At dinner,
'Fiza.' Faizaan's father spoke.
'Ji?' she asked softly
'You know Aamir Sheikh. He is also a lawyer. His alliance has come for our daughter, Farheen.' He said. Fiza looked thoughtful while Farheen blushed.
'I think we should accept the alliance.' He further said.
'Ji, whatever you think is right.' Fiza said and looked at her daughter who is now brick red.
'Oh ho! Choti is going to get married.' Faizaan teased his sister and Feroz also joined him. Farheen ran from there blushing hard, everyone burst out laughing.
********************
Next day, Faizaan is in his office when he got a call from home. He panicked on hearing Amreen's sob from the other side. He rushed from office when he heard Afrah has fever and her breathing is abnormal.
'You must have done something wrong. I had been telling everyone you are useless.' Fiza said angrily as Amreen sat on bed crying fanatically trying to wake her daughter. Afrah has her eyes closed.
'Please open your eyes, Babu. It is not nice to trouble your Ammi.' Amreen cried but no use. Faizaan came as soon as he could. He tried waking up her his daughter, her body felt very hot.
'We need to take her to a doctor.' Faizaan said scooping Afrah in his arms.
'Beta but...'Fiza intervened.
'We-need-to-take-her-to-a-doctor.' Faizaan said angrily. Fiza gulped seeing his red eyes and took a step back.
They quickly took Afrah to a nearby hospital. The doctor examined her and prescribed some medicines.
'Your daughter is very weak. Take more care of her.' The doctor advised the couple.
'We will.' Faizaan assured him with confidence.
Amreen hadn't stopped crying, Faizaan kept patiently consoling her. He took half day off and was with his wife and child for the rest of the day. Amreen felt secured in his presence.
**********************
Next day, as Faizaan worked he got call. He read silent prayers hoping his daughter and wife are fine, before picking up the call.
'Bhaijan! Afrah...'
'Farheen, what happened to Afrah.' Faizaan is in tears now, Farheen's voice sounded grim.
'Bhaijan, Afrah is no more.'
Faizaan felt his world shattering, he let the phone drop from his ears. It fell dangling from above the table.
Faizaan sat there for few minutes, numb, shocked and devastated.
There is no consoling Amreen as she cried holding her baby, who is now dead. Her Chachi and Chacha had come rushing from their home, which is only fifteen minutes by car. Abdullah was also informed back home.
'Beta, leave her please.' Amreen's Chachi cried as she tried taking the baby from Amreen's arms. Amreen refused to let go.
'She will wake up, Chachi. She is just acting...she does it to trouble me.' Amreen is adamant.
Faizaan rushed to the scene, seeing the scene his heart shattered. His gaze fell on his lifeless baby that Amreen still held and he couldn't stop his tears from falling. He quickly wiped his tears and hurried towards them. Amreen is relieved to see him.
'Aap aa gaye.' She smiled looking at him, 'Look at your Pari. She has become very naughty...she isn't.... waking...up and every one is saying she won't .... wake up...ever...please tell me they are lying.... please.' Amreen's voice dropped as she finished talking.
Faizaan is speechless, he doesn't know what to say.
'Why are you quiet? Why don't you say something?' Amreen said. Faizaan looked at her, into her eyes. She is looking at him with hopeful and pleading eyes. But Today, Faizaan has nothing to say that will make Amreen feel better, because today there is nothing to say.
**********************
Amreen had exhausted herself crying and was taken to her room when she had become numb. Her Chachi stayed with her in the room as the maids get them water and something to eat. Amreen refused to take anything.
The gents prepared for the funeral.
Faizaan watched with numb eyes, as they bury his one-month-old daughter. Tears fell from his eyes on their own accord. He stood there emotionless. Watching his child getting buried in front of his eyes traumatized him but he knew he must stay strong because he must stand by Amreen who must be thousand times more traumatized. Faizaan realized then, what they say is true- there is no greater pain for a parent than to lose their child.
Afrah was a baby, what wrong had she done to have such a small life? Why she had to die early? Faizaan wondered.
They say whatever happens, happens for good. What good will death of his one-month-old baby do? Faizaan wondered.
******************
When he returned home, he saw Amreen with her Chachi. She is sitting with a blank expression on her face, her legs against her chest and her eyes emotionless staring at oblivion. Faizaan's heart sank looking at her pathetic condition.
Her Chachi left the room leaving the two-grieving couple alone.
'Amreen?' Faizaan said softly, he placed his hand over hers. Amreen is non-responsive. Faizaan wiped her tears and slowly she looked at him.
'I must have been a very bad person, Haina? That is why God took my daughter, my Pari from me.' Amreen simply asked.
Faizaan shook his head and hugged her, 'No, No. It is a test from God, Amreen. We are in this together....' Faizaan caressed her head trying to console her. Amreen doesn't respond