Ch3a
It's Time now...
Flames of love Fire or Ice.
Love like ours, won't happen twice.
I search the rider of my dark dreams,
Love like the moon, is not what is seems
(-by anonymous)
A week had passed but Zoya felt stuck in that moment. Nikhat's wedding was only a week away, with the engagement coming up in a day. But even with all the running around and managing several wedding preparations, Zoya kept coming back to that moment, the glimpse of his face. Or, was it his face?. It had been 4 years since she had last seen him, but she could still close her eyes and his image was crystal clear. She could still feel the warmth that surrounded her every time he looked at her and smiled. The moment he would hold her close and gaze into her eyes, she became whole. The days of togetherness, the nights of passion, the walks, the late night talks, the look, the touch, the voice, the care, the support, the friendship, the love...the...
Stop it Zoya just stop it '. Yelled Zoya to herself as she took her head in her hand and tried to block all the memories that came flooding back. Everything that she had worked on in the past 4 years was on the verge of collapsing as the wave of the past was so strong, it was breaking down all her barriers.
She started pacing back and forth in the room trying to calm herself down.
'That can't be him, I think I was just hallucinating. He doesn't even live in this city. Allah miyaan what's wrong with me. Mein bhi na kya kya imagine kar rahi thi.I think I have over worked myself and the crazy days with limited sleep has just taken over my senses. I know it cant be him'... Zoya reasoned with herself, in the process calming herself a little.Still a distant voice kept on telling her otherwise. But before Zoya could acknowledge it any further, she heard a knock on her door and in walked a very anxious Nikhat.
Nikhat-'Zoya kal hamari sagaai hai aur hafte mein humara nikaah, ya allah, humein bahut darr lag raha hai, hum shaadi ki zimedaari kaise nibha paayenge. Shuahar ki, ghar ki, uske parivaar ki zimadaari hum kaise nibha paayenge??'. Nikhat blurted out.
At this,Zoya who was simply standing and taking in Nikhat's state,walked towards Nikhat and held her by her shoulders,looked into her eyes and said
Zoya' Nikhat you know you'll be great with your new responsibilities, I have faith in you, your family, Imran's family has faith on you and most importantly Imran has tremendous faith in you, so just go with the flow. And loving and caring for others comes naturally to you. Look at me now and think what I was when you first met me, I was a lonely girl sitting by herself in the class, talking with nobody and walking around like a zombie. You made me your friend gave me your love and genuinely cared for me. I started to look forward to spending the day with you and slowly, in your company, with your love and care I started to feel like my old self again. So what makes you think your magic wont work on everybody else?? Jo Zoya farooqui ko sambhaal sakta hai who duniya mein kisiko bhi sambhal sakta hai'. Smiled Zoya.
Nikhat had tears in her eyes as she took in Zoya for a hug.
Nikhat-'You know you are the best friend every girl wants, you just make everything so simple. Honestly you are my sunshine. I hope you always stay this way. And thank you very much for making me feel better. It really calmed me down'.
Zoya broke the hug and laughed at Nikhat.
Zoya-'Allah miyaan what wrong with you, enough already, aur zyaada senti honi ki koi zaroorat nahi. Chalo jao aur so Jao,you'.
Nikhat smiled but suddenly she thought of something Zoya said.
NIkhat-'Zoya aapke kehne se yaad aaya, ki aaj tak aapne mujhe yeh nahi bataya ki aap aisi kyun thi jab hum pehli baar mile the?? Aisa kya hua tha aapki zindagi mein, jisne ne aapko itna khafaa kar diya tha??
Zoya looked at Nikhat with a pained look but quickly masked it with a smile..
Zoya-'Kisi aur din bataungi, aaj is bare mein baat nahi karni, kyun khama kha purani kitabe khole. Tum jao aur so jaao kal tumhari sagaai hai and you need your beauty sleep to look your best. Go sleep.'
Zoya finished as she stared to guide Nikhat to her room.
Nikhat-'Accha baba jaa rahe hai, hum aapko force nahi karenge but hum yahan se jaaye us se pehle aap humse vaada kijiye ki time aane par aap humein aapki zindagi ke us pehlu ke bare mein zarooror bataayenge. Kahiye vaada??'
Zoya-'Vaada, ab goodnight and dream about Imran'. She winked.
As she closed the door after wishing Nikhat goodnight, Zoya leaned on the door and looked up at the heavens, praying to the lord to give her strength to calm the storm within. And like always she made another wish, for him, a wish of his well being and his happiness, wherever he was. Doing so she decided to call it a night.
