OS-A Night To Remember

Ok...so this is very first piece of work...i generally just comment on people's works...n before i forget, i want all of you to know that I am dedicating it to my very very dear friend whom i call Radha😉 but you all must be knowing her as Monu_Deewani...So girl, here goes nothing...

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER...

Zoya couldn't believe what she'd just heard from Najma. How could anyone separate two brothers, let alone not allow them to meet at all! And that too when one had brought the other one up like his own child! She had never even imagined that the happy-go-lucky seeming family that had given her so much love and that she had grown to love, was hiding so much pain, so much hurt. Phoophi, tamatar and- and her Jahapanah.

This was the first time she truely and deeply felt for him. So, there was a reason for his khadoos behaviour. A very strong reason indeed. It explained his rough and tough exterior. A faade. All a show. She had lost her Ammi when she hardly understood loss, and had never known her Abbu. But she had had her Aapi and Jiju. They were her Ammi and Abbu. Yet she felt incomplete, hurt. But Jahapanah had to live with the fact that his very alive father had left them, at an age he understood the meaning of relations and loss. That he had siblings whom he could never call his own, never exercise his right over. She couldn't even begin to imagine what he must have gone through in all these years, living so close to them yet unable to see them, meet them.

'Allah miyan what's wrong with you? Aap kisike bhi saath aisa kaise kar sakte hai? Kisiko apne bhai-behno se door kaise rakh sakte hai? Nahi, kuch to karna hoga mujhe!

oOo

Asad was making his way to the dining table when-

CRASH! came the sound of breaking glass followed by a loud gasp and panicked mutterings -

'Allah miya, what's wrong with you? Aaj ke din toh mujhse galti maat karvaiye. Waise bhi aaj Mr Six-Packs itne pareshaan hai aur aap unki pareshaani aur badha rahe hai. Aab Zoya madam, jaldi se yeh saaf karlo, isse pehle Mr Bodybuilder aaye aur phir se khafa ho jaaye!'

Asad was standing behind a pillar, blocked from her view. He did not know why he stood there silently until after she had cleaned up. Maybe to fulfill her wish of a perfect dinner table and not disappoint her, a voice in his head said. He retaliated, just to avoid a behes. But he couldn't deny the warmth that spread in his chest. He did feel nice that she was doing something to make him feel better. Even after all the taunts. Okay fine! It was to make her happy, he surrendered to the smirking voice in his head. There stood this crazy girl who he'd treated so curtly, trying to lessen his tension without asking for anything in return. Ya allah, ye ladki sach mein ajooba hai!

Slowly he made his way to the table, silently nodded toward her and sat down for dinner. He didn't want to encourage her to talk. Ammi, was not feeling well and Tamatar had her exams. It was just the two of them. And he was dreading the chatter to come. It never did. They both had dinner together quietly. Yes, quietly… Ms.Farooqi neither uttered a word, nor dropped a spoon or spilled anything. She just silently had her food.

'Shukriya… good night'

'Good night'

This was the most uneventful dinner in the Khan residence ever since Ms Zoya Farooqi had come over. But what surprised Asad more was that he seemed to miss her clumsy demeanour, those stupid shayaaris and non-stop chatter. Weird…

------

Zoya tossed and turned, all in vain. Sleep was going to evade her that night, she knew. Najma and Phoophi's words kept echoing in her ears. She couldn't help but think about what they must have gone through - Phoopi, Najma and Jahapanah…especially her Jahapanah. Their encounter had been brief, but she had heard the pain in his voice, felt the pain in his stance. The pain of separation, the pain of not being able to be there for someone you love with all your heart and soul, someone who loves you with all heart and soul. That too when he needed him the most. That pain tore through her heart too. Maybe a cup of chocolate would help.

As she hopped down the stairs and into the kitchen, she caught a shadow outside. It was Jahapanah, sitting on the bench in the garden. She looked at the watch. It was nearly 1. She made her way to him, with an intention of asking him if he too would like a cup of hot chocolate.

Hesitantly, she put a hand on his shoulder, to gain his attention. Before she could utter a word, he turned, and still sitting, put his hands around her waist and hugged her with all his might.

