FF: Under the Wishing star (New update Ch 19) - Page 11

Originally posted by: -oyehoyye-

such a fabulous ff loved reading all the 14 chaps cont soon

Originally posted by: farha623

wow just read all 14 chapters in one go

this is brilliant

pls pm me whn u update am adding u as a buddy =)

Originally posted by: kandygrover

This is just amazing!!!!! Seriously you are an amzing writer!!!!! And btw i love love love your quotes in the beginning!!!

Originally posted by: AliciaZA

NO!!! Ur killing me!! U write such an AMAZING chapter but so short with a cliffhanger:(. I'm desperate to know what happens next! This is as nerve racking as the doll factory raaz lol.

Loved this chapter! I'm so glad Asad is figuring out that Zoya is deliberately pushing him away and that she's hiding something. My absolute favourite scene when Asad tells her to call him by his first name becos Mr Khan is a bit too formal lol.

You're writing just gets better with every chapter. Two requests please? Please could you write more of the dialogues in English? My hindi is not good lol. And second: plz plz PLEASE post soon!! l love this story:):):)

Previous Chapter: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/76556605

Chapter Fifteen

"Pyar Se Na Jeet Saka Hain Koi

Nafrat Se Na Har Saka Hain Koi

Yeh Pyar Aur Nafrat Ki Khel Hi Ajeeb Hain

Pyar Dil Main Aur Nafrat Nighaon Se, Jaatata Hai Koi."

"Ami, Aap Zoya ke baare main kitna janti hain?" Asad enquired while Ami was setting the breakfast table. Ami looked surprised with Asad's interest.

"Kyun? Tum aise kyun ponche rahe ho?"

Asad folded his morning newspaper. "Nahi...'woh itne dino se humare yaha reh rahi hai toh isliye uske baare main kuch jaana chahta tha.."

Ami gave a sly smile "Par tumhe kya farak padta hain ki woh kaun hain aur kya karne aayi hain?...Woh toh kuch dino main chali jayegi"

Asad got irritated. "Ami'...main isliye ponche raha hu...'kyunki woh baar baar musibat main ja kar girti hain...'woh aisa yaha kya kar rahi hain ki log unke jaan ke piche pade hain?"

That got Ami's attention "Woh toh hain...'par Asad woh humari mehmaan hain'...hum uske private life main interfere kaise kar sakte hain?"

"I don't care' Ami, agar humein yeh nahi pata ki woh ghar se bahar jakar kya karti, kisse milti hain...'toh main...'mera matlab hain'hum unhe protect kaise karenge? Agar aapko khud pata nahi..toh aap zara unse ponche lo...yaha phir aap unke Jijju se hi poonch lo?"

Ami became uncomfortable "Pata nahi...'I don't like intruding in her personal life...'Tum kyun nahin usse ponche lete?"

Asad became annoyed "Ami..agar woh mujhse tikh se baat karti toh main behshak unsse ponche leta...'Par aaj kal jab bhi main unsse kuch ponche ne jata hu'woh mujhse ladne pe amada ho jati hain...'Din bar ..woh uss...'buf...'mera matab hain woh apne dost ke saath bahar ghoomti rehti hain'aaj kal raat ko kahana khanne bhi ghar nahi aati'toh kab poonchu?"

Ami smiled. " Dekho...'.mujhe sirf itna pata hain ki...'woh NewYork main apne Anwar Jiju aur Zeenat Api ke saat rehti hain...'Uska yaha India main aur koi parivaar nahi hain'Zoya ki Ami uske bachpan main hi guzar gayi'"

Asad latched on to that "Kaise?...mera matlab hain..Woh kaise guzari...'bimar thi?"

Ami turned thoughtful. "Nahi'maine sirf itna suna tha'ki koi haadsa hogaya tha...'Mujhe zyaada nahi pata'...par jo bhi hua tha...'Anwar keh rahe the ki bahaut bhayanak tha...'Aur sabse bhuri baat yeh thi ki...'Zoya bhi waha thi unke saath'"

Asad flinched hearing that.

