DESIREgfh - Page 12

A few scratches on the paper...and her future was sealed. She was officially 'Mrs. altunia mirza'...mirza's wife. A status for which many dreamed of...a status for which razia never dreamed of. It was more sort of an adjustment for her...for her it was one of those numerous compromises she had to bear with in her much troubled life. Neither she had any expectation from it, nor did she look forward to have any. She had no idea where this decision will take her to...but one thing she was damn sure of...after this...NOTHING will be same as before.

Signatures were done. They were officially Man and Wife now. mirza arranged a back dated FORM to validate the marriage from that day onwards. It was not a big deal for him and his men. The Registrar assured him to hand over the certificate within 48 hours. mirza paid him off a good sum for his pleasing performance.

mirza was pleased indeed. He was pleased at his own convincing power...pleased at razia's CONSENT...and above all pleased at their marriage. Everything played out just as he wanted it to be. He was the winner all the way...got his son with him...had his razia as his wife. What else he could have wished for? But for some unknown reasons smile was missing from this pleasing face. That aroused query in Abdul.

'Haas bhi de yaar...shadi ho geyee teri...finally you got, what you were longing for...ab yeh udasi kaisi?' Abdul slid his arm around mirza's shoulder...he was a bit confused about mirza's reaction to the entire occurrence. Serious face...reserve attitude...not a single ray of smile - everything appeared a bit weird to Abdul. He couldn't imagine of any reason for mirza not being happy. mirza's reserve appearance was ailing him to the core. So he decided to ask his buddy directly about this. mirza didn't disappoint him either...he poured his real concern in front of his pal; 'it's only marriage Abdul...only marriage. She is still far away. She will not come with me...I won't have her in my life...woh yehi rahegi...she will lead her own life...she won't let me enter into it.' A pale shade of gloom could be seen in mirza's eyes.

'But why? She is your wife...' Abdul couldn't get what mirza just spoke about.

'She won't be, if I try to take her with me...' mirza walked up to the sofa and almost threw his dejected body on it. Fixing his gaze at nowhere, mirza continued, 'I will have to bear this much to make her mine.'

'Kar payega tu? Reh payega door usse? You couldn't stay away from her when she was barely known to you...ab toh woh wife hai teri...' Abdul was prominently skeptical about mirza's resolution. To his utter surprise even mirza himself had no faith on it.

'You know Abdul...I have no faith on me, when it comes to razia. But trust me...I don't want to prove myself a ravager this time.' A long shimmering pain could be seen in mirza's lost gaze...the one consuming his life for years. Looking at his friend's eyes Abdul got reply to his every query...every question. He wished...someday razia finds it too.

Few minutes later...

Abdul was gone. He left for the airport to get the carrier ready. Proper security checks must be done before mirza rides and Abdul never takes any chance with it. On the other side mirza was still leaning on the sofa...subdued in his thoughts of what he got and what he not. Just then the sound of the opening of a door caught his attention. He turned his gaze. It was razia...standing just outside Rico's room. A strange calmness was hovering on her face. Failed to decipher that, mirza asked, 'what?'

'I think you should talk to him.' uttered razia blankly.

'Oh yes...I must tell him...' but before mirza could finish, razia interrupted, 'I have told him...told him everything. You should talk to him now.' With this razia hastily left the place and rushed into another room...though mirza was sharp enough to notice the tear drop trickling down her left eye.

It wasn't that mirza was not aware of the amount of pain razia had to go through to depart from her son. He knew how much Rico meant to her. But he was bound to his own compulsions...his own helplessness. He could only hope...someday razia would understand him and forgive him for he deed. Till then he had no other option but to play the VILLAIN of the story.

mirza walked into the room. Rico was sitting at the edge of the bed...head down...hands cuddled in his lap. Lil soul was dead still...as if he was in some kind of trance. After shedding some initial moments of hesitation, mirza started walking towards his son. He didn't know what to tell him...didn't know how to make him understand, the reason of his staying away from his father. mirza didn't know how to tell him that he will have to leave his mother...and come with him. mirza had no idea how he was supposed to fix this mess up...how he was supposed to make things normal. But one thing he was sure of...he will have to do this...anyhow, at any cost.

mirza placed his hand on Rico's head. But before he could utter anything, SON of Mirza showed which breed he belongs to. Rico pushed off mirza's hand and jumped down from the bed. His blood red swollen eyes shocked the hell out of mirza. He tried to say something but his words were cut by Rico's rage.

