Chapter 3
Zoya woke up grabbed her cell phone to see if she had received any text message from Aiza's dad but no. she sighed and decided to go get fresh. It was the big day for Nikhat and she wanted to look in high spirits not distracted.
She came out and almost knocked into someone. She was taken a back and for a moment her heart drummed like a bee only she had forgotten bees don't drum they buzz. It was Asad, who was also quit staggered to see her there.
"I thought it was Ayan's room..." He said casually leaning against the pillar behind him. Zoya shook her head and tried to sound convinced by his excuse.
"Its that one there..." She pointed towards Ayan's room. He smiled evocatively and Zoya noticed that.
"I am sorry for scaring you..." He said.
"You didn't scare me..." Zoya retorted. He kept smiling and looked on. Ayan was there before she could expect an answer. She went back to her room.
"Sorry Asad.. I kept you waiting..." Ayan had said.
Zoya banged the door shut. Humera who was still asleep cribbed in her sleep. Zoya faced the mirror and gasped. She did look like she had seen a ghost.
"Tumhari hawaian ku uri hui hai?" Humera mumbled in her sleep. Zoya irked by her question threw a cushion on her face.
" mein theek hun..." She said and stomped out of her room.
"Tum pagal ho..."Humera yelled from behind.
***
She went down and saw him busy with his mom. Probably asking her about his stuff he seemed to have missed back home. Zoya never liked Shireen's idea of accommodating Nikhat's Sasuralis in the same house. They could have arranged a guest house for themselves. But no.
She was looking for Nuzhat and passed them thrice. Every time he would, by the book, tilt his head in her direction. Zoya felt his gaze on her and wondered even in front of his mother he wont stop ogling around? She bubbled inside with rage and felt like throwing the book in her hand on his face. Why wont he spare me the freedom or roaming around with out being stared upon brashly? She thought cynically.
***
The same evening she received a little txt message from him saying he wanted to see her after Nikhat's nikah at the terrace. Zoya was aghast... she did not want to see him or talk to him. She was a traditionalist in every sense a traditional girl is. She believed in not making inter gender friendships. And in keeping her loyalty for the person (still a question mark) she was going to marry. From what she had inferred... he was interested in her... it didn't fit... But if he was he might want to confess or ask her about her feelings and then perhaps might want to continue talking to her...keep in contact... she would have to hide it from her parents...might actually fall for him...if he isn't really what he seems like... then one day her family would know and then... they would all blame her and call her an indecent girl who made secret boy friends... People would question her going out.. they would put the blame on her higher education...they will question her going to the university... She might not get permission to pursue with her studies and all her dreams of becoming a free independent woman would collapse right in front of her...all for what? A man?
Zoya pictured herself in the entire situation and did what every sane girl would do. Negate the idea of seeing him. She wasn't in love...why should she respond to any guy who is interested in her. And so she decided to give him the cold shoulder and leave just after the nikah...saying she had her finals coming and she could not attend the Walima.
***
Zoya was with the bride in the dressing room the entire day as the beautition worked on Nikhat to make her look like a bride. Najma had also popped in from God knows where.
"What are you doing Zoya?" She asked her.
"am doing Engineering..." She proudly said. She was the first and only women going to be an engineer in her family and the thing elated her a lot.
"Aoh!" Najma made a weird face... "Everyone wants to be an engineer these days... Maine tu Asad ko mana kar dia... no need to become a mason, electrician or a mechanic... Aram se medical karo..."
Zoya was speechless. No one had ever demeaned her line of work to such an extent. Thankfully Najma left for some work and Zoya heard the woman doing Nikhat's make up laugh.
"Mason for Civil...electrician for Electrical and mechanic for...?" She asked amidst her laughs.
"Mechanical engineer... Oh my great God...Nikhat you sure you will live with these scums?" Zoya asked her all zapped at Najma's words.
Nikhat laughed.
"She is just a little...childish..."
"imprudent might be the right word here..." She said leaving to attend a call.
***
Putting the phone to her ear she saw him making his way towards the terrace; whistling a tacky tune. She hid behind a pillar before his eyes could get a hold of her.
"Hello...Uncle..yeah it's okay I know your routine these days... yes about him... he seems to be associated with my cousin's in-laws...yes... you don't?... what did his parents say?... even I think so...that's it?... no need not dig for more...thank you so much..bye!"
She sighed and let her thoughts wonder ashore for a while. She imagined the Asad then... a dandified pretty-looking sort of a boy he was. Must have made insane friends and then the trouble of doping oneself to another mystery. She shuddered at the thought.
***
Zoya left early morning next day even after the continual insistence of Shireen and Nikhat. She did have ATP's to be signed though..and that was reason enough. His father did not mind and no one else could when he went for her support. Zoya said quick good-byes to Dilshad just in case they would think she sneaked out. To her utmost fortuity she did not have to face him.
For days Zoya thought she had done right and for days she could not stop thinking about him and all the possible things he could have said to her that day. And like every time she though his existence would vanish in the mirth of memories like everyone else's does. But his image remained intact in some corner of her mind sometimes lost and sometimes spanking new.
***
Right under my feet is air made of bricks
It pulls me down and turns me weak for you
I find myself repeatin' like a broken tune
And Im forever excusin' your intentions
It's been months and she thought she would get over within days. She sat idle in front of her dressing table rubbing away the kohl from her eyes. Those were weird feelings and she did not want to have them make a home inside her heart.
Then I give in to my retending
Which forgive you each time
Without me knowing
They melt my heart to stone
***
He ran his fingers through his hair, grinning while shredding the pieces of the picture until it was left with one sole face only. Her face. He gazed and gazed and thought he would never stop.
***
And I hear your words that I made up
You say my name like there could be an us
I best tidy up my head, Im the only one in love
Im the only one in love
It doesn't have to be mutual, She thought. But then those eyes came hitting her like a distortion. There had to be some meaning in those stares. Those glances he would leave no chance of missing. Never.
Each and every time I turn around to leave
I feel my heart begin to burst and bleed
So desperately I try to link it with my head
But instead I fall back to my knees
No I am just over thinking stuff, she waved the thoughts away. And slammed her hand on the power off button of the radio. The room went in silence.
***
Four Years Later...
"I'll graduate this summer...will have my convocation ceremony in the fall... you are not allowing a job so soon... cant even pursue education...what am I going to do?" Zoya helplessly inquired her dad.
"I am not against your pursuing for Masters...But I cant let you go abroad for that...how will you manage all alone?" He emphasized on his last words. "besides its too much money and you have a sister too...she wants to do medical and that too privately...how will I ever manage that?"
"Then let me go look for a job...please."
"Fine...but your mother insists we do something about your marriage first..."
"marriage?" She gaped. "I am only 23."
"Which is the perfect age for marriage... Your mother was married at 18 she even graduated from my home when you were four..."
"Please dad...we left those things at the turn of the millennium."
"Not all of us..." He said wondering about his times and being all nostalgic. Zoya shook her head smiling at her old dad.
***
Zoya got two gifts on her convocation...a car and a proposal.
***
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
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