Chapter 6- Part B
Same day,Delhi, India-
After breakfast,Zoya and Khushi were getting ready to go put shopping- as tomorrow they were to go to Arnav's brothers anniversary party and when they had asked fufi what outfit would be appropriate- she had suggested Saree.And ofcourse none of them had brought a Saree along, hence the shopping trip.Asad had insisted on droping them off at the mall.
Zoya- Khushi jaldo karo, before jahanpana six packs blasts again to keep him waiting..
Khushi- oho Zo, kuch nahi kahega..Asad.Im just done..
Zoya – Khushi..i wanted to talk to u about something..last night…i..i mean with Mr.Khan..something weird happened..
Khushi was inquisitive- what zo, tell me..
Zoya told her in brief about what had happened, without going into many details about the fall and the eyelock and tried to put on a expressionless face while the memory which was still so fresh struck her mind again..for like a zillionth time since it had happened.But Khushi knew her to well and she understood exactly what Zoya was trying to hide beacause she had been trying to hide the same in regards to Arnav, and so she honestly replied- Zo, I know..I understand..its confusing isn't it..but somehow the look on your face tells me that you like him…don't you??
Zoyas heart instantly agreed to her friends conclusion, but her mind refused and retaliated- yuckkkies…pls…me and like like Mr.Khan no way..and this look that's only because he offered his help to you know help us…although I think the time is not yet right to tell anyone anything..but yes it was kind of him to help..
Khushi smiled as she knew fully that her friend was lying more to herself than to her, but she understood because don't we all just do that at times, when it scares to accept the truth of what you feel specially when its totally different and out of the blue of what you had ever expected to feel, and so she said instead- yeah ok zo, and on that note..iv booked our tickets to Lucknow for Sunday evening…after Saturdays party..Its will be almost two weeks..i guess we should go there and start finding out..as wev been unable to get any links from ammi's aur ma baujis old family friends who are living in Delhi.
Zoya sighed- yeah Khushi I guess you are right..its time..we started..
Just then Dilshad knocked at the door-
Dilshaad- Zoya, Khushi agar tum log ready ho toh Asad is waiting..
They both hurried and rushed down.
Asad saw the serious look on Khushi's and Zoyas face as they headed down..
Asad- Zoya..Khushi..sab theek toh hai..
Zoya quickly smiled- Haan Mr.Khan..sab thik hai…kuch galat toh kabhi ho hi nahi sakta na…jab Zoya Farooqui hai toh no fikar..
Asad was shocked to realize the fact that he could actually see pain behind that smile, and that he ddnt like to see Zoya in any other state, than of happiness.
Khushi- Haan asad..sab thik hai..now lets go..
Khushi felt she saw something in Asads eyes as she just had a feeling that he had read Zoya's pain. There were not many people who could do that…apart from her, and Aapi no one could and they could coz they were so strongly connected to her.So how could Asad have, she wondered as she settled in the backseat..letting Zoya sit in the front.Maybe Asad was starting to like her too-she smiled at that because, she knew one thing for sure that even though they were poles apart, when you think of it only devi maiyya knows how..but she actually felt that as if this whole thing had a different meaning behind it..as if it symbolized something that was simply always meant to be.
Asad dropped them off and he really wished he could figure out what was the matter, yesterday night as well hed seen her masing her sadness and pain and even today.Even Khushi seemed as if she was just smiling to cover up something.Maybe Arnav was right…this was a growing mystery, and surprisingly he who always kept himself out of other's business-even he wanted to find out what it was.
And so he called Arnav.
Asad- Arnav, you were right.We need to find this out.
Arnav confused- find what out??
Asad- I mean..there is something for sure they are hiding, I just dropped them off at the mall for shopping, but they seemed really upset.
Arnav- ohh…(the image of Khushis upset face flashed his mind and he ddnt know why but it made his heart wrench), u know what home is all busy right now with all the preprations going on for tomorrow.and I would have to be home to see it all.Ill drop by later at night, after dinner and maybe we can ask them what the matter is.
Asad- yeah ok.
Khushi and Zoya were upset but shopping always cheered them up and so as they returned home in the evening and showed their sarees to Dilshaad and Najma, they both actually felt light.After aapi…if there was anyone with whom they felt that motherly and homely feeling was with Fufi.And Najma was so sweet as well- so in the constant chatter and excitement of Dilshaad and Najma to see Zoya and Khushi is sarees, they simply forgot the darkness of their past which had sucked them in earlier that morning.But they both knew one thing for sure, that how ever dark it maybe…it was time they discovered the past.And so with the silent encouragement to each other that all will be ok, as they were in this together, they smiled through their fears.
The four of them had dinner with the usual chattering and Dilshaad telling them about the Raizada family whom they would be meeting tomorrow.Asad had walked in at 1030..back from his dinner meeting and told them that Arnav would be coming over in a while to discuss some important business matter.After sometime Dilshaad and Najma retired for the night.
Zoya- 'Allah miyaan whats wrong with you Mr.Khan…itni late raat ko koi kaam karta hai..aur arnav..shouldnt he be busy with the preprations for his familys function..why would he be coming'…and then she took the opportunity to tease khushi and innocently asked her- Kyun khushi..am I right?or do u know why would Arnav be coming
Khushi glared at Zoya and quickly said- NO…are u crazy..how would I know..and said..anyway Asad I guess u guys carry on..im going to get some sleep..im tired..zoya come lets go..
