"What?"
"You can't be serious! I mean i didn't think that we were going so serious." He spoke surprised.
"What do you mean by "you didn't think we were going serious"?" she asked quoting his lines by showing those quotes in the air.
"Look, i don't understand why is there a need for you to rush! We have all the time in the world." He replied still not understanding her sudden outbursts.
"Aapi and jeeju said that they have given me enough time. It's been nearly 3 years since we started working and this is the proper age where I should get married." She replied trying to control her tears.
"So you decided that we should get married? Like are you kidding me? You know i can't believe YOU are so desperate to get married so soon!" he replied shocked.
"Look Asad, i respect my aapi and jeeju's decision and i'm going to follow it whether you are there with me or not!" she replied coldly.
"Are you breaking up on me? I mean like is this the way to even break up? Hilarious! Great, go ahead! Hope you have a happy married life!" he replied sarcastically before walking away.
And soon she just dropped down into the sand burying her face in her hands as she slowly let herself breakdown. The sun was setting and the people were also slowly dispersing since it wasn't safe after 10 in the night. But she still sat there unknown to the world as she cried out her sorrows. Was there something wrong she asked for? Ever since college they had been together and were the only couple who would make all other couples feel jealous.
Asad Ahmed Khan one of the most hottest guy on the campus and also ranking first as the sexiest hunk in the college, was dating the most gorgeous lady any man could set his eyes on. Her elegance, her charm and her sincerity won the hearts of all including her teachers as well. All the guys used to envy Asad Ahmed Khan for dating the most prettiest lady and the same was with the girls.
Asad and Zoya had been neighbours and Dilshaad, Asad's mom was Anwar's distant relative who had helped her when Rashid had abandoned her in this selfish world all alone without bothering to look back.
They are now working in the same firm and were on their well-deserved break in Goa when Zoya decided to break this news since aapi had started her boy-hunt though knowing about Asad and Zoya. They had never really officially claimed to be a couple in front of their family and neither did their family object since they knew that their kids knew their limits.
After an hour or so, she made her way back to the hotel unknown about the time whereas Asad was restless and getting worried as she wasn't back yet. Letting go of his anger he quickly stepped out of the hotel to search her after getting no response from her room. He had asked the staff at the lobby but they had confirmed of not seeing her entering the hotel and his worry just doubled and he was cursing himself for reacting too harshly in that situation.
He could have calmly told her that he would have given it a thought but he had like a foolish person reacted impulsively. He went to the beach, the market, the church and all other places they had been to but couldn't trace her.
Back there in the hotel Zoya without bothering to listen to the staff had just locked herself into the room and headed straight to the washroom for a shower. Soon the staff had managed to contact Asad and informed him of her arrival and without wasting a single moment, he headed straight back to the hotel thanking God throughout for protecting her. He had almost lost his mind thinking all sorts of horrid possibilities and was planning to even check the hospitals but just then he received a call from the hotel, "Sir, Ma'am has returned back to the hotel however she wasn't listening to us and headed straight to her room i suppose." One of the staff informed. "Allah ka lakh lakh shukhar hai! Yea.. Thanks. I'll soon be there. Thank you very much!" he replied relieved but he must have shed a few tears.
"Zoya, Zoya! Darvaaza kholo! Please? Open the door, dammit!" he banged angrily when one of the hoteliers came to inform him to keep his volume in check since there had been complaints. "My girlf... i mean my friend has locked herself into the room and isn't responding. She is angry with me but i need to see her for once!" he pleaded as once again disastrous thoughts started creeping into his mind. "No, no my zoya is strong and wouldn't do anything drastic" he thought to himself to calm his erratic heartbeat.
Since their rooms had terraces which were quite close by he jumped from his terrace into hers and soon was in her room when he heard the shower on. "Zoya, Zoya! Darvaza kholo varna main andar aa jaunga darvaaza todke" he replied banging his fists in her bathroom door but on receiving no reply he was about to open the door when the shower was turned off and the door opened. However he was already about to break open when he bumped into Zoya thus pushing her into the bathtub with him upon her.
At first she was to baffled to react as to how she was suddenly pushed back in the bathtub but was nervous when she saw it was Asad and she was in just her bathrobe, her hair still wet.
"Aaa" but luckily the tub was still filled with water thus not hurting them much except drenching them.
"Are you ok?" he asked his voice laced with concern.
"Huh.. yeah.. i think you should leave." She said ducking her head not able to face him due to lack of presentation.
