TWO MONTHS LATER
The truth has revealed its cards now.
Everything was open and visible to everyone.
They knew what happened with Jaha Ara.
What Shabbir did.
What Agha did.
Who was the culprit. And who was the victim.
Agha was dead.
Haider was dead.
Nayab was dead.
A month has passed since the demise of Haider. The last time he was found conscious was at the grave of Jaha Ara. They did not know what his last words were but only that woman who rested six feet down the ground.
Haider has died of a weak heart. His heart became further weak when he had come to know about the truth of Jaha Ara and when he had realized that Jaha Ara had loved him.
At the hospital, near his deathbed had stood there Nayab who had disconnected the ventilator, depriving his unconscious state from oxygen.
Nayab was a nurse at the hospital where Haider was admitted. She had always considered Irtaza the reason for what has happened with her family and to avenge on her dead family, she decided to take Haider's life.
Nayab was immediately confiscated and was shifted to a cell. And before Irtaza could confront her, she had killed herself, ending the chapter there.
Irtaza, at his room, in the haveli was playing with the little hands of her two years old daughter, Jaha Ara.
The name always reminded him of his mother.
His father was buried next to his mother.
At the day of his funeral, when everyone has left, Irtaza stayed back. After talking with the soil of his father's grave, he had placed his hand on the mud of his mother's grave.
After decades he had come to this graveyard.
And slowly his tears had slipped from his eyes when he saw the grave of his mother. Every atrocity she went through had played in his mind. His shivering lips moved and uttered, "I'm sorry, ammi,"
It felt as if the grave replied, 'Mother's can't remain angry at their children,'
He had let his tears fall to his lot. He also shed those tears which had accumulated within him since his childhood when he saw his mother's dead body but couldn't cry.
"I love you, ammi,"
He felt as if his mother had enveloped him in his embrace and was replying back ,'I love you too, son. Forgive me,'
On the cue, Zahra had come near him and cleaned his tears, hugging him, "I'm with you, Irtaza. I'm always here for you," Zahra told and Irtaza hugged her back.
"My beautiful wife," he whispered, kissing the top of her head and hugged her tightly, enveloping her in his warmth.
Zahra was the person he needed the most. Who helped him in coping up with the pain of loosing the loved one. And after knowing the truth, Irtaza felt as if he had lost his mother again.
"Babaaa!" Jaha Ara's voice broke his trance as he looked at his little daughter, trying to play with his thumb.
Irtaza smiled, taking her in his arms, "baba's life," and kissed her cheeks.
He walked towards Zahra who stood in the balcony, staring at the garden of haveli. Cool breeze had her brown locks sway in air.
She looked ethereal.
Sensing his presence, Zahra turned to Irtaza and smiled, "everyone is waiting for us at dinner," she told and walked pass him when he held her arm bringing her infront of him.
"Is there something on your mind, senorita? Hmm?" he raised his brows.
Zahra smiled, taking Jaha Ara from Irtaza's hand. "No. And let's go. They're waiting,"
At the dining table, everyone has gathered. The seat of the head of the table remained empty. Nobody sat there.
And Haider's seat was empty too.
Which had always made their hearts shrunk with pain but they were adjusting to it.
They knew Haider was happy.
This life was more difficult for him.
He was now united with the one whom he had always loved. Their love story was now complete.
Shehryaar and Sheharzaad's seats were empty too. Since they had left the haveli and had decided to move permanently to Islamabad.
Zahra was serving food to both her children while Irtaza prepared Zahra's plate before filling his. Haseeb and Dua's nikkah was broken on the family as well. They were surprised at first but then took it as the door of happiness to their home.
Their reception was scheduled two months later.
And the couple seemed excited about it.
Saif has also found a girl, whom he wanted to marry and they were to meet her and her family.
Haya has come back to Pakistan from US to spend a few months with her family. She came to Pakistan on and off.
"Haseeb! Serve me some food, please," Dua said, noticing Irtaza's actions but Haseeb was too immersed in his food to notice anything.
"Kiun ap k haath nhi hain, Dua?"
(Why? You don't have hands Dua?)
"Achay shoharo ki trah shabash mje khana daal k dou. Chalo. Dekho Irtaza bhai bhi Zahra ko daal k detay,"
(Come on. Serve me food like good husbands. Look, Irtaza bhai also serves food to Zahra)
Haseeb diverted his attention to Zahra, "Zahra please Irtaza bhai ko apna khana serve na karnay dia karo. Aik zimmedar nagrikh bano aur apni madad aap karo,"
(Zahra please don't let Irtaza bhai serve you food. Be a dutiful citizen and help yourself!)
Zahra narrowed her eyes at Haseeb,"Irtaza apni marzi sei daaltay hain. Aur iss mei kia harj ahi agar tum Dua ko bhi daal dou. Bl k aaj ussy apnay haatho sei khana khilao gey tum,"
(I don't ask Irtaza, Haseeb. And what is wrong in it if you'll serve food to your beautiful wife. Rather, I say, today, she will have dinner with your hands)
"What?" His mouth hung open.
"Yes, Mr. Haseeb," Dua interfered, "now come on. I'll eat biryani with your hands today. Right Dadi?" She turned towards her grandmother, who warmly smiled and nodded, "right uncle?" and then she turned her head towards Haroon, who just smiled at them.
