After 1.5 years

"Kaha leh gaye?" She muttered in her innocent lisping style. With a big ocean of hope in her two little eyes. she was sitting in the middle of the lawn, regardless of the sweat on her forehead due to the hot rays of the sun.

(Why they're not back yet?)

"Arey Fayra, beta aap yaha kyu bethi ho? Kisi ne kuch kaha kya?" Aasif; who was passing by the door of the home, noticed a little figure wrapped in a pink floral print frock, sitting on the green grass. She was looking upset.

(Fayra why are you sitting here? Is there anything wrong?)

"Danish bhai aul Bishma aapi kyu ni aa lahe?" The cute little girl looked up at her grandfather with this question and Aasif smiled while kneeling in front of Fayra, without thinking about his sparkling white pajama which could catch some dirt marks.

(Why do Danish bhai and Bishma aapi ale not coming)

"Aap ko unki yaad aa rahi hai?" With the help of a handkerchief, Aasif wipe the sweat drops from Fayra's forehead and questioned her. The little girl nodded. Danish and Bisma were at the school, it was difficult for Fayra to stay away from those two brats.

(Are you missing them?)

"Let's go inside, They'll be coming at any time." Aasif assured her but she was as stubborn as her parents, she shook her head while crossing her arms over her chest.

"I won't go"

"Please... You're my good girl," Aasif pleaded in a childish tone but his granddaughter was way too much stubborn.

"No"

"Aapko pta hai Fayra, aap sabse zyada ziddi ho."

(You know Fayra, you're most stubborn)

"Really?" She asked innocently and Aasif nodded. "Even more than Mumma and dad?" She questioned and Aasif nodded. "Even more than Chamu?" Fayra again asked and Aasif nodded

"Even more than mummy and Papa?" She asked and this Aasif sighed.

"Un dono jesi ziddi na hi ho to behtar hai," He said under his breath.

(It's better if you aren't stubborn like both of them.)

For Fayra Mummy and Papa means Adnaan and Sara. But, Mumma and Dad stand for Maizah and Anzala. When she started talking, she use to call Anzala Anju and Maizah was Maji. Even after every effort, none was able make Fayra call them uncle and Auntie, but this miracle was done by Bisma, Fayra started calling them Mumma and Dad as same as Danish and Bisma.

But poor Afnaan was still Chote chamu.

"Fayraaa~" A loud call grabbed Fayra's attention and she smiled after witnessing Bisma entering in the home through the big fenced gate.

"Bishma aapiii~" both girls hugged one another like they were away for ages.

"Where is Danish?" Aasif asked and Bisma informed that he was buying ice cream and chocolates for three of them.

<><><><><><>

The heavy school bag was hanging on his both shoulders. The face was looking red and sweaty, which was making his nose more slippery for his glasses.

"Uncle, three orange popsicles, and three chocolates." placing both hands on the countertop, Danish ordered his favourite items.

"Anything else?" the shopkeeper asked and He shook his head which again slipped his specs from his small nose.

"Ughh.." He groaned while shifting it. Picking up the small polybag he took steps ahead but smack his forehead and turned to go back to the same shop.

"Uncle, that too." pointing out towards the polymer clay Danish smiled. He remembered yesterday when Anzala brought all three kids to buy whatever they wanted, Fayra wanted that colourful clay but Anzala refused as he was concerned about her. She was very small to understand that this clay wasn't for eating, she could consume it because of a fruity and.chocolaty fragrance but Danish felt bad that his father didn't fulfill Fayra's demand. His small mind raised a single question Does his father was discriminating among his children and his niece? Thought Danish consider Anzala the best father but he didn't like this thing.

The shopkeeper placed the polymer clay on the counter and was about to write down the amount in the register when Danish stopped him. Anzala had told the shopkeeper to give whatever Danish and Bisma wanted, he paid the bills every weekend.

"Uncle, don't tell Dad that I have bought this. How much does it cost?"

"Hundred rupees"

Danish pushes his hand in the pocket to draw out a handful of ten rupees notes and few coins, it was the savings of his one year. After counting the whole amount his smile went away. He shifts his specs and calculates the remaining amount on his fingers. Thanks to the addition and subtraction sums he had learned in school.

