The Inevitable Fate

CHAPTER 27 Battle for Love

"Where is my Hoopla!?" shouted Shadid, early in the morning, standing right in front of the empty cage. All the members in the house rushed towards him "My Hoopla, it was here at night, where is it now?" Alia came down, rubbing her eyes. "The Hoopla is gone baaji" whispered Zoya in her ears. 'Where is Ahaan bhai' thought Alia, the first one to notice his absence. Everyone was present except him. "Go search for it in the backyard... Kuwair, check the porch... everybody go... search" shouted Shadid, who was tensed a lot, Alia ignored his word and ran upstairs, escaping everyone's sight.

The day was cool and the whether was calm, but Shadid ran around the house like a growling tornado. Alia was not at all surprised to find Ahaan in the terrace "Bhai, what are you doing here? Phuppa lost the... HOOPLA" she screeched in surprise when she saw the bird with him.

"The hoopla is with you!?" "That's what I have planned Alia. Hope it goes well" said Ahaan. Alia was shocked to see Ahaan take such a big step. "Your father is going nuts down there" said Alia "Go and return it." "I will. Let the storm calm down" he said. "I don't think it will, unless you make a move" "My move?" Ahaan smirked. He opened up the plan to Alia and she agreed to help.

Ahaan waited upstairs while Alia went down to update him with the situation. 'Bhai... you were right... they all searched everywhere except the terrace... how foolish. Now they all are tired... it's the perfect time. Unveil your plan' texted Alia to update Ahaan after 3 hours.

In a few minutes, the whole family had settled in the living room, all were exhausted. Anisa, Sumaira and Nida served them beverages.

It was 9.00 am. Ahaan came down, with the small blue bird in his hand, as he entered, he heard his father cry "It's not even been a day, but that bird... Hoopla... I was attached to her so much but now..." "Here is your Hoopla" said Ahaan holding the bird in his hands. "My Hoopla!" said Shadid and flung towards Ahaan to take his bird. He kissed her lightly before caging her again.

"I was soo scared!" said Shadid to the bird "I thought I'd lose you, my love" "...and what about my lost love?" asked Ahaan. All the happiness of finding the bird was flushed in a second with his question. All looked at him in silence. He said "It's not even been 24 hours abu and it is already your love but what about my 8 years old Love?" "That foolishness is not called love" snapped Shadid.

From nowhere, Naef said "Enough Shadid, enough! He is your son after all. How can you not trust him?" "Naef, you have no idea..." said Shadid. "...I know everything and I don't believe that you can not trust your own son!" said Naef. Niyaaz added "Bhaijaan, sorry to interrupt, but Ahaan is mature enough to know what he wants" Alia looked up at Ahaan. His eyes were filled with hope.

Ashima said "...but that girl..." "Stop it Ashima" interrupted Naef "Ahaan knows her since a long time and meeting the same person after soo many years, it's a game of fate." Shadid "So you all are on his side now." Subhaan said "It's not like that bhaijaan, but considering his thought is important as well. After all it is him who is going to live with her." By this time, the most sorted man of the house was confused in agony. 'Naef phuppa will not leave one chance to pull Shadid phuppa down' thought Alia.

Naef said "What are you thinking Shadid, if not Ahaan, then at least trust your upbringing. 'Bang On' thought Alia. Ahaan was satisfied when he saw Alia smile. He knew that her plan was now working. After thinking for few minutes, rather than Shadid, Nisha spoke "Listen, Shadid ji... we must give him one chance... just think about it" Shadid took few more minutes and finally sternly said "Okay, we'll visit that girl's place..." all were happy and were yelling "But Ahaan... you will not come along" Shadid completed. Rahila, Niyaaz, Ashima and Naef wanted to go with Shadid and Nisha. "If you want, you can also go" said Naeema to her husband and Subhaan agreed.

Ahaan was happy. He soon disappeared to the terrace. "My family has agreed" he said on the call to Mr. Farook. He soon got the address. Sera and her family had shifted to Jagerfort. "Bhai!" said Alia "Congratulations! The first hurdle is crossed" she said offering him a chocolate. He ate it with a frown. "Bhai, everything will be good" she said. "How, Alia? These people will have to apologize to them, and if they don't pay them respect, then this alliance... Aliza... My Aliza..." Something sounded strange to Alia again. "Bhai... bhai..." she interrupted "Naef phuppa is going along with them. Don't worry, he's the only person who can go against your father and tackle him down" she said.

