Epilogue
Ayaan's POV:
It was already ten at night.
I sat in the home office, the soft yellow lamp spilling light over scattered files and my laptop screen.
Normally, at this hour, I would still be in the office downtown, but these days everything ran from home.
Nine months meant the delivery could happen any time now.
The date was close-too close to take risks.
Just a few more days, A tiny soul would breathe here. A heartbeat that belonged to Aayat and me. My little princess.
If I ever dared say this aloud in front of Aayat-that I imagined a daughter-my head would probably be separated from my body within seconds. Every time I joked about a "beti," she fought tooth and nail for a "beta."
Honestly, beti ho ya beta...
Either way, the child would be a piece of us. A part of her soul and mine.
But teasing her?
That was my favorite hobby.
Aayat had grown chubby in the most beautiful way. My golu. My stubborn, adorable golu. Nine months of mood swings, cravings, attitude-and love. Endless love.
She was giving me the biggest gift of my life.
I was about to become a father.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
I glanced at the screen-Danish.
I picked up immediately. I had been waiting for his call. We had to discuss a project that couldn't be delayed.
I started talking, opening the file lying in front of me, scanning numbers while listening to him explain something on the other end.
That's when the door opened.
Aayat walked in quietly, a cup of tea in her hands. Her eyes met mine, soft and warm. I gestured for her to place the cup on the table.
She obeyed-too obediently.
I went back to the call, half-focused on Danish, half on the numbers.
Then suddenly-
A tap.
On my shoulder.
I looked up.
Aayat was smiling.
Before I could react, she climbed onto my lap, settling there comfortably, like she belonged nowhere else. Then she buried her face in the nape of my neck.
My breath hitched.
"What the-"
I stopped myself.
Danish's voice echoed through the phone.
"Kya hua Ayaan? Kuch galat keh diya kya?"
I swallowed hard.
"Kuch nahi... tum bolo."
Danish resumed talking about the project, but my mind was no longer in the call.
It was trapped in the warmth sitting in my arms.
Then I felt it.
Her lips.
On my neck.
Once.
Twice.
I froze.
" Danish ek minute ruk..." And then I muted his call.
"Aayat..." I whispered, panic creeping in. " Kya ho gaya hain? Danish ki call chal rahi hai-"
But she didn't stop.
Her hands moved to my shirt buttons.
I immediately held her wrists.
" Agh se khail rahi ho tum baby. Tum...."
Before I could finish-
Her lips were on mine.
Soft. Slow. Familiar.
I lost.
I kissed her back, forgetting everything else. She smiled against my lips, then started peppering my face with kisses-my forehead, my cheeks, my chin , my nose ,my jaw.
Her lips traveled down to my neck.
I shut my eyes, holding her by the waist, trying to breathe through it.
"Aayat..." My voice dropped to a whisper. "Danish ki call-"
She ignored me completely.
At that point, I had no choice.
I unmuted the phone.
"Danish, main kal tumhein call karta hoon. Abhi ek aur... urgent matter aa gaya hai. Pehle isey sambhal loon."
I ended the call immediately.
As soon as I did, Aayat leaned back, smiling innocently.
"Shukar hai."
I stared at her, shaking my head.
"Tum thodi dair bhi ruk nahi sakti, na?"
She made a pout.
"Ye waqt tumhara sirf mera hona chahiye. Na ke tumhare office kay kaamon ka. Sham se office mein ho. Kam , kam sirf kam. Mera toh khiyal hi nahi hain."
Then she placed her hand over her belly.
" Aur apne is bache ko be miss nahi kiya, sham se... jo bohot jaldi hamari god mein hoga. Tumhara sara dyan hum do per hona chahiye ab ."
I laughed softly.
"Okay, madam. Mein pura ka pura tum dono ka hoon."
I lifted her carefully in my arms and carried her toward our bedroom.
I laid her down gently on the bed, pulled her into my arms, and kissed her forehead. I closed my eyes, just wanting to feel her presence.
But the moment I did-
She started kissing my face again.
I smiled helplessly.
"Aayat... kyun tadpa rahi ho yaar? Mat karo. I promise... warna tumhare liye acha nahi hoga. Yaad rakhna gin gin kar badlay luga."
