It has been three weeks since the meeting was held. Moona was upset after that meeting but Khalil had consoled her. Hashim and Shanzay were having some great time together. According to Moona, there is something going to happen between the two of them. Zain had taken his words back about Shanzay so she was a good friend of the family now, as she was completely different from her father. The project which both companies had signed was going well. Khalil was satisfied with the whole thing. So was everyone except Zain and Humna. They both thought that this was the biggest mistake they have ever made since the starting of this case. That is why they had become a team against the whole family.
...............
"Salma, Don't wait for me at dinner. I have some plans." Khalil said at the breakfast table.
"What kind of plans?" Salma asked.
"A date with my second wife." He smiled.
"For God sake! Bhai, how many times I have told you donot talk like that to her in front of your own children." Hashim said angrily.
"He is right, you know!" Zain noded.
"Alright!" Khalil said and then he looked around. "Where is Moona?"
"She is upstairs with the babies." Humna replied.
"Okay! You three, eat quickly and go to your rooms for sometime. I have to talk to the others." He said. Zain looked at him curiously.
"Me too?" Humna asked, a little annoyed.
"Especially you." Khalil replied and earned a glare from Zain.
"What have I missed?" Moona entered the room. She was wearing simple maroon colored shalwar kameez. Her golden hair were kept in a ponny tail. She was pulling the cart with both babies in it.
"Nothing important." Zain replied.
"Alright. Let's start something important then." She said sitting in her chair.
"Actually I have something really important to talk about but the children have to leave." Khalil said.
"Fine. We'll leave." Yumna said and they got up. When they left, Khalil placed his fork in the plate and looked at them all.
"What is it bhai?" Moona asked.
"I have dinner plans with Aasim. It's totally business." He told.
"Well you should atleast take somebody with you." Salma said.
"No, I have to go alone."
"Atleast take Mr. Yahya with you." Zain said.
"Alone means alone!!" Khalil said.
"Okay. Is that it?" Zain asked.
"I am not done yet. But you can eat." Khalil smiled. Zain noded and started eating his breakfast.
"You know that boy, Haris?" He was now asking Salma who noded at the question.
"The carpenter boy?" Hashim asked.
"Yes." Khalil said.
"What about him now?" Salma asked.
"Do you like the boy?" Khalil asked.
"Yes, he is a very nice boy." Salma replied.
"I know where are you going." Moona said. "And my answer is NO!" Zain practically chocked at this.
"Wel that's not what I meant. But seriously, what is your plan about your future?" Khalil said. Zain was looking at Moona. She looked at him and then turned to Khalil.
"If you want to discuss my life here then here is my answer: I am moving to my house soon with the babies and I dont want you guys to force me to marry again. I don't want to marry. Not after what happened to Taimoor." She said. Her voice filled with emotions and eyes filled with tears.
"Hey! No one is forcing you to marry again. This is your life. You can spend it in whatever way you want. Okay." Zain said in a reassuring tone. Moona noded.
"What are you talking about?" Salma said.
"What? You guys want her marry again? After all that happened??" Zain asked.
"Yeah, ofcourse. She is a single mother. She needs someone."
"Oh come on!! she has got us. Besides this is Humna's time you should worry about her." Hashim said.
"I was going to talk to you guys about this. I think Haris is a good match for Humna. I just wanted your opinions." Khalil said.
"I don't have any objection." Salma said.
"Well. But you should ask Humna about her will." Hashim said.
"Yeah, I think as Moona is very close to her. She should." Salma said.
"What are you talking about appa?? You are her mother. You should talk to her. I am not even her sister." Moona said.
"You are a sister she never had." Salma sighed. Everybody turned to her in clear shock.
"Don't ever say such thing in front of the girls. Understand??" Khalil said standing up.
"I am leaving."
"Let me see you off at the door." Salma said and they both went out.
"Their love for each other is so pure." Moona smiled. Zain just smiled back at her and stood up.
............
Moona was sleeping in the couch in lounge. She was not having dinner with her boss and Khalil because her boss wanted a very private meeting. Her phone was ringing so she had to get up. It was Hashim. She picked up and yelled,
"What is the matter with you? It's..." she stopped to see the time and then said in a low voice. "..8:30 in the night, tell me what is the matter?"
"First of all. Dont get panicked. I am coming down there to pick you guys to the hospital. Okay?"
"Why? What's the matter?" She sat up.
"It's Khalil bhai. He is been attacked."
"Oh my God! How??" She asked. Tears forming in her eyes.
"I will tell you. Prepare everybody." Hashim said.
"Wait. Where is Zain?"
"He is at the hospital." Hashim replied and hung up. Moona stood up and looked around. Just then Yumna entered the room. She saw Moona standing there. The look on her face was terrifying.
"Phupho, Is everything okay?" She asked.
"Honey, you have to be strong, okay?" Moona replied, reaching for Yumna to let her sit down.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Your father is at hospital. He's been attacked." Moona told her.