"'Par woh kaise toh bach gayi...'Bas Khuda ne meri bachi ko bacha liya." Ami gave a prayer of thanks.

Asad turned thoughtful.He remembered what Zoya said that night about someone killing her mother. Could this mean that Zoya still remembers what happened so long ago? Was that dream, actually her memory coming back? If that was true then it would mean Zoya's mom was murdered. And it's possible that Zoya has come to India to look for her mothers killers' It would be just like her to try and play Lady Sherlock and to dig out things that were better left buried. He swore under his breathe.

"Did you say something Asad?" Ami asked

"No..Nothing" Asad went back to drinking his coffee. Najma came down to say she was leaving. She was running late today. Strange, Najma looked slightly flushed today. Thought Asad.

"Najma, are you o.k? You look flushed." Asad asked.

Najma got flustered and stammered out her reply, "No Bhaijaan...'I am ok'I am just late for college today...'so I was running."

That's when Rehaan walked into the room. Najma picked her bag and with out glancing at anyone particular wished everyone good day and left.

Rehaan smiled and came over to join Asad and Poophi. 'People in this house were behaving weird' thought Asad.

He kept looking towards the doorway waiting for Zoya to join them. But she didn't come.

Rehaan saw him watching "Waiting for someone Mr Khan?" he asked mischeavously.

Asad glared at him "No'...Uhmm...'Isnt Zoya...'I mean Ms Farooqi joining us this morning?"

Rehaan felt amused. Mr. Khan didn't really know how to be subtle. "No'she is getting ready...'we will be going out this morning'"

Asad snapped "Again!"'then he lowered his voice when he saw his Ami staring at him curiously. "I mean...'you guys have been going out everyday for past few days...'she really should be resting...'besides I don't think its wise for her to track this information as it is getting dangerous'maybe her jijju should forget this project."

Rehaan was enjoying this"You try telling her to back off. If you haven't learned anything about Zoya...'then let me tell you she doesn't give up that easily...'Its better to assist her and protect her than try to get her to back off from something she wants."

"Then tell me what information she wants to acquire. I can ask my private investigator to help her out'...She doesn't need to go and put herself into trouble like this. I can help" Asad offered.

"Uski koi zaroorat nahi hain Mr Khan. Main apna kaam khud kar sakti hu'...Thank you so much." Zoya answered from the doorway.

Asad stood up "Main aap ko help kar sakta ho...'Just tell me ki aap kya information dhoond rahi hain...'I will get it for you."

Zoya stared at him. The temptation to tell him all of her problems and to ask him for help was too great. But she remembered his father's involvement. "No thank you Mr.Khan. I know ki aap yehi chahte hain ki main aapna kaam khatam karke jald se jald yaha se chali jaao...'isliye aap mera help karna chahte hain. Par don't worry'mera kaam jaldhi khatam hojayega. Aur agar...'nahi hua toh...'Main aur Rehaan aap ke ghar se kissi hotel ya PG accommodation main shift ho jayenge...'Aap ko koi takliff nahi hogi"

Asad gritted his teeth. Ami answered her "No Zoya'you are most welcome to stay here as long as it takes...'Asad is just offering his help. If you don't want it... it's ok."

Zoya looked at Ami fondly,"Thank you Phoopi...'Chalo Rehaan lets go."

Rehaan grabbed another toast on the way out of the kitchen. 'This drama was way better than any reality show.'thought Rehaan. He was really enjoying Asad's frustration.

*******************************************

Asad wanted to wring her neck. She was always misunderstanding him. So she didn't want his help but she was going to get it anyway. He remembered the fire incident. And like always the memory pissed him off. Someone tried to kill her. Burn her alive. But why? He called his trusted assistant, "Prasad did you get the copy of firemens report? Excellent! Mail it to me then." He snapped the phone shut.

