Chalo Ghar Chalein: AsYa OS
Finally, the writers have given me enough inspiration to write an OS that relates to the upcoming track.
I am sure you have all seen the BTS segments. My OS starts from the moment Asad walks out, hand in hand with Zoya.
As Ghafoor and Rashid's family watched a resolute Asad walk away with Zoya, pin drop silence fell in the living room of the Siddiqui mansion. The maulvi gave Ghafoor an angry look while his two research students folded their cameras and microphones. Ghafoor stomped away, humiliated but rendered wordless by the two badtameez lovers.' Razia gloated in silence while Humeira glanced at Ayaan with relief. Rashid lowered his eyes and walked back to his room. He was proud of his son but couldn't admit that openly. How he wished he had mustered the same courage 17 years ago. A confused and worried Shireen glanced around but found herself all alone in the living room. Badi bi smiled and blessed Zoya in silence, "beti main jaanti hoon, tum jo bhi karogi, soch samajh kar karogi. Meri dua hamesha tumhare saath hai."
Asad opened the passenger door for Zoya and helped her get seated. He held her hand for a few seconds as they exchanged a faint but tearful smile. A lot needed to be said and expressed; their hidden wounds ran deep; their sorrows and complaints needed an outlet but silence was the best way to start that healing process.
Song in the background:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QVjgpXNRR0
Chal Chale Apne Ghar
Aye Mere Humsafar
Band Darwaaje Kar
Sabse Hooo Bekhabar
Pyaar Dono Kare
Raat Bhar Tuut Kar
Chal Chale Apne Ghar
Hum Safar
Chal Chale Apne Ghar
Hum Safar
Na Jahan Bheed Ho
Na Jahan Hhar Ke Log
Na Seher Mein Basee Laakhoon Logo Ka Shor
Chand Lamhe Tu Inse Mujhe Durr Kar
He drove in silence. She stared out the window. Even the mundane sights of a busy intersection in Bhopal were a welcome relief to her. Only a person who had been in captive against their wishes could appreciate what freedom was. Asad glanced sideways and noticed the tears roll down her reflection in the passenger window.
Asad removed his hand from the gear stick and placed it on her right palm. Startled at first, Zoya glanced at him and then at his hand. He squeezed her hand, a gentle reminder that there was no need for her to shed tears anymore.
She reciprocated his gesture and intertwined her fingers with his. Zoya cupped her left hand protectively around their hands. He noticed the engagement ring on her fourth finger.
He smiled as he recalled her words from that memorable moonlit evening-
"Mr. Khan, main promise karti hoon ki isey main apne se kabhie alag nahin hone doongi."
She had kept her word. Acknowledging her feelings in front of everyone at the Siddiqui Mansion had reaffirmed his faith in their love. Going forward, he wouldn't let anyone become a barrier between them. No matter what happened, she would always be his priority.
"Mr. Khan!" Zoya interrupted his thoughts, "aap gear kaise change karenge ab?"
"Aapne kuch kaha?" He gave her a quizzical look.
With a faint smile on her face, she gestured with her eyes, "gear. I mean, aap gear kaise change karenge?"
With his eyes glued to the road, he replied, "no gear-change till we reach home. I don't want to take any more chances."
Zoya squeezed his hand back gently, acknowledging the determination of his sentiments- something she had yearned to see since the day he had dropped her off at the Siddiqui Mansion.
KHAN VILLA:
They were finally home. Dilshaad, Najma and Imran had been anxiously waiting for her at the door.
As soon as she saw Dilshaad, Zoya ran into her phoophi's arms, "phoophi! I missed you."
Dilshaad gave her a warm embrace and then kissed her forehead, "aaj meri beti hamesha hamesha ke liye ghar aa gayi hai. Ab maine faisla kiya hai tumhein ek pinjre mein bandh karke rakhoongi," Zoya chuckled back tearfully, "promise phoophi, I will never ever leave this house again. Ab mujhey apne ghar ki ehmiyat pata chali hai. Yahi mera ghar hai aur aap log hi meri family ho."
Asad and Najma exchanged tearful smiles. Najma came forward and hugged Zoya, "main bahut naaraaz hoon aapse Zoya!"
"Naaraaz?" Zoya stepped back and gave Imran a curious glance.
"Haan naaraaz. Apne nikaah waale din mere liye jasoos jasoos khelne ki kya zaroorat thi?"
"Wo-wo," Zoya lowered her eyes.
"Zoya," Imran stepped forward, "main aapka shuriya ada karna chaahta hoon. Agar aapne meri aankhein na kholi hoti tho-tho shayad main Najma ko sach bataane ki kabhie himmat na kar paata."
Zoya smiled with relief, "thank you Imran. Mujhey tumse yahi umeed thi."
"Ammi, ab hum chalte hain." Najma picked her bag, "we still need to do some last minute packing."
"Kahan jaa rahe ho aap log?" Zoya asked innocently.
