Chapter 4

In Mumbai

Zoya was driving to her home and Mehak was sitting beside her quietly but was also stealing glances however Zoya didn't react to her.

Finally Mehak broke her silence and said "Mumma, are you angry with me?"

Zoya, who was driving, didn't look at her but answered "Why would I be angry at you, what did you do wrong?"

Mehak looks down and plays with her fingers then says with a guilt filled voice "I injured that boy…"

Zoya cuts her off "But he provoked you first right?"

To which Mehak replied "He did however you taught me that if someone provokes you then we should ignore that person and Mumma I tried to but when he said about my father I pushed him, I swear." Saying this she pinched her throat.

Listening to the word father once again, Zoya stopped the car and turned to Mehak "Princess tell me honestly, is a father whom you never saw is really important to you that you forgot your mumma's teachings who was always there for you?"

Mehak looks at Zoya shockingly and immediately hugs her "No Mumma, you are the most important to me and no one else. Mehak is sorry for making you feel like this. Mehak doesn't need a father it her mumma is with her."

Zoya caresses Mehak's hair and thinks "Princess, Mumma is also sorry for playing this kind of dirty mind game with you but right now this the best I can do for you."

Mehak looks at Zoya and asks "But Mumma, my friend said that everyone has a father then why don't I have one?"

Zoya breaks the hug and cups her face "Who said my princess doesn't have a father? You have a father, it's just he is not with you."

Mehak couldn't help and asked "Then why is not with me?"

Zoya close her fist and says "That's the only thing your Mumma is trying to find out."

Saying this she gets down from the car and opens Mehak's door "Let's go, it's time for lunch"

Then both mother and daughter enters in a house having name plate of 'Siddiqui'

After entering the house, Zoya gives Mehak a bath then says "I'll bring lunch for you."

Zoya enters in the kitchen when her phone rings, she receives the call "Hello"

On the other side of the phone the man says "Zoya ma'am, your work is done."

Zoya smirks and he continues "A court letter is sent to Verma's dairy products industry and now it will be closed soon."

Listening to his words Zoya frowns "I asked for his construction industry then why did you send him a letter for dairy products?"

The man fumbles "Isn't.. isn't it the same thing?"

Zoya narrowed her eyes "Am I very lenient on you that you started to take decisions from my side? What did I tell you to do?"

The man says with a low voice "Construction industry."

Zoya orders "I'm giving you 24 hours, clean this mess and do the work according to what I said and if you are not able to do it then I won't mind accepting your resignation letter."

The man hurriedly says "No ma'am, I will do it immediately."

Zoya cancels the and says sarcastically "Industry of dairy products, Verma you can make everyone fool but not me."

After having lunch and making Mehak sleep Zoya goes to her law firm leaving her under the care of their family nanny Rifat bi.

In Delhi

Aditya was going to his cabin when heard his cousin brother Arjun talking to someone.

"Alisha how many times should I make you understand that we can't have our wedding in Mumbai, because of your one friend I can't force my family for this."

Aditya realizes that his cousin's brother is talking to his fiancée, Alisha.

"So what can I do if she is a single mother and can't come here, Alisha I love you but I won't do this."

Aditya goes towards him while Arjun says anxiously

"What do you mean if she will not come then you will not marry me, what's the link it…"

He was about to complete his sentence when Aditya snatches his phone and put it on his own ear then he hears a female voice

"I told you Arjun, if my friend will not attend the wedding then I'll not marry you and that's final."

Aditya questions "Is your friend more important than my brother who loves you very much?"

There was silence for a while then Alisha asked "Adi Bhai/Bro you?"

Aditya acknowledges to which she replies "I didn't mean it brother but I really want my friend to attend the wedding however she is a single mother and lawyer so it is hard for her to come."

Aditya thinks for a while then says "You want your friend to attend your wedding?"

To which she says yes then he turns to his brother "You want to marry her right?"

Arjun nods his head so Aditya continues "Then it's decided, make preparations and Arjun's wedding will be held in Mumbai."

Alisha gets happy and thanks him

Aditya smiles and says "Don't thank me as our whole family is thankful to you that there is someone who wants to marry my brother, so we can't take any risk regarding this."

Saying this bid bye then gives a phone call to Arjun who asks "Bro why did you do that?"

Aditya pats on his shoulder then says "Arjun, when uncle and aunty died then I promised to them that I'll take care of you and your happiness. And I know how much you love Alisha."

