FF Turnaround NOTE on PG150.. - Page 3

Presenting, a full doze of Mr Asad Ahmed Khan...keep reading..another post to follow soon!!!

Ch4a

And in walks the hero...

"Show me a hero and I'll write you a tragedy"- F Scott Fitzgerald.

Asad Ahmed Khan, the superstar, the youth icon and nations heartthrob came from humble beginnings. Every since he could remember, life had pushed him from one challenge to another. His first and the most defining challenge came to him with his dad's betrayal. His idol, his father leaving his primary family, to pursue another woman and child, not only defined Asad's view point towards the world, it made him a man. His innocence turned into cynicism, his laughter lost to his angst, and all the dreams he had as a boy of 12 were overpowered by the single minded desire to succeed. During these dark hours the only source of light, was his mother Dilshad. She was the beacon of his life, a force that pulled him out of his black hole. Even after going through the worst things in life, she never lost hope. She always stood by the good and the positive. And it was only because of her that Asad and Najma,Asad's adorable younger sister, faced the world with their heads held high. She never let them lose hope and always told them to search for that 1 good thing in the worst of situations. In this case, it was Ayaan, Asad's younger stepbrother.

~~~~

Asad's first encounter with Ayaan was when he was 6 and Ayaan was 3. His father had kept Ayaan with them on the pretense of taking care of a friend's son, who was dealing with a family crisis. In the span of the month that they were together, an inseparable bond was formed between the brothers that not even the hatred towards a fathers betrayal could mar.Those three years in between, before his father left,taking Ayaan along with him, were the best moments of Asad's life. He was gifted a brother for life, and that was the silver lining he looked at every time he thought of his father.

~~~~~~

Asad, along with him mom worked hard to make a life for themselves. He went to school and worked in the evening. He made sure he excelled in anything he did and topped his way through school. His keen sense made way for scholarships and paid for his university education in architecture. Being enrolled in the best institutes in Bhopal, and loving the field made way to the most valuable opportunity for any architecture student. Asad was selected with all expenses paid to go to San Francisco and finish his 4^th year, studying the local architecture and practices. He was 21. For any other 21 year old aspiring architect it would have been the best news ever, but for Asad it was the biggest dilemma of his life. He could not leave his mother and his 15 year old sister alone. He was responsible for them, how would they manage for a year. No he couldn't do that. He had decided then that he would talk to the dean and tell him to pick someone else. But Dilsahd wouldn't let Asad give up on his dream so easy. She had to invest a lot of time in making Asad understand and believe that they would be just fine. Everything from how the day would start, their school schedules (Dilshad was a teacher at Najma's school) and how they would manage household requirements and their safety above everything else, were discussed. Once Asad was convinced, he had agreed but upon condition. He needed to be aware of every minute of their lives and they would tell him to come back the moment anything went wrong.

Everything set and done Asad embarked on a journey that changed the direction of his life. He came home after 4 years, only to be swallowed up in a tornado. His father had passed away in an accident, leaving two utterly broken families. Dilshad and Shireen had both gotten the biggest shock of their lives. While shireen was broken, Dilshad was shattered. The woman who had done everything for Asad stood by him in every storm and paved way for him to stay back in San Francisco and finish his MBA, was broken beyond repair. Rashid was the love of her life and even though Asad despised love, he knew the pain of parting from the one you love very well. He knew how it broke you. Dilshaad had lived all her life knowing that even though she was away from her love, her love was safe and sound and most importantly happy, but the day she got the call of his accident, and the days that followed leading to his demise, were Dilshad's breaking point. She would sit on her bed lifeless. Neither Najma nor Asad could pull her out. They had to let time take its course.

But ironically time was the one thing that Asad wasn't given. Money was a major issue as all the savings were used up in the hopes of saving Mr Rashid Ahmed Khan and Asad had just come back with no job at hand. Asad needed money fast; Najma's college fees were due in a week and on top, Asad wanted the best medical attention for his ailing mother. As if god was guiding him, Asad who had briefly modeled in San Fransicico to make some cash to make ends meet, was called up by that very agency to participate in India's biggest model hunt contest, with the winning price of Rs 20,00000/- and a chance to be the main lead in a big budget Bollywood movie. He won the contest effortlessly and the rest was history.Time healed and allowed everyone to move forward. Dilshad recovered and she accepted Asad's decision and with her blessing, Asad became invincible and took the industry by storm. He became an overnight sensation, his journey inspiring not only the nation but his own stepbrother. Ayaan who had often visited Asad to his sets fell in love with the art, and with his brothers support pursued his dream to direct. Ayaan soared in the profession and was finally making his directorial debut with his inspiration, the nation's superstar Asad Ahmed Khan.

