Part- 4:
Zoya could barely make out where she was. She seemed to be floating around.
The scenes that flashed in her mind seemed unconnected. Or rather, her brain was too tired to connect them. They kept flashing, jerking her out from her peaceful slumber. There was Tanveer calling up someone and plotting against Asad- some business rival, perhaps? She had a vague foreboding that it had all been a trap. But why her? It couldn't have been?
She tried to push her brains again. Tanveer had acted like she wanted Asad for herself. Would she put him in danger? But, the chandelier? They had both been dancing, he had been in danger too. The knife-episode at the black out? Of course, Asad would have been the one expected there to check out the fuse box. So, it could have been intended for him...her brain refused to co- operate.
She saw flames coming up before her. How had she reached there? At first, it had been a staircase burning, with her staring at it helplessly. She had wanted to run, but her legs wouldn't move. Someone had shouted to her, "Jump, Zoya." She could not distinguish the voice. Was it..Ayan?... Asad?... Jeeju?
Suddenly, the whole place had gone up in fire. Flames leaped close to her, spinning a merciless dance around her. It was claiming someone very close to her. Her ammi? Her abbu? Asad? ASSSAD!!! Her heart skipped several beats.
The Alarm started beeping and the junior nurse ran towards her bed. Thankfully, the altered rhythm had settled down in a few seconds, so she need not alert any one right now. She remembered how they had admired this patient's resolve to fight it out. She had required 9 Units of blood in total; but she had coped extremely well, they had said- a real fighter! Such a blessing, when she thought about the patient who had kept them up two whole nights and finally succumbed to death. It broke her heart, when someone placed under her care, was called away.
Zoya's flashes continued. She had seen Tanveer approaching from the side with a club- too late. Was that before or after the fire? Had there been a fire at all?
There must have been one. Now she could clearly hear Asad calling out to her. "Jump, Zoya". She could not see his face. But he had been there - to battle out with the flames for her. She had felt as light as a cotton wisp in his arms. He had held her throughout. He had refused to let her go. He had been there when she was on the table, surrounded by strangers. "Thank God, we got to her in the nick of time. Her husband did just the right thing, rushing her in like that. We would have lost her otherwise." Asad had been there all through, telling her, 'Please don't go, Zoya.'
'Mat Jao, Zoya'. She opened her eyes. She took in her surroundings. She was on a hospital bed. He had brought her there. Where was he? Did he know she was OK? Was he angry with her for getting in to trouble again?
Wherever he was, she suspected he wouldn't get much of sleep. She just wanted to see his face and go back to sleep again. Her head was throbbing, and her right arm was killing her. If only she could see Asad now. She needed to know he was fine.
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If only Zoya had talked to him, before they took her in. Asad had been allowed to see her after the surgery, but she had been too groggy.
"She is recovering from the Anaesthesia. But she was oriented enough to answer our questions, and her vitals have been stable.", they had told him. All he had wanted, was to hear from her, that she was fine.
The lift came back, and the two nurses returned with the empty trolley. They looked at Asad pleasantly and quizzically. Would it be too much to enquire after her again? Just as they were going in, one of them turned back and smiled at him, " Your patient is..?"
"Zoya...She came in at 11 "
"She is fine, Sir. " Another sign of reassurance, he thanked Allah as she went in.
Few minutes passed. He was pacing up and down, when the ICU door opened again. The nurse invited him in. "You can come in, Sir."
He was given a gown and a pair of over-shoes. "This is strictly against the rules, Sir. We felt...Well, you might as well sit inside if no one else comes to know about it." He couldn't believe his luck.
Zoya looked peaceful in her sleep. Her colour had returned. The nurse was just finishing off her medication.
"She seemed a little restless. Otherwise, she is fine. I have just given her the pain medication. She should be dozing off now. You may sit here, Sir", she gestured towards the plastic chair and left.
Thank God she was fine, so soon. There was a neat bandage around her head, a cast around her right arm and lines and wires running in and out. Her face- it looked angelic. She looked too perfect for this world... for him.
