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BEST FRIENDS TO BEST LIFE PARTNERS
"Bhaisahab mithai khaiye" an elated Dilshaad was offering sweets to each and every soul who was coming her way.
"Dilshaad hua kya" finally Zeenat came out seeing her friend making happy noises.
"Arre Asad finally cracked the RBI exam " Dilshaad aid stuffing a sweet in her friend's mouth.
Dilshaad and Rashid Khan used to live one street away from the Faarouqis. They were simple middle class families and both the families have known each other for years. The children of these houses have literally grown up together attending the same school and college.
"Anwar I wanted to say that" Zeenat was hesitating.
"What happened say na" Anwar frowned at his wife.
"Wo I was thinking about Zoya's marriage. ...she is 26 now...I have a boy in mind"
"We are surely soulmates...I was thinking the same...and the boy is Asad hmmm" Anwar raised his brows and smiled.
Zeenat smiled widely and nodded her head " Mujhse toh hamesha se pasand tha...Now toh he is settled also.. ...moreover where will our Zoya get so much love from her in laws..Rashid bhaisahab and Dilshaad love her dearly. "
"But what if Zoya " Anwar was cut in between
"Asad is her best friend ...why will she have an objection" Zeenat was not at all ready to hear any excuses.
After a week...
Anwar and Zeenat were at Asad's house to offer a proposal.
They were talking in the lawn when Dilshaad held Zeenat's hand " I want a gift from you..."
Zeenat was confused " what"
"Zoya..I mean I want Zoya for my Asad" Before Faarouqi's could initiate talks...Dilshaad only smilingly kept the proposal.
Zeenat and Anwar looked at each other in a don't know what manner but soon their faces were carrying big smiles.
"Your son is a gem Dilshaad. ... Zoya will never get a better boy" Zeenat already sealed the proposal.
"My Zoya is also one in a million" Dilshaad showed her fondness for her would be bahu.
"What about Asad" Anwar quizzed.
"First we asked him only...only after he showed us the green flag we proceeded" Rashid expressed his happiness.
Zeenat was giving "see I told you " look to her husband who just smiled in return.
"Zoya " Zeenat entered Zoya's room with her favourite jalebi.
"Ammi jalebi...I love you" Zoya squealed in joy seeing her favourite dish but then she switched to her detective mode "What's the catch?"
"Badmash...tu toh aise bol rahi hai jaise mai roz tujhe karele khilati hun..(you r talking as if I feed you bitter guard everyday" Zeenat twisted her ear.
"Ahh Ammi sorry"
After sometime
"Beta...don't you think it's the perfect age to get married" Zeenat caressed her daughter's hair.
"Ammi phir se " Zoya pouted.
"You will be turning 27 next month...don't behave like a kid" Zeenat reprimanded.
"I can't marry an unknown person...it's so..." Zoya made a face imagining herself gettied tied with a stranger.
"Who is telling you to marry a stranger...your Abbu and I have chosen a boy whom you have known all your life." Zeenat miled
"Ye kaun sa ladka paida ho gaya...my God Ammi don't tell me ...you are talking about that good for nothing Ayaan" Zoya jumped in horror.
"Chup kar he is not that bad...but for your kind information it's not him"
"It's Asad"
"What" Zoya shouted "How could you even think of it Ammi..he is my chuddy buddy " her eyes widened.
"Toh...achi baat hai na...koi problem nahi hogi since you guys know each other so well." Zeenat had answers for all her tantrums.
"And Asad has already said Yes ...so no nakhras from your side...and you don't have any one in your life I know that" Zeenat warned .
"Ammi"
"Beta...I will only want your happiness. " Zeenat kissed her forehead and went out of the room.
"Asad...tu toh gaya" Zoya gritted her teeth. She ran out of the house.
Upon reaching Asad's house..Zoya greeted Dilshaad and asked her about Asad.
Dilshaad smiled teasingly "Bahut yaad aa rahi hai Asad ki...apne room me hai...tum ja kar mil lo...mai paas wale market se aati hun( You are missing him too much these days...he is is his room...go n meet him.."
Zoya smiled and marched towards Asad's room and found him sleeping.
"THAK" Zoya kicked .
"Aaah..." Asad at once opened his eyes only to find Zoya glaring at him .
"What happened" he said in a groggy voice.
"You said YES " she started walking to and fro hurling abuses at him.
Asad finally sat resting his back on the bed post...
"Dekh...is saal teri shaadi ho hi jani thi us Ayaan se...maine tujhe bachaya...aur waise bhi mere me burai kya hai( Zeenat Auntie would have got you married to that Ayaan any how this year...so in a way I saved you...and why not me ..Am I that bad" Asad said in a melodramatic voice.
"Thank you so much" Zoya said sarcastically.
"You are welcome" Asad winked.
"You!!!!" Zoya came towards him like a raging bull...but before she could attack she was caught by him.
"I can't marry you" Zoya said after calming her nerves.