"More fifteen rupees" He muttered and think for a moment. "Uncle takes it back" drawing out chocolate from three, Danish put it on the countertop. Then again calculate the amount on his fingers.

"Now only five rupees are left. Right?" The shopkeeper nodded on the smart and fast calculations. and he smiled at the clever trick of how this boy returns his chocolate to recover ten rupees.

"Five rupees discount from my side" the shopkeeper passed the packet of clay to Danish and he smiled happily. "Really?" Danish asked and the shopkeeper nodded. "Thank you uncle" Danish shoved the clay in his school bag and shift his specs again.

"Don't tell my dad about this." Requesting that Danish ran towards his home which was only a few steps ahead.

"Danish bhai meli ish cleam laye?" Fayra asked rightfully and Danish gave her a packet of already melted ice cream candy.

(Danish bhai have you brought ish clean?)

Aasif looked at Fayra who was about to cry after getting melted ice cream.

She was still a cry baby.

"Fayra, don't cry, please don't." Grabbing Fayra's hand Danish pulled her away from Bisma and Aasif. Passing chocolate to her, Danish pleaded and Fayra sobbed silently but grabbed the chocolate.

''Don't cry I have something for you. Don't tell anyone about it. Okay?" He whispered and Fayra nodded before starting having chocolate.

Danish's magic still works on a crying Fayra. He still gives her chocolate whenever she cries and every time she forgot to cry. Everyone knows only Adnaan and Danish could handle this girl.

<><><><><><>

The period of eighteen months changed many things in the Rizwi mansion. Now Fayra wasn't the youngest child of the home as that place was taken by Afnaan's daughter, but the amount of love for fayra was intact.

"Fayra, come on beta, have this." Giving a small morsel to Fayra, Anzala caressed her head but she shook her head. "Call papa." She demanded and Afnaan picked Fayra to made sit her on his thighs.

"Papa is sleeping, he will call you later. And Mummy is also sleeping for now." Afnaan gives a small bite of rice to Fayra. "You're my good girl," Afnaan whispered giving the morsel in her mouth. "Aren't you?" Afnaan asked and Fayra nodded innocently.

"Aww... She's so cute... Bilkul apni ek loti Phuppo par gyi hai." Maizah kissed Fayra's cheeks while indirectly praising herself.

(Just like her only paternal aunt)

"Apni shakal dekhi hai? Chudail bhi dar jaye." Anzala rolled his eyes, Maizah gave him a fake loving smile.

(Watch yourself. You have the ability to even scare a witch.)

"Apni baat na kar."

(Don't talk about yourself.)

"Bas bhi kro tum dono, bachcho ke samne to na lada kro." Gul Bano was disappointed in both of them, however they were Anzala and Maizah. They didn't care about anything.

(Stop it you both, at least don't argue in front of kids.)

"Mumma, I'm mishing Papa Mummy." Fayra whispered and Maizah gave her a kiss on her little nose tip. "They will be back in a few days only."

"Come on, have this, then I'll tell you the story of snow white." Afnaan gave Fayra another morsel who was the chatterbox of this family.

"Chamu..." She chewed the little morsel with words.

"Yeah princess?"

"Zinia itti si kyu hai?" Asked Fayra after opening her little hand as big as she could. For her Afnaan's 2 month old daughter was so small, but everyone laughed on this question .

(Why is Zinia so small?)

"Aap bhi to chhoti si ho." Fiza, Afnaan's wife, replied with a smile but she hurt the little member of this family, unintentionally.

"Chachi main to badi hu. Hai na chamu? Badi hu na?" Fayra's question should not be answered with a 'No', so Afnaan nodded his head and everyone laughed.

(Chachi I'm big, isn't it Chamu?)

Fayra was getting a little extra love from the family members to substitute the love of her parents. Sara and Adnaan weren't in India for the last ten days, it was the first time when Sara agreed to leave Fayra reliant on others otherwise she look after her daughter in very posible way. They both and Momina along with Rashid went for Umrah (pilgrimage). And just a night before going Adnaan asked Sara... Remember once I told you about my dream? We both are going somewhere together and our family is coming to see us off? Sara remembered and nodded but didn't smile.