"Come on, Haseeb bhai. You've everyone's consent as well if that stops you," It was Haya.
"Exactly, Haya!" Dua said, tapping her hands with his.
Haseeb just scratched the back of his head before filling her plate with biryani while saying,"kesay kesay kaam karnay partay hain. Shaadi ka laddu khao tw b pachtao. Na khao tw bhi pachtao," And Dua heard it.
"Haseeb, tumhay khud shouq hou rha tha mj sei shaadi ka. Ab tw sehna paray ga, husband jee,"
"Seh hi tw rha hunh," he uttered and filled the spoon with rice and forwarded it towards Dua.
Dua was about to take the morsel when Haseeb immediately turned around the spoon and ate it.
"Khaali mei nhi sahunh ga. Tum b saho gi!" He said, munching on the bite which Dua was suppose to take. And her mouth hung open.
"Mei naraaz hunh," she said and stood up and headed towards the room when Haseeb's eyes wide opened.
"Acha sorry," he too stood up and began to follow Dua, "acha ab nhi karta. Acha Dua sorry!! Pakka waada! Ab nhi kerta! Duaaaaa!" And he followed her to her room while everyone laughed and then Irtaza, Haroon and Saif began to talk about the new business proposal while Zahra, Ammara, Asma, Haya and their grandmother talked about the fresh tomatoes Zahra plucked from their garden this morning and Alizey played with Mujtaba and Jaha Ara. Soon, Haseeb and Dua joined them too and they all continued their dinner.
They all missed Shehryaar and Sheharzaad's presence at the table too. Especially little Chahat's as well. They both still have not come back to haveli. It was Shehryaar's wish. They all deduced that the placed emotionally affected him after knowing the truth of his grandfather and his mother and also the death of his father. And he just wanted to escape these four walls that continuously reminded him of the past.
They were gathered in the lounge after dinner. Irtaza was in his study, attending an online business meeting. Zahra was with Dua and Haya in the kitchen making cup of tea for everyone while Asma, Ammara and their grandma discussed about the forth coming wedding preparations of Dua and Haseeb.
Soon the three girls brought tea for everyone. Zahra served it to the ladies and Dua served it to the men. Dua has forwarded the tray towards Haseeb so he could take his cup of tea when he on purpose brushed his fingers with her hands. Red came over Dua's cheeks as she quickly got done with her work and walked away towards Zahra and Haya.
Soon Irtaza joined them too and they all began to discuss the venue and the date for Haseeb and Dua's reception.
"Assalam alaikum," Someone's voice caught their attention as they all looked towards the door.
Shehryaar and Sheharzaad stood there. Hands in hand. With little Chahat beaming. Chahat rushed towards their grandmother and hugged her.
They all were surprised to find the couple there.
They came to haveli after two long months.
Everyone rejoiced and they all decided to have a family dinner together somewhere.
Shehryaar and Sheharzaad joined them in their conversation as they all decided about Dua and Haseeb's wedding.
At night, they all went to a restaurant, to have dinner together. Sheharzaad told them that she will stay until Dua's wedding. Shehryaar will go twice a week to Islamabad to look after the business.
Irtaza was with Zahra in the car as they all headed back home. Jaha Ara and Mujtaba had slept and were in the other car of kids with Chahat and Alizey. It was already 2 in the morning.
Irtaza's phone rung with the call and he was talking about meeting the mafia don of some other country. Mafia world was a dark world. If you've once stepped in there, you can never step out. It's like a swamp. The more you try to get out of it, the more you are drowned in it.
Zahra has accepted this reality.
She had learnt to live with it. Though, she opposed it but she didn't have any option. Irtaza has taught Zahra about shooting, reading people, psychology and other basic things which can help if she were struck in some problem. Today, Zahra had her own licensed gun.
"No. Abduct him. And bring him to me," Irtaza ordered before hanging up the phone. His eyes went towards Zahra who was looking at him.
His hand moved as he grasped her chin, slightly caressing it, "Anything?" he asked, "anything on your mind?" as he retrieved his hand back.
She shook her head, knowing what this question pointed at.
"No, Irtaza. There's nothing.... it's just that... I'm sometimes concerned for your safety, our children's safety..."
"Hey, look," he noticed her head hanging low as he slowly parked the car by a curb, "look at me," he held her hand and bobbed her head up, "I'll protect you and our children at every cost," his eyes bored in hers as he said with an assured note.
"I trust you with this," she whispered and connected her lips with his, "I trust you with everything," she uttered before kissing him back.
Their eyes closed, hand held each other, breaths mingling and tongues danced in ecstasy.
He pulled back knowing his wife was running out of breath as she breathed heavily. He kissed her wet lips, chastely, before igniting the engine and rushed the car on streets. A raw desire coming over him for the lady sitting beside him.
The kiss wasn't enough to satiate him.
Maybe even the night wouldn't be.
Not even the whole life.
He will never get enough of her.
He will never get tired of her.
As he drove the car to his mansion instead of haveli.
He wanted to imprint every nook and corner of that place with them.
Their moans, whispers hugs and kisses.
And that night, the large mansion bore evidence of the two souls becoming one again.
"I love you, my senorita,"
"I love you, my Irtaza,"
The whispers rose from the mansion.
Elder clouds hid the young ones as the moon radiated its light to them.
They will be enough for each other for the rest of their lives.