She didn't listen.
Her lips moved back to my neck, her fingers working on my shirt buttons again.
I held her hands and sat up abruptly, pulling my shirt off instead. I kissed her, slow and deep, my hands sliding carefully over her sides.
I lowered my lips to her neck-
And suddenly-
She screamed.
A sharp, painful cry.
I pulled back instantly.
"Aayat!"
She clutched my hand, tears spilling from her eyes, crying in pain.
My heart dropped.
I knew.
The time had come.
But seeing her like that-screaming, trembling-it tore something inside me. I couldn't bear it. I couldn't stand her pain.
I hurriedly put my shirt back on, calling out loudly,
"Mama! Baba!"
They rushed in immediately.
I lifted Aayat into my arms.
" Hospital Jana hoga humein abhi..."
Outside, I placed her carefully in the car. Mama sat with her in the back. I took the driver's seat, Baba beside me.
I looked at her through the mirror.
She was crying in pain.
I started the car and drove toward the hospital.
~
The white walls smelled of antiseptic and fear.
Aayat was taken inside immediately.
I stood outside, pacing back and forth, my hands trembling. Every scream echoed in my head.
Saad and Huzaif arrived soon after, followed by Aayat's Ammi, Abu, Taya Abu, and Fariyal-Rayyan's wife.
Saad came to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
" inshallah sab theek ho ga, Ayaan. Pareshan na ho."
Pareeshan na hoon? seriously? zindagi andar hain meri is waqat, toh pareeshan kaise na hoon. Aisa lag raha hain jaise , Mera dil nikal liya ho kisi ne...
Bas ye eik hi baby rakhay gay hum... beti ho ya beta bas yahi... Mein dubara usey aise dekhne kay bare mein soch be nahi sakta ....
I nodded silently, my head bowed.
Then-
The door opened.
A nurse stepped out and looked at me.
"Aap andar aa sakte hain ab."
I rushed inside.
One nurse was holding a baby.
But I didn't look at the baby first.
I went straight to Aayat.
I kissed her forehead gently.
"Tum theek ho na, Aayat? Tumhein dard toh nahi ho raha na."
She smiled weakly.
"Main theek hoon."
Then she glanced toward the baby.
"Dekha? Maine kaha tha na beta hoga. Beta hi hua."
She looked back at me.
"Tum apni princess se next time milo gay inshallah. Intezaar karo ab. Thoda lamba hain but ab kya ho sakta hain."
My throat tightened.
I kissed her forehead again.
"Mujhe nahi chahiye. Main tumhein dobara aise dard mein nahi dekh sakta. Ek bohot hai bas."
She laughed softly.
"Pagal."
I turned toward the nurse.
She placed the baby in my arms.
I froze.
He is so cute.
" meri jaan...." My voice shook. "aayat , ye kitna pyara hai."
The doctor spoke gently.
"Ab aap bahar ja sakte hain Mr. Ayaan Khan. Room mein shift hone ke baad mil lena ap apni bewi se phirse."
I kissed Aayat's forehead one last time and carried my son outside.
The moment I stepped out, Ammi rushed toward me.
I placed my son in her arms.
She kissed him, tears streaming down her face.
Then Baba held him.
"Dekho, main tumhara dada abu hoon."
Saad stepped forward eagerly.
But I pulled my son back into my arms.
"Tumhara number abhi nahi aaya, saale sahab."
Everyone laughed.
I handed my son to Aayat's Ammi.
She cried openly, kissing him again and again.
Then Aayat's Abu held him, pride shining in his eyes.
Aayat taya Abu smiled.
"Kitna cute hai... mujhe toh yaqeen hi nahi aa raha , main nana ban gaya hoon."
He looked at me.
"Mubarak ho, Ayaan. Ab tum bhi Abu ban gaye ho. Zimmedaariya badh gayi hai tumhari... Aur mujhe yakeen hain tum inko be achay se nibhao gay. Allah tumhein khush rakhein hamesha."
Aayat's Abu suddenly said,
"Ye bilkul Huzaif ki tarah dikhta hai."
Huzaifa stepped forward excitedly.
"Sach mein?"
Aayat Ammi nodded.
"Haan. Tum bachpan mein bilkul aise hi thay."