~~~~~~~~~~
Down in Humeira's room a different kind of storm was brewing. Ayaan and Humeira had been stuck in a big dilemma. The deadline for the official announcement of the movie was fast approaching in a matter of 10days. While almost everything was in place, they were still nowhere close to finalizing the female lead. They had found the one, but the journey to the end result was a treacherous one. Zoya had stumped both Ayaan and Humeria when she faced the camera a week ago. At first they had tried and disregard their instinct. But Humeira being Humeira couldn't let it slide. Her casting mind was stuck at Zoya. No one else could fit that part more seamlessly then Zoya. She knew, she had sat through almost 100 girls trying for that role. Even Ayaan who had at first tried to talk Humeira out of it, was having a hard time convincing himself otherwise. And to make it even more clear and complicated at the same time, her tape along with the remaining tapes had accidentally landed with the producer. After watching her tape it was sealed. He wanted her to be the female lead, and had made Ayaan and Humeira responsible for making it happen.
Ayaan- 'Kuch samajh mein nahi aa raha, jabse Zoya ki tape dekhi hai tabse koi aur ladki is role mein fit hi nahi ho paa rahi, but I don't see Zoya agreeing. She is a software engineer for gods sake, and has a life In New York. Why would she decide to suddenly become an actress??? And on top of it she is leaving in 3 weeks. Aur 10 dino mein movie ka official announcement hona hai. Allah aap hi kuch kariye'.
Humeira suddenly jumped up from her bed, with an idea.
Humeira-'Ayaan kyun na hum Nikhat baaji se baat kare?? Hum unhe samjha dete hai yeh situation aur who Zoya ki aapi se aur Zoya se baat kar sakti hai. Aur aap to jaante hi ho ki Nikhat baaji ko naa karna kitna hard hai. Kya khayal hai??'.
Ayaan- 'Baat to pate ki hai, but we need to wait for her engagement to be done..warna she won't be able to focus. And all we can do is hope for the best. Chaliyeen aap baat ko kab aur kaise karni hai plan out karlijiye aur mujhe bataa dena. Ab mein ghar jaata hu, kaafi raat ho gayi hai. khudahaafiz Humeira begam'. He winked at her and left.
Humeira sighed and shut the door. She couldn't contain the smile that formed on her face as she thought about Ayaan and headed back to her room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nikhat's engagement was the most beautiful and memorable moment for everyone including Zoya. She was just ecstatic for Nikhat. She prayed to Allah to give Nikhat all the happiness in the world and keep her away from sadness and pain. As the guests started to retire to their homes, Zoya started to make her way towards Nikhat's room to sit down with her and share the events of the day.
Just as she was to knock on the door and enter, she heard the voices of Ayaan and Humeira along with Nikhat's who sounded really angry. Assuming it to be a personal conversation Zoya started to walk away when she heard her name. Cusiosity got the better of her and she leaned closer to the door to better hear their conversation. Clearly it seemed they were talking about her.
Humeira- 'Baaji aap gussa kyun ho rahe hai?? Zoya baaji ne khud who audition diya tha, haalaki who sirf ek mazaak tha, but jo unhone 4 lines mein emote kiya who sach mein kaabile tareef tha, 100 mein se kisi bhi ladkiyon ne itni range nahi dikhaayi'.
Nikhat- 'Humeira tum samajhne ki koshish karo, Zoya ek actress nahi hai, haa who jo bhi karti hai dil se karti hai, aur shayad isi wajah se unhone woh audition bhi itni khubi se nibhaya. Magar, woh yeh nahi karegi, unka parivaar New York mein hai aur unki job, aur unki zindagi New York hi hai.Woh is maahol mein kaise reh paayegi..nahi humara mann nahi manta. Hum na to Zeenat aapi aur naahi Zoya se is baare mein koi baat karenge. Humeira, jaante hai hum ki aap apne kaam mein kaafi ache hai, magar iska matlab yeh to nahi ki aap har kisi ko aap ke hi nazariye se dekho. Zara thande dimag se Zoya ke bare mein socho. Humein yakeen hai ki aapko koi na koi mil jaayega aapke movie ke liye'.
Ayaan who had been silently listening to the sisters talking, completely understood where Nikhat was coming from.
Ayaan-'Nikhat baaji aapki baat 100% sahi hai, magar kya kare, jabse humne Zoya ki tape dekhi hai koi aur is role mein fit hi nahi ho raha. Hum dono ne kaafi koshish ki, magar nothing fell into place. Infact humare producer ko bas Zoya hi chaahiye movie ke liye.Mere paas sirf 9 din hai, meri movie ki actress choose karne ke liye, aur abhi tak kuch bhi nahi ho paa raha.. Khair aap fikr naa kare, mein nahi chaahta ki aap aapke nikaah ki khusi chod in baato mein apna waqt zaayar kare. Khuda ki razaa se hum kuch karne ki koshish karte hai. Chaliyen mein chalta hu, khuda haafis'.