"Oh.. Haan.. i mean i'll wait for you outside room." And quickly rushed to his room but was soon back to say, "We need to talk, so don't even think about ignoring me!"
After both had dressed and got rid of their wet clothes, they met in the hotel restaurant which was luckily still open. Both after putting forth their orders, were looking at each other when Zoya looked away feeling awkward.
"Look Zoya, i understand that aapi must have been telling you to get married and all but do YOU really want to get married so soon? And don't reply immediately. Give it a thought and then truthfully answer what you really feel." He said and held her hands but she immediately withdrew.
"Oh! So you think i won't answer truthfully? Why don't you just say it that you don't trust me?" she asked anger running through her veins.
"Hey hey, you're getting me all wrong! I'm just saying that give it a thought, like have some me time and then really ask yourself." He replied honestly
"Look Asad, all these years Aapi had been after me for getting married but i asked for more time since i knew myself that i was not ready. But now i think it's high time i do get married, Asad. One day or the other i would have to get married and i really want to get married irrespective of whether you are there as my groom or somebody else." She replied ending in a colder tone.
"I don't understand but i think you would have to move on since you clearly can't wait for a few more years. I have nothing more to say on this matter. Anyways i'm glad tomorrow is our last day here and probably the last day as us as well. Good night and i'll see you in the afternoon for the flight." He replied before walking off without dinner.
Zoya tried her best to control her tears but failed miserably and just walked out of the restaurant into the hotel's garden by the pool. "Allah miya, why me? Why is not Asad able to understand? Does he not love me the way i do? Where did i go less in our relation? I'm probably destined to be alone, i suppose considering even ammi and abbu left me all alone here when i was young. Please tell me, allah miya, that how many more heartbreaks do i have to face? I don't have the enough strength to face any more heartbreaks. Please help me?" she thought to herself as she looked down and closed her eyes to just let her tears fall probably the last time as she made a resolution to not cry anymore no matter what.
Next day:
By evening they were back in Bhopal and even Phuphi was at our place awaiting our arrival. Throughout the flight he had not even once bothered to initiate a conversation and neither did she bother to knowing he had completely withdrew himself from the relation and they had officially probably ended their relation today.
"Kaisa tha trip, Asad kahan hai?" "Kahan kahan ghume?" "Arey, abhi abhi isne kadam rakhi hai ghar ke andar, saans toh lene do, ise!" Anwar said as he tried calming the 2 overly-excited ladies.
Zoya tried to keep a smile on her face trying to match with their level of excitement but failed and Anwar mistaking it for tiredness asked her to have some rest when Asad called out for Dilshaad from the gateway, "Ammi, hamara ghar yahan hain, wahan nahi, toh please aap jaldi aayengi?" "Asad ko kya ho gaya? Use andar bula lijiye, na Dilshaad ji?" Zeenat asked surprised since she had not even got a reply from Zoya when she had asked and now he seemed angry for some reason. "Ya Allah, did they fight? Is that why my zoya seemed sad?" she thought to herself.
"Nahi, Rehne do zeenat, main use dekh loongi, kal milenge. Allah Hafiz!" and saying so Dilshaad walked out worried.
"Kya hua Asad? Holiday jaldi khatam ho gaya toh, chid-chid ho rahi hai? Bilkul ammi ki yaad nahi aayi hogi na?" she asked teasingly on seeing his grumpy face. "Ammi, main abhi thak gaya hoon, kal subhe beth kar baat karenge. Good night!" and without bothering for her reaction walked straight to his bedroom up the stairs. "Isse kya ho gaya? Dinner bhi nahi karna chahta? Ajeeb ladka hai, kal dekh loongi iss bandhe ko!" she thought to herself as she made her way to kitchen.
Next morning:
"Zoya, wake up beta! It's almost 10!" Zeenat said trying to wake her Kumbhkaran like sister! "Aapi, let me sleep no! I'm tired and anyways its Saturday today! So please relax and in fact even you go to sleep!" and saying so pulled the duvet over her head.
At lunch:
"Zoya kahin dikhai, nahi de rahi?" Dilshaad asked. "Dekhiye na, abhi tak uthne ka naam nahi le rahi! 10 baar jaakar utha ne ki koshish ki maine. Asad ka kya haal hai?" she asked exasperatedly. "
"I don't know why but i feel there has been something wrong between these two. In the morning when at breakfast i asked him about the trip he just ignored and seemed to be mumbling something and when i asked him to join me for lunch, he just said he would join if he is hungry! Even last night's dinner he skipped." Dilshaad said worriedly.
