Chapter 11: Zoya the Matchmaker
Once Zoya and Rukhsaar were introduced, the three ladies spent some time chatting over some coffee/tea. Zoya realized what Phoopi had meant when she said that Mr. Khan and she were alike.
She was a very pretty girl, extremely soft spoken, traditional and cultured. She only spoke when spoken to, and with utmost politeness. The thought, too good to be true, crossed Zoya's mind but she immediately rubbished it. The girl had genuine affection for Phoopi and spoke extremely fondly of Asad and Najma. From Rukhsaar, she did not get the vibe of any special feelings for Mr. Khan, but she did speak highly of him. She was religiously inclined and adhered to what she believed to be good Muslim values.
Mr. Qureshi and Mr. Khan collaborated often, leading to them staying at each other's families often. Zoya gathered that the families had been in touch with each other only for the last couple years but over this time, they had come to know each other well. They did not meet often socially, given their geographic distance, but did share some level of intimacy.
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When Zoya stepped out later in the evening, she noticed that Rukhsaar was in the kitchen with Phoopi, helping her with the dinner preps. When her offer to help was declined, she took Jaan with her and sat by Najma who was busy with something on her laptop.
With nothing else to do, Zoya too started playing with Jaan.
"Kaash woh thodi kam boring hoti...[Only if she was a little less boring...]" Najma sighed.
Zoya followed her gaze to see that she was observing Rukhsaar and how she was quietly moving around the kitchen, doing as instructed.
"So, are we now talking about your problem with her? Or should I just ignore what you said?" Zoya asked, her eyebrows raised and a sly smile on her face.
"Obviously we are talking MQ." Najma rolled her eyes.
"Mujhe bas woh achi nahi lagti. Mein nahi kehti ki woh kharab hai, balki woh kuch zyaada hi achi hain. Mujhe na woh Bhabhi wali feeling hi nahi aati. Unke saath hamesha se ek ajnabi ki feeling aati hain , do saal ki pehchan ke bawajood. Woh kya sochti hain, kya mehsus karti hain, unki pasand napasand kya hain, kuch nahi pata lagta. Ek to bhaijaan apne aap mein rehne wale, upar se yeh bhi aisi sharmeeli si, sehmi si types. Kaise jamegi ye Jodi? Har waqt ghar mein sirf sannata hoga. Mein to pagal ho jaoongi. [I just don't like her. I mean she is really good, nothing is wrong with her, but I just don't like her in the way bhabhi sort of way. It will be like living with a stranger given how introverted she is. I have known her two years and I barely know what she is thinking, feeling, her likes/ dislikes, etc. On one hand, my Bhaijaan and the other her, both equally quiet and introverted. I don't know how I will live in the silence, it will drive me crazy]" Najma complained.
"Bas itni si baat. Aur mein na jaane kya kya soch rahi thi. Tamatar, zindagi tumhare bhaijaan ko bitani hai, tumhe nahi. Agar woh dono ek dusre ko pasand kartein hain, samajhte hain to acha hain na.[That's it. And here I was thinking of all sorts of crazy stuff. It is your brother who had to marry, not you. If they like each other, understand each other, that's a good thing, right?] Plus being similar is not all that bad, that too can be the basis of compatibility."
"Par bhaijaan aise nahi hain jaise sabko deekhte hain. [But my brother is not like how everyone perceives him.] Yes he was always slightly introverted, but he was never the boring types. He used to love life, have fun, and do things. Bas abbu ke inteqaal ke baad woh ekdum badal gaye. Aur mujhe lagta hain ki unki begum aisi ho jo mere pehle wale bhaijaan ko bahar la sake. Unhein wapas jeena seekha sake jaise who jeete the, jeena chahte the. [It was only after Dad's demise that he has undergone such a drastic change. And I feel he should marry a girl who can bring out the old Asad. Someone who will teach him to live and love life the way he used to.]"
"Tamatar, you are giving this matter way too much thought. Your brother is an adult and a mature one at that. He can decide for himself what he wants in life. And it's not like you will have to live with them forever. Tum bhi to kabhi na kabhi nikaah karke apne ghar jaogi. [You will also get married some day and go to your own home.]"
"MQ...mujhe nikaah shikaah ka koi shaukh nahi.[I am not interested in this marriage business.]"
"Don't tell me you intend to lead the life of a spinster. That will be so boring...but why?"
"Why shy chodo aur chalo, mujhe ek step me help chahiye and we are clearly not needed here. [Leave the whys and lets go practice]" Najma pulled her to the room, successfully switching the topics.
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Dinner was a quieter affair than usual. Zoya who would usually be the one doing most of the talking, had more important things on her mind. After her chats with both Phoopi and Najma, she had decided that she was going to observe for herself and decide who was more correct about Rukhsaar and her possible rishta for Mr. Khan.
Rukhsaar was her demure self throughout the dinner. She dutifully responded to the questions Mr. Khan posed her regarding the wellbeing of her parents. She did not make an effort to carry on or initiate a conversation. Neither of them even glanced at the other the way interested parties would. It was all very bland. Maybe it was because they were in the public eye.
