Asad woke up with a strange feeling. He was tired, shattered and bleeding from the inside. The bed was strange and hard not providing any comfort to his already battered body. He was exhausted to the deepest realms of his soul. He closed his eyes trying hard to fight the setting depression. He did not know how long he could hold out.
It has been two days. Two days. Since then he has been searching the streets of Ajmer for his soul. Ever since he got the report that Zoya was found in a bus to Ajmer, he has been frantic with worry. He has been searching every nook and corner of Ajmer with the hopes of finding her and begging her to come back. He has been praying Allah to give him atleast one chance to ask sorry, for disappointing her; for not trusting her; for his infidelity; but mainly for breaking her heart.
He did not deserve her. From the start he was apprehensive about falling in love. He knew that he had infidelity in his blood. He knew that he was bound to hurt her in the way Mr. Rashid Ahmed Khan had hurt his mother. But his ammi had reassured him and foolishly he had begun believing her, thinking he could never be like his father, that he could start loving Zoya without any apprehensions, any doubt. He had started dreaming about a happily ever after with his Zoya. How stupid could he get?
He remembered all the moments he had spent with his Zoya. His Zoya? Did he have the right to her anymore? For calling her his? He was not worthy of her anymore. He should face the reality and prepare himself to live with just her memories, the memories of times when he had been truly happy for the first and last time in his life. Happiness is not meant for him; was never meant for him. He prayed Allah to give him strength to go on.
His heart was restless today. Something was not right. He prayed to Allah to keep his Zoya safe. But still his heart was pounding with restless anxiety. He got up from the bed and went to get fresh. The bathroom mirror reflected a demented person. The person had blood red puffy eyes and a week's beard. He thought about the change in his reflection from a week back. Back then he was happy. Confident about his life ahead with Zoya being filled with love and happiness, there was a twinkle to his eyes, a small smile holding a secret; his love for Zoya, waiting to be confessed and confident of being reciprocated. But now his eyes looked emotionless with happiness nowhere in sight.
He got ready and skipping breakfast rushed to his car to scour the streets of Ajmer in search of his happiness and sanity. As he was about to get into his car the sound of the call for prayer from the dargah stopped him. He could see the Ajmer dargah atop a cliff, a short distance away. His feet automatically dragged him there. He felt a gush of wind soothing him as he entered the dargah. His heart automatically calmed down with a reassurance that everything was going to be alright, now that he was here; with Allah; to a similar place where he had found his happiness for the first time.
He slowly sat down, closed his eyes and let his mind and heart rest for a minute. As he prayed for his Zoya his mind involuntarily reminded about the first time he had seen her, as a bride; crying her heart out but still ethereal. A lone tear escaped from his closed eyes thinking about what could have been. He could not help but wonder if all had been well then Zoya would now have been his bride. He cursed his fate and slowly opened his eyes to a sight that took his breath away.
There in front of him sat his Zoya with tears in her eyes oblivious to everyone and everything around her. Despite her grief and sorrow she still looked like the most beautiful person that his eyes had ever beheld. Cursing his mind for playing tricks that was more than what his weary heart could bear he closed his eyes and let the tears fall.
Let me know what you think...The next part will be updated soon.😊
Part-2 (below)
Part-3 (page 4)
Kumkum Bhagya
Anupamaa
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