Adnaan knew the reason behind that sad face, he slowly pulled her in a hug and whispered... "I love you. We can't change whatever happened. Accept the reality. We have a beautiful reason to live for. Our little daughter." He didn't break the hug, just kept caressing her head.

"I'll pray for..." She couldn't complete her sentence because of the sob dying on her lips.

"You're most important for me Sara." He closed his eyes.

<><><><>

"Mummy papa aeloplane mein ayenge?" Asked Fayra and Danish nodded while shifting his specs on his little nose.

(Will mummy papa come on an Aeloplane?)

"Danish Bhai?"

"Hmm Fayra?" Danish muttered without looking up. He was doing his homework and shifting his specs on the bridge of his nose however they were slipping to the tip of his little nose every now and then.

"Aeloplane bohot bala hota hai?"

(Is an Aeloplane very big?)

"Hmm... Very big." Danish replied while the his left hand was showing five fingers and the fist of the other hand opened only three. Other some aftermath he mumbled 'Nine' and write down the answer then looked at Fayra.

"Tum aeroplane me nhi bethi na?" He asked and Fayra shook her head.

(You have never been on an airplane. Right?)

"Hum Goa gye the, mumma aur dad ke sath." Danish informed about the last trip of his family. Goa was still the favourite destination of his parents because that place became the reason behind their union.

(We went to Goa, with Mumma and Dad.)

"In an Aeloplane?" Fayra was amazed.

"Yeah..." Danish nodded, resulting the specs slipped again and he hissed before shifting it back.

"Aeloplane ishky me fly kalta hai?" Fayra asked and Danish nodded, again focused on the maths problems. '11 nines is 99... So simple,' he muttered while trying to solve a three digit multiplication question and Fayra was waiting for an answer, she glared at Danish and her little chubby cheeks puffed with anger then she repeated the question.

"Danish Bhai, Aeloplane ishky me fly kalta hai?"

(Does an Aeloplane fly in ishky?)

"Of course Fayra, where else will it fly?" He muttered without looking up.

"Danish Bhai, Aeloplane birds ki tarha fly kalta hai?" The three years old Fayra asked and Danish looked up then thought for a moment then nodded. "Yes"

(Danish Bhai, does an Aeloplane fly like birds?)

"Danish Bhai jab hum Aeloplane me beth ke ishky mein fly kalte hain tab birds ko pakad sakte hain?" Danish blinked blankly. Fayra's question plus maths problems multiplied by the pressure of next day class test were equal frustration.

(Danish Bhai, can we catch birds when we ale (are) in an Aeloplane flying in ishky?)

"Bas bhi karo Fayra kitne sawal puchti ho tum? Dikh nhi raha main homework kar rha hu?" Danish scolded Fayra and looked at his notebook again. He was unable to solve the questions moreover Sara wasn't here to help him like always. Will full of frustration he shifted his specs back to the bridge of nose and grimaced. The question was difficult for him but before he could focus on the sums a voice echoed in the room. Fayra's cry.

(Stop it Faira, how many questions do you ask? Can't you see I am doing my homework?)

Danish looked up, tears were rolling down from her eyes and she was crying out without any hesitation. Fayra was a cry baby since the time of birth, she could make a record and well as broke her own records for crying on every minor matter and sometimes without even a matter. No one had ability to hush her when she cries except Adnaan and Danish.

"Stop crying Fayra." Danish whispered. This time he was scared, if by any chance Maizah came here followed Fayra's cry then she won't leave Danish as he was the reason behind these tears.

"Fayra please."

"Aap mujhe daant lahe the..." Fayra wiped her old tears but new one replaced them soon. Danish was panicked by then, he looked here there but found no toy.

(You ishcolded me.)

"Chup ho jao, agar tum chup ho gyi aur kisi ko kuch nhi bataya to main tumhe chocolate dunga," he used his secret trick but this time Fayra didn't stop crying. Danish shifted his specs and thought for a few moments. His brain did a small maths two twos is four... "Four chocolates."

(Stop crying, Fayra. If you stop crying and don't tell anyone anything, I will give you chocolate.)

Fayra's howls stopped immediately and she wiped her tears, but her little lips were still trembling, sobs were begging to come out from her lips but how could she cry out when it was the question of four chocolates?

