ZaYa OS : Misunderstanding (15+)

Eid, every person who is desi (Indian) awaits this celebration, unlike me. It was supposed to be my most memorable day. At least I thought so. It has been one but not the one I had ever imagined. I lost him; my first love; my Zain 5 years back and my Eid celebration ended forever.

Today he is going to be back once again here in Lucknow, 600 meters away from my house, with his girlfriend, Heena. It was a snap from their prom night that I saw few days ago. The girl was all over him. Heena, the tall, dusky, sexy woman was every man's dream. My heart started skipped a beat seeing his hand possessively wrapped around her petite waist and then the realization hit me. I was not even close to Heena.

"Aliya, where are you my love?", her mother called her.

Aliya quickly slammed her dairy and pulled the drawer to keep it inside. She locked the drawer and tossed the key inside her pocket quickly.

"Oh my love, you are still in your room? Can you please help me with the mithai (sweet)?" Her mother told Aliya while wiping her sweat buds.

"Mamma, what's the need for all these? Do you remember the doctor had asked you not to go to the kitchen? Maa, when will you take your health seriously? I nearly lost you". Aliya hurried towards her mother who was nearly in a fainting state and gather her in her arms. Cupping her tired face Aliya said, "Mamma, you don't need to do this. Zoya Di repeatedly warned you and said that she would arrange for the mithai from the shop".

"It's Zain's favourite Aliya. He loves my gajar ka halwa, as it reminds him of his mother", she said caressing her concerned daughter's face.

Aliya remained quiet and looked down. Her mother pressed her hand and said, "Aliya, I want you to come to Abdullah Mansion with me. Try to forget whatever had happened between you both in the past".

Aliya released her hand and got up. "Mamma, you know it very well that I don't celebrate Eid and moreover I have moved on from that incident. The greatest proof is he left for US almost immediately without even giving me a chance to explain and he accused me. He said I did not protest when he broke the marriage because I had feelings for IQBAL and all the while I played with his feelings. If he cannot distinguish what I felt for him and my feelings for my best friend then I am sorry we don't deserve each other. I thought our bonding was stronger than anything. But I was so wrong". Aliya turned her back towards her mother to hide her tears, which were threatening to fall". And now I see him happy with someone else. My love, my care, my warmth meant nothing to him", she said and ran towards her bathroom.

**

Zain checked his watch for the one last time and gazed towards the woman next to him. Her hand looped around his arms and her head rested on his broad shoulders. How he wished her to be his Aliya instead of Heena. It was the sweetest dream he had 5 years back when he decided to say those three magical words to Aliya. All his dreams broke into pieces when he got to know that his Aliya choose her best friend over him.

It was Eid and everyone was waiting for Aliya to join so that they can finally give a proper name to Zain and Aliya's love. Zain had a simple platinum band for her ring finger to seal their unsaid, unexpressed feelings. Like a fool he waited, waited and waited and when he finally decided to drive to her house keeping his ego aside for once, he was shocked to see Aliya in IQBAL's arms. From the window it seemed as if they were kissing each other. That very moment he wanted to straggle IQBAL to death. He felt like a fool to thi Iqbal that just like him Aliya would secure her first kiss for him only.

Zain closed his eyes and wanted to erase her face for the last time but he failed miserably. All their memories came rushing in his mind. How she used to chirp around him? How she effortlessly made him laugh all the time with her antics? How she used to bring firni's for him. Initially none of her firni's formed a proper shape. But he still used to have them because once when she was 10 years old while making firni's she burnt her finger and she cried all day in pain. Seeing tears in her eyes he couldn't bare. He purposely burnt his finger and showed it to her. Forgetting her own pain she started nursing him with her tiny fingers. Then both of them placed their fingers side by and side and laughed thoroughly saying they cannot distinguish between which was whose. That was the very first moment they shared their first hug and Zain exactly remember how he felt in her arms. She was tiny, a bit lanky but she had motherly warmth in her embrace.

His flight landed in Lucknow.

**

Abdullah Mansion was filled with joy. Their youngest son was back after 5 long years. Everyone loved Zain but they were dead against his decision. Zoya, his elder sister was especially angry on him because she thought it was Zain who rejected Aliya whereas Zain hid the truth from all so that no one pointed a finger towards his Aliya's character. He turned the situation portraying him to be the culprit. He said he did not want to get tied to someone so soon when there were better options available for him. When everyone told him that he and Aliya were made for each other, he simply said if they were, they would be the same after 5 years also. He anticipated some news about IQBAL and Aliya tying knot or at least officially seeing each other within 6 months of his disappearance, but nothing of that sort happened till today. There were no news, no gossip; no Zoya weeping over her brother's state saying Aliya was a cheat. Initial one month Aliya kept on sending him emails questioning him, almost accusing him for leaving her like that, breaking off their marriage without even discussing with her and the worst he did not even let her know that he left to persuade higher studies. At the end of second month when she did not stop Zain emailed her explaining his reasons. He wrote about the Eid night what he saw and told her that it was enough for him to cut off all the ties with her. He expected a last and final email from her on her defense but none came. He waited and waited. But he never saw her name in his inbox.