He settled on to her left, and held her left hand, taking care not to disturb the IV lines. He was not leaving her hand, until he had to go back again. By now he knew she'd be back home with him soon, where he wouldn't need any stranger's kindness to sit next to her. Hopefully, she would find it in her heart to forgive him.
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Asad had finally caught up with her, and now had her pinned against a tree. There was no mistaking the passion brimming in his eyes, though his tone was playfully accusatory, "Tum mujhse hameshaa bhaagti kyun ho , Zoya?"
- BECAUSE I LOVE PLAYING GAMES WITH YOU-
- BECAUSE YOU ARE MY PLAY MATE-
- BECAUSE WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER-
"Woh...issi liye ki aap mere peeche aaye...aur hum door chalein...door ek jahaan, jahan sirf hum dono hai...bas, thodi waqt ke liye..."
There! She had said it. Now it was up to him to make fun of her, calling her ideas silly and childish.
He chuckled, "Thodi waqt kyun? Main ab bhi sirf tumhara hoon, hamesha ke liye, Ms. Farooqui. Sirf tumhare...", he drew nearer for a kiss...
Zoya woke up from her dream, with a smile on her lips. SHE KNEW.
"Asad", she whispered.
"Zoya", pat came the reply.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
Zoya widened her eyes to behold a set of eyes that were looking at her lovingly. HOW? She knew this was not a dream, not when he held her hand so firmly and tenderly. Would he kiss her now? She blushed. He was acting like she belonged to him- no pretences, no hidden messages- like she was his wife, to hold and cherish. That much was clear. Asad watched his bride blush, in amazement- HIS ZOYA, HIS BRIDE! BLUSHING! When he expected her to be sad and angry and upset with him! A blush in place of a pout! This woman was a mystery!
She met his eyes for a second, and looked away shyly. That brought an indulging smile on Asad's face. How he would have teased her if they were in more appropriate circumstances!
Her lips parted a bit, she wanted to talk. He never imagined his chatter box would be at a loss for words, ever. Asad smiled again, and enquired softly, " Zoya, don't strain yourself. You want to say something?"
She owed him an explanation.
"Woh...I am sorry, I didn't call you...", in the faintest voice.
"You called Ayan instead, because you knew I wouldn't listen to you."
She looked at him. How had he grown to read her so clearly? That too, in a matter of hours? The man was completing her sentences now!
"I am sorry, Zoya. I should have believed you. Tanveer- we caught her. The police will take care of her. I am sorry. There are many things...too many things...I know I don't deserve to be given a second chance...I...Please...Give me...Give... US a second chance..."
MAT JAO, ZOYA.
She gave a look of mild surprise and amusement. Actually she wanted to put him at ease, teasing him that it'd take years to atone for all the crimes he had committed to her and she'd make sure he did all of it, but she did not have the energy right now. And it was least important, anyway. There was something more important than all that.
Asad wanted her to rest, for now. He knew she needed it. But she seemed to want to say something more. She raised her eyes to meet his gaze once again, and queried quite simply and weakly, "When are we getting married?"
He squeezed her hands and looked on lovingly. She beamed back, gave a soft, contented, sigh, and allowed sleep to embrace her. Nothing in the world mattered any more. The akdu of her dreams was sitting right beside her and he was never letting her go. She was already his, FOREVER.
Asad looked heavenwards, thanked Allah for the second chance, he knew he did not deserve. He looked at her tiny hand, now contained in his. She was indeed, an angel- the naughtiest one among the lot. And he had a lifetime to unravel this mystery of a woman...he would gladly spend an eternity doing just that.
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Note: Zatsall folks!
I hope you guys enjoyed reading it, as much as I toiled writing it!
Whew!😆
Confession: Actually, when I started, it was going to be a sad twist- but then the show is already so full of twists, so I decided to keep it short and simple. In the original story I had in mind, Asad was supposed to give her up to Ayan- I decided to refrain, for two reasons. One, I would have been kicked out of the forum if that had happened.. More importantly, the story would have to end on an incomplete note, because it has to go on, until they find each other. And frankly, it was too much of melodrama for me to write down.
Once again, THANK YOU all, for the wonderful comments😊
Edited by chicksoup - 12 years ago
Marathi TV
14