FF - Pehla Pyaar (Epilogue Page 51) COMPLETED - Page 10

Part 5

Tanveer came downstairs to get some water. She then saw Zoya got into her room. Hmm, if they are so happily married why are they sleeping in separate rooms? That is not normal behaviour for an in love newlywed couple. Something is not right. Thought Tanveer and off course Mr Watavdhekar has to know about this. Tanveer checked the time, it was almost 12, never too late to report a crime laughed Tanveer. She pulled out are cell phone and relied this suspicion to Mr Watavdhekar. Mr Watavdhekar at first was most annoyed with the late anonyms call, but later thanked his anonymous informant and went back to sleeping thinking of ways to get the truth out.

Breakfast was a normal affair @ the Khan residence. The Khan women were busy with the usual tasks. Zoya decided that despite what comes in 3 months – she will live in the now. She will take whatever Allah has to give her. She smiled and continued setting her OCD husband place setting. Thinking of Mr Khan, sorry Asad and his mood swing she smiled a little. "Kala, I made some of Jammy's favourite homemade jam, should I them in the croissants "asked Tanveer a little too sweetly. "No Tanveer beta, you don't stress, you are a guest after all. Let Zoya handle her husband "replied Dilshaad and looked over to blushing Zoya. At the very moment walked in her husband. "Good morning everyone" said Asad and walked pass Zoya who was standing next to his chair and sat down. Oh, PMS-sing again thought Zoya, oh well let the show start. Zoya mechanically poured him his coffee and handed over his croissants with jam. Asad didn't even look in Zoya's direction; his eyes never left the newspaper he was reading. Once Zoya made sure Asad was taken care of she decided to help herself too breakfast. Dilshaad had purposely left the seat on Asad's right vacant. But Zoya decided to sit next to Dilshaad. Dilshaad noticed but said nothing. Zoya continued talking to Najma and Dilshaad planning Najma's vacations and the things they could do. No words or even looks was exchanged between Zoya and Asad. Asad noticed Zoya didn't even try and get his attention. So what if he was ignoring her. He is emotionally challenged he doesn't know all this normal stuff. But she, what's her excuse thought Asad. He further shook his head, why does he even care. With that he got bade his ammi good bye and left for the office. Zoya did feel bad but she resolved not to sweat the small stuff.

Dilshaad's cell phone rang. Dilshaad looked at the caller ID and was a little shocked; this did not go unnoticed by Zoya. Dilshaad excused herself and answered the call "Ayaan, everything ok? What's wrong? Asked Dilshaad quickly. "Salaam badi ammi" responded Ayaan. Ayaan did not sound okay to Dilshaad "Beta, you okay?" asked Dilshaad. "I am okay badi ammi, I called to invite you and Najma to my sagai today" Dilshaad was shocked "Sagai beta, but to who" enquired Dilshaad. "To Humiera badi ammi, were getting engaged today. And I would really like for you and Najma to come. I know Bhai-jaan will never step foot here, but badi ammi, today I need you. I don't know why but today I need your strength" said Ayaan softly a little too softly. "Ayaan beta, is this what you want" asked Dilshaad. "Badi ammi, sometimes it not about what you want but what you have to do. Badi ammi, I know I am asking allot of you to go against bhai-jaan but I really do need you here today, please badi ammi, don't refuse. I am your son as well, and I need my badi ammi today" said Ayaan sadly. "Off course beta, I will be there. Allah Hafiz" said Dilshaad, Ayaan was her son as well. She took care of him when he was little and she will always be there for him. A mother is always there for her children. Zoya was behind Dilshaad. Zoya saw Dilshaad sad face "Ammi, everything okay" asked Zoya hugging Dilshaad. "Zoya, that was Ayaan, he is getting engaged today to Humera and he invited us over. I don't why Zoya, but I get the feeling that something is not right. Ayaan sounded almost sad." Said Dilshaad. "Ammi, I will come with you guys as well after all it is my Raabert's sagai" chirped Zoya brightly. "And he is getting engaged to Humera, ammi you know she loves him allot" continued Zoya. "No, Zoya, you will not come with us. Asad will already be furious that Najma and I are going, I don't want him to be upset with you beta, please understand" Dilshaad tried to explain "But ammi Mr Khan is always upset with me" pouted Zoya. " Zoya beta, it's different now, you are his wife, please beta just this once listen to your ammi" pleaded Dilshaad. "Okay ammi, as you wish" Zoya finally agreed. Unknown to Dilshaad and Zoya, Tanveer was doing what she does best – eavesdropping. Tanveer smile slyly. Two birds with one stone she thought.