After three years when he still could not erase her memories from his mind he planned to see other girls. His hunt began to replace Aliya's face with someone else just like she replaced him with IQBAL but unfortunately Aliya's face started haunting him even more. The more they got involved with other females; the more he got to know what he lost. Aliya was not only a girl in his life but his life. He changed girlfriends like a woman changes her napkins, yet he couldn't find a substitute. Heena was the only female stuck to him for 3 months. She was officially the longest he had been dating just because she knew when and how to give him space. His thought broke when Aliya's mother came and stood in front of him.

Zain pulled his favourite aunty into a warm hug and held her for long as if he was trying to seek comfort that he used to get it from Aliya. But it did not happen and it left him frustrated.

"Son, I have got you your favourite Gajar Ka Halwa", Aliya's mother kissed Zain on his forehead.

"ThaIqbal you", he said squeezing her in his arms and his eyes never leaving the entrance of the house.

Aliya's mother blessed him. He was hesitant to ask her about his point of interest due to his ocean like ego and decided to wait for few more minutes. When Aliya did not show up he rushed out of his house taking his car keys. He could hear everyone calling but he did not care. It was like madness that he wanted to see Aliya's face once. The girl he missed so badly. He never thought he would react like a lovesick puppy and crash his ego for someone who rejected him.

**

"I am so happy for your guys", Aliya genuinely smiled at IQBAL while talking to Naaz over the phone.

IQBAL gave her a tight smile and held her hand.

"Finally, finally my dream came true. My best friend is marrying love of his life. You both are one of the luckiest people in this world to get the person whom you love the most", Aliya's eyes welled up thinking about Zain's rejection.

IQBAL immediately pulled her into a tight hug to soothe her pain. He had been her only support after Zain's rejection when Aliya went through her most vulnerable phase. He knew everything and wished to explain it to Zain. But Aliya stopped him by saying if Zain cannot trust her, he is not eligible for any explanation.

The moment they broke the hug, both of them heard the clapping sound. Aliya and IQBAL both turned to see the source of it.

Aliya's heart flipped seeing her Zain after 5 years. He was a man now. A grown up, matured man. Everything about him was manly, his smell, his body language, his dress. A boy who wore only jeans and t-shirt now wore a tuxedo.

"Clever girl I must say" Zain said in an accusing tone. "Sent your Mamma away from the house so that you can call your lover over to...", his words faded when t IQBAL held his collar, their nose almost touching and their eyes fixed on each other.

"Stop it guys", Aliya cried out in panic.

"Not today Aliya, don't stop me today" IQBAL barked.

Zain held IQBAL's collar and effortlessly laid him flat on the ground and punched him hard on his jaw.

"Zain", Aliya screamed and pushed him away from IQBAL. "How dare you?"

"My, my, the lioness ready to spat who ever try to hurt her lion?" Zain mocked and looked at Aliya in disgust. "Wasn't it this man who stole you from me Aliya? I have full right to hit him for what he did".

"You have no right to hurt him Zain. If you do then don't blame me for hitting you. Do you get that?" Aliya fisted Zain's jacket and jerked him. Zain held Aliya's fist and pinned her against the nearest wall.

"Chodo mujhe" (leave me) "I said leave me Zain".

But Zain blocked her gripping her hand tightly.

"aah!" she winced in pain.

Zain turned to see IQBAL still lying on the floor wincing in pain and then looked back to Aliya narrowing his eyes.

"I want him to see what I saw 5 years back on the Eid night. Irony you call it. I saw this son of a pig kissing my girl and now I want him to experience the same. He closed the distance, "let me see how it feels to see your girlfriend kissed by someone else".

Aliya's mouth formed an "O". What the hell was he talking about? How can he kiss her like this? And before she could protest, Zain quickly held her nape and crashed his lips on her. Aliya froze immediately feeling his lips and then he pulled back. The tears that were threatening to spill over gave up and ran down her cheeks.