So how did u like it??? I hope it wasnt too much. I just want to invest this and the next chapter in narrating Asad's back story...I guess it builds better reasoning towards the character..So 1 more chapter for Asad and I'll jump to the dynamics of Asad and Zoya and the past,present and future of their relationship...Hope u like it...n yes comment, comment and comment...

Makes my day!!!

Amazing😊...loved it...waiting for the next update😃

Here is the last bit of Asad. Iske baad...

Ch4b

Success came to Asad in a very different package. Even after 4 years in the industry,Asad felt like an outsider. He couldn't believe he was an actor.How did that happen?? How did a person that loved order, precision, structure, end up in a profession that was the complete opposite? A profession, that demanded flexibility, freedom, madness and above all a connect with ones emotions. He never possessed any of it, never.

'Not true' his heart objected.

Time and again his heart would take over and open the Pandora's box, he had locked deep within him 4 years ago.

He would fight it and would succeed, only to lose in his dreams. Visions of those eyes, those deep soulful eyes would hypnotize him and make him fall. He would fall deeper and deeper calling out, with no one to catch him. He would lose hope ready to crash only to be engulfed in warmth so familiar, that he would forget the agony he went through a moment ago. Trying to hold on, trying to get closer, reality would take over and he would wake up, more restless and tired then when he slept. It was the same dream, the same sensations that followed, and nothing in the 4 years had been able to make him forget.

Work and family were the only things that kept him going. Everything else meant nothing. Yes he would attend parties, date girls, perform at functions, and even occasionally let loose with his industry buddies but that was all part of the act. Only his mom knew, what the world saw was an illusion. Their superstar had a broken past that had left its shards in his heart.

Ayaan was the only person in his life that made him smile. With the limited time Asad had to spare,he would make it a point to spend as much as time he could with his family and Ayaan. Ayaan had always been close to Dilshad and after Shireen untimely demise (due to some medical complications 2 years ago) Ayaan had moved in with Asad's family.This brought the brothers even closer.

~~~~~~

Asad was finally heading home after a month of outdoor shoots and promotions. He could not wait to meet his family. Boarding on his flight back from UK Asad tried to catch up on some sleep.He had already informed his mother when he would be landing. Ayaan who had been helping his best friend Humeira out with her sister's wedding preparations was beyond excited to come pick Asad up from the airport. Getting comfortable in his seat Asad closed his eyes, and tried to sleep. But since when did sleep come so easy? The moment he let go, was the moment he had to fight. He woke up, disturbed. He needed to rest. So he called up the flight attendant and requested for a drink. After a few rounds, he started feeling lighter and finally sleep took over.

'Asad please mujhe India ke bare mein sab jaan naa hai. Tumhe to maloom hai na ki main India jaane ko kitni besabri se intazaar kar rahi hu...Please tell me everything.'

Asad- 'India..kahan se shuru karu, maine India mein apni poori zindagi bitaayi hai. Aaj India ke bahar aake mehsoos hua ki India mere liye kya maayne rakhta hai. India ke log, unke jasbaat, culture ,tradition, beauty, ke bare mein puri duniya jaanti hai. But India is se kaafi zyaada hai. Yeh ek aisa desh hai jo apne aap mein ek contradiction hai, you'll find everything in this country. It gives so much, it teaches you so much, the history of this country is so old ki ek zindagi kam pad jaayegi India ke raaz kholte. Yahan log stuggle karte hai but haste hai, chaahe who ek dusre ke saath lade, but unhi mein se kisi ek ko kuch ho jaaye to sab chod unke saath khade ho jaate hai. Curroption hai, selfishness hai, but jo 5% log India ki bhalaayi chaathe hai, unhi ke dum pe aaj India itna aagge aa gaya hai. Socho agar 5% aur log India ke liye kuch achha karne lage to India kahan pauhoch jaayega. It is the youngest country in the world with the oldest roots..It knows how to live, through every colour of life, thorugh every ups and downs.It has embraced everyone that has come to the country made them their own, but never held them captive. It has sacrificed, and yet lives to promote love in everything. Tumhe India ko mehsoos karna padega, use jaane ke liye...You will only understand India with your heart. Aaj mein yahan hu, amongst all the facilities one could ask of, but mein akela hu. Wahan mere paas kuch bhi nahi tha,phir bhi mein akela nahi tha...'

'I think I am in love...ab to India jaana hi padega...And I know that my first love will definetly take me along with him to meet my 2^nd love...Kaho vaada???' Zoya said exictedly

He walked towards her,ready to take her hand in his, but she started walking away...He tried to catch her, tried stopping her, but she just turned away slowly fading into his subconscious...

'Zoya' He woke up with a jolt. He was sweating. His mind reeling in the moment that surfaced in his dream. He felt disoriented. He looked around, and realized he was on a flight back home.1hour before landing. He shook his head in an attempt to shake off the feeling he was surrounded by. This was new, he thought. He was used to being haunted by her eyes in his dreams, but this was different. It felt so real; he could actually smell her presence. He could breathe that moment as if it were the present.

'No this is not happening'. Asad get a grip on yourself..She is in the past...She has no place in your present or your future..Focus..'

Finally he stood up and went to freshen up. The plane had started its final descent.

