Colors | رنگ

HAPPY READ!❤

قیامت خیز ہیں  آنکھیں تمہاری

تم آخر خواب کس کے دیکھتے ہو

(Qayamut khaiz hain ankhen tumhri,

Tum akhir khwab kis kay dekhthay ho)

HOSPITAL:

Zohaib checked his cell phone umpteen times since morning but there was not even a single message from home. He roughly placed his phone on a table with a loud thud and groaned softly in annoyance.

"Aesa kya ghuma hai jo mil nahi raha? (What have you lost that you are unable to find?)", asked his colleague Hamza with narrowed eyes who was carefully observing him for more than an hour.

"Zahraa", Zohaib muttered inaudibly and fetched a breath.

It's been more than a week since he has started leaving Zahra at home. These days are the hardest for both Zahra and Zohaib. He was used to Zahra's 24\7 presence around him. Everyday Faryal and Zain bring Zahra to meet him during his break, video calls him, or used to message him frequently about Zahra's whereabouts or if they had to ask anything. He was always connected to Zahra throughout the day but today neither they came to the hospital during lunch break nor Zain has contacted him, not even a single message.

"Let's go for lunch together", Hamza said.

"Sorry I won't be able to join you Hamza, I've to go home", Zohaib said while standing up from his place.

"Oh so the workaholic Zohaib Ahmed Durrani is going home early these days, Am I dreaming?", Hamza teased him.

"Isn't this our pack up time already?", Zohaib cross-questioned him.

"It is indeed, but what about your overtime working hours?", Hamza said with a smirk.

"Allah Hafiz", Zohaib said. He put the mobile in his pocket, straightened the strap of his bag on the shoulder, and left his cabin hastily.

--------------------------------

DURRANI HOUSE:

"Aren't we messy?" Faryal said with a pout looking at the mess around her. Poster colors, markers, different types of sheets, and papers spread around them. Her gaze stopped on Zahra who was sitting in front of her playing with the things, with her back attached to the pillow on the floor with Faryal. Zahra's clothes and face had patches of different colors of paints.

"Very messy indeed!" Faryal shook her head with an amused smile on her face. She picked up the scattered mess around her and organized them.

Knock!... Knock!

"Come in", Faryal said non chalantly still engrossed in her work.

"Faryal bibi, I'm free now.", Nadia baji said.

"Thank God Nadia baji you are here, I was about to call you again. We have a lot of work to do now", Faryal said pointing at Zahra who was playing with her toys.

"We surely have", Nadia baji said with an ear to ear grin after looking at Zahra's condition.

"I'll go and ready her bathtub", Nadia baji stated.

"No Nadia baji, I'll do everything. You just have to stand beside me and tell me if I'm doing it right or not", Faryal said politely to which Nadia baji nodded her head.

"I like doing everything for Zahra by myself", Faryal added with a tight-lipped smile.

For the past few days, Faryal has learned a lot of things. Zohaib has instructed and taught her about various things related to Zahra. In the initial days' mom also stayed home to guide Faryal on how to handle Zahra. Nadia baji has also helped her a lot during this time.

Zohaib has started coming home on his usual pack up time because of Zahra.  Today for the first time Zahra has behaved quite normally at home without her daddy, which was great progress.

Faryal went to the bathroom, mixed some hot water in the cold tap water to normalize the temperature of the water exactly the way Zohaib has told her, "The water temperature should be roughly the same temperature as the human body, 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit."

"Nadia baji please check the temperature of the water", Faryal said loudly.

Nadia baji entered the washroom, handed Zahra to Faryal and put one finger slightly in the water, and said "Perfect".

Faryal undressed Zahra and gently placed her in the bathtub. She supported Zahra's back, head, and neck with one arm and used the other hand to bathe her, She poured some cleanser on her body and shampooed her hair. She kept talking with Zahra to keep her busy.

After lathering, Faryal used a small plastic cup to rinse Zahra. She scooped up a cup-full of water and gently poured it over a soapy area. Faryal did everything very carefully so that no soapy water gets in Zahra's eyes or nose.

Nadia baji was looking at Faryal in awe. A few days ago she showed her once how to do it and after that day Faryal is bathing Zahra every day like a pro.

Once Faryal finished bathing Zahra, she picked her up from the bathtub and set her on a clean, soft towel. She gently patted dry her with one towel and after that wrapped her in the other one and took her back to her room. Faryal placed Zahra on her bed.

"Ma'Sha'Allah you are a quick learner", Nadia baji said in astonishment.

"Anything for my Love", Faryal replied sincerely, dipped down her head, and kissed Zahra's nose.

"Have you ever handled kids before?", Nadia baji asked.

"Nah, never. In fact, the funny thing is I've never taken a kid in my hands for more than 10 minutes," Faryal chuckled.

"It's not like I didn't like kids, I've always loved kids but the thing is that there were no kids in my home and baba was so protective over me to leave me out." Faryal completed her sentence while massaging Zahra with baby oil keeping in mind the way mom has taught her.