He opened his mail to read the report. When he was done, he was furious. The report suggested that the arson proved to be incendiary. Someone drenched the house with gasoline and then threw 20 burning wooden logs to start the fire.The report said that the fire started primarily at the ground floor slowly swallowing the house'room by room. He also read the police statements that Zoya gave. In it she said that when she came out of the unconscious state. She found herself locked up in one of the upstairs bedroom. There she came across Mohammed Aziz Kazi's body. She claimed that he was shot in the head.

Asad didn't think he could ever grasp the horror she had been through. Finding herself locked in a burning room with a bullet ridden corpse to give her company. It took guts to deal with such fear. Asad felt proud that she hasn't crumpled under the stress and trauma. He only wished that she didn't keep running after unknown danger.

Asad took a moment to contemplate all the facts. How where they connected? How were they related to Zoya's mom's death? Or was this the handi work of the shooter?

Zoya went to meet Mohammed Aziz kazi at the farm house that day. She said she wanted some info from him. Clearly Zoya thought that Mr Kazi knew something related to her investigation. But when she reached there the house was dark and the door was wide open. According to her arrival time she reached there after Mr Kazi had been shot. His postmortem report confirmed that. So then the question arose'who shot Mr Kazi? And why?

After Zoya arrived. Some one hit her and Rehaan on their head and had them unconscious.That means the killer was still around. Then that person locked Zoya up in the room with Mr Kazi and dragged Rehaan in to the car and drove him to the highway and left him there. Here the question arose'Why lock Zoya in and drive Rehaan away? Or more appropriately'Why kill Zoya in a fire and save Rehaan's life?

Zoya didn't see anyone. She didn't know anything that could implicate the arsonist. Or did she?

Was the reason for killing Mr Kazi connected to Zoya's investigation or were they separate cases?

Asad racked his brains with hypothesis and theories to figure out what exactly happened. If only Zoya would confide in him.

May be the killer knew Zoya was on her way to meet Mr Kazi and so came and killed him before Zoya could reach him. Which meant that maybe the killer knows about Zoya. Asad started getting agitated. She was still in danger. He tried calling her but she cut his call. Damn her!

It was time to know more about Mr Kazi. Asad picked his phone and called Prasad. "I want everything you can find out about one Mr Mohammed Aziz Kazi. Pull every record you can. Involve the private investigator if you want'but I need fast answers. I want it today. Clear?"

Asad hung up and started pacing up and down his room. He should have insisted she take one of the body gauards. But she wouldn't hear of it. She even threatened to move out if he forced her to take them. What was wrong with her? Aaj kal baat-baat par move out karni ki threat deti hain.

Anyway while Prasad found out more about Mr Kazi, he thought he should speak to the only other witness to this fire. He flipped his phone and placed the call. "Hello..., Main Asad Ahmed Khan bol raha hoon...'I need to speak to Mr Rashid Ahmed Khan."

***********************************

Zoya was getting all worked up. She couldn't stand still. Where was he? Why hasn't he come yet? Rehaan sat patiently on the bench watching her. She really was in a state of absolute panic.

"Calm down Zoya. You will be fine."

"Calm down? Allah Miah! Whats wrong with you? No...I will not calm down. I am going to come face to face with the person who was present in that house 17 years ago'How do you expect me to be calm?"

Rehaan walkd towards her and gathered her in his arms, "Don't worry we will find out. But I still feel its way too dangerous to talk face to face with the person who could have possibly killed your mother all those years ago."

Zoya looked thoughtful, "Rehaan, I don't think he could have killed my mother. My gut doesn't want to believe it."

Rehaan argued " You said his laugh triggered your memory and that you remember hearing that laugh the night your mother was killed. Then doesn't that indicate he killed her?"

