New Asya Story: Dillon Ka Bandhan Link for New Thread on Page 1 - Page 78

Chapter 13

Zoya tried her best to sleep but couldn't. She kept tossing and turning but she couldn't forget what had occurred. Every time she closed her eyes, she recalled his hurtful words. Zoya got up from the bed and looked at her husband whose back was facing her. "Ek number keh Akdu hai! Kya inne kohi farak nahi padtha keh main hurt huwi. Of course, inne kyun hoga. Main hi pagal hoon keh inse kohi acchayi expect karoon," she said to herself. Grabbing her iPad, Zoya left the room. Reaching the garden, she dialed her mother on Skype. Zoya's call was answered within the next ring. "Zoya...sabh khairat? Waha toh bahut raat hogayi haina?" Zeenat asked worried. "Ha Ammi, bas aapki yaad aarahi thi toh," she replied. "Zoya, tumare chehre se paata chalta hai keh tum pareshaan ho. Kya hua hai beta?" Zeenat said. Zoya sighed, her mother always knew. "Woh Mr. Khan se ladayi huwi hai!" Zoya said sadly. "Kya kiya tumne?" Zeenat said. "Ammi...aap bhi? Aapko bhi lagtha hai keh main hi galat hoon?" Zoya said, getting angry. "Aisa kuch nahi hai Zoya. Accha batao, kya hua hai? Kyun ladayi ki?" Zeenat questioned. "Woh Rashid uncle ki tabeyat bigad gayi hai, unne heart attack aaya hai," Zoya told her, shocking Zeenat. "Heart attack? Woh theek toh haina?" she asked. "Unne ICU mein raka gaya hai Ammi. Aur Ammi aur main unne milne gaye the. Maine Asad se bola keh unne bhi jaana chahiye aur woh naraaz hogaye," Zoya explained. "Zoya, tum jaanti hona keh Asad uske Abu koh lekar kitna sensitive hai," Zeenat told her. "I know Ammi. But, yeh bhi toh saach haina keh aisa waqt par Asad koh unse at least milna chahiye. Par woh hai keh mujhpar hi gussa hogaye," Zoya said, annoyed. "Tum usse ek baar baat karlo, woh samaj leyga," Zeenat suggested. "Nahi Ammi, mujhe unse kohi baat nahi karni hai. Unne joh karna hai woh kare," Zoya said adamantly. Zeenat smiled at her daughter. "Aise nahi bolte Zoya," she tried to reason. "Aur nahi toh kya Ammi. Mr. Khan koh lagtha hai keh woh hamesha sahi hai aur main galat," Zoya told her. "Dekho Zoya, jab doh log shaadi keh rishte bandte hai unne zindagi bhar ek dusre ka saath nibhana padtha hai," Zeenat said as Zoya looked at her through the screen. "Biwi aur shohar aisa rishta hai keh jab ek galti kare toh dusra usse sahi raasta dekhaye. Jab ek girre toh dusra usse samale. Agar Asad galti kare toh as his wife, yeh tumara farz aur haq hai keh tum usse sahi karo," Zeenat told her daughter. "Lekin Ammi, Asad se baat karna hi bekhar hai. Woh jab gussa hote hai toh kuch nahi sunte," Zoya stated. "Zoya, tum uski biwi ho. Toh tume seekna padega keh kaise tum uske gusse keh saath deal karti ho," Zeenat said, from her experience. "Usse seekte seekte shayad main bhudi (old) hojaungi," Zoya said, thinking about her stubborn husband. Zeenat chuckled, "Thoda time lagtha hai par har biwi seek jaati hai," she replied. Zoya smiled, "Thank you Ammi. I feel so much better," she said. "You are welcome my baccha...Aabh jao, soh jao. Bahut raat hogayi," Zeenat said. "Good night Ammi!" Zoya said with a smile as she ended the conversation. After talking to her mother, Zoya felt better. Maybe her mother was right. After all, she had 30 years experience. "Allah miyan, aabh meri help kardijiye keh mere shohar ka gussa thanda karna mujhe aajaye," Zoya prayed looking up at the sky.