"It does not look like when you are around Zahra?", Nadia baji asked in curiosity.

"Everything happens organically when I'm around Zahra, maybe because when you are a mother you have a deeper emotional connection with your child", Faryal explained with a smile on her face.

"I think you don't need my presence anymore while bathing Zahra or even doing anything for her", Nadia baji said.

"Itni jaldi ap ki jan nahi chorhnay wali mein Nadia baji (I won't let you go easily Nadia baji)", Faryal said playfully.

"Haha I'm just saying that because I want you to know that you are more than enough for Zahra now", Nadia baji said sincerely.

"Are you sure?", Faryal asked with twinkling eyes.

"Hundred percent", Nadia baji assured her.

"Faryal bibi if you don't need me anymore can I go? I've some pending work in the kitchen", Nadia baji asked.

"Yeah sure, Thanks for the help", Faryal stated genuinely.

"And please leave the door open for the cross-ventilation, I can't switch on the air conditioner for Zahra", Faryal added.

Nadia baji left the room leaving the door open of Faryal's room. Faryal took Zahra's clothes from beside her and dressed her after putting on the diaper.

Whenever Faryal would touch Zahra's belly she would start laughing.

"Ammi ki Jaan, My ticklish baby", Faryal said with a smile and rubbed her nose on Zahra's belly slightly. Zahra burst into a fit of laughter and took Faryal's face in her small hand involuntarily to stop her but the moment Faryal would stop Zahra wanted her to do it again.

------------------------------------

Zohaib was going towards his room when he heard Zahra's giggles from Faryal's room. He walked in that direction, stood in front of her room, and peeked through the open door.

Faryal was tickling Zahra, while Zahra had held her face in her hands.

"You are getting very naughty Zahra", Faryal said sitting up straight. She moved to pick up Zahra's floral hairband from the nightstand when her eyes fell on Zohaib.

She stilled in her place. After few seconds she cleared her throat and said hesitantly, "Please come inside, if you want to", and shifted her gaze back to Zahra and made her sit on the bed.

Zohaib came inside, stooped down, and kissed Zahra's cheek. Zahra's face lit up when she saw her daddy. She started pushing her self in Zohaib's direction.

"Let me clean up myself first Zahra", Zohaib said lovingly to Zahra and left the room.

"Zahra daddy is coming", Faryal assured Zahra whose eyes were fixed at the door of the room.

After about five minutes Zohaib came back, freshly showered in his cargo shorts which reached up to his upper calf and a black t-shirt. Water droplets were falling from his hair.

"Ah shower, that quick.", Faryal thought.

Zohaib came forward to pick up Zahra from the bed. But before he could take her in his hands Faryal said.

"Can you please wait for a minute, Zahra has something for you", Faryal said looking into his eyes. He stepped back without saying anything. Faryal took his silence as a yes and went towards her closet with Zahra in her one hand and reemerged with something in her other hand.

"This is for you", Faryal said.

Zohaib hesitantly took a hand made card from Faryal which said "HAPPY 1st FATHER'S DAY". The front of the card was covered by Zahra's handprints in multi-colors.

Being a true believer of action speaks louder than words, She made hand-made cards as she used to make for her Baba Jan. It's Zohaib's first "Father's day" and she wanted him to feel the exact way how Zahra admire and long for him through her actions.

Zohaib thoughtfully examined the card in his hands a smile crept across his face.

"You liked it?", Faryal asked looking at his face for any answer in a hopeful tone.

Zohaib moved his eyes from the card and looked at Zahra and said: "A lot" with a smile.

"Look Zahra! you were worrying over nothing", Faryal said to Zahra with a pout.

"And there is a surprise as well, just wait a minute.", She stated further.

She walked in the direction of her bed, settled down Zahra in the middle of the bed, and sat beside her. Zohaib was looking at both of them with furrowed eyebrows in sheer confusion.

"Zahra you have to show it to daddy too, Okay?" Faryal whispered.

She slowly and carefully removed her hands from Zahra. She surrounded her hands around Zahra but was not touching her anymore whereas Zahra was still positioned in her place.

Zohaib's eyes shot up when the realization hit him. Zahra was sitting in front of him without any support. She was looking shyly at her daddy and Ammi, it felt like something new to her also. He was rooted in his place whereas Faryal was constantly looking at him trying to get his reaction.

"Ma'Sha'Allah", He finally uttered and took long strides in their direction. When he was about to sit beside Zahra, Zahra lost her balance. Both Faryal and Zohaib quickly caught her. Their hands intertwined with each other. Faryal froze at his touch, both of them looked at each other and after few seconds she pulled her hands back. Zohaib took Zahra in his lap and kissed her. He looked ecstatic.

"When did this happen?", Zohaib asked looking in Faryal's eyes sitting near her.

"In the morning", Faryal said with a blooming smile. She unlocked her mobile and showed him the picture of Zahra sitting for the first time.

