Chapter 18
Zoya managed to avoid Ayan and Najma for the rest of the day.. Najma had been to college and returned back earlier than usual... Zoya was still in her room, waiting for a call, not from her phuphi but from Asad... He left for office without saying a word, after getting embarrassed.
Asad was more than distracted... sitting in his cabin, all he did was glace at Zoya's pictures every other minute... He took out his phone and dialed her number, and cut it off even before he heard the ring. He had no idea what was going on, why was he so hesitant in calling her. He took all his courage and tried again, but in vein. He wanted to leave a message instead...He wanted to take her out that night, spend some time together. All he wanted was some lone time, though they loved each other immensely, there were things they had to discover about each other. He wanted to know how she felt about him and wanted her to know every single detail about him, he wanted to share his memories, his grief and his feelings, what he felt for her.
After a long pause he sent her a message.
----
She was lying lazily on her bed cursing her Mr Khan for being such a jerk... he hadn't even called her, even after what happen this morning...
Her phone beeped jerking her from her reverie... She bolted up and looked at her phone..
Mr Khan.. She forgot being angry on him and grinned...
'Message from Mr Khan, Interesting' She thought
'Hello Zoya,
I was just thinking, how about a dinner tonight?
Just me and you :)
Hoping you would want to go, I have sent you a gift.
Hope you like it and i get to see you in it.
I'll meet you at 8PM and one more thing to add, I hate waiting.
Ayan shall get you there.
Zoya scrunched her nose reading the lines 'I hate waiting'
'Male Chauvinist!! Well Mr khan, I love making people wait' She thought, blushing
She read through the message again and again and held her phone close to her heart and lye down on her bed blushing. Just then Najma barged into the room startling Zoya...
'Najma, you scared me' Zoya hissed sitting straight
'I know, that was suppose to happen' she said laughing at Zoya's expressions
'Okay, so i heard something?' She asked teasing, while Zoya blushed and tried acting all normal
'What?? what did you hear... tell me also Najma' She asked moving closer with enthusiasm
Najma smacked her arm 'Stop acting.. i know about your Date' She said huffing
'Good...' She replied trying to hide her excitement
'So, aren't you excited' Najma asked controlling her grin
'Uh.. yeah, its a surprise so, im... happy.. im...' She stammered
'Its okay... Bhabhi.. its just me.. so soon you turn tables at me?? Huh... start avoiding me' She said mockingly
'No, Najma... i mean.. actually.. its all your fault. How you guys started teasing us, it was quite embarrassing' She said looking away, Najma started laughing
'Its not funny Najma'
'Khullam khullam pyaar karenge hum dono' she started singing
'Najma' She said glaring at her
'uh...wow!! Relax... you started getting Bhaijaan's traits.. already?? You start glaring just like him' She said laughing
'Najma, fine. Go on... 'She said folding her arms and looking away sternly
Najma held her shoulders and hugged her tight
'Im so happy for you Zoya... oh, sorry bhabhi' Zoya smiled listening to the word bhabhi
'Okay Now there is a lot of time for 8 PM so, do you want your gift now or later' Najma asked her
Zoya lifted her eyebrows and looked at her with eyes wide open
'Okay, i get it... wait a minute' she said walking out
Zoya sat there waiting for Najma, she was so excited to see what her gift could be.. this is the first one from Mr Khan
As soon as Najma came in, she poised herself acting normal, Najma caught that and smiled
'here' she handed out to Zoya, not annoying her much
She opened the box and found a beautiful black chiffon saree with silver and pink borders... She smiled looking at it, she got an instant liking to it...
'wow, this is beautiful Najma, Really' She exclaimed
'Bhaijaan's choice is always good.. that anybody can tell, looking at you' she said and Zoya smiled
'by the way Najma, what will i tell aunty, i mean how will i go out' She asked totally confused
'Relax, ammi and shireen khaala are going for a dinner party tonight and so, we take advantage of it..'