"Oh my god!!!" Yumna screamed.
"Hey hey!! No body knows so you have to stop screaming. Everything is gonna be fine."
"Who told you?" She asked.
"Hashim. He is going to be here any minute. We have to tell everybody." Moona said. Yumna just noded. She was crying now. "I think you should go outside. I will tell them." Moona said leading her to the door. Then she went to Salma's room. She was in there checking Asad's homework.
"Asad, will you please fetch Humna? This is urgent." Moona said to Asad and sat there in front of Salma on the bed.
"What is it?" Salma asked worriedly.
"Appa, there is something terrible I am going to tell you. Just wait for Humna." She said holding her hand. Just then Humna came in.
"What's wrong? Asad told me you asked for me in Amma's room." She asked sitting beside them on a chair.
"There is some bad news." Salma said.
"What?"
"They attacked your father outside the restaurant. He is in the hospital." Moona said.
"No, that can't be true. There must be some mistake." Humna said. But Moona wasn't listening to her. She was looking at Salma who was about to faint.
"Amma!!! We are going to hospital. Okay! Nothing is going to happen to baba. Everything will be fine. I promise you." Asad was patting his mother on the cheeks to get her back to consciousness. Humna was just crying. Moona rushed to get some water when she heard voices outside. She ran outside and saw Hashim and Zain standing there. Yumna was clinging to Hashim's chest who was trying to calm her down. His face red with emotions flushing. Zain's white shirt was covered with crimson spots of blood. Moona held the door for support. Zain saw her standing there so he came closer.
"You told everybody?" He asked.
"Yes." All the tears Moona was suppressing all this time came in her eyes at the sight of him. "How is he?" She asked.
"He is not in a good condition. Where is appa?" He looked behind her into the lounge.
"Oh right.." Moona remembered. "She is in her room. She fainted."
"Then what are you doing here?" Zain said and rushed past her. Moona ran after him. When he opened the door, he saw Salma sitting on the bed, Asad held her in his arms and Humna was sitting in the sofa. Both ladies were crying but when they saw him, they both stood up.
"Where is Khalil?" Salma asked.
"He is at the hospital." Zain replied.
"Take us to the hospital." Humna said.
"Yeah. Hashim is here to take you all." He replied.
"Wait a minute. If you and Hashim both are here, then who is at the hospital?" Moona asked.
"Mr. Yahya and Shanzay."
"Hashim called her?" Moona asked following Zain into the lounge where Hashim was sitting. Everyone else was getting ready to leave.
"No, she was already there." Zain told her sitting beside Hashim.
"Okay. Let me see if appa needs some help." Moona said and went inside.
"You guys are not coming?" Hashim asked Zain.
"No. Hospitals is not a place for babies." He replied.
"I wish this will be over soon." Hashim sighed. Zain just nodded. After 10 minutes they were gone.
"I will send Shanzay over here when we reach there." Hashim had said that.
.............
They had been gone for two hours. Moona had given Zain some of Khalil's clothes and he looked funny because of the size. Then they had some dinner.
"What exactly happened, Zain?" Moona asked her while they were sitting in the lounge.
"Well. I was outside this restaurant when Khalil bhai came out after the dinner. He was just in the door when this guy came out of the street and hit him with something sharp in his belly. He hit him three times in three different places. I got out of the car and ran towards him. That was when I saw Hashim and Shanzay coming out of another restaurant. They called the ambulance. I ran after the attacker. But he had blowed me off. So we took him to the hospital." He told her the story. The children were playing on the carpet with their toys.
"Well, if you see him now, will you recognize him?" Moona asked.
"It's difficult."
"Why?"
"He was wearing a mask and gloves." Zain sighed. That was when the babies started crying so they had to solve their little problems. For a very little time they both had forgotten what were they going through. Until the bell rang.
"I'll take this." Zain said putting little Saud out of his lap. When he came back he was with Shanzay and the children.
"Oh you are all back!" Moona said standing up with Hania in her arms.
"How is bhai?" Zain asked Shanzay.
"He is still unconscious." She replied. Asad sat on the sofa beside her. Humna picked up Saud in her arms and Yumna went to her room without saying a word.
"You guys want to eat something?" Moona asked.
"No. We are not hungry." Humna said.
"Asad??" Shanzay asked him.
"No. I am fine." He said.
"Okay. Then let's go to the bed." Zain said.
"I can't sleep." He said.
"We won't. We will just talk and pray about your father's health." Zain said raising him to his feet
"Shanzay, you can share my room." Moona said. Humna went to her sister's room on Zain's instructions.
"Alright." Shanzay said, picking up Saud and went upstairs.
"You need anything?" Moona asked Zain.
"Even if I would I can take by myself." He smiled.
"Good night then." Moona smiled back.
"Good night. I will check the gates before I go to bed." He said and went outside while Moona went upstairs.
............
The next day was not that much alive at the villa as it used to be. Moona was busy with the babies in her room while Shanzay and Zain were preparing breakfast for the children. Humna was convincing her siblings to stay at home today.