'Don't touch me...nehi baat karni hai mujhe apse...I don't wanna talk to you. Just go away from here. I don't wanna talk to you. Chale jaiye yaha se...chale...' Rico couldn't utter any more as huge rush of sobs took over his voice. mirza's heart twisted seeing tears flooding his boy's eyes. He went down on his knees and tried to wipe them, but Rico receded back. 'Don't touch me...don...' Rico wiped his tears by the flip side of his hands. But failing his attempts, tears renewed their path again and again.

Even death would have been a better thing for mirza than watching his son crying so hard in front of him. He wanted to bring the world at his feet to make those tears stop. He never felt so helpless in his life...he wanted to do many things but not being able to do a single. His mind never gave up the way it did now. He had no words to utter...nothing to say. It was all blank...dead blank. The shrewd businessman in mirza failed to present even a single thing...that could please a child. But that failure made way for a new success. Success of mirza as a father!

It was mirza's maiden brush with the father in him, whose existence was yet unknown to mirza himself.

Failed to gather any suitable word, mirza went with what his heart told and pulled Rico in his arms...hugged him tight. mirza didn't flinch for a single moment and waited for the storm to get over. Rico vented his anger through his tears. 'Leave me...I don't want to talk to you...I hate you...leave me...' mirza listened to everything without uttering a single word. He knew he deserved each and every bit of this hatred. There is no way he could escape that. He knew that was the only way to redeem his guilt.

Couple of moments passed. Rico's sobs slowed down, so did the ferocity of his fight. The storm had lost its power...finally. Rico's head was now resting on mirza's shoulder...though faint sobs could still be heard. mirza slowly moved his hand back and forth...the one he had on Rico's back...initiating an effort to pacify the tormented soul. This action of him opened a floodgate of different emotion in Rico. He broke into a fresh round of sobs...but this time...it was allegation instead of hatred that came out of it.

'Aap kahan the itne din? Why didn't you come to meet us? You know how...how much I missed you?' Uttered Rico in between his sobs. His fists, hitting mirza few moments ago, were now clutching his shirt with all its power. 'Kitna miss kiya maine apko...DAD...' The last word uttered by Rico swung the world around mirza. In last five years he almost lost the hope to be called by this name ever. He never imagined anyone will ever call him DAD...never imagined God will ever bless him with this PRIDE. But from the day he came to know about Rico, he was eagerly waiting for the moment when his son would call him DAD. Finally he did.

This single WORD changed the world of Mirza in a moment. Mirza could feel a gust of pleasure transmitting through his veins, dissolving the aches on its way. His entire body was waking up to a strange happiness...he never felt before. Some of which made their way out through Mirza's eyes...they flooded his face. 'DAD missed you too beta...DAD missed you like hell...' Mirza wanted to utter many more things but a rush of emotion chocked his voice. Tears kept flooding. Two souls...high in emotion...expressed their untold words through their tears. But not unnoticed.

Razia returned to the room to finalize Rico's packing. But what she saw was enough to move her. She was least bothered about what mirza went through or what he felt...those were matter of no concern to her. But what moved her to the core were her son's feelings for his father. razia always thought she would be both MOM and DAD in Rico's life...she will never let him feel the absence of a father. Until today, Razia thought she performed her duty with distinction. But this one sight forced her to the reality...she bumped into the hard fact...realized...whatever she thought was nothing but a mirage. She was living in her own world of illusion...which perhaps had no existence in Rico's life. Her boy missed his father.