She had noticed his behaviour slightly changed, though he would crib about holiday getting over, he would be excited to be back as well but it was totally different this time.
"Asalaam Waalekum!" Zoya greeted everyone and at the same time even Asad stepped into the Farooqui house. They both exchanged quick glances and without bothering to acknowledge each other went and sat on the table as far as they could.
Everyone stared at the 2 weirdly. "Kya hua?" asked Zoya. "Hmm...? Kuch nahi" and saying so they tried to continue their lunch.
"Ok, so now that lunch is over, i would like to officially ask Dilshaad ji, may i ask Asad's hand for my Zoya? I think it's high time they settle now!" Zeenat asked excitedly and both Asad and Zoya looked at each other shocked.
"Thank god! Zeenat even i was not sure how to approach you! I'm glad you did. I have no problem in Zoya as my daughter-in-law! In fact that's what i had always wanted and now that i am getting, what more can i ask for?!" Dilshaad replied excitedly. "So Asad, Zoya you have anything to say?" Dilshaad asked naughtily.
"Ammi..." "Phoopi" they both stuttered. "Haan, toh bolo toh sahi aage? Accha toh baat karna hai?" Dilshaad asked teasingly. "Ammi, mujhe yeh nikaah nahi karna hai toh pleaae band kijiye ye sab!" asad burst before walking away from the house.
Everyone turned towards Zoya but even she walked off after mumbling something.
"Zoya...?" Zeenat called out as she stood out of her room. Dilshaad had left to see the matter with her son and zeenat was trying to get Zoya to talk.
"Beta, i know you are in there so please open the door. We could just speak and nothing else. I promise i won't force you if you don't want to speak about it now but just open the door." Zeenat called out helplessly and soon even Anwar joined her. Zoya had come out of her room and was going to the hall followed by the worried duo.
"Zoya?" Anwar prompted.
"Aapi-Jeeju, Asad nikaah nahi karna chahta hai mujhse aur nahi main usse force karungi. Main aapke choice ke ladke se nikaah karne ke liye taaiyar hoon, aur haan please mujhe mat poochiye kyun, kyunki main khud nahi jaanti aur nahi aap main se koi usse baat karega." She said as she saw Zeenat try and intervene.
"Zoya yeh bas tumhare nikaah ki baat nahi hai beta. Tum aur Asad ek dusre se pyaar karte ho. Agar koi jhagda hua hai toh hume bataana. Koi na koi hal hoga hi! Aise koi chotti baat ka itna bada nahi karte ki ek dusre ki aur dekh bhi na sako, baat karne ki toh dur ki baat hai." Zeenat said.
"Aapi, main aur der nahi karna chahti aur nahi main kisi se baat karna chahti hun, toh please aap mere liye ladka dhoondhna shuru kijiye." Zoya said before walking back to the room.
Anwar and Zeenat just looked at each other helplessly before Zeenat broke down in his arms.
It hurt Zoya but what else could she do? At this moment she hated Asad more than anything for doing this to her and her family and she didn't know how would she face him tomorrow without insulting him at the office.
The next day at the office:
"Hi guys! You mind if i join you?" Zoya asked trying her best to smile.
Everyone stared at her awkwardly before looking at Asad who seemed to be eating all by himself.
"Zoya... Umm.. Yea sure! Is everything ok?" Humeira asked hesitantly since everyone knew that Asad and Zoya would never do a thing without each other and Zoya would always wait for him no matter how late it got.
"Yeah...! So how's life?" she asked a bit too brightly yet awkwardly.
"Great..." they replied before silently finishing of lunch.
In the evening when everyone was leaving Zoya sat in her cubicle staring into the city when somebody knocked at her door.
"Zoya...?" Farhaan asked as he walked into her box.
"It's quite late... Aren't you leaving? I mean Asad is already downstairs waiting..." he said as he was unaware of their break up and their behaviour at lunch.
"No.. I'll be late so i'll be making my way on my own.." she said as she tried to control her tears.
"How long? I can wait since even i have a few works impending." He offered.
"Hhmm.. No don't bother... I'll be fine.." she tried protesting but to deaf ears.
"Uhm.. I'll finish up in 2 mins... Meet you at the entrance?" she said as she started clearing her desk.
"Sure.. I'll get my car out then." He said before walking out.