Dilshaad and Najma left, making Zoya and Tanveer promise not to tell Asad anything. Zoya went to her room, she really did want to go to Raabert's and Humera's sagai. "May I come in Zoya" asked Tanveer a little too sweetly. "Off course, come in Tanveer" smiled Zoya. Tanveer went and sat next to Zoya. "Kya hua, Zoya you look disappointed. "Asked Tanveer. Zoya looked at Tanveer "Yeah Tanveer I really did want to go with ammi and tamatar to the sagai – but ammi said I couldn't Mr Khan will be upset" Pouted Zoya. "Zoya, you can still go" smirked Tanveer. "Kaise?" Asked Zoya? "I have an idea" Tanveer smiled evilly and showed Zoya the burkha. "Wow Tanveer, I thought I was the mistress of plans" smiled Zoya. Tanveer continued "I have made a tray of laddoo's you can use that as your excuse to get into the sagai." Explained Tanveer. "Thank you Tanveer" Zoya hugged Tanveer and got ready. Halfway through getting ready Zoya said "but Mr Khan" asked Zoya? "I will not say anything if you don't and if he calls I will handle it" smiled Tanveer. "Thank you Tanveer" and with that Zoya left. No thank you Zoya for helping me smiled Tanveer a little too sinisterly.

Zoya entered the Siddiqi Residence under her burkha and was not stopped as everyone saw the tray of laddoo's in her hand. She looked around for her ammi and tamatar. They looked so out of place. Like they really didn't belong. She wanted to go stand with them. Just then she heard Ayaan argue with some woman. "What is she doing her" asked the woman menacingly to Ayaan. "She is my guest and you will have to be polite and treat her with all the respect" replied Ayaan. "But Ayaan, are you not thinking of your mother how will she feel seeing her here" asked the woman almost too sweetly now. Just then an older woman entered "Razia, you don't have to worry about Shireen. Shireen understands that Ayaan has a bond with Dilshaad. You should worry about taking care of your guests, all of your guests after all it is your daughter's engagement." Smirked the older woman. With that Razia stormed out the room. "Thank you dadi" said Ayaan hugging his dadi. "Ayaan beta, are you sure you want to go through with this" asked dadi. "Dadi, I have no choice. Besides Humera loves me dadi" replied Ayyaan shortly. "But beta, do you love her?" asked dadi. Ayaan sighed deeply "I don't know dadi" and with that Ayaan walked out. Allah Miya what a family thought Zoya. Will these brother ever listen to their heart thought Zoya.

Zoya walked out to the lounge where the sagai was taking place. She wanted to get as close as possible to ammi and tamatar. They looked so out of place she wanted to stand with her family. As she tried to get closer to them. She was mistakely dashed by Nikhat. "Sorry" said Nikhat and took her place centre stage with Nuzhat, as the new couple too their seat. Humera looked stunning and all happy whilst Ayaan looked like he was about to enter hell. Nikhat and Nuzhat began their dance..

Hontho mein Aisii Baat Main Dabaake Chalii Aaii
Though I tried to repress it, a thought hovers insistently on my lips, the sort that
Khul Jaaye Vohii Baat To Duhaaii Hai Duhaaii
would provoke such lamentation if it were aired!
Haan Re Haan Baat Jisame Pyaar To Hai, Zahar Bhii Hai,
Yes, words of love hold poison in them too.
Haay Honthon mein assi baat main dabaake chai aai