"London! Hotel London." Imran laughed, "honeymoon par jaa rahe hain hum chaaron."
"MashAllah!" Zoya exclaimed, "I am so happy for you tamatar." She gave Najma another hug.
"Allah Hafiz ammi," Najma hugged Dilshaad, "ab tho waise bhi aapki pyaari beti aagayi hai. Mujhey thode hi miss karengi aap?" She teased her mother.
"Wo tho hai," Dilshaad smiled and placed her arm around Zoya.
"Have a safe trip," Asad wished Najma and Imran and shut the front door behind them.
"Zoya, I have cooked all your favorite foods today. Chalo dinner karte hain." Dilshaad led the way inside.
"Thanks phoophi." Zoya became a little serious as they walked towards the dining table.
"Are you okay?" Asad noticed the change in Zoya's expressions.
She nodded, "ab theek hoon. I am so glad Imran aur Najma ke beech koi galat fehmi nahin huyi."
He cleared his throat and replied, "Kyunki wo dono comuunication mein believe karte hain."
"MATLAB?" Zoya frowned.
"Matlab yahi ki agar us roz aapne mujhey sab bataa diya hota tho aaj-aaj yeh sab nahin hua hota."
"Mr. Khan, aapki yahi baat mujhey bahut kharab lagti hai. Instead of welcoming me with love, aate hi mujh par naaraz hona shuru kar diya!"
"Uffo! Tum dono bhi na," Dilshaad walked back to see why they had not joined her at the dining table yet, "aate hi ladai jhagda shuru! Abhi 5 minute bhi nahin huye usey aaye, Asad tum bhi na. Us bechari ke peeche padh gaye."
"Ammi wo bechari---" he paused and then smiled at Zoya, "wo bechari nahin Ms Museebat-e-aazam-Bond-girl hai."
Zoya pouted, "agar aisi hi baat hai tho mujhey wapas kyun laaye ghar?"
Asad came closer and whispered, "museebat ki aadat si ho gayi hai ab. Life becomes too boring otherwise."
Zoya glared at him and then smiled as she walked off with her back to him. Before settling at the dining table, she walked around the living room and kitchen. She caressed the sofas, the kitchen counter and cabinets.
"Sab kuch wahin hai Zoya, bas sab soona soona ho gaya tha tumhare bina." Dilshaad noticed how Zoya was trying to reassure herself by feeling every inanimate object around her.
"Ammi bhookh lag hai." Asad sat down on at the table and admired how his two favorite women were finally so happy to be with each other. He had seen ammi suffer in silence; she had spent a lot of time praying or at the Dargah but he knew how badly she had missed Zoya- just like him.
It had been days since Zoya had had a proper meal. Even though Ayaan, dadi and Rashid had tried their best to keep her stay comfortable at the SM, mumaani's piercing and Shireen's expectant gaze coupled with feelings of guilt and claustrophobia had killed her appetite completely. Zoya stared at the spread on the table and started sobbing softly.
"Arre Zoya, kya hua beta?" Dilshaad was shocked to see a normally cheerful Zoya, cry at the dining table.
"Ms. Farooqui, yeh aapki saari favorite dishes hain. Ammi ne specially aapke kiye banaayi hain. Even though I hate baingan, she cooked it for you." Asad tried to lighten up her mood.
"I am sorry, bas yun hi," Zoya wiped her tears and returned his banter, "kyunki phoophi aap se zyaada mujh se mohabbat karti hain."
Dilshaad got up and walked over to Zoya, "ismein koi shaq nahin hai." She caressed her scalp and then asked, "khaana bhi mujhey khilaana padhega kya ab?"
"Nahin phoophi, I am fine." Zoya smiled and was back to her cheerful self. Asad noticed that even though she appeared fine on the outside, she barely ate her dinner and was uncharacteristically quiet at the table. After dinner, she excused herself and went back to her room.
Asad tried to follow her but Dilshaad gestured him to stay put.
"Ammi, Ms Farooqui aisa kyun behave kar rahi hain?" Asad was concerned, "I thought she would be happy to be back home."
"Asad! Wo bechari kitne badhe haadse se guzri hai. Give her some time. Aakhir wo ek insaan hai aur ek aurat bhi. Switch on ya off nahin kar sakte aise. Yeh socho ki agar tumse itni beinteha mohabbat na karti, tho kya kabhie aise wapas aati?"
"Aap theek keh rahi hain ammi. I will be in my room. Thodi der mein meri coffee le aayega please."
"Theek hai," Dilshaad smiled. She knew Zoya would never refuse an opportunity to serve coffee to her Mr. Khan.
ZOYA'S ROOM:
Her room was just the same as always, except neater. She sat on her bed and reminisced her pleasant and not so pleasant times in this room. Without her signature coke can and iPad, it looked bare but still welcomed her with open arms. The last time she was here as a bride, with lots of dreams and aspirations in her eyes. Zoya stared at her reflection in the mirror. No, she was no longer a bride, but yes, she was married nevertheless. She shut her eyes to erase her memories of that eventful evening.
