Hey Everyone,
Just a little something I want to say before the update
As everyone is aware Bano and Saima two of our very talented writers have quit writing coz of lack of response. This is not a good sign guys. All ASYA lovers on the forum should make it a habit to leave comments on ASYA stories. REALIZE THIS FACT GUYS, IF ALL ASYA WRITERS QUIT WHAT WILL YOU READ? I hope this will help you all realize what the forum is headed towards. I too am in two minds to continue writing after this story or no. I have been here for 17 months, every single day. All these lovely writers are like family to me. I feel lost not to find them here anymore and the forum also feels like an alien place. Sis Saima still comes on the forum to update her story and read the other updates but her participation has really decreased but Bano, she has completely quit. This news was very disheartening for me, I consider her as my Choti Bajijaan. Really requesting all you silent readers to please start commenting on all ASYA stories you people read or eventually you would have nothing new on ASYA. Understand this fact people it takes us writers a whole lot of time to put together an update, it is our right to get comments. Please... no no more please I have requested enough.
START COMMENTING ALL YOU READERS.
Ok now here's Chapter 19 for my story. Hope you enjoy it. This one goes out to each and every one of my readers who have read, liked and supported my story. Hope you all like this part too. Happy Reading.
Chapter 19
The same night after Najma retired to her room, Asad went to the kitchen and made coffee for his Ammi and himself. He took the cups to her room, knocked and waited for her to allow him to enter. As he entered Dilshaad looked up from her book and smiled at him. She gestured for him to sit next to her.
"Kya baat hai, mera beta aaj mere liye coffee banake laya hai, definitely something important you want to talk about." She said smiling at him.
"Ammi!!! Kya pehle kabhi aapke liye coffee nahi banai meine?" he tried to sound hurt but Dilshaad easily caught onto his expression and laughed at him making him smile too.
"OK, now tell me what brings you here." She saw Asad lower his head trying to hide his smile and then looked up at her.
"Ammi you know I can't beat around the bush, whatever I have to say I just say it." Dilshaad nodded her head. He took in a deep breath and released it with a loud swoosh. "OK then, Ammi... we want... I mean I... I want you to please talk to Zeenat Aapi...regarding the wedding... I mean Zo... Zoya and me..." he trailed off seeing his mother smile from ear to ear. Dilshaad immediately pulled his cheeks "Allah, look at you Asad, you are blushing." She laughed "I never thought I would see a day like this when you would come and tell me you want to get married." She lovingly caressed his face and kissed his forehead.
"So, Zoya finally told you?" she asked him and he simply nodded his head looking down trying to hide his smile. Dilshaad closed her eyes and sent a quick prayer up to the almighty thanking him for the happiness that he had showered on her son and her family. Asad looked up and saw his mother with closed eyes, understanding what she was doing; he too closed his eyes and thanked Allah to have bestowed his family with this happiness. As soon as he opened his eyes he saw Dilshaad smiling at him. He smiled back and getting up he wished her good night and went to his room.
Once in his room he couldn't contain his happiness and wanted to tell Zoya immediately. He frowned looking at his watch realizing it was way too late to call her. He went to bed thinking about her reaction but sleep evaded him. He tossed and turned in his bed and then finally walked to his window. He was so excited to tell her that it was just not possible for him to sleep. He picked his phone and messaged her "Want to tell you something very important... I... LOVE...YOU." he smiled looking at his phone and then went to sleep.
The next morning Zoya woke up with a smile remembering the happenings of the previous day. She looked at her phone and smiled wider seeing Asad's message the first thing in the morning. With a simple I love you she replied to his message and got off her bed to start with her daily routine. She first prayed and thanked Allah for everything that he had given her in her life, for giving her, her Aapi and Jiju and then finally granting her with the love that Asad showers on her and the lovely family he brings along with him. She was grateful to have got a mother in her Phoophi who loved her like her daughter and then there was Najma who was more like a younger sister to her now.
Zoya went down to the kitchen and started helping Zeenat with the breakfast.
"Zoya, let it be bachche, I will manage. You go and call your Jiju for breakfast."
"No Aapi I have to start helping you, I need to learn how to cook and handle the kitchen too."
Zeenat almost dropped the pan hearing what Zoya said. She went and touched her forehead to check for fever and Zoya rolled her eyes. "Aapi you are the one who has been telling me to learn all this and now that I am showing interest you are over reacting."
