TheKaBhiFactor-OS Contest *Voting Round* - Page 3

Love in the strawberry fields

The air was fresh with the fragrance of wild flowers. The atmosphere was not clogged with the stifling, hot, polluted air of the cities and the sky was so blue. The valleys reverberated not with the honking of vehicles but resonated with the cheerful twittering of birds

Asad looked at his surroundings feeling the gentle energy of nature around him seep into his being and rejuvenate him with every breath he took. The unsullied air, the filth free ground matted with tiny flowers, the picturesque landscape comprising of majestic mountains and tamed flora; all this amalgamated to form what is known to the world as the Paradise on Earth. Yes, Asad had his feet on the soil of Kashmir.

At the age of twenty-six, Asad Ahmad Khan was the owner of one of the most successful architecture firms in India. He had built his empire from scratch and now it was a huge company through his sheer hard work and dedication. He was named one of the most eligible bachelors of India. But that was not only due to his wealth and power. His success was only rivaled by his looks.

His eyes were black fire whose one look could send all pretty hearts swooning. His face was well – structured, his cheek bones angled to form a most enticing chiseled jaw line. His sable coloured, sleek hair was ruffled and a few strands of his hair kissed his forehead. His well built, lean, muscular body was the envy of men. And his deep voice mesmerized girls who fawned on him.

But Asad's personality was another thing. Egoistic, supercilious, strict and cold would be the words that would describe him. But beneath this demeanor was a warm and helpful heart which was known to very few people. He kept up the faade as people took him seriously and did their job efficiently and also thought twice about taking advantage of him.

One of the people who knew the real Asad was Zain Syed, with whom he was supposed to house with him during his stay in Kashmir. Zain owned a large estate in a village which was at some distance from the capital of Kashmir, yet away from the mainstream life. Asad did not come to Kashmir for sightseeing. Rather it was his break, a way to refresh and purify both his body and soul which had lost their vigour due to the usual humdrum of city life.

Three days had passed and Asad was taking a tour of the tiny village. He was standing beside a field when he heard a musical voice followed by a sweet laughter. He looked in the field and saw the most mesmerizing sight he had ever laid eyes on.

If there was existence of angels on Earth, Asad could swear that the girl fit the bill in this heavenly paradise. The ebony tendrils of her hair were in perfect contrast to her creamy skin. Her heart shaped face was flushed, as rosy red as the strawberries surrounding her. She was bent over the plants her petite body covered by full clothes, yet unable to hide her shapely curves. The girl was singing a song in Kashmiri dialect, in her bell like voice and picking up red strawberries.

She suddenly looked up right at him, perhaps sensing his gaze and Asad felt a jolt that shook his soul. He felt that her Bambi eyes, brown and wide could see through him. Innocence emanated from every part of her. He watched her fascinated as a myriad of emotions crossed her face, ranging from confusion to sudden excitement. She waved him over asking him to come.

He stepped over the plants carefully; his eyes never leaving her face. Soon he was in front of her; her strawberry fragrance assaulting his senses.

'Aap Shehari babu?' He nodded in consent.

(You are from the city?)

'Aap Zain babu dost?' (Are you Zain's friend?)she continued to question in broken Hindi. At first he wasn't able to understand but he figured out she was asking if he was Zain's friend. He nodded.

'Aap mujhe Hindi bataoge?' she asked taking Asad by surprise.

(Will you tell me Hindi?)

'Matlab sikhao?' Asad clarified. She nodded eagerly.

(You mean, I should teach you?)

'Mujhe Hindi gana bahut pasand; par Hindi acchi nahi.' she continued; pouting her cherry red lips slightly.

(I love Hindi songs, but my Hindi is weak.)

Asad stared at her. There was no way he could say no to her. He nodded again, incapable of words.

'Aapka naam?' he asked. (Your name?)

'Zoya. Zoya Siddhique.' she said her face alight with her lovely smile. 'Aur aap?'(And you?)

'Asad Ahmad Khan.' he said hesitantly.

She nodded and Asad sighed in relief. Maybe she did not know about him.

And so every morning Asad was found rushing through his morning rituals and setting off to meet the girl. He looked forward to see her everyday. Her innocence captivated him; her constant chatter in broken Hindi amused him. They used to sit in the field itself and talk about everything with Asad correcting her Hindi in the process.

They got talking about academics one day. He was surprised to know that she had graduated in English.

'Why did you not go for higher studies? And why are you trying to learn and speak Hindi?' he asked intrigued.

'Kyunki Abbu ko nahi pasand tha. Aur Hindi toh matra bhasha hai toh mujhe sikhna hai.' she said in Hindi which was way better than what she spoke earlier.( Because Abbu does not want me to. And Hindi is our mother tongue so I want to learn it.)

'Aapko building banana acha lagta hai?' she asked out of the blue.

(You like to build buildings?)

Asad halted. She knew about him?

'Haan. Kaise pata?' ( Yes, how do you know?)

'Aapke bare me newspaper me aata hai. Aap bahut famous ho?'

(I had read about you in newspapers. Are you famous?)

'Shayad.'

(Maybe.)

'Par aapke pas kam acche dost honge na? Sabko dost bana hoga kyunki aap famous hai.' she said hitting the bull's eyes.

(But you must be having less number of good friends. Everyone must want to become your friend because you are famous.)

He was amazed that she understood him so well. All the doubts he had vanished.

'Haan. Tum banogi meri acchi dost?' he asked her.

(Yes. Will you become my good friend?)

She stared at him for a moment before breaking into a breathtaking smile. 'Haan.' (Yes)she said shyly.

'Toh issi baat par yeh strawberry share karte hain.' he said; picking up a double strawberry and sharing half with her.

(Let's share this strawberry to celebrate our friendship.)

Little did they know that sharing a double strawberry with the opposite sex; meant that Cupid would strike their hearts soon.

******************************************

He hadn't seen her for three days in a row now. He was worried as he heard that her Abbu was getting remarried. That explained her morose face when he last saw her. Her mother had died when she was very young and Zoya loved her father very much.

Zain saw his friend's erratic behaviour but did not question it. He knew he would talk about it if he needed to.

Asad decided to take a walk after dinner. His feet unconsciously carried him to Zoya's strawberry fields.

He was startled when he heard muffed sobs coming from a corner of the fields. He swung his torch which he carried with him and was astounded to find Zoya, her eyes red and her cheeks puffed due to continuous sobbing.

Without thinking he rushed to her and took her up in his arms. He could not see the lively, free-spirited Zoya, so broken.

Bit by bit he got the whole story out. Zoya's father had remarried a certain woman known as Razia. At first Zoya was shocked but she pushed aside her feelings, because she wanted to see her father happy. But tonight she had got to know that Razia had married her father only for his land and money. She was filling his ears and sweetly talking her way to get him to sell his land. Zoya was horrified. These fields were the only place where she felt her mother and she could not stand being parted from it. When she confronted her father and begged him to reconsider, a heated argument ensued during which her father hit Zoya for the first time. Zoya was heart-broken and so she rushed to her beloved fields, trying to imbibe its feel in her for probably the last time.

Asad's heart pierced with agony watching her heart rendering tears. He consoled her and cajoled her to come and stay with him for the night.

After settling a distraught Zoya and soothing her to sleep; he made his way to the living room, where Zain was already present.

Zain asked him quietly 'You love her, don't you?'

Asad spoke hesitantly; 'I feel for her; I don't know about love. But I can't see her broken like this. How do I help her?'

'Marry her.'

Asad was stunned.' What? Do you know what you are saying?'

'You want to help her right? Marrying her is the only option to save the land. You can't buy the land as you are not a resident of Kashmir. But you are also entitled to buy land as you are her husband. So you can help her that way.'

It made sense to Asad. 'Will she agree?' he asked him.

'That is up to you.'

The next morning Asad explained his plan to Zoya. They would marry and he would buy the land and then transfer it in her name. Then they can separate.

Zoya looked at Asad for a long time and asked softly; 'Par aap pyaar nahi karte?'(But you don't love?)

Asad looked away. 'Tum meri acchi dost ho.' he replied. (You are my good friend.) Zoya said nothing.

They got their marriage registered the next day, with Zain as the witness. Asad left immediately so that he could buy the land. He told them that his wife was a Kashmiri and so he was eligible to buy land. He was careful not to mention that Zoya was his wife. When the papers were finally signed, Zoya appeared before her father.

Asad held her hand when she told him that she had married Asad. He could feel her trembling. He put his arm around her and pulled her close, lending her his strength. Asad told Zoya's shocked father that he was taking her with him, causing Zoya to turn towards him. He turned to leave with her, but not before slipping a paper to her father that contained his phone number.

'Main aapke saath ja rahi hoon?' Zoya asked curiously, a subtle hint of hope in her voice.

(I am going with you?)

