Date Par Jaana Padha Tho? OS
Previous OS links in this 'tho' series:
Nikaah Ho Gaya tho? https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/3579884/nikaah-ho-gaya-tho-may-10
SR Ho gayi tho? https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/3583953/suhaag-raat-ho-gayi-tho-os
Room share karna padha tho? https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/3587745/room-share-karna-padha-tho-os
A FEW DAYS AFTER THE NIKAAH
"Arre dekho Zoya, tumhare jiju ka letter aaya hai." Dilshaad handed an envelope to Zoya.
"Thanks ammi," Zoya smiled at her mother in law, "main jiju se bahut naaraz hoon. Wo nikaah par tho aaye nahin. Ab yeh letter bhej diya." She pouted.
"I am sure he had a genuine problem," Dilshaad cupped Zoya's face and smiled back, "waise jab tum mujhey ammi bolti ho, tho bahut achcha lagta hai."
Zoya hugged Dilshaad, "meri zindagi mein jo ek khali (void) thi, wo aapne poori kar di ammi. Ab mujhey koi gila nahin."
Dilshaad kissed her forehead and left her alone to read the letter.
Dear Zoya,
First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the most wonderful day of your life. I am so sorry I couldn't attend your nikaah because my ammi was hospitalized in New York. I wish Asad and you the best in life and inshallah, I will visit both of you during my upcoming trip to India.
In the meantime, I have made a reservation at the Noor-Us-Sabah palace (a five star hotel in Bhopal) for the newly weds to enjoy a romantic dinner this Friday evening.
I have heard that Asad is quite a homebody, but please ask him to take you out on this date. It would mean a lot to me if you both would accept this small wedding gift on my behalf.
Allah Hafiz,
Anwar.
She had tears in her eyes. Her jiju had always been so considerate. Growing up, he had been her idol; a man who understood women better than anyone she had ever known. He had never let her down and had always been a well-wisher. "Kahin aapi ne unhein batayaa tho nahin ki Mr. Khan kitne unromantic type aadmi hain? Shayad is liye yeh gift bheja hai. Uff, now I have to convince Mr. Akdu to take me out on a date! Ya Allah!"
ASAD'S BEDROOM
"What?" Asad gave her a dirty look as she held the letter in front of his eyes. He was immersed in writing an email to a client.
"Jiju ka letter."
"So? It's addressed to you." He glanced at it, "mujhey kyun de rahi hain?"
"Lekin hum dono ke liye wedding gift hai ismein."
Asad read the letter; his eyes popped, "r-o-m-a-n-t-i-c dinner this Friday evening?"
"At the Noor-Us-Sabah palace!" She exclaimed, "I have heard ki wahan ka Italian restaurant is one of the best in Bhopal!"
"Aapka dimaag tho kharaab nahin ho gaya hai? Aapko pata hai main bahar ka khaana pasand nahin karta."
"Lekin Mr. Khan, this is a gift. Mere jiju ne itne pyaar se bheja hai. Unka mann rakhne ke liye tho ek shaam aap bahar khaana kha sakte hai na?"
"This is ridiculous. Ammi ka mann rakhne ke liye pehle nikaah karo, phir Aapi ki feelings hurt na ho, now jiju's feelings. Kis kis ki feelings ka khayal rakhna padhega?" He stood up, his hands in his pocket and fumed.
"Meri bhi nahin?" She asked softly.
He turned around and furrowed his eyebrows, "tho phir yeh kahiye na ki aapka mann hai!"
"So, we are going right?" She picked the letter and almost jumped with excitement.
"Ab nikaah kiya hai tho kuch tho compromises karne padhenge na?" He glared.
She clenched her teeth, "let's not talk about compromises Mr. Khan! We both know who has compromised more here!"
As she turned to leave, he asked softly, "Italian hi jaana hai?"
She turned her face slightly and replied, "agar aap itna compromise kar hi rahe hain, tho ek aur sahi Mr. Khan. I love Italian food."
"Alright!" He exhaled and rolled his eyes behind her back. After she left, he had a faint smile on his face, "date? That's strange. Hope she doesn't expect too much!"
FRIDAY EVENING:
Dressed in a black blazer with matching slacks, navy blue shirt and no tie for a change, Asad checked himself out in the mirror a few times before heading out on his first date of his life.
Zoya walked out of the bathroom in a light blue chiffon churidaar suit with dangling earrings and beautiful dupatta lacing her neck. Asad couldn't help noticing her simple but elegant look. By now, Zoya had learnt to gauge how pretty she looked by his eye expressions. Those familiar dreamy looks with droopy eyelids were the best compliments she could receive from her husband. She knew he would never say anything and she was alright with that. He was capable of messing up a perfect compliment with his words; his eyes never lied unlike his words.
She cleared her throat, throwing him off his trance like state, "shall we leave now?"
"Jee. Ammi aur Najma ko bataa diya hai aapne?"
