Previous Chapter: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/76845198
Chapter Sixteen
"Zindagi Ne Humhe Kuch Dard Aisa Diya
Ek Junoon, Ek Maksad Ban Gaya
Yeh Junoon Ke Aage Dil Zukhta Nahi
Iss Maksad Ke Aage Kuch Dikta Hi Nahi"
Zoya kept a watchful eye on the front door. Mr Khan hadn't come home yet. It was late, very late and she was worried about him. He was really pissed with her that morning when he walked away from that confrontation. 'Allah Miah! Please keep him safe'. She paced the living room. Rehaan walked to her and placed a consoling hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, Zoya. You are making Phoopi and Najma nervous." Rehaan whispered glancing towards the sofa where they sat, anxiously waiting for Asad to come home.
Zoya had already informed them about the events of the day. Carefully editing her Ami's murder connection from the tale. Each had an interesting reaction to the news. Like Mr. Khan, Najma was quick to fault her father and full of sympathies for her brother. But Phoopi remained quiet. Her facial expression showed that she didn't believe Rashid could commit a murder in cold murder at the same time she wanted to console her son. 'Phoopi, I know exactly how you feel right now. I feel the same way too, torn. I want to console Mr.Khan but at the same time I don't believe my Dost can commit murder' thought Zoya looking towards Phoopi. 'Allah Miah! Help me calm down Mr. Khan when he comes' She wringed her hands nervously and continued to pace.
The front door swung open and Asad walked in. He paused seeing everyone gathered in the living room. His angry eyes, full of hate, landed on Zoya, piercing through her soul. Almost as if those eyes were judging her and found her wanting. Then they dismissed her, very casually. And that hurt her. He then walked towards his room.
"Asad!" Dilshaad called him. He stopped and turned towards his mother.
"Jee Ammi?" he enquired.
"Maine suna ki tum apne Abu ke khilaf proof gather kar rahe ho. Kya yeh sach hain, Asad?" Dilshaad asked
Asad looked at Zoya with accusation in his eyes. Zoya responded. "They have a right to know everything, Mr Khan." Asad dismissed her again.
"Jee Ammi . I have proof that he burned down that Khanderwallah building 17 years ago for a insurance scam. Then when he realized that Zoya was inquiring about the scandal and was going to meet, one Mr Lala Singh, his partner in crime, he went to the farm house and shot him. Then burned the house down."
"You really think your Abu can do such a thing Asad?" Dilshaad's voice broke.
"Why not? Kyun nahi kar sakte hain? Unlike some outsiders who just arrived yesterday, I know him very well and for too long." Asad snapped.
Zoya flinched visibly.Her eyes teared up. Rehaan stood by her laying a comforting arm around her shoulder. Even Najma moved towards her to provide support.
Dilshaad stood up with quiet dignity, 'Nahi Asad, You don't know him at all. Tumne humesha hi unhe galat samjha hain."
Asad waved aside that defense, "Kya galat samjha hain maine? He is a rotten husband. Kya woh ek patni ke hote hua dusri aurat ke saat nahi jaakar rahe? He is a terrible father. Kya unhone humhe apna maane se nahi inkaar kar diya? He will do anything for money. Kya unhone paiso ke liye humse rishta nahi tode diya? Toh kya galat samjha hain maine? Joh insaan yeh sab kar sakte hain'woh paiso ke liye kuch bhi kar sakte hain. Kuch logon ki fikarat aisi hoti hain."
"Asad!" Dilshaad scolded.
"Kuch galat kaha maine? Bolo nah Ammi." Asad prodded.
"Unhone joh bhi kiya am not trying to defend that. It's in the past. But murder? No...'I don't believe Rashid could murder some one and if he says that the reason he burned that building was because of a conspiracy...'I am inclined to believe him. Isse pehle bhi unhone ek baar mujhe yeh batane ki koshish ki hai." Dilshaad explained
"Yeh saab kehne ki baat hain...'Aap se sympathy pane ka tarika hain. Ammi, he commited a crime and you want me to stand by and watch and do nothing. Impossible!"
"It hasn't been proved yet that he did any of those things" Dilshaad snapped. She knew that she could'nt reach her son. His bitterness and hatred for his father ran too deep. "Zoya is going to prove that he is innocent." Dilshaad announced.
