Hey!!

Last chapter was super sketchy but you guys still liked it 😩😩😩 jhappiyaan coming your way cuz pappiyaan are kinda gross 🤔😂

Listen to Zindagi song from Samay For the first part of this chapter.

Happy Reading!!

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Zindagi Yeh Pal, Yeh Pal zindgi
Har Khushi Yeh Pal, Yeh Pal Har Khushi
Honth Tere Khile To Lage Muskurati Hoon Main
Teri Har Saans Main Lage Jeeye Jaati Hoon Main.......

"Duaa!" I yelled on top of the soft music that was coming from behind her closed doors. After Spreading butter on the bread, I pressed it on the sandwich that I had just made for Duaa and trimmed the sides of bread. 

Zindagi Yeh Pal, Yeh Pal Zindgi
Har Khushi Yeh Pal, Yeh Pal Har Khushi......

The lyrics slowly filled the air around me, making me smile. It's a song from a mother to a daughter but it still can not explain my love towards my angel. How much her smile makes my day and how much her presence strives me to live.

Pyar Itna Ke Mera Dil Sah Nahi Paaye........

I packed her lunch box and then headed towards her room to wake her up. As soon as I entered, I saw her covering her face with her blanket, pretending to be asleep, and I shook my head.

Pyar Itna Ke Mera Dil Sah Nahi Paaye
Door Tujhse Ek Pal Bhi Rah Nahi Paaye
Keh Na Paye Aakhen Meri Khwaab Kitne Haseen.......

Moving towards the window, I opened the curtains, welcoming the morning sun inside her room. Bright light fell on her walls that were covered with the drawings she made.

"Mumma Ko pata hai koi chup chup Kar Hans raha hai," I spoke, more to myself, as I approached her bed. Her tiny body moved under the blanket, telling me that she was giggling already.

Zindagi Yeh Pal, Yeh Pal Zindgi
Har Khushi Yeh Pal, Yeh Pal Har Khushi.......

She kept her head under the cover while I slowly lied beside her and cuddled with her. "Shayad yeh song jaadoo Se play ho Gaya, Duaa Toh yahan hai hi Nahi," I sighed on purpose when she didn't respond.

Dil Yeh Chahe Aaj Ka Din Khatam Na Ho Kabhi......

"Isse band Kar Ke so jaate hein," I faked a yawn and pressed the pause button on her ipad to stop the music.

Ho Dil Yeh Chahe Aaj—

"Mumma!" A loud scream tortured my ears as soon as soon as I paused the song. Duaa threw the blanket away and glared at me through her sleepy eyes.

"Duaaaa!" I copied her tone.

"Band kyun kiya?" she huffed and I shrugged. "Ek hi song baar baar kaun sunta hai? Chalo, get up."

She shook her head and pulled her blanket up to her shoulders. "Pehle favourite wali line sunao!"

I smiled at her demand. "Teri Aankhon Mein Chhalakte Ashk Na Ho Kabhi. Jashn Na Ho Aur Koi Jashn Teri Hansee."

"Ab hans do!" She started giggling before I had even touched her, and I laughed along with her until my phone started ringing in my room.

"Papa ka phone!" She screamed in joy and I got up from her bed, blocking her way. "First go take a shower."

"But mumma—"

"Now Duaa!" I ordered her again and she walked inside the washroom without any arguments. I sighed.

"How are you doing, Zaalim aurat?" A voice asked as soon as I answered the call.

"Excuse me?" I scoffed, "Itne meherbaan kyun hein aaj, batayenge zara?"

"Subha uth-te hi Duaa yaad aa jaati hai, Sone se pehle uski yaad aati hai. Alishba kab se pooch rahi hai Duaa ke paas kab chalenge," Adnaan complained from the other end, "ab naraaz Nahi hoon Toh Kya karoon?"

"Zara Alishba se poocho, meri yaad nahi aati?" I asked and earned a reply in the sweetest voice possible. "Bohot zada aati hai!"

"Duaa is also missing you guys, yaar," I told Adnaan as I headed out of my room.

"I told you to wait until I wrap up my work, we could have visited together," He said and I shook my head at no one in particular.

"Saat saal Se khud Se chup rahi hoon, sabse chup rahi hoon. Phir Ek Aur bahana bana kar, main Aur intezaar nahi karna chahti thi, Adnaan," I rapidly blinked my eyes as memories of the past pooled up inside my eyes. How I went through every thing alone for the two people I love the most; my daughter and my husband. Every second Of those seven years..

"Duaa misses her father, Adnaan," I gulped the dry, sore lump in my throat, "Aur main ek masoom Ko apne baap Se aur door Nahi rakh sakti. Mujhe haq Nahi hai."

"Aur agar Waqas sab kuch chorh Kar aage bhad Gaya ho Toh?" Adnaan asked, making me sigh, "what if he has a family? It won't be fair on them that his past will knock on his doors after years."

