Take 33 - Ties of Blood

3 years ago

mysticaltales11111

@mysticltales111

Hellooooo Guysssssssss....

So yes – here I am with the next update for HW3.o this week!!🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

Word Count –Medium Long in length –6.5K Words.✍✍👩‍💻👩‍💻

Taking some hours off to just Write this Out finally has truly been my Respite in taking my Mind Off – Everything Covid! And I truly hope – that you are able to experience some distraction and entertainment through the Story Too🤗❤🙏

Will be Eager to know your feedback on the Same!

Thank you so very much guys* Infinity for all your Support to my Work till now! It truly means so much to me!🤗🤗🤗🤗✍✍✍👩‍💻👩‍💻👩‍💻👩‍💻

Also, yes this is the First Draft. Please definitely ignore editing/common repition of words errors etc – since I have not proofread.

I shall now let you all dive in without Further Delay.

...................................

** If you are reading this work/story on any other platform other than Wattpad/India Forums, especially TRUYEN4U.net/ NovelHD or any other domain with the TruyenKK etc - then you are very likely to be at a risk of a Malware Attack for these sites are Mirror sites - who are reflecting our work through a malware lens. If you wish to read this Story in its Orignal, Safe, form, please go to Wattpad/ India Forums.**

Please bring it to my Notice by Messaging me on Wattpad, where in my username is - mysticaltales11111 - if you read this Story on any other platform, apart from Wattpad/ India Forums.

...................

Disclaimer:

This Story/ Written Series is a work of Fiction.All characters are fictitious.Any resemblance to a person living or dead is purely coincidental. The depiction off fictitious characters through their cross - cultural backgrounds is also a work of pure fiction. I respect all faiths, cultures, communities with its rich diversities, equally.I mean no offence or hurt to anyone's sentiments through my work in any way whatsoever.

....................................

TAKE 33 – The Tie's of Blood

The Truth.

I'v heard some wonder and often ask – What is Truth? For most of the times, it's just the bit that each of us humans have our very own version of it – revolving in our heads and hearts. Very often, as humans – we do find ourselves amidst the bit – that sometimes – the version of our truth simply differs from the version of the other.

Well – that's true.Because – Yes – Truth can be Subjective – indeed.

But Yet – nonetheless – it's the power socket of the Truth – that's also got that power to change things.It's our very own truths that serve as the sun's/point of mindfulness of the solar system of our beings. Our Truth's are the crux/orbits around – which we revolve around in the days of our lives as humans.

And then – there is Reality.

One may ask – aren't they the same? Are they not similar elements? But probably – this is where as humans – we need to pause and ask ourselves – Are They? Are Truth and reality - really the same thing? And once we have done that – asked ourselves the very same question – we must do ourselves the much-needed favour of being brutally honest to ourselves about the answer that stands in our faces – then. That – very often – it's the curious case – that Reality and Truth might not necessarily be the same thing.For truth is subjective. But reality just exists out there – nonetheless. It's the Reality that pretty much the core that often leads to different versions/stems of the same happening which becomes each individual's respective truths.

You know like a half glass and half full situation? For one the truth maybe that the glass is half full – for another the truth maybe that the glass is half – empty. But the Reality in this case is just the bit there is a glass of water with some water filled in it – resting on the table.Now how one looks at that Reality – makes all the difference now doesn't it?

For then – there's also that context of just mere Perception's of respective Truth's at play. And as an anonymous someone once rightly quoted – " That Reality and Perception are two different things".

So often – we all just perceive a perception/belief of instance to be a defining factor of our very own truths. We often forget to take into consideration the bits that we'v probably very conveniently forgotten to look at all the angles – that the Reality – might deflect from it's existence.

But just like truth/personal beliefs behold it's potent power – the Reality often holds a potent divinity power factor to it too. The divinity potent power factor that often – has the super power to just realign the very own definitions - of our subjective truths.

And so maybe it can be rightly said – that even though – reality and truth may be corelated – to one another - they surely are very different elements at play here.

Versions of Truth – succumb.They evolve.They change with factors/determinants. But Reality – Just exists. It Just remains.As it is.Always. As the core crux of a moment/happening. Waiting. For that one fine day – when the spotlight evolves – and in comes to light a different angle to the mindfulness of the human mind.The angle that had just been silently lingering in the shades/backend of it's happening – all along.