"I didn't mean that but you always said you will learn how to cook when you are ready to get married... so should I..." she trailed off. Zoya's eyes widened and she felt her cheeks turning hot, she looked at Zeenat who was smiling from ear to ear "Nothing like that Aapi. It's just that mera mann kiya toh isleye... but if you don't want me to learn I will go." Zeenat immediately stopped her and the two burst out laughing.
Anwar entered the kitchen and saw the two sisters laughing and asked the reason behind it. Zeenat told him that Zoya wanted to learn how to cook and he almost spewed the water he had just sipped. Zoya glared at him with anger and the next second heard him mumble a sorry but then he too burst out laughing. Zoya stomped her foot and was about to go out when he stopped her and cupping her face told her he was happy for her. There was a hidden meaning to his statement which she couldn't catch but smiled at him and hugged him with all her might.
At the Khan Villa, Asad woke up much later than his usual time and immediately checked his phone for any missed call from her. Seeing just a message he first frowned thinking why she hadn't called to know what he wanted to say but then smiled at her reply and sighed. He then reread their conversation and realized she misunderstood the important thing to be his love confession. Just as he was about to call her and tell her, he had an idea and he got off his bed and rushed to his Ammi's room. Not finding her there he went to the kitchen and hugged her from behind wishing her a good morning.
"Good morning beta. You feeling alright? You slept way past your usual time." she asked him sounding concerned.
"Ammi am fine. I was tired." Dilshaad smiled at him removing his arms from around her neck to carry on with her work. With a lot of hesitation Asad said "umm vo Ammi... actually...I mean did you...ummm did you speak to Aapi?" he finally asked. Dilshaad looked at his flushed face and smiled at him. She shook her head in negative. "Why. Are you getting impatient?" she asked him in a whisper and saw Asad's eyes widen and his ears turn red. She laughed at him and then continued "Sorry sorry, see this is the first time in 29 years that I get to tease my son and I don't want to miss even one opportunity. Only Allah knows if I will ever get a chance like this again. And to answer your question, I will in some time. I think she would be busy."
"No, don't talk to her." He said and Dilshaad looked at him with concern. Just her expression told him she was worried that something had gone wrong between him and Zoya. He held her hands and kissed them "Everything is alright between us Ammi, don't worry. I just had an idea and so don't want you to talk on the phone." Dilshaad looked at him in confusion. He led her to the table and they sat down. "Ammi how's this, we surprise them in the evening and then you speak to them face to face?"
"But Asad they will need time for preparation, we can't just go unannounced for something as important as an alliance."
"Ammi do you still feel there is need for all this formality between the two families. We are almost like one already so why bother with all that?" Dilshaad looked at him not sure if it will be a good thing to do. "Ammi there is no need to think so much... With whatever we all have been through in the past few weeks, it has only made the bond we share stronger. Please don't say no Ammi." He looked at her with such childlike eyes that Dilshaad had to give in. She nodded her head gesturing a yes and Asad literally pounced on her engulfing her in his arms and repeatedly thanking her. Dilshaad's happiness knew no bounds. Finally her son was going to get married and she didn't have to force him into it. The best part of this alliance was that Asad loved Zoya, something she had never expected her son to share with his wife, at least not in the beginning. She remembered clearly how only a few months ago he used to say he will marry any girl that his Ammi selected for him. The only condition he had was that she should love his Ammi more than him. Dilshaad smiled at the memory and sighed with relief that her son had finally found love and he knew what a wonderful feeling it was.
Asad decided not to call her the whole day only trying to build up on the surprise he had planned for her. He was equally surprised when until afternoon he too didn't receive a call from her. He was eager to listen to her voice, but kept reminding himself that the coming evening will be one of the best in her life. Finally around lunch time he got a call from Zoya. He smiled seeing her name flash on his screen and then quickly straightened his face and answered his phone.
"Hello."
"What hello. Where have you been since morning?" Zoya almost screeched into the phone. "I have been waiting for your call and you don't seem to have time for me."
Asad smiled and then answered in a serious voice "I was busy Zoya. Since I have already missed office for so many days, I have a huge backlog to finish."
