Synthesis of Scattered Pieces ✔️

89.

Mr Kazmi wasn't ready to allow Zaryab in his home but other than him no one was against this decision. Even after his father's disappointment Daniyal brought Zaryab to Qasr-e-Kazmi. He was scared because he was the very first and only innocent witness of his mother's blood clad dead-body.

"Come here." Shifa knelt and opened her arms. Zaryab slowly hugged Shifa and she cried but kissed his head. "You're not alone Zaryab. We're your family." She whispered lovingly.

Before becoming a mother she already became a mother of a four year old. Kissing his head one more time she breaks the hug and wipes his tears. "Today I'll make chocolate cake, you like chocolates. Right?" She asked and Zaryab nodded but happiness was missing from his eyes.

"What else do you like Zaryab? I'll cook everything for you." Shifa asked and Zaryab again started crying. "I want my Mommy back." He wasn't loud but requested helplessly. Shifa also started crying with him and Daniyal picked Zaryab in his arms.

"Let's go to the park then we'll have ice cream too." Daniyal wiped Zaryab's tears and then looked at his wife. "Shifa get ready, we three are going to have ice cream."

"Hmm, take both of them." Mrs Kazmi passed a small smile and Daniyal nodded.

<><><>

After a few Months

The nine months pregnant Shifa was sitting in the hall of Qasr-e-Kazmi, Zaryab was sitting with her with a pencil in his hand and an open book in front of him. "Zaryab, listen to the sound carefully, it's Jungle, spell it correctly, J U N G L E." Shifa politely pointed to his mistake and he rubbed the words before nodding.

"Mummy,"

"Ji beta?" She asked and put a pillow behind her back. "Will you come to my school tomorrow?" He asked and Shifa nodded with a big smile.

"Of course, I'll come with Dad, how can we miss your performance?" She kissed his cheek and then gestured towards the book. "Finish this work, then only ryming words will be left." Zaryab nodded and started writing. Shifa just inhaled while pressing her lips together tightly.

"Ya Allah." She exhaled and closed her eyes. "Kya hua?" A voice grabbed her attention and she turned behind.

(What happened?)

"Back pain badi Amma." Shifa muttered and the old lady threw a sharp glare at her. "Kisi ki baat to tumhe sun'ni nhi hai, qasam khayi hai tumne ki jo baat koi bada kahega wo to kisi haal nhi manogi. Subah se keh rahi hu jaa kar araam kar lo, itni deyr tak na bethi raho lekin tauba hai aaj kal ki ladkiyon se, ek baat Jo Maan le wo bado ki. Chaar kitabe kya parh li in ladkiyo ko to hamari baate samajh hi nhi aati." Scolding the daughter-in-law of the family full of anger Badi Amma walked back to her room and Shifa focused on Zaryab's notebook. She understood the meaning of a lesson once Maryam preached to her. Instead of words consider the intention of the speaker, and Badi Amma's intention was exactly opposite to her rude words.

(You have taken an oath that you will not listen to whatever an elder says. I have been saying since morning to go and take rest, don't sit for so long, but you so called well educated girls the present days have a repentance to accept what elders say.)

"Come on Zaryab, complete this fast. Mummy needs to take rest beta." She slowly caressed his head when Daniyal came back home with a tired face.

"Aaj bohot deyr laga di." She smiled and he sat down beside Zaryab after muffling his hair. "There was some work."

(Too late today.)

"Khana laga du aapke liye?" She asked and Daniyal nodded while standing up from his place but stopped for a moment. "Aapne khaya ya nhi?"