And then – Reality smiles. Why? Because it finally get's to witness the screening of – the movie show titled – Transition in the Version's of Human Truths!

And - Does Reality - also binge on a huge bucket of popcorn whilst lounging in it's comfortable lounger - as this movie show begins? Probably Yes. That's exactly what it often does – as it just exists and remains confined within the very seat of it's moment of occurrence – and watches the show that was eventually fated to unfold – one fine day!

..............................

What do you do when you come face to face with a Reality factor that has just ripped out the freaking ground from underneath your feet/heart/mind/soul??

Just what do you do?

How do you react?? You surely want to react.But yet – you can't.Because for a moment – everything's Frozen.Evertyhing has come to that freaking Standstill.

Yes.

These thoughts were still the very bits that were consuming Raahil and Noor's beings as they continued to stand rooted, shocked, shaken, and frazzeled as the version of the truth they had just heard from Khushi – continued to hammer and echo it's way into their beings. Both their senses were in a collective overdrive. On one end – their ears were soaking in everything they had just heard and on the other end – their eyes – were also observing in the vulnerable frame of Khushi sobbing into her hands – her shoulders shaking – as she sat slumped on the sofa upfront.

Raahil was too shaken to even slump back into his seat as he gaped at Khushi's phone screen in his hand over and over in between to see the pictures + just gaping at Khushi – in a stunned – reeling – poignant – silence – in between every now and then.

Noor could sense everything Raahil was feeling obviously. She knew he was way too shaken to get himself to defreeze and react and so she feels like she's the one whose gotta instruct her being to defreeze first? She rubs her hands over her face now and takes a deep breathe and it is right very then – she sees Raahil just give her the silent dazed/hazed/frazzled look that says to her silently – Get Khushi to talk more.Noor.Now I need to know everything that she knows. Or maybe ask her to reconfirm everything she just said – Noor? I need to hear it again. What Reality have I just come face to face with?????????????? Did she really just say – she's Abbu's daughter?? Did she really just imply she is my half- sister?

Noor exchanges a powerful silent nod with Raahil now as she takes Khushi's phone from his hand and walks up across to sit by Khushi's side first – her heart now going out to Khushi - too.

Noor could easily sense by the vibe radiating through Khushi's frame right now that – this had been extremely difficult a step for her to take.And just like that – everything that had happened within her brief encounters around Khushi – makes its way back to Noor's head – Noor's heart get's overwhelmed with the memory of a moment back from Gadaffi when Abbu had signed an autograph for Khushi and had very candidly shared the bit with her that if he had a daughter – he would have named her the very same.For a second, all Noor's heart wanted to know – was what exactly must have Khushi felt in that moment of time???

Yes.Raahil was still reeling and recovering from the shock of the truth in his head as he stood across frazzled but Noor felt it – in her gut and in her heart. That Khushi was telling the truth.This wasn't any imaginary tale. This was the poignant reality.Indeed. She brushes her hand on Khushi's arm now in support as she asks her very own voice shaking – " that day...at Gaddafi..when Abbu coincidentally mentioned whilst signing your autograph...that if he had a daughter..he would have named her Khushi...too...how must you have felt Khushi???? Just how must you have felt???,"And she pauses and looks at Raahil as to remind him the context too – " Abbu's often mentioned this to us..so many times...too...remember Raahil? He'd often say to you – Raahil...if you had a sister – she'd be called..Khushi...for I love that name..."

