PARTING WAYS
''I Love You.. Zoya !!'' the words echoed in the living room of Asad Ahmed Khan's house. The words had come out straight from the depths of his heart and he had meant them !
The room was full of people surrounding them. Dilshad , Najma, Aapi, Jeeju, Tanveer and Zoya in the midst of everyone with Asad Ahmed Khan on his knees right infront of her eyes.
Everyone's pair of eyes were on the couple positioned in the centre of the room. Their eyes spoke volume and everyone knew how much they loved each other.
Asad had been struggling for quite a while now to let out his feelings to Zoya. But everytime he tried, something or someone came in between them. So, this time he decided to finally do it and do it infront of everyone ! So there would be no disturbances.
With his one knee touching the floor and one hand holding Zoya's hand, he repeated himself. This time more loud and clear !
''I Love You Zoya ! Mai aapse bohat mohabbat karta hu... Kya aap zindagi bhar mera saath dengi ?'' his heart beat multiplying with every passing second.
The curiousness inside everyone increased. They were anticipating for a loud YES from Zoya, knowing how enthusiastic she was always. The outburst was expected from everyone except one person, her phuphi.
For the first time in life, she was so much scared. Scared for her son, who had almost become his father today, asking Zoya to apologise to his childhood friend, though it wasn't even necessary.
Tanveer stood there with a huge frown on her face at the sight of her prey being taken away by someone else.
But what they heard next, shook them beyond words. It took them all a few seconds to absorb the whole situation after hearing Zoya's reply.
''I'm sorry Mr. Khan... I'm really sorry !'' she started moving two steps away from him, clearly demanding distance.
''Mai ye nahi kar sakti... Itni mahaan nahi hu mai Mr.Khan... Naa hi itna bada dil hai mera !''
Asad had a fully confused expression on his face, his heart skipping several beats.
She continued, ''Mai itni bewakoof nahi ki jis insaan pe ab mujhe bharosa nahi, ussi se nikaah karlu...''
Her voice gathered strength with every word she said. Tears had made their way even before she had voiced out anything ! But she wiped them off courageously and continued.
''Mai aapse nikaah nahi kar sakti Mr. Asad Ahmed Khan...kyunki mera maanna hai ki har rishte ki bunyaad vishwas hoti hai... Jisse aane mein bhale hi waqt lag jaaye... Lekin kahi na kahi jab do log ek rishte mein bandhte hai..toh unke dil ke kisi kone mein ek dusre par yakeen paida ho hi jaata hai...!!'' she sighed feeling defeated, after waiting for so long.
''Lekin humare rishte mein aapne us yakeen ko paida hone ka mauqa hi nahi diya Mr. Khan ...''
By now Asad had stood up on his both feet and looked unbelievably at Zoya. After some point, he couldn't even hear what she was saying, but only the sound of something breaking inside him was heard by him. He felt the whole room rotate and his vision getting blurred. He tried to compose himself, only to hear the next set of words from Zoya.
''Mai jaa rahi hu Mr. Khan... Aur ho sake toh apna nikaah inn dus dino ke andar hi zaroor kar leejiye ga... Itna toh kar hi sakte hai aap puphi ke liye...'' she said looking tearfully at her phuphi, who was now seeing a stronger version of herself in front of her own eyes. How she regretted pulling Zoya into all this !
''Ye tum kya keh rahi ho Zoya...!! Tum jaanti ho mai aisa nahi kar sakta!!'' said Asad after moving to stand infront of her.
Zoya looked at him surprisingly on his reply and gave him a half smile, a sarcastic one. ''Aap kar sakte hai Mr.Khan.. Trust me ! Oops...wrong word !'' she said realising that she'd used the trust word again infront of him, the sarcastic tone not leaving her voice.
''Aap Tanveer se nikaah kar sakte hai Mr. Khan... Wo bechaari toh waise bhi kabse mari ja rahi hai...iss mauke ke liye... Aur aapko uspe bharosa bhi bohat hai... Bachpan ki dost jo hai aapki...'' she said, passing a genuine smile to Tanveer.
''Mai chalti hu Mr. Khan.. Allah Hafiz'' saying so, she moved towards Najma and Dilshad giving them a last hug. They bid her goodbye knowing that every word she had said was right and there was no scope left.
Zoya went towards her Aapi and Jeeju with her head held high and asked them ''Chalein.?'' To which she received a teary eyed nod from them.
Soon Asad Ahmed Khan's house was as empty and silent as a graveyard, with him left only with his misdeeds to repent upon.
Allah Miyan had punished for hurting a pure soul like Zoya and he had to live with the punishment all his life.
Aur karta bhi kya... Ek paak dil todne jaise gunaa ki maafi bhi toh nahi hoti !
oOo
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