Fasaana | फसाना | فسانا
:a tale; a romance; a fiction
Zoya had spent her entire life adhering to societal and parental rules, feeling trapped like a bird in a cage. But what happens when she decides to shatter those restrictions and soar freely?
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I tried to pick my battles, 'til the battle picked me.
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The date was 29th March, Sehrish’s first day of school. She was absolutely not looking forward to going to the school, but it wasn’t like she had any choice. So to make her feel better about it, Shahveer had asked her what she wanted in tiffin on her first day. She knew she’d be granted any demand and she used this chance well. Her answer was chili garlic noodles with absolutely no vegetables, along with some sweet treats. Zoya was not in favor of it, but Shahveer said yes.
And that was the reason he was standing in Zoya’s kitchen at six in the morning, boiling the noodles.
“You’re spoiling her.” Zoya mumbled in a sleepy voice while resting her body on his back.
He started peeling garlic. “I think I’ve made it pretty clear that she is mine to spoil. And so are you.”
She smiled, which was followed by a yawn. She didn’t say anything else because she trusted Shahveer with what he was doing. She knew that no matter how much he spoiled their daughter, he’d never let her become a spoiled person.
After he was done cooking, he packed it in her cute, princess-themed tiffin box. And he also packed a piece of brownie he had baked last night as her dessert. Then he went to wake Sehrish up. It took some time because she wasn’t used to waking up this early.
Zoya took her to brush her teeth and shower before making her wear the school dress that she had ironed last night.
“I don’t want to go.” Sehrish whined for the umpteenth time.
“Sweetheart, you can’t avoid it forever.” Zoya coaxed her while serving her breakfast of P&J sandwiches.
Sehrish tore a bite of the sandwich harshly and grumpily ate her food. Then Zoya made her drink a glass of milk.
Shahveer and Zoya drove her to the school and went to her classroom to drop her. Sehrish stared at all the children sitting inside the classroom before turning towards her parents.
“Don’t leave me here.” She said with wobbly lips. Zoya’s heart broke at the sight of her daughter crying, and for a moment she was tempted to take her back home. But Shahveer kneeled down in front of Sehrish and wiped her tears.
“Princess, it is just a matter of a few hours. And you would have so many children around you. You will get to make new friends. You like making new friends, right?”
Sehrish shook her head and hugged him.
Then, with a stone on his heart, he peeled her body off of his and handed her to the class teacher. “I will pick you up before you know it.”
Then he turned around to walk out of the class, dragging Zoya with him. The wails of Sehrish, asking them to not leave her alone, was making their heart ache. Zoya even shed some tears herself. But it had to be done.
They came back home. Zoya got ready for office and left. Shahveer was working from home today because he was going to pick Sehrish up from school. Zoya couldn’t accompany him because she had an unavoidable meeting.
Just after noon, Zoya received a video call from Shahveer. She picked it up and Sehrish’s face came in front of her.
“How was school, Sehru?” She asked.
“I missed you.” Sehrish sadly pouted. “But it was also fun. I made some new friends.”
“See, I told you you’d have fun.”
They spoke for some more time before hanging up. Malti served lunch and Shahveer had it with them.
“I loved the noodles.” Sehrish told him. “What will you give me tomorrow?”
“Whatever you want, apart from any junk food.” He promised.
When Zoya came home, Shahveer was there, helping Sehrish with her homework. Sehrish told Zoya all the things that happened in the school along with the fact that Shahveer would be giving her grilled paneer sandwiches for tiffin tomorrow.
“Okay, but from the day after, Malti would be making your tiffin. Don’t get used to all the delicacies he is providing you with.” Zoya told her daughter.
Sehrish pouted. “But why?”
“Because he doesn’t live here. And he can’t wake up early everyday to come here and make food for you.” Saying that, Zoya went to freshen up.
But what she said hit Shahveer. And more than her words, it was Sehrish’s sad face that hit him. If his daughter wanted him to make her tiffin daily, he would do it.
“Sehru?” Shahveer called her, “Have you ever thought about calling me something else than Veer?”
Sehrish frowned. “What should I call you?”
“Papa..maybe?” He nervously asked.
Her eyes widened. “But mama said I don’t have a papa.”
“But you can have me as your papa if you want.” He suggested.
She stayed quiet for a few seconds before screaming a yes and jumping on him to hug him.
“I want you as my papa.” She told him.
“Then you have me.” He hugged her tighter.
“But,” He said when they parted away, “you can’t tell your mother yet. We will plan a surprise for her.”
She grinned in response and nodded her head.
His daughter had agreed, now he just had to get a yes from his woman before formally starting their forever.
And for that, he needed to plan. Plan the best proposal possible. He googled stuff, made numerous calls, brainstormed, and did a lot of arrangements.
And the last and most important step was to buy the ring. The perfect solitaire that would make his dreamy proposal complete. A rock that would formalize their relationship. That one piece of jewelry that she would be wearing on her finger for the rest of their lives.
It was finally happening and he couldn’t be more excited about it.