'So, is this planned by you and Ayan?' she asked with a little disappointment
'nah.. its bhaijaan's idea to take you out... We're just helping him out'
She said while a smile was playing on Zoya's lips
'By the way Najma, i don't have a blouse for this'
'oh, now what do we do'
'Mr Khan acts so smart right, but look at him, he doesn't even know what to shop for a women'
She said mocking him
'You know what Zoya.. your the best thing happen to bhaijaan, seriously, your a lioness' she said giggling
'Stop it Najma, your making fun of me' she asked
'No, seriously, only you can do this to him, i mean, no one ever talks to him or about him like the way you do... you stand up to him.. its like equal domination you see..'
'yeah, if i was like the silent ones, he would easily make my life a living hell... ' she said and both the ladies laughed taking about him
----
Shireen and Dilshad were busy picking out the jewellery and saree for the evening...
Shireen's eyes fell on a beautiful neck piece... it looked antique. It was a diamond studded necklace which was totally appealing. She took them in her hands and caressed it...
'ye, tumne Asad ke dulhan ke liye banwaya tha na'
'Haan Shireen... i got this done when Asad was 20 years old, from then i kept dreaming about his Nikah... Pata nahi mera beta kab Nikah karega'
'I can spot a trademark on this'
'What'
'It seems like its made for Zoya'
'Shireen, not again... phirse shuru hogayi... chalo hume parlor bhi toh jaana hai' She said while Zoya and Najma came in
'Wow, ammi... are you wearing this yellow saree...' Najma said looking at the saree in her hands
'Okay, now you both, can you suggest jewellery for this saree' Dilshad said to Najma and Zoya
...while both of them took their seat and started looking at the jewellery..
Zoya looked at the antique piece...
'Wow, aunty, this is so good, why don't you wear this' she said handing out to her
'Not this Zoya, look for something else, something simple'
'But aunty, this is so simple, yet elegant.. It will go well with this saree.. this is really beautiful... I haven't come across such a design. Seriously. please wear it'
Najma kept looking into the jewellery unaware of which jewellery Zoya was talking about, she looked up and smiled looking at the jewellery.. 'In the right hands' she thought
'Zoya, do you know for whom this jewellery is made for' Najma said bumping her shoulders while Zoya shook her head
'Its for my bhabhi.. i mean Mrs Asad Ahmed Khan' she said smiling,
Zoya glared at her and whispered 'Najma.. stop it. Please'
'Okay. Relax'
Zoya kept the jewellery in the box and took out another pendant and gave it to Dilshad...
'This is perfect' Dilshad said, happy that she finally decided on what to wear..
Zoya was feeling awkward sitting there, she simple got up excusing herself and walked away... but Dilshad stopped her...
'Wait Zoya...' she turned
'you liked this jewellery right, you can wear this when ever you want. Okay' while Zoya was at a loss of words..
'Nahi... aunty, its okay' she fumbled with words..
'Okay Ammi.. Zoya, i was thinking, we'll dress up tonight and take pictures, why not wear it today... give ammi' she said and took the jewellery box and pulled Zoya out along with her
----
'Dilshad... what was that' Shireen asked..
'Nothing like you think. I still stand on my decision... Zoya is like my own child, and she loved the jewellery, so i offered her to wear it sometime.. what's wrong'
'Nothing's wrong Dilshad, i think it reached out to the right person...'
Dilshad rolled her eyes
'you know what Shireen, i bet you, you'll change your mind soon... at least when you get to know her pain... even im not aware of what she's going through, im sure its quite hard for her... she's looking out for someone Shireen and she wasn't comfortable sharing it to me... We don't even know who she's after, after we get to know that..you'll realize.. im sure you'll change your mind. I can feel that'
'are you implying that she might be after a guy, looking for a long lost love??'
'Oho Shireen,... you can only think of such things.. Come lets leave for the parlor..'
----
'Najma what was that.. would you care to explain' Zoya asked as they reached the guest room
'Zoya, stop over reacting... this would look great with your saree.. '
'But Najma.. i mean, Mr Khan..'
'I know, you guys haven't discussed marriage, you never know, bhaijaan might just propose you tonight, and you'll have legal rights on this, so chill and your wearing this. okay'
'okay' she said smiling as she went into her dreamland...
