~ Do not learn how to react, learn how to respond.

Zameer

"I saw him," Zehra muttered.

"What!?"

"After mama went inside, I peeped through the door knob and saw him. You know he's become so old. I can't help but pity him."

Oh my Lord.

"Zehra, let's go see him." I said, then shook my head. "No, forget I said that. Why am I even bothering to ask you? You never cared about dad," I continued.

A look of hurt flashed her eyes. "You don't know the reason, Zameer. You never bothered to ask either."

"Oh yeah? You sound like mom," I said with distaste.

"You hate Dad anyway, don't you? Then why bother taking his side when all these years he was to blame?" Zehra murmured.

"I don't hate him," I scoffed. "If he comes back then I'll forgive him. Unlike mom, it was her fault dad left anyway. She was the reason for their fights. She always finds faults in people. You know right, everytime I speak something she always yells."

Zehra was silent. Then looking away she said, "Do you know dad married again?"

"What!?" I asked shocked.

"I heard mama speaking and when I confronted her she agreed," she said. "He married again while he was still married to mama."

"Say what!?" I yelled again.

"Mama didn't know until two years before they divorced. You know even after knowing that, and amidst all their fights, she agreed to live with him because she knew that we loved our father. But then one day she found out that he has another child too. It was then she thought of divorce, and that is why that day after dada angrily left the house, mama too left together with us."

"No... no... how come I didn't know?" I asked, flabbergasted.

"Did you ever ask? No. You always misunderstood us. You still blame mom and me. Do you know the feeling of how hard it is to choose over one of your parents? It's... I... why? What did I do? What's my fault? Why!!? Why, big brother?"

"Zehra..." I whispered.

Zehra for the first time spoke with detest, a lone tear escaping her eyes, "I wish you weren't such a bad son and brother. No matter how much you are good for others, if you aren't good for your own family, what's the purpose of it? Will you ever change, Zameer?"

I remained speechless. An unknown feeling arousing in my heart.

Few more tears left her eyes. She whispered, "I will wait for the day you respect and love your family. Because in the end, this is your family. Dada is just our father, our step dad may not be our father, but he holds a special place in this family, much more greater than our own father."

She walked away. I leaned back in my chair with a stunned expression. Is it all my fault? What did I do?

Am I a bad son?

Will I ever be forgiven?

In the end, it was all my parents' fault. My father's. My mother's. Mine. Our fault. Our luck. Our tragedy.

Will we ever be okay?

My thoughts were disrupted with a banging of the door. Huh?

Getting up from the chair I went towards the door, only to be stopped with a sniffing mom and Zehra. "Now what!?"

"He came again!" Zehra whisper yelled.

I heard a voice, "Zameer! Zehra! It's me!"

Dad.

Mom looked at me and said bitterly, "You wanted to go with him right? See, he's calling. Go now."

I blinked at her, then strode near the door and opened it. And there I saw him. After years. With grey hair, an over grown beard and a ragged thobe. My father?

He looked old.

"Son."

"Dad." How formal.

"I missed you," he said feebly.

"So did I," I replied honestly.

"I am sorry."

"Isn't it too late for that, dad? Why now? After all these years did you finally remember that you have children from your first wife too?" I said composed, without any emotions.

"I... I... couldn't..." he stuttered.

"What an excuse!" I said bitterly.

"Can I come in?" He asked shamelessly. "I want speak to your mother. And where is Zehra?"

"Sorry dad, mom dosen't want to meet you," I said, gritting my teeth from lashing out. "And Zehra--"

"Dad."

At that moment, Zehra came and stood next to me. "Zehra! Wow you've grown so much, love," dad said with a smile. After a moment he looked at me and said proudly, "You've also become just like me."

It was then my blood boiled. I replied back with anger, "I'll never be like you dad. I never will."

He stepped forward and opened his mouth but stopped midway. All I could see in his eyes were guilt. Then he whispered, "I didn't come because my wife didn't like me coming to meet you all. And I didn't want to hurt her."

My eyes widened. Zehra stumbled. I heard a gasp from bebind, which I was sure was mom, who was standing behind the curtain.

My lips twitched.

I laughed.

"Hahaha. Dad, you are amazing!" I said laughing. A shocked smile appeared on his face.

"I can't help hating you!" I continued. "What a father you are! What an excuse!"

His smile vanished. "No... don't say that!" He begged.

I didn't pay attention to him. "I have to go now. Goodbye dad."

"Wait!" Looking at Zehra he begged, "Zehra, darling... I missed you. I don't know when I will come back. Atleast talk to me now."

Zehra went towards dad and touched his arm. "I miss you too."
Tiptoeing she kissed his cheek and with tears turned and ran back to the house.

My heart swelled with what I didn't know. Love? Guilt? Pain?

As much as I want to yell at him, a part of me loved my dad too much. Too much that it pained my heart seeing him like this. Too much that I had even hurt my mother and sister. Too much that I wished he wasn't even my father.

I regret.

Is it too late now?

It's pains. So much.

I whispered, "Will meet someday, dad." I fisted my hands in my sides, holding back the need of hugging him one last time.

I am such a child. Stupid, Zameer.

Closing the door behind me, I turned away. Mom, Zehra and I stared at each other for a moment. And together we watched dad's shadow leave. Leave our sight and leave our life.

Goodbye.

Then a knock on the door was heard again.

***

3rd Person's POV

Mr. Aa'zam (Zameer's father) looked back with regret. He was supposed to be a role model to his children, but now he turned out to be their worst nightmare.

He loved his children. He remembered how Zehra had made him promise to never leave. How Zameer had said that he'll be just like him when he grew up. Now? His children, his love. Gone. Forever.

With a heavy heart, he left. He left. To his new family. Never looking back.

He wouldn't commit the same mistake twice. He was good as gone.

~*~

Zameer opened the door hesitantly and to his surprise in came his step father with an excited smile.

"Today's not the day to look gloomy! It's our boy's birthday! Look I bought you guys sweets."

Our boy? Zameer's heart churned with guilt and happiness.

"You're getting old, big brother!" Zehra giggled. His face broke into a huge smile.

"How old am I again?" Zameer questioned.

His mom winked and said, "You are thirty, sweetie!"

"My son's become old!"

"What? Mom, Dad, no!" Zameer rolled my eyes, while the others laughed.

Mom smiled and ruffled his hair, "My son."

Her smile.

Full of love.

Calm. Peaceful. Content.

Life felt so serene.

A slow smile escaped his lips. A heavy burden removed from his shoulders. Family, love, happiness, how beautiful it is.

Zameer smiled.

A smile which brightened the oceans; filled with love. Just like the sun which glowed at the break of dawn. His smile deeper than the brightest of lights.

~*~

Mr. Ilyas's (Zameer's step father) face shined. Zameer had called him dad. How much he'd hoped to hear those words. Ever since he knew that he couldn't have a child of his own, he treated his wife's children as his own. His first wife had divorced him because of him being infertile.

Today, his boy called him dad. Dad. How beautiful.

He looked at his wife and together they shared an honest smile.

"Let's take a picture!" Zehra said excitedly. For the first time her family acted like one, she was elated.

Zehra looked at her family, tears glistening at the corner of her eyes.

Tears of happiness.
Tears of love.
Tears of longing.

But to be honest, in the end, she missed her father. Her Dad.

☆☆☆

A/N

What do you'll think about this chapter?

This chapter was a bit longer I guess?😬