The Sins of the Father ...An Asya Story

Part 5

What is Asad hiding?

Zoya was so sure something was not right? As they sat back in the taxi to return home Zoya thought back to Ajmer, Zoya had her iPad opened and was researching arsenic poisons and the way it can be administered to a person. Zoya's mind was all over the place she thought of everything she had found out so far about ammi and that indeed her life was in danger and then she thought of Asad. Asad had followed her there after everything that had happened. Zoya remembered she was sitting in the dargah and she felt someone's eyes on her, she looked across the room and there sat Asad his eyes mirroring every emotion she was feeling. She saw the pain she was feeling in his eyes. Zoya remembered all the memories they made there they were happy. She was even ready to return home with him and then he was gone. All had he had left was a letter – wishing he all the best. Dilshaad touched Zoya's hand and Zoya came out her trip down memory lane. Zoya held Dilshaad's hand. How much did you have to go through ammi, if only Mr Khan hadn't had left in Ajmer - things would have been different. Arsenic, Zoya had no doubt in her head who was responsible for ammi's state. She just needed proof. She had learnt her lesson alright, she would not disclose anything without proof. The taxi stopped in front of their gate. At that very moment Asad drove in. At first he was upset to see his mother out of bed. But then when he looked at the smile on her face and the fact that she was trying to walk, all his anger disappeared. He looked at Zoya, only Zoya could do this. He rushed over to help them. Najma remembered they forgot the meds in the taxi and went back to get them. Asad and Zoya was now holding Dilshaad up, Asad held onto Zoya's hand that was on Dilshaad's back and smiled a little. Zoya could see the love in his eyes. Zoya and Asad were so lost in each other's eyes, that they didn't know when they reached the front door. Najma was already at the door with the meds in her hand. She rang the door bell and this broke Asad's and Zoya's concentration. Tanveer opened the door and was shocked to see Dilshaad standing a little on her own. Dilshaad looked at Tanveer with such anger, Asad noticed this and in the corner of his eye saw Najma quickly hide the meds. What is going on here? What is Zoya hiding thought Asad.

