Mahdia smiled at the girl and the two shook hands. Zaynab then greeted Mrs. Siddiqui.
'Let us go.' Mahdia said but as she was about to walk Zaynab held her elbow and looked at her.
'Babes, you can't go like this.' Zaynab said looking up and down at her. Mahdia frowned looking at herself.
She had kept her attire as simple as she could with a white tube top, mustard yellow woollen full sleeved shrug, white and yellow muffler, denim jeans and white sneakers. Her jacket resting on the luggage trolley.
Mahdia looked up at Zaynab confused. Zaynab shook her head in disapproval.
'You are there for the first time, to your...potential in-laws...this has to go...' Zaynab said pointing at her attire.
Mrs. Siddiqui and Mahdia glanced confusedly at each other.
Zaynab called for her driver and drove Mahdia to her place. There they spend next half an hour to decide Mahdia attire for the day. By the time they were done, Mrs. Siddiqui had slept off on the sofa.
'Ma!' Mrs. Siddiqui woke up with a jolt on hearing her daughter's voice. For a minute, she is dazed not knowing where she is. She took another minute to compose herself. Mahdia and Zaynab waited patiently.
Mrs. Siddiqui then looked at Mahdia, she is dressed in a simple red printed full sleeved short Kurti with a keyhole neckline, denim jeans and flats. Her muffler around her neck acting as a dupatta.
'So?' Zaynab smiled nervously at Mrs. Siddiqui who gave a nod and thumbs up. Mahdia and Zaynab smiled at each other.
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Mahdia felt nervous as she climbed down the car. Mrs. Siddiqui hasn't come, she was dropped in the guest house which is not very far. She had wanted to go to her old home but Zaynab under Ahyan's order requested her that she can only go there once that place is cleaned up. Mahdia will be staying with Mariam at Ahyan's place, hopefully.
Zaynab placed a palm on her shoulder and squeezed it little assuring her that everything will be fine. Mahdia smiled nervously.
She wished she had Ahyan by her side, she would have felt less nervous then. She made silent prayers and exhaled loudly before walking with Zaynab towards the main door of the mansion.
'Maddy!'
Mariam jumped happily on spotting her Aunt at the footsteps. Ever since Zaynab had texted that she is going to the airport to pick up Mahdia, Mariam had been pacing in the living room ignoring her grandmother and Butler running behind her requesting her to have some snacks.
A bright smile appeared on Mahdia's face. From past two weeks, Mahdia had been crying most of the time. She would speak with Mariam through video calls and phone calls, and it was only then she would smile. Else she kept staring at Mariam's photo and crying.
Mahdia was about to step inside when a loud booming baritone echoed in the huge hall.
'Stop!'
Everyone froze
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Ahyan had left the house soon after breakfast around 9 and it is after nightfall he returned. Now he has a terrible headache.
'Ajmal Kaka!' Ahyan called. A stubby old man dressed in a butler suit came immediately.
'One black coffee in my room in ten minutes.' He ordered and the butler nodded leaving. Ahyan removed his coat, folded his sleeves, and loosened his tie. He slumped on the sofa and relaxed in the posh sofa. He is exhausted. A warm shower will do him good.
Suddenly, he frowned realizing the house is quiet, too quiet. With Mariam and Mahdia under one roof, it is impossible that there is no noise.
He got up, grabbed his bag and coat, and excitedly climbed upstairs. He is excited to meet Mahdia, it has been two weeks since he has seen her in person.
'Hello...'Ahyan had expected the room to be toppled upside down with Mariam running and Mahdia scolding her. Instead, the room is empty. Ahyan is confused.
'Mariam? Mahdia?' he called, his voice echoed in the silent mansion. Ahyan got increasingly worried and as he searched the place.
In the back yard, he spotted his mother by the pool sitting on a white chair and staring at the still water. It is cold outside but she is wearing a worn-out shawl. Ahyan hurried to his mother.
'Mom?'
She looked up at him, and then quickly looked away wiping her tears. Ahyan frowned. He placed a palm on her shoulder and felt his mother shake.
