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Part 2
Here I present, the first part of this Three Shot ~
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Part 2
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It had been years since Zoya last visited this park. Every swing, every slide, every merry-go-round held a memory. Though the park wasn't as good as it used to be back then, it was still alive with a little hustle.
WOUNDS HEAL
"And Ammi, do you remember this see-saw?" Zoya approached the once full of life but now barren ride. Tears clouded her vision as she touched the, no, her cold and yellow metal seat. Memories of her innumerable rides came flooding back.
"Look! It still has it! The flower I drew with Ozzy? It's still there" She said as she caressed the spot. "Ah, yes! Ozzy! That black marker pen. You were going through this crazy phase of scribbling on things to mark them yours. I have safely kept all YOUR flower vases, cups and not to forget, pillows, in the attic." Zainab said as she stood beside Zoya, caressing the flower as well.
Zoya gave a sheepish smile.
It had been years since Zoya last visited this park. Every swing, every slide, every merry-go-round held a memory. Though the park wasn't as good as it used to be back then, it was still alive with a little hustle.
"Nani! Khaala! Catch!" Arif said as he threw his foam ball towards Zoya and Zainab.
He frowned as they failed to catch it, causing it to fly far off.
"Aww! He looks adorable when he's angry. Our little version of Anwar Jeeju, nahi?"
"No! Not at all. He has Zeenat's features" ,
".. and not to forget, her tantrums!" Zoya added. They chatted on while Arif ran up to them.
"Khala! You missed it! This was an easy throw!" He whined.
"That's not fair! I wasn't ready! Okay, let's try again. Bring back the ball, come on! Quick!"
The evil ball decided to roll under an occupied park bench. Unfortunately, Arif's way was blocked by a pair of long legs.
"Hello Sir! My name is Arif Ali. I love to play catch with my Khaala. Can you please pass me my ball?" Arif said as he stood obediently, with his hands behind his back, in front of a well built man. But why was the man so upset?
"Hello Sir! My name is Arif Ali. I love to play catch with my Khaala. Can you please pass me my ball?" Arif said as he stood obediently, with his hands behind his back, in front of a well built man. But why was the man so upset?
"Sir?" "What is it Arif? What's taking you so long?" Zoya followed his trail and then gathered him in his arms.
"Ball", he said, pointing towards the sad man's legs, with a cute pout on his little face.
Ammi, he is Anwar Jeeju junior!
"Bas? No big deal! Let me try."
"Um, excuse me? Sir? Can you please pass his ball? There, it's just behind your legs."
"Leave me alone." The man replied robotically.
"Excuse me, what did you just say?", Zoya narrowed her eyes at him.
"I said, leave me alone! Is it too hard for you to understand?" He snapped back.
Zoya was taken aback by the sudden outburst. She immediately looked at Arif, whose tears threatened to spill.
As much as she was angry with the man, she didn't fail to hear the audible crack in his voice. He clearly looked broken. But why?
Zoya did not appreciate poking nose in others' matters, but she couldn't bring herself to stop thinking about the possible reason for the man's gloom. She concluded that there was more to this anger.
"Shh. Its okay, Arif. We don't need that ball. We'll buy a new one, a much better one. Hm?" Arif nodded as he buried his head in Zoya's shoulder. They turned back to walk away.
Had there been anyone else, Zoya would've given him a left and right for misbehaving. But he was different, and why, she didn't know.
Karma has his ways, she thought. He would be punished one way or the other.
"Nani got us icecreams!" Arif, Zoya and Zainab walked back to the parking lot with their icecreams
in their hands. Then they headed back home.
*****
"Good night Ammi, Aapi, Jeeju. And good morning Batman!" Zoya bid her goodbye to her family. And yes, it was a good morning for a hyperactive Arif. He was all dressed up in his Batman costume and was in no mood to go to bed.
Sugar loaded icecreams for 4 year olds? Bad idea.
As she drove through the drop dead silent streets, she cam across the park, Her park. But all she could think of was Him. Would he still be there?
She parked her car and stepped out. She saw the night watchman asking The man to go home. But being the stubborn kind he was (as she could comprehend), he did not budge.
"I'm so sorry Bhaiya, for the inconvenience. He's with me." The guard and the man looked at her, startled.
"I'm so sorry Bhaiya, for the inconvenience. He's with me." The guard and the man looked at her, startled.
"Madam, are you sure? I mean..." "Yes, I'm sure."
"Come on, hurry" She said gesturing towards The man who was still sitting on the bench.
He stood up and followed Zoya to her car. She then motioned him to sit inside.