'Haan.( Yes)I have to prepare your land transfer papers.' Zoya's smile vanished.

They left for Delhi the next day and Asad called his lawyer to the office. The lawyer told him that it would take a while to prepare the papers. Asad told him to take as much time as he wanted. He did not want to lose Zoya immediately.

The first day was awkward for both of them. They both stayed in separate rooms. Asad was unsure of his feelings while Zoya was not sure if she should behave with him as a wife or as a friend.

The first time she had seen Asad, her heart leapt like it had never before. Dismissing it as infatuation she became friends with him. But within a short time she knew the real Asad. She saw the real Asad in his ambitions and dreams, in his sweet talks; in his dimpled smile. Before she knew it she had fallen for him. When he had held her that fateful night; she felt protected and loved. And when he asked her to marry him even though she knew that it would not be permanent, she was in seventh heaven. But Zoya could not express her feelings to Asad as she thought he considered her only as his friend. So Zoya decided to stay happy and enjoy every moment with him and combine "friend" and "wife" to become a friendly wife.

**************************************************

Asad was surprised and happy to see a cheerful Zoya bringing tea for him in the morning. It was heaven to wake up to her besotting smile. When he saw Zoya setting up his breakfast as well he stopped her.

'Zoya yeh sab karne ki zaroorat nahi hai.' (Zoya, you don't need to do this.)

'Kyun, kya main aapki dost nahi hoon?' she spoke in near perfect Hindi.

(Why, am I not your friend.)

'Haan, par…'

(Yes but…)

'Par nahi. Duniya ke saamne main aapki patni hoon, par main ab bhi aapki dost hoon.' she said adamantly.

(No, buts. I may be your wife in front of the world, but I am also your friend.)

'Theek hai.' he said smiling and sipping his tea. 'Par heh chai meethi nahi hai. Lo pi ke dhekho. '

(Fine. But this tea is not sweet. Drink it and see.)

'Kya? Aisa kaise ho sakta hai?' she took the cup and sipped it. She looked up and said' Par yeh toh theek hai!'

(What? How is that possible? But this is fine!)

Asad took the cup out of her hand and sipped 'Ab yeh theek hai.' (Now it's fine) he smiled his eyes twinkling mischievously.

Zoya blushed furiously and hit him playfully 'Aapke dil mei seena nahi pathar hai!' ( You don't have a chest in your heart, you have a stone.)

Asad laughed' Seene mei dil hota hai Zoya.' he said tweaking her nose.

(Chest contains our heart Zoya.)

**********************************************

The days passed and every moment seemed perfect for Asad and Zoya. Since her arrival he witnessed a surge in his projects. His employees were surprised to see their stone faced boss smiling more than usual. They got the wind of Asad's marriage and so decided to throw a party for him and his wife.

During the entire party Asad's eyes never left Zoya. She looked stunning in a sapphire blue sari; like an angel only meant for him. Zoya felt his gaze and would turn a cherry red whenever their eyes locked onto each other. She excused herself and went to the washroom and came out with red eyes after ten minutes and went outside. Asad who had been looking for her saw this and followed her. He took her tear stained face in her hands and gently asked her its cause.

She hiccupped as she told him about some snide remarks from a few ladies. They said that she was not worthy of him and that she was just a burden he should get rid off.

'Woh sahi keh rahe hai Asad…'

(What they are saying is correct, Asad…)

Asad gripped her shoulders and coaxed her to look up at him, 'Galat keh rahe the who Zoya. Kyunki unke paas woh nahi hai jo meri Zoya ke paas hai. Ek nek aur saaf dil. Un logo ki baat mat suno jo acche dil ki ahmiyat nahi jante. Tum apne aansu un par mat zaaya karo.' he said wiping her tears.

(They are wrong, Zoya. They don't have what you do, a kind and good heart. Don't listen to people who don't know the value of a good heart. Don't waste your tears on them.)

Zoya nodded and he hugged her tight in an embrace which neither wanted to end.

*******************************************

The next week was Eid and Asad wanted to surprise Zoya by gifting the land transfer papers. Even Zoya's Abbu had called as he repented his mistake and wanted to see his daughter. Though he was happy that she would get to keep mother's memoirs; a part of him wanted to drag it as long as it could. He could not bear to be separated from her.

He booked flights to Kashmir, making up some excuse about papers. On the day of Eid he took Zoya to her father's house where they had a tearful reunion. He had left Razia when he came to know of her plans and asked Zoya for forgiveness. Zoya forgave him willingly. Asad handed over the papers to Zoya but Zoya did not seem as happy as she should have been. The day passed in festivities but the anxiety of separating from Zoya drove Asad bonkers. His Ammi had always told him to listen to his heart when he was confused. Whenever he looked at Zoya, his breath stopped; his heart constricted and then swelled with an emotion he was not familiar with. Was it love?

'You love her Asad.' Zain said suddenly shocking Asad. He laughed at Asad's expression.

'I know you Asad; in and out. Before her you had just existed. When she came it was as though she had breathed life into you. I saw it in your face everyday. go tell her Asad. Listen to your heard.'

The words coming out of Zain's mouth sounded as if it was a direct indication from his Ammi. He knew what he had to do.

**********************************************

Asad stood in the strawberry field, looking at the spot where he first saw her. He then felt her presence.

'Asad?' she asked in her lyrical voice that he cherished.

He turned back and then handed her some papers. Looking at him quizzically she read the papers and felt her heart stop.

They were divorce papers.

She looked up at him; her eyes brimming with tears.

'Faad do isse.' (Tear it up.)Asad spoke. Zoya stared at him astonished. Asad gently wrapped his fingers around her hands that held the papers and helped her tear it. He threw them to the winds as he knelt down and took her right hand in his. He brought out a beautifully craved diamond ring and spoke in a passionate voice.

'Yeh angothi tumhare chamak ke saamne feeka hai. Par tum par toh iski khubsoorthi par chaar chand lag jayenge. Jab tumse mila tab yeh ehsaas hua ki meri zindagi itni adhoori kyun thi. Tumhi mera dil and aur meri jaan ho. Kya tumhe zindagi bhar ke liye mera hona QUBOOL HAI?'

( This ring has no match to your shine. But if you wear it even this ring its brilliance will only increase. When I met you I realized why my life felt so incomplete. You are my heart and you are my soul. Do you agree to be mine for life?)

Tears finally spilled across Zoya's cheeks as she saw her dream coming true. In a voice overflowing with her love she said, ' Qubool Hai.'

The moonlight night and the glistening strawberries witnessed their adorable confession as Asad slid the ring on her finger. The clouds hid the moon and the strawberries screened themselves under the leaves as the lovers finally proclaimed their love for each other and came together in a union that would continue throughout their lives.

The End.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the Moonlight...

"Finally!",I whispered as I heard my two roommates snore loudly. I quickly removed my covers and got up, tiptoeing towards the door, careful not to wake any child up. I gave out a relieved sigh as I looked at my cell phone. It was 11:30pm. There was still time. I couldn't help but blush at the thought of meeting him. I looked around. The whole college was silent. That was an unusual eerie silence which contradicted the commotion during day time. I had only joined the night camp just to see him. He had told me that he was going to surprise me if I joined the camp. And I couldn't refuse him. Who would have imagined that the strict, submissive, subdued English professor would fall in love with a lively, chirpy counselor like me. I had been here for just 6 months and in that time I had managed to come quite close to him. I detested him at first. He was rude and arrogant. But now I was completely in love with him. I wanted to marry him. I wanted to make love to him. I wanted to live my entire life with my Akdu Ahmed Khan.

I wondered what his surprise would be ( for the 23456375788^th time in the day) as I quickly climbed up the stairs. There were just 20 minutes left for Valentine's day. I felt he was going to propose me. I was waiting for this moment since a long time. I had even planned my reaction. I would refuse him at first and then hug him tightly. I knew all my planning was futile because the moment he would utter those words I would faint! Other teachers didn't even have the slightest idea that we both were together. But the students even teased me with his name. Aaj kal ki generation! Bhaut tez hai! That was so embarrassing! I blushed in front of them! What can be more embarrassing than that!

In fact it can, I thought, remembering the last time we were together. We had kissed for the first time. I can't even explain how it had felt. A nostalgic feeling had engulfed both us telling us that this should have happened a long time before. That moment, when our lips touched, I realized how much I love him. I blushed very hard as I finally came to the terrace.

I opened the door to the terrace in anticipation of finding him bent on one knee, holding a ring in his hand and saying, "Zoya, I want to marry you".

But, much to my disappointment, there was no one. It was just the moon, the moonlight and me. I looked around searching for him. But he was not there. My stupid smile turned to a gloomy pout. He was never late. It was ME who had always kept him waiting! Was he taking revenge now? I was just thinking about ways to scold him when I heard his voice from behind.

"Am I late?",he asked, as I turned around.