Allah Miya, what a perfect song giggled Zoya at her own private joke. Everyone clapped for a normally shy Nikhat and Nuzhat. Zoya looked over to Dilshaad and Najma. Najma was their sister was Ayaan's sister, if things were different Najma would be dancing with her sisters too thought Zoya the look on Najma's face portrayed Zoya's thoughts. Zoya looked at her ammi and Dilshaad was looking over at dost, sorry Rashid Ahmed Khan and he was looking right back her whilst another woman with curly hair hang onto dost like her life depended on it. Dost and ammi seemed to be in their own world, both their eyes reflected so much love yet so much pain. Zoya didn't care about people she just wanted to be with her ammi and tamatar, she started to make her way towards then again. When Razia called her. OMG! That Zoya was is she calling me. I am dead thought Zoya. "Behen-ji, please can you come feed the new couple laddoo's before they exchange rings" said Razia sweetly. Zoya you can do this thought Zoya, mentally psyching herself.

Meanwhile..

Asad was restless. He didn't even say two words to Zoya even after all the words they shared last night especially after that. Asad rubbed his forehead. I am truly emotionally challenged thought Asad. He knows he had to speak to Zoya. He didn't know what he was going to say, he would take his que from Zoya. Asad tried calling her cell but it went straight to voicemail. Allah Miya, why isn't she answering thought Asad. Hold on, did he just think Allah Miya. Asad smiled and shook his head. She drives me crazy. Asad tried her cell once more and it went to voicemail. That's weird. Something didn't feel right. He grabbed his keys and jacket and left the office. As he sat in his 4x4 he started the ignition and called home "Khan residence" Tanveer answered the phone. "Tannu, please call Zoya" barked Asad, really beginning to worry now. "Jammy, I am good thanks for asking" said Tanveer tartly. "Sorry Tannu, please may I speak to Zoya" said Asad a little more calmly whilst driving toward home "Kya Jammy, you only know Zoya, you can speak to me too you know" Tanveer tried to flirt. "Tannu, it's actually urgent I need to speak to Zoya NOW" Asad almost shouted, he didn't have time for all this. That nagging feeling was increasing something was wrong. "Jammy, Zoya is not home. She left a while ago, she didn't say where she was going" said Tanveer innocently. "WHAT!! Please may I speak to ammi or Najma? Asked Asad. "They are not here either" replied Tanveer. With that Asad cut the call he tried to call his ammi but there was also no answer there. Asad then tried Najma's phone. Tamatar, please answer, please answer pleaded Asad..

Zoya slowly made her way towards Ayaan and Humera. She fed them both laddoo's as she turned to move away. Humera clutched her scarf whilst fainting. "Ya Allah" screamed Razia and rushed to Humera whilst the family gathered around Humera and everyone looking on. Tamatar felt her vibrating in her hand she tried to cut the call but pressed answer instead...and continued to hold onto her mother's hand. "ammi, what happened to Humera?" Enquired Najma. Over all the chaos Asad heard Humera, what is his mother and Najma doing near Humera he thought. "Ammi." Continued Najma "isn't that bhabhi" Asad froze. Where his women and what were are they doing? Asad could only think of one place all of them would be and he swerved his 4x4 in that direction. Dilshaad looked at Zoya's shocked expression and Humera holding the scarf that covered Zoya's head. "Ay ladki," Zoya looked up to see and older man, "Who are you and what are you doing here" demanded the older man. Zoya had no words. She looked at for Ayaan for support. "She is my friend" said Ayaan. "Then what did she feed my daughter, what have you done girl," demanded the man more furiously. Zoya started crying and pleading, "trust me sir, I have not done anything, she is like a sister to me" Siddiqi sahib wanted to believe this girl, he didn't know why but his in his heart there was something about her. At that remark. Razia turned Zoya to face her and slapped Zoya hard. Zoya's held her stinging cheek. At this point Dilshaad and Najma rushed to Zoya's side. Dilshaad hugged Zoya's weeping form. "There must be some mistake" said Dilshaad to Razia and Siddiqi sahib. "Siddiqi Sahib, Zoya did not do anything. There is some mistake" Shireen, Rashid and Ayaan was trying to get Humera to wake up. Rashid called for a doctor. Whilst Razia continued to blame Zoya. "what have you done? I should have known something bad when I saw you here. I did warn Shireen that you did some kaala jaddu for her family cos who can't stand to us happy" raved Razia. Zoya held onto Dilshaad and Najma held onto Zoya. Razia continued "I curse the three of you today, I give you a mothers curse, the three of you will never be happy!!"

