Wishpered Promises Of LoVE

Open Challenge

Continuation of flashback,
   after six years,
The door of a royal chamber opened, a young man of 23 years old was seen walking inside. He looked no less than a Prince charming that we always read about in the fairytales. Whoever would see him, would surely stop for a prolonged moment or two to admire him. "Bhaijaannnnn,"a beautiful smile etched at the corner of his handsome face, hearing the chirpy voice. A small dimple peeked under his short beard. His head immediately turned towards the source of the voice, while squatting down on the floor, spreading his arms and the next moment a cute child not more than six years dashed in his arms, making him chuckle heartily,"Yes, my cute little Sayyida?"Zeeshan answered the small girl in his arms, while picking her up from the floor.
   "Bhaijaan, how am I looking?"She asked, enthusiasm filled in her small almond shaped eyes. Zeeshan looked at Fayza with admiration,"Wait let me look at my Sayyida thoroughly,"saying he placed her on the bed,"Umm…my Fayza Princess is looking….just out of this world. She is sooooo cute,"he threw his arms in the air, showing her the amount of cuteness she is overloaded with. Little Fayza blushed hearing her brother's compliments, who was still looking at his youngest sister with nothing but love…extreme love.
   "Bhaijaan?"Another voice was heard as Zeeshan's lips stretched out in the widest grin. He immediately turned towards the girl, whom he loved without any limitations. "Yes, Bhaijaan ki jaan *(Brother's life)*,"Zeeshan replied in the most loving way, walking towards Zohra's direction.
   He engulfed her in a tight hug,"Happy birthday, Bhaijaan,"Zohra's wish made him smile even more. "Thank you, Zohi…thank you so much,"he pressed a warm kiss on her forehead. She offered him her sweetest smile. "How am I looking?''Zohra twirled in front of him…as she decked herself up for this special day in her life. Indeed Zeeshan and Fayza's birthdays were the most significant days of her life. "Mashallah, my butterfly…beautiful as always. No evil eye should cast upon this moon of my house,"saying Zeeshan touched the kohl on Zohra's eyes with his ring finger. As a result his fingers got some kohl as well, which he later applied behind her ear.
   Zohra smiled brightly at his antics before applying a little bit of kohl behind Zeeshan's ear as well,"No evil eye should cast upon this Prince charming brother of mine. May Allah always bless you with each and every good thing in the world, Bhaijaan,"she prayed for him…with the most sincere heart. "I'm indeed blessed with the best things of this world,"Zeeshan's statement made Zohra confused, not understanding what he was trying to imply.
    "What are those?"Zohra asked, curiosity was clear in her voice. "My Zohi and my Fay, both of my little Sayyidas are the bestest gifts Allah has blessed me with,"Zeeshan's words filled Zohra's heart with extreme love for her brother. What would she have done without this brother of hers? She could bet about the fact that she might not even survive without him by her side, always protecting her in his warm embrace.
   "Wait, Bhaijaan…I have something for you,"saying she rushed near the center table. And the next moment she came back with a small bowl in her hand, looking downwards Zeeshan's eyes landed upon the sweet dish decorated with pistachios and cashews,"Maho?" ***Maho or Maho Halwa is a mouthwatering Omani dessert, which looks like brownies but has a much lighter color. It is made with saffron, cardamon, sweetened condensed milk and butter. It's often presented with various types of almonds.**"
  An excited squeal left his lips as he looked no less than a child…who was too excited to see his favorite dish in front of him. "Yes, your favorite dessert,"Zohra said smiling when Fayza added,"Bhaijaan, you know Api made this Maho with her own hands…just for you,"Fayza's words made Zeeshan to look at his younger sister Zohra, who was looking back at him with the same amount of love he harbored for her. In this cruel world if someone loved him truly then it were his sisters. They loved him the most. And Zohra…she always occupied a very special place in his heart…which nobody would ever be able to take over. She always loved him as his younger sister, scolded him like an elder one at the time of need, took care of him like a mother, listened to all his problems, sufferings without judging him even for a moment, laughed with him at his good times and shed tears of miseries at his sorrows…just like a best friend, would always comfort him and at times would advise him about things so maturely just like a father…..sometimes he could not help but wonder how did he get this lucky to get Zohra as his baby sister. She was indeed one in a million. Then how could he not love her the most? But that didn't mean he loved Fayza any less. He loved his youngest sister too much as well.
    "Zohi…I…I do…don't know what to…say! How did I get this lucky?"He asked her, or maybe his own self…while placing his one hand on her left cheek. His eyes became glossy. Even if his lips could not convey the emotions he was feeling inside, yet his brown orbs never backed off from doing so. "Shh…Bhaijaan, you don't have to say anything. Your Zohi knows everything. And it's actually us that we got you in our lives. Now tell me how it tastes?''Zohra shushed him, feeding a spoonful of Moha Halwa.