Zoya became restless "I don't know Rehaan, that vision that I got was the out burst of my suppressed memory'Everything is so mixed up in my mind I am not sure what really happened. I didn't see my mother getting shot. I heard it. And I heard the laugh but I was a little girl, Rehaan. The memory belongs to a scared little girl hiding under the bed who only heard everything. It's in no way reliable.My memory keeps playing tricks on me. I need to be sure if it's him. At this point the only thing I am sure of is my mother didn't die in an accidental fire but was shot dead by someone who then burned the whole building down to make it look like an accident."

Rehaan paced "Well if he didn't kill her then atleast he knows the person who did it. He could be an accomplice. Zoya I don't think you should disclose your identity yet."

"Meaning what? That he would try to kill me? I don't think so. He is a witness, Rehaan. My instinct says so.He could have been present that night and seen what happened.May be he even knows where my abu is?" Zoya defended

Rehaan tried to reason with her, playing devil's advocate. "Ok for a minute there lets assume he knows something'why hasn't he said anything to anyone up until now. Why hasn't he reported the murder to the police? Zoya this is dangerous. All these years someone has managed to keep the murder hidden.Rashid Ahmed Khan knows something. If he didn't kill your mom and set fire to that building then he knows the people who did it. What if he is evil? What if he helped commit the crime? When you confront him, he will know that you are also a witness to that crime. That would be giving your game away. Zoya I strongly feel that you shouldn't tell him about your involvement. For once in your life approach this cautiously. Don't let him know you were there that night or who you are. First ask him about the night he came to the farm house. Find out what his connection is with Lala Singh. Once you have established that then connect it to your mom's murder. Take it step by step."

"You are right, Rehaan. I should take this step by step. But I don't know why I feel this man is innocent. Logic tells me he is the man who could be my mother's killer but my heart tells me my dost couldn't possibly kill in such a cold blood"

"Zoya, I don't think he is an admirable character. Don't forget he did leave his wife and kids for money. A man who could do that so ruthelessy can also be capable of murder. Just remember that."

"Allah Miah! What's wrong with you,Rehaan ?...now you sound like Mr Khan, leaving his wife is definitely a wrong thing to do...'but it's not a criminal offence. Lots of scumbags leave their wives for another women or even money. They are class-A douche bags but not murderers. Some how I don't know, I cant bring myself to believe he could do such a thing."

Rehaan looked in to her eyes "Is that the only reason you don't want him to be the murderer?

She looked away, "What do you mean?"

Rehaan turned her face towards him, "I mean, may be you don't want Rashid Ahmed Khan to be the killer because he is Sher Khan's father and you don't want him to get hurt if this was true."

Zoya flinched, "Its not just Mr Khan...'I am worried about'Its Phoopi and Najma too. This family already has gone through enough pain. I don't want them to be ripped apart once again. As it is, Mr Khan is angry with his father. If he comes to know of all this...'."

"I know. So it's better to be careful. I need you to be safe O.K" Rehaan hugged her.

"Ok. I wonder how he knows Lala Singh? And what proof did Lala Singh have that connected Mr Rashid Ahmed Khan to the fire at Khanderwallah building? Allah Miaah! There are so many questions'who is going to answer them" Zoya was frustrated.

"I will." The voice came behind them.

Zoya and the Rehaan turned. Rashid Ahmed Khan had arrived.

***********************************

Rashid felt his soul quiver. 'Ya Allaha! It's true what they say that one must face up to all their crimes in this life time itself before they go to hell. And his judgement day has arrived. It was time to confess his sins'

He approached her slowly. This girl standing in front of him wasn't his enemy but a friend. She was also the only one who could help him now. Rashid was fed up living this life of hell. He wanted to be free and for that he was even willing to go to the police to confess his sins. He was actually going to that when he had received her call. Right then he knew that she was the only one capable and reliable enough to hear his story. The truth.

Zoya stared at him. Her face reflected some inner conflict. Then it cleared as if she had reached a decision.

