21| my family.

Happy 10k Reads. I wanted to update yesterday as it was my birthday but I got busy so here's the update!!

AUTHOR'S POV:

Zeeshan sat on a sofa, deeply absorbed in his phone as he typed out responses to a series of important emails.

Every so often, he would glance up, and each time, he was met with the heartwarming sight of a mother and daughter sleeping, peacefully, causing a smile to spread across his face.

Captivated by the moment, Zeeshan quickly snapped a photograph of the duo, intending to use it as his wallpaper.

What had been striking Zeeshan was the profound connection he felt towards the Ezzah, his very own daughter.

Though this connection was hidden, the truth lingered in the air—Ezzah was his daughter, and he loved her with all his being.

On the other side, Waniya gave her heart a thunderous sea of emotions whenever she glanced at Zeeshan. She was acutely aware of her lingering feelings for him, feelings that had sparked long ago but still had a hold on her heart.

Waniya had desires to create a perfect family unit with him, a dream that felt so close yet seemed out of reach as she wrestled with her past.

She was engaged in a silent battle, trying hard to resist falling for him once more while grappling with the love that she still held deep within her heart.

The air between them crackled with unspoken words and unresolved history, creating a poignant tension that neither of them could ignore.

Maybe clearing things out is the solution.

Zeeshan's mind was restless, lost in thoughts when something in his margin caught his attention. He turned his gaze to the bed and noticed Ezzah stirring, wide awake and attempting to rise from beneath the layers of blankets that enveloped her.

As Ezzah's eyes finally met his, a radiant grin spread across her face. Her expression sparkled with a mix of excitement and affection as she reached out toward him, eager for connection.

However, with a subtle wave of his hand, he urged her to remain quiet, Waniya, who lay just a few feet away. Zeeshan gently approached, offering his assistance to help Ezzah navigate the soft, plush bedding.

As he helped her, he cherished the moment, feeling like an unspoken bond was deepening between them.

Meanwhile, Waniya, turning restlessly in her sleep, stirred slightly as Zeeshan deftly draped a comforting blanket over her.

After a few moments of shuffling, she settled back into a deep sleep, oblivious to the subtle exchange happening at her bedside. He and Ezzah penetrated the room, letting Waniya rest.

"Ab ap theek ho?" Zeeshan questioned Ezzah. Ezzah nodded her head, energetically.

Zeeshan wasn't aware of the house's direction, but soon he got the drift; he grabbed her in the direction where the dining table was positioned.

And made her drink the water, as he had a conception of her being dehydrated after crying.

"Ab ap yehi rehna, mere aur mama ke sath. Theek hai?" Ezzah was to be unable to refrain from asking him. "Theek hai," Zeeshan answered her question. She hummed. He didn't know why she agreed.

"Why didn't you come to school? The teacher said you won't come," she turned gloomy.

Ezzah had turned habitual of Zeeshan's presence in her school. An invisible thread between the duo wasn't doing anything but bringing them together now and then.

"Ezzah, now listen to me carefully. I will come to visit you, but you won't be able to see me in the school," he unveiled.

"Then promise me you would come every day," Zeeshan was quite taken aback by how easily Ezzah was convinced.

"I promise," Zeeshan didn't make a silly promise he promised her owing to the fact he would visit her daily.

"Grumpy Pants, I am hungry." she pouted. Didn't see that coming. "So, what do want to eat?" He asked her preference.

"Pancakes," and Zeeshan had no idea how to make it.  But, he needs to figure it out. "Come," Zeeshan held her hand and took her with him to the kitchen.

He made her sit on the kitchen working island. He took out his phone—resting in his pants pocket—unlocked it, and opened YouTube.

Clicking on the search bar, he typed "easily and quick recipe for pancakes." An insane amount of videos emerged on the page, finding it difficult, but he selected one of them, he expected it to help.

Ezzah was quietly sitting and examining his every movement, an enduring grin on her lips, which made him feel at ease at heart. Now, the next task was to look for the ingredients he needed for the recipe.

"I can help you find the ingredients," Ezzah spoke for the first time since they had penetrated the kitchen.

"That cupboard, the left one, has flour. The cupboard has sugar, baking powder, and vanilla essence. You can find milk and egg in the fridge and all the measuring cups are in the third drawer," she informed. He took out everything and initiated the process.

He had never cooked-leave cooking, he had never boiled water, it ain't that he is a brat, but he had never been required to do so.

The YouTube video wasn't that much of help but all he knew was to mix all the dry ingredients, combine all the wet ingredients, and combine both. He constantly hoped they turn out well.

He could feel Ezzah's anticipation lingering in the air. She couldn't hide and he could point it out, witnessing her expression.

"Grumpy Pants," she named him, and he looked up. She threw flour on him; he was taken aback. Her hand shifted to grab more of the flour, but before she could have it, he took a pinch of flour and threw it on her face.

"Grumpy Pants," she said, throwing a handful of flour on Zeeshan, and she couldn't stop giggling. "Ezzah?" he eyed her. "Oh my goodness.......you look so funny......grumpy pants," she couldn't stop laughing at him. He took a step and started tickling her.

"Stop.....grumpy pants.....hahaha," she continued giggling. "Mama," she looked at the kitchen door, Waniya smiling, with tears glistening in her eyes.