"Haan. Wo log bhi aaj play dekhne gaye hain. Bahar hi khaana kha lenge. Don't worry Mr. Khan. Main hoon na. I arranged everything for them. Aapki family ka poora dhyaan hai mujhey! After all I am Zoya Farooo….oh sorry, " she looked away sheepishly, "after all I am Z-Zoya you see." Asad gave her a curious look and remained silent. Just like him, the feeling that she was Mrs. Khan, had not yet sunk in.
AT THE HOTEL:
The valet greeted them as they stepped out of the car.
"Good Evening Mr. and Mrs. Khan!"
They exchanged glances with each other and then nodded at the valet. Even if they were in denial, the rest of the world acknowledged them as a couple.
"Good Evening! We have a reservation at the Italian restaurant." Asad replied.
"Yes sir. Please follow me." A staff member from the hotel came forward and guided them.
Asad let Zoya lead the way to the hotel lobby, "pehle aap."
To his surprise, she slipped her arm around his arm and walked beside him, "I think Mr. Khan, at least hotel waalon ko tho lagna chaahiye na ki hum newly married hain. Agar main aage aage chali tho aisa lagega we have been married for 10 or 15 years, haina?" She laughed.
He raised his eyebrow and broke out into a faint smile. He glanced at her arm curled around his arm, her fingers rested on his taut biceps over his blazer. The henna on her hands had the glow of a new bride. There was something very possessive about the way she held onto him; they looked like the perfect newly weds. He enjoyed that.
AT THE RESTAURANT:
Anwar had purchased the premium gift package for his sister in law and her husband. Asad and Zoya were treated like royalty as they settled into their seats across from each other. They had a separate room within the restaurant, with dim lights and candles lit in the center of their table. It was a perfect setting for a romantic first date.
Asad checked out the beautiful art work and dcor of the restaurant.
"Very tasteful!" He remarked.
She followed his gaze and remarked, "aapko interior designing ka kaafi shauk hai na? Aapne apne ghar bhi khud design kiya hai, isn't it?"
"Aapko kaise pata?" He was surprised, "I have never told you anything."
"Mr. Khan! Aap shayad bhool rahe hain ki nikaah se pehle bhi main aapke ghar ki mehman thi. Itni samajh hai mujh mein."
" I love designing."
"Is that why aapne architecture ka profession choose kiya?"
"Yeah," he was lost in his thoughts, "I always wanted to build things with my hands. Bachpan mein main bahar baith kar saari buildings ko apni notebook mein sketch karta tha. I loved how every building was different even if they were all made of cement and bricks."
Zoya gazed at his face lovingly. This was one of the handfuls of times she could count that they were conversing like normal adults. She did not interrupt him as he kept up with his monologue about his love for buildings, construction, designing and his profession. This was a different Asad Ahmed Khan than she was used to dealing with.
"Can I get you a drink madam? And Sir for you?" The waiter interrupted.
"Oh. Can I have a coke with ice please?" She smiled at the waiter.
"Black coffee." He replied.
"Coffee? Mr. Khan, dinner se pehle?"
"Kyun, yeh kahin ka rule hai ki dinner se pehle coffee nahin pee sakte?" He frowned.
"Of course not. Aap chaahe tho dinner bhi sirf coffee ka hi kar sakte hain." She replied sarcastically.
"Very funny!" He had a sour look on his face.
"Aap kabhie kuch nayi cheez kyun nahin try karte? Like a new drink?"
"I don't like change." He had a stern look on his face.
"You now Mr. Khan, the only thing constant in this world is change. Change is good. Variety is good. Aap kabhie try kariye na?"
"Like what?"
"Ab jaise aaj hum yahan Italian khaane aaye hain. Next time we can try a Thai restaurant….or Chinese….or Middle Eastern. Wouldn't that be great?"
"Main aaj yahan sirf aapke jiju ki wajah se aaya hoon Ms…I mean Zoya. I prefer ghar ka khaana."
"Tho roz roz bahar jaane ko thode hi keh rahi hoon main. Maybe once a week? It's not like I am asking you to marry again Mr. Khan! We are just talking about food." She chuckled. Her innocent comment didn't go down too well with him.
He picked up the menu and frowned at her, "let's order. I am hungry." She perceived his discomfort at the remarriage comment. She bit her lip at her faux pas and kicked herself for being insensitive.
Asad ordered a grilled fish with a side order of a salad. Zoya was surprised, "aap dieting kar rahe hain Mr. Khan?"
"I only eat healthy food Ms..I mean Zoya! Aapki tarah nahin jo coke and pizza par hi zinda rehti hain."
"Aapko kya problem hai agar mujhey coke aur pizza pasand hai? Meri body, meri pasand!"
"At least have diet coke then. Jaanti hain ek coke can mein kitni calories hoti hain?"
"I don't care Mr. Khan. I don't count calories. I believe in living life and not waste my time in counting calories. Waise main exercise bhi karti hoon."
"What exercise? Ghar ke bahar thodi light jogging ko exercise kehte hain?"
"Well, aapki tarah nahin hoon ki logon ko peet peet kar exercise karoon!"
He raised his eyebrow and remembered his comment to the tailor before the wedding.