A few times she tried to get them to talk or even look at each other by asking them to pass the other something or their opinion on a matter. Phoopi also understood what she was doing and helped her a bit. But she got nothing. She finally gave up on them since they were exactly what Najma had said, boring.
"Mr. Khan, I am going to take Jaan for a walk today, to aap aaramse sab ke saath coffee pijiye [so you enjoy your coffee with everyone]. As it is I have been feeling guilty of imposing on your time for the last week." She spoke up after dinner as an idea struck her.
"Did I not make it clear earlier that you cannot go out alone after dark? So you can relax and let me take him." Asad reprimanded.
"But he is my dog, my responsibility. So I will take him. I promise to stay within the backyard." she glanced at Dilshaad hoping she would support her.
"Zoya, he is not going to budge. You should know by now. Ek kaam karo tum dono chale jao. [Do one thing, both of you go together.]"
Zoya looked from Mr. Khan to Dilshaad, defeated. She was hoping that with her gone, Mr. Khan and Rukhsaar might be able to relax a bit. Another idea popped in her mind when Mr. Khan did not oppose her joining him.
"Nahi...agar Mr.Khan jaana hi chahte hain to kyon na Rukhsaar saath chali jaaye. Waise bhi bechari aayi hain tab se ghar par hi hain. Isi bahane uski bhi thodi sair ho jaayegi. [In that case, Rukhsaar can go with Mr.Khan. She has been cooped up in the house since she arrived. This way she can also get some fresh air.] I can help you with the clean up?" again she looked expectantly at Dilshaad hoping for support.
"MMMein???? Magar mein kaise? [Me? Why me?]"She pouted innocently, visibly scared.
"Ms. Farooqui. Can I have a word with you? Come." Asad hissed grabbing Zoya's hand and Jaan leash, furious after observing the tamasha that was going on.
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"What was that in there? Aap aur Ammi kya kar rahi thi? [What were you and mom doing?] You had no right to put that poor girl in a spot like that, Ms. Farooqui. I understand where Ammi comes from, but you? Is everything in life a joke to you?" They had barely closed the door behind them when Asad spoke brusquely.
"But Mr. Khan, I was only..." Zoya tried to explain.
"I don't want to hear anything Ms. Farooqui. I am not an imbecile to not see what you were getting at in there. Aap ek mehmaan hain, toh ek mehmaan ke daayre mein rahein.[You are a guest, so please stay within the limits of one.] Don't try to poke your nose in matters that don't relate to you. What happens between Rukhsaar and I is for our families to decide? I would appreciate it if you keep to yourself while you stay here and just STAY OUT OF MY BUSINESS." He abruptly turned and disappeared around the corner, going towards the back of the house.
"But I was only trying to help... doing what Phoopi really wants and YOU, Mr. Jahanpanah SIX PACKS HAVE NO RIGHT TO GO BALLISTIC ON ME." she screamed at his retreating back, before running behind him and Jaan who had already followed him.
But once she got there, there was no sign of either of them. It was liked they had completely vanished in thin air. She looked around some more and then realized that she was on the other side of Mr. Khan's office and deduced that he had most likely gone in, through some hidden door. Even the windows were now completely dark, blocking the view inside.
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That he was upset with Ms. Farooqui would be an understatement, he was raging mad. How dare she try to put him and Rukhsaar in such an awkward position?
He knew she would follow him here and surely there was an impatient knock at the door in another couple of minutes.
"Mr. Khan. I am coming in and you'd better be decent" she opened the door when Asad did not bother answering. Her words made Asad blush as he remembered her promise to always check that it was okay to enter.
Zoya had realized that she had been a little too blatant maybe even over imposing and did owe Mr. Khan an apology. So she had come here with the exact same intention.
"Look, I am sorry about what happened out there. I should not have interfered. It's just that there had been so much talk about it throughout the day and the way Phoopi and Tamatar involved me like I was also a part of the family, I got a little carried away. You were right, I am just a guest here and I should behave like one. So again, I am sorry. It won't happen next time, in fact I will completely stay out of your way. But don't you ever dare to pull that screaming stunt on me again. I might not apologize for what I would do in return. And now I am going to take Jaan for the walk he was supposed to be on right now."
"But..."
"But wut kuch nahi. I will step out from this room, now that I know there is a way in and out of here...you are welcome to keep a watchful eye but I am not going with you. I am not in any mood for your brand of chauvinism. I had my fill for the day, thank you very much. Now if you will just..." she said pointing to the window wall surprised that she was able to see outside even though she had not been able to see inside. "Ohh...and I love what you have done with the smart windows, very nice touch." She added
Asad was only too pleased to see her leave. I need a cup of strong coffee and now. He almost made another cup for her when he noticed that she was walking Jaan right outside the room, as promised, but then thought better of it. How unsafe can it be for someone to be in his own backyard? With that thought, he left for his room to retire for the night.
XXX
Thoughts???? Looking forward to it. Next update Sangeet -
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