TAKE 34 - Abbu

3 years ago

mysticaltales11111

@mysticltales111

Hellooooo Guysssssssss....

So yes - here I am with the next update for HW3.o this week a

Word Count - Long in length -8.5K 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🤗❤🙏

‍💻

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.

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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.

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Take 34 - Abbu

Take 34 - Abbu

It had just been about a couple of minutes. Just a Couple. But for Khushi Jones - in that very moment of time, those couple of minutes - felt longer than two whole Decades. Or perhaps the phrase - two whole freaking Lifetimes - would be a better inference to use in the context.

Yup.

This aching pause in the air right now - as her Abbu continued to gape to and fro between them all cluelessly she looked at Raahil(who was lost deep in thought himself, before he exchanged a look with Noor) and Noor (who was just taking deep breathes to compose her emotions, perhaps?) - totally felt longer than the time passing her whole Life's existence in the moment and more.

A raging vulnerable storm?A Tsunami? She didn't know what inference she could actually use to even depict the intensity of the vulnerable bilological emotions that were going through her being right now.

Her Abbu was in front of her.

Once again.Right up close. So Near and yet so Far.

And as he was giving her the most clueless look in this continued moment in time still - after gazing at Noor and Raahil worried and confused - she temporarily felt her brain seek comfort in the complete frozen shut down in the moment.

She just didn't know what to do?? What do you do - when the one ehose the central context of an emotional crux of your Life - coincidentally - walks into the scene just then????????

But.

Khushi knew - that this time around - she wasn't the only one in the room - reeling from the vulnerability of the truth.The monumental weightage of the said - that had transpired in the room - a while before - was surely hanging in the air - along with it's angsty emotional vibes.

She looked at Raahil's once again - stunned to silence frame and then Noor's - and she felt like in the moment - she couldn't be there. She felt like she needed to leave the room - right very now. For the moments/hour prior with Noor and Raahil had soaked off and away - everything from her being.She felt like she didn't have it in her - to be in front of Her Abbu right now.She felt like she needed to pause and refuel her being with the shades of strength.She also felt like she needed to hear Arnav's voice - just once. Or to just get on texts with him. Hear M, S, Brian's , Jack's voice. To just hear from them once. In the moment.

She was depleting on her strength.On her emotions. Her biological ache at seeing her Abbu so up and close - right now in this moment - consuming her being and ruling it to such an extent that she almost felt herself shiver in the intensity of the moment.

That's it. She thought.Her decision was done.She just had to Leave.

Khushi holds onto her composure with great difficulty as she takes deep breathes and looks at Raahil and Noor first before she gives Rehaan a polite nod and begins to shove her phone in her bag and take it on her shoulder in a gesture to get going - " Sir...umm...excuse me...please?? I need to go...now..some personal errand has come up..and allow me to take your leave then?,"and she pauses and shoots another gesture of a look to Raahil and Noor and adds - " alright then? Raahil and Noor? I'll see you both later...thank you for hearing my work idea..out...prior...,"and she pauses as her eye's lock with an anxious Noor's as she gapes at her surprised and surprisingly calmer and composed Raahil after - who finally exchanges an intense eye lock with her - in the moment.

Khushi was looking at Raahil and Noor - silently - in the moment - with everything in her being and vibe wording out the bit to them. I can't be here right now guys.I really need to Leave.And Noor had just gazed back at Khushi with the silent look - off - Noooo! You can't go anywhere and Raahil gave her the gesture of the eye that was just keen on reading her.

Raahil understood it all - a minute later. He did.Because - Khushi's aching vibe's were to obvious too not pick up on. He simply understood - that was silently begging them with her eyes to allow her to leave the scene because she probably felt - depleted in both emotions/strength - in the moment.She probably just felt - all alone in her being - in the room right now.And just for a second - as he put himself in her shoes - he understood the context even more as his heart ached. He understood - how shaken she must be feeling in the moment - indeed. He exchanged a knowing look with Noor - now - and one gesture of her eye back to him - relayed to him that she had just observed on Khushi's reason for leaving too.

Raahil sees Noor ask him silently with a gesture of her eyes from across - What are you going to do now?Raahil? I think Khushi needs space.But we can't let her leave.Not Now.

And Raahil just silently affirms back to Noor with a silent gesture of his eye - No Noor. I will not let her leave.Don't worry.Yes I figured - she needs space but I also think she needs something more in the moment first and I am going to support her with just that - first.

Noor nods.

Raahil nods.

And Khushi just continues to gape at the two of them - in await for a confirmation of a gesture from them that tells her - that they understand why she just needs to get out of here - for Now!

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For the last five minutes or so - as the three of them stood in a reeling silence and Rehaan just continued to gape at Noor, Raahil and this girl - Khushi - in wait for answers - he felt his intuition tell him that there surely was something more up in here. This girl - Khushi - was trying to use some work talk as just a mere cover up and was looking for an escape. He could figure that out. Yup.He most definitely could - by the heavy silence in the room - right now. He had experienced Life enough - to pick onto something like this.

But.

He also felt like he had had enough of this Silence that just began to feel like a Hammer to his Head. He felt like he had waited enough for any of them - to say anything.And he also felt like - that maybe it would be better if he speak to his son and Noor - alone first?- for a bit?and know what this bit is about - Sans this girl's Khushi's presence? She was a stranger - afterall.

