CHAPTER 9
In the hospital:
Asad was in the lab getting some tests done. Dilshad, Najma, Appi and Jeeju sat together, their hands clasped in tension. Ayan and Zoya sat at a corner, bent over her iPad. They were grasping as much as they could about Leukemia from Google. Rashid stood alone in another corner, his shoulders slumped. For the last 20 years or so, his life had been helpless. But he had never felt this helpless before. Not when he had been forced to burn the factory to ground and watching the lady inside burn inside. Not when he had to leave his family and go stay in the Siddiqui Mansion. Never like this!
After a few minutes, Zoya turned up at his side. For the first time, she had a pained and angry expression on her face on seeing him. Rashid tried to touch her, but she moved away from him.
"You know what Mr. Rashid Ahmed Khan, I really considered you as my Dost...and I really thought that you were not as guilty as your family thinks you are. May be that's true. But still, the truth is YOU ARE GUILTY. Koi bhi majoboori kyun na ho Dost, the truth is you left your family to fend for themselves. You left your little kids to grow up by themselves. And it was wrong. You have no idea how much your wife and kids have suffered...financially and emotionally. You are guilty, and it's high time you apologized to them for it. May be they will never forgive you, and frankly I won't blame them for it...but still you gotta try. You got to do your job. If you can't tell the truth to Asad and apologize to him, then it's my sincere request...please don't come see him. It pains him way too much, and I won't see that happen at any cost."
Rashid looked down and nodded. Zoya stared at his tear-stricken face for a moment, and then walked away.
.o.O.o.
Ayan: Zoya, Bhaijaan theek ho jaenge na?
Zoya: Ayan, your Bhaijaan doesn't show it, but at the moment he is at his weakest point emotionally. It's our job to get him out of it. We have to be strong for him; we have to fight this monster together. All of us. I believe that if we really want something from our heart, then Allah Miyaan will definitely listen to us. Plus Mr. Khan and Phuphi have always been very good persons. They have never hurt anyone knowingly, never thought ill of anyone, and they have suffered all their lives. I don't think Allah Miyaan will be that cruel to them.
Ayan: I know Zoya. We gotta try our best. And we will never give up.
Zoya: That's like my Rabert.
Zoya hugged him affectionately.
Ayan: You know what, it's good Bhaijaan fell for you. You have been my dream Bhabhi. Now look at that blush!
She whacked him lightly.
Zoya: Yep, and I always wanted a family like this. A little brother like you, minus the bird nest.
Ayan: Hey, nobody insults my hair style!
Zoya: Well I am your "dream Bhabhi". So deal with it!
She crossed her arms and sat straight. Ayan turned away in mock anger muttering:
Slip of tongue tha. I meant more like nightmare Bhabhi!
Zoya: (laughing and pulling his cheeks) Hawww look at this little monster! Such a cute boy!
Ayan: Chhiii!
Zoya just laughed.
o.O.o.
Doctor's cabin:
Doctor: Okay, so I talked to Dr. Siddharth Mukherjee and he agreed to treat Asad. You leave for New York ASAP, as soon as all the paper work and stuff are done. That's in two days. Okay?
That boy is one of the best oncologists out there, and has the best record in curing Leukemia. And that's really saying something, seeing as he is so young.
Zoya: Doctor, you said his name is Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee?
Doctor: Yes. Any problem?
Zoya: No no, I just had a friend with that name. It's nothing,
Asad frowned at her. She looked weird.
Asad: Doctor, how long is it gonna take? The treatment, I mean?
Doctor: I can't say anything about that Asad. In fact, nobody can. Cancer is such an unpredictable thing. First of all, you are gonna get your first phase of Chemo. Rest depends on how your cells react after that. *Asad looked down* But you gotta keep the fighting spirit up, alright?
Dilshad held his hand.
Dilshad: He will! He is my son.
Doctor: (smiling) I know Dilshad! Okay then...come collect you papers two days from now. And call me anytime. Okay?
Everyone: Thanks Doctor. Khuda Hafez.
Doctor: Khuda Hafez.
o.O.o.
Rashid: Asad, can I talk to you for a second?
Asad stared at him, shocked and angry. He wanted to brush him off, like he had brushed them off their lives. But then what was wrong in knowing what he had to say. Anyways, this was probably the last time he was gonna talk or ever see Abbu. He laughed silently. He nodded at the rest of his family to go ahead and leave.
Zoya: I will wait outside.
Asad: So, kya bolne hai aapko abhi? Now when you know I am gonna die...finally!
