Part 5.
Since I had the idea in my mind, I realized I would not be able to get any work done till I had typed this one out!
Zubia finished her night shift and started to walk out of the hospital early in the morning. Asfand drove into the parking lot and stopped alongside when he saw her..
They look at each other silently. She asked him if they could talk and at the same time he asked if she would ride with him. She got into the car and he drove back out of the parking lot. He called Dr. Sheroze to let him know he would be coming in late
They drove on silently. Zubia's mind was so full of all the things she wanted to say to him, she did not pay any attention to the route. She looked up surprised to see that he had stopped in an empty fielfd and was looking at her..
He spoke first.."Zubia, I am sorry. I am sorry for all the things I said to you so many years ago when I drove you home that day"
She coloured and looked at him in surprise, so he did remember their fateful encounter so many years ago
Asfand continued.." I was so immature and quick to judge, did not even stop to consider what you were going through. You know, when I moved to the US after Daniyal bhai died, I thought about that encounter so many times. How I judged you from outside without stopping to think that things are not always what they seem..I knew that only too well after how bhai and we were treated. I want to..."
At this point, Zubia burst into tears.
"Zubia, please ..please don't cry like this". Zubia shook her head through her tears and started speaking..
"You understood this, but why did my brother who was supposed to be my protector never understand or forgive me? Why did he not protect me from my bhabhi's taunts and schemes? I was taunted everywhere I went. I could have borne all that if only I had his support...I made a mistake, am I so bad that I cannot be forgiven. He turned me out of the house in the middle of the night instead of protecting me when I was attacked in our own house..".. With this she burst into a fresh round of tears..
Asfand who was very distressed to see her like this, could not hold himself back..he held both her hands in his and asked her to look at him..
"Zubia, what are you saying? You are the nicest, dignified and most compassionate person I know! Please, I cannot bear it if you let yourself get upset over that incident any more"
When Zubia would not stop crying..he asked her.."Do you know what mama and baba said? In an age when people desert their elderly parents only someone very very special and nice can forgive her father and even take care of him"
Zubia spoke finally .".I tried very hard to forgive him but I could not do it completely..your family is so loving and respectful towards each other, we used to live in fear...my mother was at his mercy..oh I was so scared and lonely when she died...I miss her so much even now"
"I know how it feels when someone is snatched away from you unexpectedly and cruelly"..was his quiet response.
After some time he added "My parents admire and love you even more now for everything you have been through alone but you are not alone anymore...you have me, Geiti bhabhi, mama and baba. Mama cannot wait for you to come to our house formally"
Zubia finally smiled through her tears and they looked at each other quietly.
After some time he restarted the car and they drove around the mountains aimlessly, talking about everything and anything..
It was late afternoon when he finally drove towards her mess gate. She turned to him and gave him a radiant and carefree smile and he responded with one of his own..
She said "bye" in shy voice and made to exit from the car when he called her. She looked at him enquiringly..
"Zubia, after today we will never talk about that scoundrel...I hope you know me well enough to know that I would never judge you". He paused and continued " but the thought of you with any other man is not something I can handle..I am sorry, I know I was myself engaged and I should not think this way...but ..but I feel like you are mine and mine alone"
Zubia who was listening to him quietly blushed at this, nodded because she could not trust herself to speak and left the car..
As she walked towards the gate, she looked back, smiled again and received his answering smile..
Yes..there is a next part. After all, Asfand has to tease her about her sms!
Edited by bookworm123 - 7 years ago
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