I Gave him a Do-I even-need-to answer-that look. I expected him to smile but he didn't. I could sense something wrong. He always gave me his stupid smile whenever he was with me. He was empty handed and my dream of him proposing me with a ring shattered. Still, I wanted only the proposal part, with ring or without ring! I was squealing like a small child inside at the thought of finally being his.

I shifted my gaze from his hands to his face. He slowly walked towards me as I took a small step back. He came into the moonlight as I saw his rugged features shining in its ambience. How much I craved for him, even I didn't know! Zoya Farooqi! You are a goner. I chuckled at the thought. He was still staring at me with a blank expression. Okay, Now this was scaring me.

"Asad?",I finally asked, breaking the ice between us.

"Hmm ",he said in a small tone.

What was wrong with him?

"Is everything fine?",I asked.

"Never had things been better",he answered.

Why did I feel as if something was wrong?

"Zoya?",he whispered. Oh Man! How wonderful my name sounded from his delicious lips. Oh Wait! Delicious? Where did that come from? Focus Zoya! Focus!

He was still waiting for my response and I quickly gave him a nod, shaking off my gutter thoughts… for a while.

"We need to talk".

And those were the words every person dreaded to hear from their partner, especially when they love them so much. These four words just meant one thing.

"I think I need a break", he continued.

Can someone please wake me up from this nightmare?

"Zoya! Are you listening?",he asked, irritated.

I nodded, making a lot of effort to control my tear glands and my heart from exploding.

"I said I need a break", he said.

"You said you think you need a break", I said in a small voice.

I was breaking into pieces inside.

"So you were listening? Anyway the end point is I need a break", he said in a determined tone.

I could feel a huge pang in my heart. The pain was unbearable. I expected him to propose me and here he was asking for a break from me.

"Why don't you say anything?",he asked.

Why couldn't I hear any concern in his voice? His face carried the same blank expression.

"ZOYA!",he snapped me out from my world.

This was enough. How could he break my heart like that? He had not even given me any hints of this. What did I do wrong to deserve this? My heart cried inside as I tried to stay calm outside.

"What should I say?",I asked, looking everywhere but at him. I knew a look at him would activate my tear glands and then there was no stopping me.

"I am leaving Ms Farooqi",he answered.

"So we are back to being formal Mr. Khan?"

"I am leaving…Miss… I mean Zoya"

"Where?"

"I have got a job offer in London. I am taking that", he said.

I didn't know if I had to be happy or sad listening to the news.

"Congratulations", I said devoid of any emotion.

"I am shifting to London.."

And I was shattered. So he really wanted a break-up. And all my plans of marriage went down into the drain. I won't be able to even see him! I wanted to cry out aloud. I wanted to scream. I wanted to let him know how much pain he was giving to me at the moment. I looked at him. I regretted it the next moment as a lone tear slid down my cheek.

"I am shifting to London", he repeated, taking two steps towards me.

"I heard that. Congrats", I said quickly as I turned around to leave. I wanted to run away from there, from him.

"With you…",I heard his voice behind me.

I stopped in my tracks. I swear I heard him giggle behind me. I turned around and saw him smiling.

"What the hell!",I shrieked.

"Zoya…!! Calm Down! Others might wake up.", he shushed me. Keeping his fingers on my lips, I brushed them off.

"What the hell did you say?",I asked.

"I am shifting to London with you. I want to marry you stupid",he said in a soft voice, cupping my wet cheeks.

I was filled with a variety of emotions. I didn't know if I should cry or should I smile. I ended up doing both.

"I love your dimpled smile Zoya. But I hate these tears", he said, teasingly, as he wiped the tears away.

"Shut up! You… you are.. You… ",I was left searching for words.

"I know I am Asad",he sad, giggling.

"I hate you Asad",I said, looking down.

"But I love you Zoya", he whispered, placing his fingers beneath my chin and pulling my face up to meet his eyes.

"Why?",I asked him…

"Because you're dumbest girl I have ever seen", he said, before breaking into a fit of laughter.

I pouted.

"You really thought I would leave you? I can't live without you Zoya", he said, kissing my forehead.

Uff… His lips on my skin, I felt like I was melting.

"I love the way you get angry at me for every small thing. I love the way you get jealous seeing another woman talking to me. I love the way you hide my insecurities. I love the way you complete me, Zoya", he whispered into my lips.

"Marry me", he finally said.

"What! How unromantic can you be Asad! You are supposed to bend on one knee and ask me that", I retorted, irritated.

He gave me a questioning look.

"Is that a rule?", he asked.

"YES IT IS", I said as he very reluctantly sat on his knees.

I had waited for this moment for such a long time. And it was right there. In front of me. . .

"Now say it", I said, with a smile.

"Ya.. okay.. I.. Oh Wait!",he said, irritating me again.

Can this man do anything more unromantic?

I stared at him as he fidgeted with his pocket and took out something. He held it out to me.

O Man! A ring! A diamond Ring! Why did he.. O Man! My dream! My dream was coming true!

"Zoya, I am not really good at this", he said quickly.

I nodded.

"Basically I am very bad..", he continued, "I know I am the most unromantic person in the whole world. And right now I can't even think about anything romantic because my knees are hurting a lot".

I chuckled.

My Akdu was adorable.

"Will you grow old with me Zoya?",he asked.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Yuck Asad! Where did you get that from?",I asked, frustrated.

"Urggg! Okay fine",he said, taking a huge breath.

"I love you Zoya. Please marry me. I want to see you everyday the first thing when I wake up. I want to make lots of babies with you. And I want to…",he said, but was interrupted by me(as usual).

"Asad! Babies? Waha tak soch liya tumne?",I chuckled. I swear I saw him blushing.

"Marry Me Zoya. This is the third time I am asking you! You better say a Yes before I end up with bruised knees.

"Okay. Fine. I'll marry you",I whispered, blushing furiously as he quickly stood up and cupped my face.

"Zoya?"

"Hmm"

"You have no clue how much my knees are paining right now"

I gave him a light push on his chest as he giggled. His fingers caressed my cheeks as he looked at me intensely. His lips were dangerously close to mine, as I closed my eyes in anticipation. He moved down the last half inch so our lips could touch. He always said my lips tasted like strawberries. His tasted like hot mulled wine. His mouth descended hungrily on my mouth and he continued his sweet torture inside my mouth. I kissed him back with equal vigor if not more, resting my hands behind his neck. Moments later we pulled off, gasping for breath. He rested his forehead on mind as we breathed each other.

"Zoya?"

"Hmm"

"Can we assume that we're married just for tonight?",he said as he pulled me into another breathtaking kiss.

**************

"Wow Ummi! This place is beautifully decorated! Ya Allah! I've been missing out! New York never had these huge and marvelous functions!" Zoya admired the shimmer and gleeful atmosphere around them.

"I agree Zoya, This year is indeed the best Eid Mela ever held here!" replied Dilshaad

"Attention please! We are announcing the best competition at this wonderful Eid mela! So listen up because this one is mostly for our couples out there! Ladies do you think your husbands are fit and strong after these thirty days of fasting? Well we'll find out soon! May we have some keen males onstage please?" boomed the voice of the host. "Winner will get a diamond ring for their loved one!"

"Oooh Asad! That ring is gorgeous!" Sighed Zoya.

"I guess I have to go up there!" said Asad.

"Asad! Ummi! Come watch this!" giggled Zoya.

Najma and Dilshaad gathered around Zoya to see Asad walking towards the stage.

They watched as Asad was introduced.

"So ladies and gentlemen now the first part. All men will do 100 press-ups. starting now, GO!"

The four men jumped down and started doing press-ups.

Two of the men stopped at around 28, offering surrender. Asad and another man probably in his mid 30's were still going.

Zoya watched nervously eating stawberries at the same time.

Finally both finished the hundred and stood up.

"Wow! We have got quite a competition! The next part requires these men's wives to come here. So could we have their wives up here please?"

Zoya glanced around nervously and raced to the stage.

"Now lets see how well you know your wives, You two ladies, stand behind the men facing the audience, and they will sit in-front.Right! We will ask them some questions. Ready People? Now lets start!

Mr Asad Ahmed Khan can you tell me what color are Zoya's earings?"

Asad answered. "Blue?"

"Correct! Now Mr Iftikaar Tasleem, Is your wife wearing a green or a yellow cardigan?"

"Green?"

"Correct! Back to you Mr Asad, Is your wife wearing purple or orange shoes?"

Asad remembered."Not purple, not orange, shes wearing black shoes"

"Right! We almost had you!

Now, Mr Iftikaar? What color lipstick is your wife wearing?"

The man looked baffled. "I don't know, Red?"

"Wrong! your wife isn't wearing lipstick! Sorry, but you'll have to look at your wife closely next time!" The MC laughed.