Huzaif smirked at me.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Ab samajh aaya meri biwi itni mirchi kyun kha rahi thi."
Everyone burst out laughing-except Huzaif.
"Kya matlab?" he asked.
"Bas," I said calmly. "Mujhe apne bete ko tumse door rakhna hoga. Kahin aadat na lag jaaye... akdu insan."
Huzaif snatched the baby playfully.
" Apne baba ki baaton per dyan na dena... ye bolte rehte hain, inki koi nahi sunta. Aur haan Main tumhara chhota mammu hoon."
Saad added,
"Aur main bada mammu."
I took my son back and went to Fariyal.
"Tum nahi uthogi?"
She looked at me hesitantly.
"Kya main utha sakti hoon? Ye gir toh nahi jaye ga na. Bhai."
I smiled.
"Tumhe behan sirf kehne kay liye thodi kaha hain, tum toh meri behan ho. Is hisaab se tum uski phuppi hui na. Toh uthao isey aur duaye do , bohut sari."
( Fariyal rayyan story " her pain, his punishment)
She beamed and held my son lovingly.
~
Later, Aayat was shifted to her room.
Everyone moved toward it-except her parents and Aayat taya Abu.
I turned back and found them sitting quietly.
"Aap log andar nahi aayenge?" I asked.
Aayat's Ammi lowered her eyes.
"Hum usay pareshan nahi karna chahte. Abhi usey rest ki zaroorat hain."
They hadn't been forgiven yet.
But I didn't want the past to poison our future.
I placed a hand on Aayat's Abu's shoulder.
"Aayat aapki beti hai. Aapka wahan hone ka pura haq hai. Aur kuch time ap dono hamare ghar hamare saath hi reh gay ab. Aayat ko zaroorat ho gy ap dono ki ... Aur mere betay ko be toh apne nanna nanni k saath time guzarna hain."
I took them to her room.
Aayat looked at me when she saw them.
I shook my head gently.
She understood.
Baba said,
"Ayaan, aao apne bete ke kaan mein azaan do ab."
I smiled.
"Aap bhi to dada abu hain na. Aap de dijiye."
I sat beside Aayat, stroking her hair.
Baba recited the azaan.
My son listened quietly.
After that, Aayat held him close and fed him.
I gently draped the sheet over her. When I looked at her, she was already looking back at me.
" Kya hua? Tum theek ho na, dard toh nahi ho raha? "
She smiled, and said,
"Jab tum apna haath rakhte ho mere sir par... dard kam ho jaata hai. I don't know kaise? Shayad tumhare pass jadu hain."
I smiled and kept my hand there.
Suddenly-
"Awwwwww."
Everyone together.
I turned, embarrassed.
Then, ignoring everyone else, I looked at Aayat.
I kissed Aayat's forehead.
"I love you, Aayat."
" Awwwwwww" they said in unison.
Then suddenly Mama said with a smile, " mujhe lagta hain, hum sabko thoda bahir jana chahiye ab."
Aayat's mother agreed, "Yes, Aayat ko rest karna chahiye ab thoda.."
She paused before adding, 'Ayaan will stay with her.'
And with that, everyone began to leave
Aayat whispered,
"I love you too, Ayaan."
I looked at my wife. My son.
" hmmm... Ye feeling ...
Ye feeling bohot pyari hai. Jaise sab kuch mil gaya ho."
She smiled.
"Abhi kahan? Abhi toh tumhari princess baaki hai."
I shook my head.
"Mujhe nahi chahiye.
Main tumhein dubara se dard mein nahi dekh sakta.
Tum nahi janti tumhe waise dekh kar meri kya halat Hui hain.
.. Aur jab tum andar thi , mujhe aisa lag raha tha, jaise kisi ne mera kaleja nikal liya ho.
Mujhe dar lag raha tha. Tumhari wo cheekhein mere kaano mein gunj rahi thi.
Aur mein zindagi bhar nahi bhooluga unhein.
Isliye mujhe ab nahi chahiye. Sirf yahi eik bohut hain. "
She laughed.
"O mere bholu... tumhein darne ki zaroorat nahin hain ... Itni jldi nahi chodugy tumhara peecha ... abhi mujhe aur dimaag khana hai tumhara. Aur isey be toh apni behan chahiye hain.