"You were there that night 17 years ago when the Khanderwallah building burned down." She stated

Rashid bowed his head.With tears in his eyes he replied "Yes."

Zoya walked up to him and looked him in his eyes "Did you set the fire to the building Mr. Rashid Ahmed Khan?"

Rashid's head snapped up, "How did you know'?"

Zoya tried to control the anger in her voice, " Don't worry yourself with all that details...'Just tell me the truth. Did you set the fire to that building?

Rashid took in a deep breathe. "Yes. I was'"

" For what? Money? Insurance scam? You put people's lives in danger for some amount of money? How could you?" Zoya snapped at him

Rashid tried to defend himself, "No Zoya'you don't understand...'"

"No...'Zoya can never understand the mind of a cold blooded killer like you. But I do." A voice came from behind them.

The group turned to see the new comer. Only to find Asad Ahmed Khan standing there.

Zoya gasped. "Mr Khan'What are you doing here?"

Asad didn't respond to her. He kept his focus on his father.

"Toh aap... ek faithless husband aur ek useless father ke saath saath ek criminal bhi hain. Why am I not surprised" Asad addressed his father.

Rashid tried to explain, "Meri puri baath toh suno beta..."

"Mujhe beta kehne ka hakh toh apne satra saal pehle hi koh diya tha jab ab humhe chod kar chale gaye the."

Zoya tried to intervene. She walked towards Asad. "Allah Miah! Whats wrong with you,Mr Khan?... Aap phele inki puri baat toh suniye. Let him finish what he was saying."

Asad pulled her behind him "I don't have to hear his defense. I already know it. Aap ne saatra saal pehle woh building main aag lagayi. Ek insurance scam ke liye. Aur iska proof sirf Lala Singh ke paas tha. Toh apne usse bhi apne raaste se nikal diya."

"Nahi...'Asad'maine aisa kuch nahi kiya."

"Aap ne aisa hi kiya hain!" Asad shouted.

"No... Mr Khan. Meri baat suniye' aap...' I don't think he killed Lala Singh. Lala Singh was already dead when he arrived. I was there remember." Zoya defended.

Asad grabbed Zoya and shook her "How do you know that? Aap toh behoosh thi...'Hosakta hain ki inhone hi aapko saar par mara ho... Phir aap ko bhi uss kamre main bandh kar diya tyaki aap ko bhi yeh maar sakhe."

Rashid was shocked to hear his son's accusation. "Tum mere baare main aisa kaise soch sakte ho Asad? Kaise soch sakte hain ho ki main aisa kaam kar sakta hoon?"

"Kyun nahi kar sakte hain? Aap toh paiso ke liye kuch bhi kar sakte hain. Yaha tak apne biwi aur bachoon tak ko chod sakte hain." Asad accused painfully. Rashid flinched painfully under the accusation.

Zoya interrupted "Allah Miah! Whatswrong with you,Mr Khan?...'Aap yeh baat bhul rahe hain'ki inhone hi meri jaan bachayi thi...'he saved my life...'agar unhe mujhe maarna tha'toh yeh mujhe wahi chod dete...'kamre main...'bachate hi kun?"

Asad looked at his father with disgust, "Kyunki main aur Rehaan waha ponche gaye the...'aur unhe pata chal gaya. Aapna chera bachane ke liye aur tyaki hum unpe shak na kare unhone tumhe bachaya."

Zoya shook her head. "I don't think so Mr Khan. He didn't kill Lala Singh and he definitely didn't try to kill me."

Asad shifted his anger to Zoya, "Tumhare paas koi proof hain, Ms Farooqi?"

Zoya pushed away from Asad and looked squarely in his eyes, "Aap ke paas bhi koi proof nahi hain ki inhone kuch bhi kiya hain. Sab circumstantial evidence hain. Jiske basis pe aap inka kuch bhi nahi bigad sakte." She challenged.