Rashid: Aisa mat bolo Asad! Please ek baar meri baat sun lo.
Asad: Aapki baat sun ne ke lie I have waited for a long time Janab. Maine humesha se aapse ye sun na chaha h ki aapne humain aise kyun chhoda. Humain itni takleef kyun di. Kya paisa itna jyada mayne rakh sakta h kisi ke lie? Kya paisa kabhi kisi ke lie apne khoon, apne biwi bachhe se jyada mayne rakh sakta h?
Rashid: Asad I know maine tumhare saare galat kia. Bahut jyada galat kia. I know main tumhare maafi ke bilkul layak nahin hoon. But somebody said ki I gotta try. Just let me tell you something, okay? Bachpan main jaise main tumhe stories sunata tha, waise hi ek story samajh ke sun lo. I beg you Asad...just hear me out.
Asad: I don't want to have any regrets before I die...so be assured that I won't interrupt. Go on. Tell me the "story".
Rashid: I know you will never forgive me. And I know I don't even deserve forgiveness for what I did. I wanna tell you that yes, I am guilty. I am guilty for having a flick with Shireen. Nobody forced me to do it. That I'd admit. It's not like I didn't love Dilshad. She was my world. She still is. But I was young, and stupid and drunk like anything. She always had this crush on me, and that night I made the most terrible mistake of my life. Then the next morning, I find out what happened and I was so clueless. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to make it right. I took advantage of her nave nature, and I convinced her to keep it a secret for so long. Ir helped that she didn't have any friends or family. I could never muster up the courage to tell Dilshad. I couldn't risk breaking my family. My perfect family. I couldn't say a word to her. Ayan was born, I loved that boy, and yet I hated him. He was the mark of my mistake, yet he was just a kid. My kid. When Shireen left him, I couldn't just leave him like that. I finally told Dilshad, and it broke my heart to see her breaking apart like that. She loved me more than anyone, and I had broken her trust. Still your Ammi is so good at heart that with time, she forgave me. She loved Ayan like her own. No woman except her would do that. I was so so proud of her. Then I started working for the Siddiqui Industries. I was getting paid well. Our family was happy together. Najma was such a cute child. You and Ayan were my heroes. Remember, we planned that trip to the hill station? Everything was going so well...and then on the day of Najma's birthday, all hell broke loose. We were celebrating her birthday, then I got a call from Razia Siddiqui, asking me to go the Gudia factory ASAP. They were my employees, what could I say? I took Najma with me, because she wanted a doll. You wanted to come as well, remember? Thank God, I didn't take you. Anyways, I reach there and it's abandoned and all dark. There was no single person in sight, though the machines were on, Najma started crying, so I handed her a doll and called Razia again, frustrated. She then asked me to burn the factory because of court issue and get out ASAP. It was really dark, Najma was crying as well, plus your Ammi called asking why we were taking so long and all. So I just wanted to get done with it. I put it on fire. When I was getting out, I noticed a woman's body lying out there on the floor. I tried to get to her, but I couldn't. Around her, flames were bursting with so much intensity like someone had put kerosene in there. My mind was not working at all; I took hold of Najma and called Razia again, telling her what I had seen. She was shocked that I had let an innocent woman die; it was like I had murdered that woman, she said, but then asked me to leave the place. So I did. When I turned my car, I saw a little girl lying just outside on the entrance. I was scared to my wits, but somehow I went o her. She was almost unconscious, but kept mumbling "Mere Ammi ko bachao! Help my Ammi!" I had never felt this guilty Asad...that little girl's voice still haunts me in my dreams. I had seen her Ammi die and I had done nothing. I had been the cause of her Ammi's death. Yet Asad, I was such a coward. I took her and I found a number in her purse. 011-something. US code. I called that number and asked the lady to collect the little girl from this orphanage as her mother was no more. Then I hung up, and left that little angel in front of the orphanage that your Ammi went to teach. When we returned home, it was already too late. Everyone was tired and asleep. I had learnt from my past mistakes Asad. I was going to tell everything to your Ammi the next day. But next day, Gaffur Siddiqui asked me to come to office early. When I went there, they led me to believe that it was I who killed that woman. They didn't believe me and said they had to report to the police. I said I'd go on with it. But Gaffur Siddiqui then said that he had a reputation in the town. He won't let it become public that a murder had happened in his factory. I believed him because he looked really thoughtful and serious. He asked me if anyone else had been there. His eyes bored deep at me, like he knew for sure that there was someone else, I thought of the little girl, and I said No. I didn't want her to be dragged into this. Thren Razia