oOo
5 Years ago,
The Khan Residence,
Bhopal.
"Ammi what's wrong with you? How could you even think of getting me married to Zoya?" An evidently angry Asad questioned his mother.
"Beta she's perfect for you! You think I haven't considered all the possible outcomes of this wedlock? This is the right thing to do."
"Ammi you know I would blindly marry any girl you'd choose for me! Just not her. She's a pain Ammi! All she ever does is loaf around the house as if she owns the place! And on top of that she has the audacity to pull her games on me? I can't see one reason why you'd think she's perfect for me!" Asad groaned.
"Asad but think about your future, her future! Zoya told me herself that she liked you and-"
"And you believed her? Ammi that girl doesn't know how to use an ounce of her brain in the right direction! Even if she does like me, how could she possibly think that I would ever, for the love of God, agree to marry her!" Asad's voice boomed through the silent hallways of the Khan Residence.
"He's right, Phuphi." They heard a muffled voice.
Dilshad and Asad turned around to look at Zoya sagged against a wall. Her smudged kohl filled eyes were evidence to her state. Asad looked away and shut his eyes. He hadn't meant for her to hear that! It would've hurt anyone. But him and her, he couldn't even imagine!
"Umm..Zoya beta, why didn't you..I.." Dilshad was fumbling in order to put her words in a sentence. But the damage had already been done.
"It's okay Phuphi. Mr. Khan is right. Why would he ever marry someone who doesn't have a family background or manners to begin with."
"It's got nothing to do with your family, Ms. Farooqui." Asad stated. He really didn't care about her family background.
"Then why don't you-?" Zoya began but was cut short by him.
"The latter part of your assumption is what I have a problem with. You're a mannerless freak with no respect for others whatsoever!"
"ASAD!" Dilshad reprimanded him and stopped him from saying anything further.
By now Zoya had had enough! She wiped her tears and fought back, one last time.
"You know Mr. Khan? I don't know what you're looking for in a woman to make her your wife. But I do know one thing, no woman can ever live with a man as arrogant and snobbish as you! You are a sorry excuse for a man!" Zoya spat at his back and ran back to her room to pack her bags.
Asad shut his eyes. Thank God the woman was leaving his house!
oOo
Present Day,
Downtown Street Caf,
New York City.
Asad Ahmed Khan sat there, sipping his Mocha flavored Coffee in one of the most famous Caf's in the city. Doing exactly what he had been doing for the past 5 years. Repenting.
Repenting for all those mistakes he had committed 5 years ago. By choosing the wrong life partner and the wrong path of life. He looked at the busy New York streets. Searching for that one figure. Perhaps if destiny still wanted him to have his share of love, he'd spot her somewhere and grab her in his arms. Perhaps.
He knew the chances were meager. Maybe there was no chance at all. But what could a man, who was hopelessly in love with a girl, do when he was aware of the fact that she was somewhere close by? He was ready to take his chances this time.
He walked out of the Caf after paying for the coffee and thanking the staff. He put on his coat and wrapped the stole around his neck. It was pretty chilly in November here. He walked down the unfamiliar lanes trying to navigate the nearest taxi stand with his GPS. It was almost snowing now.
He took a steep turn still lost in his phone and collided with a soft body which effortlessly fell into his arms. It didn't take a second for him to realize that destiny had perhaps handed him his life's most prized possession. His Zoya.
Zoya looked up and was caught captive with those intense dark brown eyes that had occupied her dreams almost every night. She couldn't believe her fate! Was she dreaming again? Dreaming of Mr. Khan? No. She could feel his muscular chest and his heart pounding as madly as hers was. He was real!!
Asad couldn't help the faint smile that slowly made its way across his face as he pulled her back to her feet. Yes, God had given him another chance.
"Hey!" Asad broke the awkward silence.
"Umm..hi." Zoya said distinctly.
"So, how are you doing?" Asad asked even though he knew she didn't want to talk to him. But he wasn't going to let this chance go.
"I'm good. And how are you?" Zoya asked out of curiosity.
"I'm good too."
"So what are you doing here in New York city?"
"Well, I was here on a business trip. I'll be heading back to Bhopal tonight." He said, hoping that would make a difference in her attitude.
"Oh okay. How are Phuphi and Najma? It's been really long I spoke to them."
"Najma is great. She's expecting her 1st child."
"WOW! That's great news! Congratulations. And Phuphi?"
"Ammi isn't with us anymore." Asad stated blankly.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't-"
"That's okay. She had a heart stroke."
Zoya instantly felt her eyes tearing up. This man always made her cry even in her most jovial moods!
"Ahhh..what about you?" Asad changed the topic.
"Me? Well I'm just me. Doing what I love doing. I own a Boutique here."
"That's nice."
"And how's your wife?" She asked him carefully, recollecting Najma telling her about her bhaijaan's wedding.
"Wife?" He let out a soft chuckle. "You were right about one thing. No woman can live with me. We got divorced within 7 months of our wedding."
"I'm so sorry Mr. Khan I-"
"It's okay Zoya. Maybe God has someone else in mind for me." Asad said while fixating his gaze on her.
"MOOMMM!" A soft voice brought them out of their eyelock. A small girl of barely 3 years of age jumped into Zoya's arms. And if Asad wasn't wrong, did the girl just call Zoya her mom?!
"Hey Sweety! How was the candy?" Zoya asked her baby girl while she just giggled showing her dimples and hid her face in her neck, probably scared of the stranger dressed in black, just like her mother.
"Mr. Khan this is uumm..my daughter, Samara. Samara say hi to uncle." But the poor girl just looked away, scared.
"I'm sorry Mr. Khan. She's very shy of strangers." Asad gulped down his tears as he heard the word stranger.
"Zoya! Babe I've been looking for you!" A man came and put his hand around her shoulder.
"Liam, this is Mr. Khan. I used to live in his house in Bhopal. Remember I mentioned?" Zoya said softly.
"Oh yeah! Hey man. It's nice to meet you. I'm her husband." And just like that, Asad's world crumbled down.
"Umm hi." He shook hands with the man who had his life.
"Babe we gotta get going! The other kids at the orphanage are waiting for you."
"Yep. Lemme just say bye to Mr. Khan."
"Okay. Come on Princess." Liam took Samara in his arms and walked off after a brief goodbye to Asad.
"You're daughter is very beautiful."
"Yeah she is." Zoya smiled.
"Just like you." Asad added, barely audible.
Zoya shivered at his compliment and looked away.
"I'm sorry." Asad said all of a sudden.
"What for?"
"For everything I said to you. 5 years ago. I would give up anything to go back in time and change what I said. But its too late."
"It's never too late to apologize Mr.Khan." Zoya gave her dimpled smile and bent forward. She kissed his cheek softly and whispered. "You were, are and will be the only I ever truly loved. And I guess that's more than enough for us to spend our lives in memory of each other. Maybe not in this lifetime. But definitely in the next, we shall unite."
Zoya pulled back and saw his tears. She wiped them off with her knuckles as he held her hand and kissed her palm, pleading her with his eyes to not let go.
"Goodbye, Mr. Khan."
"Goodbye, Miss. Farooqui." He whispered as she walked away. Taking his heart along.
How he wished he had never lost on to that chance 5 years ago. But he had this satisfaction, she would always be his. Not physically but emotionally and mentally. And he was hers. Till their last breath.
oOo
Dafuq did I just write? Phir bhi, comment karo mere pyaaron! :D
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