Zain felt a tight knot in his belly seeing her tears. It was evident that she hated that kiss, that's why she was crying. He too hated to kiss her like that. He always dreamt of an angelic kiss, slowly, taking time, tasting her every each, but the rage was so much that he just couldn't control. All he could thinking seeing her in IQBAL's arms once again was to punish her. He wanted to humiliate her just as he felt 5 years ago.

Aliya was about to slap him when he held her hand and twisted it painfully and once again dropped his mouth on her, but this time possessively.

"What's going on?" all of them heard a female voice.

The female ran towards IQBAL and hugged him tightly. Then she checked his bruises and looked at Aliya in Zain's grip.

"What the hell is happening here?" the woman barked. "Baby who beat you up like this?" the woman said almost in a chocked voice.

"I did" Zain stood proudly in front of her, "For what he has done to me".

The woman got up on her feet and was about to punch Zain, when Aliya came in between and stopped the woman from hitting Zain.

"Naaz, please don't hit him, let me explain", Aliya said guarding Zain.

Zain just stared at Aliya unable to understand the rush of emotions his heart felt seeing her saving him from a woman who was no even close to his strength.

Naaz looked at Aliya in shocked and then she saw Zain's face properly. She smiled sarcastically and nodded. "No way Aliya. No way you can save this man from me now. I know you still love this man blindly and you will chose him over your best friend but for me my husband is everything I got and I will not back off.

"Naaz, baby, please stop sweetheart. I am fine" IQBAL pleaded and tried to get up. Naaz rushed towards him and hugged him back.

"Shh! I am fine sweetie". IQBAL cupped Naaz's face and kissed her quivering lips.

Aliya turned towards Zain and pointed him towards the door, "Get out of here".

When Zain refused to leave Aliya marched out of the house.

Zain stood numb for sometime then looked at the couple cozying in the ground. He gave a hand to IQBAL helped him to stand. Once he was on his feet Zain gave an apologetic hug and asked for his forgiveness.

"Go and get your girl Zain. She loves you more than you can think off. I know what she has gone through without you in these 5 years".

And for the first time in his life his eyes became glassy. He was terribly wrong in judging his Aliya. How could he even thinking of her loving another man? But what he saw was also not untrue. It was the time for him to get some answers.

**

Aliya was rubbing her bare hand and was walking along and empty lane in the park. Eid crackers were bursting over her head illuminating her face.

"Aliya!" Zain called her but she did not listen. She kept on walking.

He caught up with her and pulled her to face him.

"We need to talk" Zain said and chocked seeing Aliya tears glittering.

He pulled her in a hug and rocked her, "shh! I am sorry. I am so sorry. Please don't cry", he rubbed her back while Aliya fisted his jacket and started sobbing.

"Go away", she said in a low voice. "Please go away", she pleaded.

"Not before we talk jaan". (sweetheart)

"Don't call me that", she protested.

A smile broke across his face and he rested his cheek on her head then slowly he kissed her partition.

"Aliya, please tell me what happened that night. I owe an explanation".

"You don't Zain".

"Yes I do", he said calmly making her flush with him. "Tell me please".

"What's the need when you don't trust me. Why now?"

Zain look at her and cupped her face. "I was a stupid for not believing you. Deep inside I expected you to tell me what happened but you did not".

"I was hurt Zain. I was so hurt because of your accusation".

"Tell me Aliya, I want to know, I have every right to know. Don't I?"

"Yes you do", Aliya said in a low tone then looked down. "That night IQBAL met with an accident", Zain gasped when Aliya looked directly in his eyes and started telling him. "Luckily Naaz was with him and my house was nearby. She drove to get up the doctor. He was badly hurt. Blood was oozing all over and I was trying to stop it, that's why I could not make it to Abdullah mansion on time", Aliya said and hugged him. "And you...you" she stammered unable to speak anymore.

"I thought you were kissing him. I thought you gave away your first special kiss to someone other than me. I was mad, I was hurt", Zain confessed.

"You stole my first kiss Zain" Aliya punched him lightly and Zain froze.

"I have dreamt my first kiss to be special, to be out of love but you forced that kiss on me and ruined it".

"You mean, you have never been kissed before today?" Zain looked at her astonishingly. "Oh Aliya" Zain gathered her in his arms once again and cursed under his breath.

Aliya broke the hug and looked at Zain with her teary eyes and slowly cupped his face. "There was, is and will be only one person in my life".

Zain leaned to touch his forehead with hers and closed his eyes. "Tell me it's me", he whispered across her lips.

"No one else other than you Zain. I..."

Zain placed his index finger to silent her. "Let me say that first".

"Zain!"

"I love you jaan". (sweetheart)

"Zain...umm...hmm" she moaned when his lips met hers.