OS - The Past Meets the Future

Bopal Airport

Defeated and empty Zoya sat in the airport lounge. She finally felt her last blow. How could he accuse me of hurting his mum intentionally? I would never – she is closest I have to a mum. I tested the cylinder it worked fine. Saying goodbye to phupi and Najma was really hard it broke me even more. My visa ended in a week. Why prolong this dull ache in my heart? So with that Zoya packed her bags and said good bye to the Khan house hold. No, she didn't see Mr Khan as he was too busy being consoled by his Tannu. She couldn't bear witness that again. Zoya had made up her mind to leave. But this felt worse than leaving New York..she felt like she was leaving her home behind, her heart was already there..now it seems like her soul was also still there. As she sat there an empty person looking at the flights time table..her tears just rolled even faster down her cheeks.

Khan Residence :

Asad hated himself. How could he accuse her of all things trying to harm his ammi. Zoya is afraid of fire yet she was the first one to start putting out the flames. All the time her bravery gets her into trouble but this time she fought her fear for his ammi. And I called her a "musibat" again, reminded her that she is a guest in my house. Guest in my house, what BS!! She lives in my heart, but she is a habit I have to get rid of..but still I hurt her. Asad sat in his room dejected, shoulders slumped and tears rolling down his cheeks. Why does his life have to be so complicated?

"Asad, can I come in?" his ammi asked. Dilshaad came and sat next to her son. She put her hands on his should and asked "who were you more afraid for Zoya or me". Asad looked at his ammi and just hugged her. "She has a fear for fires ammi, what if she got hurt again, I don't think I could have lived with that. Ammi she is "musibat" I am never in peace around her". Dilshaad wipes his tears and says "She's gone now Asad, your musibat has left. She is going back to New York tonight. She said her good byes to us and left" Dilshaad with tears in her eyes says "this house is back to the way you like it, quiet and clean, quiet cos the life of this house is gone" Asad was still registering the words, your musibat is gone. Ammi, how could she go, she didn't say anything to me. She can't go.. And with that he run out his room, brushing pass Tanveer whom just witnessed that entire conversation. "Go get her beta " said Dilshaad wiping her tears.

Bopal Airport :

"Arnav-ji , I am fine. Look I will just sit there and you go get my souten, sorry laptop" said Khushi smiling at her over protective husband. "Khushi, please behave and just sit there until I get back, there is huge line to get back into the airport so I might take alittle longer, just stay put" said Arnav, he then kissed her on the forehead and mouthed STAY to her. A very heavily pregnant Khushi then looked for a place to sit; the only place available was next to girl crying like her world is coming to an end. This is not done thought Khushi, she is Khushi after all. She huddled over and asked, "can I sit here" The girl with swollen eyes looked up and said "sure" Khushi gently sat down and offered the girl jalebi saying "Hi, I am Khushi, Mrs Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada" smiling offering a hand " the girl looked up and said "Zoya Farooqi". Nice to meet you Zoya. Zoya looked at this impish over pregnant woman and smiled. You coming or going..asked Khushi. "Going actually "said Zoya. "Going home" replied Zoya. Khushi said," it looks like you are leaving home more like it." Zoya couldn't help but cry some more. Khushi didn't like tears in anyone's eyes. Just then her cell fone rang, "Yes Arnav-ji I am sitting down, yes, yes okay bye now, see you just now" Smiling she cut the call. Zoya couldn't help but smile throw her tears. "You husband "asked Zoya. "Yes my Laad Governor" replied Khushi. Khushi couldn't help notice a small smile on Zoya's face like she is recalling some pleasant memory. "Do you have a Laad governor as well", asked Khushi cheerfully. Zoya looked at Khushi, she might as well speak her heart she is leaving anyway. "Jahapanah actually, Jahapanah 6 packs" laughing Zoya took the jalebi Khushi offered. Khushi smiled. Zoya then said "tell me about your Laad Governor." Khushi broke it in a dazzling smile, "lets see where to start with my Laad governor. When we first met we hated each other, I was a middle class girl and he was Arnav Singh Raizada, THE ASR. I actually fell into in lap during a his fashion show and no I was not a model" The second time we met, I knocked into his 4x4." Laughed Khushi, Zoya's smile spread..Khushi said " Do share"... Zoya smiled some more "actually Jahapanah almost knocked me with his 4x4" Khushi laughed and proceeded little did I know I would actually start working for my Laad governor" Zoya said smiling sadly " and I would be a guest in his house".Zoya and Khushi looked and each other with smiles..Their stories were so similar. I have a happy ending Zoya should have one too.

