"Chai?" Massi offered Azlaan Bhai, Rehan, and I as we awkwardly sat across from Masard and Tejo.
"Nahi, shukariya." (No, thank you) Bhai said breathing out heavily, Massi smiled awkwardly at him and sat down beside Masard.
"Kaam kya karte ho?" (What do you do for work?) Masard asked Bhai roughly,
"Rehan ke company mein kaam karta hoon." (I work for Rehan's company) He replied, "I am the COO." That's impressive, hopefully it seems impressive to Masard.
"Papa," Tejo cut in, "I already told you all this-"
"I am speaking to him," He snapped at her, "Azlaan do you have a problem?" Tejo shrunk back as Azlaan Bhai clenched his jaw. obviously not liking the way Masard just spoke to her.
"No Sir," He said,
"Randeep." Massi sighed as she offered him a smile, "Where is Jiya's mother?" That was a touchy subject.
Tejo's breath hitched but kept quiet. "She left after giving birth to Jiya because she didn't want to be a mother. Abortion would have been to risky for her." That was the short story of a long painful period of Bhai's life. "She handed Jiya to me, and walked off. I have been a single father, giving her the most of my love and attention."
Masard sighed, "Where does our daughter fit in your life?" And there is a million-dollar question, "With work, with your family life, where is my daughter Azlaan?"
"In the center of it." Azlaan Bhai said, "Jiya is the one who has been holding everything together for me in the past couple of months Sir. After Fatima left, I never thought I would fall in love with someone else, but your daughter Sir." Bhai looked over at Tejo, "She is my saving grace, someone who lights up my world, my daughter's world, I promise you if you give me a chance, I will always love and cherish her. I just need a chance."
Massi's eyes glazed over at his words, "You have my blessing," She whispered, "I do not think I need to hear more. Randeep?"
"You have a chance." He said firmly standing up, "But if we get one phone call from Nehmat crying, that chance is over."
"Understood, Sir."
He curtly nodded, as Tejo's eyes filled with tears obviously not expecting him to give in so easily, "Papa," Tejo called out softly, as Masard turned his back to her. "Thank you for not making me choose."
He turned around, "I do love you Nehmat, I know you do not think so but I do." Tejo stood up and hugged him, "As long as you are happy, I am willing to let you be with him."
"I am happy Papa."
"Then that is all I need."
Rehan reached over and held my hand gently, rubbing his thumb on the top of my hand comfortingly to which I leaned against him. a little. I love happy endings, and Tejo got her's sooner than I had expected. "I love you," Rehan whispered,
"I love you too." I whispered back
"So when do we get to meet Jiya?" Massi asked excitedly,
Bhai and Tejo chuckled, and we all fell into a new atmosphere of comfort and love, the complete opposite of how we felt an hour ago. We both have unconventional love stories, but in the end all worked out, and that is all that matters.
. . .
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