Since her illness Zoya was exempt from doing night shifts, which suited her just fine as it meant she could spend more time with Karan. Zoya finished her evening prayer and as she folded her prayer mat away she felt herself being lifted off the floor, Karan swept her into his arms making her gasp and then giggle 'Karan put me down...what are you doing?' Karan stopped and looked into her eyes, he could finally see her lost colour come back the image of her lying on the hospital bed made him close his eyes Zoya noticed the change in his expression she turned his face to meet hers 'what happened...are you ok' Karan walked over to the bed and lay her down, he leaned over her and kissed her softly 'I am now' he whispered against her lips.
It wasn't long before it was Christmas, despite being such an occasion it was very quiet all three girls had shifts at the hospital, Rohan was out of Mumbai for a two days and Zack and Karan busy with their shoots. Karan managed to come home by dinner time but Zack didn't make it back until after half nine. Karan and Zoya came out hand in hand, something that always made everyone else smile as they were hardly so openly affectionate towards each other 'Zack...opps sorry bhaijaan and to be bhabhi jaan this is for you two from us, Merry Christmas' Zoya gave Zack and Aliza an envelope and waited in excitement for them to open it as soon as Zack took out the contents his eyes flew wide open and Alizalet out a scream 'Oh my Gosh...you have to be kidding me...Zoyaaa oh my gosh thank you thank you' Aliza said as she hugged and danced around with Zoya, Zack shook hands with Karan and hugged him 'Thanks man...this is really great' Zoya and Karan had booked two weeks on a Mediterranean cruise for their honeymoon to go over Easter as the weather would be better and for an immediate honeymoon they had booked them a week in Venice. 'Karan this is too much, seriously...' Aliza hugged Karan 'hey nothing is too much for my sis in law...am glad you liked it...and hopefully you will make the most of it' he said making Aliza blush.
'You ready to do this?' Rohan asked Karan for the umpteenth time 'yes...it's now or never, I spoke to mum earlier and told her what I was going to do, I have her support and that is all I need. I don't need to expose Zoya by face, I am not ready to do that now, but at least all this speculation will come to an end, they will come to know that Karan Oberoi is a married man and the girl they saw him hugging was not someone trying to hide her identity it was his wife who is a Muslim' Rohan patted Karan on the back 'am proud of you man...come on let's do this'. Karan had invited everyone to the New Year's party at his work place, everyone attended apart from Zoya who was filling in a night shift for someone who was unable to make it.
Karan text Zoya before he walked in the hall 'as soon as this is over I am coming to see you, I want my New Year's kiss' Zoya smiled at his message 'I'll be waiting...and just in case I can't at midnight Happy New Year Karan...I love you'.
Karan walked in with Zack and Aliza, as they made their entrance various journalists came to take pictures of them and ask them questions, Zack who had his hand around Aliza's waist pulled her closer to him 'Zack, will you not introduce us to your lady friend?' a journalist shouted out Zack and Aliza looked into each other's eyes looking back at the journalist she is not my lady friend she is my fianc and soon to be wife' as soon as the words escaped his lips every photographer aimed his lens at her and clicked pictures to no end. Aliza started to blush and feel a little uncomfortable 'Zack can we go' she whispered in his ear, Zack smiled at her and led her inside away from the media, the party was going very well, Aliza sat with Kiran on the side admiring the newly established hot celebrities, some old some new, Zack and Karan were engrossed in various conversations with their friend and colleagues from the industry.
The cast, producer and director took to the stage to welcome everyone and wish them a happy new year. Journalist took it turn to ask questions, they asked about future plot lines, what twists and turns to expect, if there were any spoilers, and general questions about the popularity of the show. When the questions became personal and were aimed at individual actors Karan braced himself. He looked towards the back of the hall to see his little family all standing together in support of him. 'Mr Oberoi...we have not heard anything from you since the picture of you and a fan was leaked into the media, what would you like to say, there was much said about how friendly you were with this young girl despite being involved in a relationship?' Karan chuckled at his question how could he not, the girl he referred to was his wife. Karan cleared his throat 'I never said anything because I didn't feel the need to, but obviously until I do you people won't let it rest' he said smiling but making sure that the sarcasm was very much evident 'well to answer your question the girl that the newspaper referred to as a crazed female fan, a stalker, someone trying it on with a rich and famous actor had every right to be there, the girl you saw me hugging in that picture is no one else but Mrs Karan Oberoi, she is my wife' the hall stood in a seconds of silence as they all tried to register and digest what Karan had just said and as soon as the shock was over he was bombarded with hundreds of questions about who she was, when did he get married, why was it such a secret.