The next morning, Zoya woke up to see Asad still sleeping. She freshened up and changed into a pair of jeans and an orange top. Zoya was in the kitchen when she heard someone opening the front door. She went out to see Dilshad leaving. "Ammi...Aap itni subhe kaha jarahe hai?" Zoya questioned. "Zoya, main hospital jarahi hoon. Aaj doctors test results denge na," she replied. Zoya wanted to tell Dilshad that Asad had refused for them to visit Rashid but she didn't know how. She debated and decided not to tell Dilshad, she was already worried enough. "Theek hai Ammi. Aap jayiye, mujhe phone karke baatayiye keh doctor ne kya bola," Zoya told her. "Tum bhi saath chalo na beta," Dilshad said. "Nahi Ammi...woh...woh Asad koh bhi office jaana hai aur mujhe thoda kaam bhi hai. Issliye, aap jayiye," Zoya lied. She felt terrible doing so but she didn't know how to tell Dilshad the truth. After Dilshad left, Zoya made breakfast for Asad and her. She went to check on her husband and saw that he was ready for work. They both saw each other but didn't say anything. Zoya returned to the dining room and arranged his breakfast as he liked. She took her breakfast and went to the living room; she didn't want to eat with him. Asad came out of the room to see his plate of food and a cup of black coffee on the table. His eyes searched for his wife but she wasn't there. He saw her sitting in the living room munching on her toast. "Tum yaha kyun baiti hoon? Waha table par kyun nahi?" Asad asked. Zoya looked up at him then went back to her plate. "Zoya, main tumse baat karaha hoon," he told her. Zoya placed her plate on the sofa and got up to get something. While waiting, Asad took the plate and kept it on the table. Careless as always, he thought. Zoya returned and give him a piece of paper. He looked at her confused and she motioned him to read it. Asad opened the paper, "Aapne apni family se mujhe door rehne kehliye bola hai toh main door rahongi. Mujhe aapse kohi baat nahi karni hai. Aapka khana table par raka hai toh khalijiye," the note read. Zoya could see her husband's face become red and his veins throb in anger. "Yeh kya bachpana hai Zoya? Talk to me!" he said. Zoya just shrugged her shoulders, took a seat and started to eat her food again. "Zoya," Asad called but his wife ignored him. "Ammi...Ammi," he said. "Ammi...kaha hai?" Asad asked looking at her. Zoya looked at him, not knowing what to say. She wrote down something on the paper and handed it over. "I don't know!" it said. Asad knew she was lying. It was obvious with the way she was so flustered and how she was stuffing the bread in her mouth. From experience, he had learned how she behaved when she lied. Asad glowered at his wife but that didn't affect her at all.

Zoya could feel her heart pounding. Allah miyan, yeh mujhe aise kyun dekh rahe hai, she thought scared. She saw him walk away and sighed a breath of relief. Thank god...chale gaye, she mumbled. As Zoya finished her breakfast and took the plate back, she saw Asad on the phone. She put the dirty dishes in the sink and was about to leave when she heard Dilshad's voice on speaker. "Asad, tum pareshaan kyun horahe ho. Maine Zoya koh bataya tha keh main hospital jarahi hoon," Dilshad said and Zoya slapped her head. Aabh toh main gayi, she thought. "Waise Asad, tume bhi yaha hona chahiye. Woh tumare Abu hai," Dilshad said to her son. "Ammi, mujhe nahi aana hai. Aur aapko bhi waha nahi jaana chahiye tha. Aap jaldi ghar aayiye, mujhe aapse baat karni hai," Asad said and the conversation ended. Zoya decided the best was to escape. As she started to quietly tiptoe away, she felt his grip around her wrist. Asad turned her around to face him. She hit his chest and held onto his shoulder for support. Asad looked at his wife. Her eyes were shut and her pink lips pressed together. She looked so innocently beautiful, like a small kid getting caught on doing something wrong. Asad...focus! You are supposed to be upset about her lying to you, her brain reminded. "Tume paata tha keh Ammi hospital