I had started this story, like 2 years ago and it came to an end today. Of course after a hiatus of 10 months, LOL. Okay, so I had intended to take a leave from IF only after ending this story, but under the given circumstances, I had to do it before posting the last part and I owe an apology from each of my faithful readers. I am so sorry sweethearts. And here it is, The Last Chapter. Hope you like it. Much Love. ❤️
Chapter 31
They were still in an embrace, Asad and Zoya, when the hall erupted in loud cheers. Only then did they realize, they had been entertaining the entire hall. They came out of the embrace, instantly missing the warmth of each others' body, their face nonetheless red as if on fire.
As they came down the make-shift dance floor, they heard a somewhat-familiar voice calling out for them. They turned around to come face to face with the guy who had been slapped by Zoya on her first day at DTU.
"Kabir Singhania, Oh- my- God" She skipped the rest of the way and threw herself in his open arms. "How nice to see you."
"Likewise, Ms. Zoya Farooqui. And your beauty has doubled over the past few years, if that is even possible."
"Arghh. Still going on with the flattery thing, huh?"
"Old habits die hard." He shrugged. "And I see that you are still going out with Khan." He raised his eyebrow, his statement prolonged to an unasked question.
"Yes. And no, there's not a single chance of me dumping him. So no, you don't stand a chance." She ended her sentence with a slight laughter.
He made a bad expression of going sulky but was interrupted by a pat on his head. "Flirting with my girl, eh?" Asad asked with a fondly smile on his lips.
"I dare not Khan, I dare not." He raised his palms in an I-am-innocent manner.
"As if you will get a chance." Asad said grabbing Zoya close to him by her waist.
"Ouch!" Kabhir fake stabbed his heart with his fist while Zoya was quietly observing their interaction.
"Last time I checked, you guys were-" Zoya started but was interrupted by Rashid's voice over the microphone.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. I am delighted that you are here at such a short notice. And I see that many of you are still unknown to the reason behind this party, so I want someone to escort Zoya Farroqui over here please. Asad?"
Asad and Zoya looked at each other smiling broadly as they stepped forward, arms hooked to each others. As Zoya reached the stage Zehan stepped forward, while Asad went to stand by Rashid's side.
"Do you see this gorgeous lady over here?" Zehan held her by her shoulder. "She's my daughter Zoya Farooqui. She had been in The States for the last six years, hence her absence in the previous parties. So, this is a sort of welcome party to her. And also, now that you know her I would like to inform that she's been given the position among the Board of Directors' of our company." The entire hall erupted in applause at the information.
Zoya hugged her Dad and her Rashid uncle thanking them, even though she was already aware of the arrangements. She smiled at Asad which he returned with a playful wink.
"Another important announcement and the main reason behind the party is-" As Rashid started to speak everyone looked at him with keen interest. Asad was confused as he was the one to organize the party and he had no idea of any other reasons behind the party. "-to change the years of friendship into relationship. I feel honored to announce that my friend Zehan and I have decided that its' high time we fulfill the promises we had made to each other. Do you see these two over here? Yes, we had decided to get these two married minutes after Zoya was born." Amidst the gasps of surprises he continued, "When we had made this promise, we didn't know that the promise was not at all required. Because the moment Zoya and Asad saw each other, as Dilshad says, they knew that they were meant for each other. Agar inka bas chalta toh, they would have gotten married six years back itself. But they knew, being the eldest child they were to handle the business. They therefore built an amazing career, stood on their own feet ready to take the business to new heights, and here they are, ready to take their relationship to new level as well. You are, right?" He added at last looking at the shocked expression on Asad and Zoya's face.
Asad closed his eyes in frustration. Damn, his elders. Always taking the matters in their hands. He wanted to make this special for Zoya. Take her out for dinner and propose her with a romantic set up. And here he was amongst hundreds of guests and double the number of eyes on them waiting for their response. He looked at Zoya who was as shocked as him and also the hint of uneasiness in her face which she masked immediately with a huge grin when she found him looking at her.
"Yes dad I am okay with taking the relationship to a new level, if that's okay with Zoya." He forwarded his hand towards Zoya for her to hold.
"Oh Asad, I am dying to." She grabbed his hand with a huge smile adorning her face which seconds later glowed with deep shades of crimson as the hall bellowed in laughter at her enthusiasm.
They were joined by Dilshad and Zainab with rings on each of their hand, which they handed to Asad and Zoya. As Asad proceeded to put the ring, Zoya looked at him wide eyed.
"Mr Asad Ahmed Khan, how did you even think that I would let you put that ring on my finger so easily? Where's the part when the boy goes down on his knee and proposes the girl with some romantic lines?"
