Bloom into YOU

CH:38- The Ghosts of the Past

"You do know Noor if I get one chance to go back in time and choose between Naina and what I have now—-I'll choose her, any day," Salma's eyes started to tear up as she started dwelling on the past, once again.

Noor Jahan had no doubts about her friend's words, she was very well aware of the regret that her friend had. However, Zayan was bewildered after hearing his mother's words, it was becoming difficult for him to stand, so he leaned against the wall. On the other hand, Haseen, Karishma, and Riya were speechless.

"Back then, no one understood us except you," tears were rolling down Salma's cheeks, "you let Naina name her," she pointed towards Haseena, "and, when she was taking her last breaths, she asked about her well being, didn't she?" She shook Noor Jahan, "you do remember that, don't you?" She looked at her best friend as she waited for her response, "it wasn't long ago, just two months back, wasn't it."

All three young ladies glanced at each other as they saw Bi opening up for the very first time, however, Zayan didn't know what he was feeling at that moment.

Noor Jahan nodded her head as she remembered her encounter with Naina two months ago when Haseena was out for the case. During that time both of them had to travel to Delhi after receiving a call from the hospital as Naina was in the last stage of breast cancer when she reached out to Slama and Noor.

"She never had kids of her own," Bi's voice was trembling, "despite being married for years." She looked at Haseena, "she was the first one to hold you," she wiped off her tears, "and, do you know what she told me?" She asked while continuously holding eye contact with Haseena, "we will adopt you once both of us are together," Bi's lips curved into a smile, unknowingly, "even though she knew that our union was impossible but that was her—-being extra optimistic as always."

Haseena tried to smile but she couldn't, lumps started forming in her throat as she felt Karishma's hand rubbing her back in order to calm her down.

"And, I" Slama pointed toward herself, "I was never fond of kids but I had them," she looked at Noor Jahan, "I have always prioritized Haseena over Zayan," she held Noor Jahan's hand once again, "and, her happiness, her well being, her comfort is my uttermost priority," she pressed Noor Jahan's hand assuringly, "I just wanted her to be happy," she pointed towards Haseena, "I don't want them to go through what I and Naina have to go through," her eyes were soft as she glanced at Haseena and Karishma.

Noor Jahan felt lumps forming in her throat. She has seen her friend going through despair and longing for Naina. She still remembers after coming back from Delhi, Salma couldn't sleep for days. She has seen her best friend, cry for hours and talk about all the regrets she has. Her friend was inconsolable as she members her time with Naina. 

"You are right," Bi spoke, once again, "I have a family," she glanced at Riya, "but, I wanted all this with her," she made eye contact with her best friend, "don't deprive them of their happiness, please," she folded her hand in front of Noor, "and, I don't know if they are strong enough to bear the loss of each other," she looked at Haseena and Karishma who were sobbing silently while holding each other hands.

"Salmaaa!" Noor pushed her hand down gently, "these two knew, no one can advocate their case better than you," she turned towards Haseena and Karishma and opened her arms to hold them in her embrace.

Haseena and Karishma couldn't believe their luck, they weren't sure that Bi would be able to convince Ammi. However, without questioning anything both of them moved towards ammi.

A warm smile ran across Bi's and Riya's faces after seeing them like that. And, leaving the trio alone, they were about to turn when Bi's face dropped after seeing Zayan standing there, "has he heard everything?" She thought and was about to open her mouth to say something when he walked out of there without giving her much chance to speak. However, this didn't go unnoticed by Haseena.