Zoya listened to him and getting angrier answered "You are still not well and have already started straining yourself... who is allowing you to work...don't you remember the doctor told you to take complete rest. I know... I know Phoophi is not at home and you are taking advantage of her absence because Najma is younger to you, you wouldn't listen to her." She heard Asad chuckle on the other side and felt her anger increase. "Asad I am warning you, you stop working now and take rest, or I will come there and throw all your files away."
Asad couldn't control his laughter any longer and burst out laughing at her statement. Zoya was shocked to hear him laughing like that. One second he was so serious and the next he was laughing like a maniac. "Now if I may ask you, why on earth are you laughing like a lunatic?" She asked him and in response heard him laugh even more. "You are too cute Zoya. I am not working baba, was only pulling your leg and yes Ammi is also at home and she had already called office and told Prasad not to bother me with work for the next few days." Zoya smiled at the information he shared, "That's like my Phoophi" she said and Asad heard her giggle.
"OK, now tell me Mr. why hadn't you called?"
"I was sleeping." He said reluctantly not liking it that he was lying to her.
"That's like my good boy." She said and giggled. Asad widened his eyes in shock hearing her call him a boy.
"Boy!!!!! Do I look like a boy to you?"
"Hmmm" she answered mischievously.
"Really..." she heard the change in his tone and blushed knowing what was coming.
"Yes really." She tried holding her front.
"That we will see... once we get married." He heard her gasp and laughed at her reaction.
"You are really getting out of hands Mr. Khan. I think I should tell Phoophi to get you married soon or else Allah only knows what you would do."
"Not get me married soon...get US married soon." He corrected her bringing a smile to both their faces. They talked for some more time and then Zoya asked him to rest as he had already strained himself enough for now.
In the evening Dilshaad, Najma and Asad got ready and headed to Zeenat's house. Najma was excited like a kid; Dilshaad had filled her in on the information that Asad and Zoya loved each other. Najma's happiness knew no bounds as finally her Bhaijaan had found love and that too in his best friend. She was well aware that Asad didn't have many friends, just a few from college and only one whom he considered as his best buddy, Aamir Malik. Najma kept on blabbering about what all she was going to do for her bhaijaan's wedding making both her brother and her mother smile.
Zoya had been lounging on the couch in the living room flipping through the channels when the doorbell rang. Shouting out to Zeenat that she will get it Zoya ran to the door and flung it open. As soon as she saw who was at the door her eyes widened with shock and a loud involuntary "AAP" slipped out her mouth. She quickly clamped her hands to her mouth before anything inappropriate slipped out her mouth again. All three of them chuckled at her reaction and she quickly straightened.
"Can we come in Zoya?" Dilshaad lovingly caressed her head and asked. Realizing she was standing in their way Zoya moved aside immediately mumbling a sorry and letting them in. Dilshaad and Najma went ahead while Asad just looked at her from head to toe "Nice dress by the way, Miss. Farookhi." Hearing what he said Zoya looked at herself and then at him grinning at her. She ran up the stairs as fast as she could without giving anyone a second glance. As she entered her room Zoya face palmed herself for the way she was dressed. She looked down at herself again and groaned in disappointment. She had been wearing a long Tom and Jerry t-shirt which was 2 sizes bigger than her actual fit with loose pajamas and her hair was up in a messy bun. "Great, just great!" she exclaimed. "He had to see me dressed like this... and Phoophi, what would she be thinking about my clothes... Aoww how will I go downstairs now? What will they all be thinking about me? Argh how will I face them?" She whined in her room. Chucking all these thoughts from her mind she went to her wardrobe and pulled out a yellow n white anarkali suit and quickly changed into it. She brushed her hair in place, applied kohl to her already beautiful eyes and applied a pink lip balm. Giving herself a final look in the mirror she went downstairs.
She saw Zeenat and Anwar sitting with the Khans and realized she had not even informed her Aapi who had come. She smacked herself mentally for making this mistake. As she came down Asad first felt shocked as in less than 10 minutes he saw her transform into the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, not that in her t shirt and pajamas she looked ugly, NO, she looked cute in that. But now she looked beautiful. He felt mesmerized by her simplicity. Zoya walked passed him, gently bumping her knee against his trying to get him back into his senses. She had noticed him staring at her since she stepped foot on the stairs. His constant staring was making her blush as she knew if no one else, Dilshaad would definitely notice this. She had already caught them earlier and Zoya didn't want a repeat of her teasing. As soon as Asad felt his knee being nudged he snapped out of his staring session and tried to look normal. Zoya smiled at him which he reciprocated.