Siddiqui revealed that Shireen was Gaffur's sister and that they knew what I had done to her. I was really sorry for that, and I said so. Then Gaffur Siddqui said, I still remember it clearly, "Agar aap apne biwi bachhon ko salamat chahte hain, tab aapko unse humesha humesha ke lie rishta todna padega...aur humari behen Shireen se nikah karna padega. Warna aap jaante hain kya hoga." I was scared Asad. I knew them for the evil people they were. They showed me how they had got some people killed because they didn't pay heed to their warnings. I wanted you guys safe. So I had to do it. I had to do everything that I have done to you guys. I am sorry for all the pain I have caused to you. I know even if I spend one lifetime trying to make it up to you, it still wont be enough. But I want you to know that it was the hardest decision of my life too. I had no one I could share the truth with, and there was absolutely nothing I could do to end your pain. I had to pretend to not see you when you saw me. You have no idea how hard that was. But I always kept tabs on you...from afar. It broke my heart every time I saw any of you, and yet I had no choice. And I was proud of you Asad. Always have been. You are nothing like me. You are so strong, smart, courageous and you always do the right thing. I wish I had been like you Asad! I have been suspicious about the Siddquis for so long. I started looking into it secretely few months back, and you know what happened. They tried to get your Ammi killed. That day, seeing her in the hospital bed fighting between life and death, I gave up. I gave up trying to find out the truth and try to make it up to you. I can live with the guilt, I can live knowimg that you hate me, but I can't see any of your lives in danger.
Asad: I"
Rashid: I know you don't believe me. And I won't force you to. I just wanted to let you know, that's it. I just want you to know that, yes I have made an innumerable number of unforgivable mistakes but I love you Asad. I love you a lot. You are my eldest son, my most favourite son and person in this whole world. I want you to stay strong and not give up hope. You have fought your bitter childhood and got over it successfully, this is nothing compared to that. Plus you have so many people who love you and would never let you go, so don't give up and don't even think that you are gonna fail in this test of life. You will get well son. I can bet on that. And don't even think of pushing her away, you will regret it your whole life. And it's not like she would let you do that anyways *he laughs* She is a beautiful girl Asad. Just like your Ammi. Asad...let me know if you would mind if I turn up at New York. Take care son. Khuda Hafez.
Before Asad could say anything, Rashid left. After a minute, he went outside to see Zoya fiddling with her iPad. She saw him and got up.
Asad: Take me the boat house, please.
Zoya: Okay.
They spent the time lost in their thoughts. Asad thinking about what Rashid said, and Zoya stealing glances at him and wondering about how to cheer him up.
At the boat house:
Asad sat down on the sofa. Zoya went to the other room and got the guitar. She started playing it...of course doing a very "good" job, if you know what I mean! Asad couldn't help laughing a bit.
Zoya: (huffed) Just because you can play it well doesn't mean everybody can.
There was a small smile playing on her lips though. She had managed to do it, yayyy!!
Asad: I know I know. But I just really believed that there is nothing that Zoya Farooqui can't do in this world.
Zoya: Shut up! Anyways, I did manage to do what I wanted to do. And besides that, I made Akdu Ahmed Khan fall for me and con fess it. So don't you dare taunt me, okay?
Asad stared at her. He was smart enough to make the connection between what Rashid had said and what he knew about Zoya's life. Surely he needed proofs *and he would find one from his Ammi*, but he almost knew it was true. Call it gut feeling. And if it was true, he could only imagine what it meant. She was the most selfless and loving person he had ever seen *after his Ammi*...yet her life was so so tragic. All of a sudden, he felt so much protective of her that he put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer, resting his face in her hair. He wanted to protect her from all that crap. She put her head on his shoulder, and they sat like that for a long time.
He wanted to tell her what Rashid had said, but he didn't want her to know anything about Gaffur's or her own involvement. He would have to discuss it with Ammi.
Asad: Zoya, if Rashid Ahmed Khan told you that he left us because he was blackmailed that if he didn't leave us, we would have been in danger, would you believe him? Would you believe that Ammi was shot because he poked into that issue and his blackmailers were the ones behind shooting her?
Zoya stared at him, shocked. That would explain it, of course.
Zoya: It's quite plausible. As much as I know him, I would actually believe him. See I knew him before I knew that he is related to you or before he knew that I am related to you. And then, he really missed you guys.
Asad: I don't know what to believe really. I...need time to think about it.