"Yeh sab meri wajah se hua hai. Agar us raat maine Mr. Khan se baat kar li hoti, unhein sab bataa diya hota, tho itni saari zindagiyon ke saath khilwaad na kiya hota." Humeira's pained expression on seeing her with Ayaan and her painful days at the SM were still too deeply etched in her mind. It would take a long time for her to erase those memories and move on in life.
ASAD'S ROOM: A LITTLE LATER
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Yes come in." Asad lifted his head from his laptop.
"May I come in Mr. Khan?" Zoya opened the door hesitantly.
"Of course!" Asad stood up, "aaj ke baad aapko kabhie knock karne ki zaroorat nahin hai Ms. Farooqui. Mujh par aur meri zindagi par aapka poora haq hai. You don't need any permission to come into my room."
Zoya was stunned by his words. A few weeks ago, she would have given up everything to hear those words. Then why did she feel awkward today? He was the same Mr. Khan. She was back in his house. She was holding his cup of coffee. They were standing near the window in his room. She was still wearing his ring on her finger. Everything was the same but why did something seem out of place?
He sensed her hesitation. Asad took the coffee cup from her and placed it on the table. Then, he held her hands and pulled her closer.
"Kya soch rahi hain aap?"
"Bas yahi ki mujh se kitni badhi bhool ho gayi thi us din. Kaash----" He placed his finger on her lips, "galti hum sab se huyi thi Zoya. Aapse, mujhse, Ayaan se---aur haalat se. But now it's time to move forward. Main nahin chaahta ki beete huye dino ke saaye hamare beech kabhie bhi aaye."
"Lekin Mr. Khan."
"Maine aapse pehle bhi kaha tha, agar aap mujh se mohabbat karti hain aur mujh se nikaah karna chaahti hain, tho hamare rishte mein lekin ki koi gunjaaish nahin hai."
"But how will things ever be the same Mr. Khan?"
"Of course they will be. Haalat badal gaye hain lekin hamari mohabbat nahin. Jab tak aap aur main ek doosre se mohabbat karte hain, I am sure we can overcome any problems in our lives. Yeh safar bahut lamba hai Ms. Farooqui. Choti choti mushkilon ki wajah se kya hum saath chalna chhod denge?"
Zoya gazed at him with tears in her eyes. It's then she realized how much she had missed him. How her life had come to a standstill without him. How she had lost all sense of judgment and sanity without him. She couldn't bear the pain any longer and collapsed in his arms.
He held her close and whispered, "Zoya, I promise aaj ke baad main kabhie bhi tumse tumhari marzi ke khilaaf koi kaam nahin karoonga. Jismein tumhari khushi hogi, wo hi karoonga. I made a big mistake but I promise I will never let anyone break us apart- ever-I promise."
As they held each other in a soothing embrace, a loud thump and a thud interrupted their peaceful silence.
"SURPRISE!"
Zoya removed herself from his arms and was shocked to see a smiling Ayaan behind Asad's back.
"R-Raabert tum?"
Irked by the sudden intrusion, Asad turned around, "Ayaan tum? Abhi bhi khidki se aane ki aadat nahin gayi tumhari?"
"Kyun bhaijaan?" Ayaan teased him with a big grin, "main tho apni biwi se milne aaya hoon."
Asad's face turned red. Zoya's color drained as they both glared at Ayaan with disbelief.
"JUST KIDDING!" Ayaan grinned louder, "daraa diya na dono ko! Ha ha- ha"
"Ayaan!" Asad clenched his teeth, "mujhey aisa behooda mazaak katai pasand nahin hai."
"Sorry bhaijaan!' Ayaan held his ears, "aap tho jaante hain na apne is chote bhai ko- bin bulaye barsaat ki tarah kabhie bhi tapak padhta hai. Main tho sirf Zoya ka bag wapas karne aaya tha."
"Aainda yaad rahe, ghar ke darwaaze ke siva aur koi raasta na istemaal karna. It's much easier to get the bag through the front door anyways." Asad glared at Ayaan angrily. Zoya felt awkward and left the room.
"Arre Mona- ek sher tho sunti jao." Ayaan yelled from behind.
"Raat bahut ho chuki hai Ayaan. Ms. Farooqui needs to sleep. Wasie bhi tumhare waahiyat sher sun sun kar wo bore ho gayi hongi."
"Arre nahin bhaijaan! Kya jugal bandi hoti thi hamari. Aap kya samjhenge do shayaron ki dosti."
"Sher sunaane kabhie aur aana." Asad pulled Zoya's bag in through the window and pushed Ayaan out.
"Okay bhaijaan! Allah Hafiz!"
"Allah Hafiz!" Asad replied curtly and bolted his window firmly after Ayaan left.
"I need to get curtains and put locks on these windows!" Asad muttered and walked over to Zoya's room.
...The end...
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
46