*****
757 Words
Turned out that when Ehtisam went abroad, he bumped into a university fellow Ellie. Ellie was pregnant at that time and her husband had dumped him as he didn't want children. Ellie wanted a shelter and Ehtisam gladly helped him as he was also heart broken at that time.
Time went on and Ellie gave birth to a beautiful girl with brown hair and honey coloured eyes. She looked as if she had stolen all the fair colours from nature. During the delivery, Ellie couldn't bear the pain and her blood pressure shot up. It was a difficult time for Ehtisam as he remembered all the bitter memories of his own son's birth. Ehtisam prayed with all his heart for Ellie's survival.
Unfortunately Allah had other plans for him. Ellie gave birth to a baby girl but her blood pressure wasn't stabilising. The baby was put in an incubator. During her last breaths Ellie wished for Ehtisam to see her.
Ehtisam came in her room to see her and was shooked to see her condition.
Elli smiled and stated,
"Ehtisam you have been a dear friend to me. Actually the dearest one who kept me for all these months and coped with my condition. I just wanted to say that I want my baby to be a good person like you. I want her to adopt your religion."
Ehtisam's eyes popped out on hearing this and he wanted to say something but Ellie hushed him.
"Let me say this Ehtisam. I saw how you found kept yourself together even though your pain was there. Your religion teaches you that. I know how pure you kept yourself in those years we were friends. I want my baby to grow up like it and eventually get a good person like you in her life. Maybe I wasn't lucky but I want my girl to have all the happiness in life."
Tears trickled down her cheeks but she wasn't sad. Those were tears of happiness for her.
Ehtisam nodded and touched her hand with his. Just then Ellie started having shocks. Ehtisam panicked and called the doctor. Ehtisam moved out of the room, fearing to see death again. After sometime doctor came and pronounced Ellie dead.
It was a most difficult time for Ehtisam. After funeral, Ehtisam pursued Ellie's husband and was shocked to core when he heard that he didn't want the baby.
Ehtisam made the adoption papers and named the baby Sonia. It was difficult to raise a baby on its own. Ehtisam hired a nanny for her.
In a short period Sonia made a special place in Ehtisam's life. Ehtisam forgot all his pain when he heard those soft baby giggles. He played with her after coming from office. She was like a life line for him. He didn't even remember his own flesh, his own son, maybe it was all the coldness residing in him. Sonia was now an year old.
Ehtisam wanted to meet his parents so he decided to come back to his parents.
As Ehtisam stepped into the Haveli. He saw Eezad. Eezad was the exact copy of his mother with those brown eyes, raven hair and dimpled cheeks. Ehtisam couldn't look away from him but he had to avert his eyes as the picture of his love came into his mind.
He rushed inside without seeing he had hurt his son and God knew when he will be able to come on terms with him.
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"Its tragic how such a small girl can lose her mother. Allah uss ki maghfirat kare aur iss bachi ki hifazat kare." Noor Bano stated as she picked the one year old girl in her arms.
(May Allah forgive her and protect this child.)
Sher Ali was silent all along. Ehtisam looked up to him with hopeful eyes. Sher Ali sighed and kissed the girl on her forehead. He then smiled and hugged Ehtisam.
They were again a happy family with all their ties closed again and close to each other but they were forgetting just one individual who was most shattered at that time.
"Bibi jee jaldi aayin Eezad ko kuch ho gya hai woh sehan mein behosh ho gye hain uth hi nhi rahe." maid came and announced while being panicked.
(Bibi jee come quickly. Something has happened to Eezad. He is unconscious in the veranda.)
Sher Ali quickly rushed out while Noor Bano also went after him. Ehtisam stood frozen to the spot without knowing those weird feelings that were present there.
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- Writer
