AsYa FF: Destiny Comes Calling *CH 20* 11/11/13 Pg 134 - Page 51

Originally posted by: rivya

NYC or NYS?

Even though LGBT will be fun read and maybe even a hit...its not my cup of tea to write.

I am going for something that most masala movies are made of...so don't worry.

Maybe aap kogumrah karna hi mera plan hai😈😆

Originally posted by: rivya

Hey...okay I shall not mention that anymore..

I am halfway with the next update...so who knows, you might get one sooner this time.

Chapter 14: The Beginning of a Journey

Zoya's fist tightened on her Ammi's earring as she tried hard to keep the negative thoughts at bay. She tried to play a game or two on her I-Pad, but that did not help either. Finally giving up, she just closed her eyes and rested her head against the window, replaying her conversation with Phoopi.

-x-Flashback Start-x-

"Phoopi, Allah se dua karna ke aaj mujhe mere sawalon ke kuch toh jawab mil jaaye." [Phoopi, please pray to God that I can find some answers to my questions today.] Zoya said, as she bid goodbye to Dilshaad before joining Asad in the car.

"Zaroor Zoya. Allah pe yakeen karo. Woh apne bande ki goozarish hamesha sunta hai." [Of course Zoya. Trust the almighty. He always hears the prayers of his followers.] Dilshaad consoled her.

Zoya simply nodded in response, praying hard and trying to slow down the erratic beating of her heart.

"Phoopi, kya ammi ki bali aapke paas hain?" [Do you still have my mother's earring with you?]

"Haan kyon?"[Yeah, why?]

"Can I take it with me today? I feel that I will need her presence with me today and that earring is the only way I feel close to my mother."

"Let me go fetch it."

While she waited for Dilshaad to come back, her mind was running miles a minute. The what-if's that she had kept at bay until this moment, came rushing to her. She was suddenly very unsure about this entire plan of trying to find her father and figure out why he never came to get her?

When Dilshaad returned it was only to find a much tensed looking Zoya ready to burst into tears. Dilshaad tried to speak a few encouraging words to her but she knew that Zoya had to fight her inner demons alone. This was her journey, and Dilshaad could only hold her hand through it.

-x- Flashback Ends -x-

Asad had noticed that Zoya had finally fallen asleep, but her grip on whatever was in her fist had not eased yet. Her white knuckles were evidence that whatever it was meant a lot to her. He almost moved to open her fist, or at least relax her hold, when she suddenly moved.

"Mr. Khan, I did not realize you could read upside down too." Zoya asked Asad, who was now staring outside the window.

"What?" he stared down at the file open on his lap and then back at the smiling eyes of Zoya. "Woh... actually...its just that"

"Never mind Mr. Khan. I can see that you were lost in thoughts. It happens" She smiled back at him, again.

"Wow...is that where we are going today? It's such a beautiful location. Mind if I take a look?" She asked him, pointing to the file that Asad was currently looking at.

"Sure, but I am not sure if all the technical jargon will make much sense."

Zoya spent the next half hour pursuing the file, while Asad busied himself in another file. Looks like the nap helped her feel better.

----

Meanwhile at the Khan Mansion -

Dilshaad and Rukhsaar were sitting at the dining table with their second cup of coffee while the lunch simmered. It was obvious that Dilshaad was lost in deep thought while Rukhsaar went through the newspaper.

"Rukhsaar, can I ask you something? Bura to nahi manogi?" [You won't feel bad, right?] Dilshaad asked suddenly.

"Please ask Khala. You can ask me whatever you want." Rukhsaar looked up at Dilshaad, expectantly.

"I was wondering how you feel about Asad. I am sorry for being for direct. I am sure you know what your parent's feelings are, but I want to know what you think about this rishta." Dilshaad peered at Rukhsaar over the rim of her cup, studying her expressions closely.

"Khala, I am agreeable to whatever my parents and you guys decide." Rukhsaar finally spoke.

"Rukhsaar, mein jaanti hoon ki tum itni tehzeeb yafta ho ki tum apne abbu ke failse ke khilaaf nahi jaogi. Magar, mein yeh bhi nahi chahti ki tum ya Asad ek unchahe rishte mein bandh jao. [Rukhsaar, I know you are a very cultured girl and will not go against your father's wish. But I do not want Asad or you to be tied in a relation which is not acceptable to either of you.] Which is why I want to know your true feelings? Every girl has her dreams about her life, her marriage, her life partner, etc." Dilshaad noticed the wetting of her eyes and added quickly. "Please don't get me wrong. It's not that Asad is saying no. He too will go by my wish. But as someone wants what is best for you guys, it is important for me to be sure that this relation is indeed something that you guys are willing to enter and not compromising." She reached out to pat Rukhsaar's hand as she spoke.

"Aisi baat nahi Khala. Aaj tak kisi ne bhi kabhi mujhse yeh nahi poocha ke mujhe kya chahiye. Hamesha Abbu ne kaha Rukhsaar ke liye yeh sahi hoga, aur meine unki baat man kar wahi kiya hai. Isiliye aaj thoda dil bhar aaya. Kaash hamari ammi bhi humse kabhi yeh poochti." [It's nothing Khala. No one has ever asked me my opinion before now. Abbu always told me what would be the right decision for me and I followed his wish. That's is why I got a little emotional. I wish my mother would have asked me this question before.] A few tears made their way down her cheek before Dilshaad engulfed her into a hug.