As Zoya buckled up to drive, realization dawned upon her.
Stupid girl! Did you just offer a stranger, correction, an angry stranger a lift? Are you out of your senses Zoya?
Well, she volunteered. Nothing could be done. At least not now.
"Where do you live?", she asked him but was greeted with nothing but silence.
The man looked lost in his own litle world, probably a world of misery, she presumed.
"Are you planning to spend the night on the streets, mister?" Zoya asked annoyingly. The man did not look homeless, he was well dressed, Heck, he was hot!
"Stay away from me. I'm a bad person" Zoya turned off the ignition as soon as she heard the words escape from his mouth. Her heartbeat became erratic with fear.
Wait, he couldn't be. Right? Bad men don't admit their deeds.
"You might be. But I know you won't hurt me. By the way, I'm Zoya. And you are?"
The man looked at her. She saw hurt in his eyes, but she also saw hope.
Is he hopeful? What is he hoping for? Am I the source of it?
"I don't want to go home."
"So, should I drop you off at a hotel?"
"I don't have money."
Zoya sighed. She had no idea how to deal with the cryptic man
Why did she even volunteer ?
"What's your name?"
"Asad"
"Nice! It's fine, Asad. I can lend you some money, enough to spend a night in a hotel or a motel, whatever you prefer. You can return them to me tomorrow. I'll met you there itself."
This had to be the solution. She had no options left.
"Hm". Zoya anticipated at least a word from him. But instead, she got a monosyllable!
She started the car and drove to the nearest hotel.
******
"A room for one, please."
"How long will you be staying ma'am?"
"One day. Do you accept MasterCard?"
"Yes. Ma'am, your name please."
"Asad..?"
"... Ahmed Khan", Asad said disinterestedly.
"Yeah, please book a room for Mr. Asad Ahmed Khan. Thank You."
Zoya gave him her contact number, so that she could keep a tab of the loan she gave, and also to check on him.
"I'll meet you at 9:00 am, here in the lobby. Okay?"
Asad nodded as he took the keys from Zoya and dejectedly walked towards the lift.
You could've at least said Thank You, Zoya murmured to herself as she watched his retreating back.
Room number 107, it is.
It was almost 12:00 am when Zoya reached home. She lived in a cozy, 2 BHK apartment. A proud owner. Her Ammi, Aapi and Jeeju suggested her to move in with them, but she refused. She wanted to strive for herself on her own, just like her Ammi.
Sleep evaded her all night. Her thoughts went back to Asad Ahmed Khan. She could draw no conclusions as to why he was behaving the way he was.
Was he really bad? No, no. He didn't seem that kind.
His eyes held hurt, guilt, sadness, rejection.. and hope? Was he hoping to be free from his agonizing bonds?
Zoya picked up the alarm clock. Allah Miya! 4:00 a.m. already?
Great, she couldn't even get an ounce of sleep. Thanks to Mr. Khan, of course.
After simply lying in bed for the next 1 hour, she decided to officially wake up as the sun was at the horizon.
Watching the Sunrise has its own charm, doesn't it?
The next 3 hours went the way a Sunday morning goes - reading newspapers with a steaming cup of coffee, wishing her family 'Good Morning', doing laundry etc. And before she knew it, it was 8:30 a.m.
She started feeling funny on the inside, the thought of seeing Asad again was just too exciting!
She quickly showered, got ready and gobbled up her breakfast. She quickly locked her apartment and rushed towards her car.
It was 8:57 a.m. when she reached the hotel.
Desperately punctual? Embarrassing!
The clock struck 9:00 and then 9:20. Asad was nowhere in sight. Worry engulfed her as her mind started thinking of the worst case scenarios.
Relax, Zoya. He is just 20 minutes late. Not everyone is astonishingly punctual like you. Take that as a compliment.
Not being able to wait any longer, she hopped into the lift and pushed the button to the First Floor. The lift clicked open and she dashed towards the room - 107.
She rang the bell once, twice, thrice and too many times.
Growing impatient with the passing second, she called the manager and asked him to open the door with the Master Key.
As soon as the door opened, Zoya frantically rushed inside and saw a surprisingly tidy and untouched room.
She headed towards the bathroom as her heartbeat accelerated. As soon as she opened the door, a loud gasp escaped her mouth.
There lay Asad, lifeless, drenched in a pool of blood.
"Help! Manager!" Zoya checked Asad's pulse and heaved a sigh of relief. Though slow, he had pulse.
She ran out screaming for help, with blood smeared all over her hands.
X-X-X
A/N - That's Part 1 for you!
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Udne Ki Aasha
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