From the moment Razia decided to let Mirza take Rico with him, some bothering questions were raking her mind...was she right in her decision? Will Rico like to stay with his father? Is her boy going to be fine with Mirza? So many questions...no answer. But now she knows...she knows...how much her son needs his father. Perhaps every kid...needs his father as much as he needs his mother. No one can ever compensate for another. Razia felt what was pure poison for her, may actually be nectar for her son. She wiped her tears to brace for what's coming.

Mirza pulled out from the hug...cupped Rico's face and wiped his tears. He placed a kiss on his forehead. A breath of relief realized MIRza's body. Smile of rejoice adored both the faces. Mirza looked at his son and uttered, 'so...are you ready to ride home?'

'Nothing...lets go home.' mirza picked him up in his lap.

'Aaa...I will just check the packing...' Razia's voice interrupted the duo. Rico's excitement reached a new high seeing his mother there. 'Mom...jaldi packing karo...we will go home with DAD'. Without replying anything Razia went to the corner of the room...picked up Rico's bag and placed it on the bed. 'Mom...' Rico called again; this time also it went unheard.

Lil boy felt a bit disappointed at his mother's snubbing. This was something very new to him. He looked at his father with pouted face...hoped for an urgent intervention in this regard. Sensing his boy's wish, Mirza readily jumped into action. 'Well boy...Mom won't be able to come with us now. She has some work left here.'

'Why!!! Why won't she come?' asked an annoyed Rico.

'Darling that's very important work she has here. She must stay...' here Mirza paused to steal a glance at Razia, then uttered in a low voice, 'but don't worry she will join us very soon.' With this Mirza turned his gaze to Razia...well...only to be shot by her glare.

'Pakka na?' reconfirmed an adamant Rico.

'Pakka', Mirza assured his boy and quickly moved his eyes to avoid further smacking. He knew very well what those burning eyes spelled to him...but he feigned to sense nothing at all. On the other hand, after securing the assurance a much relaxed Rico smiled at his father.

'Go Hassan...say bye to your friends...' Mirza handed him his phone. Rico took the phone and ran out of the room. Now there was only Mirza and razia left inside.

mirza turned to Razia. She was still packing...without any word...without any expression. As if she was miles away from whatever taking place around her. Mirza walked up to her...tried to give an explanation for his latest words.'Well...you know...bachhe hai...nasamajh...kehna padta hai...I didn't really...' Razia didn't let him complete what he began and cut it off with her closure, 'doesn't matter.' Just as expected she didn't even bother to look at the addressee.

This aloofness of her...this indifference of her, scorched Mirza's soul like hell. He wished...he could pull her down on bed and beat that rebel out of her. He wished...he could smash her against his masculine chest and let his voice penetrate her ears...'I will bring the world down if you don't come with me.' He wished he could. 'Ahh...' Too much control was feasting hard on Mirza's mind...making the plugs loose with every passing moment. Oblivious to this storm...Razia was busy in her own task.

After finishing the packing Razia zipped the bag. She was about to pull it but all of a sudden she felt somebody's warm gaze on her face. She turned...only to gasp at the dangerous proximity of Mirza. He was barely inches away from her...his dark eyes fixed on her lips...stern face laced with desire...Razia was hell shocked.

Dipped in her task Razia didn't realize when Mirza came so close to her. She was practically stunned at his audacity. Razia sprang out of the place...at a lightning speed. 'What you doing!!! What...' Razia checked her yelling voice at the very last moment as her eyes fell on her son...busy in phone just outside the room. But she hurled the rest through her furious gaze on Mirza, who himself was pretty much unaware of the exact reason of this entire occurrence. Mirza too didn't realize when he went so close to her...last thing he could remember was his ranting with his failed wishes...then it was Razia's yelling that brought him back into his senses...what took place in between...was a mystery.

But the entire happening made Mirza realise...it was not at all safe to let his mind roam free in her presence...it can result in something...something very dangerous...something he doesn't want to happen.

'Am sorry Razia...am sorry. I didn't mean to...am sorry...' Mirza hurriedly left the place, without even concluding his sentence. Looking at what just took place there, he couldn't take the chance to remain in the same room with Razia anymore. He left...leaving a fuming and lost Razia behind.

