Amendments to reignite old bonds.

Assad has showered and cleaned up nicely. He wears his signature outfit and heads down to the living room.

Jonas spots Assad come in and immediately averts his gaze to look at his assignment. His fears get worse with each moment as Assad's figure draws closer and closer, until he is standing right in front of the two young adults.

Zara doesn't want to acknowledge her father but she relents and looks up at him. What she sees isn't what she expects. Instead of being greeted with a disapproving face she instead sees an unsure and possibly apprehensive face.

----Italicized conversation is in Arabic----

"Come with me."

"....Why?"

"Just come with me."

"....Fine," Zara shares a look with Jonas before she gets up to follow her father.

Mariam sees them heading upstairs. She isn't sure whether to follow them or not but she doesn't have to wait to find out. Assad motions with his head to accompany him and she quickly pockets her smartphone to follow the father-daughter duo.

Jonas meanwhile is confused with what is going on. Mariam senses his uneasiness and calms him.

"It's all good, Jonas. Don't worry. Also you're staying for dinner. I'm not taking no for an answer."

"Okay, Aunty. I'll stay for dinner."

Mariam gives him a smile and proceeds to head upstairs. She sees them go inside her bedroom and she follows suit. Upon entering, she closes the door behind her. Assad is sitting at the edge of the bed and pats the space beside him to gesture Zara to take a seat. Zara hesitates for a few seconds before she sits down beside him, making sure to keep a large enough gap between them to wordlessly point out her displeasure. This does not escape Assad's notice but he keeps quiet and swallows his hurt.

"Zara.."

"....."

"I....I wanted to say....that....I am sorry."

"....about what?"

"About everything."

To say that Zara was confused with what was happening, would be an understatement. She had never heard him apologize to her for anything in all her years of existence. She looks to her mother who was standing in the middle of the room with both of her hands held together close to her chest. She looked very anxious and was looking at them both with an expression that Zara had seen many times before.

"Assad, go on, I know you want to say more. Please do not hold back."

"....Zara...I've come to realize that...I've become the very monster that I spent the better part of my life destroying. I....do not want to be that man anymore. I am...very sorry....for the hurt that I've caused you. I'm very sorry...for all the times that I've embarrassed you. I am very sorry for not acting like a real father to you. I should've been your protector, your guide, your teacher....and I wasn't. I have failed in my duties and I'm extremely embarrassed that I have let things slide this far in my family."

Zara looks like she is about to cry any second but she holds back her tears.

"Zara....I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. My actions are.....reprehensible. But I do want you to know that no matter what happens, I'll move heaven and earth and freeze hell, just to keep you safe. I love you Zara. I love you more than life itself and I would sacrifice everything, just for you. I am very sorry that it has taken me so long to say this, but it is true. From this day on, I will no longer **** you to do things that you do not want to do. However, if you'll allow it, I'd very much like to continue imparting my wisdom upon you, until the day I die. I love you Zara and I'll always love you."

Zara's eyes well up with tears that start falling down her face. She, however, doesn't say a word or make a noise. She just silently stares at her father.

Assad takes this opportunity to boldly close the gap between them and opens his arms to her. Zara looks at her mother because she can't really believe what is happening. Mariam has tears flowing down her face as well and she smiles at her daughter, reassuring with a nod that seemingly says that what is happening is indeed real and heartfelt.

Zara looks back at her father and keeps staring at him. Assad's outstretched arms slowly come down in dejection. He always had a feeling it wouldn't work and he was prepared to accept the consequences.

"Did you mean every word of what you just said?"

"Yes my child, I meant every word."

Zara continues to search his eyes but Assad can no longer hold the strength to look his daughter in the eye. He closes them with sadness in his heart. He feels a tightening around his waist and wetness on his cheeks.

He opens his eyes to see that Zara was hugging him with her face pressed to his cheek like her life depended on it. For the first time in a long time, Zara lets out a wail and cries, letting out years of repressed feelings that she had bottled up inside.

Assad returns the hug and is no longer able to hold back his feelings either. Tears start streaming down his face as he silently accepts his daughters love and forgiveness. Mariam joins in and leans down to hug them both, gathering them and pressing them close to her bosom.