A distressed Humeria tried to stop Ayaan, looking at Nikhat for some help, but Nikhat was distressed herself to come up with a solution.
Just as Ayaan opened the door, he found Zoya standing by the door, hands folded in the front and nodding her head in disapproval.
Both Ayaan and Humeira, who had just made up to Ayaan were shocked to see Zoya there.
Zoya walked past Ayaan and Humeira, gesturing them to follow.
Zoya- 'you know guys I am really disappointed in you. Meri dosti pe itna bhi baharosa nahi that ki yeh baat tum mujhse aake karte? She stared at Ayaan and Humeira.
Nikhat-'Zoya aap inki baton mein na aaye, yeh soch samaj ke baat nahi kar rahe the. Aap fikr naa kare yeh koi na koi solution nikaal lenge'.
Zoya-'Nikhat tum to mujhe jaanti ho, phir tum kaise yeh samajh baithi ki mein unki help nahi karungi? Anyways before I go any further kya aap mein se koi mujhe please puri baat detail mein bataayega?? Its hard to listen clearly through these doors. Chalo shuru ho jaao'.
After hearing the whole story, Zoya got into thinking. Ayaan and Humeira were tensed, while Nikhat was nodding her head in disapproval as she knew where this was headed.
Nikhat-'Zoya kuch bhi decide karne se pehle 10 baar sochna aur ho sake to jo aap soch rahe ho who please naa kariye, yeh baat itni bhi nahi bigdi jitna yeh dono bataa rahe hai, yeh dono filmo mein kaam karke khud filmi ho gaye hai jo baat ko itna bada bana rahe hai'.
Zoya-'Nikhat maine inke saath 4 hafte bitaaye hai, aur in 4 hafto mein inhone meri har khaawish puri ki hai, jo kahaa, jab kahaa sab sar ankhon pe. Sach mein mein lucky hu ki mujhe tum aur yeh dono mere dost ki tarah mile. Dekho tum ho jo meri itni fikr karti hu ki mujhe musibaat mein padne se pehli hi bacha leti ho. Aur yeh dono, pagal, yeh dono itni jaldi mujhse itni mohobbat karte hai ki, meri liye apne career ko risk kar rahe hai'.
There was silence in the room. Ayaan and Humeira were still, they were unsure with where Zoya was heading.
Zoya- 'Nikhat tum jo bhi keh rahi thi sach keh rahi thi.Haa meri zindagi, family, job, sab New York mein hai, sach hai ke yeh maahol mere liye naya hai aur agar mein inki baat maanti hu to who challenge mere liye naya hoga. But Zoya Farooqui darti nahi, aur kyun dare jab mere dost mere saath hai, meri fikr karne ke liye. I know all of you will have my back and keep me from harm's way.Aur phir kuch mahino ki to baat hai'.
Humeira was confused.
Humeira-'Zoya baaji, aap kehna kya chaahti hai?? Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha'
Ayaan-'Sach mein Zoya please paheliyon mein baat mat karo, Tell me kya matlab hai aapka'.
Before Zoya could say anything, Nikhat answered on her behalf still not believing what she was about to say.
Nikhat- 'Who keh rahi hai ki who tumhari movie ki actress ban ne ke liye ready hai. Sach mein Zoya hum kya kare aapka, aap nahi jaante aap ni kisko haa kahi hai, aap ki zindagi badal jaayegi, aap chaahe ya na chaahe. Khair don't tell me that I don't warn you, but who am I kidding, hum jaante hi the ki Zoya apne dosto ki help karne ke liye kuch bhi karegi'.
Zoya ran towards Nikhat and took her in a big bear hug, making an exaspareted Nikhat busrt out laughing.
Zoya- 'Allah miyaan, I love you Nikhat, u are my sweetheart, and your yes means the world to me, ab to jo bachi hui fikr thi who bhi chali gayi, aur tum dono wahan kya kar rahe ho apne muh kholke, come get into the hug u crazy creatues...'.
Both Ayaan and Humeira let out their nervousness and joined the group hug. They all laughed and rejoiced. Finally it was sorted,and the storm had been conquered. It was final, Zoya Farooqui was going to debut as an actress in Ayaan ahmed khan's debut film.
Edited by starslinedup - 11 years ago