Asad once again looked at Zoya, "Oh yes! Ms Farooqi! The famous lady Sherlock!" he sneered "Always interfering in other people's lives. Why don't you do what you came here to do and just leave us all in peace." Asad lashed out.
"Asad! This is not the way you speak to a lady" Dishaad reproached.
Zoya stood strong even though her heart was breaking hearing his words.
" I will go Mr. Khan. And very soon. You don't have to worry about me. But I will only leave when my job is done. Unfortunately, your father's case is kind of connected to what I want to find out. So it is in my interest to look in to this." She stated trying to choke back the pain that wanted to gush out in her voice.
"Do whatever you want. But don't even think for one second you can win this. There is nothing to find. And you will lose the challenge." Asad declared.
Zoya smirked " We will see, Mr Khan. You go do what you have to do. And we will do what is actually needed to be done. Just remember no one includes the law until we have shown each other the valid proof. You are clear about that nah, Mr. Khan?"
Asad swore.
***************************
Razia had just received a call from Rashid's driver. So he was once again at Asad Ahmed Khan's house. Look's like warnings and threats don't seem to be working these days'It was time to demonstrate.
She punched a number to call some one. When the person on other side picked up'
****************************
The door bell rang. Najma went to open the door. It was Rashid.
Asad reacted to his father's presence. "What the hell is he doing here?" he demanded.
"I asked him to come." Zoya answered. She moved towards Rashid.
"How dare you invite him here without my permission?" Asad pounced on her.
Dilshaad answered him "She dared because I gave her the permission."
"Arghhh!" Asad hit the dresser out of frustration. Zoya faced him.
" Calm down, Mr. Khan. This case is about him'It's only right that he be here so that we can question him'If you are really serious about finding proof's against him'Shouldn't you atleast speak to him once about what happened? So that you can go around proving his story wrong. It's just a suggestion, Mr Khan. Take it or leave it."
"Mujhe aapke suggestions ki koi zaroorat nahi hain." Asad snapped at her.
Dilshaad had enough of Asad's rude behavior towards Zoya. "Asad! If you are not going to help then please refrain from interfering. You can go if you cant keep quiet."
Asad glared at the women in his family. Then he went and stood beside Dilshaad in a protective stance. He wasn't going to leave with Mr Rashid Ahmed Khan being here.
Rashid looked very uncomfortable. He squirmed under his son's hateful glare.
Zoya nodded at Rehaan. He removed his video camera and tripod from his travel bag and became busy setting it up. Hooking up microphones and so on. Zoya switched on Rehaan's Laptop to connect the camera to it. So they could stream the video.
"Aap log yeh kya kar rahe ho?" Asad asked, impatiently.
Zoya didn't answer him, so Rehaan did. "We are recording Mr. Rashid.."
"You can call me Rashid." Rashid offered.
Rehaan smiled, "Yeah'We are recording Rashid's confession about what happened that night. Or atleast as much as he is willing to share with us." After he finished his set up, he turned towards Asad. "You can have a copy if you want. You know for your investigation. We would be happy to share" Rehaan teased.
Asad glared at him.
Zoya asked Rashid to recall everything that happened that night.
"I got a phone call that night asking me to come out to the building.I was told it was urgent."
Zoya interrupted "What was the time when you received that call and who called you?"
Rashid hesitated "It was around 10.00 pm when I recieved the call. It was from my business associate. Mr Siddique."
Once again Zoya interrupted "Why was this building so important to both of you?"
Rashid looked surprised by that question "Because the building was one of our projects."
Zoya and Rehaan shared a look. Asad caught the look and leaned forward.
Zoya got excited, "You mean you used to own Riyaz construction?"
Rashid was bowled over, " How did you know the name of that company. It doesn't exist anymore. All papers related to it were destroyed. " He glanced at his family.
Asad looked away in disgust.
Zoya continued, "Never mind, continue. Does that mean it was your brother in law who gave away one of the luxury apartments to Lala Singh as a gift?
"Yes. Mr Siddique is my business partner as well as my brother-in-law. Riyaz construction was owned jointly by him, me and one other silent partner"
"O.k'go on'he called you there why?"