Arjun hesitantly says "Bro but your business, this kind of takes more than one month…"

Aditya cuts him off "If my employees can't take care of my business in my absence then what's the need of them moreover it's not that we are going out of country"

To lessen Arjun worries Aditya says "And I was also thinking of going to Mumbai as I want to meet some people regarding expansion of my business. So don't worry, everything is ok."

Arjun smiles and hugs Aditya "Thank you bro you are the best."

Aditya breaks the hug then says "You go and inform everyone in the house. Your wedding will be grand like big brother's wedding and I'll make sure about it"

Saying this he goes from there while Arjun says with a sad smile "You remember big brother's wedding but you don't want to talk about your wedding which was the talk of the town for years."

In Mumbai

At night Mehak was doing her homework in the TV lounge while Zoya was in the kitchen when Zoya's phone rings.

Mehak looks at the caller name and smiles then immediately attends the call happily "Alisha aunty!"

On the other side Alisha also gets happy "My doll, how are you?"

Mehak says cheerfully "I'm very good."

Alisha asks"What you were doing and where is your Mumma?"

Mehak informs "I was doing my homework and Mumma is making hot chocolate for me. I will bring phone to her"

Saying this she goes into the kitchen and tells Zoya who was boiling milk "Mumma, Alisha aunty is on the phone."

Zoya turns to her then makes her sit on the slab and puts the phone on speakers then continues her work.

"Yes, Alisha"

From the other side Alisha says angrily "What Alisha, you…"

But Zoya cuts her in between "Phone is on speaker and Mehak is beside it."

Listening to her name, Mehak blinks her eyes confusingly while Zoya gives her a sweet smile.

Alisha also says "Oh… where were you? I was calling you since morning but you didn't respond to any of my calls"

To which Mehak responds "Because in office hours, Mumma never attends anyone calls except from my school and home, right Mumma?"

Zoya gives a flying kiss "That's my intelligent princess"

Mehak acts to catch it and smiles proudly then Zoya says tauntingly "Learn something from my princess, she is much more mature than you and look at you complaining like a kid."

Then they hear Alisha's sulky voice "Ya, only you and your daughter are mature and intelligent, others are stupid. Happy?"

Both mother and daughter says together "Very Happy"

Alisha murmurs "Both are same."

Zoya was mixing the sugar when she asked "Alright, why were you calling me the whole afternoon?"

Alisha says "Oh yes, I was calling you to inform you that my wedding will be held in Mumbai so you know you have not a single excuse for not attending my wedding."

Zoya smiles and says "That's really amazing news, and no one is skipping your marriage don't worry."

Mehak couldn't help but question when she sees her mumma so happy "What happened Mumma, why are you so happy?"

Zoya tells her "Mumma is happy because Alisha aunty is getting married and we can meet her, grandfather and grandmother."

Alisha says excitedly "Really?"

Zoya puts her down then gives her a bottle of hot chocolate "Yes, you go and finish this milk and complete your homework. Mumma will talk to Alisha aunty."

Mehak nods and goes from there "Okay"

Alisha asks "What happened? What was she saying?"

Zoya informs her "Well she is very happy and it will be very good after school she will spend her time with you all then I'll be relieved also."

Alisha senses something wrong "Zoya, did something happen?"

Zoya sighs "Mehak was asking about her father? Today I diverted her mind…"

Alisha cuts her off "how long you would be able to hide the truth from her, she has the right to know."

Zoya stands beside the slab and stares at Mehak lovingly who was doing her homework "I know, she has the right but she is too small for knowing all this. Her life is so simple right now, I don't want to make it complicated."

Then she turns and starts to make black coffee for herself "And now you all will come then it's good that she will be busy in all this or else I would be in tension."

To which Alisha replies "It's all thanks to Adi bhaiya/brother. Arjun's elder cousin made it possible, you would have known his name. He is quite a big businessman, Aditya Hooda."

Zoya pauses and mumbles "Aditya Hooda"

She gets some flashes of a burned house, two dead bodies with white clothes, a man on a bridge and court.

Zoya was standing in her balcony and behind her Mehak was sleeping, she was staring at the moon then says

"I told you, We want it or we don't want it, we accept it or deny it but our fates tied us together."

"I hope it would be a pleasure to meet you again Mr. Aditya Hooda."