"Ammi, please mujhe ek baar Ayaan se milne ki ijazat de dijiye. Uski tabiyat bohot kharab hai. Wo hospital mein hai Ammi. Nikhat ka phone aaya tha, woh behoshi mein sirf mera naam le raha hai Ammi. Use meri zarurat hai. Mein aapse vaada karta hoon ki aaj ke baad mein Ayaan se kabhi nahi miloonga. Please Ammi, bas ek baar!"

He was crying while saying all this, crying badly. She had never seen her Akdoo Ahmed Khan in such a state. So vulnerable, So much in pain. And she didn't know why but she didn't like it either, she couldn't see her Jahapanah like this. It pained her. She never realised when she held him back just as tightly. Neither did she notice when his pain flowed out of her eyes as tears. She held him with all her might, to ease his pain, take it all away.

They stayed in that position for a long time, both unaware of what they were doing. Suddenly the trance broke and both came back to their senses simultaneously. They broke apart, tight-lipped. Both of them turned away from each other, wanting to hide their tears from the other.

Zoya being Zoya was the first one to speak.

'Woh … umm ... woh mujhe neend nahi aa rahi thi to ... main aapne liye- vo- hot chocolate banane aayi thi and umm.. aapko yaha dekha toh socha ki aapko bhi poochlu…vo usse kabhi kabhi achhi neend aati hai to.. '

She managed to blabber as she braced herself for the blasting she was sure would come. But she was pleasantly surprised.

'Shukriya...some hot chocolate would be nice…'

She had almost reached the door leading inside the house when she heard a faint 'sorry'. This was enough to trigger a strong Zoya type reaction from her. And so started her mutterings

'Sorry?! Allah miyan whats wrong with him? Koi apna dard baantne ke liye sorry bolta hai kya?! Sach mein crack case hai ye Mr.Six Pa—'

She had turned suddenly and as usual forgotten a step leading to the garden, hitting her foot on it real hard.

'Aaa…aaa aaa aaahhh!'

Asad ran to her. "Ms.Farooqi! Dhyaan se! Zyada chot to nahi aayi na? Laiye let me check, kahi fracture to nahi!'

*TING* A bulb flashed in Zoya's devil mind.

A brilliant idea had clicked in her head. She had found a way to ease her Jahapanahh's pain. She would see to it that he went back to the Akdoo Ahmed Khan she knew.

'Aaah Mr.Khan bohot dard ho raha hai! Mujhe pakka yaqeen hai ke fracture hi ho gaya hai! Aaa….aap khade khade dekh kya rahe hai? Mr Khan mujhe jaldi se hospital le chaliye! AAA!' Hearing her scream out in pain, Asad didn't waste any time and rushed to get the car. On the way, he informed Najma of the situation. She was up studying for her exams and he didn't want her to worry about their whereabouts.

On getting to know of Zoya's condition, Najma quickly went to her. Not wanting to distract Najma from her studies during her exams, Zoya told her the truth, that she was just acting. She also told her about her plan. In that moment, Najma was sure she had done the right thing by telling Zoya the truth. She was indeed family. A very caring one at that.

At the hospital, Zoya was throwing tantrums, trying to gain the attention of as many people as she could, hoping Asad's sister would be one of them. When she noticed a woman's eyes widen at the sight of Asad, she guessed it was her and so she made some stupid excuses and somehow crashed right into the room beside who she identified as Asad's sister, hoping it was Ayaan's room.

------

This girl is going to be the death of me! Asad thought as he tried to handle Zoya's tantrums. He held her hand as she was about to fall after banging into a hospital room. Even as he pulled her to him, he caught a glimpse of the person lying on the bed behind her. The rest of the world ceased to exist for him as he saw his Ayaan lying lifeless on the hospital bed with needles and tubes all around him.

Asad froze as he was, his eyes looking at his brother with unmasked longing, completely unaware of the fact that the way he held Zoya to him gave a vivid impression of a possesive hug to the people around. A strangled 'Ayaan' escaped his choked throat, betraying the depth of his pain to Zoya, simultaneously refraining her from pulling back and disturbing her Jahapanah's precious moment. Still oblivious to his surroundings, Asad gently let go of Zoya and made his way to Ayaan in a trance. A lone tear escaped his eyes as they caught the paleness of his brother's usually bright face. Involuntarily, his right hand made its way to Ayaan's forehead, and softly brushed his hair back. Ayaan's slight smile and a barely audible "Bhaijaan" broke Asad's trance and he was reminded of the bitter reality, his Ammi's kasam. He swiftly made his way to the door and turned around to take one last look at his brother before he left to find Zoya.

