On a compulsion and spur of the moment on seeing last night's precap inspired me for this OS.
Zoya had been always amused and a little miffed by Asad's rules and regulations. She never followed them. Even if she would try not to break them she ended up doing the very thing she didn't want to. Asad and Zoya were always at opposite ends. Asad did not like Zoya and Najma's fast growing friendship as he thought she was a bad influence on his baby sister his Tamatar.
Zoya he thought had created a problem in the college. She was arrested and he for the very first time had to go to the police station. He did not listen to her explanation about the circumstances in which she hit the boys or break the glass of the principal's cabin. He was furious with her ways or with himself for liking her from the very moment he had seen her at the mazaar. He was unknown towards his own feelings for her. He desperately used to find reasons to get angry at her.
Her every move every look send a shiver down his spine but he ignored it all. He masked his growing admiration for her with a stern look. He can't fall for a girl who has no tameez or tehzeeb. He remembers the moments and events that took place between them whenever he is alone. His specifications for a bride were also surrounded by her qualities or imperfections more to be specific. He wanted everything that she wasn't. He did not think of his prospective bride but unknowingly thought only of her.
Zoya used to find ways to irritate him or was it to get him out of his shell. She wanted to spread happiness wherever she went. She wanted to do that for Mr.Akdu Ahamd Khan too. Najma's secret of chopping her hair was well kept from Asad as she thought he would kill her if he found out. There wasn't a day when Asad and Zoya did not argue or he did not scold her for her gair zimmedaaraana harkat.
On one such day Zoya and Najma were as usual getting ready to go to their respective destinations. Najma was fidgeting with her wig. Zoya's one more quick solutions to a problem. Asad was chided by Dilshaad time and again for his attitude towards Zoya. He had not apologized to Zoya for shouting at her the day he got her back from the slammer. Asad could not see his ammi blame herself for his actions and doubt the tarbiyat(upbringing) she had given him.
Asad mustered up all his courage to say 'I AM SORRY' to Zoya, ZOYA!! This is what it had come to now, He Asad Ahmad Khan had to say sorry to Zoya. He went up to her and she was staring at him as if she was scared. Najma too was scared that Asad might find out about her cutting her hair and then she would have to reveal the truth about the eve teasing. He approached Zoya but something funny about Tamatar's hair got his immediate attention.
In an attempt to save Najma Zoya steps forward to get Asad's attention. She got it alright as she bumped into him and stepped on his toes. His mobile dropped and was shattered in four pieces. He was again angry with Zoya. His workaholic life depended on the cell phone. She said she would fix it if he said sorry. He had come with all the intentions to say sorry but her new harkat send him back to the start. No way she, does not deserve a sorry from him. She should apologize to him for creating a mess every time.
Zoya fixes his phone but sets a voice password. Every time he wants to use his cell phone he has to say 'I AM SORRY ZOYA'. He was burning with rage when he found out about it from her. She was enjoying every moment of it and he was getting flustered. He had no choice but to say the password to get his work done. His office staff and Najma and Dilshaad were unaware of Zoya's doing. She kept an eye on him at home and every time he got a call she encouraged him to answer it.
He did so with reluctance when he was alone. He had no choice. Two days passed with this ongoing nonsense. His ammi and sister were gladly informed by Zoya about the password as he said it once in front of them. He asked her to get rid of the password but she denied. She wanted a personal apology from him. He was not going to do so. That evening Dilshaad and Najma go to visit some family friends. Zoya was alone at home.
Asad returns home after a hectic day. He all day long had to say 'I AM SORRY ZOYA'. One more time the phone rang and he had to repeat the password. He was now as angry as Zeus or Hades would get. She was gonna face his wrath. He entered her room without knocking. She was standing in front of the mirror checking her right arm. "Allah Miya! What's wrong with you? Aap mere kamre main bina knock kiye kaise aa gaye? Kisi ladki ke kamre mein aane se pehle knock karte hain. Itni bhi tameez nahi hai aap mein?" She said in one breath while hiding her zakham from him.
