Dewy | شبنمی

Unedited:

Shida-e-ishq nay banayi yeh halut meri,

nabz chalthi hai you dukhthi hai kalayi meri.

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The clouds were thundering and rain pounded down relentlessly, blowing sideways from the strength of the wind. Zohaib was blankly looking outside the window. Raindrops were falling on him every now and then. Despite having a long tiring day he was unable to sleep. He went towards the table and picked up the vase in his hands and placed it in a safer place so it won't fall due to the wind. She had replaced the flowers. He looked at them intently.

"No nooo",

"Help me", Faryal cried.

Zohaib came out of the trance and rushed towards the bed.

"It's just a nightmare. Calm down....kuch nahi hova hai (Nothing happened)", he said softly and rubbed her back.

Faryal opened her eyes and hugged him. He peeked at Zahra and thankfully she was deep asleep.

He felt something wet on his neck.

"Tears", he thought.

She was shivering. He moved back slightly to wipe her tears.

"You are burning with fever", he mumbled worriedly. He laid her down on the bed. He brought a cold compress, applied it to her forehead, and gave her medicine.

Her fever came down early in the morning but she was terribly shivering. He half laid down beside her and pulled her closer.

Flashback starts:

Zohaib was pacing restlessly in front of the labour room. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead and he mopped it away with his forearm. He was extremely restless. He was mumbling Quranic verses and prayers.

"Zohaib why are you so tense beta? Ayza and the baby both will be fine In'Sha'Allah", Mom said.

Zohaib stopped and looked at his mother. He didn't know why but he was feeling anxious, extremely anxious. Suddenly the door of the labour room opened and a doctor rushed towards them.

"Zohaib Ayza's blood pressure is not coming down. We can either save the baby or the mother", A senior doctor said worriedly. Zohaib felt like his whole world crashed down around him

"What do you mean. She had a normal pregnancy", Ayza's mother let out a painful cry. Everyone stood up from the chairs.

"We need your sign Zohaib", The doctor showed papers to Zohaib. "Urgently".

Huzaifa moved forward and kept his hand on Zohaib's shoulder. Zohaib took the pen and paper from the doctor. His hand was shaking and his vision was blurred with tears.

"Save my wife", he said with a shaky voice and signed. His tears fell on the paper.

"Please save my wife", he let out a loud cry this time. "I beg you please save her doctor".

"Keep praying, we will do whatever we can", the doctor said and hurriedly went inside the labour room.

Dad hugged Zohaib and whispered, "Everything will be fine my boy". Dad consolingly rubbed his back.

After a while, they heard the cry of a child. The doors of the labour room opened and the doctor came outside. Zohaib ran towards her.

"Ma'am how's Ayza?", he asked.

"Sorry, we couldn't save Ayza. But your baby is fine.", the doctor replied. Zohaib froze. He felt like someone has knocked the air out of his lungs.

The nurse came with the baby in her hands. He didn't look at the baby and sat down on the floor.

"Bhai", Huzaifa sat down beside him with tear-filled eyes. Zohaib was too numb to digest the reality.

After that, he only remembered the loud cries of everyone, his dark room, and loneliness. Nothing else. He didn't look at his child for days.

Flashback ends.

Zohaib fetched a deep breath and looked at Faryal. The tears were falling from his eyes. He placed a kiss on Faryal's head and mumbled "I couldn't save Ayza but I won't let anything happen to you and Zahra".

He turned his gaze towards Zahra and smiled with teary eyes. "My child", he murmured.

His eyelids drooped. He heard Zahra's whimper and opened his eyes. Zahra was looking at her daddy with wide eyes.

He carefully removed his hand from Faryal and tapped Zahra but Zahra rolled over and sat down. He was unable to move.

"Zahra must be hungry.", he thought.

Zahra crawled towards the side of the bed.

"Zahra no, come here beta you will fall down", He whispered. Zahra stopped. She looked back at her daddy.

"Come", he said softly and after few seconds she crawled towards him.

"Am..mii", Zahra eyes fluttered between her Ammi and daddy.