Half an hour later...

'Yes Abdul...ride's ready?...Yap we are leaving.' Mirza hung up the phone and called for Rico.

'Rico...lets go beta...Ri...' Mirza forced to stop in the middle as his gaze fell on his son, coming out of the room in his mother's lap. Razia was wiping his tears...'Spiderman doesn't cry remember...chalo ankhen pocho...' Razia placed a kiss on his cheek.

'Jaldi ajana haan mamma...mujhe aapke bina achha nehi lagega...' Uttered Rico in between his sobs. Razia's heart ached lying to her son...but she did...'I will dear'. She hoped he will understand his mother's compulsion some day.

Razia put Rico down in front of Mirza. With every passing second it was becoming more and more difficult for her to hold back her break down...to hide her tears. But she had to do that...somehow...for her son's sake...for his well being. razia put in all her efforts to gulp down the surging emotion threatening her boundaries. She took few seconds to compose herself and spoke in a go, 'He is allergic to mushrooms...don't give him any food that has mushroom in it. While sleeping in AC, make sure he wears full sleeve t-shirt. He catches up cold too fast. Apna homework khud karleta hai...bas maths me thora help karna padta hai. And...take care of him...plz...' With this Razia turned around from both. Tears broke her every barrier...flooded their way down. She knew she won't be able to hold herself anymore if she laid her eyes once again on her son.

Looking at her in so much distress Mirza felt thousand stabs in his heart. He wanted to hug her... console her...love her. But so helpless he was...Only thing he could do was watching her like this...then leaving her in this hell...to burn forever. This mere thought boiled Mirza's blood like hell. How could he let his Razia run in in this disaster? NEVER!

'Aaa...you can come over to Mumbai. That way you will be able to stay close to him...I will arrange eve...' Mirza couldn't conclude his suggestion as Razia broke into.

'Take him away...right now,' told Razia without even turning back.

'I can get you a job...if you feel like...' this time he made Razia's rage hit the roof.

'I don't need any help from you. Just go away from here...now.' She yelled at the top of his voice.

Mirza knew whatever he would utter now will only aggravate the situation, nothing else. He swallowed the rejection...picked up Rico in his arms...and left the place. Lil soul was too shocked to say even a goodbye to his mother. This was a person...totally unknown to him. He hid his face in Mirza's shoulder and left his mom's sight in tears.

Razia waited till she could listen to the sound of the door getting close. It did. And she broke down on the floor...all drenched in tears...all dejected. She cried her heart out in that deserted room...cried out her son's name again and again. She cried and cried and cried...didn't know for how many hours.

After few hours...

'Razia where is Rico? And why you guys disappeared all of a sudden? Do you have any idea how much tensed I was?' Bhabya showered Razia with her queries.

'Rico is with his father. He will stay with him from now on', replied Razia in a somber tone as she unlocked the door of her apartment.

'What!!! His father!!! You never told me anything about your husband...who is he? Where does he live?' Bhabya was shocked to the core at this sudden appearance of Razia's husband. She wanted to know everything right there right then. But Razia was too spent to talk about anything...'Bhabya...can I talk to you tomorrow? Am not feeling well right now.'

'Oh sure dear...anytime when you feel like...take rest now...agar kuch chahiye ho toh keh dena.' This lady in her late twenties was smart enough to gauge her mental state, hence decided not to bother her anymore. It wasn't really tough for Bhabya to get hold of the fact that something drastic must have taken place in last couple of days...that has drained Razia to her roots.

Razia turned on the lights and locked the door. She rolled her eyes around...looked at the deserted room. Everything was just the same the way she left it.

For last four and a half years razia's life was all about Rico. From sunrise to sunset only thing she bothered about was her son...nothing else. She didn't even spend a single day without him...now she will have to live her life without him. Without her son...everything was empty...lifeless to her. razia felt as if her heart...her soul - everything would tear apart with unbearable pain. Her world slowly crumbled around her... pulling down her peace along with it. Razia threw herself on the bed...burying her face in the pillow...let her tears lament on her loss. She wanted to cry till the last tear drop exists in her body.

