Posted:
Had written this one around half a year back, for the X-mas OS Contest...I suppose all of you might not have read it...posting it as an installment for not posting the Part 2 to Choices...Believe me, I'll do it in a day or two...exams do take its toll Not one of my best works, but I do hope it'll bring a smile on your face. Enjoy reading (:
A pretty lady in jeans, with a shawl wrapped around her upper half walked down the New York city streets with a slight smile playing on her lips as she saw all the families enjoying their Christmas dinner together. The smile turned into a sad one as she remembered she was home alone this Christmas. She had never missed her family so much as she did today.
Suddenly, it started snowing heavily. She was still a few blocks from home. Wrapping the shawl around her tighter, she complained, "Allah miyan, what's wrong with you ?! Iss snow shower ko leke thodi der baad meherbaan nahin ho sakte the aap ?" and started walking faster. Suddenly, she tripped, and closed her eyes tight waiting for the blow to come.
It never did. Instead, she felt a strong pair of arms go around her preventing the fall. But she kept her eyes shut trying to bring her erratic heartbeats back to normal. A feat she later realised had gone to waste because as soon as she opened her eyes, they met pools of chocolate, so mesmerizing, so deep, she lost herself in them as her heart went all staccato again. None of them realised how long they stood there in that position. In each others' arms. Right in the middle of the street. With a beautiful background of colourful fairylights and ornate Christmas trees, the snowfall gave the scene a picture perfect effect.
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow ! Let it snow ! Let it snow !
The Christmas carols could be heard echoing through the streets. All the houses were decorated beautifully with fairylights that created magic. That, along with a majestically decorated and ornate Christmas tree with a soft layer of fresh snow gave the place a grand sight.
The lovely couple in wonderland was snapped out of day-dreams by a little kid who accidentally bumped into them while running to a nearby candy shop. The guy cleared his throat as he helped the lady stand. "Aap khariyat to hai na ?" he asked, his eyes mirrors to his soul, reflecting naked concern. Concern that made her insides melt and go gooey. "J-ji." she stuttered, seeming a little out of breath.
The guy raised a brow but then put forward a hand, "Asad. Asad Ahmed Khan." She smiled as she took his hand and gave it a firm shake "Zoya Khan".
He gestured to start walking and she complied. "Zoyaji, aap itni raat gaye akele ghar se bahar kya kar rahi hai ? Ye safe nahi hai ladkiyon ke liye." he told her sincerely. As he looked at her, he couldn't help adding "Khaas kar aapke jaisi khoobsoorat ladkiyon ke liye" under this breath.
The last remark wasn't meant for her to hear, but she did. A faint pink adorned her cheeks as she answered his question. "Kuch nahin, main to bas aise hi ghoom rahi thi. Sabko dekh rahi thi...Christmas. Ye log kehtein hai ke ye khushiyon ka tyohaar hai, tohfo ka tyohaar hai. Sab jhooth. Bahana hai bas. Ek bahana apne parivar ke saath waqt guzaarne ka, apno ke saath waqt guzaarne ka. Ek shaam, akele nahi rehne ka. Aur meri kismat dekhiye. Main aaj hi ke din akeli reh gayi" she said sadly.
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let it snow ! Let it snow ! Let it snow !
Their hands brushed as they were walking side by side and that resulted in an involuntary shiver down Zoya's spine. Asad mistook it for cold and offered her his jacket. She refused. He insisted. They argued. And finally came to the mutual agreement that she would wear the jacket and he would share the shawl with her. While wrapping the shawl around them, poor Zoya tripped again and landed on Asad's chest, their faces centimeters apart.
Unable to resist this time, Asad leaned in to feel the softness of her rosy lips against his. Their lips brushed and as soon as he left a peck on her lips, he realised where they were and what he was doing. He broke apart, but couldn't go far enough due to the shawl. Zoya looked at him with disbelief written all over her face.
"I- I'm sorry. Vo...actually..ugh ! I'm sorry. Mujhe ye nahi karna chahiye tha. Ye munasib nahi hai. Mera nikah ho chuka hai." he said, head bowed.
Zoya's eyes went wide with surprise. "M-main bhi ! Mera bhi nikah ho chuka hai, Mr.Khan. I-I'm sorry. Mujhe na jaane kya hua.." she replied, still a little dazed.
"K-koi baat nahi. Aapka aapka ghar kahaan hai ? Main aapko chhod deta hoon."
"Ji mera ghar yahin, b-bas do blocks door hain." she said, shivering again.
Hesitantly, he put an arm around her and pulled her a little closer, rubbing her arm trying to keep her warm. She smiled gratefully and ruefully at that. If only he knew that the cold was, in no way, responsible for her shivers.
How I'll hate going out in the storm
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm
When they finally reached her home, Asad got out of the shawl. He frowned, "Itna andhera kyun hai ?"
"Kyuki main ghar ke bahar hoon, obviously Mr.Khan !" Zoya chirped, back to her bubbly self.
"Haan, par Christmas par andhera ? Uh huh"
"Arre Mr.Khan, issi baat pe ek sher arz hai -
Roshni vo log karte hai jo apno ke saath khushiyaan mana rahe hote hain,
Roshni vo log karte hai jo apno ke saath khushiyaan mana rahe hote hain,
Hum to aaj bhi tanha hai, to bas andhere se hi guftgu kar lete hain !
Wah wah ! Wah wah !" she grinned and turned to open the lock.
Asad couldn't help smiling at her childishness. "Ab main chalta hoon. Khuda Hafiz !" he said.
"Mr. Khan ! Rukiye to ! Ab yahaan tak aa hi gaye hai to coffee bhi peete jaiye - Christmas hai, ainvai thodi ghas se jaane doongi aapko ?!"
"Ji huzoor. Jo hukum !" he said, making her face break into a dazzling smile.
As soon as she opened the door and turned the lights on, several voices together screamed out loud "Surprise !!"
Zoya stood rooted at the spot, stunned. She looked around. The whole house had been beautifully decorated with fairy lights and lanterns. Also, there was a fully ornate Christmas tree royally standing in the hall. And in front of it - "Aapi, Jeeju, Ammi, Tamatar !" Her voice rose with each word and by the last name, Asad had to close his ears with his hands. Zoya ran to them, and squeezed all of them close in a tight group hug.
"Seems like you won't be alone afterall." remarked Asad, smiling genuinely at the happiness in Zoya's eyes. Zoya turned around, ran and literally jumped on him screaming "I love you !"
He held her tight as he whispered in her ear, "Merry Christmas Mrs. Zoya Asad Khan !"
The fire is slowly dying
And my dear we're still goodbying
And my dear we're still goodbying
But as long as you love me so
Let it snow ! Let it snow ! Let it snow !
CLARIFICATIONS
(If you haven't read the OS - SPOILER ALERT !)
❓ Yes, Asad-Zoya are married and in NY
❓ Asad was supposed to be out of town that evening
❓ Asad had the whole thing planned, so as per the plan he behaved like a stranger and Zoya played along - she was surprised at first, but caught on
❓ The decorated house and whole family was Asad's Christmas surprise for Zoya (:
P.S. PMs tomorrow - Its 2 AM here and my dad's gettin angry..REAL angry :P
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