"So the winner of the competition is Mr Asad and his beautiful wife! Zoya!"

Zoya sqealed & hugged Asad, Asad hugged her back.

"Thank you!" Said Zoya.

"Yeah I deserved a thanks after ONE HUNDRED press-ups!" he joke grabbing his back.

The MC gave Asad the diamond ring and Asad thanked him whole-heartedly.

He went to Zoya and slid the ring on her finger, just above their wedding ring.

"Eid Mubarak Zoya..." He whispered in her ear...

Zoya smiled and for the first time, She was spending Eid with a complete Family...

A Worthy Cheating

Asad was not one bit surprised to find the mall crowded with people at this time of the day, when the sun shone directly over the head. He knew most of them were seeking respite from the humidity in the air which made the weather only worse. Moreover, it was Eid tomorrow, and nothing could stop the enthusiasm that was contagiously spreading throughout the city. He himself couldn't evade the craziness, or else he wouldn't be here checking things off the shopping list during his work-hours. The thought of him with a shopping list caused the frown lines on his forehead to deepen. It was one big list, but he'd chosen this for himself, hadn't he?

Earlier that morning, he paced in his room, like a lion let loose. He saw Miss Farooqui pass through, and before he could stop himself, he called onto her. Seeing no sign of her, he thought she hadn't heard. He sighed in relief, and turned back, cursing himself for even thinking of her.

"Boliye Mr Khan" he heard Zoya's unusually sweet voice as he turned back again, only to find her fluttering her eyes and waving her fingers at him. He would be blind not to notice the ring that she was trying to show him making those funny faces.

"Stop it Miss Farooqui" he tried to give her his signature glare, but fell back when he saw her heading towards him, with an angry look of her own.

"Kyun Mr Khan? Maine kya kiya, karte toh sab kuch aap hain. Jao Zoya, mat jao Zoya, jao-mat jao, jao-mat jao, aur jab bol-bolke thak gayye, toh pehna di mujhe yeh nakli sagayi ki nakli ring, jo mujhse nikal bhi nahi rahi hai. Airport par itna hero ban rahe they Mr Khan, kamse kam asli sagayi par hie asli diamong ring le aate. Woh toh Phoopi ki tabiyat theek nahi hai, verna main us jhooth mein aapka saath kabhi na deti. Maine jab bhi aapse poochha ki is sab ka kya matlab hai, tab toh aapki bolti band ho gayi, aur ab jab main aapse baat nai kar rahi hoon, toh aapko mujhe bulana yaad aa raha hai. Aap itne confused kyun hain Mr Khan, aakhir aap chahte kya hain?" she had him stuck to the wall, as she breathed to take in some air. Boy! Miss Farooqui have some capacity to speak, didn't she?

"It's ok Miss Farooqui, rehne dijiye" he tried to move, but she immediately came closer, making his efforts crumble.

"Aap hamesha aise nahi nikal sakte Mr Khan; bina kuch bole, bina kuch jawaab diye. Aaj aapko kehna padega ki aapke dil mein aakhir hai kya?" Zoya was in no mood to back off, and he knew she wouldn't take his silence for an answer.

"Problem bas itni si hai ki kal Eid hai. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha ki Tamatar ko kya Eidee doon. Maine socha ki aap ismein meri help kar dengi, please" he blurted. She looked at him in surprise, making out the meaning of his words. Luckily his angels were merciful enough to divert her mind.

"Kal Eid hai? Allah miya main kaise bhool gayi? Mujhe bhi toh Aapi aur Jiju ke gifts bhejne hain. Sab aapki galti hai Mr Khan. Na aap mujhe yahaan baaton mein lagate, aur na main kuch bhoolti. Mujhe jaldi jaake unke liye order place karna chahiye" she turned to back, but just when he sent a prayer of thanks to the almighty, she stopped in her place.

"Aapko meri help chahiye thi na Mr Khan, main bhi kitni pagal hoon. Aap 5 minute rukiye, main aapki problem ka solution abhi laati hu" saying this, she left the room finally with a smile on her face, and a trick already up her sleeve.

Asad refrained from feeling the relief, lest she returned. Zoya had put him in a really tight spot. He patted himself for spilling the reason why he'd called her in the first place. He knew she was right, and he did owe her an explanation. But how could he tell her something that he himself did not have an answer to.

Fifteen minutes later, he made up his mind and left for office. Just when he'd placed his hand on the door-knob, he heard her urgent voice.

"Mr Khaaan" she shouted and he turned back, only to have her crashing into him because of the inertia of her speed.

"Mr Khan here's the list" she said with a proud smile, like she'd achieved something big, whereas he looked at her in confusion. "Oho Mr Khan, this is a list of what you should get for Najma and Phoopi for Eid. Ismein mera bhi kuch samaan hai, some gifts for Phoopi and Tamatar, please aate huye le aaeeyega, mere paas shopping par jaane ka time nahi hai. Main Tanveer se bhi poochhne gayi thi, but woh so rahi thi" she lied blatantly, not wanting him to shop for his so-called best friend.

"How?" that was all he could mutter, still recovering from the shock as he flipped the page, filled on both sides.

"Simple, maine unse kaha ki 6 mahine baad Christmas hai. Toh woh abhi mujhe bata dein ki main unke liye kya gifts kharidu, so that main kuch bhool na jaoon" she giggled.

"Toh phir aap yeh sab khareediye and unhe gift kijiye, mujhe kyun list de rahi hain?" he placed the paper in her hand with a force.

"Mr Khan aap kitne budhu hain. Ab gifts aap khareedein ya main, kya fark padta hai? Kuch hie dino mein toh hum ek ho jayenge, kyun ji?" smirking, she moved her fingers before him, flaunting off the ring. He snatched the paper from her and left the place in a hurry, lest she again started with her interrogation.

Back to the present, he placed all the bags in the car as he exited the mall. A smile formed on his lips as he remembered her childish acts. As much as he refused to accept it, Miss Farooqui was that one person who made him smile more often than he would. For one monotonous person, he definitely liked this change.

Asad entered the house; only to find the three ladies he adored the most in the world in the lobby. Zoya settled cross-legged on the couch didn't sit well with him, but he thought better than interfering amidst the trio. Like always, her voice filled the place with anecdotes about her life in New-York, whereas Ammi and Najma were all ears to her, their expressions changing with every word that Miss New-York uttered. He wished he could preserve this beautiful sight forever.

"Aur Phoopi Christmas per toh I swear, halla hie mach jata tha. I had so much fun with my friends, hum itni shopping karte they sabke liye ki log hairan ho jaate they. But pata hai, mere gifts sabse best hote they, main hoon hie itni intelligent na?" she gave the signature shrug to her shoulders, making him smile at her antics.

"Wow Zoya, phir toh aapko Eid pe bhi aur bhi maza aata hoga hai na?" Najma asked her.

Asad saw Zoya's face fall as soon as she heard Najma's question.

"Kya hua Zoya?" Ammi caressed her lovingly.

"Actually Phoopi maine kabhi theek se Eid nahi celebrate ki. Aapi aur Jiju mujhe Eidee pe wahi la dete jo mujhe chahiye hota tha. That's it! Just because wahaan Muslim families kam hain, is wajah se I never really enjoyed it properly. Aise mein aap sabki Eid ki excitement dekhke thoda out of place lag raha hai"

She was immediately engulfed in a hug by Ammi, as Najma also grabbed onto the duo.

"Kuch nahi hota Zoya, is bar aap Eid per bohut enjoy karoge, I promise" Najma muttered.

"Haan Zoya, hamari Eid bohut special hoti hai. Tum ab is parivar ka hissa ho na, toh tumhe bilkul bhi udaas hona allowed nahi hai" Ammi consoled her.

"Special Eid?" Zoya asked between her now uplifted mood.

"Hamare ghar ki Eid isliye special hai kyunki har saal Ammi Tamatar aur mere gifts chhupa deti hain. Hum mein se jo bhi apna gift pehle dhund leta hai, Ammi useh apne haathon se khana khilati hain" Asad sat next to his Ammi, hugging her lovingly.

"And Eid toh Bhai-jaan ka favourite day hai, becase har saal woh ye competition jeet jaate hain" Najma pouted as Asad gave her a victorious grin.

"Phoopi aap Tamatar ko kyun nai khilati, woh chhoti hai na" Zoya questioned.

"Nahi Zoya. In dono ko yeh sikhana bohut zaruri tha ki zindagi mein kuch bhi apne aap nahi milega. Kuch bhi paane ke liye inhe mehnat karni hogi. Isliye is competition mein aaj tak kabhi bhi cheating nahi hui" she smiled adoring her kids.

"Toh Ammi aapne hamare gifts chhupa diye, ya phir humein dhakke maar kar chhupana baaki hai abhi?" Asad questioned to lighten the mood.