"Aur Mr. Khan. I burn most of my calories with my laughter. Aap jaante hai na main kitna hansti hoon. Meri aadhi calories tho waise hi burn ho jaati hain. Aap bhi koshish kariye kabhie Mr. Khan. Start laughing more, phir logon ko peetne ki zaroorat nahin padhegi."
Asad clenched his teeth and pointed at the menu, "order kariye. Waiter khada hai,"
The waiter tried to suppress his giggles as he overheard their bickering at the table.
"I will have an order of bruschetta to start with, a minestrone soup and four cheese ravioli as my main course…..and of course your personal pan pizza of the day."
Asad was stunned to hear her order, "are you sure you can eat all that?"
Zoya glared at him, "pait mera hai Mr. Khan, aapko kya problem ho rahi hai?"
"And salad madam?" The waiter asked.
"No…that's too healthy," she grinned at Asad as he looked away, embarrassed.
After the waiter left, she stepped on his foot under the table.
"OUCH!" He jumped up, "yeh kya mazaak hai Zoya?"
"Mazaak main nahin aap kar rahe the waiter ke saamne! Kya zaroorat thi mujhye aise embarrass karne ki?"
"I am the one who is embarrassed. I can't believe a woman can eat so much!"
"Too bad Mr. Khan! Ab tho waise bhi aapki responsibility hai mujhey zindagi bhar khaana provide karne ki."
"What if you put on weight like all those aunties?"
"Tho? Kya aap mujhey chhod denge?" She challenged him.
He gave her a derisive look, "I am not that shallow!"
"Tho iska matlab aapko main 25 saal baad bhi itni hi attractive lagoongi?"
"Jee," he replied absent-mindedly but realized what he had just said. He looked up and saw her turn red at his comment. The glow of the candlelight made her face look even more radiant. Her eyes were lowered but she had a smile on her face. Her dimples dug deep into her cheek. As always, they made his heart flutter even faster.
He glanced at her with his dreamy eyes and thought, "Zoya, shayad 25 saal tho kya, 50 saal baad bhi yeh muskaan tumhare chehre par dekhna chaahunga."
AFTER DINNER:
They walked out after a long and wonderful dinner together. She carried out a bag of leftovers.
"So, Zoya, ab tho maanengi ki I was right. There was no way you could have eaten all that food."
"Mr. Khan. If you know me well, aap samajh gaye honge, agar koi mujhey kisi cheez karne se rok tha hai, tho main uska ulta karti hoon."
"Kitni stupid hain aap!" He shook his head, "how childish!"
"Better than being an 80 year old man in a 28 year old's body!" She retorted.
"Whatever!" He rolled his eyes.
As they walked in the lobby, a couple of men, obviously drunk walked across.
They were humming loudly and swayed all across the floor. On accident, one of them knocked Zoya. She tripped and almost fell on the floor. Asad was furious at the men and helped Zoya stand up on her feet, "Zoya, give me your hand." He put a protective arm around her and glared at the men.
Instead of apologizing, the inebriated men started laughing and passing vulgar remarks at Zoya.
Zoya tried to ignore them but Asad lost his temper. No one had the right to knock his wife and pass such obnoxious comments.
She tried to stop him, but it was too late. Asad caught hold of the men, held them by their collars and punched their faces with all his strength. As tempers flew, Asad's rage multiplied manifold.
'MR. KHAN! PLEASE STOP!" Zoya tried to pull him away but he didn't budge.
"NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TALK TO MY WIFE LIKE THAT!" He kicked and punched the men repeatedly. Zoya was stunned to see such a violent reaction from Asad.
The hotel security was summoned and arrived promptly. The men were separated, an ambulance hailed for the drunken men.
"We will have to call the police sir," the hotel security informed them. Asad just yelled back at them.
Zoya knew Asad's temper could make things worse for him. She intervened and reasoned with the security guards.
"Please sir, meri baat suniye. Galti mere husband ki nahin hai." She stood between Asad and the security personnel. "Those men knocked me over and were passing very nasty comments. Mr. Khan is a very reputed man in Bhopal. He would never attack anyone without a reason." She had a way with words. The security personnel nodded their heads, "we understand madam. Sorry for the inconvenience. Have a safe trip back home. Agar aapke husband ko first aid chaahiye hai tho hum hotel doctor ko bula sakte hain."
"Nahin shukriya," She smiled and held Asad's hand, "I can take care of him. Aap bas hamari car bhijwaa deejiye."
As they walked out, Asad placed his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, afraid to let anyone else get near or harm her in anyway.
Zoya rested her head on his shoulder and slipped her arm around his back. They waited on the steps for the valet to pull their car into the driveway.
Without exchanging any more words, they stood arm in arm, aware what they meant to each other. Zoya knew he would always be there for her, however precarious the situation might be and Asad knew that she would always be the calming influence in his otherwise volatile life.
"Tum adhoore ho Asad, Zoya tumhein poora karti hai," Ammi's words echoed in his mind. He glanced at her head resting on his shoulder and gently pulled her closer, "Thanks." He whispered.
"Thanks." She whispered back.
Next OS…..gaana gun gunana chaaha tho….
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
Debate Mansion