gayi hai?" Asad inquired. "Zoya...jawaab doh hume," he firmly stated. Zoya struggled to get out of his hold but he wouldn't free her. "Jab tak tum mujhe jawaab nahi dohgi, main tume chodunga nahi," he told her. Zoya hit his chest trying to push him away. He pulled her closer as he held her other arm to make her stop hitting him, pushing her against the wall. Zoya could feel his body against hers. Her heart palpated as she felt her whole body go up in flames. Asad saw her lift her beautiful orbs to look into his. He could see this unknown pain transcribe in them. His hand automatically loosened on its own accord. Zoya looked at him surprised. She quickly left from there. Asad was amazed at himself. What had happened that he had let go off of her. Why didn't he ask her what he wanted to. His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Zoya walk back in. She gave him a piece of paper. Asad opened the note, "Ha, maine aapse jhoot bola. Aur kya karti main. Subhe Ammi jaate huwe bahut pareshaan thi toh main unne kaise bolti keh aapne unne hospital jaane se maana kiya hai. Main nahi bolsakthi aise Ammi koh, kyun ki main Ammi koh hurt nahi karsakthi. Aap chathe haina keh Ammi waha nahi jaaye toh aap khud unse yeh baat boliye." He finished reading and looked up to see her gone. "Yeh ladki na mujhe pagal kardegi. Paata nahi Allah koh yehi milli thi mere liye saare jahaan mein," Asad thought. Gathering his things, he left for work.

Zoya kept contemplating what to do. How can she explain to her husband what was right and what was wrong. Was not talking to him the correct decision? But, if she didn't talk to him then how will she teach him what was right. "Allah miyan, what is wrong with me? Iss Mr. Khan ne toh mujhe pagal kardiya hai! Baat karo toh problem, nahi baat karo toh bhi tension. Itna complicated toh mere college keh classes bhi nahi the. Paata nahi Allah miyan kis galati ki saaza deh rahe hai mujhe," Zoya said to herself. "Kuch soochna toh padega," she decided. The whole day, Zoya kept thinking about the whole situation. She was bored! Usually, she had Dilshad to accompany her and here she was today, eating lunch all alone. After finishing lunch, Zoya called Dilshad to inquire about Rashid. "Abhi waise hi hai Zoya, doctors bol rahe hai keh shayad operation karna padega," Dilshad told her. "Kya? Lekin, woh theek toh haina? Aur Unne hosh aaya?" Zoya asked concerned. "Ha, hosh toh aaya hai but he is very weak. Aur Zoya, woh tumse milna chathe hai," Dilshad said, recalling Rashid's words when she met him. "Mujhse?" Zoya said puzzled. "Ha, woh tumse baat karna chathe hai," Dilshad stated. "Par Ammi, mujhse kya baat," Zoya replied. "Unone mujhse toh kuch nahi bola. Tum ek kaam karo, tum yaha aajao," Dilshad suggested. "Main? Main waha kaise aasakthi hoon?" Zoya said. "Kya matlab? Kyun?" Dilshad questioned. Zoya didn't know what to tell Dilshad now. "Ammi, woh actually...woh...," she hesitated. "Zoya, tum kabh se Asad ki tara bolne lagi," Dilshad teased. "Ammi...baat yeh hai keh Asad ne mujhe aur aapko hospital jaane se maana kiya hai. Woh kal hi iss baat koh lekar bahut gussa huwe the," Zoya said honestly, tired of lying. "Yeh Asad bhi na, gussa bahut jaldi aata hai usse," Dilshad replied. "Aur jab baat uske Abu ki hoti hai phir toh poocho mat," she added. "Issliye main nahi...," Zoya said. "Theek hai Zoya. Kash Rashid se tum aur Asad mil sakthe," Dilshad hoped. "Sorry Ammi," Zoya said sadly. "Kohi baat nahi beta, Allah hafiz," Dilshad said and the conversation ended. Zoya felt bad. She wanted to go and meet Rashid. He was sick and if he desires to see her, then she should go. But, what will she tell Asad? "Phone karkar bolti hoon. Nahi...agar phone karongi toh mere hi upar toot padenge. Kya karoon? Bolo ya nahi!" she debated. After considering a lot, Zoya decided that she would visit Rashid. She will check on his health and return quickly. "Aur Mr. Khan koh office se aane mein toh bahut time hai. Unne paata bhi nahi chalega," Zoya said happily. Soon, she left for the hospital.