"Tameez jaisa lafz aap jaisi ladki ke mooh se sccha nahi lagta Zoya. Maine aapse pehle hi kaha tha mujhse door rahiyega. Mujhse ulakhne ki koshish mat kijiye. Mere ghar mein rehna hai toh tameez anur tehzeeb ke daayre mein rehte hue mere rules ko follow karte hue rahiyega." He barked at her. She had not seen this side of him in so many days that she had known (?) him. "Mera phone abhi ke abhi turant theek kijiye."
"Maine aapse pehle hi kaha hai aapka phone theek ho jayega aapko pehle sirf wo teen special words bolne hain." She moved towards the door. He followed her out. He blocked her way and insisted she repair his phone on the spot. She was standing near the separator outside her room. She insisted he ask for her forgiveness. He warned her not to try his patience or else. He moved closer to her. She stepped backwards with his every forward step. She was pinned to the separator. She tried to escape from her right and he blocked her with his arm. She then tried to move through her left. He extended his other arm and captured her between his arms.
He again told her to repair his phone which she refused to do until and unless he says sorry. He moves forward angrily. They were now eye to eye, nose to nose and lip to lip. Their lips were inches apart. She felt his warm breath on her lips as he again warned her not to mess with him and to repair his phone. She was a bit nervous seeing him like this. She thought he was harmless so she challenged him again. She declined repairing his phone and demanded he let her go or else.
He lost his temper like never before and moved further into her face. Their lips almost brushed. She did not listen to his order so he moved further in to her ears for one last warning. AS he was about to warn her a tear trickled down her cheeks as he crossed his limits. His cheeks touched hers and the tear from her cheek came onto his. He felt it and so he came back to see her face. She was having harmless fun but he deliberately crossed his limits to teach her a lesson. She had pushed him too far. She could see a junoon in his eyes. He did not see the hurt in her eyes. His eyes were fixed on her lips. He saw a tear reach them. He is jerked to normalcy and he looks up. She was in tears. He saw the tears that he had given her. She pushed him as his hold on the separator weakened on seeing tears. He remembered the time he had seen her cry at the mazaar and how her tears brought tears to his eyes. She pushed him back with hurt in her eyes. He let her go. As she moved away from him he tried to stop her and to apologize for crossing his limits. In doing so by mistake he tugged her top and the flesh on her slender waist was in full view for him.
She ran into her room and shut the door giving him a look that she never ever wanted to see his face. He knocked to say sorry for what he had just done. She did not reply. She was in the washroom washing her face while tears ran down her wet face. Her tears were visibly different than the water droplets on her face. He tried to open the door but for the first time that she had been in his house the door had been locked from inside. He hung his head down in shame. Tears were coming out his sensitive eyes in which she had never looked. She was there in his eyes always right from the very first day they had been laid upon her.
Inside the washroom Zoya looked at her image in the mirror. He affected her like no one ever had or could have here on. Every day people misbehave with girls on the streets. She was a champion at teaching them a lesson then why did she feel weak in her knees when he almost did the same to her? "Allah Miya! What's wrong with me? Why does he have such an effect on me? When did I gaive him the right to hurt me or affect me?" The pain and hurt Asad caused her was far beyond the pain she must have felt when her hand was burnt. The hurt was far more than the hurt she felt at the age of tweleve years when she heard her khala say that her very own abbu tried to kill her and her ammi by setting fire to their house for his monetary gains. She did not know that she had developed feelings for him. She was in awe of him when she heard him sing. There was no physical attraction from her side but when she heard the depth in his voice she was automatically drawn to him.