Khushi looks up at Noor at that almost instantly.Her sinking in emotions heart begins to sail and finds its way to swim through the vulnerable storm.Why? Because – not just Noor's question, it was also the warmth in her tone right now+ her gesture with the support on her arm that told Khushi – that even though Raahil was still in the middle of processing everything she had just said – Noor believed her. It was in her eyes. And that bit obviously came as a saving grace for Khushi. For a moment – she was beyond just glad – that she hadn't been called out for aa a scheming liar by the two.(A scenario – she'd also imagined in her fearful mind prior)

And so , Khushi finally wiped the soaking trail of her tears with both her hands and she whispers softly and honestly taking in the sight of Raahil just nodding frazzeled at Noor's reference too as if his head was busy in connecting the dots as well now – " I felt..like...I was drowning in that moment of time..Noor..into a whirpool of massive biological emotions...in that moment of time..when he just said that to me...because trust me when I say this to you...my only intention then..was to see him from afar once...to see Raahil once from afar...because I would just catch up on everything about them online..right? so...even if it was under fan pretext...so that I could help myself with some closure within on this...wound..personally...of never...knowing....my...fa..th..e..r....,"and she chokes on her very own words momentarily and continues garnering immense strength from within as she looks at Noor and now holds onto her hand and then also looks at Raahil's pale white stunned face and continues – " trust me..Noor...Raahil..I never..wanted to interfere into your lives...ever...like I told you..Mum never wanted to even disturb the peaceful rhythym into his life as well..which was just also why she never even told him...about me..she always kept my existence a secret...she loved him so deep...she would always tell me after...when we had openly discussed the truth...why disturb the waves of his life Khushi? He's moved on..out there..he's carved out a settled life...a family for himself...why must I barge into his present and bring out caskets of the past..when it was destined to never meant to be...Mum always feared...that everything about this truth..could also be a potential scandal for him right? given that he is a celebrated public figure...in your society..trust me..when I say this..Noor..Raahil...Mum never wanted to harm him ever...in any way...till today..she's prioritized his well being..in her heart she's always thought she's protecting him/guarding him from the controversy the angle of our truth can create..for him...infact...she doesn't even know...I am here right now..talking to you too..because even though we are super close...I knew..if I tell her..she'll just emotionally blackmail me...out of talking this out to you both..for she's been guarding/nursing her wound too for decades right..the denial of never having to confront it ever – has been her go to zone for decades now...right??so I just felt...I atleast had to address this out for her...for in its truest sense..she's never moved on in her heart..and then to overhear..that he hasn't too in its vulnerable sense in some ways that...just shook everything inside off me...Noor...Raahil...I know...Raahil...you think..i didn't have the right to overhear..but I think fate had be stationed at the right spot at the right time...I guess...for it was very then I got to know...it all....right? I mean...Mum would often wonder..if he ever had Shepherd's Pie ever again..so many times..in her heart...in all these years...and when that was the exact bit I first related from your conversation. It just bombed my insides in so much emotion...."

That catches Noor and Raahil by shaken surprise yet again and Noor takes in and observes Raahil's silent gesture as she adds and asks on his behalf – " wait...wait...so Khushi..are you saying that we were right in our assumption that Abbu never having a Shepherd's Pie in the last 25 plus years was related to this hurt from the past??"

Khushi nods now frantically at that as she says – " yes...yes...you were right in thinking that ...that day...it was their comfort food back in the day..Mum used to cook it for him..when they were together...he used to love it..so much so..that he'd often say to her...then...that he'd only eat her hand made dish of the Shepherd's Pie...,"And she pauses and says now unlocking her phone – " wait...I have a picture of that moment of theirs too..from back in time...I took it off Mum's old album that she treasures...,"and she hands the phone now to Noor as she says wiping the flow of her tears – " I snapped these photos from her album off late so that I could just sometimes see them both in one frame..given that it felt this was the only way I could live that moment in my heart...so see...there you go..Noor...see..Mum's written the date..the time..the details of the moment..etc...its all there...if you scroll through this album in my phone...you will see some more pictures of them...from the past...."

Noor looks at it all through with a heavy heart and as she's going through it all she asks shaken and moved as her head remembers a familiar memory – " so I guess...your Mum is the very reason...why Abbu thinks a zillion times before travelling to England? If he has to go their for work..he'll zip back to Lahore in a day maximum...he never extends his stay in England beyond a day at the most...and prefers to get all his work done in and around the hotels near Heathrow...is she the reason he prefers to stay away from Central London..mostly?"

And as Raahil hears Noor bring up this context – his head continues to reel in an overdrive – connecting all the dots of this reference in the past.