Tanveer saw Asad and knew she had to act quickly, she quickly went to move Zoya and help Dilshaad. Asad felt Dilshaad grip their hands tight. Why didn't ammi want Tanveer to near here. What am I missing. Asad, Zoya and Najma settled Dilshaad into bed. Tanveer entered the room with a tray of food for Dilshaad. EUREKA screamed Zoya's brain, just as Zoya was about to take the tray from Tanveer, Dilshaad hit the tray from her hand spilling all the food. Asad and Najma was shocked, their mother never behaved like this is past. Zoya held Dilshaad's shoulder and settled her back into bed. "Ammi, don't worry from now I will the only one taking care of you, so that includes your food" smiled Zoya. Zoya looked at Tanveer "Thank you Tanveer, for taking care of MY family, but please from now on, don't stress yourself. You are guest in my home I would not want you to be inconvenienced. " Said Zoya too sweetly. For maybe the first time Asad ignored the words the being said and observed Zoya and Tanveer's expression. Does Zoya still blame Tanveer for everything that happened that night? Thought Asad or is there something else. Asad looked at his mother's face smiling at Zoya. Ammi knows something, have I truly been so blind that I can't see what is happening right under my nose. Tanveer stomped out of the room. "I am ordering pizza" announced Zoya. Asad rubbed his forehead. God he missed her. "Pizza Miss Farooqi, Sorry Zoya is not healthy especially for ammi with her meds" said Asad. Zoya looked at him like he had grown two heads. She came and stood in front of him "Mr Khan, I will let you know that pizza is one of the healthiest food interventions out there. It was all the basic food groups in on slice. Yes granted, 1 slice is never enough but it has everything" Asad smiled, "And all that greasy cheese on it" asked Asad. Zoya thought for 2 seconds "Well Mr Khan, if you only have all the good things how is that balanced, you have to have some bad in it as well" explained Zoya. Dilshaad who was loving having her old Asad and Zoya back actually started laughing out loud. Asad and Zoya stopped their bickering and looked at Dilshaad in awe. They rushed to her side and Dilshaad caressed their face and placed a kiss on each of their foreheads. Zoya watched Asad's silently conversation with his mother. Who was she kidding, she irrevocably, crazily still in love with him. Asad wiped his mother's tears and turned to Zoya. "Thank you" he whispered and left the room. Zoya still could not understand his bipolar behaviour. But one thing she was more show of now – he was hiding something. Zoya and Najma began helping Dilshaad shower and get ready for supper and bed. Tanveer was seething with anger. With Aakeer in her hands, she walked into Asad's room without knocking "Yes, 2 x large Chicken tikka pizzas and 4 cans of diet coke. Yes thank you for delivery" Asad finished his call just as her finished unbutton his shirt. He turned around and there stood Tanveer. "Tannu, can you not knock before you enter" Shouted Asad "have you no manners". Tanveer was shocked. Aakeer started crying loudly. Tanveer was too shocked to move, Asad just shouted her. After all this time and everything she did he never raised his voice to her. How dare he? She composed herself before things gets any worse. "I am sorry Jammy, I wanted to speak to you about what's going on. Zoya is doing something to khala. Khala never behaved like this before with me" said Tanveer sadly. At that point Zoya came down to order the pizza. When she saw Tanveer at Asad's door. Asad was no getting annoyed with Tanveer "Tannu, you are more worried about yourself, did you not see since Zoya is here how much ammi has improved are you that selfish" asked Asad loudly. Finally thought Zoya. At Asad's loud voice Aakeer started to cry loudly. Tanveer could not keep him quiet, aww my son she thought its time mummy played your card. "I am sorry Jammy, it's just that I am not thinking straight. Anyway, Aakeer wanted to see his abbu" she said sweetly looking at Aakeer. Asad was beyond furious now. Tanveer continued, "Since Zoya is back you don't give Aakeer any attention and Aakeer misses his abbu" "I am not his abbu" shouted Asad. Aakeer cried even loudly now. Zoya could not stand to see the baby cry. She quickly went a removed a crying Aakeer from his shocked mothers arm's. "Aww, sorry baby, these silly grownups shouting too much, it's hurting your ears lets go away from here " cooed Zoya to Aakeer, Aakeers sobs slowly subsided. Zoya continued "you mum is deluded baby boy, she thinks by giving you Mr Khan' s initials that would make you his and hers. No baby boy, Mr Khan loves you alot, but you have an abbu out there whose genes you share" Said Zoya talking to Aakeer but looking at Tanveer. Asad did not miss that stare down. He walked over to Zoya holding Aakeer. Zoya's back was flat against his chest which was exposed. Zoya could feel the heat between them. Asad over her shoulder touched Aakeer and "sorry Aakeer miya, I didn't mean to shout" Aakeer quickly forgave and clutched onto his finger. "Baby boy, you should be so lucky, Jahapanah never says sorry so quickly, that's means he loves you alot and when he loves someone he is by their side always. And no matter what happens you will always have him" Zoya kissed Aakeer's forehead. She looked at a stunned Tanveer and smiled. Zoya now knows everything thought Tanveer. Damn!! She will have to think of a new plan quick. Tanveer looked up to see Asad and Zoya playing with Aakeer, he own son betrayed her. She would never let that picture turn into a reality. Asad and Zoya so lost in Aakeer didn't even notice Tanveer slink away.