Haina...."
" Bhool jao "
Aayat slowly closed her eyes, while I kept looking at her face.
The hospital room was unusually quiet.
No cries. No footsteps.
Just the soft rhythm of my son's breathing... and the slow, tired breaths of the woman lying beside me.
I sat there, one hand resting gently on Aayat's head, the other holding my son's tiny fingers. His grip was weak, unsure-but it felt stronger than anything I had ever held in my life.
This was it.
This was everything.
Aayat slowly opened her eyes again and looked at me. Her face was pale, tired, but peaceful. There was a softness in her eyes I had never seen before-like she had finally found rest.
She smiled faintly.
" aise dekhte raho gay , toh mein aram kaise karugy, meri jaan..."
I smiled back.
" Kya karu meri bewi hai hi itni khubsurat.... nazar hi nahi hutti."
She looked at our son, then back at me.
"Zindagi badal gayi na hamari? Aisa Lag raha hain, jaise aj sab pura ho gaya ho. Jo adhura tha."
I nodded, my throat heavy.
"Haan... isey dekh kar mere dil ko bohut sukoon mil raha hain aayat...
Tum ne mujhe pura kar diya..."
She closed her eyes again, my hand still in her hair.
"Main thak gayi thi, Ayaan. Aur phir tum aye.
. aur sab badal diya...
aur ab mujhe wo sab dard be achay lagne lagay hain.
. kyu kay un sabki waja se mujhe tum milay ho.
... I love you Ayaan... mein tumse bohut pyar karti hoon ayaan.
.. utna jitna tum soch be nahi sakte. Meri sachi mohabbat tum ho.
.. mohabbat kya hain tum se seekha hain maine.
. rishton ko nibhana tum ne seekhaya... Tum mera sab kuch ho .
.. Aayat Ayaan ki hain... aur aayat sirf Ayaan se pyar karti hain aur akhri saans tak kare gy. " she whispered.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead softly.
" Mein janta hoon. Aur mein be tumse bohut pyar karta hoon aayat. Hamesha ye baat yaad rakhna, mein hamesha tumhare saath hoon, har mod per zindagi kay."
She smiled.
After a few moments, she spoke again, her voice calmer, steadier.
"Tum ache baba banoge."
I looked down at my son.
"Maloom nahi... sach kahoon toh dar lag raha hain. But mein koshish karunga," I said quietly. "per mujhe yakeen hain , tum ek achi mama bano gy."
She turned her face toward me.
"Tum ek achay insan ho, Ayaan. I love you."
I chuckled softly.
" Sach kahoon , toh pehle nahi tha.
Tumse pehle mein kisi se sidhe muh baat be nahi karta tha.
Phir tumhein dekha , us resturant mein..
.. aur sab badal gaya.Tum ne badal diya mujhe.
.. roz khud ko tumhare liye badalne ki koshish krta tha, eik acha insan bane ki koshish karta tha.
Mera gussa , jo koi nahi sambhal sakta tha, us gusse ko mein ne tumhare liye qaboo karna seekha .
..
Toh tum ne mujhe badal diya aur ek acha insan banaya.
.. mein jo hoon, tum ne mujhe banaya hain.
...
Wo kehte hain na , kuch adatein maa sudharti hain aur kuch bewi. ... " we laughed.
Silence fell again-but this silence was warm, comforting.
The kind of silence that comes after storms.
I looked at both of them-my wife, my child-and something settled inside my chest. A deep, quiet certainty.
No fears.
No anger.
No past.
Just us.
I whispered, more to myself than to her,
"Ab jo bhi hoga agay... hum saath rahay gay hamesha."
Aayat smiled without opening her eyes.
" Inshallah Hamesha."
I pressed a gentle kiss on her temple, then looked at my son.
"Welcome baby," I whispered. " bas shakal se hi mammu per jana, gussa aur attitude chod dena. Handsome toh wo hain... but attitude... kuch zada hain."
Outside the window, the night slowly gave way to dawn.
A new day..
A new beginning.
And for the first time in my life, I wasn't afraid of the future.
Because my forever was right here-
in my arms.