Zeenat and Zoya quickly arranged for some tea and snacks and as soon as everyone settled Dilshaad came straight to the point.
"Zeenat, I want to talk to you about something very important. That is the reason we are here." Zeenat looked at her, confused, but seeing the sparkle in her eyes and the smile on her face understood what the discussion was going to be about. She had always seen the same shine and the dazzling smile whenever Dilshaad spoke of Asad's wedding. Zeenat too smiled wide "Is it what I think it is about?" Dilshaad nodded her head and Zeenat felt her heart bursting with happiness "Finally, finally it is happening? What we both have been waiting for... It's really happening?" Dilshaad laughed and nodded her head at every question that Zeenat asked.
Finally both the friends hugged each other tight. Where everyone was smiling, Zoya looked at all of them as if they had all grown horns. Najma elbowed her mother so she could look at Zoya who was looking at them. Dilshaad looked at Zoya in the eye and in a loud voice addressed Zeenat.
"Zeenat, my son, my daughter and I, we are all here to ask you if you will let us take away the one thing that is most dear to you and Anwar bhai? I promise to keep that little precious thing safe in my house."
With tears brimming in her eyes Zeenat looked at Anwar who nodded his head in approval. Zeenat looked at Zoya who still looked confused and asked her "Zoya, do you want to go?" as soon as Zoya heard those words her head shot in Asad's direction who was smiling but looked at her expectantly. Zoya looked back at Zeenat, then Anwar and then at Dilshaad and saw all of them smiling back at her. She was too shocked at what was happening and felt her throat dry completely making it difficult for her to talk. She was so stunned by the happenings that she couldn't form a single word. She sat there with her mouth slightly open and her lips moving but no sound coming out. She quickly drank whatever was left in her glass and placed it back on the table.
She looked up and saw ten eyes looking at her, waiting for her answer. She knew what her answer was but couldn't voice it. She knew she wanted to say yes but it was a big shock for her where Asad had arrived, uninformed and here they were talking about their wedding. As soon as Asad saw her get up, he held her hand firmly making her look at him. She saw him go down on one knee, in the middle of her living room, in front of their families. She took a step closer to him and he held her other hand too.
"Zoya, will you marry me?" he asked her plain and simple, no frills attached but the love and sincerity that she saw in those eyes made her heart swell with love for him, that was the courage she was looking for to answer the question Zeenat had asked her. She squeezed his hands and in a voice that was barely audible said "Yes." And nodded her head too so that all would know what her answer was. Zoya tugged at his hands and he got up. He took a step closer to her, wanting to take her in his arms when he felt her push him away a little and she looked around making him realize they were not alone.
Immediately the house was filled with the sound of them all clapping and hooting in happiness. Asad gently pulled her towards himself and both held hands tightly. He gently tugged her hand and Zoya looked up at him. He mouthed I love you which she responded to with a smile and a me too.
All throughout dinner Asad and Zoya were teased to no end by one and all. Both felt their cheeks turning red and couldn't look up. As soon as dinner was over, the Khans got up to leave. Dilshaad walked upto Zoya and kissed her on her forehead "Take care of yourself, now you belong to us." Zoya smiled at her and looked down feeling very shy. Najma went and hugged her with all her might "Welcome to the family Bhabhi." She whispered into her ear making her blush even more. As soon as Zoya heard Bhabhi she looked at Asad who was standing at a distance and smiling. Their eyes spoke for them; they didn't need words between them. In this short span of time that they had been together they had developed a language of their own, one that didn't need words. After saying their final byes and good nights the Khan's were ready to leave. With one loving look in her direction Asad got into the car and drove off.
P.S. I expect all my readers to leave behind a lot of love for me. So please hit the like button and leave a comment to tell me what you think about the chapter. Really people, reading all your lovely comments helps me write further. I would really like to know your thoughts guys, so negative or positive don't hesitate just leave a comment for me.
P.S.S. Sorry to have bored you with the opening note, I know it was very long BUT IT WAS REQUIRED. Hope everyone pays heed to it.
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