"Your Ammi is sick", He replied in a low voice and held Zahra's one hand.

He picked up his cell phone and called Huzaifa. He knew Huzaifa was the only one who would understand his situation without any judgment.

After few rings, Huzaifa attended the call.

"Khairyut bhai? (Is everything alright brother?)", he asked in a sleepy voice.

"All good. Can you please come to my room? I need your help", Zohaib whispered hesitantly.

"Sure bhai", Huzaifa replied.

"The door is unlocked, come inside without knocking",

"Okay".

A few minutes later Huzaifa tip-toed in his room. He groggily rubbed his eyes and strode near the bed. His eyes traveled from Zohaib, Faryal, and then to Zahra who was trying to release her hand from her daddy's hold. Huzaifa understood. He moved forward and took Zahra in his hands and then went towards Zohaib.

"Can you please take Zahra to Mom, I'm unable to move and she needs someone",

Huzaifa glanced at Faryal and then back to the Zohaib's uncomfortable state and said "Sure bhai. What happened to Faryal? Is she okay?".

Both of them were whispering to each other.

"She had a fever and kept crying in her sleep due to nightmares. I haven't slept a minute last night", Zohaib said.

"Oh! don't worry, we will take care of Zahra. You both take some rest", Huzaifa said understandingly. He picked up Zahra's essentials and left the room.

Zohaib wrapped his hands around Faryal and fell into a deep slumber.

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"Zahra what do you want beta", Huzaifa tried to hush Zahra. She looked at him with tear-filled eyes.

"Mom is not at home", he thought. He forgot to remind Zohaib that the elders of the family have not arrived at home yet.

"Nadia baji must be asleep. It would be rude to wake her up early in the morning", he thought.

"There is only one option left Zahra, let's go."

Huzaifa grabbed her essentials and left his room. He took few steps and stopped. He looked at Zahra and mumbled. "I've never thought that one day I'll be knocking at this door".

He knocked on the door a few times and finally, Mahum opened the door. She looked at him and Yawned.

"We need your help", Huzaifa said. Zahra let out a whimper which got Mahum's attention.

"What is Zahra doing with you?", she asked realizing her presence. She stretched her hands forward and took Zahra from him.

"Faryal is sick, Bhai is taking care of her. He told me to take Zahra to mom but you know they have not returned home yet", Huzaifa replied. Mahum nodded and went inside. Huzaifa followed her.

"Shh Zahra, what happened kiddo?", Mahum laid Zahra on the bed.

"I"ve fed her the formula milk, that's all I knew....I don't understand why she is so restless", he said.

"Faryal says Zahra gets restless when her diaper is soiled", Mahum checked Zahra's diaper. "It's soiled, did you bring another one".

"Umm yeah", Huzaifa handed her Zahra's bag. Mahum opened the bag and took out a diaper and wipes.

"Can you do that", Huzaifa asked. Mahum glanced at Huzaifa and said, "I have never done this before but I've seen Faryal doing this, I can try. We can not let the poor child in this state".

Huzaifa heaved a sigh in relief. "Thank God", he mumbled.

"Can you please distract her? It would be easier for me then", Mahum stated.

Huzaifa nodded and settled down on the bed. He laid down propped up on one elbow and kept playing with Zahra while Mahum was changing the diaper. Zahra was laughing at her chachu. Mahum smiled looking at Zahra while she fastened the tabs to secure the diaper on Zahra's waist. Her eyes unintentionally moved towards Huzaifa, he was laughing too.

Huzaifa was saying something to Zahra, his eyes moved upwards meeting her gaze and he stopped midsentence.

Mahum shifted her eyes and said, "It's done".

Huzaifa straightened up and said, "Thanks, You can sleep now. I'll take back Zahra with me".

"I won't be able to sleep again, you can leave Zahra with me", Mahum said. Huzaifa thought for a moment and then said "I'll sit here. In case you need any help". The normal conversation with each other felt weird to both of them. Mahum nodded and he sat down on the chair.

"Let's draw something", Mahum picked up Zahra's notebook and pencil from her bag. Zahra smiled and started drawing.