"We were suffering a huge loss in our project. We needed to pull out of this fast for some reasons and the only way was to destroy it and claim insurance."
"Who was that silent partner?"
" I don't know. I have never met him."
Zoya gave him a look of disbelief. Behind her, Asad snorted.
"I know'My partner Mr Siddique knew him and said the man wished to be anonymous. In those days I blindly trusted my brother-in-law so I never asked any question. This firm was my first venture and I was grateful that Siddique included me." Rashid explained.
Zoya processed that. "So you don't know any thing about the man...'never met him...'spoke to him on phone?"
"No'all his dealings were with Siddique alone."
"Ok. So what happened that night?" Zoya pressed him.
Rashid wiped his brow with his handkerchief, "I reached the building around 10.30 pm. Siddique and Razia were there. Razia is Siddique's wife. She told me that the building had been cleared and that it was a perfect time to set it on fire. She brought everything that would be required. I poured the gasoline around on each floor and then set it on fire'"
Zoya stiffened "You poured gasoline on each floor? Did you personally check each floor to see if it was really empty?" Zoya's voice came out harsh as result of her trying to suppress her anger.
Asad and Rehaan both caught it. Rehaan motioned her to calm down while Asad stared at her thoughtfully.
Everyone else was obvlivous.
Rashid continued, "No...'Siddique's words were good enough for me'so I didn't check. It was a set up. They clicked incriminating pictures of me burning the building down. They have held that over me for all these years. They asked me to leave Dilshaad and my kids, they made me live with shireen in that house for 17 years. I had to do every thing they demand of me. I have lost my free will and everything I ever cared about." Rashid looked at Dilshaad. Asad remained silent. There was no expression on his face. While Najma was in tears.
Zoya was feeling a myriad of emotions. Pain,Anger, Hatred, Loss, Pity was all churning rapidly inside her. She tried to control it but her voice still cracked, "You...'You said that all this was a big conspiracy and that it's players are still hidden from you'...This fire insurance scam is not the only thing they have on you, is it?" she asked shrewdly.
Rashid nodded his head sadly, "No it's not the only thing'there are worse things that I had to do for them'...because if I didn't, they would have killed everyone I have ever loved...'those people are capable of that'.please Zoya...'those are not the things I want to confess here with out having any proof's...'If they come to know...'and they will come to know...'they will do as they threatened." He pleaded.
Zoya took a deep breathe. "O.k'...I wont ask anything more" she motioned Rehaan to switch off the camera's. Zoya needed a minute to calm down. Her memory of the fire was surfacing again. She tried to squash it again and tried to focus.
Rashid looked relieved. Dilshaad looked sympathetic towards the man whom she had once loved and lost. Najma couldn't process everything that was just confessed by her father. And Asad'Well Asad still wasn't reacting'He looked lost in some thoughts.
Zoya was determined. " Mr Rashid Khan...'I know you cant tell me anything yourself...'but I have decided that I can still find the proof's for you...'For that I need your help."
Rashid felt hopeful "Really? Tell me how I can help?"
Zoya pushed the laptop aside and stood up "I need entry in to your house for few days...'I mean.. I want to move in to your house for few days because...'"
"Are you crazy?" Asad roared that question. Everyone got startled at that reaction."No!..Nahi!...Never'.Aap uss ghar main nahi jayengi." Asad yelled.
"Allah Miah! What's wrong with you, Mr Khan. This is a perfectly good solution. Your father can introduce me as a daughter of a friend who has come to stay for few days.Waha reh kar I can snoop around for clues. Don't forget Razia and Siddique are the only players we know.i can stay there and gather proofs against them.May be even find out who that silent partner was? They wont suspect me at all" Zoya claimed.
Asad paced the living room. "No...'it's too risky. Werent you listening when he said that they were dangerous people. If they find out they will kill you. Not to mention my family too. I cant allow that." Asad was still shouting.