And so he says now taking a deep breathe to the girl Khushi first politely with a smile - " Okay...Khushi..given that you just mentioned that...you want to leave now? I think ..it's the best that you do...it seems I need to get talking with my family in here....in private..first"

Khushi nods at Rehaan shaken - thanking Christ in the moment - that someone out of the other three in the room had finally asked her to get going. She answers now politely - " yes...sir...I'll get going now..then..,"and she just silently exchanges another look with Noor and Raahil - and turns around in her frame to leave. Christ knew - that all she wanted was to just succumb into Arnav's arms right now and cry.She so desperately wanted to be held by him.To have him kiss her head and hold her in his arms snug tight.

And just then she turns around and begins to race in her steps to the door hurriedly and just as she's about to open the door - she feels a hand on her shoulder from behind as Raahil's soft determined voice falls in her ears, stopping her in her tracks - " Stop...please...don't leave...aapa...I told..you..before...I don't want you to leave..please understand...I can't have you leave now...not now...I reckon you probably need the space..for a bit..for you didn't imagine Abbu walking in on us...right now...but don't you wonder? Why pause again? hasn't there been enough pause on this all along? All this while?? I know..it's normal for you to feel what you are feeling right now in the moment...after everything you'v been through..but if it helps...I want you to know..first..from me...that you are not alone in this..aapa...in this room right now...I am with you on this...Noor is too..and I know..probably you are feeling like you are running out of strength here to take this further - but if you'll allow me to do so - I'd like to take the truth to Abbu - right very now.I'd do it..Aapa..if you'll let me...please...just...don't walk away..."

And just like that as she hears those very words from Raahil - Khushi feels her brain defreeze from it's shut down mode and go into a familiar overdrive of emotions.For a second - she couldn't believe - she'd heard Raahil say everything he just did to her in the moment. That He'd understood? What this was about? And he'd come out to stop her/tell her - that she wasn't alone in this moment??? She turns around now shaken as she wipes the fresh trail of her tears off her cheeks and admits to Raahil who was looking at her with a lot of ache/emotion in his eyes too - " I don't know...Raahil...to be honest...I just don't know if I have it in me...to have him hear the truth..like..right now...I am scared..so scared..."

Raahil understands and nods and answers sure that Khushi could sense the resolve in his voice as he reminds her - " I know..aapa...I understand..but remember? You came here to do this for your Mum...remember? I know the bits with Noor and me - prior have drained you emotionally...but...that is why I say...I'd do this...you just stay here...in silence..watching on..until you feel like...you are ready to add on?? Until then? just let me and Noor take the lead...please?we have enough pictures in your phone/the copy of your birth certificate/your birth details to have Abbu believe this...you are even the same blood group as his...are you worried that he won't believe you?? I am here ..right? I am telling you...that's not even a possibility..."

And Khushi shakes her head in a No to that wiping her tears as she admits softly - " Raahil...the bit...I am worried about is...what if he believe's me...I am just so emotionally drained..right now...I don't know...if I have it in me...to..,"and she pauses.

Raahil takes a deep breathe at that as he asks - " to call him...Abbu...you mean??"

Khushi nods - as aching vulnerable tears leave her eyes.

Raahil gives her a little smile as he holds onto to both her hands - " and..aapa...what if I say? It's about time..you did...??"

Khushi shakes her head in vulnerable anxiousness - "but...Raahil..."

And Raahil insists as he looks back at Khushi and admits sincerely- " I am here...Aapa...I am...you are not alone...in here...you are not...alone..."

And Just as Khushi hears Raahil say that to her again with so much conviction and resolve backing his vibe/his tone/his gesture - she finds her heart guiding her to just edge towards that familiar cliff - and spring herself off it and take another Leap of Faith. How could she not?When she had her half-sibling - come out in support this way in this moment of time?

Perhaps - there's an additional ounce of power in Sibling ties?Which was why she momentarily began to feel a lot less vulnerably Alone - in the moment?

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Meanwhile simultaneously - just as Raahil had raced behind Khushi to stop her from leaving - Noor had walked upto a stunned and surprised Rehaan's side yet again. For - Rehaan had been momentarily surprised - at seeing his son dash off behind Khushi in the moment - as if she weren't a stranger.As if - he really didn't want her to leave in the moment. He had asked Noor what this was about - in bizzare puzzlement ofcourse and Noor had only rubbed on his arm with a calm and composed smile and asked him to take a seat and wait. She'd apologized as well cryptically saying - "Abbu, I am sorry, but I think its fair that Raahil talks about this to you - first...so let's just wait..for him to return..."

And so they had. Both Noor and Rehaan had been waiting for Raahil to get back into the room. Noor was counting on her stars that he was able to make Khushi stay, hoping desperately that he'd walk back in with her. And Rehaan was hoping that he'd have just his son - walk back in sooner than later for he felt like he was losing his mind in puzzlement - in a way that he hadn't in a long long time.

Rehaan looks at Noor now as he asks puzzled - " okay...its been a couple of minutes...why isn't Raahil back?should we check Noor??,"as he searches her face for any clue of answers - " I am simply shocked and puzzled by your cryptic behaviour in the last couple of minutes...than I ever have been in all of my life..Noor Beta...just why won't you begin saying anything? Why won't you give me a clue??"

And Noor shoots Rehaan an apologetic smile at that and just as she is about to say something - they both hear Raahil's voice from closer as he answers that for her - " Forgive Noor...on this Abbu...that's just because..she knows...that I wana be the one to do this..."

Rehaan and Noor look up collectively behind at Raahil at that and Rehaan is momentarily surprised and shocked to spot - the girl Khushi - up and behind him as well with her eyes all welled up and he figures that Raahil really wants to go ahead with the mysterious context in her presence nonetheless and so out of respect and love for his son - he asks now puzzled - " okay...alright...but that is what...I have been asking again and again right? what is the bit that you wana do yourself..Raahil??? cut this mysterious..silence..will you now son? I can't process it anymore..."

