𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆

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Scene 1

It was a stormy night when the youngest children of the Khan family decided to make their appearance.

All the family members were gathered outside the Operation Theater.

Mehraj Khan paced back and forth, fearing for the lives of his wife and babies.
The children prayed for the well-being of their mother and Badi Ammi, as well as their new siblings and cousins.

Suddenly, the loud cry of a tiny being pierced the air followed by another, and everything stilled.

A few minutes later, the doors to the OT opened. A nurse stepped out with a small baby wrapped in a pink blanket, followed by another holding a baby in a blue blanket.

"Congratulations, Mr. Khan. It's a girl and a boy-twins. The mother and babies are completely fine."

For the first time, Mehraj Ali Khan wept.
With trembling hands, he took his little princess and little prince into his arms, muttering thanks to the Almighty for this blessing.
He passed the boy to his mother while gazing lovingly at his daughter.

The little princess opened her eyes and grabbed her father's index finger; at that moment, Mehraj Khan was completely wrapped around her tiny fingers.

Everyone came one by one to see the babies.
They were all in awe, especially of the baby girl; after all, she was the first girl born into the Khan family in three generations.

A little while later, Asiya Begum was shifted to a private ward.
She was exhausted, yet when Mehraj entered with the tiny princess-followed by her sister-in-law holding the little prince-a genuine smile appeared on her lips.

Slowly, the boys stepped into the room to meet their mother and new siblings.
The eldest, six-year-old Asad, came forward and touched the baby's cheek.
"They are so small," he said in awe.

Behind him, four-year-old Wajdan stood on his tiptoes.
"Bhaijaan, humein bhi dekhna hai" (Brother, I also want to see them).

The elders chuckled as Furqan, who was holding two-year-old Faris, lifted him up to see.
"They are so tiny and pink!" the boys gasped, while little Faris tried to pinch the baby boy as he slept peacefully.

The baby girl kicked Faris's hand for touching her twin.
The elders were shocked and laughed at the little princess's protectiveness.

Sameeha Begum stepped forward, circled a few notes around the babies, and gave them to a bodyguard to distribute as Sadqa (charity).
She then asked Mehraj to recite the Adhan in their ears and reveal their names.

After the Adhan, Wajdan grew impatient. "Baba, what will we call them?"

Mehraj chuckled, placing the sleeping boy in the crib.
"He is Zuhair Ali Khan, my youngest prince."

He then took the princess in his arms. Sensing her father's warmth, she squealed in delight.

With a soft smile, Mehraj announced, "She is Zubiya Ali Khan, my greatest blessing from Allah the Almighty."

He kissed her forehead, and she gave him a toothless smile.
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Scene 2
It was the sixth day after the birth, and the Khan Haveli was preparing for the twins' Aqeeqah.

An intimate celebration with close relatives and family friends had been organized. The Mirza family had just arrived back in India from a business event in London specifically for the celebration.

Five-year-old Zohaib was in his mother Humera's arms.
When he saw his Asiya Chachi holding a baby wrapped in a pink blanket, he snuggled into his mother's neck.

As she brought Zubiya forward, he peeked at her.
Seeing the baby blinking at him, he slowly brought his finger near her hand, and she grabbed it tightly.

Zohaib's ears turned pink, and he hid his face again. When he peeked a second time, the baby gave him a toothless smile, and Zohaib finally smiled back.

"What's her name, Chachi?"

"Zubiya," Asiya replied with a smile.

"Zubi," Zohaib whispered, testing the name and giving her a nickname.

"You and I are going to be best friends, Zubi," he announced, pecking the baby's cheek.

Asad and Wajdan stepped forward with protective frowns. "She is our sister; she won't be your friend," they declared possessively.

"She won't be my friend; she will be my best friend," Zohaib countered firmly, making the adults laugh.
Little Zubi already had everyone wrapped around her tiny fingers.
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Scene 3

Years later, eight-year-old Zohaib arrived at the Khan Haveli after school with Asad and Wajdan.
He was happy to spend time with Zubi, though her brothers still frowned at his presence.

Upon entering, they saw three-year-old Zubi crying while holding a comb in her hair.
Faris and Zuhair were trying to console her. Zohaib panicked and rushed to her side.

"Kya hua Zubi? Apne Zoh-Boh ko nahi bataogi? Aise rote nahi, princess."
(What happened, Zubi? Tell your Zoh-Boh. Don't cry like this, princess.)

"Mumma ne pyala sa hailstyle banaya tha, par inhone khalab kaldiya!"
("Mumma made a beautiful hairstyle, but they both ruined it!")she sobbed, pointing at her brothers.

"No problem, princess," Zohaib said gently, taking the comb.
"Zoh-Boh hai na yaha, abhi pyaara sa hairstyle bana dega aapke liye"
("Zoh-Boh is here; I will make a beautiful hairstyle for you.")

He asked Wajdan to bring few flowers from the garden as Zubi was obsessed with them.
Wajdan in return frowned hearing his request but went to get them.

"Sacchi?" ("Really?") she whispered.

"Mucchi," he replied.

Zohaib braided her hair and added flowers that Wajdan had begrudgingly fetched from the garden.