Asad paced in his room. He knew he had gone too far. He had to say sorry at least for this. He could not bear to see hurt in her eyes and could not get past the look she gave him. He wondered if he could survive if she really never saw his face or showed hers. He said he wanted her to leave his house the very day she had arrived but now he never ever wanted her to leave. She has to stay for life in my life. He for the very first time got in touch and acknowledged his feelings for her. Dilshaad and Najma were gonna be late. He had to resolve this matter before they were back. He could not bring shame to his ammi or have her question her upbringing because of his crude behavior. He went into the washroom and drew a bath to relax while thinking of ways to say sorry. It was an uphill task for him to say sorry to someone Specially Zoya.
She knocked on his door. He did not answer it. She opened the door a little and extended her hand asking for the phone so that she could change the password. She was feeling very huert. She did not want to see his face nor show hers. She still did not get an answer. She opened the door thinking he was too furious with her to open the door. He was not in the room. She saw his phone and tip toed into his den. She rectified her mistake. There was no more a password on his phone. She left the room looking at it as if it were the last time she was gonna see it. She had a determined look in her eyes. She came out of his room.
She entered her room and picked up her bags and left the house. She had worn a salwaar dupatta suit. She stepped out of HIS house keeping in mind about HIS izzat. She had written a note for Dilshaad and Najma. She had made a bahana as to why she is leaving. Not a word was mentioned about Asad. He was not mentioned in the letter no salaam no dua no goodbyes for him. It was not a goodbye moment not for Asad and Zoya. She was brought in his life by Allah as HE had a plan in store for them.
Asad unknown to the recent developments came out of the bath. He decided to make coffee for him and for Zoya as a sorry and peace offering. He went to the living area on his way to the kitchen. Her room was dark as dark as the event that occurred between them. His eyes dropped and he entered the kitchen. He got a call from his business associates. He was lost in Zoya's thoughts so just pressed the 'accept' button on his phone. The call was accepted, No password required. He was shocked that there was no password on his phone. He would call the associates later. He was very happy that Zoya freed him from his misery.
He went and knocked on her door like always. He did not get an answer. Fear crept into his heart and mind. Something was wrong. He pushed the door open. He switched on the lights but she was nowhere in sight. He headed towards the washroom but still no answer. He ran out of there and screamed her name out loud many times. He did not hear her voice only his voice echoed in the beautiful but now empty house of ASAD AHAMD KHAN. He ran out to the lawn but did not find her there. Asad calls Zoya but she does not answer her phone.
He ran towards his car and drove off recklessly. He was searching for her on the roads of Bhopal. Asad calls Zoya but she does not answer her phone. He passed the same roads she had walked on that night. One such path led her to the mazaar where Asad had first laid eyes on her. Allah guided her there. There is always a reason for things to happen. She also met her 'dost' there. She was praying as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. Why did I meet him? Why did I try to change him? Why did I give him the right to hurt me? Why did I fall for him? Why Allah Why? Where would she now go? Should I go back to him? He hates me and me running away like this must have given him one more reason to hate me. Should she call 'dost' and ask him for help? What would she say? Were the only questions in her mind.
She was about to get up when an elderly hand caressed her hair. She looked up to see a loving woman. She saw her bags and asked her to come with her to her home. Zoya politely declined but the woman reasoned with her about her safety. Zoya knew only Asad and his family in Bhopal. How can she trust a stranger? Zoya reluctantly agreed. The elderly lady gave her address to the Maulvi Sahib when Zoya was not looking in case someone came looking for her there. She seemed a troubled girl so someone would definitely be looking for her.
Asad calls Zoya but she does not answer her phone. Asad frantically searched for Zoya. "Kahaan gayi hogi bechaari?" 'Bechaari' was the word he used for her. He had changed. She had changed him. He suddenly remembered the mazaar where she had seen him. She was crying dressed as a dulhan. She had told him that it was not her nikaah day. He had suspected her to be a runaway bride. He reached the mazaar and searched for her. He reached the center point and sat to pray for her safety. He wanted nothing more than her back to him safe and sound. He worried for her because she had a knack for falling in trouble.
