CHAPTER 13
"Yes prasad. We will reach there by 8 pm" asad confirmed his appointment once again.
It wasnt normal for prasad to keep on checking updates so often. May be he was too pressurized with this deal. Mr qureshi is a name in the market. Surely, it will enhance business.
They settled up with few more things via phone before finally hanging up the call.
"Zoya! Are you ready. We need to reach there in an hour." Asad came out of the bedroom and looked for zoya.
"Zo-" zoya comes out in her most dull red suit that to without makeup.
"What is this zoya? Why aren't you ready yet?" Asad had a pinch of anger in voice.
"I am not coming." She threw the new dress he gifted aside next to his file and walks back to her room.
What? He asked himself. Asad followed her behind " what is wrong with you?" He asked in anger. "Tell me!" He ordered.
"I just don't want to come asad. Please." She said sadly sitting on bed.
"What is it zoya?" Asad shuts his eyes and sits next to her on floor in half sitting position.
The fresh stock of tears drops from her eyes as she fidgets with the bedsheet next to her.
"Don't i have rights to be happy?" Zoya lowered her eyes and caught few tears with index finger.
"Hey. What happened?" Clear lines of concerns now flashed on his forehead. He brought his hands to the sides of her face begging her to look at him with eyes.
"Abu is not wrong if he wants me to get married. " she fears to continue but the pain in her heart made her feel broken and heavy. She needs to pour it out before she gets suffocated.
"Asad...why can't you marry me?" She asked innocently her eyes waters more and her lips quivers in fear of him getting angry or upset at her.
"Zoya we already have discussed this-"
"I know you don't want to. But why? I atleast deserve a reason for this. If you think i am someone who is not good to get married to. Then please tell me. I promise you. I will bring improvisation in me. I will mould myself exactly like how you want your wife to be. Please. Tell me. Is there some problem with me?" She asked again. The questions that her life in hooked up somewhere in darkness made her cry even more. She felt so insecure so lost.
"Baby.." He whispered ever so softly..he wiped her tears with his thumb and pecked on her forehead. "You don't need to change for anything. You are perfect." He smiled at her while brushing his thumb on her cheeks.
"Then why asad. Why cant we have a name to our relation? Are you happy...making me your keep..." Zoya shuts her eyes in pain. The words that left her lips made asad feel immense angry. His face turned hard his eyes went red and the look said he could be destruction.
"SHUT UP! "he yelled getting up on her feet. "YOU ARE NOT A KEEP. DON'T DARE TO CALL YOURSELF THAT!" he warned her while hitting the window hard with knuckle.
The little cries of zoya turned heavy rainfall. She immediately hugged herself and brought her hands to cover her face crying in to them.
"Then who am i asad? What were the meaning of those envelopes? What is going in your mind."
Asad stared at her face and his features soften. He ran his hand in his hair in frustration. for a minute the room turned silence. Nothing could be heard accept few heartbeats and breathes.
"You know i don't believe in marriages." He admits it softly breaking the silence.
Zoya got her hands to the side and stared at asad. He turned his back to her while his voice went heavy with emotions. He was sad she could hear it.
Zoya gets up from the bed and walks to where he is standing.
"Asa..asad. I..i...promise i wont expect any...anything from this marriage. Please. I wont even ask you to..to..love me. I ...i wont bring ...any restrictions... Nor..nor i will interfere in any..anything. I promise asad ..this marriage will be exactly your like. Any condition you apply...i will accept it. Please.. Please asad i promise i will try..try to be ...a good. ..good wife.." She cried hard and the hiccups made her voice crack while she was talking.
"Marry me..ple...please. I a..am get..." She wipes her tears and looks up when she feels asad turning back to her.
"Please.. Pl..."she burst out crying. Asad felt like stones were hitting his heart. All of sudden he hated this conversation. How can he make her understand ..he cannot get married. The bitter memories the dark shadow made him restrain to think anything apart from his mother tears and the life his father gave her.
He waited for a while staring deep into hers. His face broke in to sadness and his eyes turned moist. The fear in him overpowered him and he opened his arm pulling her in to hug. Zoya rested her head on his chest while she chanted only one word while pouring her heart out..."please...please..."