Zoya reached the waiting room in front of the ICU but she was anxious about going in. It would be awkward meeting Rashid like this, she thought. Zoya has seen Rashid when he had come to meet Dilshad when she had been shot, and then at the Holi. She has never even had a proper conversation with him. And now...Kya karoon? Kaise baat karongi unse, Zoya wondered. "Zoya...waha kyun kadi ho? Andar aao beta," Dilshad said, seeing Zoya at the door. Breaking out of their thoughts, Zoya smiled and walked inside. "Kaisi hai Ammi?" Zoya asked. "Theek hoon beta. Lekin tum toh nahi aane wali thi na?" Dilshad said. "Ha Ammi par main ghar baite yeh sabh sooch kar pareshaan horahi thi. Mujhse nahi hota keh main uncle koh ignore karoon aur waha rahoon," Zoya explained. "Accha hai beta tum aagayi, Rashid koh bahut khushi hogi," Dilshad replied. Zoya slightly smiled. She looked around the room and saw Shireen and Nikhat. Zoya greeted them and received an answer from Nikhat while Shireen just grimaced. "Tum andar jao beta, aur baat karlo," Dilshad told Zoya. Zoya just nodded and left. She went into the ICU and knocked on the door before entering Rashid's room. Zoya saw the nurse and smiled at her. "Kya main unse mil sakthi hoon?" she questioned. "Yeah sure but zyada time mat lijiye. Patient koh rest ki zaroorat hai," the nurse informed. "Jee, thank you," Zoya said and the nurse left the room. Zoya came closer to the bed and saw Rashid. He looked weakly pale! There was different machines hooked up to him. Seeing her, he removed the oxygen mask that was covering his nose and mouth. Zoya greeted him with a slight smile. "Yaha aao, baito," Rashid said and she did as told. "Aabh aapki tabeyat kaisi hai?" Zoya asked worried. "Main theek hoon," Rashid replied. There was silence as they both didn't know what to say. "Aapko mujhse baat karni thi?" Zoya probed. Rashid nodded. "Mujhe tumse maafi maagni thi," he told her. "Maafi? Aur mujhse?" Zoya said puzzled. Rashid took a deep breath, "Main jaanta hoon beta keh aaj Asad jaisa bhi hai yeh sabh meri wajase hai. Beez sal phele meri galti ki saaza mera beta aaj tak bhugat raha hai. Ek baap apne baccho koh rishton ki hemiyat aur uss mein barosa karna seekata hai, lekin main aisa badnaseeb baap hoon joh yeh zimedaari bhi puri nahi kar saaka. Shayad iss waja se Asad aaj ek ziddi aur itna shakt dil (hard hearted) hoga hai. Main Asad se maafi maangna chatha tha par main jaanta hoon keh woh khabhi nahi aayega. Issliye main tumse maafi maang tha hoon, hume maaf kardo beta. Paata nahi kal hum rahe ya na rahe," Rashid said, folding her hands and pleading. "Please uncle, aap aise mat boliye. Allah miyan aap koh jaldi theek kardenge. Aur uncle, main jaanti hoon keh Asad aapse naraaz hai lekin woh insaan bure nahi hai, unka dil bahut accha hai," Zoya said as her eyes glinted with tears. Rashid smiled, "Hume pura baroosa hai keh tum mere bete koh zindagi bhar samaal logi," he said. "Accha uncle, bahut dher hogayi hai. Mujhe aabh jaana hai, aap apna khayal rakiye," Zoya told him. She came out and told Dilshad to accompany her home and both the ladies left. As they were leaving, Zoya felt her phone vibrate. Seeing her husband's name flash on the screen, Zoya was tensed. If she answered the phone, then she would have to tell him that she was at the hospital. "Aur agar Asad koh paata chal gaya keh main yaha hoon toh woh itna chilayenge keh phone shock se toot jayega. Aur waise bhi, hum toh unse naraaz hai toh main kyun baat karo. Nope! Never," she decided and ignored the call. The call went to voicemail but the phone vibrated again. Just then, the nurse walked up to them. "Excuse me, aap Mr. Rashid Khan ki family member hai?" she asked. Dilshad and Zoya looked at each other unsure what to say. "Woh unki wife aur beti waiting room mein hai toh aap unse baat karlijiye," Dilshad replied. "But, waha par toh kohi nahi tha," the nurse informed. "Shayad woh log canteen gaye hai, thodi dher mein aajayenge. Hume jaana hai, sorry," Zoya said, coming to Dilshad's rescue and they quickly left from there.

