ZaYa One Contest - TA 'The Love Diaries'

It was their first Valentine's day after their Nikkah and Zain was determined to leave no stone unturned to make this day special for his wife. Agreed, the wedding had taken place under unusual circumstances, but with time Zain had started to accept it and make the relationship work. He knew he was responsible for the humiliation of both families who loved him deeply and the realization killed him inside each time he thought about it. His father's words repeatedly echoed in his mind, "you were my pride son, and before today no one had hurt my pride because I never trusted anyone as much as I trusted you. You are responsible for snatching this family's reputation from them, now you will be the one to return it". Yes, he will return their reputation and respect back to them. He wanted to make things right and now, he felt this was the perfect time. The perfect time to turn Aaliya's frown into a smile. The day of love.

He had woken Aaliya up in the morning and gifted her a red saree. He thought she would be very happy but she didn't give any reaction at all. Of course, what could he expect? It was Aaliya after all; the ungrateful one. Never thankful for anything he did for her. She always only focused on his bad qualities. He had waited for her response for a few moments which for him, seemed like hours, then finally he had given up seeing the blank expression on her face and asked her for his return gift.

"Mr Zain Abdullah, if you think with this red saree you are going to impress me and make me forget all that you have put me and my family through then you are mistaken. Maybe you can impress your so-called girlfriends Cutie, Kissy and Huggy with these materialistic things but not me. Oh and you can go and find your gift yourself or ask your girlfriends to give it to you, I'm sure they have something for you already", saying this she had huffed and headed for the bathroom.

"Just an excuse to get away from me", Zain sighed and stomped out of the room and into the library. He had no clue what he could do to make this day special and to make his relationship with Aaliya better. He decided on checking some books to get inspiration on romance. For hours, he was rummaging through shelves and flicking through books but to no avail. He did however, find some good books on relationship guides such as 'How to make your wife happy', but deep in his mind he knew his Aaliya was different. No, he would have to do something extraordinary to impress her.

Suddenly, he felt something in between the books. As he pulled it out, his eyes popped wide open. It was something wrapped with wrapping paper. He impatiently ripped it open, only to be more astonished. It was Aaliya's personal diary!

Curiosity took over as he opened it and started reading...

~30.12.13~

Nikkah. The most pure and beautiful bond to exist on Earth which ties two strangers together for eternity.

My Nikkah has been fixed with Zeeshan. I have never seen him, never talked to him, yet I am happy. Happy because he is my family's choice. Happy because Allah has chosen him for me. I know I am Allah Mian's favourite so he will never let me down. Now I am just waiting to meet him!

Zain gave a disgusted face and rolled his eyes; he wasn't here to read about Zeeshan. Without reading the post any further, he turned a few pages and started reading another entry...

~03.01.14~

Another start to another new year. Every year has been a start to broken resolutions and broken promises but not this year. This year, my life is about to change.

Zeeshan looked incredibly handsome today at the party. I couldn't stop staring into his chocolate brown eyes. When he held me, it felt like the world had stopped.

He is the perfect and ideal guy that any girl could ask for. And he has been given to me. I knew I was Allah Mian's favourite! That's why he chose the best for me.

Zain smiled as he remembered that encounter. She had mistaken him to be Zeeshan. He really wished this misunderstanding had lasted longer, he was really enjoying spending time with her without fighting. He sighed as he started reading another entry.

~07.01.14~

What does this Zain think of himself? Always ruining my happiness. Always crossing his limits. Always playing with my feelings. How can someone be so insensitive? He thought he could make a fool out of me by pretending to be Zeeshan. He should know, I am Aaliya Ghulam Haider and no one can get away with fooling me! I took my sweet revenge from him and will continue to do so every time he tries to misbehave with me.

I also found out who the real Zeeshan is. I must confess though, he is average looking. Nowhere near as handsome as Zain.

The last time I saw Zain was in childhood, when I hated him no less than I do now. Well, perhaps I hate him a teeny weeny bit more now after this cheap prank he played on me. Despite this, I must confess that he has grown to be a handsome man. Very very handsome. Deep inside, I was a bit disappointed when I found out that he was Zain and not Zeeshan. But that's a secret which I'll keep buried in my heart. Zain should never find out otherwise he will become even more proud and arrogant than he already is! I don't think I could handle that.

Zain was grinning from ear-to-ear now, so this is what was in Aaliya's heart. He would have never found out if he didn't come across this diary of hers. Eager to find out more, he turned to the next page and began reading the next entry. The next few entries were boring girly rants about dowry and family values, which he was least interested in. He kept flicking through the pages until he reached the date of their Nikkah.

~23.01.14~

The most unexpected thing happened today. Usman Mamoo got me married to Zain! Allah Mian, if I was your favourite then why did you do this to me? I know that day I had said that I wished Zain was Zeeshan, but I didn't mean it! I didn't wish to marry him! Nikkah was the most respectful and pure relationship between two hearts who loved one another truly for me. And here I am, married to the person who I hate the most. My enemy.

I could have stopped the Nikkah if I wanted to. Then why didn't I? How did the words 'Qubool Hai' slip off my tongue with such ease? Did I do this for my Mamoo, for my parents or was there another reason? I don't know. There are so many unanswered questions in my mind which are driving me crazy.

Zain remembered that fateful evening, he remembered those same feelings he felt which Aaliya had written down. It was strange. They both felt the same way, yet they had no clue what was going on in the other's mind.

~26.01.14~

Last night was my first night in Zain's bedroom. Suhaag raat, as the elders called it. It was awkward to say the least. I could hear Rizwan and Ayat teasing Zain outside the bedroom while I sat on the bed having no clue what to do. Wishing Rizwan and Ayat stay there for as long as possible so Zain doesn't come inside and make the situation more awkward for me.

