I am concentrating more on the main couple than any other character because the soap is doing extactly the opposite. Enjoy and let me know what you thought.
Part 4
She left in a stoney silence, not offering more than the required information to Rehan.
Aahil waited until Sanam left before dropping his steely expression. There was still that weight on his chest. Aahil had hoped that it would go away with her, but it stayed.
Her words ate away at him inside. The tears came of their own accord as the shoulders stooped. He was no longer able to stop them. He just wanted to curl up and die. Sanam did not love him, she did not even accept his love out of politeness. The humiliation of the rejection was nothing compared to the disappointment he felt.
If a lifetime of rejection could not teach him not to hope, Aahil didn't know what could. He had opened himself up again, opened himself to being hurt by another human being - something he had vowed never to do again. This was all a mistake. A big mistake. He had handed over all power to her, all his love, all his feelings, his vulnerability. And she squashed them within minutes and threw the scraps back at him. What was he thinking?
Those lucky guys had talked him into this, he would have never dreamt of telling Sanam otherwise, far less expect a positive outcome. She did not return those feelings, he had known that. What had come over Aahil that he suddenly deluded himself into thinking that he would have the fate of Imad and Arnav when it comes to love? Aahil knew no one loved him like that. He was not lovable. If his own father could not love him, how could anyone else?
He clawed at his hair. His head was hurting now, those cuts and burns hurt too. Sanam was right. There was no one to ask after him now that he was in pain.
But..was he so low that she considered it an insult that he loved her?
Aahil thought hard about what she had said. He degraded her with Nidha, wasn't it? It was when he had gone to Nidha in defense. He had worked hard to make Sanam dislike him then. He knew he had often sided with Nidha's humiliations of Sanam with his silence, but that was to hide his own feelings. Aahil hadn't thought that there was a remote possibility of Sanam and him ending up together. So he hadn't wished to appear vulnerable. But that is exactly what he had done now and there was no taking it back.
Sanam's objection was not just Nidha though. She said she would never accept his love even if Nidha never existed. It had to be her objection to all those exes she kept referring to. Sanam objected to his behavior. His past. His character. Everything he stood for, in sum.
A nurse came in with a trolley carrying some plastic wrapped food. Dinner consisted of bread, cheese, some kind of green soup, and cut fruits. He did not feel like having anything. No appetite. Aahil couldn't even if he wanted to. The nurse had left and he couldn't open any package with one hand. Dammit!
Aahil took a deep breath: This is no different from when Ammi was gone, Aahil. Get yourself together. No one will come asking after you.
Rehan looked at Sanam's direction again. She angrily swiped at her tears again.
Sanam: Arrogant Jallad. Fine, let him starve.
Rehan: Be calm, Sanam. He won't starve. The hospital has food.
Sanam worried: But he won't be able to eat, I know it.
Rehan sighed, not knowing what to say. She was blabbering like this the whole way back. First, how will Aahil bhai bear the pain? Will there be any nurse to give him medicine? Second, how will he sleep? Were the pillows soft enough? Third, how will he eat? What if the food was hard to chew what with the temple hurting? It was always something. Her concerns were all about Aahil bhai.
Aahil Raza Ibrahim, ever the lady killer, had won over Sanam too. Rehan sighed in defeat. And for a girl like Sanam, it wasn't just fleeting affection, it was love.
Sanam, miffed: I won't even go to pick him up tomorrow. Let him come back home alone.
She did not really need reassurances or answers. She was talking more to herself.
Sanam: Why couldn't I stay overnight with him?
Rehan: I am sure Aahil bhai only wanted you to be comfortable. Get a good night's sleep.
Sanam: No, that's not it. (She sniffed). He will be all alone now (she whispered audibly).
Sanam was mumbing to herself and thinking hard by the time Rehan parked the car at home. How things had changed. Just a few days ago, he and she had so much to talk about, now she didn't even notice him. It was all Aahil, all the time. No, before too, Jallad Jihn was all she talked about when not thinking of her parents. These were the people who preoccupied her thoughts. The startling realization hurt Rehan. He had been misunderstanding this whole time.
Sanam absentmindedly got out of the car and made her way inside.
What was he thinking telling her he loved her after promising that Nidha that they will be together too? How could Aahil think of two-timing her like that? She had hoped that after marriage at least, he would stop looking at other women. But no. Some people never change. And what was that confession about? He couldn't tolerate her, how could he love her now?
Aahil picked up the phone to give Sanam a call. This bare and silent cabin was closing in on him. He really regretted sending her home, but he couldn't take being in the same room with her after she had clawed repeatedly at his heart all evening.
No, her cell phone will have caller ID. I will call the landline, just find out if they got home. No! That would let her know I was calling. No no, I will just call and hear her voice. That way I will know and not reveal myself either.
In the main hall...
Sanam was shaking her foot impatiently by the phone.
Lateef: You can call Aahil baba if you are so impatient to talk.
Sanam looked immediately guilty: I am not waiting for any call. I am just...hanging out here.
Lateef pursed her lips: Right...it's midnight.
The phone rang. Sanam jumped up and went in the other direction.
Lateef: Oh hello! The phone is here.
Sanam: You pick it up.
Lateef picked it up and said hello quite a few times. No answer apparently.
At Sanam's hopeful look the second time around, Lateef informed her it must just be a prankster and left to go to bed.
Third time, Sanam picked it up.
Sanam: Aahil?
Aahil opened his mouth and shut it again. No, she didn't want him.
Sanam: Aahil...aap hi ho na? Aap thik hai? (He didn't answer). Dinner karliya aapne? (She waited, but he said nothing). Bohot dard ho raha hai kya?
Aahil hung up. That same concern again. Why was she showing him so much concern? How did she know it was him? She wasn't supposed to know! He could kick himself for calling right now.
