FF - Pehla Pyaar (Epilogue Page 51) COMPLETED - Page 8

Part 4

Nobody moved. Everyone was still trying to absorb WTH just happened. Zoya smiled hesitantly and stood next to Asad and she put her arm in his. Asad looked at her and felt an odd sense of reassurance. Zoya smiled and then looked at the 3 pairs of eyes that have yet to blink. Asad decided to break the silence he couldn't handle Zoya's idiotic smile and those 3 pairs of unblinking eyes, he had to say something before they turned into statues. "Ammi, voh actually "mumbled Asad. This made Dilshaad snap out of her trance "Voh actually kya Asad" asked Dilshaad a little bit too loud. Zoya was taken a back with Dilshaad's tone. Zoya was hurt that she hurt ammi. Zoya tried to explain, " Voh actually Ammi," mumbled Zoya. "Not you too Zoya" Said Dilshaad. "I want an explanation and I want one now" Words escaped Asad. Zoya squeezed Asad's arm and she took over "Voh actually Ammi, we did get court married yesterday. Mr Khan did everything he could to help me stay in the country and this was the last resort" exhaled Zoya all in one breathe. Silence again. "Nikkah, Asad?" asked Dilshaad looking at her son. "There was no other way ammi, and you did say that we should anything to help Miss Farooqi stay in the country" explained Asad. "Not Miss Farooqi, Asad, but Mrs Zoya Asad Khan" Smiled Dilshaad. Dilshaad walked over and hugged the both of them "Well done my son, I am very proud of you" Dilshaad kissed Asad. And then whispered in Zoyas ears " I am very happy for you beta" and kissed Zoya. They broke the hug and exhaled a huge breath of relief. Najma ran forward and almost knocked Asad and Zoya a few steps back. "I am so excited. Yay!! Welcome bhabhi" Najma teased Zoya. And Zoya blushed. Asad couldn't help but notice the blush. Wow, she blushes thought Asad. Zoya then looked and Tanveer "Won't you congratulate us Tanveer" asked Zoya. Tanveer was still dazed with everything going on. She expected more drama, she expected Dilshaad to be furious. She expected Mr Watavdhekar to escort Zoya to the airport now. She expected allot of things but not this. Tanveer snapped out of her thoughts. "Eeer I don't actually know what to say Zoya" replied Tanveer cattily. Asad then said "Now for the next 3 months we just have to watch whatever we say and what we do" Dilshaad and Najma voiced agreement and Tanveer just nodded. She could not things go so easily a lot can happen in 3 months, Tanveer thought as she reassured herself.

Everyone then went to the living room and sat down trying to gather their thoughts after everything that happened. Najma went to make coffee and Dilshaad sat next to Zoya and Zoya put her head on Dilshaad's shoulder. A question was nagging Dilshaad – she had to ask "Did you guys have a proper nikkah or did you just sign papers" Zoya lifted her head looked at Asad. Asad took Zoya's que "Ammi, there was no time for proper Nikkah, we needed the marriage certificate quick so we just signed papers" Dilshaad was a bit disappointed. Dilshaad further probed "But you guys do plan on doing a proper nikkah right" At that both Asad and Zoya was stumped. Asad looked into his mothers eyes and saw her clutching onto Zoya's hand. And then Dilshaad held his hand "Asad, you have to have a proper nikkah, I have raised you in the eyes of Allah. I have instilled those values in. I cannot tell you how happy I am that you finally accepted your love for Zoya, I could have not asked for a better bahu, but beta you have to have a traditional wedding" Dilshaad almost pleaded to Asad with tears in her eyes. Asad looked at Zoya and Zoya had tears in her eyes as well. "Ammi, we will have a traditional wedding but once all of this sorted out and Zoya has permanent residency" Asad said weakly not able to look Zoya or his ammi in the eyes. "Good" said Dilshaad and she smiled. "I should tell your appi and jiju Zoya" said Dilshaad excitedly. "No!" said Asad almost too loudly. He took a breath and toned his voice down "No, ammi not just yet. Let all this settle and then we will tell them" Asad explained. That made sense to Dilshaad. Zoya on the other hand wasn't all that convinced. Najma then walked in with a tray of coffee and offered to everyone. Tanveer left the room saying she had some designs to work on. And Asad also excused himself. All this lying was getting to him and to think it all started with a coin toss and now he was lying to ammi about his nikkah. Asad felt a head ache coming on. The things I do for you Miss Farooqi, no sorry Mrs Zoya Asad Khan. Asad couldn't help the little flatter his heart did every time he heard Mrs Zoya Asad Khan.