~~~~~

Ayaan ,Najma and Dilshad were beyond excited to see Asad after a month. They were hugging him and talking to him at the same time, no one able to hold the excitement any more. Asad finally felt light, he was with his family, and that's all that mattered.

Ayaan-'Bhaijaan maine aapko kitna miss kiya, aap se kitni saari baatein karni hai, but most importantly,aap ko kal ka plan bataana hai.Kal mein aur Huemira film ki actress ke liye audition kar rahe hai. I want to cast a fresh face opposite you, and for that I want you to drop by the auditions and help me choose the girl. Kya kehte hai aap??'

Asad-'Ayaan mujhe tumhare instincts pe pura bharosa hai, I don't need to be there, I have no issues working with anybody.Aur waise bhi you have Humeira with you. She is amazing with her job and I know she will not let you take the wrong decision. You both will do just great. Aur rahi baat tumhe aake milne ki, mujhe waise bhi kal producers ke saath meeting ke liye aana hi hai. So I guess I'll see you after. Kya kehte ho Ayaan miyaan??' Asad smiled and ruffled Ayaan's hair.

Ayaan spent some more time with Asad before he had to leave to go help Humeira with something.

Asad headed home along with his mom and sister.

~~~~~

After spending the night chatting away with his mom and sister and later in the night with Ayaan, Asad was all set the next day. He worked out, did his daily routine and made his way to the production house for their meeting. The meeting went long, and finally everything was in place. Asad made his way to meet Ayaan, but seeing Ayaan busy he wished him and Humeira hello and made his way home. It was already 5 and the office was slowly emptying out. While on the phone Asad hit the button for the elevator and waited. He was feeling tired and a little preoccupied. His concentration wandering from the conversation he was having on the phone. He felt restless, so he started pacing, the elevator taking a long time to get to the 10^th floor. Finally he heard the ting of the elevator and made his way in. He was still on the phone. But something kept nagging him. An old familiar sensation was surfacing, the one he felt,everytime she was around.

'Nooo, Whats wrong with you, I think this jetlag is getting the best of me'. He shook his head as he turned around.

The elevator door closed, but not before a set of deep brown eyes captured his attention'.

~~~~

Asad was stumped. He could not think straight. Was he hallucinating?? Or was it really her?

'It can't be here...why she would be here. For god's sake she lives in New York.This is Mumbai. Asad get a grip..I think I need to get some sleep'.