Just then the doorbell rang and Zoya smiled mischeviously and said- are iti bhi kya neend aa rahi hai khushi..im sure two minutes main kuch nahi hoga..and she ran to open the door..
Asad wondered what was that all about, but then he just remembered that Zoya was always crazy and weird, and so he couldn't identify the teasing behind it.
Khushi smiled nervously as she felt asad look at her questioningly- Oho..its nothing Asad..Zoya..is like..crazy….'.actually she was pretty nervous about meeting him especially after the incident day before when she had admitted all those things.
Zoya opened the door and smiled brightly- Welcome welcome, my friend…come in..we were just waiting for you..she said mischeviously walking in ..right khushi?
Arnav joined them in the living room, taking his seat next to Asad- Hi khushi, he said- locking his gaze with her…to finally see her in front of him was a relief to him, ever since Asad had called him in the afternoon he had been restless, he had even called her faking it to be a mistake- just to talk to her and know if she was ok, but to finally see her, made him feel at peace and at the same time his mind cudnt comprehend what the hell was taking over him.
Asad- well Miss farooqui, if ud take a seat..we actually want to talk to the both of you..
Zoya and Khushi were now confused.
Zoya- Us..Mr.Khan..about what??
Asad- aap baithiye toh..
Khushi looked at Arnav – Arnav what is this about?
Arnav- well..Zoya..and Khushi..we both just want to know what is going on in here with the both of you..
Zoya- like what do u mean Arnav?
Asad- About what I spoke to u last night Miss. Farooqui..
Khushi was really in no mood to talk about it right now, as her mood had just become fine and she ddnt wana get upset and so befor Zoya could say anything- Arnav, Asad..nothing is going on…when the time comes well talk to you..i just don't want to..right now..so..please
Zoya felt pretty much the same- yeah pls Arnav…all is good. You and mr.khan don't need to worry at all..we are fine…
Arnav and Asad understood that this wasn't the time to discuss and so they deceided to let it be.
Asad- ok fine khushi , we wont ask you guys any further..
Arnav- but pls when u guys are ready, pls talk to us about it..alright..then guess ill go home now..its a long day tomm…see u guys at the party!!and he silently gestured Khushi to walk him out..
Zoya walked back to her room…into the balcony..to get some fresh air, all the memories getting to her yet again, when she heard him behind her-
Asad- Look im sorry..if our bringing it up has made u upset..I ddnt mean too..
Zoya turned and the tears in her eyes..peirced something in his heart as he heard her say- I know Mr.Khan..its just that..i …i..dont know…
Asad 's hand reached out on its own accord and caught Zoya's, and he said- shh..its ok Miss Farooqui..if you don't wana talk about it..ok…but Im here for you, you know..and trust me ill make it all ok..if I can..
Just that simple gesture meant so much to her, and she felt in that moment their understanding had reached another level and she replied- I know Mr.Khan thanks.I know..now I guess ill just get some sleep..and she smiled and said well issi baat per ek sher arz hai-
Kisne socha tha ki mr.khan hosakte hai itne kind..kyunki mujhe toh lagta tha woh hain emotionally blind..shukriya.shukriya!!
Asad couldn't help but laugh- your crazy u know that Miss Farooqui.
Zoya smiled and walked to her room- yeah I know Mr.Khan..goodnight.
As she walked into her room and changed to get some sleep, she saw that Khushi hadn't come up yet.Before getting into bed,She checked her phone and what she saw definetly brought a smile on her face.
Khushi walked Arnav to the door..
Arnav- khushi..i knw u might find it odd..but u know u can tell me whats wrong rite..whtever it is until u don't tell me..how can I help u..
Khushi –thanks for the concern but its alright…I mean..ill be..f..
Arnav- don't bullshit me and say that youll be fine..just look at you..you are no way near fine.He ddnt know why but he cupped her face and made her look at him and said 'and what fumes me further is that u are not even talking about it..tell me is it ur ex?what is it dammit'?
For a minute, all Khushi wanted to do was just cry it all out..but she controlled herself and put her hand on his hands on her face and pulled it down and held it for a second as she said- I know arnav..that u want to know…trust me ill tell u all about it when the time comes..i will..
Arnav sighed- Look whatever this is happening between us…this pull..we both feel.yes I feel it too..and its different and confusing and scary..and maybe this isn't the right time to but I want us to talk about this alright..tommorow maybe..when u feel better..?
Khushi – yeah maybe..u r right..ill see u tomm arnav.goodnight.
Before he left , he just felt he should and so, he just cupped her face and gave her a light kiss on her forehead- itl be ok alright..
Khushi was stunned by his concern and care and as she saw him drive away..she could see that even he was as surprised by what he had just done, as she was.
She walked up to her room, to see Zoya waiting for her-
Zoya- well as interested I am to find out about what took u so long to come up..i have to tell u this first, she chirped finally..
Khushi was confused- What Zo?
Zoya- well I just received Rehaan's text.Hes reaching Delhi tomm.
Khushi smiled- what??rehaan is coming?? How come all of a sudden??
Zoya- well he had just mentioned some work..altho even I wonder what exactly.anyway hes just here for three days so..that means..
Khushi smiled – yes Zo, I guess well have to postpone our tickets to Lucknow by a day.
Both of them finally got some sleep...but their minds were caught up in all the situations around them but in their hearts it felt – that it would all be alright, and so they slept calmly…totally oblivious to the storm brewing ahead.
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Anupamaa
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