Later that evening...
"Your okay." He asked stirring the spoon in coffee mug.
"Hmm." Zoya avoided his eyes and straightly went towards the refrigerator.
Asad got the second cup as well pouring the mikk sugar and coffee he stirred it and got back to the counter next to refrigerator.
"Here. Drink it." He patted her shoulder and she looked at the cup he was holding.
Without any argument zoya shuts the refrigerator door and takes the cup in her hand.
"No need to cook. We'll have dinner at your favorite restaurant." He smiles giving a light peck on her cheek.
She nods and silently took sip from the cup. She felt too tired on saying anything. It went futile when she had opened up to him. She became experienced of asad's reaction. Its vain to say him anything. He wont understand' she made an opinion of him.
Asad and zoya went to the mall for some shopping. He had cancelled the meeting she realised. But zoya chose to not tell him nothing. She was tired of him. After few dresses which he asked her to try and select. They finally moved towards the car to visit her favourite restaurant for dinner.
Asad had noticed her silence. She was being more quite than required. He tried to bring up some light topics which could lighten up her mood. But all he got in response was just a nod.
He felt empty deep inside the soul to see her not responding but he couldn't bend to her demand. He didn't want to marry her. He was not ready for marriage at all.
The car slowed down at the signal when it showed red.
Zoya peeped out of window very much aware of his eyes intensely watching her every move.
asad tapped his finger impatiently waiting for the signal to turn green. He has mentally prepared a plan to make this evening better for them. There were some list in his to do which needs to be followed.
The chaos of the market grabbed zoya's attention. She turned her head in the direction of the shop where a customer was bargaining for a red bridal duppata with the vendor.
She looked at the beauty of the dress it was truly enchanting. She couldn't withdrew her eyes off them and slowly she slipped into her never to be fun filled half wishes.
"Oh damn its taking too long." Asad chided wanted to hear her say.
He turned to see her amd found her staring at the red duppata on opposite side of road.
"You liked it?" He asked just above a whisper.
Zoya slowly took her eyes off the duppata and turned to look at him. She nods her head in slight yes.
"Wait here i will get it for you." Happy with her response he checked on his purse for some cash and turned behind to see the flow of cars he was ready to park the car aside of road.
"Let it be asad. This dress is not in my destiny." She said sadly and instantly asad's eye filled with hurt. He sighs before trying to say something but killing of his words and starting engine he drove off the car
The doorman opened the door for both and they entered the simple cozy restaurant which she liked the most. And since today her spirit was low this was the best place to bring up a smile on her face.
Zoya walks a step or two ahead if him as he slows down to answer his phone.
"Sir. Aren't you coming for the meeting?" Prasad inquires. He has a hesitation in voice.
"No. I have already texted you that. asad brows wrestles in confusion.
"Yes sir...*nervous laugh* i am just confirming it." Prasad again let out a laugh
"Sir the deal needa some documents to be signed and checked by you. " prasad informed him.
Being a very old employe of asad's company he knew he was capable of handling any deal.
"The deal was handled? I thought you cancelled it." Asad asked stopping on his feet.
"Oh yes sir. The main part is still left i only got the important quotation approval." Prasad checked on his collar.
"Okay. " asad said. "I will sign them tomorrow." He is about to disconnect the call but prasad quickly stops him " but the paper are important it has to be signed it today itself. "
Asad nods and hums while fixing a schedule with him after dinner.
"Meet you at office by 2 hr."
"Okay sir. Bye."
Asad disconnected the call and turned to look at zoya who is standing beside his bookef table. She could have sat but she refused to...
He walked up to her and pulled the chair making her sit. And then he himself took the place next to her.
Zoya showed no interest in dinner. Her mind was preoccupied with something already and he hated to notice so.
"Zoya!" He called out blurring her from trance.
"Hmm." She looked at him and saw his right hand across the table waiting for her to hold.
She looked at it like UFO and waited rethinking it.
"Comeon. Lets loosened up a bit." He smiled and grabbed her hand without her will.
There was no dance floor as such but being the most important guest of restaurant the arrangements were made of speaker with a disc generally used during Christmas.