With that Asad walked out of the elevator, neglecting the turn of events and focusing ahead.

~~~~~

A few weeks had passed since that event. Asad barely had time to think about it. Najma had celebrated her 23^rd b'day and Asad had thrown her a big birthday bash. He wanted to squeeze in as much time as possible with his mom and sister before he started his new movie with Ayaan. Dilshad was truly happy for the brothers. She prayed for their success and their well being everyday. Life had been kind to her, and her kids. They were at a good place in life and she wished to allah to always keep an eye on them. But as a mother, she couldn't ignore the air around Asad. She could feel that something was bothering him. Asad had dealt with a lot in the past 4 years and she felt guilty sometimes for not being there for him, when he was also ailing along with her. She was lost to her kids for 3 months and when she came back, Asad was different. She was vaguely aware of the reason, but had decided to let time heal the wounds, and someday he would come to her and share his pain. That never happened. Asad kept movig ahead, trying to ingonre his heart. He became more and more cynical with life and shared nothing of what he felt within. His sleepless nights didn't go unnoticed by Dilshad.She needed to talk to him.

Asad was getting ready for the movie launch. His stylist had left him some clothes to choose from. He was almost ready when his mom walked in. She looked at his son and placed a kiss on his forehead.

Dilshad-'All the best Asad, Allah tumhe zindagi ki har raah pe tarakki de. Waise jaane se pehle kuch pooch na tha tumse. But shayad abhi sahi waqt nahi. Tum niklo mein tumse kabhi fursat mein baat karungi'.

Dilshad started walking towards the door but Asad stopped her.

Asad-'Ammi aapko mujhse baat karne ke liye waqt dekhne ki zaroorat nahi. Aap please jo kehna chaathi thi who kahiye'.

Dilsah caressed Asad's face and smiled sadly.

Dilshad-'Asad maine tumhe bachpan se dekha hai.Tum ne har ghum, har mushkil ko apne me samaa diya hai. Kabhi kisi ko bhi apne andar jhaankne nahi diya. Jabse tum UK se aaye ho, maine notice kiya hai ki tum kahi khoye rehte ho. In 4 saalo mein tumne apne aap ko pakad ke rakha hai, but kya yeh karne se tum aage badh paaye ho?Mujhe aaj aisa kyun mehsoos hua ki phir se tumhare kal ne tumhe awaaz di hai aur, tumhari laakh koshishon ke baavajood, who awaaz tumhare zehan mein gunj rahi hai.. Asad mere bte,baat karo mujhse, share your pain with me'.

Asad had a pained expression in his eyes. He knew what his mom was hinting towards. Her. But he had decided a long time ago, to move ahead.

Asad-'ammi aap se mein keh chukka hu ke meri zindagi ke who panne ab koi nahi kholega. meri zindagi ke woh panne mein palat chukka hu aur, aap dono ke siva uske bare mein aur koi nahi jaanta aur naa jaanega. Who guzar chukka hai'.

Dilshad- 'Nahi who abhi bhi itna hi zinda hai jitna tab hua karta tha, warna apni aankhen band karne par who pal nazar nahi aate. Kuch to hai jo tumhe waapis kheech raha hai, aur use nazarandaz karne se who chala nahi jaayega'.

Asad couldn't take it any more. He picked up his jacket and started walking towards his door.

Asad-'Ammi mujhe jaana hoga. Khuda hafiz.'

With that he walked out the door leaving a distraught Dilshad behind.

~~~~~

Everything was set. Asad was in his domain. He knew the drill, he had been doing it for the past 4 years. The rush,the camera flashes,the million questions and the applause that followed. All eyes were on you. But that never affected Asad. He was a lion, who owned this jungle. His gaze, his presence was enough to leave a mark. All he had to do was walk in a room, and that did it all. He knew how to hold the situation. But today he was restless, was it because of what his Ammi said? Was it really true? Was his past really pulling him back?? He couldn't put a brake on his emotions. He was lost in his thoughts when his name was announced and he was brought to the stage. He walked in to the reaction he expected. He acknowledged his announcement and waved at the audience. He skimmed through the crowd, ready for a conversation, but his eyes disengaged from the crowd. It moved to his right, settling on a figure, a familiar figure. Time stood still as his eyes connected with his brain. Slowly Asad removed his shades and his gaze locked with those deep brown eyes.

Chalo done with all the backstories...thanks for bearing with it...

So how did u like it??? I hope it didnt drag..let me know if it did n i'll try to be a lil precise..😕 next time.The India babble was added for my own gud..was getting homesick (and also Zoya's reason for loving India was because of what she had heard from Asad. Due to this she was open to India and fell in love with everything Asad had said about India) ..neways..now from the next update..it'll be Asad and Zoya..the past will come and go in between. Please leave ur comment and feedback..if u like it..wat should I have done different anything..

Until next time...Cheers!!!

Another post...another set of thank u's for eveyone..that took the time to read my work. and comment/or enjoy it silently...A big round of applause for u all...👏 I'll try to keep it going..n hopefully u will keep on liking it👍🏼

day by day this is becoming my favourite.😃 wonder what was the past between Asad and Zoya. both are broken souls.😭 update soonish pls

Originally posted by: rosamale

day by day this is becoming my favourite.😃wonder what was the past between Asad and Zoya. both are broken souls.😭update soonish pls

Thanks for such a nice comment... Just made my weekend.. I hope I can make this journey worth your time 😃 keep reading n i'll keep posting!!!!

nice update