"Chocolate." Fayra extended her hand in front of Danish who was occupied by another calculation. He didn't have money to buy four chocolates and what if the shopkeeper told Anzala about these four chocolates? His innocent well, not so innocent, brain was running in every direction and he smiled.

"I'll give you chocolates tomorrow but..." He wiped away Fayra's cheeks then grimaced and cleaned his hands with his shirt. "But promise me you won't tell anyone. It's our secret and revealing secrets is a sin."

"Plomish." Fayra nodded while suppressing her sobs and sniffles.

"Danish Bhai."

"Haan (yeah) Fayra?" Danish fake cried because he knew the never ending series of question and answer was about to start one more time.

"Agal koi plomish toodta hai to ushe gunah milta hai?"

(Is it a sin to bleak the plomish?)

"Haan... Jahannam mein jata hai wo, mumma na bataya tha mujhe."

(Yeah, one who breaks the promise goes to hell. Mumma told me.)

"Dahannam kya hota hai Danish Bhai?"

(Danish Bhai, what is Thell?)

"Dahannam nhi Jahannam"

(That's not Thell, it's Hell...)

"Dahannam hi to bol lahi hu." Fayra shrugged. Danish smacked his forehead and closed his books, he knew he couldn't solve maths problems but he could solve Fayra's problems for sure.

(I'm shaying the shame (same)... Thell)

"Come here." Danish held Fayra's hand, lead her to the bed and ordered her to lay down. He covered her with blanket and laid down next to her. Explaining some relevant some nonsense information in front of Fayra he didn't realise when they both dozed off.

<><><><>

"Dad"

"Yeah baby?" Asked Anzala while lifting Fayra properly in his arms.

"Mumma Papa..." Fayra muttered because she was missing her parents life hell, and Anzala smiled while pointing out towards a small group of people walking ahead, pushing their luggage carts.

"Papaaaaaaa..." Jumping out of Anzala's arms Fayra ran towards Sara and Adnaan but before she could be kissed by them the slippery floor kissed her.

The lobby full of people heard her loud howls, and Sara was the one to rush towards her leaving her luggage carelessly.

"Fayra, princess..."

"Papaaaaa..." She hugged her mother but howling for her father, even after every effort Sara was unable to put her daughter off cry. "Fayra... You're my brave girl beta." Sara was trying her best but this girl cried out as much as she could. After a few minutes Adnaan came forward and took his daughter in his arms.

"Where did it hurt?" He asked in a whisper and Fayra touched her forehead. "Aww... don't cry." Adnaan wiped her tears and kissed the spot where it was hurting. "Theek ho gya ab? Papa na magic se theek kar diya na ab aap roona band kro." Fayra's sobs lightened, she sobbed but didn't cried again. Sara saw him and felt jealous one more time. This girl was her father's daughter for sure.

(Is it fine now? Come on stop crying now, papa already healed this with magic.)

"Mere paas nhi aaogi Fayra?" Asked Momina and Fayra jumped out of her father's arms before hugging the old lady. This girl was an apple of every eye but Momina's bond with her was different. Though Fayra was Gul Bano's granddaughter but Momina loved her more, and in return Fayra loved this old lady even more.

"Dadi..."

"Ji beta?"

"Aap shab Aeloplane mein aaye hain?" She asked and Momina nodded while Anzala was busy hugging his father and telling him how much he missed him in these twenty day. After becoming a father he got to know the love a father holds for his children but never shows up.

(You all come in Aeloplane?)

"Yes," Momina replied with a big grin.

"Where is Aeloplane?" Looking here and there Fayra asked but got no hint of the plane.

"Plane's mom called him so he rushed back to meet her, but you're not coming to meet your Mummy." Sara answered from behind and Fayra was amazed to know that the Aeloplane also has a mother.

Sara picked her daughter in her arms and didn't leave her until she started questioning about Aeloplane and his mother and everyone started laughing.

<><><><>

A tired Adnaan threw himself on the bed and looked at Sara who was unpacking the luggage.

"Kya kar rhi hai yaar, aa ke soo jaa. Aur Fayra kaha hai?" Sara turned to see her husband, he was about to sleep, she drew out a doll from the suitcase and placed it on the couch before walking towards the bed.

(What are you doing yaar, come and sleep. And where is Fayra?)