"Sab kuch ho chuka hai, but gifts dhundna kal se pehle allowed nahi hai. You know the rules, right?" she glared at the duo who nodded in resignation.

"Phoopi I think I shall go, mujhe neend aa rahi hai" Zoya said and left. Asad knew the reason behind her glumness.

"Er Ammi, did you get something for… for Tanu?" he asked.

"Haan Asad, main sabke liye kuch na kuch layi hoon, sabke liye" she emphasized her words. Asad knew his Ammi understood the meaning behind his question, and he just smiled as he too retired for the day.

Later at night, Asad couldn't find a file that he'd worked on some month or two ago. He ransacked through the drawers that he didn't use daily, when a box fell out from one of those. It was wrapped up beautifully, with a card on the top.

Eid Mubarak Zoya

Love Phoopi

A smile formed on his lips as he read the words. Suddenly, a thought struck him. Ammi always hid the gifts keeping in mind some pattern. He was sharp at solving those, because of which he won each year. His thoughts worked at a lightning speed. Ammi was very much into the whole Nikaah-affair these days. If Zoya's gift was in his room, then his gift was…

Knock Knock

"May I come in Miss Farooqui?" he stood in front of Zoya's room, as he saw her busy on her i-pad.

"Mr Khan, aap hie ka ghar hai, come in" she got back to her i-pad, and he knew she was busy.

"Aapke Aapi aur Jiju kaise hain Miss Farooqui?" he asked, hoping to start a conversation. She lifted her eyes and stared at him, as if he were an alien.

"Mr Khan aap theek toh hain na?"

"Uh woh actually… mujhe coffee peeni thi" he said the first thing that came to his mind.

"Toh kitchen mein jaakar pee lijiye, yahaan kyun aaye hain?" she now gave him a look as if he'd grown horns.

"Main soch raha tha ki agar aap bana dein toh, aapki banayi hui coffee bohut tasty hoti hai" he pretended to be genuine about it.

"Really? Aapko meri banayi coffee pasand hai" he nodded hurriedly as she got up. "Chaliye phir, main bana deti hoon aapke liye" she paused as she saw him still settled.

"Aap bana kar le aaeeye, main yahi wait karta hoon" he saw her stare at him suspiciously, but she left the room nevertheless. Immediately he searched through the place, finding his gift in the towel cabinet. His Ammi knew Zoya would never use that cabinet as she loved her towel sprawled in the room. He placed Zoya's gift below her bed, and settled in his original position, waiting for the coffee. As soon as she came back, he took the coffee and left the room in haste, muttering a thank-you. His work was done. Tanu was ill, she wouldn't bother with the competition, and there was no way Najma could know that her gift was hidden in Tanu's room. Proud of himself, Asad slept like a baby that night.

Next morning, he woke up to a screaming Miss Farooqui's voice. Worried about her safety, he rushed to see what had happened.

In the lobby, Zoya was twirling his Ammi humming loudly while Tanveer and Najma stood next to them.

"La lala la la lala

La lala la la lala"

"Ammi, yahaan kya ho raha hai" he asked, breaking the scene.

"I won Mr Khan, I won. Eid ka special competition, I won that. Mujhe mera gift sabse pehle mila. I know that kyuki Tamatar abhi tak apna gift dhund rahi hai, aur maine check kiya toh aap abhi tak so rahe they, which means ki main jeet gayi. Pata hai Phoopi jaise hie main uthi, mujhe meri slippers hie nai mili. Maine bed ke neeche dekha aur…"

"Aap mere kamre mein aayi , bina knock kiye? Aapko sharam nai aati Miss Farooqui?" he changed the topic, realizing how Zoya was about to blurt the truth and crush his plan.

"Areh nai Mr Khan, maine knock kiya tha. But jab aapne jawaab nai diya toh maine gate khol lia, aur dekha aap so rahe they. Pata hai Mr Khan aap sote huye kitne shaant aur sweet lagte hain, so cute" she smiled, making him blush profusely. Did she even realize that everyone was present there?

"Band kijiye apni nautanki, aur jaakar ready ho jaeeye" he left for his room, but he could hear her telling him that he was just jealous on losing the competition.

At breakfast, Asad couldn't have enough of the sight before him. His Ammi was feeding Zoya, who was busy wiping the tears off her face, and thanking her Phoopi side by side. He knew that it meant to Zoya way more than anyone could imagine. She meant it when she said that his Ammi was just like her own. For once in his life, he didn't regret the fact that he'd lost, because it meant that his Miss Farooqui had won, and the two things weren't different, were they?

"Wow Phoopi, sab kuch kitna yummy tha. And yeh strawberries, aap jaanti hain kuch din pehle hie main Tamatar se keh rahi thi that I miss eating strawberries, because I totally love them. Aur dekhiye, aap mere liye strawberries le bhi aayi. I love you so much" she gave her a big-bearly hug.

Finishing his breakfast, Asad went to his room to collect his laptop, when he heard a knock.

"Miss Farooqui, come in please"

"Uh Mr Khan, mujhe aapse baat karni thi"

"Haan boliye"

"Woh darasal Mr Khan, baat yeh hai ki…" she looked up and saw him looking at her enquiringly. "Actually Mr Khan Phoopi ne Eidee mein mujhe kuch jewellery di hai. Usmein ek ring hai, and I really like that a lot. So I was wondering ki agar aap bura na maane toh main is ring ki jagah woh wali ring pehen lu, please" she pointed at her engagement ring. He only nodded, answering in affirmative, and began to gather his things again.

"Er Mr Khan, ek aur baat hai"

He saw her fiddling with the ring.

"Ab yeh meri sagayi ki ring hogi, toh customarily, aapko mujhe yeh pehnani chahiye" she said and dropped her eyes down. Asad took a minute to import what she'd said. He looked at her, and saw that she was dressed in baby-blue colored knee-length anarkali. Indian attire made her look so much more beautiful, he realized. When he did not speak for a few minutes, she lifted her eyes, only to be locked into his. His eyes were filled with an intensity that gave her goose-bumps.

"Are you sure Miss Farooqui?" he closed the distance between them. She forced her feet to move back, but his eyes held her and she just couldn't move. He was a few centimeters away, when she felt his warm hands envelop over hers, taking the diamond ring away from her. Next she knew, she felt him slip off the older ring while he put in the other one. Throughout this, neither of them had broken the eye-lock.

He closed in the left-over distance, coming extremely close, and the image of him kissing her flashed in her mind. Not knowing how to react, she immediately closed her eyes.

"Tumne yeh ring kyun chuni? Is it because it's made of real diamond? Answer me Zoya?" his slow and husky voice clashed against her ear, sending a shiver through her body. He already knew the answer, but wanted to hear it from her.

"I don't know, it's just more beautiful" she barely managed to say. His breath played havoc on her body, when suddenly she didn't feel it anymore. She opened her eyes, only to find him at a distance, smiling at how she reacted towards him. She could hear his eyes screaming at her – You know you can't escape me Zoya, you just can't.

She immediately rushed towards the door, but stopped for a second.

"Meri Eidee ke liye shukriya Mr Khan, it's my best Eid ever" she said and ran away, leaving him to wonder if she'd thanked him for that anarkali that he'd gifted her, or for that magical moment that had just passed between them.

"Mera beta aaj bohut khush hai, nai?" Ammi's voice broke his trance. He knew Ammi would catch on to the reason for his smile in a second, so he hugged her to divert her mind.

"Eid Mubarak Ammi"

"Tumhe bhi" she said, and placed a hand on his head, like she always did. "Asad, tumse kuch baat karni hai"

"Ammi abhi main late ho raha hoon. Eid ki wajah se sab employees chhutti per hain. Aur ek important client aa gaye hain. Mujhe unse milne jana hoga" he tried to escape, but she pulled him making him sit next to her.

"Meri baat zada zaroori hai. Yeh batao ki tumhe achanak se strawberry order karna kahaan se yaad aaya?"

He looked away, but she turned his face back towards her.

"Woh Ammi Tamatar ko strawberries chahiye thi toh…" he started.

"Najma doesn't like strawberries, Zoya does" she said in the voice of a school teacher.

"Toh kya hua Ammi, maine Miss Farooqui ko baat karte suna ki unhe strawberries khani thi, toh maine mangwa di, simple"

"Himachal Pradesh ke apne clients ke sar par chadh kar, unhe tang kar karke strawberries bhejne ke liye majboor karne ko tum simple kehte ho?"

"Ammi aapko kaise.."

"Mujhe kaise pata baat woh nai hai. Baat yeh hai ki iska kya matlab hai Asad?"

"Iska kuch matlab nai hai Ammi. Aap bekar mein hie chinta kar rahi hain" he got up and faced the direction opposite to her.