"I am sure your mother also wishes for you happiness and the best for you. Every mother wishes it. It's just that some of us have the liberty to act on it, while the others do not have that opportunity. And, I am like your mother too, right? So tell me, I am all asking and willing to hear you."

Rukhsaar took some time before she spoke again. Speaking up, expressing herself was alien to her, but there was something about this woman before her that was extremely likable and compelled her to share her deepest desires.

"Khala, I am not ready for marriage just yet. l want to complete my graduation. I know abbu will want me to stop studying the minute I am engaged."

"So if I insist on you completing your education, you don't mind getting married to Asad?"

"Hmm...woh..." Dilshaad smiled when she saw Rukhsaar hesitate. "He scares me."

Dilshaad burst out into laughter, but then sobered down just as quickly.

"I think he scares a lot of people. But he only barks, never bites. Is there anything else? I know I am his mother, but you can tell me whatever it is that you are thinking. I promise I will not take offense."

"Woh... kuch nahi." Rukhsaar finally said hesitatingly, taking her own time, but not exactly able to meet Dilshaad's eyes.

"Chalo koi baat nahi. [No worries] I think I got my answer and I am not angry or upset. Sachi. I will pray for your happiness and future. And talk to your parents too. Don't worry. Can you please do one thing for me? Please check on Najma. She has not come down yet, said she was tired when I checked on her earlier."She spoke as she patted

Once Rukhsaar left, Dilshaad looked at MyJaan who was lounging at her feet and smiled.

"So MyJaan Miyaan. How do you think that went? I know, it was an unusual conversation to have, but what can I do? I am a mother first. I have to look out for my children's best interest, but in the process I cannot even have an innocent's hopes crushed. So you think it went well? Are you thinking what I am thinking?"

MyJaan just woofed in response and ran away upstairs the same direction that Rukhsaar a couple minutes ago.

Kya naam hai rakha hai MyJaan? Ekdum jhalli hai ladki, par mujhe pasand hai. Bus abhi...

---

"OMG...Mr Khan. This is such a beautiful location. Those pictures do no justice to it." Zoya exclaimed as the car came to a stop.

"Ji Ms. Farooqui" Asad said as he stepped out to meet with his client.

Zoya was enthralled with the natural beauty of the location where they were. She could hear gurgling sounds of flowing water and started to make her way towards where the sounds were coming from.

"Ms. Farooqui, can you please stay around here? Let's try and not get into any trouble here." Asad whispered in her ears. She had not realized when he had come so close to her, but she did as he bid.

The client showed Asad the land and discussed what he was planning to do development wise. Zoya listened to them talking about the options they had and what would work well in the hilly terrain and the fact that there was a dammed river close by.

"Oh, you should totally add hiking trails and nature walks too. You know for the adventurous clients. This location and river path would be perfect. Hai na, Mr.Khan?" she looked excitedly at him but only received a stare in return.

"That's a fantastic idea. I wonder how come my team did not come up with it." The client said "Does she work with you? You should totally have her work on this project." he asked Mr. Khan.

"No."

"Yes." The client was confused when he heard two different responses and looked to Asad for an explanation.

"The thing is that she does not technically work with us, you can say she is interning with us, kind of. Getting a feel for the work. And if she is interested, we can consider hiring her in the future." Zoya was amazed at how easily Mr. Khan came up with such a convincing lie. And that too without fumbling.

----

"Kya aap apna mooh band nahi rakh sakte kuch waqt ke liye?" [Can you not stay quiet for a little while?] Asad asked as soon as they drove off from the site.

"But I was only trying to help. And Mr. Khan I did not know that your tehzeeb allowed you to lie."

"It was a white lie. It did not harm anyone and neither did it dissatisfy a prospective client. And anyways, how does it matter. Now please let us know where we need to go,so that the driver can go in that direction."

Zoya pulled out her I-Pad to instruct the driver of the direction to Kubda Khedi, which was on the outskirts of the city of Itarsi.

"But Ammi said you wanted to go to Itarsi." Asad asked.

"Not exactly."

"But why there?"

"Kuch kaam hai." [I have some work there.]

"What do you mean by work? What does a person like you need from a small village? Oh wait, let me guess, you want to take pictures so that you can show your American friends what real India is like? How typical and disgusting?"

"Mr. Khan. You hardly know me. Can you stop being so judgmental? And I would rather not talk to someone like you, not now atleast."

For the rest of the car ride, only silence and tension filled the car.

---

By the time they reached the village square it was past noon and it looked deserted. Even the shops were at half shutters. This is not a good sign. She looked as Asad hoping he would make a suggestion, but he was too engrossed in his phone call with his team.

"Madamji, ek kaam kar le to? Peeche meine ek dhaba dekha tha. Kyon na wajan ja kar wait kara jaaye? Aap logon ko agar kuch khana hai to woh bhi mil jaayega aur thoda aaram bhi ho jaayega" [Ma'am, why don't we do one thing? I saw a Dhaba sometime back. Why don't we go there and wait? You can get something to eat, if you'd like, and also get a break.] the driver suggested.

Zoya agreed after she got a nod from Asad.

Originally posted by: starsinmyeyes

I was stalking this story😆... I love stalkers...like for real😉

Great update Rivs..man I so hate judgmental Asad...can't he mind his own business... Haha...well...I am heavily inspired by Pride and Prejudice...but I went with role reversal...😆 Don't worry...this journey will be an eye opener for him..

And I am having mixed feelings about Rukhsaar I don't want her completely out of the story just yet...will be helpful in the future..otherwise there will not be a jealous Zoya😉

Originally posted by: rivya