Meanwhile outside the airport :

Asad was trying his best to get into the airport. But the line to get in was just so long and no one was willing to give him a break. "I have to get in" he yelled at the security gaurd. "You don't have a ticket sir, you cannot go in" said the guard. "You don't understand I have to get in or she will leave" Asad roared even more furiously. At that Arnav turned and looked at this man trying his best to get in to the airport and Arnav couldn't help but remember that bitter sweet memory of Khushi struggling to get into the airport to stop him. Arnav went to guard and said, "I have a ticket and he will enter with me" the guard nodded, not wanting to take on these 2 men. "Hi, I am Arnav, it's a bit of a wait but you can enter with me". Asad smiled, "Thanks, I am Asad" and with that the 2 gorgeously handsome, strong men, silent brooding mean waited outside not so patiently.

Meanwhile inside the airport :

Khushi looked at Zoya still all pensive and said " So you tell me about your Jahapanah" Zoya smiled fondly. "My jahapanah" she thought, I can call him that cos he will be my jahapanah always, but someone else's Asad. Clearing her head she began, " My jahapanah, is a neat freak, controlling, has rules about everything, rarely smiles and when he does his smile could light up a room. He has this idea of how an ideal woman should be," which I didn't fit she thought, she shook that thought and continued " he is fiercely loyal and he loves he is family to bits. His anger sits on the tip of his nose, when he is angry the world know" she giggled a little and then turned to Khushi, whose mouth was wide open and eyes unblinking.."Khushi you okay" Zoya shook Khushi a little. "khushi, khushi.." Khushi was speechless maybe for the first time in her life, Zoya just described Arnav-ji. "Zoya, what is Jahaphanah's full name.." Zoya looked at puzzled and said " Asad Ahmed Khan" Khushi let out the breathe she was holding and giggled. "Zoya, for a minute I thought you described my Arnav-ji,each and detail right down to the anger part" Zoya and Khushi held each other hand and laughed, and Zoya it was after a very long time did she laugh so much.

Meanwhile outside the airport :

Arnav looked over to very anxious Asad. And said, " I take it you going in to stop her" Asad looked at this strong silent type macho man asking him this question. Asad couldn't think of anything and smiled a sad smile "Hopefully I am not late" Arnav smiled, you made it this far my friend let's see what happens. Asad smiled strangely feeling comforted by those words. "So how did you know" asked Asad. "Been there" said Arnav smiling. "Except I was inside and she was outside. If someone had given her a break that day, we could have avoided alot of heart ache, so I am trying not to let that happen again" Arnav smiled at Asad. "I don't even know what I am going to say to her" said Asad. "It will come naturally" smiled Arnav putting a hand on Asad's shoulder. "She is the most exasperating, annoying, loud, hard harded, stubborn woman I know with all her Allah Miyaan's" Asad said. Arnav just laughed, "My Khushi is just the same except with her Devi Maiyaa" Asad and Arnav couldn't help but reminisce about the numerous times they heard those terms.

Meanwhile inside the airport:

Zoya said "Okay this is getting spooky" Khushi continued "okay let's see you top this, he saved me from a falling down building after sending me there himself" Khushi smiled. "Oh ja, he saved me from goon's after kicking me out the house himself". Shocked they continued, Zoya then said " I accidently ended up in Mangalpur with him and he saved me from near death experience, and that was the first time I saw something else in his eyes" Zoya remembered fondly. Khushi then said " Nainitaal," she giggled and continued " for us it was in was Nainitaal – same scenario" Zoya and Khushi laughed some more at how strange life is. "Whenever I get hurt he takes care of me" Zoya said remembering the Akram incident. Khushi rembered when her dad was sick how he was there or when she cut her finger in his room. They both sat silent for a minute just remembering. " Okay Khushi" said Zoya, "the first time your'll admitted your'll had feeling for each other" Khushi sed " Bhang" and Zoya choked on her jalebi. "You asking or telling" asked Zoya puzzled. Khushi laughed so hard she held her baby bump. "Telling, but I take it bhang has some relevance to you too" Khushi said my turn "first official dance" Zoya remembered "Dance is se kehte hai Miss Farooqi" she got goose bumps.."Teri Meri" whispered Zoya, it was Khushi's turn to choke "No way " Zoya's eyes just got wider, they giggle some more. Both feeling they had just like they best friends already.