Stupid girl. Who would tell his silly to-be-fianc that the particular scene was supposed to happen later, not with hundred eyes around?
"Do you want me to do that right now?"
"Obviously." She looked as if she wanted to add duh alongside.
Asad sighed dejectedly. It's useless trying to give her any hint. He took the ring from his Ammi and got on his knees. "Marry me, Zoya."
She looked at him in disbelief. "I feel like I'm being ordered instead of proposed Mr. Khan."
She smiled inwardly seeing him look at her exasperated. Yes, she definitely was having a good time teasing him. "Propose me properly Mr. Khan, otherwise I might want someone else to do that. There are pretty good guys in the house tonight." She smiled wickedly, not knowing what was coming next.
It happened so fast that she hardly got chance to contemplate, one second he was on his knees and the next he had stood up, grabbed her close to him and planted his lips on her. She herself realized what had happened only after the hall erupted in wolf-whistles.
"Zoya Farooqui, do not ever think of some other guy in my presence, because I love you so much that even the image of you with someone else crushes my heart. Yes, I am possessive but it is only because I am crazy about you. You are stuck with me for the rest of your life, but I promise you that I will give you no reasons to complain. You say I don't voice my feelings? No, it's not that. I am afraid that you might walk out of my life yet again and I would be left behind, yet again. And it's been so long that words aren't enough. I must speak to you by such means that will connect my heart, my entire being to you so that it will pierce your soul. My own heart feels alien to me, because it had been gone along with you, for six long years. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own because I had changed the deeds of my heart in your name long back and ever since it is your property. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone because mine haven't, not for a single moment. Zoya, will you marry me and make me the happiest person in the world?"
Zoya looked at him with an overwhelming feeling of admiration. When she had said proposal, she definitely hadn't expected this. She was so awed that she couldn't even voice a single word "yes" after his "A+" worth of marriage proposal. She launched herself at him and kissed him hard in his mouth, ignoring the looks on her parents' face.
"Okay, okay. Let us get over with the engagement now that we saw the practical version of proposal and acceptance." Rashid said with a short laugh.
Dilshad and Zainab brought forward the rings, their faces still crimson after observing their kids' public display of affection. Asad and Zoya exchanged the rings along with the silent promises of love for eternity, till death parts them.
"That was one hell of a proposal Asad." Armaan said for the umpteenth time that night. The party was still on full swing and the eight members of the coolest gang on the earth had taken a table at the corner with an additional member, Kabhir.
"Yes. Lucky you Zoya. This idiot proposed me with a Marry me card on my doorstep." Riddhima huffed as she accused Armaan.
"Hey Ridz, don't skip the part that came next."
"Why? What was it? Do I smell a post-proposal sex?" Aayan waggled his eyebrows looking conspicuously at Armaan and Riddhima, who need not answer the question since their faces gave it away.
"And it was your whistle that was the loudest one while I was kissing Zoya." Asad glared at Armaan.
"That makes me wonder, if Asad can kiss while proposing Zoya in front of his parents' and relatives and business associates, how is he going to propose when it's just the two of them." Kabhir mimicked Aayan from earlier, waggling his eyebrows too.
"Hey, I smell another post-proposal sex?" Aayan laughed at the embarrassed faces of Asad and Zoya.
"Why do I have a feeling that they haven't done it yet?" Kabhir look surprised at Asad and Zoya, then to the rest of them.
"Of course they haven't. We would have known otherwise. Right Zoya?" Najma looked at Zoya unsurely.
"Don't worry sweetheart, I will broadcast the news in local television seconds after I have sex with my fianc." Zoya said in a sarcastic tone.
"That's not fair Zoya. We don't keep secrets among each other right? Especially, about our boys." Humeira whined.
"Of course ee don't. But sex is off topic sweetheart." Zoya smiled at Humeira.
"Stop it and help me find a girl." Kabir shouted suddenly.
There was an eerie silence before everyone burst into laughter.
After everyone had calmed down Asad looked at Kabir, "You see the girl on that table? She's hot." When Zoya glared at him he raised his palm and added, "and to you sheer luck, she's been eying you all evening."
"Is she now?" Kabhir looked at the girl and found her already looking at him and she indeed was hot. "See you in a while." He winked at his friends and strolled towards the girl.
"May I?" He asked her like a gentleman which he certainly was.
"Of course."
He could see her cheeks reddening.
"I'm Kabhir Singhania. And you are?"
"Teena Kapoor."
She smiled.
He smiled wider.
And it was the first chapter of his Love story. Meanwhile his friends were on their last, living their happily ever after.
🥳THE END🥳
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