When Zubi saw the flowers, she squealed and kissed Zohaib's cheek.
"You are the best, Zoh-Boh!"

Zohaib's ears turned pink but he smiled at her.

Zohaib was looking at her with concern. "Ab ese mat roya karo princess, dekho aapki eyes red hogayi!"
("Don't cry anymore, princess. Look, your eyes have turned red.")

She pointed at the twins. "Unn dono ne rulaya humein"
("Those two made me cry.")

Zohaib mockingly glared at them. "Agar yeh dono kuch karein toh humein batana, Zoh-Boh humesha apni Zubi ke saath khada rahega"
("If they do anything, tell me. Zoh-Boh will always be there for his Zubi.")

"Promise?" she asked forwarding her pinky finger.

"Promise," Zohaib said, linking his pinky finger with hers.

"Agal aapne plomise toda, toh Zubi aapse kabhi baat nahi kalegi, aapko dekhegi bhi nahi kabhi!"
("If you break the promise, Zubi will never talk to you again. She won't even look at you!")

Zohaib's heart stuttered at her words, but he smiled.
"Esa kabhi nahi hoga, Zoh-Boh apni Zubi ko kiya hua promise kabhi nahi todega"
"It will never happen. Zoh-Boh will never break a promise to his Zubi."

They smiled hearing eachother, unaware of what future held for them.

She dragged him with her towards the garden to show him the new flowers that bloomed.
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On the twins' fourth birthday, the Khan Haveli was filled with guests. However, the atmosphere shifted when the Mirza family arrived.

Wahaj Mirza, Humera, and nine-year-old Zohaib entered with unreadable expressions.
Zohaib's eyes were searching for someone.

They lit up when he found Zubi, but he quickly looked away, remembering he wasn't supposed to be friendly with her anymore.
When Zubi waved, he turned his back and walked into the garden.

Meanwhile, Wahaj approached Mehraj and said,
"Khush toh bohat hoge na tum, humse humaari khushiyan cheen kar, par umeed karta hu tum bhi Boht waqt tak khush nahi rahoge, jaise maine apni sabse azeez cheez khoyi hai, tumse bhi tumhaari sabse azeez cheez chinn jaayegi, Tum mere hi nahi, meri puri family ke kasurwaar ho"
("You must be very happy, having snatched our happiness away. But I hope your joy doesn't last. Just as I lost what was dearest to me, you will lose what is dearest to you. You are the culprit of my entire family.")

In the garden, Zubi followed Zohaib with teary eyes.

"Zoh-Boh, why are you avoiding me? It's my birthday, you promised you would always be there for me..." She sobbed.

"I am not your Zoh-Boh anymore," Zohaib said coldly. "We can't be friends anymore. Leave, Zubiya."

Heartbroken, Zubiya ran towards the door but She spotted an injured kitten in the middle of the road. Strangely, the usual high-profile security was absent from the gates.

Zubiya saw a speeding car was about to crush the tiny kitten and without thinking twice she ran to save it.

Zohaib's eyes widened in horror.
"Zubiya, no!" Zohaib screamed, but he was too late.

The truck hit her with full force and fled the scene.
Zohaib ran to her broken, bloody form, pleading for her to open her eyes. His screams brought the guests outside.

The families froze in horror.
Mehraj and Wahaj rushed her to the hospital in Wahaj's car.
Mehraj was trembling with fear at the thought of losing his precious princess.

Zohaib's condition wasn't any better, that boy had become mature overnight seeing the tragedy his family went through and now seeing Zubiya in this condition was his worst nightmare. He was crying and shivering in his father's arms.

After hours of agonizing waiting, the doctor emerged, his face full of sorrow.
"I am sorry, Mr. Khan. We tried our best, but we couldn't save her."

The world collapsed for Mehraj. he felt his heart stop.
Zohaib stiffened hearing it, he started crying.
His mind was playing the scenarios of the ignorance he showed her, their last conversation, her tears.

Zohaib suffered a panic attack.
Wahaj stood frozen; despite his bitter words earlier, he had never truly wished for this. Zubiya was dear to him, she was like his own daughter.

Mehraj turned to Wahaj with bloodshot eyes,
"Maine kitni koshish ki tumhein sach bataane ki, par phir bhi tumne meri baat par bharosa nahi kiya, tumne mujhe baddua di, tumhaari baddua ki wajah se aaj meri beti mujh se chinn gayi Wahaj,
Maine Boht koshish ki iss dosti ko bachaane ki, par ab nahi
Tumse dosti ki kimat mujhe iss tarah chukaani padhegi maine kabhi socha bhi nahi tha, Aaj ke baad tumhara aur humara koi taa'luq nahi".

("I tried so hard to tell you the truth, but you refused to believe me. You cursed me, and because of that curse, my daughter has been taken from me. I tried to save this friendship, but no more. I never imagined I would pay such a price for knowing you. From this day on, there is no relation between us.")

With those words, the doors of the Khan Haveli closed forever on the Mirzas, sealed by a tragic misunderstanding.

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Hope you like the story.

This is my first story so kindly ignore the mistakes.

Constructive criticism and ideas are always welcomed.

Suggest your ideas and express your thoughts

Are you excite how their journey unfolds?