Khushi nods at Noor at that as she says – " yes...maybe...I guess...but what I know for sure..is that he is the reason why Mum never travelled to Pakistan with her gaming unit/ I mean she is their head physio...but..whenever the tour of Pakistan came or even when Pakistan came to play in England – she'd always find a way to have her deputy's or other medical associates...step in..she'd call in sick then...take a off..or cite a medical conference as an excuse..but she always escaped that moment...I guess...because..she never...wanted to confront him..ever again..."

Noor takes that bit in as she nods at that and then looks at the still statued frozen Raahil's frame but she could sense that he was also interested to see all these pictures in Khushi's phone for himself and so Noor asks Khushi – " Khushi...I'm just going to hand your phone to Raahil so that he can see the rest of these pictures himself...and whilst he is doing that...how about...you tell us the remainder of everything...please? everything that you know..with regard to this...your Mum's reasosns...if she had any more of guarding this...everything...we want to know...everything..."

Khushi gulps down her tears at that and nods silently determined and watches Noor hand her phone to the – shaken Raahil – who just manages to move a little bit upfront now to take Khushi's phone in his hand again and she whispers – " sure..Noor...I could tell you both..everything...everything that I know...Mum's version of things too...,"and so she begins to draw open the curtain to it all bit by bit beginning with the bit – " there break up was bad...really bad..ended on a sour note..she said..she never wanted to see him again..basically they couldn't bridge their differences/despite the deep love...,"and so on she continues.

Khushi knew Noor was going to listen to her with utmost sincerity shining up her shaken vulnerable face. Just like she also knew – that even though he was still chained by stunned shock – unable to move/respond – she knew she had the attention of Raahil's ear's too. She knew he was all ears – through all his poignant stunned silence in the moment - still.She didn't mind that one bit – obviously – though.

All she had come to do – was to tell her version of it all – to them – anyway – right?????????????

She knew she was being heard. And in that moment – Khushi felt like that was the only blessing she had needed.

.........................................

40 Minutes Later

For the last - 40 minutes – Raahil had been listening to it all. He had been listening everything – Khushi was now relaying to him and Noor. Her Mum's reasons.Her ache over all these years. Her fear of having her only child being taken away from her – if Rehaan found out about her existence given that he was in the position of stature and power to do so as well.

Noor was continuing to do the bit for him – as she asked Khushi off everything – from her angle too. When she came to know the truth, how? What's off it? Noor even asked Khushi off the context of her trip to Lahore in further detail and they both heard – Khushi's side of it all out as she went out to relay her side of the story – on this very angle – with all the details - until this very point. They both had also heard about Khushi's wish to also continue to keep this undercover from the world at large for Rehaan's sake. They heard her relay over and over that her very aim for coming here was to just see the truth out in front of them and – if there was any way she could help Alice and Rehaan atleast confront things out once with one another.To see if there was a chance that she could help her Mum heal on this.They heard her also suggest over and over – that they could have her DNA tested in private if they wanted. If they still had doubts on her side of the story. They heard her request them over and over – to just trust her honest intentions on this. That she had no other agenda at work in here but her Mum.She wanted nothing – else.

Yeah.

Noor was hearing it all.

So was Raahil.

Noor was doing her bit of reading on from Raahil's stunned silent gestures and picking on the questions she thought – he'd wanted to know.

And Raahil was just listening to it all.

His ears were soaking it all in.

So was his mind.His heart.His soul.

And in the middle of it all – he'd some how just managed to slump back into his seat – stunned – just clutching onto Khushi's phone tight with his hands and eyes continuing to scroll over the images she'd got in them.And even though – the vaccum of stunned vulnerability continued to consume him/suck him in – as his head and heart connected the dots relating Khushi's references of her Mum with somethings he had also observed on his Abbu's end – over the years – he knew in his heart – now – that there was no doubt to this Reality – Indeed.

During this long – aching – poignant – silence for almost the last one hour – as Noor got Khushi to open about it all – and he just listened on - his mind had worked in an overdrive to come to terms at facing the truth that – it really was Alice Jones he had been waiting to have heads up on all this while. That it really was Alice Jone's who had still continued to love his Abbu in her own twisted ways.After.Even though he had gone onto marry another. That it was Alice Jones – who'd chosen to get their love child – to Life – irrespective of the hardships's she'd probably face as a single mother. That she had sincerely also guarded this secret all this while for Rehaan's sake. That it really was Khushi Jones – his half – sister – sitting across of him right now – narrating the side of the tale – they had all been oblivious off all this while.The tale – his Abbu was still oblivious off.