After some time...

Razia's phone rang for third time. This time as well she didn't pick it up. She neither had the strength nor the will to talk to anybody. She just wanted to have some time of her own. But that surely wasn't something she was going to have, as the phone started ringing for fourth time. An irate RAzia pulled herself out of the bed and angrily walked up to the table to receive the call. She swore to bash the person hard who called her in such a way. But the moment she heard the caller, all her rage washed away in a fraction of second. It was Rico,

'Mamma.'

PRECAP: 'Beta hai...toh biwi bhi hogi...'

KOLKATA

-------------

'Mamma...when are you coming?' asked Rico without knowing what would take on Razia's part to answer this question.

'Mamma ko thora waqt lagega Rico...you...' Razia couldn't finish as he started in the middle. 'Noo...you'll have to come fast...Mujhe aapke bina achha nehi lag raha.' Razia could envisage her boy's pouty face here. Rico always does that whenever he comes up with streams of allegations. And nothing fills Razia's heart like this act of her son. The mother in her loved this sight more than anything. Whenever she came across a pouty Rico, she showered her affection on him to make him break into giggles. Lil boy himself was much aware of this liking of his mother. He knew how much he could manage through this pouty face...he knew what influence this has on his mother. And that's what he wanted this time.

Razia's heart twisted imagining she couldn't do anything to make her son happy this time...she felt a stab in her heart thinking she won't be able to love her son...won't be able to pull him out of the gloom this time. A killing helplessness was pulling her soul down. Razia didn't know...how to make this little fellow understand...that his mother can never come to the place he is going to live from now on. She had no idea how she was supposed to explain that...he will never have both his parents together...he will always have to opt out one, to choose the other. 'These are the truths Rico will have to face...today or tomorrow' thought Razia. But before she could spell her mind, something deep inside her, pulled the plug. 'Am I doing right? Is this ok to drag a kid into all these complications?' These questions forced Razia to dump her mission and stroll on the path less harmful for her kid. 'I will come soon my love.' She uttered, leaving the rest with TIME to take care of.

'Pakka? ' reconfirmed Rico.

'Yes. Pakka.' Razia gulped down the guilt as she lied to her son again. She had no idea how she was going to cover that lie up in future...she absolutely had no idea about that. Only thing she hoped was that someday her son will understand his mother's compulsions and forgive her.

'Mamma...are you there?' Rico's call brought Razia back from her thought-trance. She answered, 'Yes beta...'

'Mamma...Dad gave me this phone...told me to call you whenever I feel like.Aap bhi mujhe call karna...OK?' This time a trace of joy could be sensed in Rico's voice. Lil fellow was happy to find a way to connect with his mother whenever he wishes. This little joy in Rico's voice made Razia feel relieved to some extend...she hoped within some days...her son will learn to live without her...

'Ok...I will call you'. After pausing here for some moments Razia called her son...'Rico'

'Yes Mamma.'

'Apna khayal rakhna beta...thikse padai karna...' A much known taste of moist was slowly overpowering Razia's senses.

'Yes Mamma...I will.'

Here the call ended...leaving one writhing under the loss...another pinning on the hope. Razia clutched the phone close to heart...trying to feel her son there. A fresh round of tears found their way out all over again...pushing Razia deeper into her pain.

MUMBAI

------------

Mirza's cavalcade was speeding across the sea link. It was on its way to IMPERIAL HOUSE...Mirza's home. Man himself was sitting by the window...clutching the most precious gem in his arms...his Hassan. Rico was sitting on his father's lap...hugging him...resting head on his chest. Lil soul was still hovering over the question...when he will get to see his mother again. He was already missing her...missing her badly. But he was not alone in his journey. There was another one who was missing Razia...perhaps terribly. It was Mirza.