'Zoya...'
'Zoya' she shouted..
'Zoya' She shouted patting her..
'Stop dreaming, think about your blouse..'
'Oh.. yeah' she said blushing..
She started putting all her stuff on her bed carelessly in search of a matching blouse... She had never worn a saree in her entire life and this was the first time, so she had a hard time looking into her clothes to find something..
'Hey, how about this' She asked showing a halter neck blouse she had.. it was a black short party top...
'This.. ' Najma looked at her with a shock..
'Zoya, i mean you'd wear such tops, revealing your stomach?' Najma asked
'Yeah.. is int it cool, i finally found something' She smiled placing it next to the saree to check the contrast
'Zoya, i mean... bhajaan would hate to know that you would dress like this'
Zoya lifted her eyebrow and looked at her...
'Dress like this meaning??'
'He hates it when women wear revealing clothes, look for something else Zoya... its your first date, in case you want to ruin it' Najma said calmly, Zoya had a evil smile plying on her lips
'I think ill wear this... your bhaijaan should know the real Zoya... and who told you that i'll change my dressing style for him... never'
'Zoya, your on a roll to annoy bhaijaan, aren't you?' she asked nervously
'No Najma, i just want to be myself... i cannot hide things from him' she said innocently..
'Whatever, its upto you, if you want to come back complaining about how bad the Date went' she said shrugging her shoulders
'Chill Najma.. i'll handle. Don't worry' She said smirking
'Lets clean out this mess on the bed first'
------
Dilshad and Shireen were getting ready to leave... they were leaving by 8, so Zoya couldn't be leaving earlier... Zoya decided to get ready instead, so that she could leave as soon as Shireen and Dilshad left.
She got dressed in the Saree Asad had brought...
She looked beautiful in the saree even without makeup..
'Zoya, you look so, so elegant... By the way, are you sure about the blouse' She asked softly
'Yeah Najma.. look, it goes perfectly with the Saree..'
'Okay.. fine. Wear this' She said placing the necklace in her hands...
'Are you sure i should wear this Najma??'
'Yes!! Just wear it now. No more questions'
'Fine'
Ayan stood outside the room door and asked them to stay inside until their mom's leave...
They waited inside the room until Shireen and Dilshad left...
'By the way.. do you have pictures of yours in NYC.. i really want to see' Najma said..
'I dun have the recent one's Najma. it was all in my I pad, which i didn't carry...ill show you some old ones.. do you want to see how i looked when i was kid' she asked and Najma nodded
She took out her box and sat on the bed...
She showed her first picture with her ammi and abbu when she was born and she had tears in her eyes...
She looked at her phupi's picture..
'By the way Zoya, you haven't got a call yet..' Najma said
'I know Najma.. i'm confused what to do now... really.. and this letter, its for my phupi from Dadi.. i have to reach it out to her...' She said looking at the letter
'Do you know what's written in it'
'No Najma, but those are the last words of a mother for her daughter... i have to make sure this reaches phupi...'
'Relax Zoya, im sorry, i brought this up.. '
'Its okay Najma... im good. Really' she said smiling
'Yeah, why wouldn't you.. you found your love' She said making Zoya's cheek turn a pink shade..
'Zoya, good i didn't apply blush, you have a natural blush on your cheek' she said laughing
'Okay stop it Najma'
Ayan knocked the door...
'If you girls are ready, lets leave, the momies just left... Come soon' he shouted standing outside the door...
Zoya stood up looking at the mirror for one last time.. and started packing her stuff into the box..
'Let it be Zoya.. we'll comeback soon.. it not going anywhere.. come...hurry, we're already late' Najma said pulling Zoya out.. she left her mobile on the bed in between her stuff
They stood out.. Najma decided to go to her friend's house which was right across the street, and Ayan was suppose to drop Zoya at her destination... Zoya uncomfortably sat on Ayan's bike...
'Ayan.. ride slowly okay.. im wearing a saree and sitting side ways... its uncomfortable'
'Relax Zoya, ill go easy and we don't have to travel that far..'