And for a second – now – as he just observes – the sight off Khushi pausing to sip on her water – as she continued to gape at him nervously in anticipation of any reaction from him/in hope for a single word – he feels a fresh tear ooze out towards the corner of his very own eye in vulnerable emotion – as he continues to look at Khushi silently just as she continues to look at him – in between the last bits that she was still talking to Noor about- now.

The last bits how she's only wished both Raahil/Rehaan well from afar. How she's always prayed for their well being. How she's always sent a blessing Noor's way everytime she bumped into her. How she was also present in the stadium for the Semi's this time around cheering on Raahil for victory and watching Rehaan from afar – but this time with a peaceful closure ruling her heart and not bittersweet overwhelming emotion for she'd thought she'd reached a closure point/full circle with reagrds to this within – and then Bamm – she just heard everything that she did the other day and everything changed!

Well.

Raahil felt like he could agree to her on that accord for sure.He thinks that to himself silently. For this very reality that he had come face to face with – had just realigned everything in his head and heart. In the beginning – he'd almost lashed out Khushi thinking her to be a random stranger to even begin addressing this matter in front of her – to now – come to terms with the bit that she was actually no stranger at all. She never was to begin with.

They were both tied – with – the strings of Blood – ever since the day they were both born. Yes.He had been living oblivious to it all till the present – but now – there was no denying the fact that – there was someone out there – who was his half-sister. He could not Deny the Tide of Emotions that also were beginning to now arise in his being – as the reality of this very Tie of Blood - began to resink in his mind/heart – as the prior shock began to get seeped/absorbed in – into his soul.

THIS HAD CHANGED EVERYTHING.

JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

THIS REALITY HAD REALIGNED SO MUCH WITHIN HIS HEAD AND HEART.

Raahil continued to keep his silence as it was now his turn to stare at Khushi with welled up eyes – as she finally finished talking and then looked back at him in an emotional vulnerable hope – yet again.

Raahil also knew – that even though he hadn't yet said a word – Noor could sense what the emotions in his eyes were about now.How often had the two often talked about amidst themselves IN THE PAST – about the impending wish to have siblings of their own? Both of them were the only child to their parents. Yes. They had cousins in their joint families that they were both extremely close too – but still – deep down in their hearts – they'd always longed for a sibling – even as children – whilst growing up.

And for a second now – in Raahil's heart - he felt like – that was all that mattered. That he finally – had come face to face with the bit – that he always had a sister out there in the world.Half-sibling.Yes.But still – they had their father's blood running in their veins.

Meanwhile – now – as it had been almost an hour – that Raahil had been engulfed in nothing but a vulnerable poignant silence – Khushi finally felt like her insides were getting desperate to hear any word from him.To have him react. She knew he had heard everything. She knew she had had his utmost sincere attention whilst she was talking to Noor actively, but now she felt like she was aching to hear something from him at the least and she looks at Noor now – who was just wiping the remaining pool of her tears lost deep in thought as well looking at Raahil – and Khushi asks now softly reaching out to gulp some more water – " will you not say...something...Raahil?anything...Raahil?anything at all?? It's okay..if you...wana..ask me to leave still....."

Noor takes a deep breath at that as she rubs on Khushi's arm in support silently and then gestures to her to stay put and she now walks across to sit besides Raahil and she laces her hand through Raahil's now and clutches it in loving support as she says – " Raahil....you heard everything...right? we know you did...won't you say something? anything at all? I know this is a lot...to soak in...but I sensed...,"and she pauses as she sees Raahil's eyes well up a little more.