Something in her ached. The bond between the duo is growing immensely. Something she couldn't stop.

"Mama, look, we made pancakes," Ezzah said. Waniya smiled. "Come, let's eat them," Ezzah nodded, and she grabbed her plate.

"Grumpy pants, come with me," she held his index finger and they moved out of the kitchen.

Ezzah positioned herself on one of the chairs of the dining table, and Waniya wiped her face. Zeeshan stood close to the mother and daughter.

"Are they good?" he couldn't help but ask; he could feel a constant gaze on him; it was Waniya. Looking at him, realizing how could he love Ezzah to this extent, or maybe he knows?

Ezzah nodded her head, vigorously. "Mama, ap bhi khao na," Ezzah broke Waniya's trance. When she took a bite, a frown appeared on her forehead. Soon, it mutated into a questioning look, making it difficult for him to understand.

"This is so good," she said, making Zeeshan smile. "Did you learn to cook?" Waniya asked as Ezzah got busy with eating her pancakes.

"Umm.....YouTube helps sometimes," he scratched back on my neck, hiding his awkwardness. She fought her urge not to laugh. "Haso toh nahi yaar," he whined like a child.

"I still remember the day you made brownies for me for the first time, and they got burned," she laughed, remembering the day. "But you loved them," he was right and he looked into her eyes.

"No, I didn't. I must have said it to keep your heart," he knew she lied. "You remember."

She looked at him as if she shouldn't have said all of the things she just has said. An ouch of regret lingered on her face. "I should leave," he said, to terminate the awkwardness, Zeehan stood up.

"Grumpy pants, please don't leave," Ezzah finished her pancakes. "Let him go; he has a family, too," Waniya made her understand.

"I will never leave you, cute heart," he looked into Waniya's eyes, offering her a look of surety. She averted her gaze.

"Grumpy pants, you can marry Mama, so we can live together," Ezzah didn't know what she was saying, but deep down, she was right. They needed to mend things for their only child. They needed to fight their demons.

He was meant to marry Waniya, not that bloody Shayan; he felt a bitter taste on his tongue thinking about him. A disgusted expression covered her face.

"Ezzah," Waniya glared at her, which made her look downcast. "I will come meet you soon," he said, bending to his knees. She nodded. He stood up all ready to leave.

"Shan-Zeeshan," she called him out. "Jab jane lagta hu to jane nahi deti, ik baar hi khe do meray beghair dil nahi lagta tumhara," he said. She rolled her eyes.

"Clean yourself," he overlooked himself, and he was covered in flour. "Restroom is that way," she showed him the way; I nodded at her and went towards the restroom.

~

He penetrated the restroom after dusting off all the flour off of him. Waniya was standing, he assumed she was waiting. Whatever makes you sleep at night, his mind mocked. Shut up.

"I should leave," he murmured. Zeeshan took a few steps to leave, clearly, not wanting to leave. As he pivoted on his heels to cast one last glance her way.

"Zeeshan-," she began to call out just as he turned. In that instant, collided with his chest, her eyes widening in surprise.

The unexpected shift in their positions caused her to lose her balance, and he instinctively reached out to catch her.

Just as her body started to fall towards the floor, when she thought she would crash to the ground, a strong presence enveloped her. Zeeshan was there, his hands steady and reassuring as he caught her before she could fall.

His grip was firm, grounding her in the moment, and in that instant, she realized she wasn't alone, he wrapped his arms around her, ensuring she didn't hit the ground.

She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the impact she feared was inevitable. Panic surged through her as she felt herself teetering on the edge.

As she slowly opened her eyes, revealing the deep, soulful hues of her irises, drawing him in like a magnet.

Her gaze locked onto his with a captivating intensity, as if she were peering into the very essence of his being.

In that silent moment, she seemed to be searching for something, her eyes flickering with curiosity and unvoiced questions.

He felt an electric charge in the air, a connection that was both fragile and profound.

All the while, his mind was consumed by the image of Waniya, the love he had for her filled his heart, creating a bittersweet contrast against the raw vulnerability he sensed in the woman before him, making the moment all the more poignant.

"You should leave, Zeeshan, and thank you for coming for Ezzah," she got out of his grip and adjusted herself.

"You and Ezzah are my family," he said. She knew why he said that. As he stepped out, he could feel the cool breeze brushing against his skin.

He slid into the driver's seat of his car, the familiar scent of the leather filling the air as he adjusted the seat and mirrors.

With a turn of the ignition, the engine roared to life, sending a comforting rumble through the vehicle.

As he was about to pull away, his phone buzzed insistently in his pocket. He fished it out, glancing at the screen to see it was his assistant calling.

He answered quickly, eager to hear the updates. "Sir, we need to discuss the meeting in New York," they said, their voice clear and professional. They continued to outline the key details—the time, the place, and the important people he'd be meeting.

His mind was caught by two lingering questions. One, would Waniya be there? Second, would he be able to fly again?

The thought of the trip ignited a mix of anticipation and urgency within him as he prepared to head out on the open road toward his next big opportunity?

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You can find spoilers related to the novel that will keep you hooked on my Instagram.

I'd: @bibliozaar (link in the profile.)

Ignore all kinds of mistakes, as English isn't my first language!

Take care!!!

Zaar.