"Kabi socha nahi tha is jungli billi say madad mangni parhay gi (I've never thought that I'll ever have to ask for help from this wild cat).", Huzaifa thought. He was listening to their chatters and unknowingly fell asleep.

A few minutes later Mahum turned her eyes towards him and realized he was asleep.

"Yeh khaados bachay ki tarh masoom laghtha hai neend mein...kabi socha na tha (I've never thought this snobby person would look innocent like a child while sleeping)", she rolled her eyes.

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Faryal weakly opened her eyes. She blinked a few times and then closed her eyes. She cuddled closer to the warmth. Her nostrils filled with the familiar Musk and Amber cologne.

"Zohaib", she murmured and again opened her eyes. She looked up and realized her sleeping position. Zohaib was uncomfortably half laid on the bed and she was lying on top of him. His hands were wrapped around her.

She glanced at his face. He was asleep with his mouth slightly open.

"Allah Miyan", She felt a warm blush rise to her cheeks. She tried to get out of his grip but he tightened his hold around her. She turned her head to the side but the bed was empty.

"Where is Zahra", she frowned and glanced at the wall clock. The clock read 2:48. Her eyes widened.

"Zohaib", she softly called his name.

"Hmmm", he hmmed in sleep.

"I need to go.", she said.

He opened his eyes and blinked groggily. He removed his hands around her and asked in a hoarse voice "Are you okay?

She nodded. He placed his hand on her forehead, her body temperature was normal. She carefully stood up from the bed whereas he turned his side and closed his eyes again. She picked up a casual shalwar kameez for herself and went inside the washroom. She splashed some water on her face and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Water was dripping down on her face. She moved her eyes towards her clothes. His clothes smelled like him. She inhaled a deep breath and smiled.

"With you by my side, everything is possible my friend. Everything.", she mumbled and closed her eyes.

"Time to dress up Fary", she reminded herself. She dressed up and went downstairs. Mom hastily came towards her as she entered the lounge.

"How are you my child", Mom hugged her and asked with a worry-laced voice.

Faryal wrapped her hands around mom and replied, "I'm very well now".

"We are so sorry Fary we weren't there when you needed us", Tayi Ammi placed her hand on Faryal's head. Faryal moved back and smiled. "It's okay Tayi Ammi". Dad, Taya Abu asked her about her well-being.

"Where is Zahra?", Faryal moved her gaze across the lounge.

"She is in the lawn with Mahum and Zain. I'll call them", Usman stated.

"Faryal", Dadi jan called her name and signaled her to sit down with her.

"Ji Dadi jan", Faryal replied and took steps towards dadi jan.

"Huzaifa told me you got fever. It must be because of the change in the weather", Dadi jan said. Faryal didn't know what to tell her in reply.

Huzaifa took quick steps and stood behind Faryal. He playfully ruffled Faryal's hair. "Dadi jan you were right she doesn't take care of herself. Look, the slight change in the weather took a toll on her health".

"Dadi jan, Dada jan and dadi phupho know only about the fever", Huzaifa whispered.

"You should take care of yourself Faryal", Dadi phupho's words surprised her.

"Ji dadi phupho", Faryal nodded.

Huzaifa wrapped his hand around her shoulder from the back. Faryal turned her head upwards meeting his eyes. "Dadi phupho don't worry I'll take care of her. Behn hai meri, huq hai muj par pora pora. Haina? (She is my sister and has a full right on me, right?)".

"Bilkul (Indeed)", Faryal smiled and placed her hand over his hand.

"Miii", they heard Zahra's voice.

"Miii", Zain copied her.

"Zahra that's not fair at all. A few minutes ago you said Zain chacho is the best. Now when you heard your Ammi is calling you are screaming mii, Um..miii, Ammi", Zain said.

"When did she say Zain chacho is the best", Mahum frowned.

"Oh, you won't understand that Mahum baji...It's our heart-to-heart connection", Zain replied.

Zain handed Zahra to Faryal. "Mera bacha (My baby)", she kissed Zahra. "Ammi's little girl".