"What is wrong in our visiting hospital?" Yumna asked.
"Phupho and bhai are going there. They will bring amma back so that she can rest. Meanwhile we have to take care of this house for her. We will go tonight. Okay?" Humna said.
"But.." Asad tried to say something.
"No but!! Get up. Breakfast is ready." She said holding him up from the bed. They entered the kitchen together. Zain smiled at them.
"Come on. Breakfast is almost ready."
"Have you made something for amma?" Yumna asked.
"Ofcourse. We will go down there and send them back to Villa." Zain said and sat down with them.
"Where is your phupho?" He asked.
"She is in her room."
"Go and get her for the breakfast." Yumna noded and went out.
"Any news?" Humna asked.
"No." Zain shook his head. They all sat in silence until Moona came in with the babies. Zain took Saud from Yumna and they all sat down for the breakfast.
"It's not like appa's but it is good." Shanzay said.
"Don't worry. It tastes good." Zain smiled.
"I want to go to the hospital." Asad said.
"I think you should stay at home. We will take you in night." Moona replied.
"But I want to." He insisted.
"Look Asad," Zain said, "Your sisters and Shanzay appa will be at villa alone. Since you are the only man in the house after me and Hashim, you have to stay for them. And now I will not listen anything from you." Asad just noded and started his breakfast silently.
............
When Zain and Moona reached hospital that morning they saw Salma and Hashim talking to a doctor. There was also a young boy with his grandfather.
"What's going on?" Zain asked.
"They are helding a meeting regarding bhai's situation." Hashim replied.
"We brought breakfast." Moona said and started opening the bags.
"How are you doing, Saleh Uncle?" She asked the old man sitting there who smiled at her and replied that he was good.
"Who are they?" Zain asked. He and Hashim were now standing at the glass wall of Khalil's room.
"He is Saleh bhai. I don't know how Khalil bhai knows him but you can say that he is a family friend. Also that boy is the one about whom he was talking yesterday. Haris is his name." Hashim told him.
"For Humna?" Zain asked. Hashim noded. Zain looked at the boy who was smiling at some of Moona's questions. He was quiet good looking.
"Not bad." Zain smiled.
"Yeah. Well I think I should take appa back to villa. And you know what, Aasim stopped by."
"Today?" Zain asked.
"Yeah, he left just before you guys came. You think he is behind this attack.?" Hashim asked.
"I dont think so." Zain shook his head.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. I am confused again." Zain replied. Hashim was about to ask something but Moona called.
"Hashim, come here, have something to eat." So he went towards them.
"Appa, you should go home now. I and Moona will stay." Zain said.
"Not until the meeting." She replied.
"Oh yes, when is that suppose to be?" Moona asked.
"In about half an hour." Hashim said. They both noded and Zain turned to the wall. Khalil was laying in the bed with oxygen mask on his face. Zain had never seen him so vulnerable before. He just put his hand on the wall and kept watching him silently.
.............
Everybody was sitting silently and listening to the doctor,
"We have tried our best but this case is beyond our reach now. There is only 10% chance of his survival." They all looked at him with shock. Salma escaped a sob. Moona put her hand on her lips to prevent the scream.
"What are you talking about?" Mr.Saleh said.
"We are saying that only your prayers can save him now. Your patient is in coma."
"Oh my god!" Zain exclaimed.
"Yes, and we can not say anything about his state. We will just keep an eye on him."
"Well. You said our prayers can save him and that there is only 10% chance of his survival. We will pray and show you that that 10% means something!!" Mr. Saleh said.
"Our best wishes are with you. We appreciate your spirit." The doctor said and stood up to leave.
"I think you should go home." Zain said to Salma after coming out of the room.
"Yes, I think so too." Salma noded and after 10 minutes they had left. Now there were only Zain and Moona left in the hospital.
"So. What do you think?" Moona asked.
"About what?" Zain looked confuse.
"About this incident." She replied in obvious tone.
"There is nothing that I can think of. Bhai looked at him more closely so all we need to get the evidence is him. I have not the slightest idea of the attacker." Zain said.
"But you were present there."
"I was but the distance was pretty much so I cannot tell."
"Zain." Moona said looking at Khalil bewildered.
"What?" Zain was busy with his mobile.
"Zain, look over there. Oh my god!!! Someone please call the doctor!!!" She started yelling. Zain snapped at Khalil and was frightened the very instant. He was breathing heavily. His eyes averted. Zain ran after Moona who had reached the nurse. The nurse immediately called for the doctor and within minutes they were by his side. Zain and Moona stood behind the glass wall watching their progress. They were giving electric shocks to him. After sometime the doctor came out.
"Doctor, what is it?" Zain asked.
"I am so sorry." Was all Zain could hear. He was saying something more but Zain could not hear. He was just staring at him blankly. Moona's knees got lose of her wait and she collapsed on the floor. Zain didn't reach to get her. He was just staring...
Just staring!