Fasaana

THREE

I've been picking up the pieces
of the mess you made.

***************

Zoya sipped on her tea and looked at the view from the balcony, the view of the pink city. Jaipur was where she was born and brought up, and she absolutely loved it. The cultural heritage of the city, the royal history, the havelis, she loved it all. And lucky for her, even though she was married into a family that was rooted in Ajmer, Rizwan stayed in Jaipur because of his job and so Zoya never had to leave the city.

“What are you doing standing on the balcony?” A harsh female voice broke Zoya’s daze. She turned around and found her mother-in-law, Raniya, standing in front of her. “It is your ninth month, you should stay indoors, away from all the evil eyes. I don’t care about you, but if anything happened to my grandson, you’ll see my worst side.”

Zoya palmed her nine-month old belly and slowly walked inside. Her in-laws had arrived a week ago, since they didn’t want to miss the birth of their first grandson. Yes, grandson. Because Raniya was too sure that it was a boy who would take forward their family name.

“I’ve kept onions on the table. Slice them and prepare ginger-garlic paste. I’ll be back from the market in half an hour.” Raniya instructed Zoya before leaving the house. Zoya first went to pee, because apparently her bladder was always full nowadays. Then she sat down to slice the onions. Ever since her in-laws had come, Rizwan insisted on eating his mother’s food instead of Zoya’s. And everytime Rizwan would appreciate Raniya’s food, she would taunt Zoya that she couldn’t even feed her son decent food. This was one of the many topics Raniya used to degrade Zoya. Initially it used to hurt. But not anymore. Not after she had come to know about Rizwan’s affair. She had become sort of emotionless after that. In the past three months, she had learnt to live knowing that her husband was not faithful to her. Maybe he never was, and never will be.

Raniya came back after buying mutton and started with the preparation of laal maans that Rizwan had demanded to have for dinner. Since Zoya had nothing to do anymore in the kitchen, she walked to her room to lay down for a while. She was kind of glad that Rizwan asked for his mother to cook, even though it was a way to insult Zoya, at least it was one thing off her chores list.

When Zoya reached her room, she found her phone ringing. It was Aarti, Zoya’s childhood friend and probably the only person who genuinely cared for her.

“Zoya, meri jaan,” Aarti’s chirpy voice came through the speaker and Zoya smiled.

“Somebody sounds chirpy.” Zoya commented while sitting on the bed.

“Of course I am, and you should be as well. Because you’re going to be a mausi.” Aarti screamed in happiness and before Zoya could react she heard Rohit’s voice in the background. “Jaan, I know you’re excited but you seriously need to stop jumping like a monkey. It is not good for the baby.”

“Ugh, spoilsport!” Aarti commented.

“Aarti?” Zoya called out, “Are you serious?”

“Yes, I just received my reports. Six weeks pregnant.”

“That is awesome. I am so happy for you.” Zoya’s eyes filled with happy tears for the couple. Aarti and Rohit were the best real life couple Zoya had seen and she was sure that they'd be equally good parents as well.

"This is so exciting. Our kids could be best friends as well." Aarti was beaming with joy.

"For God's sake, woman, stop jumping!" Rohit screamed, making Zoya laugh.

"How are you? Any labor pain yet?" Aarti asked after calming down.

"No," Zoya said while palming her belly. She could feel the kicks.

"And your asshole husband? Is he dead yet?" Aarti's words made Zoya gasp. "What, you know he deserves it."

Zoya remembered how Aarti had planned the murder of Rizwan with every intricate details that day she had told her about his affair. Zoya had to literally beg her to not take a flight to Jaipur and take Zoya away that very instance.

Aarti had always been a bold, confident girl. They had met in school and been inseparable ever since. Six months after Zoya's marriage, Aarti got married to Rohit and shifted to Delhi. That was a big blow for both the girls. They had never stayed in different cities and it took months for them to get used to the fact that they couldn't be in the same place. And ever since, the internet has played a big role in sustaining their friendship.

"Zo, I am still telling you. Just leave his stupid ass and come to Delhi. So what if your parents won't have you back, you have me and Rohit. We're also your family, aren't we?" Aarti yet again tried to convince her.

"Of course you are, but I can't just get up and leave. The situation is complicated." Zoya sighed.

"The situation is as complicated and as simple as you make it." Aarti reasoned back.

Zoya stayed quiet. A part of her was tempted at the offer Aarti was giving her, but the rational part of her disagreed. Yes, Aarti would do anything for her, and even Rohit loved her like a little sister, but that didn't mean she could just go to their home with a baby and become a burden.

"Fine, leave it." Aarti said when she got no reply from Zoya. "Have you thought of a name for the baby?"

"Rizwan’s ammi has. What is the point of me thinking when no one is going to let me name the child?" Zoya sarcastically said.

"Babe, it is your baby. You have every right. And if those people don't give it to you, then you'll have to fight for it."

But would she be able to fight for it? Zoya didn’t know, but she was about to find out soon. Because that night, while serving dinner, her water broke. The baby was coming.

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The lines are from 'All you had to do was stay'.

Love Aarti, love Rohit and love all my lovely readers.

So love me back and vote for the chapter. I wouldn't mind some comments as well ;)