"And may I know the reason"
"How can I marry a boy whom I have seen wetting his pants..." the most atpata reason came from Zoya making Asad scowl " I was in KG that time for God sake...and you do not even remember that...your memory can't be that sharp...given the fact that you scored only 50 in History in Boards.
"I still have a vivid imagination" Zoya defended herself.
"See you don't have any reason to say NO...you are just in a shock ..." Asad again covered himself with the blanket ...
"Asad I have a boyfriend" Zoya played her last card.
"Chal na" Asad said and covered his face with the pillow...who she was trying to fool...Asad..her best friend??
Next week...
Kazi sahab was called so that he could suggest an auspicious date for the nikaah.
The marriage was fixed three weeks later and everyone was wearing a smile...for a change Zoya was also seen smiling.
In this one week...Asad made her understand in a calm way that anyhow their parents will get them married this year ...so why choose some stranger over your best friend.
Zoya thought and and then understood that she was just over reacting...such good in laws ...and a best friend cum husband. ...what more a girl could ask for.
"Ready to be Mrs Khan" asked Asad asked seeing Zoya sitting idle on the sofa.
"I guess so " Zoya winked and both the friends made their hands meet in a high five.
After 3 weeks...
"Nikaah mukkamal hua.." Kaazi sahab declared Asad-Zoya as man and wife. The newly weds then took the blessings of the elders.
Soon the bidai happened and Zoya didn't cry a tear...she was telling everyone "Ek gali peeche hi toh hun( I am just one street away)"
"Aur bandar handsome lag rahe ho" Zoya said opening the box full of chocolates which she had told Asad to hide in the car.
Asad smiled and rested his head at the back.
Asad's house
"Asad bhai carry your bride to the room" the cousins started teasing.
"Haan chal" Zoya seemed excited.
"Kya chal the saree you are wearing weighs around 25 kgs...and ek tera motapa..." Asad teased Zoya who showed him her fist.
Finally left with no option...Asad had to carry Zoya. He reached and threw her on the bed lightly.
"Aah meri kamar(my back hurts)"
"Doodh pee kar Shaktimaan ban ja( Drink milk and turn into Shaktimaan)" Zoya giggled pointing towards the glass of milk kept on the table.
"Aur uske baad( and after that)" Asad asked with a naughty smile.
"Kumbhkaran ki tarah ulat jaiyo..hamesha ki tarah( Then enter your hibernation like a Kumbhkaran ...as always)" Zoya splashed water on all his plans of teasing.
After sometime Asad was seen lying on his stomach. ..and Zoya sitting over his thighs massaging his back.
They had already changed into their night clothes.
"Asad"
Getting no response Zoya bent her head to see her husband in deep sleep.
"Ulat gaya gadha...Mai bhi thak gayi yaar(Donkey is asleep...I am also tired)" Zoya lied down beside him and covered herself with the comforter.
"It feels a little awkward. ..but it's ok...aadat ho jayegi" she mumbled.
Morning rays made their presence felt in the room ...as a result Asad opened his eyes and found something heavy on his legs. He lifted his head up to see Zoya's legs doing the task. He shook his head "nahi sudhar sakti yeh"
"Hmm" Zoya woke up and heard the shower running and again lied down lazily. After 5 minutes Asad came out wearing a towel on his hips...
Zoya whistled ..."Buri nazar wali tera muh kala(It's a phrase in hindi which a person says to ward off evils)Asad said and took out his clothes.
Zoya stuck her tongue out and entered the washroom.
"Zoya nikal yaar..." Asad shouted and finally Mrs Khan made an entry in a maroon saree which was complementing her fair skin. Mr. Khan was already in a daze...
"Asad..Asad" Zoya shook him.
"Haan..." he at once came out of his thoughts.
"Phuphi...I mean Ammi is calling us."
They made their way to the dining hall.
Zoya was told to perform the rasam of making a sweet dish and as expected hot hot jalebis were served on the dining table.
"Asad since your leave can't be extended...I am leaving you this time. ..but make sure you take Zoya on a trip later ." Dilshaad warned Asad.
"You mean to say honeymoon"
"Besharam ma se mazak karega" Dilshaad twisted his ear.
"Zoya when are you joining the new company" Rashid asked
"From next Monday Abbu" Zoya chirped.
Asad and Zoya went to Zoya's House in the evening and Asad was given a grand welcome since this was the first time he was coming as the son in law of the house.
"Beta Biryani lo na" Zeenat was offering everything in abundance.
Looking at Asad's face Zoya laughed " Tu mere plate me pass karta ja( you keep on passing it to my plate)"
But the conversation was heard by Zeenat
"Zoya what is this TU TU...he is your husband. "
"Now it's time for some fun" Asad thought.
"Ammi I am not calling him Aap" Zoya made a face.
"Leave it Ammi...she doesn't respect me" Asad made a bechara face and kept eating.
"ZOYA"
"Acha baba ...Asad aap kya lenge...puri..halwa or rasgullah" Zoya acted battling her eyelashes.
Asad smiled and winked at her.
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