Khushi watches on vulnerably as Raahil exhanges a deep emotional look with Noor now – and for a second – Khushi feels maybe – she needs to give them time to just soak it all in one on one – minus her presence.She also felt like she just didn't have it in her to take Raahil's poignant aching silence towards her anymore and so she says now – picking up her bag and lacing it across her shoulder as she gets up in her seat – " I think...I should get going now..maybe? perhaps...Raahil needs more time..to soak things through...as yes I can understand..it was a lot to take in...,"And she looks at Noor now and adds – "you know where to reach me...if he ever wants to talk..Noor...and before I take my leave now..i will just assure you both..again...that no one else will ever hear this from me...as in...like I told you..only a very few trusted ones/close ones to us..know the truth..they guard it with utmost sincerity...and I will continue to do the same...,"and she begins to turn around now.

Noor sidehugs a stunned in emotion Raahil by his shoulder now as she says into his ear softly – " I know...you don't want her to leave...Raahil...I can sense that...but you got to say it...to her...yourself...what she's done today...coming here to unveil their side to us both...takes great courage...Raahil...you know it does...you heard...everything she's been through emotionally on this too..right? personally?and her Mum??"

Raahil nods at that – extremely emotional- eyeing the sight of Khushi turning to leave now. Noor goes on to whisper urgently in his ears as she caresses his hand – " then...react..please?defreeze...do what your heart is guiding too in the moment?please???? I can do it for you...just like I got her to open up about it all for you...but the emotional significance of this..is way too much...it has to be you..."

And just as he hears that from Noor – Raahil finally force instructs his crashed voicebox to restart and refunction as he says out loud holding onto Noor's hand tight in his – " no....don't...leave....please....,"and he finally gets up from his spot as he says out behind Khushi – " I don't want you to leave...right now...please...come back..."

That from Raahil makes Khushi freeze in her steps obviously and she turns around to watch him walk up to her now with welled up eyes.

Raahil knew exactly what he wanted to begin with obviously.He was going to follow his heart.He was going to be honest to his heart first. He would think about handling the complicated knots/twist of the mind on how to handle this further with his Abbu- later. And so he continues to walk upto Khushi now and once he's come right in front of a emotionally shaken her – he whispers softly looking straight at her face – " forgive me...for my earlier outburst...please?will you? and all the silence after...its just that I was soaking it all in...I was rude to you prior...thinking that you are a stranger...but as it turns out...you never were a stranger to begin with...ever...instead...you are my aapa(Elder sister)...Khushi aapa...forgive me..please?for the earlier outburst??"

And just as Khushi hears Raahil use the words – Aapa for her – she feels a fresh fountain of tears leave her eyes as her insides drowned in massive waves of biological emotion like never before.She couldn't believe what she'd just heard.Raahil had just used the words- you are my Aapa for her????????? Ofcourse she knew what the reference of that was.Aapa meant elder sister – in the cultural context.

Noor clutches on her heart at that emotionally – as fresh tears ooze out her eyes.She knew Raahil had always deeply longed for a sibling and now to finally see him act on his heart first – had moved her immense.

Khushi asks Raahil her voice quivering in immense emotion now – " did you just call me...aapa...Raahil?did you just call me Aapa??"

Raahil nods at that and he begins to explain the context first thinking that Khushi didn't have the idea – " yes..I did..because..for us...that's how we address our elder sister...we call them...aapa...and technically you are elder to me by a good 18 months or so...aapa...for yes...I have finally come to process the bit that no matter how twisted this is...it is what the equation is....yes...we have different mothers.. we are half siblings...but we are what we are still...right? siblings?because we both have Abbu's Blood in our veins too... That is the reality....we cannot not face...anymore....right? Its about time we face that reality....collectively...right?Aapa?"

Khushi nods stumped in emotion as she answers – " I know..what Aapa means in its context...Raahil...but what I meant to ask with that was...you called me aapa...because...in your heart...you feel like you believe me on this finally? You believe me...don't you?everything I just said?explained?i will say this again...if you want...for your further satisfaction.. and assurance....you can still go ahead...and get my DNA Tested..."

Raahil shakes his head now and he says instantly – "the mind can play its games if I allow it too..but the heart observes..and soaks in on it own too..right? I believe you..yes..I do...I'd be crazy not to aapa...after everything you showed/after hearing all I did..for it was also like as if a peices off one same puzzle in numerous contexts just fit in as a whole....sit...please?? so that we can talk further??"