"Zahra was so patient today. Even she slept with me very well", Mom said.

"That's how Allah has made a mother-child relationship. They can feel each other's pain even without saying", Dadi jan said.

"I'm so busy in talking that I forgot I should make the soup and khichri (Khichri is a salty porridge made up of rice and lentils) for Faryal", Tayi Ammi stated.

"SOUP...NO", Huzaifa, Zain, Mahum and Usman said in unison.

"Aesi nashukri aulad say Allah bachaye hur kisi ko (May Allah keep safe everyone from such ungrateful kids)", Tayi Ammi scowled.

Faryal cleared her throat and said "Tayi Ammi I don't have any issue".

"Seekho kuch tum sub Faryal say (You all should learn something from Faryal)", Tayi Ammi huffed and went to the kitchen.

"We warned you already", Mahum flipped her hair.

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Huzaifa, Zohaib, and Uzair were talking to Dad and Taya Abu after coming back from the police station.

"The police has caught those bas-", Zohaib stopped midsentence due to dad's and taya abu's presence.

"We need to make sure they don't get away from the case easily. You know these types of criminals don't even consider it a crime", Taya abu said.

"No, they won't In'Sha'Allah", Huzaifa said. "We will make them pay for their sins".

"They didn't take Faryal's verdict yet", Dad frowned.

"We can not dig her wounds again knowing how painful it was for her. The ASP cooperated a lot chacha jan", Uzair said.

"Uzair was the eyewitness and they took help from the CCTV cameras. We requested the ASP to include Faryal in this mess. She understood but she will pay a visit to our home in a couple of days", Zohiab said.

After few minutes of discussion, Zohaib went to his room. The scenario in the room made him stop at the door.

"Open your mouth Fary beta", Tayi ammi said as she brought a spoon filled with the green soup near her mouth.

Faryal pursed her lips. She glanced at Mahum, Usman, and Zain. They shrugged and gave her a "We warned you" look.

She opened her mouth and gulped the liquid quickly with her eyes closed. Zohaib went deeper into the room and stood in front of the bed.

"She is having mama's famous green soup", Mahum stated.

"That too willingly". Usman shook his head with his eyes fixed on Faryal and his mother.

"Tayi Ammi I'm stuffed", Faryal said helplessly as Tayi Ammi brought a spoon again in front of her mouth. Zohaib's lips twitched up in amusement.

"Oh so you are having that famous soup. Too good", Zohaib teased her. She pleaded him through her eyes to help her.

"Tayi Ammi I was saying that why don't you leave her to me. You might be tired. Hats off to you for taking care of everyone", Zohaib said to Tayi Ammi.

"Aray Zohaib beta it's nothing", Tayi Ammi chuckled.

"Please Tayi Ammi take care of yourself too", Zohaib insisted.

Tayi Ammi smiled, gave him the bowl, and left the room.

"We warned her", Usman placed Zahra on the bed and they went away too and closed the door behind them. Faryal quickly rushed towards the washroom leaving the door open. Zohaib took Zahra in his hands and made her sit on the floor so she won't fall from the bed. He followed Faryal. She was pushing herself to vomit. Zohaib quickly grabbed her hair in his hand and rubbed her back with the other one.

"Easyyyy", he said softly. She rinsed her mouth and turned around facing him.

"I just can not tell you how I controlled myself in front of Taya Ammi", she heaved a deep sigh. "Thank God you came Zohaib".

He took her hand and led her towards the bed and handed her Zahra. She laid down holding Zahra closely.

Zohaib sat down beside her. He glanced at the soup, then to Faryal, and then back to the soup. He tried to stifle his laughter but finally burst into a fit of laughter. Faryal gawked at him.

"When they warned you why didn't you take them seriously", he said in between his laughter.

"Because I didn't want to hurt Tayi Ammi. Honestly speaking I didn't expect it that bad", She pouted. "and you are laughing at me, huh. What kind of a friend does that". Zahra was caressing-cum-pulling Faryal's face.

"I was going to teach Zahra how to say daddy, but now I changed my mind", she said.

