Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi / RA / C16B P27 - Page 2

so many views and no replies to the first chapter? Is it too long?

hey a really nice part i just love the concept plzzzzzzzzz do cont soon and plzzzzz pm when ever u update so that i do not miss any parts

loved it!! i wish i could read moree!! soon!! mere wish poori hogi na?? jald se jald?lol

awesome part.. the charecters are sounding great but i wonder what happend that they had to move....

I loved it please update soon i can't wait for the next update

love u 😛 😛 😛

Originally posted by: jyothi_cool

hey a really nice part i just love the concept plzzzzzzzzz do cont soon and plzzzzz pm when ever u update so that i do not miss any parts

Thanks Jyothi...I've added you to the PM list, and I will definitely try to continue soon!

Originally posted by: brainychild92

loved it!! i wish i could read moree!! soon!! mere wish poori hogi na?? jald se jald?lol

awesome part.. the charecters are sounding great but i wonder what happend that they had to move....

Aap ki wish zaroor jald se jald poori hogi. I've started the next chapter so it should be posted within a few days. I'm glad you like the characters...the reason they moved will be revealed soon.

Originally posted by: rozia

I loved it please update soon i can't wait for the next update

love u 😛 😛 😛

Thanks Rozia! I know it must be strange to start it from the beginning but I really like this new format better. Hope you do too. Next update will be soon!!!

Lovely Partt!! I Lovee All Of The Characters! Especially Samira! Awwww Imraan Likes Sabah Already Thats So Sweet! Lovedd Rehaan Aswell! Cant Wait Too Find Out The Revenge Plan On Jeremy! Loved The Relationship Beetween Imraan and Samira! ..Beautifully Wriiten! 👏 Cnt Wait For Nxt Part! x

Originally posted by: P u j a- -*

Lovely Partt!! I Lovee All Of The Characters! Especially Samira! Awwww Imraan Likes Sabah Already Thats So Sweet! Lovedd Rehaan Aswell! Cant Wait Too Find Out The Revenge Plan On Jeremy! Loved The Relationship Beetween Imraan and Samira! ..Beautifully Wriiten! 👏 Cnt Wait For Nxt Part! x

Yay! I'm so glad you like the characters. The relationship between Imraan and Samira is one of my fav things about the story. 😳 Thanks for the wonderful comments.

Originally posted by: nitu07

OMG even tho it's similar to Manzil, I felt as if I was reading this story for the first time...wow it's really different and really good...pls do continue soon.....a
and talking abt the characters...I liked all the characters...it seems as if I am one of the character and am witnessing the whole story.... 😳
great going...pls continue soon and sorry for the late review 😳
and also...thank u sooooooooooooo much for putting up Aamna and Rajeev there😳😳

Awww..thanks Nitu! So glad you like it. Of course I had to put Aamna and Rajeev...they are perfect as Aisha and Yusuf! I will try my best to have the next chapter done within two days.

Chapter 2

"Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi Ke Har Khwahish Pe Dam Nikle,

Bahut Nikle Mere Armaan, Lekin Phir Bhi Kam Nikle." –Mirza Ghalib

Rehan looked out of his window at his new neighborhood. It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning and the park across the street looked inviting. He made a mental note to take advantage of the basketball and tennis courts before the weather became too cold. The neighborhood was one of wealthy citizens which was apparent from the lavish houses and expensive cars. The maintained lawns and clean streets added to the affluent feel. Rehan's old neighborhood in Los Angeles certainly looked nothing like this.

As he watched a mother push her two children on the swings, Rehan thought about how nice his first week in Fremont had been. During the weekdays, Samira and Imraan had shown him and Sabah around town, and on Friday night, Samira's parents invited his family over for dinner. Having the Rehman family next door had really helped everyone in his family feel welcome.

Glancing at his watch, Rehan realized that it was almost ten. He decided to head over to Samira's place for his first singing class with Mrs. Sharma. Rehan had been taking Hindustani vocal classes in L.A. for the past six years. When Samira invited him to take lessons with her and Maryam every Saturday morning, he was pleased at the chance to continue his training. Now if he could only find out where he could observe dance classes on the weekends, he would be completely content. Rehan was an aspiring choreographer who loved to experiment with different styles of dance.

Before leaving, he went to Sabah's room to ask her one final time whether she would like to join him. He found her sitting at her desk with her Princeton Review SAT book open in front of her.

"You sure you don't want to come, Baji," Rehan asked. "We can hang out with Imraan and Samira afterwards."

Sabah looked up from her book. "No, you go. I have to get started on SAT prep."

"SAT prep? The test is over a month away. Abhi se kyoon?"

Sabah replied, "I need a great score to get into MIT. And besides, school hasn't gotten busy yet, so we actually have some time. You should start studying soon too."

Rehan decided not to push the issue any further. Once Sabah's mind was set on something, she wouldn't change it for anything.

"I will, don't worry," he assured her. "I better go. See you later."

"Have fun!"