'Okay'
As they were riding, they stopped at a traffic signal which was quite long, Ayan managed to overtake from the gaps and reached to the front... Unfortunately Shireen and Dilshad's car was right behind Ayan's bike,
Dilshad saw that and was shocked. She pulled Shireen's arm and pointed her to look ahead...
Both were shocked...
'where are these two going' Shireen said anger visible on her face...
'Relax Shireen.. its not like what you think'
'Really?? Zoya's in a saree.. on his bike' she huffed in annoyance
'Shireen relax... Ayan is not that bad.. he might be a flirt... but im sure he's not taking advantage on her.. lets ask them once we reach back.. leave it for now' Dilshad said calming her down...
----
Ayan dropped her at the resort...
'Ayan, come inside along with me... please' She asked uncomfortably
'Zoya, chill!! Just go, Asad is waiting at the roof top...Asad wouldn't like if i come along' he said laughing
'Fine. I'm going.. but seriously.. can't you drop me until the roof top atleast... u need not come in' She asked hoping he would say yes
'Fine.. I'll walk you to the lift. Is that okay'
'Okay. Thank you'
-----
Asad kept pacing around looking at his watch... 8.20
'How long will she take' He said pressing his forehead, He turned around to find her standing...
Her eyes, framed by long lashes, were a bright, and seemed to brighten the world. Her full lips looked so kissable, she seemed the picture of perfection. The saree covered her revealing her perfect curves...
She stood there looking at him blush creeping up her cheeks... She kept fidgeting with her hands, she looked at his eyes, he started walking close to her, not breaking the eye contact
He stood close to her and held her hands still looking at her deep brown eyes, she smiled...
'I think i mentioned that how, i hate waiting' he said smirking, she looked at him in disbelief
'Allah Miyan.. what's wrong with you... you had to ruin it' She shouted,, he smiled and noticed her blouse, his eyes went wide and jaws tightened... he clenched his teeth and looked at her...
'Ye kya hai' he said pointing out to her..
'Kya??? what's wrong.. this is the saree i received, Something wrong Mr Khan' She asked innocently
He rolled his eyes and shot a glare in her direction and moved away from her
'How unromantic... He knows how to ruin a perfect date... Allah miyan, how am i going to understand this man, may be Najma was right... i shouldn't have worn this, Now what am i going to do' She thought and walked towards him...
He stood near the fence with his hands resting on it...Looking at the busy streets of Bhopal...
'Mr Khan' She whispered
'Hmm' he said not looking at her
'Are you upset' she asked facing him, He sighed and looked at her
'Next time make sure you don't dress this way... i don't appreciate this' He said staring back at the streets
'But, this is how i used to dress, back in NYC'
'but this is not your New York... Its India and wearing such here, it will only attract unwanted eyes and i don't like it'
'Well then, that is your point of view, i like being myself and you should accept me the way i am instead of asking me to change myself, which i wouldn't appreciate'
'Well in that case, go ahead and do what you feel like, i think its better we go back instead of arguing here, i have better things to do' he said and walked away from her, she held his arms stopping him and stood right in front of him
'Really?? you had better things to do... don't forget Mr Khan, this was your idea, not mine. Why did you even call me here... would you explain' She said folding her hands
'I... i.. i mean, i just wanted to talk to you about that Add, i saw the add in the news paper before i left to Delhi... i wanted to ask you about that' he said trying to sound casual...
'Oh really... You called me here for that, spending so much on my saree and what about these arrangements.. huh' She shouted, while he pinched the bridge of his nose
'I know that your here in search of someone, and i came back from Delhi so that i could help'
'Oh, so you came back only to help me, i don't want your sympathy Mr Khan' She said completely hurt...
'Listen Zoya, i wanted to talk to you, like adults, not fighting like this, looks like we are still in kindergarten...'
'You were the one who started it off, making fuss over my dressing sense, this is how i dress, hope you get that straight, and one more thing, im not going to change my self just to satisfy someone's ego...You called me here just to insult me right... im done with you Mr Khan... i think i came into a wrong place, i should be leaving and by the way, Sorry, you had to come all the way from Delhi just to help me out , so that i could go away from your life as soon as possible... Don't worry Mr Khan, im going away from your life.. forever' she said, tears threatening her eyes as she walked away towards the lift...