"Allah Miah! What's wrong with you Mr.Khan. Aap chilla kyun rahe hain? Main under cover hongi nah...'They wont recognize me...'I am too smart to be caught. I can take care of myself." Zoya argued
Asad grabbed her and shook her viciously, "Dimag kharab hogaya hain aap ka...'yeh koi Spy movie yaha game nahi hain, Ms Farooqi'...Yeah real life hain...'yaha log rules ya script ke hisaab se nahi kehlte'...Yaha ek second nahi lagta kisi insaan ko maarne ke liye...'Aap uss ghar main nahi jayengi and that's final!... I won't allow it!" he said in a harsh tone.
Zoya was furious. All the emotions she had been trying to surpress gurgled up to the surface. She lost her composure. She raised her voice " You won't allow me? Who is asking you? Maine aaj tak apne life ki har decisions khud hi liye hain aur aaj bhi main khud lungi...'You are not a factor for me, Mr.Khan...'Did you hear me?...Mujhe aapse permission mangne ki koi zaroorat nahi hain." Her voice cracked. Her eyes teared up and they overflowed on to her cheeks.
Asad looked like he would strangle her. His grip tightened on Zoya. Rashid, Rehaan and Dilshaad tried to intervene. Rehaan pulled Zoya loose from Asad's grip while Dilshaad and Rashid yanked Asad aside.
"Asad! Yeah kya kar rahe ho...'chodo usse...'chodo usse'" Dilshaad yelled.
Rehaan kept a firm hold on a squirming Zoya. "Zoya! Zoya snap out of it! Get a grip...'you are losing it...'You need to get out from here, now!" he told her privately.
"Nahi Rehaan, Aaj toh mujhe bolna hi hain. What is this incessant need you have, Mr Khan? To control everyones lives around you. Jo aap bole wohi sabko karna chahiye...'aisa kyun hain? Har kissi ke life aapke hissab se nahi chalta...'You are not the center of everyone's universe...'Definitely not mine...'Aap chahte hain ki koi aapke life main interfere nah kare...'par apko har kissi ke life main interfere karna hain...'mera apna kuch maksad hain...'mere life ki sirf ek fitur hain...'Aur woh hain yeh raaz ko kissi bhi haal main jaana'...Aur koi bhi mujhe yeh jaan ne se rokh nahi sakta. Sunah Mr Asad Ahmed Khan!" She kept trying to push Rehaan aside. But he didn't budge. Instead he started dragging her out the door.
Asad's face had turned red. He looked like he was going to explode, "Ms Farooqi!"
Zoya stopped but didn't turn around. Rehaan had to stop too but he didn't let go of Zoya.
Asad pulled away from Dilshaad and Rashid "I mean it, Ms Farooqi!... Aap ne agar Siddiqui mansion main ek kadam bhi rakha...'toh main aap ko iss sheher se hi nahi...'par is country se hi bahar bhej dunga...'wapas NewYork...'If you cross me'...then I will call your Appi and Jijju and tell them about your adventures and ask them to come and take you away'...And you know I will do that...'So don't test me."
Zoya didn't respond. She shook Rehaan off and walked out the door. Rehaan ran to catch up with her.
*************************************
Bhaijaan was having his dinner when his cell phone rang. Irritated with the intruption, Bhaijaan snapped, " Now, what do you want Razia?"
Razia gave him the news. "So Mr Rashid Ahmed Khan is trying to break the leash, eh? Well..well'got to admire his guts to try'after all these years'Fine I will take care of it."
Razia interrupted and told him that she had already done the needful.
Bhaijaan stiffened at that. "What have you done, Razia?"
When she told him. He was furious.
"You shouldn't have done that'I told you to have faith in me to handle this'Asad Ahmed Khan is on our trail'he has someone with him who knows stuff about what happened'this was not the time to show off " Bhaijaan yelled in to the phone.
Razia quivered on the other side. "Now what can we do?" she asked meekly.
"For once keep your microscopic brains out of this and let me think." Saying Bhaijaan slammed the phone.
Time was of the essence now'
________________________________________
Note to the Readers: All those people who pm'ed me, asking me to not seperate Asad & Zoya...please relax...I don't believe in separating my leads...i believe in soulmates and they do not end up being married to other people ...They fight...they have conflicts...they might hate each other for a while... there might even be a triangle but...they stay together.
And i am not following the television route at all...i give my own twist to things...so dont assume am going the Ayaan- zoya route either...So there. Chill.
Love
Sneha
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Edited by snehatalk - 13 years ago
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