"I can teach her by myself", he shrugged. "Come on Zahra say daddy".

Zahra smiled at him but didn't say anything.

"Zahra say it beta. My honour is at stake", he whispered.

"Zahra say day- dy (daddy)", Faryal said.

"day-ee", Zahra repeated. Faryal smirked.

"Zahra that's not fair", Zohaib groaned.

"Koe nahi (Don't worry) I'll teach her your name", she betted her eyes.

He sulked and didn't say anything further.

Faryal's smile faded. "I guess I've crossed the limit", she thought.

She sat down, took Zahra in her hands, and placed her in Zohaib's lap.

"Zahra might listen and understands me more but she loves you the most. Her eyes lit up when she looks at you, you know that already Zohaib. She is a daddy's girl. It's just I'm always around her, she keeps hearing my name maybe that's why she started speaking it. I don't have any intention to compete with you", she said.

"I just got a bit...", he stopped to find the appropriate word.

"Possessive", Faryal completed his sentence.

"I don't know what it is", he said meekly. She held his chin in her fingers and turned his face towards her so she can look him into the eyes.

"You don't have to Zohaib. Her world revolves around you just like your world revolves around her. I have to convince her to eat food, change a dress or even take a nap but with you...she would do everything smoothly. Love is dripping for you from her each action. Love can not be explained, it can be only felt.", she said. He nodded.

"Now stop frowning like an old grumpy man", she sat up on her knees and straightened the lines on his forehead with her fingers and then she stretched his lips with her fingers "And smile".

"Am I an old man?", he raised his eyebrow.

"You should focus on the word grumpy more", she shrugged.

"Aese udaas na ho jaya kren ap (Please don't get upset like this) I can not bear that", she said sincerely. He nodded again.

"And pleaseeee stop nodding, at least say something", she was getting annoyed.

"Okay", he replied.

"Good boy", she smiled.

"Since you decided to act like a good boy Zahra will give you a kiss", She told Zahra. Zohaib smiled and bent his face to Zahra's level. He whimpered softly and moved back. Faryal quickly sat up straight and asked, "Are you okay?".

"Yeah, nothing to worry", he said but his expression said something else. She looked at him worriedly and took Zahra from him.

"It's just a strained muscle in my back", he stood up and stretched his back a little bit.

Knock! knock!

"Come in", Faryal called out. The door opened and mom came inside.

"I came to check up on you. How are you feeling now?", Mom asked Faryal.

"I'm fine mom. Please don't worry", Faryal replied. Mom looked at Zohaib and frowned "What happened to you?",

"Strained muscle", (Faryal)...."Nothing" (Zohaib)..They both said in unison.

"Oh Allah, I'll take Zahra with me then. You both can not take care of her in this state", Mom said.

"Mom she can not sleep without us", Zohaib said.

"No she slept with me perfectly in the morning", Mom said.

"Mom", Faryal looked at her helplessly.

"Give Zahra to me". Mom said and Faryal handed her Zahra disheartedly. Mom left the room. Faryal turned her head towards Zohaib.

"Zohaibbbb", she whined.

"You should visit a physiotherapist", she stated after some time observing his restlessness.

"I'll be fine", he replied.

She thought for a minute and dragged her feet off the bed. She took a pain relief cream from the first aid box.

"I can...massage that for you", she said feeling a bit awkward.

Zohaib looked at her intently and said "You need rest by yourself. I'm fine".

"He has never left me in pain alone.", she thought.

"Amma jan says there is magic in my hands", she sounded confident this time.

"I insist", she added.

He thought for a few seconds and then nodded. He took off his T-shirt and sat down on the edge of the bed. She gulped. All her confidence vanished. She was standing behind him. She poured some cream on her fingers and with shaky hands applied it on his lower back and closed her eyes.

"Allah miyan what have I gotten myself into", she thought.

Zohaib knew her fingers were trembling. His eyes unconsciously fell on the mirror in front of them. A smile crept across his face noticing her closed eyes.

"She is uncomfortable", he thought.