The door bell snapped Asad and Zoya out of their little world. They blushed at their positions. Zoya giggled. "Come baby boy, let's go see who that is whilst Mr Khan becomes decent again". Asad smiled and watched her leave. They could have had it all. Asad went to shower and began thinking of all the events of since Zoya has come back. Zoya was hiding something. Meanwhile, Zoya opened the door and there stood the pizza delivery guy. She had forgotten all about ordering the pizza. Allah Miya thank you she thought. Zoya juggled with Aakeer and took the box. "How much" she asked. "No man, Mr Khan has an account with us. He is a very regular customer, he orders pizza at least once a week" cheerfully explained the delivery boy. Zoya was stunned, Mr Khan and pizza. But he hated pizza. Zoya carried the pizza and Aakeer up to Dilshaad's room. She opened the door and Dilshaad smiled. Zoya looked even more beautiful with Aakeer in her arms. "Look you decided to join us for dinner today ammi" said Zoya. Zoya was truly an angel thought Dilshaad despite whatever Tanveer did – she didn't take it out on the child. Zoya made Aakeer sit up against the pillows next to Dilshaad. Dilshaad wanted to eat by herself. And she was slowly doing just that when Asad walked in. Najma was behind Asad with Aakeer's baby food. "I asked bhai-jaaan to join us so this time he doesn't have to hide and eat pizza in his room" giggled Najma handing Zoya he bowl. Zoya placed a slice of pizza on a plate and handed it to Asad with a paper napkin. "Okay baby Boy, din din time" Cooed Zoya. "Miss Farooqi..Zoya, he has a name baby boy makes him sound like a Beyonce song title" said Asad. Zoya and Najma was shocked. Asad mentioned Beyonce. They both burst out laughing. Dilshaad giggled a little, Asad couldn't help but grin as well. Zoya began feeding Aakeer like she was a natural. Asad smiled, even Aakeer had fallen under her spell. Najma saw the look in her bhai-jaan's eyes "Zoya, you know Aakeer never eats to quietly from anyone except ammi. Not even Tanveer he is always crying with her" not missing a beat and still smiling and coo-ing with Aakeer Zoya said "That's cos children can sense evil" not knowing she said that out aloud. She looked around cos everyone was silent. "What" asked Zoya. Najma laughed some more. Asad looked around the room. This is how he always wanted his family together and laughing. Asad sat back and watched his family with pride.

Once dinner was over and meds were taken good nights said. Aakeer was now asleep. Zoya was looking for Tanveer but she was nowhere in the house. She went into her room and looked. Zoya thought she couldn't leave Aakeer alone. Maybe he should just sleep by her till Tanveer came back. Zoya walked to closet to get a blanket for Aakeer when she noticed a file. Curiosity got the better of Zoya and she opened the file. It was property papers, transferring the house and ammi's shares to Tanveer. Zoya was shocked to move. She finally found out why ammi was being poisoned. Zoya turned on her detective mode. She quickly searched the room for the arsenic. She looked all over but did not find it. Zoya saw Aakeer's med's basket no way would Tanveer keep it there, but still something irked Zoya and she went through it. And just like god was showing her the way she found the bottle of arsenic. Thank you Allah Miya, this is all the proof she needed. Zoya picked up Aakeer, the file and bottle of Arsenic and rushed out the room. Zoya went to her room and settled Aakeer in bed kissed him on his forehead, no baby boy I will not let anything happen to you she said silently and went to find Mr Khan.

She opened Asad's door and braced herself for a scolding but she was greeted to an empty room. She walked in and looked out the window and there was Asad in the garden on the phone. Zoya hurried to him. She stopped dead in her tracks when she heard "no, I swear I didn't bring Zoya back. I followed all your instructions. I had nothing to do with her return. You asked me to stay from her to protect her and my siblings and I have." Zoya was shocked she looked up at Asad now who was visibly furious from whatever the other person had said "Listen, I have played enough of your games I hurt my family, I have had enough of your nonsense – do whatever you have to do. But I swear if anyone in my family gets hurt I will haunt you down" roared Asad and flung his phone across the yard. Asad turned and saw Zoya standing there pale as a ghost. Zoya composed herself and walked across to where he flung his phone she picked it up walked back to him and handed it to him. She looked at Asad directly in his eyes and said "We need to talk..."