad looked at her concerned. "Zoya, please don't cry," he said. Zoya dashed into his arms taking Asad by surprise. "I can't believe keh Allah miyan mere saath aisa karsakthe hai. Ammi theek hojayengi na Asad? I can't live without her, I can't," she sobbed. Asad felt a tingle down his spine, something he had never experienced. He was confused what was he supposed to do. His arm lifted away from his body but he debated whether he should wrap it around her or not? "Zoya, Allah sabh theek karenge. I am sure tumari Ammi koh kuch nahi hoga, don't worry," Asad comforted as he patted her back. Zoya broke away from the hug, "Really?" she asked innocently. "InshAllah," Asad consoled. Zoya wiped her tears and thanked him. Dilshad felt content seeing Asad comfort Zoya in her hard times. Maybe Allah has planned this marriage after all, she thought happily. "Fikar mat karo, sabh theek hojayega," Dilshad said wrapping her arm around Zoya. "I hope so Ammi," she said hopefully. "Ghar chale?" Asad asked the ladies. They nodded and everyone proceeded hope. Zoya looked out the window as she saw her parents' flight take off. "Allah, meri Ammi waha unki sehat kehliye aarahi hai. unki madad kijiye Allah, meri Ammi koh theek kardijiye," she silently prayed. Zoya recalled how Asad had confidently told her parents that he would take care of, the way he supported her. A smile crept up on her lips and she turned to see her husband who was busy driving the car.
Thanks for the amazing comments on the last chapter, and for being understanding. 🤗 Looking forward to see what you guys think on this one 😃 Edited by asyasahil928 - 9 years ago
Shiv Shakti
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