"Koi matlab nahi hai toh tumne Zoya ko who ring kyun pehnayi Asad, jo maine useh di bhi nahi. Zoya ko woh ring us box mein mili jismein maine uski Eidee dali thi, par mujhe aisi koi ring nahi yaad. Tumne na sirf useh woh ring pehnayi, par tum hie woh ring laye bhi they, uske liye, haina Asad?" she looked at him, prying him to answer.

"Ammi…" he muttered.

"Meri taraf dekho Asad" she said, softly. "Main jaanti hoon ki tum Zoya se mohabbat karte ho, tumhari aankhon mein dikhta hai. Tum dono ke nikaah ka mera faisla galat nahi hai, yeh main jaanti hoon, aur tum bhi jaante ho. Lekin Asad ye baat Zoya nahi jaanti, woh ab tak is rishte ko lekar kashmakash mein hai. Useh jaakar bata do ki ye tum dono ke liye sahi hai. Is se pehle ki der ho jaye, useh jaake sach bata do Asad" she caressed his cheek and made a move to go.

"Zoya ne mujhe bataya ki useh woh box apne kamre mein mila" he looked up and saw his mother still there. "Tumne us competition mein cheating ki jismein tum kabhi apni chhoti behen ko bhi nai jeetne dete. Zoya is worth it all Asad, you know it, and so should she. And for all that cheating, you've made me the proudest mother today" she said, leaving Asad to deal with his thoughts. This really was one special Eid for him.

His Unromantic Love

It was one of those days in summer when you wish never to step out of the house, only to be engulfed by the hot afternoon loo, making your body cringe with heat. Roaming around the bare streets in his car, Asad wasn't surprised to find the always crowded places of Bhopal a little short of population. He made an unsuccessful attempt to smoothen the creases gracing his forehead. What had he ever done to deserve this? As an answer, a memory flashed in his mind, reminding him of his inefficiency as a good to-be husband, to his drama-queen of fiancee, Zoya.

Earlier that morning, despite her ill health, Ammi had insisted on buying a few things for his nikaah. Being the obedient and caring son that he was, he requested her to stay at home as he would make arrangements for those 'things' there itself. Who was he kidding? His Ammi was more stubborn than her son, and refused his offer hands down as she wanted to flaunt off her jewel of a daughter-in-law to the world. Also, she needed some respite from the confines of the room that he'd put her into.

All decided, the trio of Ammi, Najma and Zoya were escorted by a fuming Asad, whose fury increased when he saw Zoya cherishing his misery with a smile. The ladies of the house had left no stone unturned in treating him as a driver, when all of them settled comfortably in the backseat. Only when he'd given Zoya a look that could kill, had she smirked and taken the seat next to him. Throughout the drive, he caught Zoya stifling her giggles as Ammi and Najma discussed how adorable they both looked together, and what beautiful babies they would have.

At the mall, the mother-daughter duo got down, while Zoya assembled her things. As she opened the door to climb down, she felt a pull on her wrist, and she smashed back into Asad, who was leaning towards her.

"You are enjoying this, aren't you?" he asked as she wriggled under his hold, but he only brought her closer. Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, Zoya was scared as she closed her own and mumbled, "Please Mr Khan, I didn't mean to…" she stopped when she felt him let go of her. Opening one eye to take a peek, she saw him smirking "You will pay for this Miss Farooqui, I shall make sure of that".

Taking this opportunity, she pressed her hands closer to her heart that was thumping loudly, so much that she feared he could hear her, and ran for her life. At a safe distance, she turned her head back, only to find the passenger door still open, and Mr Khan staring at her, amused at her plight. Despite her head warning her against it, she flashed her signature smile seeing the happiness in his eyes. Mr Khan was a bad influence for her sanity, but somehow she didn't regret that.

After some time, the ladies were joined by Asad, who seemed a bit lost for some reason. They were at a boutique, looking at some dresses for the functions ahead. Asad tried not to get into the conversation by taking a few calls from work. When the signals got bad, he left the premises and returned in about 5 minutes, only to taken off by the sight in front of him. Zoya stood next to a mirror, in a royal blue blouse, an off-white lehenga with blue and silver border, accompanied with a pink dupatta that covered her head. She was the epitome of simplicity and beauty, and it was hard for him to take off his eyes. She caught him looking in the mirror and on finding approval in his eyes, she shied away.

"Asad! Finally you're here, come and tell us how you like this dress? We all think it's great and Zoya wants to wear it for the nikaah" Ammi beckoned him, not noticing how his face lost all colour at her words.

"I don't like this dress, it's kind of weird. Miss Farooqui can't wear this" he saw Zoya's face fall down. She had been looking at him with her eyes wide in expectation, and his one sentence had crushed all of that. When his Ammi's eyes rose to question him, he took a step ahead and ran the net dupatta in his fingers "I don't know Ammi, this doesn't suit her. It looks more like… like some machhar-daani"

Ammi and Najma burst out into peals of laughter as he gave them a goofy grin, at least they weren't angry at his refusal. But one look at Zoya, and he knew she didn't think it was funny. Where hurt had been, she now looked at him throwing daggers with her eyes. Stamping her feet, she went to the trial room and came out of it in a few minutes, changed into her normal clothes.

"Phoopi, let's go and check out the other stores" ignoring his presence, she walked out only to be followed by the others. They kept going around, selecting a few dresses, but Zoya rejected them all. Asad tried making a conversation, but she only threw him a dirty look. Finally, Ammi ordered them both to go and get something to eat, while Najma and she went to the jewellery shop. Before they left, Ammi whispered something into Asad's ear, and the irritation he felt got Zoya curious. To add to it, Ammi winked at Zoya and went away giggling to herself. Not letting curiosity kill the cat, Zoya left for the food court, as Asad mirrored her action.

Just to irritate him, Zoya took her sweet time in ordering her food. Looking at his face, she knew Asad could've strangled her with bare hands. She really gave it to him for being so patient, and not killing her already. Finally, she ordered her usual pizza with her favourite diet coke. Asad's mouth hung open at her act, and he was about to thrash her verbally, when his cell phone rang. Not catching the signals, he left the place to take his call.

When he did not return for a long time, Zoya wondered if Mr Khan had stranded her there. Just then, she saw him coming and sighed in relief.

"Are you done?" he asked, and before she could stop herself, she blurted, "Won't you have anything to eat". She bit her tongue at her folly realizing she wasn't talking to him, and missed the small smile that he gave her. "I had food packed for Tamatar and Ammi, I shall also eat with them" he said, and they left for the parking lot, where they were joined by Ammi and Najma.

At home, Zoya climbed down and went straight to her room, not giving anyone a chance to talk to her.

"Asad, go and talk to her. She's angry, and you need to pacify her"

"But Ammi…"

"No Asad, if Zoya doesn't talk to you before dinner tonight, then I also won't talk to you." He heard the finality in his Ammi's voice, and left the room distressed.

He knocked her door, but knowing it was him, she didn't open it. He dare not open the door himself, lest things got worse. He sent Najma with a chocolate pastry he'd ordered with the rest of the food, but she came out with a pitiful look telling him Zoya didn't even give it a glance. She was really angry at him for criticizing her choice. He knocked her door for another half an hour, and when he knew she wasn't going to open it, he grabbed his car keys and left the house.

Back to present, meandering through Bhopal's dingiest alleys, Asad cursed the last way which he'd come up with to pacify the angry lioness striding in his house. His name may symbolize the lion a hundred times, but right now, she possessed every trait of the species, enough to send a cold shiver through him. He knew he'd hurt her, but he always did that. She used to retaliate for a short time, and then forget about it. So what was it this time that made her cut him off so bad? He knew he couldn't live a day without her intelligent-entertainment, and he was going to make amends to listen to her cheerful voice, even a nonsensical shayari would do right now.

Pulling the brakes, he stopped his car at the place that could be his last hope, the bakery. Fifteen minutes later, he left with people staring and whispering about him behind his back, but he couldn't care less. He may have behaved totally unlike his sophisticated and controlled self, by threatening his bakery owner of a friend to stop teasing him and handing over the packet of strawberries, but it didn't matter. The whole of Bhopal was out of strawberries, he called it the universe cooking up a conspiracy against him. The fact that it wasn't a season for this fruit escaped his mind effortlessly. But the bakery did not disappoint him. Looking at the packet in his hand, he finally had what he'd wanted, and that was reason enough for a smile to find way on his face.

He sneaked into the house on his toes and stuffed the packet in the refrigerator, only to be greeted by a post-it.

Out with Najma for dinner. Make sure things are sorted until then.