Unlike Rico, Mirza never got her love or even her loving gaze...but he was fortunate enough to have her presence around him for last couple of days...now even that will be a furlong dream. Sometimes mere presence of your beloved around heals every wound your heart carried for long. But this healing churns the desire for more...such was the case with Mirza. For last five years there was not a single day he didn't think about razia...there was not a single day he didn't long for her...but things are much more complicated now. Now Mirza knows where she is...he knows what is she up to...and above all she is his legally wedded wife now. So many things together in Mirza's mind were making the situation even more critical...critical for him to stay away from her...critical to keep his WORD further. He could sense the end of his promise he made to Razia, inching closer every passing second. Truly...he could never trust himself...when it came to his RAZIA.

IMPERIAL HOUSE

------------------------

'nadarad aunty...baat kya hai? mirza ne aise kyun bulaya? Do you have any idea? Aisa kya leke araha hai woh Kolkata se?' Shaheen spelled all her queries at Nadarad who herself was quite lost. 'I have no idea Shaheen...he didn't tell me anything. Just asked to be present here...and said he has a surprise for us all.'

'Aisa kya surprise hai!!!' Shaheen let her mind run in all directions but every time it returned without any answer. She was curious...damn curious. But in spite of all her efforts, her mind couldn't come up with any suitable logic. And that made her hell irritated.

On the other side things were a bit different for Nadarad. This smart lady sensed something more than a simple surprise in this. She knew mirza from those days when he couldn't even think on his own. She witnessed the transformation of a playing Mirza into a player Mirza. And that is why she knew...a man like Altunia Mirza...who doesn't even bother to formally greet a person...how can arrange a surprise for all!!!

One thing Nadarad was damn sure about...Mirza was bringing something along with him from Kolkata...and THAT he wanted them to see...'now the million dollar question is...what THAT can be?'

'Nadarad aunty... what are you saying? What THAT!!! Are you ok?' Nadarad's words just bounced over Shaheen's head.

'No...nothing Shaheen...I was just saying...let's wait for the horse himself.' Nadarad turned the topic to avoid a fresh round of speculative QA with Shaheen.

Just then the main gate of the apartment swung open, Mirza entered.

Both the ladies hurried forward to receive Mirza...but suddenly their gaze fell on something...and they halted midway. It was surely not a 'shock at first sight', but it was something they didnt expect to come before their eyes. They saw a lil boy entering the house along with Mirza, holding his hand. Initially both Shaheen and Nadarad were equally surprised looking at this unexpected guest. But things started taking a different shape very soon. The one most affected with the outcome...was unquestionably Nadarad.

A clear view of this boy shook the earth beneath Nadarad...she couldn't believe her own eyes. 'Have I lost my mind? Or am I hallucinating?' Nadarad couldn't believe what she was seeing in front of her.

How the hell...this boy can be a Xerox copy of Mirza...same face, same attitude, same mannerism!!! In other words he was 'little Mirza'. With this realization, numerous thoughts started flooding Nadarad's mind, most of them too scary for her. Sensing something terrible, her mind finally gave up...she couldn't imagine who this boy could be...in other words...she didn't even dare to imagine who this boy could be.

'Arre...main Mirza hi hoon...why you guys staring at me like this!!!' Mirza tried to mount the mystery upwards.

'Mirza who's this kid?' Shaheen couldn't hold her curiosity anymore.

'What do you think Shaheen?' Mirza asked with a wink.

'How on earth do I know Mirza?' Shaheen was completely clueless and a bit annoyed at Mirza's cunningness too.

Mirza was enjoying the situation to the core. After all... that's what he wanted. He wanted to surprise everyone. So he did. He could see deep frowns of both the ladies clearly. And that marked his victory. After spending some moments of self-appraisal Mirza finally decided to let the truth out...a truth that turned Nadarad's world, upside down.

'This is hassan. MY son.'

mirza's words pulled the sheet under Nadarad's feet. It shuttered her world into thousand pieces in a fraction of second. She couldn't believe her own ears. 'Did he say...MY SON!!! How can it be possible!!! How can he become a father!!! How can IMPERIAL have a successor!!!' Thoughts were piercing Nadarad's mind like thousand spears. She knew, being a ADOPTED her own son will never be able to succeed IMPERIAL. But she hoped someday Mirza will hand over a huge share of the property to Malik. But how can it be possible with the existence of a legal heir!!! 'No...this can't be true...Mirza kabhie baap nehi ban sakta...he must have adopted this kid...' Nadarad tried to console her mind. But Mirza failed her effort with his next couple of words.