And just as Khushi hears Raahil say that she feels an additional mountain off fear lift off her shoulders and being on its own accord. Raahil believed her.He truly did. It was in his eyes. She hears Raahil say now gesturing her to take her seat – " but before..I say anything...you got to tell me...if you'v forgiven for the rudeness...earlier...aapa.."

Khushi nods as fresh tears ooze out her eyes and takes her seat on the sofa with a thump as Raahil now takes his seat next to her and she says honestly – " there's nothing to forgive...Raahil..nothing at all..for when I came here..I was anticipating your outburst anyway..for I knew right?that you both had no clue...so...please.. please don't apologize...,"and she pauses deeply moved and overwhelmed for just the way Raahil was looking at her right now with his quivering emotional gaze meant so much to her.So so so much.

Noor finally feels relief take over her being too as she spots Raahil now hold onto Khushi's hand as he says all emotional – " you are very strong...aapa...your Mum is too...It must have been so very hard to cope up..all this while..all these years...but you did..and,"and he pauses for a second – as a fresh tear moves out the corner of his eye too – just like a fresh one oozes out of Khushi's too vulnerably as they both exchange an emotional gaze and it is right very then – they all hear knocks on the door.

Noor groans at that and she says to Raahil and Khushi – "ignore it..lets just ignore it..."

And just as Raahil is about to say the next bit – the knocks continue and so Noor sighs and says – "okay... ill just ask whoever it is..to come later...ill be back...tens seconds...you both continue talking please...I'll join in,"and she races to the door – with the determined stance to send whoever it was at the door – back. For she wanted no interruption – in this vulnerable moment right now in between of Raahil and Khushi. Raahil had anyway taken too much time to cope up and react.

But then the very second – she flips the door open – she is shell shocked and surprised and shaken – to see Rehaan/Abbu standing at the door now as he asks in his candid casual tone – " Noor...where is Raahil? Is he with you? he is not talking my calls...I'v called him ten times in the last twenty minutes...I called you too...you didn't take my calls...either...so there's a subtle change in my travel plan...I might have to stay back here a day more for we plan to get some fresh talks on with new sponsors here in Abu Dabhi given that our next home tour with Australia is slated to be played here..,"and he pauses on instantly in his words – as he finally observes on Noor's shaken statued self in her spot and her red eyes – that tell him that she'd been crying as she says frazzled - " Abbu...you?here? yes...Raahil is here...yeah..we were in the middle of an intense discussion...that's all...that's why we didn't hear our phones...you could have called on the room's extension no??"

Noor didn't know what else to say momentarily to him.She couldn't believe the way Fate was pulling the strings here given that Abbu had just technically come to the door – behind which a very personal – confrontation was on in between his children – one of whose existence he himself had no idea about.

And because Rehaan adores Noor as his daughter – given that he'd always longed to have one of his own – he steps in worried – before Noor can react further and he says – " wait...are you and Raahil in the middle of a fight or something Noor? Look beta...I always respect the two of your privacy..but given that I can clearly see that you'v been crying...I think there's a need to pull my son's ear on this perhaps?,"and he enters into the room – completely oblivious and Noor just follows in hurriedly behind closing the door as she tries to stop him in his tracks – " Abbu...No...wait...listen.."

But it was a second too Late.

For Rehaan has entered in enough – to Spot the scene upfront. The scene that had him freeze in his tracks momentarily as he came face to face with the sight of Raahil – sitting across of a familiar face of a person – on the sofa as they both seemed to be in the middle of an intense discussion. That was what the vibe told him.He narrows his eyes to look closer now.He recognised this girl. Her frame.Her face.

He remembered meeting her back at Gaddafi, she'd said she was a fan of his game.She'd even taken an autograph. And as his heads connected the dots – he knew he was able to recall her face and the reference amidst a thousands of fan encounter's – and that moment – because this girl had said that her name was Khushi.

Rehaan now looks puzzled and confused at Noor who walks up to stand next to him and he asks – " Its her..right?that fan from Gaddafi..her name is Khushi..right? what is she doing here Noor?and why does it seem like Raahil is in the middle of a very serious conversation with her...what's happening here?is everything okay??????"

