AsYa FF: Destiny Comes Calling *CH 20* 11/11/13 Pg 134 - Page 25

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Chapter 9: Along came Polly...or is it???

The next couple of days passed with Zoya still recovering. Her bruising had lightened considerably and she was now able to put some weight on her legs. She spent the most of her time bonding with Najma and Phoopi. Mealtimes were reserved for bickering with Mr. Khan. They fought and argued about everything possible.

Zoya was able to easily share her heart out with the kind and caring Dilshaad. She went into the details of her life with Zeenat and Anwar, leading upto her arrival in India. She shared everything she knew about her birth parents with Dilshaad, hoping that maybe she will be able to guide her in her quest or even help her out.

In Najma she found the perfect friend. Najma was always eager to talk. They talked about everything two young girls could talk about from likes and dislikes to movies and boys. They shared with each other their dreams and aspirations. Najma became the little sister that Zoya could never find in Humiera, Zeenat and Anwar's only child. Humiera was always jealous of the love her parents showered on Zoya and ever since she found out that Zoya was adopted, she had distanced herself further.

Zoya and Najma had already narrowed down a song for the sangeet and were working on the steps. Najma was a graceful dancer but heavy footed and inexperienced. She was naturally shy and had never before performed in front of an audience which was making her extremely nervous. As time passed, she insisted that Zoya accompany her. Reluctantly Zoya agreed, but conditionally. If her foot was perfect, and the doctor permitted she would dance. She had already lost a lot of valuable time due to her injury and could not afford to have it relapse. She had Indian visa only for a month and if she cannot get her work completed, she would have to leave and return at a later time, if Jeeju permitted.

Asad was also observing the changes in his house. His mother and sister were now more animated, sometimes even in his presence. He wondered if they were naturally this lively and were keeping their personalities suppressed due to him. He enjoyed hearing Najma laugh and talk freely, but at the same time he was wary about the changes in his little sister. Independence and being care-free is affordable when one is living in the western world. But in a close minded society as the one that they lived in, such attributes were often misinterpreted and frowned upon.

His interactions with Ms Farooqui were still more bordered on arguments than conversations. The easy camaraderie they had shared the night of her injury was gone. Once she had figured out that it was he who had got her the phone, she did approach him to thank him.

-x- Flashback start-x-

Previous night "

Asad was preparing for bed when he heard a knock on the door. Before he could respond, the door had opened and Ms. Farooqui walked nee limped in as fast as her injured leg could bring her.

"Mr. Khan" she spoke as she looked up, arranging her hair back in place. "Oops sorry" she turned around almost immediately.

"I see you have figured out the knocking, now next time wait for me to respond" Asad responded as he too turned the other way around and completed the act of putting on his kurta. "You can turn now and tell me, what is so urgent that could not wait until tomorrow morning."

Zoya turned around slowly, her one hand covering her eyes. She slowly parted two fingers and peeked at him. When she had convinced herself that he was now fully clothed, she sighed.

"Yeah...woh...I wanted to thank you for the six packs...no the biceps... umm no no...I meant the cell phone" she scrunched her eyes shut as she spoke those last words, face palmed her forehead, slowly letting that hand come down to cover her mouth shut as she vigorously shook her head in the negative. She held out the cell phone in question in her other hand and stared at it. Her eyes were now wide as saucers and a deep pink was slowing creeping up her face, an indication of how thoroughly embarrassed she was about what she had just said.

"You are welcome, Ms. Farooqui. It was nothing." He said dismissively rubbing his forehead and pinching the bridge of his nose.

"So yeah...and don't worry. Next time I will check before I come barging into your room. I promise."She said as she made a move to leave.

Asad let out the chuckle he was quashing all this time when he heard a giggle come from the other side of the door.

-x- Flashback end "x-

Her light hearted nature, carefree attitude and insistence on being independent both angered and intrigued him. He had observed the fleeting emotions in her eyes when they spent time together as a family or when she was sitting by herself, engrossed in whatever she did with her I-Pad.

They enjoyed baiting each other about their habits and also the fights that ensued. He was as prejudiced as ever about her American upbringing and habits and she was as proud as ever about her independence. He insisted on carrying her around when he was around, she fought him calling him chauvinistic. She continued to order pizzas and eating them as and when she liked, sharing with Phoopi and Najma but never him. He continued to frown at her habits and did not stop from reprimanding her for her messy and unhealthy habits. She made sure she pointed out how annoying his OCD was in return.

His nightly walks with MyJaan not only made them familiar to each other but was helping him bond with the dog as well as overcome his initial fear. The bonding was mutual and it was evident with the warm welcome he always got whenever they were crossed each other's paths.

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Zoya had now been in India for about 6 days now. She was chatting with Phoopi in her room, trying to rearrange her wardrobe the way she liked it. It was previously done by Najma and now that Zoya was able to move around with greater ease, she wanted to do it herself. This also gave her something to do, besides worrying about her non-progression.

"Zoya, kitni khoobsurat hai yeh bali. Par humein sirf ek hi deekh rahi hai. [Zoya, this is such a pretty earring. But I am not able to find its pair.]" Dilshaad looked up from the jewelry that she was sorting for Zoya.