'Mom?' he kneeled beside her and looked at her, she looked away. Now, she is crying he could see. He held her chin and made her look at him.
'What happened?' he asked concerned.
She held his palms in between hers and looked at him, 'Your dad...he...'
Getting a hint, Ahyan panicked little more, 'Where is Mahdia and Mariam?' he asked
'They are with Zaynab at the guest house. Your Dad threw them out.'
'Huh!'
'He asked Mahdia to leave and didn't allow her to come in. Mariam got angry and said if Mahdia is going she will go too and...'
Ahyan smacked his forehead. His Dad hadn't been bothering them for so long and when things were going well he decided to bother them.
'Beta, I want my grand-daughter. Sadaf is no more, at least I will have a part of her.' Mrs. Malik cried. Ahyan placed his palm on her cheek, 'I will get her back, Mom. I promise.' He assured.
He then stood up deciding it is the time he faced his father.
*****************************************************
He felt nervous as he walked towards Mr. Malik's room. Never in his life has Ahyan ever stood up against his father, argued with him, this is the first time and he is super tensed. But seeing the situation, he knew he must to do this.
He gulped before knocking the door. When there is no response, he knocked again.
'Come in.' came his father's hoarse voice. Ahyan trembled slightly with fear as he entered the room.
Mr. Malik is sitting on a leather sofa holding an old photo album. On closer look, Ahyan saw it is his and Sadaf's childhood pictures.
'Dad!' Ahyan kneeled beside him. His father removed his thick square glasses and smiled warmly at Ahyan.
'What is it, Beta?' he asked softly.
Ahyan gulped, his heartbeat began to accelerate with nervousness.
'Dad, I...wanted to talk....' He looked at his father and mustering all his courage he continued, 'Why did you kick Mahdia and Mariam out.'
Mr. Malik's expressions changed and he looked away. Ahyan shifted placing his palm over his father's.
'Dad, I love Mahdia.' he said sincerely.
Slowly, Mr. Malik looked back at his son. Ahyan looked back, his eyes staring straight into his father's. Mr. Malik looked away again, this time again he saw the same love, sincerity, and passion he had seen in his daughter's eyes when she had confessed about loving Mizan years ago, the love that eventually got her killed.
Mr. Malik placed his palm over their overlapping palms and looked at Ahyan.
'Son, that girl isn't good for you. Like her brother, she too is a gold digger. She doesn't love you, she loves your money.' He explained.
Ahyan shook his head, 'No, no, Dad. She loves me. Trust me. She loved me before knowing who I was, and still loves me after knowing who I am.' Ahyan shifted closer to his father, all the while not breaking the eye contact.
Mr. Malik shook his head, 'Have I ever failed in my judgement? Dad, I handle one of India's biggest chains of hotels by myself. You must trust me on this. Dad, please.' He pleaded. This is the first time in his life that Ahyan is pleading for something that too to his father.
Mr. Malik waved his hand shaking his head, 'I don't want you to marry into your sister's murderer's family.'
Ahyan sighed.
He held his father's shoulder and looked at him, 'Dad, Dad. If I lost a sister and you lost a daughter. Mahdia has lost her brother, Mrs. Siddiqui her son and Mariam? She has lost her parents. Think of that poor girl, she is your grand-daughter. She is part of Sadaf. Please Dad, if not for me at least for her. Please, Dad.'
Mr. Malik is now silent, he simply stared back at his son. Ahyan leaned forward and said softly, 'Dad, have I ever disappointed you? Then, I will not disappoint you even with this. Trust me.' he said.
Mr. Malik stared, Ahyan stared back. After a while of thinking, he gave a small nod and mumbled, 'I trust you.'
Ahyan is relieved.
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So guys, Ahyan finally managed to convince his father, but has Mr Malik accepted Mahdia, truly?
and guys, next chapter our leads are getting married, Excited? How excited are you, scream in the comments ;)
How did you guys find the chapter? Do tell me your opinions in the comments...