"And it's not fair that my daughter doesn't even get to meet her own father," I told him, "Mera Aur Waqas Ka rishta ek taraf, Duaa Ki apne baap Ke liye Mohabbat ek taraf. Bas ek baar Duaa Ki Waqas Se Milne Ki zidd poori ho jaaye, main usse wapas Le aaungi."

"Aur usne tumhaari jagah Waqas Ko Chun liya Toh?" His question painfully twisted my guts as a tear slipped out of my eye. A question I ask myself everyday.

"Woh Meri Beti hai, Woh Mujhe chorh Kar kyun jaayegi?"

"Main aa gayi!" My phone slipped from my hand as soon as I heard Duaa's cheerful voice. I clumsily saved it from falling down and ended the call before turning to look at her.

"Papa ne phone kaat diya? Mujhe baat karni thi, Mumma!" She complained, folding her arms in front of her chest and huffed. I quickly wiped the corners of my eyes and smiled at her.

"Papa Bohot Saara kaam Kar rahe Hein Duaa," I told her as I walked towards her and knelt down in front of her, "thore Se busy Hein. Jab aap miloge unse Toh saari baatien Kar Lena."

"Aapse baat karne Ka time hai, mujhse Nahi! He hates me!" She stomped her foot on the ground, disappointed. I sighed, regretting the lies, that I had been feeding her all her life, about her father.

"Papa loves Duaa, kyuki Duaa Ko koi hate Nahi Kar sakta, hain na?" I spoke softly, when she pouted, upset. Her eyes moistened a little but I almost chuckled, seeing her narrowed eyebrows that reminded me of Waqas'.

"Sone Ki chiriya, Mama Ki gudiyaa," a small smile made its way to her lips as soon as I spoke, "Baatien uski meethi si, papa jaisi aakhein."

Tugging on to her elbow, I pulled her closer and pecked on her forehead. "Pankh jaise morni, sabke dil Ki chorni. Batao woh kaun hai?"

(AN: sorry for the Bakwas lines. Kuch samjh hi Nahi aaya /.\ )

"Woh main hoon!" A grin appeared on her lips as she spoke proudly and gave me a tight hug. I hugged her back, pecking her shoulder.

"We are getting late," I reminded her after a while and pulled away. After fixing her hair, I made her sit and eat breakfast while I collected our bags and lunch boxes. Grabbing the car keys, off we went for the day.

Throughout the car ride, I kept glancing at her while she played some hair salon game on my phone. Her innocent face reminds me of her father every time. The fact that she got all her features from him, scares me. What if they form a stronger connection too? What if she likes him more than me? What if she choose to stay behind?

"Duaa," I called her name to grab her attention. She smiled at me.

"Agar papa yahan rehte Hein Aur mama Wapis chali jaayegi, Toh Duaa kiske paas rahegi?" I asked her out of curiosity but regretted it instantly when a frown appeared on her forehead. I shouldn't involve her in this.

"Acha choro, aap Mujhe batao, aapne kitne saare friends banaye?" I smiled at her, faking enthusiasm in my voice as much as I could, just to change the topic. But her frowned deepened.

"Mujhe dono chahiye," she mumbled and something tugged my heart. Par tumhaare papa Ko tumhaari mama Nahi chahiye, beta.

Thankfully we reached her school just on time and I parked the car outside the main drop off area. She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned closer to kiss my cheek while I did the same.

"Be a good girl and no shararat!" I told her and she grinned at me.

"Aap thora sa late aana, Mujhe unn uncle Se milna hai!"

I frowned her, confused. "Kaun Uncle? You know it's dangerous to talk to strangers. I have told you not to, right?"

"Mumma Aapko Pata hai Woh papa jaise dikhte Hein!" She widened her eyes slightly, "par mere papa Ko Toh Mera naam Pata hai na? Unhein Nahi Pata tha! Woh acche Hein. Please baat Kar loon?"

Papa, papa, har waqt papa!

"Aap Kisi bhi uncle Se baat Nahi karoge. Aap papa Se bhi baat Nahi karoge jab Tak mumma Nahi kahe! Samajh main aayi baat?" I yelled at her, annoyed. She blinked at me nervously and I sighed.

"Duaa—" without listening to me, she ran out of the car, leaving me behind, extremely uncomfortable and restless. I punched the steering wheel, helplessly, and ran a hand through my hair, messing them up.

Waqas Ka yahan school main Kya kaam?

Duaa ne Waqas Ko sirf tasveero main dekha hai, uski aankho Ka dhokha bhi Toh ho sakta hai!

MALVIKA's POV

I sipped on my orange juice, flipping through some random magazine while Aisha was fixing a sweater she had knit out of boredom.

"Main bhi try karoon?" I asked out of curiosity. She looked up at me but her hands didn't stop moving, like she was programmed to knit beautiful baby clothes.