"ENOUGH!!!" Roared Asad. All eyes turned to Asad's seething anger radiating form in the door. He looked and Razia and Siddiqi sahib. And then at his three women in tears. Now was not a time for questions. Ayaan rushed to his brother's side. "Bhai-jaan" said Ayaan. Asad held up his hand and looked at Ayaan with pain and anger filled eyes that said not now. "Ayaan, take care of Humera" said Asad and stepped inside the Siddiqi Mansion once again for his ammi's sake. He took long purposely strides and reached his three woman, he slowly touched Zoya's cheek that still had Razia's hand print. He felt a strong urge of rage build up in him and wanted to hurt someone. Zoya recognised that look and touched his hand that was still on her cheek. Asad looked into her eyes that were full of tears. He looked and his mother and sister's eye that mirrored Zoya's look. He held his mother by her shoulder and Zoya his in arm whilst Najma still held Zoya's hand and walked he walked out of that place without everyone staring at their backs. He had his women safe by his sides.

The ride home was silent. Najma sat up front with her bhai-jaan. And Dilshaad consoled Zoya in the back seat. "ammi, I swear I did not do anything." Hiccupped Zoya. I just wanted to see Ayaan's sagai. Asad looked at Zoya threw the rear view mirror. Ayaan's sagai thought Asad. And that too to Humera. Something was off with that alone. Thought Asad as he felt his rage simmer down a bit. Zoya's cheek was still red and for that Razia will pay thought Asad. She cursed his family. He will prove her wrong. "Zoya beta, where did you get those laddoo's from" asked Dilshaad. Laddoo's thought Asad but remained silent, he wanted answers and it seems like the universe was handing it to him without him having to ask. "ammi, voh Tanveer made them and asked me to take them along as a gift" cried Zoya some more. Tannu, thought Asad. No, Tannu doesn't even know the Siddiqi's so she wouldn't conspire against them. Tannu could do no wrong thought Asad. He had to get to the bottom of this.

They finally reached home. Dilshaad and Najma got out the car. Asad went to get Zoya as she was still crying and a little weak from all the crying. Asad helped Zoya out the car. He wiped her tears and once again caressed her red cheek. She held her and helped her walk toward the house. He looked up and saw his ammi and Najma stop just inside the house. With Zoya still in his arms and her hand holding his on his chest he entered the house and there sat Mr Watavdhekar and Dolly having tea with Tanveer. Not now thought Asad. Ya Allah, thought Dilshaad can this day get any more worse. Mr Watavdhekar took in Zoya and Asad's positions. Asad with his arm around Zoya. And Zoya with her face buried in Asad's neck and their intertwined hands that Asad held against his heart. Mr Watavdhekar could see they were in love. Mr Watavdhekar also noticed everyone's expressions and Zoya's tear stained face. "Looks like I came in at the wrong time, is everything okay" enquired Mr Watavdhekar. Zoya didn't want to face anything anymore. She just buried her face further into Asad's neck. Asad held onto her tighter to reassure here. Dilshaad answered "Voh kya, Mr Watavdhekar Zoya has just had a very trying day, we have just come from a relative's house and all is not well, Zoya has had a bad experience which she doesn't – sorry none of us really wants to talk about" explained Dilshaad. "Oh, I am sorry Mr Khan. I was just doing my routine checks. You know how strict I am about kaide + Kunoon. I see this is a bad time. I will leave now, but I will be back" with that Mr Watavdhekar and Dolly left. Tanveer was seething with anger. But she sweetly asked "Kya hua Zoya". To which Dilshaad responded, nothing to worry about Tanveer. Asad then helped Zoya to her room her made her sit on the bed. She removed the rest of the annoying burkha whilst Asad went into her bathroom. He returned with a warm face and wiped the tear stains of her face and held the face clothe to her bruise on her cheek. Asad had tears in his eyes, when Zoya flinched. "Why Zoya, why do you always put other people before you. If anything happened to you today, I would have gone crazy" whispered Asad. At that Zoya hugged him with such force; all he could do was hug her back...