Khushi just exchanges a silent look with Noor from across who silently thanks her for not leaving and Khushi is momentarily and emotionally surprised as she spots Noor walking upto her side now and she clutches on her hand and whispers - " you are not alone...ok? don't for a second think...you are..."

That from Noor boosts up Khushi emotionally in the moment yet again and she just nods at her in a significance silence as they both once again hear - Rehaan ask - gaping at Raahil puzzled - " Raahil...I am running out of patience here...son...what's wrong with you??????????"

And just as Rehaan says that Raahil feels like he didn't have it in him to beat around the bush anymore too and he looks at his Abbu straight in the eye as he says, pretty much sure that this very bit to begin with would shake the ground under his Abbu's feet - " Alice Jones....that's the name..isn't it Abbu? the one name I'v been hounding to know from you...for months now...Alice Jones - is the one you'v only loved all your life..right? and probably perhaps still do..in your own twisted ways? Alice Jones is the one you were with..before you married Ammi..right Abbu? Alice Jones - is the one who you first met in Derby , long ago - and your heart's never beat that way for anyone else the same way ever since, ever after??? Tell me....answer me..now...Alice Jones...is the name...isn't it Abbu????????"

And just as those words leave Raahil's mouth - and fall on Rehaan's ears - Rehaan feels like - he's been rocketed up to Space in a Space Shuttle of a Numbing Shock as his eyes widen, his jaw drops open momentarily and words freeze on the crux of his tongue due to the default of his voicebox crashing up on him as he pales in his face/being.

He couldn't believe what he had just heard.He couldn't believe that Raahil had just voiced out the name of the only woman he had ever loved with all his heart.He couldn't believe that Raahil had just confronted him back with this - given the way he had been successful in concealing the name from him for all this months.He couldn't believe - Raahil had just said everything that he did! And as he felt he continued to pale in his inner self more - in the moment - his mind instantly began to reel with the questions - How? What? How did he even know?Who told him?? Wait?Why is Raahil even addressing this personal bit in front of Khushi right now?She was a stranger.Wasn't she? And this was a personal secret.Way too personal.Way too vulnerable.

And so he continues to look at his son in a stunned silence and shock with almost a feel of hurt backing his heart as his eyes go up to look at the frame off Khushi as if to gesture to his son silently.Not now.Raahil.Son.Not now.Please.

Noor clutches onto Khushi's arm in support now for she could easily sense that she was having a hard time in the moment and the two just watch on the aching vibe in between Rehaan and Raahil right now - in stunned silence too.

Raahil reads his Abbu's expressions easily though and he says now after taking a couple of deep breathes - "and needless to say...that your stunned/paled silence right now is the answer to my very question...it is Alice Jones...indeed...the only one...whose gotten your heart to beat with that passionate rhythm of love...right?,"and he continues after taking a deep breathe - " I know...I know...Abbu..you are wondering..how do I even know this?how did I figure it out? Just like you are also probably wondering in your head..why am I addressing this...in front of Khushi here???"

And Rehaan continues to gape at Raahil in that shaken stunned silence - as he simply nods at that and hears his son continue answering to him almost instantly - " don't worry..Abbu..let me assure you this first...I didn't hound your privacy...behind your back...or something...I told you right? I respect you too much to ever do the same...I told you right...that I'd wait for the day that you'd talk to me about this yourself...but guess what Abbu...probably fate had some other plans in store..like it has had all along....and yes...to also answer you about as to why...I am addressing this in front of Khushi is because..she knows...her....Alice Jones...in fact...Khushi knows your Alice...way too closely Abbu....now tell me..do you feel like you wana ask her at the least as to how...she has been doing all along???? She..as in...your Alice.."

And just as Rehaan hears that bit from Raahil - he feels that hidden dead corner of his heart that had been long lost and buried come under instant Spotlight on reflex once again.Was this for real so he thought? Did this girl really know Alice??? How???? And before he could even think twice he feels his voicebox come back to life as the words leave his mouth on reflex and he asks gaping at Khushi in shock now sure that the anxiousness in his tone could be sensed too- " you know her???? Alice Jones??? Really????"

The instant spark of Light in Rehaan's eyes + the anxiousness in his underlying tone as he asked Khushi that did not miss anyone's eye. Raahil exchanged a silent look with Noor at that gesturing her with the bit - Look , Noor, Look - just the mere reference that Khushi might even know Alice Jones - has made Abbu's eyes light up in a way I have never seen before. Look - how anxious he is - right now - in the moment. Noor acknowledges - Raahil's gesture with her eyes and clutches on Khushi's arm in support.

Khushi just looks on emotionally at Rehaan as she nods - silently - to that.She couldn't believe the intensity of the vibes she was spotting in Rehaan's frame right now at the mere mention of her Mum's name.

And Rehaan feels his heart act on its own accord yet again as the words leave his mouth again as he inquires puzzled next - " okay...so you say...you know..her...Alice? but..wait..how do you know her?? do you work with her then? in the England National Cricket Team's support unit or something?? I know she's their head physio...and everything..has been since 2005...did you begin to work with her recently then???,"and he looks to and fro in between Raahil, Noor and Khushi puzzled and asks - " but..wait...how do you the two of you know...that Khushi knows her?????and wait...Raahil ..coming back to the prior bit...that I momentarily forgot to address in my surprised shock..how did you find out...that it was Alice????"

