Chapter 16

" Why did Zarib leave his daughter alone?" She could barely bear the pain in her heart.

"He moved to Canada a few days after Mah e Roo's birth because he hated her. He didn't want to see her so he went away from her. Mah e Roo's grandmother and aunt took care of her. But she could not save herself from Hadiya's cruelty. She even locked her in a room and did not allow any maid to go near her. There were many maids in the house so such things could not be hidden." Hasaan said. She heard him with burning heart. He felt sever hate for hadiya. 

"Why did Hadiya do this to Mah e Roo? Why? What was her fault?" She asked in a helpless tone. Tears started flowed down

"Mama, don't cry.  We will not let Mah e Roo stay there for long. I promised you I will bring her here. If you cry, then how can I do my job properly?" Hassan wiped away her tears. She shook her head in affirmation.

"Yes. I will keep her with me now. You tell me everything about her." She said,

"She is ill. fever affected her legs in her childhood. She cannot walk properly and besides that she has some other diseases. She does not want to take treatment. She hates doctors and hospitals. She is very stubborn , rude and does not believe in anyone. She also has become a psychiatric patient. Everyone called her psycho and left alone" Hasaan told her the whole truth because now there was no choice for him to hide the reality. She closed her eyes and sighed. 

"Her Aunt Sarah visits her once or twice in a month and her son Sufyan comes regularly to meet Mah e Roo. she told me that Sufyan is her best friend. She is closed to him and her aunt. Zarib shah is now worried about Mah e Roo's health and wants her treated by the doctors."

"Oh finally he thought  of his daughter after a long time. but I will do it myself. Have you got any information about her?" She was saying in a very serious and angry tone.

"She is a business woman. She started her own business after her husband moved to Canada. she has connections with political and feudal lords who can do anything for her. she has more power now than Zarib Shah. But don't worry. I will do my best to save Mah e Roo from her. Now she can't do anything with Mah e Roo. I have given my contact number to that maid. I am aware of every moment of jer5. Believe me. I will not let anything happen to her now." Hassan assured her taking her hand in his hands.

"I believe in you , my child. Can I meet her ?" She wanted maah e roo to believe them. .

"But Mama, she's very rude. If she says something bad to you, I wouldn't bare it." He spoke seriously.

" I want to hear her voice. I want to see her. Don't worry. I will handle her. " She said. Hasaan nodded. 

"Ok I will try. "

...............

" I have tried my best to persuade her, but she did not agree," Sufyan said to Zarib shah in an embarrassing tone.  He took two days to convince maah e roo but he couldn't do it,

 " I'll have to talk to her myself," he said in a firm tone. 

 "Uncle,  she'll behave rude to you."  Sufyan spoke anxiously.

"It's ok. I will manage.  I can face her rudeness for her health. I want her to vent all her anger on me. I deserve that." He spoke in a serious manner and came to  Mah e Roo's room.  Mah e Roo was playing with her doll.  Wearing a black shirt and narrow jeans, she was shining like the moon even in her rough condition. Zarib Shah remembered Urwa as he saw her. He walked on towards her, shaking off bitter memories from his head . 

Maah e roo raised her head and looked at him. She was stunned for some moments. Then a look of hate appeared on her face. 

"Why are you here?"  She said in a strict voice. He sighed and sat on the bed in front of her.

"I asked, 'Why are you here?'" She shouted looking at him .

 "I came to see my daughter." He replied politely. 

 "I'm not your daughter," said Mah e Roo, looking into his eyes. He saw the moisture in her eyes.

 "Mah e Roo!" He addressed her in a sad tone.  Mah e Roo stared at him with cold eyes.

"I know. I've hurt you a lot. I shouldn't have left you. You're in this bad situation because of me. You hate me. You should be. I deserve that. But  my lovely daughter. You should know one thing. I never hated you. I love you like my other children. "  He wanted to get the poison of hatred out of her innocent heart.

 "You are lying. If you loved me, you would not leave me. I hate you. And I never missed you." Mah e Roo's face turned red.

 "Yes I know. You never missed me but I missed you a lot. And I love you so much. Because you are my dearest daughter."  

 "No, I am not your dear daughter. I'm so bad. And I don't want to be a good person." Tears welled up in her eyes.  She opened her eyes wide .  Just like her mother.  She also opened her eyes when she wanted to stop the flow of  tears .  He still remembered.

"Who said you are bad? " He asked. Maah e roo wanted to tell him about nayab but she could not. She looked away. 

"Just go"

"If you are angry at me then vent your anger on me today," he said, holding her  both shoulders.  Mah e Roo tried to jerk his hands but his grip was strong.  She angrily punched him. 

"Get out of here. Otherwise I'll kill you." She was constantly punching him on his chest.  Then finally she got tired.  Zarib Shah hugged her to his chest.  Today, sixteen years later, she received the love of her father.  No matter how much she hated her father, she could not constant that hate.  She desired the love of her father. Now that love was in her reach. She couldn't stop herself for long.  She felt safe in the shelter of her father where Nayab could not reach. she burst into tears.  Zarib Shah quietly stroked her hair. 

"I will never patch up with you, As much as you butter me" She said sniffling. Zarib Shah smiled. 

"Okay. You don't patch up with me, but don't be angry with yourself. Why don't you take care of yourself? Why are you so sick?" He asked softly.

"I am not sick and don't have any diseases. Understand? I don't have to go to the hospital." She moved away with a jerk

"Are you a doctor?" Zarib Shah asked, raising his eyebrows 

"No." She answered his question with wonder in her eyes. 

 "Then how do you know if you're sick or not?" As he asked , she was confused for a moment. 

"Don't bother me. And get out of here. I have to be alone. You're disturbing me."

"Mah e Roo.  My sweet daughter. Tell me what's wrong with you? Why do you refuse to go to the hospital? Why don't you get your treatment?"

 "Why should I tell you?"

"Maha!" He narrowed his eyes.

"I will not go. Now I know why you came to see me. So that you can take me to the hospital. But listen to me carefully. I will not go to the hospital. Don't sympathize with me.  There is no need to feel sorry for me, "she said bluntly.  She looked like an older girl than her age at that time.

"Can I stay here for a while?"  He changed the topic.

"No. I'm sleepy and wanna sleep," she said laying down on her bed.

 "I will not disturb you," he said, moving his hand over her head as she closed her eyes.  This time she could not jerk  Zarib Shah's hand.  Her hatred was slowly fading away.  Zarib Shah looked at her innocent face, caressing her hair with love. After a while , Mah e Roo fell asleep.  She could not sleep for even two hours tonight because of insomnia but now Zarib Shah made her sleep.

 "My lovely daughter , Mah e Roo."  He said kissing Mah e Roo on her forehead.  

"My Mah e Roo will be so beautiful. Just like me." Urwa's words echoed in Zarib shah's mind.  He pursed his lips and got up.

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. …

Zonaira wanted to visit Mirpur. After jaunting for two or three hours, Zonaira got hungry so Hasaan stopped the car in front of a restaurant. They got out of the car and headed inside.  It was a five star hotel full of people.  They both came to a table in the corner. They both sat on the chairs. Zonaira looked around in the search of waiter.