Belated happy birthday ishu AnImperpectMuslimah

Khurshid whose eyebrows were raised high up and arms crossed, was staring at his sons. Sufyaan and Aman looked at each other before looking back at Khurshid.

"Daddy." Sufyaan started to explain.

"Enough." Khurshid said.

"We were just trying to help." Aman said.

"Did I ask for help?"

"But a party will cost a lot." Sufyaan said."you don't even allow me to give money to run this house. How will you manage everything?"

"My father stopped spending money on us the day I started earning. Bills, education expenditure of my three siblings, groceries, medical expenses everything was my duty. We were six at that time. If I can do all that with just ten thousand rupees as my salary, I can definitely do this."

Aman and Sufyaan did not say anything and like children who were ashamed of their act they were looking down and listening to Khurshid quietly.

"Are you two done because I don't have time to waste."

Kehara smiled before resting her head on her father's shoulder,"I told them not to discuss this matter but they never listen to me."

"That's why they always land into trouble." Khurshid said making his daughter smile.

"Correct."

"I'm sure even Zyva stopped Sufyaan but he never takes our advice seriously."

"Yes, I did daddy!" Zyva exclaimed like a baby.

"You two should always listen to your wives!"

"Yes!" Kehara said nodding her head.

Sufyaan rolled his eyes before whispering,"dad's like our mother in-law. Always taunting."

"This is all your fault."

Sufyaan narrowed his eyes at Aman.

"Now you two can leave.  I have a date with my daughters."

"Aman can I stay at your place tonight?"

"Yeah, sure."

"I will go and get my things."

"Things? Just one day! You are not allowed for more than a day."

"Who wants to stay with you anyway? It was your wife's plan to have a day alone with daddy so now pay the compensation."

"Just go and get your things."

Soon Aman and Sufyaan left leaving Khurshid alone with his daughters and grandchildren. Soon Noor joined them. It was another plan to cheer Noor up but again it looked like a waste of time. Around ten Khurshid went to his room and They started talking about random things.

"I love my father a lot but he is kind of formal. He does not show us love and affection. And he is very strict so me and Zynah use to stay away. We never use to sit together and discuss something." Zyva said.

"My dad is a good mixture. He is sweet some time and strict other time. So at times you can sit and talk to him but at times​ you cannot even stay in the same room." Noor said lifting her hands in the air.

"You both know my dad. We can talk to him about anything and everything." Kehara said.

"She is right. You should see what all Sufyaan discusses with him. At time I'm like 'he is your father' and he as usual rolls his eyes!"

"Sufyaan Bhai loves to do that. One day his eyes will come out." Noor said.

"This is what I tell him all the time. It will surely happen one day." Kehara said shaking her head.

They went quiet for some time trying to find a new topic. They wanted to keep Noor busy with some or the other thing so that she forgets everything.

"Zeeshan called." Noor said suddenly.

"And?" Kehara asked.

" He will do whatever dad says."

Zyva frowned,"why?"

"Because he cannot go against him."

"I don't know if this is good or bad." Kehara said after some time.

"Bad of course! Her father wants them to get divorce."

"Maybe that's good." Noor said.

"This is so unfair. Everyone except Noor is taking decision of her life." Zyva said.

"Istikhara." Kehara said to no one in particular.

"What?" Noor asked.

"Yes! Noor do Istikhara!" Zyva exclaimed.

"That works?"

"Yes." Kehara said nodding her head.

"Ok."

"Try it today. InshaAllah you will get your answer soon." Zyva said.

Noor bit her lower lip. She thought for some time before saying,"Ok. Thik hai. Now whatever Istikhara says I will do that irrespective of what others want."

***

Zeeshan opened the door and smiled,"Baba." He instantly hugged him.

"What took you so long son? Your father is not so strong now to stand for a long time."

"Shower. Sorry. Come in."

Mehmood came in and Zeeshan closed the door. Mehmood went in the living room and Zeeshan went to the kitchen to get some water for his father.

"Thank you." Mehmood said taking the glass from Zeeshan.

"So what brings you here?" Zeeshan asked before sitting next to his father.

" First tell me when is your mom coming back? I should leave before she comes."

"She is still in new York."

"New York? Why?"

"I don't know."

"You didn't ask her?"

Zeeshan looked down and shook his head.

"Zeeshan, why do you always do this? She is your mother."

Zeeshan did not say anything and quietly listened to everything his father said. He was always rude to his mother but he cannot be boorish with his father. Even if his father says something that hurts him he was never rude to him. But with his mom it's a totally different case.

"Last time we talked was when I was leaving New York. That time she said she won't go back without her bahu(Daughter in-law)."

Zeeshan looked up at his father and raised an eyebrow.

"Why that look?" Mehmood asked.

His eyebrow came back to it's normal position and he shook his head,"never expected her to say that."

"Noor is her niece, her only niece. She is going to be partial here."

"Maybe."

"Anyway, I'm here with a purpose."

"Which is?"

"To tell you how proud I'm of you. You saved a girl's life. You don't like her much but still without thinking about yourself you helped her. I never thought I have raised such a gem. Thank you, Zeeshan for being my son."

Unknowingly Zeeshan's eyes filled with tears. This was something he was dying to hear. He always thought he has disappointed his parents and he will never be able to make them proud. His father's words were not just words for him, It was his life line. He can live his life peacefully because now his father was proud of him.