"Does anybody know this?", Zohaib asked.

"Nah, I didn't tell anyone yet. Zain is not home since morning and I understand It's your place to know about her first.", Faryal expressed her thoughts. Zohaib was playing with Zahra. He seemed happy she could feel it.

"I know Zahra loves her Ammi more, that's why she wanted to show it to me first", Faryal said with a victorious smile.

"Ah khushfehmiyan! (Credulity)", Zohaib rolled his eyes.

"She loves her daddy more", He declared proudly.

"Impossible", Faryal huffed.

"Ah Khushfehmiyan", Faryal mimicked him.

"I've heard it", Zohaib said looking at her.

Faryal quickly turned her face in embarrassment.

"Fary you idiot why are your thoughts so audible?", She muttered to herself.

After some time Faryal said, "By the way, we will cut the cake together when dad comes home. It's Father's Day anyways".

"Hmm", Zohaib hummed while he was playing with Zahra.

"Did you have your lunch?", Faryal asked. Zohaib nodded his head indicating a no with his eyes fixed on Zahra.

"I'll bring our lunch here, nobody is home so sitting in the dining area is not needed", Faryal said and went to the kitchen. She made two platters and brought them to her room.

During lunch, Faryal kept telling him about how her day went with Zahra whereas Zohaib was listening to her and nodding his head as a reply. Nowadays she was feeling comfortable in Zohaib's presence even though he was not speaking much but at least he was responding to her. His actions were enough.

After having lunch Zohaib took Zahra with him to his room to take some rest. Today for the first time Faryal felt like a wife and a mother of a child more than ever.

--------------------------------------

Zohaib and Dad cut their cake in the evening holding Zahra's hand in theirs.

"Thank you Faryal beta", Dad said feeding her the piece of cake in his hand.

"It's nothing Dad", Faryal said sincerely.

"It's everything for me, my lovely daughter", Dad said and placed his hand on Faryal's head.

Huzaifa nudged Zohaib with his elbow. Zohaib looked at him questioningly.

"Don't you think you are supposed to do something", Huzaifa urged.

"What?", Zohaib inquired in bewilderment.

"Are you serious man?", Huzaifa huffed. He moved towards the table, placed a piece of cake on the plate, took Zohaib's hand, and handed him the plate.

"You have to feed her as well, don't act like such an ungrateful fool which you are not naturally", Huzaifa said looking at Faryal who was laughing, with her hand on her mouth. Zohaib moved his gaze towards Faryal, Huzaifa patted him on his back and said "Go Bhai".

Zohaib has realized his brother was right. He went towards Faryal and Dad. Both of them stopped talking when they felt his presence. Zohaib silently picked up the piece of cake and brought it near Faryal's mouth. Faryal looked at him in surprise, she didn't expect that from him. She looked down, tucked a lock of her chin-length hair behind her ear, only for it to flop again, and took a bite from the cake. She could feel everyone's eyes fixed on them.

"Thank you!", Zohaib said in almost a whisper.

Faryal reverted her gaze back to him and said with a tight-lipped smile "My pleasure!"

With that he went back, Faryal looked at his retrieving figure with a smile.

After that, they took family pictures together.

"Bhabhi are we taking Zahra with us?", Zain asked.

"No Zain, I wish we could but we have already snatched her from Zohaib for a whole day. It would be an injustice to take her from him now. Is tarh tou Zohaib hum say thung hi aajayen gai. (In this way Zohaib would get annoyed by us)", Faryal said the last part with a chuckle.

"Yeah you are right Bhabhi", Zain replied in an understanding way.

"Let's go we are getting late, Mom Dad Allah Hafiz. See you later", Huzaifa said.

"Allah Hafiz", Mom and dad replied.

Faryal, Zain, and Huzaifa went to Ayza's parent's home first. They celebrated Father's day with them, gave uncle his gift and the handmade card, and then to Khan Villa to celebrate with Baba Jan and Agha Jan. She knew her father would miss her today more than ever. She had wished them in the morning but that was not enough according to her. She wanted to do things for everyone she had always done for her baba Jan and Agha Jan. They had their dinner at her baba Jan's place and came back home late at night.

-----------------------------------

Zohaib picked up the colorful card again in his hands. He opened it and read:

"Daddy you are important every day, not just today ❤"

"Look Zahra! you were worrying over nothing", Faryal's previous words echoed in his ears.

A slow smile worked its way across his face and into his eyes over her innocent child-like antics.

"It's hard to leave Zahra at home, but Zain was right she needs to be home in these extreme weather conditions", Zohaib thought.

He took a deep breath, kept the card back in the drawer, and looked at Zahra who was still playing with her toys.

"Time to sleep Zahra, it's getting late", Zohaib said and picked her up in his hands.

-------------------------------------

Assalam-u-Alikum / Namaste. ❤

How was today's update?

Which part of the chapter did you like?