Zoya: Okay.
Asad: So, Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee...did you find out if he is your friend or not?
Zoya: Yeah, it's Sid only.
Asad: So he is your friend?
Zoya: Yeah, we were best friends, and inseparable.
Asad: Then what happened?
Zoya: What?
Asad: What went wrong?
Zoya: Then we just lost touch I guess.
Asad: May I know the reason?
Zoya: Well you see, we were best friends right! We even went to Homecoming together. So naturally...I mean back then in high school, everyone is just so stupid and all you know..so we just started dating!
Asad: You what?
Zoya: Yaa...so we dated. But things didn't work out between us very well. So we broke up. Then after that, it became very awkward, and we could never become friends again. That's it.
Asad: Well, I didn't know you had a boyfriend before.
Zoya: People do stupid mistakes in high school. It's no big deal.
Asad: Doesn't look like that to me.
Zoya: Are you jealous?
Asad: I am just stating the obvious. You look very uncomfortable.
Zoya: So do you. See...it's nothing. I just really miss him, as a FRIEND. He was really my best buddy, and we messed it up pretty bad. I regret it, that's all.
Asad: Last question. Regret what? Pairing up with him, or breaking up with him?
Zoya: Pairing up with him, and breaking up the way we did. I could have set it right. But I was too enraged, and there. I am left with a life without my childhood BFF...that's best friend forever. And just so that you know, I don't regret breaking up with him the way that we did, because how else would I have met and fallen for this hot shot munda!
She linked her arms with his, beaming up at him. He smiled down at her. After a few moments,
Zoya: Mr. Khan?
Asad: Hmm?
Zoya: Will you marry me?
Asad: What?
What's up with her?
Zoya: What what?
It's not like he hasn't thought of marrying me, idiot!
Asad: I mean all of a sudden, why bring this up? And isn't it supposed to be me asking that question?
Zoya: Ya...but you didn't. And somebody has to ask the obvious. So, there it is.
Asad: Umm...
Zoya: Don't think up any excuse okay? Nothing is gonna work. Hum nikah kar rahein hain, before we leave for New York.
Asad: Zoya we can wait till I am better. You know...
Zoya: No I can't wait till then.
Asad: I am afraid I can't marry you till I get"
Zoya: Nonsense! You"
Asad: Zoya please, I am not gonne let you marry me when I am on my way to my deathbed"
Zoy: Mr.Khan!!
Asad: I am not"
Zoya: Mr. Khan please don't say no. please I just ask this one thing from you. Don't deny it. I wanna be by your side when you are fighting"
Asad: You will be by my side anyways Zoya, nikah or no nikah. So what's the big deal? Does it really make a difference? Let me finish. And don't you want to marry with all the festivities and with all your friends and family present, with no tension whatsoever? So it's best to get married after I am better. Okay?
Zoya: How well you know me, and yet you don't. Of course it's a big deal. *fiddling with his shirt button* I want to be known as Mrs. Asad Ahmed Khan to the world. I want the world to know that you are taken...for life.
Asad: (smiling through tears)The world will know anyway.
Zoya: I...mujhe nikah karna hai aapse buss. And you can't deny it to me. And yes, no doubt I would like to marry with all the festivities and blah blah blah, but as long as humara nikah ho rha h kyun ki hum ek doosre se pyaar karte hain and ek doosre se nikah karna chahte hain, I would be the happiest. Nothing else would really matter to me.
Asad: You are only saying that.
Zoya: I mean what I say.
Asad: Oh really?
Zoya: Yes really.
Asad: Okayy.
Zoya: You mean yes?
Asad nodded and smiled.
Asad: (muttering) Siddhartha Mukherjee huh!
She squealed with happiness and flung herself at him, hugging him tightly and saying "thanks" over and over. She wouldn't stop saying that for sooo long that Asad would just have to shut her up with a kiss. *A lip-to-lip kiss like Rani from Queen would say!*
And the ride back home, she was silent and blushing. And so was he. But we know Zoya Farooqui and silent in one sentence...how long is that gonna hold!!
Precap:
Asad aur Zoya ka nikah?
HELL YEAH.
FINALLY.
A/N : This time I have nothing to defend myself. It's totally MY FAULT. So I am really sorry. I have been out of the AsYa-loop for too long. I didn't really feel like writing, and I couldn't write because I had to. I just logged into IF yesterday, and I saw my post promising to post in May, so guilt takes over. And there you go. Hope I made up to you guys, a bit maybe?
Preeti <3
Cricket
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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