Tale Of Two Sisters

The Discussion

Mirza's Study

"Explain now Begum" growled Anwar in a extremely calm voice.

Every Mirza person was seated in the study. Anwar behind his grand mahogany desk and Zeenath, right in front of him.

Zoya was in a corner silently lost in thoughts with bloodshot eyes and Zara speechless over what was to come by.

"Yes, I did ask them to come home. Because we have their word, we need to marry off our first daughter to the Maliks', it is what it is Anwar" said a teary yet firm Zeenath.

"Sorry Ammi, I think I heard you wrong, first daughter? Exactly from when had you started considering Zoya as your first beti? As long I remember, you never were a mother to her, were you?" Stated Zubair, he just couldn't let his emotions stand by. His heart ached for Zoya and all that she had to go through.

"Ammi, this isn't you. You have a bigger and purer heart, please think again" pleaded Faiza.

"Ammi, forget this marriage, forget this promise for a few minutes. Think about Zoya as a woman, a woman who deserves a good life, who has dreams to accomplish, and this what we do to her?" Asked a concerned Zara.

"What if Zara were our first daughter Zeenath? Would you have done the same?" Asked Anwar.

"Like I've said before, it isn't the other way around, so I believe that there is no point in thinking of the possibility. Call me selfish, but if this was bound to happen, then so be it." Said Zeenath.

Every Mirza present in the study were stunned by this cold hearted Zeenath. It all felt like a nightmare to them. A deafening silence prevailed for a long time.

"Why Ammi?" Asked a broken Zoya.

All eyes were turned towards Zoya. She looked a little more pale, and vulnerability written all her face.

"Call it a fair deal Zoya. We all know what I had to go through. No one is innocent here. Years and years together, I was reminded of the betrayal by my best friend, a woman I considered as a sister. Everytime I look at you, I'm reminded of her and what she did. You remind me of what I could never get from my husband but your mother got it all to herself." Zeenath's cold eyes turned towards Anwar

A pause later she continued to Zoya

"If you ever want me to forgive you and your dead mother, the deal is right in front of you." said Zeenath.

Gasps were heard from all over the study.

"I had and I still do apologize to you, ever single day Zeenath, and this is what you say?" Muttered Anwar in a broken voice.

The man of steel was now nearly in tears and that shocked the whole family.

"I can forgive you Anwar, if you do keep up the word to the Maliks'..." trailed Zeenath.

"Are you trying to use this situation to your advantage Begum?" Asked Anwar like a wounded lion as he now stood inches away from Zeenath.

"If that's what it takes, then so be it" said a Zeenath in a steel voice.

"Zeenath.." Shouted Anwar as he raised his hand to slap her

"Abbu..." shrieked Zoya and Zara, stopping Anwar from doing what he shall regret later for his entire life. Zoya ran near his and held his arm which was hanging mid air.

"I'll do it. If this is what it takes for Ammi to forgive my Ammi, then I'll do it. I'll marry Ahaan. Please Abbu, don'tdo this.." Said a desperate Zoya.

The last thing Zoya wanted was for her to bring problems like these between her Abbu and her Zeenath Ammi.

Zeenath who's eyes were red with shock and tears who still gazed at Anwar.

"She has agreed Anwar, I have her word. We have her word. It is an ultimatum. You or I cannot change it now"

With that, Zeenath left left the study followed a little while later by Zubair and Faiza.

Zara came near Zoya who was now seated on the floor weeping and Anwar who sat stunned not believing what had just occurred.

He placed his hand on Zoya's head and caressed her hair

"I'm sorry Zoya, I've failed you" he said with tears

"Don't say that Abbu, please don't make me feel more guilty" pleaded Zoya

"Let's go Zoya, let me take you to your room" stated Zara and dragged Zoya out of the study to her room

Once inside, Zara offered her water, which Zoya drank thankfully. Zara tucked her to bed and went off to have a talk with her mother.

Once Zara left, Zoya rolled over to her left and opened her chest draw. There lay an old diary kept safely.

Zoya knew almost every word inscribed in it by heart and yet it felt new when ever she read them.

She quickly turned to the last page which said

"I really hope that some day, you shall forgive me Zeenath. Me, Anwar and my child and love, like it's your own
                                         ~Zainab"

"Maybe that day ain't far Ammi, where Zeenath Ammi shall forgive, both me and you, Insha'Allah" muttered Zoya before exhaustion took over her.

Clutching her mother's dairy she slept like it was her last peaceful sleep ever in her life.

A few moments, the door to her room slowly opened and inside came a teary Zeenath. For the first time ever, she sat near a sleeping Zoya and combed thorough her silk locks.

"I'm really sorry child, I am really sorry.." she cried silently. She gently pulled out the diary, kept it secure back in the chest and got up.

Seamlessly she walked to the door and one more glance at Zoya, Zeenath left to make preparations to further.

But what they didn't know that no preparation could stop the storm that was bound to come by...

/End of Chapter 6/

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