Ammi

He did not know whether to be angry at his Ammi or not, she was really stretching the issue. She was getting too much involved in this whole Nikaah-affair, and siding with her to-be daughter-in-law was the last strike. He didn't know how he would ever break to her his decision about not getting married. It would hurt all of them, making it hard for him to imagine the scenario. But this could be dealt with once Ammi gained back her health, until then…

The fact that he was alone at home, with a probably asleep Zoya struck him suddenly, riling his thoughts at a hundred times faster speed than usual, as he placed his coat on the table and pulled up the sleeves of his shirt. About an hour later, he finished cleaning every inch of mess that he'd created in the kitchen. He never knew cooking could be so… so chaotic. He knew Ammi wouldn't be back before late at night, picking up his cell-phone, he placed the order and went to freshen up.

Zoya woke up to the banging of her door. She rubbed her eyes, trying to focus at the wall-clock. Her eyes widened at the realization that it was half-past eight. She hurried to open the door, but saw only the back of Mr Khan, who asked her to come for dinner as he made way towards the dining table. She washed her face, and changed into her night-wear, only to recall that she was angry with Mr Khan. Cursing herself for dropping the guard, she went to the table, only to find no one else except the devil himself. The table was laid, but there was no sign of either Phoopi or Tamatar. She wanted to ask him, but it was against her resolve to ignore him. She turned back towards her room, when she heard him.

"Ammi and Najma are out, and they've ordered me to make sure you eat your dinner"

It was a request; she could hear it in his voice. Just when she was unable to decide what to do, the loud rumbling from her stomach said it all. Designated, she came back and sat on the table. The food looked really delicious, and smelled even better. Without a word, she immediately filled her plate with all the delicacies and started munching into them. Phoopi and Tamatar were out, Tanveer had gone to visit an old friend, and the cook was on leave, where did the food come from?

"Mr Khan did you cook the food?"

She jumped in her chair with excitement, only to catch him staring at her with an empty plate.

"What nonsense Miss Farooqui" he muttered honestly as he hurriedly served himself. "Why should I cook? I just ordered this from a nearby restaurant"

Her face fell when she heard his answer, and in silence they got back to eating the dinner.

"About today…" he started, but stopped when he saw her glare at him. "I don't want to talk about that Mr Khan, so just let it be"

Her silence was getting onto him, as he felt his life melting into a void. It was as if all the happiness had been sucked from him, leaving him with nothing but a vacuum. Until recently, that same vacuum was his companion, but right now, because of this one girl in his life, he dreaded the mere thought of that vacuum.

"I'm done with my dinner, so am going back to my room" he heard her voice laced with sarcasm as she got up to leave.

"Miss Farooqui" she seemed not to hear him, "Uhhh Zoya" he called, and this time, she did stop. "I thought you might like some dessert. I'm hoping you'll like it"

She saw the hope in his eyes, and the incident at the mall flashed in front of her. She also wanted to stamp on his hope, like he'd done on hers, crush him and make him feel guilty for what he'd done. But she didn't have the heart to be inconsiderate like him. Nodding her head slightly, she said she'd be back in a minute as she needed to use the loo.

When she came back, she found the lights dimmed, and she sighed, thinking how she'd earlier concluded that perhaps Mr Khan had cooked the dinner. That maybe, just maybe, he'd made an effort and done something out of his way – for her. How she'd hoped that he would answer in affirmative to her question, and she could have her candle-lit dinner, minus the candles of course. But Mr Khan wouldn't do that, obviously not for her.

She entered the dining area, and she felt a smile breaking up when she saw the cake that lay on the table. It was a big cake, topped with the things that gave her goose-bumps just as she saw them – strawberries. Like a small kid, she ran to it and stared in admiration at how beautiful it looked. Not only on the top, but there were strawberries even at the walls. She had no doubt that it was a strawberry cake, and the thought made her smack her lips in anticipation of eating it.

"Like it?" she startled on hearing his voice next to her ear, but when she turned, he was a foot away from her. The dimmed lights and the cake were already making her insane. Nevertheless she nodded her head vigorously. He cut the cake into slices as she settled on the chair, cross-legged.

"Mr Khan, you know I like strawberries. I mean I totally love them, like I can't tell you how much, they're my favourite fruit but obviously you knew that, why else would you get me the strawberry cake? But how did you know Mr Khan"

"Uh Najma told me" he lied, hiding the fact that he knew her enough to know this as well.

" You know in New-York, I would skip my classes to go to the market and buy a stock of strawberries with my pocket money, and then I would hide them from Aapi in the basement. God how I miss that, Aapi, Jiju…" he handed her the slice before she could say another word.

"Ummm" she let out a big noise with her eyes closed, and Asad could hear the crackers of joy bursting in his heart. "Wow Mr Khan, this cake is out of the world, so delicious that I could do anything for it" he smiled at her genuine comment.

"Anything?" he asked.

"Anything Mr Khan, anything" she muttered between her bites.

"Then forgive me" he said, making her freeze in her spot. She looked up and saw him looking intently at her. She knew he was waiting for her forgiveness, but she demanded a little more. Seeing that she wasn't going to speak, he knew she was the one waiting, and not him.

"Er you see…the thing is that, urm…it's just that"

"What Mr Khan?" she encouraged him.

"That…that I don't know what it was. I didn't like the dress, and I said it, that's what it was. Perhaps my bluntness was intercepted as rudeness, and I agree I should've been more subtle"

"Subtle?" she raised her voice, slamming the plate down, "You literally mock at my choice of a dress, and you think you should've been more subtle" they both got up, with Zoya moving towards him with her pointed finger, accusing him, while he only moved back, opening and closing his mouth as a goldfish. "What did you call it? Machhar-daani? You think that was funny. I am supposed to get married in what – 10 days, and I don't even have a dress for the nikaah. I don't have a dress for any other function for that matter, and you want to be subtle about it. Are you really sure you still want to be nothing but subtle?" he was touching the wall, and she was towering over him, despite his height.

"I may have a solution for that" he muttered, and she raised her eyebrows. "If you just let me…" he pointed to make way to leave, and she let him pass. He went to his room, and immediately came back holding out a packet for her.

"What is this Mr Khan? Another strawberry cake is it?" she asked in anger, opening it side by side.

The packet tore open and out fell the same dress that she'd tried, and he'd rejected it mercilessly.

"Wow Mr Khan, you did get it for me, like seriously" she hugged the dress as he sighed in relief. "So you wanted to surprise me Mr Khan, you could've told me that. But then how could it be a surprise? I'm so funny. Anyways, I'm just so happy I can wear this dress for the nikaah"

"No!" she heard him say with urgency. "But why Mr Khan, if you don't want me to wear it then why did you get it?" she asked softly.

"You can wear it on any function, as you may please. But…urm I have something else too" saying this he produced a similar packet and she took less than a minute in opening its content. Never in her dreams had she imagined that it would be a red lehenga, ten times heavier than the earlier one, full of heavy silver work. She just couldn't lift her eyes off it.

Asad had felt the same enchantment when he'd entered the mall, only for his gaze to land upon this lehenga. He knew this was the dress he wanted to see Zoya in, forever. The thought of his Miss Farooqui in any colour other than red when they got married, didn't sit well with him. Leaving her in the food court, he went and got these two dresses packed, and picked the box from Ammi as well, for which he'd been called in the first place.

"Mr Khan this is…" she lifted her eyes, only to find him eyeing the box in his hand.

"Mr Khan is this what I think it is?" he was startled to find her looking at him suspiciously.

"Yes Miss Farooqui, this is what you think it is" he smirked as she snatched the box from his hand.

"This is not a ring Mr Khan" she accused him while he only smirked more.

It was a pair of earrings, exactly the shape and size of those like her mother's one of which she'd lost; only, these had small diamonds embedded in them. She felt overwhelmed at his gesture.

"Mr Khan…"

"There's just one more thing, this"

He placed a diamond ring in her hand, a thin band with a beautifully carved out diamond shining on it.

"Ammi wanted you to have a ring of your own, something of your size" he whispered, seeing her eyes moisten up. He did not know what he was going to do if she started crying. He had to stop her somehow.

"Miss Farooqui…"

"No Mr Khan, I'm fine. It's just that Phoopi has already done so much; I can't think how she'll feel when we tell her we are not getting married. It's like playing with her emotions, and I can't do it Mr Khan"

"All of this, it's from me, if that's any relief to you" he pointed towards the dresses and the jewellery in her hand. "I liked the red one, and you were in love with the other one. Ammi told me it was customary to give you jewellery before the nikaah. So I picked up these for you" he said in a soft voice.

"Did you select them yourself?" he saw the same way her eyes lit up when she'd been wearing that lehenga in the boutique, waiting for his answer. And for the second time in the day, Asad knew he was being mean when he deliberately answered in negative, and saw her face fall.

"I didn't select them as in they aren't readymade, but I had them ordered yesterday. They've done a good job, exactly how I wanted it to be. You could say that I had them made, and the designs are my choice" he ended, and he could've given anything at that moment to keep that million-dollar dimpled smile of hers intact.

"I think I'm forgiven" he asked, and she nodded, still admiring her gifts. "Just one thing more, you can have a piece but I want the rest of the cake in the fridge, hidden from the others", she said, wrapping her things.