The next morning...
Aahil morosely made his way back when Sanam didn't come. So much for all that concern, she couldn't even come to pick him up. Laughing at his own deluded expectation, Aahil took his own discharge papers and made his way to the car.
He had hardened himself over night, there was plenty of time to think long and hard because he couldn't sleep a wink. His wife hated him. This was his reality now. All this kindness was momentary sympathy for his accident, nothing more.
Sanam turned as her husband stepped in the car. Those big black orbs of his looked painfully sad. Now they registered surprise. Quickly averting his gaze, Aahil didn't look at her again.
Sanam: I didn't want to come. Your mother made me.
Allah mia, forgive me for this lie. Begum Sahiba toh ghar mein hi nehi hai.
Aahil didn't say anything, just quietly kept to his side and looked out the window.
Sanam pushed a little tiffin box in his direction. Upon looking he saw it was a slice of vanilla cake.
Aahil's stomach churned: I am not hungry.
He looked out the window again.
She left it near him for the rest of the trip, but he would not touch it. It was cruel, really. After all the effort she had put in this morning to make him some cake on time to pick him up...
Aahil heard her mumble "kuch bhi," but maintained his silence. He knew he had no right to be angry with her for not returning his feelings, but he was human too, he couldn't help it.
Back at home...
As soon as Aahil entered the house, some woman in a beautiful sari jumped into his arms. Sanam took a step back with her tiffin box in hand.
Nisha: I have been waiting for you all morning. What is this? I heard you had an accident?
Aahil fondly hugged this woman back: Just a little roadside drama. I am fine now. Wait here, I will go change and be back in a moment.
Nisha nodded. She looked Sanam up and down.
Nisha: And this must be Sanamji. Hello! I am Nisha Chatterjee.
Sanam weakly: Salam Ayaikum.
Nisha: Nice to meet you, Sanamji. Nazia, Shazia, she is so cute!
The nanands smiled politely.
Sanam made her excuses, not wishing to be rude as her temper roze to boiling point. No wonder her cake seemed such a small offering to him. He was looking forward to coming home for this girl.
Sanam went into the kitchen and threw the box in the dustpan. Her skin was burning up. She knew his confession was nothing more than a joke.
When Sanam entered the room Aahil was just about to leave.
He had struggled into a grey and white kurta. He was not looking at her. His downcast eyeslashes cast a pretty little shadow over his face.
Allah mian had a sense of humor, giving this kind of a innocent look to a master manipulator.
Sanam: All dressed up, I see. Bahar ja rahe hai? Aapke guest ke sath?
Aahil tried to side step her. She pushed him into the room and locked the door behind them. He was looking anywhere but her. She pushed him against the wall, leaving him no where to look. Aahil's eyes finally met hers.
How cute...his lower lashes were almost as long as his upper lashes. This is absurd Sanam, stick to the point! How fickle can you be?
Sanam: Don't look so confused. I know exactly what you are up to. How SICK are you? And here I was feeling sorry for lashing out at you like that. I knew your confession of love couldn't be sincere. Brought your latest squeeze home just as I said no (he flinched). What loyalty. Going to a hotel now or maybe even outside? I know voyeurism is not a problem for you. (He wasn't saying anything) I was absolutely right to reject you. You don't deserve love, or even kindness.
Aahil's hands closed around her small hands on his chest.
Aahil: Don't take my silence as my weakness, Sanam. You said your peace and I accepted your decision. Did I say anything to you? I said what I felt and you did the same. Now we will never talk about it again. Is that clear?
Sanam, breathing hard: Make me.
Aahil walked out of the room. Sanam swiped at her tears and regained her composure before coming out behind him.
Nisha had his hand in hers as he sat on the sofa with his back to Sanam. The girl was sitting in front of Aahil on the ground, beaming.
Sanam's legs could hardly carry her forward.
Nisha: Bas, now I need my gift.
Aahil forced a smile: I knew it, all this is only an act to receive gifts. You have made Nazia and Shazia part of you team too. They already receive Eidi, all these honorary celebrations are making me a pauper.
Nisha: No excuses.
Aahil put his injured hand on her head and gave her some notes. Then the same with Nazia and Shazia.
Now Sanam could die of shame.
Nisha: Arre, Sanamji. Come here (she pulled an embarrased Sanam into the living room). Aaptoh kyar raksha bandhan nehi karsakte, I hope you are taking good advantage of him during Eid.
The girls all laughed. Aahil however was grim. He couldn't even look at her. Sanam looked imploringly at him, but he spared her nothing more than a sideways glance.
In their bedroom midday...
Aahil was being tended to by Lateef. He gritted his teeth as another bandage came off.
Lateef: Just the last bandage is left.
Sanam softly: I can put on fresh ones.
Aahil said with finality: Lateef will do it.
Sanam backed away. How could she such things before thinking? Nisha was like a sister to him. Sanam was the one who felt sick now.
Aahil sighed as Lateef redid all his bandages and left.
Sanam rushed back to him: Dekhiye, mujhe pata nehi tha. Varna mein aise kabhi nehi bolti. I knew how horrible that sounded now.
Aahil didn't say anything. He was looking at the ground.
When he finally looked up at her, his eyes were swimming in tears.
Aahil: Why did you marry me, Sanam? Kyu shaadi ki aapne humse?
Sanam's heart stopped. She was not ready for this talk.
Aahil: Why did you marry me if you did not care one bit? Just tell me this much.
Sanam sniffed back her tears, struggling to remain calm: I thought you knew. For money.
Aahil, grim: We both know there is more to it than that.
Part 5: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/4112367/ss-the-nawab-of-bhopal-part-11-preview-pg-43?pn=17
Edited by Marybarton - 10 years ago
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