Meanwhile Outside the airport :

Asad thought this line isn't moving. Arnav could sense his tension, he needed to calm down somehow Asad reminded Arnav of himself. "Why did you let her go" Asked Arnav in his usual no nonsense straight forward manner. Asad looked defeated and said "I tried to convince myself that she was all wrong for me. That she didn't fit in my world" Arnav smiled fondly and said "Tried hey, yet somehow they always creep right back in" Asad looked at this stranger and felt a little ease" Arnav smiled and continued "yet their tears can reduce you to nothing in a heartbeat, the thought of them being away scares you so.." "that you can't breathe" continued Asad. Arnav thought of the time he lost almost Khushi " my world can to an end, when I thought she wasn't breathing" Asad looked shocked at Arnav, Arnav just voiced Asad's thoughts. "Her one smile could light up my whole world" Arnav and Asad thought what a strange world. And moved forward as the line moved. Arnav continued "somehow the ego and brain always comes in the way and whatever you don't mean to say gets said" Asad looked and Arnav and remembered all the hurtful things. Asad continued " I really didn't mean too but it's all these feelings that I don't want to have that keeps coming up whenever I am around her." Arnav smiled and said "preaching to the choir my friend" At that Asad relaxed a little.

Meanwhile inside the airport :

"so can I ask you something if it's not to personal" Khushi asked looking at Zoya's reaction whether to go on or not..Zoya smiled "Why are you leaving – you obviously love jahapanah alot, then why" Zoya simply said "cos I don't fit in his world" and she smiled sadly. Khushi took an wild guess and said "Let me guess, another woman that is perfect" Khushi smiled..Zoya smiled back knowing where Khushi was going. "What was her name" asked Zoya. "Lavanya, his friend" Zoya laughed "Tanveer, his best friend" Khushi could sense Zoya withdraw again and proceeded to talk "with my Laad governor Lavanya knew him already where as I was still learning, she fit into his world perfectly. Seeing them together use to destroy me, yet I always kept my distance cos that seemed right. Deep down I knew he had feelings for me, but didn't want to acknowledge them cos I was wrong for him" At those last words Zoya looked at Khushi with tears in her eyes. Khushi held Zoya's hand and said " Life had other things planned for us, as much as we fought we still loved each other. We couldn't bare to the other hurt. We stuck it out and look were we now" Khushi said putting her other hand on her baby bump. Zoya just hugged Khushi and cried. Cried for the past, for the present and the future that could be.

And that is how jahapanah and Laad governor found their lady loves holding onto each other. Arnav and Asad run in the same direction, only look at each other and give a knowing smile. "Zoya/ Khushi ", they said at the same time and smiled to see 2 pairs of wide red eyes look up at them. Zoya stood up, Khushi not so quickly. Asad hugged Zoya like his life depended on it. And Arnav held Khushi . Khushi smiled saying "Arnav-ji look at our past" And she smiled. Arnav gave her kiss on a forehead and said "I love you dammit, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada" And hugged his wife. And his wife replied "Hamesha"

Asad and Zoya held onto each other and cried for everything said and not said. Eventually Asad stepped back and said, "I am sorry Zoya. I should have never pushed you away. I thought it was best for the both of us. I called you a mis-fit, when you fitted perfectly into my home. My home is missing its heart and I am missing my soul, please come home Zoya, I love you with every bossy, stubborn, neat freak part of my being, please come home" Asad said with tears roling down his cheeks. Zoya wiped his tears and said "I am home Asad, I am home" and she stepped back into his arms "I love you Asad" And cried some more with him.

Khushi cleared her throat and said " Hello Jahapanah six pack" smiling. Arnav choked. Zoya giggled and said "You must be Laad governor" Asad's turn to choke. Arnav turned to Asad and said "Dude, I see what you mean" and they both laughed at their private joke. Khushi and Zoya giggled as well. "come Khushi, it's time for our flight" said Arnav. Khushi held out her jalebi box to him and send "hold this" Arnav rolled his eyes and Asad smiled. Khushi went to Zoya and said "It like our lifes have been penned by the same person" smiling she continued "Life is going to give you alot challenges your way forward will be is to resolve it together, always stand by each other's side no matter what might happen" Saying that Khushi hugged Zoya very tightly "I have a found a soul sister in you, thank you Khushi" replied Zoya. Khushi broke away from the embrace and said to Asad "You hurt her, I will hunt you down, don't mess with a pregnant woman" she laughed and gave him a hug too and whispered in his ear "Always stay with her, she will only be more stronger with you by her side. Love her cos thats all she wants" Arnav smiled as he watched Asad expression. He stepped forward and hugged Zoya, "Remain just the way are, he wouldn't have you any other way" Zoya smiled at Arnav and still alittle puzzled with his words. Arnav bro-hugged Asad. "Thank you for giving me a break" said Asad. Arnav smiled and said, " even the strongest most competent of men, needs a break. What we think is best might not always be, we have to learn to listen to our heart every now and again." With that Arnav and Khushi said their good byes to Asad and Zoya promising to visit soon.

Asad held onto Zoya and kissed her head as they watched these 2 savours walk away. Zoya sighed and smiled. Asad looked down at her..and she said motioning towards the departing figures and man holding onto his tiny pregnant wife.."Asad, that is our future"