Chapter 20
Author's POV:
It had been one month.
Aayat had arrived at the Khan mansion broken, silent, and drowning in grief. She was a ghost of the girl she once was. But day by day, under Sonia’s gentle affection, Sameer’s protective warmth, and Ayaan’s relentless presence, she began to breathe again.
Not fully healed — no, her wounds were still raw — but she no longer looked like she would collapse at any moment.
The sun streamed through the curtains as Aayat stepped into the living room, her dupatta neatly pinned, a faint smile tugging her lips. Sonia aunty, seated with her morning tasbeeh, looked up and froze for a moment.
Sonia (softly, with a smile): “MashaAllah… aaj toh meri beti bohut pyari lag rahi hain.”
Aayat lowered her gaze, cheeks warm. “ thank you aunty. Ap khud itni achi hain kay apko sab pyare lagte hain.”
Before Sonia could respond, Ayaan strolled in with his usual playful energy, hair still messy, holding two mugs of coffee.
Ayaan: “Good morning, Miss Silent Film. Coffee? Or should I bring tissue box, kyunki tumhari aankhon ka contract toh aansuon se hai.”
Aayat blinked, then let out a small, involuntary laugh. It surprised even her.
“Tumhe lagta hai tum bohot funny ho?”
“Lagta hain?… main hoon per....sirf tumhare liye.”
Sonia watched them with content eyes. It was the first time in weeks she’d heard Aayat laugh — even if faintly.
~
Later that day, Sameer called Aayat into his study. The large oak desk, the shelves lined with books, and the quiet authority of the man made her a little nervous.
He gestured for her to sit.
“Beta, ek baat karni thi tumse.”
Aayat folded her hands in her lap. “Ji, baba…” The word slipped before she realized, and her own heart stumbled.
Sameer’s eyes softened.
“Beta… main chahta hoon , tum rayyan se apna taluq khtm kar do.... dekho hum zabardasti nahi kre gay tumse , tumhari marzi hain, pr mein kehna chahta hoon aise insan k saath rehne ka kya fyda jo mushkil waqat mein tumhare sath kaday hone k bajaye tumhare khilaf khada ho gaya ho..”
Aayat’s lips trembled. Tears pooled but she forced her voice steady.
“Nahi baba… abhi nahi. Main nahi chahti ke Rayyan ko pata chale main kahan hoon. Mein nahi chahti kisi ko be pata chale m kidher hoon... Mujhe kuch time k liye sirf sukoon chahiye hain.”
Sameer leaned back, his expression torn between anger at Rayyan and helpless love for this girl. Finally, he nodded.
"Jaise tumhari marzi, beti. Lekin ek baat yaad rakhna — tum ab Aayat Malik nahi rahi. Ab se tum Aayat Khan ho. Meri beti.”
Aayat’s chest tightened. For the first time in weeks, she felt… wanted.
Sameer (firmly): “Aaj se mujhe ‘Baba’ kehna. Aur Sonia ko ‘Mama.’ Yeh tumhara ghar hai, Aayat. Tumhari izzat, tumhari hifazat meri zimmedari hai.”
Aayat’s tears spilled, and this time they weren’t of pain — but belonging. She whispered: “Baba…”
Sameer smiled, pulling her into a fatherly embrace.
~
In the afternoon, Ayaan barged into Aayat’s room with mock seriousness.
Ayaan: “Miss Khan, tumhari court hearing lag gayi hai. Tum pe charge hai — boring hone ka.”
Aayat looked up from her book, frowning. “Pagal ho gaye ho kya?”
He dramatically grabbed her hand and started dragging her toward the door.
Aayat (laughing, resisting): “Mujhe chhodo! Mera bazu nikal jaayega ab!”
Just then Sonia entered, startled.
Sonia: “Yeh kya ho raha hai?”
Aayat quickly pointed at Ayaan. “Mama, mujhe bacha lo is shaks say!”
Ayaan put on his most innocent face.
Ayaan: “Mama, isko kam khilaya karo. Dekho, ismein itni taqat aa gayi hai ke mujhe hi kheench rahi hai!”
Sonia shook her head, laughing despite herself. “Tum dono bachon se zyada bachay ho.”
For the first time, the house echoed with pure laughter — something that had been missing for too long.
That evening, Ayaan convinced Aayat to step out of the mansion for the first time in a month.
Ayaan: “Tumne kaha tha tum apni life khud jeena chahti ho. Toh shuruat yahin se karte hain. Bahar niklo, Aayat. Fresh hawa lo. Zindagi ko feel karo.”
She hesitated but agreed. Together, they walked out, the city lights glowing ahead.
Ayaan took her to a quiet café. She ordered only chai, while he filled the table with snacks.
Ayaan (grinning): “Main khata hoon tumhare hisse ka bhi. Tumhara diet plan main sambhal lunga.”
Aayat rolled her eyes but smiled. For once, she felt almost normal.
But then — her gaze froze.
At the far corner of the street-side restaurant across the road, she saw him.
Rayyan.
He walked in with Ramsha. Ramsha clung to his arm possessively, laughing, leaning close like a wife in love. They looked like a couple who belonged together.
Aayat’s breath hitched. Her entire body trembled.
Aayat (whispering): “Woh… Rayyan…”
Her teacup slipped from her hand, shattering on the table. People turned, but she didn’t notice. Her chest ached as if someone had stabbed her again.
Aayat (voice breaking): “ ye log toh mujhe bhool chuke hain....”
Ayaan immediately moved closer, his hand steady on hers.
Ayaan (firmly, ): “Look at me, Aayat. Don’t let them define you. Don’t give them that power.”
Her tears flowed, but she clung to his words. Slowly, painfully, she nodded.
That night, long after everyone had gone to sleep, Aayat found herself restless. She walked to Ayaan’s study, where the light was still on.
He was at his desk, sketching something absentmindedly.
Ayaan (looking up, surprised): “Aray, Miss Khan. Kya hua?”
Aayat’s voice shook. “Mujhe yahan se door jana hai, Ayaan. Bohot door. Is sheher mein sab kuch mujhe unki yaad dilata hai. Mera dum ghut raha hain.”
Ayaan studied her face — the desperation, the exhaustion, the plea.
He leaned back, serious now.
Ayaan (calmly): “Then come with me. New York.”
Aayat blinked. “what....?”
“I’m moving there next month to take over the company branch. You can continue your studies there. Start fresh. No one will know you. No one will judge you.”
She stared at him, stunned.
Aayat (hesitant): “Par… main tum par bojh nahi bana chahti.”
Ayaan’s eyes softened. He stood, walking closer.
Ayaan (softly): “Tum mujh per bojh nahi ho, Aayat. Tum toh meri himmat ho..”
" Thanks."
For the first time in weeks, a faint spark of hope flickered in her chest.
She whispered: “New York…”
And for the first time, she didn’t feel like running from herself — but toward a new beginning.