Dilshad and Zoya returned home to see Asad waiting for them in the living room. They were both surprised to see him back so early. "Kaha the aap dono?" Asad questioned walking up to the two ladies. Zoya looked at Dilshad unsure of what they should reply. "Asad, main hospital gayi thi. Tum toh jaante ho," Dilshad told him. "Aur tum?" he said, directing his question towards Zoya. "Main...main...oh yes, main mall gayi thi. Aur phir Ammi keh saath yaha aagayi," Zoya replied. Asad felt his blood boil. How dare she lie to him? He was furious. "Jhoot mat bolo," he firmly stated. "Jhoot? Nahi Mr. Khan main...," Zoya was talking but she stopped seeing her husband walk closer to her. She saw his red shot eyes and that frightened her. Zoya stepped back. Before Asad could come any closer, Dilshad came in front of Zoya. "Asad, tum itna gussa kyun ho? Allah keh waaste shant hojao," she told him. "Shant? Main kaise shant hojao Ammi? Aap aur Zoya dono hospital mein the aur mujhe jhoot bol rahe hai," Asad said angrily. Dilshad and Zoya were both shocked that Asad knew. "Ha, jaanta hoon main. Jhoot bol na Zoya kehliye toh baadi baat nahi hai but Ammi aap bhi," he said dejectedly. "Dekho Asad, main Rashid koh dekhne gayi thi aur mujhe nahi lagtha keh maine kuch bhi galat kiya hai," Dilshad stated. "Galat? Galat toh woh insaan hai Ammi! Aur aap usse dekhne jayengi?" Asad yelled. "Woh insaan tumare Abu hai Asad," Dilshad firmly stated. "Mera unse kohi rishta nahi hai," Asad told her. "Tum na maante theek hai. Lekin woh aaj bhi mere shohar hai," Dilshad said. "Ammi...aap samaj...," he said when she stopped him. "Bas Asad, mujhe iss baare mein aur kohi baat nahi karni," Dilshad said and left from there. He glared at his wife who also stomped off.