But just as Khushi hears Rehaan ask her that now, she feels her voice quiver and shake in emotion as the words leave her mouth on reflex as she clutches onto Noor's hand tight - " wait...you knew...you always knew...Sir...that she's worked in the position she has since 2005??"

Raahil adds in further - taking the moment to soak in his Abbu's vibe over again - "and...this means...you kept some track? Of her? At the least too??"

And even though Rehaan is still deeply puzzled by the bizzare moment he admits to his son on reflex as the words seem to slip his tongue - " ofcourse I did..keep some track of her ..Raahil...as much as I could professionally....I...just didn't....,"and he pauses and then addresses the first bit again - " but wait...give me the answer to the prior bit..please?first?"

But Raahil just excuses the latter bit ad addresses the former bit instead filling up the sentence for his Abbu - " you mean...you just didn't have it in your heart..to keep a track...on her personally and beyond?and look for answers to things like - how's she been doing? Personally?how life shaped for her personally?after? right? is that what you mean...Abbu??????because..perhaps...you were scared to feel what emotions it would begin perhaps??answer this first..and I will tell you the latter.."

And Rehaan answers in a rush on reflex now slumping back in the seat momentarily looking up at his son, Noor and the girl Khushi at the feel of his heart being cornered towards the familiar ache that he'd burried in long ago.The heartbreaking ache that had been such a deep part of his life that he'd grown so accustomed to it - " yes...yes...okay? Yes..that was what it is...you heard me..now...Raahil...now tell me...how did you even know its Alice?and,"he looks at Khushi - "and how is it that you know her?"

And just as Raahil catches on the anxiousness in his Abbu's voice reach it's peak now he answers - " I know because...she told me..as in Khushi told...me...that it was Alice Jones...and how does she know? is because...that's how closely she knows Alice as well...Abbu...for her name is Khushi Jones...which means...that she is Alice's daughter...Alice Jones...is her Mum....Abbu...and that is the answer to - how she know's her..."

And it was now the turn for Rehaan to feel like the ground had ripped itself from beneath his feet and momentarily he thanked Allah that he'd taken his seat a second prior.Did he really just hear what he did? This girl Khushi was Alice's daughter? His Alice's daughter????????And just like that as he gapes at Khushi shocked, frazzeled and shaken this time around - he feels his welled up eyes scan her face for resemblance as Alice's face revolves in front of his eyes now as his heart get's all heavy in emotion.Yup.His heart was engulfed in emotion like never before - as he gaped at Khushi in the moment.How poignant and heartbreakingly beautiful this moment was? His insides asked him? For in this moment of time - he looked at the living proof that - Alice had indeed moved on personally as well and carved out a life for herself with a man - she chose to spend her life with after him. Did she love him? Does she love Him???His heart aches to know and prays at the same time - that she did - because he'd only always wished so well for her in his heart. He hoped yet again in the moment of time that atleast her(Alice's) heart was able to find that blissful station of passionate Love and it's rhythm - eventually- again.

And so he continues to just look at Khushi in a stunned, heartbreaking, soul-shakening silence now - as Noor and Raahil emotionally and poignantly watched on.

And Rehaan felt like - Now that he looked up close - he could pick on it.She had her mother's eyes. Yes - those orbs now seemed so utterly familiar. And as Khushi feels Rehaan's emotional gaze scan her through and through now in an intense silence - she felt like her very own heart would burst in emotion in the moment.

And just like that Rehaan's heart wonders on reflex. Wait..her name is Khushi? Why would Alice name her daughter Khushi given the emotional significance she knew the name held for him? Why would her husband even agree?But wait..he didn't know if she'd eventually settled in with someone Asian/British/..right? And now the words leave his tongue on reflex yet again as he asks Khushi - " you....are....Alice's daughter???? You seem to have her eyes...or wait...scratch the seem...you do have your mother's eyes....Khushi...."

And just as Khushi hears that on reflex these very words slip from her mouth shaking and her voice quivering - "I kn..ow...a..n...d...Mu..m...say..s...I do...also...have...my Daddy's smile.."

Rehaan fights an onslaught of ache at that within as he shoots Khushi a polite smile - " if Alice..as in your Mum says that...I am sure...you do...,"and he asks instantly next - that part of his heart that had always loved Alice coming upfront to dominate, his mind seeking Alice's well being in the present - " wait..wait...but....why are you here?Khushi?having this conversation about your mother's past with my children?right now? today?does your father know that you are here? What if he finds out?? I am sorry but I have no intentions off disturbing the equation in your parent's present... at all...by brining up...caskets off the past...I'd hate to be the one to cause her as in your Mum any trouble...which is why I'v just simply spent..the last couple of decades of my life and more..keeping up the promise I made to her long ago...as we parted.. that she'd just never see me..again...."

And Khushi answers on reflex clutching on her heart now as Noor gestures her to sit down on the sofa upfront across and she also watches Raahil take on his seat engulfed in intense emotion - " no Sir... he doesn't...know...my father...doesn't know...I am here...in fact...he doesn't...even...Know...that..I.....I...exi..s..t...,"and she pauses as fresh tears ooze out her eyes.

And Rehaan gapes at Khushi puzzled the hell out of his mind as he asks - " huh?? What do you mean??"