"Thank you Zee for helping her. I'm so proud of being your father. Your name is no more mud. You are a pure man now. I'm so proud of you."

Zeeshan looked away to hide his tears. He hates to show his emotions to anyone. Cover is his whole life. He thinks no one will ever understand him so it's better to be in a cover. He slowly wiped the tears before they decide to flow.

"I want you to bring her home. Start a new life. Forget everything​. The seamy side of life is over. You deserve all the happiness, Zeeshan. I want you to live with Noor and prove the world that you are a good human being and a very good husband. Will you do that for me?"

Zeeshan never wanted to get married and getting married to someone in his mom's family was something he didn't even imagine. He always thought her mom's family was like her. He knew he will never get married but even if he gets married she won't be related to his mom. He was sure about it. Sure? Don't be sure.

***

"Who else?" Zyva asked.

"I think that's all. It's just a birthday party so no need of inviting the whole city. Just our group is sufficient." Sufyaan said.

"I agree." Kehara said.

"Our group is really big." Aman said looking at the list in his hand.

"Alhumdulillah." Kehara said.

"Aman Bhai if you don't mind can I say something?" Zyva asked.

Aman nodded and gave her a smile. Zyva smiled back,"let's invite Zeeshan. It has been almost twenty five days. Let them meet and talk."

"It's a good idea but I don't want any drama in this party." Aman said.

Zyva nodded her head softly.

"But we need to do something." Kehara said.

"I think they should give each other one chance." Sufyaan said.

Kehara's eyes became wide, Zyva turned her face to look at her husband and Aman raised his eyebrows.

Sufyaan also raised an eyebrow,"what?"

"Where did that possessive brother go?" Kehara asked.

Sufyaan rolled his eyes,"they are married now. Allah does everything for a reason. It was meant to be. So there is absolutely no need to go against your destiny."

"Wow." Zyva said.

Sufyaan frowned at his wife so even she frowned at him. He then rolled his eyes and she smiled.

"I think they should at least try. But if they don't want to then we should not force them." Aman said.

"Yeah,I agree. Forcing them won't help. They already have a very delicate relationship." Kehara said.

"Noor is doing Istikhara,"Zyva informed,"so lets hope for the best."

"That's actually a good idea. That way we cannot go wrong." Sufyaan said.

"May Allah make it easy for them." Zyva said.

"Ameen." All said together.

"So we are not inviting Zeeshan?"

***

"Everyone will give them clothes. So we should think of something else." Mr. Khan said.

"They have many toys."

"Then what?"

"We will give them money. They need it. Aman's company isn't working well. I'm so worried."

"No need to worry. Kehara is taking care of all the expenses."

"Alhumdulillah. I just hope their crisis ends soon."

"InshaAllah it will. You remember when Noor was born we were in so much debts​ and now see."

"That was the roughest time."

Mr. Khan smiled,"Even at that time Noor's smile use to make my day. She was my stress buster."

Mrs. Khan smiled,"she has a very beautiful smile."

"Noor is not just my daughter but my main reason to live and you want me to leave her."

Mrs. Khan frowned,"getting married does not mean leaving everyone. She will only leave your house."

"If it was a really Nikkha then there was no problem but n...."

"It was a really Nikkha! They are married. Look I'm not saying we should force them but at least let them stay together for some time and then decide. How would it matter if they get divorce now or few months later."

"But there is no need to suffer for few months. How will Noor handle it?"

"Like her mother did."

Mr. Khan looked up at his wife. He was numb for some time. All his boorish acts started it's slide show in his mind. He looked away, hiding from his wife's confident eyes.

"Zeeshan is a good person. He will take care of Noor. I agree they both fight a lot but all those fights were silly. Let them struggle for a while. We cannot protect them every time. They need to learn their lessons themselves. Trust them." Mr. Khan was not able to think. It was as if his brain had stopped working. He was guilty, so guilty that think about his old self gave him physical pain in his heart. It makes him realise how bad human being he was.

"There are multifarious reasons to get divorce but let them find those reasons. We as parents can try our best but still we cannot change what's written for them."

Mr. Khan suddenly stood up from the chair and left the room. Mrs. Khan closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead, trying to calm down. She was try her best to make him understand what he was doing was not the best option but he was getting on her nervous now. Suddenly tears started flowing down her cheeks. All her life she prayed for her daughter's ​happiness. She never wanted Noor to go through what she went through. She knows Zeeshan is not like his uncle but being a mother she was scared for her only daugther.

Noor was going to her room when she saw her parents in the living room. She wanted to talk to them but they were discussing something. Soon she realised they were talking about her. She wanted to know what they want before taking any decision. When her father was leaving the room she looked down. She didn't want to look in his eyes. She knows her father was hurt and sad. He was her strength and she didn't want to see his weak side. Once he left she then turned to her mother. She knows even her mother was sad now but she was not expecting her to cry. Noor slowly went to her mother. Sitting next to her Noor slowly kept her hand on her shoulder. Mehrunisa was too lost in her thoughts to notice that someone was sitting next to her. It was only after Noor kept her hand on her shoulder when she realised someone was in the room. Mehrunisa kept her hand on Noor's.

"Everything is fine, Noor. Everything is fine."

***

New girl in the court.......