Zoya quickly walked into the room, "Thank you Allah miyan, bach gayi main. Warna woh Akdu Ahmed Khan toh mujhe jaise khane wale the. Paata nahi aaj itni jaldi kaise aagaye. Roz toh office se itni dher se aate hai. Mera hi time karaab hai," she told herself. As she grabbed some clothes to change and turned, her feet froze seeing her husband. She decided that she will go into the bathroom when she felt his hand on her arm. Asad pulled her to a stop and caged her against the wall. She struggled under his touch but it was too tight. "Ammi toh gayi thi unke shohar se milne, tum kyun gayi thi? Maine tumse bola tha na keh tum waha nahi jaogi," Asad said frantically. Zoya didn't want to talk to him. There was no point in explaining to him because he doesn't understand. Her words had no meaning to him then why bother, she thought. Her silence made his rage worse. She felt his nails dug into her skin but didn't say anything. But, her tears gave her pain away. "Answer me dammit!" he yelled. "Meri zindagi, meri marzi keh main kaha jaati hoon ya nahi," Zoya said, finally breaking her silence. "Biwi ho tum meri, tume meri baat suna padega," Asad said. She looked up at him and saw the fury reflect in his eyes. He was so lost in his own pain that he couldn't see anything else. He was blind to everything! Her mother's words went through her mind. "Hume chodiye," she ordered. "Nahi, meri baat abhi puri nahi huwi hai," he told her. "Humne kaha hume chodiye," Zoya said as she pushed him. "How dare you?" he questioned. "Bas! Bahut sun chuki main, aapko mera jawaab chahiye na toh baitiye," Zoya stated. "What?" he said confused. "I said sit," Zoya said as she pulled out the chair near the dresser and motioned him to sit. Asad didn't know what to do so he took a seat. "Yahi baitiye, hum abhi aaye," Zoya said. "Par tum ja..," he started but she was already gone. Minutes later, Asad felt someone pull his arm behind the chair and before he knew, they were tied. "Zoya, yeh kya hai? Mere haath kyun bandiye?" Asad asked. "Bahut bol liye aapne, aabh main bolungi aur aap sunenge. So, I am putting this on your mouth," Zoya said as she ripped some tape and placed it on his mouth. Asad glared at his wife but there wasn't much he could do since his hands were tied. "For the next ten minutes, kuch mat boliye! Sirf suniye keh mujhe kya bolna hai," Zoya told him.

She took a deep breath before starting. "Ha! Gayi thi main hospital. Kyun ki, ek insaan joh beemar hai woh humse milna chathe the. Aur main jaanti thi keh agar aapse poochongi toh aap nahi manenge. Aur main zindagi bhar yeh jaante huwe nahi reha paati keh kohi insaan mere intezaar mein. Main apne aapko khabhi maaf nahi karpaati. Aapki problem kya hai Mr. Khan? Aap nahi jaana chathe, fine. Mat jayiye. Lekin, agar Ammi ya main, ya Najma unse milna chathe hai toh iss mein kya takleef hai aapko? Ek baat bolo Mr. Khan, main samaj thi hoon keh itne saal phele joh hua usse lekar aap bahut hurt hai and that is completely reasonable. But, Mr. Khan, your father had a heart attack! He is having surgery tomorrow. Aur woh sirf ek baar aapko dekhna chathe hai. Aapse apni dil ki baat bolna chathe hai. Main yeh nahi keha rahi hoon keh aap unne maaf karde, yeh aapka faisla hai. Main sirf yeh bol rahi hoon keh unki baat ek baar sunlijiye. Asad, galtiya insaan se hi hoti hai and everybody deserves a chance. Soochiye Mr. Khan, zindagi keh uss modh par agar aapko kissi se maafi maangna ho toh? Wouldn't you want someone to hear you out? Main jaanti hoon Asad keh agar aapke Abu koh kuch hogaya toh aap apne aapko khabhi maaf nahi karpayenge. Just give him a chance!" Zoya finished. She could feel her husband's eyes piercing through her. "Aur ha, isse phele aap yeh pooche keh yeh sabh bolne wali main kyon hoon? Acchi taara se sun lijiye, biwi hoon main aapki! Mujhe pura haq hai aapko sahi aur galat seekane ka, aur iss parivaar par mera bhi utna hi haq hai jitna aapka hai, samje aap," Zoya said, pointing her finger towards him to make her argument. Asad didn't know why but in all serious, his lips broke out in a smirk. Zoya saw her husband smile. "Main itni serious baat karahi hoon aur yeh has rahe hai. Inne kya hogaya hai," she thought. Asad couldnt help but grin at his wife. She was trying to look authoratvive but for him, she looked so pure, innocent. Trying to make her point. He saw his wife glare at him. Zoya pulled the tape off his mouth, "aapko meri har baat funny kyun lagthi hai? Oh yeah, Zoya toh khabhi serious nahi hosakthi right? I am done talking to you," she told him as she opened his hands. Before Asad could reply to her remkars, she was gone with the blink of an eye. "Pagal," he mumbled chuckling. Asad couldnt believe that his wife had literally tied him down to get her point across to him. She really had guts, he thought. Zoya walked out of the room to feel her heart thumping in her chest. She couldnt believe that she just pulled that off. What was she thinking? Well, she didnt! She just did what she needed to in order to make him understand. "Allah miyan, what's wrong with me?" Zoya gasped as realization dawned on her. "Agar Mr. Khan koh main mil gayi toh mera kya hoga?" she thought worried. "Ghayal sher ki tum dinner banjaogi," her brain retorted. No! Main unki nazron se door rahongi, she firmly decided.