He walked to the kichen to grab a donut before heading out. He didn't even bother asking his brother. Amaan barely spoke in front of people he didn't know well. Singing was out of the question.

AMSchwartz: omg, remember the look on his face?!

Maryam94: i know! it was sooo satisfying…i can't even describe it!

Sk8erGrl1: well, remember whose idea it was.

Maryam94: yes Jackie, you're brilliant…happy?

Sk8erGrl1: very J

Maryam94: Oh wow, its 10…i have to go downstairs for my singing class. I'll see you both at Preeti's party, and we can gloat some more

AMSchwartz: sounds good…ttyl.

Sk8erGrl1: bye!

Maryam94: bye

Maryam turned off her computer and headed downstairs.

It had been two days since their prank on Jeffrey, but Maryam and her friends were still celebrating the success. It all started when during lunch on Thursday, Jackie had challenged Jeffrey to a race around the track despite being fully aware that he was one of the fastest members of the track team and would definitely beat her. Unwilling to refuse a competition, he immediately agreed.

While they were racing, Preeti took his backpack into an empty classroom and filled all the smaller pockets (as much as they hated him, they didn't want to ruin his books and papers) with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Then while Jackie pretended to help Jeffrey look for it, Anne turned it in to the Lost and Found. When Jeffrey finally found the backpack, Maryam made sure to be in close enough proximity to witness his reaction, but far enough that he wouldn't hear her trying to suppress her laughter. He kept shooting dirty looks at her during sixth period because she looked extra happy, but with no way to prove his hunch, he couldn't do much else.

Seconds after Rehan knocked at the front door of the Rehman residence, the door was thrown open by Shamyl, who was holding a paperback copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Greeting the four year old, Rehan let himself in and shut the door behind him.

Shamyl led him down to the basement before returning upstairs to read his book. The basement was unlike any basement Rehan had ever seen before. It consisted of a large sitting area, bedroom, bathroom and a small kitchen. In the sitting area, Samira and Maryam had laid out three cushions and were sitting on two of them. Across from them in a low chair was a middle-aged women with twinkling eyes and a warm smile, tuning her harmonium.

Once Rehan had been introduced to Mrs. Sharma, they began warming up their voices. Since they were all singing the notes together, Rehan couldn't discern the voices. It wasn't until Mrs. Sharma asked Samira to sing "Naina Neer Bahaaye," a song she had been practicing for some time, that he really heard her voice.

From the moment that the first word left Samira's lips, Rehan was entranced. Her voice was so beautiful and rendition so flawless that he was certain she was singing it at least as well as the original. When the song ended, Rehan suddenly realized that his mouth was hanging open and quickly shut it. Samira glanced at him. He whispered "wow," and she looked away with a shy smile.

They spend the rest of the hour singing a classical song together. At the end of the class, Mrs. Sharma assigned each of them a different song to practice and present the following week.

When Mrs. Sharma left, they put away the cushions, and then Maryam went upstairs to get ready for Preeti's birthday party. Rehan and Samira sat down on the sectional sofa in the room.

Rehan looked at her in awe for a few seconds before saying, "I can't believe how beautiful your voice is. You should sing professionally."

"Thanks," Samira replied. "I actually want to release an album in India someday."

"Really?"

She chuckled embarrassedly. "Yeah, it's such a childish dream."

"Nahin, Samira," contended Rehan, firmly. "You have the talent. And you'll never know whether or not you could have done it if you don't try."

Samira remained thoughtfully silent.

Rehan continued, "I have a similar dream."

Samira looked up questioningly. "Woh kya hai?"

"I want to be a choreographer. You know, for movies and live shows."

"That's awesome. I'm sure if you really want it, you can make it happen." She paused for a second. "Maybe we both should give it try." Samira looked into Rehan's eyes for reassurance.

The same intense eyes, thought Rehan. What was it about her eyes that was so familiar to him? Why did he feel like he knew her from before?

"You want to go sit in the family room?" Samira asked, startling him. "I think Bhaiya is watching TV up there."

"Sure," replied Rehan, and they both stood up.

Samira and Rehan joined Imraan in front of the television. While "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007" played in the background, they talked about events at school.

"It's only the first week," began Imraan, "and our Physics teacher has given us a ton of problems to do, and there's a quiz next week."

"I know," Rehan agreed. "Mrs. Tanimoto is insane!"

"Aisha Apa had her when she was a senior," Samira recalled. "I think I remember some of the horror stories."

"Oh yeah," Imraan said. "That's right. Hey, we should call Apa. I can't believe we haven't talked to her all week."

"I'll check up on her now. Be right back."

Samira walked to her room to get her cell phone, while Rehan and Imraan continued talking.

Imraan asked, "How's Sabah doing?"

"She started studying for the SATs at 9 AM this morning," Rehan replied, rolling his eyes.

Imraan laughed. "Wow, she's really motivated to succeed, isn't she?"

"More than anyone else I know. I think she's afraid that since she's so attractive, she won't be taken seriously unless she proves herself to the world."

"She shouldn't think like that. I mean, I'm not saying she's not attractive…she's beautiful."