Zoya was waiting for Farhaan when she noticed Asad waiting outside, however she made no efforts to go to him and tell him to leave.
Soon Farhaan drove up and zoya got in and they drove off.
Asad had seen all that and was furious at her for making him wait. She could have atleast informed him, right? But more than furious he was hurt. Hurt that just the word "marriage" had broken them apart, then what would happen if they actually got married?
Everyday they would come together and go back together. Even in the morning she hadn't come with him and aapi had told him not so politely that she would be late today. But anwar jeeju had come in quickly and explained that she had woken up late hence he would drop her himself.
It was late in the night and everyone had settled in their respective rooms, but Zoya was not able to sleep so being restless decided to get some fresh air and at the same time Asad was also sitting in the garden.
She saw him and was staring at him but he seemed to be sitting as if without a care in the world with his usual cup of coffee but not the usual company, her.
He had not even bothered to call her and nor speak with her at home or in the office. There was a height to rudeness and even she had self-respect so why should she bother all the time? She had messaged him but he hadn't bothered replying and when she had called him he had not even received the call yesterday night.
And there he sat there mourning over his lost relationship between him and his phone. Ever since they had returned from Goa, his Rs.45,000 had decided to go for a toss by not switching on when needed and he had ended up using his old phone.
"Humpf, Mr. Akdu and rude Khan i don't give a shit about you! I hate you!" she thought to herself before going back to her room.
The next morning:
"Asad...! Asad...? Maine table par breakfast laga diya hai. Tum khaa lena. Mujhe bohot saare kaam hai toh main baad main khalungi." Dilshad said as she hurried from one place to the other.
Asad was just staring at his ammi as she was dressed heavily as if for a wedding and was bustling around.
"Ammi...?" he prompted her to answer his unasked questions.
"Asad! Jaldi aao!" she called out to his room.
"Those 2 sacks there...?" Asad asked.
"Yes. And also the one behind that! Quickly! They must already be waiting for me!" Dilshaad exclaimed.
"Ammi.. Who?" he asked confused.
"Quick help me choose a nice lovely orange duppata!" she ordered as she opened all the sacks and started hunting.
"Ammi... Calm down.. But why all this so sudden? And have your breakfast till i search." He said as he pushed her towards the breakfast table.
"Theekhe par dupatta bohot khoobsurat hona chahiye! Aaj meri beti bilkul ek pari dikhni chahiye...!" she said dreamily.
"Ammi yeh wala theek rahega?" he asked as he pulled a heavy orange chunni with beautiful yet delicate pattern of stonework.
"Perfect! Ab tum bhi kha lena!" she said as she quickly sorted out things before leaving with the chunni.
"Par ammi..?" he asked into the empty house.
It was late in the night when Asad returned. However Dilshaad was nowhere to be seen. Tensed he quickly called up Anwar who informed him about Dilshaad sleeping with them for today.
Anwar offered him to join but he politely refused and was confused as to what was going on. He couldn't even ask Zoya.
This marriage topic had ruined them badly. What was the need to bring up this topic? Why can't they see how destructive just the word marriage is? Look at Ammi's nikaah! What did it turn out to be? A perfect failure.
His abbu left them for good without bothering to turn back. His ammi lost her second child due to miscarriage yet she lived her life for her son.
Sometimes I feel it would have been better had i not been born. Ammi wouldn't have had to be bound to that horrid man and would have led a happy married life.
The next morning:
"Ammi, aap raat ko wahi so gayi thi? Sab theek toh hai na?" he asked as he was having an uneasy feeling.
"Arey beta hum bas thak gaye they pure din main! Isilye hum raat ko baithe they aur pataa hi nahi chala sabh so gaye!" she said with a smile.
"Ammi kal kiska nikaah tha?" he asked as he started his breakfast.
"Nikaah? Kaise nikaah? Kal kisika nikaah nahi tha!" she replied confusedly.
"Par aap kaafi taiyar ho kar jaa rahi thi!" he reminded.
"Haan voh! Main tumhe bataana hi bhool gayi! Ye loh mooh mitha karo! Zoya ka nikaah tey ho gaya hai!" she said as she fed a piece of sweet into his mouth.
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Do leave behind your likes and comments! Ignore the errors! đ đ
Aashka
Index:
Part 1: Above
Part 2: Page 8
Link to my AsYa SS: Just in Time!
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/3994122/asya-ss-just-in-time-link-to-thread-2
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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