That night, Asad saw his wife missing from the dinner table. When he questioned his mother, Dilshad told him that Zoya had a headache so she had went to bed early. "Bichari, tumari wajase pareshaan hai," she added sternly. "Ammi, woh bichari nahi hai. Aaj joh hua, uske baad toh bilkul bhi nahi," he said, mumbling the last part to himself. The rest of the dinner was silent as Dilshad was worried about her husband and Asad was thinking about Zoya. When he returned to his room, Asad saw his wife sleeping on the sofa. Why was she sleeping here? To annoy him, he concluded. He walked up to the couch and gathered her in his arms. Coming to their bed, Asad carefully placed her on the side she usually sleeps on. He heard her mumble something in her sleep. Can this girl ever be quiet, he wondered. Later, Asad too joined his wife. He saw her hair dishelved on either side of her face. He lovingly tucked the hair back in its place. Asad turned to the other side trying to rest but that was impossible. Her words kept ringing in his ears. Hours passed, as Asad lay there staring at the white wall of his room. Suddenly, he felt his wife get out of bed. He figured she was going to the restroom but seconds later, Asad heard the bedroom door open and close. Yeh itni raat koh kaha chali gayi, he wondered as he got off and followed her. Asad reached the kitchen to see his wife sneaking food from the fridge onto her plate. "Iss Mr. Khan keh chakar mein itni jaldi khaliya, I am starving right now. Kitni bhook lagi hai," she complained with her mouth full. Asad quietly chuckled. He didnt want her to know that he was watching her. So, she was escaping speaking to him after what happened in the evening. Paata nahi Allah keh kya sooch kar itni complicated ladki mere zindagi mein bhej di, he deliberated. Few hours ago, she had pounded on him like a hungry lioness and told him what an inconsiderate soul he was. And now, she was trying to avoid him. Asad shook his head. She was totally insane! She did whatever came to her mind, without thinking of the consequences. She budded heads with him which no one ever did. She got on his nerves since day one and he hated her for that. Hate? Did he still hate her? Asad didn't know how but things were somehow different. Yes, he yelled at her for annoying him but he didnt hate her. Then, did she like her? No way! Asad Ahmed Khan didnt not like' the utterly messy, big mouthed Zoya Farooqui. That wasnt happening. Just because he didnt hate her doesnt mean he liked her. It was called being coordinal as they had to live under one roof. The closing of the refrigerator bought him back to reality. He quickly left before his wife caught him.

The next morning, Zoya woke up to silence. She searched for Asad but he was nowhere in sight. Maybe he was in the living room reading his morning paper. Zoya creaked the door open and peeked out to check. "Yaha par bhi nahi hai?" she thought. "Zoya, kya dekh rahi ho?" someone asked, making her jump. "Kuch nahi Ammi, Asad kaha hai?" Zoya asked. "Asad kamre mein nahi hai?" Dilshad questioned surprised. Zoya nodded a no. "Yaha toh nahi hai. Shayad office kehliye nikal gaya," Dilshad suggested. "Itni subhe? Shayad," Zoya agreed. She took a shower and changed. Her thoughts wandered to her encounter with her husband last night. How long was she going to avoid him? It's not like she was invisible. I wish, she thought dreamily. Deep down, she missed something. Was it arguing with him on the sillest of things? Or was it setting him straight when he was being his akdu self? Maybe it was just the silence they shared. She didnt know. Something just felt amiss. After breakfast, DIlshad informed her that she is going to the hospital to meet Rashid before the surgery. Zoya wanted to join her but she knew Asad would disapprove. "Main unke kehliye darga jaake dua karongi Ammi, aap fikar mat kariye," Zoya comforted, pulling Dilshad in an embrace. Dilshad smiled as she caressed her cheek and left.