"Ohh!" Zoya gasped seeing the earring, tears immediately sprung in her eyes. "Phoopi, I lost the other one in the plane while coming from Delhi. They belonged to my mother and she was wearing them that fateful night. Khala (Zeenat's ammi) gave them to me for safe keeping. Kitni badnaseeb hoon na mein Phoopi, yahan apne Abbu to dhoondne aayi hoon aur raastein mein hi meine ammi ki aakhri nishaani kho di. Yeh mere Abbu ne Ammi ko mooh dikhayi per diye the, socha tha jab abbu milenge to inhe dekh kar mujhe pehchan lenge. [I am so unlucky Phoopi, I came here to look for my father but on the way I lost my mother's last souvenir. It was a gift to her from my father on their wedding. I had always thought that once I find my father, I can show him the earrings and he will immediately recognize me.]" Zoya spoke between her sobs.

Dilshaad engulfed her in a bear hug and patted her back."Aise nahi kehte bete, haar nahi mante. Khuda ki shaayad yehi marzi thi. Aur tumhare paas abhi bhi ek bali to hai hi. [Don't be disheartened my child. It was God's wish and you still have this other earring, right?]"

"Nahi Phoopi maine haar nahi mani abhi tak. [I have not given up hope Phoopi.]I am sure I was still wearing it when I boarded the Delhi " Bhopal flight. I have asked the airline to contact me if they find it. But I am sure it was that VIP customer of theirs who took my earring away. Otherwise, how would it simply disappear in thin air?" Wiping her tears as she tried to recollect her plane ride, the one which she had slept through.

"Beta, koi kyun le jayega is bali ko. Iski ehmiyat jo tumhe hai, woh aur kisiko thodi ho sakti hai? Mujhe yakeen hain tumhe tumhare Abbu milenge. Kya mein isse kuch dinon apne paas rakh sakti hoon? Design poorani hai, magar alag hai. Meine pehle nahi dekhi. Kya pata, shaayad hum iski madad se tumhare Abbu ko dhoondh paayein? Meri pehchaan ke ek Johari hain, mein unse pooch sakti hoon agar who humein kuch bata sakein ki ye kisne banayi hain ya kahan se kharidi gayi hai. Jo bhi thodi information humein mil jaaye. [Why would anyone want to take your earring? It has significance for you, but what good is it to someone else? I am sure you will find your Abbu. Can I keep these with me for some time? The design on this is old but it is unique. I have never seen it before. Who knows, we might be able to use this to trace your father. I know a jeweler, I can ask him to find out for us where this was made or where it was sold. Anything that can help us.]"

"Phoopi, you are a genius. I never thought about this. We should definitely give it a try." Zoya smiled through her tears as she hugged Dilshaad back.

"Acha ab yeh aasoon pocho aur ready ho jao. [Anyways, now wipe your tears and get ready] I have called someone home with regards to your outfits for Salma's wedding."

"Phoopi, are you sure I should attend?"

"Did I not tell you earlier that I don't want any arguments about this? Now come along. I am expecting her after lunch."

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Najma was bored. Ammi had asked them to come down to the living room around 2pm since she was expecting the designer. It was already past 2:30 and there was no one here yet. She was stopping by the window every few minutes just to kill time and hoping that whoever was to come would come fast.

"Ammi, ye yahan kya kar rahein hain?[What is this person doing here?] I can't believe this ammi..." she huffed when she saw a car with dark tinged windows park in the portico.

"I don't know what problem you have with HER. Even you know that she has some of the best and most unique designer wear in her collection. Waise bhi Zoya cannot go out shopping, so I called her here."

Najma rolled her eyes as Dilshaad made her way to the door to welcome her guest.

Zoya's eyes followed Dilshaad as she opened the door. Suddenly there was a lot of movement happening in the living room. A couple of uniformed sales girls first entered and made a clearing by moving the furniture around. They then brought in a foldable display wardrobe and assembled it. Finally they went out and brought in countless bags and packets which unpacked and neatly arranged the contents on the wardrobe and table. Satisfied that everything was perfectly done, one of the girls stepped out of the house.

"Ma'am everything is setup." They heard her speak.

A heavily veiled woman, in a beautifully embroidered burqa walked in with exaggerated movements.

She did not utter a word, but instead just plopped herself heavily in the lounger that was across the a/c.

"Uff, kitni garmi hain aaj kal. [It is so hot.]" She said in a honey laced voice as she started loosening the veil.

"Obviously" Zoya heard Najma mumble besides her.

"I can't believe all the drama. Is she the designer?" Zoya whispered back.

"Yeah. Enjoy youself while it lasts. I am out of here." Najma made to get up but was stopped by both her mom and Zoya who held her hands and pulled her back.

"Salaam Waleykum Khala." The lady spoke, every word she spoke was emphasized and spoken with a flair for the dramatics."Aap to humein aaj kal yaad hi nahi karti. Kitnein dino baad bulaya hain aaj aapne humein. It's not good for my business you know. [You don't remember me anymore. It's been so long since you called me here last.]"

Phoopi returned her Salaam and started to converse with the designer, Chaand bi (no she is not the same from QH, a totally different character. Explanation later.)

All this while Zoya was busy observing the lady in question. Zoya was keenly observing her style of conversing, the way she used exaggerated hand movements as she spoke, the heavy makeup and jewelry. Something about her seemed off to Zoya, She continued to stare at her while she gossiped with Phoopi. Suddenly something clicked and she let out a giggle.

Najma turned to look at her and they exchanged a look that confirmed Zoya's suspicions.

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