Noor sighs now to herself. It was too late to stop Abbu in his observations now.And for a second – she thought – perhaps this was for the best? That Abbu came here himself? And so she just answers locking her emotional gaze with the man she looked up to as a father figure as well knowing that he was going to have the ground ripped from beneath his feet – just like Raahil and her had, had – as they had come face to face with the Reality – " perhaps...everything...will be...okay...now....Abbu...now that...you are here??"

Rehaan gapes at Noor puzzled as he observes the scene upfront – "Noor..since when did you start talking in riddles...beta?,"and as he catches on Noor just sighing to herself taking a deep breathe – he decides to take the matter in his own hands as he walks upfront closer on the scene towards Raahil and the girl Khushi and asks out louder now to make his presence felt to Raahil – " Raahil....what's going on here?????????"

And just as Raahil and Khushi both – taken in the sound of Rehaan's voice now – they both look up in a collective shock/surprise to spot him there as Noor walks up from behind sighing and gesturing to them silently.It was Abbu on the door.I couldn't stop Him from coming In.

Khushi couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe that it was her Abbu who had walked in on the scene and it was him who was now staring at her puzzled and looking to and fro in between – Noor/Raahil and Her – confused – waiting for answers as he askes again looking to and fro in between them all clueless – " will any of you...say something??Noor, raahil?,"and he pauses looking at Khushi – " Khushi...right? that's your name...I remember...I met you at Gaddafi once..."

And to just hear Rehaan say right now in this moment of time – that he remembered Khushi – from back then – moves her immense as she asks her voice quivering from her spot standing in front her seat – " you...remember me?Sir?"

Rehaan nods instantly and says after looking worriedly at Noor and Raahil once – " yes...I remember...and that's because..your name is Khushi...even Raahil and Noor know...I love that name..remember I mentioned it to you too..as well..back then...I would have named my daughter the very same...if I had one...,"and he now goes onto add casually returning his gaze at his son – " but well...Allah's blessed me with my son...who now needs to get talking...Raahil...why are you gaping at me in a stunned way..this way? Why won't you, Noor, say something?,"and he continues to look to-fro between them all – clueless.

And once again, for Khushi – everything had come to a standstill – emotionally as she heard what she just had from Rehaan casually.He still had no idea – about the massive biological wave he had caused in her just like he had the last time in Lahore – by those very familiar words.

But this time around – there was a staunch difference in the happening now wasn't there? That this time around – not just Khushi but both Raahil and Noor also knew – the underlying emotional context.

Raahil had gone into a freeze mode again momentarily as he'd seen his Abbu walk in on them – but now as a couple of minutes had passed – and he exchanged a knowing look with Noor – even he felt in his heart that – perhaps – this was for the best?

That his Abbu also comes face to face with the Reality of this deep- Tie of Blood – with Khushi – he'd been oblivious to all this while. He could easily sense the emotional freeze state Khushi had zoned into now and why.She wasn't/hadn't anticipated this bit at all. That was clear to him.

And so Raahil decides – taking a deep breathe within exchanging a silent powerful gaze with Noor - as his resolve strengthens within – now - that he'd take this on from here.That he'd tell his Abbu about it all.

Now.

Right very freaking Now.

No more Hide and Seek.He knew – just like Khushi did – if he ever gave his Abbu the option to spiral back into emotional denial – he would. So he had to act on the only bit that deemed fit to his heart now. His Abbu had to know.Everything.Down to the T.

Raahil also - knew – his Abbu was going to have his heart/being shake like never before with a tsunami of emotions – once he got to know the Reality. But perhaps – that's exactly what's destined/fated to happen - when Long Lost and Deep Tie's of Blood – finally come to surface to look at you in the Eye?

..............................................................

TADAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

How was that guys???????????????? Did any of you see that bit of Rehaan's angle - coming?? Like right very now itself?? Hehe..winks...I told you all..gave you a hint...prior...rollercoaster seatbelts On...

Next Update : In Two Day Time

So Yup – I will see you soon then – Guys! Thank you tons for your patience🤗

Until Then – Please take care and Stay Indoors and Safe guys!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Thanks, Guys, for all the Support and your Precious Time to my Work!

Much Love

Always

❤

Prachi.

.........................................................