Rehan looked at Imraan suspiciously, making him nervous.

"Uh...well…" stuttered Imraan. "What I'm trying to say is that she's an intelligent woman. Even if people make wrong judgments about her at first, they'll realize her potential."

"Yeah," Rehan concurred. "I'll tell her that. Not that it'll make a difference. She's way too stubborn."

Imraan changed the subject in order to avoid giving away his feelings about Sabah. As they talked, he wondered what was keeping Samira.

Tears welled up in Samira's eyes, threatening to roll down her cheeks. She had hoped that Aisha would return to normal after returning to college, but she hadn't. From the sound of her voice on the phone, it was clear that she was still depressed about something like she had been all summer. But why was she continuously insisting that everything was fine? Why didn't she trust her own sister with the truth?

Samira sat on her bed for a few minutes trying to calm down. She just hated feeling so helpless and couldn't stop herself from having bad thoughts. She really didn't want anything to happen to Aisha. Finally she decided to go downstairs and tell Imraan.

When she entered the family room, Imraan and Rehan looked up at her anxiously. Noticing the redness of her eyes, Imraan's expression immediately changed to one of concern.

"Kya hua?" he asked, as Samira sat down next to him.

"She's still upset about something. I can tell from her voice. Bhaiya, why doesn't she tell us what's wrong? I'm so worried about her."

Imraan put his arm around her.

"Samira, everything will be okay. Apa knows how much we love her, and I'm sure she'll tell us eventually."

"I hope so. I wish she would come home more often. I don't think Berkeley's stressful environment is the right place for her right now."

"Berkeley? Your sister goes to UC Berkeley?" Rehan asked.

Samira and Imraan turned to him. They had almost forgotten he was there.

"Yes, why?" Imraan answered.

"Sorry, it's probably not the right time for this to be interesting, but Yusuf Bhai goes there too."

Samira's eyes lit up. "Maybe they know each other. He might know what's wrong with her."

"Don't get your hopes up," Imraan warned.

"Yeah, they might not know each other at all," Rehan said. "I'll ask him though." He stood up and walked up to Samira. "I better go home. Don't worry, Samira. Sab theek ho jaayega." He touched her shoulder understandingly.

"Thanks," she responded.

Just before he left, Rehan turned around and saw Imraan comforting Samira. Realizing how much the kids of the Rehman family cared for one another, he felt a twang of envy. Pushing it away, he hurried home.

Gliding across the ice, Maryam spotted a group of bystanders crowding around two people who had fallen. Recognizing Jackie as one of the fallen, she rushed over to help her. Just as she reached them, she was shocked to see who the other person sitting on the ice was.

"Jeffrey!" Jackie yelled as Maryam helped her up. "You did that on purpose!"

Jeffrey smirked at her. "Oh yeah, why don't you prove it?"

"What are you doing here anyway?" Maryam demanded.

"I came here with my friends. The skating rink is not your property you know."

Anne rushed over to prevent a fight. "Don't argue with him. There's really no point. Preeti's mom is calling us over to the table so she can cut the cake. Let's go."

Maryam and Jackie reluctantly skated out of the rink, walked over to the decorated table and sat down. A split second later, they both jumped up from their seat.

"Oh my God!" Jackie exclaimed. "What is this?!"

Maryam looked at the back of her pants and then at Jackie's. Both were covered with a sticky golden colored liquid. Preeti examined their chairs.

"Looks like honey," she deduced. "It wasn't there this morning when we set everything up."

They heard muffled laughter and looked over to the skating rink to see Jeffrey and two of his friends pointing at them and cracking up.

Jackie gave them a spiteful stare and said to her friends, "This means war!"

Aisha was sitting on her bed staring at the wall. She had finished all her homework for the weekend, cleaned the apartment from top to bottom, and reorganized all of her folders. Now what?

This is what her life had become ever since that horrible night in May. And now four months later, she still couldn't move on. Maybe it was because she didn't want to move on. She constantly thought about how things were and how they could have been. And over and over again, she was reminded that nothing would ever be the same, a thought that made her wonder whether she had a reason to live.

There was a knock at her door, and upon obtaining her permission, Aisha's roommate, Radhika, entered the room. Radhika looked at her and shook her head.

"What are you doing in your room on such a nice day?" she asked. "Come on. Let's go out for lunch."

Aisha shook her head.

Radhika sighed. "Aisha, you can't change the past by reliving it over and over again. It'll only cause you more pain."

"I don't know what else to do," Aisha responded.

"You should try to move on."

"I can't, Radhika. Even if I try to forget, I know I won't be able to. Everything I see, hear, touch, taste…everything reminds me of the past."

"But you're not even trying to forget. I just don't understand what you want."

"I…I just want everything to return to how it was before."

Fighting back tears, Aisha buried her face in her arms. Radhika stayed for a few minutes, trying to comfort her, but ultimately she decided it was better to leave her alone.

Questions:

1. How do you like the style of writing?

2. Which characters do you want to find out more about?