'Nehi choti ammi...he is not adopted...he is mine.' Mirza announced like a proud father. With this he turned his gaze towards Rico, who was literally hugging Mirza's leg with his tiny arms. Lil soul was a bit nervous at so many new things happening in his life. Hence he clung to the one, he felt old enough.

This heavenly sight pricked Nadarad's eyes like hell. She could see her big dreams getting crushed under those little steps. She felt like throwing that kid out of the house right now. But Nadarad knew...she must control her outburst...at least for time being. If Mirza gets to know what she thinks about his son...she can bet there can't be a worst devil than Him. Hence, for her and her son's sake she must accept Mirza's son right now.

'Aiye...chote Mirza aiye...hum aapki dadijaan hai.' Faking a caring smile, Nadarad forwarded her arms to Rico. For some unknown reasons lil boy didn't quite like that approach. He hid himself behind his father. Sensing his son's mood, Mirza decided to intervene, 'I think...he is yet to get used to new place, new people. You can meet him tomorrow. Ab toh yeh...yehi rahega.'

'Yah...why not...ab toh...sath me hi rehna hai.' Nadarad managed to mask a smile again. There was another thing simultaneously playing in her mind. But before she could utter, Shaheen shot of. 'Mirza...does that mean you have a wife also?' She couldn't hide her concern of not getting the title of Mrs. mirza.

'Shaheen...why do you think...you...really need to know this...and more than that...why do you think...I really need to answer you this?' Mirza asked with a 'who the hell are you' look adoring his face. Now this was a big snub to Shaheen. She knew it was Mirza's style of saying...'kiss my a**' Hence, she didn't even dare to take this discussion any further and turned her gaze to dodge the insult.

Taking cue from the disastrous closure of Shaheen's quest, Nadarad didn't even dare to pass by the path. She pushed it aside for future.

'Alright guys...me and my son both are damn tired today...need a good sleep now. See you later.' With this Mirza picked Rico up in his arms and left the apartment. Leaving two ladies...rambling in dark.

'Aunty...kuch samajh me aya? Is this really his son?' asked a lost Shaheen, right after Mirza left the room.

'100 percent. Mirza will never lie on this...and looking at this boy...I don't even need anyone's certificate...HE IS MIRZA.' a dejected Nadarad quietly sat on the sofa. She knew...an all new battle was awaiting her...worst part...she was yet to see the entire opponent force and that was ailing Nadarad more than anything. 'Beta hai toh biwi bhi hogi...but the question is...why is Mirza hiding her?Chakkar kya hai?' Nadarad closed her eyes...but her mind ran in every possible direction to look for an answer. She knew...she must get to the root of this SON. That was the only way to secure her own roots in IMPERIAL.

After few hours...

Winning a match, clinching a deal or conquering a battle - nothing can even stand when it comes to having your kid at your heart. Entire world crawls at your feet when he breathes in your arms. It makes you feel heaven when he clutches you with his tiny arms. MIRZA heard these phrases numerous times before but he never imagined he would actually get the chance to feel them in real. It was no less than a beautiful dream for him. He wanted to relish every bit of it. Mirza wanted to compensate for everything his son missed in these years. He didn't want to stay away from his son, not even for a single moment. He missed his birth, his toddler days...but he didn't want to miss his growing up.

Mirza swore to become a dedicated father...without knowing...he already had become one. The doting father had already started overshadowing the bohemian Mirza...that too without making him aware of it.

Mirza was lying on his plush bed...caressing Rico, who was resting on his father's chest. Mirza's mind was filled with a strange peace...a kind he never experienced before. This feeling was soothing his much hurt soul like a sweet breeze. He was enjoying it to the core. But suddenly an ailing thought snapped his stupor. It raised an alarm through his mind...he jerked open his eyes and uttered, 'Hasaan.'