With some help from Nikhat, Asad found the room Zoya was in. Just as he was about to enter the room, the doctor came out. So he decided to stay out and ask the doctor about both Zoya amd Ayaan. The doctor said that Zoya was fine, and it was just a small sprain. Just then, another doctor came to report about the sudden improvement in Ayaan's condition. Satisfied, Asad entered the room to a sweet voice.

"Allah Miyan, what's wrong with you ?! Kya kya karva rahe ho aap mujhse ? Ek chhote se sprain ko fracture bana diya ! Aur mere pagalpanti vale tantrums, Mr.Khan ki behen ko dhoondne ke liye, ya allah ! Thank you, jo aapne mujhe sahi kamre mein hi giraya, varna to sacchi, bohot gadbad ho jaati aaj ! Vaise, agar ab tak unhe yaqeen na hua ho to aaj to pakka Mr.Khan ko yaqeen ho gaya hoga ki main pagal hoon..bas vo mujhe yahaan ke mental division mein na chhod de !" Zoya blabbered on, her face a picture of childish fear. Behind her, a thankful elder brother silently expressed his gratitude and prayed to her Allah Miyan for her safety and happiness.

Asad then composed himself and went in front of her as the same Akdoo Ahmed Khan she knew. He told her what the doctor had said and insisted she take a wheelchair till the car. But Zoya being Zoya vehemently refused. Right on the third step, she faltered, and still refused to take the wheelchair. In a swift motion, Asad picked her up in his arms.

"Allah miya, what's wrong with you Mr Khan!? Yeh aap kya kar rahe hain??Please mujhe niche rakh dijiye. Main khud chal sakti hoon. Mujhe pata hai ki aap ko apni strength show off karne mein bohot maza aata hain and all par.."

"Ya Allah…Miss Farooqi…aap aur aapki clever baatein …aap please chup ho jaiye"

"Clever! Who toh main hoon…wait a minute…aap sarcastic bann rahe hain na?"

"Arre wah…yeh dekho aapne khud hi apni smartness ka saboot de diya…", he said with a slight smirk(yeah, the signature Jahapanah Six-Packs wala)

"Uhh…Asad!!" , she said , hitting him playfully on his chest and then covering her O shaped lips with that same hand realising what she had just done. She had called him by his name and also hit him!!!!

N seeing her huge beautiful eyes and her sweet lips in that funny manner, he couldn't resist a small laugh.. yeah yeah..Mr Aakdu Ahmed Khan and a small laugh…. Together.. 8^th wonder of the world!! He decided to continue their childish game/bicker atleast until they reached the car..

"Zoya… Are you, Miss Zoya Farooqi scared?? Where is your pepper spray huh?", he added with playfulness..

Zoya too understood what her Mr Khan was doing and decided to continue it as he was finally forgetting the pain in his heart . And also she liked this Mr Khan better because seeing him happy made her heart rejoice too..

"Uhh…who…ahhh..I am not scared…who toh main bas aapko Aass..a.."

"aapko kya?? Zoya??"

The people in the hospital looked at this cute bickering couple amusingly and the best part was that they both didn't even realise that all the people were keenly listening to them with wide eyes.. And they didn't realise that among these people were Rashid Ahmed Khan's entire family…

"Mr.Asad Ahmed Khan…aap apni wife ke discharge papers pe sign karna hi bhool gaye. Please sign them.."

Hearing the nurse's words,both Asad-Zoya and Rashid's family were shocked…

"Asad…."

"Bhaijaan.."

"Bhaijaan……"

Hearing these voices, Asad turned, with Zoya in his arms,with her hands entwined around his neck and took in all the shocked faces of Rashid Khan, Siddique sahib and Rasia…whereas his sisters- Nikhat,Nuzhat and Humeira all had a slight smirk cum smile on their faces…

This is the end of the OS...I don't know if I should continue or not...n yeah i forgot to say something...All you QH members...u rock!! I love being on the forum!!😃

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