"Kya?" She frowned and I pointed at the sweater in her hand. "Saara din Ghar main bore ho jaati hoon, kuch karne Ko Nahi hota."

"If you want, I can get you some supplies," she smiled and then moved closer to show me how it's done. She did a couple of different stitches and my eyes rolled back. It was harder than high school maths!

But I'd do it for the baby! I smiled, gently keeping my hand on my belly. A small bundle of joy flipped inside me. There were still four months left and it felt like heck lot of time!

"Tumhaara dhyaan kahan hai?" Aisha gasped after a while, snapping me out of my thoughts and I sat up straight.

"Yeh thora sa confusing hai," I told her, embarrassed, "main Waqas Ko utha Kar aau, uske baad try karte Hein?"

She shook her head at my lame attempt to escape and I quickly walked away. Normally Waqas wakes up on time and leaves when the kids do but he slept in today after coming home at three last night. He looked so lost, it had scared me for a moment but, it might have just been work pressure.

"Waqas," I called his name as I entered the bedroom. 

"Waqas?" I went close to him and found him clutching onto something black.

"Waqas?" I shook his arm and gasped, feeling the warmth under my finger tips. His skin was burning.

"Aisha! Atif!" I yelled as I shook Waqas again. My throat was starting to feel dry and I could feel myself having a panic attack.

It's probably just fever! I told myself as I took a deep breath. Waqas shuffled in his sleep and in the process, his grip that black thing loosened and dropped on the floor.

I frowned, realising it was a photo frame. It had a collage of a couple of Waqas' and Roop's photos! My heart twisted, seeing all those photos, from the time when he was actually happy, and tried to pick it up.

"Kya Kar rahi hai?" My hand halted when I heard Waqas' sleepy voice. I looked up at him but his eyes were closed.

"Pagal," he mumbled, and then huffed. Is that supposed to be for me?

"Waqas?" I shook him again and he startled in his sleep, scaring me. I stepped back instantly, and met something hard behind me. Two hands came on either side of my shoulders, supporting me.

"Careful," Atif spoke behind me and I turned to smile at him. "Thanks."

"Roop?" Waqas mumbled behind me again and Atif frowned at him.

"He has a fever, I think," I told Atif and he walked past me to check Waqas' forehead. Waqas flinched in his sleep.

"Where is the thermometer?" Atif asked me and I walked towards Waqas' cupboard where the medical supplies were kept.

"Waqas? Waqas uth!" Atif shook him harshly, waking him up, and Waqas gasped, opening his eyes. He looked around the room before looking at Atif.

"Roop.... Kahan gayi... Y-yaheen thi na?" He breathed loudly, slowly closing his eyes again.

"Roop yahan Kaise hogi? It must have been a dream, you have a fever," Atif told him and Waqas frowned again.

"Nahi... M-Maine d-dekha hai usse. Woh thi! She is here. Houston main. Woh choti bacchi. Mumma. Roo—"

"Waqas, you are making no sense right now and she is not here," Atif silenced him by shaking his shoulders, "it must have been a bad dream. Just relax."

Waqas blinked at him, confused, and then glance at me before lowering his head. His eyes were red and swollen.

"How can it be a bad dream? Uss main meri Roop thi."

He still loves her.

"I cant find the thermometer, I'll go get it," Clutching on to the thin long tube in my hand, I hid it behind me, and walked out of the room, in a desperate need of Fresh air.

A loud sigh of disappointment escaped from my lips as soon as I left the room.

Itne saalo baad woh yahaan kya kar rahi hai?

WAQAS' POV

"Tujhe uske saamne aise nahi bolna chahiye tha," Atif said and I sighed.

"Usse aaj bhi lagta hai Roop uski wajah se chali gayi. Maine toh usse meri bewakoofiyon ki wajah se kho diya, Atif."

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling lost. I am sure I could hear Roop's voice a few minutes ago,  loud and clear! 

"Kya soch raha hai Waqas?" Atif shook me slightly and then passed me two painkillers for my head ache.

"Kuch nahi," I sighed and then swallowed the tablets with a glass of water. He took the glass from me and kept it on the side table.

"Aisha is making something for you to eat, take some rest until then," He told me and then bent down to pick something from the floor. I sighed, as he passed me the black photo frame.

"Main chalta hoon," He got up to leave while I gulped, staring at all the photos.

Roop looked so happy in these; Kya woh ab zyada khush hai? Mujhse door.

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It was a product of a super boring and long Friday evening bus ride 😭😂
Tab Se proofread karne Ka time Nahi mila😩

but I had to update because It's only 3rd week of uni and I already have a test this week 😪

So, Roop made it clear for you all that Duaa is Waqas' daughter. Ab Khush? XD

Hopefully, I will post Jaldi Jaldi but after Thursday's test :p

Love Always.