And Raahil finally takes a deep breathe now exchanging a knowing emotional look with Noor and says out loud next on reflex letting the crux of the truth out in front of his Abbu- " what she means is that Abbu...if only you'd have it in your heart to keep a track of Alice Jones's personal developments for all these years...after your break up...you would have known...since a long time ago..that she never married another after and...always maintained to the world...that Khushi's father had passed...even before she was born..where in technically...her father was always alive...anyway...because...she is not just Alice's Jones's daughter...Abbu....Khushi is your's too...her Mum found out she was expecting her..when you were already a couple of weeks married to Ammi...which was why she never told you about her...in the first place...and...to be honest...my heart's twisting and breaking right now for you no matter how twisted this is...for here you are saying in the present that you don't want to disturb her equations..and its so heartbreaking that this was the bit...she probably lived with all her life and probably does the very same even today...she didn't want to disturb your life Abbu..for unlike her's your personal life/marriage with Ammi..was so very public for everyone to see.....and find out...given that you were the international public figure out of the two,"and he pauses - finally - brushing a hand over his face briefly before looking back at his ABBU and saying the truth out loud again - "there...you...go...now...you know... Khushi...is your daughter...too...Abbu..she's both your's and Alice Jone's...daughter...her Mum chose to have her...irrespective of what happened in between you two...she chose to name her Khushi...because she knew it in her heart...you'd have wanted it...perhaps? and she chose to raise her single handedly...ever...after...and she has...Abbu...the one you see in front of you is no stranger..she never was to begin with...she's your daughter...your blood runs in her veins Abbu...just like it runs in mine...,"and he pauses - letting out a sigh of relief exchanging a poignant smile /look with Noor as if to ask her silently.Ammi would be happy that I did this..in the heavens..above..wouldn't she be..Noor?

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

NOPE.

IT WAS NOT JUST A SILENT ACHING STANDSTILL THAT ENGULFED THE ROOM NOW AS THOSE VERY WORDS LEFT - Raahil's mouth.

FOR THAT WOULDN'T BE THE FAIR INFERENCE TO DEPICT - WHAT WAS REHAAN WAS FEELING IN THAT MOMENT AS HIS MIND/HEART WENT INTO A COLLECTIVE OVERDRIVE AS HE SAT ROOTED IN HIS SPOT - IN A STUNNED SHAKING HEARTBREAKING SILENCE - AS HIS MIND ALSO PRESSED THE REWIND BUTTON IN HIS EARS TO RESOAK EVERYTHING HE HAD JUST HEARD - AS HE ALSO SIMULTANEOUSLY CONTINUED TO GAPE AND STARE - AT an anxious Khushi - who just looked back at him - nervously - holding onto Noor's arm TIGHT BUT silently.

YES.

THIS WAS NOT JUST Any STANDSTILL - Emotionally.FOR Emotional STANDSTILL'S IN LIFE EVENTUALLY BEGIN TO FEEL TEMPORARY AFTER SECONDS OF SHOCK and you begin to recover, as your mind finds it's ways out if its neurons to phantom out a feasible reaction.

But.

AND THIS MOMENT RIGHT NOW - JUST FELT LIKE - AS IF TIME HAD COMPLETELY SUSPENDED ITSELF, INCLUDING THE TICKING OF IT'S VERY SECOND HAND - ON THE CLOCK - in THE CONTEXT OF Rehaan's Life. Time Ceased.Time Suspended.The functioning of the World/Life around in it's very elemental being - halted - for him.Just like that.Abruptly and Fast.As if someone had just pulled up a break button suddenly on the speeding car of his being - making him come face to face with a massive collison in between his head and heart - who were both reeling in significant impact of this sudden revealation - that he HAD JUST ABOUT NEVER SEEN COMING.

HOW COULD HE NOT BE THE CARVED INTO STONE - MOMENTARILY - VERSION OF HIMSELF?? THAT HE WAS RIGHT NOW?

Raahil , Noor and Khushi - all three of them - saw it though.They saw Rehaan freeze into an heartbreaking statue into his spot as his face crumbled in vulnerability and angst as he gaped at Khushi with his eyes welled up and his eyes also simultaneously gave away the bit that his head and heart were in an collective overdrive now and so Khushi just exchanges a silent anxious look with both Raahil and Noor and Raahil just getsures to her from across to hand him her phone now and Khushi does the very same and he whispers to both Noor and Khushi - " Abbu's statued in shock...I guess..which is natural...but I know..he's listening..which means...that I need to continue talking...now...,"and so Raahil continues as he finally walks over to take a seat next To his Abbu now and shows him Khushi's phone and the pictures of Alice and Him from the past, of moments that he had seen himself not very long ago, then pictures of Khushi with Alice when she was born/while growing up/Khushi's birth date/birth certificate/her blood group details as he continues to say in between - " see...Abbu...see...here's everything that you didn't ever know...see...do you see that date of birth..? it toally coincides..within the 40week..calendar mark of your break up from her Mum right?? see do you see this..her blood group..?? she has the same blood group as you..as well...her Mum's apparently B+ just like Ammi was too and even though I am B+ and my blood group happened to be the same like Ammi's...Khushi's matches...your's...do you see this...picture...Abbu? of her Mum's holding Khushi in her arms as she is born...do you see it all? Wait...ill hold it up all for you and scroll through it all so that you can see it all for yourself...as Noor joins me in to fill you in over everything we just heard from Khushi...not very long ago...Khushi insists that we are free to do a dna...testing...if we don't believe her...but I believe her Abbu...we both believe her...how could we not after everything we'v heard?seen? see...you see for yourself and hear everything...from us...too.."

And Rehaan sees it all - obviously. He could see everything that was being shown to him now by his children. He was hearing everything that was now being told to him. And yet - all he could do momentarily - was just Stare at KHUSHI - gobsmacked to the edge of space - in a stunned silence - as his other senses continued being in a overdrive.