After consoling Ahaan, both of them walked down to have their breakfast. The seven people were ready to leave for Jagerfort.

Soon after lunch, Ahaan sat with the other cousins, who were now enquiring about his meet with Aliza. Alia was not a part of this conversation. She sat alone in Zeeshaan's room, scrolling down her instagram feed, when suddenly a message popped up "Hey! Hope you get to a conclusion soon. After all it's about OUR future. This will be the last time, if you won't come, I'll leave your life forever. Tomorrow at 5 in Zee's dad's farm, Nesh"

Alia was least interested in this topic now, the more she thought about it, the more it killed her from inside. All of a sudden Ahaan came into the room while a tear drop fell on the ground. "Alia!?" he was shocked as she wiped her face. "Yes bhai" she said with a smile. "What were you doing?" he asked firmly. "I... insta...." She fumbled, but by this time, Ahaan had read Nesh's name on her phone. He snatched it immediately "Bhai no..." she yelled and tried to snatch back the phone but he had read the message.

After a minute, he said "This is what you always wanted right! I knew something was bothering you since a long time. I did not ask you then but now... I want to know. What is happening Alia?" he said as he sat beside her and held her hand. This care and affection was enough for Alia to pour her heart out. Her tears were like fountain, unstoppable.

"He proposed me. He says about marriage bhai, how can I introduce him to dad. He will never accept this and I will not hurt dad, no matter what. I declined his proposal. He knows I still love him so he is still trying hard but... I... I don't know..." "Oh Alia, you are going through soo much and you did not even care to talk about it to me once?" said Ahaan, holding her tight. "You were already busy solving your problems. How could I..." "Yet you stood by my side. All this while you constantly supported me in spite of all your problems"

"I won't get my love, so I want at least you to win this battle for love" she said "For you, Aliza bhabhi will always be my first choice. So..." "Alia... you are... dumb" he said as he hugged her again. He was speechless. 'You will get your love. I promise' he thought.

Ahaan walked up to Zeeshaan "Call Nesh!" he ordered. Zeeshaan immediately did so and Ahaan had a long conversation with Nesh. It was evening, people had returned from Jagerfort. No one said anything, they entered with tired faces. Ahaan came downstairs, full of hope, expecting to receive good news but no one said anything. Shadid and Nisha went to their room, so Ahaan went back to his room, upset. "What happened there?" asked Naeema. "They said they will think. They may come tomorrow if they feel that Ahaan and his family is eligible for this alliance" said Naef in the living room. '50% work is done' thought Alia.

Meanwhile, in Nisha's room, "What are you thinking Shadid ji?" Nisha asked. "Nisha... I feel guilty... for calling an angel, sinister all this while. I did a big mistake" "I am happy with this alliance. She's a nice girl." said Nisha. Shadid said "...but with what face will I... Ahaan..." "...he's your son. He won't ask for any explanation" said Nisha. "I really want this alliance to happen" he said and Nisha smiled.

In the evening, all the cousins were upstairs. Alia and Sharaya were serving snacks and tea to the adults in the living room downstairs when Shadid picked up his phone and dialed a number. "Assalamualaikum Mr. Farook, I hope you are coming here with your family tomorrow" "We need some more time to think Mr. Ali" said the person from the other side. "Okay, i hoping to hear a good news from you Mr. Farook Inshaallah" said Shadid and hung up.

Ahaan had stepped into the room and was overwhelmed to hear what his father had just said. He ran to his father, no words came out, with tears in his eyes, he hugged his father. Shadid was satisfied. Nisha was smiling, the whole family was happy to see this gesture. "They will agree inshaallah" said Shadid.

That night was full of anxiety for Ahaan. He had no idea what the fate had planned for him. He soon fell asleep. On the other hand, Alia had mixed emotions. She was happy with whatever she did for Ahaan but she was sad that she wasn't able to help herself out.