The staff were smart to be not told what song to play. The beautiful music of bol halke halke mixed in air and the rhythm started running like a drug in the vain to all dance lovers. Soon the tables were shifted and a good amount of place were made for them to dance couples like.
In the beginning of dance zoya had no idea of the intention he had behind doing this. But as the dance started, the passion between the
two caught fire. He was determined to make her forget all her worries and soon with every touch of his she started forgetting her name.
He made every dance moves seductive for her and her mind went to blurred to thibk straight. The evening went in exchanging glance as she started to melt under his touch like a candle melts after lighting up the dark.
"Asad...where are we going?" Zoya had awaked from her sleep in the car. They had finished with their little dance and dinner and were heading home. But to her surprise he took her to office.
Asad leaned down to peck hef forehead. " just two minutes zoya i will be back soon." She understood that there must be some pending work. Being on leave almost every other day she had little knowledge of the work going in office.
"Okay." She smiled and nods her head asking him to come back soon.
Asad glanced in her direction for a while and with a silence he turned to walk inside the office, commanding his security to take care of her.
It took really long time more than required to finish the small formality to sign papers.
Prasad looked lost it. He kept on making excuses diverting his attention every now and then. But somehow he managed to complete the work.
He stretched his arm lazily and walked up to his car. He could see the light on and guessed she is still up. Asad peeped inside the window and saw her sitting silently. Her hair were on her face. He smiled at her and used the key to open his side of door.
Asad settled in and strapped her seat belt with her and simultaneously he did strapped his own.
He smiled realising she is asleep. He admired her face which had turned pale due to stress which happened all these days. The mild breeze entered his car and zoya's air flies all over her face.
Asad sighed as he intently locks his gaze with her and used his finger to tuck up one strand of hair behind his ear.
He let his skin feel the smooth soft skin of her. He drank in the moment her beauty and the silence made the atmosphere more happening.
Asad settled back straight and ignited the engine to drive back home.
Soon after they left the billal and security guard came out of the dark and watched the car disappearing from their sight. Soon the only dust gave an evident of the car being driven here.
Bilal rummage through his lower jeans and got a bundle of wags out. He counted some money and offered the security guard. The security guard greedily took the money and walked away thanking bilal for his kindness.
Once he left bilal turned to his shoulder where he could see the wheelchair he had used to transport zoya a while back. He smiled knowing the job given to him is done. He took out his phone dialing up razia's number.
"Hello."
"Hello madam." He said in hooligan types.
"You. Did you do the work i gave?" She asked as she excuse herself from the hospital bed on which humera is laying.
"Yes madam. The work is exactly accomplished as per your like." He laughed.
"Good. You will get your money soon." She assured him and he thanked her.
Razia went back to her daughter who is sleeping on hospital bed. She sits next her head and pats it lovingly.
"Finally you will get justice humera. Now people will see what a mother can do to make things good in her daughters life. I promise you beta. You will get all the respect and wealth you deserve soon with the title of Khan's. You will be the only bride of this family. This two will pay for everything he forced you and us to do and go through."
She kissed the forehead of her daughter and brought her phone out. "Hello ayaan beta. When is your flight landing.?" She asked him with a smile.
"Oh 6 hours. Okay. Come fast safely beta i and your humera is waiting for you." She said with a small laugh.
She looked at humera's sleeping form and runs her hand in her hair.
She have small talk with ayaan who looked surprisingly happy . she discussed a few things of him and humera wedding and disconnected the call.
Yes humera's wedding is fixed with ayaan now. It was unanimous decision of all to let them tie the knot after all the bad publicity of her had become in public. Rashid with lot of insist from gaffur and razia got ayaan back.
Razia replays the event that had turned after one party statement. Being called as prostitute in front of the all people of bhopal had made her go crazy in revenge. The fact that she and her daughter were insulted amongst everyone in the society by asad made her burn with anger. She walks to the near by window and stares outside it. The dawning of sun makes her remind a beautiful words..
"Wajah jo bhi thi...
Tu bhi mazboor ...main bhi mazboor ..."
********
waiting for your words. đ
Tum Se Tum Tak
221