Asad lost his cool and took a step towards Zoya. Rehaan stepped in between them, pushing Zoya behind him, "Control yourself Mr Khan." He calmly stated.

Asad looked at his father, "Is baar koi aapka saat nahi dega Mr Rashid Ahmed Khan. Ami bhi nahi. Aapko aapke har gunah ki sazah mileage. Main dilwaunga." He promised.

Rashid's face crumbled. Tears of pain, regret and love tickled down from his eyes. He knew his son was angry with him, for all the right reasons, but today he realized that his son hated him.

"Inka saath main dungi" Zoya declared. "Aap inke gunah ki saabut ikkatah kijiye aur main inki begunahi ka proof dundungi. Dekte hain kaun sahi hain aur kaun galat. Agar aapne inka crime prove kiya toh main khud aapke saat jakar inke against statement dunghi, lekin, agar maine inhe innocent prove kardiya toh aap inhe apne parivaar main inki sahi jagah de denge. Apna past bhulakar inhe ek father ke position main whole heartedly accept karne ki kaoshish karenge."

"Impossible! Yeh koi game nahi hain, Ms Farooqi" Asad thundered

"Exactly my point, Mr Khan. Yeh bilkul koi game nahi hain. Aadhi baat sunkar...'bina koi actual proof ke kisi ko criminal accuse karna koi game nahi hain. Especially uss insaan koh jo aapke Abu hain. Aap apne personal feelings ko isme nah laye toh acha hoga. Don't make any rash decisions because of your preconceived notions about your father. Nobody involves the police until we have sustainable evidence. Is that clear, Mr Khan?

Asad was livid. "Are you threatening me, Ms Farooqi?"

"Nope...'Not threatening...'Promising. If you go to the police without showing us the proof. We won't support your claim...' Infact I will help Mr Rashid Ahmed Khan to file a defamation suit against you. You are after all his business rival and also an estranged son. Not a very tough case to win. Is it?" Zoya announced

Asad looked at Zoya with utmost hatred in his eyes. Zoya wanted to cringe but she didn't visibly flinch. Then Asad walked away.

Zoya took in a deep breathe.

"Well done, Kiddo! In a span of few minutes you have managed to make Asad Ahmed Khan your enemy." Rehaan stated casually.

"It's all because of me!" Rashid claimed "I should just go to the police and confess my crime. Then everything will be over."

Zoya turned towards Rashid "You once claimed that you have been suffering for 17 years for some mistake you made. What was it? Was the building burning the mistake you were talking about?"

"Zoya, I want to tell you everything. But if I do my family will be in danger. I have protected them for so many years. They will kill them" Rashid claimed fearfully.

"Who will kill them?" Zoya wanted to know.

"I can't tell you Zoya. They are very dangerous. They have been keeping me quiet for so many years by framing me for a crime I didn't do. They have proof that can destroy me and my family."

"Who are they? Just tell me."

"I dont know who started all this because it is a huge conspiracy. The key players are still hidden from me. I only know two of them. Razia and Siddiqui sahaab. My brother- in- law and his wife. They are the ones blackmailing me. But I have no proof against them. They are the reason why I left Dilshaad and my kids. They are the reason why my son hates me." Rashid broke down in tears.

Zoya looked at Rehaan. They were thinking the same thing. This could all be connected to her Ami's murder and her Abu's disappearance. They were definitely close to the truth. Very Close.

**********************************

They were close. Very close.

Bhaijaan just knew it in his gut. That girl! Who was she? She was turning out to be a key player in all this but he didn't know anything about her

Bhaijaan didn't like unknown elements. It was time to gather information about the girl. He knew he couldn't harm her, as of yet. But he could use her to control Asad Ahmed Khan. After all, the boy was in love. Like father like son! Bhaijaan laughed. Wasn't that just poetic. Now, it was time to make his move'...

______________________________________

Next chapter: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/76973868