"I think I'll skip this one, I don't really like strawberries" he moved and placed the cake in the fridge as told.

"But Mr Khan this cake is too good to be true. You should taste some. Whoever made it, the person is in love like big time. Only then can you have such a yummy romantic strawberry cake"

"Uh uh" he coughed, "Ah no Miss Farooqui, I'm a little allergic to strawberries" he saw her give him an are-you-for-real look, as he escaped to the sanctuary of his room. He saw her shake her head as she too left.

Placing all the things securely in her wardrobe, she knew she couldn't wait to have more of the cake. She went to the kitchen, and placing the cake on the table, with a spoon in her hand, she sat down with a decision to make. She couldn't eat the whole cake right now, but she also didn't want anyone else to have it - it was for her. Just when she was about to dig in her spoon, she saw the blackberry beeping, lying next to her. So Mr Khan had forgotten his phone. She picked it up to give it to him, when her eyes fell on the screen.

google search – recipe of a strawberry cake

She wanted to jump in joy, shout like a maniac and do the crazy dance, but controlling herself, she seized the cake and ran to her room, leaving the phone behind. Mr Khan had baked the cake, and there was no way anyone could even land an eye on it, never. She could kill to have this cake all to herself.

The night was long enough for her to relish her treasure. She sat on the bed with the cake in her lap, and the red lehenga swam in front of her. She smiled at the realization that she could no longer complain, as she'd finally acquired an admirable wedding dress. Mr Khan may not have spoken it as much in words, but she clearly recalled him telling Mr Dhurandar-whatever that he liked her best in red.

THE GIFT OF LOVE - MY OS

"What was that?" Asad stood in front of Zoya, hands folded across his chest, eyes wide and a frown creasing his forehead.

Suppressing the urge to smooth away the frown, Zoya ate the last of the strawberries she had before replying, "My idea of ending the big lie our Nikah is! You will never come up with any on your own and will not stop reminding me how you never wanted this to happen and only did it for your mother's health!" she looked away batting her eyes to hide the film of tears in her eyes, "I've had enough!" she finished.

Asad couldn't say anything, she was right.

It had been around two months since they had said "Qubool hai" in front of hundreds of people,

two months since he had walked into his room with her hand in his,

two months that they had been living in the same room like roommates and not as husband and wife

two months of sharing turns between the bed and the couch

And now it was coming to an end as Zoya had decided to go away to the States forever but of course she had told Dilshaad that she was going for a week only and Asad would join her there in a week's time to bring her back by Eid. She had casually given the news during dinner and all Asad could do was play along.

The last two months whizzed through Asad's mind as he stood looking out of his bedroom window. The sound of the door clicking close brought him back to present as he turned around quickly to take in the sight he had come to treasure during these months. Zoya was standing there, freshly out of the shower, drying her hair before she lied down to sleep.

Zoya could feel his eyes on her and she silently prayed that he would say what was really in his heart. His eyes told one story and he himself told another. A constant hurt had settled in her heart for she could not bear the fact that the one man she had fallen in love with couldn't return her feelings and the one thing she had learnt while growing up was not showing her weakness and with Asad, loving him was a weakness. He had to say it first for she couldn't even imagine saying it first and being rejected.

Asad watched silently as Zoya stood still, lost in her reverie. He could have given anything to know what was going on in her mind. She was the most vocal person he had met, she always said what was on her mind but the one thing he wanted to hear, she had never said. How could he ever hope to hear those words when she had so vehemently announced that she would never fall for someone like him? Smiling at the memory that now seemed years ago he lied down on the sofa and closed his eyes.

"What do you think you are doing?" Zoya's voice cut through his musings.

"Sleeping!" he said drily.

"That I can see! But why here? It's my turn today at the couch!" she had folded her hands across her chest.

Getting up he said, "I know but you are going tomorrow and this is so uncomfortable, besides it was your idea to take turns, I was happy with the couch!"

"Oh really! Mr. Khan I don't need your going away gift! What are you trying to prove? You are too nice? Huh!" she stopped when she realized that Asad had stood up and his face was inches away as he looked down staring at her.

"Have I been cad towards you?" his voice wasn't menacing but it was laced with hurt.

"Umm, I don't know…." She was flustered at his nearness for all she wanted to do was pass her fingers through his hair and pull him towards her, "Anyways… I am sleeping here!" she walked around him and quickly lied down afraid that he would hear her heart thumping loudly in her throat.

"Wait a minute! You can't sleep without explaining a few things. How will I explain when you will not return?" he asked.

Squeezing her eyes shut for a moment, Zoya swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat that his mind was still occupied by this. He was least concerned that she was going away, out of his life forever, and he won't see her again. Turning over, she looked up at him and said as caustically as she could, "Don't worry Mr. Khan, I have it all planned out! And please I want to sleep!"

-_-_-

Asad didn't know how long he had lied on the bed staring at Zoya when she got up. Closing his eyes quickly he pretended to be asleep. After a few seconds, he felt the mattress press down as Zoya sat behind him. For a moment Asad stopped breathing when she lied down behind him. The fragrance of her body wash and shampoo talked of her nearness.

Then, very lightly she passed her fingers through his hair.

Very carefully, she put her arm around him and just lay there.

Asad closed his eyes, he did not want her to get up and go away. Sometime later they both fell asleep.

-_-_-

Next morning, Zoya opened her eyes to stare into his grey green ones for she was lying ensconced in his arms.

"Don't go Zoya…" his voice was gravel.

"Why?" she swallowed a lump in her throat.

"Just don't go!" he stayed adamant.

Like a flash she got up, her whole body rigid, eyes shining with anger.

"I know Mr. Khan you don't have much of an opinion about me, you think I don't have the cultural values because I wear clothes that in your opinion shouldn't be worn," she took a deep breath to control her rage, "You know what your problem is? You judge people by their appearance and you have absolutely one mold of acceptable person. If someone doesn't fit that you ostracize that person!" she paused briefly before continuing, "So you may continue to think of me as less of a person but let me make one thing clear I can't live a life of lie, unlike what you think this bond is the most sacred bond for me and I had never imagined that I will make such a play out of it!" she turned away to wipe away her tears.

"Zoya, listen!" she heard Asad behind her.

"No, I will not listen," she chewed out each word, "despite everything I tried and I tried hard to make it work but you…." She pointed at him unable to continue, breathless and completely unable to control the shudders of grief that raked her body.

"This, this is something I bought for you for this Eid," Asad had a wrapped up box in his hand as he remembered how she had tried to make things work between them but he had stubbornly held on to his pride.

Bang went the box on the table as Zoya snatched it and turned around "Take this!" she said pulling off the ring from her finger, the ring that he had slipped on her finger at their engagement, not once but twice, "I don't need a diamond ring from a person who couldn't care less about me! I would have gladly lived with a person who'd make me a ring out of grass blades," she banged the ring on the side table and went towards the bathroom only to turn and say, "and also, you are too proud to accept your mistake!" and this pronouncement was followed by a bang of the door.

-_-_-

Zoya tightly held onto the sink countertop as she tried hard not to cry. The thought of leaving Asad, Phuppi and Najma was killing her but she can't continue like this, being an unwanted person, imposed upon someone. She knew that the smile that so rarely appeared on his face would linger in her minds for years to come. The fact that he loved his mother so much and that he wanted to protect his sister with his life, that he wasn't a shark that other capitalists are, that he didn't build his empire on the ashes of someone else's, that he had helped her cope with her grief when she found that her father was dead, had been enough to make her love him because this was what she wanted in her life but she wasn't going to. Sighing, she turned around to see Asad standing,

"I love you!" he said.

She stared at him.

"I was not being proud, I was afraid of that you'd say no, I am not a bit like the kind of person you said you wanted to fall for," he said as he closed in to shorten the gap between them.

Zoya stepped back to lean against the counter, afraid that she might fall.

Asad continued to walk towards her until there was but an inch between them. Placing his hands on either side of hers he said, "Zoya despite of calling it a lie, I know that I had accepted you with all my heart, the thought of you leaving India had sucked out life from me. Please, don't go!" he said, "Zoya say something, don't frighten me anymore than I already am!"

"Iii, I….I don't know what to say! Mr. Khan why are you doing this right now? My stuff is packed, I have the tickets, plane will be ready to leave in an hour…….." she would have continued if Asad had not bent his head to claim her lips and silence her.

Lifting his head after a couple of minutes he said, "just say that you love me."

In barely a whisper she said, "I won't! I don't need to!"

"What?" he had a look of incredulity on his face.

"can't you see, how much it has hurt me this past month, loving you is not easy," she said.

Kissing her eyes, he quietly slipped the ring back on her finger and said somberly, "How can I make up for it?"

"By….." Zoya paused and kissed him.