After Zain got rid of them, with money I assume, what else could he do? Everything was about money for this rich spoilt brat; he came in, locking the door behind him and sat on the bed next to me. For a long time, we didn't even look at each other. Then, finally breaking the awkward silence, he took a box out of the drawer next to him and handed it to me, telling me it was my mooh dikhayi gift.

I wasn't surprised at all. I am Aaliya Ghulam Haider after all and no one can fool me. I had known Zain was going to play a prank on me since earlier when I was walking past his room and heard him saying "Welcome to Hell, Mamoo ki Bhaanji!", his door had been left ajar so I had peeked inside and saw him putting a fake cockroach inside a box. That's when I knew what he was up to. I hid behind a pillar as I waited for him to leave, then I sneaked into his room and replaced the fake cockroach with a real one. Luckily, it wasn't that difficult to find a real cockroach. I found one in his stinky bathroom. That's what he gets for messing with me!

Zain was astounded, so this was all her plan. He continued reading...

I opened the box in front of him as the cockroach jumped out. We both screamed. I was shaking from fear! Zain was confused but I could see in his eyes how bad he felt for scaring me. He was feeling guilty. My plan had worked!

He held me tight for a long time, until the cockroach was out of sight. Secretly, I was wishing that the cockroach stayed as long as possible. I had never felt so protected as I was feeling at that moment. In his arms. He let go of me and apologized profusely for the evil prank. Fake tears poured out of my eyes as I pretended to be sobbing with fear. I went into the bathroom and stayed in there for a long time. Avoiding him for as long as I could. Then he did something which I least expected. He started knocking on my door and asking me to come out, he said he wanted to give me something. I opened the bathroom door and I was shocked to see him standing there with a card in his hand. He held his ears and handed me the card. It said sorry with a heart. It was the most beautiful and unexpected gift. More precious to me than anything money could buy, because it was made by him. Zain Abdullah is not as bad as he seems after all.

Zain felt a mixture of emotions at the same time. Happiness and anger. Happiness because she cherished his gift so much and anger because she had defeated him once again. He read the rest of the entries with different expressions appearing on his face; from anger, to sadness, to guilt, to jealousy, to astonishment, to love.

Finally, he reached the last entry.

~12.02.14.~

We went for a family picnic to the beach today. I feel very lucky to be a part of Zain's family. They treat me so lovingly. Well, Mumaani can be irritating at times but it's alright because the rest are very fun to be with.

I saw a romantic couple having dinner together while looking at each other lovingly. They looked just like a newly married couple. I wish Zain would take me out for dinner at least once! I also saw their kids playing in the sand. I love kids. I could just sit and watch them for hours!

I really wish I could have kids of my own. I long to be a mother but I know this isn't possible, at least not any time in the near future. I have to accept the fact that my relationship with Zain isn't a normal husband and wife relationship. We have been forced upon each other.

Zain had found what he had been searching for. He knew what he needed to do. He safely hid the diary in his jacket pocket so no one else could lay their hands on this prized possession of his. Not even Aaliya. He then called Aaliya and informed her that Rizwan had left his wallet at the beach and she had to come with him to search for the missing wallet. "Sure! That would be the perfect way for us to spend our VALENTINE'S DAY!" she replied sarcastically, emphasizing on Valentine's'. Zain suppressed his smile and told her that he was waiting for her in the car. He then called the 5-star hotel at the beach and made reservations at their Italian cuisine. He knew Aaliya would love it!

When they arrived at the beach, he told her he was hungry and that they should have dinner first. They walked in as she wondered why the place was so empty even on Valentine's day. He led her to a table which was beautifully decorated with candles.

Aaliya gasped, covering her mouth with both hands, "Candlelight dinner! This is going to be the most memorable dinner of my life Zain!".

They both took their seats and he took her hand in his, "This is nothing Aaliya! I have a bigger surprise was for you! You always win, this time I will win. Wait and see!". She looked at him with disbelief as the waiter approached with their pasta.

Zain noticed Aaliya was eating faster than usual but he didn't say anything, he didn't want to ruin this precious moment so he just watched her with amusement, forgetting about his own food. He also noticed Aaliya was typing something on her phone while eating. He was contemplating whether he should question her about it or not when her phone started ringing.

She picked it up immediately, as if she was waiting for the call, "Hello? Yes Shazia bhabhi, I will be there in just a moment. Wait outside please". She hung up and got up.

"What happened Aaliya? Did I do something wrong?" Zain asked with disappointment clearly visible on his face.

"No Zain", she answered, "I left something at home so I asked Shazia to bring it for me. I'll just be back in a few minutes", saying that she left.

Ten minutes later, Zain received a text message from Aaliya:

Bewakoof na humein samjhiye

Aapki biwi bhi hushyaar hai

Zara aaiye aur dekhiye

Aapka gift tayyar hai!

Waiting 4 u in Room 105. Aaliya.

Zain almost fell off his chair. He got up and almost sprinted to the room where she was waiting for him. The door was slightly ajar and he could hear music being played. Suddenly his eyes fell on Aaliya who looked like an angel, wearing the red saree he had gifted her earlier. He was in a trance as he watched her perfect body swaying to the music.

(imagine Aaliya in place of Riddhima dancing to this song) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kZY-BbtHGU

They were both breathing heavily now. Their hidden desire for each other had reached its highest level. It was beyond their control now. Tonight was going to be a night of passion. The night they had both been waiting for. The night all their wishes and fantasies would come true. The night which would give a new meaning to their relationship.

He kicked the door shut behind him as he pushed her onto the bed. The lights went off, the as they satisfied each other to their heart's content. That night, they became one.

Previously, Aaliya had always defeated him in every prank, every challenge. Tonight was different. They had both lost. They had lost their hearts to one another.

---THE END---