THE FIRST NIGHT.
Zoya lay awake on her side of the bed. This was the second night in a row she was spending sleepless. The previous night, she had been apprehensive and excited at the same time-. Even though she had prayed for this nikah to be a real one, the suddenness of the finality of their relationship had thrown her back. Asad had approached her in the stealth of the night, it was the meeting he had promised to finalise their plans. Things had moved too fast since Asad had caught on to Tanveer's truth. He was yet to unveil the secret she was guarding, but he was close. And he had forbidden her from getting involved, which for once, she had respected. Any way, it was hard getting around with detective work when all the eyes in the house were focussed on the dulhan.
Her heart had been beating wildly in her chest. She had known in her heart what Asad would want to say. But the lightness in his steps, the hint of a blush on his cheeks and the twinkle in his eyes- kaatilana- he was a killer, she had acknowledged it for a long time, and she had been fidgety like never before.
He had not been his super cool self either, she remembered with a smile. He had finally managed to propose, on this night, before their nikah- "Woh...Actually...".
She had given him a horrified look. Was he going to give her another plate and spoon lecture? Tonight, of all the nights! And he had grinned, looking like a perfectly adorable school boy. She had stared at him, enthralled. In seconds, he grew to a teenager, lifting his hand in a slow attempt to touch the back of her hands, accompanied by a sheepish grin. She had stayed out of character, spellbound at this sudden transition and evolution of the man in front of her, when he looked her full in the eyes with the passion of a lover. He was silently begging her to read his eyes. "Woh...Ms Fa...Ah...Zo...yya...I was thinking...woh...actually...woh...I was thinking...ki...since it has all come to...thi...s...ki...hum-is-nikah-ko-asal-mein-qubool-karen?"
He wouldn't have spoken even that much, had she not been tongue tied, so all the credit to the proposal went to her, she smiled in self congratulation. An apology of a proposal it was, but she was a woman in love. She had blushed, smiled and looked down. That had been her consent. And he had reluctantly retreated with a hoarse 'Good Night', his voice cracking with emotions, each one of which she could identify with. She had not even attempted to speak, the whole exchange had spoken volumes about his feelings, than any sher or shayari or flowery proposal could have.
And it was this unflattering proposal she had played over and over in her mind, the night before her nikah. She had cherished every expression on his face ,every moment over and over again, to the accompaniment of her singing heart, until she had succumbed to a world of dreams, full of him.
It was a dream she had lived through the day too. She had not been able to see Asad in the morning, all they had managed were a few stolen glances just before noon, before Phoophi had rushed her away from his eyes. She had been confined to her room, the morning of the nikah . She was clad in a simple peach salwar suit, and he had not hidden his admiration from her. Suddenly, it was like a new world had been opened to her- the world of Asad Ahmed Khan- where only she was allowed a peep in to the depths of his soul. They had a language of their own- HIM and HER- THEM.
The high that came with this awareness had kept her effervescent, yet subdued through the ceremony. When the women around her gushed how pretty and vibrant she looked, she knew she had to thank her Mr. Khan for that, more than the beautician.
The nikah had gone on without a single glitch. She was thankful Tanveer had not sprung any more ugly surprises. She had felt her glare all along, but had rested in the assurance that Mr. Khan would deal with her sooner or later. It had been a simple ceremony, beautiful in itself.. When the qazi asked Mr khan and he replied, 'qubool hai', she thought she'd burst with pride and joy. She had looked up to him as her guardian angel, months ago. To hear it from his lips, that he had accepted her as his life partner...her eyes had welled up with tears of joy... When it came to her turn, she had been spell bound, and phoophi and aapi had nudged her lovingly. Zoya still blushed when she remembered the meekest words she had spoken in all her life- QUBOOL HAI. She was sure she had not mouthed more beautiful words...ever. Her voice had been choked down- with pleasantly suffocating feelings for one man- Asad Ahmed Khan.
