Fasaana

FIFTY

I'll be summer sun for you forever, 
forever winter if you go.

**********

The next morning Malti told Zoya that her parents had gone for a walk in the park. So she quickly woke up Sehrish and took her to meet Shahveer before Mahmood and Kausar could come back.

It was Friday, so she had to leave for work by 9. In the evening, she came back and took everyone to Aarti and Rohit's place because they had invited all of them for dinner. Aarti had started to show a little bit, and Avni was very excited about the younger sibling.

While driving back home, Zoya cleared her throat. "There is someone I want you guys to meet."

Mahmood and Kausar looked at her. "Who?" Her father asked.

"Umm, his name is Shahveer. And," She paused for a second, "we want to marry each other."

That made Ziva snap her head towards her sister. A long silence prevailed in the car. No one said anything.

Zoya parked the car in the parking lot and everyone took the elevator.

"Zoya?" Mahmood finally spoke when they reached home, "call him for lunch tomorrow."

She smiled gladly and nodded her head enthusiastically.

She texted Shahveer to inform him about the lunch meeting and he replied back in affirmation.

"Aapi," Ziva excitedly said, "Who is this guy? Where did you meet him? How does he look?"

"Gosh, calm down." Zoya shut her. "And to answer your questions, he is my neighbor."

"Ohh, neighbor!" Ziva wiggled her eyebrows. "Show me his picture."

"He'll be here tomorrow. See him then." Zoya covered herself with a blanket to save herself from any further teasings.

There was a little chaos around the house the next day. Malti was busy cooking a feast for lunch, Kausar was helping her. Zoya was deep cleaning the living room with Mahmood. Ziva and Sehrish were the only ones who were busy playing board games.

By noon, everyone had showered and gotten dressed, except for Sehrish because she was throwing a fit about not showering.

The doorbell rang a few minutes before 1. Mahmood opened the door. Shahveer was wearing dark blue jeans with white shirt and a casual white blazer on top of it. And in his hands was a bouquet of flowers.

"Assalam alaikum," He politely greeted Mahmood and forwarded his hand for a handshake. "Shahveer Khan."

Mahmood shook his hand and welcomed him inside. Shahveer then greeted Kausar and passed her the bouquet. Then he waved at Ziva, "You must be the youngest one."

Ziva grinned.

They all had just settled on the couches when Sehrish came running from her nursery and jumped on Shahveer.

He held his princess and realized that she was crying. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"Mama is forcing me to shower." She sobbed.

Zoya came out as well and kept a hand on her hip. "Sehru, come with me right now."

Sehrish's grip on Shahveer tightened.

"Zoya, let her be. She can shower tomorrow." Shahveer said, calming Sehrish.

"But.." She started.

But his cute face made her give up. "Fine, it is not like you both ever listen to me."

She went back inside to put away the towel and new set of clothes she had picked out for Sehrish. Ziva followed her sister. "Aapi, he's really good looking. And he's so cute with Sehru."

Zoya smiled. "I know."

Sehrish stayed in Shahveer's lap as a conversation started around the living room.

"So what do you do?" Mahmood asked.

"I am a data scientist." He replied, "I research and analyze data to help companies make effective decisions."

Mahmood didn't quite understand it, but he nonetheless nodded.

"And your family?"

"My father is a businessman, and my mother is a lawyer. They live in Bhopal."

"Baba," Zoya came back, "He belongs to the Royal family of Bhopal."

Shahveer rolled his eyes.

"Yes, nanu. His house is big." Sehrish widened her arms to indicate the huge size.

Mahmood and Kausar were slightly surprised at the revelation.

They continued to talk about general stuff before Malti served the food and called everyone to eat. After lunch, Mahmood finally asked the question that was in his mind since Zoya said they wanted to marry. "Shahveer, what about your family? Do they know? Do they have any problem with Sehrish?"

Shahveer smiled. "They know. In fact, they've met Zoya and Sehrish as well. And they absolutely love them."

Mahmood smiled in relief.

After Shahveer took his leave a couple of hours later, Zoya asked his father about his thoughts.

"I may have not been successful in finding a good partner for you, but I am glad you found one for yourself." He kept a hand on her head.

_________________

They spent their Sunday shopping. Zoya took them to the mall where she bought her parents a lot of clothes.

Ziva wanted a pair of jeans, but she wasn't sure if Kausar would agree to it. So she made Zoya ask for permission.

"Ammi, I was thinking of buying jeans for Ziva." Zoya casually said.

Kausar stared at both her daughters for a few seconds before lightly nodding her head.

Zoya was taken aback by how effortlessly she agreed. They ended up buying three pairs of jeans with a couple of matching tops. Zoya had also talked to Mahmood about Ziva's dance classes. He had agreed so she also bought her sister some dance trousers.

After they came back home, Kausar told Malti that she'd cook dinner. When Zoya settled down to eat, she was surprised to see dal bati churma. It was the first gesture done by Zoya's mother for her after a very long time. And it meant a lot of Zoya.

On Monday morning, Zoya drove them to the airport. Before leaving, Kausar brought her hand forward to cup Zoya's cheek.

"Stay happy," She whispered.

It made Zoya's eyes watery. They hugged each other for a few seconds before parting away.

Zoya stayed back until they went inside the airport before zooming off towards her office. 

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Those who were expecting drama, I am sorry.

Kausar was a kind of character who really loved her daughters, but her fear of society was more. So all her life, she had tried to stop her daughters from doing everything that might taint their reputation. But seeing Zoya in Delhi, living the beautiful life that she had made for herself and Sehrish, made a part of Kausar happy as well. And that was the reason why she wasn't apprehensive with the idea of Zoya marrying Shahveer.

PS: Ten more chapters to go.