And in that moment of time - Khushi felt like - she was consumed and engulfed in a similar intense silent vibe just like Rehaan.How could she not be when he was staring at her with vulnerability etched over every inch of his face right now - rooted in shock - still.Her Abbu was finally looking back at her - right now - without the Stranger lens in his eyes - So how could she not get zoned out into an aching Silence just like him too? And so she just continued to succumb into the aching silence too - as she let Raahil and Noor - take the lead over revealing it all to Him.

Christ knew - she didn't have it in her to do the same - without having her pulse shoot up to the Galaxy - anyway.

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

Thirty Five More Minutes - Later

The clock on the wall told him that the - Time was passing.But Nope for Rehaan Khan - it still was pretty much stuck in it's minutes/seconds/spot like it was - the very second Raahil had dropped the truth on him.

Yes.

He'd seen enough evidence that suggested towards nothing but the truth he had been obivious off all this while. His ears had heard - every detail - that had been told to him.From Alice's perspective off it too.

And somewhere in the middle of it all - about fifteen minutes ago - as Khushi had finally composed herself enough to gesture to Raahil/Noor that she'd be the one to relay further on her Mum's side/her reasons/her still nursing the wound in her heart/loving him by wishing him well in her own twisted ways all this while - and Rehaan had heard her talk - her voice shaking/her frame quivering in intense emotion - he had felt his very own being shake in a hammering realisation over and over!

Khushi was his daughter????????? His.His and Alice's Love Child??? She was his Blood too?As much as she was Alice's????????? And right now - as he continued to hear it all - in an outwardly shaken silence still - he knew very well that nothing within was Silent - at all though.

His heart had been breaking/dying/coming back to Life yet again/getting engulfed in angst/shades of happiness too - all at the same time - over and over. Oh Yes. That was the exact cocktail of crumbling emotions that he was experiencing. For - for a second - in his mind/heart/soul - he felt like he was standing in the center of the two sided gate - that had the revolving doors that opened up to both Heaven and Hell at the same freaking time.

Heaven's - Why? Because - he'd always wanted a daughter too right?He'd always longed for one - deep - bad - so very bad. And to know - that he always had a daughter with the only woman he had ever loved - gave him immense Happiness of the Heart. Obviously.How could it not? She was their love child.Conceived in a moment of raw, unfilterated, loving - passionate, soulful love in between of Alice and Him - just before things turned downhill for them.In his head and heart - as he reconnected the dots/reconnected it all back - he felt like - he knew.He knew in just which moment - he'd probably fathered her as well.It was vulnerable, raw moment where in his heart had been fearing within that what if wordly differences would creep into their Love and Alice was wondering the same too within.They'd talked about it then - emotionally.Too prior - just then - in a moment of monumental emotional significance to each of their hearts?That just if - they couldn't see their Love through?That what if their Love succumbed in front of their Mind giving into the then creeping differences in their realities?????? They'd made emotioanal , deep love after - instead - their hearts then refusing to even process the possibility of a seperation/ break up in the moment of time.For imagining a life without the other in it - was something they could have never even imagined then. Ironical - how it eventually went on to be just that - though - in a matter of couple of weeks - after.

But nonetheless - now as he reconnected it all back in his head/heart - how could he not feel happy?And Blessed? That Allah had quite blessed him in that very vulnerable moment of time - with a living proof of his and Alice's heart-breaking uncompleted tale of Love???. He'd just been the unfortunate one to not be blessed with the knowledge of the same - until this very moment of time.

And why did he feel like this other side of the revolving heavenly door had also opened upto a Hell??? It was because monetarily as he gazed, gaped and stared off the face of Khushi - his child - right now - he felt like nothing but a sinner. He felt he had sinned her. Deep. To have one of his child/ live half her life - in the fear that her father wouldn't accept her existence????????? To have her make ado - with - gazing at his pictures online after getting to know the truth at 18? To have her - experience seeing him - for the very first time - in a stadium? Under fan pretext? To have his daughter - get his autograph/picture to feel like - she'd felt and taken the only steps she could in this life - closer to Him??????????? He was having a hard time digesting the bit - that his daughter had been the innocent child to face so much of the pain/with regards to this angle in between of him and Alice?

He felt like he had sinned as a parent!Even though the truth had been unknown to him - until now.Perhaps that was his fault too - in his heart - he thinks now? Perhaps - if he had - had it in his heart to look back - just once - before marrying Gazala. If perhaps - just once he had had it in his heart - to not let the mind rule and toy with momentary mind games back then????And he bites back a heavy emotion yet again - for even in this moment of time - he felt like his heart ached/broke immense as he took in the sight of his Son - Raahil. For If he hadn't setteled in with Gazala - then - Raahil wouldn't have come into his Life.And Allah knew - how much he loved him too.

Oh - How Cruel was Fate - in it's strings right now?For Rehaan Khan - felt like he had sinned not only his daughter.But his Son too. He felt like he had wronged both his children in some ways.Khushi in the past/present.Raahil in the present too - for him having to face the angle of his past now this way!

And he also felt like a Sinner - towards Alice. To know now - that - she somehow had it in her heart to stay loyal to him/his memories/raising their love child single handedly - despite him having moved on in his side of the world/marrying another/having another family - gave him immense ache - for Her. How could he not feel the ache he was???????