Zoya on the other was restless all afternoon. Supper was a happy occasion she smiled, Ammi and Najma smiled, Mr Khan – well he tried to smile, everyone retired to their room. Zoya paced her room – there was too many questions going through her head. Why did he agree to the nikkah? Did he really want to get married to her. Did he love her? Could she hope? Should she ask? No, she thought he would roar at her again. Allah Miya, this way getting more complicated. She needed to calm down. And she did the only thing that would calm her down, she took her special music box and went to sit outside on their favourite bench outside. She looked up at the stars, opened her music box and spoke to her mother "Ammi, I got married yesterday" Smiled Zoya. "I got married to my akdu complicated Jahapanah..I really didn't expect it. It was all so quick. I really do love him and I got married to him, but ammi if only things were so simple. Haar kisi ko mukamaal jaha nahi mil tha.hain na..He doesn't love me and all this an act for him" tears rolled down Zoya's face. "But ammi, he is doing this to help me so I should be happy and not be greedy and wish for more right?"Smiled Zoya. Asad looked out his window and saw Zoya with her music box. He walked over to the window and put his hand on it, he felt like he could touch her at that point. He was memorised by her. He then noticed the tears in her glistening on her cheeks. He didn't know how but his body moved on its own towards her. He stood at the door hearing her saying "but ammi in this 3 months I am going to live my full life with him, make so many memories that when I do have to leave this house, I have enough memories to last a lifetime" smiled Zoya still looking at the stars. Asad didn't know why he felt that dull ache again when he heard her talk about leaving again. Zoya felt something inside her tingle, she looked up and there stood Mr Khan, leaning on the door frame, arms crossed across his chest staring at her. "Mr Khan app" asked Zoya looking at him guiltily she hoped he didn't her what she just said. "Miss Farooqi, when will you stop calling me Mr Khan" asked Asad still standing at the door way. "The day you address me by my correct name is the day I stop calling you Mr Khan" smirked Zoya. "Oh, you mean Mrs Zoya Asad Khan" smiled Asad teasingly. Zoya was gob-smacked. Her mouth was open and eyes unblinking. Did Mr Khan just say that. Zoya's brain was not registering anything. Asad couldn't help but laugh at her expression. That just pushed Zoya further into shock Mr Khan laughing. He had a beautiful laugh thought Zoya, she couldn't help but laugh along with him. Dilshaad just happened to pass at the moment with a glass of water. Ya Allah, please keep my children forever smiling and happy like this. The roads they choose are not always easy but please keep them safe and happy. She blew a kiss at them and left them in their own private world. Asad eventually stopped laughing cos his sides hurt. "I think we should just stick to Asad and Zoya for now, what do you think" Zoya smiled. "Okay Asad." Zoya then went on to extend her hand, "Hi Asad and I am Zoya, it's a pleasure to finally meet you" smiled Zoya. Asad took her hand and smiled right back "A true pleasure" he smiled.

Zoya smiled "I think the start of this new friendship calls for some coffee" With that Zoya stood up and walked to the kitchen. Could not help but smile and follow. "So Mr Khan, sorry Asad who will make the coffee tonight" asked Zoya. Asad frowned a little, Zoya continued " I mean, when I am upset you make coffee or when you are upset I make coffee, today neither of us are upset" Giggled Zoya at her strange logic. Asad was amused, he smiled a little. "Okay, you sit I will make it besides I know how difficult it is for you to make milk and sugar coffee" smirked Zoya. "Hey", said Asad " For an emotionally challenged person I did try" said Asad a little hurt. "And for that I am grateful" smiled Zoya. Zoya went about making coffee whilst Asad stood in my now favourite position when watching Zoya, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest. She looked perfect fussing in his kitchen. Zoya talked continuously whilst making coffee. Imitating Mr Watavdekar and his kaide + Kunoon. Asad was not listening to a word she was saying just looking at her. She came and stood in front of offering his cup "Asad are you even listening to me" asked Zoya snapping Asad of trance. "No sorry, come let's sit there" said Asad. They moved to step just outside the patio and set down. "Asad now what I asked? What are we going to for the next 3 months? Mr Wata, wati, Whatever didn't even tell us when he will be coming over? " Asked Zoya seriously. Asad really had no answer. "I guess we will just have to take it as it comes. I think today everyone did a good job of improvising" Zoya smiled at thought of what happened today. "We are just going to have to pretend that we are happily married" said Asad. Zoya couldn't help but smile at the happily married part. Asad saw her smile and was happy but then he watched the smile disappear "But Asad, ammi wants us to have a nikkah" Zoya said softly. Asad looked into her eyes and could see the fear coming up into. "Asad, ammi wants my appi and jiju to come to India. Ammi is so happy" Zoya really didn't want ask the second part to her question but she had to know "is that what you want Asad, to have nikkah, I mean to me" croaked Zoya fighting back her tears. Asad looked into her eyes and really didn't know how to answer. Did he really want to be married in front of Allah to Zoya? He didn't want to betray his God and family like that. He has already lied but to God. Did he want to marry Zoya and or Zoya to be with him forever? Asad was thinking short term and only that he didn't want Zoya to go now. But forever to be his in front of God. He felt he couldn't give Zoya everything she deserved. In his life he only had pain, he couldn't expect her to share that pain. He had nothing to give her. She deserved so much more. At that he got up. Zoya sensed him pull away, Zoya sensed him become Mr Khan again. "Answer honestly Mr Khan, but before you answer think with your heart" whispered Zoya. Asad looking into Zoya's eyes which really were the windows to her soul and said " I don't know Zoya". With that Asad turned and left Zoya with a silent trail of tears going down her cheeks..