The Maulwi Sahib saw him searching for someone. Asad showed him a picture of Zoya he picked from a family album which was created after Zoya came into his life. He got the address of where the girl had been taken. She was in the place he would never set foot if his life depended on it. She was taken to Rashid Ahmad Khan's house. He had to get her back so he would set foot in the pace he would never set foot for Ayaan or his father.
Zoya entered the haveli. It was traditionally beautiful. She did not say a shaayri like she said when she entered Asad's home. She was surprised to see her 'dost' there. Rashid introduced her as his 'dost' to everyone. They are on a no name basis and remains that way. The elderly lady was Asad's dadi. She met his family for a reason that only Allah new. Asad calls Zoya but she does not answer her phone. He used her technique to try a manao her. He contacted Radio Bhopal and dedicated a shaayri for her. He used her qwn shaayri because funny shaayri was not his forte. "Bus ke peeche truck, truck ke peeche lorry, maaf ka dijiye Dil se keh raha hoon I AM SORRY."
He instructed to play it after a specific time he would require to get to Rashid's place. She was very sad but did not open up to anyone. She was taken to Nikhat and Nuzzat's room. They try to make her smile. Dadi filled in Rashid and others about Zoya. Taiabbu and Raziya were there too. Asad reaches there. He parks his car outside the haveli. Zoya feels a strange pull towards the balcony. She goes there only to see Asad standing there. Their eyes meet. They had tears in them. She was hurt and he was sorry.
She turns away and draws the curtains. He enters the forbidden haveli. Dadi and Shireen are shocked to see him there. Taiabbu and Razia are angry to see him there. Ayaan, his sisters and Rashid are happy to see him. He stepped into that place showed what she meant to him. Ayaan wanted to tell him about the girl because of whom he had been injured but is stopped by Asad. He was not there for them. He was there for Zoya and Zoya only. Zoya comes and before she wants to tell him to leave. The Radio is on and tuned in to Radio Bhopal. Asad thanks his stars. Asad and Ziya have an intense eyelock. The others realize he had come for her. He steps forward towards her but she signaled him not to reminding him of the limits he had crossed.
Zoya : Please leave Mr.Khan. main yahaan koi tamasha nahi chahti.
Asad: Main tab tak ghar nahi jaoonga jab tak aap mere saath nahi chalengi
Zoya: Wo mera ghar nahi hai
Asad: Wo aapka ghar hai. Chaliye. Main gairon ke saamne humaari baat nahi karna chahta.
Zoya: Hum? Kya main aur aap kabhi HUM ban paye?
Asad: I know maine limits cross kiye par main aisa hi hoon. Take it or leave it ki deal nahi hai aapke paas. This is who I am. Main apne guzre kal ki wajah se aisa hoon. I can't change.
Zoya: You can change par aap badalne se pehle tootna pasand karenge. Miane bas mazaak kiya tha. Aapko ehsaas hai aapne mera dil kis had tak tod diya hai?
Asad had tears in his eyes. He broke the very heart he wanted to reside in. He moved forward and held her hand to take her from there. He wanted to be alone with her.
Zoya: Mera haath chodiye. You have no right to do so.
Asad: Mujhe haq nahi hai? Mujhe? Jis din dargah par aapko dekha tha aapki aankhon se behte Ashkon ne meri aankhon ko nam kiya tha. Pehli baar main Ammi ya Tamatar ke alawa kisi aur ke liye roya tha.
Zoya: Aur wahi askh aaj aapne mujhe lauta diye Mr.Asad Ahmad Khan.
Asad: Ek gunaah toh Allah taala bhi maaf karte hain. Kya aap mujhe maaf nahi kar sakti? Kisi ke gunaah ki sazaa kisi aur ko dena insaaf nahi hai. Aap mere gunaah ki sazaa ammi aur tamatar ko kyun de rahi hain?
Zoya doesn't listen to his pleas. She turns away from him and at that very moment the shaayri that he dedicated to her came. He repeats it live while holding his ears. His actions spoke volumes. The maafi was not only for shouting at her for the jail fiasco or messing with his phone but was for the darkness she saw in him. He is crying so Nuzzat gives him a glass of water. Zoya's pain causes immense pain in him. When he got angry with himself he hurt himself violently.