But then - he even amidst the battle of Heaven/Hell emotions within - he had understood. He had understood Alice's reasons as were being explained to him by Khushi in great detail now which once again only led to more heartache. Yeah.Alice had been right in her assumption - that he'd have done all that he could have to have his daughter in his Life/in his home - if he had known. In this moment - he felt like he understood her motherly fear - of having her only child - taken away.

He hears Khushi explain now towards the end of it all vulnerably - " S..i..r...now...you know everything....you...know...it all...believe me..i had no intention to interfere in your lives...like I said before...or make this relation known to you...to create a havoc in your life... but how could I not tell Raahil and Noor after everything I overheard ? For Mum's sake...you had to know..it all...and please believe me...when I say this...to you...over and over...again...sir....Mum..never wanted to harm you with this...ever...from the knowledge of my existence...I don't wish the same for you too...I know..from the norms of your cultural/societies...my existence...in your Life...would probably be deemed/looked upon as a sinful one..because I am not your child out off the sancticity of wedlock...and we know.. if it comes to light publically...it could be a massive scandal to you...or Raahil/your families...Sir...,"and she pauses in her choked emotion - her heart breaking at addressing Rehaan as Sir continuously - but she was too scared to address him with a fatherly connotation without his consent.

And just as Rehaan hears Khushi say that latter bit out loud - he feels his heart break even more now as it finally triggers him to defreeze and he says out in a loud affirmative voice - " Stop......Stop....please....Just Stop...."

That from Rehaan shakes Khushi completely as she gapes at him - in fear momentarily think that he simply just wanted her, Raahil and Noor to just stop talking in this context.

Raahil and Noor exchange worried nervous gazes too as they ask in unison in shaking vulnerable emotion each feeling depleted within to some ways even though they kept taking power from each other - in all these minutes - " Abbu...what do you mean?? what's wrong??why do you want us to stop???? You believe Khushi...don't you? you surely got too..."

And Khushi feels like her hearts going to sink or stop beating all together as she gapes at Rehaan and asks her chin quivering - " do you not believe me...Sir?? Yo..u...c.a..n...ha...ve..my D..N..A...tested..I am...your...da..u..gh..,"and she pauses leaving it hanging in the air.

Raahil and Noor chip in rushed - " Abbu...wha..t...is..??"

And Rehaan finally gestures Noor and Raahil to keep their silence with a fatherly assertive gesture of his hand now and he looks at a vulnerable Khushi's shaking in anxiety frame before he finally gets up from his seat now and walks up to her - and watches her stand in her seat with shaking legs too as he hears her state again locking her gaze with his -"Sir...y..ou..can..have...my DNA..tested...this..very...second..d...I assure you...with all my heart...what...I am saying..is the truth.."

How many times - could his heart break in the moment - Rehaan didn't know. He couldn't for once phanthom/or even begin to imagine how much insecurity his innocent daughter would have lived with all her life in her innocent heart with regards to the context of the word - Father - in this very moment.

And Rehaan finally admits honestly and sincerely looking straight at Khushi - " I asked...you to...stop...because...never again..in my presence...will I ever have you say...or use the words..sin in correlation with your existence..Khushi?? am I clear??? Or not? I believe you..never have I ever..for a second stated...that I don't...my silence wasn't intended...to have you assume...that?? I hope we are clear on that...I can't stand that inference from you ever...I will not hear it...I won't..."

And just as Raahil and Noor hear those words leave Rehaan's mouth - they exchange a sigh of relief as Raahil sidehugs a continuously weeping Noor to his side and watches on the scene of Khushi - gaping at Abbu - as if she had just been rocketed to Space in shock yet again!!

Khushi couldn't believe what she had just heard.Which was why she felt her eyes react by widening up to the size of Arnav's favourite red cricket ball and her eyes ooze out fountain of her tears.Fresh. When had she imagined - that she'd have her Abbu say this out loud to her?? Just like Arnav and her Mum often would if she ever travelled down the context of these words?again?

And before Khushi can say anything to that she hears Rehaan shake his head in a No brushing his aching/trembling hand over his face now as he says further - assertively - " and stop...please...just stop...suggesting...that you are okay to have us tested for DNA..Khushi...I know I can do..that..and you will co-operate...but... have you test for DNA?and belittle the only woman I have ever loved - further? Wouldn't that perhaps make me the greatest sinner of all times then? not that I don't already feel like a sinner..myself...the only reason why I have been engulfed in this aching silence..right now...is that. Is that I feel like I have sinned you. Deprived you of my presence in your life..even if it was unknowingly...I feel I have sinned both my children...in front of me..right now..too...and yes..your Mum as well...for I never looked back..not even once...but I also know if I get caught up in the situation of what if's it will only hurt us all more..so tell me now...Khushi..how do I begin?from where should I begin to seek for your forgiveness? My child?? You only tell me??,"and he pauses to just look at Raahil and Noor broken and shaken as he asks them too - " from where should I begin?? Kids? Just from where should I begin??"

And even though Khushi hears the latter bit - she feels her insides pause on the prior bit as he heart gets consumed with further poignant biological waves like never before as she now gapes at Rehaan emotional looking at him in the eye as he had turned to look at her now - she asks to reconfirm - not just her chin quivering but her entire frame shaking vulnerably - " you believe...me...Si..r?? als..o...I am..sorry...but did I really just hear you say the words...my child to me???? you want to acknowledge my...existen..ce...S..ir..??,"and tears leave her eyes.

And Raahil intervenes at that as he adds from behind clutching onto Noor's hand whose already beaming at Khushi in poignant shades of relief and happiness - " Khushi...aapa....please...st..op..crying..now..??"

