'Where were you?' Zaynab walked up to her. Mahdia quickly looked away from Mr. Malik.
'I... was... looking for... this medicine.' Mahdia panted handing Zaynab the medicines.
'It took you so long for these? And why did you go, you could have sent some servant.' Zaynab said.
Mahdia closed her eyes and then opened it quickly, she looked at Zaynab briefly before looking at Mr. Malik, 'I couldn't trust any servant when it comes to Dad. They would have given up and we wouldn't have gotten the medicine.' She noticed Mr. Malik's expressions change as she said so. Zaynab placed her palm on her shoulder and Mahdia looked at her, 'You are awesome, Maddy.' She complimented her with a smile.
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Next day, Mr. Malik was discharged. Ahyan had flown back to Delhi last night and was by his father's side throughout the night. Mahdia also stayed with him while Mariam, Mrs. Malik and Zaynab had left.
Mr. Malik had watched Ahyan and Mahdia carefully. At night, he even pretended to be asleep to hear their conversation. And their conversations touched his heart. The way Mahdia stood by Ahyan made Mr. Malik teary eyed.
He felt regretful.
That evening,
Mariam and Ahyan watched a football together while Mrs. Malik and Mahdia worked in the kitchen. Just then the door-bell rings and Ajmal Kaka hurried to get the door.
Mariam and Mahdia are delighted to see Mrs. Siddiqui. She carried a bouquet of flowers with a get well soon card. She handed it to Mrs. Malik and both hugged.
'Ma!' Mahdia hugged her mother tightly. She felt tears sting her eyes. Hardly she had been away from her mother and now she is meeting her mother properly after one whole month made both emotional.
Mariam jumped around them demanding a hug too. Ahyan and Mrs. Siddiqui greeted each other warmly.
Someone cleared their throat and they all froze on seeing Mr. Malik and Mrs. Malik at the stairs. Mr. Malik held the bouquet in his arms. Ahyan frowned noticing a smile on his lips. He walked towards them.
'Welcome, Mrs. Siddiqui. I am happy you came on my request.' Mr. Malik shocked everyone with his statement except for Mrs. Siddiqui.
Mr. Malik handed the bouquet to Ajmal who walked towards a nearby empty vase. Mr. Malik walked up to Mahdia, she looked at him nervously. Ahyan stood by his wife protectively.
'Beta, I want to confess something to you. I have been very rash with you, also with your brother. I misunderstood both of you. I thought my daughter wouldn't be happy with him because he wasn't of our status, he wasn't rich. But what I forgot was along with the money you need love as well. Sadaf would never have been happy with a man who was rich and she didn't love him. And what about Money, you can eventually earn it but love, you can't just fall in love with anyone. And you my child,' he extended his hand and held Mahdia's. She had tears brimming in her tears. Mr. Malik too had tears in his eyes, 'I thought you were a gold digger, using my poor granddaughter and son to get to our money. I called you names and insulted you ignoring your efforts to impress me. But what you did for me, it elevated your respect in my eyes, my child.' He leaned forward and kissed Mahdia's forehead. She began crying and hugged her father-in-law. All her emotions overflowing through her eyes as tears, happy tears.
Mr. Malik then looked at Ahyan, he extended his hand gesturing him to join the hug. Ahyan moved forward and hugged his father and wife.
'Thank you, beta for opening my eyes.' Mr. Malik said.
'Dad!' Ahyan smiled and hugged him again.
Mariam joined in the hug followed by Mrs. Malik. Mrs. Siddiqui smiled wiping her tears as she watched the family reunion.
Even though the family wasn't complete with two important members missing after ages Ahyan felt united and connected with his family.
Ahyan smiled at Mahdia who smiled brightly at him.
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That's all Folks. How was the chapter? Hope you enjoyed the story as much as i did. Please do shower your love in the comments (Leave some for the Epilogue :D)
Will be posting Epilogue tomorrow...
Good night guys!!!!!