Asad had enough of her drama, he walked upto her taking long steps and pulled her by her arm, pinning her to the wall beside them...
She was crushed in between the wall and him... Her breathing went hitched... Her heart pounding faster... their lips were inches apart... they were drowned into each others scent forgetting their fight, all they wanted was to feel each others presence... She could feel his breath on her lips, she involuntarily parted her lips closing her eyes... he took it as an invitation and brushed his lips on hers making her shiver...
they jerked and moved apart as soon as Asad's phone started ringing... Zoya shifted uncomfortably, running her hands on her hair... He walked upto her after he was done with the call...
'It was Ayan... We need to go home immediately, Ammi wants you home right away,'
Zoya for confused, 'is everything ok Mr Khan'
'we'll get to know when we reach home...and Ayan has told ammi that we four of us went for dinner, keep it that way' he said with a straight face and started walking
Zoya held Asad's arm stopping him ' Mr Khan' She said, tear escaping her eyes
'Lets go home... we'll get late, May be its something important...' He said and both walked towards the lift...
The journey was silent... both were hurt by their behavior, and they regretted for spoiling their first ever date...At the same time, they were annoyed by each others behavior
'I know i irked him, but he shouldn't have been so mean... Did he have to mention that he came here just for helping me, when i know the actual reason... What ever it is, he really hurt me tonight, he always does this to me, annoy me and then comes close to me and again move off, like nothing ever happened' She thought, quietly sobbing...
When they were about to reach, Asad called up Ayan and asked him to pick up Najma and wait outside so that they would go in together...
----
They walked inside the home to find Shireen and Dilshad sitting on the sofa waiting for them... The air looked really tense...
Shireen ran upto Zoya and hugged her tight and kissed her forehead... Zoya was taken back with the sudden change.. She looked confused, she looked at Dilshad who was smiling and then back to Shireen...
'Zoya, tum sahi jagah pe aayi ho... to your phupi' she said, Zoya's eyes were watering listening to the word phupi
'Phupi' she asked confused
Shireen took out the photograph and showed it to Zoya..
'This is me, your phupi' She said, Zoya smiled and hugged her back..
Asad, Ayan were confused, while Najma was happy for Zoya, Asad figured out that she was in search of her phupi, but nothing was clear yet...
'Zoya, don't worry about anything... i read the letter ammi had written for me.. i got to know everything... Im sorry for the loss ' She said and both started crying in each others arms.. finally Zoya found someone who shared her misery... both had lost their most important people...
'Ammi.. ye sab kya hai' Ayan asked Shireen
'Ayan, baad main samjhaungi.. bas inta samjho, mujhe meri beti mil gayi' She said
'Ghar Chalen Zoya' She asked while Zoya looked here and there
'Wo tumhara Ghar hai, aur humesha rahega... chalo'
'Go Zoya, you finally found your home... and don't worry, even this is your home, you can barge in any time' Dilshad joked
'Khaala, let she stay here tonight, please.. we'll send her tomorrow'
'No Najma, she's going home now, she's already gone through a lot... Now she'll stay at her house... ' Shireen said with a straight face
Zoya looked at Asad, she was going away from his already... He looked away and walked inside his room... He couldn't take the sudden changes happening around... She was going away...
Zoya was disappointed by his actions... She turned away angrily...
'Go get your stuff...' shireen ordered while she nodded
'Wait... give this to Dilshad' she said pointing out the Necklace...
She removed it almost heartbroken and gave it to Dilshad... Shireen looked at Dilshad with an assuring smile...
Zoya never thought this would get so difficult.. She wanted this to happen, to find her phupi, but today, she was totally heartbroken... They way things just turned upside down, she never expected it to happen like this...
++++++++++++++++++
*Hiding under the blanket*
Don't look at me like that...😆
Wait until the next few chapters...😃
Hindi TV Shows
Financial markets and global economy
124