Rehaan turns around to look at Raahil at that as he asks in momentary shock - " what did you just say?Raahil? you called Khushi...aapa???"

Raahil nods exchanging a heavy in emotion knowing look with his father - " Yes...Abbu ..i did..for she is technically elder to me..right? Ammi would have wanted this...from me...for you...Abbu...Ammi would have wanted this from the heavens above...and now that I think of it...I think she's the one whose pulled these strings to have the truth come out..this way...right Ammi?,"he asks looking up at the roof of the room above momentarily as Noor hugs him sideways lovingly in significant support.

And Rehaan finally turns to look at Khushi now as he says sincerely - " forgive me...my child...please..forgive me...I didn't know...I didn't know..not that it's a fair enough excuse..to your pain all these years..ofcourse...I want to acknowledge your existence in my Life...Khushi...how can I not want to?? Oh your Mum knows how I longed for a little girl too.. which is why she gave you the very name..I wanted...right? you are my daughter...Khushi...you are my beti jaan...and I want to take this moment - to just apologize to you over and over again..firs...t....this was never your fault..beti..all of this was never your fault...you were just our innocent child caught up in the middle of all this aching crossfire over time.."

And just as Khushi hears those words - she feels the very essence of her biological existence shake in its crux like never before. When did she ever imagine - that she'd be blessed with a moment like this in reality? When did she ever imagine that her Abbu would seek for her forgiveness first whilst addressing her as his - Beti Jaan??????? And so she continues to gape at Rehaan emotionally as she asks drowning into vulnerability - "what?? just what did you...say...Sir???

And for a second - just as Rehaan was about to say next - that Khushi - take me to your Mum - I need to see her - meet her once - talk to her - first thing out - now - he hears her ask her this all stumped in shock still.

And so he follows his aching/breaking fatherly heart in the moment first as he finally raises his hand to brush Khushi's hair lovingly his heart trembling in ache and poignant emotion now knowing that she was his daughter.And for a second - all he felt like was that he so desperately wanted was to her the words- Father - for him - instead of the word Sir and so he says now acting on his instinct - " yes...I did just say what I did..Khushi...I can say it again if you want..but how about you stop..calling me...Sir...please?beti jaan?and address me as to who I am for you..in its true..bilogical context...I am your father ..aren't I? just like I am Raahil's...Raahil calls me Abbu...do you want to give it a try? Calling me Abbu?? I know...I still have so much to catch up...on...in terms of your life..to know you as a precious human...your Mum surely brought you up to be...but know..there's nothing that would soothe my aching heart more right now...than to hear you...call me as your Abbu? you don't need any auotgraphs/photos/under fan pretext to feel closer to me beti jaan..you don't need to see our lives from afar..to feel closure in emotion with regards to me...Khushi...you are my daughter...You are a part of me ...meri beti..."

KHUSHI CONTINUES TO Gape at Rehaan - frazzled and shaken as fresh tears continue to leave her eyes as she hears the very words - she had so often ached/longed to hear in her imaginations and she feels her Heart jump onto it almost immediately as she admits to Rehaan on reflex - " I'd often wonder..then..what would you prefer...? Daddy/Abbu...are you sure?? that I can...y..o..u...know...call...you...address you..as that.....??,"and Khushi pauses as she just clutches on her heart and closes her eyes and it is right very then she feels Rehaan's brush on her hair again - in a silent - sincere vibe before she hears him say - "it's okay if you want to cry..meri beti...I can hold you..if you'll allow me too..i should have held you in my arms since the very second you took your first cry and came in this world..forgive me..for I am twenty five years plus too late..Khushi..but...here..i am now...forgive me..please?"

And just as Khushi hears that - Khushi finally opens her bloodshot with emotion eyes as she whispers looking straight at Rehaan- "there's nothing to forgive...you didn't know...A..Bbbu...you just didn't know..ther...e is n...oth...ing to f..or...give...Abbu...," and just as those words leave her lips - she finds herself being pulled into a big fatherly hug by Rehaan as emotional tears leave his eyes too.

And Khushi succumbs to overwhelming emotion as tides of vulnerable biological sobs take over her being.How could she not?When she was being held by her Father - for the very first time?

How could Rehaan not succumb to the aching emotion within too - as he held onto his daughter for the very first time??????

And how could Raahil and Noor not succumb to their happy tears in relief - as they watched on - as well????? With Raahil knowing in his heart that his Ammi would surely be smiling down at him from the heaven's above???? Right Now??

How could the Room - not be filled with a cocktail of vulnerable array of emotions - in the way it was - given that the moment of Time in Reality had finally witnessed an aching child - meet her Father - and be acknowledged/ held/comforted by him - for the very first time?

How could Time - once again - not come to a StandStill - in this very moment of time? OH IT DID.

IT MOST SURELY DID.

As Khushi held onto her Abbu - and cried her Heart Out.As Rehaan Khan - continued to hold onto his love child/his long lost Daughter and held her and comforted her in his aching vulnerable moment - with his emotions momentarily leaping into the SKY in sheer Joy just like it did the very first time - his son - had called him - Abbu in his toddler years.

She'd called him ABBU.His Daughter had called him Abbu.His daughter - Khushi - had called him ABBU and the very sound of it and the underlying emotion in her voice as she had done so - had just about realigned and changed - everything in his aching heart.

Had

Indeed

Changed

Just.

About.

EVERYTHING.

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

TADAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

How was that guys???????????????? Emotional much? Phewwww....i can't tell you all how emotional I was whilst writing this!

Next Update : In a Couple of days time

So Yup - I will see you soon then - Guys!

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