Asad sat in his car, contemplating going inside vs. leaving. Why was he here? What had made him drive here? "Woh tumare Abu hai Asad aur woh tumse milna chathe hai...Galti insaan hi karte hai Mr. Khan, wouldnt you like a chance to say sorry in that time of life. Just give him a chance," the words of his mother and wife ran through his mind. All these years, his mother had tried to reconnect him with Rashid but he had always stayed firm in his decision. Then, why now? Why today? Burying his wandering thoughts, he stepped out of the car. Get back in the car and drive off! You will regret this, his brain warned. At least meet him once now that you are here, his heart argued. But why? That man has never given you anything but pain, he thought recalling the painful childhood memories. You are not him! he reminded himself. If you don't go in, you might regret it more, Asad decided. Walking in, he debated what to tell anyone who might be there. By anyone, Asad was thinking about his father's family...which obviously never included him, his mother, or his sister. He went to the receptionist and inquired where his father was. As he staggered towards the room, the memoirs of when he was young played through his mind. Starting with the happy ones...when his father would return from work and he would sprint to him. The way his father used to throw him in the air or spin him around and they would laugh together. The days when they would go to the parks, the zoo, and museums and his father would carry him on his shoulders. Reaching his destination, Asad realized that his cheeks were wet. He was crying? No! Dust or something caused his eyes to react, he told himself. Wiping his cheeks, Asad composed himself and stepped in.

Walking in, he was glad that the room was empty. No one to explain to why he was here? Not like he had the answer himself. He saw that his father was sleeping. This was the chance...run! Asad paused in his path and wondered what he should do. As he turned to leave, "Asad," he heard his name being called. He put on his stern face, the one where his emotions were hidden well and faced his father. "Tum aaye ho?" Rashid said unsure. When he had opened his eyes sensing someone in the room, his son was the last person he would have expected to see. Was he hallucinating? "Aaj aapka operation hai toh, I just wanted to check," Asad replied casually. "Mere paas aasakthe ho?" Rashid requested. "I am fine here," Asad said, standing at the foot of the bed. Rashid silently nodded, understanding his son's hesitation. "Asad, main jaanta hoon keh maine bahut galtiya ki hai. Tumara dil dhukaya hai. Lekin, aaj mere paas maafi keh ilava kuch nahi hai tumse maange kehliye. Jawaani mein paiso keh chamak ne mujhe anda kardiya tha par aaj mujhe pyaar aur parivaar ki hemiyat paata hai. Mujhe tumse bas yeh bol na hai Asad keh meri galtiyon ki saza tum khud koh na do. You deserve something better! Don't do the mistake I did, tumare apno koh khud se door mat karna," Rashid told him as his eyes filled with tears. Silence followed as they both didnt utter a word. Rashid waited for his son to speak, maybe yell at him like he always did. Asad could felt his heart thump against his chest. He closed his eyes and reminded himself of his life...his childhood, the good times, the happiness, his completely family. And then he remembered the day everything was broken into pieces including his heart. Asad pictured himself working along with his mother to sustain a livelihood. The position he held today, all because of his hard work and his Ammi's duas. The person who lay in front of him held little significance in his life. He was happy the way his life was, at least that is what he told himself constantly. After a long pause, "jayiye maaf kiya aapko," he voiced. Rashid looked at his son shocked. Before he could clarify what has heard, Rashid saw his son turn on his heel and leave. He felt the tears he was holding roll down his cheeks. He couldnt believe that his son has forgiven him. It took a big heart to forgive the sin he had comitted, of course he had received that trait from his mother, Rashid thought. He wished he could have held his son's hand in his or embrace him, but wasn't that too much to desire. Maybe one day, he hoped as he lay back down in bed and closed his eyes.