'Yes dad.'

After shedding few moments of 'where to begin', finally Mirza whispered to his attentive son, 'Hassan...now am going to tell you something very important. You need to listen to it very very carefully. OK?'

'Ok dad'.

'If anyone ask you about your mother, tell them...you don't know anything. Just tell them...you know nothing about your mother...what's her name, where she lives, what she does...tell them you know nothing. Koyee bhi puchhe...be it your dadi or the aunty you met downstairs...never tell them anything about your mother...tum samajh rahe ho na Hassan?' Mirza paused for his son's confirmation.

'But dad...why would I lie to all?' If Mirza would have known his son well, he wouldn't have ended his instruction without explanation.

'Hassan...actually...you know...' Mirza was grappling hard for a suitable answer. His mind searched across every possible way...finally it returned with a splendid one. 'You remember the bad guy who kidnapped you?'

'Yes dad'.

'He is now looking for your mother...if he gets to know about her...then he will kidnap her as well. You don't want that right?' this time Mirza knew the answer.

'No dad. Never. I will never tell anyone about Mom...I will never tell anyone.' Even the idea of losing his mother sent a chill down the lil soul. He gripped his father harder with his shaky fists. And with this...one thing Mirza was damn sure about...come what may...Rico will never spill the beans.

After few minutes...

mirza checked the quilt for last time...made sure it covered Rico properly. After being fully satisfied with his efforts, he finally left the room.

2 am@night.

Mirza was leaning against the easy chair...beside the pool and doing his favorite job...gazing the stars.

When construction of this floor was underway, Mirza's security advisor insisted not to leave this terrace open...mainly because of security reasons. He tried everything to convince Mirza to close the roof and make this swimming pool an indoor one. But he finally had to give in before Mirza's stubbornness. As a result...a quarter of Mirza's apartment area is open. Mirza liked it this way.

Staring at these midnight stars...means many thing for Mirza. These blinking dots in the unseen darkness...reflect the hidden self of Altunia mirza. It was more like a mirror to his soul. In other words...Mirza's life was just like this starry sky. Few glittering dots visible to all...the rest...too dark to see through. If you go by the dots...you miss the truth...and if you try to decipher the darkness, it swallows you within its riddle.

A RIDDLE...that's what Mirza's life was. A riddle...he never let anyone solve...a riddle...he never let anyone sneak into. But it was not like he never wanted it to be solved. He wanted...once.

It was Razia.

He wanted HER to solve this riddle named Mirza. He wanted her to take over his being. He wanted her to tie up his scattered life. But she refused. Hence...it was the same Mirza again...UNSOLVED...UNSEEN. This would have remained for the rest of his life...had he not seen Razia once again. After spending those hours in her proximity...feeling her presence all over again...Mirza was anything but in a mood to let her go like that. With every passing moment, it was becoming more and more difficult for him to restrain himself from rushing to her. He knew...if this continues for another couple of days...he will end up either hurting her or himself. Hence for the sake of their well being Razia needs to come to him.

One thing Mirza was damn sure about...Razia won't be able to live apart from her son for long...she will surely come to him. But that will obviously take place at a natural speed and Mirza can surely not afford to wait that long.

'What should I do...what should I do...' Mirza was awakening the shrewd businessman in him to bring up possibilities. 'Should I tell Hassan to call his mother...or should I call her myself...no no...how can I do this...why would she listen to me...' mirza's mind was relentlessly searching from one corner to another...but things were becoming more jumbled up with every new effort by him. Mirza was slowly losing his strength to this extensive search and his senses were gradually slipping under the marching army of slumber. Sleep was taking over his entire body.

Moments before giving in to this overpowering force, mirza uttered as he closed his eyes for the day...'Please GOD...show me a way...please...mujhe merie Razia dilade mere Maula...mujhe meri Razia dilade...'

PRECAP: 'Your wife can sign on your behalf.'

PS: NO PS😳 (dekhle pals😡)