"I think that's pretty much of it", he said. "Thank you".

She quickly stopped. He took the T-shirt from the bed and turned towards her.

"By the way your Amma jan was right", he smiled and went to the washroom.

She smiled and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was blushing.

"Allah miyan", she whined and hid her face in the cushion.

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

"Zahra will be okay?", Faryal asked starring at the ceiling.

"Hmm", Zohaib hummed he was lying on his side of the bed.

"She can not sleep without us", She said.

"If she couldn't mom will bring her back", he replied.

"What if Zahra was crying", She quickly sat down.

"She is safe with mom. Nothing will happen to her. Relax. From last one hour you are constantly saying these things", he tried to convince her.

"Zohaib I can not sleep without her", she grumbled with glassy eyes. "I am going to take her back", she said. But before she could step down from the bed he grabbed her hand.

"No Faryal. Just look at the time. It's almost midnight. They will be asleep by now", He said softly. "We will bring her back in the early morning, not now please. We won't let her leave us again, okay?".

She nodded her head vigorously.

"Yeah we won't", she repeated his words to calm her heart.

"Sleep now", he said. Her stomach grumbled.

"Oh so you are hungry. I'll inform Tayi Ammi to cook some fresh green soup for you", he chuckled.

"Stop teasing me", The evident blush proclaimed her embarrassment. "I didn't eat anything that's why I'm hungry now."

"Let's find something for you then. Chalo (Let's go)", he stated and get off the bed.

"Where?", she frowned.

"Kitchen", he replied.

She accompanied him and they both went downstairs. He searched the fridge but didn't find anything she could eat.

"I think we need to cook something", he muttered. "Will you eat white pasta".

"Yup, but what about your back", she asked. "I can help you".

"I won't bend", he replied. "And no I don't need your help".

"I'll sit here then", she sat down on the kitchen island. He gathered the ingredients and started cooking the white pasta.

"Can you cook everything?", she looked at him surprised.

"Uhu...not everything. Just a few Ayza's favorite dishes", he replied.

"That's great", she said. "Baba never let me do anything that's why I don't even know the basics".

"Zohaib what's your favorite dish?", she questioned.

"Why do you want to know?",

"A friend should know that",

"Daal makhni...I like daal makhni that's what my friend should know",

She kept talking to him.

"It's done", he stated after a while.

"Wow, that was too quick", she replied. "Can I taste it".

He filled the spoon and took it near her mouth. She opened her mouth.

"Uff sorryyy", Zain screamed and covered his eyes.

The spoon fell from Zohaib's hand and he turned around.

"You don't have to cover your eyes, stop being dramatic", Zohaib said keeping a straight face.

Zain removed his hand and looked at them carefully.

"Sorry bhai I came here to drink water", Zain said and peeked at the pasta. "Wow white pasta".

"Madam ko bhook lagi thi (She was hungry)", Zohaib said with his eyes fixed on Faryal.

"Oh can I have some", Zain looked at him with hopeful eyes.

"Sure", Zohaib replied.

Zain filled his plate and left the kitchen. Faryal and Zohaib ate it in the kitchen and went upstairs.

She laid down on the bed holding Zahra's soft toy tightly. It smelled like Zahra. Zohaib laid down beside her. He wasn't showing but he was missing Zahra a lot. She had always slept with him. He placed his hand on the toy Faryal was holding.

"We won't let her go again", he whispered to which she nodded.

"Yeah we won't", she whispered too and wrapped her one hand over Zohaib's waist. Zohaib moved forward and wrapped his hands around her. She kept her head on his arm.

He kissed her forehead and said, "Good night".

"Good night", she replied and in few minutes they fell asleep.

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Assalam u Alikum/Namaste, ❤

I hope you're having a great day.

How was today's update?

Which part of the chapter did you like?

After writing these flashbacks I realised that I should have written Zohaib-Ayza's story first and then Zohaib-Faryal's as a sequel of it. Khair ab kya ho saktha hai. ab tou sirf Zohaib pay dil hi aa saktha hai haha.

Thank you so much for your support it means a lot.❤