ISHQ, EK IBADAT | (Completed)

Episode - 24

As soon as Ayesha left, the news spread like wildfire within the household. Nawazuddin was overjoyed upon hearing Elhaan's words. Ayaan, Rohail, Ramsha, and Laiba were all present. Zoya was in her room, still reeling from the shock, while Faiza too was in her room, worried about what to do next.

"How dare Ayesha!" Nawazuddin exclaimed. "She came to our house and has the audacity to speak ill of our own child. What kind of people are these?"

Azka chimed in, "We can't silence the world, Mamu jaan (Uncle)."

Shahbaz added, "But that doesn't mean we should let people say whatever they want. Faiza did the right thing by standing up to her. I'm very proud of my wife today."

Shahnawaz agreed, "Absolutely! People like them don't deserve our respect. Bhabhi (Sister-in-law) did the right thing. She deserved that slap."

Falak mentioned, "Amreen was deeply upset. I can only imagine how hurtful it must have been for her. Such ill-mannered people!"

Nawazuddin prayed, "May Allah grant our child a bright future. Ameen."

The others echoed in unison, "Ameen. Summa Ameen."

Nawazuddin expressed his feelings with pride, "Today my grandson proved that the people of our house are prepared for every situation. I am feeling very proud. Whatever he said today made me very happy. He finally wants to get married."

Azka spoke, her brow furrowed in concern. "Elhaan shouldn't have said all that."

Nawazuddin's face lit up with pride. "He didn't say anything wrong. We're proud that our grandson stood up to her."

Shahbaz nodded in agreement. "Absolutely! And to be honest, we don't have any objections to this relationship either."

Azka's expression turned resolute. "But this can't happen."

Nayab's eyes sparkled with defiance. "Why not? Don't think like the rest of the world, Azka aapi (sister)."

Azka's voice rose. "No! But we can't take away our daughter Zoya's right. Even tho Elhaan stood up for my daughter, he shouldn't have said that. He should be concerned about Zoya's feelings too."

Falak's gentle tone soothed the air. "No one's doing anything wrong with Zoya's rights, aapi (sister). Don't you know? He already had cleared his thoughts and feelings towards my daughter."

Azka's words tumbled out in distress. "But Zoya and Elhaan's matter is still being discussed. And I can't pretend to unseen Zoya's feelings. In this case, they...how can we let this happen?"

Nawazuddin's calm demeanor steadied the conversation. "Azka, let's not overthink this. Allah knows what's best for us. He's the best planner. If Elhaan has said those words, it means he's sure about it. Otherwise, he's not the type of person who'll make decisions without thinking."

Azka's voice cracked. "I hope so, Mamu jaan (Uncle). I just want what's best for Zoya. For me, Zoya is as precious as Amreen."

Shahbaz's reassuring words wrapped around the family. "We all do, Azka. Let's trust Allah's plan."

Shahnawaz's voice was laced with a gentle urgency as he addressed Azka, "Aapi (sister), please understand, those are all old issues. It was all Faiza bhabhi's (sister-in-law's) stubbornness. We've always known that Elhaan only considers Zoya as his sister, and we can't force our children. Elhaan is like our son, no, he is our son, and as a father, I won't force one child for the sake of another."

He paused, his eyes filled with conviction. "Elhaan and Zoya's matter never even began. Elhaan never even thought of Zoya in that way. So, please be assured on our behalf. You're not doing anything wrong with anyone."