It had been quite late, by the time the guests had been seen off. They had eaten in awkward silence, amongst the cute and naughty jibes from their well wishers. Finally, phoophi had seen to it that they were left alone to the privacy of their room. She had not spoken much- just hugged her and looked at her son, and Najma gave her another one of her huge bear hugs and a very happy kiss.
Mr. Khan had looked on, amused and contented as they left, and then he had closed the doors towards the privacy of their world- THEIRS, hereafter...
Zoya blushed deeply yet again as she remembered dreamily how Asad had approached her with all the confidence of a new husband. Gone was the nervous young man who had stood before her one night before. Here was Asad Ahmed Khan, a man who was gentle and sure. Not a step was out of the way as he held her arm and lightly guided her towards his bed- their bed. He had seated her at the edge, and lifted her chin and given her a deep, longing look. Her heart thundered loud in her chest as he whispered clearly, "Maasha Allah! I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life." He had wanted to say something else too, but she had looked down coyly. Goodness! She had never been so tongue tied ever! But the events of the day had been overwhelming and her feelings seemed to rush in, sweeping her around in their current. This Zoya Farooqui was a stranger, even to her.
"Tired?", he asked , and she nodded affirmatively without looking up.
He chuckled. Did he find it funny that words seemed alien to her, for once?
"Why don't you freshen up?"
He was suggesting she take a bath. And that was a very welcome suggestion. Only, she would have to go back to her room and get her stuff. Zoya was shocked at her lack of planning. Why hadn't she thought about it? Had she not known she'd be sharing his room? It had just not occurred to her to ask Najma to keep her change in his room. She looked towards the direction of the door.
" I think your night dress and things will be in the bath room. I had asked Najma to get your...stuff."
"Thanks". She had finally found her voice.
" Do you need... help with those?" – so cool and casual! The very idea made blood rush to her face, refusing to let her lips move, and here was this man, behaving as if all this was second nature to him! She had weakly nodded in negative, and started for her earrings herself. He must have got the message. He didn't interfere until she struggled with her necklace. He had helped without being asked. He struggled a bit with the clasp, before attempting with his teeth, allowing his warm breath to tingle her nerves. That had awarded her some relief- his breathing was ragged too, he was not as collected as he seemed to be.
It must have rattled him a bit, to say the least. He had gone to the cupboard under the pretext of taking out his dress, leaving her to her privacy. And she had finally felt the old Zoya returning as she made for the door. Closing the door behind, she had sighed in relief. What had happened? She was married! MARRIED! When just a few weeks before, she had been on her way back home; broken hearted, yet ready to face a new life. Her life seemed to have turned 180 degrees in the weeks hence! It was too much to assimilate. MARRIED!
Married, as in, about to share her entire life with someone. And that someone was Mr. Khan!
Zoya turned around in the bed. The room had been empty when she came out of the bathroom. Thank God, for small mercies! She really needed to collect her wits. He had left her a note about being called to some emergency, promising to return soon. At least, this way, she had some time to herself. May be she will regain her full senses and stop behaving like a school girl when he came in. It was not fair! How did he manage to look so dauntless, as if he had known all this for a long time. It didn't seem like he realised what his feelings were just two days back. When had he known? She wondered. And she had called HIM emotionally challenged! Did he feel the same overwhelming sensation she did? She doubted. But she was happy and weary with the excitement. He had accepted her, surely had some feelings for her- the rest should just work out, hopefully. Zoya hugged her pillow with a sense of elation and fear. She was ready for her future- with Mr. Khan.She knew she was supposed to wait up for him. Well, she was not likely to sleep of now. She'd just close her eyes and rest for a while...
Note:
Dear reader,
The idea for this FF has been inspired by the current track. I was not sure of penning it down, but now since Ankie has me 99% convinced the nikah would take place (1%- Gul ka koi bharosa nahi!) and the mehendi has left me on a high- I thought of expanding on it.
Of course, Asad has not confessed to Zoya, but they both know. It is just that they don't know the depth of feelings the other person has.
I would love to know what you thought about it.
Ankiewa,
You deserve double credit for this FF seeing the light of the day...🤗🤗
Sports
Seher Hone Ko Hai