   "Ummm….it's sooooo yummy,"Zeeshan closed his eyes, savoring the sweet taste to his heart's content as the Halwa melted in his tongue. "Allah! Zohi, you have magic in your hands,"his excitement filled statement made Zohra grin happily,"Really, na? You are not saying it only to keep my heart, right?''Still Zohra could not help but voice out the question that was making her too nervous. "If you don't believe it, taste it yourself,"he said in a duh tone, shrugging his shoulders. "I also want to have it,"Fayza squealed eagerly, wanting to have a bite of the tasty dish in front of her.
   Zohra lifted up a spoonful of Halwa to have, before Zeeshan caught ahold of her hand,"Oh hello, this is mine. If you want to taste it…then bring some for yourself. And give her some as well,"saying Zeeshan almost snatched the bowl from her hands, he had no intention to share it with anyone at all. He went towards the couch before settling himself there comfortably, not even caring about the two pairs of eyes looking at him. Zohra's eyes widened at the ungratefulness of her brother, she cooked the dish by herself…just for him. And look at him, enjoying it all by himself.
    "Ummmmm….sooooooo tasty,"Zeeshan intentionally moaned loudly, teasing his sisters. "Bhaijaan, that's not fair,"Zohra whined going near him. "Yes, not fair at all,"Fayza also imitated her sister. "I made it with so much effort…and you are not even letting me to taste it,"Zohra huffed while sitting beside him. Zeeshan could not help but smile secretly at her antics. She looked so frustrated yet so cute with the angry pout her lips had formed.
   "Why should I? Go get your own,"Zeeshan showed his tongue to her…when Fayza sat beside him,"Bhaijaannnn, give me some na?"she held his hand, swinging it to and fro…while giving him an adorable face. Zeeshan could not help but feel aww at those cute looks she was making on her innocent face. "Sorry, my little life. But I cannot share this very tasty dish with you as well,"he pulled her nose lightly as she glared at him. She hated it if someone pulled her nose…but it was Zeeshan we were speaking about! And he…was absolutely in the mood to tease both of his sister's.
   Fayza slapped his hand away from her face,"You are such a bad guy,"she turned her face to the other side from him, in anger. "Is that so?"He asked her, with a tone of mischief. "Yes,"this time Zohra answered on behalf of Fayza…"Humph,"and she also turned her face away…faking the anger. Zeeshan chuckled heartily looking at their antics…he knew very well, none of these two were angry at him for real. It was just another way of theirs to get what they wanted from him. And he would never deny the fact that he didn't love this. After all, which brother didn't love to fulfill his sister's demands? If they would not place their requisitions in front of him, then who else would they seek for it?
    "My drama queens, I still ain't going to share it with any of you,"he declared grinning like a Cheshire cat…but alas! That didn't last longer, because the next moment, Fayza jumped onto his lap, startling the poor soul. As it was too sudden, and Zeeshan was totally not ready for it, he immediately secured Fayza into his arms not wanting her to get hurt…at all. And seizing the opportunity, Zohra snatched the bowl away from his other hand, making him utterly speechless at both of their coordination.
    Fayza giggled in his arms, while Zohra smirked devilishly,"Finally got it,"she announced victoriously. As if she just got the world. Taking a spoonful of Halwa, Zohra fed it to Fayza….intentionally taking it in front of Zeeshan's eyes who was looking at the Halwa with a pitiful look. She had it herself and the two devil's moaned more loudly in order to tease the poor soul,"Soooooo tastyyyyyyy,"they squealed in unison. "Hey, that was cheating,"Zeeshan whined, making them chuckle mischievously. "Why cannot you both get some for yourselves?"He pouted, looking at them.
   "Because this one is more tasty,"Zohra winked at him. "Exactly, I'm just loving this. Api, we should finish it ourselves, what say?"Fayza was one step ahead of all of them, as she suggested the idea. Zeeshan's eyes widened in horror,"What? Noooo, that's mine,"he almost yelled, feeling distressed. "Was, Bhaijaan. It was yours. But now it's ours,"Zohra high-fived Fayza.
   "That's not doneeeee,"it was now his time to throw tantrums. While both his little devil's kept on teasing him to their hearts content. Yet they were happy…all of them were happy with each other. None of them had a beautiful childhood, still all of them were blessed with something so pure, so eternal which no-body could ever snatch away from them…and it was their bond, the beautiful bond of siblings.
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After a few days,
   "No, Abbu. You cannot do this. Not this time. I would not let you ruin her life…than you already did,"for the first time in his life, Zeeshan raised his voice at Abu Tariq. He was still seething in anger. "Zeeshan, that's enough. You are crossing your limits now,"Abu Tariq glared at his son, his tone holding anger, warning and what not.
   But Zeeshan…he was no less,"I'm crossing my limits? Really, Abbu? Am I?"He questioned his father…respect for that man was long gone from his heart. But the little bit of courtesy they had in between, today Zeeshan was forced to break it as well. "If I'm crossing my limits then what are you doing? How could you fix her marriage without her consent…heck the consent! You didn't even find it necessary to tell her once before fixing that damn of a marriage? How dare you..huh? Who gave you the damn right to make decisions about her life?"He lashed out at Abu Tariq…all the perturbation he had buried inside his heart, everything exploded today…coming out as the form of those venomous words.