"Fayra is playing with Maizah and Anzala bhai." Sara laid down beside Adnaan who closed his eyes for a moment and sighed.

"I'm missing her, why did you let her sleep with them?" He asked. Disappointed. Twenty days were already enough for him to stay away from his daughter, now one more night without kissing her forehead and putting her to sleep was looking like a punishment.

"When I went to take her she was playing with Danish so I left her for a few minutes but then she slept with them only. Danish told me she was putting her to sleep when we weren't here, and he did the same tonight too." Sara smiled a little at the last part.

"Tu itni chup kyu hai?" Adnaan asked and shifted Sara's head on his forearm. Sara didn't reply just shifted near him and closed her eyes.

(Why are you so silent?)

"Sara?" Adnaan caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers and she opened her eyes. Eyes twinkling with tears.

"Saraaaa..." He sighed and pulled her in a bear hug. "Shhhh... My love."

"Adnaan, mene bohot duaye Kari hai, tumne Kari?" Sara asked and Adnaan was silent. He closed his eyes and started running his fingers in Sara's hair without choosing to reply. He didn't want to show his weak side to Sara so it was better for him to sleep, however he couldn't because the flashes of the past weren't leaving him alone.

(Adnan, I have prayed a lot, have you?)

The hand was attached with a tube that was connected to the half-empty bottle of IV solution. The doctor left just now after instructing the nurse to inject medicine in the bottle of IV solution. Momina and Gul Bano entered the room with cat steps without any intention to disturb Sara who had been tolerating the labour pain for a few hours. Adnaan entered the room with a small bag in his hands.

"Badi Ammi, it's her clothes and other things." Handling the bag to Momina Adnaan looked at Gul Bano.

"Ammi" Whispering that Adnaan wrapped his arm around her shoulders and wiped her tears. "Shhh..."

Gul Bano took a deep breath and stepped towards Sara, as so Adnaan did.

"Jangli Billi," He whispered and stroked her head a few times, but she didn't open her eyes. Adnaan knew she was not sleeping but he didn't force her to interact with him.

"Thank you so much for bearing this pain for us." Mumbling that Adnaan kissed her forehead without bothering to notice his mother and Aunt present in the same room.

"Where are you going?" Momina inquired when Adnaan moved towards the exit of the room, Adnaan looked at Sara who was still pretending to sleep and sigh.

"Qabristan." Informing that he stepped out from the room and Gul shut her eyes to let the next teardrop from her eyes.

(Graveyard)

<><><>

Kneeling on the floor he saw his hands again. Today he lifted the heaviest weight of his life. Dead body of his son who lost the battle of life while coming to this world.

A hand grabbed his shoulder and he looked up, Anzala was standing with tears in his eyes, he lightly pat on Adnaan's shoulder to give him some strength to say goodbye to his son.

Some goodbyes are a burden...

And this gym beast was unable to lift this burden.

"Adnaan..." Anzala gestured him to go ahead for what he was here, but it wasn't easy. Unwrapping the little face he glanced at his soft features, a beautiful blend of Sara and His. "I wanted to be the first to lift you in my arms, but not in this way. I wanted to put you to sleep in a cradle not in a grave." He whispered to his son wrapped in a white cloth, ready to be buried under tons of earth.

Anzala was witnessing Adnaan crying one more time. "Adnaan... You have to become Sara's strength." He whispered and Adnaan wiped his tears before kissing his son's forehead for the first and the last time.

"Agar aapke papa ke amaal aese huye ki use jannat mil jaye to Jannat mein mulaqat hogi, Fawaz Adnaan Rizwi." He named his son just before the hardest goodbye.

(If your father's deeds will be good enough get heaven, then we will meet in heaven. Fawaz Adnaan Rizwi.)

Long ago he and Sara decided that they will name their son Fawaz which means winner.

And today the winner lost the battle of his life even before conquering the world.

"Adnaan..." A whisper forced her to open his eyes and he wiped her tears. "I want a son, I want to take a chance. Don't you want a son?" She muttered and Adnaan smiled while kissing her forehead.