He broke the glass in his hands. Before anyone could call out his name he stopped them. She heard the glass break and saw his wound. She ran up to him. Everything else was forgiven and forgotten for the moment. Humaira gets first aid box and as Nikhat is about to do the dressing she snatches the box. How can any other girl touch the man I LOVE. She was jealous. She did his band aid. He flinched when she put antiseptic lotion. "Allah Miya! What's wrong with you? Ziddi bacchon jaise behave karte hain. Itne FIT hain. Mr. Six Pack. Body builder bankar firte hain aur dawaai se darte hain." Asad smile as he saw the real Zoya crop up.
Everyone is shocked to see Zoya speak like this to Asad because they know that he is very strict and a nonsense guy. Zoya did his band aid and realized all that she said to him. She softly said sorry and got up. He moved towards her as she took steps back. She reached a pillar. She tried to escape but he pinned her to it. His strong arms blocking here escape route. They were again eye to eye, nose to nose and lip to lip. She saw her aks(image) in his eyes. She found her rightful place. She closed her eyes and parted her lips as an invitation.
He smiles and steps back. Not now not here. It has to be special as she is special. She is miffed by his action. She opens her eyes. Now Asad was gonna give the melodrama queen some melodrama of his own.
Asad: Mian jaanta hoon ki aapka mujhe maaf karna mumkin nahi hai. Mianaapse vaada karta hoon ki ab main aapko koi takleef nahi doonga. Aap merishakal bhi nahi dekhna chahti hian na? Toh theek hai main aapko apni shakal bhi nahi dikhaoonga. Let me take you to a hotel. Aap strangers ke saath nahi reh sakti.
Zoya: App kabhi nahi badal sakte hai na? Ek pal mein kehte hain takleef nahi doonga aur doosre hi pal taa umra tadapne ki sazaa de rahe hain. You know na I can't live without seeing your face. Itnni nautnki mat kijiye aapko suit nahi karta. Main ghar chal rahi hoon. Phuppi aur Najma hamaare lautne tak aa jayenge? Ghar kyun le ja rahe hain?
Asad: Mujhe kal raat ko meteor shower dekhna hai aapke saath. Toote taaron se kuch maangne ka dil kar raha hai. Kyun aapko mere saath ab dar lagega akele? After what I did. (She nodded in a negative. She gave him a 'I have my pepper srapy den't you remember' look. Fine get your things and please aap bhi apne melodrama band kijiye and change kar lijiye. He gave her his trade mark Asad Ahmad Khan smile. She gave him a Zoya smile.
She was wearing salwaar dupatta suit and he tells her to wear her jeans. They wipe their tears. She is going home with her Mr. Akdu Ahmad Khan. He waits for her in the hall. All eyes on him. As she turns the radio announcer says that he is dedicating a song from the shaayri guy to the girl who he dedicated it to. He plays 'Chikni kamar pe teri mersa dil phisal gaya' from Rowdy Rathore. She turns to look at him. Her eyes are as big as headlights of a car. He hangs his head down. Not my doing and he pressed his temples.
She bursts out laughing like the day she did on seeing him in the bath tub. She holds his hand and takes him to her 'dost'. She says ,"Dost, maine us din aapse kaha tha na ki meri zindagi mein ek shaks hian jo bahut akdu hain aur mujhe hamesha kadvi baaten sunate hain. Yahi hain wo Mr.Akdu Ahmad Khan. He voice faints as she sees his stern look. "Humaari no name policy dosti hai main inhe aapka naam nahi bata sakti. I can't tell him to call you jaise main bolti hoon." She goes away with mischief in her eyes. She sings the song 'Jaane kyun log pyaar karte hain." He blushes and thinks to himself that she is never gonna let it go.
They had started the evening with tears in their eyes but will end the night with happiness. 'Ashkon se Khushiyon Tak.
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