   "Zeeshan, how are you talking with your father? Where are your manners?"This time Queen Zehnab spoke…Zeeshan looked at his mother…he was certainly not surprised with her behavior. In fact such a kind of attitude was expected from her. Zeeshan knew it thoroughly that the Queen of Oman would speak in the defense of her husband, the King. After all, when she stood up for her children anyways?
    This time Abu Tariq's anger also got unleashed, he banged his fist on the table in front of him….as the ceramic table broke apart into two. "I'm her father, Mr. Zeeshan Toufiqur Bin Tariq. Don't forget that I have more rights upon her than you. And…." Abu Tariq could not even finish his words, as Zeeshan started laughing…which didn't hold any kind of emotion. It was as humorless as he, himself, was feeling right at that moment.
    "Father, that was the biggest joke I have ever heard, Sultan Rustom Bin Abu Tariq. You know what, yes, you are the father…and unfortunate enough that you are our mother as well,"Zeeshan pointed his fingers at his parents. Looking directly into their eyes, boring holes on their faces with his intimidating gaze,"Both of you are those kind of parents…who never cared for their children. You, Mr. Abu Tariq is nothing but a sperm donor in our lives. And Mrs. Zehnab Abu Tariq, you…you don't deserve the title of a mother as well…because except for bringing us into this world, what great deeds did you do? Both of you terrorized our childhood…inflicting several pain upon us. Leave me, but you both never even considered Zohi and Fayza as your children. You feel ashamed of introducing them as your blood. Why? Because they were girls'! Was it their fault?"He questioned them…making them speechless for a moment.
   "And as if that was not enough for you guys, that now you want to marry off my 18 year old sister without even asking her consent…that too with whom? A 55 years old man…thrice her age? And then you come to claim that she is your daughter? Huh! Today, I really curse the day she was born into this damn family. Because inhumans like you…never deserved that angel like her. What do you always call her, Mr. Tariq? She is inauspicious, ominous for you…her black shadow has cast upon your family? Let me tell you, you*(pointing at Abu Tariq)* and you*(pointing at Zehnab)* both of you…are the black spots in her life…both of you are inauspicious for her. This nonsense of a family is ominous for her. She is indeed ill-fated to get parents like you,"Zeeshan yelled at the top of his lungs. Today all his reasonings, his sanity…he lost everything. How could they? Each and every word that escaped his mouth, echoed inside the vast chamber.
   "I will…."
"I will also see how the heck did you get my Zohi married to that old hag? Before taking any advances towards my sisters, always remember that you will find me standing in your way in front of them. You need to kill me first before even getting their slightest glimpse. And if you still don't back off now, then I will leave this damn palace of yours…with Zohi and Fay. Then keep on watching how your reign, your legacy slips out of your hands,"Zeeshan straightforwardly threatened his father. Now he didn't care about anything else…except for the safety of his sister's. The open challenge made Abu Tariq to shake in anger as his fingers curled into tight fists... digging his own nails into his palms.
   Whereas, Zeeshan felt somehow satisfied looking at the condition of his so-called father. He was about to take his leave when Abu Tariq's taunt made him stop in his tracks,"And what are you going to feed them…huh? Or both you and your sister are going to open some defense academy where you both will teach people to fight battles?" But this time, Zeeshan only smirked,"I see, you have a lot of knowledge about what we are doing. You would not need to worry about what I will feed my sister's? Because I'm capable enough to feed them both the three meals everyday. And one more thing, my sister's will do anything and everything they wish to do in their lives…be it Zohi's wish to learn fencing or Fay's wish to learn drawing. They will live their lives to their fullest…and I will make sure of that…with your name or without your name,"saying he didn't waste another minute in that chamber…that atmosphere was starting to suffocate him…and he was literally disgusted by those people.
   "Ahhhh!"Abu Tariq screamed at the top of his lungs…kicking the sofas kept in the room…while Zehnab was frozen on her spot. She didn't know what to say after this. "This would not end well, Zeeshan…and I will make sure that you regret this day for the rest of your life. I will make you remember who I, Rustom Bin Abu Tariq really am. You really need to know what I do to those who dares to even look at me and there you did the crime of challenging me, my son. You are going to repent each of the words you said to me today,"Abu Tariq mumbled, his voice was menacing…so was he! And there was a fire…a fire of destruction blazing in his eyes as he started laughing eerily…just like a psychopath.
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Author's note:
   Hey dearies,
   There is very good news….I've got chance in one of the second best universities of our country…in English. I wanted to complete my hons' on English literature for a long time. And finally, after so many hardships, tears, mental breakdowns, depression and everything…at last Allah granted me what I wished for from the very bottom of my heart. My result was just published yesterday evening…and since then I was feeling as if I was dreaming, floating in the air. After all, the achievements taste even sweet when you have tasted the bitterness of the failures.
    Maybe that's why, they say, whatever happens, happens for the best only. Because the plans of the mighty Almighty are much greater than our thoughts. I so badly wanted to share this amazing news with all of you. I'll be traveling to another city for my further admission procedures…pray for me, my sweeties. Your prayers, love and support means a lottttt for me.
  Love you all. Stay safe and tuned. And don't forget to tell me your opinions regarding the chapter.