"No, I don't want a son if its cost is your life or health." Adnaan wiped her tears one more time. Sara's first pregnancy was already critical, after Fayra's birth her uterus was unable to hold another pregnancy however when she got pregnant with the second child doctor advised her to take a proper bedrest which was impossible. Fayra was not leaving her for a single moment moreover the household chores couldn't wait. Somehow everything was fine till the beginning of the eighth month but then one day Sara, Adnaan and Fayra were walking back home from the nearby market after buying some clothes for Fayra and the soon coming baby when suddenly rain started. Three of them were fully drenched till coming back to the home. The next day Fayra had a high fever and Sara had a mild one. Being a mother Sara forgot her health and looked after Fayra for the next few days. Eventually Fayra was fine but Sara's strength gave up. She was coughing all the time and having high fever, Adnaan took her to the hospital she was diagnosed with a dengue fever along with a pneumonia. After a long treatment somehow her health became fine but eventually it casted some bad effects on baby's health which lead to complications during delivery eventually the baby was born dead.

Even after four months Sara was unable to come out of this trauma. She never wanted prayed for having a son but after the death of Fawaz she was continuously praying to have one on the other hand Adnaan remembered doctor's advice, another pregnancy could be more dengerous for Sara.

"Adnaan." He looked at his wife and hummed. "hmm?"

"Did you prayed for having a son?"

"No. I haven't."

"Why?"

"We are not a childless couple, Sara. We have Fayra. Isn't a daughter enough? We can focus on her." He smiled a little but Sara was looking dull.

"Ab thoda muskura bhi de meri jangli billi, tu aese achhi nhi lagti." She didn't smile.

(Now smile a little my wild cat, you don't look good like this.)

"Jab bete ki khwahish dil mein jaage tab Fayra ki shadi ke khwab saja liya kar, kya Phuppo Jaan mujhe beta nhi maanti? Kya main unhe apni maa ki tarha nhi samajhta? Damaad bhi beta hota hai, bad wo beta budape me milega." This time Sara laughed and Adnaan felt happy to see her

(Start dreaming of Fayra's marriage whenever the desire of having a son awakens in your heart. Doesn't Phuppo Jaan treat me like her son? Don't I consider her like my mother? A son-in-law is also a son, but we will get that son in old age.)

"Fayra kitni pyari hai... uske liye itna achha ladka kaha se layenge Adnaan?" Said Sara in a hushed tone.

(Fayra is so cute... where will we find such a nice guy for her, Adnaan?)

"But my biggest concern is... How will we live without her after her marriage?" He clenched his nose without leaving the charming smile.

Sara thought about her husband's words and became sad for a moment but the very next moment she laughed and rested her head on the pillow giving some rest to Adnaan's arm.

"Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow we have to go to the play school to get Fayra admitted. We still have at least twenty years to think about her marriage." Sara closed her eyes to sleep.

"Sara... How will we protect Fayra in the school? What if she falls down while playing?what if anyone hurt her while playing? My daughter is so sensitive."

"Adnaan soo jao, raat ke 2 baj rhe hain." She muttered and Adnaan closed his eyes but he was uncle to sleep with the thought that now Fayra had to go to school where she will come in the contact of new people, and new friends. Friends: biggest traitors.

(Adnan, go to sleep, it's 2 o'clock in the night.)

"Adnaan," after some ten minutes she muttered and he was surprised that Sara was still up but hummed. "Hmm?"

"Fayra ne school me friends bana liye to?" Sara asked the same question. Avinash, Mansi and Qaleel all three were friend figures for Sara and Adnaan, how could they both even think about making friends?

(What if Fayra made friends at school?)

"I won't let her make new friends." Adnaan whispered and for the first time Sara agreed with his senseless conclusion. Though their fear of friends wasn't senseless but the solution was.

"I too." She muttered and closed her eyes while remembering the time she had spent without Adnaan, lovingly and hating him at the same time, all because of those so called friends. "I wish my Fayra will not face what we had faced." Sara added and Adnaan smiled a little.

"I'll find a guy for my Fayra, who will treat her like a princess. Who will love her like I love you." He kissed the back of her palms and Sara smiled, shifting her head on his pillow she slept without any tension because this man was here to think about everything.

<><><>

Sooo...

The long awaited epilogue is here because you all were waiting for this and...

Guess what...

I'm going to write a sequel to this story. Fayra's story 😁

Anyone exited?