Karan held his hand up to stop them from talking 'I will answer all those questions in one long sentence, and after that I would like you to let me get back to my friends and for you to also get back to enjoying the party. What I do in my private life is private, I got married earlier this year in a small ceremony with just my family and very close friends present, what my wife's name is and what she does is not of your business...so sorry that information I will not divulge, and just to clarify my wife was not wearing the hijab to cover up her identity or as a disguise she was wearing it because she is a Muslim' Karan looked at the shocked faces and heard the gasps he couldn't help laughing but then he heard something that surprised him there were people from his production house, some of his co-stars and then there were his friends Zack, Aliza, Rohan and Kiran who stood clapping and cheering for him.
Karan didn't care if he was rude in the way he spoke, the media showed no one any mercy so why should he, he had nothing personally against them after all it was through them that anyone is recognised, but what he didn't like was there constant interference in peoples personal and private lives, they always exaggerated and made up malicious stories, according to him they needed to be more sensible more responsible, there was no denying that they were the most powerful force around but that didn't give them the right to cause mayhem in anyone's life.
Karan was congratulated by his colleagues, a lot of them a little upset that he did not even share his news with them, but on the whole they understood as they all were guilty of holding back and hiding things about their personal lives. The only person Karan confided in was his producer, who guaranteed him total confidence. Karan told him about Zoya, who she was and what she did and how they met, Karan' s producer admired him and was able to empathise with his situation, reason being that his sister was married to a Muslim 'you now Karan, it is great when people who have a lot of social influence, who are looked up to by people in our society come out and do things like this, it brings more tolerance, more acceptance something that should have existed a long time ago...I am proud of you, especially doing what you just did, it takes courage. There are many good examples in out Indian film industry where there have been multiple inter faith marriages, but for some reason they are always more readily accepted than that of an average man. You are the face of India's world of television I am sure that this will be accepted and welcomed in the same manner and same light'. Karan shook his hand and thanked him.
Karan bid farewell to everyone he wanted to see Zoya before he headed off home. Zoya was covering pediatrics Karan made his way to the ward where he saw her writing something. He stood in front of her desk 'Happy New Year doctor' 'Happy New...Karan' Zoya saw Karan standing before her, she got of her chair and sprinted around the table before jumping up into his arms. Karan held her tight, he buried his face in her the crook of her neck and inhaled her sweet scent. 'How's my princess?' he said as he kissed the tip of her nose 'she is good...can't wait to go home though...how was your party?' 'It went really well, the gang was there...actually they are still there...um we had the media there and I was asked a lot of questions?' Karan kept his eyes locked with Zoya, he wanted to read her thoughts before he continued she looked back at him and loosened her grip around his waist 'about me...I mean about the news article?' Karan nodded 'I told them that the girl they referred to as the crazy stalker was my beautiful wife...I told them that I was married and have been for some time...and that my beautiful wife that I love so much is a Muslim...not the same religion as me' Zoya looked at him gob smacked, she was lost for words 'you actually told them...all that ...Kara...' Karan placed his lips over hers before she said anything else and kissed her softly 'don't think about it Zoya ...please...I did what maybe I should have done a long time ago...and I have no regrets...but despite all this I still didn't reveal your name or occupation, I didn't want anything coming back to you whilst you were here'. Zoya smiled at him, she leaned up and quickly pecked his lips again 'I love you so much Mr Karan Oberoi' 'and I love you too Mrs...Dr...Zoya Farooqui-Oberoi'
As expected the next day every celebrity based newspaper and magazine had Karan's story plastered over it, some saying very positive things and some not so, but that bothered neither him nor Zoya, the truth was finally out. Where everyone here was happy and thankful that the worst was over on the other side stood Vickram Oberoi and Indu who still were filled with anger and disgust at what they read.
for a 6th Thread
Music Corner
Current Affairs
Cricket
Arjun
